The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 10

The next day.

As the sky began to lighten, Xiao Yu was groggily awakened by the sound of coughing.

“Mm~” Xiao Yu opened her eyes.

Song Luoning was leaning against the bed canopy, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. Her inner garment had slipped slightly, revealing her collarbone, and her chest rose and fell with each cough.

Xiao Yu quickly sat up, rubbed her face to wake herself up. “Still coughing?”

Seeing she had disturbed Xiao Yu, Song Luoning lowered her eyes and adjusted her clothes. Her voice was weak. “Sorry for waking you.”

Xiao Yu pursed her lips and glanced at the nearly empty bottle of cough syrup floating in the air.

If she gave more, she’d have none left for herself.

Looking again at Song Luoning still coughing softly, Xiao Yu pressed her lips together, stood up with a stern face, and went to the kitchen. Soon, she returned with a bowl of medicine.

Expressionless: “Drink this.”

A faint medicinal aroma lingered in the air light, fragrant, and slightly sweet.

Song Luoning paused, her gaze falling on the bowl. She had thought Xiao Yu’s tone meant she wouldn’t care, yet she had gone to the trouble of preparing medicine again.

Something stirred in her heart.

She…

Since drinking Xiao Yu’s medicine, her chronic cough had improved significantly—something even the imperial physicians couldn’t cure.

Where did she get such miraculous medicine?

Was Xiao Yu really as unreliable as the neighbors claimed?

Song Luoning was lost in thought.

“What are you staring at?” Xiao Yu frowned. “Hurry and drink it.”

“Thank you.” Song Luoning smiled gently and took the bowl. “Husband, you should go make breakfast. We still need to visit Mother-in-law later.”

Her tone was natural.

“…”

Xiao Yu was speechless.

Ha~

Why didn’t she just cough herself to death earlier?

Had she spoiled her too much, making her think Xiao Yu was her maid?

So quick to give orders.

After finishing the medicine, Song Luoning handed the empty bowl back and coughed lightly. Seeing Xiao Yu unmoving, she hesitated. “It’s my fault for troubling Husband. But with my health… never mind, I’ll make breakfast for you today.”

“…”

Playing hard to get?

Yesterday she threw silver at her, today she changed tactics? Xiao Yu steadied her emotions, glanced at Song Luoning’s pale face, and silently went to the kitchen.

Breakfast was simple. She had planned to make coarse rice porridge, one bowl each. But thinking of Song Luoning’s pale complexion, she frowned and stir-fried some bamboo shoots.

Clearly, her indulgence had encouraged Song Luoning’s boldness.

“After breakfast, let’s go visit Mother-in-law early,” Song Luoning said.

“Mm.” Xiao Yu had already informed her mother yesterday, so she wasn’t worried. After breakfast, not expecting the young lady to clean up, Xiao Yu collected the bowls and washed them.

Then the two left together.

At the Xiao residence.

Jiang Wanrou was already pacing anxiously in the hall. That brat had caused such a mess without saying a word today, she had to cancel the marriage.

When the maid reported they had arrived, Jiang Wanrou quickly sat in the main seat. Xiao Yu entered with Song Luoning.

Jiang Wanrou immediately began to observe. Her appearance and demeanor were identical to that woman from eighteen years ago.

She must be her daughter.

But how to cancel the engagement? If her unfortunate child were a boy, she’d be thrilled to match with this girl. But he wasn’t.

Should she ask the girl to break off the engagement?

Impossible. The marriage was arranged by both families, and they had already registered it. Plus, the girl was from an official family. What now?

Song Luoning was also quietly observing her.

The woman in the main seat looked around thirty-six or thirty-seven, dressed as a matron. Her features resembled Xiao Yu’s, especially the peach blossom eyes—identical. Compared to Xiao Yu’s sallow complexion, this woman had fair skin and a languid elegance. Her peach blossom eyes were more charming she was still quite attractive.

No doubt, she was Xiao Yu’s mother.

“Mother,” Song Luoning greeted sweetly.

“Mm, about your marriage…”

“It was wrong of me not to inform Mother in advance,” Song Luoning interrupted gently. “Please don’t blame Husband. He did it for me. He truly cares about you otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought me to visit you right after the wedding.”

Xiao Yu: “……” What nonsense?

Jiang Wanrou: “……” This girl was polite, sensible, and thoughtful. So sweet.

Wait.

Jiang Wanrou snapped out of it, frustrated. With the girl speaking like that, how could she bring up canceling the marriage?

It was all that brat’s fault and hers.

She sighed. If she hadn’t foolishly agreed to the engagement back then, none of this would’ve happened.

She thought the other party wasn’t serious, and hadn’t taken it seriously herself. Who knew the girl would show up?

You really can’t count on luck.

Canceling the marriage wasn’t possible for now. She’d have to secretly warn her unfortunate child not to blow their cover.

Jiang Wanrou sighed again, stood up, and took out a box. Inside was half a fish-shaped jade pendant.

?!

It matched Song Luoning’s pendant exactly. Xiao Yu’s eyes widened—she had made up the story, yet the jade was real and in her mother’s possession.

Song Luoning also took out her pendant. When placed together, they formed a perfect pair.

“This pendant was left by your mother,” Jiang Wanrou said. “I’ve kept it for Ah Yu all these years. Now it’s time to pass it on.” She handed it to Xiao Yu.

?!

Wait, what just happened?

Wasn’t she supposed to cancel the marriage?

Was her mother reliable or not? Yesterday she wanted to beat her, now she was all gentle with Song Luoning. Xiao Yu couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

Song Luoning looked perfectly obedient.

Ha~

So she was the extra one here.

“Well, since you’re married, you’ll need to live your life. There are three acres of land not yet rented—take them and farm. Also, here’s some silver to get you through till harvest.” Jiang Wanrou handed Song Luoning a deed and a pouch of silver.

?!

Not only was the marriage not canceled, but her mother gave the silver to Song Luoning instead of her own daughter?

Song Luoning accepted the deed and silver with a graceful bow.

“……”

Xiao Yu closed her eyes. Fine. The original host was a spendthrift who got kicked out—no wonder the silver wasn’t given to her. She could accept that.

But… judging by her mother’s attitude, if Song Luoning were to take charge of the household…

Xiao Yu didn’t even want to imagine how she’d be bossed around.

On the way back, Xiao Yu remembered the bath barrel Song Luoning had promised.

“Aren’t we going to the county?” Xiao Yu asked.

“Hmm?” Song Luoning looked at her, puzzled. “Why go to the county?”

“……”

Why?

You tell me.

Xiao Yu felt a lump in her chest. She knew Song Luoning couldn’t be trusted. Last night she promised to buy a bath barrel just a trick to get her to fetch water.

Liar!

She’d never let herself be bossed around again.

Xiao Yu was fuming.

After a moment, Song Luoning realized he was still thinking about the bath barrel. She hadn’t forgotten how he took advantage of her last night, and now he had the nerve to ask for a bath barrel.

Song Luoning smiled sweetly. “Silly me, thanks for reminding me, Husband. Yes, we should go to the county today.”

Xiao Yu snorted.

She was furious, and Song Luoning spoke so lightly clearly intentional.

“Husband, why aren’t you speaking? Are you mad at me?” Song Luoning feigned innocence.

Say what? He was about to explode.

Xiao Yu glared at her. “Hire an ox cart.”

Song Luoning: “Such a small matter Husband can decide. I’ll follow your lead.”

Xiao Yu: “……” Speechless.

Was this woman sent by the heavens to torment her?

She was now certain this woman was definitely not the heroine. The heroine was gentle and kind, not like this one beautiful on the outside, black-hearted inside.

They had been to the county before, so they easily found the bath barrel shop. Song Luoning asked the price, then waved her hand and bought the best one.

Definitely a rich young lady.

Watching the luxurious bath barrel being tied to the ox cart, Xiao Yu couldn’t stop smiling.

“Are you satisfied, Husband?” Song Luoning asked with a smile.

Satisfied extremely.

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