The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 25

After that, Xiao Yu didn’t join them in pulling stones. Instead, she knelt beside a stone and began to study it, using a piece of charcoal to draw on it. Then, she called over one of the villagers who was helping.

“Start chiseling from this spot and make a mortar. You know how to do that, right?” Xiao Yu asked, pointing to the line she’d drawn.

The villager looked at her with a blank expression.

Xiao Yu was speechless.

Mortars were something every family should have, right?

Did they not have them here?

That didn’t seem right.

Suddenly, she realized something. In the past, mortars were mainly used for pounding medicine. Since this dynasty didn’t even have rice, they likely hadn’t started using mortars for production yet. It made sense that he wouldn’t know.

“Follow the circle I drew and start chiseling. Don’t go all the way through; it needs to have a curve…”

The villager nodded, half-understanding. He didn’t know what the mortar was for, but as long as he was getting paid, it didn’t matter what he did.

As soon as Xiao Yu finished her instructions, Chen Ziyi came over and grabbed her, his face full of disapproval. “A’yu, what are you doing this for? Are you still thinking about those ridiculous things? Chen Ergou has already been arrested. You should settle down and live a proper life.”

The other villagers working heard them talking and looked over curiously. Some villagers who had come to watch had already gathered around. When they heard Chen Ziyi’s words, they shook their heads and whispered amongst themselves.

“…”

Xiao Yu frowned. Although she knew he meant well, she found it hard to accept his kindness, as he was standing on a moral high ground and criticizing her without knowing the full story.

Inwardly, she began to change her opinion of Chen Ziyi.

The original owner’s story hadn’t explained things clearly. It had only mentioned that the original owner had suddenly distanced herself from Chen Ziyi and started hanging out with the village bum, Chen Ergou.

This eventually led to the original owner being kicked out of her home by her mother, which is how she truly became a spendthrift.

Why had the original owner suddenly distanced herself from Chen Ziyi?

Before, she had always seen the original owner as a good-for-nothing and hadn’t looked into the details. Chen Ziyi had initially seemed like a good person who was always looking out for her. But the longer she was around him, the more she felt he was subtly using her to highlight his own rationality and generosity.

This was a subtle but significant change.

“It’s just a rock, what’s all the fuss about? And you lot, what are you all doing standing around? Haven’t you ever seen a house being built?” Chen Yu walked out of the crowd and silenced the whispering villagers.

No matter what, Xiao Yu was her family. She could talk about her, but that didn’t mean others could.

Chen Yu glared at Xiao Yu and then scowled at Chen Ziyi.

Neither of them was easy to deal with.

“This is called a mortar. It’s normally used for pounding medicine, so it’s not a useless thing.” Song Luoning followed behind Chen Yu. Under the surprised gazes of the crowd, she walked over to Xiao Yu and gave her a gentle smile.

“Isn’t that the beautiful lady who came in the carriage the other day?” someone recognized Song Luoning.

“Why is she with Xiao Yu?”

Song Luoning rarely went out, and besides, only their close friends and family knew about their marriage. It was understandable that others didn’t.

Song Luoning looked up at Xiao Yu, her eyes shimmering as if with tears. Her voice was soft and gentle, but every word was clear. “It’s all Luoning’s fault for having been frail since childhood. I knew my husband was making this to pound medicine for me, but I never expected it to cause him to be misunderstood by people. It’s all my fault.”

As she spoke, the tears in her eyes seemed on the verge of spilling out, making her look incredibly pitiful.

Xiao Yu’s heart ached. She was so worried about her that she didn’t care about the whispers around them. She helped Song Luoning and led her back to the courtyard, leaving everyone else to look at each other.

What did that lady just call Xiao Yu?

Husband?

What kind of luck did this good-for-nothing have to marry such a beautiful wife?

“I’d say that girl is blind.”

“I know, right? What a waste…”

“So, is Xiao Yu building a house to get married?”

What a scoop!

It was enough gossip to last them for days.

Chen Yu glared at the people around her, fuming. She was the sister of one of the people involved. Was it appropriate for them to be saying such things in front of her?

Chen Ziyi walked over to Chen Yu. He was a little nervous because of what had just happened and cautiously looked at Chen Yu’s expression. “Xiaoyu, why did you come?”

For some reason, Chen Yu wasn’t as happy to see him as she had been before. She just gave a faint “mm” and looked down at her feet without speaking.

“Xiaoyu, it was a real misunderstanding just now. I was just afraid she’d go back to her old ways. And we’ll be family soon. I was just worried you and Auntie would be sad again,” Chen Ziyi said sincerely.

Chen Yu looked up at the seemingly honest man in front of her, feeling annoyed. “Okay, I get it. You all get back to work. I’m heading back.”

She left without giving Chen Ziyi a chance to speak, pushing through the crowd and walking faster.

Back in the house, Xiao Yu helped Song Luoning sit on a stool, her face full of joy. She was grinning from ear to ear, her tail practically wagging. “Wifey, don’t take what they said to heart. Here, Wifey, drink some water.”

She poured a cup of water and placed it in front of Song Luoning, rubbing her hands together. Her peach blossom eyes were still burning bright.

Song Luoning pursed her lips. She didn’t understand why she was the one who was wronged, but now she was the one being comforted.

Besides, she didn’t take it to heart. They were just a bunch of ignorant people.

And what did this ruffian’s affairs have to do with her?

She had only helped her because they were living together and she didn’t want her own reputation to be ruined because of her.

It had nothing to do with whether or not she cared about her.

Song Luoning turned her face away, looking a little unnatural. She picked up the cup and pretended to take a sip, using it to hide her expression.

She really wanted to ignore the person in front of her.

But the person in front of her was oblivious and kept moving closer. Xiao Yu sat down next to Song Luoning. Even through the thick layers of her clothes, Song Luoning could feel the warmth and a subconscious sense of danger.

The person in front of her looked so harmless, though, that she instinctively felt she was overthinking it.

This person was a pervert in spirit but not in action.

At most, she was just getting a little too close. It was still within her tolerance range, Song Luoning thought to herself.

“Wifey, are you feeling better today?” Xiao Yu poured herself a cup of water as well. Thinking of how she had been working all day and was covered in sweat, she moved her stool back a little, putting some distance between them.

Song Luoning pursed her lips and felt a sense of relief.

“Much better. Dr. Jiang’s medicine is very effective.” At this, Song Luoning’s previously calm emotions stirred up again. She couldn’t stand the sight of Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu nodded. How could a medicine from the system be bad?

It seemed she had to double down on her missions from now on so the young lady’s illness could get better.

The only downside to the system was that she couldn’t see the missions, so she couldn’t complete them accurately. If only it could be upgraded.

Oh well, there was no point in thinking about it. The sky was still bright, so Xiao Yu quickly got up to fetch water from the river. She planned to take a bath to relax in the evening.

“Wifey, I’ll go get some water first. I’m going to take a bath tonight; I’m covered in sweat and smell awful,” Xiao Yu said.

Then she suddenly remembered that the young lady hadn’t mentioned bathing for two days. Maybe they could bathe together. It would be more convenient.

Xiao Yu first carried the buckets of water to fill the water tank in the kitchen, then filled the bathtub halfway with cold water. The rest was for hot water.

By the time she finished, it was already dark. The villagers who were working outside had all gone home. After they finished their dinner, Xiao Yu began to boil water.

“Wifey, you go first. I’ll wash up later.” Xiao Yu added the last bucket of hot water to the tub and ran her hand over the water to test the temperature.

It was just right.

Xiao Yu grabbed the bucket and closed the door, finding a spot to sit in the courtyard. There was only one pine oil lamp in the room, and its dim, yellow light flickered on the paper window.

After sitting in the courtyard for a while, Xiao Yu went back to the kitchen and boiled another bucket of hot water. She knocked on the door. “Wifey, has the water gotten cold? Do you want me to add some more hot water?”

The crisp female voice was like a clap of thunder in the silent night. Song Luoning’s body instantly tensed up. She quickly spoke, “No… no need. The water’s still hot.”

Afraid that she would come in again, Song Luoning ignored her shame, got up, put on her clothes, and opened the door.

“I’ve already washed up. Husband, you go ahead.” Her porcelain-like skin was misty with steam. Her ink-black hair hung like a waterfall behind her, and water droplets dripped from the ends, dampening the white nightgown on her back.

Xiao Yu’s breathing hitched. The young lady’s nightgown was soaked and clung to her waist. Her slender waist seemed to be able to be held in one hand. Xiao Yu’s face instantly flushed, and her heart rate quickened.

Was the young lady trying to tempt her?

Although she had her limits, this view…

Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

Xiao Yu held her breath. Her reason and desire were in an infinite tug-of-war. She tried her best to restrain herself and said in a hoarse voice, “You should dry your hair first, so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Hmm?” Song Luoning frowned and followed her gaze. A wave of heat rushed to her head, and she froze. By the time Song Luoning reacted, she was so ashamed and angry. This shameless scoundrel! She wanted to gouge her eyes out.

She suppressed the shame in her heart, turned back into the room, took an outer garment from the bed, and put it on.

“Wifey, let me help you dry it,” Xiao Yu said, following her into the room and putting down the bucket she was holding.

Song Luoning’s hair was thick and lush. How long would it take for her to dry it herself?

Song Luoning’s movements froze. She had her back to her, suppressing her anger.

This shameless scoundrel!

“No need to trouble yourself, Husband. Luoning can do it herself. Husband, you should go take your bath,” she said.

Song Luoning sat on the bed and pulled down the bed curtain, blocking their view.

Xiao Yu was speechless.

When she bathed, she waited in the courtyard. Why was it a different situation when she was bathing…

As if sensing her hesitation.

“Don’t worry, Husband. Luoning won’t peek,” Song Luoning said.

Even though it was through the bed curtain, it was still a little blurry. Xiao Yu looked at the bed curtain for a long time.

She thought to herself: It’s true that I can’t let the young lady wait outside. The young lady is weak and delicate. How could she go to the courtyard?

Forget it. If this is how it has to be, then so be it. They were both women. She had just looked at the young lady, so it was fine if she wanted to look at her, too. They would be even.

After she came to this conclusion, Xiao Yu added some hot water to the tub, quickly took off her clothes, and slipped into the tub, leaving only her head exposed.

She secretly glanced at the bed. She could vaguely see that the young lady was still drying her hair and probably wasn’t looking at her.

Xiao Yu relaxed and focused on her bath.

After a long day of work, it felt so good to have a comfortable hot bath!

The tub was filled with the young lady’s scent.

Song Luoning was startled when she heard the sound of water. Through the bed curtain, she saw that Xiao Yu hadn’t even changed the bathwater before getting in the tub. Her expression changed.

This scoundrel!

Sharing bathwater was such an intimate thing. How could she…

Song Luoning bit her silver teeth together. She lightly lifted the bed curtain with her fingers and saw Xiao Yu taking a deep breath and resting her head on the tub, looking like she was enjoying it.

Song Luoning felt a lump in her throat.

She wanted to expose this scoundrel right away, but what then?

They would tear each other apart.

What about her father’s instructions?

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