The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 3

Song Luoning furrowed her brows and pondered for a moment. “Young master, is your ancestral home in the capital?”

Ancestral home in the capital?

Since the original host was a descendant of the founding emperor, then yes, the capital would be correct.

Xiao Yu quickly nodded.

Song Luoning continued, “Is your mother from the Jiang Xiao clan?”

The original host’s mother was named Jiang Wanrou, so Jiang Xiao clan fits.

Xiao Yu nodded again.

Seeing that his answers matched and were fluent, Song Luoning’s tightly knit brows relaxed slightly.

She had been worried she’d found the wrong person not only failing her father’s request but possibly putting herself in danger. Thankfully, it was just a false alarm.

Xiao Yu noticed she stopped questioning him. It seemed his silver was safe for now.

“Um… should we still collect the marriage certificate?” Xiao Yu asked cautiously.

To be clear, she wasn’t driven by lust she was just worried about the 1,000 taels of silver being lost.

Song Luoning pressed her lips together. Since he was the right person, and judging by the gossip she overheard in the carriage, her instincts told her the jade pendant had likely already been sold by this man.

Would she really have to spend her life with someone like this?

But then she thought of her father’s instructions before leaving the capital. She closed her eyes briefly. Maybe this was her fate. At least he had been honest about his identity before marriage.

Song Luoning sighed. That might be his only redeeming quality.

She put away the jade pendant. “Let’s go to the county office tomorrow to collect the marriage certificate.”

With that, she ignored Xiao Yu and began organizing her belongings on the wooden bed.

Xiao Yu breathed a sigh of relief. That lie had nearly fallen apart. He felt a pang of guilt—he really did feel sorry for the girl.

His gaze lingered on her slender back.

Fine. He’d treat her well. If she ever met someone she truly liked, they could separate. As for the 1,000 taels, he’d consider it a loan and repay her tenfold once he earned enough.

He watched as Song Luoning tidied the dirty clothes left by the original host and neatly arranged the thin bedding before placing her bundle on the bed.

She looked so fragile, like a gust of wind could blow her away. Not much sturdier than the original host, who was tall but emaciated. Song Luoning, on the other hand, had a delicate, sickly beauty—like Lin Daiyu.

Xiao Yu glanced at the hard wooden bed. That frail body probably couldn’t handle it. Plus, she was now holding the silver he’d just received. He should take good care of her.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Yu said, “You rest first. I’m heading out.”

With that, she quickly pushed the door open and left.

Song Luoning turned just in time to see her leaving figure, her brows tightening.

Already rushing out after getting the money?

Outside, Xiao Yu saw a man sneaking around the door, peeking inside. It was the same man who had knocked earlier.

He approached with a sly grin. “Xiao Yu, who’s that girl? She’s really pretty.”

Trying to target her benefactor?

Xiao Yu’s expression darkened. One look at his shifty face and she knew he wasn’t a good person probably one of the original host’s shady friends.

She didn’t bother being polite. “What’s it to you?”

The man scowled. Xiao Yu used to have money, so he’d suck up to her. Now she was broke why should he show respect?

He spat. “I’m talking to you out of courtesy. You better watch yourself, or else…”

Or else what?

Xiao Yu flexed her wrist. She was a strong athlete in her modern life why would she be afraid?

Seeing her ready to fight, the man hesitated. Everyone was starving and weak fighting wasn’t ideal.

Still, he couldn’t back down. He puffed up his chest and muttered weakly, “Don’t expect me to hang out with you anymore.”

Hang out?

Xiao Yu’s lips twitched. She’d love for him to stay far away.

He noticed she didn’t react. Normally, she’d beg to be included. What was going on today?

Xiao Yu stared coldly. “Done talking? Then get lost.”

Instead of groveling, she told him to scram. Furious, he cursed and stormed off.

Once he was gone, Xiao Yu remembered her errand. She hadn’t left the yard since arriving. She needed to go to town or the county to buy supplies but she didn’t know the way.

Just then, a route to town appeared in her mind, along with a note: “One quilt costs 300 wen.”

(A/N: This is a fictional setting; prices are not historically accurate.)

Xiao Yu was stunned. She’d read many time-travel novels did she just unlock her cheat code?

So her cheat was a survival guide for ancient times?

Perfect. She’d just been wondering how to survive here, and now this popped up. Very useful. She wouldn’t stay in this village forever once she repaid the girl, she’d leave.

The afternoon sun lit up her delicate features, adding a youthful glow to her pale face.

Following the mental map, Xiao Yu reached the village entrance. A bullock cart was parked there, and the driver a kindly old man was eating a cornbread bun under a tree.

Seeing her, he smiled. “Heading to town, Xiao lad?”

Everyone knew Xiao Yu as a lazy good-for-nothing. Before she could reply, the old man tucked away his half-eaten bun, stood up, untied the reins, and hopped onto the cart.

“Let’s go. The earlier, the better.”

Most folks were busy with the harvest few had time to go to town. He cracked the whip and they were off.

Xiao Yu: “…”

She climbed aboard and held on as the cart bumped along. Eventually, they stopped under a large locust tree.

The old man smiled and said he’d head back at dusk, then sat down and resumed eating his bun.

Xiao Yu didn’t respond and quietly walked away. She soon found a general store, bought bedding, and picked up a few new outfits. The original host’s clothes were too shabby and she didn’t like wearing secondhand clothes.

With time to spare, she wandered the town, hoping to find a job. But most positions weren’t suitable.

Waiter, guard, farmhand none paid even one tael a month.

How long would it take to earn 1,000 taels?

Near dusk, she returned to the locust tree. Two young men were already on the cart. Seeing her, they sneered and turned away.

Xiao Yu: “…”

What was with that look?

She forced a smile.

The old man saw her purchases and shook his head in pity. Once she was seated, he drove the cart home.

“Chengfu, how’s your job?” one man asked.

Xiao Yu perked up at the mention of work.

“Not great. I only earn 700 wen a month. I’m quitting after this month.”

“Same here. I’ll go home and help with the fields.”

…

After hearing their conversation, Xiao Yu’s eyes darkened. Finding a job would take time.

Soon, they reached the village. Xiao Yu paid the fare and carried her quilt home. She heard footsteps behind her and realized the two men were also from Chenjia Village.

No wonder they looked down on her they knew the original host.

He was a notorious spendthrift with a bad reputation. She’d look down on him too.

And now she was him. That thought stung.

Xiao Yu clenched her jaw and quickened her pace.

Back home, Song Luoning sat by the bed, lost in thought. Seeing Xiao Yu return, she straightened up.

Xiao Yu glanced at her, heart fluttering. Her skin was flawless, her features exquisite, her phoenix eyes slightly upturned just looking at her was a treat.

She placed the quilt on the bed. “Bought a new one. The old one was too thin.”

Song Luoning looked at Xiao Yu, then at the quilt, her expression complicated.

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