The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 36

Jiang Wanrou kept Chen Yu and said earnestly, “The engagement has been called off. This time everything should be clear, but your reputation…” She sighed and continued, “From now on, you must not be so willful about marriage.”

“I understand,” Chen Yu said with her head down, her eyes red. She sniffled and said, “I won’t be willful anymore.”

Jiang Wanrou stood up and patted her on the shoulder. “Okay, since it’s over, don’t think about it anymore. It’s not a big deal. Even if you never get married, the Xiao family can still support you.”

Chen Yu’s tears turned to a smile, and she nodded hard. “Mhm.”

Xiao Yu brought the little maid back home and sent her to the kitchen. After a few words with Song Luoning, the two went into the kitchen together. Xiao Yu gave Song Luoning the only stool in the kitchen to sit on.

The little maid squatted on the ground, looking enviously at the young mistress who was also sitting on a stool and sorting vegetables.

“Young Master, you’re too biased,” the little maid complained, pouting with a bitter face. She wished she had a stool too; her legs were getting numb from squatting.

Since she was no longer afraid of Xiao Yu, she had become bolder in her speech. Coupled with her young age and being spoiled by Jiang Wanrou, she had become a bit disrespectful and casual.

“Is there a problem?” Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, washing the vegetables they had prepared in a wooden basin. “It’s because my wife is beautiful and kind.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Song Luoning glared at her, her face slowly turning red. She was a little helpless; this person always spoke so recklessly without any propriety. She turned to speak again and saw the little maid roll her eyes.

Song Luoning found it amusing and said nothing more, letting the two of them bicker.

A short while later, there was a knock on the door outside. The little maid went to open it, and it was Jiang Wanrou and Chen Yu.

Song Luoning stood up and bowed to Jiang Wanrou. Jiang Wanrou took her hand and patted the back of it twice. “We don’t stand on ceremony here. You don’t need to bow when you see me. Since you’re married to Ah Yu, you’re my daughter. If she dares to bully you, just tell me.”

“Mom, what are you saying? How could I possibly bully my wife?” Xiao Yu wasn’t happy about this, pouting her lips.

This “cheap mother” was really something, putting such a big hat on her without even asking for an explanation.

Jiang Wanrou smiled, glared at her, and said affectionately, “I know what you’re like.”

“Exactly,” Chen Yu agreed, shoving the cured meat she was holding into Xiao Yu’s hands. She linked her arm with Song Luoning’s and stuck her tongue out at Xiao Yu. “I’ll leave this to you. I’m going outside with Sister-in-law to chat.”

“What do you need to go outside for?”

“I won’t tell you,” Chen Yu said with a playful smile, pulling Song Luoning to the courtyard.

After they left, Jiang Wanrou gave a look to the little maid, who also left the kitchen.

Xiao Yu looked at her “cheap mother” in confusion.

Jiang Wanrou’s expression became serious. She pulled Xiao Yu closer and whispered, “She doesn’t know your identity yet, does she?”

Xiao Yu’s scalp tingled upon hearing this. She couldn’t help but take a step back, widening the distance between them. She hadn’t forgotten Jiang Wanrou’s violent tendencies and looked at her warily.

Seeing her reaction, Jiang Wanrou’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Xiao Yu with scrutiny. “Has that brat’s identity been discovered?” she thought.

Jiang Wanrou asked anxiously, “She already knows?”

“My wife won’t say anything,” Xiao Yu said, observing her “cheap mother’s” expression as she spoke.

She really does know!

Jiang Wanrou was both angry and anxious. This was a crime against the emperor, a capital offense that could lead to the execution of the entire family. She should never have been soft-hearted back then. No, she had to stay calm.

“What did she say?” If that was the case, they had to pacify the young lady. She began to scheme in her mind.

A young woman’s reputation was everything. Divorce was out of the question. The only solution was a mutual separation. As for any demands the young lady might make, they would have to comply. This was the only way to protect the family.

Seeing that her mood wasn’t as agitated as she had expected, Xiao Yu relaxed and comforted her. “Mom, you’re worrying too much. My wife isn’t that kind of person. Even if she knows, she won’t report us. Just put your mind at ease.”

She decided to keep the fact that she and Song Luoning were in love a secret for now. After all, this was a backward, traditional society. It would be difficult for her to suddenly accept a relationship between two women. This matter needed to be handled carefully and slowly.

The door opened, and a clear voice came from outside. “Aunt, Sister-in-law wants to show me the new room. Do you want to come too?” Chen Yu peeked in and smiled playfully at the two of them.

Jiang Wanrou nodded, her face full of worry. She looked at her daughter, opened her mouth, but said nothing.

This matter couldn’t be known by more people, not even her own niece who had been raised by her side since childhood knew Xiao Yu’s identity.

Having been interrupted, this was not the right time to talk about it. Jiang Wanrou cleared her throat. “I was just thinking of going to see it too. Let’s go. We’ll leave this to your cousin.”

Jiang Wanrou and Chen Yu left together.

Once they were gone, Xiao Yu sighed in relief. She was truly afraid her “cheap mother” would go crazy. Fortunately, she was a reasonable person and didn’t beat her in front of the young lady, or it would have been so embarrassing.

Standing in the kitchen, she could occasionally hear laughter and chatter from outside. Xiao Yu couldn’t help but smile, thinking that perhaps staying here wasn’t so bad after all.

At dinner time, a few people brought the dishes to the dining table. Jiang Wanrou sat in the main seat, with Xiao Yu and her wife on her right and Chen Yu and the little maid on her left. She quietly observed the young couple.

Xiao Yu occasionally helped Song Luoning with food, and the two looked very loving.

Jiang Wanrou frowned. At first, she didn’t think much of it, but the more she looked, the heavier her heart became. She had a moment of doubt earlier about why the two were sleeping together, and now… Jiang Wanrou’s heart skipped a beat.

Her gaze toward the two of them changed.

Since the engagement scandal was resolved, Chen Yu had regained her energy and was eating with great relish, occasionally making jokes with the little maid.

Throughout the entire meal, only Jiang Wanrou found it tasteless.

Finally, when the meal was over, Jiang Wanrou left with Chen Yu and the little maid. Before she left, she looked at Xiao Yu, then at Song Luoning, and their loving appearance, but didn’t say anything in the end.

When the three returned home, Jiang Wanrou was still a little lost in thought. After a while, she asked, “What do you think of your cousin and sister-in-law’s relationship?”

Chen Yu was stunned for a moment, then laughed. “I think their relationship is very good. They don’t even try to hide it when others are around. But then again, Cousin started to get better after she married Sister-in-law. This is a good thing. At least Cousin won’t go out and cause trouble anymore.”

Jiang Wanrou was thoughtful. “Forget it,” she said to herself. “What Yu’er said is right. Regardless, my daughter is getting better and better, and I can be at ease.”

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu prepared a bath for Song Luoning. She went to the carriage and moved the items inside the house, including spreading out the new bedding on the bed. When Song Luoning came out, Xiao Yu went into the washing room. After washing up, she came out to find the bed curtains already drawn. Song Luoning was nestled in the soft quilt, lying on her side with her back to the outside.

The door closed. Xiao Yu paused, blew out the oil lamp, and walked over softly. She lifted the bed curtain, carefully lifted a corner of the quilt, and slowly lay down.

In the quiet room, Song Luoning’s fingers slowly curled up. In the darkness, her senses were especially sensitive. The slight rustle of clothes was amplified infinitely. Even with a little distance, she could feel the warmth of the body behind her. Song Luoning’s heart tightened. At this point, it was no longer appropriate to ask the person to leave.

She bit her lip and stiffened her body. The silvery moonlight streamed through the window, casting a mottled light on the floor. After a long while, she seemed to hear a long, even breathing sound behind her. Only then did Song Luoning’s tense body relax slightly.

“This rogue…”

She sighed softly and fell into a hazy sleep.

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