The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 38

Now that the barrier was gone, it was natural to wake up in an embrace.

At this moment, the young lady had retracted her fangs and was as docile as a cat—soft fur, gentle demeanor. Xiao Yu couldn’t name the breed, but she was soft and cuddly, occasionally nudging in his arms, making it impossible to resist.

Recently, Xiao Yu didn’t need to perform storytelling on the bridge, so he wasn’t in a rush to get up. He simply stared at the young lady. Around dawn, Song Luoning furrowed her brows in her sleep, as if she were in a furnace. It wasn’t that hot in early summer, yet sweat beaded on her forehead. Half-asleep, she pushed away the source of heat.

“Wife, are you awake?” Xiao Yu caught her hand and leaned in, lowering his voice.

The little cat seemed to be waking up. Xiao Yu was delighted—it was his first time seeing the young lady wake up. His eyes were full of tenderness.

“Mm~” Song Luoning responded instinctively and rolled away from his embrace.

“…”

Why did she leave?

Xiao Yu felt a bit disappointed and tried to pull her back, but Song Luoning was already awake.

“Wife,” Xiao Yu said softly.

Song Luoning stiffened. Her rationality returned. How could she forget that this scoundrel had shared her bed last night? She quickly checked her clothes—thankfully intact. It seemed he behaved himself last night. She sighed in relief.

“Mm.” She responded coolly and got out of bed.

“Wife, won’t you sleep a bit longer?” Xiao Yu sat up, reluctant to let her go.

“It’s late. Doesn’t husband need to collect the rice?” Song Luoning put on her outer robe, ignoring his burning gaze.

“No rush.” He patted the spot beside him. “Lie down a bit longer.”

Song Luoning frowned and gave him a displeased look. “No need.” She poured herself a glass of water as sunlight streamed through the window. “It’s late. Husband should get up too.”

Though he behaved last night, his morning words were shameless. She’d been a noble lady for eighteen years and never met someone so brazen.

Even her three elder brothers treated their wives with respect. How could she, a woman, be so lacking in self-respect?

Lie down again? She suspected he wanted to indulge in daytime debauchery.

Seeing her insistence, Xiao Yu pouted and reluctantly got up. Song Luoning sat at the vanity to groom herself while Xiao Yu tidied up and went to the kitchen. After breakfast, he left with the ox cart.

Now that nearby villages knew Xiao Yu was buying rice, they brought it out to sell as soon as he arrived, saving him effort.

That day, Xiao Yu returned and happened to see Liang Chengqiu with four constables in the village. Their expressions were grim.

A small village having repeated incidents piqued Xiao Yu’s curiosity. He asked around and learned someone had been murdered—Chen Ziyi, the village head’s son.

Xiao Yu was shocked. Chen Ziyi was well-regarded—good character, family background, and ability. Many families wanted their daughters to marry him. How could he be killed?

He listened further:

“Died in the back hills. The scene was gruesome…”

“Right? The authorities have come several times. Even the coroner showed up.”

“How could someone kill him? He was our village’s only scholar.”

Xiao Yu felt sorrow. Chen Ziyi had helped him before. This tragedy weighed on him.

When the crowd dispersed, Xiao Yu drove the ox cart home and called out, “Wife! Wife!”

Song Luoning was reading on the couch. Hearing his voice, she put down the book and looked out the window to see him rushing back, forgetting to park the cart.

“Wife, something happened outside!” Xiao Yu was flushed and sweating.

Song Luoning frowned. What could make him so flustered? She said calmly, “Husband, don’t panic. Come inside first.”

“Okay.” Xiao Yu caught his breath and entered. The door was open, and Song Luoning had already poured tea. Xiao Yu wiped his hands and met her concerned gaze, accepting the tea.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I saw Captain Liang. Then I heard villagers say Chen Ziyi was murdered.”

“Hmm?” Song Luoning was stunned. “Is that true?”

Xiao Yu sighed, regretful. “Seems so. But Chen Ziyi…” In the original story, Chen Ziyi was always portrayed as excellent and never had enemies. His sudden death was baffling.

Besides, the original character was just a background figure. The novel wouldn’t detail Chen Ziyi.

Which made it harder to guess the killer.

“Chen Ziyi helped us before. I want to go see if I can help,” Xiao Yu said.

“You’re right, but…”

Knock knock knock…

A loud knock interrupted her.

“Xiao Yu, open up!” a strong male voice called.

Song Luoning frowned. “Husband, better go check.”

Xiao Yu nodded, puzzled, and said, “Maybe someone’s here to sell rice. Rest, I’ll be right back.”

As soon as he opened the gate, constables rushed in and subdued him. Liang Chengqiu entered and glanced at Song Luoning, then said, “Someone reported Xiao Yu had a dispute with Chen Ziyi before his death. We must take him in for questioning.”

Xiao Yu: “…”

He struggled but couldn’t break free. One arm was twisted behind his back. “You said it’s just questioning. Why are they grabbing me?”

Liang waved, and the constables released him. Xiao Yu rubbed his arm. “Is this how you investigate? Grabbing people without evidence?”

Liang ignored his sarcasm and said, “Take him.”

Xiao Yu was pushed out.

“Wait, let me speak to my wife.”

Liang didn’t respond but paused. Xiao Yu quickly told Song Luoning a few things before leaving with the constables. Several villagers were also taken to the county office.

The county magistrate, Zhang, had just taken office. He was a former classmate of Chen Ziyi and had surpassed him academically. Upon hearing of Chen’s death, he vowed to find the killer.

Though Xiao Yu had no official title, he was of royal blood and didn’t need to kneel before officials.

Zhang didn’t know this. Seeing Xiao Yu standing, he slammed the gavel. “How dare you defy the law! Beat him twenty times!”

“Sir!”

Xiao Yu: “…” What’s going on?

She didn’t kneel because, as a modern person, she couldn’t accept such customs.

But corporal punishment?

She wasn’t a criminal. Just for not kneeling?

Before she could speak, another voice rang out.

“Wait.” Liang stepped forward. “Sir, Xiao Yu is of royal descent…”

Zhang was shocked. Was she a descendant of the Prince of Jin?

Realizing his mistake, Zhang broke into a cold sweat. If he punished her, he’d lose his position.

He calmed himself and turned to the kneeling villagers. “Speak truthfully, or face torture.”

Outside, Jiang Wanrou, Chen Yu, and Song Luoning arrived. The crowd was thick. They squeezed in and watched.

Song Luoning’s eyes were fixed on Xiao Yu. Hearing the accusations, her hands clenched tightly under her sleeves.

“Xiao Yu, do you have anything to say?” Zhang asked sternly.

Xiao Yu was speechless. Just because some saw her arguing with Chen Ziyi and visiting the hills, they assumed she was the killer? This trial was absurd.

Even if ancient methods were crude, they couldn’t convict based on speculation.

She argued, “Did anyone see me kill him? Is there any proof?”

Zhang ignored her. “Bring the coroner!”

A gray-robed elder was brought in.

“Coroner Zhao, report your findings.”

Zhao bowed. “Sir, the victim suffered a head injury. The hills weren’t the first crime scene. We found the weapon near Xiao Yu’s home.”

Xiao Yu: “…”

Zhang slammed the gavel. “Xiao Yu, anything else to say? Guards…”

“Wait.” The advisor stopped him. Being new, Zhang hadn’t mastered the laws.

The advisor whispered to him. Zhang froze, sweating again. He’d nearly made another mistake.

He wiped his forehead and said weakly, “Take Xiao Yu to prison. In three days, transfer her to the capital for trial.”

“Yes!” Xiao Yu was pushed out.

“…”

Wait, Xiao Yu was stunned. They’d convicted her already? Where’s the evidence?

Corrupt officials!

Now she understood why so many were wrongly executed. With trials like this, the real killer roamed free while innocents suffered.

No wonder ancient tales spoke of snow in June. She truly felt wronged. If she died, what would happen to the young lady?

Thinking of Song Luoning alone at home, Xiao Yu panicked.

“Officer, can I send a message home?”

“Stop talking! Move!”

“No, please…” She pulled out two silver coins and handed them over. “Please help.”

The officer took the money. “Move. Stop talking.”

“…”

Took the money and did nothing!

Before she could protest, she was shoved into the cell. The sound of the lock echoed.

“You…”

“Leave us,” a female voice said. Liang stepped forward. Xiao Yu clung to hope. “Captain Liang, I didn’t kill him. I went to the hills

Support