The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 47

After seeing the butler leave, Song Luoning curtsied and called out, “Father.”

“Mmm.” Song Yunzhou nodded, his eyes shifting to Xiao Yu. He sized her up and said with a smile, “You’re A’yu? I almost didn’t recognize you. You’ve changed so much, you’re a talented and handsome person, not bad at all.” He praised her twice in a row.

“…” Well, she did look good. Xiao Yu pursed her lips, cupped her hands, and bowed to Song Yunzhou, “Father-in-law.”

Song Yunzhou laughed heartily, stepped forward, and supported her arm, patting her on the shoulder, “We’re family, there’s no need to be so polite. Ning’er mentioned some things about your situation in her letter. Don’t worry, the Dali Temple will still give me some face. You can just wait for the results of the investigation with peace of mind.”

“Thank you, Father-in-law,” Xiao Yu said respectfully.

“You child, what’s with all the politeness? If it wasn’t for your mother saving Ning’er and her mother back then, alas! I might have even lost my daughter.” With that, Song Yunzhou looked up, unable to hide the sadness in his eyes. After a long sigh, he said, “Let’s not talk about these unhappy things. Oh, by the way, I heard your mother is also here. Why don’t I see her?”

Xiao Yu said, “Mother is in the back courtyard. I’ll have someone call for her.”

“Hey!” Song Yunzhou waved his hand, stopping her. “No rush. I also heard that you, my son-in-law, have created a tool for hulling rice. Is that true?”

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then nodded and replied truthfully, “Yes, it is true.”

“Good, good! I never thought you’d have such a skill. Not bad, not bad. With this, you’ve solved the problem of people eating husked rice. It’s a great deed that will benefit the people.” Song Yunzhou clapped his hands excitedly.

“…” Xiao Yu’s expression immediately stiffened. She instinctively looked at Song Luoning. What did her father-in-law mean? What’s with ‘benefiting the people’? He didn’t mean what she thought he meant, did he?

This was her way of making a living and getting rich.

If the tool was mass-produced, what would she rely on to support Miss Song in the future?

Song Yunzhou patted her on the shoulder and continued with a look of relief, “You’re a young man who’s not arrogant or impatient, very good. Another day, I’ll have your second brother find a few craftsmen in the Ministry of Works. You can explain the manufacturing process to them. Their craftsmanship is among the best in Baisheng. If you’re interested, you can also discuss it with them.”

“…Discuss it!” Xiao Yu’s mouth twitched slightly. It seemed he wasn’t planning on leaving her any room to make a living at all.

So, did Miss Song know about her father’s intentions?

Xiao Yu could only offer a dry laugh in response.

After a few more words of instruction, Song Yunzhou said, “Let’s all have lunch together. Your three sisters-in-law also really want to see you. It should be about time for them to arrive.” He then looked at his youngest son, Song Yanyu.

Song Yanyu paused, then smiled and scratched his head, “Father, don’t worry, I’ll go take a look right now.” With that, he lifted his feet and ran outside.

Song Yanyu’s personality was a bit more lively. Unlike Song Yanqi, who had inherited Song Yunzhou’s profoundness, or the second son, Song Yanting, who was steady and devoted to his studies, he was the closest of the siblings to Song Luoning.

Song Yunzhou shook his head and sighed, “He’s so grown up, yet he’s still so unsteady.”

Song Yanqi quickly stepped in to smooth things over, “Father, you know how our third brother is. But after the New Year, he’s actually become much steadier than before.”

“Let him be.” Song Yunzhou motioned for Xiao Yu to sit down, “Everyone, sit. We’re family, there’s no need to be formal.”

Everyone took their seats. Song Yunzhou gave a few more instructions before letting the maids come in to serve tea. At this moment, Song Yanyu also brought in the three female family members of the Prime Minister’s residence. The three daughters-in-law respectfully greeted Song Yunzhou and sat down next to their husbands.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Li Yan, was holding the hand of a four or five-year-old bundle of white fluff. She was like a little jade doll with a pair of double-ring buns. She vaguely resembled Song Luoning and looked adorable. When she saw Song Yunzhou, she obediently called out, “Grandfather,” and snuggled up next to Li Yan. Her big, watery eyes darted around the room until she suddenly exclaimed, “Aunt, it’s Aunt!” The little bundle of fluff immediately let go of Li Yan’s hand and, with her short legs, scurried into Song Luoning’s arms.

“Aunt! When did you come back? Ling’er misses you so much,” she said in a soft, sweet voice. The little bundle of fluff rubbed against Song Luoning’s embrace, then looked up with innocent, bright eyes.

The sight melted everyone’s hearts. Song Luoning’s eyes curved with a smile, and she stroked the little one’s head, her voice gentle and doting, “Little Ling’er is getting cuter and cuter.”

The little fluff ball was a little embarrassed by the praise and hid in Song Luoning’s arms, giggling. After a while, she looked up and said seriously, “Aunt is pretty, too.”

The innocent remark brought on a roar of laughter. Li Yan walked over, took Song Ling’er’s hand, and, with a smile that never faded, scolded her, “You’re the sweetest one. As soon as your aunt gets back, you’re all over her. What did your mother tell you before we came?”

Song Ling’er tilted her head and thought for a moment. Her expression became a little crestfallen, and her small face crumpled. She said reluctantly, “Mother said that Aunt is not well, so I can’t bother her, and I have to greet Uncle-in-law.”

“And what did you do?” Li Yan patted her head, her gaze falling on Xiao Yu. She had heard her husband talk about her sister’s husband yesterday. Today, she saw that he was quite handsome, but looked a little thin. Her sister’s health was already not good, and she wondered if someone so thin could take good care of her.

She bent down and whispered in Song Ling’er’s ear, signaling her to greet him. Song Ling’er listened to her mother, looked up at Xiao Yu, and felt a little shy. The little girl hid behind her mother, her big eyes constantly sizing up this unfamiliar uncle-in-law. After a while, her cheeks turned red, and she twisted her body, quietly calling out, “Uncle-in-law.”

“Are you shy now?” Song Luoning teased with a soft laugh.

Song Ling’er quickly hugged her mother’s leg and buried her face.

This caused another round of laughter.

Xiao Yu knelt down, “So you’re Ling’er? You’re so cute.”

Song Ling’er peeked her head out and said sweetly, “I’m Ling’er. Uncle-in-law is so handsome.”

“…”

Li Yan reprimanded her, “How can you use ‘handsome’ to describe a man?”

Song Ling’er blinked her innocent eyes and looked at Xiao Yu, “Can’t I?”

The adorable little girl was so endearing that Xiao Yu’s heart melted. She reached out and picked her up, “If Ling’er thinks I’m handsome, then I’m handsome.”

Li Yan was a little embarrassed. She looked at Xiao Yu and then at Song Luoning, “How has my sister’s health been lately?”

Before she was married, she got along well with her three sisters-in-law, especially the eldest one. Song Luoning smiled and said, “My health is much better, thank you for your concern, Eldest Sister-in-law.”

Hearing her say this, Li Yan finally noticed that she hadn’t heard a single cough since they came in. She was secretly surprised. Her sister’s illness was something she had since birth, and even imperial doctors were at a loss. But after a trip outside, she had actually gotten better. Her gaze couldn’t help but fall on Xiao Yu.

Her sister’s complexion was indeed no longer as pale as it used to be, and the smile in her eyes no longer seemed forced. Only then did she truly believe it.

“It’s a good thing that my sister’s illness is gone. It can be considered a double blessing. Don’t you think so, Sister-in-law?” The second sister-in-law, Liu Yuanyuan, looked at the third sister-in-law, Zhang Wen.

Zhang Wen smiled in agreement.

At this point, Jiang Wanrou and Chen Yu also came over. The family exchanged pleasantries, and with the adorable little fluff ball there, the atmosphere was harmonious and lively.

Soon, it was time for lunch. The banquet was set up in the side hall. Song Yunzhou sat at the head of the table, followed by Jiang Wanrou. Xiao Yu and his wife sat next to Jiang Wanrou, and then Chen Yu and Liang Chengqiu. Opposite them sat the three Song brothers. The butler and maids brought in dish after dish of exquisite food and placed them on the table.

The Song family was a prestigious and ancient family, and their dining was elegant. Only when Song Yunzhou asked a question would the younger generation respond. Jiang Wanrou’s side was more at ease, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant.

Finally, after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Song Yunzhou had official business to attend to, so he left with his three sons.

Back at the Prime Minister’s residence, after the servants were dismissed, Song Yunzhou asked, “What do you think of her?”

Song Yanqi said, “We’ll follow Father’s lead.” The other two agreed.

Song Yunzhou stood with his back to them for a long time. He took a sandalwood box from a secret compartment in the bookshelf. The box was exquisitely carved, and one could tell just by looking at it that the contents were of great importance.

Song Yunzhou opened the box with a solemn expression. Inside was a decree, “This is the decree left by the late emperor to depose the emperor. I thought I would never have to use it, but… ” The new emperor was incompetent and foolish, indulged in pleasure, and favored his own relatives without regard for the common people. Song Yunzhou sighed heavily, “Take it.”

Song Yanqi bowed and accepted the decree with both hands, his eyes filled with determination.

On the other side, after Xiao Yu and Song Luoning saw off the three sisters-in-law and returned to their courtyard, they were tired from the half-day of commotion and couldn’t go without an afternoon tea. Xiao Yu couldn’t help but stretch and shake her head, leaning halfway on the couch.

Cui Zhu took off her master’s outer robe and then stood behind Song Luoning, waiting to serve her.

Song Luoning sat at the other end of the couch. In the middle of the couch was a small low table. Maids brought in trays of delicate snacks and placed them on the table. The presentation was very elegant.

Xiao Yu sighed, picked up a piece of a pastry from a dish, and felt a little emotional, “Ling’er is so, so likable. I really want to keep her, but Eldest Sister-in-law definitely wouldn’t be able to part with her. But I do see that Mother also likes her a lot.”

Song Luoning’s lips curved into a smile. She picked up a teacup and sipped from it, her eyes filled with amusement, “Yes, Ling’er is indeed a likable child. Eldest Sister-in-law has taught her very well.”

Xiao Yu suddenly sat up straight, leaned closer to Song Luoning, and whispered, “They say nieces look like their aunts. I think Ling’er does look a bit like my wife, especially her eyes. If the niece is this pretty, my wife must have been incredibly cute when she was little.”

Song Luoning: “…”

This rogue was starting to talk nonsense again, and in broad daylight no less.

Song Luoning’s face flushed. She turned her head away and didn’t speak. Cui Zhu on the side was covering her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter. Song Luoning shot her a glare. Knowing her master’s temperament, Cui Zhu closed her mouth, curtsied, and quietly backed out. Before leaving, she thoughtfully closed the door.

With the door shut, only the two of them were left in the room. Song Luoning glanced at her, “How can you talk nonsense in broad daylight?”

“What did I say?” Xiao Yu asked in surprise. Her eyes suddenly lit up and she blinked. Miss Song actually blushed because she said she was cute when she was little!

Xiao Yu’s heart filled with joy. She leaned in even closer, tilted her head to look at her, and deliberately teased, “Actually, I was wrong.”

“Hmm?” Song Luoning furrowed her brow.

Seeing her looking confused, Xiao Yu continued with a smile, “My wife isn’t just cute when she was little, she’s also cute now. I think she’s not a bit worse than Ling’er.”

Song Luoning: “…”

“Be serious. What do you think about what Father said today?” Song Luoning glanced at her.

Xiao Yu sat back, her expression immediately becoming sullen. She pouted reluctantly, picked up a piece of a pastry, and threw it into her mouth, “It’s not that I’m unwilling, it’s just that if everyone learns it, I’ll have to find another way to make money in the future. It’s so troublesome.”

Hearing her say this, Song Luoning understood. She knew that this rogue was greedy for money, and asking her to make such a sacrifice was truly difficult for her. Her expression slowly softened, “Promoting the rice hulling tool is a matter of benefiting the people, and you shouldn’t…”

“I know.” Xiao Yu interrupted her, glanced away, and muttered softly, “If I don’t have an income, what will I use to support you?”

“What?” Song Luoning didn’t hear clearly. She turned her head to look at her. The young person’s eyes were already slightly closed. The afternoon sun shone on half of her face. Compared to her previous sallow and emaciated complexion, it was now a healthy, rosy color. Her lips were slightly pouted, so she must not be happy.

Song Luoning pursed her lips, got up, walked to the wardrobe, and pulled open the door. She took out a banknote from inside and held it out to Xiao Yu.

This should be enough to compensate her, right?

“Take this one thousand taels for now. You can get more from me when you’re done with it,” Song Luoning said.

“Hmm?” Xiao Yu opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the banknote Song Luoning was holding out. She was surprised and raised her eyebrows, “What do you mean by this, my wife?” Why was she giving her money for no reason?

Song Luoning was choked up. She stared at her for a moment, then sighed softly, “I know that if the rice hulling tool is promoted, your business of making money will also be affected…”

So, Miss Song was compensating her!

Xiao Yu opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

Wait a minute!

Xiao Yu was stunned. Where did Miss Song get the money? Didn’t she say she had given all the money to her?

Xiao Yu’s eyes widened as she stared at Song Luoning.

She finally understood. Miss Song had lied to her when she said she had no money!

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