The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 48

Xiao Yu looked at Song Luoning, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Suddenly, the pastry in her hand didn’t taste good anymore, and she threw it back onto the plate with a look of distaste.

Song Luoning glanced at the half-eaten pastry on the plate, her brows furrowed slightly. “Husband, do you not like the peach pastry? Luoning will have someone bring you something else.”

“Heh~”

Xiao Yu scoffed, smacked her lips, and ignored her question. “Wife, your money comes and goes at your convenience.”

“…”

Song Luoning’s face flushed. She knew the rascal was bringing up the past incident. She had indeed misunderstood her back then and hadn’t had a chance to explain since. She pursed her lips. “Husband, do you really not want it? If you don’t, Luoning will put it away.” She made a move to take her hand back.

“Who said I don’t want it?” Xiao Yu snatched the banknote from her hand before she could pull away. Her eyes landed on the number—one thousand taels.

The Eldest Miss was truly generous. Unlike herself, who only gave the Eldest Miss a few taels of silver each time. A sour feeling welled up in her heart. She thought that perhaps the Eldest Miss only reluctantly accepted her meager money to spare her pride.

She was the daughter of the Prime Minister, and one thousand taels was a mere trifle to her. Even the tip for having a letter delivered was at least one tael of silver. And she, on the other hand, was just a soul from another world, not even in her own body. Where did she get the nerve to be angry with the Eldest Miss? Thinking of this, the anger in her heart dissipated, leaving only a deep sense of helplessness.

Why was it that other people who transmigrated either lived a life of luxury or had some powerful cheat system, while all she had was a low-end random reward system? The rewards were bizarre too, all medicine-related. A modern person like herself found no use for her skills in this ancient world.

After a moment of silence, she pushed the banknote back, feeling a pang of sadness. “Wife, you should keep it. I don’t really have any need for money.”

Seeing her like this, Song Luoning’s heart ached. Her fingers curled slightly. After a long pause, she nodded. “Alright, Luoning will hold onto it for now.” She paused again, pursing her lips. “If Husband needs it, you can come to Luoning to get it.”

The two fell into a silence. Xiao Yu didn’t press her on why she had lied about not having money, and Song Luoning didn’t insist on giving her the money again.

On the surface, it seemed as if nothing had happened between them, but in reality, a rift had formed.

Xiao Yu was filled with a sense of confusion about her future and a complex emotion towards the Eldest Miss that went beyond mere fondness. Song Luoning, on the other hand, had much left unsaid.

Time passed quietly. The next day after breakfast, Chen Yu and the young maid insisted on going sightseeing in the capital. The group decided to go out together, feeling that it would be a shame to come to the capital and not explore. Since they were all women, the steward arranged for a large and spacious carriage and sent four attendants to protect them. The four attendants appeared to be ordinary, but in reality, they were specially trained Imperial Guards who could fight a hundred men single-handedly.

The group boarded the carriage together. Song Luoning sat next to Xiao Yu, her body rigid. Both of them deliberately avoided touching each other, feeling very awkward.

The carriage moved slowly, passing through bustling streets. The clamor of hawkers drifted through the carriage walls. The young maid lifted the curtain, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked outside. Occasionally, vendors carrying small trinkets would call out to the carriage, “Young ladies, would you like to take a look? These are all rare goods!”

“This is so much livelier than our town,” the young maid exclaimed.

“Our town is nothing compared to the capital,” Chen Yu agreed. Seeing some interesting trinkets, she didn’t forget to turn back and share her excitement with Jiang Wanrou.

Liang Chengqiu sat quietly, her face expressionless, only responding when Chen Yu spoke to her.

When they reached the bustling area, they all got out of the carriage. Chen Yu helped Jiang Wanrou, with Liang Chengqiu by their side. They walked along, chatting and laughing. Xiao Yu and Song Luoning followed behind, a silent pair.

After walking for a while, Song Luoning felt her sleeve being tugged. She looked back, following the pull. Xiao Yu’s bright, peach-blossom eyes were full of a playful sense of grievance. “Wife, is there anything you want?”

Song Luoning’s heart skipped a beat, and her eyes trembled slightly. She slowly shook her head and asked in return, “What about you, Husband?”

“Right, the Eldest Miss surely wouldn’t care for these small trinkets,” Xiao Yu thought, feeling a little awkward. She looked at the group ahead. Chen Yu and the young maid had already bought a few things. Seeing herself and the Eldest Miss empty-handed, she felt a pang of disappointment.

“I want to buy a round fan. The painting on it looks nice,” Xiao Yu said, picking up a round fan from a stall and turning it over in her hands. The fan was decorated with a painting of peach blossoms, with one section left blank. The artist had not added any poetry.

The vendor said, “Sir, you have excellent taste. This is a painting done by Master Sui An himself. It’s a shame there’s no poem, but to have a painting by Master Sui An is a great fortune.”

Master Sui An?

Xiao Yu was surprised. She examined the painting carefully. The peach blossoms on the fan were indeed lifelike, each one with a different pose. Even the subtle details were unique, showing that the artist had put their heart into it.

Seeing her absorbed in the painting, Song Luoning asked, “Husband, do you like it?”

Xiao Yu snapped back to reality and hummed in agreement. From what the vendor said, this Master Sui An must be very famous. If it was an authentic work, it might appreciate in value in the future.

“How much is this?” Xiao Yu asked, turning the fan over and over again.

The vendor held up five fingers and chuckled. “Five taels of silver.”

Five taels of silver?! Xiao Yu was stunned, her eyes fixed on the fan.

Isn’t this a robbery? A broken fan for five taels of silver? Five taels of silver was enough for a common family to live on for a year. Was this fan really worth five taels and would it truly appreciate in value?

Xiao Yu’s lips twitched. Just as she was about to put the fan down, she saw Song Luoning place five taels of silver on the counter. Her voice was clear and pleasant. “We’ll take this one.”

“?!”

Wait, it’s so expensive, and Song Luoning is buying it?

Xiao Yu didn’t have time to stop Song Luoning before the vendor quickly took the money, smiling broadly. “Alright, madam. Is there anything else you need?”

“…”

“Wife, why did you pay…” Xiao Yu glanced at the vendor, then tugged on Song Luoning’s hand, lowering her voice.

The heat from her touch made Song Luoning pull her hand away. She pursed her lips, suppressing the flutter in her heart. She raised her head. The young man’s expression was serious, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he wanted to speak but was afraid of being overheard. Song Luoning’s heart softened, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She explained, “Master Sui An is indeed very famous in the capital. Looking at the style, this should be his authentic work.”

“Really?” Xiao Yu’s eyes blinked.

“Yes. I was once fortunate enough to see one of Master Sui An’s paintings. If…” Song Luoning paused.

If what?

Xiao Yu bit her lip. This Eldest Miss really knows how to keep a person in suspense. Her eyes were fixed on Song Luoning, bright and unblinking. Song Luoning curled her fingers slightly, feeling a little flustered as she turned her face away. She took a deep breath and continued, “If it’s authentic, it could be worth a hundred taels.”

A hundred taels?!

Xiao Yu’s heart jumped. She was immediately tempted. She swallowed, tucking the fan closer to her chest. Her eyes fell on the fan’s painting. She had never dreamed that a painting by Master Sui An could be so valuable. Although she couldn’t be 100% sure it was authentic, investment always had risks. A person who wants to achieve great things should not be constrained by minor details. It was only five taels of silver, wasn’t it? If she didn’t even have the guts for this, she would likely miss out on a hundred taels.

Besides, the peach blossoms were so lifelike that even if it wasn’t a genuine work by Master Sui An, it wouldn’t be a huge loss to buy it for her own enjoyment. What’s more, the Eldest Miss said there was a high probability it was authentic.

Song Luoning found her conflicted yet ultimately relieved expression rather amusing.

“Have you decided, Husband?”

“Yes, the peach blossoms are very well-painted.”

Xiao Yu put the fan away. Song Luoning pursed her lips, a slight smile on her face. They walked side by side. A faint, sweet scent lingered around them. Xiao Yu took the opportunity to hold her arm. The atmosphere between them was warm and harmonious.

Although the capital was prosperous, only a few streets were truly bustling, and since it was daytime, it wasn’t overly crowded. Many vendors chose to set up their stalls under the moonlight when the city lights twinkled. This was when the capital was at its most lively, with many noble young masters and ladies coming out in carriages, spending fortunes.

Even so, there were still quite a few people on the street at this time. Among the group, Chen Yu and the young maid were having the most fun, looking at everything. Although they were all small items, they had bought quite a lot in a short amount of time. Liang Chengqiu followed behind them, carrying their purchases. They laughed and chatted all the way, enjoying themselves. By the time they returned, the sun was already setting.

Steward Zhang was standing at the gate, anxiously looking around. When he saw the carriage return, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. As the carriage stopped, he went up to them and said, “Miss, you’re finally back.”

Xiao Yu lifted the carriage curtain. Steward Zhang immediately bowed respectfully. “Young Master.”

Xiao Yu nodded and got out of the carriage. She then turned and helped Song Luoning down. Once everyone was out of the carriage, Song Luoning was escorted by Xiao Yu towards the courtyard.

Steward Zhang glanced at the young couple holding hands. He hesitated for a moment, then followed behind, walking and speaking. “Miss, a moment after you left, Young Master Li arrived. He’s still waiting in the front hall.”

“Young Master Li?” Xiao Yu was stunned and looked at Song Luoning.

Who was that?

They had been out for two hours, and this Young Master Li had been waiting for them for two hours. What could be so important that he would wait for so long? A ball of cotton-like jealousy clogged up Xiao Yu’s heart.

Song Luoning frowned and asked, “Oh? Did he say what he wanted?”

“He didn’t,” Steward Zhang shook his head. “But he seemed quite anxious. I was worried he had an urgent matter and asked him, but he just said not to disturb the young lady and that he would wait.”

Song Luoning nodded, saying nothing.

Xiao Yu, however, was in a hurry. How could the Eldest Miss be so calm? She followed her all the way to the front hall.

When Young Master Li saw Song Luoning return, he immediately stood up and went to greet her, bowing with his hands clasped. “Miss Song.”

“Mm.” Song Luoning returned the bow and replied in a calm voice. “May I ask why Young Master Li is looking for me?”

“It’s nothing important. I just heard from Young Master Song San yesterday that you had returned, so I came to see you. I heard that you…” Young Master Li’s eyes flickered. He looked at Xiao Yu, his jealousy unconcealed, especially when he saw the two of them standing intimately close. The jealousy in his eyes was almost overflowing.

This Young Master Li was the eldest son of the Minister of Rites. He had a decent appearance and was skilled in literature and art. Many of the noble young ladies in the capital were fond of him, but he didn’t choose any of them. Instead, he fell in love with the Eldest Miss of the Song family at first sight during the Princess’s flower viewing banquet.

This might not be a big deal for anyone else, but everyone in the capital knew that the Eldest Miss of the Song family was a sickly girl who gasped for breath every three steps, coughed every five, and was not expected to live past twenty. The fact that such a handsome young master was so enamored with her made many young women resentful.

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