The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 49

And this young Master Li was stubborn, with his heart set on the eldest daughter of the Song family. After several rejections, he still pursued her relentlessly. At that time, upon hearing that the eldest Miss Song had left the capital to get married, he was dejected for a long time. He thought he would never see her again, but who knew that Song Luoning would return to the capital, and he couldn’t wait to find her.

Song Luoning’s gaze was calm. She nodded. The people behind her, including Jiang Wanrou, saw that there was a guest and found an excuse to return to their courtyard.

Xiao Yu helped Song Luoning walk slowly to a woven chair and sit down, holding her hand and not letting go. He didn’t sit but stood by her side. After a moment of silence, Song Luoning said, “Please, Young Master Li, have a seat.” She instructed in a low voice, “Serve tea to Young Master Li.”

“Yes,” a maid came forward to pour the tea.

Seeing Song Luoning seated, Young Master Li sat down below her. In the interim, his gaze fell on Song Luoning, then moved to size up Xiao Yu. He was secretly calculating in his mind. After a long while, he put his attention back on Song Luoning. After the maid had poured the tea, he cleared his throat and said, “I was traveling a few days ago and obtained a thousand-year-old ginseng. It’s just right for nourishing the body.” His words revealed an innate sense of superiority.

As he spoke, he waved to a page boy behind him. The page boy carried a square wooden box and walked up to Song Luoning. When he opened the box, what came into view was a ginseng with thick roots, tied with a red ribbon. One look and you could tell how valuable it was.

Xiao Yu glanced at it, curled her lips, and snorted in her heart. “My lady doesn’t care for this thing of yours.”

Song Luoning didn’t say anything. Her gaze swept over the ginseng. She picked up her teacup and lowered her eyes, taking a sip. She naturally hid the disgust in her eyes and calmly said, “This gift is so precious. Young Master Li, you should take it back. How can Luoning accept it?”

Hearing the refusal, Young Master Li panicked and hurriedly said, “Miss Song, I specially sought this out for you. The imperial physician said that this kind of thousand-year-old ginseng is very beneficial for your illness.”

Song Luoning frowned, obviously displeased that the other party had specifically inquired about her illness. She coldly refused, “Luoning’s illness is no longer a problem. I appreciate your kind intentions, Young Master Li.”

But the young Master Li seemed not to understand. He continued, “This isn’t anything valuable. Miss Song, you should just keep it. Besides, I also mentioned this to the third young Master Song yesterday, and he gave me a wolf-hair brush. Miss Song wouldn’t want me to be a man without integrity, would she?”

He’s trying to use moral coercion?

Just as Xiao Yu was about to speak, her hand was pinched by her lady. She blinked, and then heard Song Luoning laugh, “In that case, Luoning will accept it on behalf of my third brother.”

What?!

Song Luoning actually accepted it!!!

Xiao Yu was stunned, staring at Song Luoning in disbelief. That Young Master Li clearly had ulterior motives, so why would Song Luoning accept his gift?

Was it just because the ginseng was beneficial to her illness?

Xiao Yu withdrew her hand. The fingers under her long gown tightened, and her chest felt tight. That ginseng looked very valuable, and she couldn’t afford it at all. Her lady wanted to accept it, and she didn’t even have the right to stop her. She lowered her head, feeling a slight pang of sorrow.

Young Master Li continued, “I’m glad Miss Song likes it. It’s worth all the trouble I went to find it. Speaking of which, we haven’t seen each other for a long time since Miss Song left the capital. I wonder if Miss Song would do me the honor? Tomorrow I’ll have a banquet prepared at Mingpin Lou, and by then…”

At this point, he looked at Xiao Yu, who was standing silently with her head down. Ever since Miss Song left the capital, he had inquired with the third young Master of the Song family and learned that the marriage was not Miss Song’s wish from the start. If it weren’t for their engagement, Miss Song wouldn’t have married this person.

Now it seemed he was just an unworldly bumpkin who wasn’t a threat.

Furthermore, since Miss Song came in, she hadn’t even given a simple introduction, and she accepted his gift in front of him. This showed that Miss Song was not very satisfied with her husband. But it was only natural to think that a young lady from a prestigious family like Song Luoning would not look favorably on a country bumpkin unless it was for an engagement.

Given the situation, he still had a great chance. The best thing now was to let her know the difference between the two of them, so she would back off and take the initiative to divorce.

Therefore, Young Master Li hid his smugness, pretended to be completely ignorant, and smiled, “Is this gentleman a friend of Miss Song’s? Why don’t you come along tomorrow?”

He’s inviting me to go?

Xiao Yu heard the boastful tone. She subconsciously looked at Song Luoning’s reaction, hoping in her heart that she would refuse and, at the very least, make her stance clear.

Song Luoning put down her teacup, looked up, and met Xiao Yu’s hopeful eyes. She curved her lips and slowly said, “What do you think, husband?”

She’s asking for my opinion? I knew my lady wouldn’t be bought by a mere ginseng.

Xiao Yu grinned, “I’ll listen to my wife.”

Seeing her changing expressions, Song Luoning sighed slightly. This scoundrel was a bit too impatient. She curved her lips, amused. “Husband, don’t you have things to deal with tomorrow? Of course, Luoning must accompany you.”

Hmm?

Xiao Yu was stunned, and immediately understood that this was her lady’s excuse to decline the young Master Li. Her heart warmed, “Yeah, as long as my wife doesn’t find it boring.”

“I’m sorry, Young Master Li, it’s really not a good time. My wife and I probably can’t make it tomorrow,” Xiao Yu said regretfully.

“…” Young Master Li’s face turned red and then pale. How did things turn out completely different from what he had imagined? How could this be? He looked at Song Luoning, then at Xiao Yu. Their eyes were glued to each other.

How could this be possible?

How could Miss Song fall for this poor boy?

Right! Miss Song must have been deceived. He tried to comfort himself. Once he exposed the poor boy’s true colors and rescued Miss Song, what would an already divorced woman with poor health do? Besides him, who would want her? He could have her in any way he wanted.

“Miss Song, we…” Before he could finish, he heard Xiao Yu say, “Wife, you’ve been out all morning, aren’t you tired? I’ll help you back to the room to rest now. Young Master Li, you know my wife isn’t in good health, so we won’t entertain you any longer.” Xiao Yu helped Song Luoning stand up.

“Steward Zhang, please show the guest out,” Song Luoning instructed.

Young Master Li: “…”

Steward Zhang had already made a gesture to show him out. Young Master Li had no choice but to give a resentful glance and leave unwillingly.

This poor boy infuriates me!

I will never forgive her in the future!

After Young Master Li left, Xiao Yu looked at the ginseng on the coffee table, pouting, “Does my wife like this very much? It just looks a bit bigger than the ones you usually see, there’s nothing special about it.” Her tone was a bit sour.

Song Luoning naturally heard the jealousy in her tone. She chuckled, her gaze also falling on the ginseng. She played along, “My husband is right. Luoning doesn’t see any difference either.”

“If you don’t like it, why did you accept it?” Xiao Yu was dissatisfied.

Song Luoning looked up at her. After a long while, she slowly said, “Didn’t he say that my third brother gave him a wolf-hair brush?”

“…” So, my lady didn’t want to lose out, and only reluctantly accepted it!!!

Xiao Yu was shocked!

A million possibilities flashed through her mind, but she never thought it was for this reason. Her understanding of her lady was still too little. It seems she needed to understand her more in the future.

Song Luoning glanced at her calmly, “Actually, that’s not the only reason. After all, the Minister of Rites and my father are in the same court. We still have to save face.”

Xiao Yu: “…”

The explanation only made her feel more upset. She looked at Song Luoning with a shocked expression, opened her mouth, but said nothing.

Just then, Steward Zhang came back after seeing off Young Master Li.

Song Luoning: “Uncle Zhang, please make another trip and send this ginseng to my third brother. Tell him it’s a return gift from Young Master Li.”

“Yes,” Steward Zhang picked up the wooden box and hurried away.

“Wife… you’re…” Xiao Yu was stunned, and her mood instantly became clear and bright. Her eyes lit up as she stared at Song Luoning unblinkingly.

“Why are you standing there? Weren’t you going to help me back to rest?” Song Luoning tilted her head, her eyes full of a smile as she met his gaze.

The spring breeze and the bright sun were together.

Xiao Yu was dazed, and said blankly, “Okay.”

Song Luoning’s lips curved, “Then hurry up?”

“Okay,” Xiao Yu smiled foolishly.

Song Luoning gave her a look. How did this scoundrel turn into a fool, just smiling like that?

Xiao Yu came back to her senses, her throat tightened. She took Song Luoning’s hand, her thumb rubbing against it. She leaned in slightly, “Wife~”

Song Luoning’s breath hitched. She wanted to pull her hand back, but it was held tightly. She looked flustered and turned her face away slightly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cui Zhu behind her. She froze, then stepped on Xiao Yu’s foot and quickly walked away.

“Hiss~” Xiao Yu jumped in pain. What happened? Everything was fine a moment ago.

By the time she reacted, Song Luoning had already passed through the hall, and her figure disappeared from view.

Xiao Yu hurried after her, following her into the room. At this point, Song Luoning was already sitting on the soft couch, a book in her hand. When she saw her come in, she didn’t even lift her eyes.

Cui Zhu, on the other hand, saw her and came forward to curtsy. She secretly glanced at her mistress, then at the young master. Thinking of what she had just seen in the front hall, she realized her mistress and the young master had a very good relationship. She smiled secretly and prepared to leave with the teapot.

Song Luoning was mortified. She called out to her, “We’ll have lunch in the room. In a bit, have someone prepare some hot water. I want to bathe.”

“Yes,” Cui Zhu answered and retreated.

The room fell silent. Xiao Yu glanced at Song Luoning, hesitated for two seconds, and then walked to the soft couch. She leaned in, propping her hands on the couch, trapping Song Luoning between her arms. She called out in a husky voice, “Wife~”

Song Luoning was slightly stunned, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson. “Husband…” Her cheeks were hot. She lowered her eyes, her fingers on both sides slowly curling up. The young man’s face kept getting closer. The warm breath that sprayed down seemed to scorch her skin. Their breaths intertwined, and the faint fragrance filled her nose. Just as the other person was about to get closer, Song Luoning came to her senses. She put her hands on Xiao Yu’s chest and said softly, “Don’t…”

“Wife…” How could she refuse at this moment? Xiao Yu’s breathing was heavy.

“It’s still daytime,” Song Luoning turned her face away, trying to avoid the breath that was messing with her mind.

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, and her eyes lit up instantly. “Does my wife mean I can at night?”

“…” Was that what she meant? Song Luoning stopped talking.

Knowing that she was shy again, Xiao Yu didn’t force her. After a pause, she sat down beside her, took her hand, and started playing with it. “Did that young Master Li often look for you before?”

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