The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 5

Song Luoning’s dazed eyes instantly cleared. She quickly pulled up the corner of the quilt to cover herself, eyeing Xiao Yu warily.

What was this scoundrel trying to do?

Xiao Yu: “…”

What kind of look was that?

What did this woman take her for?

Xiao Yu was fuming inside. Forget it, she wouldn’t argue. After a moment, she pursed her lips and looked away.

She suspected this woman was born to vex her.

Realizing her reaction, Song Luoning quickly adjusted her emotions, her face returning to a gentle and proper expression. She spoke softly, “Young Master Xiao, you look well. You must’ve slept soundly last night.”

“…”

Xiao Yu couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Soundly, her foot. She gritted her teeth silently, grabbed the chair to stand up, and deliberately held her waist as she walked around the room twice.

Let her see for herself how could she lie with a straight face?

Not only did she fall asleep in the middle of the night, but she also woke up with a sore waist. All thanks to her.

Song Luoning seemed not to notice. She tidied her clothes, got off the bed, glanced at the courtyard through the torn window paper, and smiled softly. She pulled out a piece of silver from her sleeve: “I’ll trouble you with breakfast, Young Master.”

“…”

What a proper young lady!

Xiao Yu glanced at the silver and took it from Song Luoning’s hand. Only a fool wouldn’t take money. Besides, her parents had always been busy with work, so she learned to cook early on.

Just one meal, right?

Xiao Yu pocketed the silver and headed to the kitchen. Song Luoning followed behind after tidying up. The two entered the kitchen one after the other.

They had planned to cook, but when they saw the empty rice jar, they exchanged glances and fell silent.

After a while, Xiao Yu forced a laugh and suggested, “Why don’t we go to the county town to eat?”

Song Luoning pursed her lips. She shouldn’t have hoped. She nodded, “Alright. We have to go to the county office to register our marriage anyway.”

Since they decided to eat out, there was no need to stand in the drafty kitchen. Xiao Yu stepped out, but Song Luoning blocked her path.

She stared at her silently.

“…”

What was wrong with this woman? Wasn’t she in a hurry just now? Why block her now?

Song Luoning wasn’t angry at her feigned ignorance. She extended her hand, half-smiling, and stared at her.

Wait… in broad daylight? Weren’t ancient people all about propriety?

Xiao Yu’s eyes darted around. She pursed her lips, then gritted her teeth and held her hand. It was soft, a bit cool. Luckily it was spring not too cold. If it were winter, she wouldn’t agree to hold hands.

Her warm palm wrapped around the cool hand, sending a tingling sensation up her arm. Song Luoning blushed and quickly pulled her hand back, hiding it behind her back.

She glared at Xiao Yu.

Scoundrel!

Then she turned and quickly left the kitchen.

“…”

Why glare at her? She was the one who wanted to hold hands. Now she’s mad?

Such a difficult young lady.

If not for the thousand taels of silver, she wouldn’t bother with her.

The difficult Song Luoning followed Xiao Yu with a stern face to the village entrance. They took an ox cart to town, then hired a horse carriage to the county.

The journey was quiet. Song Luoning’s gaze lingered on Xiao Yu’s delicate face, her expression unreadable. This scoundrel not only didn’t return her silver but also played dumb to take advantage of her. So infuriating.

She recalled her father’s repeated insistence that she must marry this person. Was it just to fulfill the marriage agreement between their families?

Song Luoning felt a wave of melancholy. How could this scoundrel be a good match?

But if it was her father’s wish, then so be it. She wouldn’t live past twenty anyway.

Thinking of this, her eyes dimmed.

Then she remembered last night…

The medicine she drank worked better than the imperial physician’s. After drinking it, she didn’t cough all night and felt much lighter in the morning.

Maybe she could ask where the medicine came from. With that thought, her furrowed brows relaxed a little. She spoke gently, “I haven’t thanked you for the medicine last night. May I ask where you got it?”

Medicine?

Xiao Yu snapped out of her thoughts, still gazing out the carriage window. Thinking of last night, she didn’t expect sincere thanks and casually replied, “It’s ancestral. You can’t buy it outside.”

Not wrong system-made, definitely not available outside.

Song Luoning pursed her lips, clearly not believing her, but didn’t press further.

This person needed money. She wasn’t afraid she wouldn’t talk.

She could just pay her.

The county wasn’t far from Chenjia Village. With the horse carriage, they arrived quickly.

Linyang County wasn’t wealthy, but it was lively. Shops lined the streets, and vendors shouted nonstop.

Xiao Yu blinked and sighed. Her vision had been too narrow. The town couldn’t compare to the county. She’d have to find work in a big place like this. Maybe after divorcing this girl, she could go to the capital.

First time in ancient times she had to explore.

But that was for later. For now, she had to deal with the present.

The carriage stopped at the county office. Xiao Yu jumped down and looked around.

“Young Master Xiao.”

A clear voice rang in her ear.

Hm?

Xiao Yu froze, realizing someone was calling her. She turned toward the voice, looking confused.

Song Luoning’s heart tightened. She bit her lip.

This jerk couldn’t see she hadn’t gotten off yet? Didn’t know to help her down?

Song Luoning closed her eyes briefly and smiled softly, “Could you help me down, Young Master Xiao?”

“…Oh.” Xiao Yu reluctantly extended her hand, sighing inwardly. Such a young lady this height and still needed help? But she didn’t show it.

For the thousand taels, she’d treat her well before the divorce. Though moody, she couldn’t deny her own guilt.

After a moment, a cool hand rested in her palm, but the person didn’t move.

Song Luoning bit her lip, eyes full of grievance.

“…”

Still not coming down?

Xiao Yu’s gaze swept over Song Luoning’s slender waist. This girl was really frail.

Resigned, she stepped forward and placed both hands on her waist. With a startled cry, she lifted her down steadily.

Once on the ground, Song Luoning pushed her hands away, eyes wide with anger. Scoundrel!

She suspected she deliberately didn’t put down the carriage stool.

“…”

Used and discarded?

This young lady really was…

Forget it. No point arguing. She’d die of anger.

Xiao Yu forced a smile, but her eyes secretly lingered on Song Luoning’s waist. So slim—one hand could wrap around it.

She couldn’t help but glance again.

Song Luoning frowned, clenched her fingers, took a deep breath, and forced a smile: “Thank you, Young Master Xiao. Let’s go in.”

“Mm.” Her palm still felt warm. Xiao Yu subconsciously rubbed it. The two entered the county office and explained their purpose to the registrar.

The registrar, a man in his forties, pulled out a marriage certificate from a drawer behind him and placed it before them: “Please show your identity documents for verification. Then fill out the certificate.”

Xiao Yu saw the form was mostly filled just needed their names. She wrote hers in the groom’s section and handed the brush to Song Luoning.

Song Luoning hesitated, then wrote her name.

As the ink dried, Xiao Yu picked up the certificate. Her eyes scanned it casually, then froze.

The bride’s name: Song Luoning. The handwriting was elegant.

She… she was Song Luoning?

Xiao Yu was stunned. If she remembered correctly, the female lead in the novel was named Song Luoning.

This woman… was the female lead?

Wasn’t the female lead supposed to fall in love and fight with the male lead? Why was she here?

Or…

“What’s wrong?” Seeing her stare, Song Luoning frowned, annoyed. Scoundrel.

Xiao Yu swallowed hard. Whether or not this young lady was the female lead, was it too late to regret?

Registrar: “All done. Congratulations to you both.” He stamped the certificate with the official seal.

“…”

Xiao Yu was speechless. Was there no escape?

She glanced at the gentle-looking Song Luoning beside her, opened her mouth, then closed it again. What could she say? Ask if she was the female lead?

She’d probably think she was crazy.

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