The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 51

“I’m just doing my duty.”

“Either way, thank you.”

Liang Chengqiu didn’t speak again, her face as expressionless as ever.

Xiao Yu found this normal; after all, she had been this way since they met. She simply ignored the cold look, raised her head, and looked at the sky through the carriage window. The sky was a brilliant red, as if the sun, which had been so bright moments ago, had dimmed all at once.

The carriage entered the residence through a side gate and stopped at the gate with the hanging flowers. The coachman jumped off the shaft and lowered the step: “Master-in-law, we’ve arrived.”

Xiao Yu shifted, waiting for Liang Chengqiu to alight first before stepping out herself.

Steward Zhang approached: “The eldest young master is waiting for you in the front hall, as it’s not convenient for him to come out.”

Xiao Yu nodded, not expecting her brother-in-law to be so concerned about her affairs. She followed the steward through the covered walkway and arrived at the front hall.

Everyone was there. Seeing her return, Jiang Wanrou stood up, walked a few steps, and grabbed her arm, inspecting her repeatedly: “Did they make things difficult for you?”

Jiang Wanrou gripped her arm tightly, which hurt Xiao Yu a little.

“No,” Xiao Yu said.

“That’s good. Young Master Song has come over,” she said, then turned and led Xiao Yu into the hall.

Since her father-in-law had helped her out, they must have already known about the matter at the Dali Temple. Xiao Yu stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

Song Yanqi, seeing her return safe and sound, nodded. He sat down again, gesturing for Xiao Yu to sit in the seat below him. His serious expression softened slightly. He said in a low voice, “I’m relieved you’re okay. That Wu Yuanhou dared to defy his superior’s orders. It seems he needs to be properly dealt with.”

There was a certain pressure from a person in a high position.

Xiao Yu pursed her lips, unsure of what to say. She instinctively looked at Song Luoning. Catching Song Luoning’s worried gaze, her heart stirred. She wanted to hold her hand and tell her she was fine, but mindful of the people present, she curled her fingers and slowly released them, suppressing the impulse.

“Just rest assured and stay here. No one can touch you without concrete evidence,” Song Yanqi said.

“Thank you, brother,” Xiao Yu replied, returning to her senses.

Song Yanqi continued to give instructions: “Since everything is fine, I’ll head back now. The capital isn’t peaceful these days, so don’t go out if you can help it. If you absolutely must go out, ask the steward to send two people with you. That way, I can feel at ease.”

“Okay,” Xiao Yu obediently agreed.

Song Yanqi didn’t elaborate on why the capital wasn’t peaceful, and Xiao Yu didn’t ask. As he stood up to leave, Song Luoning called out to him. She looked at him without speaking, and after a moment, the two had a silent understanding and went to the study.

After the two disappeared from view, only Xiao Yu’s family and Liang Chengqiu remained in the hall. Jiang Wanrou’s expression was serious. She commanded in a low voice: “Go outside and keep watch. I have something to ask.”

The little maid, sharp-witted, glanced at Xiao Yu, then hurried out of the hall and sat on the stone steps.

Since they had something to talk about, Liang Chengqiu, an outsider, felt it was inappropriate to stay. She stood up: “Madam Xiao, I’ll head back now.”

“Officer Liang,” Jiang Wanrou called out to her. “We’re all family here. Thank you for your care on the journey. If it weren’t for you, my son and I wouldn’t have been able to get to the capital safely. You are our benefactor, and there’s no need to be shy.”

Liang Chengqiu was taken aback, suppressing the complex emotions in her heart.

Jiang Wanrou continued: “Although Ah Yu is a bit mischievous, she’s not a troublemaker. The fact that she was inexplicably ambushed on her way to the capital means the matter is probably not as simple as it seems. I’ve been observing for the past two days and I feel that something else is going to happen. Everyone, please be careful with your actions. It’s best if no one moves alone.”

Chen Yu nodded blankly: “Aunt, what’s going on?”

The corner of Jiang Wanrou’s mouth twitched. She couldn’t help but rub her forehead. Should she call her simple or just plain stupid? At a time like this, she was still asking such pointless questions.

“Just remember what I said.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Wanrou sighed and looked at Xiao Yu: “Come here for a moment.”

When Xiao Yu came closer, she lowered her voice: “I don’t know what your wife went to talk about, but keep your ears open and try to find out exactly why the capital isn’t peaceful these days. Don’t let your soul be stolen by your wife every time you see her.” Her tone was full of disdain.

How could she be so unlucky to have these two unconcerned children? Then she looked at the children of her in-laws, especially her daughter-in-law, who was so well-behaved and sensible.

And these two of hers…

She didn’t want to say anything more.

“…” Xiao Yu’s mouth twitched. She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a single word for a long time.

Jiang Wanrou raised her hand and patted her on the head: “What are you standing there for? Did you understand what your mother said?”

“I got it.”

Jiang Wanrou gave her a sideways glance. “It’s good that you really got it.”

The three of them talked for a while longer before a maid came to invite them to the side hall for dinner.

After the meal, the sun had already set. The maids were busy lighting lanterns, and the courtyard was dim. The three of them went their separate ways.

Song Luoning hadn’t gone for dinner. When Xiao Yu entered the room, she saw her sitting on a cushioned bench, staring blankly at one spot.

“My wife…” Xiao Yu opened her mouth.

Cui Zhu saw her return and bowed. She glanced at her young mistress, and hesitated for a moment. Ever since her mistress came out of the study with the eldest young master, she had been like this. She hadn’t even had dinner. Given her mistress’s feelings for her husband, this was the time she needed him most. Cui Zhu looked at Xiao Yu with anticipation, bowed, and quietly left the room.

Xiao Yu looked at the closed door, walked over to the cushioned bench, and gently asked, “Have you had dinner, my wife?”

Hearing the voice, Song Luoning seemed to snap out of a trance. She quickly recovered and made to stand, but Xiao Yu placed a hand on her wrist: “What do you want? I’ll get it.”

What did she want?

Song Luoning sighed slightly. Her gaze was soft as she looked at him. After a moment, she shook her head: “Luoning is just happy to see my husband return. There’s nothing I want.”

Xiao Yu knelt down, took her hand, and pressed it against the side of her face, looking up into her eyes.

Song Luoning’s body stiffened. Her palm was hot, and the heat gradually spread throughout her body. She blushed and tried to withdraw her hand, but failed.

What was this libertine going to do now?

“My wife, you still haven’t said whether you’ve had dinner,” Xiao Yu pressed.

She didn’t know why he was so persistent. Song Luoning turned her face away, avoiding his burning gaze, steadied herself, and said in a soft, gentle voice, “Not yet.”

Hearing that she hadn’t eaten, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but worry: “Are you feeling unwell? Have you taken any medicine?” When she said this, she paused, and the words of her mother-in-law came to mind. She hesitated: “Or did big brother say something?”

Song Luoning froze, then lowered her eyes.

“…” This reaction meant something was definitely wrong.

As for how to ask, the conversation between the siblings was deliberately held away from them, clearly not wanting others to know. Xiao Yu felt a bit awkward. It wasn’t that she really wanted to find something out, but she was more concerned about her wife’s mood.

After a pause, seeing that Song Luoning didn’t want to talk, she kissed her warm, jade-like hand. Her hand felt hot. Before Song Luoning could react, Xiao Yu had already released her hand and stood up, turning to walk outside: “I’ll ask the maid to have the kitchen prepare some light food. You can’t go without eating. Besides, we have important business tonight.”

She had almost forgotten about their “important business” after her trip to the Dali Temple. Such matters required a lot of energy. Her wife was already delicate; how could she manage without eating?

The heat on Song Luoning’s cheeks, which had just faded, flared up again. Her fingertips slowly tightened.

This libertine!

What “important business” did he have with her tonight?

Xiao Yu opened the door. In the corridor outside, a maid on night duty was leaning against a pillar, dozing. She was startled and quickly stood up to curtsey to her.

“Ask the kitchen to prepare two light dishes,” Xiao Yu instructed.

“Yes,” the maid replied. She glanced at Xiao Yu cautiously. Seeing that her master wasn’t going to scold her for being lazy, she felt relieved and quickly headed toward the kitchen.

Xiao Yu turned and went back inside. The room was silent, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Xiao Yu didn’t go to the cushioned bench but sat down at the round table. She rested her elbows on the table and propped her chin in her hands, looking at Song Luoning with a dazed expression. Occasionally, the sound of a page turning could be heard.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door, and the maid’s voice came in: “Master-in-law, the dishes you ordered are ready. Shall I bring them in now?”

“Yes, bring them in,” Xiao Yu said.

The door opened from the outside, and the young maid came in holding a tray. She placed the dishes one by one on the table, then lowered her head and stepped back.

There was Stir-fried Shrimp with Jade Belt, Scholar’s Silver Apricot, and White Sauce Round Vegetables, along with Lotus Seed Porridge. As expected of a prime minister’s residence, the kitchen used white jade plates, and the presentation was exquisite.

“You can go now,” Xiao Yu said.

The young maid secretly glanced at her mistress on the cushioned bench, let out a silent sigh of relief, and retreated.

“My wife, come and eat something,” Xiao Yu said.

Song Luoning raised her eyes and said softly, “Mmm.” Her gaze fell on Xiao Yu. Her beautiful eyes held an emotion that was hard to describe. After a moment, she sighed softly, closed the book in her hand, placed it on the low table, stood up, and slowly walked over.

Xiao Yu was quick and pulled out a chair. As soon as Song Luoning sat down, she quickly served her food: “My wife, try this.”

Song Luoning didn’t know why he was suddenly so attentive. Her eyes fell on the shrimp he had served her. She paused, her fingers slowly curling up. After a long gaze, she said in a gentle voice, “Thank you, husband. Luoning can do it herself.”

Xiao Yu pursed her lips and awkwardly retracted her chopsticks. Her eyes were fixed on her delicate face, and her heart was filled with joy. She couldn’t help but start eating as well.

Seeing him eat again, Song Luoning’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. She couldn’t help but look at him: “Did you not eat well tonight, husband?”

She remembered that when Cui Zhu came to report, this libertine had gone to the side hall for dinner. Was he hungry again after just a short while?

“Mmm,” Xiao Yu grinned. When she thought about what would happen tonight, her appetite was especially good.

Song Luoning had no idea what was going on in his mind. She nodded, thinking that she had seen his appetite before, and maybe she was just overthinking. If he wanted to eat, let him.

Song Luoning ate a few bites and then put down her chopsticks.

“Is that all you’re eating?” What if she got hungry at night? He was full of energy right now. What if his wife couldn’t handle it?

She hadn’t touched the porridge in front of her.

Xiao Yu looked at the porridge, opened her mouth, and wondered how to get her to eat a little more.

Seeing him staring at the porridge, Song Luoning thought he wanted to drink it. She pushed the bowl toward him: “Luoning is full, husband, you can have it.”

“…” Was that what he meant?

Song Luoning took a handkerchief to wipe her lips. A faint smile appeared on her beautiful face: “Enjoy your meal, husband.” Her voice was soft and gentle, like a feather sweeping by, tickling him.

Xiao Yu instinctively wanted to hold her hand, as if only that could soothe the itching in her heart.

Song Luoning got up first and walked toward the inner chamber. Xiao Yu awkwardly curled her fingers, her gaze lingering on her. Her slender waist, seen through the thin, plain gauze, was like a delicate willow in the breeze. Her fingertips twitched as her eyes followed her figure until she disappeared behind the beaded curtain.

Xiao Yu swallowed, glanced at the lotus seed porridge beside her, drank it in two gulps, and then walked in after her.

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