The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 52

Hearing footsteps, Song Luoning was puzzled. She turned her head and met a pair of burning eyes.

“…” Song Luoning’s breath hitched.

Why did she follow me?

Song Luoning pursed her lips and lowered her eyes. “Why did my husband come here?”

Xiao Yu touched her nose, her face slightly flushed. “Didn’t my wife agree this afternoon?”

Agreed?

What did I agree to?

Song Luoning was surprised, not knowing what she was up to now. With a puzzled expression, she pursed her lips and pulled open a cabinet. The sleeping robe was on top of the fan she bought today. Her hand paused. She didn’t expect that she would take her casual remark seriously. She was such a fool. Song Luoning’s lips curved into a smile as she took out the sleeping robe.

“What are you talking about, husband?” As she spoke, she went behind the screen.

Hmm?

Did Song Luoning forget?

Xiao Yu was anxious. “What did my wife say at noon? ‘It’s fine tonight.'”

Song Luoning’s hands, which were changing clothes, stopped. Her cheeks suddenly burned. The room fell silent. Separated by the screen, it felt as though only their breathing could be heard. The silence was deafening.

Her fingers slowly tightened. She remembered. At the time, she was afraid she would do something reckless, so she casually agreed to placate her. Who knew this scoundrel would remember? Her thoughts suddenly drifted to the fan in the cabinet that was carefully treasured. She closed her eyes.

What a greedy and lecherous scoundrel!

What she felt for her…

A look of bewilderment appeared in Song Luoning’s eyes, especially after hearing what her elder brother said today. Would she and her future relationship be the same as it was now?

She also didn’t want to be a bird in a cage, nor did she want to share her husband with others.

“Wife, are you ready yet?” Failing to get a response for a long time, Xiao Yu became a little impatient. She took two steps forward, slowly approaching the screen.

“Soon… I’m ready, don’t come in…” Song Luoning pulled herself out of her thoughts, afraid she would come in, and hastily quickened her pace.

“Oh, okay, but hurry up.” Xiao Yu urged, truly not moving forward anymore.

Seeing that she really didn’t move closer, Song Luoning let out a sigh of relief. She put on her sleeping robe, calmed down, and walked out from behind the screen.

“Wife…” Xiao Yu opened her mouth.

“I’m a little tired. Let’s rest early.” Song Luoning interrupted her anxiously, lowering her eyes as she walked past her, bringing a faint, delicate fragrance.

Xiao Yu: “…”

What did the young lady mean?

She’s going back on her word!

No, we clearly agreed. How can she go back on her word? Xiao Yu was unwilling and followed her to the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her with a face full of grievance.

Ignoring the burning gaze, Song Luoning pinched her fingertips and took a deep breath. “Husband, you’ve been tired all day. Let’s rest early.” With that, she lifted the thin quilt and lay down.

How can this be?

“…” Xiao Yu wasn’t giving up. She flipped onto the bed, pulled her and the quilt into her arms, and held her.

“Husband…” Her delicate body trembled. Song Luoning subconsciously clenched her palms. “What… are you doing…” Her breathing was a little quick, and she sounded unconfident.

“My wife promised me. Are you going back on your word now?” Xiao Yu tightened her grip and flipped over, pressing her down. The faint candlelight shone through the bed curtains, illuminating their silhouettes.

“Husband… I…” Song Luoning clutched the bedsheet underneath her.

“Don’t be afraid.” The voice brushed against her ear, and a slightly hot breath fell on her. Song Luoning’s body trembled. Her eyes became glistening, and she bit her lip and let out a low “mm,” which sounded a little delicate. Her heart suddenly raced, rippling like spring water—a mix of shyness, nervousness, and a faint hint of anticipation.

After a long while, Song Luoning’s clenched fingers slowly relaxed, and she slowly closed her eyes.

Let her be…

Early the next morning, before the two of them had even woken up, a knocking sound came from outside the door.

“Miss, Son-in-law,” Cui Zhu called out in a low voice.

Song Luoning moved a little, opened her eyes, and just as she was about to get up, she realized she was in a soft embrace. Her cheeks suddenly turned red. The two of them had only just gone to rest a little while ago, and the spring warmth in their eyes had not yet dissipated. She gently pushed the person next to her and whispered, “Husband.”

“Mmm~” Xiao Yu groggily opened her eyes, looking satisfied. She buried her head in her neck.

Song Luoning’s body stiffened. “Husband…”

“Mmm.”

“Stop fooling around…”

Xiao Yu chuckled foolishly, took a satisfying sniff, and then raised her head.

“Miss, Son-in-law,” Cui Zhu’s voice came again, this time a little louder.

“Normally, Cui Zhu wouldn’t keep calling. There must be something. Husband, let go of Luoning first.” Song Luoning pushed away the arm on her body. Just as she was about to get up, a wave of soreness came from below. She closed her eyes. The scene from last night flashed through her mind, and her cheeks grew even hotter.

She should not have let this scoundrel fool around.

Her voice turned a little colder, and in her embarrassment and anger, she kicked her on her calf. “Hurry up and get up.”

Seeing that her wife was angry, Xiao Yu didn’t dare to be slow. She hugged her, and forcefully took a sip from her soft, jelly-like lips. “Thank you for your hard work last night, wife. You can lie down for a little while longer. I’ll go see what’s happening.” With that, without giving Song Luoning a chance to be shy, she got up, took her outer robe from the screen, and put it on.

Opening the door, Cui Zhu immediately bowed. “Son-in-law.”

“What happened so early in the morning?” Xiao Yu asked.

“Someone from the palace has arrived, and they brought a lot of armored guards. They’re asking for you to come to receive a decree,” Cui Zhu said truthfully.

Someone from the palace?

Xiao Yu was startled. What did the people from the palace want with her?

Cui Zhu had the same question. The son-in-law didn’t seem to be anything special, so why would someone from the palace come looking for her? The little maid tilted her head and glanced at her son-in-law. She couldn’t help but ask, “Son-in-law, do you know the Emperor?”

Xiao Yu glanced at her. “Didn’t the people outside say what it was about?”

“They didn’t. An eunuch who delivers decrees has arrived and is waiting in the main hall now.” It seemed like she asked for nothing, and Cui Zhu sighed.

“Got it. I’ll be there right away.” Xiao Yu turned and returned to the room. Song Luoning had already gotten up. Seeing her return, she asked softly, “Did something happen?”

“The eunuch who delivers decrees from the palace is waiting in the main hall. I have to go there now,” Xiao Yu said. She held her hand and helped her to sit in front of the dressing table.

Song Luoning’s heart was shocked. She asked anxiously, “Did they say what it was about?”

“They didn’t say the specifics. I’ll know when I get there,” Xiao Yu said, pausing. “Let Cui Zhu come in and serve you. I’ll go take a look.”

Even as a modern person, Xiao Yu knew that she couldn’t neglect people sent by the emperor unless she was tired of living. She reluctantly let go of Song Luoning’s hand.

“Wait a moment. I’ll go with you, husband,” Song Luoning held her back.

The young lady wants to go with me?

Xiao Yu touched her nose and smiled. “Okay, then I’ll wait for you.”

“Okay.” Song Luoning nodded. “Husband, please ask the maid to come in and serve me.”

“Okay.”

Before long, the maids streamed in. Xiao Yu stood by and waited. Song Luoning quickly finished her ablutions, and the two of them went to the main hall together.

The person who came to deliver the decree from the palace was a young eunuch. Seeing them, he said, “Xiao Yu, why aren’t you kneeling to receive the decree?” His voice was high-pitched, and he sounded like he was deliberately trying to speak in that manner.

Xiao Yu did not dare to neglect. She and everyone else in the residence knelt down.

“By the Emperor’s verbal decree, Xiao Yu is summoned to the palace.” The eunuch said.

When everyone got up, the eunuch continued, “Let’s go, Young Master Xiao. Don’t keep the Emperor waiting.”

The situation was sudden, and Xiao Yu was a little surprised. What did the Emperor want to see her for? Although the original owner was a member of the royal family, she didn’t have a title and lived far away from the capital. Even if she came to the capital, it wasn’t to the extent that the Emperor would personally want to see her, right?

Out of natural trust, Xiao Yu subconsciously looked at Song Luoning.

The young lady’s delicate brows were slightly furrowed. Although she didn’t show much emotion or say a word, Xiao Yu could still sense the worry and unease in her expression.

She hid her unease, not wanting the young lady to worry as well, and smiled. “Wife, I’ll be back soon.”

Song Luoning didn’t say anything and just looked up at her.

“Young Master Xiao, let’s go,” the eunuch urged.

Xiao Yu held Song Luoning’s hand for a moment, then quickly let go, following the eunuch out of the main gate. The carriage that was there to pick her up was parked outside the residence. Two rows of armored guards with halberds were guarding the sides, making the reception a bit solemn.

The eunuch flicked the fly whisk in his hand and made a gesture of invitation. “Please, Young Master Xiao.”

Xiao Yu hesitated, stepped on the carriage step, and turned her head to meet Song Luoning’s gaze. The young lady’s face was full of worry.

Xiao Yu moved her fingers and entered the carriage.

The parade was grand. The carriage team drove majestically through the East Gate of the palace. Then, two eunuchs led the way through a series of palace gates, stopping outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

One of the leading eunuchs entered the hall, while Xiao Yu and the other eunuch stood outside. The hall door was wide open, and the faint sound of string and wind instruments could be heard. Xiao Yu took a deep breath.

Not long after, the leading eunuch who had just gone in returned. “Young Master Xiao, please follow me.”

Xiao Yu glanced at the magnificent hall and followed him inside.

The scene inside the hall was a different one. Six dancers swayed their bodies in the center of the hall, and musicians played instruments below. The sight was out of place in this solemn and majestic hall.

Xiao Yu didn’t dare to look up. She kept her head down and secretly glanced at the man on the dragon throne with her peripheral vision. She was a little startled. The man was thin and had sunken cheeks. He looked completely exhausted.

How could the Emperor look like this?

That makes sense. With three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two concubines, it would be strange if he was in good health. After all, the emperors in movies and TV shows are portrayed by later generations. If all emperors looked like this, how would future generations have imagined them?

Sitting on the right side of the Emperor was…

The male protagonist?!

The male protagonist was also in the palace. What was his relationship with the Emperor…?

Xiao Yu was shocked.

Didn’t the novel say that the male protagonist raised an army under the pretense of “purging the monarch” and eventually conquered the capital, then ascended the throne as Emperor with the support of the officials?

Looking at the current situation, the male protagonist and this Emperor were toasting each other, which didn’t seem to be the case as described in the novel.

But who could say for sure? After all, the throne was truly tempting.

Would the male protagonist’s presence here be a disadvantage to her? The male protagonist had previously wanted to arrest her because of her father-in-law’s relationship.

Before she had time to think it through, she had already arrived in front of the Emperor. The leading eunuch bowed respectfully, keeping his head lowered, and retreated to the side to wait.

Xiao Yu didn’t know the palace rules, so she copied his movements and bowed.

The Emperor, Xiao Chengan, sized her up. There was a look of disdain in his eyes. “You are Xiao Yu?”

Xiao Yu did not dare to be slow and said respectfully, “I am a commoner, Xiao Yu.”

Is this the person the royal father was worried about?

“The direct descendant of the founding emperor is not that great either. What do you think, Brother?” Xiao Chengan looked at Xiao Chengze and asked with a smile.

Xiao Chengze lowered his head and cursed the fool. He went along with his words. “What the Emperor said is true.”

Upon receiving Xiao Chengze’s confirmation, Xiao Chengan laughed loudly. “It’s just you and the royal father who are worrying for nothing.”

He stared at Xiao Yu for a while and then pointed at the dancers behind him. “What do you think of their dance?”

What do I think of their dance?

Since she came in, Xiao Yu hadn’t dared to look around. When she was suddenly asked, she didn’t know how to answer.

Seeing her in such a daze, Xiao Chengan laughed even more unrestrainedly. He simply got up from the dragon throne, walked down the steps, and hugged a dancer’s waist.

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