The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 59

Xiao Yu paused, pretending to be surprised, “Big Brother, do you mean that the Crown Prince of Chang wants to kill me? But I don’t even know him. Why does he want to kill me?”

Song Yanqi sighed, his tone full of helplessness, “I can’t hide it from you anymore. All this is because of your identity as a member of the royal family.”

Xiao Yu’s heart skipped a beat, just as she had guessed. Could it be that they were really protecting her?

Xiao Yu’s fingertips twitched. After a quick mental calculation, she listened as Song Yanqi continued.

It turned out that the current emperor was the second son of the Prince of Chang. Before he ascended the throne, he was a master of disguise, appearing tolerant and benevolent, and deeply loved by the common people. The Prince of Chang was also the former emperor’s brother, so when the new emperor passed away, choosing Xiao Chengan seemed to be a legitimate choice.

At the time, several of the late emperor’s ministers, including Song Yunzhou, were deceived by his facade and chose him from a group of royal descendants. But after he ascended the throne, his true nature was revealed. He only cared about his own pleasure, ignoring the lives of the people, plundering their wealth, expanding his palaces, and widely selecting consorts. He was politically inept and incompetent, only appointing those he favored. Some loyal ministers were even imprisoned and their families’ properties confiscated just because they showed dissatisfaction.

As the leading minister, Song Yunzhou was filled with regret. He then joined forces with other ministers to depose the emperor and enthrone a new one.

But the news leaked. To protect his son’s throne, the Prince of Chang began to assassinate other members of the royal family, and several had already been brutally murdered.

Originally, Xiao Yu’s identity posed no great threat to him. However, by a strange turn of events, she married the Prime Minister’s daughter, which made the Prince of Chang feel threatened. This led to the ambush and now, the Crown Prince of Chang’s brazen attempt to kill her.

How could the Prime Minister’s residence stand by and do nothing?

After listening to Song Yanqi, Xiao Yu pursed her lips. There was no change in her expression, but her heart was in turmoil. She picked up the teapot beside her and poured herself a cup of tea, her slender fingers resting on the rim of the teacup.

According to him, his account was basically the same as her guess. Could it be that she had misunderstood her father-in-law’s family?

After a moment of silent contemplation, Xiao Yu had made a judgment. She felt a little guilty as she glanced at Song Luoning. She had let the eldest young lady suffer because of her vague suspicions. She should have coaxed her immediately.

Overcome with guilt and self-reproach, Xiao Yu gently took Song Luoning’s hand across the small table.

Her palm warmed, and Song Luoning was startled. The jade-like fingers that were half-hidden in her sleeve curled up. She looked up at her, wanting to pull her hand away, but Xiao Yu held it tightly. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed.

She instinctively looked at her father and brother. Song Yunzhou naturally noticed Xiao Yu’s small action. His expression paused for a moment, then he cleared his throat. Young people these days were becoming more and more disrespectful. They had no regard for him, their father-in-law, and dared to hold his beloved daughter’s hand in front of him. Song Yunzhou took a deep breath, and after a while, he closed his eyes and looked away. Forget it, it was all for his daughter’s happiness.

Out of sight, out of mind.

“…” Song Luoning’s face turned red.

This scoundrel, with no regard for the occasion!

Due to the presence of her father and brother, Song Luoning bit her lip and said nothing.

Song Luoning’s silence was more like an admission, which put Xiao Yu in a good mood. She spoke with more confidence. Since her father-in-law’s family was on her side, she could finally relax. At least she was not alone now.

Xiao Yu squeezed the soft jade in her palm, still not satisfied. After a while, she reluctantly let go, stood up, straightened her clothes, and cupped her hands respectfully, “Father-in-law, please instruct me on what to do now.”

Song Yunzhou watched her, his mood indescribable. His lips twitched uncontrollably, and he waved his hand, “Sit down.” He was silent for a moment before saying, “In my opinion, since the Crown Prince of Chang asked you to bring that person out, he must have already prepared for the failure of his plan. That woman is both his spy and a tool to sow discord between you and Ning’er to achieve his goals.”

?!

Xiao Yu suddenly realized. She had only thought that the male protagonist wanted to kill her. How could she not have thought of this? Sowing discord between her and the eldest young lady was equivalent to sowing discord between her and the Prime Minister’s residence. This male protagonist’s intentions were truly malicious.

Indeed, old ginger is spicier. Xiao Yu deliberated, “So what should we do next?”

Since she could now confirm the reason why the male protagonist wanted to kill her, she was not the type to sit idly by and wait for death. Moreover, her father-in-law’s family was helping her so much. If she didn’t fight back, wouldn’t she look like a pushover?

This was not her nature.

She couldn’t stand it with her fiery temper.

“Don’t worry. Let’s not alert the enemy yet. We’ll wait and see.” Song Yunzhou narrowed his eyes, his face sinking. He sounded a bit protective as he said, “Does he really think my Prime Minister’s residence is so easily bullied?”

With her father-in-law’s impressive aura, Xiao Yu naturally didn’t dare to make a sound. She wasn’t an idiot. If her father-in-law said so, he must have a plan. All she had to do was cooperate.

With the old man’s instructions, Song Yanqi stood up, “Son will send people to monitor that dancer.”

Song Yunzhou pondered for a moment, “Just keep an eye on her from the shadows. Don’t let anyone find out.”

Listening to their meticulous arrangements, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but look at the eldest young lady. Her fingertips moved, and she wanted to hold her hand again. What should she do? As if she could read her mind, Song Luoning glared at her, pursed her lips, and looked away.

“Wife, do you believe now that there’s nothing between me and that Yuan Niang?” While the others were discussing, Xiao Yu secretly moved two steps closer to Song Luoning and whispered.

Song Luoning looked at her with a complicated expression. What could she expect from this scoundrel? She held back her words, her attention returning to her father and brother. Still, she was worried that she might do something outrageous, so she secretly watched her out of the corner of her eye.

The rest of the conversation was about the incompetent emperor, which Xiao Yu wasn’t very interested in. Her wife wouldn’t let her touch her either. Finally, the meeting ended. The time was already at dusk. Song Ling’er was waiting in the courtyard. When she saw them come out, her eyes lit up. She excitedly ran over, shoved the kite into Xiao Yu’s hand, and looked up, asking in a soft, childlike voice, “Does brother-in-law know how to fly a kite?”

“Ling’er, don’t be rude,” Li Yan said, stopping her.

“It’s okay, Sister-in-law.” Xiao Yu’s heart softened. She was amused by her adorable appearance. She took Song Ling’er’s small hand and tilted her head, smiling at Song Luoning, “Would you and your brother-in-law like to fly a kite with Ling’er?”

“Yes, yes!” The little girl looked at Song Luoning with an expectant face.

“…” This scoundrel was using Ling’er to force her to agree to fly a kite with her.

Song Luoning gave her an annoyed glare, bent down, and gently poked the tip of Song Ling’er’s nose. Her lips curled into a smile, and she said softly, “Let’s go. Your aunt hasn’t played with Ling’er in a long time.”

Song Ling’er was overjoyed. Her eyes widened, bright and full of spirit. She couldn’t wait to pull her hand away from Xiao Yu, clapping her two chubby little hands together excitedly, “Really? Auntie isn’t tricking me?”

“No.” Infected by her happiness, Song Luoning’s face showed a touch of emotion.

The innocent smile of a child was the most heart-warming thing.

“Little sister, let them play. Let’s go to the flower hall and have a chat,” Li Yan advised.

Even though Song Luoning’s health was better than before, she didn’t dare to take any chances with her body.

Song Luoning shook her head, “Sister-in-law, I haven’t played with Ling’er in a long time.”

“But…” Li Yan was a bit hesitant and was about to say more when the second sister-in-law, Wu Yimo, and the third sister-in-law, Su Ran, came in with their maids.

Wu Yimo’s eyes swept over the group, and she burst into laughter, “If you ask me, you shouldn’t stop her. I think little sister’s illness has improved a lot. If she wants to go, just let her. Besides, what’s there to worry about when brother-in-law is here? The young couple are in a honeyed stage. What are we meddling for?”

“…”

Song Luoning’s face turned redder and redder. She gave Xiao Yu a reproachful glance, holding back her shyness, and stepped forward to curtsy, “Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, you’ve come too.”

“Quickly, quickly, we’re all family. There’s no need to be so formal,” Wu Yimo helped her up, then glanced towards the study and stuck out her tongue, “Luckily, your second brother isn’t here, otherwise, it would be another lecture.”

This made everyone laugh.

Wu Yimo was the daughter of the Minister of Works. The old Minister of Works doted on his daughter, treating her like a precious gem. He was so fond of her that he couldn’t bear for her to learn the rules of a proper young lady. Her spoiled and willful nature was once well-known in the capital.

She had mellowed out quite a bit after marriage.

The credit for that went to her rigid husband. In the beginning, she had tantrums, but Song Yanting was not only rigid but also stubborn. He had slowly worn down her temper.

“The servants just told me you were back, so your third sister-in-law and I came over. You know your third sister-in-law’s nature…” Wu Yimo complained with a laugh.

“Second Sister-in-law!” Su Ran glared at her and pretended to hit her.

“Why can’t I say it?” Wu Yimo hid behind Li Yan. Su Ran couldn’t catch her and stomped her foot in frustration.

Song Luoning chuckled, “There’s no rush.”

The third sister-in-law, Su Ran, was the opposite of Wu Yimo. Her father was a Grand Master of the Hanlin Academy, so she was a well-educated and reasonable person. She was slow-tempered and spoke softly, so she was often teased by her second sister-in-law.

Song Luoning took Su Ran’s hand and exchanged a few intimate words.

On the other side, Wu Yimo glanced at Xiao Yu, her smile deepening. She couldn’t help but pull Su Ran over and teased, “Little sister, you should go with your brother-in-law to fly a kite. Don’t worry about us. Don’t make your brother-in-law wait too long.”

Huh? Xiao Yu blinked. Even with her thick skin, her face felt a little hot. Not to mention the usually thin-skinned Song Luoning, who wished she could find a hole to hide in.

“Second Sister-in-law,” Song Luoning’s fair cheeks were flushed, more beautiful and delicate than the peach blossoms in early spring.

Xiao Yu froze, her chest feeling warm. She instinctively licked her lips.

Song Luoning’s breath hitched.

What was that expression on this scoundrel’s face?

“Alright, alright, you know our little sister is thin-skinned, and you tease her the moment you see her. Let’s go. Let the brother-in-law and Ling’er handle the kite flying. You come with us to the flower hall and have a chat,” Li Yan said, taking Song Luoning’s hand and leading her out.

She was truly worried.

Xiao Yu: “…” What about the plan to fly a kite together?

The three of them chatted and laughed as they were escorted by their maids out of the courtyard.

Xiao Yu touched her nose, absentmindedly watching the direction Song Luoning had left in.

“Brother-in-law, let’s go fly the kite too,” Song Ling’er’s soft voice brought her back to reality.

Sigh! She had hoped to spend more time with the eldest young lady to develop their relationship.

“Is brother-in-law reluctant to part with auntie?” Seeing that she was in low spirits, Song Ling’er tilted her head and asked innocently.

“Huh?” Xiao Yu was stunned, feeling a bit awkward that a little girl had seen through her feelings. She quickly took her hand, “What are you talking about? Am I that clingy?”

The little girl thought seriously for a moment and nodded, “Yes.”

Xiao Yu: “…”

What? She wasn’t clingy at all!

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