Chapter 51 Business Matters

"I was just doing my job."

"Thank you anyway."

Liang Chengqiu didn't say anything more, his face remaining expressionless as always.

Xiao Yu also thought this was normal. After all, this person had always had this expression since she met her. She simply ignored her sour face, raised her head and looked up at the sky through the carriage window. The sky was a bright red glow, as if the dazzling sunlight had suddenly dimmed.

The carriage entered the house through the side gate and stopped at the hanging flower gate. The coachman jumped down from the carriage shaft and put down the stool: "The son-in-law has arrived."

Xiao Yu moved her body and waited for Liang Chengqiu to get off the carriage before she came out herself.

Butler Zhang followed: "The eldest young master is unable to appear in person, so he is waiting for you in the front hall."

Xiao Yu nodded, surprised that her brother-in-law was so concerned about her affairs. She followed the butler through the corridor and arrived at the front hall.

Everyone was there. When she returned, Jiang Wanrou stood up, took a few quick steps, grabbed her arm, and checked her repeatedly: "Did they give you any trouble?"

Jiang Wanrou gripped her arm tightly, and Xiao Yu felt a bit of pain from the tight grip.

“No,” Xiao Yu said.

"That's good. Young Master Song is here." With that, she turned and pulled Xiao Yu into the hall.

Now that her father-in-law had come to her rescue, they must already know about what happened at the Dali Temple. Xiao Yu stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Seeing that she had returned unharmed, Song Yanqi nodded, sat down again, and led Xiao Yu to sit below him. His calm expression softened a bit, and he said in a deep voice, "I'm relieved that everything is alright. That Wu Yuanhou dared to disobey his superior's orders; it seems he needs to be dealt with properly."

Some oppression comes from those in positions of power.

Xiao Yu pursed her lips, unsure of what to say. She subconsciously looked at Song Luoning and met her worried gaze. She felt a pang of emotion and wanted to hold her hand to tell her that she was alright. However, due to the presence of others, she curled her fingers and slowly released them, suppressing her impulse.

"You can stay here in peace. No one can touch you until there is concrete evidence," Song Yanqi said.

"Thank you, brother." Xiao Yu came back to his senses.

Song Yanqi continued, "Since there's nothing else, I'll head back now. Things haven't been peaceful in the capital these past few days, so try not to go out if you can avoid it. If you absolutely must go out, have the steward send two people with you, so I can feel at ease."

"Okay," Xiao Yu replied obediently.

As for why things were not peaceful, Song Yanqi didn't say much, and Xiao Yu didn't ask either. When he stood up to leave, Song Luoning called him back, looked at him without saying anything, and after a moment the two of them went to the study without saying a word.

Once the two figures disappeared from sight, only Xiao Yu's family and Liang Chengqiu remained in the hall. Jiang Wanrou, with a serious expression, ordered in a deep voice, "Go outside and keep watch. I have something to ask you."

The clever little girl glanced at Xiao Yu, then hurriedly went outside and sat on the stone steps.

Since they had something to say, and it wasn't appropriate for an outsider like myself to stay, Liang Chengqiu stood up and said, "Madam Xiao, I'll head back now."

"Captain Liang," Jiang Wanrou called out to her, "We're all on the same side. We've been so grateful for your care along the way. If it weren't for you, my son and I wouldn't have been able to get to the capital safely. You're our benefactor, and there's nothing to hide."

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

Jiang Wanrou continued, "Although Ayu is a mischievous child, he is not one to cause trouble. This time, he was attacked in the capital for no reason. Things are probably not as simple as they seem. I have been observing these past two days and I have a feeling that something else is going to happen. Everyone should be careful in their actions and it is best if no one acts rashly on their own."

Chen Yu nodded blankly: "Aunt, what is it?"

Jiang Wanrou's lips twitched, and she couldn't help but facepalm. Was it better to be naive or stupid? Why was she asking such nonsense at a time like this?

"Just remember what I said."

"oh."

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

As Xiao Yu approached, she lowered her voice and said, "I wonder what your wife said. Keep an eye out and find out what's going on in the capital lately. Don't let your wife be bewitching you every time you see her." Her tone was full of disdain.

Why am I so unlucky to have two such troublesome children? And look at other people's children, like my in-laws' four children, especially my daughter-in-law, who is so well-behaved and sensible.

And these two of them...

She didn't want to say anything more.

"..." Xiao Yu's lips twitched, and he opened his 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 even understand what your mother said?"

"knew."

"It's good that you know," Jiang Wanrou glanced at her.

The three discussed for a while longer, and then a maid came to invite them to dine in a side hall.

After the meal, the sun had set, and the maids were busy lighting lamps, making the courtyard dark. The three of them went back to their respective homes.

Song Luoning didn't go to the meal. As soon as Xiao Yu entered the room, he saw her sitting on the soft couch, staring blankly at one spot.

"Wife..." Xiao Yu opened her mouth.

When Cuizhu saw her return, she bowed and glanced at her young mistress. After hesitating for a moment, she realized that her young mistress and the eldest young master had come out of the study in this state and hadn't even had dinner. Given her young mistress's feelings for the young master, she should need him by her side at this time. Cuizhu looked at Xiao Yu with expectation, bowed, and quietly left the room.

Xiao Yu glanced at the closed door, walked to the soft couch, and asked softly, "Has my wife had dinner yet?"

Upon hearing this, Song Luoning was momentarily dazed, but quickly came to her senses. She made a move to get up, but Xiao Yu pressed her wrist down: "What do you want? I'll get it for you."

What do you want?

Song Luoning sighed softly, gazing at her gently. After a long while, she shook her head: "Luoning only saw that her husband had returned; she didn't want anything."

Xiao Yu squatted down, took her hand and pressed it against his cheek, then looked up and stared intently into her eyes.

Song Luoning's body stiffened, her palm burning, the heat gradually spreading throughout her body. Her face flushed as she tried to pull her hand back, but to no avail.

What is this lecherous fellow up to now?

"My lady hasn't said yet whether she's had dinner or not?" Xiao Yu pressed.

Not knowing where her persistence came from, Song Luoning turned her face away, avoiding that burning gaze, steadied herself, and said softly, "Not yet."

Hearing that she hadn't eaten yet, Xiao Yu couldn't help but worry: "Are you feeling unwell? Have you taken your medicine?" She paused here, recalling what her adoptive mother had told her, and hesitated before asking, "Did my older brother say something?"

Song Luning was taken aback, then lowered her eyes.

"......" This reaction means something's definitely up.

How could she ask? The brother and sister had deliberately avoided talking to them, clearly not wanting others to know. Xiao Yu was a little embarrassed. It wasn't that she really wanted to find out anything; she was more concerned about the young lady's feelings.

After a pause, seeing that Song Luoning didn't want to talk, he kissed the smooth, warm jade-like skin on his lips. His hand felt hot, and before Song Luoning could react, Xiao Yu had already let go of her hand, stood up, and turned to walk out: "I'll go and tell the maid to instruct the kitchen to prepare some light meals. We can't skip meals, and we have important things to do tonight."

I almost forgot about the important matter after visiting the Dali Temple. This kind of thing must be quite tiring. The young lady is already delicate, so she can't do without eating.

The heat that had just subsided on Song Luoning's cheeks reignited, and her burning fingertips slowly tightened.

That lecherous scoundrel!

What important business could you possibly have with me tonight?

Xiao Yu opened the door and saw a maid on night duty leaning against a pillar in the corridor, dozing off. Startled, she hurriedly stood up and curtsied to her.

"Go and have the kitchen prepare two light side dishes," Xiao Yu instructed.

"Yes," the maid replied, glancing cautiously at Xiao Yu. Seeing that her master hadn't scolded her for being lazy, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurried towards the kitchen.

Xiao Yu turned and went back into the room. The room was quiet and the atmosphere was a little awkward. Xiao Yu did not go to the soft couch, but sat down at the round table, propped his elbows on the table and supported his chin, staring at Song Luo Ning with a dazed look in his eyes. Occasionally, the sound of turning pages could be heard.

A short while later, there was a knock on the door, and a maid's voice came in: "Young master, the food you ordered is ready. Shall we bring it in now?"

"Okay, bring it in," Xiao Yu said.

The door opened from the outside, and a young maid came in carrying a tray. She placed the food on the table one by one, then stepped aside with her head down.

Shrimp with jade belt, ginkgo nuts with poetry and etiquette, and round vegetables in white sauce, served with lotus seed porridge—no wonder it's the chef of the Prime Minister's residence; everything is served on white jade plates, and the presentation is quite exquisite.

"You can go down now," Xiao Yu said.

The young maidservant secretly glanced at her master on the soft couch, silently breathed a sigh of relief, and withdrew.

"My lady, come and have something to eat," Xiao Yu said.

Song Luoning raised her eyes and responded with a faint "Mm." Her gaze fell on Xiao Yu, her delicate brows and eyes concealing an indescribable emotion. After a long while, she sighed softly, closed the book in her hand, placed it on the low table, stood up, and slowly walked over.

Xiao Yu quickly pulled out a stool, and after Song Luoning sat down, he hurriedly served her some food: "Wife, try this."

Song Luoning was puzzled by her sudden attentiveness. Her gaze fell on the shrimp that the woman had picked up for her. She paused, her fingers slowly curling up as she stared at it for a long time before she said softly, "Thank you, husband. I can do it myself."

Xiao Yu pursed his lips, awkwardly put down his chopsticks, and looked at her delicate face with great joy. He couldn't help but start eating as well.

Seeing her eat again, Song Luoning frowned slightly and couldn't help but look up at her: "Didn't you eat well tonight, husband?"

She remembered that when Cuizhu came to report, this lecherous man had gone to the side hall to eat, and was hungry again in just a quarter of an hour.

"Mmm." Xiao Yu grinned, her appetite was particularly good just thinking about what was going to happen tonight.

Song Luoning had no idea what was going on in her mind. She nodded. She had witnessed Deng Tu Zi's appetite before. Maybe she was overthinking it. If she wanted to eat, she should let her eat.

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

"Is this all you're going to eat?" What if she gets hungry tonight? She's full of energy right now, what if the young lady can't handle it?

The porridge in front of her hadn't been touched at all.

Xiao Yu glanced at the porridge, opened her mouth, and pondered how to get her to eat more.

Seeing that she was staring at the porridge, Song Luoning thought she wanted to drink it, so she pushed the porridge towards her: "Luoning has finished eating, husband, please drink it."

"..." Is that what she meant?

Song Luoning took out a handkerchief and wiped her lips, her eyebrows curving slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face: "Please enjoy, my husband." Her voice was soft and gentle, like a feather brushing against her skin, tickling her.

Xiao Yu instinctively wanted to take her hand, as if only in this way could he relieve the itch in his heart.

Song Luoning got up first and walked into the inner room. Xiao Yu awkwardly curled his fingers, looking at her with lingering affection. Her slender waist swayed like a willow in the breeze under the thin white gauze. His fingertips moved slightly, and his gaze followed her figure as she disappeared behind the beaded curtain.

Xiao Yu swallowed hard, glanced at the lotus seed porridge beside him, ate it in a few gulps, and followed him inside.