Chapter 55 Secret Annoyance

Cuizhu's expression hardened, and she lowered her head, pleading, "Miss, please spare me. You know how Zhang Mama will punish me if she finds out."

Seeing her looking dejected, Song Luoning chuckled and tapped her forehead: "You're getting more and more unruly."

"No way." Cuizhu didn't dare to say anything more and obediently helped her young mistress through the corridor. From afar, she could see a lot of people gathered in the front hall. Song Luoning stepped into the hall.

When everyone saw Song Luoning enter, they instinctively shut their mouths, and the once noisy hall immediately fell silent.

"My lady is here." Xiao Yu was delighted and rushed to greet her, taking her hand in three quick steps. "The maid said you were taking a nap, so I didn't rush to find you. Are you feeling alright?"

Song Luoning blushed. This lecherous man dared to say anything. She was afraid that she would say something embarrassing next. She glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed, and pulled her hand back: "I heard you've returned. Has the Emperor made things difficult for you?"

With her palm empty, Xiao Yu pursed her lips, feeling somewhat unsatisfied. Her gaze lingered on the young lady's slender, white fingers, and she sighed softly, "No, but I happened to run into my third brother when I left the palace, and he was the one who brought me back."

Song Luoning pursed her lips and nodded, then noticed Song Yanyu in his armor and called out, "Third Brother."

Seeing the deep affection between the young couple, Song Yanyu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed his worries were unnecessary. However, if Xiao Yu dared to bully his younger sister, no matter who she was, he would not let her off. Song Yanyu replied, "I happened to run into my brother-in-law while on duty, so we came together."

Song Luoning smiled and said, "Third Brother is busy with official duties, so I have to trouble you to send the person back."

Song Yanyu waved his hand: "It's nothing serious. There is something that needs to be decided by my elder brother."

Song Luoning was taken aback and looked at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu touched his nose, blinked his peach blossom eyes, and looked completely innocent.

Song Luo frowned, her gaze sweeping across the hall before settling on an unfamiliar face. She paused, then asked, "Husband, this young lady is...?"

The atmosphere in the hall froze, and everyone's eyes fell on Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu didn't seem to care much and smiled, "She's someone I brought from the palace. She's quite pitiful, so I'd like to let her stay at the mansion for the time being."

"What did you say?" Song Luoning's face darkened.

Xiao Yu continued, "She helped me a bit in the palace." As he spoke, he secretly tugged at Song Luoning's sleeve and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Wife, let's help her. She's quite pitiful."

Song Luoning curled her fingers and lowered her eyes: "Since you've helped your husband, what are your plans?"

"I was thinking of having her stay at the mansion first, and then we'll make further plans," Xiao Yu said with a smile.

"Is that so?" Song Luoning raised her head, her eyes clear and bright, and stared at her silently.

“Well, today in the palace, that tyrant…” Realizing her slip of the tongue, she paused. Just thinking about what that tyrant had said to the young lady in the palace today made Xiao Yu’s face darken. Worried that the young lady would be worried, she downplayed the issue and said, “If she hadn’t reminded me in the palace, I might have said something wrong and offended the emperor.”

Song Luoning raised her eyelids, but her heart sank little by little. Her ten fingers, hidden under her sleeves, slowly curled up, and she responded with a faint "Mm".

Jiang Wanrou couldn't stand it anymore and slapped Xiao Yu on the head. This unlucky boy, can't he see that his wife is angry? He's still talking and talking. How can he not have any sense?

I really don't know who he looks like, but he definitely doesn't resemble her.

"Mother, what are you doing?" Xiao Yu scratched her head and looked at Jiang Wanrou with a dissatisfied expression.

Why did my cheap mother suddenly hit me? With so many people around, she doesn't even give me any face.

Seeing her completely bewildered and unaware look, Jiang Wanrou couldn't help but facepalm...

This poor kid, how could he be so stupid? Does he want to drive his wife away before he's satisfied? Jiang Wanrou was anxious but couldn't say it out loud, her face full of disappointment.

Fearing that she might strike again, Chen Yu quickly grabbed Jiang Wanrou's arm and winked at Xiao Yu. Although she didn't know what had happened, with so many people watching, her aunt was no longer concerned about her image.

Song Luoning turned her face away and looked elsewhere. After a long while, she said in a faint voice, "It's up to my husband to decide this matter."

"Okay, sure."

"Little sister, I think we should wait for your elder brother to arrive before making a decision on this matter. I have already sent someone to invite him." The siblings have always been very close, and the little sister's behavior clearly showed that she was angry. Song Yanyu couldn't sit still any longer and couldn't wait to get justice for his little sister.

"Third Brother." Song Luoning interrupted him, her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion: "Let your husband handle this matter himself. Since he is her savior, it is only right for him to repay the young lady."

Despite this, Song Yanyu suppressed his dissatisfaction and looked at Xiao Yu. He couldn't stand the sight of this kid. If his father and older brother hadn't told him to, he would have already gone up and beaten him up.

In contrast, Xiao Yu acted as if nothing had happened, reaching out to take Song Luoning's hand, which was hanging by her side, but Song Luoning dodged him.

"......"

"Husband, you should go and settle that young lady first," Song Luoning said calmly, her gaze fixed on the distance.

Seeing her coldness, Xiao Yu's clear eyes showed a hint of grievance. His fingers tightened and then opened under his sleeve, before he awkwardly lowered them again: "My wife, I..."

How could she sense whether the young lady was happy or not?

Did something happen while she was away?

No, she has to ask her about it tonight.

Xiao Yu blinked and said in a sweet and innocent tone, "Then I'll go settle Yuan Niang in now."

Song Luoning remained silent.

Jiang Wanrou stood aside, closed her eyes, and really wanted to pry open that unlucky child's head to see what she was thinking.

Xiao Yu summoned Yuan Niang.

The beautiful woman walked out gracefully, bowed to Song Luoning, and said with a smile, "Thank you for taking me in, sister."

Song Luoning's face paled, and she raised her eyes to look at her: "Just call me Madam Xiao."

"That's right, my master only has one daughter, Miss. Not just anyone can be called a sister." The little maid had long been unable to stand it anymore. What "sister" was clearly a show of force. And that hateful son-in-law dared to bring her back so openly, without any regard for Miss's dignity.

She's so angry!

Cuizhu glared fiercely at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu: "..." What's wrong with this little maid? Did she eat a firecracker? Xiao Yu blinked his peach blossom eyes innocently, tugged at Song Luo Ning's sleeve, and said in a low voice, "Then I'll be right back, my wife, wait for me."

Cui Zhu snorted coldly.

"Cuizhu, don't be rude," Song Luoning warned coldly. "Let your husband make the arrangements himself."

Cuizhu was indignant, but not worried about upsetting Song Luoning. She sulked and felt sorry for her mistress, so she turned her face away as if afraid others wouldn't notice her anger.

The atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

Xiao Yu touched his nose, still not realizing where the little maid's hostility came from.

Yuan Niang looked up timidly at Xiao Yu: "Young Master, have I caused you any trouble?"

"Knowing it, why are you still lingering?" Cuizhu muttered to herself, feeling both angry and annoyed.

Xiao Yu: "..."

"Green Bamboo!" Song Luoning said sternly, her tone carrying a hidden warning.

"This servant knows she was wrong." Cuizhu lowered her head and dared not utter another sound.

Song Luoning said sternly, "If there is a next time, you can go back to the Prime Minister's residence."

Cui Zhu lowered her head and remained silent, stepping back to stand behind Song Luo Ning.

Then Yuan Niang curtsied to Song Luo Ning again: "If Madam Xiao wants to blame someone, blame me. I didn't explain things clearly. Today, His Majesty has already bestowed me upon the young master. I am now the young master's woman."

These words were like a thunderbolt.