Chapter 61
"Shut up, you're sleeping in the study tomorrow."
"......"
Xiao Yu still wanted to salvage the situation, but Song Luoning had already laid her down with her back to her. She opened her mouth one last time, then silently pulled Xiao Yu into her arms. Who could say what would happen tomorrow? There was no point in saying anything now.
Song Luoning frowned: "The maid is still outside."
"Hmm." Xiao Yu closed her eyes, answering casually.
Song Luo was furious and gritted her teeth: "Then how dare you act recklessly?"
"She's too scared to come in."
......
The next day, when the maid came to knock on the door, Xiao Yu had already left. Song Luo Ning pursed her lips, looked at the empty seat beside her, and half-responded.
When Cuizhu led the maid in, Song Luoning was still staring blankly at the bedside.
The maid brought hot water into the washroom. Cuizhu took out clothes from the cabinet, preparing to help the young lady change and wash. Seeing that she was staring at the bedside, Cuizhu looked for a long time but couldn't find anything wrong. She asked in confusion, "Miss, is there something wrong with the bed?"
Song Luoning paused for a moment, then got up and went to the washroom.
When he came out, Xiao Yu stood outside with a smile on his face. The morning light shone on him, making his delicate features appear even softer and highlighting the young man's spiritedness.
Song Luo stared at her, her cheeks slightly flushed. Realizing her lapse in composure, she hurriedly turned her face away and asked in an unnatural tone, "Why are you here?"
"Come over and have breakfast," Xiao Yu said matter-of-factly.
"Hmm." Song Luoning responded lightly, "I won't eat at home. I made an appointment with my sister-in-law and the others yesterday to dine at Mingpinlou today. Please make yourself at home, husband."
"Huh?" When did you make the appointment? Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then came to her senses: "Oh, I see. I'll go with you."
Song Luoning frowned: "No need, husband, you should spend more time with Miss Yuan."
"..." Didn't we explain everything clearly yesterday? Why is the young lady still being so rude?
"Cuizhu, let's go." With that, Song Luoning led Cuizhu out of the courtyard. She had already made arrangements yesterday, and the carriage was ready early. Mingpinlou was on Chang'an Street, three days' distance away, and they would arrive in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Cuizhu helped the young lady into the carriage. The steward arranged for two skilled guards to follow on either side. The carriage swayed and moved a short distance before the driver called out. Cuizhu lifted the curtain and was stunned. Who else could be running alongside the carriage but her young master? She secretly glanced at her young lady: "Miss, the young master...?"
Song Luoning raised her eyes, her face expressionless, and gave a faint "hmm".
Cuizhu hesitated for a moment. Although she was angry that her young mistress had been wronged by her son-in-law, he was thin and weak under the blazing sun. If he fainted, it would be her young mistress who would be heartbroken.
"I'm really worried sick," Cuizhu said, glancing at the young lady's reaction while tentatively asking, "It seems the young master has come along."
Song Luoning frowned slightly, lifted the carriage curtain, and met a pair of bright eyes looking at her expectantly. The owner of the eyes had blushed and jogged to keep up with the carriage.
Song Luoning curled her fingers, lowered the carriage curtain, and without saying a word, closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage wall.
"Miss, should we stop and let the young master come up?" Cuizhu glanced at her mistress, but didn't say anything. What did she mean by not knowing what her mistress was thinking? Her mistress's thoughts were becoming increasingly profound, and she, a mere maid, could hardly guess them.
"No need." Song Luoning didn't even open her eyes.
Cui Zhu nodded blankly, glanced at Xiao Yu, and felt a little sorry for her son-in-law. Why was that?
Well, since Miss has spoken, she probably wants to teach the young master a lesson this time. She obediently shut her mouth and took out a food box from under the low table: "We won't be able to eat right away when we get there. Miss, please have a couple of pastries to tide you over. This is all..."
"Why is the carriage shaking so much today?" Song Luoning interrupted her, saying calmly.
"Hmm?" Cuizhu paused for a moment before realizing what was happening. She couldn't help but twitch her lips. It wasn't that she was dizzy from the shaking; she was clearly just worried about her son-in-law. With a sigh, Cuizhu lifted the carriage curtain and gave the driver a few instructions.
"How are you feeling now, Miss?" Cuizhu asked.
"Hmm." Song Luoning responded lightly, opened her eyes and glanced at the pastries on the low table: "Just leave them there."
Cuizhu didn't say anything, and put the snacks back into the food box.
At this moment, the carriage stopped in front of Mingpinlou. The coachman put down the saddle stool and stood respectfully to the side.
"The snacks won't taste good if they're left out for too long, let's distribute them," Song Luoning said.
"..." Cuizhu finally understood. Could her young mistress's thoughts be any more obvious? It wasn't that leaving it for too long was bad; she was clearly worried about her young master and concerned that she was going hungry.
I'm just worrying for nothing.
"Yes," Cuizhu replied.
Not many people come to Mingpinlou for breakfast. Most ordinary people are reluctant to come out to eat, and the young masters and ladies of wealthy families probably haven't gotten up yet at this hour. The private room reserved by the Song family is on the second floor. Song Luoning got off the carriage and didn't even glance at Xiao Yu. She was escorted into the private room by the guards, while Xiao Yu was blocked outside.
The private room was filled with the women of the Prime Minister's family, especially the sweet-talking Song Ling'er, who chatted and laughed harmoniously.
When it was time to leave, the group of women, escorted by guards, boarded their respective carriages. Xiao Yu quickly followed the young lady's carriage and returned to the mansion.
On the other side, after the scout finished reporting, Xiao Chengze was overjoyed. On one hand, he was scheming how to kill the man without making a sound, and on the other hand, he was planning to win over people who supported him. It was a foregone conclusion that Xiao Cheng'an would be deposed, and even his father could not save him. In the past few days, Prince Chang had sent people to deliver letters asking him to work for Xiao Cheng'an.
They are all his sons, yet now they are willing to sacrifice themselves to protect his power.
A venomous glint flashed in Xiao Chengze's eyes. Why should he help that good-for-nothing? No man is without ruthlessness. Since they were willing to sacrifice themselves, what he needed to do next was to plot for himself. After Xiao Cheng'an was deposed, he would seize the opportunity to ascend the throne. As for Xiao Yu, even if she lived, without the support of the Prime Minister's Mansion, did she even deserve to compete with him? Besides, he had enough evidence to kill her.
"Prepare the carriage, I am going to see General Li," Xiao Chengze ordered.
"yes."
The so-called General Li is the commander of the Imperial Guard. Originally, the Imperial Guard was the emperor's personal guard, but after Xiao Cheng'an ascended the throne, he only cared about enjoying himself and did not take over the army. General Li has also been neutral in the court for a long time without taking sides. If we can bring him into our camp, then we will have a better chance of winning.
The Song family has the Golden Guard, and I have the Imperial Guard; it's uncertain who will emerge victorious.
......
As soon as Song Luoning returned to the manor, she went straight to her room. Xiao Yu was left outside the door, staring longingly at the closed door. After a long while, he sighed and returned to his study looking dejected.
Cuizhu took a blanket from the inner room and draped it over the young lady's legs. Seeing that she looked normal, she hesitated. Although the young master still cared about the young lady, constantly driving her away like this might cause her to have other thoughts. She said, "Miss, although the young master is wrong, you can just punish him a little. If this continues, and he pushes her to that vixen's side, it will be a loss."
"Huh?" Song Luoning was taken aback, then chuckled, "Didn't you dislike her?"
Cuizhu scratched her head: "It's not that I hate the young master, it's just that what she did was really too much. She doesn't even know how to cherish such a good person as Miss." The more she spoke, the more indignant she became.
"Isn't it good to kick her out?" Song Luoning didn't even look up, her gaze fixed on the book in her hands.
"That's true, but what if the young master gets seduced by a vixen?" Cuizhu couldn't help but worry. That Yuanniang was obviously a vixen, dressed so scantily, and especially when she saw the young master, she was like a dog seeing meat, wanting nothing more than to stick to him.
Isn't my young lady's attitude a clear indication that she's pushing people away?
Song Luoning turned a page and said calmly, "If they're really going to be seduced, what use is there in keeping someone like that around?"
That's true, but...
Cuizhu still couldn't help but worry that her son-in-law had been seduced.
Xiao Yu didn't rest after returning to his study. He carefully reviewed the original plot and suddenly realized that the male and female protagonists did not get married in the original plot. Instead, the male protagonist married the daughter of a general surnamed Li, and it was with the support of this general that he was able to secure the throne.
Whether the male protagonist can ascend the throne is ultimately determined by General Li.
She knew nothing about the affairs of the court, and the original novel did not describe this general much. Xiao Yu got up, opened the study door, and called Liang Chengqiu into the room, getting straight to the point: "Captain Liang, do you know of a general in the capital surnamed Li?"
Liang Chengqiu shook his head: "I'm not familiar with the capital."
That's right. How could she have lost her mind? Liang Chengqiu came from Linyang County just like her. Besides, how could a lowly constable like her know anything about what's happening in the capital?
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yu secretly climbed into the young lady's room through the window again that night.
Didn't I tell you not to come?
In the quiet room, a voice suddenly rang out, startling Xiao Yu so much that she almost fell off the window. She steadied herself and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
She jumped down from the window and quietly walked to the bedside. The inner and outer rooms were separated by a curtain. The maid on night watch was under the eaves outside the door. If the noise inside was a little loud, it could be heard outside.
Song Luoning put down the book in her hand, looked at her with a complicated expression, and said coldly, "Did you go to Luoshuang Courtyard today?"
Xiao Yu was surprised. Why was she suddenly asked this question? She shook her head and sat down on the edge of the bed. "No, I went out with you this morning." She paused here, looking at her with a resentful expression.
I followed her all morning without even having breakfast (I only ate a few pastries), and the young lady didn't care at all, but instead became concerned about some irrelevant things.
Furthermore, the message that needed to be delivered to that maid has already been passed on, and the person sent to monitor Luoshuang Courtyard has also reported back. The maid also spread the message today. Why won't the young lady allow herself to come back to sleep? Isn't that a bit too much?
Hearing her say that, Song Luoning's expression softened a bit: "We still need to be careful." After saying that, she stood up.
"Where are you going?" Xiao Yu asked anxiously, grabbing her hand and looking up at her.
Song Luo Ning looked back at her. In the dim candlelight, the young man's features were even more dashing, no longer the same as when they first met.
Song Luoning was momentarily dazed, then pushed her hand away: "I'll have a maid take you back to your study. Let go of my hand first."
I won't reply.
Song Luo frowned as she looked at her.
Seeing that her attitude showed no signs of softening, Xiao Yu gave in and waved her hand, "Alright, I'll leave by myself in a bit, okay? Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you today." Her tone carried a hint of grievance.
He took her hand again and pulled her to sit down with him: "Do you know if there is a garrison commander in the capital with the surname Li?"
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