Even the hood of her cloak was put on her, and his tone was reproachful: "You’re pregnant and still not careful enough. What if you catch a cold? You’ll need to worry about taking medicine."
Mu Houchu was used to doing these things for her. At home, it was nothing, but in such a public place, Ji Xinhe’s usually calm face showed a hint of embarrassment. She lightly pushed away his hand and introduced him: "This is Madam Song, the second wife of the Song family from the prefecture city."
It wasn’t that she really wanted to introduce Madam Song to him, as Mu Houchu had never been interested in such things. Ji Xinhe knew this all too well. She was just reminding him that this was the main street, and there were others standing beside her.
Mu Houchu glanced at Madam Song, his eyes a bit cold, seemingly displeased with the woman who had his pregnant wife standing in the wind.
However, since Xin He had introduced her, he naturally spoke up, somewhat perfunctorily: "Madam Song."
That counted as a greeting.
Madam Song was first taken aback by Mu Houchu’s skilled care for Ji Xinhe, then looked at him and noticed that not only was he extraordinarily handsome, but he also possessed the demeanor of an aristocrat, which was no less than that of other noble scions. He had an even more formidable aura that other aristocratic scions did not have. That sharp aura made Madam Song not dare to look at him more than necessary, and she naturally ignored his perfunctory greeting earlier.
Madam Song pulled at the corner of her mouth, somewhat stiffly saying, "Master Mu."
Master Mu?
The title was somewhat unfamiliar to Mu Houchu, and he couldn’t help but wonder if it would make him seem old.
Xin He saw Mu Houchu frowning again, knowing that the childish man must have found something else unsatisfactory. She quickly interjected with a smile: "This is Weiya’s first time meeting him, and he’s always been somewhat temperamental."
Mu Houchu glared at Ji Xinhe.
Ji Xinhe pretended not to see it, continuing to address Madam Song: "It’s getting late, Madam Song, you go ahead, and I’ll follow shortly."
Seeing Xin He’s warm demeanor, Madam Song finally regained her composure and smiled politely: "Your husband surely values you."
Xin He smiled awkwardly: "Not really, he probably just happened to be passing by while on business. It’s my first time being pregnant, and I don’t have much experience. He’s always worried about my impulsiveness causing trouble."
In fact, Mu Houchu didn’t happen to pass by; he intentionally went out of his way because he knew Ji Xinhe was going to watch the show today and he was concerned about her, so he came to check.
Who could have imagined that she would not only be standing in the wind but would also dare to say in front of others that he has a bad temper!
Where did he have a bad temper?!
The Song family’s misses, who were following behind Madam Song, were also secretly observing Mu Houchu at this time. Seeing his handsome face, they couldn’t help but blush quietly.
Ji Xinhe had long been used to such reactions. Handsome men always attracted attention and trouble, whether they were in the capital or in Yu State.
Song Ya Lan’s gaze was the most direct, her eyes practically gleaming as she looked at Mu Houchu. She had never seen such a good-looking man in her life. Initially, she had looked down on Ji Xinhe for marrying into a small household, but now she felt a faint trace of jealousy, especially when she saw how attentive this man was to Ji Xinhe.
Song Yalin, on the other hand, was the calmest of them all, probably due to Madam Song’s good upbringing. She managed to maintain her ladylike composure in any situation. However, even she couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Mu Houchu.
Not wanting to overstay, Madam Song bid Ji Xinhe farewell and, along with the Song family’s misses, boarded the horse carriage and prepared to leave. It would take half an hour to get to the prefecture city, and they were worried about the skies darkening if they left any later.
It wasn’t until the horse carriage slowly left that Mu Houchu pinched Xin He’s hand, seemingly angry, and said coldly: "Now you’re getting bolder, daring to speak of me like that in front of others."
Xin He rolled her eyes lightly: "Who scared them? Madam Song was getting along well with me, but your appearance and the look on your face, what would she think of me?"
Only then did Mu Houchu let it go, tugging at the corner of his mouth: "Fine, but you’re not allowed to stand outside for so long again. The weather is still chilly in early spring. What will you do if you get too cold?"
Xin He obediently nodded: "I know."
At times like this, it’s best to appease him, lest he starts to nag nonstop. Ever since she got pregnant, he’d been talking more and more, and if she dared to voice any dissent, he’d have a slew of words waiting for her.
So Xin He learned to be cunning: no matter what, agree first before anything else.
However, Mu Houchu did notice the perfunctory tone in Ji Xinhe’s voice, and said with a chilly laugh, pinching her face: "Speak nicely."
Xin He immediately straightened her attitude: "I understand!"
She quickly pushed his hand away, looking around to see if anyone had noticed their interaction.
Mu Houchu laughed: "I have something else to do and have to leave the city for a while. I won’t be able to accompany you, so be careful."
"Mhm," Xin He nodded.
Just as Mu Houchu was about to turn and leave, his gaze swept over, and he saw Little Chai Huo trailing behind Xin He. His originally warm smile now contained a hint of coldness: "Why is he here?"
Following his gaze, Xin He saw Little Chai Huo and laughed: "The exam is over, and the academy is on break. Little Chai Huo is idle at home, so I took him out to have fun."
"What about Xiao Bei?" Mu Houchu asked seemingly casually.
"He went to play with Gou Dan and the other kids. Little Chai Huo is quiet and doesn’t like playing with the other children, so I brought him with me." Xin He didn’t know why Mu Houchu suddenly became so concerned about Little Chai Huo.
Was there any problem with her bringing him along? Why didn’t he ask why she brought Xiaoyu and Shulan along?
However, Xin He only felt a little odd about it, and soon forgot.
"I’m also going to handle something, let him come with me," Mu Houchu said indifferently.
Little Chai Huo was startled by his words, and suddenly looked up to meet a pair of cold eyes. He couldn’t help but shudder and showed fear on his face, even taking two steps back.
Ji Xinhe glanced at Little Chai Huo and frowned: "What do you want him to do? He’s just a child. What can he help you with? Don’t scare him."
Mu Houchu stared at him unwaveringly, not moving his gaze, as if trying to see something. But the fear on the child’s face only grew stronger. In the end, Little Chai Huo bowed his head in fear under Mu Houchu’s icy stare.
Unable to watch any longer, Ji Xinhe blocked Mu Houchu’s line of sight: "I was planning to have Little Chai Huo start learning how to manage the Winding Pavilion so he can help me with things in the future. He’s still young, why are you scaring him?"
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