Song Luan's sleeping habits seemed to have not improved much. When he woke up the next day, he found himself wrapped around him. Zhao Nanyu seemed not to have woken up yet. She gently retracted her legs and slowly stepped out of his arms.
Song Luan looked at the man in front of her intently. There was a dark spot under his eyes, as if he hadn't had a good sleep for a long time. She stretched out her fingers, stroked his eyebrows, and her slender fingers fell on his thin lips.
His eyelashes were long and curled, and his nose, eyes and mouth were all very delicate. His face was a sickly pale color, and his white shirt was slightly open, revealing his collarbone.
It was still dark outside the window, and only a faint light could be seen in the distance.
Just as Song Luan was about to take her hand back, the man suddenly opened his eyes and held her fingers. His hazy eyes gradually became clear, and his low and magnetic voice came into her ears, "Why did you wake up so early? Did you have a nightmare?"
Song Luan pulled out his fingers, looked at him and shook his head, "No."
Zhao Nanyu got up. Even though the room was a little dim, he didn't turn on the light. After putting on his clothes, he turned around and said to her, "It's still early. You should sleep a little longer."
Song Luan never took her eyes off him. He had really lost a lot of weight, and the long gown he wore looked a little empty. She looked at his back and suddenly asked, "Are you going to court?"
"No." Zhao Nanyu explained to her in a low voice, "I'm out of the house on business and will be back soon."
Song Luan said "oh" and slowly got up from the bed. She licked her lips and explained to Zhao Nanyu, "I'm hungry. I'll get up and have breakfast before going to sleep."
Zhao Nanyu held her shoulders and said, "Okay, I'll tell the servants to prepare breakfast."
Song Luan lowered her head, her long black hair covering half of her face, making it impossible to see her expression clearly.
By the time she got dressed and washed up, it was already dawn.
Zhao Nanyu served her a bowl of millet porridge and pushed it towards her, "Try it."
Song Luan took a sip and almost spit it out immediately. She frowned tightly and said bluntly, "It tastes terrible."
Very salty and a bit burnt.
Zhao Nanyu's eyes dimmed, and he took the millet porridge in her hand and said, "Then don't eat it."
Nanny Lin, who was standing aside, couldn't help but cough twice, but since her master was there, she couldn't say anything. The young master actually went to the kitchen this morning. I don't know if it was on a whim, but it was his first time cooking porridge so it was inevitable that the taste was not good.
Song Luan naturally didn't know about this.
Zhao Nanyu had lost his appetite these days. When she saw him put down his chopsticks after eating only a little, Song Luan was prepared to pretend that she saw nothing, but she was too soft-hearted and couldn't help but said, "Eat more."
He is getting thinner and thinner, which makes people feel distressed.
Zhao Nanyu ate an extra bowl of rice after hearing this.
Later, the old lady sent over two personal maids. The two pretty girls looked very young, about fifteen or sixteen years old, just the right age.
To call them maids is to belittle their status. They are as beautiful as flowers, with well-proportioned figures, and their every frown and smile reveals their grace.
The old lady knew her grandson well. Zhao Nanyu looked easy to talk to, but in fact he was not very obedient. If she directly gave him two concubines, he would definitely not accept them. He might even send them back to her intact without even touching them.
So the old lady planned to start with Song Luan and send her to her in the name of a maid. Song Luan was also an unlucky person, frail and sickly, while Zhao Nanyu was at the peak of her energy. How could she bear it? Over time, when he saw the beautiful maids around Song Luan, he might not be able to resist and take them.
The two maids were named Chunyu and Donghui. Their names were given by the old lady herself. They were trained as the head maids in the Zhao Mansion since childhood. They were well-educated, well-behaved and sensible. Most importantly, they came from clean family backgrounds and treated others wholeheartedly.
Only obedient girls are liked by the elders. People like Song Luan who always talk back to their elders are bound to be annoying.
Song Luan propped up his head and looked at the graceful Chunyu and Donghui leisurely, which made the two girls feel uneasy.
When they served in the old lady's courtyard, they had heard of the young lady's reputation and often saw her arguing with the old lady in a domineering manner. So even though the young master was as handsome as a fairy, they were not brave enough to get close to him, for fear of being caught by the young lady and scolded half to death.
Over the past six months, seeing that Song Luan's temper had calmed down, the two of them dared to come and serve her.
No one would not be moved by such a handsome and elegant young man like the young master. If this body can be given to the young master, what does it matter if I take some risks?
Song Luan coughed twice and said in a cold voice: "Since you have chosen to serve me, you must abide by the rules here from now on."
The two nodded, "Yes."
Song Luan didn't want to talk to them any more, so she waved her hand and said, "Okay, you guys go down first."
After the two left the room, Nanny Lin came up to her and kindly reminded her, "Madam, you'd better be careful. I think these two have bad intentions."
She has an outstanding appearance. Although not as beautiful as Song Luan, she is much better than ordinary girls.
The old lady's thoughts are obvious. Even if she wants the third room to have children as soon as possible, she shouldn't be so anxious. Nanny Lin felt that the old lady must be very dissatisfied with Song Luan and wanted to take this opportunity to put someone in the young master's room.
She shook her head. She could see clearly what others could not. The young master had deep feelings for Song Luan. During the days when she was unconscious, he stayed by her bedside without taking off his clothes.
The lady was in so much pain that she was unconscious and screaming in confusion, and the young master kept singing soft songs in her ears. He also did the trivial tasks of feeding her medicine and wiping her body himself and never asked others to do it for him.
Song Luan smiled and said, "I know." She looked at Nanny Lin and asked curiously, "Is Zhao Nanyu really so likable?"
Why do all the little girls like to get close to him? Song Yu was willing to die for him.
Nanny Lin hesitated, not knowing how to answer.
If the young master had not married her back then, he would not have to worry about his marriage. Many of the nobles were attracted by Zhao Nanyu's appearance and did not despise his background.
"The young master is good-looking and has a good personality, so he will naturally be liked by others."
Song Luan didn't quite agree with this. Zhao Nanyu's temper was not good! Jealous, vindictive and easily angered. But if you think about it carefully, he treats her well on weekdays, it's just that his extremely paranoid personality is scary.
"I see." Indeed, in this world, Song Luan had never seen a boy more handsome than Zhao Nanyu. His facial features seemed to have been carefully carved, delicate and elegant, with excellent temperament.
It had been snowing in the capital for most of the past half month, and Shi Ge'er hadn't seen Song Luan for quite some time. Only after she felt better was the child allowed to come and visit his mother.
The New Year has passed and Shi Ge'er is already five years old.
During the time that Song Luan was recuperating, it was the Third Madam who took care of her. The little girl was forced to wear a red jacket, which she disliked very much. She looked tender and white, but her face was full of seriousness.
Shi Ge'er looked very festive in his red clothes. Song Luan burst out laughing and pinched his face, "Our Shi Ge'er is really eye-catching."
In this world, only she and Zhao Nanyu have the honor of pinching Shi Ge'er's cheek. He will turn his face away from others and not let them be touched.
Shi Ge'er also knew that his younger brother and sister were gone. His father had told his mother not to mention this matter, so he kept his mouth shut and didn't even ask. He opened his palm, which contained a pink camellia. "Mother, this is for you."
He picked this specially for his mother.
Song Luan took the flower and praised him happily, "Oh, it's so beautiful, I like it very much."
Shige'er blushed, he smiled and said in a small voice, "Then I'll pick it for you next time."
Song Luan touched his head, feeling touched and amused, "No need to pick them. Flowers won't live long if you pick them. It's enough for you to give one to your mother."
"Okay." Shige was really obedient. He did whatever she said. At the end, he added quietly, "Then I won't pick them anymore in the future."
Only in this way can beautiful flowers live longer.
This time, Shige'er suddenly became more talkative in front of her. He stayed in her arms obediently and said slowly: "I met my uncle during the New Year."
On the first day of the new year, I went to the Song family to pay New Year's greetings and met my grandmother and uncle.
This stay lasted for three or four days.
Shi Ge'er used to hate going to the Song family. No one talked to him or played with him, and his mother would lock him in the room. Ever since his mother stopped locking him up, Shi Ge'er felt that his uncle and grandmother also liked him very much.
"Really? Is it fun over there?" Song Luan asked him.
Shige thought about it and nodded, "Yeah, yeah."
The other kids there were all willing to talk to him and play with him, even though Shi Ge'er liked to be quiet and be alone.
Song Luan suddenly felt a little regretful that she didn't go back to her parents' home during the New Year. Aunt Lin must have missed her very much and probably hated Zhao Nanyu too.
Aunt Lin was already dissatisfied with Zhao Nanyu, and her miscarriage this time was enough to make Aunt Lin hate him to the core and want to tear him into pieces.
Song Luan knew that Zhao Nanyu felt guilty, and he didn't do it on purpose, so her resentment seemed so unreasonable.
But Song Luan was really afraid of that kind of intense and long-lasting pain. The physical pain was bearable, but the heart also ached and was very uncomfortable.
She had tried very hard not to blame him.
Shi Ge'er looked up at his mother who had suddenly fallen silent. He gently tugged at the corner of her clothes with his little hand, took out a red envelope from his pocket, and put it in her hand as if to please her. "Mom, this is the red envelope that my uncle and grandmother gave me."
"Then you keep it well."
"Here you go."
Shi Geer wanted to give all the good things he had to his mother.
Song Luan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Although she liked money, she was too embarrassed to take the children's New Year's money. She said, "You keep it yourself. Oh, by the way, mother hasn't given you a red envelope yet! Just wait, mother will definitely give you a huge red envelope tonight, okay?"
Shi Ge'er felt that gold and silver were not important to him and he had no need for them. Seeing that his mother liked them very much, he thought of giving them all to her.
He shook his head, "I don't want it. My uncle and grandmother gave me a lot of things."
Song Luan knew her mother and brother, and every time they met, he would stuff gold into her hands and was very generous.
Shi Ge'er stubbornly stuffed all the New Year's money he received into her hands, looking at her expectantly with his big eyes, afraid that she would not accept it.
Song Luan finally compromised, put his New Year's money in a small drawer and locked it, and said to him with a smile: "When you grow up, this money will be used to marry you a wife!"
Although I don't know if it's enough.
Shi Ge'er was still young, and didn't quite understand the words "get a wife". He nodded stupidly, "Okay."
Song Luan tapped his forehead and was amused by the child's rare silly look.
Even though Shi Ge'er said he didn't want her red envelope, Song Luan still wanted to prepare one for him that night. As a mother, she couldn't celebrate the New Year without preparing anything for her child.
She called Nanny Lin into the room and asked, "Does Shige have any favorite toys?"
Nanny Lin had taken care of Shige'er since he was born, and she knew Shige'er's preferences better than Song Luan. She replied, "It seems that he doesn't have any particular favorites. He just likes reading books on weekdays."
Shi Ge'er is a man of few words. He used to have a gloomy face and kept silent, but he has gradually started to talk more these days.
Song Luan was a little embarrassed and asked again: "Then do you think he would like the chessboard I gave him?"
Nanny Lin answered truthfully, "As long as it's given by the Madam, he will like it."
Song Luan frowned, "No, I'll think about it."
After thinking for a long time, Song Luan had an idea. Shi Ge'er would go to school after the New Year. Although she was not good at needlework, she was more than capable of sewing a small schoolbag.
Song Luan immediately told Nanny Lin to prepare the needle and thread. She worked hard on sewing for the entire afternoon and finally managed to make a decent little schoolbag.
In the evening, Zhao Nanyu sent someone to bring back a message saying that he would be back late.
Song Luan didn't wait for him and had dinner with Shi Ge'er. Not long after, Nanny Lin brought in the medicine she usually took, and only felt relieved when she saw that she drank it all.
Song Luan had already gotten used to the bitter taste of the medicine and could drink it down without even frowning. When she turned around, she saw Shi Ge'er, who was standing beside her legs, looking at her with red eyes and aggrieved look.
She was startled, "What happened?"
Shi Ge wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said in a muffled voice, "I'm fine, mother."
He just remembered watching basins of blood being carried out from his mother's room that day. It was so horrible. The smell of blood and medicine filled his mind.
Song Luan knew that he was worried about her, and her heart warmed. She took out the small schoolbag she had made in the afternoon and handed it to Shige'er along with the red envelope, "Take a look, do you like it?!"
Shi Ge'er squeezed the strap of the small schoolbag. This small schoolbag was just big enough to hold the books he needed for school. It looked different from the others. He smiled again and nodded heavily, "I like it."
Seeing that he was happy, Song Luan's mood also improved.
Well, no matter how sweet it is, her darling is still the sweetest!
After Song Luan coaxed Shi Ge'er to sleep in a low voice, Zhao Nanyu still didn't come back. Nanny Lin asked her if she wanted to wait for him to come back?
She shook her head, "No more waiting."
Nanny Lin retreated hesitantly, wanting to say something.
Song Luan extinguished the paper lantern and closed her eyes. About half an incense stick later, she still did not feel sleepy at all. She suffered from insomnia again. After an unknown amount of time, Song Luan heard some noise coming from the door.
Zhao Nanyu opened the door with a cool air. Someone brought him some hot water. The girl's coquettish voice reached her ears, "Master, I will help you change your clothes and take a bath."
This is Donghui's voice.
Song Luan sat up from the bed, her eyebrows twitching. These two little bitches were so quick to act! On the first day he arrived, he hurried to Zhao Nanyu's side.
Zhao Nanyu's face was as cold as frost, and his voice was as cold as a thousand-year-old ice, "Get lost."
Dong Hui bit her lip, still not giving up. She really didn't want to give up such a good opportunity. She rarely saw the young master speak loudly, and had never heard him tell anyone to get out.
Her eyes were red, and she looked delicate and weak. She said, "Let this servant serve you."
Zhao Nanyu's face turned frighteningly pale. She glanced at him coldly and said angrily, "Madame Lin, take her out. Anyone who doesn't follow the master's rules will be beaten to death."
Nanny Lin's heart skipped a beat. She didn't expect Zhao Nanyu to be so ruthless when he came back and actually wanted to beat someone to death.
Dong Hui was so frightened that she knelt down and begged for mercy tremblingly, "Master, please spare me, Master, please spare me."
Zhao Nanyu waved his hand and said, "Take him out and deal with him."
She was spared her life, but she didn't have a good ending.
As Song Luan listened, her frown gradually relaxed. She couldn't sleep anyway, so she put on her shoes and walked out, as if she was going to watch a joke.
Zhao Nanyu was already sitting in the bathtub behind the screen, with clothes hanging high on it. Song Luan frowned, not knowing if it was her illusion, she seemed to smell blood.
Her footsteps were light, and just as she reached the screen, the man inside shouted, "Get out."
Song Luan raised his eyebrows and poked his head out, "Oh, then I'll get out of here."
Zhao Nanyu didn't expect it to be her. It was so late and he thought she had already gone to bed. As soon as he returned to the yard, Nanny Lin told him that Song Luan had gone to bed without waiting for him.
It's impossible not to feel lost.
Zhao Nanyu was stunned for a moment, and explained in an unnatural tone, "I didn't know it was you."
How could he bear to tell her to get out?
Song Luan turned around and was about to leave, but someone grabbed her wrist from behind and pulled her over. She fell into the bathtub in a mess, and the warm water wet her cheeks. She wiped the water from her eyes, opened her mouth and was about to speak, but was frightened by the shocking scar on his chest.
Zhao Nanyu was injured, and the wound looked like he was stabbed by a sword.
Song Luan moved the corners of her lips, "Are you... okay?"
Zhao Nanyu placed her palm on the wound on her chest and pressed it hard. "It hurts a little."
It would be strange if such cruel self-harm didn’t hurt!
Song Luan rolled her eyes at him in anger and tried to climb out of the tub, but this man was still very strong even though he was injured. He immediately grabbed her back into his arms, leaned against her tiredly, and asked softly, "Why aren't you asleep? Are you waiting for me?"
Wake up.
After a short silence, Zhao Nanyu gently stroked her back and said, "You can't sleep."
He couldn't sleep these days, and his dreams were all about her covered in blood. He was in so much pain that he couldn't make a sound.
Song Luan didn't say anything or resist, and just let him hold her like that.
He coughed twice and said in a hoarse voice, "Don't be afraid, I'll sing a little tune for you later."
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