Chapter 3: Pity

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While Song Nanxin went to the Ning Prince Manor's main courtyard, Song Yihuan was personally escorted back to her residence in the Ning Prince Manor, Tinglan Courtyard, by Granny Zhao.

Pushing open the door, a childish voice came from the front: "Fourth Older Sister."

A child of about four years old walked towards her. He was quite delicate and handsome, but shockingly thin, with lips that were red mixed with purple - a sign of his heart ailment.

Protected by a maidservant, he ran to Song Yihuan, tugging at her sleeve, and said cautiously, "Where did Older Sister go last night? Why didn't you come back? Xuan'er missed Older Sister."

"I…" Song Yihuan had just opened her mouth when a sharp pain came from her arm. Granny Zhao had pinched her hand tightly, her nails digging into her tender flesh, blocking the words she was about to say.

Her throat felt bitter. Song Yihuan touched Song Xuan'er's face and smiled. "Last night, Older Sister drank some wine at the banquet and got drunk. Eldest Older Sister arranged for me to stay in a guest room in the front courtyard. I forgot to send someone back to inform you. Will you blame me?"

Song Xuan'er shook his head and took hold of her hand. The two of them walked towards the inner room. Yihuan very naturally changed the subject: "When I wasn't here last night, did Xuan'er take his medicine and sleep well?"

Sure enough, Song Xuan'er forgot about her being gone all night and said happily, "Yes! Xuan'er remembered Older Sister's instructions yesterday and took his medicine and ate his food properly. Fourth Older Sister, the meat yesterday was so delicious…"

Granny Zhao stood at the door, watching the two siblings talk back and forth, watching Song Yihuan coax Song Xuan'er to sleep without revealing anything. Only then did she show a satisfied expression.

Letting the maidservant Chunxing carry Song Xuan'er into the room, Song Yihuan walked to the courtyard and said to Granny Zhao:

"Granny, don't worry, since I have agreed to Older Sister, I will not go back on my word."

Granny Zhao's gaze swept across her face, which was full of amorous feelings, and she snorted coldly. "I hope Fourth Miss remembers her identity, remembers the kindness that Eldest Miss showed you two siblings in the past. One must know how to be grateful in order to live a long life."

Chunxing settled Song Xuan'er in and came out, seeing Song Yihuan still standing in the courtyard. The woman's waist was extremely slender, and her long hair was loosely tied behind her head. Standing there so casually, she was a beautiful painting, but compared to yesterday, something seemed different.

It seemed… as if she was a little more charming than yesterday, with an indescribable charm.

Chunxing stepped forward and whispered to Song Yihuan, "Fourth Miss, Fifth Young Master's medicine is running out. This morning, the last dose was brewed…"

Coming back to her senses, Song Yihuan said, "Okay, I will find a way to replenish the medicine."

After thinking about it, she said, "Chunxing, go and boil some hot water. I want to bathe and purify myself."

"Now?" Chunxing was a little surprised.

"I was with Eldest Older Sister for a long time yesterday and worked up a sweat. My body isn't feeling very refreshed," Song Yihuan explained.

Chunxing didn't suspect anything and responded before retreating. After a while, the water was boiled, and Chunxing wanted to help Song Yihuan to bathe, but Song Yihuan asked her to step down after entering the room: "You go and watch over Xuan'er. He can't be left without someone by his side. I can do it alone."

The two siblings were in an awkward situation in the Marquis Manor, and they only had one maidservant to serve them. Chunxing couldn't take care of both ends, so she had to retreat, thoughtfully closing the door for Song Yihuan before leaving.

From the moment she woke up on that large bed, Song Yihuan had been led by the nose. Only at this moment did she obtain a very precious opportunity to be alone. But after holding on for so long, she had reached her limit.

Trembling, she took off her clothes. Several times, Song Yihuan couldn't stand steadily. Moving her sore legs, she completely submerged her body in the water. The indescribable pain between her legs told her what absurd things had happened last night. She finally couldn't help but cover her face and cry.

But afraid of being discovered, she didn't even dare to make a sound while crying. Tears fell into the water from between her fingers, leaving no trace in this world, and receiving no one's pity.

The Imperial Palace, inside the Mustard Pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

"Esteemed Cousin, Esteemed Cousin?"

Ji Lingchuan suddenly came back to his senses, and his eyes met a pair of playful, slender eyes. "What are you thinking about so intently that you didn't even react when I called you several times?"

Ji Lingchuan's expression didn't change. "This subject would not dare to deceive His Majesty. I was merely thinking that there are still some things at home that have not been dealt with yet."

That face, which carried a bit of youthful energy, suddenly leaned closer. Emperor Huan, who was only two years younger than Ji Lingchuan, was full of teasing in his eyes. "Oh? Could it be that you are thinking about your newlywed wife? How was it? Did you consummate the marriage yesterday after returning? Is she beautiful enough to catch your eye?"

Appearance?

Ji Lingchuan was once again distracted.

Yesterday, he led 100,000 Black Armored soldiers back to the capital in triumph. After returning, he first entered the palace to meet with the Emperor. By the time he returned to the Ning Prince Manor from the palace, the welcoming banquet had already begun.

He had seen his newlywed wife, Song Nanxin, the legitimate daughter of the Ding'an Marquis, beside his mother, but at that time there were too many guests in the manor. He had only glanced at her briefly. In his memory, he only remembered that she was no different from most of the noble ladies in the capital.

On the contrary, when he went to Yixiang Courtyard at his mother's command, he remembered that faint and refreshing apricot blossom fragrance, the soft and slender jade arms, the excessively thin waist, and the soft and deadly "Darling" one after another in that dark room.

"Esteemed Cousin?" Emperor Huan called out again, raising the corners of his lips with a wicked smile. "Forget it, judging by your distracted look, you are indeed thinking of your sister-in-law in your heart. In that case, I won't keep you here any longer. Go home early."

Ji Lingchuan's expression didn't change, and he stood up and cupped his hands. "This subject takes his leave."

But when he turned to leave, his ears were slightly red, slightly revealing his thoughts, making Emperor Huan even more curious about the Ning Prince Heir's wife.

After leaving the palace gate, Ji Lingchuan boarded the sedan chair and didn't delay, heading straight back to the Ning Prince Manor.

Even sitting in the sedan chair, Ji Lingchuan's back was ramrod straight. Although his eyes were closed, his ears were paying attention to the movements outside. This was a habit he had developed from years of military service. No abnormality could escape his eyes.

However, he, who usually had excellent focus and patience, felt unusually impetuous at this moment.

Last night, he didn't know his own strength. He still remembered that in the end, she was already crying in pain, and had left several scratches on his body. He thought that he might have hurt her badly…

Just as the sedan chair passed through the lively Juxing Square, Ji Lingchuan suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Go to the medical hall."

Fuzhou was surprised for a moment and asked nervously, "Has the Heir been injured?"

"Ask no more."

Fuzhou could only touch his nose and have people turn to the nearest medical hall, "Shengdetang."

The medical hall they found halfway was quite deserted, with only a few patients seeking medical attention. Ji Lingchuan didn't care and strode into the medical hall, but he unexpectedly bumped into someone just as he entered the door.

Ji Lingchuan was tall and sturdy, and he practiced martial arts all year round, so he remained motionless, while the other person was knocked backwards by him, letting out a cry of surprise.

That cry of surprise was both delicate and charming. Ji Lingchuan hadn't even reacted when he had already reached out to support the other person's elbow:

"Be careful."

The familiar and light scent of apricot blossoms wafted into his nose.