Chapter 43 : No Man Hurts

As soon as Song Shihe finished speaking, the entire table fell silent.

Zhou first looked at Song Jinzhuo beside her, then at Yue Shaozhi, and finally turned to Song Shihe, saying, “Shihe, don’t be rude. Apologize to your elder sister.”

Song Shihe sneaked a glance at Song Jinzhuo and then said sincerely to Song Ying, “Sister, my words were unclear. I didn’t mean to call you stingy or snobbish. I just think that we’re family, and talking about money feels too hurtful.”

Song Ruoer was about to speak up, but Yue Shaozhi subtly stopped her.

Just then, Song Jinzhuo turned to look in their direction, so Song Ruoer lowered her head quickly.

She thought Song Jinzhuo had seen it too. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to speak up for Song Ying, Yue Shaozhi wouldn’t let her.

Yue Shaozhi’s reasoning was simple: he wanted to see how Song Ying would carry herself in the Marquis’ Mansion.

She spoke freely and boldly at Xiaohanju so why was she playing the mute now?

Song Ying could feel five pairs of eyes fixed on her. She shifted her shoulders uncomfortably, then smiled and said to Song Shihe, “Yes, sister understands. Come on, let’s eat.”

Faced with Song Ying’s indifferent and vaguely evasive response, Yue Shaozhi subtly raised the end of his brow.

The Song Ying at Xiaohanju had felt like a stranger to him but this lukewarm, guarded Song Ying was very familiar.

He still remembered a banquet from years past when an old prince, drunk and unruly, made a scene. No one dared confront him. Yue Shaozhi, watching from the shadows, had originally planned to intervene when Song Ying was at a loss.

But she never panicked. She didn’t try to stop him either. Instead, she made a bold move she ordered the main gates to be opened and had the servants invite all the people outside to come in and witness the old prince’s drunken antics.

Afterward, the old prince, who cared deeply about his reputation quit drinking entirely and would avoid Song Ying at all costs.

Later, Yue Shaozhi asked her if she wasn’t afraid the old prince would take revenge.

Song Ying had answered matter-of-factly: “Isn’t the Prince here?”

But now that they were divorced, he would no longer step forward for her.

Suddenly, Song Shihe shouted, “What do you mean by picking garlic for me?”

Song Ying replied innocently, “Brother, I saw your tongue has a thick white coating. Eating more garlic helps detoxify and prevents ulcers.”

“Sister, you’re scaring me.” Song Shihe wasn’t a fool, he could hear the hidden jab, implying he had a foul mouth.

Seeing that Song Shihe didn’t lose his temper or point at her and scold her, Song Ying nodded slightly in approval. The kid really had matured, he’d gained some patience.

Yue Shaozhi, who had been watching silently, downed the rest of his wine in one gulp.

That’s it?

Yes. Now that she was no longer the Princess Regent, she naturally had to tread carefully in everything she said and did.

Just then,  Butler Hu Bo entered and bowed to everyone.

Song Jinzhuo asked, “What is it?”

Hu Bo replied, “Master, the owner of the pharmacy wants to see the young lady urgently.”

Song Ying immediately put down her chopsticks finally, a rescue.

“I’m afraid something’s gone wrong at the shop. Father, I’ll head over now.”

Song Jinzhuo said, “Go ahead.”

Song Shihe also stood up. “Father, I’ll go see Sister off.”

Song Jinzhuo glanced at him, then nodded.

Song Shihe chased after Song Ying, calling, “Sister, wait for me!”

Song Ying slowed her pace, letting him catch up.

He turned to Faer and said, “Please walk ahead a bit. I need a word with my sister.”

Faer agreed verbally but turned around to make faces and roll her eyes at him.

Song Shihe walked beside Song Ying. They didn’t speak loudly, but their conversation was just clear enough to be overheard.

“Big Sister, you just saw Ruoer and Yue Shaozhi together are you upset? So you asked someone to fake an emergency so you could leave early?”

Song Ying kept smiling. “You’re right.”

Song Shihe laughed. “You really don’t need to pretend. Just watching you makes me feel exhausted.”

“I’m not trying to belittle you. You’re not as pretty as my sister, not as gentle either. You’re also strong-willed. Everyone knows it. Even my grandfather said that no man would ever love you in your life.”

Song Ying was so surprised she stared and covered her mouth. “Grandfather really said that?”

Song Shihe raised his chin proudly. “But you still have some good points.”

“Oh?” Song Ying looked at him, seemingly flattered. “I actually have qualities that you acknowledge?”

Song Shihe looked at her with disdain. “You’re self-aware. You know you can’t compare to my elder sister, so to avoid embarrassment, you stepped aside on your own.”

Song Ying sniffed and used a handkerchief to dab the corners of her eyes though they were dry. “Shihe, you really are my good little brother.”

Song Shihe knew she was being sarcastic, so he put his hands behind his back and said, “Song Ying, there’s no one else around. Let’s speak frankly.”

“You caused me to be sent to our grandfather’s place all those years. I remember everything. Every. Single. Thing.”

Song Ying muttered, “Well, if you remember everything, then remembering one more thing won’t make a difference.”

Song Shihe: “What did you say?”

Song Ying: “I said, I want to make peace with you.”

Song Shihe sneered. “Don’t give me that. Last time you said you wanted to make peace, you tricked me into the woodshed and beat me twelve times.”

Song Ying pursed her lips. “Brother, your memory is really good.”

Song Shihe: “I told you, I remember everything you’ve ever done to me. I’ll get you back for every single one.”

Song Ying twisted her handkerchief helplessly. “Shihe, it really hurts my heart when you say things like that.”

By now, they had arrived at the gate, and the pharmacy manager was standing outside waiting.

Song Shihe waved dismissively and said, “You can go now.”

Song Ying stepped onto the steps, then turned back and called, “I heard from Father that you and the young Taoist priest Fifteen, the one who stayed with Grandfather, got along really well. Why didn’t you bring him back?”

Song Shihe just thought she was being strange and snapped, “What do you care? Get lost already!”

Song Ying curled her lips and walked away.

—

Back at Xiaohanju, Aunt Dong had already prepared a barbecue feast.

Song Ying told Faer to eat quickly, while she picked up her honeydew drink.

Faer’s cheeks were puffed full of food. He swallowed and asked, “Miss, what did Shihe say to you? He looked super smug.”

Song Ying gently stirred the honeydew in her cup with a bamboo chopstick. “Did you get the willow branches ready?”

Faer clapped his hands. “Ready! Just say the word, and I’ll aim right at his butt and spank him!”

Song Ying: “A thin willow branch won’t work. He’s grown up, his bones are tougher now. After he finishes eating, check the storage room. See if there’s a stick with thorns or something.”

Faer: “Got it!”

—

Meanwhile, Song Shihe was in a great mood. Seeing Song Ying not dare to talk back or hit him, he felt so pleased his eyebrows practically danced.

“Shihe!”

Hearing Song Ruoer’s voice, Song Shihe quickly walked up. “Sister, are you going back with Brother-in-law?”

Song Ruoer: “Yeah. I’m feeling a bit sleepy.”

In front of his sister, Song Shihe acted the part of the perfect little brother.

“Okay, then go rest early. Brother-in-law, my sister’s in poor health please take good care of her.”

“Sure.”

In the face of Yue Shaozhi’s cold reply, Song Shihe joked, “Guess Brother-in-law only smiles for my sister. I’ll stop bothering you then.”

Just as Song Shihe was about to walk into Yuantang, Song Jinzhuo’s furious voice suddenly rang out from inside.

“Shut your mouth!”