Chapter 44 : Isn’t that what she does?

Song Shihe hurried in and instinctively shielded Zhou behind him. “Father, please calm down, you’ll hurt Mother if you do this!”

The chopsticks on the table had fallen to the floor, clearly thrown down in anger by Song Jinzhuo moments earlier.

Song Jinzhuo didn’t even spare a glance at Song Shihe. With a dark expression, he turned and left.

Zhou sat back down on the stool, eyes red, and wiped away her tears.

Song Shihe waved the servants away and asked her, “Mother, what made Father suddenly so angry?”

Zhou lowered her eyes, crying silently, looking so wronged that Song Shihe’s heart ached.

“I… I didn’t say anything harsh. I just mentioned that Song Ying should transfer the herbal medicine shop back to the Marquis’ Mansion, and then he… wuwuwu…”

Song Shihe consoled her, “Father’s really something. That medicine shop is part of the Marquis’ Mansion’s property. Why would he be mad about taking back what’s ours?”

Zhou sobbed and complained, “There are frequent border wars right now, and a lot of medicinal herbs are out of stock in the capital. Luckily, Song Ying knows pharmacology and found some substitutes. Your father’s health hasn’t been great either. I originally brought it up for his sake so I suggested Song Ying transfer the shop back. But your father blew up at me before I even finished. I… I was only thinking of him.”

“You know how your father’s always been hard on Song Ying. What happened back then created a rift between them. If your father gets seriously ill and needs medicine urgently, and Song Ying holds a grudge and refuses to help, what then? I can collapse in this household, but your father can’t!”

After hearing Zhou’s words, Song Shihe blurted out, “Father’s really too much. Everything you’re doing is for his own good, but at a time like this, he’s still siding with Song Ying. I’ll go talk to him.”

Zhou stopped him. “Your father’s furious right now. You’d better not go. I don’t want you to be sent away again just after finally returning.”

Song Shihe clenched his fists and snorted, “I think Father already wants to send me off, but he just doesn’t want to play the villain himself. If you ask me, we should let Brother-in-law step in. He’s the regent. Once he gives the order, Song Ying will have to obey, no matter what she thinks.”

A glint flashed in Zhou’s eyes. “No, don’t drag outsiders into our family matters.”

But Song Shihe didn’t care. “Brother-in-law loves my sister so much. If she asked him, he’d pluck stars from the sky for her. It’s just a medicine shop. It’s nothing.”

Zhou said, “Don’t say another word about this. And don’t go to the prince.”

“I know.”

Song Shihe agreed on the surface but the next day, he went straight to the palace to see Song Ruoer.

“Sister!”

“Come, sit down.”

Song Shihe glanced at her belly. “Sister, how many months along are you? Why is your belly still so flat?”

Song Ruoer smiled fondly at her brother. “Only two months. It usually takes four months before it shows.”

Song Shihe said, “I heard from Mother that you had Master Yu prescribe medicine for your pregnancy?”

Song Ruoer nodded. “Yes, your brother-in-law invited him.”

Song Shihe added, “But Mother said that the prescription you’re using now is only good for a while, and later you’ll need a new one. Isn’t that too much hassle?”

Song Ruoer sighed softly. “There’s no helping it. My body’s always been like this.”

Song Shihe nodded. “That’s fine. There are so many physicians in the palace, they can’t be worse than that so-called miracle doctor.”

Song Ruoer said, “Actually, I’m not too worried about the doctors’ skills… I’m more worried that the herbs I need won’t be available when I need them.”

Song Shihe replied, “If not, just ask Song Ying. Isn’t this her area of expertise?”

Song Ruoer glared at him. “You make it sound so simple. If Song Ying were willing to help, Mother’s medicine wouldn’t have cost so much.”

Song Shihe snorted. “You’re all just too soft on Song Ying. Father is the worst of them. Mother got sick because of him and the pressure in this house, and even though he knew Song Ying had the medicine, he wouldn’t ask. He insisted we go instead, while he stayed by her side and did nothing. It’s enough to make your heart break.”

Song Ruoer clenched her fist and knocked it lightly against his head. “Don’t talk nonsense. Seems like you haven’t made much progress after all those years with Grandfather.”

Song Shihe fixed his hair and said playfully, “It’s been so long since I saw you and Mother. Can’t I act a little spoiled?”

Song Ruoer smiled and shook her head. “You…”

Yunchun stood outside the room and called, “Princess, the Prince has returned.”

“Got it.” Song Ruoer turned to her brother and asked, “Want to stay and have dinner with us?”

Song Shihe: “Sure.”

During dinner, Song Shihe watched Yue Shaozhi carefully tend to Song Ruoer and couldn’t help but praise him. “You know, happiness really comes from being with the one you love. Brother-in-law, my sister must’ve done something great in her past life to meet a good man like you.”

Yue Shaozhi looked at Song Ruoer and said calmly, “It’s my blessing.”

Song Ruoer turned her head, a little embarrassed, and scolded her brother lightly, “Just eat.”

Song Shihe: “Hehe.”

After the meal, Song Shihe insisted on having a private word with Yue Shaozhi.

Yue Shaozhi agreed readily.

The two walked slowly toward the main gate.

“Brother-in-law,” Song Shihe began, “since we’re all family, I’ll just speak frankly. I only have one sister, and you must treat her well.”

Yue Shaozhi: “You don’t have to tell me that. I already do.”

Song Shihe: “My sister’s kind-hearted. She may seem gentle, but she actually holds a lot in.”

“I can tell she’s upset about Song Ying selling the medicine to you at a high price. She feels bad that you had to spend so much.”

Yue Shaozhi stared ahead and replied casually, “It’s just a bit of money. It doesn’t matter.”

Song Shihe gave him a thumbs-up. “Brother-in-law, you’re really generous.”

Yue Shaozhi suddenly stopped and looked at Song Shihe with a deep gaze. “This isn’t what you really wanted to say, is it?”

Song Shihe was surprised by Yue Shaozhi’s sharp intuition and smiled. “Brother-in-law, you’re amazing. Well, it’s nothing major. I just think you really shouldn’t lower yourself to go asking Song Ying for medicinal herbs.”

“You should’ve just told her to hand them over. After all, you’re the Regent. Song Ying is just…”

Yue Shaozhi cut him off, “Song Ying is my ex-wife.”

But Song Shihe, relying on his identity as Song Ruoer’s younger brother, continued unbothered.

“Exactly, since she’s your ex-wife, she should at least show some gratitude and give you what you need for old time’s sake.”

“Brother-in-law, I’m not the one stirring trouble. It’s just, Song Ying has always been resentful toward you and my sister. She uses her connections to take advantage of you.”

“It’s fine to let her have her way once, but you can’t keep giving in. What if one day she feels there’s no point making money off you and starts making even more unreasonable demands?”

Yue Shaozhi listened to his endless chatter and suddenly thought of Song Ying back at Xiaohanju, they really were siblings.

What Yue Shaozhi didn’t know was that Song Shihe’s nagging nature was actually learned from Song Ying.

He had no choice if he didn’t practice, he couldn’t beat her.

He still wasn’t winning arguments, but at least now he could talk back.

Yue Shaozhi: “Speak like a human.”

Song Shihe was stunned. “Brother-in-law, why don’t you ask Song Ying to give the herbal medicine shop to my sister?”

Yue Shaozhi lightly pressed his lips together, then smiled and said, “Go home.”

Song Shihe was bewildered. ‘Wasn’t I clear enough?’

“Brother-in-law, we’re doing this for my sister’s sake. You just don’t know Song Ying well enough. She’s greedy and loves playing tricks—”

Yue Shaozhi cut in, “Yu Liang, see the young master out.”

Song Shihe tried to continue, but Yu Liang forcefully dragged him away.

Inside, Song Shihe was wailing in his heart: ‘Why is this happening?!!’