Chapter 20 : Familiar Stranger

They were at a distance, and Wen Jun’s voice was loud, so even though Song Ying didn’t want to respond, she had no choice but to answer, “Yeah.”

Behind Wen Jun, Yue Shaozhi walked out. The two people who used to be closest to each other now acted like strangers neither even spared the other a glance.

Song Ying said to Liu Lingyan, “Let’s go.”

Wen Jun looked at Song Ying heading down the stairs and nudged Yue Shaozhi with his elbow, saying, “You’re so heartless. After all, you were husband and wife for two years. A simple nod or greeting wouldn’t hurt.”

Yue Shaozhi shot him a cold glare and said to his eleventh brother, Prince Ning, Yue Shaoning who stood nearby, “Slap him.”

Yue Shaoning grinned and raised his hand to smack Wen Jun across the mouth, but Wen Jun dodged.

“Hey, hey, hey! My bad! Let’s go, let’s go!”

The three of them went downstairs and saw Song Ying at the counter paying the bill, while two children ran in circles around Liu Lingyan behind her.

“Alright, cut it out! If you keep acting up, I’ll really spank you.”

“Hehe, sister can’t catch me!”

Xiaoli ran around a few times, then wobbled and said, “Mom, I feel dizzy.”

Liu Lingyan was holding Dali and hadn’t freed her other hand when she saw Xiaoli about to fall backward.

Startled, she watched as someone quickly stepped forward to catch the little girl.

“Careful,” Wen Jun smiled as he gently handed Xiaoli back to Liu Lingyan.

Though Liu Lingyan didn’t have a good impression of Yue Shaozhi and his circle, she still politely said thank you since he helped.

Xiaoli looked up and said, “It’s the uncle from earlier.”

Wen Jun sighed and replied, “Call me brother.”

Xiaoli didn’t answer. She simply buried her head into Liu Lingyan’s arms. It was clear she knew calling him “uncle” upset him, but rather than argue, she chose to avoid the situation.

Song Ying finished paying, didn’t even glance at Wen Jun or the others, and turned around to take Xiaoli’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Dali was still full of energy and grabbed Liu Lingyan’s hand. “Mom, let’s go buy a little tiger!”

Liu Lingyan smacked the back of his head. “You already have enough tigers.”

Since it was still early and the night market was lively, Song Ying said, “Alright, I’ll take you.”

As the two women and two children boarded the carriage, Wen Jun couldn’t help but tease Yue Shaozhi, “If you and Song Ying had a child, they’d be about that age now, huh?”

This time, Yue Shaozhi raised his hand and slapped him on the mouth. “Keep talking, and I’ll rip your tongue out.”

Wen Jun yelped in pain, and Yue Shaoning, watching the fun, laughed and said, “Serves you right.”

Later, Song Ying bought tons of things for the two children, food, toys, clothes, accessories. The kids were overjoyed.

After finally coaxing them to sleep, Liu Lingyan rubbed her face and said, “From now on, let’s not bring the kids when we go out. I’m exhausted.”

Originally, they hadn’t brought any servants along because it was meant to be a relaxed reunion between the two sisters.

Liu Lingyan was staying in Song Ying’s courtyard. But when they stepped inside, they saw a man standing there in the middle of the yard.

Startled, Liu Lingyan exclaimed, “Who’s that?”

Song Ying, unfazed, replied, “The emperor personally appointed him as the General of Longxi, Huo Zhen.”

Liu Lingyan cupped her fists in a martial salute and said, “Liu Lingyan. Just call me Boss Liu.”

Huo Zhen returned the gesture. “Nice to meet you, Boss Liu.”

He had just returned from the military camp and, after asking Faer, learned that Song Ying and her friend had gone out to eat. So he waited in the courtyard.

Looking at the food on the table, Song Ying said, “I heard General Huo’s stomach growling, so I gave him some leftovers from yesterday to fill him up.”

Liu Lingyan pouted. “Leftovers?”

Huo Zhen said without the slightest bit of disdain, “As long as there’s food, that’s all that matters.”

Liu Lingyan curiously circled around Huo Zhen, inspecting him from head to toe. “Do you like my Aying?”

Huo Zhen looked at Song Ying sincerely. “Yes, I like her and I want to marry her now.”

Although it was their first meeting, Huo Zhen left a very good impression on Liu Lingyan. She could tell this man was genuine toward Song Ying, unlike that Yue Shaozhi. Tsk, there was simply no comparison.

Liu Lingyan nodded. “Then you’ll have to work hard. You should know, my Aying has been hurt in love before. She won’t be easily swayed by sweet words. You need to show it through your actions.”

Huo Zhen: “Please advise me, Boss Liu.”

Heh, this kid is teachable.

Liu Lingyan: “It’s late now. Let’s talk more tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Huo Zhen said to Song Ying, “I still have matters to attend to at the camp. I’ll take my leave.”

Song Ying: “Go ahead.”

Then Huo Zhen climbed over the wall and left.

Liu Lingyan clicked her tongue. “This man seems decent for now. Are you really not considering him?”

Song Ying shook her head. “I just want to sleep. Are you sleepy?”

Liu Lingyan: “I’m not sleepy at all now. Come on, let’s talk about General Huo.”

Song Ying turned to go inside. “No.”

Liu Lingyan followed behind her. “Hey, talk to me. I’m very concerned about your lifelong happiness. This time, we must find someone obedient and reliable.”

Song Ying: “No, I want to be a nun for the rest of my life.”

Liu Lingyan: “You say that, but think otherwise. If you really didn’t like him, you’d have had someone throw him out long ago. Why let him climb over your wall?”

Song Ying: “If you keep talking, come back tomorrow.”

Liu Lingyan: “Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Let’s talk about tomorrow’s plans instead…”

—

After breakfast the next morning, Song Ying and Liu Lingyan went out.

After all, the Song and Liu families were closely connected, so with Liu Lingyan in the capital, she naturally had to pay visits on behalf of her father.

The housekeeper welcomed them into the residence, and they were received by Zhou.

“I’ve already informed the Marquis. He’ll come once he’s finished with business in his study.”

It was as if the previous rumors had never happened. Song Ying and Zhou returned to their previous harmonious mother-daughter dynamic.

Zhou looked at Liu Lingyan. “Lingyan, it’s been a long time. You’ve become even more beautiful.”

Liu Lingyan also responded appropriately, though in her heart she cursed the old fox.

“Madam, you flatter me. I’m a woman with children now, I’m not what I was before marriage. But you, Madam, haven’t changed at all. I truly envy you.”

Whether sincere or not, kind words always work.

Song Ying quietly watched them exchange pleasantries, calculating the time in her head as she waited for Song Jinzhuo to arrive.

At the call of “The Marquis is here,” the three of them stood up.

Song Ying: “Father.”

Liu Lingyan: “Uncle, long time no see.”

Song Jinzhuo gave a slight nod. “Sit.”

Liu Lingyan gestured for the maid behind her to present a gift box.

“My father heard I was returning to the capital, so he asked me to bring a few things for you.”

Song Jinzhuo glanced briefly at the box, then instructed a servant to take it away. “Thank your father for me.”

Liu Lingyan: “You’re too kind, uncle.”

Song Jinzhuo asked, “How long do you plan to stay in the capital this time?”

Liu Lingyan: “I haven’t decided yet. I’d like to spend more time with Aying.”

Song Ying added, “Liuliu brought her child with her.”

Zhou said, “Oh? Why didn’t you bring the child along?”

Liu Lingyan smiled politely. “The little ones are mischievous at this age. I didn’t want them to cause trouble. If they break any of Madam’s things, I wouldn’t be able to compensate for it.”

Zhou kept her composure and turned to Song Jinzhuo. “Speaking of children, Ruoer sent word a few days ago, she’s pregnant.”