Chapter 26 : Worrying

Song Ying remembered that she originally had four Southern Jiao Pearl, but because she was ignorant and playful when she was young, she lost one. She ended up getting scolded by her Mother Han and her uncle.

That day, she held the remaining three Southern Jiao Pearl and cried, saying that her mother and uncle didn’t love her anymore. In the end, she made Han laugh.

‘Silly girl, it’s just a bead. Mother was just afraid you’d swallow it and get a stomachache. It’s good you didn’t swallow it. Don’t cry.’

Putting the bead back, Song Ying muttered to herself, “Where did that lost Southern Jiao Pearl go? What a pity…”

—

Yue Shaozhi returned to the study and opened the first drawer in the left corner as Song Ying had said.

Inside, he found bottles and jars neatly arranged.

He randomly picked up one and saw that a note was attached to it, with the effects written in beautiful handwriting.

This one stops bleeding… this one calms the nerves… this is for headaches… and this one heals wounds…

Yue Shaozhi picked up the bottle for healing wounds, opened the stopper and sniffed it. After confirming it was correct, he took it and went to the backyard to find Song Ruoer.

In order to please Yue Shaozhi, Song Ruoer had cooked his favorite dishes herself. But she ended up scalding her hand, and a large blister formed on her palm.

“Shaozhi.”

Seeing Yue Shaozhi approach from a distance, Song Ruoer happily got up to greet him.

Yue Shaozhi carried her back into the house and gently laid her on the couch.

Song Ruoer blushed, “You’re too much…”

Yue Shaozhi took out the medicine bottle and gently held her hand. “Use this, it won’t leave a scar.”

Song Ruoer was moved to tears. “I’m sorry.”

Yue Shaozhi fondly tapped the tip of her nose. “What is there to be sorry for?”

Song Ruoer pouted slightly. “I just don’t want you to worry about me too much.”

“You’re my wife. This is my responsibility.”

As the ointment was applied to the wound, Song Ruoer felt a cool sensation and a faint fragrance.

This scent… felt very familiar.

“Where did you get this ointment?”

Yue Shaozhi lowered his eyes, focusing on her palm, and replied, “It was specially prepared by the palace for the royal family.”

Song Ruoer nodded and raised her hand to sniff the scent again. “It’s really effective. I feel like I’ll be fully healed tomorrow.”

Yue Shaozhi set the medicine bottle aside and said, “This is a scar-removal formula. Use it sparingly. Once a day is enough.”

“Mm.” Song Ruoer wrapped her arms around his neck and gently traced his handsome features with her fingertips. She really loved him.

When Zhou had told her that Song Ying married the Regent, she scoffed. But after meeting Yue Shaozhi in person, she understood what love at first sight meant. Even better, he felt the same about her.

She thought this relationship would end because of Song Ying, but she didn’t expect Song Ying to be so decisive.

Song Ruoer was truly grateful to Song Ying for not fighting, not competing, and for her willingness to let go.

After all, Yue Shaozhi and Song Ying had no love between them. If they had forced themselves to stay together, only she (Ruoer) would have ended up hurt.

“Shaozhi, will this medicine affect the baby?”

Yue Shaozhi paused slightly and said, “I didn’t think of that. I’ll ask the imperial physician to take a look later.”

After spending some time with Song Ruoer, Yue Shaozhi entered the palace.

Not long after, the imperial physician arrived.

After examining the ointment, he said, “Don’t worry, Princess. This medicine has no effect on the fetus.”

Song Ruoer gently patted her belly. “Thank you, Imperial Physician. I heard you were the one who prepared this. Can you teach me? I want to make a bottle for the prince.”

The imperial physician looked surprised. “Princess, you must be mistaken. This medicine was not prepared by our Imperial Medical Bureau. Moreover, it contains several rare herbs. Making even one bottle is no easy task.”

Song Ruoer was puzzled. “You didn’t make it?”

But Yue Shaozhi had clearly said it was a palace-exclusive formula for the royal family…

The familiar fragrance made Song Ruoer’s heart tighten. No way…

After sending the physician away, Song Ruoer picked up the bottle and smelled it again. This time, she remembered.

When Song Ying was still the Princess Regent, there were many similar bottles placed in her room.

At the time, she didn’t understand and thought Song Ying was just making perfumes.

With a heavy heart, Song Ruoer waited for Yue Shaozhi to return. As the sky darkened, she even lost her appetite.

Just then, Yunchun came in and reported, “The Prince has returned.”

Song Ruoer was in no mood and did not go to greet Yue Shaozhi. When he came in, she sighed and called out, “Your Majesty.”

Yue Shaozhi was very sensitive. Noticing that Song Ruoer was in a bad mood, he asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Did I make you angry?”

Song Ruoer held up the medicine bottle and asked him, “This medicine… it was made by my sister, wasn’t it?”

Now that he had been found out, Yue Shaozhi didn’t try to hide it. “Yes. I was afraid you’d be upset, so I didn’t tell you…”

Song Ruoer buried herself in his arms. “I’m not that petty. Just tell me things directly. You made me overthink.”

Yue Shaozhi took out a square box and opened it in front of her.

“For you.”

“A gift for me?” Song Ruoer happily picked up the shining bead. “What is this? It’s so pretty!”

Yue Shaozhi said, “It’s a Southern Jiao Pearl. Your birthday is coming up, so I had someone find it for you.”

Song Ruoer gave him a big kiss on the cheek, and the gloom in her heart faded away.

“Thank you, Shaozhi.”

Yue Shaozhi tapped his lips and teased, “That’s it?”

Song Ruoer gave him a shy, coquettish look and said, “I’m still pregnant, you know.”

Yue Shaozhi hugged her, gently bit her earlobe, and said flirtatiously, “Then let’s try… another way.”

—

Meanwhile…

Liu Lingyan had taken a liking to a shop near the South Gate and asked Song Ying to go with her to bargain.

“Why did you choose this place?”

Liu Lingyan replied, “It’s just a small business. The South Gate is the main entrance. I just want to make it convenient, somewhere people can rest and grab a bite without walking too far.”

Song Ying said, “Is that so? You made up your mind so fast, without even going back to discuss it with your husband?”

Liu Lingyan replied, “What’s there to discuss? He’ll agree when he hears about it.”

When the landlord saw them, he exchanged a few polite words, then quoted a price of one thousand taels of silver.

Liu Lingyan snorted and didn’t bother talking further. She just pulled Song Ying away.

She felt like she was being taken advantage of.

“You wanted to bargain, didn’t you? Why didn’t you even try?” Song Ying asked.

Liu Lingyan pulled her into a narrow alley and peeked out, whispering, “Why bargain? Quoting that price up front shows he’s not sincere. Let me tell you, I do like that place, but it’s not the only one I’m interested in. In everything you do, you should always keep a backup plan.”

Song Ying nodded in agreement. “That’s true. So, should we wait here, or go to the next one?”

Liu Lingyan replied, “Let’s wait. I want to observe a bit more. Look, he’s coming out.”

Sure enough, the landlord came out of the shop, looking flustered and glancing around as if searching for someone.

Liu Lingyan said, “Let’s go somewhere else.”

Song Ying asked, “You’re not going to negotiate the price with him?”

Liu Lingyan said, “No need let him stew.”

Although she claimed she was running a small business, Liu Lingyan ended up buying two shops at the East and West Gates as well.

Song Ying joked, “I get it now, you want to take over all three gates: east, west, and south.”

Liu Lingyan grinned. “Took you long enough. I’m even thinking of setting up a stall at the gate of the Imperial City.”

Song Ying was curious. “What are you going to sell?”

Just then, an army entered the city gate in an orderly formation, interrupting their conversation.

“Who is that?”

“It’s General Huo.”