Chapter 42 : Wait for Me

When the little emperor heard that Song Ying had bought him a gift, he immediately opened the door and walked out.

“Give it to me now!”

He snatched the straw tiger from Song Ruoer and pouted. “I already have this tiger.”

Even so, he still kept it in his hand.

Fubao felt too guilty to even lift his head. The straw tiger had actually been bought by Song Ruoer along the way yet unexpectedly, it really managed to fool the little emperor.

Song Ruoer bent down slightly and said, “Your Majesty, once Sister Ying’s foot has healed, I’ll bring her to see you, alright?”

The little emperor looked down at the straw tiger in his hand and said, “Since Sister is injured, I won’t be mad at you this time.”

Song Ruoer smiled and took the opportunity to coax him further.

If Song Ying can win the little emperor’s favor, why can’t I someone even better than her do the same? I can do even better.

“You did great.” On the way home, Yue Shaozhi held Song Ruoer’s hand and praised her.

When he saw that Song Ying hadn’t returned with Song Ruoer, Yue Shaozhi had felt a little guilty for not stopping her. But now, it seemed he had worried too much.

Song Ruoer smiled shyly. “His Majesty is just a child. If possible, I’d like to go to the palace often to accompany him.”

Yue Shaozhi’s face darkened. “He is the emperor. If he doesn’t understand what that means, then I will…”

Seeing the change in his expression like someone flipping a page, Song Ruoer suppressed her surprise and said softly, “It’s just a childish tantrum. It’ll pass. Doesn’t sister often visit him in the palace?”

The coldness in Yue Shaozhi’s eyes faded, replaced by gentleness. “You’re different from Song Ying. You’re pregnant now. I just want you to be safe. Everything else is unimportant.”

Song Ruoer’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Shaozhi, let’s go home first.”

Yue Shaozhi leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Alright. Let’s go back to the room together.”

“You’re… so annoying.”

—

Meanwhile, Song Ying was immersed in her research on new medicines. When Yang Hu arrived, looking tired, she suddenly remembered Huo Zhen.

“This is from my brother,” Yang Hu said.

She opened the crumpled letter and saw the words “Wait for me” written over and over, covering the entire page.

When Faer saw it, she couldn’t help but laugh. “General Huo’s handwriting is so intense.”

Yang Hu grinned foolishly. “It wasn’t easy for Mo Qi and me, but luckily we had people stationed in each garrison. We found him pretty quickly. The old general threw him into Wucheng, right on the border of Yongzhou, he’s stuck there now.”

“Wucheng?” Song Ying recalled it was next to Xiyue Kingdom, a country notoriously hard to conquer.

Yang Hu took the bowl of water from Faer, gulped it down, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Yeah, the old general’s really harsh. We’ve been there before. If you can get one decent night’s sleep, it’s already a miracle. Those damn Xiyue thieves love nighttime ambushes, and they’re always using tricky poisons.”

At that, Faer’s face turned pale. “Is General Huo alright over there?”

“Don’t worry, he’s got plenty of experience.”

Song Ying let out a breath of relief and continued reading the rest of the letter.

The second page was filled with rows of tiny characters.

Huo Zhen expressed how much he missed her, and also mentioned that he’d made a pact with the old general: if he succeeded in taking the critical border city from Xiyue, the general would approve their marriage.

Song Ying put the letter away and asked Yang Hu, “Why didn’t the old general let you go with him?”

Yang Hu slapped his thigh. “He didn’t agree! But don’t worry, our brothers over there will take care of him.”

Song Ying nodded. “Thank you for your efforts. Faer, bring the items.”

“Yes.”

Faer came in, carrying a large box with difficulty.

Yang Hu was puzzled. “What’s this?”

Song Ying said, “These are the new medicines I developed. Some are for treating external injuries, others repel snakes, insects, rats, and ants. Each one is clearly labeled. Leave half for you and Deputy Mo Qi. Please help deliver the rest to General Huo.”

Yang Hu cupped his fists. “I thank Miss Song on behalf of my brother and all the men. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the medicine gets there safely.”

Song Ying: “Thanks for your hard work.”

After Yang Hu left, someone from the Marquis’ Mansion came to inform them that Song Shihe had returned and requested that Song Ying come over.

Faer pouted unhappily. “Just when I was about to see the young marquis. So annoying.”

Song Ying pinched her lips and said, “Don’t show your irritation when we get there.”

Faer replied, “I know.”

Song Ying changed her clothes and set off with Faer.

Hu Bo welcomed them into the central courtyard.

Before they even stepped into the main hall, they could already hear Song Shihe and Zhou talking inside.

Upon spotting Song Ying from a distance, Zhou said to Song Shihe, “Look, your sister is here.”

Song Shihe was sixteen now. He had grown much taller, his childish features had faded, and dressed in a brocade robe with wide sleeves, he looked like a graceful young noble from afar.

But with just one glance, Song Ying knew this boy’s temper hadn’t changed at all!

Song Ying bowed and took her seat.

Song Shihe greeted her politely: “Elder Sister, long time no see. You’re becoming more and more beautiful.”

Song Ying replied, “You too, you’ve grown quite tall.”

Zhou said, “Alright, let’s go wait in Yuantang. The Marquis and the Regent will be here after they pick up Ruoer from court.”

Song Shihe considerately supported Zhou as they walked ahead, chatting about amusing things from the mountains.

Song Ying kept a polite distance and followed behind.

Faer grumbled in a whisper to Song Ying, “How shameless! They’re clearly trying to make you jealous.”

Song Ying replied, “Just eat something, then we’ll go back and eat Aunt Dong’s barbecue.”

Thinking of the greasy, delicious food, Faer couldn’t help swallowing her saliva. “Mmm!”

—

When Song Ruoer arrived, the first person she looked for was Song Ying.

“Sister, has your foot healed?”

Song Ying replied, “Thank you for your concern, Princess. I’m all better now.”

Only then did Song Jinzhuo realize Song Ying had been injured. “Are you really alright?”

Song Ying said, “Father, it’s nothing serious.”

Yue Shaozhi stared at her silently for a moment, then looked away.

Song Shihe was the first to raise a wine cup and said respectfully to Yue Shaozhi, “Brother-in-law, long time no see. Let me toast you.”

Yue Shaozhi nodded and drank the wine.

Song Ruoer teased Song Shihe: “After staying with Grandfather for so long, you’ve actually improved.”

Song Shihe scratched his head, looking simple and sincere. “I used to be ignorant…”

Song Ying quietly ate on her own, thinking to herself: ‘A child with a doting mother is indeed treasured, he’s only just now learning to behave.’

Zhou glanced at Song Ying, who had been quiet all this time, and then looked toward Song Jinzhuo, who was chatting with the Regent nearby.

She said casually, “My lord, come to think of it, I really must thank Ying’er this time. If it weren’t for her help, my illness still wouldn’t be cured.”

Song Shihe was the most surprised. ‘Could this woman really be so kind?’

“Mother, you’re cured?”

Zhou replied, “Yes, thanks to the Regent for inviting the imperial physician to treat me. And the missing herbs they were your sister’s idea.”

Song Shihe turned to Song Ying. “You found medicine for my mother?”

Song Ying calmly put down her chopsticks and replied, “Since I accepted payment, I had to complete the job.”

The moment Song Shihe heard that Song Ying had accepted money, his tone changed and he immediately showed displeasure. “We’re all family. How can you be so calculating?”