Chapter 79 : Where are you, where am I

It was nearly noon when Song Ying woke up. Faer came in yawning, carrying a basin of water.

“Miss, was I sleepwalking last night? It all felt so unreal.”

Song Ying washed her face and replied, “You weren’t sleepwalking, Huo Zhen is really back.”

Faer nodded, and after a moment, her mind started to clear. “General Huo is back… does that mean you’re going to marry him?”

Song Ying sat in front of the vanity, drawing her eyebrows. “I don’t know.”

“Huh?”

That calm tone left Faer confused. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Isn’t it already decided?”

Song Ying smoothed her other brow. “His father doesn’t even know he’s back yet. I’m guessing he’ll scold him again when he finds out. After that… who knows how it’ll go?”

Faer picked up the wooden comb and stood behind Song Ying, gently lifting her soft, long hair and combing it. “General Huo has made great contributions. When he sees His Majesty and asks for marriage, won’t it be settled then?”

Isn’t it simple? Why so many twists and turns?

Song Ying picked up pieces from the jewelry box while responding, “It’ll take a few days before he sees the Emperor. Who knows what’ll happen in that time?”

Faer said, “Miss, I think you’re overthinking it. General Huo will definitely do it.”

Song Ying smiled faintly. “You’re that sure?”

Faer: “General Huo is different from the prince. You and the prince were together because of the Marquis and the Song family, but you and the general because of that bun. You saved his life, and he’s paying you back.”

Song Ying looked at the round little face of the maid in the mirror. “Silly girl, do you really think a bun is enough to win a man’s heart?”

Faer: “Isn’t it?”

Song Ying: “If that were true, men wanting to marry me would be lined up from here to ten miles outside the capital.”

Faer: “Miss, just how many people have you given buns to?”

Song Ying looked away and randomly picked out a hairpin for Faer. “None of that matters. Just pin your hair up however you like.”

After a quick lunch, Song Ying sat in the warm room reading a book.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw a man walk in briskly.

His beard from last night was gone, the dark circles under his eyes had disappeared, and he had changed into a sleek black narrow-sleeved outfit looking refreshed and full of energy.

As soon as Huo Zhen stepped into the warm room, he smiled at Song Ying.

Song Ying waved for him to sit and asked, “How’s your hand?”

Huo Zhen raised both hands, now free of gauze. “I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Song Ying glanced at the scab on his palm. “Be careful, don’t let it crack open again.”

Huo Zhen: “Don’t worry. I won’t be climbing anything these days. But seriously, why did you raise the wall and hammer in nails?”

Faer placed a cup of hot tea in front of him. “It’s all because of Young Marquis Wen. He kept showing up to bother Miss.”

“That guy again?!” Huo Zhen twisted his wrist and snorted, “Looks like I didn’t kick him hard enough last time. Next time I’ll—”

“Ahem.”

Huo Zhen glanced at Song Ying and immediately corrected himself, “I’ll listen to you. Whatever you say, I’ll do it.”

Song Ying asked, “When are you planning to go back to the Old General’s Mansion?”

Huo Zhen: “Why would I go back there? I belong to you now. Of course, I’ll stay wherever you are.”

Song Ying smiled and glared at him. “Who says I want you?”

Huo Zhen grinned, “You can’t go back on your word now, I’ve got witnesses.”

Song Ying: “Who?”

Faer jumped in first, “I’m the first witness!”

Huo Zhen: “See? There’s one here. Then there’s Yang Hu, Mo Qi, Fu An, Xiaomi, and—and…”

Song Ying looked at Huo Zhen in amusement. “What’s the use of so many witnesses? What if I don’t nod in agreement?”

Huo Zhen knew she was teasing and said, “That’s not right, you can’t abandon someone after sleeping with them. You should at least give me a legitimate status. Right, Faer?”

Faer looked at Song Ying, then at Huo Zhen, her eyes darting back and forth, but she didn’t say a word.

Huo Zhen pulled out a tael of silver and handed it to her, then asked, “Faer, don’t you agree?”

Faer grinned so widely her teeth showed. “Yes.”

Huo Zhen suddenly felt wonderful. “Hey, that sounds nice, say it again.”

Song Ying said, “You’re bribing my maid right in front of me, General Huo. Do you think I’m unworthy of your respect?”

Huo Zhen quickly waved his hands, “It’s because I care too much about you. Your maid is also my maid. No matter how you spoil her, I can’t just ignore her. Right, Faer?”

Faer rubbed the silver in her hand. “Yes. Thank you.”

Huo Zhen feel especially pleased.

Song Ying couldn’t be bothered to deal with the two of them. She picked up a box from beside her and placed it in front of Huo Zhen. “Here, open it and take a look.”

Thinking it was a gift from her, Huo Zhen opened it excitedly only to find it was full of the letters he had written her.

Looking a bit embarrassed, he asked, “Why are you giving these back to me?”

Song Ying said, “Your handwriting is ugly. Once you’ve practiced and improved, write them again for me.”

Holding the letters, Huo Zhen turned to Faer. “Is it ugly?”

Since she’d been given silver, Faer naturally flattered him. “Not at all. The future son-in-law’s handwriting is bold and strong, powerful and spirited. It’s truly the writing of a general!”

“Hahaha, Faer, you really know how to flatter someone.”

“I mean it! Your writing looks great.”

“Hahahaha, right? Right…”

Song Ying watched the silly duo and shook her head helplessly.

Just then, Xiaomi came running in. “Miss, someone’s come to the General’s Mansion.”

Huo Zhen stopped smiling and immediately straightened up, frowning. “Who?!”

Xiaomi said, “General Huo, it’s your younger brother, MasterHuo Ran.”

Huo Zhen scratched his head impatiently. “The old one is annoying, and the young one’s annoying too.”

Song Ying said, “You should go.”

Huo Zhen replied, “Why should I go back? My home is here.”

Song Ying reasoned, “You just achieved a military success but haven’t received your reward. And you’re already falling out with your father. If someone reports you, do you still want this marriage to happen?”

Huo Zhen immediately stood up. “Alright, alright, I’ll go back and hear what the old man has to say.”

Song Ying said, “Why are you walking so fast? I’ll go with you.”

Huo Zhen smiled and held her hand. “Okay.”

Huo Ran was waiting outside. As soon as the door opened, he turned and saw Huo Zhen and Song Ying walking out hand in hand.

His expression darkened slightly, but he still respectfully greeted, “Brother… Miss Song.”

Huo Zhen, being direct as always, said, “Still calling her Miss Song? Call her—”

But Song Ying quickly cut him off, “Young Master Huo, it’s been a long time. Please send my regards to the Old General.”

Huo Ran gave a stiff smile. “Yes.”

Huo Zhen mounted his horse. In front of Huo Ran, Song Ying said, “Go early and come back early, I’ll save some food for you.”

Naturally, Huo Zhen was overjoyed, while Huo Ran’s expression grew even darker.

After they left, Song Ying and Faer went back into the house.

“Miss, Young MasterHuo Ran doesn’t seem to like you very much.”

“That’s to be expected. After all, I’m a divorced woman.”

Faer pouted, “Hmph! Miss is not divorced, it’s all the fault of the Regent and that Miss Ruoer. It’s the Huo family’s good fortune that General Huo likes you.”