Chapter 97 : I Can’t Bear to Leave You

As soon as Huo Zhen returned home, he saw Song Ying sitting at the table waiting for him.

Dressed in a plain robe, she looked calm and elegant.

“Hey.”

Song Ying lit up with joy when she saw him return and asked, “Did His Majesty praise you? You look so happy.”

Huo Zhen walked up to her, pulled her into his arms, and sat down with her, “I’m just happy to see you.”

Being held by him, Song Ying smiled, “I’m also happy to see the general.”

Huo Zhen kissed her cheek in front of Faer without caring, “I showed off quite a bit today.”

Song Ying waved at Faer to go downstairs and serve the food, then asked, “How did you show off?”

Huo Zhen pointed to his shoulder, “Like this. Mo Qi and the others saw it and praised you for your cleverness and skill. After seeing what you did, they all wanted to find wives too.”

Song Ying asked, “Aren’t only Yang Hu and Yang Gu still unmarried? Mo Qi has a childhood sweetheart he’s engaged to, and Fu An already has a child.”

Huo Zhen hadn’t had time to tell Song Ying about his brothers’ situations.

His eyes widened slightly, “How did you know that?”

Just then, Faer led the servants in. Song Ying got up and sat beside him, replying, “My Faer told me.”

Faer: ?

Huo Zhen: “How do you even know about Yang Hu and the others? You even know Fu An has a child?”

Faer answered confidently, “You’ll naturally learn when you get to know people.”

Huo Zhen: “Huh? Since when did you get so familiar with them?”

Song Ying said, “I’ve always had Faer take care of things. She’s quick-witted and always finds out whatever you want to know.”

Huo Zhen had always thought this girl was a bit slow, but he didn’t expect she had such a skill.

After dinner, Huo Zhen went to the training grounds with his brothers.

Song Ying lay in the warm room, flipping through the Huo family’s account books from the past two years.

Faer brought her freshly brewed tea and said, “Princess, I went out this morning and found something out.”

Song Ying took a sip of tea with one hand, “Speak.”

Faer leaned close to her ear and whispered, “The one in the palace has been really obedient lately and hasn’t been causing trouble. The palace staff are all surprised.”

Song Ying put down the teacup and asked, “What’s Yue Shaozhi’s reaction?”

Faer: “No reaction, but he’s assigned more homework to that person.”

Hearing this, a relieved look appeared in Song Ying’s eyes. After all, that child was smart.

Faer glanced at the account book and asked, “Princess, we’re all moving soon, so why did the general send you the account books?”

Song Ying replied, “The old general wants to keep his son close. Even though they always quarrel, deep down, the general still cares about his son.”

Unlike her father, who only saw his children as tools to carry on the Song family line. If they were useful, he kept them; if they weren’t, he discarded them.

Faer: “Now that you’ve taken over the account books, does that mean we’re not moving anymore?”

Song Ying: “We’re still moving, but not so soon. Besides, since the old general is willing to hand the books over to me, it means he’s accepted me.”

Faer muttered, “The general is so awkward.”

Song Ying: “I’m a member of the Song family. What happened between him and my aunt left a terrible impression on me.”

Faer suddenly laughed softly, “Princess, I have something funny to tell you.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Faer covered her mouth, leaned in, and whispered by Song Ying’s ear, “That day, the Marchioness came to the General’s Mansion to discuss the wedding date. She pointed at the General and said… and then…”

The warm room filled with laughter as the master and servant giggled, startling even the incense smoke.

Suddenly, voices could be heard outside. Faer stopped laughing and went out to check. “What is it?”

A maid replied, “Miss Faer, Miss Luoer is here.”

Faer looked at Ye Luoer, who was around her age, and stepped forward to greet her, “Do you want to see the princess?”

Ye Luoer responded softly, “I want to speak with the princess.”

Song Ying heard from inside and said, “Let her in.”

Ye Luoer walked into the room cautiously, not daring to look up as she saluted, “Luoer greets the Princess.”

Song Ying smiled, “We’re all family here, no need to be so formal.”

She patted the empty seat next to her, “Come sit down.”

Faer helped Ye Luoer over. The little girl looked at Song Ying timidly, then lowered her eyes and murmured, “I… I don’t dare…”

Song Ying: “Am I that scary?”

Ye Luoer closed her eyes and shook her head. “The princess isn’t scary. The princess is beautiful.”

Song Ying smiled and said, “Since you say I’m beautiful, then why are your eyes closed?”

“I’m not a pretty girl, I’m not a princess, I’m just a commoner…”

“Miss, come here,” Faer interrupted Ye Luoer’s incoherent words and led her to sit beside Song Ying.

Song Ying could feel how tense the girl was and gently asked, “What did you come to see me about?”

Ye Luoer blushed deeply and nervously twisted the handkerchief in her hands. “I… I want the princess… to go with me…”

The last part was too quiet, so Song Ying had to lean in closer. “What did you say?”

Seeing Song Ying come so close, Ye Luoer suddenly stood up and blurted out three words: “Xiu Rui Tower.”

Song Ying repeated, “Xiu Rui Tower?”

Faer explained, “It’s an embroidery competition that all the young ladies in the capital love to participate in. If you win first place, you’re awarded the title of ‘Lady Jin’ and receive a cash prize.”

Song Ying asked Ye Luoer, “You want me to go with you?”

Ye Luoer didn’t dare speak anymore and only nodded, her face still flushed.

Embroidery was the one thing Song Ying was worst at. She had entered the competition once before she was married, but was eliminated in the first round.

In contrast, Song Ruoer won first place every time. Later, when she returned to her hometown, she even gave the title to someone else. But Song Ying never participated again.

Song Ying said honestly, “I don’t know how to embroider.”

Ye Luoer’s knuckles turned white from tension. “My mother asked me to go, but I’m too scared to go alone. I want princess to accompany me.”

“Is that so?” Song Ying nodded. “Alright. When is it?”

Ye Luoer was surprised but delighted. “Tomorrow, at noon.”

Song Ying said, “Got it. Is there anything else?”

Ye Luoer quickly said, “No, no, I’ll leave now. Thank you.”

After walking a few steps, she suddenly turned back. To Song Ying and Faer’s confusion, she bowed and said, “Thank you, Princess,” before hurrying off with a red face.

Song Ying shook her head helplessly. “She’s way too timid.”

When Huo Zhen heard about this, he couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s just like her. Luoer’s been like that since she was little. Sometimes I didn’t even dare talk to her, if I so much as raised my voice, she’d get scared and cry. Then my father would scold me for bullying her.”

“Now that she has you, that’s great. You two can talk more and keep each other company so she won’t be so lonely.”

Song Ying took off her outer robe and handed it to Faer. “I don’t have time to be bored. Your father already gave me all the matters of the inner courtyard to handle. I’m going to be busy from now on.”

Huo Zhen blinked. “Huh? We’re moving soon. Why did he hand it over to you?”

Song Ying replied, “It’s your father’s way of showing his feelings. He can’t bear to see you leave.”

Huo Zhen snorted in disbelief. “The old man actually pulled that kind of trick? Just ignore him. Let’s move our things and let him worry about everything himself.”

Song Ying said, “I’ve already agreed to take over for a while. Once I find someone suitable, I’ll hand it off.”

Seeing her calm and confident expression, Huo Zhen asked, “Judging by your look, do you already have someone in mind?”