"All right. If you need anything, just tell me," Wenren Longhong said.
"Mm."
"Eldest Young Master, you're back."
Just then, Xiao E returned with the medicine. Seeing the two men in the corridor, she hurried over.
Back in the courtyard, Xiao E quietly followed behind them.
Wenren Qingyi was telling Wenren Lingmeng about the interesting things she had encountered on her journey south, a smile on her face.
When she saw Wenren Longhong and Mu Zibai return, she shot Mu Zibai a resentful look. He answered with an eye-roll, not giving her the slightest bit of courtesy.
If Wenren Longhong hadn't been there, Wenren Qingyi would probably have blown her top.
"All right, Qingyi, it's time to go back. Don't keep disturbing them," Wenren Longhong said, taking her by the hand and preparing to leave.
Mu Zibai smiled. "It's no trouble. You haven't seen Lingmeng in so long. Why not stay for dinner today?"
Wenren Qingyi clearly wanted to, but before she could say anything, Wenren Longhong pushed her back down with a firm hand. "There's no need. I haven't had a chance to see Father yet, so we won't disturb you."
With that, Wenren Longhong led the reluctant Wenren Qingyi away.
Xiao E said with a grin, "I bet Third Young Lady gave you a hard time, didn't she, son-in-law?"
"You seem pretty happy at the thought of me being given a hard time." Mu Zibai looked up at Xiao E.
"I'm only guessing. Our Third Young Lady may be rather headstrong, but she's simple-hearted. Son-in-law, don't bully her," Xiao E said with a grin.
Mu Zibai asked curiously, "How do you know I bullied her?"
Xiao E smiled. "I watched Third Young Lady grow up. I'm five years older than she is, but I know her well. She definitely got the short end of the stick with you today."
Mu Zibai said nothing, merely rubbing Wenren Lingmeng's palm and massaging it.
Xiao E went on, "Knowing Third Young Lady, from the way she looked at you today, she'll probably give you a hard time again. Better watch out, son-in-law. She might even sic a dog on you."
Sic a dog on him?
Mu Zibai furrowed his brow. Was she really that vicious?
Seeing that Mu Zibai didn't respond, Xiao E couldn't tell whether he had taken her words to heart, so she continued, "Eldest Young Master may be a martial man, but he's good-natured and straightforward, and he enjoys making friends. From what I've seen, he seems to like you, son-in-law. You should get closer to him."
"Why are you telling me all this?"
Mu Zibai looked up at Xiao E, unsure why she was saying these things to him.
"You'll have to deal with people in the Household eventually. It's good to know a little about them now, so you can get along with them later. It could be a great help to you."
Mu Zibai gave a slight nod and quietly committed her words to memory.
Xiao E continued, "If you can, Young Master, you could have Dream of the Red Chamber circulated and make a name for yourself as a talented writer. Then you'd have a place in the literary world."
"I'll think about it."
For now, Mu Zibai was focused on grinding points. That was what mattered most.
Xiao E's attitude toward him had changed greatly. She now genuinely respected him as her son-in-law. And from what she had said, it was clear she was worried about his future.
Although Mu Zibai was now the Household's son-in-law, his status was still too low. If things continued this way, he might never amount to much. That was why Xiao E had spoken up.
Naturally, Xiao E hoped Mu Zibai would achieve something great in the future. He didn't need to shake the whole Capital City; with his talent, he could at least earn a reputation as a gifted scholar.
Hearing this, Wenren Lingmeng let out a quiet sigh. Mu Zibai was exceptionally talented, and he treated her so well.
These past days, she had basked in his care, feeling content and at ease, even dependent on him. She had even developed a thought that surprised her: How wonderful it would be if Mu Zibai could keep taking care of me like this.
But she had never considered things from Mu Zibai's perspective. He was talented and scholarly. What man didn't want to distinguish himself and build a career? Surely Mu Zibai wanted that, too.
Now, Mu Zibai cared for her day and night, putting everything aside for her and treating her so well, while she harbored such a shameful thought.
She suddenly felt terribly selfish. She was holding Mu Zibai back.
She was filled with guilt, but there was nothing she could do. Her body was beyond her control.
By now, dusk was settling.
Mu Zibai carried Wenren Lingmeng back into the room and laid her on the bed. Then he stretched and rolled his neck. He had been sitting all afternoon and needed to get moving.
"Why don't you get into bed and rest, Young Master? I'll keep watch nearby," Xiao E suddenly said.
She had wanted to say this for a while, but had held back.
In her heart, she had already accepted Mu Zibai as her son-in-law. He and her young lady were husband and wife, so it was only right for them to sleep in the same bed. Though her young lady was in her current state, surely there was no problem if they were only resting?
More than anything, she was worried about Mu Zibai's health. He was so thin, and sitting on a little stool, leaning against the bed, he surely couldn't sleep well.
Mu Zibai: "!"
He stared at Xiao E in shock, as if struck by a bolt from the blue, wondering if he had heard her wrong.
Xiao E smiled. "Go on and get into bed, son-in-law. Rest well, and don't wear yourself out. I'll keep watch nearby. If anything happens, I'll call you."
Mu Zibai drew in a sharp breath. Looking back on all the care he had given her these past few days, he could sum it up in four words: only natural.
Wenren Lingmeng: "!"
Wenren Lingmeng had still been feeling guilty when she suddenly heard Xiao E's words. She was stunned. What was that brat saying?!
She was shocked, angry, and embarrassed all at once.
Wenren Lingmeng had also accepted Mu Zibai as her husband in her heart, but even so, she felt a little bashful. How could they just sleep together like this?!
She had imagined waking up and sleeping beside Mu Zibai, but his appearance was always just a blur of pixels. He was probably refined and gentle, wasn't he?
She had imagined all sorts of possibilities, but definitely not this one!
She was clawing at herself inside, wishing she could vanish on the spot. It was all Xiao E's fault! Why bring this up out of nowhere? Didn't she know her young lady was still lying in bed?!
That girl was getting bolder by the day. Once Wenren Lingmeng woke up, she would definitely teach her a lesson.
But now—
She felt the quilt being lifted, and Wenren Lingmeng grew unbearably tense.
Was he getting into bed?
She knew a little about the things men and women did. A real married couple was supposed to sleep together, then do what married couples did, and afterward they would have a baby.
All sorts of thoughts rose in Wenren Lingmeng's mind. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about them, and her heart was in a complete muddle.
It was as if a little deer were running wild inside her.
Perhaps he was only going to sleep. She knew Mu Zibai had been sleeping bent over beside the bed these past few days and couldn't have been resting well. He was just getting into bed to rest. Why was she thinking so much?
He deserved a good night's sleep, too.
Before you continue