Irreplaceable

When he returned to the Li Manor from the County Office, Song Mu'er was, as expected, waiting for him in the courtyard.

"Sweet potato, sweet potato, I'm potato!"

"Potato, potato, I'm sweet potato!"

After exchanging the simple secret code, Li Nuo confirmed Song Mu'er's identity.

Actually, he didn't need the secret code to know it was Song Mu'er in front of him, because Song Jiaren was in the nearby pavilion. She often appeared with Mu'er, and since last time, Song Ninger hadn't come to find him anymore.

Every time Song Mu'er visited, she would ask Li Nuo math problems.

It started with one problem, then two, then three. The problems got longer and more difficult.

Of course, it wasn't difficult for Li Nuo, but it became increasingly difficult for him to make Song Mu'er understand, requiring a lot of thought.

Before, it was just counting chickens and rabbits, or calculating the area of irregular shapes. But in the last few days, it had become excessive: Square Fields, Grains, Proportional Division; Volume Calculation, Less Than and More Than, Surplus and Deficit; Fair Transport, Gougu Theorem, Equation. Song Mu'er's teacher had tested her on all of the Nine Calculations, which were also covered in the Imperial examination math.

And Mu'er was just a six-year-old child.

Was this something a six-year-old child should be learning?

Li Nuo seriously doubted if that old man knew how to teach. In another world, with modern mathematics so well-developed, a six-year-old child was usually in first grade, still learning addition and subtraction within one hundred. The Nine Calculations were too profound for a six-year-old.

Even the problem of "chickens and rabbits in a cage" was usually treated as extracurricular enrichment.

However, since she asked, Li Nuo would answer it. It would just be a more arduous process, requiring him to break down each knowledge point and derive it from the most basic steps so that she and his wife could understand.

When Li Nuo explained the problems, it wasn't just Song Mu'er listening. One time, he surprisingly discovered that his wife was also listening intently behind him.

Although she wasn't very educated, she was quite eager to learn and never missed a session.

Today, Li Nuo was explaining the "Gougu Theorem." He used three methods to prove the Pythagorean theorem to them. After confirming they both understood, he took out his own book to read.

Song Mu'er ran off to the corner of the courtyard to swing on the swing. Song Jiaren didn't follow her. She looked at Li Nuo and asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"

Li Nuo looked up and asked, "What's the matter?"

Although he had been in this world for half a month, he wasn't actually very familiar with this nominal wife of his.

His wife's whereabouts were unpredictable, and he was extremely busy every day. Sometimes they wouldn't see each other for a whole day.

Song Jiaren was silent for a moment and said, "Grandmother says you should come home for dinner tomorrow. If you're busy, it's fine. I'll explain to Grandmother."

Li Nuo didn't hesitate. "Since Old Madam has invited me, I'll go."

He didn't have anything else planned for tomorrow anyway, and it wouldn't be good for a junior to refuse Old Madam Song's invitation.

Song Jiaren knew Li Nuo was busy every day, so she hadn't held out much hope. She didn't expect him to agree so readily.

After a brief moment of surprise, she quickly recovered and said, "I'm returning to the Song Manor tonight. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

The next day, Li Nuo slept until almost noon.

He was woken up by a young maid.

The chubby little maid sat by the bed, shaking Li Nuo's arm and urging, "Young Master, please get up! The sun has been up for a long time..."

Li Nuo mumbled groggily, "Don't bother me, let me sleep a little longer..."

After half a month of constant work, he was exhausted every day. Finally, he had a day off. He had gone to bed very early yesterday and planned to sleep until he woke up naturally today.

Seeing that she couldn't wake the Young Master, the little maid turned to look outside the door and said, "Young Madam, the Young Master won't get up..."

Hearing the words "Young Madam," Li Nuo instantly woke up, all sleepiness gone.

He just remembered that he had promised his wife yesterday that he would go back to the Song Manor with her.

He sprang out of bed with a flip and said, "I'm up, I'm up..."

Li Nuo washed up as quickly as possible. When he came outside, Song Jiaren was already waiting.

She had returned to the Song Manor last night and came to pick him up today. Clearly, she didn't consider the Li Manor her home. It made sense; at eighteen, having already reached the Fourth Realm of martial arts with unparalleled talent, how could she be willing to marry a fool with no martial arts talent?

They didn't even have common ground. Those outstanding young talents in martial arts were her ideal partners.

On the carriage to the Song Manor, the couple sat opposite each other, neither speaking.

Their eyes met, and perhaps sensing the awkward atmosphere, Li Nuo took out a book from his embrace to read. Song Jiaren looked away.

They soon arrived at the Song Manor, and Song Jiaren first took Li Nuo to pay their respects to the Old Madam.

Old Madam Song looked well. She held Li Nuo and Song Jiaren's hands and chatted happily for a while. Li Nuo responded with smiles. The gazes of the Song Manor's family members remained fixed on Li Nuo. Seeing that his expressions and actions were no different from a normal person, they finally believed that he was truly no longer foolish.

Not to mention, when he was foolish before, everyone in the Song Manor felt he didn't deserve Jiaren.

Now that he wasn't foolish, his entire demeanor had undergone a complete transformation. Standing next to Jiaren, they were indeed a perfect match.

Old Madam Song patted Li Nuo's hand and said, "Jiaren grew up in a military family since she was young, so her temper might be different from other women. But since you are already married, you must tolerate each other's shortcomings. Only then can your life together be long-lasting..."

Li Nuo secretly glanced at Song Jiaren and said to the Old Madam with a smile, "Don't worry, Grandmother. I quite like my wife's temper..."

Old Madam Song chuckled, "That's good, that's good..."

Song Jiaren glanced at Li Nuo but said nothing.

Song Qian looked at Li Nuo with disdain. Seriously... is this guy a masochist?

As a woman, Song Jiaren never liked reading or needlework since she was young. She fought with others every day, beating up all the sons and daughters of military families in Chang'an. Almost every day, someone would come to Song Manor to complain. Does this Li Nuo have a masochistic tendency?

Besides, she has no figure, no gentleness, and apart from her beautiful face, she doesn't have any of the qualities a woman should have. Does someone really like a woman like this?

Song Qian glanced at the two and thought to herself, "Just stay together forever, don't go out and harm others."

After paying her respects to the Old Madam, Li Nuo was called away by Song Jiaren's paternal uncle and second uncle to talk.

It was all ordinary pleasantries, and Li Nuo responded with a smile, handling it with ease.

Song Mu'er stood beside Song Jiaren, looked up at her, then at Li Nuo not far away, and suddenly said, "Sister, can I ask you a question?"

Song Jiaren nodded and said, "Ask away."

Song Mu'er asked doubtfully, "Are you and Brother Li Nuo really husband and wife?"

Song Jiaren glanced at her and asked, "Why do you ask that?"

Song Mu'er lowered her head, touched her index fingers together, and whispered, "Last time I asked Brother Li Nuo to dress me up nicely, Brother Li Nuo said he had sworn that he would only dress up his wife from now on. But... he never seemed to have dressed you up..."

Song Jiaren turned to look at Li Nuo, but said nothing.

He could compose poetry, understood mathematics, and had such high literary talent. His ideal wife should be a talented lady who was proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, not a martial artist who only knew how to wield a sword and didn't even recognize many characters...

Not to mention, she had hit him without distinguishing right from wrong.

If she were a man, she probably wouldn't want a wife like this either.

Li Nuo had just finished exchanging pleasantries with Song Jiaren's uncle and second uncle when, at a certain moment, he suddenly felt something and turned to look at the courtyard. Song Mu'er was on a swing, Song Jiaren was holding her sword, leaning against the swing frame, looking at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

The midday sun shone on her, casting a faint glow over her entire being.

This stunning scene made his heart skip a beat, and he couldn't look away for a long time.

I have to say, my wife truly has the looks, the temperament, the figure, the culture, and most importantly—a sense of security.

Although she lacked a bit of femininity, if she really became as gentle and beautiful as ordinary women, she wouldn't be the Song Jiaren in Li Nuo's heart.

It was also fortunate that it was Song Jiaren. If he had married a young lady who only knew zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, he would have probably died under the arrows of assassins long ago.

Perhaps other women were gentler, more obedient, and had larger chests...

But the sense of security his wife gave him was irreplaceable.