Perhaps because she had rushed out too hastily, Cheng Yaojia was knocked off balance and stumbled backward. Song Qingshu stretched out an arm and lightly caught her soft waist, supporting her back with his other hand and steadying her in midair.
"Song... Young Master Song?" Cheng Yaojia's face flushed. Realizing the position they were in, she felt dizzy all over.
"I'm terribly sorry. My protective qi automatically counterattacked. You weren't hurt, were you, madam?" Song Qingshu asked gently.
"No... no." Cheng Yaojia shook her head. Realizing their posture was somewhat improper, with half her body pressed tightly beneath his lower abdomen, she hurriedly struggled to rise. "Could you... let me get up first?"
Song Qingshu gave her a lift and helped her to her feet. "Madam, you came out in such a hurry. Is something the matter?"
"I... I..." Cheng Yaojia immediately began to stammer. She could not help recalling the conversation she had overheard next door last night, and how she had spent the latter half of the night fretting over it. Naturally, she could not tell him of that turmoil, so she said, "It's like this. Didn't you go to Yuqing Temple yesterday? I wanted to ask whether there was any news of my... my husband."
"Young Master Lu..." Song Qingshu pondered for a moment before replying, "I went to see him yesterday, specifically for your sake."
"How is he now?" Although Cheng Yaojia had been stirred by his teasing these past days, Lu Guanying was still her husband. After so many years together, they had deep feelings for each other no matter what.
Song Qingshu hesitated before telling her the truth. "He isn't in very good condition." Lu Guanying had suffered brutal torture at the hands of the Mongols. By now, he had probably lost half his