Whenever Chu Chu gnashed her teeth and cursed that person whose name she didn't even know, Xiao Jin Yu would always give a faint, bitter smile. "It's my own weak constitution. I merely soaked in icy water a few times..."
"You should still blame whoever gave you that cadaveric poison! If you hadn't been poisoned, why would Master Ye use such a method to save you... Master Ye is really something too, making a living person soak in icy water for hours at a time - who could endure that!"
Xiao Jin Yu smiled calmly, letting her massage his terribly swollen joints. "If Master Ye hadn't acted decisively back then, you'd be someone else's wife now..."
"I'd never be someone else's wife!" Chu Chu glanced up at the bright red wedding invitation on the table and pouted. "Shi Niang is so beautiful, but what's so great about Grand Tutor Xue?... With that big beard, kissing him would definitely be prickly!"
Xiao Jin Yu burst out laughing, momentarily forgetting his pain as his body shook with laughter.
"Wang Ye, you're not allowed to grow a beard in the future!"
"Alright... no beard, no beard..."
Seeing how much pain Xiao Jin Yu was in, Chu Chu wanted to suggest he just send congratulations later to Xue Rucheng, but before she could speak, the Xue residence steward came personally to fetch them.
Having been a frequent visitor to the Xue residence since childhood, Xiao Jin Yu had practically grown up before the old steward's eyes. Even so, Xiao Jin Yu still dressed properly before receiving him, nodding slightly with polite courtesy. "I've kept Uncle Zhang waiting."
Uncle Zhang waved his hands repeatedly, looking with a pained smile at Xiao Jin Yu's exhausted face. "I told the master we shouldn't trouble Wang Ye to come back and forth on such a damp, cold day..."
Just as Chu Chu was about to nod vigorously, Uncle Zhang added, "But the master insisted he has urgent matters to discuss with you, and said if Wang Ye and the Imperial Concubine don't attend, none of the other guests should bother coming either."
Xiao Jin Yu smiled faintly. "Perfect timing. I also have matters to consult with Master... Xue Ming heard about this yesterday and agreed to come offer congratulations too."
Uncle Zhang's eyes widened like a bullfrog's. "Sec... Second Young Master is coming to congratulate the master?"
"Yes... I'll also bring two decent chefs from my residence. Feel free to put them to work wherever they can help."
Before Uncle Zhang could recover from his shock, delight followed. "Wang Ye always knows this old servant's difficulties! The whole household is in chaos preparing for this wedding - the kitchen is the busiest of all. If Wang Ye hadn't mentioned it, I would have had to borrow chefs from elsewhere later!"
"No need for formalities... If you need any other help, just say the word."
"Thank you, Wang Ye!"
The emperor's aunt was marrying the current Grand Tutor. Chu Chu thought this wedding's grandeur couldn't possibly be inferior to when Xiao Xiang married Wu Jiang. So when she stepped down from the carriage at the Xue residence gate and saw not even a single red double-happiness character posted, she was genuinely taken aback.
Walking further in, she did see servants busily hanging lanterns and decorating, but Chu Chu just couldn't feel the same festive atmosphere as during Wu Jiang's wedding. Perhaps because of the overcast, rainy weather, Chu Chu felt the large mansion was chillingly cold - though people bustled about everywhere, she sensed very little human warmth.
The moment Xue Ming entered the main hall, he frowned with an icy expression and asked Uncle Zhang, "When will the princess arrive?"Zhang Bo bowed respectfully, answering with utmost care, "Second Young Master... the princess has been living in the mansion for over a year now. She said everything should be kept simple—just moving from the small building in the western courtyard where she resides to the master's chambers will suffice."
Xue Ming snorted through his nostrils and turned to leave.
Zhang Bo hurried after him, "Second Young Master, the princess is already dressing and preparing herself. Please don't..." Before he could finish, Xue Ming turned and shot him a cold glare, causing Zhang Bo to halt immediately. The rest of his words were swallowed back, replaced by a sigh.
Chu Chu frowned and whispered into Xiao Jin Yu's ear, "Wang Ye, will Lord Xue bully Shi Niang?"
Although that woman always wore a fierce and menacing expression, compared to Xue Ming's temper, Chu Chu truly didn't know who would come out on top.
Xiao Jin Yu shook his head slightly and coughed softly a few times. Zhang Bo quickly interjected, "Wang Ye, the hall is drafty. The master is waiting for you in the southern building."
"Alright..."
Zhang Bo led the two to a three-story wooden building in the rear courtyard. "Wang Ye, the master is resting on the third floor."
Xiao Jin Yu frowned imperceptibly, then turned to Chu Chu and said, "Chu Chu, you go up first and pay your respects to Grand Tutor Xue... I'll join you shortly after speaking with Zhang Bo."
Seeing Xiao Jin Yu's serious expression, Chu Chu could only nod. "Oh... alright."
After watching Chu Chu run upstairs, Xiao Jin Yu waited a good while before speaking. "Zhang Bo... when did Shi Niang move into the mansion?"
Zhang Bo shook his head with a bitter smile, glanced upstairs, and lowered his voice. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure when she moved in... It was over a year ago. Once, I urgently needed to speak with the master and entered his study without knocking. That's when I saw the master and Shi Niang... well, in the study. Later, the master told me to tidy up the small building in the western courtyard, and she's been living there ever since."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded faintly. "Then why has the master only now decided to marry Shi Niang?"
"Who knows... Wang Ye, you're well aware of the master's whims. He often comes up with odd ideas and has given you plenty of trouble before..."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded with a bitter smile.
Zhang Bo glanced at Xiao Jin Yu's frail figure leaning lightly in the wheelchair. "Wang Ye, the stairs here are difficult to climb. Allow this old servant to carry you up."
Xiao Jin Yu looked up at the wooden building. Zhang Bo knew his temperament well—offering such assistance was not merely out of politeness. The small building stood by the lake, and to ensure ventilation and prevent dampness, each floor was significantly higher than in ordinary houses. The staircase was naturally much longer, and to maintain its aesthetic appeal, the steps were both high and narrow. While ordinary people might not find it particularly uncomfortable, for his body, even two years ago, climbing it would have been as difficult as scaling a cliff with bare hands.
Xiao Jin Yu sighed silently. "I'll trouble you, Zhang Bo."
OpenNovel