Jian Xubai remained stern until he went to sleep.
After putting down the curtain, he didnât even touch her finger, let alone cuddling her!
Song Yixiao attempted to pull his hand but she was slapped away by him coldly. When she tried again, Jian Xubai didnât slap her hand anymore. Instead, he just stared at her silently with disdain, as if he wished to distance himself from her.
âWell! He still seems to be angry now.â Song Yixiao noticed his lingering anger so she gave up trying. She pulled up the quilt and closed her eyes, âIn this case, I may as well sleep first. Maybe he will realize that he is making a fuss willfully and then will stop being angry?â
However, Jian Xubai was still waiting for his wifeâs consoling himâ¦
He stared at the top of the bed net and took a few deep breaths so as to hold back his impulse to push his wife off the bed!
Over the night Jian Xubai kept turning over every once a while. On the contrary, Song Yixiao slept so well that she didnât find out about her husbandâs turning backward and forward. Of course, she didnât even apologize or try to soothe him in time!
By the late night, Jian Xubai had reached the end of his forbearance so he purposefully pushed her to the bed edge. However, she just rolled over without waking up!
âHow about just pushing her off the bed?â Jian Xubai estimated the distance between the bed edge and ottoman and was about to do it when he saw the moonlight through the half-open window cast on them.
Song Yixiao, who was in a deep sleep, had a few locks of glittering black hair on her cheeks, which even reflected the brightness of flawlessness of her skin. She looked as if integrating with the moonlight. Obviously, she was not much affected by todayâs conflict. Instead, she was so peaceful that Jian Xubai almost went mad.
Nevertheless, when he saw his wifeâs thick and long eyelashes coated with a layer of crystalline moonlight, which slightly vibrated just like the butterflyâs wings as she breathed, he was unconsciously more or less consoled and mollified.
He was in a trance for a long while and yet Song Yixiao was not aware at all. She even slightly pouted her mouth for thirst or some other reason. As such, Jian Xubai subconsciously looked at her lips.
Song Yixiaoâs lips were extremely perfectly shaped and light pink. They were not as red as those of a standard beauty, but they were as pink and tender as sakura, making him so anxious to kiss her on the lips.
âThe name Yixiao fits her very well.â Jian Xubai stared at his wifeâs flowery lips and suddenly had an idea, âShe is even prettier when she smilesâ¦â
The bell for the fourth watch came from the distance outside the high wall of the mansion, awaking him from the trance, âIâve spent the whole night watching her?â
This was not the point!
The point was that they just had a quarrel yesterday!
Consequently, Song Yixiao slept so well with no cares while he was lost in various fancies and conjectures, awake over the night!
He felt that his dignity had been heavily struck as a husband. Jian Xubaiâs romantic thought faded away instantly. When he looked at his wife, despite her beauty, she still appeared annoying now!
âGet up! Get up!â Out of extreme fury, Jian Xubai took a deep breath. Then he grabbed his wifeâs shoulders and shook them harshly, yelling at her, âItâs too late now. Why are you still sleeping? Get up and serve me!â
Roused from sleep, Song Yixiao heard his yelling and took his words to be true. In a hurry she got up and made preparations. After getting dressed, she saw Jian Xubai still leaning against the pillar with a cold face. Seemingly, he didnât intend to dress himself at all. She recalled the quarrel that happened yesterday and thought he should be still angry at the moment. Hence, she went to fetch Jian Xubaiâs clothes from the nearby shelf and then raised the clothes to the bedside, âXubai?â
Jian Xubai took a glance at her playfully and then got off bed leisurely, stretching out his arms to let her help dress him up.
As Jian Xubaiâs wife, Song Yixiao didnât mind helping him put on clothes. However, Jian Xubai was very picky today. Even an unflattened wrinkle on his robe would incur his scornful words and jeering smiles. Luckily, Song Yixiao was ready to please him. Therefore, regardless of his attitude, she only said âyesâ.
After a while, she eventually helped Jian Xubai tie up the palace sash of the jade pendant and then squatted on the ground to look over his dress. She didnât stand up and say with a sweet smile until she made sure everything was okay. âXubai, you are good to go now!â
With a long face, Jian Xubai didnât even take a glance at her but to give a flick of his sleeves, âAsk the maids to come in now!â
âAlas!â Song Yixiao nodded her head obediently and hedged as if she just saw the copper funnel at the corner of the room, shouting, âXubai! Itâs almost time. If you donât set off as soon as possible, you will be late for the court meeting. What shall we do?â
Looking at Jian Xubaiâs sudden fierce eyes, Song Yixiao refrained from gloating and said regretfully, âIt seems that you can only skip the breakfast to wash yourself and leave! It is cold now. When you go to court, you will spend two or four hours there, for which you wonât be able to eat anything. Thinking of this, I feel so sorry for youâ¦â
She heaved a sigh unctuously, âBut if you eat at the masterâs table, then you owe the master your loyalty. Xubai, you have no other choices but to bear with it!â
Jian Xubai had created a lot of difficulties for her.
When he had to stay outside the palace with an empty stomach, he couldnât be happy then!
Song Yixiao was reveling in having avenged herself on him. Unexpectedly, after a while, Jinxun conducted two maids inside and caught sight of them in surprise. She asked the two maids to serve Jian Xubai while she served Song Yixiao herself, asking in a low voice, âMadam, why do you get up so early?â
âEarly?â Song Yixiao was shocked, âHe is almost late for the court meeting!â
âThe court meeting?â Jinxun got shocked too, âIsnât His Highness off today?â
Song Yixiao was speechless.
She remained still for a while before she turned around to look at Jian Xubai. He unveiled the warm towel from his face and threw it into the basin. When he happened to make eye contact with Song Yixiao, he felt pleased instantly and gave her a big smile.
How similar his exaltation and schadenfreude were to her previous feelings!
Song Yixiao was speechless!
What kind of life she was living!
âI heard that you were going to pay Sister a visit. I happen to be off today so I may as well go with you!â After a while, they sat down in the drawing room and then the servants set the table. Noticing that Song Yixiao was still glaring at him angrily, Jian Xubai felt so great that his smile could hardly be hidden!
He coughed and tried to pull on a sincere look, âIt has been some days since I didnât meet Sister. I kind of miss her!â
Song Yixiao remained silent. Jian Xubai thought for an instant and then reached for the shrimp dumpling before her.
As expected, before his chopsticks touched the shrimp dumpling, Song Yixiao suddenly nabbed it away swiftly and took a bite at once!
Afterwards, she glanced at him with a defiant look.
âTake it easy. Donât get choked!â Jian Xubai looked to her smilingly in a loving tone with a soft face, and even lifted the nearby silver kettle to pour half a bowl of warm rose syrup for her, âI was going to give it to you⦠Would you like some more?â
Song Yixiao looked aside, put down the chopsticks and left quietly⦠She felt desperate to find a place to calm herself down!
Why was she always the one being bullied?
This man was so cruel, shameless and unreasonable!
Unlike her, who was sad and depressed, Jian Xubai felt so happy and contented. Even after they arrived at Commandery Princess Qingjiangâs mansion in two hours and were conducted into the inner hall, he still looked very pleased.
âYixiao told me that she would pay me a visit the other day but she didnât come in the end. I was quite worried then. Afterwards, I heard that one of her servants was arrested by the Yamen of the Jingzhao Municipality.â Commandery Princess Qingjiang ordered to bring some desserts. When Jian Xubai and Song Yixiao both lifted the tea bowl, she said smilingly, âToday youâve come here together and Xubai looks full of joy, Iâll be relieved then!â
Just after she finished talking, Jian Xubai got happier and looked at his wife. As expected, Song Yixiao became even more upset but she had to reply with a forced smile, âThank you for your concern! It is only a family issue. Unfortunately, they brought it to court on impulse. Iâm so sorry to have kept you waiting for me!â
On the way here, Jian Xubai mentioned that Qiu Shuxia disliked him very much and yet loved Commandery Princess Qingjiang. Therefore, it was not necessary to tell Commandery Princess Qingjiang that You Hongâs case had something to do with Qiu Shuxia so that she wouldnât feel embarrassed.
Now Song Yixiao just skated over the topic and then paid respects to her sister-in-law, âHow are you these days? How is Pingâan doing?â
Commandery Princess Qingjiang said smilingly, âWe are both okay.â She stayed silent for a while and then took a look at Jian Xubai, adding, âPingâan is feeling well today. Iâm thinking about asking him to pay you respects. What do you think?â
Generally, if an uncle and his wife came to pay a visit, the nephew must pay them regards. Otherwise, he would be defying the seniors.
However, Zhuo Pingâan was a different case. He might go mad all of a sudden and even kill people. In no way could he be locked up amidst meeting his uncle and aunt. Who knew whether he would go crazy suddenly upon paying respects to the seniors?
Therefore, although Commandery Princess Qingjiang wanted to improve the relationship between Jian Xubai and Pingâan, she still needed to ask Jian Xubai and his wife first. Otherwise, she would overreach herself by bringing her son here.
âI have a gift for him today.â Song Yixiao nodded her head with a smile and still felt terrified. After all, she was a weak woman, who couldnât deal with the unreasonable violent acts.
Since Commandery Princess Qingjiang asked for their opinion, if Song Yixiao refused her, she would offend this sister-in-law and might be rendered as unconcerned as kinship and timid.
Therefore, she could only hold back her perturbation and then say in a soft voice, âIf he doesnât come to meet us, I will take the gift back home then!â
âOf course!â Commandery Princess Qingjiang was relieved with a thankful look, saying smilingly, âIt is the first time that a legitimate uncle and his wife have come to visit. If Pingâan doesnât show himself to give a kowtow and pay respects, how can he accept your gift?â
They chatted for a while. After a while, footsteps came from outside and some figures showed up by the entrance. Several maids in green conducted an elegantly dressed young man with hair disheveled inside fearfully.
Song Yixiao was sure that the young man must be Zhuo Pingâan. She looked to the comers, nervous and curious.