Chapter 47

Soon, the Cheng Clan also sent word, saying they wanted Lu Bao'er to change her surname and be entered into the Cheng Clan genealogy. After all, she was a descendant of the main branch; the main branch couple had both perished, so she must follow the line and pass on the surname.

However, Lu Bao'er got along well with her foster father Lu Jin, and she refused no matter what. Thus, the letter from the Cheng Clan was suppressed by her; the Cheng Clan is far away in Tong Prefecture—could they possibly come up to the capital to seize her? Lu Bao'er wasn't the slightest bit afraid, and so the matter came to nothing.

After Old Lady Su learned of this, she didn't take it to heart much. She had dared to seize Cheng Lingyan back then, and now she dared to keep Lu Bao'er in the capital.

Whether her surname is Cheng or not, what does it matter to her? If Lu Bao'er sweetly calls her grandmother once, that's enough. Besides, a trip to Tong Prefecture takes ten days or half a month; she couldn't bear to let Lu Bao'er trek over mountains and rivers to that remote corner.

Naturally, Xie Junling knew about Lu Bao'er's situation. His colleagues at the Hanlin Academy had originally envied Shen Yun for catching the eye of the Minister of Revenue and marrying his daughter. Who would have thought that Xie Junling married the daughter of a Grand Secretary instead, whose maternal grandmother was still the Princess of Qingping—wasn't that still some imperial relation in the blood?

Thus, more people flocked to flatter Xie Junling. Shen Yun's sole advantage from his wife's family vanished as well, leaving him feeling even more frustrated and unfulfilled. Whenever he returned home, he would go straight to Cui Yuan's room, ignoring Li Jiao entirely. This caused Li Jiao to cry who knows how many nights, lamenting her bitter fate.

Lu Bao'er returned to the Xie residence, just as the maid was laying out dishes in the Flower Hall. Hearing the sound of her washing up, Xie Junling lifted the curtain and glanced at her: 'Madam, you've been to the Fu residence several times these days—do you feel more backed now?' Lu Bao'er knew Xie Junling was teasing her about having her natal family to rely on, having risen from a rustic background all the way to becoming an official's daughter.

Lu Bao'er gave a light cough, straightened her face, and said: 'Third Uncle said that if you treat me badly, I'll give you a good thrashing.'

Xie Junling hadn't expected her to be the sort who, given a little leeway, would open a dye shop. He clicked his tongue and said: 'You are the granddaughter of the Princess of Qingping—how could I possibly dare to mistreat you? Tell me, where have I fallen short?'

Lu Bao'er thought it over; Xie Junling had been fairly good to her day-to-day. His kindness toward her had little to do with whether her family background was prominent or not—he didn't even have any maternal relatives, let alone need help from the Fu family.

But Lu Bao'er was in the middle of trading barbs with Xie Junling—how could she let herself lose the exchange?

Thus, Lu Bao'er said solemnly: 'Your treatment of me isn't entirely good, you see—today it's a bit hot, I want an ice bowl, but you stop me, saying ice is too precious.'

Hearing this, Xie Junling gave a cold laugh. It wasn't that he pitied the ice; rather, Lu Bao'er had a weak stomach, and in the summer she greedily ate two bowls of red-bean shaved ice one after another, afterwards suffering stomachaches. Finding her annoying and unaware of how to look after herself, he made up the excuse that ice was too costly, claiming they'd have to set up an ice mountain in the room to cool off—hardly worth her splurging like that.

He had thought the little maid would surely understand his good intentions, but instead she came to hate him in her heart. This ungrateful little thing, Xie Junling gritted his teeth and said: 'You actually think I'm too stingy as your husband?'

Lu Bao'er heard the odd tone in his voice and muttered: 'I didn't say that.'

Xie Junling couldn't be bothered with her; only after the meal did he whisper in her ear: 'If that's the case, then I'll treat you even better.'

'Huh?' Xie Junling suddenly had an epiphany, leaving Lu Bao'er utterly astonished.

Who would have thought, Xie Junling then drawled: 'Everyone says a woman without a son can't stand firm in the inner courtyard; since you want me to treat you better, you should first put some effort into bearing a legitimate son. Look, I'm considering you in every way—am I treating you well or not?'

He spoke with a warm, gentle smile, but his words struck like a thunderclap in Lu Bao'er's ears, making her legs go weak.

To be frank, she didn't dislike being close to Xie Junling; it was just that he was too bothersome in bed, making her unable to avoid him. Thus, Lu Bao'er would sit in the courtyard to cool off during the day and never return to her room.

Once, he even came to her door wearing a thin single robe, arms crossed, leaning against the frame, and called: 'Still not asleep? I've lit mosquito-repellent grass inside— isn't it cooler in there? Where does your hobby come from, insisting on feeding mosquitoes in the courtyard?'

His dark, long hair was loosely bound with a pale white hairband, occasionally covering his brows and eyes, making his pupil color hard to discern. At this moment, the sash of his middle garment was undone, faintly revealing a smooth torso, inviting wild imagination.

Lu Bao'er's hesitant gaze met Xie Junling's, and her cheeks flushed at once. She coughed lightly several times before diverting his attention elsewhere, whispering: 'Is your throat uncomfortable?'

'Hmm.' Lu Bao'er had been feeling a bit heated lately, mainly from eating too much smoked poultry.

Xie Junling furrowed his brows and called: 'Go back to your room and wait; don't stay out in the wind.'

'Where are you going, husband?' Lu Bao'er asked, seeing Xie Junling drape himself in a wide-sleeved robe and step out the door, unable to curb her curiosity.

Xie Junling replied nonchalantly: 'I'm going to tell the night‑watch servants outside to stew a bowl of Chuanbei pear soup for you to drink.'

'Oh.' Lu Bao'er nodded, obediently returning to her room to wait. She had already bathed; she had merely felt a little guilty seeing Xie Junling come back so early.

As for why the maids didn't stay in the courtyard, it was simply that Lu Bao'er feared some nighttime noise would be overheard and embarrass her, so she sent them all to keep watch outside; if she needed someone summoned, Xie Junling would help her call them in—nothing more than fetching water to wash up.

Lu Bao'er waited half an hour; Xie Junling finally returned, and the granny brought the Chuanbei pear soup to the table, urging Lu Bao'er to drink it while hot.

In the master's inner chambers, it's inconvenient for servants to attend at night—who would want to be intimate while having servants barge in?

The granny understood this as well, and dutifully took her leave.

Lu Bao'er found it hot and refused to drink. Xie Junling also feared she'd wait until the soup cooled and then get a stomachache at night, so he picked up the spoon, brought it to her lips to cool it, and fed her, saying: 'Open your mouth.'

Seeing Xie Junling solemnly feeding her the soup, Lu Bao'er's face flushed; she took a sip of the warm pear soup and muttered: 'I'm not a child—do I really need you to feed me?'

Xie Junling snorted coldly: 'What about you doesn't look like a child? You're clearly this old, yet you keep doing childish things.'

'I said no.' Lu Bao'er's temper flared; she blinked her misty almond eyes, leaned in, and lightly pecked Xie Junling's lips, saying: 'Can a child do something like this?'

Caught off guard by her sudden kiss, Xie Junling nearly dropped the spoon in his hand. He suddenly felt his mouth dry and tongue parched, and in a hoarse voice he drawled slowly: 'Oh, looks like you're an adult now. Since you're an adult, you naturally ought to do adult things.'

Having said that, he seized Lu Bao'er's wrist and pressed his weight upon her.

Afterward… no matter how Lu Bao'er shouted, 'Husband, what are you doing tying me up?!' it was no use—she had brought it upon herself, like a lamb walking into a tiger's den.