Chapter 54: Chapter Fifty-Four

Old Lady Su was an elder, so no matter how displeased Yan Shi felt, she dared not show it in her presence and could only suffer in silence. She was anxious, breaking out in a cold sweat, afraid that when she returned she would be subjected to snide remarks from her elder sister-in-law, who would say she had mishandled things and try to pin a blame on her, and would also fall out of favor with Old Lady Cheng.

But Old Lady Su was so difficult to deal with, and Lu Bao'er was soft-hearted, always obeying her maternal grandmother, so there was nothing she could do.

Thinking this over, Yan Shi could only grit her teeth and stay longer in Jingdu, waiting for a future visit to Lu Bao'er's home to bring it up again.

During this meal, Old Lady Su and the old granny were both quite pleased. One reason was that she had silenced Yan Shi, and the Cheng family couldn't immediately take Lu Bao'er back; the other was seeing Old Lady Su protect Lu Bao'er so thoroughly, not letting her suffer the slightest injustice, which made her feel deeply affectionate.

Lu Bao'er returned to the Xie mansion, already exhausted. She wasn't unaware that Yan Shi and Old Lady Su were at odds; rather, as a junior, getting involved would bring her no benefit, and besides, she truly didn't want to go back to the Cheng household. She hadn't grown up in the Cheng family, so she wasn't familiar with the relatives there. Leaving aside whether the visitors were friends or foes, even if they genuinely doted on the eldest branch's children, the Cheng family had never come to fetch the former Cheng Lingyan. Why, then, did they suddenly become eager for her? Lu Bao'er hadn't not considered the reason involving Xie Junling; at this moment her heart felt sour, because she had taken a liking to Xie Junling, thinking he was the real delicacy.

Having thought this, Lu Bao'er couldn't help but glance up and down at Xie Junling, who sat with his eyes closed on one side of the carriage, resting. His features were orderly and refined; not to mention his learning, even his appearance was top-notch, no wonder he was well liked.

Noticing Lu Bao'er's fervent gaze, Xie Junling opened his eyes and asked lightly, "Madam, what are you looking at?"

Lu Bao'er propped her chin with one hand and said leisurely, "I'm just checking which part of my husband attracts the most favor."

Hearing this, Xie Junling tugged the corner of his mouth and smiled. "Which part of me wins affection? Don't you know?"

Lu Bao'er stood frozen like a wooden chicken; after a moment she realized there was a hidden meaning in his words, her face flushed, and she coquettishly snapped, "My husband is truly a scoundrel."

Xie Junling wasn't annoyed; he gave her a lazy glance and said, "It doesn't matter who I please, as long as I have your favor it's enough."

Those words made Lu Bao'er's heart jump; she wanted to ask for details, but Xie Junling had already stepped down from the carriage.

At the gate of the Xie mansion, Xie Junling reached out by the carriage frame and said, "Madam, you're taking your time to get down—are you wanting me to hold you as I bring you down?"

Seeing the servants all around, Lu Bao'er felt her face burn as Xie Junling dared to utter such embarrassing words openly. She stiffened her neck and awkwardly refused, "No need."

Who would have thought that as soon as her words left her mouth, her foot slipped and she fell straight into Xie Junling's warm embrace.

Xie Junling's clear, warm laugh rang out from above her head—clearly he was mocking her. Lu Bao'er didn't dare lift her head, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. She said she didn't want him to hold her while getting down, yet she ended up falling into his arms anyway.

Xie Junling held Lu Bao'er tightly, steadied her on her feet. While fixing her hairpin, he leaned close to her ear and said lightly, "If you really want me to hold you, just say so; there's no need to hide it or concoct a scheme of throwing yourself into my arms."

Lu Bao'er very much wanted to retort—when had she ever thrown herself into his arms? Xie Junling was clearly talking nonsense!

While she was fuming, Xie Junling took her hand and strolled into the mansion with graceful ease. Though they lacked the restrained propriety expected of a scholarly family, they exuded the tranquil bliss of a young married couple, making one's heart surge.

Having already dined at the Fu household, Lu Bao'er and Xie Junling went straight to bathe and change. When the old granny held out a long towel to dry Lu Bao'er's damp black hair, Xie Junling took over the incense‑warmed gilt brazier, saying, "I'll dry the lady's hair; you may withdraw."

The old granny stared, but she did not stop the young couple from getting close; she gave a glance to the serving maids nearby, dismissing them all.

For a moment the inner chamber held only Lu Bao'er and Xie Junling. Earlier, in Jinhua Town, Xie Junling had indeed helped dry Lu Bao'er's hair, but back then he merely used a dry cloth to wring it out repeatedly, and in winter perhaps lit a charcoal brazier while she sat beside it, with Xie Junling tending to it.

Now that there are people at home, why does Xie Junling still personally attend to such trivial chores?

Lu Bao'er was a bit puzzled, but she didn't mind; she greatly enjoyed Xie Junling's attentiveness.

Xie Junling sat on the edge of the bed, patted his hand, and said, "Come over, I'll dry your hair."

Lu Bao'er nodded, moved over, and rested her head on Xie Junling's knee. Her long hair fell to the floor; he casually lifted it with one hand while the other held the incense brazier, gently warming her hair. The fragrance—whether osmanthus or jasmine—was fresh and pleasing, not overpowering enough to be offensive. No wonder Lu Bao'er always carried a scent; it must be that her everyday clothes are perfumed.

Lu Bao'er leaned against Xie Junling's knee and soon grew drowsy. Her eyes were half‑closed, like a child's—both playful and sleepy.

Xie Junling couldn't help but chuckle, reached out to pinch a lock of hair, saw it was mostly dry, and told Lu Bao'er, "Move aside, lie down on the bed to sleep, don't get cold."

Yet the inner chamber was too warm; after Xie Junling played with her hair a few times, Lu Bao'er fell asleep like a contented kitten being stroked. Her long dark lashes cast a shadow, making her nose bridge appear straight and her lips slightly pouted; one couldn't tell what she might be dreaming about.

Recalling her usual spoiled, playful demeanor—like a fluffy‑fur cat—Xie Junling's gaze softened. He couldn't help but lower his head, draw near Lu Bao'er, and then lightly kiss her cheek.

The young lady still hadn't awakened; Xie Junling could do nothing about it, yet a mischievous thought arose. He whispered to Lu Bao'er, "Husband wants to ask you a few things; if you don't voice objection, that counts as consent."

Lu Bao'er slept soundly, unaware that Xie Junling still had such odd tricks up his sleeve.

Seeing no reaction from her, Xie Junling gave a light cough and said, "You are fond of me, aren't you?"

He had never said such a thing to Lu Bao'er before—she was his wife, so what was there to speak of liking or fondness? Xie Junling was rather timid; he dared not bluntly press her, fearing the young lady might utter something unpleasant. Although he often domineered over Lu Bao'er excessively, in truth he felt far more inferior than she did.

Such sweet nothings he would only dare utter in the deep of night, when all was quiet, speaking to her.

Seeing Lu Bao'er remain silent, Xie Junling's lips twitched upward slightly, as if some wish of his had been fulfilled.

He held Lu Bao'er to the inner side of the bed, covered her with a blanket, and before extinguishing the lamp murmured, "I, too, am fond of you."

Unfortunately, Lu Bao'er heard none of it.