The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Meng Qingxin and another person gradually disappeared into the distance.

Ning Qingge finally spoke and asked, “Madam?”

Not only Meng Qingxin and Xiao Jing felt surprised, but even Ning Qingge heard this address for the first time today. Someone was present earlier, so she couldn’t mention it. Now she finally asked the question.

Sheng Shiyue, who suddenly caused this situation, acted confidently. She raised her eyebrow and asked, “Why, can’t I call you that?”

Meng Qingxin and the other person should have stayed longer to see this increasingly lawless behavior. Ning Qingge only asked a question, but Sheng Shiyue started glaring with slanted eyebrows. If Ning Qingge’s tone worsened, Sheng Shiyue might turn to find servants and make them change their address again.

Fortunately, Ning Qingge always showed good temper in front of her. She held the other’s hand in her palm and coaxed gently, “You can call me that. I just didn’t react in time.”

“I think you adapted well,” Sheng Shiyue said, not believing her.

Ning Qingge looked at her helplessly. Perhaps due to the rush on the way, the jade hairpin holding her hair bun loosened slightly. A strand fell over her forehead, softening the威严 conveyed by her purple robe and golden jade belt. Instead, she appeared inexplicably charming and affectionate.

Sheng Shiyue turned her head and said, “Since you don’t like it, I’ll make them change it now.”

This person went too far. The Prime Minister already compromised repeatedly, just not saying it outright. Yet Sheng Shiyue pressed on and even threatened her.

Ning Qingge only called out, “Little Nine.”

Her usual voice sounded clear like spring water, pleasant but not like this moment. The slightly drawn-out tone with a light ending resembled a butterfly’s wings landing on bamboo leaves, gentle and indulgent.

She added, “I like it.”

As if to emphasize, she gently pulled Sheng Shiyue closer. Their foreheads touched, and their noses brushed, letting the other see her sincerity and joy. She said, “If you could change your address too, then…”

Before she finished, someone pushed her away. Sheng Shiyue’s earlobes reddened under her hair. She said shyly and awkwardly, “Don’t misunderstand. I just thought they kept calling you Prime Minister, Prime Minister, and it felt too formal, so I made them change it.”

Clearly, she started this fuss and forced Ning Qingge to express her feelings. But when the other followed along, this cat curled up, covered its face with its tail, and began to evade.

Ning Qingge had some experience teasing cats. She knew this person hadn’t reached the point of bristling, so she asked, “What about Sister-in-law? Is that too formal too?”

The address that made Sheng Shiyue smug earlier now embarrassed her more. She gritted her teeth and insisted, “Yes, it is!”

Her eyes darted, and she wanted to regain the lost initiative. She said, “You’re my wife now. What’s wrong with them calling you Sister-in-law? It’s only natural.”

If Meng Qingxin and others heard, they might comment on her unreasonable antics. But Ning Qingge didn’t. The fiercer the other acted, the softer she became. She even agreed, “Little Nine is right. It should be like this.”

Sheng Shiyue’s bad temper reached this level today, largely because of Ning Qingge’s indulgence.

That person hummed and actually accepted it.

But Ning Qingge smiled lightly and pulled the person back into her arms. The small gap from earlier closed again, their clothes pressing together.

Then, Ning Qingge slightly tilted her head. Her lips, opening and closing, brushed the other’s earlobe intentionally or not. She said, “If Madam Little Nine is thirsty, will Little Nine feed her?”

Sheng Shiyue didn’t react at first, only feeling the other’s warm breath on her earlobe. Then she understood and raised her hand to push the person, shouting, “Ning Qingge, you’re improper!”

The other had anticipated this. She grabbed Sheng Shiyue’s hand. Sheng Shiyue failed to push and lost her ability to resist. Then the other pulled her.

The small patch of green bamboo beside the moon gate rustled as it was bumped. Ning Qingge’s back pressed against the white wall, and Sheng Shiyue leaned on her.

Sheng Shiyue’s breath paused. She couldn’t tell if this person planned it or acted on impulse. Ning Qingge chose this spot too cleverly. To the left was the unobstructed moon gate, and to the right was a carved stone window for decoration. They stood in the gap, hidden from everyone’s sight.

“Your Highness,” Ning Qingge called softly, as if asking. But having gone this far, how could she give Sheng Shiyue a chance to refuse?

The other blinked, suddenly clear-headed at this moment. She recalled earlier events and realized with surprise that Ning Qingge only pretended to be gentle. In truth, she was assertive and wouldn’t tolerate any loss.

For example, with simple addresses, she competed. Just now, it was Little Nine this, Little Nine that. When Sheng Shiyue called her Ning Qingge, it became Your Highness.

Sheng Shiyue had no time to think further. The hand on her waist tightened, its warmth seeming to pass through the thin gauze.

The slightly shorter Ning Qingge tilted her head. Her soft lips brushed the other’s mouth corner, murmuring, “Be good, don’t get distracted.”

See, she even controlled whether Sheng Shiyue stayed focused, wanting her to be entirely consumed by her now. What an impatient hunter.

Did she think Sheng Shiyue was so easy to fool, so easy to hook?

Sheng Shiyue felt very annoyed and bit the other’s lip as punishment.

The successful hunter laughed, lightly touching the other’s lips, as if appeasing or inviting.

The hand on her waist moved up, along the spine, tracing each vertebra, then rested on Sheng Shiyue’s nape. Cool fingertips stroked the delicate skin, reminiscent of a palace concubine coaxing a lion cat on her lap.

Sheng Shiyue finally relented but wasn’t so easily appeased. At least she left a small dent on the other’s lip.

To prevent someone from recalling this at night and getting angry, Ning Qingge decided to let the other go further.

Her fingertips pressed the nape, the gap under the protruding round bone, effortlessly making the other lower her head, deepening the kiss.

Their breaths intertwined, purple robe and green skirt pressed together. A faint water sound arose.

Ning Qingge initially held the initiative, occasionally stroking the other’s nape to encourage, coaxing her to go further.

But later, she struggled to keep up. After all, this Qianyuan, five years younger, always fell into water during the hot season. Over time, her breath-holding skill surpassed ordinary people.

When Sheng Shiyue knew nothing before, Ning Qingge could take the lead. But now, Sheng Shiyue went from clumsy to skilled, even pulling tricks Ning Qingge didn’t know.

At least she was a playboy frequenting brothels, having seen much, just not fully practiced.

Footsteps suddenly sounded nearby. Several servants approached, chatting and laughing. Words like Madam faintly reached them, discussing something unknown.

Ning Qingge tensed and raised her hand to push the other, trying to warn.

But the other ignored it, even deliberately making smacking sounds.

A breeze slipped through the stone window, rustling bamboo leaves.

Ning Qingge turned her head to dodge, but this person pursued relentlessly. Her right hand gripped her jaw, not only refusing to part but showing intent to continue.

The initiative shifted. The usually composed Prime Minister finally showed a trace of nervousness. Her slender back pressed tightly against the wall, her breathing deliberately slowed. Yet the other continued, like a young wolf biting its prey’s neck, stealing her thinning oxygen.

On the other side of the wall, voices grew closer. Their conversation became fully audible, discussing how Sheng Shiyue kicked her out of the room days ago and later invited her back.

A younger-sounding girl laughed, “Guess when Your Highness and Madam will sleep apart again?”

Her companion replied firmly, “Your Highness just made us change our address today. They’re probably still in sweet harmony. They won’t fight soon.”

Others chimed in agreement.

But the girl laughed and countered, “Who knows? With our Highness’s arrogant and unruly temper, who knows when she’ll stir trouble, grab a pillow, and run off?”

Her words held no malice, sounding like a playful tease.

Yet Ning Qingge frowned slightly.

While she felt indignant for Sheng Shiyue, Sheng Shiyue still misbehaved on her lips, nibbling that small, round lip bead, teasing it finely with her tongue tip.

Ning Qingge slightly opened her eyes. Her gaze blurred with unbearable mist, only vaguely seeing the other’s crimson eye corners curve with a smile, willful and naughty, as if the word “deliberate” was written on her face.

The footsteps grew closer.

Ning Qingge’s oxygen-deprived mind blurred, finally feeling a trace of regret. These days, she indulged in teasing, seeing Sheng Shiyue retreat repeatedly, and forgot this person’s true nature.

Ning Qingge felt like she was raising a young wolf. At first, she bullied the cub’s naivety and lack of resistance. But as the wolf grew, it bared sharp teeth, nipping her fingertip. Perhaps soon, it would bite her neck, showing who truly held control.

Realizing the consequences, Ning Qingge didn’t stop. She raised her hand, hooked the other’s neck, and indulged. At worst, a few people would see.

Sheng Shiyue muffled a laugh, still clinging to the other’s red lips, refusing to let go, planting soft kisses.

Clearly, the Prime Minister’s response pleased her.

The group heard the noise and paused, calling, “Who’s there?”

A moment later, a slightly hoarse voice lazily spat, “Scram.”

In this mansion, who dared act so arrogantly besides the Ninth Highness?

The group, just laughing and joking, fell silent, scrambling to flee. But someone drawled, “Whoever said I have a bad temper, go to Aunt Qu for punishment. Half a month’s pay docked.”

Even joking wasn’t allowed. This person held grudges!

The girl’s face fell, replying miserably, “Yes.”

In contrast, Sheng Shiyue’s smile spilled from her upturned eye corners, her stunning charm undeniable even in excess.

Ning Qingge’s breath hitched. Before she could say anything, this person stuck to her again, biting her lip and saying hoarsely, “Are you going to scold me? Don’t be so petty, fussing over a little maid.”

Ning Qingge hadn’t said anything, yet accusations piled up, as if threatening that if she didn’t give this ancestor a satisfactory reply, worse things would happen.

The Prime Minister glanced at her and said, “Your Highness’s actions were indeed improper.”

Sheng Shiyue raised an eyebrow, poised to bite, but heard the other continue formally, “Half a month’s pay is too light. Gossiping about the master is a grave error. She should sweep the gate for a year to reflect.”

The Prime Minister was truly impartial.

Sheng Shiyue huffed but asked, “Is my temper bad?”

Questions came one after another. A wrong answer might truly lead to grabbing a pillow and running off.

Only Ning Qingge could indulge her. She rubbed the other’s head and said gently, “Your Highness is pure at heart, acting freely as you wish. It’s fools who misunderstand and speak nonsense.”

If others heard, they’d marvel at Ning Qingge’s bias, saying such things.

This ancestor was finally satisfied, nuzzling the other’s cheek, saying, “I’ll let you off this time.”

Whether it was Ning Qingge’s fault for pulling her to the corner or her sudden realization that Ning Qingge wasn’t as gentle as she seemed—or both—she let it go.

Ning Qingge chuckled softly, saying sincerely, “Your Highness is kind-hearted.”

The red sun sank fully into the mountains, the last glow fading as night crept in.

After dinner, Ning Qingge went to the study, saying she had unfinished official duties. Sheng Shiyue first took out the painting, admired it briefly, then went to the washroom.

Her body felt inconvenient these days, so Ning Qingge brought hot water and wiped her clean with a wet cloth. Though Sheng Shiyue grew up served by others, she felt awkward about this. Now able to move, she had servants fetch hot water, planning to manage alone slowly.

The door locked tightly. Steamy mist rose, clothes fell, and water splashed.

Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun yawned, walking forward sleepily. Ye Chiling’s leg hadn’t fully healed, so all mansion chores fell to her.

That afternoon, she took Sheng Shiyue’s prized falcon to the outskirts for a few rounds. On returning, she heard Your Highness locked a group of unknown people in the woodshed. Though other servants guarded them, she felt uneasy and planned to check herself.

“What a hard life…” she sighed, pondering as she walked. Maybe next polo match, she wouldn’t dodge. It’d hurt, but she’d rest a few days.

Turning into a secluded garden, Ye Liuyun’s nose twitched as she crossed the threshold, catching a strange scent.

She frowned, quickening her pace. The woodshed door stood half-open, and the guard meant to watch it lay unconscious.

“Trouble,” she cursed, bounding up the steps and kicking the door hard.

—Bang!

The wooden door flew open, revealing the scene. Neatly stacked firewood now lay scattered. The side window was pushed open, and the people meant to be locked inside were gone.

Ye Liuyun took it all in, her eyes flashing with cold intent. She turned and rushed outside.

The mansion’s security was tight, with Lord Wu’an’s private soldiers patrolling constantly. The group was large and conspicuous together. If they fled far, they’d be spotted. So they could only hide in the less-guarded back courtyard, where Your Highness and Ning Qingge were now.

If they slipped in by chance and took Your Highness hostage…

Ye Liuyun’s steps quickened. But for some reason, the scent from the woodshed didn’t fade as she left. It clung to her clothes, following like a shadow.

In the darkness, a blade’s cold glint flashed, then vanished.