The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Several days passed, and the letter from the Southern Border, which Sheng Shiyue had waited for eagerly, finally arrived in her hands after a long journey.

The study door remained tightly closed, and Qu Li personally guarded the courtyard entrance. As the sound of a paper knife cutting through the pages echoed, the carefully folded letter was finally retrieved.

Sheng Shiyue did not open it immediately. Instead, she stood still for a moment, then let out a heavy breath. She slowly unfolded the letter, first giving it a light sniff, then focusing intently on its contents.

Unexpectedly, her little aunt did not mention much about Ning Qingge. Instead, she first explained the upheaval in the Southern Border, stating she was unharmed. The situation had arisen suddenly, leading to the current circumstances, and she urged Sheng Shiyue not to worry too much.

Then, as usual, she expressed concern for Sheng Shiyue’s health. But this time, she added a line, advising Sheng Shiyue to secretly seek out a few physicians and, if possible, not to delay.

The first page alone made Sheng Shiyue’s brows furrow tightly.

Firstly, she learned her little aunt’s reply came after the Southern Border’s defeat. Sheng Shiyue had sent a letter earlier, and the subordinate responsible for delivering it had not mentioned any delays en route. This meant her little aunt had received the letter long ago but had not replied immediately, as she had done before.

What was her little aunt thinking during those days? What was she hesitating about?

It could not possibly be due to the Southern Barbarians’ attack on the city. Sheng Shiyue knew her importance in her little aunt’s heart. Qu Li had once mentioned that her little aunt, while leading troops on horseback during an urgent military situation, still found a way to write back to her from the saddle, despite the pressing circumstances.

Even if the Southern Barbarians had attacked, her little aunt would have replied immediately after repelling them. She would not have set the matter aside.

Regarding her health, her little aunt had known about it for a long time but had allowed Sheng Shiyue, who had no ambition for the throne, to keep avoiding it. Usually, she only reminded Sheng Shiyue to take care of herself. Even if she refused treatment, she should not harm her foundation or shorten her lifespan. Now, suddenly bringing it up with a much firmer attitude than before was unusual.

Sheng Shiyue unconsciously gripped the kylin pendant under her golden collar, her knuckles rubbing against the carved pattern, causing a slight pain.

It was impossible for someone else to have replaced the letter. Only she, her little aunt, and two messengers knew this channel. The messengers were Ye family’s deathsworn, who had fought alongside her little aunt for years and would never betray her.

Their letters had additional safeguards, such as the way the paper was folded and the ink used. Her little aunt had specifically instructed that their letters must be folded three times, and the ink came from a small workshop in the capital, producing ink sticks with a unique fragrance that lingered on the paper for half a year. Without these two features, the letter would be fake.

Sheng Shiyue had already carefully inspected it earlier. The letter was absolutely genuine, so why…

Her thumb pressed hard on the jade pendant, then flipped to the next page, which contained only a single short sentence: Ning Qingge will not harm you.

The final stroke seemed to have lingered for a long time, the brush pressing into the paper, leaving a deep ink mark with scattered ink drops nearby. One could imagine the scene: the usually decisive Lord Wu’an stood at the desk, holding the brush, lost in thought for a long time, yet wrote nothing more.

Thus, the letter not only failed to resolve Sheng Shiyue’s doubts but left her even more confused.

She had asked many questions, such as whether Ning Qingge had any past ties with the Ye family, whether Ning Qingge could be trusted, when her little aunt would return, and to help her dissolve this inexplicable marriage. Yet her little aunt only replied with a vague sentence.

If Ning Qingge would not harm her, did that mean she could be trusted? If so, why didn’t her little aunt say so clearly, and why did she even…

Her gaze shifted to the other side of the desk, where a dagger accompanied the letter. The dagger was only a palm’s length, without any decoration, its thin sheath and handle easily concealable in a boot without leaving a trace.

The messenger had said her little aunt had specifically commissioned it for her to carry at all times for self-defense.

If Ning Qingge could be trusted, why did her little aunt give her a dagger?

The more Sheng Shiyue thought, the more puzzled she became. Her knuckles, pressed against the jade pendant, reflected a chaotic pattern.

Was it that Ning Qingge would not harm her but could not be fully trusted?

Or was there someone else she needed to guard against?

Sheng Shiyue’s head ached from thinking. She wished she could ride to the Southern Border right now, grab her little aunt by the collar, and demand clarity.

The light streaming through the lattice window into the study fell in beams on the floor, gradually lengthening over time and creeping toward Sheng Shiyue’s ankles.

Still unable to figure it out, she could only burn the letter as usual, leaving no trace.

Qu Li then pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Sheng Shiyue’s distressed expression, she asked aloud.

Sheng Shiyue did not answer immediately. She wrestled with her thoughts for a long time before finally relenting with a sigh, saying, “Aunt Qu, go find a few highly skilled physicians for me.”

She added, “Make sure our identities are not exposed.”

Hearing this, Qu Li instantly understood the reason. She had prepared for this for a long time, having already compiled a list of candidates in her mind. Upon hearing Sheng Shiyue’s approval for treatment, she immediately turned to leave the mansion.

The ashes on the floor scattered in the wind, disappearing in an instant.

The red sun at the horizon reached its zenith, casting scorching sunlight. The sound of the water curtain by the lotus pond echoed again.

Xiao Jing and Meng Qingxin walked in laughing, teasing, “Do the three of you, master and servants, want to visit a Taoist temple to pray? These past few days, one after another, none of you three are doing well.”

The scene was indeed pitiful. Sheng Shiyue still lay on the recliner, while Ye Liuyun, half-reclining nearby, looked deathly pale. The cost of resisting her susceptible period was damaging her foundation. After it passed, she lacked the strength to even walk out the door and needed help to be carried out, not to mention the injuries from her own collisions and bindings.

The physician they called frowned tightly, lost in thought, and could only bandage her wounds and prescribe many tonics. He also gave a dose to Sheng Shiyue, who had already taken her medicine. Sheng Shiyue wanted to refuse, but Ning Qingge nodded in approval.

Angered, this ancestor grabbed Ye Chiling nearby, demanding the physician prescribe tonics for her too.

Thus, all three now held bowls of bitter medicinal soup, grimacing as they drank.

Hearing the noise, Sheng Shiyue lacked the mood to retort. She listlessly raised her eyes, glancing at them.

Meng Qingxin and Xiao Jing laughed, finding seats to sit down. Meng Qingxin spoke again, “Seriously, why not visit a Taoist temple? My mother knows a few Taoist priests. If you need, I can ask her.”

Sheng Shiyue held her bowl, picking it up and setting it down, unwilling to drink a sip. She replied listlessly, “Are they effective?”

“Very effective,” Meng Qingxin praised enthusiastically.

“What did your mother pray for?”

Meng Qingxin answered immediately, “She prayed for me to strive hard and study well.”

Sheng Shiyue tugged at the corner of her mouth, saying, “Then they’re indeed not very effective.”

Meng Qingxin’s smile froze, trying to recover, “They’re really effective. My mother also prayed for our family’s safety and for the Meng family daughters to be smart and ambitious.”

“Then they’re half effective, half not.”

Meng Qingxin gritted her teeth, pulling out her trump card, “The temples around Bianjing charge the least incense money!”

Sheng Shiyue showed pity, “Is the Meng family already this poor? Why not pray for wealth? Did you pray and fail to get it?”

Meng Qingxin trembled with anger, raising her hand to point at Sheng Shiyue but unable to find a retort. She turned to Ye Liuyun, asking, “Liuyun, how did you end up like this? Did Sheng Jiu mistreat you?”

Unable to outtalk Sheng Shiyue, she dragged others into it.

Since Ye Liuyun and Ye Chiling often followed Sheng Shiyue, Meng Qingxin was familiar with them and spoke casually.

Sheng Shiyue got angry thinking about it, scolding them, “It’s because of you two, turning my household into chaos.”

The two were confused at first but understood after Ye Liuyun explained, showing some embarrassment.

Especially Xiao Jing, who hadn’t noticed the issue the whole time, quickly apologized, “It was my oversight, making Liuyun suffer.”

Meng Qingxin gave an awkward smile, giving Ye Liuyun a thumbs-up, praising, “Liuyun, you’re amazing, holding out so long in a room full of Kunze pheromones. You’re a model Qianyuan.”

Ye Liuyun only forced a smile in response.

Speaking of that night, Sheng Shiyue couldn’t help but recall what happened in her room. Because of it, Ning Qingge inexplicably kissed her all over.

Her whole body tingled inexplicably, as if the marks left by that person resurfaced on her skin, hot and numb, enveloped in the scent of lychee.

Sheng Shiyue’s gaze wavered for a moment, her earlobes turning crimson.

The four nearby continued chatting about Ye Liuyun’s prowess. Sheng Shiyue suddenly spoke, asking, “Liuyun, how did you endure it?”

She hadn’t smelled any pheromones, yet Ning Qingge always got the better of her.

Their voices paused, and they all looked at her, their expressions turning complex. She was the only one among them with a wife.

Thinking of something, Meng Qingxin advised first, “Sheng Jiu, you need to restrain yourself. Your injuries are still serious. At least rest for a while…”

Xiao Jing also advised, “At least wait until your injuries heal before doing those things.”

Even Ye Liuyun mumbled, “Your Highness’s health is important.”

What were they talking about?!

Sheng Shiyue quickly explained, “I didn’t mean that. I’m just curious how she endured it! Besides, if you don’t trust me, you should trust Ning Qingge. Would she be so reckless…”

Her last sentence grew less confident, her voice fading. Fragmented images flashed in her mind, and the redness on her earlobes spread, gradually coloring her entire face.

The four wore complex expressions.

Finally, Ye Liuyun spoke, saving her by pointing to her injuries, saying, “That’s how I endured it.”

Sheng Shiyue’s eyelids twitched, her tone strained, “Isn’t there a less painful way…”

The four fell silent.

Ye Chiling set down her empty medicine bowl, earnestly advising, “Your Highness, you still need to restrain yourself.”

Sheng Shiyue exploded, “I said it’s not me!”

“Yes, yes, not you,” Meng Qingxin couldn’t stand it, waving her hand.

Sheng Shiyue gave up, saying, “So, do you have any methods? At least something to avoid being led by the nose by a Kunze.”

Now the four looked at her with pity, offering a flurry of suggestions for a while before remembering the main issue.

“By the way, Sheng Jiu, what about that painting?”

Sheng Shiyue’s face reddened further, saying casually, “I’ll deal with it in a few days when I’m better.”

She changed the subject, urging, “This isn’t urgent. What other methods do you have? Tell me quickly!”

She sounded like a pitiful Qianyuan long oppressed by her wife.

The Ninth Highness lacked spousal authority.

Meng Qingxin and the others exchanged glances, shaking their heads silently. They set aside the matter of the authentic painting and began strategizing for their friend.

Sheng Shiyue nodded repeatedly, wishing she could take notes.