The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Fan Tower never lacked liveliness, especially at dusk after sunset. From top to bottom, there wasn’t a single empty seat, filled to the brim with people. The aroma of food mixed with the noisy chatter, nearly lifting the roof off.

Ning Qingge and Sheng Shiyue arrived late. Even though the shopkeeper wanted to please the Prime Minister, it wasn’t right to offend other newly arrived guests. In the end, the two stepped into the third-floor private room that Sheng Shiyue had reserved year-round.

Because of this, Sheng Shiyue couldn’t help but show off. She half-lay on the wooden railing bench, one leg bent, the other stretched out resting on Ning Qingge’s lap, teasing, “What’s this? Didn’t you, Lord Ning, say you’d treat me to dinner? How did it turn into me treating you after all this?”

She was quite smug, her loose high ponytail slightly tilted from her antics, a few strands of hair falling, her eyes smiling, carrying a mix of casualness and a touch of mischief.

Ning Qingge indulged her, not refuting a single word, lowering her eyes with focus, gently rubbing the other’s knee.

“Hiss…”

Sheng Shiyue winced, slightly bending her knee, and grumbled, “What kind of ointment is this? It’s hot and greasy.”

Only then did Ning Qingge speak, “How could that be? It’s still from the same doctor as last time.”

There was no ointment in the carriage. Seeing Sheng Shiyue’s knee red, swollen, and bruised, Ning Qingge couldn’t wait to return to the Mansion and sent someone to buy medicine to promote bl00d circulation and reduce bruising.

Sheng Shiyue immediately retorted, “Then she must’ve added something else on purpose. Otherwise, why would it feel as greasy as pig fat?”

Prescriptions concerned the patient’s health. No doctor would dare change them lightly. Even if they wanted to adjust, they’d test it for a year or two before daring to use it. It wasn’t as simple as Sheng Shiyue made it sound.

Ning Qingge glanced up at her, knowing she was deliberately making a fuss, and could only coax softly, “Then next time I pass by her pharmacy, I’ll mention it to her. No adding random ingredients to the ointment, and maybe add some mint. Alright?”

Even knowing the other’s words were wrong and no doctor would follow such nonsense advice, Ning Qingge chose to humor this little tyrant first.

Sheng Shiyue was barely satisfied. She lightly kicked forward with her bent leg, nudging Ning Qingge’s shin, and said, “What about the earlier part? You said you’d treat me.”

Ning Qingge could only say, “When we settle the bill…”

Sheng Shiyue cut her off, “I always put it on the tab. At the end of the month, someone will take the bill to Aunt Qu.”

The other continued good-naturedly, “Then I’ll cover it for the treasury?”

“Who cares about your measly silver?” Sheng Shiyue was deliberately picking a fight, raising her brow to look at Ning Qingge, waiting to see how she’d respond.

Some time ago, due to jealousy, she hit several walls with Ning Qingge. Though not a big deal, don’t forget her mischievous nature. Now that she finally had the upper hand, those small grievances surfaced, and she had to make a fuss, letting Ning Qingge know just how petty she could be.

Ning Qingge, helpless, could only coax gently, “Be good.”

She added, “Wait till I finish applying the medicine before you make a scene. Otherwise, you’ll be in pain tonight, tossing and turning, groaning.”

Hearing this, Sheng Shiyue reluctantly obeyed.

She was delicate and afraid of pain. Even a small cut could make her complain for ages, let alone the suffering she endured recently. It was bearable during the day, but at night, the pain doubled, and she’d fuss for half the night before closing her eyes. Sometimes, when the pain sparked her temper, she even wrote a thousand-word letter to her aunt far away in the Southern Border. If someone so far away got such treatment, imagine Ning Qingge, sleeping by her side, having to find ways to soothe her every night.

This was also why, despite trying a few times, the two hadn’t gone further. From that one afternoon to today’s carriage, it was just two rushed moments, short and sparse, nothing like newlyweds who’d exchanged heartfelt vows.

No wonder people inside and outside the Mansion speculated that the Ninth Princess and Lord Ning’s marriage wouldn’t last.

Thinking back, Meng Qingxin’s mother, due to her newlywed obsession, missed court twice and ended up kneeling before the Emperor, citing classics and debating for two full hours to win seven days of wedding leave for future newlyweds. It became a famous anecdote in the Liang Kingdom, still brought up for teasing.

Regardless of how later newlyweds’ relationships turned out, those seven days of leave were rare. Yet, after her wedding, Ning Qingge attended court as usual and, busy with the martial exams, even stayed in the palace several times, sparking more doubts.

Even when word spread that Sheng Shiyue personally went to pick up Ning Qingge, people remained skeptical, thinking the two were putting on a show for others.

“Ow, ow, ow.”

Sheng Shiyue’s body trembled, trying to pull her knee away several times, only to have her leg held down.

“All done,” Ning Qingge soothed, pulling down the other’s pant leg to cover the red, swollen marks, then took a wet cloth to wipe the ointment from her palm.

Sheng Shiyue raised a brow, about to say something, when Ning Qingge grabbed her ankle, pulling her closer. Caught off guard, Sheng Shiyue was tugged into her embrace, sitting sideways on her lap.

“Be good, no more fussing.”

Ning Qingge rested her head on the other’s shoulder, her low voice tinged with a hint of hoarseness, lazily saying, “I’m a bit tired.”

Before she could even start her mischief, Sheng Shiyue was caught and stopped. She gave up sulkily, unsure how Ning Qingge understood her so well, reading her temper completely. Her claws hadn’t even stretched out before they were caught in the other’s palm, squeezing her paw pads.

Sheng Shiyue tilted her head slightly and saw Ning Qingge’s half-closed eyes, thick and curled lashes trembling faintly, with traces of unwiped tears at the corners from an earlier moment of losing control.

Sheng Shiyue’s lips curved, never staying idle for a moment.

She reached out to touch Ning Qingge’s face, fingertips sliding from her smooth forehead, tapping her nose, then tracing elsewhere, carefully outlining her features.

Outside, the noise continued, undampened by the closed door. Red lanterns hung beyond the wooden railing, and a slight turn revealed the bustling scenes below.

Some borrowed money to act rich, standing on stools basking in flattery. Some brought their wives and daughters, families joyfully together. Some sat in corners drinking, looking melancholic. They shared the same space yet seemed to live in different small worlds.

In the past, Sheng Shiyue would lean on this railing, sipping wine while looking down below.

Sometimes she felt different from others, observing everyone with a superior air. Other times, she felt no different, also subject to the disdainful glances of those above.

But at this moment, Sheng Shiyue thought of nothing. Her eyes reflected Ning Qingge’s face, not sparing a glance elsewhere, letting the other’s breath brush her fingertips.

Because she sat on Ning Qingge’s lap, Sheng Shiyue’s feet dangled, swaying slightly back and forth, casting a merged shadow that stretched and quickly retreated.

An inexplicable calm.

Disturbed, Ning Qingge lifted her eyelids, gave her a helpless glance, and suddenly bit the mischievous finger, her teeth lightly grazing as a form of reprimand.

Sheng Shiyue, far from annoyed, laughed and said, “Ning Qingge, do you know why I kept that kid around?”

How odd of her—finally soothing the other, yet bringing it up again, unafraid of Ning Qingge getting angry and arguing for days.

Ning Qingge’s teeth pressed slightly harder, leaving faint wet marks and a small indent on her fingertip.

“Because I think she’s a bit like you, Ning Qingge.”

Her eyes curved like crescent moons, subtle dimples sinking, her tone light as if casually chatting.

Looking at her, Sheng Shiyue added, “I seem to recall a bit. We met in the palace. You were about her age, also covered in wounds.”

Ning Qingge released her hand, still leaning on her shoulder, and said softly, “And then?”

“We talked, didn’t we?” Sheng Shiyue couldn’t remember much.

Ning Qingge nodded, saying without hesitation, “Indeed, there was such a time.”

Seeing the other didn’t dodge or hide as usual, Sheng Shiyue’s eyes lit up, eagerly asking, “And then?”

Ning Qingge, lost in thought, her dark eyes holding unreadable emotions, took a while before carefully saying, “That day, I received some punishment, took some lashes, and meant to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau for medicine but unexpectedly ran into Your Highness.”

“And then we talked?”

Ning Qingge’s expression softened, saying gently, “Yes, Your Highness asked if I needed help, offering to call an imperial physician for me.”

Sheng Shiyue tilted her head, dragging her tone, “And then I called the physician, saved your little life, and you started pining for me?”

Palace rules were strict. Servants, even if sick or injured, couldn’t summon physicians and had to grab random medicines, leaving survival to fate. Only those highly favored by their masters or close to physicians could get one privately.

By saying this, Sheng Shiyue meant she’d used her name to summon a physician to treat Ning Qingge’s wounds, so claiming she saved her life wasn’t an exaggeration.

Her swaying legs brushed the hem of her skirt, lifting the fabric.

Ning Qingge shook her head and said, “I refused Your Highness.”

Sheng Shiyue froze, never expecting this possibility. Her own situation in the palace wasn’t great either; she wouldn’t offer help unless the injuries were severe, yet Ning Qingge actually refused.

“Why?” she couldn’t help asking.

Ning Qingge didn’t answer, instead hugging her tighter, her head gently rubbing against her shoulder, suddenly asking, “That day, when Your Highness leaned here looking down, what was on your mind?”

The topic shifted too quickly. Sheng Shiyue didn’t react at first, dazed for a moment before realizing she meant the time she climbed the wall to sneak out.

Honestly, Sheng Shiyue had long forgotten that incident, the memory blurry. She didn’t expect Ning Qingge to remember and even ask about it, as if it mattered greatly.

Sheng Shiyue’s lips moved, unsure how to respond.

To say she forgot seemed untrue, as she recalled bits. To say she remembered, she couldn’t recount it fully. Only the feelings from that moment pressed clearly in her heart. But saying it outright felt sentimental, especially since she’d experienced too many such moments.

Like snowflakes falling, covering a beating heart, hiding decay beneath thick snow. Once the cold numbed her senses, she could barely feel the wounds.

Sheng Shiyue gave no answer, choosing silence.

Ning Qingge’s arms tightened, holding her close, as if wanting to meld her into her very bones.

She murmured to herself, “Back then, I wanted to hold Your Highness like this.”

Sheng Shiyue’s heart trembled, the lychee scent on her tongue lingering, spreading from her tongue to her mouth, down her throat, every part tinged with its sweet stickiness.

“Ning Qingge, you…” She didn’t know what to say, only calling her name again.

Before she could think further, someone knocked on the door outside.

Sheng Shiyue tried to get up but was held tight. Ning Qingge raised her voice, “Come in.”

With a creak, the wooden door opened, and a group of servants carrying trays filed in.

Due to strict training, they moved neatly and silently, heads lowered, not showing much surprise even if they caught a glimpse of something shocking.

Only Sheng Shiyue felt uneasy. After all, she was a somewhat notorious playgirl. Future history books would surely record her feats of offending the Imperial Censor and the Grand Marshal in a short time while marrying the Prime Minister, a tale for later generations to marvel at, hailing her as the top playgirl.

But now, this top playgirl was held in someone’s arms in such a delicate pose.

She hadn’t felt shy in the carriage earlier, but now her ears secretly reddened, burrowing into Ning Qingge’s embrace, trying to escape like an ostrich burying its head in sand.

Porcelain plates on the trays were lifted and placed on the round table, each set down with a crisp sound.

Sheng Shiyue even regretted ordering so many dishes on a whim, prolonging this torment endlessly, excruciatingly.

“Ning Qingge, haven’t you hugged enough? Let me go,” Sheng Shiyue raised her voice, trying to salvage some face this way.

The other refused to let go, saying softly, “Just a bit longer.”

Her lips, intentionally or not, brushed Sheng Shiyue’s earlobe, like a kiss or an accidental graze, overly intimate.

Sheng Shiyue’s back stiffened, wanting to jump off, but Ning Qingge held her even tighter, making it impossible to move, let alone pull away.

Ning Qingge was doing it on purpose!

The thought flashed in Sheng Shiyue’s mind.

Though no one looked over, Sheng Shiyue felt pricked by needles.

“You…” Sheng Shiyue squeezed out a word, but before she could continue, she was interrupted.

This time, Ning Qingge said nothing, directly pressing against her earlobe.

Sheng Shiyue clutched the other’s collar, lacking the courage to even glance aside, her whole body like a cooked shrimp, faintly red everywhere, startlingly hot.

With so many people around, how did Ning Qingge dare! Wasn’t she afraid of others seeing?

The warm breath, faintly sweet with lychee, fell on her earlobe and cheek. Finally, Ning Qingge spoke, “Be good. After the martial exams, I’ll spend time with you properly.”

Sheng Shiyue couldn’t hear what she said, her mind blank, losing even basic conversation ability. Her palms sweated, unconsciously crumpling the other’s collar.

Getting no response, Ning Qingge continued, “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, but the martial exams concern the nation’s foundation. I can’t slack off.”

“Don’t be mad. How about I feed you dinner?”

The warm breath was startlingly hot. Her tongue brushed the earlobe and quickly retreated, leaving a faint wet mark, cooling in the breeze, the sensation vivid in the mix of hot and cold.

The servants didn’t linger, setting the tableware and quickly leaving, even thoughtfully closing the door tight.

As footsteps sounded, hushed, excited whispers followed.

One lowered their voice, unable to hide their thrill, saying, “Who said the Ninth Highness and the Prime Minister’s relationship was bad? They’re clearly inseparable.”

Another quickly added, “Right, right! Did you see just now? The Ninth Highness was held in Lord Ning’s arms, her hand tight around her waist. Even when I first got with my Qianyuan, we weren’t that clingy.”

Someone nearby laughed, teasing her before saying, “Seems the rumors aren’t true. It’s not that Lord Ning avoids being alone with Her Highness. The Prime Minister is just devoted to the court, temporarily neglecting Her Highness.”

Another covered their mouth, chuckling slyly, “Don’t look at the Ninth Highness’s wild ways outside. In front of Lord Ning, she’s like a Kunze!”

“And Lord Ning, you probably didn’t see, the way she looked at Her Highness with those doting eyes, practically melting into water.”

Outside, people gossiped lively. Inside, the subject of their talk bristled, raising her voice and glaring, shouting, “Ning Qingge!”

“You turtle-eating-coal old bastard!”

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Sheng Shiyue was both shy and annoyed, even pushing at the other’s shoulder, looking ready to jump off.

Hearing the familiar nickname, Ning Qingge raised a brow, smiling, “What? Did I say something wrong?”

No nonsense yet?

Sheng Shiyue took a deep breath, opening her mouth to repeat Ning Qingge’s offenses and criticize her harshly.

But Ning Qingge said, “Didn’t I feed you a few days ago?”

The words she’d just mustered were choked back. Sheng Shiyue stiffly admitted, “Yes.”

Some days ago, she injured her head, getting dizzy when looking up or down, refusing to move, insisting Ning Qingge dress her, put on her shoes, and even feed her spoonful by spoonful, cooling the food before bringing it to her lips.

At least she was honest.

Ning Qingge nodded, continuing, “And didn’t you complain I was too busy?”

Sheng Shiyue tugged at her lips.

Of course she did, especially after getting disciplined. If Ning Qingge came back a bit late, she’d hug her pillow and wail, complaining it was too hard or the bed was uncomfortable, glaring resentfully at someone, like an abandoned puppy.

Ning Qingge’s eyes curved, pinching the other’s face, saying, “Is the old bastard spouting nonsense, or does Your Highness have too good a memory, forgetting all this?”

Her tone dragged deliberately, the smiling voice carrying a hint of threat.

Sheng Shiyue coughed, trying to hide her panic.

The other wouldn’t let her off, adding, “Your Highness was just shouting and throwing a tantrum. I just wanted to soothe you, feed you something. Was that wrong?”

It didn’t seem wrong. Instead, it felt like Sheng Shiyue was being unreasonable.

Ning Qingge continued, “I’ve been swamped with work lately, so I thought after the martial exams, I’d spend time with Your Highness properly. Any problem with that?”

Of course not.

The Ninth Highness suffered defeat after defeat with the Prime Minister, unable to muster a single rebuttal, holding back for ages before blurting, “After the martial exams, there’s still the summer hunt.”

In the Liang Kingdom, hunting occurred every season, each with a different name: spring was “sou,” summer was “miao,” autumn was “xian,” and winter was “shou.” The animals hunted varied too—spring targeted non-pregnant beasts, summer killed crop-damaging pests, autumn hunted animals harming people or livestock, and winter had no restrictions, allowing all to be hunted.

By tradition, this year’s summer hunt would be led by the chosen martial champion, with officials and noble children following into the mountains.

Sheng Shiyue implied Ning Qingge would still be busy.

But Ning Qingge said, “What? Just a summer hunt, and Your Highness wants to part ways, go our separate paths, and ignore each other?”

Sheng Shiyue blinked, stammering, “N-no, not really.”

Completely led by Ning Qingge, her naive and dazed look was oddly endearing.

Ning Qingge seemed to smile, not holding back but going further, dragging her tone with an “oh” before saying, “Good. I was worried Your Highness wouldn’t ride with me and was thinking of a good way to beg you.”

Beg?

Sheng Shiyue caught the word, immediately turning to Ning Qingge, saying, “How would you beg me?”

Her reaction was quick now, like a puppy spotting a bone, wagging its tail, eager for juicy ribs.

Ning Qingge gave a half-smile, glancing at her, and said, “Of course, the same way Your Highness coaxes me…”

“Do it again here.”

The words barely landed before Sheng Shiyue leapt from her arms, ignoring any pain, scrambling to dodge, shouting, “Ning Qingge, you’re shameless!”

“Shameless old bastard!”

“What kind of lousy idea is that!”