The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

A little later, Xu Sanchi had someone deliver herbal medicine.

There were two bowls in total: one for treating hidden injuries, and one for nourishing the kidneys and liver. She even sent someone to specifically instruct Sheng Shiyue to drink it without worry, as it would have no side effects.

Sheng Shiyue felt embarrassed and annoyed, wanting to argue with her and say she clearly didn’t need these things.

But the servant said, “After Doctor Xu prepared the medicine, she took some silver and hurried to Thousand Gates.”

Thousand Gates was the largest gambling house in Bianjing.

Hearing this, Sheng Shiyue could only give up in frustration, waving the servant away. She then sat alone on a chair, brooding for a long time.

In the end, she left two empty bowls and went to bathe.

When she returned, Ning Qingge was already wearing a white inner robe, holding a book casually, reclining on a soft couch, and reading with lowered eyes.

Hearing a sound, she first looked up at the other person, then put the book down and beckoned to Sheng Shiyue, saying helplessly, “Why didn’t you even dry your hair?”

Her attitude was as usual, showing no trace of anything unusual, as if she had already forgotten her earlier words. Only Sheng Shiyue was still entangled and shy, with the redness on her earlobes, lingering from daytime until now, not fading at all.

“It’s cooler this way,” Sheng Shiyue said awkwardly, her words inevitably stiff. The short distance from the door to the wooden couch felt like it took forever to cross.

The other person didn’t rush her. Only when Sheng Shiyue stood in front of her did she take her hand and gently coax, “Don’t seek this kind of coolness. If cold air enters your head, you’ll get headaches later.”

“If you feel hot, call someone to add more ice to the ice container, or have the kitchen send over some crispy desserts.”

“I can’t eat that stuff,” Sheng Shiyue spat out each word.

Ning Qingge paused, then realized what she meant. She pulled Sheng Shiyue’s hand toward her, making her sit on the edge of the wooden couch, then wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her into an embrace. She asked softly, “Did you take the medicine?”

Without waiting for an answer, she continued, “What did Doctor Xu say? Is there anything you need to avoid eating? Did you tell the servants in advance?”

She asked several questions in a row, her eyes full of undisguised concern.

Sheng Shiyue found her nagging annoying and covered Ning Qingge’s chattering mouth with her hand, saying irritably, “Why do you have so many questions?”

Ning Qingge was always patient with her. If it were someone else, they’d have scolded her for taking kindness for granted. But Ning Qingge’s expression softened, and she explained, “I went to see Doctor Xu earlier, but she had already left through the back door.”

Unable to ask the doctor, she could only ask the person herself.

Sheng Shiyue pouted but said, “I’m not telling you.”

She couldn’t bring herself to say it, especially to Ning Qingge. How could a Qianyuan admit to their own Kunze that they had a heated liver or weak kidneys? If Ning Qingge laughed, how could she keep her dignity?

Ning Qingge didn’t press her. If Sheng Shiyue didn’t want to talk, she’d go find the doctor again tomorrow. It wasn’t a big deal.

So, Ning Qingge gently pulled away the hand covering half her face, kissed it lightly, then took the white cloth draped over Sheng Shiyue’s body. She stood up, knelt on the wooden couch, lifted Sheng Shiyue’s damp hair, wrapped the ends in the cloth, and gradually worked upward.

Her attitude was so gentle that Sheng Shiyue’s stubbornness seemed a bit unreasonable.

Sheng Shiyue didn’t resist further and sat on the edge of the couch, letting her do as she pleased.

The night was windless and silent, wrapped in stifling heat. Water droplets falling to the floor dried instantly. The two shadows on the ground overlapped, one lower in front, one higher behind, like a flat yet tall official’s hat.

Sheng Shiyue found it amusing and turned her head to tell Ning Qingge, but she didn’t expect the other to be leaning down close. Her falling hair brushed across Sheng Shiyue’s cheek, and her clear eyes reflected Sheng Shiyue’s face.

Their breaths mingled, one after the other. The kissed fingertips burned, and Sheng Shiyue curled her fingers, pressing them into her palm.

It was strange. Although she and Ning Qingge had been married for a long time, she often felt like it hadn’t been long, and her heart would still flutter inexplicably.

Ning Qingge seemed to notice her change. Her gentle eyes softened, her dark jade-like eyes shimmering with light, reflecting the nearby candle flame. She seemed gentle, but in truth, she was a blazing fire. Given the chance, she would climb from skirt to hem, pulling Sheng Shiyue into a scorching sea of flames.

She called out, “Your Highness?”

Sheng Shiyue had grown a bit. She didn’t turn away like before, though her tone was still stiff as she blurted, “Ning Qingge, you do have some charm.”

What a strange thing to say. Sheng Shiyue regretted it the moment it left her mouth.

But Ning Qingge smiled and asked, “Does Your Highness like it?”

“It’s… alright,” Sheng Shiyue replied, her resolve weaker than the other’s. She quickly looked away, staring at the floor.

A soft laugh echoed in her ears. Before Sheng Shiyue could get annoyed again, a shadow loomed, kissing her bl00d-red earlobe. A clear voice mumbled, “Cute.”

Sheng Shiyue gasped, her tense back leaning backward. She quickly reached back to steady herself, pressing a dent into the soft cushion.

The scene was quite amusing.

The dazzling and proud one, clearly someone to be served, looked like a pitiful bullied figure. Her slender neck tilted back, the throat beneath her thin skin clearly visible, faintly showing a hint of blue, growing more distinct as she swallowed.

The one kneeling beside her seemed humble but was bold. She tilted her head, biting Sheng Shiyue’s earlobe, her teeth grazing, pulling a thin silver thread that vanished between her closed lips.

Their matching inner robes touched, and a sudden breeze blew petals in, landing on Sheng Shiyue’s hand pressing the cushion, covering the raised veins.

The nearby candle flickered for a moment.

Ning Qingge didn’t linger too long. After loosening her lips, she gently kissed again and said, “As long as Your Highness likes it.”

Sheng Shiyue was slow to react, only realizing after a while that Ning Qingge was continuing the earlier topic.

She added, “I’m far less than Your Highness.”

How shameless. To coax her, she could say such things.

Sheng Shiyue, quite self-aware, glared and scolded, “Ning Qingge, how did you learn their tricks?”

“Their?”

“Those people who always go to brothels. They love saying these coaxing lies,” Sheng Shiyue said, slightly shocked. “You’ve only been to a brothel twice…”

Her tone shifted, and she quickly added, “You don’t go there often, do you?”

The more she thought, the more certain she became. Yicui Tower was Ning Qingge’s property, so she must visit often to check on it. Influenced by that environment, she must have learned a lot, no wonder she knew everything and was inexplicably skilled.

In a moment, Ning Qingge’s image in Sheng Shiyue’s mind shifted from pure as the moon to a roguish brothel-goer.

Ning Qingge couldn’t help but laugh and cry, defending her innocence, “Just a few times.”

Sheng Shiyue was skeptical, “A few times is how many?”

“Not many,” Ning Qingge said helplessly. “Your Highness, I don’t have that much free time. If there’s business at Yicui Tower, the Madam or Huanyan would come to the mansion privately to find me.”

“Then how do you know so much?” Sheng Shiyue pressed, determined to get to the bottom of it.

The earlier ambiguous atmosphere vanished. One knelt, one sat, like an interrogation, utterly comical.

“It’s not hard. Just read a few miscellaneous books,” Ning Qingge paused, then looked at Sheng Shiyue and said considerately, “One of us has to understand these things, or else…”

Before she could finish, Sheng Shiyue exploded, raising her voice, “Who says I don’t know? I spend twenty days a month hanging out in brothels and pleasure houses. What haven’t I seen?”

In the daytime, she was called out for a heated liver and weak kidneys, seeming incompetent. Now, her own wife said she didn’t know anything. How could someone who cared about face tolerate this? She immediately raised her brows, baring her fierce little fangs.

Ning Qingge paused, wondering whether to spare the Ninth Princess some dignity.

But Sheng Shiyue, oblivious, raised her voice again, “What? You don’t believe me?”

Ning Qingge hesitated, then said, “The two pleasure houses Your Highness frequents most are…”

Sheng Shiyue’s expression froze, and she quickly cut in, “Yours?”

Liang Kingdom was prosperous, with many entertainment options for the people—drama, storytelling, acrobatics, puppet shows—all gathered in one place called the market square. The larger theaters and stages in the market square were called pleasure houses.

Ning Qingge didn’t answer directly, saying, “Your Highness loves listening to ‘Tales of the Unusual’, ‘Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio’, and ‘Records of the Supernatural’. You love watching ‘The Case of the Beheaded Beauty’ and ‘Famen Temple’.”

It was all about ghosts or punishing evil, nothing to do with romance, let alone those matters.

Seeing Sheng Shiyue still struggling, Ning Qingge continued, “If not with Meng Qingxin and others, Your Highness only stays on the lake boat at Yicui Tower, enjoying songs and dances while sipping Lanqiao wine. When drunk, you either stay in the third-floor private room or have Ye Liuyun and the others carry you back to the mansion.”

It sounded like the Prime Minister needed to study in advance.

Sheng Shiyue’s lips opened and closed several times, unable to muster a retort, her face flushed red with frustration.

Finally, Ning Qingge couldn’t bear it and stepped in to preserve the little dignity the little Highness had left. “How can this be learned just from books? It depends on one’s talent. Your Highness is so clever, how could you need such things?”

“Right, right,” Sheng Shiyue scrambled to take the offered excuse, eager to avoid further debate, lest Ning Qingge reveal more.

Ning Qingge just smiled.

As they spoke, the hair was dried, and the white cloth was set aside.

Ning Qingge suddenly asked, “Has Your Highness decided how to punish me today?”

Her tone was calm, as if talking about blooming flowers outside.

Sheng Shiyue froze, standing up abruptly, stammering, “I-I want to sleep by the lotus pond today. It’s really too hot.”

She wiped nonexistent sweat from her forehead, pretending to be hot, and moved to flee.

But Ning Qingge was faster, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back.

Sheng Shiyue’s vision blurred, unable to resist, and fell back onto the soft couch. Before she could speak, she saw Ning Qingge leaning over.

Her falling hair brushed her eyes, warm breath grazing her cheek. Sheng Shiyue instinctively raised her hand, wrapping it around the overly slender waist, feeling the soft skin beneath the thin fabric.

Ning Qingge teased helplessly, “So bold, circling around for so long, yet you still want to run.”

Her light voice held little blame, more indulgent amusement, as if patiently waiting for a shy girl to take her first step and prove herself. Even if she failed, it didn’t matter; the older one would gently embrace her.

Sheng Shiyue felt embarrassed.

There was the awkwardness of having her plan seen through, and worse, Ning Qingge was coaxing her, indulging her circling for so long.

“You-you,” Sheng Shiyue struggled but couldn’t say a word.

Ning Qingge smiled, tucking her falling hair behind her ear with one hand, then leaned down to kiss her lips.

The older one was always patient, not rushing to deepen the kiss, lingering slowly outside, as if soothing. Her tongue gently parted the tight lips, tracing the texture, bit by bit, toward the soft lip bead.

It was indeed hot that day, even at night, with no relief. The small ice container on the nearby low table melted halfway in moments, and sweat formed where their skin touched. Sheng Shiyue grew impatient and tilted her head slightly.

Ning Qingge raised her hand to her cheek, her fingers brushing her earlobe, jawline, and side of her face. The slight calluses caused shivers wherever they touched.

Sheng Shiyue’s breathing grew uneven, but she couldn’t escape, only able to look at the other.

Ning Qingge’s eyes lowered, reflecting the flickering candlelight nearby. The shimmering light made her eyes even softer and more alluring, the upturned corners filled with gentle affection.

Soft kisses fell one after another, like an airtight net enveloping Sheng Shiyue.

The younger one couldn’t hold out, her hand on the waist climbing upward, pressing the back of Ning Qingge’s neck.

Then Sheng Shiyue tilted her head up, pressing against the red lips, as if punishing the earlier teasing, deliberately biting the tip of Ning Qingge’s tongue with slight force.

Ning Qingge made no sound, not wanting to discourage the one who had just gained a bit of courage. Her cool fingers pinched Sheng Shiyue’s earlobe, silently encouraging her.

Thus, the one who thought she had the upper hand grew bolder.

Her raised jaw tightened, and the hand on the neck slid down, first tugging at Ning Qingge’s collar, then tentatively moving inward.

The one who felt bold and daring secretly lifted her eyes, cautiously glancing at Ning Qingge. Seeing her still kissing with closed eyes, she quietly sighed in relief.

Due to their position, the loose robe barely covered much. A slight downward glance revealed a lot.

Like the elegant curve of her shoulder and neck, the fair collarbone, the half-hidden curve, and even the taut abdomen rising and falling with her breathing.

Sheng Shiyue swallowed, her throat dry, but heard a low chuckle by her ear.

Ning Qingge had opened her eyes at some point, looking at the dazed person, and said, “All thief’s heart, no thief’s courage.”

She sat up straight, swept her hair to her left shoulder, and untied the knot at her waist.

The robe was casually tossed to the floor.

“Want to look? Look. What’s there to fear?” she said.

The window opposite wasn’t closed, and the newly moved jasmine plant tilted, framed by the square window into a small scene of flowers and leaves, also shielding the room’s view.

Perhaps finding it dull, a tree shadow stretched into the room, extending from the cushion to Sheng Shiyue’s face, casting a mysterious floral mask over half her face, hiding her emotions.

Ning Qingge asked again, “See clearly?”

“Like it?”

Sheng Shiyue suddenly realized that Ning Qingge genuinely cared about whether she liked it, asking every time.

But why did she need to ask?

Wasn’t it obvious?

Sheng Shiyue didn’t dodge anymore, saying firmly, “I like it.”

Ning Qingge smiled again. She wasn’t one to smile often, but she did so frequently in front of Sheng Shiyue. Her gaze was soft and clear, like a spring rippling with circles.

Without hesitation, she said, “It’s yours.”

Sheng Shiyue was speechless, unsure what to say. The familiar fluttering came again, an indescribable tingle spreading from her spine to every part of her body, leaving her mind blank and wordless.

The other kept going, as if determined to drive her mad. Sheng Shiyue always thought her own temper was bad, but how could it compare to Ning Qingge, who was rotten to the core?

She asked again, “Has Your Highness decided how to punish me?”

How many times had she asked?

From initial avoidance to now adapting, Sheng Shiyue suddenly reached for the low table nearby. The ice there had completely melted, leaving only a small basin of clear water, revealing a copper ball previously hidden in the ice.

One could imagine how this person, while Ning Qingge was bathing, stood blushing before the cabinet, picking and choosing before finding something that seemed ordinary and not too excessive. But after taking it out, she regretted it, and after looking around, hid it in the ice container.

The night grew darker, the crescent moon breaking free from the clouds. The surroundings grew quieter, with no sound of wind, only the hoarse voice echoing in the room.

“It’s a bit cold…”

“Your Highness, warm it up for me?”