The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 50

Chapter 50

“Ning Qingge, why do you have a tattoo on your lower back?”

The words fell, and Sheng Shiyue instinctively avoided the other’s gaze, turning her head elsewhere. On one hand, she couldn’t suppress her suspicion; on the other, she feared touching on the other’s unspeakable pain, so she didn’t dare face her directly.

The surroundings remained quiet. The wind stirred the tree shadows, startling a flock of birds that fluttered up, chirping curses. The air carried a scorching, stifling heat.

Sheng Shiyue raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead, unsure if it was from the heat or her nervousness.

But a soft laugh, inexplicably cheerful, rang in her ears.

Sheng Shiyue froze, looking down in disbelief, and heard Ning Qingge speak, saying, “I thought Your Highness would be angry.”

The two maintained their positions, one sitting, one lying down, so Sheng Shiyue could look down at the other from above. Yet even so, she didn’t hold the slightest control. Instead, she seemed like someone at a loss, bowing to the other.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, in the lower position, lifted her eyelids. Her dark eyes rippled with tender affection, like water waves stirring circles of ripples.

She added, “I thought Your Highness would be furious after discovering my concealment, maybe even throw my pillow off the bed and banish me to the next room.”

Her voice was clear, without a hint of jest, as if she truly thought so.

Sheng Shiyue felt uneasy, raising her hand to cover the other’s eyes. She thought back carefully and realized why Ning Qingge had such concerns.

To put it bluntly, Ning Qingge had been deliberately deceiving her.

Due to Sheng Shiyue’s frequent injuries and Ning Qingge’s busy schedule, the two hadn’t shared a room many times. The rare occasions were either in darkness with candles extinguished or with Ning Qingge still clothed. The one time she could see clearly was on the wooden couch.

But after Ning Qingge undressed, she sat astride her. Even when her legs gave out and she fell into the soft cushions, she lay on her side facing her. Sheng Shiyue, distracted by the fresh and unfamiliar experience, had no mind to check behind Ning Qingge.

And after it ended, Ning Qingge coaxed her into sharing past stories. As she spoke, she grew sleepy, barely noticing the small tattoo at the base of her spine. Falling asleep halfway was already her best effort.

Thus, one intentionally hid it, and the other completely missed it. Though married, Sheng Shiyue only learned of it now.

Thinking of this, Sheng Shiyue felt a bit depressed. In front of Ning Qingge, she was like transparent glass, seen through inside and out. After the bathhouse incident, Ning Qingge had kissed her all over.

And what about her?

If Ning Qingge hadn’t been exhausted this time, and she hadn’t helped change her clothes, who knows when she would’ve found out.

But…

Sheng Shiyue pursed her lips and said, “This matter, this matter is different from others. I won’t hold it against you.”

Ning Qingge’s expression softened further, unsure what to say. In the end, countless words turned into a light sigh, easily scattered by the wind, vanishing without a trace.

Her little Highness.

People always said Sheng Shiyue was reckless and petty, but she wouldn’t retaliate against commoners who mocked or slandered her. Even with those Thousand Gates people who repeatedly offended her, she listened to their explanations and even put herself in danger. For her partner’s deception, her first reaction was pity. Even when Ning Qingge deliberately reminded her, she thought it over and let it go.

In contrast, Qu Yu, praised by Bianjing’s people, grew upset when Sheng Shiyue stole her spotlight and blamed this year’s martial champion for her own mistakes.

Xu Zhengming, who called himself a “pure scholar,” schemed to harm others after losing a match.

Those officials who preached about upholding justice and serving the people were all filthy in private.

Even Ning Qingge herself, hailed as the so-called bright moon, was driven by greed, anger, obsession, hatred, love, and desire. Beneath her clear and aloof exterior were countless calculations, long mired in the mud of this seemingly prosperous world, glittering with pearls and silks.

Take the child trafficking case. If she acted, even just slightly obstructing, the case wouldn’t have been so easily suppressed by the Sixth Princess. But Sheng Shiyue worried about her involvement and didn’t bring it up, so she let it pass.

At this thought, Ning Qingge closed her eyes, suddenly grateful that Sheng Shiyue covered them, hiding her emotions from view.

This Liang Kingdom was already rotten to the core, from the top ruler to the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers, even down to minor clerks. It was like a tree, lush on the outside but hollowed out by worms, ready to fall with a gust of wind.

The eyelashes under her palm trembled, causing an itch. Sheng Shiyue instinctively pulled back, but Ning Qingge grabbed her wrist faster, holding her in place.

Ning Qingge suddenly asked, “Your Highness, if a tree is infested with worms, eating its leaves, hollowing its branches, draining its roots, and hiding in layers of sawdust, how should we deal with it?”

The topic shifted too quickly, and Sheng Shiyue couldn’t react, only staring blankly at Ning Qingge.

She answered, “I heard the Miao people of the Southern Border have a蛊 poison technique. They put many venomous insects in a jar. At first, the insects fear each other, each claiming a corner. The Miao people then provoke one insect, angering the rest. Big insects eat small ones, small ones eat smaller ones, killing each other until the last poison remains, which the Miao people use.”

Sheng Shiyue frowned, unsure why Ning Qingge turned the conversation here. If it was to avoid the previous question, the shift was too abrupt.

She opened her mouth but followed the topic, saying, “My aunt once told me about this.”

“But venomous insects are always venomous. If you’re strong, they pretend to obey. But show a weakness, and they bite without hesitation. That’s why many in the Southern Border die from蛊 poison yearly.”

Ning Qingge guided her, asking, “Then what does Your Highness think we should do?”

On past nights reading, Ning Qingge often cited book examples, asking her what to do.

So Sheng Shiyue didn’t think much, only grumbling inwardly: Ning Qingge loves teaching. Even now, she doesn’t forget to lecture, thinking she could rest these summer days, but this woman seizes every chance.

She straightened up, her back unconsciously stiff, and answered, “Make the worms kill each other, then I kill the remaining worms.”

“And then? What about the tree?”

That was easy. Sheng Shiyue replied, “Remove the dead roots, scrape off the rotten flesh, spread the fallen leaves around the trunk as nutrients, then apply the right medicine. This way, the damaged tree can grow new branches and live again.”

“And if the tree suffers greatly because of it?”

Sheng Shiyue shook her head firmly, saying, “No destruction, no creation.”

Ning Qingge seemed to tug at her lips, saying, “Good.”

She pulled down the hand covering her eyes, her gaze clear as usual, showing no trace of anything unusual.

Sheng Shiyue was still tense. She used to laugh at Little Lotus for being serious, but now she’d become the earnest student, muttering, “Why play the teacher now?”

Ning Qingge’s expression relaxed, and she smiled, asking, “Then what role does Your Highness want me to play?”

Before Sheng Shiyue could answer, she pulled her index finger to her lips, saying, “This role?”

Her fingertip rested on soft lips, swaying with their movement, faintly feeling a tremble, then wrapped in hot, moist breath.

The earlier panting still echoed in her ears, the sensation of being enveloped elsewhere lingered, and now it was easy to think astray.

Sheng Shiyue’s breath hitched.

Ning Qingge, not satisfied, chuckled lightly, “I’m wanting it again.”

Her tone was unusually playful, the final sound deliberately drawn out and raised, saying such bold words so seductively.

The reckless rogue was startled, yanking her hand back and shouting, “Ning Qingge, you!”

How did she get bolder, saying such things…

Her eyes darted to the carriage curtain, knowing Qu Li and others wouldn’t eavesdrop outside, yet she felt uneasy.

She turned back, her gaze wandering, avoiding Ning Qingge, feeling like a guilty thief, stammering, “N-now’s not the time. They’ll come soon.”

Her ears reddened, but thinking of the other’s request, she said, “Hold on for now. I’ll find a chance…”

Before she finished, Ning Qingge burst out laughing, not just once, her whole body shaking as if seeing something hilarious, tears forming at her eyes.

Sheng Shiyue, already short-tempered, tried to be considerate, racking her brain to meet the other’s needs, only to find Ning Qingge teasing her!

Furious, she glared, bristling, “Ning Qingge!”

“Ning Qingge, stop laughing!”

But the other couldn’t stop, even burying herself in Sheng Shiyue’s waist, arms tightly hugging her. Tears rolled down her cheeks, her body trembling as if endlessly amused.

What was so funny!

The people outside the carriage heard Sheng Shiyue’s roar. Those cooling off under the shade exchanged glances, feeling a familiar helplessness.

Their Highness was, once again, riled up by the Prime Minister.

Even Ye Chili, the most loyal to the Ninth Highness, only scratched her head. Last time, witnessing such a scene, she nearly kicked the door down but was held back by Ye Liuyun, who explained for ages what “wifely fun” was.

Ye Chili didn’t fully understand, but she saw her supposedly bullied Highness walk out glowing, in a great mood, even giving her and Ye Liuyun half a month’s extra pay.

So, though Ye Chili couldn’t grasp it, she knew her Highness only shouted fiercely but enjoyed it.

“Tch,” Ye Chili made a sound, her eyes falling on Ye Liuyun. Since Madam Jin left, Ye Liuyun’s been zoning out more often.

“Ning Qingge! Stop it!”

The final warning rang out. The one in her arms finally knew to quit, her smile fading. Turning, she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Sheng Shiyue huffed, reaching to pinch the other’s face, gritting her teeth, “What’s so funny?”

Ning Qingge grabbed her hand, kissed it, and coaxed softly, “Alright, alright, I won’t laugh.”

How could Sheng Shiyue be so easily soothed? About to speak, she heard Ning Qingge say, “There is indeed a tattoo on my lower back.”

Sheng Shiyue blinked, swallowing the words on her tongue, looking eagerly at Ning Qingge.

She thought Ning Qingge didn’t want to talk about it, so she played along, pretending she hadn’t brought it up, letting it pass. But now, Ning Qingge brought it up herself. Was she willing to share?

No wonder Sheng Shiyue was confused. This matter had three suspicious points.

First, in Liang Kingdom, tattoos, also called ink punishment, were used to mark slaves to prevent escape, needled on visible places like the face or limbs. But Ning Qingge, not yet differentiated when implicated in the palace, wasn’t allowed such punishment by law, especially since she later differentiated as a top Kunze and was freed.

Second, her tattoo wasn’t obvious, only on her lower back, at the spine’s base, the size of a child’s palm. Without undressing, it was hard to notice.

Third, the tattoo… looked more and more like the Liang royal emblem.

A boldly blooming peony.

Sheng Shiyue frowned tightly, unable to hold back, asking, “Who did it?”

At this, she already had guesses in her heart, just too unbelievable to confirm.

Her clenched fists sweated. The carriage grew noisy; the delayed team had finally arrived.

Ning Qingge’s tone was calm, devoid of the earlier teasing emotion, as if speaking of something unrelated, saying, “I was once punished by Her Majesty for a mistake.”

Her reply was brief, avoiding the humiliation. A grand Prime Minister, marked with a slave’s brand! That was heavier, harsher than dozens of lashes.

Sheng Shiyue’s heart trembled, reaching to grab her.

But Ning Qingge stood, picking up the robe beside her, saying, “Her Majesty has arrived. We can’t delay.”

Her face was normal, her tone unchanged. Finishing, she began to dress.

Sheng Shiyue refused to listen, grabbing her wrist, brows drooping like a guilty puppy, saying, “Ning Qingge, I didn’t mean to bring it up. I just…”

Ning Qingge, helpless, said gently, “What does this have to do with you?”

She gently pushed Sheng Shiyue’s hand away, donned her robe, tied the palace sash, fixed her hair, and moved to lift the curtain.

Behind her, Sheng Shiyue felt guilty and lost, never good at comforting, especially with this seemingly unaffected gentleness.

She didn’t understand why Ning Qingge showed no other emotions when it was first mentioned, even giving her a lesson and teasing her, then bringing it up again, not seeming angry at all.

Others said Sheng Shiyue’s temper was unpredictable, but now it seemed Ning Qingge’s was too. Where did it go wrong?

Was it during the horse ride?

Or after waking up?

But she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Ning Qingge kissed her first, urging her to continue. After Ning Qingge fell asleep, she helped change her clothes and fanned her. Even her dearest aunt never got such treatment.

Maybe her earlier answer displeased Ning Qingge?

But didn’t Ning Qingge praise her?

And about the tattoo, if Ning Qingge didn’t want to talk, she wouldn’t force her.

These fluctuating emotions left Sheng Shiyue at a loss.

The one who lifted the curtain, as if unable to bear her daze, explained helplessly, “It’s getting late. I must go.”

Sheng Shiyue hurriedly said, “Oh,” but before she could say more, the curtain dropped, and Ning Qingge vanished.

Sheng Shiyue raised her hand, then let it fall, her mouth opening and closing without words. Finally, she stomped, lifted the curtain, and jumped from the carriage.