The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle His Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The warmth lasted only one night. The next day, before dawn, Ning Qingge got up, packed, and left.

The little wastrel Sheng Shiyue slept until she woke naturally. She got up slowly, was attended to for washing and dressing, and after breakfast, lay back on the bed. She called it following the doctor’s orders to rest properly.

The people in the mansion were used to Sheng Shiyue’s laziness and did not find it strange. Only Qu Li hurried over, sat by the bed, and nagged endlessly.

It was still about the previous events. Qu Li had left the capital a few days ago to check accounts at Sheng Shiyue’s estate outside the city. The task was tedious and usually took half a month. She had started planning two months ago, thinking she had chosen a time when nothing could go wrong. Yet, in just a few days, so many things happened. She rushed back in a hurry.

But when she arrived in Bianjing, Sheng Shiyue had already been carried to the Prime Minister’s mansion. No matter how anxious Qu Li was, she could do nothing but prepare a carriage and wait in the mansion.

Now that Ning Qingge had just left, Qu Li naturally wanted to ask in detail. But even Sheng Shiyue, the person involved, could not figure things out. How could Qu Li understand? The two pondered for a long time but reached no conclusion.

Finally, tired of talking, Sheng Shiyue held her head, pretending to have a headache.

How could Qu Li not see through it? She could only say helplessly, “I think this matter is quite strange. We should write to the lord soon.”

Hearing this, Sheng Shiyue knew Qu Li had finally given up. She stopped pretending to have a headache and said, “I’ll write to Little Aunt later.”

Qu Li nodded. Just as she was about to say more, they heard someone approaching from a distance. Moments later, a knock sounded on the wooden door.

“Who?” Sheng Shiyue shouted.

“It’s me, Wanyuan, coming on the Prime Minister’s orders.”

At these words, both people inside instinctively sat up straight. Sheng Shiyue called out to enter, and the sound of the wooden door’s hinge turning followed.

The visitor was about twenty years old, with a delicate face still retaining some youthfulness. But the scholarly air in her eyes gave her a wisdom and steadiness beyond her age.

Sheng Shiyue recognized her. She was one of the servants Ning Qingge brought when she moved to the mansion. Sheng Shiyue had not objected and even arranged a small courtyard for them. But she did not expect it would be like lifting a stone to smash her own foot.

The person walked up to her, bowed, and said, “Your Highness, the lord instructed before leaving that your forehead injury still needs rest. The matters discussed on your wedding night are temporarily set aside. But even so, you must not be too idle. She ordered me to bring a few books for you to pick one that interests you.”

Sheng Shiyue’s gaze shifted to the books in her hands.

The top one was the Book of Documents, the next was the Book of Rites, then a history book from the previous dynasty. The bottom one was the most interesting—a Thousand Family Poems for children’s enlightenment.

The Prime Minister had thought of everything.

Sheng Shiyue’s lips stiffened. Before she could speak, Wanyuan continued, “The lord said she will personally check when she returns later.”

Check?

Sheng Shiyue raised an eyebrow. Did Ning Qingge not know where her wastrel reputation came from?

Back in the study hall, she caused chaos, climbing roofs and tearing tiles, infuriating the tutors until they pulled their beards and stomped. Even the Empress gave in, letting her go elsewhere to make trouble, so long as she did not disturb the other royal heirs’ studies.

Now Ning Qingge wanted her to study again?

Sheng Shiyue waved her hand and said, “Go away. I’m not reading. I’m not interested in any of them.”

Wanyuan, as if she did not understand, said stiffly, “Then I’ll fetch some other books for Your Highness to choose from.”

More books?

Sheng Shiyue snapped angrily, “Can’t you understand? I’m not reading. I’m going to sleep!”

“You can flip through a few pages before sleeping…”

Why were Ning Qingge’s servants as annoying as her?

Sheng Shiyue was furious and was about to speak again when someone beside her said, “Lord Ning is right.”

Her gaze shifted to the other side. The words came from Qu Li, who had just been guessing Ning Qingge’s intentions with her, warning her to be careful and not fall into Ning Qingge’s trap again.

The change was so dramatic that even a Sichuan opera mastercomedy, Sheng Shiyue could not help but laugh.

“Qu Li, you!” Sheng Shiyue exclaimed, shocked and angry, as if betrayed.

Qu Li forcibly suppressed a smile, took all the books from Wanyuan’s hands, and persuaded, “Your Highness, Lord Ning means well. Just read a little, just a tiny bit.”

Though Qu Li indulged Sheng Shiyue, she knew what was good for her. She had tried persuading Sheng Shiyue to study several times before, but Sheng Shiyue’s antics always led to giving up before starting. Now, with this opportunity, even without knowing Ning Qingge’s intentions, Qu Li could not help but cooperate.

But how could that stubborn one agree? She shouted, “Don’t call me Your Highness, you traitor.”

Qu Li went along smoothly, “Little Jiu, pick one you’re interested in. Just take a look. At least when Lord Ning comes back to check, you won’t be completely clueless, right?”

“Don’t call me Little Jiu.”

“Sheng Jiu…”

Wanyuan, who thought she would have to deal with a fuss, stood by with nothing to do, observing.

She recalled the rumors she heard last night and thought they were true. Sheng Shiyue was not as bad as the outside world claimed. She was more childishly mischievous and treated the mansion’s servants well, especially Qu Li. They seemed more like family than master and servant.

She was far better than some masters who appeared gentle and polite but were harsh and abusive behind closed doors.

While Wanyuan’s mind wandered, the master and servant had already shifted the conversation elsewhere.

“Where’s Chiling?” Sheng Shiyue started looking for someone.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. You want Chiling to help you climb the wall and sneak out, don’t you? No chance. She broke her leg that day and is still bedridden!” Qu Li answered quickly.

Chiling was the person who played polo with Sheng Shiyue and fell off the horse due to Xu Zhengming’s scheme.

With so many recent events, Sheng Shiyue had forgotten about it. She quickly asked for details, confirmed Chiling was fine, and said, “Qu Li, go check on her for me. That guy’s a quiet one, never says anything, doesn’t even complain about pain from a broken leg. Take some silver from the treasury for her. Tell her not to skimp and to recover well.”

Qu Li had spoken hastily earlier. Hearing this, she softened slightly but did not agree immediately. Instead, she glanced at the books by the bed.

Sheng Shiyue had no choice. She put on an annoyed look, waved her hand, and said, “Fine, fine, I’ll read them.”

Qu Li smiled, agreed, said a few more words, and then they left together.

Sheng Shiyue, who had just picked up a book but not opened a page, immediately put it back, muttering to herself, “Ning Qingge thinks I’ll read just because she says so? She wishes.”

“Check? I’ll sneak out and see how she checks,” Sheng Shiyue hated these things the most. Otherwise, she would not have hit the wall at the mention of so-called family rules. Now, with books right in front of her, if she did not escape, tutors would probably show up in a few days.

She grabbed a robe, threw it on, picked a wide forehead band to cover the bandage on her head, and avoided the main gate. Instead, she went to a window on the other side, quietly climbed out, and tiptoed to the small courtyard gate.

Perhaps because it happened suddenly, Qu Li had not guarded as strictly as before. Even the small gate was unguarded, letting Sheng Shiyue slip out easily. She avoided the crowd and circled to a quieter courtyard.

“Liuyun! Grab the crickets and the rosewood pipa. Let’s climb the wall and have some fun.”

The person inside, hearing her, was not surprised. She stepped out quickly and said, “Your Highness, did you make Qu Li angry again? Your forehead’s still injured. You should rest a few days.”

Such incidents were clearly common, as Ye Liuyun no longer asked for reasons.

Sheng Shiyue said, “It’s stuffy inside. Let’s get some air and sell these two things to avoid bad luck.”

Ye Liuyun, hearing this, knew she would not budge. She gave a wry smile, went inside to grab the items, and climbed the wall with her master.

The Western District was liveliest during the day.

Merchants hurried about, exotic-looking foreigners shouted in broken official dialect, and commoners crowded together noisily. Even the guarding soldiers were pushed to the corners. The Fan Tower, which Ning Qingge had mentioned before, was also here.

As soon as they reached the entrance, a servant rushed over enthusiastically, saying, “You’re here? Third floor again, your usual room?”

Fan Tower had five floors. The first was mostly for commoners with some spare money. The top floor was never open. The fourth floor was reserved for powerful lords and ministers, like Sheng Shiyue’s Little Aunt. The third floor was for second-generation wastrels like Sheng Shiyue.

She could go to the fourth floor and had a few times before, but kept running into this or that official, which was annoying. The third floor was livelier and more carefree, so she stayed there often.

Sheng Shiyue did not answer, giving the servant a sidelong glance. Ye Liuyun stepped forward, tossed a few taels of silver to the servant.

He immediately smiled, bowed, and said, “Thank you, Your Highness. Please come inside.”

“Oh, my memory! Miss Meng and the others are here too. Should I call them over?”

At this, Sheng Shiyue raised an eyebrow and finally spoke, “They’re here too? Saves me the trouble of sending for them. Go tell them Sheng Jiu brought two good things. Tell them to all come over.”

The servant quickly agreed.

Soon, the private room on the third floor filled up, with laughter and scolding making it lively.

On the other side, Ning Qingge had just stepped through the gate when she saw Qu Li and Wanyuan hurrying out. Both looked grim, especially Qu Li, whose scarred face was full of anger until she saw Ning Qingge and paused.

“Master.”

“Lord Ning.”

The first voice was Wanyuan’s, the second Qu Li’s.

Ning Qingge nodded slightly, looked at Qu Li, and asked gently, “Did something happen, Qu Li?”

Her respectful attitude eased Qu Li’s expression. But then she recalled failing to watch Sheng Shiyue, and said with slight shame, “Her Highness refused to read and climbed the wall to go make trouble.”

Ning Qingge’s brows furrowed slightly. She asked, “Do you know where Her Highness went?”

“Fan Tower.”

As soon as the words fell, Ning Qingge turned and left.