You Rong and Lin Qinghe both turned to look at the woman on the horse. The woman was wearing a lotus-pink cloak, with a delicate face and a timid demeanor that was rather endearing.
With just a glance, Lin Qinghe knew this was the heroine, Xu Yiyi.
She had been having such a smooth time lately that she had almost forgotten about the heroine's existence. However, in previous worlds, the heroine had not posed much of a threat to Lin Qinghe, so she hadn't paid much attention.
You Rong stood still and glanced at Lin Qinghe. Lin Qinghe understood and stepped forward, extending her hand. "Miss, allow me to help you down."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Xu Yiyi's face. She quietly said thank you, took Lin Qinghe's hand, and dismounted with her assistance.
After getting off the horse, Xu Yiyi looked at You Rong, then at Lin Qinghe, and hesitantly asked, "Young Master You, is this lady..."
The sternness in You Rong's brows softened slightly. He looked at Lin Qinghe and said softly, "This is my wife, Lin Qinghe."
"Ah?" Xu Yiyi's small face was a mixture of surprise and disappointment. "Young Master You, you... you're already married?"
You Rong nodded.
Lin Qinghe frowned. She wasn't stupid. Xu Yiyi's eyes were practically glued to You Rong, and the disappointment on her face when she learned Lin Qinghe was You Rong's wife was evident.
Xu Yiyi had likely fallen for You Rong at first sight.
For some reason, she felt incredibly annoyed.
You Rong sensed something was off with Lin Qinghe. He moved closer and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? Have you been waiting for me and haven't eaten dinner yet? Are you hungry?"
Lin Qinghe glanced at You Rong, dismissed her scattered thoughts, and said calmly, "It's cold outside, let's talk inside."
"Okay."
Xu Yiyi followed them inside.
Lin Qinghe poured two cups of hot tea and handed them to You Rong and Xu Yiyi before asking, "You Rong, who is this young lady..."
Before You Rong could speak, Xu Yiyi quickly explained, "I am the prefect's daughter, Xu Yiyi. This afternoon, on my way back from the temple after offering incense, I encountered bandits. They killed my guards, and my maid and I fled into the mountains. However, I was accidentally separated from my maid. Then the bandits chased after us. Fortunately, Young Master You... I was saved. Otherwise, I probably would have already..."
Seeing Xu Yiyi weeping profusely, Lin Qinghe frowned, feeling annoyed.
Just speak properly, must you cry so much!
Lin Qinghe did not comfort Xu Yiyi. Instead, she turned to You Rong and asked, "Are you injured?"
You Rong held Lin Qinghe's hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I'm not injured. I saved someone and rode away on my horse. I didn't engage in a fight with the bandits."
Lin Qinghe secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Beside her, Xu Yiyi was still sobbing softly. Lin Qinghe felt a headache coming on and wanted to send her away quickly.
She thought for a moment and then said, "Miss Xu, do you have any tokens? I can have someone deliver it to your manor and send for someone to pick you up."
Xu Yiyi took out a jade pendant and handed it over. "This is the jade pendant I carry with me. If you send it to my manor, my father and mother will recognize it."
Lin Qinghe took the jade pendant. "I understand."
Lin Qinghe took the jade pendant and walked out the door. She saw a young man across the way.
Lin Qinghe recognized him. He was one of the laborers at the dock. It was said he had nowhere to live and slept at the dock at night. When he came to the small tavern to buy food, Lin Qinghe would often give him a little extra or charge him a few fewer coins.
Lin Qinghe called out, "Hey... I remember your name is Li San, right? Come here for a moment, I need your help with something."
Li San, seeing that it was Lin Qinghe calling him, ran over, grinning. "Boss lady, you need my help? What is it? Just ask!"
Lin Qinghe smiled faintly. "I need you to run an errand for me. Go to Prefect Xu's manor, give this jade pendant to the guards at the entrance, and tell them Miss Xu is here, and they should come to pick her up."
Lin Qinghe placed the jade pendant and a piece of silver into Li San's hand. "This is your reward for the errand."
"Boss lady, you don't have to. It's just a small matter, no need for a reward!"
Lin Qinghe insisted, "Take it. Otherwise, I'd feel too embarrassed to ask for your help."
"Then... alright, I'll take the money. Rest assured, I will definitely deliver your message and the item."
"Yes, be careful on the road. Hurry up."
Watching Li San's receding back, Lin Qinghe returned to the tavern and found that You Rong was nowhere to be seen, only Xu Yiyi remained.
Lin Qinghe was slightly puzzled. Just as she was about to walk towards the kitchen at the back, You Rong came out, holding two bowls and placing them on the table.
"Qinghe, there's some leftover noodles and tea in the kitchen. I've reheated them. We might not get home until very late tonight, so be careful not to starve yourself." Su Dan Novel Network
Lin Qinghe's annoyance lessened slightly. Just as she was about to walk over and sit down, she saw You Rong hand another bowl to Xu Yiyi. "This is our leftover food. Miss Xu, if you don't mind, please have some."
Xu Yiyi's cheeks flushed slightly as she shook her head. "No! I don't mind at all... Thank you, Young Master You."
Lin Qinghe's slightly improved mood instantly became unbearable again. She inexplicably wanted to throw You Rong and this Xu Yiyi out, feeling that if she couldn't see them, she wouldn't be bothered.
Seeing Lin Qinghe standing still, You Rong frowned and walked over, asking in a low voice, "What's wrong? Why aren't you speaking? Are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Qinghe pursed her lips and said coldly, "It's nothing... I'm not hungry! I don't want to eat!"
She had wanted to eat just now, but now she didn't want a single bite, finding it utterly unappetizing!
"...Qinghe?" You Rong called softly.
Lin Qinghe remained silent, her lips pressed tightly together, ignoring You Rong.
You Rong sensed Lin Qinghe's unease. He wanted to ask, but being mindful of Xu Yiyi's presence, he couldn't pry. He held Lin Qinghe's hand and whispered to her, "...We'll eat together when we get home."
Unbeknownst to them, Xu Yiyi interjected at that moment, quite jarringly, "Young Master You, if your wife doesn't want to eat, why don't you eat it? You saved me... and you haven't had dinner yet."
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth, yanked her hand out of You Rong's grasp, and even pushed him forward slightly, smiling. "Yes, you haven't had dinner yet either. Go eat."
Lin Qinghe smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
If You Rong dared to eat, she would make him pay!
You Rong frowned displeasedly and said calmly, "No. When I get home, I'll eat dinner with my wife."
Xu Yiyi had nothing more to say and lowered her head to eat her own food.
You Rong, as if trying to appease her, took Lin Qinghe's hand again, his thumb stroking her palm. Lin Qinghe let out a barely audible hum. Given that You Rong was being reasonably sensible, she didn't pull her hand away.
About half an hour later, someone from Xu Yiyi's manor arrived to pick her up.
Before getting into the carriage, Xu Yiyi curtsied, gazing at You Rong with lingering reluctance. "Thank you for saving me today, Young Master You. I will certainly remember your kindness."
You Rong's expression was indifferent. "It was a small effort. Miss Xu need not worry about it."
Xu Yiyi seemed hesitant to speak, but ultimately swallowed the words that were on her tongue. She cast lingering glances back at the tavern as she walked out, got into the Xu manor's carriage, and departed.