Chapter 091
Chapter 91: The Eldest Grandson Young Master and Xiao Man, Did They Make It Happen?
Outside the door, Lin Qing Xuan still stood under the eaves, tall and steady as a pine, but his face was set. The black cat Tuan Tuan, so rowdy before, rested quietly in his arm for once, golden eyes seeming to look straight through the wood, curious and a little knowing.
All at once, Tuan Tuan lifted his head and rubbed his forehead against Lin Qing Xuan’s chin, purring with pride as if to say: “I told you she wasn’t ordinary. See, I was right! Before, I only thought your sarira relic was sensing a soul from another world. Who knew there’d be such a surprise on top!”
Lin Qing Xuan lowered his eyes to the humanlike cat in his arms, while a storm crashed in his heart. Last night’s wild scenes flashed one after another. He was one hundred percent certain that Xiao Man held a soul from another world inside. But just now, what was that pure, compassionate power from behind the door, the one that made his sarira relic resonate?
Clean, merciful, and scented with lotus, it felt like it could wash all filth away. How could two traits so different live in the same person?
Countless questions circled his mind, almost splitting his reason. For now, though, he pushed them aside. He had only one thought left: Xiao Man’s body. She went through so much last night. How was she now?
He turned and strode quickly toward the small kitchen across the courtyard.
Granny Chen was sweeping leaves. Seeing the Eldest Grandson Young Master coming, she dropped her broom and hurried up with a smile, then said: “Young Master, you’re up early.”
Without slowing, Lin Qing Xuan said in a low voice: “Nanny, cook some meat congee for Xiao Man.”
Granny Chen’s smile froze; her eyes went wide and round, then she covered it fast with a caring look and asked: “Oh my, is Xiao Man resting today? She hasn’t gotten up yet?”
Lin Qing Xuan nodded, his face still calm, then said: “Maybe she’s just tired from last night. Keep the meat congee warm and don’t disturb her rest.”
Boom. The words “tired from last night” exploded like fireworks in Granny Chen’s head. [Good heavens! We went to bed early and still missed a show for the ages!]
Her heart did a victory dance, but her face softened with even more concern as she tested the waters, then said: “Young Master, should I prepare something for you too? You must be tired as well.”
Lin Qing Xuan frowned slightly. He had indeed spent his strength suppressing that fire last night and now felt it. He nodded and said: “I am a bit tired.”
Granny Chen gave him an “I totally get it” look, her voice dropping almost to a whisper as she said: “Tired, of course tired!”
Lin Qing Xuan missed the hint completely and went on: “Send some plain congee and small dishes to my room too, and add a few eggs.”
Granny Chen bobbed her head quickly and said: “All right, all right, please wait a moment, I’ll get everything ready for you both!”
She watched him walk away, her wrinkled face blooming like a chrysanthemum. The moment his back disappeared, she gathered her skirt and flew toward the back yard.
Old Chen was watering a few precious orchids and nearly jumped out of his skin when his wife burst in like a storm, then asked: “What’s chasing you, a ghost?”
Grabbing his arm, Granny Chen lowered her voice but couldn’t hide the excitement in her eyes as she said: “Old man! The Eldest Grandson Young Master and Xiao Man made it happen!”
Clang. The water ladle slipped from Old Chen’s hand and hit the ground, splashing a wide ring. He stared at her and said: “What nonsense! Both the Eldest Grandson Young Master and Xiao Man are disciplined and proper. How could they!”
Granny Chen stomped and repeated the earlier conversation with a few extra flourishes, then said: “Think about it! Xiao Man’s worn out from the whole night and still lying down! The Young Master ordered for her himself. Meat congee, no less! He even warned us not to disturb her!”
Getting more worked up, she slapped her thigh and said: “The Eldest Grandson Young Master is so considerate! To wear a girl out all night like that, our Young Master is really something!”
She grinned with proud delight, then shot Old Chen a scornful look and said: “Not like you. On our wedding night you hurt me half to death, then rolled over and fell asleep!”
She clicked her tongue, eyes going dreamy, then added: “Our Eldest Grandson Young Master is just better than you rough types. A man who reads knows how to care! That girl Xiao Man is truly blessed!”
Old Chen, face dark, picked up the ladle and tapped her lightly on the head, then said: “Put those foolish thoughts away! We’ve been married half a life. I know what you’re up to from one wiggle of your behind! Stop daydreaming!”
Granny Chen only chuckled and said: “I’m off to make congee! The Eldest Grandson Young Master worked hard all night; can’t let him go hungry!”
Watching her hum a tune toward the kitchen, Old Chen’s smile faded to worry. Had they really done it? Should he be happy about this, or… No. Absolutely not.
His heart dropped. Before anything was sure, he couldn’t let this Old Granny run her mouth. Once she started talking, the whole estate would know in half a day. If it wasn’t true, Xiao Man’s name and the Young Master’s reputation would both be ruined.
He left the orchids and followed her at once.
In the small kitchen, Granny Chen was working happily. Four delicate side dishes sat on plates for the Young Master. A steamer held one flower roll and two white buns. On the counter were six hard-boiled eggs. Men who put in labor need eggs. Like cures like: eggs to fix what needs fixing.
Just as she was beaming at her spread, Old Chen pulled her to a corner of the stove, voice low and serious, then said: “Listen to me. This isn’t confirmed. Don’t you dare go gossip with your lady friends. One word from you and the whole estate will hear it. If it isn’t what you think, a young lady’s name like Xiao Man’s will be wrecked!”
Granny Chen snorted and said: “Name? Becoming the Young Master’s concubine would be a blessing for eight lifetimes. She wouldn’t be happy?”
Old Chen snapped, anxious now, then said: “You silly woman! Think. If Xiao Man wanted to climb high, would she have waited this long? Remember when Miss Zheng drugged the Young Master? If the Young Master and Xiao Man had done it that time, everyone would have known, and the Young Master would have had to take her in on the spot. But what happened? Xiao Man smashed the Young Master’s head to keep her own name clean!”
He added, sharper than anyone: “That stubborn girl! Our Young Master is a fine man!”
Granny Chen huffed, suddenly feeling sorry for the Young Master, then said: “Everyone has their own taste. You can’t just take the Young Master’s side because you watched him grow up.”
Old Chen lowered his voice, patient but firm, then said: “These days, it’s the Young Master who holds Xiao Man like a treasure. On her side, she’s the one a bit lacking. Remember this: don’t talk nonsense. Especially about this. If it had really happened, with the Young Master’s character he would have already reported to Madam and Old Madam. He’s not the kind of man who shirks responsibility.”
Doused by his bucket of cold water, Granny Chen’s fire went out by half. She pouted and said: “So when will it happen then? I heard Xiao Man’s indenture deed will expire soon. If she packs up and leaves, what will our Eldest Grandson Young Master do?”
Her eyes suddenly lit up as she said: “Old man, what if… we slip the medicine Madam gave us into Xiao Man’s congee?”
Old Chen nearly jumped and cut her off at once, then said: “Stop right there! The deed won’t expire for months! What are you rushing for! Let them take it slow and grow feelings. Isn’t that better than using dirty tricks? If Xiao Man is the fiery sort and goes to extremes, that’ll be real trouble.”
Granny Chen’s towering energy fizzled out. She stared at the rolling congee and suddenly felt that cooking it was such a pain. If they’d really made it happen, they should be eating plain white rice. That gives more strength.
The little kitchen fell quiet as the two of them worked, neither willing to say another word.
So tell me, shouldn’t men be a little tired out, maybe even need a blue pill… Ladies, tips and hearts please, vote to help Buddha’s Chosen buy some supplements and secure Xiao Man’s happiness!