Blutbefleckter Tod

Kapitel 28

"It must be Dr. Hu. I ran into Uncle Zhao when I went out to buy groceries this morning. He was on his way to the city to get medicine, so I asked him to tell Dr. Hu if he saw him that he could come to our house when he had some free time and take a look at you."

"It's really nothing serious, why go to all this trouble?"

“You got caught in the rain yesterday. What if the wound gets infected and inflamed? What if the treatment isn’t done properly and leaves some aftereffects? I still trust Dr. Hu. You always think everything’s fine, but it’ll be too late when something really happens! Besides, I can learn a thing or two from him when he bandages and changes your dressings!”

Song Xiaohua muttered to herself as she opened the door with her umbrella, while Lu Ziqi could only watch his son make funny faces and smile wryly.

Who are you looking for?

Just as he stood up and straightened his clothes, he heard Song Xiaohua's surprised voice. Accompanied by the dog's increasingly loud barking, Lu Ziqi's face darkened. He told Lu Ling to stay in the room and not run around, then lifted his shirt and went out of the room.

Outside the courtyard gate stood two burly men, silently facing Song Xiaohua and Song Wuque's questions, but when they saw Lu Ziqi, they clasped their hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Young Master Lu!"

Song Xiaohua hurried over and held up the umbrella: "Why did you just run out like this? I just talked to you, and you've already forgotten!"

Lu Ziqi lowered his head to meet her slightly uneasy gaze, first smiling reassuringly, then bowing in return: "Please come inside for a chat."

“No need!” one of them replied in a gruff voice. “We are here on the orders of the princess to invite Young Master Lu.”

"May I ask what brings you here?"

"I don't know."

After saying that, the two fell silent again, standing on either side of the door, stepping aside as if to say, "Come with us."

Upon seeing this, Song Xiaohua was instantly furious. This wasn't an invitation; it was blatant robbery!

But before she could react, Lu Ziqi said, "Please wait a moment while I change my clothes and then I will leave."

As she followed him into the front hall, sullenly, Song Xiaohua couldn't help but spit out, "A dog relying on its master's power!"

"Mother, what does 'a dog relying on its master's power' mean?"

"It means... if one day Ling'er becomes very, very powerful, then Wuque can bite whoever he wants!"

Seeing Lu Ling's sudden realization, Lu Ziqi could only sigh helplessly. What kind of parenting was this, even though the example he gave seemed quite appropriate...

"Princess Xingping must have something to discuss with me. I'll be right back."

Song Xiaohua nodded, but also pursed her lips. What else could it be but trying to seduce you?

"Where is Father going?"

"Ling'er, stay home with your mother. Your father is going to see someone and will be back soon. Oh, it's that aunt from yesterday."

Lu Ling had been waiting for so long to finally be with her father, only to have it ruined by someone else, and by that fierce aunt of hers no less. Naturally, she was very upset. After gritting her teeth and puffing out her cheeks, she finally blurted out, "I'm going to make Wuque take advantage of his master's power and bite her!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Ziqi's expression changed slightly, and he was about to reprimand the boy when Song Xiaohua patted the little guy's head first, laughing heartily: "Well done, you have ambition! So, Ling'er, you must study hard and become very, very powerful!"

"Yes! Don't worry, Mother, Ling'er will!"

Lu Ziqi glanced at the dog, who was squatting by the door, staring intently at the two door gods, completely unaware of the heavy responsibility it bore. He then walked into the bedroom with his hands behind his back. Perhaps, this method of educating children was worth a try…

He put on a raincoat and came out, waving the object in his hand at the two people sitting slumped over the table, looking very downcast: "Ling'er, there are some fun things here, do you want some?"

"Wow! What a beautiful ball! Ling'er wants it!" Lu Ling's eyes lit up as she took the exquisite little ball made of straw, admiring it so much that she temporarily put aside her previous frustration.

Song Xiaohua stood up and forced a smile: "We'll wait for you to come back for lunch. Also, remember you're injured, so don't stay in the rain for too long."

She readily agreed, then opened her hand: "This is for you, I don't know if you like it." In her fair, jade-like palm with its clear lines, lay a small pendant tied in a straw knot, its brilliant gold tinged with a few streaks of green: "These are all woven from newly harvested wheat stalks, I forgot to take them out last night."

"You made this up?"

"I just learned this from the old farmer on this trip. It's a casual piece I made in my spare time, so it's a bit rough and simple."

He picked it up carefully and examined it closely: "If you get fired in the future... that is, if you no longer hold an official position, you can make a living with this skill!"

"...I'm glad you like it." Although it sounded rather awkward, it was probably...a compliment...

"I like it!" She looked up and smiled, revealing eight tiny teeth.

When she smiled, her eyes indeed narrowed, curving like two crescent moons.

Lu Ziqi raised his hand and brushed the stray hairs from her forehead: "If you feel cold, go find one of my robes to wear first, and don't get cold."

"oh……"

Watching his hurried departure, Song Xiaohua wore a perfectly typical infatuated smile.

Oh my god, oh my god, he was so gentle just now...

Chapter Thirty-One: Clash of Two Women

Lu Ziqi returned quickly, just past noon. However, he left just as quickly, setting off as soon as he put down his bowl.

Seeing the weariness he couldn't hide despite his hurried arrival and departure, Song Xiaohua felt a pang of regret; she shouldn't have let him promise to come back for lunch. However, she felt even more resentment towards that domineering princess.

She's not even your own man, she doesn't know how to cherish him!

However, resentment aside, understanding is still necessary. After all, as a local official, ensuring the well-being of visiting high-ranking officials from a neighboring country is within his duties; this is, in a way, a diplomatic event of some significance. Although, a thousand or eight hundred years from now, it will simply be an internal conflict among the people…

As for the princess's covetousness towards the lowly official, Song Xiaohua didn't really care. After all, the two were of vastly different social statuses. Even if the Song Dynasty emperor intended to send a man to marry a foreign ruler, it wouldn't be the head of a seventh-rank county magistrate.

Unless, by force... she's a genuine queen!

No, no, no, Lu Ziqi would rather die than submit and live or die with his chastity! Hmm? I wonder if chastity belts are even sold these days…

Song Xiaohua's mind was filled with these "filthy" thoughts, making her so distracted that she smashed three bowls. Amidst the clattering sounds, she abruptly stood up, head held high, fists clenched, took a deep breath, and roared to the sky: "You, a 21st-century modern-day 'fujoshi' (a woman obsessed with BL), can't you be a little more positive? Huh?!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than two loud bangs and cries of "Ouch!" were heard. Turning to the front yard, they saw that just as Dr. Hu was about to push the door open, he was startled by Song Xiaohua's domineering roar and slammed his head against the doorframe.

"Oh dear! Please be careful, sir... don't break my door frame!" Song Xiaohua greeted him with a smile, her words leaving Dr. Hu, who was rubbing his forehead with a pained expression, speechless and rolling his eyes.

"I was just kidding! Please come in."

“Madam Lu, your door frame is very sturdy. Even if you brought a cow to ram it, it might not break.” He stroked his goatee and stepped in, not forgetting to retort.

This Dr. Hu had visited several times before, and Song Wuque was already very familiar with him, so he strolled out for a quick look and then strolled back to continue taking a nap with Lu Ling.

Song Xiaohua led him to the front hall, put down the umbrella, and served him hot tea: "You may have to make a wasted trip this time. The person who needs to see a doctor is out on business and will probably be back later."

Doctor Hu's beady eyes darted around twice: "What, is it that Lord Lu is unwell?"

"Yes! He was accidentally wounded by an arrow while on patrol. Otherwise, why would I have asked Uncle Zhao to tell you to bring medicine?"

"I thought you had cut your hand with the kitchen knife again, Madam."

"…………"

Song Xiaohua really wanted to pluck out all those two arched eyebrows from that old face that was recounting other people's embarrassing misfortunes with such a serious expression.

Seeing her discomfitured expression, Doctor Hu finally felt a small sense of relief from the frustration of bumping his head earlier. After several encounters, he had gotten to know each other's temperaments quite well, and had long considered this cheerful and open-minded Madam Lu a close friend despite their age difference, making their conversation much more relaxed. He shook his head, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "If you had just said you were making a house call for Lord Lu, I wouldn't have had to come all this way."

"What's the meaning?"

"When I went out, I saw Lord Lu accompanying..." Suddenly realizing something, he quickly stopped talking and focused on gulping down his tea.

Even though he only said half a sentence, Song Xiaohua easily understood that her man was walking down the street with another woman!

Stay calm, stay calm, stay positive! This is official business, this is diplomacy, understanding is key!

However, judging from Doctor Hu's cryptic and cryptic demeanor, he clearly did not know Yelü Ping's identity and must have thought she was Lord Lu's confidante.

Do these two even have brains? Parading around like this without considering the public opinion it will cause. Newlyweds already, and they're already showing off their mistress in public—this is incredibly damaging to the reputation of Magistrate Lu! As the Magistrate's wife, how can she just sit idly by and watch this situation escalate without intervening?

Thinking of this, Song Xiaohua was suddenly filled with a surge of heroic spirit, willing to go through fire and water for her man. She slammed her hand on the table and declared, "Watch how I, in the name of the moon, will destroy you all!"

The murderous intent in that voice made Doctor Hu tremble, nearly spilling his tea into his nose: "Madam Lu, you know my eyesight is failing, I'm probably mistaken. Besides, Lord Lu... holds an important position, and it's inevitable that he'll have some social engagements outside in the future. You mustn't act rashly out of a sense of justice!"

"Your eyesight is failing? Your eyes glow green at night, they're sharper than a thief's!"

"…………"

"Are you free this afternoon? Could you please keep an eye on Ling'er for me? He should wake up in half an hour. Make sure he's dressed so he doesn't catch a cold. You can stay here, have some tea, and watch the rain. I'll go find Lord Lu, who needs medical attention, right now!"

By the time she finished speaking, Song Xiaohua had already 'drifted' outside the courtyard gate, leaving only her powerful voice faintly reaching the ears of the stunned and thunderstruck Doctor Hu…

At the same time, the expressions on the faces of the clothing shop owners were also quite varied.

The woman accompanying Lord Lu was clearly not Madam Lu, but the two seemed quite familiar with each other, and she was even helping Lord Lu to make suggestions on the clothes he wanted to buy for Madam Lu.

Could she be Madam Lu's sister? But they really don't have any resemblance.

Could it be that Lord Lu... has been living alone for three years, and now that he's opened the door to marry, he's going to have one marriage after another? Lord Lu truly lives up to his name; if he sets his mind to something, he can make it run wild...

The shop owner was hopelessly obsessed with his local official, but the official being worshipped was not feeling particularly happy at that moment.

Princess Xingping's behavior was truly unpredictable and caught everyone off guard; she acted entirely on her whims, disregarding the opinions of others. And sometimes, she was far too…unrestrained…