Chapter 51

Chapter 51

I personally simmered some soup, but Yuan Heng didn’t return in the afternoon.

After nightfall, I brought wine and food to the small study building.

Yuan Heng was practicing his calligraphy, having already written a thick stack of papers. Seeing me arrive, he glanced over briefly. “The roads are slippery in this snowy weather. Be careful not to fall. You don’t need to come over after dark in the future.”

I lifted the food box and smiled. “This concubine has warmed a pot of lamb wine for you. It’s nourishing and helps dispel the cold. I also personally prepared two small side dishes to go with the wine.”

Seeing me about to approach, Yuan Heng quickly stopped me, pointing to a square table not far away.

“Put it there.” He held up the finished papers with both hands, nodding repeatedly with satisfaction. “It wasn’t easy to finish writing these. If they get stained by wine, all my hard work will be for nothing.”

I took a look. “What are you copying?”

Yuan Heng set down his brush and walked over. “The Earth Store Sutra.”

I looked at the papers on the desk again. It was said that sincerely copying this sutra could deliver the souls of the deceased and allow one to repent for karmic obstacles.

How strange – he had actually started to show some kindness.

I picked up the wine flask and poured a full cup.

Yuan Heng stretched, lightly pounding his shoulders and back before sitting in a chair.

I walked behind him and began to massage his shoulders with practiced ease.

He closed his eyes comfortably for a short rest.

Neither of us spoke, and the atmosphere was truly as warm as that of a newlywed couple.

Suddenly, Yuan Heng asked, “You bought a residence for your family?”

I gave a soft hum of affirmation. “Are you angry?”

Yuan Heng picked up the wine cup and sniffed it gently. “Why would I be angry over such a small matter?”

I changed my technique to massage his temples. “My father wanted to show filial piety, but he is very afraid of his wife and didn’t dare bring my grandmother to Chang’an. So, I will play the villain. If my legal mother wants to resent someone, she can just resent me.”

Yuan Heng curled his lips. “I’m afraid your legal mother will be too busy being harassed by your grandmother to have time to resent you.”

I didn’t deny it, asking with a smile, “Do you think this concubine has turned bad?”

Yuan Heng let out a comfortable sigh. “It’s good for a girl to have a bit of a temper so she won’t be bullied.”

If I hadn’t experienced being killed by him, I might have been deceived by this gentle and considerate facade.

“Qing Qiu, there’s something I find quite puzzling.”

Yuan Heng’s eyes cracked open slightly. “Steward Li told me that Assistant Minister Han was initially unwilling to sell the residence. Steward Li suddenly remembered that Second Brother seemed to have once done a favor for the Han Family. He didn’t have much hope at first, but he tried to ask Second Brother to mediate. Who would have thought… Second Brother actually agreed and went to the Han residence that very night.”

My hands paused for a moment.

This Steward Li had both reported to Yuan Heng as I instructed and cleverly kept Cheng Wei out of any suspicion of collusion.

In doing so, Cheng Wei had been shifted from an active role to a passive one.

To manage to offend no one like this – he truly was a sophisticated and tactful man.

I continued massaging Yuan Heng. “Oh? I only asked Steward Li to handle the matter for me. I didn’t know Lord Cheng had a hand in it.”

Yuan Heng smiled meaningfully. “Given Second Brother’s temperament, it’s almost impossible for him to agree to such a thing. Interesting. He actually helped you. Why?”

I thought for a moment. “He likely did it out of kindness. Seeing that you were unhappy because I had a rash, and knowing how hard my pregnancy has been, he probably just did it in passing.”

Yuan Heng took a sip of wine, his eyes deepening as his smile grew wider. “Then we must thank Second Brother. How about this: tomorrow, we’ll call over the chef from Fuman Restaurant to prepare a table of fine dishes. I’ll invite Second Brother for wine, and you shall accompany us.”

I shook my head. “You go ahead. This concubine will not attend.”

“Why?”

I smiled. “That day outside Qiyun Temple, I only gave Lord Cheng a hand warmer for your sake. But since you didn’t like it, this concubine will never do such a thing again.”

Yuan Heng was clearly satisfied. He pressed down on my hand. “Qing Qiu, remember this: not just anyone is worthy of being This Marquis’s brother. Calling him Second Brother was a command from my father before he passed. This Marquis has only one brother, and that is the current Emperor.”

Seeing that he was in a good mood, I wrapped my arms around him from behind, resting my chin on his shoulder. “In the middle of this month is the anniversary of my mother’s death. Her memorial tablet is enshrined at Ci’en Temple. I originally wanted to hold a Buddhist service, but I caught that illness and couldn’t go. When my father has his day off, I want to go to Ci’en Temple with him to light incense for my mother. Is that alright?”

Yuan Heng hummed in agreement. “Go ahead.”