Chapter 268: Chapter 268

Su Qing wore a raven-blue brocade robe today. The slightly somber color set off his deep, dark eyes and his high, straight nose, with thin lips beneath, making him appear particularly detached and cold.

This was the first time Lin Xiaorou had seen such a handsome man, and for a moment, she completely forgot how to respond.

It was only when she was brought to the side hall to await the household doctor for a pulse check that Lin Xiaorou finally managed to gather her thoughts. She turned to the housekeeper and asked, "Was that Mr. Qi just now?"

Housekeeper Liu, an elder of the household well-versed in the arranged marriage between Mr. Qi and the Lin Family, also knew that the girl in front of him was the illegitimate daughter who had run away with someone. Although he held some disdain for her actions, he maintained a polite demeanor, "Since Miss is unwell, it’s better to let the doctor have a look early, so he can prescribe medicine for treatment." Read full story at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩

Lin Xiaorou bit her lip lightly and reluctantly extended her wrist for the pulse check.

After looking her over, the household doctor said there was nothing major, possibly blood deficiency causing dizziness from prolonged kneeling. Such symptoms needed gradual nourishment.

With the prescription given, the household doctor left soon after.

Housekeeper Liu looked at Lin Xiaorou with a very courteous attitude, "Soon, someone will bring the decoction to the west wing for Miss. Please follow the maid there for a little rest."

Lin Xiaorou clenched the corner of her clothes, unwillingly following the maid to the west wing, resenting Lin Xiaoyue in her heart.

This woman must have sent someone to investigate Su Qing’s background in advance. Otherwise, with her young lady’s temper, how could she willingly let herself be manipulated and marry into the Su Family?

The more she thought about it, the more Lin Xiaorou felt that Lin Xiaoyue did it on purpose, purposefully arranging for someone to coax her into elopement to destroy her good marriage.

Not long after returning to the wing, a maid indeed brought the decoction. Lin Xiaorou didn’t drink it, and when no one was watching, she poured it all out. Once the maid left with the empty bowl, she quickly sat down at the dressing table to look at her reflection in the bronze mirror.

She and Lin Xiaoyue shared the same father, and there was a slight resemblance in their features. With careful grooming, she was no less than Lin Xiaoyue. Being a concubine to Mr. Qi was more than sufficient.

It was her own stupidity before, falling into their trap and eloping. Now that she was here, she had no plans to return to that small place, Jizhou.

Upon learning that the Lin Family’s ladies had arrived at the residence, Su Qing merely asked if they were settled, mentioning nothing further.

He stepped into the main courtyard, seeing Lin Xiaoyue half-leaning, half-lying on the Arhat Bed. Scanning the room and seeing no one else, he asked her, "Weren’t you talking about those lady friends of yours all the time? Now that they’re here, why not have them around for a chat?"

Being pregnant made Lin Xiaoyue feel a bit lazy, and she replied with half-opened eyes, "They just arrived today. I thought they’d be tired from the journey, so they should have a good meal and rest, and we can gather another day."

After speaking, she suddenly remembered something, "Did you see the woman kneeling outside when you entered, Mr. Qi?"

While Lin Xiaoyue spoke, Su Qing had already finished washing his hands in the copper basin brought by a little maid and dried them, then walked over to sit beside her. "Did Granny Qi purposely arrange for her to kneel there waiting for me?"

Lin Xiaoyue glanced at him carefully and suddenly pursed her lips into a smile, "If I say yes, do you like her, Mr. Qi?"

Su Qing looked back at her, the darkness in his eyes even deeper, "She’d make a decent foot-washing maid for you."

Hearing the annoyance in his tone, Lin Xiaoyue did not continue the topic and had a maid fetch meals from the kitchen.

Not long after the maid left, the housekeeper came in, "Mr. Qi, Mrs. Qi, Miss An and Miss Jing are requesting a meeting."

Lin Xiaoyue knew the two of them most likely came for Mr. Qi, so she didn’t immediately agree. Instead, she looked at the man beside her, implying if he wanted to meet them.

Su Qing’s tea-drinking paused slightly, instructing the housekeeper, "Bring them in."

Out of courtesy, Lin Xiaoyue immediately sat up straight.

Su Qing, however, put down his teacup and reclined, half of his body almost leaning against her.

Lin Xiaoyue couldn’t move him after a few attempts. Seeing the two enter, she stopped trying, looking at the sisters, "Didn’t I tell you to rest in the wing? Why did you come suddenly?"

Lin An’an and Lin Jingjing heard this, raised their heads in unison, and finally saw the brother-in-law, Su Qing, they had imagined for so long.

It was close to dusk now, and the candles were lit early in the room. The dim light made the man’s eyes extraordinarily deep, his graceful demeanor exuding a sense of casual allure.

Lin An’an was directly stunned.

She never imagined that the brother-in-law, whom rumors said had been disregarded by the family since childhood, was so strikingly handsome.