She was exasperated, but Zhu Ling remained indifferent, even refuting her words, showing no sense of urgency at all. Madam Song was so angered that she left.
Watching Madam Song's retreating figure, Zhu Ling turned to the corridor behind her and said, "Come out."
Song Fanghua emerged somewhat awkwardly from behind a pillar and, standing before Zhu Ling, bowed and said, "Second Sister."
Zhu Ling gestured to the seat where Madam Song had been sitting. "Sit."
Song Fanghua sat down.
"What do you want to ask?"
Song Fanghua immediately replied, "Nothing. Second Sister, don't worry, I won't compete with you for Prince Yan. If you're still worried, I'll marry Master Zhang right away."
"What is there for me to worry about?" Zhu Ling glanced at the courtyard ablaze with flowers, then returned her gaze to Song Fanghua's face. "He won't like you anyway. I trust him."
Song Fanghua paused, her expression turning peculiar.
She often suspected that her second sister, like herself, was also a transmigrator.
However, despite her numerous probes, her sister had never revealed herself. While her words and actions had become bolder, her way of thinking was entirely different from her own world.
But if she was truly a native, where did this confidence come from?
Song Fanghua hinted, "It's good that Second Sister trusts me. But Second Sister, the Prince's fame is growing by the day. There are many beauties in the southern water towns. Even if the Prince ignores the persistent admirers, they might still bump into him. Second Sister, you should be careful. Men, sometimes, need to be kept a closer eye on. It's not about suspicion, but about protecting him. Only then can you go far together."
Zhu Ling: "..."
She recognized the cautious tone in Song Fanghua's voice and, precisely because of it, felt at a loss for words.
Protect him?
Wasn't this essentially telling her to keep an eye on Bai Li Chong Yan?
Thinking of that person, she momentarily suspected Song Fanghua had been sent by him.
"Thank you for the advice. I will be mindful."
"Alright, then I'll be going back now."
Song Fanghua also felt awkward and quickly excused herself.
Only after Song Fanghua had completely disappeared did Zhu Ling look at the courtyard adorned with blooming flowers and smile, "You're still not coming out even though everyone's gone?"
In fact, Bai Li Chong Yan had arrived while Madam Song was speaking. Zhu Ling's initial call was for him, but unexpectedly, Song Fanghua was also there and emerged before him.
So, she had to send Song Fanghua away first.
Now that she was gone, Bai Li Chong Yan no longer hid. He stood up and walked over.
"Why were you hiding just now?"
Bai Li Chong Yan sat down before her, his handsome face etched with a conflict and embarrassment he never showed to outsiders.
Eavesdropping was unbecoming of a gentleman, especially on a woman's conversation, which was practically shameless.
Yet, he had not only done so but had also remained hidden until Zhu Ling's second reminder.
"Hmm, why aren't you speaking?"
He finally replied, "I wanted to hear what you were talking about."
Once he was out, the two of them would certainly stop talking.
"Well then, are you satisfied with what you heard?"
Bai Li Chong Yan: "..."
How should he answer?
Satisfied?
But she indeed didn't pay much attention to him. In fact, Song Fanghua had been around him more often recently.
Unsatisfied?
He was indeed dissatisfied. This woman didn't care about him at all. Ever since they came south, he had become busier, and they met less and less each day.
If they didn't still share the same bed at night, he would suspect her of straying.
Although, she would never betray him.
"Dissatisfied," he stated firmly. "Eldest Sister is right. You're too trusting of me and don't care about me at all."
"Don't care about you?"
Zhu Ling suddenly leaned forward and pinned him down, their faces now incredibly close. Bai Li Chong Yan could clearly see the undisguised possessiveness in her eyes.
"I healed you, married you, shared your bed, and experienced marital bliss. And you say this isn't caring? What more do you want me to do to show I care?"
Bai Li Chong Yan hesitated to meet her gaze but still gritted his teeth and retorted, "Those are merely marital duties. They can't be counted as proof of your care for me."
"Oh." Zhu Ling leaned back. "Since marital duties don't count, then we don't need to do them anymore. Spring Blossom Courtyard has also been renovated. I'll move there today."
Bai Li Chong Yan: "..."
After a moment of internal struggle, he spoke, "I was wrong."
Zhu Ling remained silent.
Bai Li Chong Yan conceded, "I was being greedy. What you've given me is already more than enough. I... I won't make trouble anymore. Don't move out."
Indeed, this woman had already given him more than enough.
Without her, he would still be the waste decaying quietly in the Prince Yan's mansion in the capital, with no sign of the present spirit and vigor.
Hearing his suddenly dejected tone, Zhu Ling felt an inexplicable discomfort.
It was strange. Clearly, she was the one in control, yet hearing his words, she felt it shouldn't be this way.
Was this the change that came with falling in love with someone?
Before, she was alone and cared for no one. Now, she was unconsciously concerned about another person's thoughts.
She should have found it annoying, but instead, she just wanted to indulge him and spoil him.
She had truly fallen.