The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 19

Su Qingyu was still feeling down when a knock came at the courtyard gate.

His heart tightened. He stood up, walked to the door, but didn’t open it right away. Through the door, he asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s me.” It was Shuanzi’s voice.

Su Qingyu opened the door. Shuanzi stood outside, carrying a basket, wearing that same cheerful grin. He handed the basket over and lowered his voice. “Master Liang sent this. And there’s a message for Brother Su.”

Shuanzi looked around, then leaned in closer. “Master Liang says, these past few days that Ma Dan creature has been poking around the village asking questions. He wants Brother Su to be careful and not go out unless necessary. In a few days, he’ll come for you. He has something to say face to face.”

Su Qingyu nodded, a surge of indescribable feelings rising in his heart.

Shuanzi left. Su Qingyu carried the basket back to the kitchen, lifted the cloth covering it, and inside was a bundle of medicinal herbs for strengthening the body, two strings of cured meat, and a large package of candied fruits. At the bottom lay a small pouch. When he opened it, there were a few qian of broken silver and a pair of silver bracelets.

Su Qingyu looked at those silver bracelets carved with fish patterns. He smiled, and then his eyes reddened.

He put the things away, his mood much improved.

That evening, while cooking dinner, Su’s mother came out from the inner room, feeling her way to sit by the stove. She sighed. “Qingyu, tell your mother the truth. That master… what kind of person is he?”

Su Qingyu lowered his head, staring at the fire in the stove, and said nothing.

Su’s mother grasped Su Qingyu’s hand, holding it tight. “Mother’s eyes are bad, but her heart isn’t blind. These things, this silver, they aren’t earned from ordinary work. Tell Mother the truth. Is it… is someone bullying you?”

Su Qingyu’s eyes heated up, tears nearly falling. He took a deep breath and gripped his mother’s hand in return. “Mother, no one is bullying me. The master is a good person. He’s good to me, good to you. It’s just… there are some things I can’t say right now. When the time comes, I’ll naturally tell you.”

Su’s mother was silent for a long time, not letting go of his hand. Finally, she sighed, her voice aged. “Qingyu, Mother only wishes for your wellbeing. No matter what, living, living well, is more important than anything.”

Su Qingyu nodded. Tears finally fell, and he hugged his mother, crying for a while.

For dinner, he boiled a pot of porridge, warmed two steamed buns, and sliced a plate of cured meat. When he brought it into the inner room, Su’s mother was woken by Su Qingyu. Her spirit was still somewhat lacking, but she looked much better than her usual ashen pallor.

“Mother, eat.” Su Qingyu moved the small table onto the kang and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Su’s mother picked up her chopsticks, took a slice of cured meat, and chewed it slowly. After eating for a while, she spoke. “Qingyu, tell your mother the truth. Is that person the second son of the Liang family?”

Su Qingyu’s chopsticks paused. He lowered his head, staring at the porridge in his bowl, said nothing, and after a moment nodded.

Su’s mother was silent for a good while, then said again, “He… how does he treat you?”

Su Qingyu raised his head, looking at his mother’s thin face, those eyes full of worry. He said softly, “Quite well.”

Su’s mother asked no more, only reached out to hold his hand.

“Mother is sorry to you.” Su’s mother’s voice trembled. “To let a little ge’er… bear all this…”

Su Qingyu gripped his mother’s hand in return, holding it tight. “Mother, don’t say that. Surviving is more important than anything.”

Su’s mother’s tears rolled down. Su Qingyu raised his hand to wipe his mother’s tears, and as he wiped, his own eyes reddened too.

After eating, after tidying up, Su Qingyu lay down beside his mother. The kang was warm, the quilt thick, his body warm and toasty.

He closed his eyes, and that face appeared in his mind again.

His arms felt empty, as if something were missing.

He turned over, then turned over again.

Su’s mother said gently beside him, “Can’t sleep?”

Su Qingyu made a sound of agreement.

Su’s mother said nothing more, gently patting his back, just like when he was little.

Su Qingyu closed his eyes. Who knew how much time passed before he finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Shuanzi came knocking at the door. As usual, he used the excuse of work to pick up Su Qingyu. Su’s mother heard and sighed. Looking at Su Qingyu who was staring at her with eager eyes, she was silent for a moment, then still nodded. Shuanzi, as usual, dropped Su Qingyu off at the entrance and left.

Su Qingyu entered that small courtyard. Liang Yu was crouching in the yard, skinning a rabbit, his hands covered in blood. Hearing Su Qingyu’s footsteps, Liang Yu washed his hands clean, put the dressed rabbit into a wooden basin, rinsed off the blood, and only then stood up to look at Su Qingyu. His gaze paused on that face for a moment, and he suddenly spoke. “What’s wrong?”

Su Qingyu shook his head. “Nothing.”

Liang Yu narrowed his eyes, walked over, pinched Su Qingyu’s chin and kissed him, looking at those slightly reddened eyes.

“Speak.”

Su Qingyu lowered his eyes, his lashes fluttering, and said softly, “Someone is spreading gossip.”

Liang Yu raised an eyebrow. “Saying what?”

Su Qingyu pressed his lips together, unwilling to say.

Liang Yu looked at that face, suddenly laughed, deliberately let go, and turned to walk toward the inner room. Reaching the doorway, he looked back at the person still standing there looking pitiful, somewhat amused. “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and come in.”

Su Qingyu followed him in. The moment he entered, he was pressed against the door panel and kissed thoroughly, kissed until Su Qingyu’s mind went hazy and he forgot all his distress.

After the kiss, Liang Yu pressed against those reddened lips, his voice hoarse. “Let them gossip. Can it make you lose a piece of flesh?”

Su Qingyu was breathing heavily. Hearing Liang Yu’s words, he felt even more wronged. He hung his head, his eyes reddening again, but obediently nodded.

Liang Yu reached out to caress the corner of Su Qingyu’s eye, his fingertip brushing away a bit of moisture.

“Alright, don’t think about it anymore.” He took Su Qingyu’s hand and walked inside. “Help me heat water. We’ll rest early today.”

In the kitchen, Su Qingyu crouched before the stove tending the fire. Liang Yu was beside him, working on that rabbit skin. Su Qingyu occasionally looked up, glanced at Liang Yu, then lowered his head again and continued adding firewood.

Once the water was heated, Liang Yu went to the warm room to wash. Su Qingyu waited in the kitchen. When Liang Yu finished washing and came out, he had Su Qingyu help dry his hair.

Once done, Liang Yu took hold of that hand, pulled the person before him, and embraced him.

“Don’t take those words to heart.” Liang Yu looked down at Su Qingyu, kissed that small mole, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “With me here, no one dares to do anything to you.”

Su Qingyu raised his head and kissed Liang Yu’s chin, smiling sweetly, looking a bit silly.

Liang Yu looked at that smile, a soft spot forming in his heart. He carried the person into the inner room. This time, he wasn’t so rough. He slowed his pace but was even more tormenting, working the person until he was whimpering and soft as a puddle of water. Afterward, he held him close, holding a bowl and feeding him water.

Su Qingyu nestled in that warm embrace. After drinking half, he shook his head to indicate he didn’t want more. Liang Yu set the bowl aside and turned back. Su Qingyu buried his head against the chest muscle and said muffledly, “Second Brother Liang, am I… am I embarrassing you?”

Liang Yu was startled. He looked down at him, frowning. “What foolish talk is that?”

Su Qingyu lowered his eyes and said softly, “Those words were so ugly. I’m afraid… afraid of dragging your reputation down.”

Liang Yu looked at Su Qingyu for a long while, pinched Su Qingyu’s soft cheek, then cupped Su Qingyu’s face and lowered his head to place a kiss on his eye.

“My reputation?” Liang Yu scoffed. “I was never any good thing to begin with. What reputation do I need?”

Su Qingyu was startled. Looking at Liang Yu, he couldn’t help but smile, his eyes reddening again.

Liang Yu lowered his head to kiss him, holding him a little tighter.

“Good boy, don’t worry. Leave it to me.”

Su Qingyu made a sound of agreement, leaning against Liang Yu’s embrace. His heart gradually settled, and from that originally sad heart, a few traces of sweetness seeped out.

To hell with it.

Let them say what they want. As long as he can survive, as long as he can cure his mother’s illness, as long as he can… be with this person, he fears nothing.