Chapter 226: Chapter 211: At Odds
When Lin Xiaoyue returned, Wen Wan noticed that her complexion looked much better than before.
As everyone took their seats, Wen Wan offered her a gentle smile of reassurance.
Lin Xiaoyue curled her lips slightly and quickly shifted her gaze back to the small incense burner on the table.
As soon as she buried the bright red charcoal in the incense, the scent that emanated made her feel like vomiting again.
Holding a small pair of tongs with one hand and clutching her rumbling chest with the other, Lin Xiaoyue tried to suppress the nauseous feeling.
Wen Wan had already placed the charcoal and covered the incense burner. Seeing something amiss again, she asked quietly, "Are you alright?"
Lin Xiaoyue forced a smile and shook her head, "I’m fine."
Wen Wan said, "If you’re really feeling unwell, take a leave from the teacher. Don’t force yourself; your health comes first."
Lin Xiaoyue snorted softly, "Who asked for your concern? I’m doing fine! There’s nothing wrong."
As she spoke, she lowered the hand clutching her chest, trying her best to appear normal.
Regardless of whether Wen Wan noticed anything, Lin Xiaoyue simply didn’t want to be seen as weak by her.
——
When she was brought back to the mansion in the evening, Lin Xiaoyue didn’t even have time to greet Su Qing before she was quickly handed a spittoon and started vomiting into it.
The maid expressed concern, "Perhaps Granny Qi ate something bad and upset her stomach. I’ll fetch a doctor right away."
Lin Xiaoyue stopped her, "Wait a moment."
When Su Qing entered the room, seeing her vomiting so violently yet unwilling to call a doctor, he frowned slightly, dismissed the maid, sat beside her, and gently patted her back, asking in a deep voice, "What’s going on?"
Lin Xiaoyue reached for the tea on the table, rinsed her mouth, and looked up at the man with a flattering smile, "If I say it, can Mr. Qi agree to let me continue going to Hongwen Academy?"
Su Qing’s face was stern, his tone allowing no argument, "If you’re pregnant, then that’s out of the question."
"Husband～" Lin Xiaoyue tugged at his sleeve, "I’ve just started at Hongwen Academy..."
Su Qing looked at her slightly pale face with his deep black eyes, "Are you really pregnant?"
Lin Xiaoyue didn’t deny it, unable to meet his eyes, she muttered quietly, "Morning sickness is a normal reaction, isn’t it?"
Su Qing asked her, "But is it normal for a fifteen-year-old maiden who hasn’t been married?"
She joined Hongwen Academy and, like Wen Wan, reported her age falsely.
Both claimed to be fifteen, just coming of age.
Lin Xiaoyue was momentarily speechless, but after a while, she continued to argue, "But I can’t just give up halfway, can I?"
"Stay in the mansion and take care of your pregnancy. I’ll handle matters at Hongwen Academy."
Clearly, Su Qing wouldn’t allow her any hope of returning to Hongwen Academy, his tone was decisive.
Lin Xiaoyue looked at the tall man standing before her.
He was Su Qing, of the Prime Minister’s generation, seventh among his siblings, and the youngest elder in the Su Family, born of a concubine.
After the passing of both the old master and lady, the family divided.
During the old master’s life, Su Qing’s mother, Aunt He, was not favored, and as a child born of a concubine, he was virtually excluded from the division of assets; the valuables were all picked by the legitimate sons first.
The legitimate brothers were useful to the Prime Minister, so when it was his turn to preside over the family division as the eldest son, he chose to turn a blind eye instead of distributing equally according to the old lady’s wishes.
When it came to Su Qing, there wasn’t much left. He didn’t take the measly few pieces of land deeds, exchanging them for a barely livable courtyard, and completely separated from the Su Family Mansion.
Two years ago, at the martial competition, Su Qing won the title of Martial Champion, and Emperor Guangxi granted him a residence, now known as the Martial Champion Mansion.
Su Qing’s marriage was arranged by his legitimate mother—the late old lady, originally marrying a concubine daughter from the merchant Lin Family.
The concubine daughter was proud and looked down on Su Qing for being born of a concubine; she packed up and eloped with her lover overnight.
The Lin Family had only two daughters, so when the concubine daughter ran, the legitimate daughter had to take her place.
Thus, Lin Xiaoyue ended up in the bridal sedan, confused.
In the Su Family, Su Qing was considered an uncle. Lin Xiaoyue knew little about him and assumed he was an old man and was slightly unwilling to marry.
She first saw Su Qing when the bridal veil was lifted.
In the cold of the winter month, with white snow covering the ground, the man’s eyes were deep and striking, like ink, making her suddenly feel that maybe she could manage to endure this life.
...
Lin Xiaoyue was born into a merchant family, accustomed to lax rules, used to being competitive before marriage, and occasionally throwing a rich-girl tantrum.
This entrance into Hongwen Academy was mainly because she believed in Su Qing’s promising future and didn’t want to hold him back.
Yet she didn’t expect to encounter someone quite similar to herself there.
Lin Xiaoyue trusted her first intuition; the man who came to Hongwen Academy to pick up Wen Wan that evening was definitely her husband.
And Wen Wan herself, certainly wasn’t the fifteen years old she claimed to be.
For some reason, Lin Xiaoyue really wanted to compete with this woman, whether it was the speed of learning things or her "independence" from men, she even wanted to compare with Wen Wan’s hairstyle and makeup.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiaoyue became even more unwilling to leave Hongwen Academy. She stood up, circled in front of Su Qing, and took the initiative to hug his strong waist, starting to act spoiled, "Husband, I promise the child will be fine, just let me go, okay?"
Su Qing’s face was completely stoic, "Go after giving birth to the child."
"No way, I don’t agree!"
By the time she gives birth, Wen Wan would have already learned the courses from the previous year at Hongwen Academy. When she re-enters, she’d have to start all over again, how could she possibly catch up?
Seeing that Su Qing still wouldn’t relent, Lin Xiaoyue continued to cajole, "You’ve worked so hard to get me this spot. If I give up, wouldn’t it be a complete waste? I’m attending classes there, not fighting with anyone, there won’t be any issue. If you don’t agree to let me go, I won’t be happy, and if I’m not happy, the child in my belly won’t be happy either, maybe he’ll even leave early..."
Before she finished speaking, her mouth was covered by the man’s warm hand.
Lin Xiaoyue blinked and looked at him without blinking.
Su Qing gazed down at the little woman in his arms, having no way to handle her, finally making a compromise, "At least wait until the fetal position stabilizes, I’ll have someone call for the doctor to check on you later."
Lin Xiaoyue had heard that it takes at least three months for the fetal position to stabilize.
She counted on her fingers.
Three months, she would still be significantly behind.
But looking at her husband’s attitude, if she didn’t agree to wait until the fetal position stabilized before going, she might completely lose the chance to go to Hongwen Academy.
Sighing silently, Lin Xiaoyue muttered under her breath, "Three months then three months, but I still have to go tomorrow."
Su Qing reached out and adjusted the loose hairpin on her head, "What are you planning to do again?"
Lin Xiaoyue didn’t mention looking for Wen Wan, only said, "To ask the teacher for leave."
"I’ll handle it personally," Su Qing said.
"...How will you handle it? Tell the teacher I’m pregnant and can’t go to Hongwen Academy anymore?" Lin Xiaoyue was a bit anxious, Wen Wan didn’t need her man to come forward, and neither could she!
It’s just taking a leave, why make her seem so weak?
Seeing his expression, Su Qing couldn’t help but laugh, "Why are you nervous?"
"I’m not nervous, but you’re not allowed to go!" Lin Xiaoyue’s attitude was resolute, "If you go for me, I’ll... I’ll pack my things and go back to my parents’ home."
...
In this negotiation with the pregnant woman being prioritized, Lin Xiaoyue emerged victorious.
The next day when entering Hongwen Academy, she didn’t seek out the teacher right away, but instead went to Wen Wan and handed her a thick booklet.
Wen Wan was puzzled, "For me?"
She took it, glanced through it, and found that the booklet was completely blank.
Lin Xiaoyue said, "There are things at my house, so I need to take a long leave, at least three months. During these three months, you need to copy down the important points that the teacher talks about for me."
Wen Wan looked at her in surprise, "Three months is so long?"
Lin Xiaoyue shifted her gaze guiltily, not daring to look directly at Wen Wan, "I can’t help it, I don’t want this either."
If the morning sickness wasn’t so obvious, she might have convinced her husband to let her stay.
But thinking about it, it seemed unlikely. This was the first child with her husband in four years of marriage, of course he would take it seriously.
Wen Wan said, "Actually, if conditions allow, you can have the teacher privately tutor you, no need to come to Hongwen Academy."
Lin Xiaoyue, upon hearing this, was a little annoyed, "The spot is just hanging there, why shouldn’t I come? If you think I’m annoying and don’t want to see me, then I must come even more, to irritate you."
Wen Wan held her forehead, "Alright, within these three months, I’ll help you jot down the important points, you just take care... of your family matters."
Almost said too much, Wen Wan secretly sighed.
Lin Xiaoyue looked at her, "But your suggestion is quite good. Since I can’t come for these three months, I can have the teacher teach me at home."
Wen Wan raised an eyebrow and teased her, "Don’t you have something to do? How would you have time to study?"
Lin Xiaoyue’s face fell, "Too much, I don’t even pry into your matters, and here you are, trying to fish for mine."
Wen Wan pursed her lips and smiled.
Lin Xiaoyue didn’t linger any longer, and went straight to find the teacher, saying she had family matters and needed to take a three-month leave.
Earning a spot at Hongwen Academy was quite difficult, generally speaking, unless a student made a significant mistake, the academy wouldn’t initiate expulsion.
Therefore, Lin Xiaoyue’s request for a long leave went very smoothly.
When she was about to leave, she wandered over to Wen Wan again, saying she was bringing her some food.
Wen Wan opened it to see, finding half a box of sour plums.
Not being pregnant, Wen Wan couldn’t handle such sour things, just thinking about it made her teeth ache.
Seeing Wen Wan looking somewhat defeated, Lin Xiaoyue was in high spirits, laughing heartily as she left.