At this moment, Xie Wanning was indeed troubled by Xiao Chengli’s injuries.
Although Lord Xiao had only lashed him a few times, the lashes were severe, the flesh was torn and bleeding, and the doctor even had to stitch up the deep wounds.
After applying medicine in the morning, he could only lie prone, and Xie Wanning had to feign concern and have soup made for him.
Xiao Chengli was angry and lay on the bed, ignoring Xie Wanning.
Xie Wanning looked at the back of his head, her eyes filled with disgust.
She thought to herself, why didn’t Lord Xiao whip him to death?
Xiao Chengli had been throwing a tantrum all afternoon, skipping lunch. He wouldn’t let anyone touch his dressing when it needed changing that evening.
Following Madam Xiao’s instructions, Granny Li personally brought porridge, but the Marquis had decreed that no one except Xie Wanning and Xiao Chengli’s personal servants could enter the study. Granny Li could only wait outside for Xie Wanning to come out.
“Young Madam, the Marquis is s taying with Madam tonight and is having dinner with her right now, so he can’t come to see the Eldest Young Master. Is he feeling any better now?”
Xie Wanning’s eyes were red, and she lowered her head, pretending to silently weep. “My husband hasn’t eaten or drunk anything since he came back, and my attempts to persuade him haven’t worked.”
Granny Li sighed. “The Young Master has never been punished so severely before. This time, Young Madam will have to go to great lengths.”
Xie Wanning said, “I feel sorry for my husband, of course I will, but…”
She stopped abruptly, her gaze slightly shocked as she looked behind Granny Li.
Granny Li turned around curiously, only to see Xiao Chengyan standing behind her.
“Second Young Master? What brings you here?”
“I’ve come to see the Eldest Young Master.”
Xiao Chengyan gestured to the medicine he was holding. “This is the best wound medicine used in the army; it will be effective for the Eldest Young Master.”
Granny Li’s eyes lit up. “Thank you for thinking of the Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master. Madam will surely remember your kindness.”
With that, she reached for the medicine in Xiao Chengyan’s hand, but he didn’t give it to her. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on Xie Wanning. “The Eldest Young Master was punished today and is in a bad mood. I’ll go in and see him.”
Xie Wanning hesitated. “But, Father-in-law said no one else is allowed in…”
She remembered that Xiao Chengyan and Xiao Chengli didn’t have a good relationship. Xiao Chengli had been whipped; he should be happy for him. Why was he suddenly concerned about him?
Li Mama also had doubts, but remembering what Madam had discussed with him that morning, she had an idea. She said to Xie Wan Ning, “Young Madam, the Eldest Young Master is in a bad mood. Perhaps the Second Young Master can comfort him and make him feel better.” ”
The Marquis knows that the Second Young Master is always calm and composed. He certainly won’t object if he finds out he’s coming to see the Eldest Young Master.”
Since Li Mama had said so, Xie Wan Ning naturally wouldn’t object. She then gently bowed to Xiao Cheng Yan, “Then I’ll trouble you, Second Brother.”
Xiao Cheng Yan kept a straight face and didn’t speak, walking towards the study.
Xie Wan Ning was a little confused. Had she offended him?
He was so calm with Li Mama just now, why did he turn so sullen when it came to her?
They were fine when they met at the gallery today, why was he so upset now?
Could it be that he still held a grudge against her because of what happened at the teahouse last time?
But after thinking about it over and over, she felt that what she said was right.
“Young Madam, although the Second Young Master is a son of a concubine, the Marquis cares about him greatly, and he will soon be taking the imperial examination. If the Third Young Master comes, please stop him from entering; you don’t need to stop the Second Young Master.”
Li Mama’s voice rang in Xie Wan Ning’s ears. She looked up, her voice weak, “I don’t quite understand the intricacies of this, but since Li Mama has spoken, I will follow her
instructions.” Seeing that she was obedient, Li Mama added, “Don’t worry, Young Madam, I will also inform Madam of this matter.”
Unlike Qi Mama, Li Mama’s goodwill towards her increased considerably when she saw that the Young Madam took her words seriously.
Although both Li Mama and Qi Mama were servants of Madam Xiao, Qi Mama was more favored by Madam Xiao. With Qi Mama around, Li Mama could only do peripheral tasks.
This was also why Li Mama could maintain her dignity in front of Madam Xiao after Qi Mama had been severely beaten and bedridden for several days.
Although the cause of the attack had not yet been determined, Li Mama felt extremely pleased.
Xie Wanning didn’t say much, her gaze anxiously fixed on the study. There was no sound from inside; she wondered what Xiao Chengyan and Xiao Chengli would say.
Seeing this, Granny Li left a maidservant to wait in the courtyard while she returned to report.
Inside the room, Xiao Chengli’s emotions had calmed down; he couldn’t be arrogant in front of Xiao Chengyan.
His clothes were even lifted, and Xiao Chengyan applied medicine to him.
“Second son, we’ve always kept to ourselves; it’s best if we continue like this,”
Xiao Chengli said listlessly, lying on his pillow.
He was the eldest son of the Marquis’s family; the title was undoubtedly his. If Xiao Chengyan tried to take it from him, he would never let him go.
Xiao Chengyan watched coldly, remaining silent.
He didn’t take Xiao Chengli’s words to heart. If it weren’t for Xie Wanning’s concern for him and her interactions with him, he wouldn’t have bothered to look at him.
Especially thinking of Xie Wanning’s red-eyed words about “feeling sorry for her husband,” his heart burned with anger.
So, when applying the medicine to Xiao Chengli, he subconsciously pressed harder, causing Xiao Chengli to cry out in pain.
Xiao Chengyan said coldly, “It’s just a flesh wound.”
Xiao Chengli gasped in pain and couldn’t help but say, “You weren’t whipped, of course you don’t feel pain.”
Hearing this, Xiao Chengyan pressed even harder, and before Xiao Chengli could cry out, he directly pressed his pressure points, causing Xiao Chengli’s head to tilt to the side and he to faint.
“How annoying!”
Xiao Chengyan’s tone was cold, his eyes equally sharp.
Applying medicine to him wasn’t the important thing; preventing Xie Wanning from touching him was. He
‘d sleep soundly all night, and would naturally eat when he woke up hungry tomorrow morning. Why bother coaxing him?
Right now, he wasn’t even that hungry.
Xiao Chengyan stood in the room for a while, looking around to make sure there was nothing belonging to Xie Wanning. His mood calmed down a bit.
He took a deep breath to calm himself.
But just then, there was a knock on the door.
Xiao Chengyan turned to look and saw a slender figure standing in the doorway.
“Come in!”
The door opened, and Xie Wanning entered carrying a food box brought by Granny Li.
Xiao Chengyan frowned slightly. “What is it?”
Xie Wanning was taken aback by the question. This was Xiao Chengli’s study. Her in-laws had asked her to take care of her husband; wasn’t it only natural for her to come in?
Although the interrogation was somewhat uncomfortable, Xie Wanning calmly replied, “My husband hasn’t eaten since noon. Granny Li brought some porridge, hoping he would have some.”
She placed the food box on the table beside him, not only far away but even with her back to him.
Xiao Chengyan, with his hands behind his back, said in a deep voice, “He’s asleep.”
Asleep?
So soon?
Xie Wanning was somewhat puzzled, but didn’t press him in front of Xiao Chengyan. Instead, she turned and gave him a slight curtsy, “Thank you for your trouble, Second Brother.”
Xiao Chengyan hummed in agreement, accepting the gift.
Their eyes met, and the atmosphere in the room was incredibly awkward, especially for Xie Wanning, who felt extremely uncomfortable.
Looking at his deep-set eyes, she kept thinking about what happened last night…
Afraid of giving herself away, she quickly lowered her head and whispered, “It’s late, Second Brother, go back and rest. I can manage here.”
Xiao Chengyan frowned at her evasive manner, a dark glint in his eyes.
Did she really not want to stand openly with him?
The study was dimly lit by candlelight. As Xie Wanning lowered her eyes, she saw a shadow gradually approaching. She looked up in alarm and met Xiao Chengyan’s gaze.