WBSGVS Chapter 147 V2

Xie Rongyun frowned. “What gift did you prepare?”

Qingli blinked innocently. “I don’t know. Elder sister said my nephews needed study materials, so I let her take whatever she wanted from your study.”

Xie Rongyun’s expression changed instantly, his voice rising sharply. “You let her go into my study? Couldn’t you have just given her something random?!”

As a scholar, his greatest love was collecting brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Over the years, he had accumulated several businesses, forming his wealth. A portion of it had been given to Xie Yuning as her dowry, while the remaining profits were used to acquire more exquisite writing materials for himself.

Having them taken away so casually was something he couldn’t bear—just like how women cherished their hairpins, these items were his passion and devotion!

Especially considering Xie Yuning’s personality, whatever she took would undoubtedly be the best. Even if she couldn’t tell which was the finest, she would simply take them all!

Qingli raised her voice, refusing to back down. “Then tell me, what do you mean by ‘any random gift’? Big Sister comes back once or twice every month, and each time she takes plenty. My dowry is almost gone!”

“I—” Xie Rongyun started to speak, but suddenly froze.

Back then, when the Xie family collapsed, they were left with nothing. Now, though he was an official, his foundation was still shallow, and his storerooms were practically empty. All the gifts he had given Xie Yuning before had come from Mu Qingli’s dowry!

A flush of embarrassment and frustration crept up his face. But seeing his wife’s aggrieved expression, he swallowed his discontent, forced a smile, and said, “It was my fault. I’ve made you suffer, my love.”

Qingli, still fuming, didn’t soften at his apology. Instead, she stared at him coldly. “Of course, it’s your fault. So, how do you plan to make it up to me?”

Xie Rongyun took a deep breath and chuckled. “During my trip to Qu County, I heard about some local specialties, so I made sure to bring some back. Will that appease you?”

“That’s it?” Qingli arched an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied.

Xie Rongyun thought for a moment and then relented. “Alright, you name it.”

Qingli smirked mischievously. “I want you to write me a poem every day, just for me.”

Xie Rongyun agreed without hesitation. “Done.”

“Then go on,” Qingli waved her hand. “You haven’t written today’s poem yet.”

“Yes, my lady.” Xie Rongyun chuckled indulgently. Only after instructing the servants to bring the gifts over did he finally leave.

Qingli watched his retreating figure until he disappeared, then lowered her gaze.

He was quite the actor. No wonder the original owner never realized that his true affections lay with Mu Lan’er—the girl from years ago—and not the wife he had married in a grand ceremony.

Since that was the case, she might as well allow him to express his feelings properly.

It would also keep him occupied and out of her way.

Mu Lan’er, unable to go out due to her injured knee, had her maid read to her for entertainment.

As the reading continued, the maid suddenly fell silent. Mu Lan’er looked up in confusion, only to see a tall figure standing before her. Her heart leaped with excitement, and she hurried to rise and pay her respects.

But in her haste, she forgot about her injured knee. The moment she moved, her legs buckled, and she nearly collapsed.

The man quickly stepped forward and caught her.

“Thank you… Brother-in-law,” Mu Lan’er murmured.

Xie Rongyun’s brows furrowed, his expression growing colder. He set her back onto the couch and immediately stepped away, saying, “No need for formalities. You’re injured.”

Mu Lan’er’s heart warmed at his words. She nodded obediently, gazing at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “It’s nothing serious. Big Sister didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Even if she did it on purpose, you should endure it,” Xie Rongyun said coldly.

The flush on Mu Lan’er’s face faded instantly. Her eyes welled with tears, and she bit her lip, looking both aggrieved and pitiful.

Xie Rongyun glanced away, suppressing his unease. From his sleeve, he took out a small box and handed it to the maid beside her. “It was wrong of my sister to act that way. Here, take this ointment.”

With that, he turned and left.

Mu Lan’er wanted to say something, but he was already gone.

She forced herself to stay calm. Xie Rongyun was her brother-in-law now; there was no possibility between them. She took a deep breath, trying to push away her thoughts.

Just then, her maid whispered, “Miss, should I apply the ointment for you? This was a royal gift, given to my master by His Majesty himself when he was injured. He never even used it.”

Mu Lan’er’s eyes trembled, and the clarity she had just regained slowly faded.

That night, she dreamed of her childhood—of how Xie Rongyun used to play with her, how he would pinch her cheeks and call her chubby.

When she woke, her knee barely hurt anymore.

Remembering how her last attempt to deliver pastries to Xie Rongyun had failed, and now feeling much better, she decided to make another batch.

But the moment she stepped into the kitchen, she overheard the servants chatting. Their voices were lively and unrestrained.

“Did you hear the love poem Master wrote for Madam? Even I, a rough woman, felt my face heat up!”

“I heard it! I was delivering breakfast when he read it aloud. Master’s face was red, and it was so sweet it made my teeth ache!”

Mu Lan’er froze in place, her hand tightening around her maid’s wrist. Through gritted teeth, she asked, “What… what are they talking about?”

The maid, startled, quickly explained, “Master wrote a love poem for Madam and read it to her this morning. Madam was so happy she didn’t even touch her breakfast…”

A wave of bitter jealousy crashed over Mu Lan’er, drowning her.

All of a sudden, her feelings over the past days seemed like a ridiculous joke.