Song Zhiqing’s nose itched, and he sneezed twice. He felt his sleeve but didn’t have a handkerchief, so he directly used his fingers to pick his nose.
Ru Yi ca out of the inner room and saw this scene. She paused in her steps, feeling a bit surprised and embarrassed, with a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.
Since when did the genteel gentleman beco like a crude hillbilly, using his hand to wipe his nose and pick his nostrils?
A scene suddenly appeared in her mind, one she had witnessed on the manor: those farrs sitting on the field ridge, taking off their shoes to pick their feet, and even slling their hands afterward. She imagined replacing that man’s face with Song Zhiqing’s.
Ru Yi felt a bit nauseous and made a gagging motion.
"Go get a clean handkerchief for the Old Master," she instructed Ru Yi, who stood by the door.
Song Zhiqing: "..."
His hand slightly stiffened, and he nonchalantly said, "Although it’s the end of May, it’s still a bit chilly at night. Xini, you should take care to add clothing and not catch a cold."
People are so strange. If it were before, Ru Yi might have been so moved by such words that she would clasp her hands to her heart like Xi Shi, but now, hearing him call her Xini gave her goosebumps all over, making her feel uncomfortable.
Ru Yi brought over a clean handkerchief and presented it with both hands.
Song Zhiqing said, "You all can leave now, I want to talk with Madam."
"Yes."
Everyone left and considerately closed the door behind them.
Ru Yi: "..."
Sothing’s not quite right. Broad daylight, is he thinking of that? That can’t be, right?
When sothing’s unusual, there’s sothing odd.
Ru Yi beca secretly vigilant, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said lightly, "If you have ti, Old Master, you should pay more attention to Zhou’er’s studies. After all, as the eldest legitimate son of the third household, he will be the backbone of our family business in the future and cannot be neglected."
Song Zhiqing frowned slightly but quickly relaxed, saying, "Don’t worry, he’s our eldest son, how could I neglect him? I’ll go check on his studies in a bit."
"That would be best. The child often says you haven’t taught him to read or write in a long ti, and that ever since you had another son, you haven’t been close to him."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhiqing felt a pang of guilt, moved closer, held her hand, and said apologetically, "This is all my fault. Lately, there have been so adjustnts in our departnt, and a lot of things have piled up. I’ve been busy connecting with people and entertaining my superiors, leaving no ti."
Ru Yi did not reply, only chuckling coldly in her heart, thinking to herself how he spins one lie after another. If she believed him, she might as well believe in the impossible.
Not a day in a month did he skip going to the Youyuan Courtyard, seeing that woman’s family more often than them, the official family. If it weren’t for helping her sister-in-law manage the household, she wouldn’t even know who was the official wife between her and Bai Shi.
Seeing her not responding, Song Zhiqing felt a bit awkward and laughed, "How about this, tomorrow I have a day off. It’s sumr now, why don’t we take Zhou’er and Wei’er to go play at the Lotus Garden? I heard there’s a new chef there who makes authenticated delicious pine nut fish. Isn’t that your favorite dish? You should try it."
Upon hearing this, Ru Yi’s heart was slightly moved. It wasn’t that she was eager for Song Zhiqing’s company; rather, she was concerned for the two children, especially Zhou’er. In the past year, he seldom ntioned his father. She feared if this distance continued between father and son, it would only benefit the illegitimate son at Youyuan Courtyard.
"Just our family? No one else?" she probed.
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