novelraw Chapter 506
Chapter 506
Back at Shanyu Pavilion.The housekeeper had already prepared dinner, which made things somewhat easier for Xiao Linye.
He had no choice. Having married a wife who couldn’t cook, he either had to work harder himself or hire help.
Perhaps the housekeeper noticed that Ye Yuning had looked a bit pale when she left in the morning. So, she had specially stewed a silkie chicken soup for her!
Ye Yuning took a sip and said, "This soup tastes so good."
The housekeeper smiled and replied, "If you like it, have some more. I went to the wet market myself to buy a freshly slaughtered chicken."
Ye Yuning nodded. "Thank you, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble."
"No need to be polite, Madam. It’s all part of my duties."
Indeed, the taste of this soup was remarkably different.
Probably because when she was with Xiao Linye before, neither of them ever went to places like a wet market. So even if they bought chicken, it was always from the supermarket—were those frozen chickens?
Previously, Ye Yuning hadn’t really grasped the difference between frozen and fresh, but now she did.
"But, Auntie, you might have to go to more trouble in the future—if it involves meat, please buy it from the wet market."
"Okay," the housekeeper nodded.
Seeing that she liked it, Xiao Linye served her another bowl of soup.
Ye Yuning had been on edge all afternoon, but she instantly relaxed upon tasting the delicious soup.
Such is the world of a foodie—there’s nothing a good meal can’t solve!
After the housekeeper left and only Ye Yuning and Xiao Linye remained, Ye Yuning remarked, "The chicken meat is also really tasty."
Previously, she had always preferred braised chicken. But today, the housekeeper had made a clear stew because she wanted to make soup for her! Now, Ye Yuning found the meat delicious too.
Xiao Linye asked, "Do you like it?"
Ye Yuning nodded. "Yeah, I like it, but in that case..."
She subconsciously wanted to ask if the housekeeper’s salary would be too high, and if it would burden him! But then she remembered—he was Seventh Master Xiao; what was a little money to him?
The realization of his identity made Ye Yuning gasp.
Xiao Linye asked, "In that case, what?"
"Nothing!" Ye Yuning shook her head.
Now, this was a heartache that not even a delicious meal could solve.
Xiao Linye didn’t press her when she didn’t elaborate. Regardless, he could clearly sense that she was acting a bit strange today.
Midway through the meal, Xiao Linye said to her, "Next month is my father’s birthday. You’ll come with me."
Ye Yuning was stunned. "..."
Go with him? To the Xiao Family estate? At the thought, her heart clenched tight. What did he mean by saying this now? Was he no longer keeping things secret and preparing to come clean to her? So he had chosen next month, during Old Master Xiao’s birthday banquet?
At that moment, Ye Yuning also remembered something. Old Master Xiao of the Xiao Family apparently held his birthday banquet around this time every year. His annual birthday banquet was always a grand affair, attended by all the prominent families of Upper City.
Then Xiao Shuo and Qin Jinchuan would be there... Just imagining the scene made Ye Yuning shiver. Xiao Linye seemed ready to stop hiding things, but she still didn’t dare go with him!
"The, the birthday banquet?" Ye Yuning asked, her voice tight.
Xiao Linye nodded. "Yes."
"Um, your dad seems to really dislike me," Ye Yuning was on the verge of tears.
Next month... that wasn’t many days away! It was already after the twentieth of the month. She felt her predicament was becoming unbearable! It felt like her doom was drawing nearer...
Xiao Linye reassured her, "It doesn’t matter whether he likes you or not. We’re just going for a meal, and then we’ll leave."
Ye Yuning was speechless. "..." Was it really just about having a meal? It meant facing Qin Jinchuan, Xiao Shuo, and Xiao Linye—all three of them at once! To her, that was no ordinary meal.
Ye Yuning wanted to ask directly if she could abstain, but it didn’t seem appropriate to do so, especially since her relationship with Xiao Linye was currently quite good.
To outright say she wouldn’t go...! Wait, their relationship was good, but could it continue to be so good? If she did as she had told Qin Jinchuan and started fighting with Xiao Linye right now, could they simply split up? In that way, could she keep hiding her identity forever? Divorce him without Xiao Linye ever discovering her true identity! Would that be better for her? But arguing...
Ye Yuning’s mind was racing.
Feeling guilty, she glanced at Xiao Linye sitting beside her. He looked at her tenderly and ruffled her hair. "Don’t want to go?"
His voice was soft and gentle.
He was so gentle; could she really bear to pick a fight with him for no reason? But he was Seventh Master Xiao! Right now, Ye Yuning felt herself going truly numb.
Ye Yuning muttered, "Can I not go?"
She sounded utterly pitiful.
It felt like she was navigating a series of trials. She had just barely managed Qin Jinchuan that afternoon, and now it was Xiao Linye’s turn. Every trial was agonizing, and she had to overcome every single one!
Seeing her looking so pitiful, Xiao Linye suddenly scooped her up and settled her onto his lap.
His sudden move almost made Ye Yuning cry out in fright. Instinctively, her hand flew to her lower abdomen.
"Hey, be gentler!" Ye Yuning complained.
Her pregnancy was still unstable. Thinking of the child in her womb, Ye Yuning felt these trials were becoming truly insurmountable.
Xiao Linye paused, noticing her overreaction. Then he said, "This isn’t the first time I’ve held you like this. What’s there to be nervous about?"
Ye Yuning replied, "That may be true, but it’s startling every time, you know."
Especially now, her body couldn’t handle such sudden movements.
Xiao Linye held her, his warm breath brushing her neck. "We’ll arrive late, around eleven-thirty. We’ll eat and then leave immediately. All in all, we’ll only be there for about an hour and a half."
His meaning was clear—attending the banquet was unavoidable.