Chapter 13: The Luo Family

Before returning to the capital, Luo Shaoxuan had been holding back from going to see Si Qingyu. He really hoped that she would take the initiative to come find him for once.

Unfortunately, she never appeared even up until the moment he got on the carriage.

Sitting in the spacious and comfortable carriage, Luo Shaoxuan was still holding that wooden hairpin. This was the only thing Si Qingyu had personally “given” him in the two years since they had known each other.

He lowered his eyes and gently stroked the wooden hairpin, parting his lips slightly to speak into the air: “Qingmo, go protect her. If anyone dares to act improperly towards her, kill them without mercy.”

“Yes,” a hoarse voice responded.

Luo Shaoxuan kept his gaze fixed on the wooden hairpin the entire time, as if looking at someone through it. “Ziliang, wait for me. I will definitely be your one and only husband.”

………

Returning to the Town Medical Hall

“Physician Si, today is the day Young Master Luo returns to the capital, are you really not going to see him off?” Zhao Sixi looked at Si Qingyu with a bit of gloom.

Si Qingyu was currently absorbed in reading a medical text. Upon hearing her words, she replied indifferently: “There’s no need. What good would it do to see him off? It would only make things more troublesome.”

Zhao Sixi pouted and sighed inwardly: Young Master Luo treats Physician Si so well, yet Physician Si is completely heartless. Young Master Luo is so pitiful…

“You’re always so curious about other people’s affairs. Right now, I’m curious about how your studies are going,” Si Qingyu turned to look at her.

Zhao Sixi choked. After thinking for a moment, she lifted her chin proudly. “Mm! I’ve learned to recognize all the medicinal herbs! And I know how to prepare prescriptions now!”

Si Qingyu gave a light nod. “That’s good then.” Having said that, she lowered her head to continue reading.

Zhao Sixi sneaked a glance at her, unable to resist asking slyly: “Physician Si, what kind of husband are you planning to find in the future?” Even Young Master Luo doesn’t meet your standards.

Si Qingyu gave her a flat look. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m just curious. If Physician Si doesn’t even like Young Master Luo, what kind of person will you find in the future?” She rested her chin on her hands, leaning on Si Qingyu’s desk with her eyes blinking.

Si Qingyu noticed that Zhao Sixi had become much bolder compared to before, when she used to keep her head down like a well-behaved student in front of the class monitor, not daring to raise it.

Putting down the medical text, Si Qingyu turned to Zhao Sixi. “Then what do you think I would look for?”

Zhao Sixi shook her head. “I don’t know. I feel like Young Master Luo and Physician Si are very well-matched.” She hadn’t seen Young Master Luo show a sullen face to Physician Si.

“…Is that so?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Si Qingyu lowered her eyes and lightly rubbed her fingers. Well-matched? Is that how it is…

Seeing Si Qingyu’s expression, Zhao Sixi carefully ventured: “But if Physician Si doesn’t like him, then there’s no helping it. In the end, it’s best to spend your life with someone you like.”

Si Qingyu looked at her earnest expression, like a little adult, and couldn’t help smiling. “Oh? Could it be that you have someone you like?”

Zhao Sixi was still just a young girl after all. Upon hearing this, she couldn’t help blushing, lowering her head and mumbling softly: “N-No I don’t…”

Then lifting her head again, she declared with conviction: “But in the future, if I do have a husband, I will definitely treat him well!”

Seeing her blushing and excited as if she was going to marry a husband tomorrow, Si Qingyu couldn’t help reaching out to pat her head. “It would be best if you can do that.”

“Mm!”

………

The Luo Estate in the Capital

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Luo estate. The coachman turned back to address Luo Shaoxuan inside the carriage: “Eldest Young Master, we have arrived at the Luo estate.”

“Mm.”

Only after hearing Luo Shaoxuan’s response did the coachman dare to lift the carriage curtain. Luo Shaoxuan elegantly stepped down from the carriage.

The butler, who had been waiting in front of the estate, hurried over. He bowed respectfully to Luo Shaoxuan, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency: “Eldest Young Master, you’re back. The head of the household is waiting for you in the main hall. She asks that you go there as soon as you return.”

Luo Shaoxuan replied expressionlessly: “Understood. I’ll change my clothes and head over.” With that, he passed by the butler.

The butler acknowledged and quickly went to report to the main hall.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the main hall was very solemn. The head of the Luo family sat in the main seat, while sitting beside her was the Luo family head’s husband. Seated in the secondary position to the lower right was the Luo family’s Second Young Lady, Luo Yi.

When Luo Shaoxuan arrived at the main hall, everyone’s gazes focused on him.

Unfazed, Luo Shaoxuan walked to the lower left and took his seat. His entire demeanor seemed slightly lazy and elegant, completely disregarding the serious atmosphere.

Luo Yi couldn’t hold back any longer. With a hint of sarcasm in her tone, she said: “Third Brother is truly carefree. Running around outside for a few days and not even knowing to pay respects to Mother and Father upon returning?”

Luo Shaoxuan’s beautiful eyes glanced at her coldly, his voice chilly: “Second Sister should manage her own affairs first. I heard Second Sister has incurred quite a debt at the gambling den again?”

“You…” She had just been scolded by their mother because of this matter and was in a foul mood, wanting to vent her anger on him. But he had blocked her verbal attack.

“Yi’er, don’t make a fuss. Your Third Brother may be tired from his trip out these past few days.” The one speaking was the head husband of the Luo family, also Luo Yi’s birth father, Madam Liu. Her tone was indifferent, seeming to persuade Luo Yi, but in fact, she was mocking Luo Shaoxuan for not upholding his marital duties.

Luo Yi seemed to have grasped onto something, a hint of smugness and disdain in her expression. “Third Brother clearly knows he has a marriage agreement, yet still goes around flirting outside. Does Third Brother know the meaning of ‘Three Obediences and Four Virtues’?”

Luo Shaoxuan didn’t even bother to look at her, slowly saying: “Whether I know or not, what does it have to do with you?”

Luo Yi stared at him viciously. “Hmph, I’m just afraid you’ll lose face for our Luo family.”

“Heh heh… Face?” Luo Shaoxuan seemed to have heard a big joke. “What face do you have? Without me, what face would you have to speak of? Truly ridiculous!”

Luo Yi glared at him maliciously, unable to retort, because what he said was the truth. Although their Luo family was the wealthiest in the capital, it was because of his title as the First Eldest Young Master that they stood more firmly in the upper-class circles of the capital. More importantly, he also had a marriage agreement with the World Lady.

At this point, the head of the Luo family finally spoke, her voice slightly deep. “Enough. Yi’er, your Third Brother just returned. Behave yourself.”

Luo Yi was very displeased, but she didn’t dare to talk back to her mother. With a snort, she fell silent.

The head of the Luo family looked at Luo Shaoxuan with indifference, her tone like that of a dictator. “Xuan’er, what were you doing in that small town these past few days?” She asked despite already knowing the answer.

Luo Shaoxuan lazily brushed his hair, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly. “Naturally, I went to see the person I fancy.”

Seeing him state this so unabashedly, Luo Yi’s eyes were filled with disdain. He truly was a dissolute husband who didn’t uphold his marital duties.

The head of the Luo family frowned deeply, reprimanding him with displeasure. “You are someone with a marriage agreement. How can you be so inconsiderate!”

“Marriage agreement?” Luo Shaoxuan lowered his gaze and looked at her coldly. “I have never acknowledged any marriage agreement. These are nothing more than your one-sided wishes.”

“Nonsense!” the head of the Luo family shouted, her breath a bit uneven from anger. “Marriage is decreed by parents and matched by a matchmaker. How can it be up to you to make a fuss!”

“Heh.” Luo Shaoxuan let out a cold laugh, not taking her seriously at all. He didn’t want to waste words with her. Standing up, he swept a cold gaze over them. “It’s best to manage your own affairs first. Don’t meddle in things you shouldn’t.” He emphasized the last few words, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.

With that, he turned and left the main hall without looking back.

“Unfilial son!” the head of the Luo family slammed the table, her face flushed with anger as she panted.

Madam Liu, who was beside her, hurriedly rubbed her chest and said to her: “Don’t let him anger you. No matter what, he is just someone who will be married off. He will understand our good intentions.” Madam Liu comforted her with false sincerity.

Luo Yi echoed in agreement: “That’s right, Mother. Why bother getting angry over him? As long as he is still your son, he has to listen to you.”

Upon hearing this, the head of the Luo family’s anger subsided a little. This unfilial son, every time she saw him, he would anger her. If it weren’t for his usefulness…

The sooner this marriage took place, the better. Otherwise, the longer the night, the more dreams.