Ling Yunshu emerged from the kitchen at a leisurely pace, her long, straight hair gently gathered and secured at the back of her head with just a hairpin, a strand or two falling loosely, adding to her soft beauty.
She was still wearing a loose apron and, as she walked, she untied it and handed it over to a servant nearby. After straightening her clothes, she approached with a warm smile, her voice gentle as she smiled at Mrs. Shi and then turned towards Shi Che, her smile growing even brighter, "Young Master."
Hearing her address him that way, Mrs. Shi smiled slightly and said, "He’s all grown up now, there’s no need to call him ’Young Master’ anymore. Just call him by his name. After all, you’re going to be married in the future, so there’s no need for such formalities."
Mrs. Shi’s words made Ling Yunshu’s cheeks blush slightly with a shy look; she couldn’t help but glance at Shi Che.
Shi Che’s gaze had fluttered slightly the moment he looked at Ling Yunshu, but afterward, his expression became unreadable, his demeanor growing colder, his aura chilling.
Seeing Shi Che’s expression, Ling Yunshu’s gaze hardened. She bit her lower lip and responded softly, "Madam, please don’t say that. We... we are just friends. Besides, the young master and Xiaxia..."
Not mentioning Ling Chuxia was fine, but bringing her up immediately changed Mrs. Shi’s expression, "There’s no need to mention her, she’s no longer part of the Shi Family."
Sensing Mrs. Shi’s disdain for Ling Chuxia, an urgent look spread across Ling Yunshu’s face as she hurriedly spoke up, "Madam, in fact, Chuxia... I think she did not intend to harm the child. Please don’t be angry at her."
Little did Ling Yunshu realize that the more she spoke of Ling Chuxia at this time, the more she was pouring oil on Mrs. Shi’s fiery heart. Mrs. Shi hummed coldly, "If it wasn’t intentional, then it must have been deliberate. She knew full well how important the child was, yet she chose to have an abortion. For three years, she couldn’t get pregnant and made excuses that it was Che’er’s fault. Now it seems, she has been deliberately plotting not to get pregnant, not wanting to give birth to an heir for the Shi Family."
The more Mrs. Shi thought about it, the angrier she became, her face flushing red with blood rising, her breathing quickening as if she couldn’t catch her breath. Ling Yunshu was startled and quickly sat next to her, supporting her, "Madam, are you alright? Please don’t speak anymore."
She reached out, patting Mrs. Shi’s back to help her catch her breath, then she took the tea and handed it to Mrs. Shi, speaking softly, "Madam, have some tea to calm down."
Mrs. Shi, guided by Ling Yunshu’s hand, bowed her head for a sip of tea and slowly swallowed it down before exhaling a deep breath, feeling somewhat relieved.
Mrs. Shi looked at Ling Yunshu, who was looking back at her with large eyes full of concern and urgency, her tone full of worry, "Madam, do you feel better now?"
A trace of admiration crossed the depths of Mrs. Shi’s eyes — even though Ling Yunshu and Ling Chuxia had identical faces and features, it was Ling Yunshu’s temperament, her softness, and her intelligent and well-behaved nature that Chuxia could not compare to.
Even though Chuxia had indeed been well-behaved and sensible over the past three years, her personality was too dull, too quiet, and could never match her elder sister.
This was the person she had nurtured!
If it hadn’t been for her fear that, once Shi Che and Ling Yunshu were married, their emotions might cloud his judgment, creating vulnerability, why would she have let Shi Che marry Ling Chuxia?
Had he married Ling Yunshu, perhaps by now Shi Che and Ling Yunshu would be harmonious spouses, and their children might even be running around everywhere.