"How is Lin’er’s burn?"
"Reporting to the young madam, it’s a superficial injury; after applying the medicated plaster, she will recover in a few days."
"That’s good." Xie Ruotong nodded.
"I shall take my leave now," the doctor hastily said.
Xie Ruotong approached Xie Ruilin.
Xie Ruilin looked at Xie Ruotong, still putting on airs, attempting to rise from the daybed to pay respects.
"No need, Lin’er’s hand is injured, no need for formalities," Xie Ruotong said.
Xie Ruilin thus did not pay respects, merely saying, "Thank you, sister."
Xie Ruotong smiled faintly.
Xie Ruilin deliberately asked, "Sister, are you here looking for Brother Yanqing? He had something important and went to see our father. It should be about the imperial examination."
"I’m not here for him, I’m here for you."
"For me? Please have a seat, sister." She hurriedly invited Xie Ruotong to sit on her daybed.
Xie Ruotong did not refuse and took a seat.
Xie Ruilin looked at the back of Xie Ruotong’s hand, "Does it hurt, sister?"
"It’s bearable," Xie Ruotong said lightly.
"It’s all Lin’er’s fault that sister got burned," Xie Ruilin said with a pained expression, "I am sorry, sister."
"I know it was an accident, and besides, it doesn’t hurt much now."
"You’re always so kind, sister. Ever since you were young, you left home and suffered so much; this injury is probably nothing to you! Unlike me, Lin’er, just a small burn feels like bone-piercing pain. Just now, I even cried from the pain and needed Brother Yanqing to softly comfort me. If Brother Yanqing really didn’t have urgent business, he probably would have stayed by my side."
Xie Ruotong clearly understood and said, "I can see Brother Yanqing’s affection for you too."
"I’m sorry, sister, for making you sad," Xie Ruilin quickly apologized. "I shouldn’t have told you how Brother Yanqing treats me, you won’t get jealous, will you?"
"Of course not." Xie Ruotong looked at Xie Ruilin, "I came to talk to you about something related to Song Yanqing. Marrying Song Yanqing was our grandmother’s will; I have rejected it before, but she threatened death and I could only accept. Let’s not dwell on past events; everything is already determined. I just thought I should discuss our future life in the Song Family with Lin’er."
"Please speak, sister," Xie Ruilin appeared obedient.
A stark contrast to the hatred and disdain she harbored towards Xie Ruotong.
Why should she listen to Xie Ruotong!
She was supposed to be the legitimate wife, it was Xie Ruotong who stole her reputation; she had never considered living peacefully with her.
"The fact that Song Yanqing likes you is undeniable. I know and accept your feelings. No matter how intimate you two are in the future, I will not mind, even if Song Yanqing never visits my room, I can accept it," Xie Ruotong stated bluntly.
Qiao’er, listening on the side, was taken aback.
Wasn’t she here to assert dominance over the second miss?!
How could the miss say such undignified words!
"I am marrying into the Song Family simply to follow grandmother’s arrangement, hoping to live safely in the Song Family, to let grandmother have peace of mind. Today, I came to speak plainly to Lin’er. Hereafter, I will fulfill my role as the Song Family’s young madam, and you and Song Yanqing can cherish each other as much as you like, I will not interfere! Going forward, let us each mind our own business and not encroach upon each other’s interests, living peacefully in the Song Family, for the rest of our lives." Xie Ruotong looked at Xie Ruilin, enunciating each word, "I do not wish for today’s events to ever happen between us sisters again."
She spoke very clearly.
Xie Ruilin certainly knew Xie Ruotong was referring to today’s deliberate tea-spilling incident.
Does she have to listen to everything Xie Ruotong says?! What does it mean to be Xie Ruotong, the young madam of the Song Family?
She and Song Yanqing can be as intimate as they please!
What she wanted was never just Song Yanqing’s affection; she also desired the position of the young madam of the Song Family.
How could she accept being someone’s concubine for a lifetime. Unthinkable.
Yet on the surface, Xie Ruilin still retained a compliant demeanor, "Alright, whatever sister says."
"Then I won’t disturb Lin’er’s rest. Be mindful not to get your hand wet," Xie Ruotong said, and without further ado.
"Thank you, sister, and you too."
Xie Ruotong stood up from the daybed, ready to leave.
Just as she took a few steps.
"Sister," Xie Ruilin suddenly called out to her.
Xie Ruotong turned around.
Just as she turned around.
She saw Xie Ruilin suddenly slap herself hard on the face.
Before Xie Ruotong could react.
She heard footsteps behind her.
Clearly, someone had come in.
Xie Ruotong saw Xie Ruilin sitting on the ground, tears rolling down her cheeks, pitifully crying, "Sister, it’s all my fault, I accidentally knocked over the teacup and even bumped into you, even causing Brother Yanqing to scold you, it’s all because I was careless, it’s my fault..."
"Lin’er!" Song Yanqing, hearing the noise, strode to Xie Ruilin’s side, squatting down to help her, "What happened?"
Xie Ruilin shook her head, "It’s nothing, nothing, nothing happened between my sister and me!"
Of course, Song Yanqing did not believe that nothing happened.
If nothing happened, how would Xie Ruilin have fallen to the ground.
How would her face have turned half red with a slap.
He turned his head and glared at Xie Ruotong, his voice icy, "What did you do to Lin’er?!"