Becoming the Cannon Fodder Wife of Crazy and Powerful Official - Chapter 16

Xin Yueying forced a smile, “That’s my maiden name.”

“Which characters? ‘Moonlight and shadows reflecting on people’ from the poem?”

She nodded, then shook her head, “But the next line says ‘pitiful spring, like people growing old’—I don’t like that omen. I prefer ‘light the lanterns and painted candles, let the dappled horse play as moonlight graces the balcony.'” She shrugged, “But it’s not important.”

This clearly surprised Shen Qingqi, who looked at her with newfound interest.

Xin Yueying shot him a sidelong glance, “What? You also think this ‘petty commoner’ can’t quote poetry?”

Shen Qingqi returned the look, “I did assume you only knew how to curse.”

The most infuriating part was how he deliberately emphasized the word “curse” so she’d hear it clearly.

Xin Yueying: “……”

Suddenly, Shen Qingqi smiled and gazed at the night sky. The flawless white moon cast hazy shadows, its silver light spilling across the land like frost.

“Eat your fish,” Xin Yueying said, placing a piece in his bowl, “Why are you spacing out?”

Snapping back to reality, they finished their meal in comfortable silence before starting work on the wheelchair. Huo Qi returned just as they began.

Having searched in vain for a corpse he knew they’d never find, he collapsed at the table, wiping sweat, “Good lord, that woman could walk forever!”

Xin Yueying played the gracious hostess again, “You must be exhausted. Let me heat up your food.”

“Not yet—need to catch my breath.” Huo Qi fanned himself with his collar,”She cried the whole way—nearly deafened me. I was afraid she’d attract wolves.”

Xin Yueying immediately stopped pretending to care and went back to work.

Shen Qingqi, seated in his wheelchair, deftly wove bamboo strips, mirroring Xin Yueying’s movements. When she sat cross-legged on the ground from fatigue, she noticed his progress,”Hey! You’re learning fast!”

He looked up, lips pursed. “The ground is cold.” Setting aside the bamboo, he wheeled to the corner and handed her a small stool. “Sit here.”

“Thanks.” She grinned, accepting it.

Watching this exchange, Huo Qi’s expression gradually shifted to suspicion. Something wasn’t right here…

Xin Yueying looked up at Shen Qingqi. “Let’s not have Meng Ruxin examine you anymore—she’s no professional. I found a proper doctor, but I wanted your permission first before bringing him.”

Shen Qingqi paused his work, “Don’t bother. It’s a waste of money.”

“How do you know if we don’t try?” She patted the wheelchair frame. “This’ll fetch us another thirty taels when finished.”

Shen Qingqi’s gaze drifted to her clothes. The hemp fabric had been washed to fading, sleeves frayed at the edges, shoulder seams coming loose. His eyes traveled upward to the simple bamboo stick holding her hair.

“Stop thinking of others. When we get the silver tomorrow, buy yourself proper clothes and jewellry,” he said quietly, avoiding her eyes.

Xin Yueying leaned in with a grin. “What’s this? Feeling sorry for me?”

Shen Qingqi frowned, turning away from her sparkling eyes. “Who’d pity you? I just don’t want your shabbiness to embarrass me.”

“Pfft!” She stuck out her tongue. “This face needs no adornment—’natural beauty like lotus rising from clear waters,’ as they say.”

As she bent over the wheelchair again, she missed Shen Qingqi’s faint smile.

But Huo Qi saw it all.

A breeze stirred as Huo Qi pondered silently: Was the Second Master moved by the wind… or something deeper?

That night, after washing dishes, Huo Qi intercepted Xin Yueying carrying an empty bucket. “From now on, leave such chores to me.”

Xin Yueying eyed him suspiciously. “Oh? Then what should I do?”

Huo Qi hesitated before whispering, “Perhaps… comfort the Second Master at night?”

“Comfort him how?” Her cheekbones lifted in confusion.

Turning away, Huo Qi retrieved two objects—a rolling pin and an ox nose ring. He crossed them before her face with a toothy grin through his beard. “Like this.”

The image of those incongruous items would haunt Xin Yueying for decades.

Years later, she’d still bolt upright in bed at midnight, pounding her mattress in rage, “What in heaven’s name was wrong with that Huo Qi?!”