Chapter 203
Noticing her gaze lingering a bit too long, Young Madam Song touched her cheek and asked, "Is there something on my face?"
"Yes!" Qi Huan snapped back to reality and flirtatiously delivered a cheesy pickup line: "A bit of beauty."
Suddenly complimented, Young Madam Song burst into laughter.
At that moment, a brief exclamation came from outside the room.
"Ah—!"
Immediately followed by Song You'an's gentle voice: "Nanny, are you alright?"
"This servant is fine, thank you for your concern, Third Young Miss." Nanny Xu patted her chest and lifted the door curtain for her.
The cold wind took the opportunity to blow into the room, bringing a chill.
Qi Huan rose to greet Song You'an, who wore a shy smile, while discreetly glancing at Nanny Xu from the corner of her eye.
After exchanging pleasantries, she feigned curiosity and asked, "What happened to Nanny Xu just now?"
"...I startled Nanny," Song You'an said, fidgeting with her fingers. "Earlier, Nanny was imitating a gecko. I suddenly walked by, and she cried out in fright."
"Imitating a gecko?"
Hearing her candid description, Qi Huan could barely suppress her amusement.
Nanny Xu was clearly eavesdropping!
Qi Huan said with a teasing tone, "Nanny Xu has such unique hobbies."
At her words, a fleeting look of discomfort crossed Nanny Xu's weathered face.
"Miss Cousin is joking. This servant is just getting old and my hearing isn't as good. I was standing closer so I wouldn't miss it if Madam called for me."
Hearing this, Young Madam Song's eyes filled with emotion: "Nanny, why do you insist on doing everything yourself? You know you're getting on in years, why won't you take a good rest? Just have the young maids wait outside, they're young and have sharp ears."
Nanny Xu, who had just claimed to be old and hard of hearing, looked slightly abashed.
She quickly put on an expression of loyalty and replied, "The young maids are clumsy, I can't trust them. Madam is with child now, even more precious. Only by staying by Madam's side at all times can I feel at ease."
"Even if I have to endure some wind and cold, as long as I can serve Madam well, I'm willing to do it gladly."
Her words were earnest, and Young Madam Song hurriedly ordered Shuhua, who had followed them in, to fetch a hot water bottle for her.
"Nanny, you've been standing in the corridor for so long, quickly warm your hands with this hot water bottle."
Nanny Xu accepted the hot water bottle with feigned reluctance, expressing her gratitude repeatedly.
As they spoke, Qi Huan took the opportunity to look at Nanny Xu, examining her closely.
She saw that behind her simple facial expression, her eyes were quite lively.
Her brand-new cotton robe with auspicious cloud patterns made her appear quite plump.
With just a few words, she had managed to get Young Madam Song to reward her with a hot water bottle.
"Because when you were just born, you were all wrinkled, like a little old man. I hadn't expected my wife to look like that."
Recalling this, Song Jingcheng chuckled softly, but Young Madam Song punched his chest lightly.
He took the opportunity to hold her hand and continued:
"Perhaps because the first impression was so strong, I kept thinking about you. Soon, our families exchanged betrothal gifts."
"No matter whether you looked like an old man or not, at least I had a wife. Song Che didn't have one, and You'an didn't either. I was quite proud at the time."
"I urged Mother to take me to see you again. By our second meeting, you had already grown into a chubby, fair-skinned little dumpling. I even got to hold you, and you drooled all over me."
"I began to wonder, the next time I saw you, would you look different again? I eagerly awaited the day Mother would take me to the Gu Mansion to see your transformation."
"Later, your mother suddenly passed away. Mother worried you might be neglected at the Gu Mansion, so she would occasionally bring you to stay at the Song Mansion."
"Every time, before I had had enough of playing with you, your father would come to take you home. So I would ask Mother, when could you stay at our home for good?"
"Mother said, when I grew up, when you came of age."
"I started to eat diligently, trying hard to grow up."
"When I was young, I liked you because I enjoyed playing with you, liked seeing you toddle after me."
"Soft and sweet, adorable and innocent."
"Love begins without one knowing, growing deeper with time. Year after year passed, and gradually, my eyes saw only you."
"You are the wife I've been waiting for all these years, and you will be my only one in this life."
"Amin, you can try to trust me."
"When I say I won't take concubines, it's not an empty promise."
"I will let time prove it to you."
By the time he finished speaking, Young Madam Song's tears had soaked his clothes.
Miss Cousin was right, listening to only one side leads to bias.
She shouldn't have only listened to Nanny's suggestions.
Nanny is Nanny, husband is husband. They are different people with different thoughts.
Nanny's thoughts don't represent husband's thoughts.
Young Madam Song sniffled, the heavy stone pressing on her heart suddenly lifted.
"Husband, I will never mention taking concubines again... I want to have you all to myself."
"Good." Song Jingcheng chuckled softly, slowly patting her back to soothe her to sleep.
The next day.
After finishing breakfast, Young Madam Song summoned Shuyu.