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24

Chapter 24: Why Would I Not Be Willing?

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Xue Dongting knew she had misspoke. She hung her head in silence.

Mama Qiao looked disappointed. “Is it because you were not willing?”

“…Why would I not be willing?” she said quietly.

Mama Qiao frowned. “Then is it him? Does he resent your background?”

Xue Dongting shook her head. “No.”

Mama Qiao stared at her. Suddenly she asked in a low voice, “He seems to be strong and well-built… Could it be that in the bedroom he’s…”

She was taking this too far. Xue Dongting tugged on Mama Qiao’s sleeve and said, “Mama! Stop asking about it.”

Mama Qiao jabbed her in the forehead. “Girl, can’t you spare me some worry?”

Xue Dongting felt helpless. “Mama Qiao, don’t worry about it! I guarantee he won’t get rid of me, I guarantee I won’t make you lose face.”

Mama Qiao sighed. “That son-in-law might be a fisherman from the countryside, but he’s a sensible person. I could tell just by talking to him. With everything he does she shows he’s not like other fishermen. He’s been through a lot. You won’t lose out at all by marrying him. That sort of thing is a must, you mustn’t refuse him. After all, he’s your husband.”

“Mm,” Xue Dongting said, blushing. But Mama Qiao wasn’t finished. “With your good looks I don’t see how any many could hold back. It’s just you came from this place. Maybe he is a bit wary about that. You’re a chaste girl, you have to let him know that!”

“I already told him,” Xue Dongting said.

“Oh,” Mama Qiao groaned. “How can he believe it just cause you said it? I’ll show you a way.” She whispered a few words into her ear.

Xue Dongting turned even redder. “What do I need a white handkerchief for?”

“Just do what I tell you,” Mama Qiao said in a low voice. She whispered some more into her ear.

Xue Dongting could only nod her head.

Mama Qiao jabbed her in the forehead again, remonstrating, “You better listen to what I’m telling you… Wanqing married that squire as his concubine and I so regret it so much it’s rotting my insides. Song Yuming doesn’t have much money, but he will be devoted to you, and with your devilish mind you’ll be able to capture his heart no problem.”

Xue Dongting quirked her mouth. “What do you mean my ‘devilish mind’? Isn’t that too harsh?”

Mama Qiao laughed. “I’m not wrong. Of you three kids, Wanqing is the most serious, Yuansheng is the most naive, and you, you’re the most clever.”

Lunch was quite a spread. Mama Qiao was an excellent cook and Song Yuming made sure to eat more. After lunch they chatted for a bit, and then Song Yuming saw it was getting late so he got up to take his leave.

Mama Qiao kept thinking about her little talk with Dongting earlier, so she didn’t keep them.

Once they left Cloudgem Lodge, Song Yuming looked at Dongting and said, “What did you and Madame Qiao talk about? Why do you look so uncomfortable?”

She hung her head, silent. But she was blushing slightly.

Song Yuming started. “Was it about…”

She plugged up her ears in a fit of pique and didn’t listen.

He looked at his wife acting all cute and he laughed and said no more.

They strolled along the main road of town. The market was closed down, the street mostly deserted.

“Looks like we came out early,” Song Yuming said. “Too early to catch the evening market.”

Xue Dongting gave him a look. “I’m obviously here for my return visit, when did I ask you to take me to the market?”

Her man laughed it off and put his big hand around hers. A stream of warmth seemed to radiate from that large hand. Even though it was the twelfth month and there was ice and snow everywhere, she didn’t feel a bit cold.