Arc 2: Part 51
Xiao Lingchen suddenly widened his eyes and abruptly stood up, even toppling the table in the process. Hearing the crash, Little Thirteen felt as if his own bones were aching.
However, Xiao Lingchen felt no pain from hitting the table. He was only filled with bewilderment, too shocked to react.
"Master, please don't blame me for overstepping my bounds, but allow me to tell you..." Little Thirteen began hesitantly, "The lady has long been attracted to you... But you, what about you? You've given her hope at times, yet at other times, thought of marrying her off to someone else! Do you think she can accept this?"
Little Thirteen lowered his head. His tone was initially reticent, gradually growing more frustrated out of helplessness.
"Master, if I may be so bold to say this," he continued, "What you’re doing is utterly heartless!"
Little Thirteen thought that his words could be deemed as criticism towards his master. But to his surprise, Xiao Lingchen did not get angry. Instead, he took a step back, looked puzzled, fell back into his seat, and bowed his head in deep thought, his expression visibly disoriented.
Seeing this, Little Thirteen thought to himself, 'Indeed, no one is immune. Even a powerful man like our master who's at the helm of politics can lose his usual calm and composure when faced with matters of the heart — what a complete downfall!'
As he left the tent, he carefully closed the door. Heading toward the lady's camp, he just happened to see Cui Yu, a maid, stepping out of the tent. Cui Yu, rubbing her red eyes, was carrying a food box.
A thought crossed his mind, and he called out to Cui Yu to stop, asking, "Did you just deliver a meal to the lady?"
Recognizing him, Cui Yu nodded repeatedly, troubled. "The young lady has hardly been eating. I'm truly worried about her. I don't know what to do!"
Little Thirteen responded, "Don't come to me for help. I can't think of a way to get her to eat. But if you're genuinely worried about your lady, let me tell you someone who can help. You should ask him, and tell him this..." He finished his instruction. "Got it?"
Cui Yu nodded blankly and followed the direction pointed out by Little Thirteen, headed down another path.
Deep in thought, Xiao Lingchen was growing more restless in his room. Unable to restrain any longer, he called out, "Little Thirteen, come in here!"
There was no answer. He stood up annoyingly to open the door. Suddenly, a knock sounded from outside. He replied eagerly, "Come in!"
But the door opened to reveal a maid instead of Little Thirteen.
This maid, her face full of concern, fell to her knees as soon as she saw Xiao Lingchen, appealing to him with tears in her eyes.
"Please sir, could you visit the young lady? She locks herself in her tent, constantly crying. She hasn't come out all day and refuses to eat anything. Her body can't take this. Please, persuade her!" she begged.
Taken aback by these words, Xiao Lingchen's usual aloof coolness vanished. He stood up with a start, asking subconsciously, "What did you say?"
"Sir, if the lady has done something to offend you, I'm willing to accept the punishment on her behalf. Please don't blame her!" Cui Yu pleaded. "Ever since she returned, she's been crying constantly and can't eat a thing. She's now lying in bed, lacking the strength to get up. I'm really worried..."
"This girl,"
Xiao Lingchen couldn't bear to listen any longer.
Thinking of the young lady's sorrow, his heart was aching. Initially, he hesitated out of worry she might not want to see him, but now, he couldn't care less.
Also remembering that Little Thirteen had mentioned her being in love with him, he felt a mixture of anger and urgency. Without saying anything more, he rushed out of the door and hurried towards her tent.
He was halfway there when he encountered a figure rushing towards him.
The person saw him, almost flew into his arms, his eyes red and frightened, shouting with a crying tone,
"Brother, why are you not lying on your bed and even dared to leave the room? Little Thirteen said you can't even eat a single grain, you're so sick you couldn't stand, and you looked like you're going to lose your breath! I'm wrong, I won't argue with you anymore. You take your medicine diligently, you're definitely going to be okay, can you please not scare me like this?"
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