277 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Ning Longyang suddenly rose to his feet, his fury intensifying. He clutched his forehead and began to pace back and forth. “Unfilial child,” he roared, “Zhong Xiang, fetch the cane immediately.” Hearing the mention of the cane, Ning Songwu quickly admitted her fault, “Father, I truly realize my mistake…” Zhou Huaxiu, realizing that Ning Longyang was serious, hurriedly approached and grabbed his arm, gently patting his back. “Longyang, Wu'er has admitted her mistake. Please forgive her, she will change.” Ning Longyang flung away her hand, pointing at Ning Songwu while addressing Zhou Huaxiu. “Admitted her mistake? Does he even know what he did wrong? If you can't give me a satisfactory explanation tonight, don't blame me for breaking his legs.” Ning Songwu's eyes darted quickly, and she immediately responded, “I shouldn't have prioritized my official duties over the family. From now on, no matter how busy I am, I will return home every night.” Zhong Xiang, still rooted to the spot, also pleaded, “Master, the eldest son recently got married. Punishing him might disrupt the good fortune.” Ning Longyang remained unmoved and replied sternly, “Stop pleading for this ungrateful child. We've spoiled him since childhood, and now he thinks he can disregard his father? Watch how well I discipline you. Zhong Xiang, go retrieve it.” “Longyang, if you hit him with the cane, Wu'er will either be crippled or severely injured. How will we expect grandchildren then?” Zhou Huaxiu cried, tears streaming down her face as she used their potential grandchildren to appeal to Ning Longyang. She also shot a glance at Ning Songwu. “Father, my health is already frail. Any further punishment might affect your chances of having grandchildren. Please spare me this time.” Ning Songwu picked up on Zhou Huaxiu's hint and immediately acted pitiable, bowing her head and admitting her fault with a tear-choked voice. Ning Longyang finally relented, “Ungrateful child, I will spare you this once tonight. If there's a next time, I won't be so lenient. Now, go back to your room.” “Yes, yes, I will go right away. Father, Mother, please rest early.” Ning Songwu quickly got up, dusted off her knees, and hurriedly took her leave. Watching Ning Songwu flee, Ning Longyang shook his head and sighed softly. “A man’s knees are as valuable as gold. Where does he show even a trace of being a governor?” “There’s also a saying, ‘Kneel to the heavens, kneel to the earth, kneel to parents,’ which shows Wu'er’s filial piety,” retorted Zhou Huaxiu, astonishingly quick-witted despite being illiterate. “Cough, cough.” Ning Longyang cleared his throat to mask his embarrassment, momentarily at a loss for words. Ning Longyang was still baffled. Why had she left a comfortable position as an official in the capital to come to this humid and stifling backwater? He had initially sought approval from the emperor for a quiet position in the capital, which was granted. But at the inauguration ceremony, she had voluntarily requested to be sent to Chongzhou. Ning Songwu paced back and forth in the courtyard for a long time. The house felt like a dragon's den; she dared not enter. Her lips were dry, and she kept licking them, her eyes reflecting unease and occasionally glancing at the doorway, afraid that stepping inside might reveal her long-hidden secret. Ran Fanyin saw her pacing outside and teased, “Wu Lang, how long do you plan to stay out there? The night mist is heavy; come inside to avoid catching a cold, lest you make life difficult for me.” “I'm just dusting myself off.” Ning Songwu awkwardly rubbed her hands together and took a deep breath before pushing the door open. Tonight, there seemed to be no way to avoid sharing the bed. On the wedding night, she'd escaped by making Ran Fanyin drunk under the pretense of drinking toasts. Could she possibly use the same trick again? “Dear wife, why are you still up so late?” Ning Songwu closed the door, standing awkwardly without moving further, unsure of how to interact with Ran Fanyin. “Since parting in the capital, it has been countless days since I last saw you. You must have been too busy with official affairs to come home. Tonight, upon hearing of your return, I waited patiently. You really make a person wait, Wu Lang.” Ran Fanyin's sweet words were like sharp arrows, piercing Ning Songwu with guilt. Ning Songwu stammered, “Lately, I've been busy with official duties and neglected my wife. Please forgive me. It's late; you should rest, and I will wash my feet.” “Wu Lang, the hot water is already prepared. Come and sit here; let me serve you. I am your legitimate wife; these are my duties henceforth.” Ran Fanyin feigned a gentle and harmless demeanor. She didn't truly want to wash Ning Songwu’s feet. The water was probably between fifty to sixty degrees Celsius, too hot to bear. Her ever-sensitive instinct suggested that Ning Songwu wasn’t interested in her; otherwise, he wouldn’t have shared a roof without sharing a bed for over a month since the wedding. No, he wasn’t just in the same room; they had peacefully slept under the same roof. Could it be that he was a "cut sleeve"? He had delicate and feminine features, lacking a manly presence, and his beauty rivaled that of women. This was the only plausible reason. She secretly rejoiced, thinking that if he preferred men, she wouldn’t need to worry about her safety. Ning Songwu whispered internally, what a legitimate wife I've married. What virtue or ability do I, just a mere woman, possess to deserve the celebrated first talent of the capital? If she ever found out my true identity, she would probably put me to death. Under the same roof, both harbored their own secrets, each contemplating how to navigate the night. “Wife, you are a lady of noble birth; let me handle these chores. Before getting married, I never had anyone serve me.” Ning Songwu reached out to stop Ran Fanyin, dipping one foot into the water, “Hiss—” The water was scalding, and she quickly withdrew her foot, wincing in pain. Ran Fanyin pretended not to notice, asking softly, “Is it that Wu Lang finds my efforts inadequate?” “You misunderstand, wife. I had no such intention.” Ning Songwu said as she hastily patted her feet with a cloth. Ning Songwu hadn’t lied to Ran Fanyin; due to her inconvenient identity, she had always taken care of herself since childhood, unlike other children of officials. This aspect even made Ning Longyang proud, as her character, though not exceptionally learned, was commendable. “Do I not meet Wu Lang’s standards in appearance? Why does Wu Lang always keep me at a distance? If there’s anything I’m not doing well, please tell me so I can change.” Ran Fanyin suddenly squatted in front of Ning Songwu, her dark eyes moist, reflecting the flickering candlelight, looking utterly aggrieved. “No, no.” Startled, Ning Songwu stammered in response. Meeting Ran Fanyin's gaze, she felt as if her guarded layers were being stripped away, striking at her heart. Her chest felt soft, and her face flushed bright red. She hurriedly averted her eyes.