Union

Chapter 128: That's some serious patience!
Yunying had dinner with the Second Master and successfully invited him to return to the mansion early that evening.

Although the Second Master didn't know what Yun Ying was up to, he didn't ask any further questions. After all, he wanted to come back and be with her as soon as possible. Since she had spoken up, it wouldn't hurt for him to come back even sooner.

Because he was preoccupied with returning to the manor, the Second Master was very efficient that day.

He first went to the county government office to handle the day's affairs.

The county government hasn't had anything major to deal with lately. The biggest issue is that the disaster relief grain has arrived and is currently being distributed to the townships.

This amount of grain is pitifully small for ordinary people, and given their current dire situation, it's a drop in the ocean.

Fortunately, there is enough grain for Yungui County to get through the short term.

Second Master did try to ask Prefect Zhang for more grain, but the entire Lingnan Prefecture suffered severe disasters this year.

Yungui County was relatively better off. For example, Lianhua County experienced a dysentery outbreak after the hurricane. Several counties closer to the sea were more severely affected by the hurricane. Those counties were completely flooded, and the floodwaters have only just receded. However, this season's harvest is gone, and less than one in ten people survived.

That's the situation. It's impossible for Second Master to ask for more grain. The relief grain that has been barely distributed now must be used sparingly. As for what happens after it's gone… well, we'll have to find our own way to survive.

Fortunately, although there is winter in Yungui County, it is very short. If you look carefully, you can find some food in winter, and as long as you are willing to work hard, survival is not a problem.

The second master thought about the meager amount of relief grain, and then about the abundant seafood brought by the hurricane.

Most of the seafood died, but if it's dried or salted, it can be quickly transported to other prefectures to sell, and some silver can be obtained. The silver can then be exchanged for coarse grains, enough to get by this season.

Thinking of dried goods and seafood, Second Master originally intended to go check on the road repair situation, but suddenly changed direction and headed towards the dried goods store.

Unexpectedly, when they were still quite a distance from the dried goods store, the Second Master saw Yunying and Qiuning talking at the side entrance of the store.

Qiu Ning saw the Second Master first, and she quickly nudged Yun Ying, "Look who's coming over there. Hehe, you and the Second Master are really in sync. You finally came to see me, and the Second Master also stepped into this dried goods shop. Did you two plan this beforehand, or are you really so telepathic?"

"Don't talk nonsense, it's just a coincidence." Yunying looked towards the Second Master and saw that he was also looking at her.

The second master rode his horse and quickly arrived in front of Yunying. He dismounted and strode towards Yunying, frowning and asking with disapproval, "Why did you go out?"

Yunying stammered, unwilling to tell the Second Master that she had come out to find a birthday gift for him.

She discussed it with Sui'er and Liu'er for a long time, but they couldn't think of anything else besides longevity noodles. Sui'er suggested that they go out and take a look, while Liu'er said that they could ask Qiu Ning for her opinion, who knows what Qiu Ning might think.

Yunying thought it made sense, so she decisively took the two maids and went out.

Qiu Ning was quite happy to see Yun Ying come looking for her.

This was the first time Qiu Ning and Yun Ying had met since Qiu Ning left the county government office. Qiu Ning was originally prepared to hug Yun Ying and cry her heart out, and then tell her about her recent situation, but Yun Ying directly stated her purpose... Well, to hell with being touched.

The two had finished catching up and were just about to find a place to talk when Second Master arrived.

The Second Master asked Yunying why she had come out. Yunying wanted to surprise him, so naturally she couldn't tell him that she had gone out to find him a birthday gift. But she had also said that she wouldn't lie to him again.

Yunying thought for a moment and then said, "I came out to buy something."

The second master asked, "What do you want to buy? The things here aren't very good. If you really need something, I'll have someone send it to you from the capital."

"But I need it urgently, so sending it from the capital isn't very practical. Alright, enough about me. Second Master, weren't you supposed to be at the county government office? Why are you back at the dried goods store?"

"It's a long story, I'll tell you when we get back to the manor."

"Then you go ahead and get busy, I won't take up any more of your time."

The Second Master said "Okay," and then turned his gaze to Qiu Ning. Qiu Ning quickly bowed to the Second Master again, and before he could speak, she assured him, "Don't worry, I promise to take good care of Yun Ying."

"She was sick from exhaustion a while ago and has only just recovered a little. You should keep her company and not let her stay outside for too long."

"Okay, okay, I've got it all."

After giving instructions to Qiu Ning, Second Master looked at Yun Ying, then turned and entered the dried goods store.

Everyone watched the Second Master walk away before letting out a sigh of relief.

Qiu Ning hugged Yun Ying and gasped for breath, "Second Master's aura is even stronger than before. I was almost so scared that I couldn't breathe."

Yunying laughed, "Second Master doesn't eat people. Even if he's imposing, he won't do anything to you. You don't need to be so afraid of him."

Qiu Ning grinned and said, "You don't understand."

What does Yunying know?

The Second Master doted on her immensely, and his eyes were always gentle when he was with her. But when the Second Master looked at them, his gaze was cold, as if they were some kind of nuisance. If it weren't for his upbringing, he would have wanted to kick them aside.

Especially since she loved to cling to Yunying, the Second Master's expression became even more unpleasant in her presence.

Just now, Second Master's brows were furrowed, and his lips were pressed into a straight line. He looked down at her from his superior position, and the intimidating aura he exuded still frightens her to this day.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. You just told me you didn't know what birthday gift to give Second Master. Well, I think you could give him some writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Hey, wasn't that book you gave him last year quite good?"

Yunying said speechlessly, "I just happened to come across that book. How could I be so lucky as to always come across such good things? As for buying writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, Yungui County probably doesn't have any good ones. Even if they did, they probably wouldn't be as good as the ones sent to Second Master in the capital."

If she were to buy it and give it to the Second Master, he probably wouldn't be used to it, so this suggestion is a no-go.

Qiu Ning then asked, "Then buy some decorative items for the study, so that when Second Master sees those items, he will think of you."

"You mean Bijia Mountain and the antique vases and such? Putting aside whether I can afford them or not, do you think there are any good ones in Yungui County that would meet Second Master's standards? I don't think so."

"Then why don't we send Second Master some clothes and shoes..."

"Don't you know my skills?"

……

Qiu Ning suggested several more things, but Yun Ying rejected them all.

Qiu Ning glared at Yun Ying, "You don't want this, you can't do that, either the Second Master doesn't like it, or you can't afford it, so what are you going to do? Hey, if you ask me, you might as well stop looking for all this nonsense, just dress yourself up properly and present yourself as a gift to the Second Master. It's the Second Master's birthday, so you can give him a few different looks..."

"Qiu Ning! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll take action."

"I……"

Yunying quickly covered Qiuning's mouth, but Qiuning easily broke free. "You're still angry? What's there to be ashamed of? You're together now, so what's wrong with playing a little trick? Didn't Granny teach us before? Don't be fooled by a man's serious appearance. In reality, the more serious a man is, the more mischievous he can be. Sigh, um, um..."

Yun Ying finally covered Qiu Ning's mouth with both hands. If she weren't afraid that Qiu Ning wouldn't be able to breathe, Yun Ying would have covered her nose as well. It really is Qiu Ning.

They dare to say anything and come up with any bad ideas.

This is happening on the street; if anyone overhears them, neither of them will be able to live a normal life anymore.

Under Yun Ying's threat, Qiu Ning finally shut up. However, Yun Ying was extremely embarrassed and, in a fit of anger, slapped Qiu Ning on the back.

Qiu Ning let out a wail and jumped away, looking at Yun Ying with a resentful expression, saying, "Why did you hit me? I was only doing it for your own good."

Actually, Yunying's slap didn't hurt at all.

She had just recovered from an illness and was still weak in her limbs. She held back her strength in that thrust, so although it looked fierce, it didn't actually hurt at all.

But Qiu Ning was afraid that Yun Ying would nag her, so she pretended to be in great pain to shut Yun Ying up.

Yunying was truly embarrassed to scold her, but when she thought of what Qiu Ning had said, Yunying blushed.

"Second Master and I, we didn't, we didn't..."

Qiu Ning raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"

"They're not together!"

Qiu Ning picked at her ear, rolled her eyes, and Shu Er, realizing something, widened her eyes. "Yun Ying, what do you mean? You're not telling me that you and Second Master have never slept together, are you?"

Yunying glared at Qiuning, who quickly pulled Yunying into the house. Then she closed the door and started circling around Yunying.

Qiu Ning couldn't believe it. "Is Second Master impotent? Otherwise, why wouldn't he sleep with such a beauty like you? What was he thinking?"

It wasn't that the Second Master wasn't interested; it was that she explicitly rejected him.

But it was difficult to say this aloud, so Yunying stammered, "Second Master is a gentleman."

"Aren't gentlemen men? How can a man not have desires? If you ask me, Second Master is either impotent, or he probably is..."

"Just what?"

"I just don't like women, I like men!"

Yunying pounced on her again, "Ancestor, can I call you ancestor? Can you please watch your mouth and not say things like that? This courtyard isn't just for you; there are other people here. If your words reach Second Master's ears, do you think you'll survive?"

Qiu Ning stammered. Whether she could live or die depended not only on the Second Master's decision, but also on Yun Ying's.

She simply refused to believe that, given how much the Second Master liked Yunying, if Yunying said anything, the Second Master could really take her life.

Qiu Ning was fearless, but seeing Yun Ying's fierce expression, she dared not provoke her anymore.

However, Second Master and Yunying have not slept together yet...tsk tsk, Second Master is really good at enduring.

Yunying glared at Qiu Ning a few more times, and Qiu Ning immediately became obedient.

Now that things have come to this, Yunying has realized that Qiuning is unreliable, and it's probably impossible to get any advice from her.

Since that's the case, Yunying won't waste any more time here.

She got up to leave, and Qiu Ning tried to stop her, but Yun Ying refused. Qiu Ning muttered, "You're only thinking about the Second Master, and you don't even ask me what's going on. We haven't seen each other for over a month, and you don't even miss me. Yun Ying, you're so heartless."

Yunying felt guilty after being nagged, and quickly said, "I've been busy all day long. I finally finished my work, and now I'm sick. It's not that I don't want to come see you, it's just that I'm too weak to do so."

"Alright, alright, I won't hold it against you. Since you're in a hurry today, I won't say any more. I'll come see you when I have some free time in a few days, and then we can talk things out."

"Row."

Yunying was not worried about Qiu Ning's situation.

Perhaps she had some concerns when she first arrived, but seeing Qiu Ning's rosy complexion, her improved spirits, and even her slightly plumper figure, and her lively and spirited demeanor, Yun Ying realized that Qiu Ning must not have been wronged. Even if she had, she had gotten her revenge. So what was Yun Ying worried about?
As Yunying and Qiuning walked out, Qiuning asked Yunying, "Should I also give Second Master a birthday gift?"

"up to you."

Qiu Ning pondered for a moment, "I think I'd better not send it." She had already left the county government office and was no longer the Second Master's woman. If she still sent him a gift, wouldn't outsiders think that she and the Second Master were still entangled? Besides, would Yun Ying feel comfortable if she saw it?
But then again, the Second Master is still her master. She hasn't even been released from her status yet; it was all thanks to the Second Master's mercy that she was able to run away and live a carefree life without paying a ransom. She owes the Second Master a debt of gratitude, so if she doesn't give him something for his birthday, wouldn't she be an ungrateful wretch?
After much deliberation, Qiu Ning finally made her decision, saying, "I'll send Second Master a birthday gift. I don't know what else to give, and I don't have any money, so I'll just give Second Master a gift, a gift..."

"what to give?"

"I'll send a few cartloads of fodder to Second Master's mount!"

Yunying: "..."

Yunying had never heard such bizarre remarks, nor had she ever seen such a strange way of giving gifts.

She admitted that she had been provoked by Qiu Ning, so much so that after walking out the door, she didn't even bother to check if the Second Master was still there. She waved to Qiu Ning impatiently, quickly got into her carriage, and then told the driver to hurry away.

Then, Yunying boarded the carriage with a strange expression, and Sui'er, seeing this, was filled with curiosity.

Sui'er finally spoke up and asked Yunying, "Miss, what did you and Miss Qiu Ning talk about? You..."

"what happened?"

"Your expression is a bit strange."

"Is it that obvious?"

Sui'er nodded. "Very obvious."

Yunying touched her face, quickly trying to compose herself. But then, thinking of Qiu Ning's suggestion, Yunying broke down again, her expression a strange mix of crying and laughing.

Sui'er said, "Look, you're doing it again."

Yunying finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, "It's not that I'm strange, it's Qiu Ning..."

Yunying relayed Qiuning's suggestion, and Sui'er blushed twice upon hearing it. Then, she finally broke down and turned to the side, covering her mouth and laughing out loud.

"See? You think Qiu Ning is funny too."

Sui'er laughed until tears streamed down her face. "Indeed, how can Miss Qiu Ning be so nonsensical? It's Second Master's birthday, and she wants to deliver fodder to Second Master's mount. What on earth is going on in Miss Qiu Ning's head?"