Chapter 15: Making a Scene About Giving Birth at Home

“I want him to stay with me.” Su Zhirui pushed Yi Lun away, becoming somewhat unreasonable.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, don't be like this. Fourth Brother doesn't like going out much.” Seeing that Yi Huan showed little expression, Yi Lun hurriedly spoke up to persuade her. Weren't these two just fine a moment ago? How did they suddenly burst into flames?

“What a joke. He doesn't like going out, yet he left me in that godforsaken place for over ten days? Hasn't he practically worn a hole in the threshold?” Su Zhirui was clearly picking a fight. She hadn't intended to be this tedious, but having only just arrived here and being treated this way by her husband, how could she not feel bitter and hurt?

“That was work,” Yi Lun explained helplessly. It was truly a case of the eunuch being anxious while the emperor remained unconcerned; the person involved hadn't said a word and was instead closing his eyes for a nap.

“Work? He’s away from home four out of every three days. When he is home, he’s either making a fuss about having children, or if he’s not having children, he’s sleeping like the dead. You... you... I...” Seeing that Yi Huan still had no reaction, Su Zhirui felt even more stifled. Her words were clearly becoming incoherent, but it didn't matter. Admitting defeat was never something Su Zhirui would do foolishly. Since he didn't care, she didn't need to hold back either.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, where are you going?” Seeing Su Zhirui bolt toward the exit, Yi Lun called out to stop her.

“To find a man.”

With three lines of exasperation appearing on his face, Yi Lun watched helplessly as Su Zhirui ran out the door. Originally, he had wanted to chase after her, but looking at the man beside him, he wasn't in a hurry. There was always someone who couldn't hold their temper and would eventually give in. Although living like this was nerve-wracking, it was truly stimulating and interesting.

After waiting for a long time without seeing any movement from the man beside him, Yi Lun began to lose patience. Seeing the sky gradually darken, he wondered if that spiteful woman would even be able to find her way back. Unable to bear it, Yi Lun hurried out to chase after her, but just as he reached the doorway, he saw Su Zhirui huddling in a corner with her arms wrapped around herself. That small figure looked like a lost child who had forgotten the way home.

“Fourth Sister-in-law...”

“Enough of the drama, let's go back.” Su Zhirui stood up unsteadily. Originally, she hadn't expected Yi Huan to chase after her. She didn't feel that Yi Huan needed to be tender or protective toward her; if it were only because of that ridiculous marital and physical relationship, then he truly underestimated her. She just wanted to throw a tantrum, even if she was the only one performing in this play.

“Are you alright?” Yi Lun asked with concern, reaching out to support her.

“What could be wrong with me?” Su Zhirui retorted, then stumbled toward the main entrance. Entering the hall and seeing Yi Huan, she didn't feel anything was amiss; it was just a wife failing to act spoiled and becoming unreasonable. In ordinary families, many such dramas were played out every day, weren't they?

“Don't squat in that spot anymore. There are many ants.” Seeing that she was quiet, Yi Huan suddenly spoke. Both Su Zhirui and Yi Lun were momentarily stunned. So, he wasn't indifferent to her at all? The reason he hadn't chased her out was because he knew she hadn't gone far?

“If I had known, I would have run further away.” Su Zhirui suddenly burst into loud wails. Her hands, clutching the tablecloth, were twisted in conflict, appearing both regretful and aggrieved.

“Eat.” Seeing her cry incessantly, Yi Huan offered no comfort or expression. He merely frowned and gave a faint command before returning to his meal.

“Oh.” Su Zhirui was a bit dazed. After touching her cheeks, she, as if possessed, picked up her porcelain bowl and began to eat quietly.

Looking back and forth between the two, Yi Lun stood blankly before letting out a slight, bitter smile. If this was the way these two lived together, he would really have to get used to it in the future.

At night, Su Zhirui uncharacteristically slept quietly in the crook of Yi Huan's arm. Her eyes were somewhat red and swollen, making it easy to see that she had indeed been crying for quite some time. Yi Huan sighed softly, pulled the quilt over her, and rested his head on the jade pillow.

“Fourth Brother, it's rare for you to be the first one up today.” Seeing Yi Huan appear in the flower hall, Yi Lun teased him jokingly.

“I have work. I'm leaving Zhirui to you to handle,” Yi Huan said, casting him a glance.

“Fourth Brother, you know Sister-in-law isn't easy to settle down,” Yi Lun said with a bitter smile, knowing full well nothing good was coming.

“She had something on her mind yesterday, which is why she was being unreasonable. She isn't usually like this,” Yi Huan replied calmly as he sat down.

“So that's how it is... I get it.” Yi Lun slapped his thigh, exclaiming with joy as if he had discovered a great miracle. “Go about your work with peace of mind, Fourth Brother. Eleventh will soothe Sister-in-law.”

Yi Huan nodded slightly and then walked out the door, satisfied.