Chapter 1

She was left alone in her room shortly after getting married.

Chapter 1

A rustling sound came from outside the window, the wind rattling the windowpanes. A faint scent of sandalwood wafted out through the cracks, meandering towards the swaying, silvery moonlit river. A few rays of starlight drifted into the carved window, then across the bronze mirror, sprinkling onto the silk canopy on the sandalwood bed.

Liu Qingqing was lounging at the table, lost in thought.

A single lamp cast a dim light, illuminating Liu Qingqing's beautiful face. Unlike her cunning nature, Liu Qingqing's delicate and pitiful appearance was easily concealed.

Her stepmother said to her, "You look so delicate, be careful not to prick your hand!"

Lost in thought, Liu Qingqing remained silent for a long time.

Standing behind her, Granny Li glanced at the now-cold food on the eight-treasure porridge, looked at her mistress, then looked up at the silver moon in the sky, and couldn't help but sigh softly, "Miss, let me cook you a bowl of noodles."

Seeing that the young lady was stunned and did not respond, he swallowed his heartache and said again, "The young master probably has something to do tonight and cannot come."

Granny Li originally entered the Liu family mansion with Granny Liu and served her mistress until she became the mistress of the Liu family.

Since the passing of the first lady and the arrival of the new lady, she has gone from accompanying the young lady to caring for the young lady.

Now, as time has passed, the young lady she speaks of has changed from Liu's mother to Liu Qingqing.

The new mistress was cunning, making things even more difficult for the young lady in the mansion. Her father and brothers were estranged, and it was only through the combined efforts of Granny Li, who raised the young lady. Over the years, they had relied on each other for survival and developed a deep bond. Liu Qingqing was truly Granny Li's darling and couldn't bear to see the young lady suffer.

Moreover, it's almost 11 PM, and if the young lady usually goes to bed early, she can only wait in vain now.

She was increasingly dissatisfied with her son-in-law. It was understandable that he couldn't come because of something, but couldn't he at least send a servant to inform him?

It's been a month since the young lady and her husband got married. The last time I saw them was on their wedding day!

Not only did he refuse to sleep with the young lady, but he also made an appointment with her to come to her room on the first and fifteenth of each month. This is the first day of the month, and where is he now? This is utterly disrespectful to the young lady!

Granny Li was anxious. Although she didn't say anything, she knew perfectly well what was going on. Even if the young lady was trying to hide it from her, she knew that the young lady and the groom did not consummate their marriage on the wedding night!

How could this be kept secret!

She stumbled and struggled her way into this marriage, thinking she had finally escaped the wolf's den and could live a good life. What kind of mess is this?!

If it's so difficult, why did you marry him in the first place?

Miss, you've had a hard life since childhood. You've finally gotten married, so please don't wait any longer.

She kept the nasty gossip circulating in the courtyard tightly under her watch, not daring to let a single word reach the young lady's ears.

Granny Li had watched Liu Qingqing grow up since she was a child, and now she was worried that she might be hungry or sad. Knowing that her young mistress cared deeply for her husband, she knew that it wouldn't be appropriate to say anything too harsh or insensitive.

I thought the young lady had escaped this dangerous place, but it turns out things aren't much better!

Granny Li held back a bellyful of vulgar words, afraid that they would spill out as soon as she opened her mouth.

But Liu Qingqing waved her hand dismissively, "No rush, Granny. We have nothing to do anyway, so waiting a little longer won't hurt."

Hearing this, Granny Li felt annoyed. She wanted to speak but was afraid that her impulsive nature would cause her to hurt her mistress's feelings. Her chest felt like it was filled with countless burning firecrackers, which were exploding and making her feel uncomfortable inside and out.

He could only clutch the handkerchief in his hand and grit his teeth in silence, "Then I'll go to the courtyard gate and see for you."

After saying that, she turned and left, her fierce demeanor resembling that of an angry lioness.

Liu Qingqing tilted her head and smiled at Li Mama's fiery figure. Then, staring at the dark and empty courtyard gate, she silently comforted herself. It was already a great favor that Xie Lang, given his status, was able to fulfill his marriage contract and marry her, rescuing her from the fire pit of her maiden family. One should never be greedy.

Liu Qingqing dared not be greedy. Since her mother's death, she had learned to wait and be patient while living under her stepmother's care.

I have no choice but to endure it!

Besides, Xie Lang was just a bit cold-hearted. He had treated her well in the past, at least in front of his biased father and brothers. On the few occasions they met, Xie Lang always protected her, which made his father and brothers wary and dare not go too far.

Besides this, she also needed to use Xie Lang's influence to get back all the dowry her mother had left her. However, she didn't intend to let Xie Lang know about this, since he thought she was gentle and kind, and she could just use him as a figurehead.

She was already very fortunate to be able to marry him and receive his protection and a peaceful life. She would simply play the role of the virtuous wife he wanted.

After waiting for a while, the room darkened. Granny Li went back and forth, only to find nothing, and she was seething with anger. Seeing this, the maid Qingju, who was waiting by the corridor, immediately went into the room and trimmed the lamp wick, dispelling the darkness. This time, Granny Li couldn't wait any longer, and finally half-dragged, half-carried Liu Qingqing into the inner room to rest.

"I still need to inquire after the old lady's health tomorrow, so Miss, you should rest early. I'll cook you a bowl of noodles first."

How can you ruin your body like this?

"I'm not eating, Granny, I have no appetite."

Liu Qingqing gently pulled up the red silk quilt and covered her waist. Her eyelashes drooped obediently as she prepared to fall asleep on an empty stomach. Granny Li was secretly furious and mentally whipped Xie Lang eight hundred times.

Don't let Xie Lang's status as the high-ranking and powerful Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a refined and upright gentleman, fool you. In Li Mama's eyes, he's nothing but a real little bastard!

I slept soundly through the night.

The next day, while Liu Qingqing was having breakfast, Qingju came in to inform Xie Lang's servant that he had arrived and was waiting at the courtyard gate with something to report.

Liu Qingqing put down the porcelain bowl, lightly wiped her lips, and quickly invited people in.

The visitor was Xie Lang's personal servant, named Xie Wu. He was a servant born into the Xie family and people in the household said that Xie Wu's personality was similar to his master's, being taciturn.

After Xie Wu finished bowing, Liu Qingqing raised her hand and asked kindly, "Why did you arrive so early?"

Xie Wu stepped forward, holding the brocade box in both hands: "Madam, this is what my master asked me to deliver to you."

Liu Qingqing gestured for Qingju to take it, but before she could ask any more questions, Xie Wu bowed and then turned and left quickly.

Liu Qingqing closed her lips and swallowed her words.

Although I haven't met Xie Wu many times, those who know Xie Lang are all calm and composed. It's unusual to see Xie Wu so impatient for the first time.

Once Xie Wu had turned out of the courtyard and was out of sight, Liu Qingqing asked Qingju to call over Granny Li and whispered to her, "Go and find out what happened."

Before she could finish speaking, Granny Li understood and gently patted her young mistress's hand twice, saying, "Don't worry, young mistress."

At this moment, Xie Wu had already returned to the front yard like a gust of wind. After entering the study, he turned around and carefully closed the door. He walked to the incense altar and twisted the crescent blade that Guan Yu was holding in his arms. The hidden door behind him opened in response.

No matter how many times he tried, Xie Wu still couldn't adapt.

Sweating profusely, he bowed deeply to Guan Yu, begging for mercy.

Who would have thought that there was a secret room in the study of the upright and honest Minister of Justice?

And the switch to that secret room was actually in the arms of Guan Yu, who was enshrined on the incense altar? Luckily it was a crescent blade. If the mechanism had been placed in Guan Yu's eyes, wouldn't Xie Wu have poked Guan Yu's eyes every time? Wouldn't Guan Yu have gone to his dreams and skinned him alive with the crescent blade!

Xie Wu quickly straightened his face, afraid that his shrewd family members would see through his act and give him away.

It's not like adults are incapable of doing such things; he had to beg and plead with everyone to stop the adults from having that idea. The adults had the audacity to say—"No one else would think of that."

Yes! Who would dare to poke Guan Yu's eyes?

The door to the hidden room opened, and the sound of running water could be heard. Xie Wu hurried in and saw that the adult had already opened his eyes, leaning lazily against the edge of the bathtub, his slightly damp long hair clinging to his jade-like face. "Did you send the things?"

Xie Wu quickly replied, "I've sent it."

Xie Lang asked again, "What did Madam say? Was she unhappy? Did she ask about my whereabouts yesterday?"

A barrage of questions startled Xie Wu. After a moment of confusion, he whispered, "Madam is the most magnanimous and gentle person. How could she be unhappy? She didn't ask anything, but the nanny beside Madam didn't look too good."

Xie Lang smiled noncommittally upon hearing this, while Xie Wu, seeing this, was startled and quickly lowered his eyes, pretending not to have seen anything. Whenever the lord showed this expression, it was never a good sign. The day after the last time he saw the lord smile like that, the marriage between the lord and his wife, which had been pending for several years, was suddenly settled.

Unaware of Xie Wu's thoughts, Xie Lang rose from the cold water. A faint light streamed through the ventilation window, illuminating the heat emanating from Xie Wu's body, as if sprinkling gold leaf onto his bulging muscles. After his smile faded, his phoenix eyes sharpened, gleaming with an unfathomable light.

With his long arm wrapped around the moon-white brocade robe placed to the side, he tied on the dark-patterned belt given to him by Liu Qingqing, and then fastened the jade pendant and sachet that she had personally prepared. In this way, he concealed the strong muscles of his body that did not match his appearance, and transformed into the cold and serious Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Xie Wu watched from the side, and even though he had been by the young master's side since childhood, the young master's ability to change his expression so quickly still startled him. Who would have thought that outside...

"cough."

Upon hearing the sound, Xie Wu immediately looked up and saw the adult coughing softly twice, his fist clenched in front of his lips. After following the adult out of the dark room, he noticed that the adult's face was pale when the light came on.

Xie Wu asked anxiously, "Sir! Have you caught a cold?"

Xie Lang: "Your family member isn't made of iron. Soaking in ice water all night is bound to make you catch a cold."

Xie Wu said urgently, "I'll send someone to fetch the imperial physician!"

Xie Lang waved his hand: "A bowl of ginger soup will do. Why are you so paranoid after following me for so long?"

Xie Wu was anxious, but Xie Lang didn't take it seriously, so he had no choice but to have someone make ginger soup first.

After watching the adult drink the entire night's worth of ginger soup in one gulp, finally regaining some color in his face, he couldn't help but grit his teeth and say hatefully, "Was it really the Governor-General of Huguang who did this yesterday? Knowing you were investigating, he still dared to give you medicine. Did he have the guts of a bear or a leopard? His methods are insidious and despicable!"

To slap someone in the face like that, how incredibly audacious!

Xie Lang raised his hand to stop Xie Wu's rambling, rubbing his ears, "You're making my ears hurt."

She glanced at him and muttered to herself, "Outsiders say you have a personality like mine, what do they think?"

Your eyesight must be failing you.

Upon hearing this, Xie Wu's dark face flushed red, as if to say, "Sir, you're not as self-disciplined and respectful as you appear in public!"

But thinking of the adults' methods, he swallowed his words.

People don't dare to mess with him easily.

Xie Lang gave Xie Wu some more instructions. As they were getting ready to leave the manor, Xie Lang suddenly remembered something, touched the tip of his nose, and whispered to Xie Wu, "Cover up what happened yesterday. Don't let Madam know."

Xie Wudong, having just gotten married, went to a brothel and was drugged and almost raped. Even if there was a reason for it, it would damage the dignity of an adult if it were told.

Just as Xie Wu finished responding, there was a rapid knock on the study door, and the person outside whispered a message to inform others.

"My lord, the lady is on her way and will be here soon."

Xie Lang narrowed his eyes, and Xie Wu immediately went around to the back and opened the window. The fragrance of bamboo from the backyard wafted in, dispelling the moisture.

Xie Lang tapped the rosewood table twice with his index finger. He had been quiet all month since their marriage and hadn't been seen looking for him. Why did he come in such a hurry today?

Just then, footsteps approached the door. Xie Lang glanced at Xie Wu, who immediately strode over and opened the study door.

Unexpectedly, the lady was quite quick on her feet. She met Liu Qingqing as soon as she opened the door. Xie Wu hurriedly greeted her respectfully, subtly observing her while wondering why she had come so suddenly. But seeing that the lady's expression was normal, he was secretly surprised for a moment.

Liu Qingqing was unaware of Xie Wu's thoughts; her own idea was quite simple.

On her wedding night, she was so sleepy that she fell into a deep sleep before Xie Lang lifted her veil. When she woke up, it was the next day. People in the mansion said that Regent Xie urgently summoned Xie Lang. Xie Lang left the capital in a hurry without packing his bags. She even had to do the tea ceremony and the homecoming ceremony herself.

The important matters are one thing, but it won't do if she doesn't see her new husband. Even if Li Mama didn't say it, she knew that the rumors outside would be terrible. Now that she's married into the family, she has to find a way to establish herself in the Marquis's mansion and keep her husband in check.

Before coming, she secretly put on makeup in her room and walked around twice to encourage herself.

This was the first time the two of them had met in broad daylight since their marriage. Liu Qingqing's face was burning and tight, and she secretly clenched her handkerchief.

[Author's Note]

The story has started! I have over 200,000 words in reserve, so please feel free to jump in!

Three chapters today! I'll be updating daily at 6 PM every night from now on. This is my first time writing historical romance, so I hope you all will add it to your favorites! Wishing you all the best and great wealth!!!

Next chapter preview: The suffering of the first seventeen years was not in vain, and now she has truly reaped the rewards!