Chapter 53

Two men, their eyes locked.

Chapter 53

Their eyes met, and they stared at each other in silence, as if an eternity had passed.

He suddenly smiled, closed the book in his hand, and placed it aside.

"Madam is back."

He got up and walked towards her.

Liu Qingqing stood frozen in place, not moving, before he could recover his senses and grabbed her wrist.

He looked past her and ordered, "Bring the hot water up."

He led her to stand at the doorway, listening to the servants going in and out of the washroom through a small door at the other end.

Liu Qingqing could sense that he was watching her, but she wondered why he wasn't busy in the study or out socializing. Why was he in the main room so early?

Suddenly, Xie Lang spoke up, "Madam must be tired after a long day out. Please take a bath once the water is ready. I'll wait for you here."

A deep, magnetic voice sounded in her ear, making it itch.

It was still that pleasant voice, like the tangy taste of sour apricots. Liu Qingqing subtly tilted her head and touched her burning earlobe.

Xie Lang looked down at her.

In the bathroom, water was poured into the bathtub from a wooden tub, the splashing sound striking her heart.

For some reason, she had a strange feeling—Xie Lang seemed different today.

Wanting to break the ice, she tentatively asked, "When did you arrive, my husband?"

When did you arrive?

Xie Lang narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, silently pondering those four words.

She was his legal wife, shouldn't she be returning?

Why use it?

Is he an outsider?

He turned his gaze straight into her trembling, evasive eyes and said with a faint smile, "I've been waiting for you in the room since this afternoon, Madam."

Liu Qingqing was surprised, but before she could speak, Xie Lang spoke first.

“My wife waits for me every day, so why can’t I wait for her once?”

He said nonchalantly.

"My lord, madam, the water is ready."

Just as she was wondering how to answer, the servant's voice drifted from afar.

Liu Qingqing: "Husband..."

Xie Lang released her hand and gently patted her waist: "Go take a bath first, we can talk when you get back."

He paused slightly, then said meaningfully, "There's no rush between us."

Liu Qingqing entered the washroom with a completely bewildered expression.

Aside from the confusion, there's also a sense of relief.

For some reason, she felt that although Xie Lang was smiling today, the smile did not reach his eyes, and his cold gaze was like that of a hunter staring at its prey.

Liu Qingqing sat with her knees drawn up in the bathtub, the warm water washing away the day's fatigue.

To put it simply, if he had previously seemed like a noble and agile leopard, he just now gave her the feeling of a cold, slithering snake.

We should try to stall for as long as possible.

I used to regret not spending enough time with him, but now I've become the other way around.

She then remembered her important matter.

It would be unpleasant to wait for him to bring up divorce; it would feel like being kicked out.

Even though she was kicked out, she brought it up herself, which at least made her feel a little better.

She thought that once she had sorted out her current matters and settled the people who were with her, this matter could be put on the agenda.

We must hurry and get there before he speaks.

Wouldn't it be less pitiful to be abandoned like that?

The thought that leaving was becoming increasingly likely to become a reality made Liu Qingqing feel as if a fire was burning in her chest, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

Liu Qingqing clutched her chest and gagged repeatedly.

Afraid he would hear, she quickly covered her mouth.

Time flies when you're busy planning things out.

She only snapped out of her daze when she heard the urgent knocking at the door.

"Madam, is the water getting cold? Don't catch a cold."

"I understand."

She responded loudly.

She got out of the water, making a splashing sound, and quickly looked towards the door.

The door to the bathroom remained tightly closed. She chuckled to herself, thinking, "What am I thinking? He's always been a gentleman, even his sexual relations are limited to twice a month. He doesn't like doing this with me, so why would he come in?"

She was judging others by her own petty standards; she was overthinking things.

Wipe away the water droplets and put on your nightgown.

Not to mention that after soaking in this warm water, not only did the fatigue of the day disappear, but even the sour feeling of being in the same room with him was greatly reduced.

Stepping out of the washroom, Xie Lang was surprised to find the candlelight shining brightly outside, and he was still sitting upright at the octagonal table, intently reading a book.

This should be the important matter at hand.

Liu Qingqing looked away. She had never asked about or looked into his serious matters before, let alone now.

Just as she was about to pass by him, Xie Lang suddenly called out to her.

"lady."

Liu Qingqing stopped and looked at him with slight surprise, "Husband?"

Xie Lang smiled and said, "I found a book today that's quite interesting."

Just as Liu Qingqing was about to force a smile and ask him what book it was, he turned the book over to face her and asked with a smile, "Has Madam ever seen this book?"

When she saw the book clearly, she almost suffocated for a moment. Liu Qingqing felt as if the whole world had suddenly exploded and then fallen into an eerie, deathly silence.

All that remained was the hurried, anxious beating of her heart.

Isn't that her storybook?! Her storybook with the cover she carefully wrapped!!!

She watched as the aloof Xie Lang, amidst the pure white snow, manipulated—no, played with—the book with his long, jade-like fingers, slowly turning page after page.

"It looks quite interesting."

He chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow to glance at her. "I've been watching it since this afternoon, completely absorbed in it."

His voice paused slightly, and he said in a drawn-out tone, "I have learned a lot."

The sky has collapsed.

These words came to Liu Qingqing's mind.

The sky has collapsed.

She thought this was the limit, but she never expected to hear even more terrifying words.

"Let's give it a try."

He said in a low voice.

Thinking of all the lewd and suggestive images inside, Liu Qingqing turned to run. But a strong, firm arm grabbed her waist tightly…

His cool, intoxicating scent assaulted her, and before she could react and resist, he pressed down on the back of her neck and gently caressed her with his calloused fingertips, causing her to instantly go limp.

Xie Lang put his arm around her.

Later, she, who couldn't swim, was like someone who had fallen into a warm mountain spring, floating up and down without knowing how to swim.

She couldn't remember what happened after that, only vaguely recalling that he would occasionally ask her in her ear, "Is this okay? Is this the right thing to do?"

Can it be heavier?

Why is my wife silent? Is she annoyed that I am too slow?

His deep eyes were fixed on her, persistently asking her questions.

They insisted that she answer, even if it was just a broken, guttural sound.

But even when she begged him to slow down, he wouldn't listen!

The fierce attack was like a charge on a battlefield, clearly indicating that they wanted to devour her whole!

She thought drowsily.

Before she swayed and fell into darkness, she mustered her strength to glance at the faint light outside the window and quietly moved forward.

With great difficulty, I managed to pluck out a thread of thought: What's wrong with this person?

The person behind her noticed that she had lost her focus, and with a long arm, pulled her back, refusing to let her escape even a little.

Liu Qingqing: ...

After a long while, the chaotic sounds finally subsided into silence.

Xie Lang leaned back, his long arm around his exhausted wife who had fainted.

Her fair cheeks turned rosy because of him, and her lips swelled up like ripe peaches because of him.

Xie Langfei's thin lips finally curved slightly, and he gently stroked her damp cheek with the knuckle of his index finger.

Perhaps it was itchy, she frowned and snuggled into his arms, her jade-like arms still tightly wrapped around him, and she moved her body to rub even closer into his embrace.

So well-behaved, it's easy to feel sorry for them.

Xie Lang finally showed a satisfied expression.

He felt that what his wife and her sister said yesterday was just a quarrel, and it was just a joke.

It's probably not true.

She loved him in bed; they were a perfect match.

They are clearly very good.

Xie Lang looked relaxed and languid. He put his arm around her rounded shoulders, glanced at her carefully, and then closed his eyes for a short nap.

Exhausted from a night's work, Liu Qingqing fell asleep but felt as if she hadn't slept at all, her whole body feeling light and airy.

Xie Lang had never been so fierce, nor had she ever experienced the feeling of falling asleep from exhaustion only to be jolted awake again.

She had given up hope of romantic love for him, but the lewd words in the storybooks had come true.

Like a thirsty fish.

Previously, I had thought that Xie Lang was not as strong and powerful as the rumored generals, but after a night, I truly realized that generals are extraordinary.

It turns out he had held back earlier.

So this is what that sore, swollen, and painful area felt like; her voice was also hoarse.

Liu Qingqing: "..."

I have no idea how it happened; she was clearly holding back and didn't scream!

I pretended to be asleep until he got up and left. Only after I heard him enter the bathroom did my heart finally relax a little, but I could still hear my own heart pounding in my ears.

Her mind raced, and she couldn't help but think about everything that happened last night. She quickly bit her lip to suppress it.

It would be a lie to say that she could sever her feelings immediately, but she has gradually detached herself from them.

She has always been optimistic; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to endure all these years in the Liu family mansion.

Aside from not loving her, Xie Lang had done nothing to wrong her. Despite his high position, he was self-disciplined and clean-living, a rare and virtuous man. Besides, once she left, he might never again be able to enjoy such a beauty.

Having detached myself from this marriage, I must say, doing it with him was both comfortable and exhilarating. Last night, I felt like I was ascending to heaven.

Before, I was holding back my resentment and didn't want to share a room with him, but now that we've actually done it, I might as well. I'm leaving soon, and there won't be many more chances like this. If I keep refusing, he'll become suspicious.

Liu Qingqing put Xie Lang out of her mind and began to imagine the days after she left; she almost started to look forward to it.

She has been seriously thinking about this matter lately.

If she divorces, she will not be attached to the capital. She may travel south or go to the northwest to experience different customs and culture, or go to see where her mother grew up.

She was willing to endure the hardships of the outdoors, but Granny Li was too old, and Qingju and Zhao Pansheng were still young and unmarried, so they might not be willing. After considering it over, she decided that Lin Mei was the only one who might go with her.

Since they had been mistress and servant, if she were to leave, she would have to plan for their comfortable lives in their later years.

She had been pondering this matter for a while and finally got an inspiration at the clinic.

Since herbs are selling so well, why doesn't she just allocate half of her fertile land to grow herbs?

Strangely enough, a few days ago, the Liu family sent someone to readily hand over the estate deeds that had been held by Madam Ying. Madam Ying did not show up.

She had previously gathered evidence of Xiao Ying's mistreatment of tenant farmers, intending to strike her down and teach her a lesson, but Xiao Ying just let go so easily?

Could it be that Xiao Ying was just trying to annoy her? She's been staying home lately and hasn't bothered her in ages, it's like she's suddenly disappeared…

Now only the clinic remains as a remnant.

There's an eerie feeling of picking something up heavily, only to put it down gently. It seems somewhat illogical, quite strange.

Liu Qingqing was confused and decided to stop thinking about it for the time being.

They couldn't help but marvel at how effective it was to get things done by leveraging Xie Lang's influence.

My feelings are complicated, but no matter what, I still want to thank him.

Stopping thinking about him, Liu Qingqing picked up the medicine field she had just left and continued to ponder.

The collected herbs need to be cleaned and processed, which requires a lot of manpower. It just so happens that if the Marquis's mansion doesn't need the servants from Jialan Garden at that time, they will have a place to go.

She had another reason for thinking this way: she was now able to eat her fill, but she knew how painful hunger was, and after the porridge distribution, she had wondered what she could do for the refugees. What she saw at the wonton stall yesterday reassured her.

The displaced people are called refugees, and she wanted to select people who were hardworking and could make a living if they only lacked a means of livelihood to work for.

With so many people, there needs to be someone capable of taking charge. She felt that Zhao Pansheng was sharp-eyed and quick-witted, and having also escaped death, he was the most suitable. Granny Li and Qingju did the same management and administration work as they had at Jialan Garden.

This is the best future she can pave for them.

Thinking of this, my heavy heart felt a little lighter. A slight smile involuntarily curved my lips.

Suddenly, the door to the washroom opened.

Liu Qingqing immediately straightened her lips and closed her eyes tightly, pretending that she had not yet woken up.

She heard steady footsteps and held her breath. She thought to herself that she'd have to go back to sleep after he left, but then she realized something was wrong—Xie Lang was actually walking towards the bed!

As he drew closer, her hands, hidden under the quilt, curled up. With his approach and the sound of his breathing, she suddenly felt a burning sensation and trembling between her legs. Fortunately, she was facing away from the bed and quietly swallowed.

He stopped in front of the bed, and Liu Qingqing instinctively held her breath and dared not move. Then she felt the slightly damp hair on her face being slowly brushed aside, and warm knuckles gently stroking her cheeks. A shiver ran from her tailbone upwards, it was very itchy, and she quietly squeezed her long legs together.

"I'm going to my shift now. You should rest well today."

She heard him speak in a low, slightly hoarse voice, which sounded quite different from his usual tone. She was curious but didn't dare turn to look at him.

Xie Lang lowered his gaze to her fluttering eyelashes, his eyes sweeping to the side before settling on her suddenly flushed ears. He couldn't help but recall last night, when every time he fiddled with them, she would sing a beautiful tune in a trembling voice.

Xie Lang's eyes were deep and unfathomable as he slowly and carefully scanned every inch of her body, both exposed and hidden under the quilt. Naturally, he didn't miss the subtle movement of her tightening her long legs.

His knuckles slid across her cheek, then down to the bluish veins on the side of her neck. He flipped his hand over and lightly touched them with his fingertips, then stroked them a couple more times. Seeing her tremble slightly and her golden hairs stand on end, Xie Lang's eyes finally warmed a little. "Last night, Madam also liked it, didn't she?"

Liu Qingqing swallowed hard.

Suddenly, the sound of fabric rustling came from behind her. Before Liu Qingqing could even tense her abdomen, a cool and soft touch brushed against her cheek and then left.

When she came to her senses, the main room was already empty. She turned to look at the tightly closed door, lay down, and pulled the quilt up to cover herself completely from the neck down.

just……

Did he kiss her?

Why did he suddenly kiss her?

If it were before, she would have been incredibly beautiful.

But now it's like vinegar mixed with rice wine, sour, astringent, and spicy, a strange taste that's hard to describe.

Liu Qingqing was stunned and remained silent for a long while.

She felt that this person... seemed different in some way.

If she couldn't figure it out, she simply stopped thinking about it. She never liked to make things difficult for herself; living a good life was more important than anything else, so why trap herself with external things?

I lay down for a while before getting up. As soon as I propped myself up on my arms, I couldn't help but hiss softly.

He gritted his teeth inwardly, his face clearly showing he was cursing someone.

As soon as I moved, a warm current flowed out like a river.

She stared in astonishment, her eyes wide, and abruptly threw off the covers.

He usually washes her very clean, what's wrong this time!

I lifted the mattress to get up, but as soon as my feet touched the ground, they suddenly felt weak and I fell back onto the bed. Sitting there, I was again aroused by an indescribable wave of tingling numbness.

Liu Qingqing: ...

She considered herself a woman who, though occasionally a bit impulsive, was still gentle and virtuous. Even now, she couldn't help but mutter under her breath, her lips moving in silent curses. Was this person born in the Year of the Dog?!

I was planning to go to the farm today, but it seems I won't be able to.

After a while, she reluctantly went to the bathroom, first blushing, then washing herself clean with a blank expression.

She liked it, but at this moment, her liking felt like an apple full of sharp needles. She took a bite, and while the apple was crisp and sweet, it also pricked her, leaving her skin torn and bleeding.

Think about it, what did he do wrong? He just didn't love her.

He was like a potent poison to her. The more considerate he was of her, the more distressed she became.

Liu Qingqing lowered her eyes sadly, suppressing the unspeakable bitterness in her heart.

Who knows which lucky noblewoman will be so fortunate in the future to have him love and cherish her so devotedly.

I can't help but feel envious just thinking about it!

After washing herself and leaving the bathroom, she had managed to calm her complex emotions.

She immediately went to get the brocade box, having initially thought she wouldn't need the birth control pills. She hadn't expected them to arrive so quickly.

Unexpectedly, she didn't go to the dressing box, but instead went to the east wing.

He took out the box left by his mother from the inconspicuous cabinet, put down the jade pendant, and opened the inner layer of the box to reveal three pills lying quietly inside.

She grew up in the Liu family with great difficulty, and the first lesson she learned was that a cunning rabbit has three burrows.

She initially hid the brocade box in her makeup case, but then she felt uneasy. Although others wouldn't touch her things, what if they did? So she got three similar-looking pills and put them in, took out the real pills, and hid them in a new place.

She also engraved inconspicuous marks on each pill, which could only be seen by looking closely up at the light.

She thought about the things Xie Lang had left him, and then stuffed the whole pill into her mouth.

I dared not let anyone know, and I forgot to ask for tea first. Chewing the pills on an empty stomach, this medicine was truly bitter.

Scalding tears welled up in her eyes, and Liu Qingqing covered them.

He was too tempting, like a seductive succubus beckoning her back into the abyss, making it almost unbearable for her.

A thought flashed through Liu Qingqing's mind—she had to leave quickly.

And she was especially looking forward to his surprise when she produced the divorce papers.

She lay listlessly all day, drowsy and drifting in and out of sleep.

I was so exhausted; every inch of my skin felt like it had been removed and then put back on.

Granny Li was overjoyed, covering her mouth and chuckling to herself. Seeing the two young people finally reconcile filled her with happiness. That evening, she prepared chicken soup and roasted mutton for her, wanting to give her mistress a good nourishing meal.

When it was time for dinner, Xie Lang still hadn't returned, but the fat pigeon that hadn't been seen for a long time reappeared, flapping its wings and landing on the veranda.

Regardless of Xie Lang's opinion, Liu Qingqing was quite fond of the plump white pigeons. She quickly had someone fetch some grains to feed them, and only removed the letter tube after the pigeons had finished eating.

Then I saw a delicate porcelain bottle tied to the pigeon's leg on the other side.

What is it?

As expected, Xie Lang did not return.

His handwriting was above: "Something came up, I won't be back, I need to take medicine."

Upon seeing the last two words, Liu Qingqing blushed, crumpled the note into a ball, and threw it aside.

Now we know what this medicine bottle is for!

Her not coming back was a relief to her, as she was at a loss for how to face him after last night.

After having dinner, she went straight to sleep, determined to make up for the sleep she missed the night before.

I woke up the next day feeling refreshed.

He tentatively got out of bed and had recovered most of his strength. He wondered where Xie Lang had found the medicine; it was truly excellent.

It was harvest time, and she planned to take Zhao Pansheng on a tour of the city. The purpose was twofold: to investigate and to get to know him.

She is willing to help some hardworking and down-to-earth good people who have fallen on hard times to get back on the right path.

When you have something on your mind, something to think about, the pain of not being chosen gradually lessens.

Thinking about the medicinal herb fields she was about to establish, hiring people, and building some houses, she was even eager to try. With so many things on her mind, she was even less likely to drift off into thought.

Her world is much broader, and love seems much lighter in comparison.

With so many refugees lately, it's not suitable for her, a woman, to walk alone.

After much thought, I had no choice but to ask my cousin to keep things in order. Although my cousin usually looks gentle and refined, when he puts on a serious face, he is really imposing and intimidating!

It saves a lot of trouble when getting things done.

Today, my cousin accompanied me to the estate, and the mistress and servants huddled together, praising him one after another.

"Young Master Biao truly deserves to be called a pillar of our dynasty, possessing exceptional talent and an imposing presence!"

"He's also very gentle and refined, and quite handsome!"

Granny Li exclaimed, "Such upright and honorable men are few and far between in the whole world! I wonder who has such good fortune; perhaps they saved a bodhisattva in their past life!"

Ying Yucheng blushed deeply at the praise, his handsome, gentle face glowing as if illuminated by a rosy sunset. With a warm smile, he repeatedly bowed and begged them to stop. Having grown up among rough, uncouth men in the military, he had never been praised like this before!

The last time I felt this ashamed was when I was a naughty child who had caused trouble and my father had stripped me naked and hung me from the beam at home. My younger brother was sitting on the ground with some rock candy, blinking and looking up at me.

Seeing her cousin so embarrassed, Liu Qingqing smiled and came to his rescue, saying, "Cousin, you remind me of a line of poetry."

When the young lady spoke, the three women immediately shut up, eager to hear what she would say next.

Ying Yucheng quickly gave her a grateful look and asked curiously, "Which poem?"

Liu Qingqing pondered intently. She had only recently seen this, and it left a deep impression on her. When she remembered it, her eyes lit up, and she read it aloud in a soft voice: "Willows swaying in the spring moonlight, soaring like the morning glow."

After saying that, she pursed her lips to suppress a laugh, and looked at him playfully.

As dazzling as willows in spring, as radiant as the morning glow.

Her gentle voice, like a clear stream formed from melting glaciers, flowed straight into Ying Yucheng's heart.

My cousin said he was like a willow in spring...

Is it her willow?

He seemed struck by lightning, his face turning even redder than before. His body trembled slightly, and his large hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, suddenly clenched.

He lowered his eyes and bowed to his cousin, saying, "I am truly embarrassed by such praise."

He then shook his head with a light laugh as if nothing had happened: "I thought my cousin was kindly rescuing me, but I didn't expect you and your servant to be of one mind."

Play a trick on him.

He thus lightly brushed aside his cousin's heavy, yet gossipy, praise.

Unaware of this, Liu Qingqing wore a faint smile.

Suddenly, Granny Li asked about interesting stories from the Northwest Frontier. Liu Qingqing had already heard them all, so she walked to the edge of the corridor and looked up.

The sky outside is so blue! The water is so clear!

Whenever I leave the Marquis's residence, my heart, like a light kite, is carried to the sky by the gentle breeze.

For the first time, she tasted the flavor of freedom.

Although her body was still confined to the bustling capital, her state of mind was different from before.

Not confined to the small inner quarters, she seems... capable of doing many things!

My cousin brought even better news this time.

The Ying family owns a security escort agency; she can use it whenever she needs it.

This relieved Liu Qingqing's last worry. She had been concerned about what to do if there were too many medicinal herbs for the capital to consume. She could sell them to medicine merchants, but without a way out, she would be easily manipulated by them.

Xie Lang did not return to the manor for many days, but Fatty Pigeon brought him letters every day.

He must have urgent business to attend to and cannot get away.

Liu Qingqing thought it would be better if he were busier, but she felt that Fatty Pigeon seemed to be getting thinner every day.

With Ying Yucheng in charge, even building houses next to the farm was much faster.

When he had nothing to do, he would ride his horse to take a look.

The tenant farmers all thought he was the master's husband and treated him with even greater respect. However, no one mentioned it to him and Liu Qingqing, so they were all unaware of the truth.

Another day has passed.

Xie Lang rode his magnificent steed and finally came into view of the city gate.

"My lord, please rest for a while!"

Xie Wu called out from afar.

He's fine, but if he doesn't rest soon, his horse will be exhausted.

Upon hearing this, Xie Lang tightened his grip on the reins, and the steed's front hooves reared up and came to a stop.

Xie Lang glanced back at Xie Wu, then looked up at the still early sky, and then saw a clear stream not far away, so he dismounted.

She splashed some water on her face and then tied her dark hair back up.

He then took out his water pouch and drank some water.

Although Xie Wu was considered strong and robust, he was still far inferior to an adult. He was slumped under a tree, panting heavily.

Watching the adults' actions from afar, I thought to myself how quite strange it was.

When have adults ever cared about these things?

"Where is Madam?" Xie Lang asked as he approached.

Xie Wu hurriedly replied, "According to the letter, the lady has been at the estate during the day these past few days."

"Then let's go to the estate and bring the lady back to the manor."

After only a short rest, they had to leave again. Xie Wu wore a bitter expression and dared not utter a word.

These past few days, the Emperor has been in a very bad mood, and I don't know why. Lately, the Regent has been urgently sending officials out of the capital.

Xie Wu understood that the adults always had a sullen face. His newlywed wife was waiting at home, and if he couldn't go home, he would also be in a bad mood.

It's just a hardship for the white doves, flying back and forth every day.

Given that distance, they must be flying all day long.

Setting off again wasn't at full speed, so Xie Lang tightened his grip on the reins and touched the brocade box inside his clothes.

I had angered her before, which is why she said such hurtful things.

He brought her a gift when he went to Yingcheng this time.

I wonder if she would like it?

As they approached the estate, Xie Lang slowed down, taking a closer look since it was his first time there.

Looking out, the wind rustles through the wheat fields, the heavy golden hue dazzling the eye.

I've heard that most of the fertile land in this area is owned by wealthy and powerful families.

Not knowing where Liu Qingqing might be, he slowed his horse and looked around with sharp eyes.

In the distance, near the woods, two figures walked hand in hand, seemingly talking with a group of people.

The man was tall and strong, while the woman was petite and fair-skinned. Even from this distance, he could see her skin, which was as white as moonlight.

Xie Lang narrowed his eyes, and the lazy smile on his handsome face, which had appeared because he had finally returned home, gradually faded away.

Perhaps sensing its master's displeasure, the horse stopped and trotted back and forth, its hooves clattering.

The man under the tree in the distance had excellent hearing and turned around in response to the sound.

For a moment, the two men stared at each other.

This was the first time the two had met since Ying Yucheng arrived in Beijing.

[Author's Note]

Next chapter preview: "When is my cousin leaving? I'd like to go to the Northwest with him."