60 Chapter Sixty

◎Using a drug to fake death to go insane would be undignified; she didn't want it to be like this. ◎

Chapter Sixty

Liu Qingying's eyes darted back and forth; even if she were stupid, she would have noticed something was wrong.

The air in the room was like frozen ice crystals, and there was also an awkwardness between the older sister and brother-in-law. The older sister was so far away from her brother-in-law that whenever the hem of his clothes touched her, she would turn away to avoid it.

I thought it would be subtle, but my brother-in-law's expression always turned cold and hard!

Normally, her sister would never allow her to have any contact with her brother-in-law, not to mention that terrifying conversation last time. Even today, when she wanted to leave, her sister actually asked her to stay for dinner.

When has her sister ever been so warm to her?

If her sister hadn't paid her much attention at the beginning of her marriage, acting as if she'd abandoned the Liu family and left her behind, she might have even considered trying to steal her brother-in-law away. Now that her sister treats her so well, why should she bother going through all that trouble?

Each of the three had their own thoughts, and Liu Qingqing summoned someone to bring out the evening meal.

Eight-Treasure Rabbit Meat, Shrimp with Jade Belt, Braised Shark Fin, Stewed Crab Roe Lion's Head Meatballs...

It can be described as having a perfect combination of color, aroma, and taste.

This was the first time Liu Qingying had received such treatment from her sister. She glanced at her sister quickly, then her gaze swept over Lord Xie standing to the side.

Then the elder sister waved her hand, and Qingju came up with a wine pot and handed it to her.

"The adults should drink more, and Qingying should also have a taste."

This was the first time Liu Qingqing had put the two of them together in one sentence, and she couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart. There was a sense of melancholy, but also a sense of exhilaration.

Liu Qingqing poured the fruit wine herself, and Xie Lang stared at her intently, his eyes filled with disappointment. Liu Qingqing, however, pretended not to see it.

He tilted his head back and drank the fruit wine in one gulp. It was supposed to be a sweet wine, but somehow it tasted bitter.

She found an excuse to get them both to drink more.

She couldn't bring herself to do anything despicable, but if they were slightly tipsy and couldn't control their emotions, it was none of her business.

The meal was tasteless for all three of them, and Xie Lang barely ate anything, instead sitting to the side drinking fruit wine by himself.

Liu Qingqing glanced at it, but remained silent, which was exactly what she wanted.

In this battle without gunfire, Liu Qingying wished she could curl up into a ball and hide under the table.

Eat only what's in front of you and try to minimize your presence.

Why is she still being taken along when her sister and brother-in-law are having a fight? She needs to finish her meal quickly so she can leave.

Unexpectedly, my sister suddenly got up, said something like, "Go check if the soup in the kitchen is ready," and then gracefully left.

They simply left her and her brother-in-law in this quiet main room!

Xie Lang paused, staring intently at her departing figure.

Liu Qingying was as quiet as a chicken. In the past, she would have dared to go over and try to sow discord between her and her sister.

Now, however, she was unwilling to accept it. Her mind raced, and she only asked one question, "Brother-in-law... what happened between you and my sister?"

She wasn't stupid; she was really scared when her sister said those ridiculous things about growing old together with her.

But after she asked, Xie Lang kept staring in the direction his sister had left, without even glancing at her.

Xie Lang did not answer, just as he had ignored her when they were young. Liu Qingying scratched her cheek, slightly embarrassed.

The two sat there motionless for a long time, neither of them uttering a sound.

After a while, Xie Lang suddenly stood up, turning back as he stepped out of the main room, and said, "Go back and tell your father that you should get engaged."

Liu Qingying stared in astonishment, wondering why her brother-in-law had suddenly brought up her marriage.

Xie Lang lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Today you will move out of the side courtyard of the Marquis's mansion, and you must never set foot in the Marquis's mansion again."

As soon as she raised her hand, guards appeared like ghosts, standing on either side of Liu Qingying, signaling her to leave.

Liu Qingying: "???"

How did I suddenly get kicked out?!

Liu Qingqing went to the garden, and thanks to Xie Lang, the guards dispersed after he returned to the mansion.

Liu Qingqing curled her lips in a mocking smile.

She passed by the dense bamboo forest again. Now that the first frost had passed, it was late autumn. The towering green bamboos were turning a deeper shade, and some leaves were beginning to turn yellow. She stood at the edge of the bamboo forest and looked up for a while before stepping inside, vaguely walking to the spot where she had been panting and groaning in disarray on the day the sky and earth collapsed.

In a daze, it felt like something from a past life.

She gathered her clothes and sat down against the green bamboo. The sunlight was fading, and the bamboo grove was getting chilly; she hugged herself tightly. She didn't know whether she was giving them the space she had made, or returning the spot she had taken.

Now that everything has been returned, she should be allowed to leave, right?

Thinking back to that day, Xie Lang's words that Qingying was better than her shattered her heart, causing her to weep bitterly as if the sky had fallen. How much she loved him then…

Even now, thinking about it makes my heart pound twice, and it still aches.

But it's so faint it's practically just a thin layer...

Liu Qingqing rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, wondering how she could leave the Marquis's mansion. Just then, she heard someone approaching, their steady footsteps crunching on the dry fallen leaves. Turning around, she was surprised to see the man who should have been in the main room drinking and chatting with Qingying.

"How could you..."

After seeing his exceptionally handsome face, she swallowed back the words she was about to say.

Xie Lang's sharp eyes were now slightly red at the corners, probably from the alcohol, which softened his aloofness. Many emotions she didn't understand were churning within them.

What's wrong?

Could it be that they failed to reach an agreement with Liu Qingying and the other person?

While she was still in a daze, he was already in front of her, lowered his noble head, and knelt down on one knee in front of her.

"Liu Qingqing, you're not well-behaved."

He lowered his gaze to her slightly parted red lips, and suddenly began to rub them back and forth with his rough fingertips. "You are not obedient or docile."

They wanted to push him away.

Seeing her soft lips swell and turn red, he swallowed hard before reluctantly withdrawing his hand.

Why did you leave me and your sister in our room?

Xie Lang was puzzled. He tilted his head and looked at her, pronouncing each word very slowly, "When we first got married, wasn't it you who didn't want me to take concubines?"

He had an excellent memory. He still remembered the first time they met after their marriage, when she smelled the gaudy perfume on him. Even after they had left the mansion, she stormed back in, her eyes sparkling with anger, and asked him if he wanted to take a concubine.

It was as if she would draw her knife the moment he answered yes. That was the first time he had looked at her seriously.

His dark eyes were like a barren field, as if a wild beast was about to break out of the ground, but when he looked again, there was only a gentle breeze and moonlight.

Perhaps it was the tranquility of the bamboo forest, or perhaps it was because she had given up all hope, that calmed her heart, "because we are not doing well."

There was another silence. Xie Lang asked in a hoarse voice, seemingly puzzled, "Why are we not doing well?"

Is it better to be inexplicably unhappy and leave her hanging for two months? Or is it better to secretly plan a divorce? Or is it better to praise his wife's sister in front of his father-in-law and brother-in-law?

Liu Qingqing was concerned about her reputation. Since she had already given up on him and the marriage, and had given up on him, there was no need to mention these things again.

It was like talking to a brick wall; Liu Qingqing gave up and didn't want to talk to him anymore, turning her eyes away listlessly.

She got up to walk back, but Xie Lang grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. Liu Qingqing quickly dodged away as if she had been scalded by hot soup, as if he were a branding iron burning her.

Xie Lang held her even tighter, ignoring her struggles and holding her in his arms, walking steadily step by step.

She nestled softly against his chest, and Xie Lang felt much better about the emptiness in his chest.

Xie Lang felt he treated her very well, giving her his salary and private treasury, and having her manage the household affairs.

He had no idea what she was up to.

They returned to the main house of Jialan Garden, attracting attention along the way.

Liu Qingqing then noticed that the table was littered with leftovers, though that wasn't entirely accurate, as she hadn't touched much of it. Liu Qingying was nowhere to be found.

Xie Lang placed her on the soft couch by the window, bracing himself on his arms beside her. Suddenly, he saw that she seemed to be in his arms.

As if he wanted to say something to her, Liu Qingqing tensed her back and leaned back, subtly distancing herself from him.

Just as he was about to speak, someone suddenly ran in from outside.

"grown ups!"

Xie Wu's urgent voice came from outside the door, "I have something important to report."

Xie Langjun's face was ashen.

Liu Qingqing, being quite understanding, said, "My lord, please go ahead and attend to your business."

Upon hearing this, Xie Lang gave her a look that was neither a smile nor a frown.

Xie Lang seems... different from before.

She couldn't quite put her finger on the differences.

"You stay here and wait patiently."

He left after saying that, and went to the corridor. Xie Wu's anxious voice could be faintly heard, but it was impossible to make out what he was saying. Xie Lang responded from time to time.

Liu Qingqing was on tenterhooks, thinking that he was about to leave the manor again, which would give her time to make further plans.

A moment later, Xie Lang returned, and Liu Qingqing, hearing the commotion, composed herself and became serious. Xie Lang happened to see the change in her expression, and his eyes darkened.

He originally wanted her to wait for him at Jialan Garden, but seeing her like this, he changed his mind.

Xie Lang produced a black veil from somewhere and covered her eyes with it; the fine, high-quality black veil blocked out the light. Liu Qingqing had no choice but to grasp his arm. Xie Lang glanced down at her, then raised his hand and took hers.

"Come with me."

Where are you going?

Xie Lang did not answer.

She heard the sounds of maids sweeping and cleaning in the distance, and the soft rustling of bamboo leaves pattering against each other.

As she walked out of Jialan Garden, she held her breath and silently memorized every step she took.

Because she couldn't see clearly and walked slowly, Xie Lang didn't urge her, as if he were being good-natured and moving with her pace.

They circled around and around until Liu Qingqing was completely disoriented.

There are steps.

Xie Lang whispered a suggestion in her ear.

Liu Qingqing dared not offend him in the slightest; Xie Lang seemed... to be very different from what she had imagined.

With a creak, the door opened. Xie Lang helped her step over the threshold, and the fragrant scent of flowers and plants wafted towards them, causing her eyelashes to flutter.

"Wait for me here."

Then she heard him walk a few steps away, followed by a crisp metallic clang. She recognized what it was, and her hand was pulled back again.

She shuddered, and her back tensed involuntarily.

For a moment, no one spoke, and the surroundings fell into a deathly silence.

After a few breaths, he sighed helplessly, "Let's go."

He then led her forward.

As she ventured deeper into the house, the sunlight receded further and further away from her.

There are steps.

There are more steps?

Where are we going?

She didn't know that there was another place like this in the mansion.

After descending a few steps, you can smell the damp, earthy odor.

She sniffed softly, a chill running down her spine.

She had only smelled this odor twice, both times in the tunnels that Aunt Jia took her to.

Xie Lang discovered it?

Did he discover Aunt Jia?

My heart was pounding.

She clenched her fists, the pain of her nails digging into her palms helping her to stay calm.

Little did she know that every subtle change in her expression was being observed in Xie Lang's deep, dark eyes.

After walking for a while, she realized something was wrong.

That tunnel isn't that long.

So this is...

A breath caught in my throat.

Aunt Jia has a secret passage, and Xie Lang has his too; it's only natural that they would have one as well.

She had been married to him for so long and had no idea he had a secret passage!

A storm raged in Liu Qingqing's mind. After much thought, his blindfolded eyes suddenly brightened, and he finally figured out where the entrance to the secret passage was.

In his study.

"Did you guess, Madam?"

Xie Lang suddenly spoke, startling her. Xie Lang reached out and gently patted her back, "What are you afraid of, Madam?"

After saying that, he led her to sit on the wooden couch in the central hall of the tunnel and removed the black veil covering her eyes.

Liu Qingqing squinted, and it took her a moment to adjust to the sudden bright firelight before her.

She glanced at it only once, then obediently lowered her eyes and stopped looking. But as she lowered her eyes, she noticed a thin silver chain placed on the wooden couch. What was its purpose?

Xie Lang followed her gaze and picked up the silver chain, playing with it in his hand.

Her long, jade-like fingers toyed with the silver chain, which jingled crisply in the candlelight. If it weren't for the location, she would have found it strangely pleasing to the eye.

"Is it pretty?" he asked.

Before she could react, she nodded blankly. Putting everything else aside, Xie Lang—his temperament, his appearance, every single aspect of him—perfectly suited her tastes. It was as if Heaven knew what she desired and had specially sculpted him for her.

Seeing her adoring expression, Xie Lang finally smiled.

In a good mood, he put down the chains, saying, "Then I won't wear these chains today."

Realizing what he was talking about, Liu Qingqing was suddenly startled and looked at him in disbelief.

Xie Lang smiled, patted her head lightly, and tidied her hair, which was disheveled by the black veil. "I have urgent business to attend to today and cannot stay with you at home. Please wait for me here for a while, and I will return in a short time."

Liu Qingqing's red lips parted slightly in astonishment; she simply didn't know what to say!

The next moment, Xie Lang grasped her chin and lowered his head to kiss her lips. She couldn't see clearly, but she could feel his pleasure.

The sky darkened, what's wrong with him?

He locked her in the tunnel and left, his footsteps fading into the distance.

As she left, she glanced back at her quiet and obedient profile. She had always wondered, now that she was here, would things be alright?

She untied the bandages binding her face and discovered that the passageway was brightly lit. But she was all alone in this bottomless tunnel. Liu Qingqing hugged herself tightly, her back pressed against the stone wall. It seemed that this way she could be less afraid.

After a while, she could vaguely hear footsteps coming from above, which emboldened her.

Tea and snacks were laid out on the wooden table beside the tatami mat, and she didn't hesitate to eat some.

There were several books lying face down on the wooden table. Liu Qingqing picked them up out of boredom. As soon as she saw the words inside, her fair face turned red and white. She flipped the book over in disbelief and was heartbroken when she saw that the cover was missing a corner.

Where did he find her magical book?

I stared at that look for quite a while.

Liu Qingqing: ...

Liu Qingqing put down the book, her mind filled with complex emotions.

It's as if she's never understood him at all...

How can you fall in love with someone you don't even know?

She became increasingly certain that what she had been longing for in the past was merely a figment of her imagination.

Time was impossible to discern in the tunnel, and it felt like a long time had passed. The longer Liu Qingqing stayed in the tunnel, the less afraid she became. She got up and mustered her courage to walk in the opposite direction from where she had come from, taking each step carefully and listening intently. If she heard any noise from Xie Lang's study, she would quickly run back.

With a heavy heart, she realized that this secret passage was far more elaborate than the short path that Aunt Jia had taken her to twice before. Even the ground was paved with stone bricks, and the bricks fit together perfectly. Every ten steps on the walls was an oil lamp, and every twenty steps a torch, illuminating the passage brightly.

After walking through a long, secret passage for an unknown amount of time, a fork in the road came into view. One side was brightly lit by fire, while the other was pitch black, as if a ferocious beast would pounce and bite her if she took just two more steps forward!

She dared not leave.

She took the left fork in the road.

The firelight on the left side of the road grew brighter and brighter, from one lamp every ten steps to one lamp every three to five steps. It was so bright that you could see the dust patterns on the stones.

She wondered where it led, but it was definitely not ordinary.

After walking a short distance, you will see a few stone steps leading to a wooden door with the bolt on.

She climbed the steps, pressed her ear against the wooden door, and made no sound.

Liu Qingqing hesitated whether to take a gamble. Although she didn't know why Xie Lang had gone mad and wouldn't let her go, she certainly couldn't let Xie Lang trap her in the Marquis's mansion and live out her life in this ambiguous state.

Why not open the door and see where it leads? If it's an empty house outside, she can take the silver notes and escape next time Xie Lang locks her up here. But she doesn't know if this is a trap Xie Lang has set for her.

Only then did she realize that Xie Lang was a very cunning man. He had deliberately let her go a few days ago, and then "killed her with a single blow" just before she left the city.

She clenched her fist and then relaxed it, cold sweat breaking out on her back. She nervously swallowed, her hand trembling as she reached out and loosened the door latch. She strained her ears, focused intently, and very quietly opened the wooden door. Peeking through the crack, she saw a dark passageway.

Upon closer inspection, it wasn't completely dark; there were hanging windows on the walls. It was just that the tunnel was so bright that it suddenly seemed dark.

There seemed to be a garden or something outside, with constant footsteps coming and going. It was raining outside, and the sound of rain was pouring down, so the sudden sound of the wooden door opening didn't attract any attention.

She opened the wooden door a crack and squeezed through the narrow gap.

He walked with a stoop, as if afraid of being seen.

At the end of the passageway, there was a small room, separated by a wooden door similar to the tunnel. It was larger than the tea room but smaller than the flower hall.

She tentatively pulled the doorknob, but the door was locked and wouldn't budge.

It seemed she was going to return empty-handed, and she couldn't help but feel frustrated.

She had just crouched down and turned around when she heard someone talking as they walked towards her. Her scalp tingled; fearing she would be discovered, she immediately froze.

"How are your studies lately? You're always running around outside, look how tanned you've become. I've discussed this with your father; too many people are eyeing your marriage. Ying'er, you'll be fourteen next year, and you'll be an adult soon. What do you think about this yourself?"

The more Liu Qingqing listened, the more she felt that she had heard this calm and gentle voice, which sounded like the sound of jade striking jade, somewhere before. She clung to the window and quietly leaned closer.

“What can I think? Mother, I’m still young. It’s not like girls have to get married at fifteen. Why should I be in such a hurry? Besides, given my cousin’s situation, what would it look like if I got married before him?”

It's a cheerful young voice, and it sounds so familiar.

The conversation was some distance away from her, and knowing she might not have the chance to uncover this secret again, she mustered her courage and cautiously peeked out.

The passageway was dimly lit, and although it was raining outside, it was a sunny day with rain falling. The garden corridor was also lit up, making it difficult to spot her.

Her eyes darted over, and when she saw the silhouettes of the two people under the eaves not far away, she was stunned.

Looking around in disbelief, I saw the tall painted boat of the Regent's Palace.

Was that woman speaking the princess? Upon closer inspection, it was indeed her!

Liu Qingqing was astonished; this secret passage led directly to the Regent's Palace!

Luckily, I was careful and didn't make a sound!

She felt she couldn't bear to hear this secret any longer and decided to leave.

Just as he was about to move, he heard the boy's clear voice say, "Why hasn't Mother let me go to see my sister lately? That Xie Lang..."

Upon hearing Xie Lang's name, Liu Qingqing froze and looked at the young man.

Just then, the boy turned around, suddenly revealing most of his face. Liu Qingqing saw it clearly and covered her mouth in astonishment.

This young man is none other than Mu Ziying!

"Although Xie Lang is my brother-in-law, I still can't stand the sight of him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingqing's head buzzed as soon as she grasped the meaning behind the words, and their conversation became increasingly distant.

"When will Mother acknowledge my sister back? I still have the hot spring resort I bought for her."

The princess gently stroked the boy's forehead with her hand. "It's not time yet."

"The thought of having to call Xie Lang brother-in-law in the future makes me realize how lucky he is!"

Liu Qingqing covered her mouth and froze on the spot. Only after the two people walked away and their voices faded into the distance did she blink. Warm liquid dampened her clothes, and a gust of wind carrying moisture blew in, making her shiver. She looked down blankly, and more water droplets fell; only then did she realize they were her tears.

She fled back to the tunnel in a panic, and bolted the door with trembling hands.

She didn't know how she got back to the central hall of the underground passage. She leaned against the cold stone wall. She didn't feel cold at the moment. In fact, it felt as if there were flames burning inside her, but her body couldn't stop trembling.

The regent's wife, who was as gentle as a fairy and treated her very well, was her mother.

No wonder the boy suddenly appeared, brazenly showed her the jade pendant, and inexplicably stuck to her.

He couldn't help but recall how he had just been acting coquettishly and affectionately with the princess, so confident and certain, as if his mother loved him dearly. The regent's wife seemed to truly love him too.

Liu Qingqing na na.

He turned fourteen the following year, three years younger than her.

Her mother was not only alive, but living a good life. Everyone in the world knew that the Regent had defied public opinion to marry the Queen and cherish her dearly.

Upon discovering that her mother was still alive, her first reaction was joy.

My mother is still alive!

But just moments later, recalling the princess's tender gaze, he felt envious. This envy quickly turned into raging anger.

She was jealous of him.

She belatedly discovered the truth—her mother was still alive all these years, but she didn't recognize her.

She clutched the jade pendant hidden in her clothes; its warmth lingered from her body. She took it off and held it in her hand, but the warmth gradually dissipated. As the pendant grew cold, a feeling of hatred arose within her!

For a moment, she didn't know who to hate. Did she hate her mother for knowing her hardships in the Liu family but turning a blind eye?

Her mother became the high and mighty Regent's Consort, living a life of luxury and ease. Did she know that she ate leftovers and sometimes even spoiled food at the Liu residence? What was her mother thinking then? When she could barely bear it and secretly cried while biting the back of her hand, did her mother still remember that she had a daughter? Why did she reappear by her side after marrying Xie Lang?

Or is she angry that Xie Lang knew but didn't report it, leaving her to wallow in self-pity?

She wondered if Xie Lang treated her like an object without any pity because even her own parents treated her that way, so Xie Lang didn't need to cherish her either.

As for the young man, she didn't know whether she should call him Mu Ziying or Li Ying.

No wonder I felt something was off before. His calm demeanor didn't seem like that of a refugee fleeing famine. Now it all makes sense. The Prince's mansion has taken good care of him.

Thinking of this, she was suddenly startled.

Could Xie Lang marry her because of this?

It wasn't just because of the engagement; otherwise, why did it take several months to marry her?

Xie Lang's thoughts are so deep... Did he deliberately let her be here so that he could discover this himself?

To make her clearly face the tragic reality that no one wants her, as punishment for her mentioning divorce and losing face for him.

She didn't know why he had brought her back and made such a fuss, or if it was just to make her face this embarrassing scene.

She felt like her world had collapsed.

Where is the truth? Where is the falsehood?

Who is she to them?

She felt incredibly pitiful, like a ball being kicked around by people.

Her mind was in turmoil. She bent down to pick up a pebble from the ground, and without hesitation, rolled up her sleeve and slashed her wrist hard. The pain of her flesh tearing open brought her back to her senses.

She's leaving.

She was determined to leave.

My mind went blank, with only this one thought in mind.

She could no longer bear to stay in this rotten, filthy place, where secrets seemed to be gushing out of sewage.

Her short first half of life seems like a joke!

Using a drug to fake death would make her insane and undignified; she didn't want it to be like this.

[Author's Note]

Next chapter preview:

Lie down properly with the three pills.

He turned sharply to look at the woman sleeping on the bed.

What did she eat?