Chapter 17

You said you have me in your heart, is that true?

"Are you blind?"

With new and old injuries piled on top of each other on his knees, the sudden impact caused Hao Jingshi excruciating pain.

He turned around angrily, and when he saw it was Ling'er, he frowned again. "Ling'er, why aren't you at the clothing shop with the young mistress? What are you doing running around like this?"

"This servant deserves to die!" Ling'er knelt down with a thud, repeatedly admitting her mistake, "Young master, this servant... this servant went to buy clothes for the young mistress, this servant didn't mean to!"

Upon hearing that she was going to do something for Lu Qin, Hao Jingshi breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand, indicating that it was fine.

He said no more, grabbed the door frame to stand up, and limped into the clothing shop. Even though his legs were not very nimble, he still put his arms around his head and straightened his back.

Several sharp-eyed servants rushed out to help Hao Jingshi, but Hao Jingshi shook them off.

Everyone had no choice but to stop and follow silently. Seeing this, Ling'er weakly stood up and followed behind the others.

Hearing the commotion, Lu Qin ran all the way to the door. Seeing Hao Jingshi limping, she ran over and took his arm.

What happened?

With her help, Hao Jingshi walked to the rest area and plopped down on a stool. A few strands of hair then fluttered up, resembling small flames burning on his head.

Noticing that the young master was in a bad mood, Ling'er came over with her clothes and knelt down again, bowing her head and saying, "It's all my fault. I bumped into the young master. I deserve to die. Please punish me, young master."

Lu Qin understood what had happened, then glanced at Hao Jingshi and, seeing his displeasure, patted his shoulder to ease the tension, saying, "Husband, don't be angry. Ling'er didn't mean it."

Hao Jingshi snorted after hearing this, lightly brushing the dirt off his robe and trousers, clearly still unhappy.

He knew, of course, that Ling'er hadn't done it on purpose.

But those were not the words he wanted to hear.

He waved his hand dismissively: "Alright, get up. You won't die from a fall. I'm not that dramatic, I won't hold a grudge against you."

“…Young Master Xie.”

As Ling'er spoke, she cautiously glanced up and saw that he was still angry, so she didn't dare to get up.

"Get up quickly." Seeing this, Lu Qin stepped forward to help Ling'er up, took the clothes from her arms, and said, "Why did you take so long?"

“Reporting to Young Madam,” Ling’er explained with her head down, “When I went there, I saw that the shop owner was your brother. I was afraid he would recognize me, so I had someone else go to buy from him, which is why I was delayed.”

"Lu Ming?" Lu Qin was surprised and began to grumble as she examined the clothes. "I never expected it to be this idiot..."

Just as she expected, the design was copied from theirs, the material was relatively cheap, and the workmanship was also very rough. It was obvious that they had cut corners to save costs, which was really typical of Lu Ming's style.

It's likely that Aunt Zhao's support was also involved. When Aunt Zhao came to the clothing shop last time, she was probably there to find out about her background and learn about her styles, not to get Lu Ming and Lu Ping to work for her.

If you say they're brainless, they know how to imitate her; if you say they're smart, they really aren't.

With clothes this tattered, relying solely on opening day discounts to create a temporary buzz, what kind of success can they possibly achieve?

I thought I had met my match, but it turned out to be a nobody.

Lu Qin casually rolled up the clothes, put them in a ball, and handed them to Ling'er.

“He can’t do business like this for long. Just ignore him and let him fend for himself. Put this garment aside.”

"Yes." Ling'er took the clothes and left.

The shop was quiet for a while, with only the sounds of servants sweeping and cleaning.

Putting Lu Ming's matter out of her mind, Lu Qin turned around and went to the counter to get the account book. She returned with the account book in her hands and sat on the small stool next to Hao Jingshi.

"My lord, let me finish reviewing this account before we head back to the manor."

"..." Seeing that she had laid the account book out on the table without even glancing at him, Hao Jingshi, who had been left out for half a day, finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Clothing shop, clothing shop, now all you care about is the clothing shop, nothing else. You might as well stay with the clothing shop."

His sudden complaint startled Lu Qin, who then belatedly realized that Hao Jingshi's anger was directed at her.

She looked up and saw that his eyes were dark and gloomy, as if dark clouds were rolling in, and it looked like thunder and rain were about to break out.

"Oh dear, my husband, what are you saying? I was confused for a moment and didn't think of that." Lu Qin understood what was going on, quickly put down the account book, got up and walked to him, slowly squatting down, and said to make amends, "How badly are you injured? Let me see."

Hao Jingshi looked down at her. Although she spoke with concern, he felt it was insincere and didn't resonate with him at all.

He turned his head away: "No need."

Lu Qin tilted her head and looked at him, saying, "Husband, don't be angry. I'll apologize to you."

"..."

"When we get back to the manor, I'll apply the medicine to my husband so he can recover faster."

"..."

Hao Jingshi stopped dodging, but looked at her without speaking, his eyes filled with ever-changing emotions.

Looking at him, Lu Qin felt more and more that he might have come to cause trouble on purpose, especially today, making such a big deal out of nothing and refusing to let it go.

He was making trouble for her for no reason, openly and secretly arguing with her. What else could it be?

He wants to take a concubine.

Lu Qin felt a sudden surge of agitation.

Aunt Zhao was relentless, Old Madam Hao was constantly nagging, and Hao Jingshi was always finding fault with her; everyone was pressuring her.

Looking back, since the clothing shop opened, Old Madam Hao has scolded her countless times, expressing her dissatisfaction with her in her words.

“You’ve been busy these days, and your clothing shop is thriving. You’re really capable. But I have to remind you that you’re a married woman now. Don’t be too ostentatious. Taking good care of your husband and having children as soon as possible is what a woman should do. Jing Shi said that your body still needs conditioning and is not suitable for childbirth. Later, I’ll have someone cook some tonics for you.”

Then gradually, Hao Jingshi also started to nitpick at her, constantly provoking her with his hands and feet, and becoming increasingly fond of arguing over trivial matters.

Lu Qin didn't want to argue with him and thought she'd just laugh it off, but things took a turn for the worse.

On the evening her father came to visit her at the clothing shop, Old Madam Hao suddenly called her over to talk to her alone. She told her that Aunt Zhao had sent a matchmaker to propose marriage to Lu Ping, saying that Lu Ping had fallen in love with Hao Jingshi at first sight and was crying and refusing to eat, insisting on marrying him, even if it meant becoming a concubine.

Lu Qin then remembered Hao Jingshi's words, "It would be good to take a concubine with a charming personality," and felt a chill run down her spine.

Sure enough, everything was foreshadowed. As early as when Hao Jingshi went to get the land deed, Aunt Zhao had already made plans. Hao Jingshi's casual words did not seem like a joke.

Not wanting to reveal his amorous nature, he complained to the old lady that she wasn't serving him well.

Judging from Madam Hao's attitude, she didn't mind Lu Ping joining the family.

She was gentle yet firm; her words were tactful, but her tone was direct, strong, and even hurtful.

"I haven't asked Jing Shi about this yet, but I don't think he'll refuse. Besides, he's the only legitimate son of the Hao family, and he'll definitely have to carry on the family line. Taking a concubine is only a matter of time."

However, you haven't been married long, and this is somewhat unfair to you. If you have no objections, then please take care of it and make arrangements for Jingshi. We didn't ask for his opinion when he got married, so let him choose the person he likes this time.”

...

Lu Qin grew angrier the more she thought about it.

If you're going to take her in, just do it directly. You didn't ask Hao Jingshi's opinion when you married her, so why bother with this now?

Moreover, Madam Hao herself said that she let Hao Jingshi choose "someone he likes," which means she knew that Hao Jingshi didn't like her at all.

Is it hard to guess why they don't have children?

What could she do? Could she force herself on him, or conjure up a child somewhere to meet the Hao family's KPIs?

I was already annoyed that Lu Ming had stolen my business these past two days, and now I have to fawn over this ancestor every day.

Fine, she simply granted his wish, to save them all the trouble they had to deal with her.

Lu Qin mentally tore Hao Jingshi to pieces, completely losing her previous patience. She said calmly, "If my husband thinks I'm not serving you well, then take a concubine. It's good to have more people to take care of you. I'll make the arrangements so you won't keep thinking about it."

"..."

There was a moment of silence.

Hao Jingshi could hardly believe his ears and turned his head back: "What?"

Lu Qin repeated, "I said, husband, take whoever you like as a concubine."

"..."

There was another second of silence.

Her change of expression was so sudden that Hao Jingshi's eyes darkened, and his emotions fluctuated: "I say east and you say west, is that the same thing?"

Lu Qin paused for a moment: "Isn't that right? Hasn't my husband always wanted to take a concubine? I'm a careless person, and I really haven't fulfilled my duties as a wife."

She continued talking to herself, completely unaware that Hao Jingshi's expression was growing increasingly serious, "By the way, my sister Lu Ping..."

He fell in love with you at first sight and cried and begged that he would marry no one but you.

Before she could finish her sentence, Hao Jingshi suddenly sneered and grabbed her chin.

"hiss……"

Lu Qin gasped in pain, and in the blink of an eye, Hao Jingshi turned her face to face him directly.

She paused for a moment.

Then I heard him squeeze out two words through gritted teeth: "Deer antler scutellaria".

Lu Qin was forced to look at him. The servants in the shop, sensing the tense atmosphere, dared not utter a sound and silently withdrew.

Only the two of them remained in the room, and the air felt even thinner.

Hao Jingshi seemed to have never called her by her full name.

Seeing his aggressive demeanor, Lu Qin shivered inexplicably: "Husband, what's wrong? Why are you so angry for no reason?"

"Oh." Hao Jingshi's face was as cold as ice. He said angrily, "I'm injured, and you don't even say a word of concern. Instead, you come to talk to me about this?"

His reaction was completely unexpected. Lu Qin was baffled and frowned, saying, "Let go, you're hurting me."

Hao Jingshi stared at her, his pupils trembled upon hearing her words, and he loosened his grip slightly, but did not let go.

"You'd better explain yourself clearly to me."

He slowly leaned down and got closer to her, his gaze fixed on her face, making her feel hot all over, as if she were being roasted over a coal fire.

"Regarding taking a concubine, I did mention it to you briefly at first, just to tease you, but that was the only time. I haven't brought it up again since, have I?"

"But you, you've brought it up time and time again, and inexplicably distanced yourself from me, giving me perfunctory answers. Are you really hoping that I'll take someone else as a concubine?"

Hao Jingshi's hot breath rushed over, and Lu Qin felt suffocated for a moment. She forcibly turned her head away and broke free from his hand.

He has the nerve to say he only mentioned it once? Then who told Old Madam Hao?

She was constantly being lectured on how a legal wife should be tolerant, and she was so tired of hearing it that her ears were practically calloused!

His questioning made Lu Qin lose all interest in coaxing him gently. She stood up abruptly and said, "If you don't want to take him in, then don't. Why are you getting angry with me? It's ridiculous!"

Is this what I told you?

No sooner had she dodged than Hao Jingshi stood up abruptly, cupped her cheeks with both hands, and turned her head back to face him.

He was clearly anxious; his eyes held a gloom she had never seen before, like a bottomless abyss that wanted to swallow her whole.

They look so fierce.

In the past, she and Hao Jingshi would only bicker. Even if they had some friction and quarrels, she would apologize and it would be over. This was the first time they had gone to such lengths.

Lu Qin subconsciously felt that he was about to get angry, and even felt that he was going to abuse her. She was prepared to kick him.

Unexpectedly, all she heard was him asking, word by word, "Lu Qin, you keep saying you have me in your heart, is that true?"