Chapter 102 Why Not

The moonlight was brighter than candlelight.

Inside the Brocade Hall.

Looking at the painting of a pregnant woman gazing at the moon, Zhou Jin felt a sweet joy in his heart.

It was accomplished in one fell swoop.

This painting lingered in his mind, and only by putting it on paper could he find peace.

He put down his brush, pressed the paper down with a paperweight, and waited for the painting to dry so he could mount it himself the next day.

He rose, drew his longsword from the orchid chain, and went to the courtyard to dance with his sword and express his feelings.

Huaixiang arranged for him to bathe, and Huaishuang washed the paintbrushes he had used before.

Huaiqiu prepared a handkerchief and waited to the side.

Under the moonlight, the sword light was sometimes incredibly swift, and sometimes as fluid as flowing clouds and water.

He had a tall and agile figure, and a graceful and dashing appearance.

Unparalleled in beauty and talent.

Only after the joy in my heart had dissipated as sweat did I wash up and rest.

I have trouble sleeping.

*

Li Qu in Fanghua Garden was completely wide awake.

She was writing and drawing at her desk.

The conditions for establishing oneself after escaping.

Overthrow, rebuild, overthrow, rebuild again.

It was midnight when I finally put down my pen.

She finally stood up after looking at all the checkmarks on the paper.

First, loosen the door bolt to make it easier for Granny Xu and the others to come and go tomorrow morning.

Then I loosened the window latch and opened the window to let in some fresh air.

Outside the window, a man stood with his hands behind his back on the porch, turning his head at the sound.

Their eyes met, and as Li Qu was about to close the window, he immediately turned around and grabbed the corner of the window frame.

“Aqu, I have captured Zhou Feng. You can ask him if you don’t believe me.”

Zhou Feng's cries echoed from the courtyard: "Third Aunt, everyone knows that Third Uncle is henpecked!"

"And another thing, the moment Uncle San sits there, and with a single glance, who would dare to get close to him!"

"Besides, we were discussing business tonight, we didn't go to any brothels!"

"Please stop torturing Uncle San!"

“You made Uncle San go to his nephew’s house, and Baihua will pull his ear and doubt his innocence!”

"How wronged I am!"

"I'll explain this to you here, and I'll also explain it to Baihua when I get back."

"Bitter!"

Li Qu released her grip on the window: "Why did you grab him in the middle of the night!"

"If word gets out, they'll say I'm jealous."

Zhou Jin then waved his hand.

With his hands bound behind his back by Huai Chuan and his upper body covered by a sack, Zhou Feng shouted.

"Third Aunt, I promise I won't say you're jealous!"

"My nephew said that Third Uncle is afraid of his wife!"

"It's all Uncle's fault!"

"Third Aunt can't be wrong!"

Huai Chuan pushed him along very quickly.

Hearing the commotion, Lan Guo, the maid on night watch, got up from the table in the side room and hurried to the corridor.

Seeing Zhou Jin push open the door and enter the main house, he went to stand under the corridor, ready to listen to the instructions at any time.

Zhou Jin entered and closed the door.

The room light was blown out by Li Qu.

The view dimmed.

He closed his eyes and adjusted for a moment.

When he opened his eyes, his gaze swept over the brightly lit west study, and he followed his wife there.

Because of her pregnancy, she was a bit clumsy and had to shuffle into bed.

He took off his regular clothes, went to the bathroom to wash up, and when he came back, he lifted the bed curtains.

She reserved a space for herself.

In a good mood, he lay down next to her and pulled her into his arms.

A voice sounded from within his arms: "What's the story behind returning Qi Prefecture to the Xiao family?"

"Brother Huan and the others have safely left Beijing."

"None of my business?"

"Um."

"But Mother said..."

He slowly began to speak: "When I took Qizhou, the people of Yan were taking the capital."

"Zhou's intention was to gain control of the defense line from Dingzhou to Qingzhou, and to seize the opportunity to invade the north."

"Yan intends to rightfully inherit the capital and safeguard the territory controlled by the Xiao family."

"My next step after taking Qizhou is to take Hejian."

“That… Prince Yan sees the capital as his own, how could he let me have my way?”

"He used his elder brother and others, as well as his announcement to the world after his succession, to acknowledge the alliance between the Zhou and Xiao families that divided the world three hundred years ago, as a condition."

“It is my turn to stop the expedition to Hejian, return Qizhou, and withdraw from the north.”

Li Qu's hand, which had been curled around his chest, couldn't help but grab his collar after hearing what he said.

"What if the Crown Prince goes back on his word?"

"Qizhou is still under my control. If he goes back on his word, I will use the territory to go north and purge the court of corrupt officials."

"Does your husband have something on him?"

"The evidence is irrefutable: the fourth prince used his power to murder the crown prince and seize the throne through patricide."

He suddenly grabbed her hand, pressed it onto the pillow, and forced her to face upwards.

He propped himself up on his arms and brought his face close to hers.

"Your Highness...aren't you a little touched that we didn't make a fuss about you?"

When he called out "Your Highness," he drew out the words slightly.

A strong smell of vinegar wafts over.

Li Qu: "But Mother said..."

"It happened the night I went to the capital to look for you."

"Before I met you, I had a pot of tea with Xiao Cong at Shili Pavilion, outside the south gate of the capital."

"Then I went to the capital and found you."

"Your mother knows the truth, so why did she lie to you? Let me guess?"

Li Qu's heart skipped a beat: "Husband, I'm sleepy."

He looked at her for a long time, then leaned down and slowly approached her.

She thought he was going to kiss her.

She closed her eyes and waited for him.

His voice suddenly rang in her ear: "Are you hiding something from your husband?"

Li Qu suddenly opened her eyes.

I could feel his breath on my neck and cheek, and my heart started racing.

It's like a thief who's done something wrong discovering that he's been watched by the police all along.

A chill ran down my spine.

He lay back down and asked in a flat tone, "What else did Mother say to you?"

Li Qu felt guilty, and her thoughts were unconsciously led by him: "About you being beaten..."

"When I went north to find you, I did not immediately take action against Hejian, nor did I capture Hejian in the first instance."

“My father said I was obsessed with women, neglected my duties, and was not fit to be of great use.”

I argued back with him.

He was then slapped twice.

His voice grew increasingly lazy: "It has something to do with you."

Seeing that he seemed sleepy, she stopped talking and let him hold her as she fell asleep.

It's cold, but he's warm.

*

Zhou Jin had already left home the following evening.

After finishing breakfast, Li Qu went to Shou'an Hall.

The old lady was in the study, and Rong Mama led her there.

Today, the old lady's study was unusually quiet, and all the servants and maids had left.

Rong Mama gestured for Xu Mama and the others to wait in the courtyard.

He then led Li Qu to the study, bowed, and withdrew.

The old lady was making tea at a low table on the couch.

Before Li Qu could perform the proper greeting, he spoke up: "No need for formalities. You've come so early because you have something to say?"

Li Qu stood at the lower end: "Since you have agreed to help me, I have three things I need your help with as well."

The old lady did not respond.

"Firstly, since I am the third wife of the Zhou family, my parents, brothers and sisters should rightfully receive the protection of the Zhou family."

If they could get Zhou's protection, it would be more secure than if they relied on their brother-in-law in the capital.

"Secondly, I need a proper new household registration."

What constitutes "proper"?

Li Qu: "With a secure social status, one can marry at will."

It's unrealistic to venture into ancient times alone.

One must have a family to rely on.

Her status cannot be as low as the path she took when she arrived.

At the same time, one's marriage should not be dictated by others.

"I cannot enter the North, but this is not a problem for you in the South."

After she finished speaking, the scene fell into a deathly silence.

The direction from which the voice just came out...

Li Qu looked up.

The old lady was focused on making tea and didn't even glance at her.

She slowly turned around and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

The figures are vaguely visible behind the openwork screen.

The chrysanthemums on the flower stand obscured her view as she peered over to confirm her suspicions.

She swallowed hard and slowly walked over.

When she got to the screen, she cautiously peeked inside.

Behind the screen is a separate art studio.

Landscape paintings hang on the surrounding walls and on the lattice screens.

The studio has a desk.

At this moment, Zhou Jin was mounting paintings and attaching backing paper on the table.

But look at him holding a bristle brush, carefully arranging and adhering the painting that was covering the backing paper.

He seemed to know Li Qu was spying on him, and without looking up, asked, "Whom do you want to marry under your new identity?"

Li Qu quickly pulled her head back.

*

She turned to look at the old lady and found that the old lady had slipped away at some point.

Two cups of tea were placed on a low table on the couch.

It was clearly meant for her and Zhou Jin.

Li Qu felt a chill run down her spine.

She began to weigh the pros and cons in her mind, thinking about what would happen if he got angry after he finished his work!

How should she deal with this?

She peeked out and saw that he was still busy.

It must be a painting that is very important to him.

She decided to follow the old lady's example and make a hasty retreat.

She turned around, lifted her skirt, and carefully moved outwards.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Upon reaching the door, she quickly waved to Granny Xu, who was waiting in the distance.

Then step down the stairs quietly.

Granny Xu hurried over and took Li Qu's arm.

"What's wrong, Madam?"

"Shh..."

Let her think of what to do.

You can't force a donkey to be gentle.

But even a donkey isn't stupid, and it won't let her fool it again and again.

As she walked to Fanghua Garden, a fine sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Granny Xu was startled: "Madam, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Qu: "Yes, I'm not feeling well. I'm going to call Doctor An."

Zhou Jin, for the sake of his son, would surely not take her life.

Upon hearing that the Third Madam was unwell, Doctor An rushed off as fast as he could.

The midwife, who had just settled in, heard that the Third Madam was unwell and, without even having a sip of tea, rushed to the door of the main house to request an audience.

Zhou Jin arrived late, his steps unhurried and measured.

Upon entering the room and seeing so many people surrounding Li Qu, he calmly asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Qu sat on the couch, and Doctor An was taking her pulse.

Seeing that Li Qu was neither in pain nor crying out, the midwife wondered what was wrong and raised her hand to wipe her sweat with a handkerchief.

Granny Xu, Cuiguo, Hongguo, and the others looked extremely anxious.

Zhou Jin sat down on the couch next to Li Qu, tilting his head to look at her: "Is Madam feeling unwell?"

Doctor An felt Li Qu's obviously flustered pulse, and then looked at the Third Madam's calm demeanor.

She glanced at the Third Master, then at the Third Madam.

Marital conflict?

He withdrew his hand: "The pregnancy is stable. Is something wrong with your anxiety, Madam?"

"I saw a snake on the road and got a fright."

Li Qu stood up and distanced herself from Zhou Jin.

Granny Xu: "Huh? Were there snakes on the road just now? How come I didn't know?"

Midwife: "What snake? That's a python delivering a child, an auspicious sign!"

"May your pregnancy be safe and sound, and may you give birth to a healthy baby boy!"

One sentence, and the room was filled with joy.

Zhou Jin spoke: "Reward."

The midwife immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your generosity, Third Master."

Granny Xu happily gave her a large purse.

Overjoyed, she said some auspicious words.

Zhou Jin sat on the couch drinking tea, his gaze falling on the woman hiding behind the display shelf.

Is there anything Dr. An doesn't understand?

From the moment Third Master entered the door, Third Madam's pulse, faster than a beating drum, said it all.

He said, "When a woman is pregnant, her mood should be extremely pleasant."

Then he carried his medicine box and left.

Zhou Jin waved his hand, dismissing Xu Mama, the midwife, and the others.

He sat on the couch for a long time without saying a word.

Li Qu fiddled with the antique shelf, her eyelids drooping, waiting for him to lash out.

He put down his teacup, stood up, and walked towards her.

She unconsciously stepped back.

When she had nowhere left to retreat, and when his breath enveloped her completely, she closed her eyes.

She was prepared to face his cold, threatening words, his rough questioning as he pinched her chin, or his forceful and brutal violation.

However, there was nothing there.

He simply pulled her into his arms and patted her back as if he were soothing a child.

He said, "Aqu, it's my fault. I shouldn't have scared you that day when I found you."

"I used the wrong way to love you, and it made you feel disrespected."

"I did something wrong."

"Next time, just tell me directly, and I'll change it."

"You don't need to be afraid of me."

What can I do to you?

He repeated, "You hold my heart in your hands, you're my wife, what can I do to you?"

Li Qu stood there, stunned, letting him hold her.

My heart was pounding.

My eyes suddenly feel a little sore.

A vague feeling welled up in my chest, making me feel suffocated.

She raised her hand and punched his chest.

At first, she silently shed tears, then she couldn't help sniffling, and finally she buried her face in his chest and cried.

She muttered under her breath, "You big jerk!"

She clutched at his shirt, pressing her forehead against his chest, sobbing, "Waaaaah..."

She's also a stubborn mule.

*

Li Qu cried terribly.

My eyes are swollen from crying.

A pile of handkerchiefs used for wiping noses was left at the foot of the house.

Zhou Jin handed her a handkerchief from the side.

Granny Xu stood to the side with a furrowed brow, completely unaware of what had happened.

Cuiguo dragged Doctor An over in a frantic rush, shouting as they entered, "The doctor's here!"

Li Qu dropped the handkerchief in her hand, took the handkerchief handed to her by Zhou Jin, and wiped away the tears that involuntarily welled up in her eyes.

She sat on the tatami with her eyes downcast, her expression blank.

The baby is moving a lot.

Feeling a little thirsty, she said in a hoarse voice, "Give me a pot of lightly salted water."

"Please wait a moment, Madam." Hongguo hurried off to prepare.

Doctor An took Li Qu's pulse and prescribed a medicine to prevent miscarriage.

When Li Qu heard that her pregnancy had been threatened, she dared not cry as she pleased anymore.

In ancient times, medical conditions were poor, and there was no guarantee of safety in case of an accident.

Hongguo brought over a pot of lightly salted water, and Zhou Jin poured the water for her.

One cup, two cups, three cups, but Zhou Jin refused to give the fourth cup.

He gestured for Hongguo to take the tea tray away: "Have a moment before you drink it."

He then asked, "Does your head hurt?"

"Shall I give you a massage?"

"Who asked you to press?" She sat on the tatami with her legs dangling, staring at the ground and refusing to look at him.

"Wait for me, I'm going to change my clothes, they're all stained from your crying."

He went to change his clothes.

She took Xu Mama's hand, got off the bed, and walked outside.

Granny Xu asked in a low, concerned voice, "What's wrong? Did you quarrel with Third Master?"

Li Qu shook his head.

She went outside, went down the steps, stood in the sun, and raised her face to bask in the sunlight.

In this closed and backward era.

A man who recognizes his mistakes and is willing to correct them.

A powerful, influential, and handsome man who was willing to bridge the generational gap for her.

What's wrong with loving him once?

*

The autumn sun is gentle and warm.

He blocked her way: "Don't you mind getting your face in the sun?"

She slightly opened her eyes.

My vision blurred and darkened after being directly exposed to the sun.

But she could smell his scent and knew his height.

She lowered her head and adjusted her vision for a moment.

Once she could see again, she reached out and hooked her hand around his belt, fiddling with the ornament on it with her fingertips: "How did you find out?"

"If you teach me how to recognize the character '丘螾', I will tell you."

What she wrote yesterday was written in pinyin.

She looked up at him in disbelief: "You can understand it?"

“I don’t understand it, but there was the same paper on the desk when you left last time.”

He has psychological trauma.

Li Qu: "You knew I was going to Shou'an Hall to find my mother?"

He originally wanted to say that she was surrounded by his people, and that questioning her would reveal clues.

In addition, she wrote half the night before and asked some questions that made him think hard; a little thought would reveal the truth.

I was afraid she would overthink it.

He changed his words at the last minute: "I don't know, I went to get my picture framed and just happened to run into them."

You're lying!

"You must have deliberately waited for me at Shou'an Hall to see me make a fool of myself."

Zhou Jin: "I drew you a picture last night, and it's very beautiful."

She released her grip on his belt, gave him a light kick, and turned to walk towards the room, supporting her lower back.

He smiled faintly and followed her to help her up: "Does your head hurt? Let me massage it for you."

*

Let's rewind to last night.

While Li Qu was asleep, Zhou Jin went to the west study.

When he saw the neatly written characters on her desk, as well as the drawings he couldn't understand, his heart sank to the bottom.

He stared at the papers for a long time, until the sky began to lighten.

He interrogated the people in Fanghua Garden, and then went to Shou'an Hall.

The old lady also stayed up late last night, and was disturbed by him early this morning, so she spoke to him in a bad mood.

'You can have any kind of woman you want!'

'I'm determined to hang myself on this crooked tree!'

He said, "My son wants her."

'Why force her if you want her?'

'If you force yourself on her before she accepts you, she'll have a good impression of you!'

Don't make the same mistake a third time!

Go apologize and admit your mistake!

The old lady then told Zhou Jin about her conversation with Li Qu.

The moment Zhou Jin finished listening, he felt as if he had been doused with cold water, his whole body turning cold.

He recalled that night on the couch in the inn, when she was both afraid of him and dared not refuse his gaze.

I feel endless self-blame.

If you make a mistake, correct it.

No destruction, no construction.

*

He saw her hiding behind the display shelf, her eyes downcast, like a cat that had done something wrong, her ears drooping, afraid of him getting closer, yet resignedly waiting for him to approach.

My heart is a mix of sourness and tenderness.

He found out why she always wanted to leave.

It's not that his love for her wasn't genuine.

He used some of his methods incorrectly.

*

Autumn wind followed Granny Xu, who was carrying a bowl of medicine, into the main room.

The tassels above the bed curtains swayed in the wind, making the legs and feet dangle.

Zhou Jin curled up on one leg on the bed, gently massaging her temples.

Granny Xu stepped forward and bowed, saying in a low voice, "The medicine to prevent miscarriage is ready. Doctor An said it can't be delayed."

Zhou Jin then stopped: "Aqu, get up, drink your medicine, and then go back to sleep."

Li Qu got up lazily, pressed her left temple which ached with the slightest movement, took the medicine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

As I lay down, a piece of candied meat was stuffed into my lips, its taste both sweet and sour.

She muttered, "Cavities."

He moved his mouth a couple of times, turned to his side, tucked the thin blanket between his legs, found a comfortable position, and went back to sleep.

He sat on the edge of the bed and watched her.

He changed his approach to her, and she gave him a different response.

He thought, "She must have given me a chance, right?"

She'll probably have another little Aqu, right?

My mood has been like a rollercoaster from last night until today.

"A-Qu?"

She made a "hmm" sound through her nose: "Hmm?"

"You said you would give me a daughter, did you really mean it?"

"Everything I've said is the truth."

Fireworks bloom in my heart.