Chapter 114 A Good Opportunity

The autumn wind dappled the shade of the trees.

The pale-lipped man wore an outer robe and rested his arm on the stone table.

Her flowing hair ribbon occasionally swayed in the wind, giving her an elegant and dignified appearance.

His gaze fell indifferently on the courtyard gate.

Qiu Chan glanced at the medicine bowl on the table and reminded him, "Young master, the medicine is almost cold."

Lin Xiaocong did not move.

His eyes only lit up when he heard a sound.

The moment he saw Li Rong's figure behind Granny Yue, his eyes lit up completely.

Granny Yue led the man to Lin Xiaocong and bowed, saying, "Young Master, please take good care of your injuries."

Lin Xiaocong smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandmother."

Granny Yue bowed and withdrew, and Lin Xiaocong's gaze fell on her lower abdomen.

Li Rong stepped forward expressionlessly and slapped him across the face.

Qiu Chan watched with a pained expression: "Second Miss, the young master is seriously injured."

"Why is it just injury, and not death!" Her hand trembled as she hit him.

Grandma Lin took her back and talked to her a lot, but she only heard one sentence.

"I'm sorry, Rongrong, the situation is still unclear, and everything is interconnected. For the time being, I'm helpless against that lawless wretch."

The autumn wind stung her eyes.

She slowly bent her knees and humbly crawled before him.

Tears fell to the ground as she said, "Please, Young Master Lin, have mercy and let me go."

She cried helplessly, her sobs more desolate than the autumn wind.

He sat there, bearing the slap mark on his face, his gaze gradually breaking.

After a long pause, he spoke gently: "Rongrong, give me a child, and I will let you go."

Desperate pleas without any leverage often yield unsatisfactory results.

*

However, if the person in the upper hand has impure motives, there is still a glimmer of hope.

Fanghua Garden.

Li Qu sat in the main seat and handed a handkerchief to Sister-in-law Qiao of the Second Mansion: "Looking into the distance, my heart is with you; a mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles."

"I understand how my sister-in-law feels."

Sister-in-law Qiao took the handkerchief from her hand and wiped away her tears.

"My sister-in-law is a very perceptive person."

"I'll be frank."

“If Qiong’er were an ambitious man, he would never come here to complain if he joined the army and fought alongside my third brother (Zhou Jin).

“But Qiong Ge’er is incompetent; he can’t even distinguish between his own body and the five grains, and he’s lazy.”

"To put it bluntly, without the protection of the Zhou family, he would probably starve to death."

“Sending such a scoundrel to the army is just giving away military merits to the enemy.”

As she spoke, she slid off the chair and knelt down before Li Qu.

Li Qu was shocked and quickly got up to help him.

They followed closely behind, surrounded by servants and maids.

Sister-in-law Qiao refused to get up and held onto Li Qu's hand.

"I don't have as many sons as the other wives; I only have this one good-for-nothing."

"Even if he's as rotten as a maggot in a latrine, he's still my lifeline."

"Sister-in-law, please put in a good word for your sister-in-law with your third brother, and transfer Qiong-ge to the rear to do odd jobs. Don't let him go to the front lines."

"Whether it succeeds or not, sister-in-law will remember your kindness."

After some tugging, Sister-in-law Qiao returned to her seat, and Li Qu also returned to her seat.

Li Qu looked troubled: "Sister-in-law, we women are useless and can only rely on men to live."

"You know Third Master's temperament. My sister-in-law is also afraid of him and never dares to do anything wrong."

She picked up her teacup, her expression showing refusal: "The stability of the Zhou family depends on the stability maintained by their sons."

"All the men who have risked their lives with me, the Zhou family, are heroes."

"I admire and am extremely grateful."

"Without them, we wouldn't have such peaceful days."

"Whether it's the front lines or the rear, the army has generals who will arrange things according to the qualifications of the enlisted soldiers."

Drinking tea with a cup in hand is a way of indicating that the guest is being seen off.

Sister-in-law Qiao has run out of tricks. Her mother-in-law has offended Zhou Jin, and the men in the family have lost face in front of him.

With the help of her sister-in-law Zhou Yu, she went to Li Qu to ask for his help.

They came prepared, treating Li Qu as their last lifeline.

With a subtle movement from her, her trusted nanny presented her with a gift list.

She said, "It was really impolite of me to come to your door and immediately start talking nonsense with my sister-in-law."

“My older brother returned from a sea trip a couple of days ago and brought back some toys for his future nephew.”

"Please don't find it offensive, sister-in-law."

Li Qu declined.

Sister-in-law Qiao: "It's not for you, it's for the child."

"Then thank you very much, sister-in-law."

Sister-in-law Qiao stated frankly, "Our second residence is in charge of the Zhou clan's affairs."

"They are insignificant in front of the Third Master, but they still have some face in front of the old-fashioned and rigid clan elders."

"As for Qiong-ge'er's matter, as long as you ask, whether it succeeds or not, and if my family ever needs anything in the future, I will never refuse."

Li Qu put down her teacup and covered her face with a handkerchief: "Sister-in-law, your words make me seem like I value profit over sentiment, which is very embarrassing."

“I know my younger brother and sister-in-law have it difficult, and my actions were disorderly. I had absolutely no intention of humiliating them.”

Li Qu said in a difficult position, "In that case, my sister-in-law can only give it a try."

"If things don't work out, please don't blame me for not trying my best."

Sister-in-law Qiao quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

After a brief chat, Sister-in-law Qiao left a jade pendant that she kept close to her body, then rose to bow and take her leave.

Granny Xu flipped through the gift list: "Madam, are you really going to help the First Madam of the Second Mansion?"

Li Qu remained silent.

A golden opportunity.

*

Li Qu chose the more reliable Hong Guo and trained her to be his personal secretary.

She picked it up quickly. When Zhou Jin returned for dinner that evening, she leaned close to Li Qu and reminded her, "Madam, the matter concerning the First Madam of the Second Mansion still needs your attention."

When Zhou Jin entered, he saw Hongguo whispering in Li Qu's ear. He washed his hands and asked, "What are you saying?"

Li Qu smiled and stepped forward to help him remove his outer robe: "Hongguo, don't tell him."

Hongguo smiled and stood aside, taking the outer robe from Li Qu's hand without saying a word.

Zhou Jin glanced at Hong Guo, who lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Li Qu blocked his gaze and sized him up.

"Are you looking at the beautiful woman in my room?"

Zhou Jin's gaze fell on Li Qu's face: "What I call looking?"

"Also, do you have some misunderstanding about 'beauty'?"

Li Qu was originally a lowly concubine who had offended the Zhou family and was disliked by the Third Master. The first few maids assigned to her in the courtyard, Hong Guo and Cui Guo, were all leftover girls and were not particularly attractive.

Li Qu was unreasonable: "Next time I'm going to see the people around you too. I'm tired of seeing Huaiqiu, and I remember Huaiyan also..."

Under his increasingly dark gaze, she chose to give a cold snort and head towards the inner room.

He followed behind her.

She took a few steps, then turned around and saw him standing very close to her. Startled, she exclaimed, "Why are you following me?!"

He approached her step by step.

Last night he was like a big dog, only whimpering even after she beat him up.

Now, however, he oppresses her with a dangerous aura, like a wild beast.

She was forced back against the headboard, angrily looking up at him: "What are you doing!"

He pinched her chin: "Aqu, were you peeking at Huaiqiu?"

“I watched it openly and honestly.”

He was furious! He was about to explode!

Li Qu sensed the danger and quickly hugged his waist, pouting and saying, "My dear husband, I was just joking."

"I'm just angry that my husband even interferes with what my maid says to me."

"Mmm~" she swayed his waist gently, drawing out her voice in a melodious tone.

"I will never do it again next time."

Don't be angry.

"I'm scared."

He has a red line that she absolutely cannot cross.

He shouted, "There will be a next time!"

She quickly shook her head.

Whether it was nervousness or something else, the front of her clothes was wet at some point.

She had already washed up and wasn't wearing a bra, just her everyday clothes, which were light and breathable.

Zhou Jin's gaze fell on her swollen left chest, and he suddenly realized what it was.

The way he looked at her changed.

The maids inside had already left.

Her cheeks flushed, and she warned, "I was restless this morning. Doctor An said to abstain from sexual activity. You'll be the one who suffers later."

"Whether I'm in pain or happy, Aqu is unwilling to give it to me?"

“Husband, you know I was just talking nonsense when I was angry, why are you holding onto this?”

"You can't talk nonsense even when you're angry, I can't stand it!"

"I understand, I won't do it again next time!"

He lowered his head and kissed her soaked front.

She kicked him: "The eldest sister-in-law from the second mansion came to see me today."

He can suck even through clothes.

She bit her lip and reached out to twist his ear.

He removed her hand and raised his hand to tug at her sash.

"Aqu, hurt me."

He's too sensitive.

She said softly, "Be gentle."

A hoarse voice escaped his throat: "Mmm."

The little goldfish in the glass lotus flower by the window have gotten so fat that they barely have room to turn over.

It swam in the water with its big eyes wide open.

Look at those long, slender, fair legs hanging around his waist.

He broke his vow.

However, they dare not make any big moves.

In the end, it was two people who suffered.

She straightened her clothes and went to the window to get some fresh air.

He took her undergarments to the bathroom.

When he came out, she had changed her clothes and was sitting on the couch eating a type of flatbread.

When Xu Mama saw him come out, she ordered someone to go to the kitchen to serve him food.

He sat down on the couch, picked up the gift list from the low table, and glanced at it.

Before he could ask, his secretary, Hongguo, told him what Sister-in-law Qiao had said that afternoon.

Zhou Jin put down the gift list in his hand: "Bring me the copy of Ma Rong's Commentary on Huainanzi from the gift list."

Hongguo bowed and turned to fetch it.

Li Qu swallowed the biscuit in her mouth, looked up at him, and asked, "Husband, do you want to accept this gift?"

Zhou Jin leaned back on the couch, watching her red lips become even more luscious from the steaming soup: "Isn't it A-Qu who wants to take it?"

Li Qu stretched her leg under the low table and kicked him.

He smiled and grabbed her small foot, pinching her toes: "Aqu, I'll tolerate everything except you looking at men as you please."

Li Qu blushed and kicked him twice more.

When dinner was served, Zhou Jin let go of her little feet and sat up to eat.

He was eager for her to integrate into his circle.

Now that she's interested, he's happy to create opportunities for her and help her climb the social ladder.

She took the initiative.

He was extremely happy.

*

The courtyard of Yao, the second wife.

After washing up and changing into casual clothes, Yao went to the living room.

Xi Lingrou, who was waiting in the living room, stood up and bowed to her: "Cousin."

Yao raised her eyes, her gaze filled with undisguised amazement.

She took her seat at the head of the table: "I've been so busy, that's why I'm only seeing you so late."

Xi Lingrou took out a letter from her sleeve: "My mother said that Hezhou is a place of outstanding people and abundant talents."

As she spoke, she lowered her eyes shyly, a blush rising on her cheeks: "I beg my cousin to do her best for my marriage."

*

The following day, Zhou Jin left Fanghua Garden clutching the copy of "Annotations on Huainanzi".

Huaiqiu waited at the door as usual.

He greeted Zhou Jin as he came out, saying, "Sir, Mr. Qin has returned from the north."

Zhou Jin kept his eyes on Huaiqiu, and when he got closer, he said, "Raise your head."

Huaiqiu looked bewildered, looked up at Zhou Jin, and then quickly lowered her eyelids.

A handsome young man.

Zhou Jin strode out.

Huaiqiu followed closely behind.

Zhou Jin: "Huaiqiu, you can settle down and start a family now."

"Huai Xiang has been taken by Huai Yan, Huai Shuang is yours."

Huaiqiu remained silent for a long time.

Zhou Jin stopped and looked at him.

He knelt down: "Master, this servant wants Miss Cuiguo, who serves the Madam."

Oh, that stupid, clueless maid from Fanghua Garden.

Zhou Jin thought for a moment and realized he didn't dare to make the decision: "I'll ask Madam later."

Huaiqiu kowtowed: "Thank you, sir."

As they were talking, a snow-white Persian cat with a bell around its neck came running over, jingling as it went.

Huaiqiu got up, intending to drive him away.

The cat, however, seemed to recognize its master, bypassing Huaiqiu and clinging to Zhou Jin's feet.

"Mimi?"

A woman in a light blue dress stopped at the intersection ahead. She had black hair, fair skin, dark eyebrows, and red lips, and was stunning at first glance.

Her maidservant trotted over and bowed: "This servant and the young lady of the house came here looking for the cat, and we had no intention of disturbing you."

Zhou Jin's indifferent eyes glanced at the beast at his feet, and amidst the maid's apprehensive gaze, he kicked it away.

Accompanied by the cat's agonizing screams, he said calmly, "Huaiqiu, handle it."

He strode forward, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

The crisp, cool scent of woody pine suddenly hit me, then quickly swept away.

Xi Lingrou lowered her eyes and curtsied, her gaze catching his magnificent robes flitting past her.

She showed no intention of trying to curry favor with him, remaining aloof and respectful.

After a long while, the maid's scream finally rang out.

Huaiqiu placed the dead cat's body at the maid's feet: "Is it the cousin from the second branch who came to visit yesterday?"

The maidservant hugged the dead cat and cried.

Seeing that she couldn't communicate, Huaiqiu stepped forward to Xi Lingrou and bowed respectfully: "The Zhou family prohibits keeping pets."

Xi Lingrou seemed to be still in shock and quickly bowed, saying, "I only learned about the rules of your household yesterday when I arrived at your residence."

"I originally planned to give it away this morning, but it suddenly ran out when I opened the cage."

"Fearing to attract attention, we rushed here, but unexpectedly..."

As she spoke, her eyelashes were already damp. She curtsied to Huai Qiu and said, "I apologize for the intrusion. I will send it out now."

Huaiqiu, who followed Zhou Jin, had seen countless beauties and used all sorts of tricks.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I will report this matter to the Second Madam."

Then they hired someone to send Xi Lingrou back.

Xi Lingrou carried the cat's body back to the courtyard, placed the cat in its usual sleeping basket, and stroked its smooth fur.

"It was an impressive first meeting."

*

The matter was reported to Madam Yao, the second wife.

All the servants of Xuexuan, where Xi Lingrou was temporarily staying, were subjected to family discipline.

Madam Yao looked at Xi Lingrou and gave her a warning.

"I will take your marriage arrangements seriously as your aunt instructed."

"Don't act on your own, or you'll cause trouble, and I won't be able to save you."

Xi Lingrou was so ashamed and indignant that she cried out, "How could my cousin suspect me!"

"That cat was my beloved pet that I had raised for three years. How could I bear to see it end up like this!"

"Never mind, I'm still living under someone else's roof, and my cousin and I aren't very close."

"I promise I'll never leave the hospital again and cause you any more trouble, sob sob sob..."

Yao only issued warnings and ignored everything else.

Busy as she was, she asked the person to leave and continued with her work.

*

Under the arrangement of her secretary Hongguo, Li Qu also became busy.

She went to Shou'an Hall to study, to rest during her pregnancy, and to handle the household affairs of the third wife, all of which were well-organized.

Three days later, Qiao's sister-in-law from the second mansion sent a visiting card and came to pay her a visit.

It was August 24th.

As Qiao's sister-in-law was led into the door, she politely greeted Li Qu, saying, "Sister-in-law."

Li Qu greeted the guest in the living room: "The magpie is calling, a guest has arrived. It's you, sister-in-law. Please take a seat."

Sister-in-law Qiao visited today as if it were just a casual visit, bringing some handicrafts.

It has been reported that Zhou Jin recently acquired a copy of the "Annotations on Huainanzi" and is now very fond of it.

Her sister-in-law, Zhou Yu, patted her hand and told her that the matter was settled.

She came to visit today to show her sincerity.

Just as the eldest sister-in-law said, instead of sending a woman to the third brother's room, it's better to get in touch with the third brother's woman.

Hot tea was served, and after a few pleasantries and casual conversation, the main topic gradually came to mind.

Sister-in-law Qiao said, "The patriarchal clan system is the foundation for the state to nurture and educate its people, and it has always been important."

"My eldest uncle is the head of the Zhou clan, and he personally manages the clan property and compiles the clan genealogy."

"Among them, the management of clan property was personally handled by Sister-in-law Yan (née Yao)."

"Other clan affairs, such as ancestral hall activities, ancestral tomb sweeping, clan school education, and clan mutual assistance, are all handled by our two prefectures."

"The main branch is connected to the sub-branch branches, with a large number of people and many complicated matters..."

Li Qu has already received written information regarding the Zhou clan's affairs.

Now, as she listened to Sister-in-law Qiao talk about specific matters and personnel appointments, the web of clues in her mind became even clearer.

When Sister-in-law Qiao was talking about the Zhou clan's affairs and some secrets that the clan elders didn't know,

Behind the screen behind her sat two maids, who were quickly sketching with their brushes.

A bad pen is worse than a good memory.

Li Qu was deepening his understanding of the Zhou family in his own way.

Li Qu occasionally chimed in with a word or two.

The Book of Songs, in the section "Da Ya Ban", says, "The great clan is the pillar... the eldest son is the city wall".

"The main family of this clan has the right to govern and dispose of the members of the branch families, which is justified."

Sister-in-law Qiao was astonished: "Sister-in-law knew?"

Li Qu smiled and said, "I only found out about it recently."

"I can only speak plainly; I can't give you a literary explanation of the source."

"I was somewhat interested, so I put in some effort and occasionally I could remember a sentence or two. But if my sister-in-law asked me to say more, I couldn't say anything more."

"My sister-in-law is a wonderful person."

Sister-in-law Qiao gained a new understanding of Li Qu.

A commoner woman who rose to power solely based on her beauty?

not necessarily.

Li Qu occasionally asked, "Speaking of which, it is said that 'the eldest son is chosen as heir, not the most virtuous, and the son of noble birth is chosen, not the eldest.' How did the elders of the clan agree to let my elder brother (Zhou Mang) go to the capital to serve as an official?"

As expected, Sister-in-law Qiao knew.

"My eldest uncle went to court to serve as an official and requested to retire seven times without success. It was only after my elder brother, Mang, passed the imperial examination that the late emperor finally released him."

"At that time, the second brother Yan did not stand up, but fortunately the third brother showed his talent at a young age."

"I heard that three clan meetings were held for this matter."

"...He took the lead in opposing it. At that time, my eldest uncle was still trapped in the capital. It was my father-in-law who led my third brother into the ancestral hall."

"After that, no one objected to Brother Mang's trip to the capital."

Li Qu looked as if she had just realized something.

Never let the other person feel like they're talking to a brick wall.

A pleasant information harvest.

After leaving Li Qu's place, Sister-in-law Qiao, as usual, bid farewell to the old lady.

I didn't see the old lady.

As they left the mansion, the maidservant beside the sedan chair whispered, "I saw that the Second Madam and the Third Madam's petition to pay respects to the Old Madam was returned by the head steward."

Sister-in-law Qiao: "Don't worry about it."

"Tell everyone in the courtyard to keep their mouths shut, or I'll make them wish they were dead!"

Helping one person is easy, but helping a group is not so easy.

Humans are selfish.

She can only take care of her son now.

*

After seeing Sister-in-law Qiao off, Li Qu moved behind the screen to check the work done on the green and orange fruits.

Although Qingguo's notes are hastily written, they are comprehensive.

Li Qu nodded: "Write a neat copy and hand it to me."

Qingguo accepted the order with great enthusiasm, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

While the handwriting was neat, the orange fruit, whose notes were fragmented, looked ashamed.

Granny Xu took away her records.

Li Qu said, "He is as serious as his name suggests. He will be transferred to the room to work with Cui Guo and take over Lan Guo's position."

Cheng Guo knelt down in surprise to express her gratitude and accept the order.

Granny Xu beckoned and ordered someone to remove the screen.

Li Qu, supporting her hand, led her into the inner room: "Granny, observe her carefully, and then promote another maid."

She will place the blue fruit outside the yard in the future.

Granny Xu accepted the order.

Things are progressing step by step in the direction Li Qu wants.

*

Li Rong, on the other hand, was in a dead end.

She refused Lin Xiaocong's suggestion that she have a child for him.

She didn't believe anything the liar said.

Fortunately, Lin Xiaocong was injured and did not touch her again.

The autumn maples rustle, and the fallen leaves turn yellow.

She sat on a rock by the lake, lost in thought.

Her beautiful clothes and exquisite headdress made her even more captivating.

The shimmering lake surface looked as if it had been sprinkled with silver powder, its sparkling light making her eyes dazzled.

She had no idea how she had gradually fallen to her current state.

Let's go back in time, one thing at a time.

She thought she would rather have died when she was fourteen.

In that case, she wouldn't have ended up in such a disgraceful state.

It will not implicate the third sister in the Zhou family affair.

I would never allow my family members to be criticized.

"It's her family; they have a second daughter who couldn't get married and was fined!"

'I don't know what illness it was, but before I was sixteen, I hid at home every day and was too ashamed to see anyone!'

'What? Sold by her grandparents? Her innocence is gone? What's the point of keeping her alive then? It's better she died so she wouldn't be a burden to the other girls in the family!'

With a thud.

Qiu Hui watched helplessly as the hem of her clothes slipped from her fingertips, then screamed in despair.

"Help! Help! The Second Young Lady has jumped into the lake!"