Chapter 27 Drinking

The sky was high and the clouds were light; the setting sun was a bright red and round, hanging on the horizon.

When Li Qu walked happily into Jishui Lane in the morning, besides thinking about the plan to go north using Zheng Changxing's matter, she simply wanted some peace and quiet and to find some warmth.

Being hit was an accident.

I've long been used to it.

Looking at the slap mark on Li Qu's face, Xu Mama coldly put the veil on Li Qu, then bowed to Li's mother and said in a cold tone, "Auntie is no longer a Li family daughter. Madam should know what is important."

"Without a marriage certificate, how can she not be a daughter of the Li family!" Mother Li was on the verge of extreme anger, and her body was trembling as she spoke.

“Go back and tell your third master that if he wants my daughter, he should send over the necessary documents immediately, whether it’s a concubine’s document or a contract of indenture, I, as her mother, will decide whether to sign them!”

"If the Zhou family doesn't provide the necessary documents, don't blame me for suing you in court for abducting a woman!"

She was so angry that she lost her mind.

Li Rong tried to dissuade her, saying, "Mother... what nonsense are you talking about!"

"What nonsense am I spouting! This troublemaker should leave home as soon as possible so I can have some peace of mind!"

"What is he thinking all day long! He's so heretical and defies all reason! I must have had the worst luck in eight hundred lifetimes to have given birth to a child like this!"

Li Rong protected Li Qu, but was hit several times by Li's mother with a ruler, and her back still stings.

“Mother, even if you’re angry, please consider your brother a little. Why can’t you talk things out? Why do you have to get so angry? Granny Xu is watching.”

Enraged, Li's mother saw Li Rong speaking and angrily raised her hand to slap her: "You're such a troublemaker! You're of marriageable age and you're not getting married? Are you just waiting to die?!"

"You're all so troublesome, you won't be at peace until your whole family dies along with you!"

Because of the presence of Granny Xu, Li's mother dared not lay a hand on Li Qu, and instead unleashed all her anger on Li Rong.

Li Rong dodged while calling out, "Mom, be careful, my little brother is still in your belly!"

"Run! If you've got the guts, don't stop!"

"Mom, calm down! I'll buy you a crispy roast duck!"

"I'm so angry about having given birth to you two! Neither of you is obedient or easy to manage!"

"If you don't eat, your little brother still wants to eat!"

Even after walking quite a distance, Li Qu could still hear the shouts and curses coming from the courtyard behind him.

She calmly instructed Granny Xu, "Please trouble you to inquire after the neighbors."

Xu Mama immediately understood Li Qu's meaning and gave the guards behind her a look.

Immediately, two guards turned back and began knocking on doors from house to house.

Li Qu kept walking: "My mother is pregnant and easily angered,"

Granny Xu followed closely behind, saying, "This old servant understands."

"Don't bring these things to the Zhou residence."

Granny Xu replied, "This old servant understands."

Back at Fanghua Garden, before Granny Xu could even get some ice to apply to Li Qu's face, Huai Chun arrived.

"Master invites Concubine to Jinxiu Hall for dinner."

Looking at the handprint on Li Qu's face, Granny Xu suggested, "Madam, let's cover it up with some makeup."

Li Qu often used lip rouge, but rarely applied face powder: "That's fine too."

Before long, Li Qu had finished her makeup and Hong Guo had skillfully styled her hair into an elegant updo.

After changing her clothes, she took Hongguo with her to the appointment.

Before leaving, Granny Xu gave Hongguo a few words of advice: "Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open, serve your concubine well, and secretly keep an eye on Third Master's expressions."

As he spoke, he winked at Hongguo.

Hongguo blushed slightly, nodded in agreement, and followed Li Qu away.

Upon arriving at Jinxiu Hall, Huaichun took Li Qu directly to Zhou Jin's study.

The study door was not closed. When Li Qu entered, she saw Zhou Jin painting at his desk.

She stepped forward, leaned over and glanced at the painting, only to discover that it depicted a beautiful woman sitting on a veranda, leaning against a pillar.

Judging from his clothing, it seems to be him without a doubt.

She smiled faintly, her gaze following those slender hands to their owner's handsome face.

Zhou Jin kept his eyes straight ahead, multitasking: "Have you sent someone to the capital?"

"I couldn't find it, but my second sister said she would find a way to get revenge for me."

Zhou Jin seemed to chuckle slightly.

Once the painting was finished, he put down his brush and looked at the person beside him: "Have you eaten?"

Her makeup today was a little different from usual.

Li Qu lowered his head to admire the painting, praising Zhou Jin's exceptional painting skills.

In the painting, the doors and windows in the background behind the beauty are meticulously detailed, the maid hiding in the shadows and peeping is lifelike, and even the autumn leaves and grass that accidentally wander into the frame are carefully depicted.

"Didn't you invite me here for dinner, Master?"

What would you like to eat?

"Anything is fine."

"Let's eat out."

"Then let's have the signature dish from the best restaurant in Hezhou."

"good."

Zhou Jin took Li Qu's hand and tried to lead her away, but Li Qu tugged at Zhou Jin and pointed to the painting: "Can it be framed and given to a concubine?"

“No,” Zhou Jin refused. “This painting belongs to the master.”

Li Qu shook his arm and said coquettishly, "I want it."

Zhou Jin raised an eyebrow: "It's not impossible."

"I know, Your Highness loves me the most."

Zhou Jin remained noncommittal, his gaze lingering on Li Qu's face for a moment before pulling her aside: "It depends on your performance."

She let him lead her out of the study and out of the brocade hall.

Along the way, the Second Master Zhou, who was dragging his second wife along to see Li Qu, was stunned, as were the maids and servants he encountered on the road. This made Lu Yanyan, who was in a bad mood and wanted to cause trouble for Li Qu, grit her teeth.

"Your legs are so long, yet you walk so slowly. Are you afraid I won't be able to keep up?"

You're overthinking it.

"Does Master know where your hardest spot is?"

Li Qu felt her hand being gripped tightly.

"He's the most stubborn."

Zhou Jin: "Shut up!"

Li Qu covered her lips with her fan, winked at Lu Yanyan who was giving her a sharp look from afar.

Lu Yanyan gripped the folding fan tightly, staring at the hand Zhou Jin was using to pull Li Qu, and snapped her nails in two.

The porcelain-clad woman behind her was ready to explode at any moment, pointing at Li Qu: "Miss, you, you, you, look at her!"

As a result, Lu Yanyan slapped him across the face, making him cover his face and sob softly, not daring to make another sound.

As for the culprit, Li Qu, she never expected that her innocent chat would be seen as eager flirting by the scheming Zhou Sanye.

The food at Yuzhenlou Restaurant in Hezhou is a collection of delicacies from all over the south, offering a wide variety of options.

Li Qu's taste buds were greatly satisfied, and in return, she used the serving chopsticks to serve Zhou Jin all the delicious food she found.

"Thank you for your hospitality today, sir. I will definitely reciprocate another day."

Whether he eats or not is one thing; whether she cares about his feelings is another.

"I'll wait here, sir."

Zhou Jin handed her a glass of wine: "Do you have any manners when you drink?"

Li Qu stared at the wine glass Zhou Jin handed her, hesitated for a long time, then lowered her head and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

"I don't know. To be honest, I never drink alcohol."

Zhou Jin raised an eyebrow: "Never?"

"Yes, I'm afraid of getting drunk."

Zhou Jin stared at her face: "Do you still want it?"

Li Qu smiled at him and said, "If I'm drunk, will you take me home, my lord?"

"I'm not going back tonight."

Zhou Jin poured himself a glass of wine: "You've finished eating."

"That's about it."

"Let's go then." Zhou Jin stood up.

Li Qu followed behind him.

At first, Li Qu didn't feel the effects of the wine, but as soon as she left the restaurant and a cool breeze blew, she suddenly felt her cheeks burning.

She stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Jin's sleeve: "Sir, this wine is far too strong."

Zhou Jin turned to look at her.

By the light of the restaurant's red lanterns advertising customers, he could see that a charming and alluring expression had already appeared on her face.

He put his arm around her waist and carried her to the carriage.

Li Qu got into the carriage, drank all the cold water in the pot, but still felt hot all over.

She leaned against the carriage wall, her eyes closed and her brows furrowed, as if she were extremely sad.

If she still doesn't realize she ate something she shouldn't have by now, she's a fool.

She didn't even dare to directly question Zhou Jin.

Unable to bear the confusion, she gently bit her lip with her pearly teeth.