Chapter 42 Behave

The night was boundless, dotted with countless stars.

Yicheng, Yandi, the Prince of Yan's Mansion.

In Qinghui Hall, where the Crown Prince's wife resides, Crown Prince Xiao Cong is playing with his energetic grandson.

Two months ago, the Crown Prince's wife, Lin Wanru, gave birth to his eldest son.

If nothing unexpected had happened, he should still have a beautiful and intelligent concubine who was well-mannered and had good manners, whom he could do as he pleased.

But she ran away.

The maid announced, "Xiao Zuo is outside requesting an audience with the young master."

Xiao Cong smiled and put his index finger into his son's small hand, then gently pulled it outwards. He watched as his son held on tightly and wouldn't let go. Finally, because he was small and weak, he lost the toy and kicked his legs, punched, and spat.

Without looking up, he asked, "What is it?"

"It is said that news has come from the south."

Lin Wanru, who was leaning against the bed with her undisguised admiring gaze fixed on Xiao Cong, froze with a smile.

After glancing at Xiao Cong who was still playing with his son after hearing this, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She had a difficult childbirth, and her body is still dripping wet. The doctor advised her to avoid exposure to wind for 100 days. Now that she has finished her postpartum period, she is still taking care of herself.

After a long pause, she heard Xiao Cong speak: "Bring the letter."

Lin Wanru unconsciously gripped the mattress resting on her lap.

The maid went out again and returned shortly after, handing over the bamboo tube with both hands.

Xiao Cong unscrewed the wax seal on the bamboo tube, took out the letter, and his originally warm face slowly turned serious as he looked at the words on the paper, which was completely opposite to his usual gentle temperament.

His worst fears came true.

Her traces have been deliberately erased.

Originally, following the household registration of her relatives and the investigation in the south, they left Yan. Although the process was difficult, they made progress every day.

However, progress has now stalled at the river.

She relied solely on herself and Wu Xubai.

Wu Xubai was being held captive in Yicheng by him, so who else could have the ability to erase all his past records?

Those who are not in high positions of power cannot do so.

Xiao Cong walked to the incense burner, opened the lid, and threw the paper into the burner.

As I watched the paper turn red from the heat and burn to ash, my heart felt as if it were being burned, the pain becoming increasingly sharp and intense.

He knew that with her looks and figure, she would definitely be coveted by others.

The anger over the theft of the treasure slowly spread in his chest like wildfire.

He put the lid of the incense burner back on, turned around, and strode outside.

Hearing his heavy, rapid footsteps, Lin Wanru felt a growing sense of unease and panic. Once he had completely disappeared from sight, she immediately summoned her trusted nanny: "Has any news come from the south?"

After the old woman presented the letter that had just arrived from the south, Lin Wanru read it and then loosened her grip on the bedding, letting out a sigh of relief.

She leaned against the soft pillows, initially with a slight smile on her lips, but then she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"That bitch Li Qu has probably been taken by another man!"

The trusted nanny was overjoyed upon hearing this: "The Crown Princess can now rest easy."

"No, the young master has been extremely devoted to that vile woman; he won't let this go! Keep tracking her; he'll find her sooner or later!"

The thought of that day made Lin Wanru tremble: "We absolutely cannot let her return to Yan!"

She wants her to die outside!

In her dream, Li Qu suddenly felt a pang of heart palpitation and abruptly sat up on the couch, gasping for breath.

"Auntie!" Hongguo quickly brought Li Qu some water.

After finishing the cup, Li Qu glanced at the sky outside and let out a long sigh: "What time is it?"

"It's almost time to settle down."

It is scheduled for 9 PM to 11 PM.

"Where's the jade fruit?"

"I've gone to the kitchen to heat up the food. I'll come back when it's ready and call you to get up and have some."

"What's the situation at Hezhou Prison?"

“Brother Cuiguo sent a message saying that the Hezhou Prison had arranged for a national doctor to treat the Li family’s injuries, but Third Master did not order them to return to Jishui Lane.”

"May we use torture again?"

"Third Master ordered that the wounds be treated, so presumably the torture will not be used again."

"Where is the nanny?"

"Granny, you can rest now."

How is her hand?

"There was a little bleeding, but the dressing was changed before bed, and it's nothing serious."

"Are there people watching outside the courtyard?"

"Huaiqiu's people have left, but the old lady's confinement has not yet been lifted."

"Any news from Third Master's side?"

"It seems that Third Master is going on a long trip tomorrow morning."

Li Qu let out a long sigh of relief.

He said that the person who was helping her climb the social ladder wouldn't do anything inhumane to her.

Only when his personal safety was not threatened did Li Qu have time to deal with other matters.

What happened to my wallet?

Hongguo knelt down with a thud: "At that time, Miss Huaichun asked me and Cuiguo to hand over what happened in the room and the two nannies she brought with her."

“This servant and Cuiguo insisted on waiting for Auntie to return to make a decision, so we had a brief argument with Miss Huaichun.”

"Later, when the Third Master entered the courtyard, neither I nor Cuiguo noticed that Miss Huaichun suddenly mentioned the purse."

"Who embroidered the purse in the basket?"

“I thought she wanted my purse, so I took the purse and presented it to her, saying that I had embroidered it.”

“She insisted that it was embroidered by her aunt, and that her aunt had given a similar one to the Third Master before.”

"Then I said that I embroidered them all, and then, then the Third Master came in..."

So, is it someone who's in love with someone else kicking someone when they're down?

Li Qu looked at Hong Guo: "Have you discussed this matter with Granny?"

Hongguo nodded: "The old lady said that when she went to Jinxiutang to deliver the purse, it was Miss Huaichun who received her."

"The old woman also said that she only said that the painting in the purse was painted by her aunt herself, and did not mention the purse at all."

In other words, the origin of the purse was beyond the control of the people who delivered it to Zhou Jin.

In addition, Huaichun deliberately dug a pit for Hongguo in the afternoon.

“She had a grudge to begin with, her motives were clear, and she was undoubtedly the one who kicked someone when they were down.” As Li Qu spoke, she heard light footsteps approaching, and Cui Guo peeked out from the doorway.

Upon seeing that Li Qu was awake, her eyes lit up, and she strode in carrying a food box: "Auntie, the young lady from Jinxiutang was sent to Xuzhou by the old lady overnight!"

"I heard that Miss Biao's eyes were swollen from crying when she left!"

Li Qu pointed to her eyes: "Is that so?"

“Miss Cousin is naturally not comparable to Aunt. When Aunt cries, it’s heartbreaking and pitiful. Miss Cousin’s tears flow freely and are unbearable to watch.”

As Cui Guo spoke, she picked up the low couch and set out the food: "Auntie, my brother from the Hezhou prison is keeping an eye on things. He has already called a doctor, and there's nothing serious, so please don't worry."

"Chang San Niang gave me a bowl of soup and told me to bring it back and keep it warm in hot water so that Auntie would have something to eat if she got up in the middle of the night."

Hongguo helped Li Qu wash up briefly before Li Qu began to eat.

After a good night's sleep, the splitting headache subsided, and I felt much better.

He had a great appetite and ate a whole bowl of rice before stopping.

The room had been tidied up by Hongguo and Cuiguo, but some damaged items had not yet been accounted for.

Cuiguo pouted: "The warehouse has also been ruined. Shouldn't the loss be attributed to Huaichun?"

She rattled off her accusations about being lovesick, like a little bird striving for love.

Li Qu repeatedly assured her that he would deal with Huai Chun, and only then did she relent indignantly prepare a hot bath for Li Qu.

As the hot water steamed, Li Qu relaxed completely, reviewed her current situation, and began to look to the future.

Just as she was thinking that she absolutely could not offend the master of the Zhou family, she heard Cuiguo loudly say from the room next door, "Greetings, Third Master, Aunt is taking a bath."

Li Qu jumped up from the bathtub and hurriedly got out. Before she could even dry herself off, she heard the bathroom door being pushed open.

She hastily wrapped her nightgown and robe around herself, and just as she stepped behind the screen, a tall figure appeared before her.

She raised her hand to cover her chest, and then heard Zhou Jin say coldly, "What are you hiding for? What haven't I seen?"

He was clearly still angry: "Come here and serve me a bath."

She didn't move, turning her body away from him.

"I'll count to three."

"I'm angry, I don't want to serve you, Master!" She lowered her head and drew circles with her toes.

His gaze fell heavily on her.

Half-hidden, half-wet, half-revealed, and with a little temper.

She probably doesn't realize how alluring she looks.

He was about to scold or threaten her to make her come over when he heard her say, "Fine, it's because I like you, Master. Why should I be angry with you?"

She seemed powerless, and with a deep sigh like an old lady, she raised her hand to hold the bathrobe in place, just as she would a towel.

She looked up at him, her expression a mixture of resentment and coquettishness, and resignedly walked to his side, obediently raising her hand to untie his waistband.

She muttered, "I didn't know you before, and you were so rude and unkind to me. How could I possibly open my heart to you so suddenly!"

"Now look what's happened. My husband and I are so intimate, but he doesn't believe a word I say, instead he believes what other people say."

"Stop talking nonsense, I don't want to listen to your glib-tongued woman's nagging."

She raised her little fist and punched his chest: "I just love to nag, but you won't listen, so I'm not going to serve you anymore."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Zhou Jin came here with the intention of getting revenge on her for bullying her before he left, and he was not going to let her go.

With a long arm, he pulled the long-legged, slender-waisted woman into his embrace.

At the same time, her indescribable fragrance wafted over him, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling completely relaxed.

He held her tighter and warned her in her ear: "If you're going to be someone's concubine, you have to be prepared for it!"

His voice was slightly hoarse: "If you dare lay a hand on me again, I'll break your claws!"

He turned her over so she was facing him, and bent down to kiss her, but she dodged away.

She looked at him with resentment.

He gripped her waist with his large hand, as if assessing the strength he would use: "I don't care how arrogant you are. Now that you're in my hands, put away your little schemes!"

"Be good, and I'll give you a good life. If you're not good, I have plenty of ways to make you behave!"

He raised his hand and grabbed the back of her head, preventing her from escaping.