Chapter 89 Unrequited Love

The east of the capital is rich while the west is poor; the Qing Tang Tea House is located in the west of the city.

The place was packed with customers.

There are no private rooms; the second floor consists of small rooms separated by screens.

It's not soundproof, but it's elegant.

Across the street is Qijia Pharmacy.

Qi Nian came from a poor family. His grandfather was a medicine boy who knew a little about pharmacology and could help the neighbors with minor ailments.

His father married into the Qi family, a traveling doctor, and that's how he was born.

In their early years, the Qi family lived in a slum in the west of the city, running a dilapidated and simple pharmacy, earning a pittance from ordinary people.

When Qi Nian was admitted to the National Medical Administration, he opened the Qi Family Pharmacy there, and his family's financial situation improved.

Lin Xiaocong was led to a seat by the waiter. He used his fan to slightly lift the bamboo curtain that blocked his view, which gave him a clear view of the Qi family's pharmacy courtyard across the street.

A square table was set up in the shady spot inside the Qi Family Pharmacy courtyard.

His Rongrong, with her hands supporting her chin and her elbows resting on the table, was smiling as she watched her good junior brother eat.

Extremely attentive.

Even though they were far apart, the smile on her face still stung his eyes.

Qi's mother served the two of them sliced ​​naan fruit, then sat down and squatted down with a pair of shoes to measure them against her feet.

She quickly got up, helped her mother sit down, took the shoes, went to the room, changed her shoes, and came out.

He watched as she lifted her skirt to show her shoes to Qi's mother.

His junior brother, Qingbai, who was always shy and gentlemanly, shifted his illicit gaze to her feet.

Whether out of shame or something else, he noticed with his excellent eyesight that his junior brother blushed and coughed.

Then, she immediately stepped forward to pour water, pat his back, and offer a full range of caring services.

Seeing this, Qi's mother couldn't stop laughing.

He was close to Qi Nian and knew about the Qi family.

Qi Nian suffers from congenital weakness and needs to take medication to maintain his health year-round.

Although he was admitted to the National Medical Academy, girls from good families were unwilling to marry him because of his poor health.

Qi's mother looked down on the girls from his old slum neighborhood who wanted to marry him.

They were still not engaged by the time they turned twenty.

Qi's mother was very worried.

It seems that Qi's mother really liked his Rongrong.

Indeed, who wouldn't like such a bright, warm, and loyal girl?

*

The waiter served tea, and Qiu Chan rolled up the curtain to allow her young master to see what was happening across the street from his seat.

The curtain serves to block the view, so that when guests sit down, they can only see the bustling street and will not offend the neighbors across the street.

The waiter, observing Lin Xiaocong's attire and demeanor, swallowed his words of protest and respectfully withdrew.

Lin Xiaocong picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Qiu Chan chimed in, picking out non-lethal words: "Second, Second Miss and Young Master Qi, I heard they're planning to get married."

"Oh." Lin Xiaocong stared at the three people in the courtyard with great interest.

"The Qi family wants to send a matchmaker to my Chuntang Garden?"

Qiu Chan wiped her sweat: "Please ask Young Master Qi to look after Second Miss."

"Now that the second young lady has not yet moved out of Chuntang Garden, and the Qi family is still in the process of establishing their own household, there is naturally no reason for them to invite a matchmaker to their door."

The waiter at the clear soup teahouse had apparently gone to deliver a message to the Qi family's pharmacy across the street, and she suddenly turned around to look this way.

Lin Xiaocong didn't take it seriously, assuming that Qiu Chan had sent someone to deliver a message to her.

In reality, Qiu Chan's mind was filled with the coffin she had chosen yesterday.

Should we buy the more expensive one or the cheaper one?

I'm torn.

He had no intention of informing Li Rong.

Seeing Li Rong and Qi Nian come out, Lin Xiaocong asked Qiu Chan to lower the bamboo curtain.

Li Rong arrived first.

She removed her veil, smiled, and greeted Lin Xiaocong with a distant air: "Young Master Lin."

"I was planning to wait for you at Chuntang Garden this afternoon, but since we've run into each other here, that's fine too."

Li Rong noticed that Lin Xiaocong always seemed a little guilty, because of the money he had earned against his conscience.

In Lin Xiaocong's eyes, it was as if she felt guilty about her infidelity.

He thought, it's okay, it's just that we've been apart for a while.

Having a deep conversation with her will surely change her mind.

After all, she used to be so infatuated with herself.

His gaze gently fell on her, tracing her body: "Are you sure... this will work too?"

"Yes, I brought the money."

"silver?"

Just then, Qi Nian entered. Lin Xiaocong withdrew his gaze and gestured for the two to sit down and talk.

Li Rong quickly pulled out a seat for Qi Nian, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him: "Young Master Qi, please sit down."

Lin Xiaocong, who was sitting in the main seat, picked up his teacup and drank tea.

That was the look in her eyes when she used to look at him.

Now she's ensnared by another man.

The tea has no flavor; it tastes awful.

He put down his teacup.

"Thank you." Qi Nian smiled at Li Rong and sat down.

What a beautiful scene of mutual affection between a man and a woman.

Li Rong naturally sat down next to Qi Nian, took out the silver notes and a list of expenses from her pocket.

"When I first came to the capital, I mistook the person who was supposed to pick me up at the ferry and ended up staying at your Chuntang Garden."

"It wasn't until March that my family found me through my steamed bun shop, and that's when I realized it was a misunderstanding."

“I was planning to move out of Chuntang Garden at the time, but Qiu Hui wouldn’t allow it.”

They said they need to explain things to you in person before they can move out.

"Otherwise, I will be handed over to the authorities on charges of fraud."

"I have no choice but to stay here until now."

"This is the expense list for the first three months of my stay at your Chuntang Garden, compiled by Qiu Hui."

"After I realized the misunderstanding, I stayed at your place but did not use your things again, nor did I eat at Chuntang Garden."

“I have gradually moved my things to my own home, and I only have a few changes of clothes left in Chuntang Garden.”

"Let me go get it later."

"So, if there are no problems, you'll take the money, and we'll be even?"

After Li Rong finished speaking, she placed the silver notes and some loose silver coins along with copper coins on the list and pushed it in front of Lin Xiaocong.

Lin Xiaocong calmly poured tea for the two of them.

Just as he was about to offer one of the teacups to Li Rong, Li Rong had already offered the other teacup to Qi Nian.

"Try it." She smiled brightly.

Facing Qi Nian.

She thought that once she moved out of Chuntang Garden, her marriage to Young Master Qi could be put on the agenda.

She is nineteen years old this year.

She finally found a man she liked and was eager to get married.

She just didn't quite understand why Young Master Qi was waiting for Young Master Lin to return, to clear up some misunderstanding with him.

Lin Xiaocong silently placed the teacup in his hand in front of Li Rong.

Li Rong looked at Qi Nian: "Young Master Qi, don't you have some misunderstanding you want to tell Young Master Lin?"

"Let's get this straight today."

He was dressed in a light blue and white robe, slender, with delicate features, and a frail appearance.

Her lip color is lighter than that of ordinary people.

Upon hearing this, he looked at Lin Xiaocong, raised his cup to apologize, and said, "Senior brother, a beautiful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections. Qingbai offers tea instead of wine as an apology."

Having said that, he drank the tea in his cup.

"I know everything about the Second Miss and Senior Brother."

"Since the second young lady has no feelings for you, and she is a respectable and innocent woman from a good family."

"Please, senior brother, release her as soon as possible. I, your junior brother, wish to formally marry her and make her my wife."

Although Qi's mother had already sent someone to Li's mother to sound her out and discuss the matter.

But this was the first time Li Rong had heard Qi Nian express himself so frankly.

Instantly, her face flushed red, and she looked away from Qi Nian.

As a result, he met Lin Xiaocong's gaze, which was both smiling and not smiling.

I don't know why, but I have a creepy feeling.

Her face flushed slightly, and she turned her head again, focusing her gaze on the bustling traffic outside the window.

The smile on her lips was hard to suppress.

Lin Xiaocong is very gentle, making people feel at ease, and he is not aggressive or condescending.

It was as if they were chatting about trivial matters that had nothing to do with them.

"Oh, then tell me, Junior Brother Qingbai, how much do you know?"

He picked up the teapot and poured him some tea.

The teapot tilted slightly, and the clear tea water traced a graceful arc along the spout, landing perfectly in the center of the empty cup.

"The second young lady fell ill, and by chance, her senior brother came to her rescue. Thank you, senior brother."

The tea was about seven-tenths full, but Lin Xiaocong didn't stop.

"The second young lady was grateful to her senior brother for saving her, and when he was in a sorry state, she repaid him with a meal or two."

The tea is full, just right, not a drop spilled.

Lin Xiaocong put down the teapot.

He smiled and looked at Li Rong: "Is that so?"

Li Rong unconsciously tightened her grip on her sleeve as she was being stared at.

The matter of the Hezhou prison involved the third sister, but she did not tell Qi Nian the details.

Now is not the time to talk about it.

“That’s true.” She emphasized, “Mr. Lin, we haven’t seen each other since we parted ways.”

"Later, you asked Qiu Chan to come to your house and ask me to cook for you. It was a transaction that was settled between the two parties."

"The 100 taels of silver for each meal was not something I asked for; it was given voluntarily by you."

Lin Xiaocong began to realize that something was wrong.

But he didn't reveal a trace of his emotions.

He continued, following Li Rong's words, "Indeed."

The cicadas on one side had turned gray.

When Lin Xiaocong admitted that he had paid her to cook for him voluntarily, Li Rong's guilty conscience vanished.

"After I left Hezhou, we lost contact completely."

"If we hadn't mistaken the person who picked us up and ended up at Chuntang Garden, we wouldn't have had any interaction at all now."

Lin Xiaocong used the gesture of raising his hand to drink tea to block Qi Nian's view, and then took the sachet off his waist.

After putting down the cup, he seemed to take a sachet from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Li Rong.

"Was it made by the Second Miss herself when you found it by accident?"

She took the sachet and recognized it at a glance.

"Who's so careless? I don't handle needles lightly."

She opened the sachet and turned it over.

There was a prominent character '甬' inside.

"So it was Yongniang who lost it." She put the purse back in its original state and naturally put it into her bosom.

"When I left Hezhou, I gave everyone in the shop a purse."

"Although the embroidery patterns on the purses are the same, they all have names embroidered inside."

"It's precisely to prevent confusion."

“This is a purse I gave to Yongniang. I don’t know how she lost it and Young Master Lin picked it up.”

"Thank you for returning it, Young Master Lin."

"If I am fortunate enough to meet Yongniang again someday, I will return her to her."

The cicadas nearby had already petrified and cracked.

Lin Xiaocong looked into Li Rong's open and honest eyes and remained silent for a long time.

Qi Nian withdrew his gaze from the nearly overflowing teacup and said, "Senior brother repays a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude. Upon learning that the Second Miss had come to the capital, he specially arranged for Qingbai to take care of her. Your gentlemanly conduct is admirable."

"Now, by the grace of fate, the matter between Qingbai and the Second Miss has been cleared to the elders."

"Qingbai will soon send a matchmaker to propose marriage."

He glanced at Li Rong, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, and then looked at Lin Xiaocong.

"The Qi Family Pharmacy was able to take root safely back then thanks to my senior brother's help."

"Senior brother has done Qingbai a great favor."

"Now, it has brought Qingbai and the second young lady together."

"I have no way to repay your kindness."

"On our wedding day, I would like to treat you as an honored guest and invite you to come over for a cup of wine."

Lin Xiaocong rested his wrist on the table, his fingertips fiddling with the cup, turning it gently.

"OK."

"I'll definitely come over to ask for a drink at the wedding."

Qi Nian breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your help, Senior Brother."

"I dare not accept your kind offer. This young master and the second young lady are merely strangers who met by chance."

Lin Xiaocong raised his hand and pushed the list and money that Li Rong had previously pushed in front of him back in front of Li Rong.

"It's all a misunderstanding. How could I possibly hold a grudge against the Second Miss?"

"The second daughter is a very good cook."

"Before you leave, could you please stay for a meal at Chuntang Garden?"

Li Rong refused.

Once a misunderstanding is cleared up, it should be severed completely.

"Sorry, I have other things to do."

"What would you like to eat? How about I order a banquet from the restaurant to be delivered to your door?"

*

A soft laugh came from behind the screen next door.

"Commander Cao, why are you laughing out loud!"

"Hold it in!"

"Hey, where are you going!"

"Hold him down, don't let him escape!"

"When you asked the waiter to go to the pharmacy to falsely convey Lin Qi's words, you weren't fearless! Why are you running away now!"

"Let go, I can't beat Lin Qi!"

"You can't beat me, and neither can I!"

With a bang, the four folding screens suddenly closed and fell down.

Lin Xiaocong immediately stood up, leaned forward, took the veil that Li Rong had placed aside, and covered her head with it.

The light veil fell, blocking the gazes that had been delayed in investigating from the other side.

Li Rong was startled.

Through the thin veil, he saw Lin Xiaocong slowly sit down again, looking at the people making a commotion behind her with a half-smile.

Seeing this, Qi Nian pursed his lips.

He wanted to do the same, but he wasn't as quick as his senior brother.

*

Next door, the three men dressed in the uniforms of the Northern Imperial Guards stopped their entanglement.

He released his thigh.

He released his neck.

He released his waist.

They patted their clothes, looked at Lin Xiaocong's warm smile, and pointed in unison at Cao Guangli, who was sitting there motionless.

"It was Commander Cao who told us that Lin Qi, you have a mistress."

"As a result, your mistress cheated on you, and you were still clueless."

One of them spoke up to explain, "It was Commander Cao who instigated me to trick the waiter into calling Young Master Qi and this young lady up."

Those who can call Lin Xiaocong "Lin Qi" are all spoiled rich kids from the same circle.

Cao Guangli grinned awkwardly, "Young Master Lin, I absolutely did not mean to see you make a fool of yourself, you can believe me."

Cao Guangli had a problem.

Big mouth.

*

There was a moment of silence on the second floor of the teahouse.

It's so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

*

At first, Qi Nian simply followed his senior brother's instructions step by step, secretly keeping an eye on the women in Chuntang Garden to prevent them from being bullied by anyone.

Later, Qi Nian had to meet with Li Rong to help her with the necessary paperwork for the steamed bun shop.

Upon meeting, Li Rong immediately took a liking to Qi Nian.

After inquiring about Qi Nian's family background and identity, she became very attentive.

It's common to bump into someone on the street, offer them an umbrella when it rains, or deliver lunch.

And Qi Nian was not alone on duty.

Li Rong's open pursuit of him couldn't be kept secret.

Qi Nian initially explained it to his colleagues like this:

It was Senior Brother Lin who asked me to take care of Yi Er's daughter. Please keep quiet and don't let it reach the ears of the Fourteenth Princess, lest it ruin Senior Brother Lin's plans.

Qi Nian later explained it this way:

It's all a misunderstanding. This girl and Senior Brother Lin are completely innocent, and we are mutually in love.

It's not surprising that Lin Xiaocong keeps a mistress.

It would be strange if Lin Xiaocong's mistress were stolen by Qi Nian.

This matter began to spread within the National Medical Administration.

Everyone who spread the gossip ended with a plea: "You absolutely must not tell anyone!"

The person being instructed repeatedly assured: "Don't worry, I will absolutely not tell anyone."

Then, he turned around and told everyone he knew.

Cao Guangli learned about this from his elder brother.

Since the main character, Lin Xiaocong, was not in Beijing, everyone speculated and discussed it privately.

Rational people are urging: 'Don't spread rumors and tarnish the young woman's reputation!'

Until Cao Guangli returned to Beijing yesterday.

He told his elder brother himself: 'That woman in Chuntang Garden is Lin Qiyang's mistress.'

Lin Qi loved it so much, he was smiling like a fool every day.

'What? His mistress is discussing marriage with Qi Nian?'

This is a shocking revelation.

Cao Guangli, having held it in all night, went to his shift and told everyone he could find: 'Hey, did you know that Lin Xiaocong's mistress was stolen by Qi Nian?'

"Huh? Didn't you say she wasn't Young Master Lin's mistress?"

'Oh dear, that's his mistress, he loves her so much…'

Cao Guangli spread rumors all morning.

By sheer coincidence, they ran into Lin Xiaocong here again.

He knew that Qi Nian's house was right across the street, and he saw that the girl was there too.

He then instigated his colleagues to find a waiter to falsely convey Lin Qi's words and bring people up to watch the spectacle.

I thought I was going to see a dramatic scene where Lin Xiaocong catches his wife cheating and is so angry he dies.

Unexpectedly... it was Lin Xiaocong's immersive unrequited love all by himself.

Cao Guangli thought of Lin Xiaocong sweetly reciting Rongrong's name all the way from Hezhou to the capital, and then of how he couldn't help but kiss her when they first met at the city gate. He couldn't help but laugh.

That's why what just happened occurred.

*

The July breeze was slightly warm, but it couldn't warm Lin Xiaocong's smile.

He looked at Cao Guangli and the others.

"That's right, it's me, Lin Xiaocong, who has a crush on this girl."

"Knowing she was coming to Beijing, they were very attentive and arranged a place for her to stay."

"She was unaware of this and was unwilling to accept my favor."

"Now that you know the truth, you must repay this young master's kindness with money."

As he spoke, Lin Xiaocong reached out and pulled the silver that he had previously refused to accept to his face.

He casually picked up a copper coin.

"She is innocent and virtuous, a woman from a respectable family."

"I am far away in Hezhou and have no contact with her whatsoever."

"If I find out in the future that someone has ruined her reputation, don't blame me for being impolite."

As soon as he finished speaking, the copper coin in his hand flew out with a whoosh, embedding itself more than halfway into the wooden pillar of the teahouse, with extraordinary ferocity.

Li Rong screamed in fright.

Lin Xiaocong looked at Qi Nian and said, "I've accepted the money. I won't bother you again. You can leave now."

Qi Nian stood up, bowed respectfully to Lin Xiaocong, and quickly led Li Rong away from the trouble.

As soon as Li Rong left, Cao Guangli stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "We misunderstood that girl's identity."

"Once we get back, we will definitely clarify that the girl is not your mistress."

Lin Xiaocong picked up his teacup and took a sip: "I've troubled Commander Cao to use his words to invite you for tea?"

Cao Guangli chuckled dryly, saying it was unnecessary and that he would leave after exchanging a few idle words.

After Cao Guangli left, everyone on the second floor seemed to have encountered danger and retreated completely.

Qiu Chan knelt down in front of Lin Xiaocong with a thud: "Young Master!"

Lin Xiaocong's smile vanished, and his tone became flat: "Speak!"

Qiu Chan then clearly explained that he had seen his master seem to have feelings for the second young lady, and fearing that his master would be bored, he had fabricated a story about the second young lady having feelings for him.

After listening, Lin Xiaocong put down his teacup.

After a while, he got up.

A hand overturned the table in front of him.

Clang, clang, crash, the cups and teaware were smashed to pieces.

Just like his current state of mind, his sweet first love had just blossomed when it was ravaged into pieces.

Even when a handsome young man is angry, his face remains calm.

He brushed the dust off his clothes, picked up his fan, and walked away.

Qiu Chan slapped herself hard, picked up the silver coins that Li Rong had just placed on the table, and got up to follow.

After the master and servant left, Cao Guangli and the others who had been hiding in a corner on the first floor revealed themselves.

The group exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Cao Guangli clicked his tongue.

The others mocked, "Who would have thought that Lin Xiaocong would one day be cheated on and dumped?"

"Haven't you heard anyone say it's unrequited love, a misunderstanding, or that you're completely innocent?"

The group exchanged glances: "Hahaha, who would believe that!"

Given Lin Xiaocong's status and abilities, if nothing had really happened, why would he be so preoccupied with something?

"This woman must be blind. Lin Qi is stronger than Qi Nian even if you pluck a hair from his head, yet she chose Qi Nian instead of Lin Qi."

"Shut up, all of you! If you don't want Lin Qi to block your way and beat you up, then watch your mouths," Cao Guangli said.

"A beautiful lady is sought after by a gentleman. Young Master Lin has only failed in love, but his future in officialdom is limitless."

Everyone quickly shut up.

Clearly, offending a doctor known as a master of traditional Chinese medicine is an unwise move.

*

The blazing sun is too warm, making people feel irritable.

Zhou Jin, who was in Hejian, met with Marquis Lin Zhongtian in the morning. As expected, the meeting was not very pleasant.

But this did not affect Zhou Jin's appetite.

When the food was served, Huaiqiu said there was still no sign of his wife.

My appetite vanished instantly.

After quickly finishing his meal, he began to process the documents that had been delivered that day.

Among them was a letter sent by Xiao Cong.

It should be an official document from Aqu's place of residence.

He tore it open, and inside, besides Aqu's household registration document, there was also a letter.

After confirming that the contents of the official document and the seal were correct, he put the items into the box where important documents were kept.

Then he returned to his seat and picked up the letter.

'Opened by Master Zhou himself'

Familiar handwriting!

He stroked the words on the paper, as if he could see her writing with her eyes lowered.

After repeated inspections to confirm that there were no signs of tampering or damage to the sealing wax, it was carefully opened.

There was only one folded piece of paper inside.

take out.

Open.

Four words suddenly appeared in his pupils: The child has been lost.

Zhou Jin jumped up from his seat, his vision blurring.

He managed to steady himself by grabbing the table.

"Master!" Huaiqiu, who was attending to him, exclaimed in surprise.

Zhou Jin raised his hand to cover his eyes, shook his head, and opened his eyes again.

It's still those four words.

He initially disbelieved it, thinking that his beloved Aqu would not do such a heartless and cruel thing.

Even if she were truly heartless and ruthless, she should be prepared for the possibility that he might never find her again.

Otherwise, how could someone as astute as her dare to act so ruthlessly!

But this letter arrived along with Xiao Cong's letter.

He can't help but overthink.

Zhou Jin raised his hand and pressed his temple, feeling a little dizzy.

The breathing in my chest became increasingly uncontrollable.

Warm liquid slid down my nose.

One drop, two drops, fell onto the simple white paper with the four characters.

Extremely vibrant.

"Doctor! Summon the doctor!" Huaiqiu shouted as she saw this, while handing a handkerchief to Zhou Jin.

Zhou Jin took it, wiped the blood from his nose, pinched his nose, and slumped back in his chair. After a long while, he said, "Have everyone in the Huai Group go and investigate and track down the clues from that day, one by one."

"Pay special attention to the abortion clue!"

Huaiqiu was startled as if by thunder.

"Send a message to my elder brother: have everyone in the capital screen the entire city!"

“Send a message to my second brother, and tell him to take my seal and sift through the southern lands.”

He refused to believe she had simply vanished into thin air!

As the words were spoken, the thoughts seemed to gradually clear.

"Yan land..."

If she had fallen into Xiao Cong's hands, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to have him send her such a letter.

She's simply used to being wild and doesn't want to come back and be confined.

Can't he just let her be free of restraint?

She can do whatever she wants, is that not allowed?

"If there is no news from these two places, I will go to Yan in person."

"Yes!" Huaiqiu personally sent a message by carrier pigeon.

Zhou Jin raised his hand to cover his eyes and brows, which might betray his emotions.

Is the child gone?

He would rather he were gone...

The doctor rushed over and was about to enter when a loud crash came from inside, as if a table had been overturned.

Then came Zhou Jin's low growl, unable to contain his emotions:

"Li Qu, you better be lying to me!!!"