Chapter 98 Sovereignty

The bed curtains swayed, and the woman's aggrieved sobs continued.

In a flash, the man lifted the bed curtains, revealing his shirt open.

The footsteps were heavy.

He opened the door and slammed it shut.

The bed curtains swayed from the vibration.

Good things don't work out.

When Zhou Jin returned after jumping into the river to calm down, Li Qu was already dressed, with a quilt draped over her stomach, and was sleeping with her back to the outside.

Zhou Jin lifted the curtain at the foot of the bed, leaned against the bed railing, and bent his legs to look at the person in the mattress.

What do you want?

*

Unlike the last time when the two confronted each other at the inn, this time it was different.

Last time, it was a complete breakdown in relations and a real falling out.

Zhou Jin's words, "Don't force me," had already driven him into a dead end.

She could only avoid direct confrontation.

This time, she obediently went back to Hezhou with him.

Realizing she couldn't resist him, she stopped resisting.

I just watched him cry.

Her gaze was fixed, her eyes brimming with tears.

She was betting on the love in his heart.

She won.

*

Zhou Jin held onto the hope of living a good life with her.

He lost completely.

*

Her wet hair, casually gathered behind her, gradually soaked through the undergarment on her back and the bed curtains leaning against her.

Zhou Jin never expected that one day he would be so upset by a woman.

“Aqu,” he said, “try to love me.”

After a long pause, she finally spoke: "Don't force me anymore."

"It's only natural for husband and wife to have sexual relations," he emphasized. "We are husband and wife."

"We're husband and wife, and I can't object even if I don't agree!"

Which law stipulates this?

“I made the rule!” Li Qu turned around, propped herself up on her elbows, and looked at him.

"Can I make a rule?"

He saw that her eyelashes were still wet and her eyes were red and pitiful.

Afraid she would cry again, he said, "Okay."

He conceded: "Time."

"One year."

Why don't you just say "forever"?

"If you agree, I'd be willing to spend my whole life with you."

Zhou Jin tensed his jaw, his eyes growing cold.

Li Qu: "You may take a concubine."

He remained silent for a long while, then leaned forward slightly, staring intently at the expression on her face.

His tone turned low, and he spoke slowly: "Li Qu, do you really not care about me at all?"

Her lips moved as if she wanted to speak.

His chest heaved uncontrollably, and before she could speak, he warned her sharply, "You dare say 'I don't care' and see what happens!"

She wisely chose not to provoke him again.

He felt a tightness in his chest and softened his tone: "From today onwards, after you finish your postpartum confinement, I will not touch you during this period."

"Let's get along well. Try to let go of the past and love me, okay?"

She looked at him for a while and said, "Okay, give me some time."

He got the answer he wanted, and his expression relaxed.

When life is full of hope, one feels at ease.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she had appeased him.

"I'll go sleep in the next room, and I'll have Huaixia come in and watch over you."

Li Qu nodded: "Okay."

He stared at her for a while.

She lowered her eyes and let him look at her.

He got up and left.

They walked halfway and then suddenly came back.

He yanked open the other half of the bed curtain that was covering her, knelt on one knee on the edge of the bed, grabbed her chin, and kissed her fiercely.

Having vented his emotions, he pulled away from her lips, his usually indifferent eyes staring at her helplessly.

“Aqu, so it is you who dares to humiliate me.”

“If it were another woman, I’d send her to feed the fish in the river right away.”

*

The next day, Li Qu learned that not only Zhou Jin, but also Zhou Mang, the eldest son of the Zhou family, had boarded the ship the day before.

Huaixia helped Li Qu get up and dress.

She took the opportunity to ask Grandpa Zhou about his return to the south.

The Zhou and Xiao imperial families reached some kind of agreement.

The Zhou family members are gradually withdrawing from the capital.

In Beijing today, the Xiao family's princeling faction and the Gui family's faction are locked in a fierce battle.

*

The infighting among the upper class did not disturb the lives of ordinary people.

Li's mother bought a maid who did menial tasks to help with housework.

When Granny Yue visited Li Qu again, she asked Granny Yue to help her find a governess for Li Han.

Of course, daughters should be properly raised.

When she said "don't cause trouble," she just wanted her third daughter to have some peace and quiet.

From her limited perspective, the right thing for her third daughter to do now is to live a good life with Master Zhou.

The Li family lived a simple and contented life.

Every morning and evening, Li's mother would repeatedly remind Li Rong to be wary of Lin Qi Gongzi.

Since the smartest person in the family doesn't think highly of Young Master Lin, it's best to be cautious.

Li Rong nodded vigorously: "I know."

*

Lin Xiaocong is very attentive to Li Rong.

He took her to listen to operas about military generals protecting their country.

They hire people to act out a story about a hero fighting against evil and protecting the weak.

He subtly changed Li Rong's perception that military generals were only cruel.

He will take acupuncture and nourishing medicine to help him recover.

Li Rong has made great progress, from initially sitting in a corner in the same carriage as him to being able to sit in a normal position and talk to him.

His gentlemanly manner is like a gentle breeze.

*

By August 15th, Li Qu and his party had successfully arrived at Hezhou.

After disembarking, the women rode in carriages while the men rode horses.

A large group of people headed towards the Zhou residence.

The matriarch of the Zhou family personally greeted them at the main gate.

Zhou Mang stepped forward, knelt down, and wept for the old woman.

The mother and son, who had not seen each other for many years, embraced and wept bitterly, a touching scene.

Zhou Jin helped Li Qu down from the carriage.

Upon reaching the old lady, Li Qu removed the hood of her lotus-shaped robe and respectfully bowed to her, saying, "Mother."

Then he greeted the women of the first and second wives behind the old lady.

Looking at Li Qu's calm expression, the old lady smiled and said, "It's good for her to relax; it's beneficial for the pregnancy."

This single sentence explains why Li Qu returned with Zhou Jin and the others.

Li Qu glanced at the crowd and noticed that not only the Zhou family was present today.

The married aunt was also there with her younger relatives.

She nodded to them from a distance.

Zhou Lan looked tired. She glanced at her, then raised her chin and ignored her.

Zhou Yu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and nodded at her with a smile.

Li Qu was led back to the women's seats.

They discovered that Zhou Feng and his ilk, members of the Zhou clan, were also present.

The group lingered at the door for a while longer.

A short while later, a servant rode up, dismounted, and knelt down to announce, "The master has arrived at the dock."

Li Qu then learned that the Zhou family patriarch had also returned home today.

People kept coming to report: "The old master has entered the city."

"The old master has entered the inner city."

The carriages escorted by the front and rear guards slowly drove in from the main gate on Chaoyang Street.

Silence fell over the entrance of the Zhou family's residence.

Zhou Jin, Zhou Mang, and Zhou Yan lined up in order and respectfully stepped forward to greet them.

Li Qu noticed that the old lady tightened her grip on Rong Mama's hand.

The clatter of iron hooves and the rumble of wheels came to a stop at the entrance of the Zhou residence.

All was silent.

The attendant accompanying the carriage lifted the curtain, and an elder with a reserved yet extraordinary demeanor stepped down.

The elder wore a dark brown, heavily embroidered robe, and his black and white hair was meticulously combed under his hair ornament.

His appearance reveals his stunning appearance in his youth.

As soon as he appeared, the guards on Chaoyang Street shouted in unison, "Welcome back to the old master's residence!"

The servants at the door knelt respectfully on the ground, saying, "Welcome back to the mansion, Master!"

The three Zhou brothers stepped forward, cupped their hands in greeting, and said, "Welcome back to the mansion, Father!"

The other male members of the Zhou clan bowed and greeted the head of the family: "Welcome back to the mansion!"

The sounds of welcoming greetings echoed outwards.

The old lady stepped forward and gave a grand bow, her voice strong and clear: "Welcome home, my husband!"

The greetings of the female relatives and younger family members followed closely behind.

Zhou Lang, the current head of the Zhou family, got out of the carriage and turned to reach out his hand towards it.

A woman who looked to be only in her fifties lifted the curtain, placed her hand in his palm, and was helped down from the carriage.

Zhou Lang had two women in his life, this was the second one.

Her name was Huanniang.

She seemed to be unwell; she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, coughed, and then curtsied in the direction of the assembled lords.

When her voice came out, Li Qu could clearly feel the old lady, who was squatting down to perform a deep bow, stiffen.

After Zhou Lang helped Huan Niang out of the car, he walked towards the old lady with one hand behind his back.

Zhou Lang went to the old lady and reached out to help his wife up, saying, "You've worked so hard all these years."

The old lady stood up and said, "It's my duty."

He patted his wife's hand and instructed the steward who was waiting nearby: "You've had a long journey, everyone go back to your quarters and rest. We'll meet you at the dinner."

As he spoke, he took his wife's hand and walked towards the gate of the Zhou residence.

As the two most senior members of the family moved, the younger generation who had been waiting at the entrance of the Zhou residence automatically parted to respectfully escort them back home.

Once the two figures disappeared, the butler shouted, "Disperse!"

Then the crowd left in an orderly manner.

The basic situation was that the female relatives and their masters would enter the mansion together.

The guest follows the host.

The younger generation follows behind the elders.

Relatives would send visiting cards and other gifts to the steward.

As for Huanniang, who had just been helped off the carriage by Zhou Lang, she was invited by Rong Momo, who personally came to help, to enter through the side door.

Li Qu and Zhou Jin came to his side and followed behind the second branch of the family, walking towards the mansion.

Then, behind them, the aunts and younger generations saw the legendary henpecked Master Zhou.

He stepped forward and attentively helped his wife up, then whispered something intimately in her ear.

Judging from the way he stared at his wife with his face turned to the side, you could tell how much he cared about her.

Arrive at the residence.

There were sedan chair bearers waiting to escort the women back to their courtyards.

Zhou Jin helped Li Qu into the sedan chair: "I'll have lunch with you at noon."

She replied, "Okay."

The sedan curtain was lowered, the sedan chair was lifted, and it swayed as it moved.

Li Qu leaned against the sedan chair, closing his eyes to rest.

Just now, Zhou Jin leaned close to her ear at the door and said:

'Aqu, if you love me, I promise I won't have any other women.'

She glanced at him then.

His features were serious and ordinary, his eyelashes were lowered, his handsome face was very close to hers, his breath was on her cheek, and his eyes were serious and focused.

"What a disgusting face!"

*

The sedan chair stopped at the entrance of Fanghua Garden.

Huaixia opened the sedan curtain, and Li Qu got out of the sedan. Xu Mama and everyone from Fanghua Garden kowtowed and knelt to welcome her.

Dr. An was already waiting on the side.

When Li Qu entered the room, he took her pulse.

"The baby's condition is still okay, but the mother's weight has dropped too much."

"I will prescribe a diet plan for you to help your mother recover."

"However, you should not overdo it with supplements, lest the baby become too big and increase the danger during childbirth."

Xu Mama readily agreed and instructed the kitchen staff to prepare the meal according to Doctor An's recipe.

Everything at Fanghua Garden remains the same.

She walked to the window and looked at the small fish in the glass lotus flower: "Wow! How beautiful."

A small red koi carp.

Granny Xu stepped forward and said, "The Third Master sent someone to bring it back. It's been resting for a month."

"They said they were keeping it so you could come back and have some fun."

She was at Zheng's house a month ago.

Li Qu picked up the phoenix feather and teased the little fish in the glass: "Are you all alright?"

When it comes to this, Granny Xu has a lot to say.

"Madam, you are so incredibly foolish!"

"Our Third Master is a dragon among men..."

Praise it once.

"Madam, you are as beautiful as a flower..."

Praise it once.

In conclusion: "They are truly a match made in heaven!"

“Our Third Master treats you like a precious jewel, and has no concubines or maids in his room.”

"It is truly remarkable."

"How could you treat Third Master's heart like this?"

Li Qu could sense that Granny Xu was very saddened and regretful about her abandoning Zhou Jin.

Because she shed sad tears.

Li Qu held the featherless phoenix feather in his hand, watching her wipe away her tears with a handkerchief, speechless for a long time.

"Even Third Master isn't crying, so why are you crying?"

Granny Xu: "Waaah... Perhaps the Third Master is secretly crying even more sadly than this old servant."

"He won't cry."

Zhou Jin... if you push him too far, he'll be even more ruthless than you.

What he said to her that day while he was holding her chin was what he was telling her.

He only allowed her to mess with him within the limits he permitted.

Even someone as high and mighty as him has his limits when it comes to bowing down for love.

Fortunately, they reached a settlement agreement while on the ship.

She tossed the featherless phoenix feather aside and turned to sit on the couch.

Smiling, he looked at Granny Xu and said, "I brought you gifts. Granny, please go and distribute them so everyone can have some fun."

Granny Xu was not comforted.

*

The air is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.

When Zhou Jin returned, Li Qu was lying in a rocking chair, basking in the sun.

The fan covered her face.

She was relaxed and at ease.

Zhou Jin felt very comfortable.

She should stay by his side and kill time like that.

The voice of 'Third Master is well' rang in my ears.

He grabbed the fan off Li Qu's face and held it in his hand.

She frowned slightly: "The sun is shining in my eyes."

He carried her from the rocking chair back into the house.

"The baby is due in about two months."

"Your mother started looking for a wet nurse when you were pregnant."

"The midwives were the same two who delivered my second sister-in-law's baby before."

"Now they are all being treated to good food and drink in the mansion."

He told her everything that was related to her.

Meticulous care.

He sat on the couch, picked her up and placed her on his lap, looking down at the person in his arms.

"My dear wife, I've been so thoughtful of you, aren't you going to thank me?"

Li Qu looked at him with an expression that seemed to say, "How dare you be so shameless!"

"It's all my fault for taking care of things. You're just asking for thanks without even saying a few words. That's going too far."

A faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

Seeing that he was in a good mood, Li Qu said, "I want to communicate with my family."

"Oh?" He leaned back on the couch. "Then how will you thank me, Madam?"

He deliberately created some distance between them, which was somewhat shameless.

The meaning is obvious.

Li Qu glared at him unhappily: "You've already had people surrounding me in layers upon layers, isn't that enough?"

"Are you going to cut off my contact with the outside world?!"

His large hand roamed over her lower back: "You were very free before."

"Who told you to run away so easily!"

"You even wrote a letter to threaten your husband!"

"You still say such heartless things, hurting my heart!"

"My husband is timid, easily hurt, and hard to coax."

"what to do?"

He stroked her lower back with his large hand and lifted a strand of her long hair to his cheek.

He closed his eyes, enjoying the days and nights she spent beside him, bearing his children.

"Use your clever little brain and quickly come up with a way to deal with me."

He saw through her.

He was trying to regain control of this love game.

She punched his chest with her little pink fist.

He laughed as he was being punched, like a masochist.

"What are you laughing at? Don't laugh."

"You even care if I laugh at you?"

"Aren't you even more nosy than I am?"

He slightly lifted his eyelids to look at her: "Three letters?"

"I'm your wife, don't I even have this much freedom?!"

Two letters.

She glared at him angrily.

He easily manipulated her, his thin lips parted slightly, and just as he was about to utter the word "one".

She leaned forward and kissed his lips.

He lowered his eyes, looking at the woman who was kissing him, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

She kissed him and left.

He nudged the back of the chair with his elbow, using the momentum to sit up, and chased after her.

He held her close, preventing her from escaping, his lips very close to hers, yet not touching.

He was testing her.

He held her in his arms, the air thick with intimacy emanating from her cheeks.

Unlike his usual assertiveness, his actions now contained a subtle probing that hinted at the benefits she desired, causing her to hesitate to push him away from the hand she had placed on his chest.

She could feel his gaze fixed on her face, burning with desire.

He moved closer, their soft lips met, he kissed her once, then again, changing the angle of his kiss, gradually deepening the intimacy.

She did not run away.

He was gentle and satisfied.

Even more satisfied than Zhou Jin was Xu Mama, who was about to go inside to inform the two masters that it was time for lunch.

She spied on the two masters embracing each other intimately.

He laughed silently, his mouth agape.

Oh, that's wonderful! The mistress and the lord are in harmony, and the future is bright!