Chapter 73 (Final Chapter)

As Li Yang had expected, under the flower-lined veranda, more than a dozen young girls dressed in exquisite costumes of various colors sat or stood. Li Yang recognized them; they were all legitimate daughters of prominent families in the capital.

She has status, position, family background, and connections; she and Zhao Chilai are a perfect match.

Li Yang was surprised to find that Wei Songlan was also there.

Upon seeing her enter, Wei Songlan came over first: "Sister-in-law."

After bringing them in, Zhao Qiu'er went to talk to the other young ladies. Li Yang held Wei Songlan's hand: "Why are you here? Did my aunt send you an invitation too?"

Wei Songlan shook her head, a hint of shyness in her eyes: "Young Master Song sent me here."

"Song Hezhou?" Li Yang asked with a smile.

Wei Songlan pulled her hand and shook it: "Oh, sister-in-law, don't ask anymore."

Li Yang smiled and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, advised, "Song Hezhou is a good person. Don't let his seemingly carefree attitude fool you; he's actually very sensitive and loyal. Once you win his heart, you'll definitely be happy in the future. However, it might be a little difficult at first, Songlan. You must hold on and persevere. I really think you two are a perfect match."

Wei Songlan nodded firmly: "Don't worry, sister-in-law, Songlan knows."

After giving her these instructions, Li Yang turned around, but Jinghe was already gone.

Knowing that she must have been secretly summoned by Zhao Chilai, Li Yang wasn't worried and stood there waiting for her to return. There were some things that she, as an outsider, couldn't say; it was best for Jinghe and Zhao Chilai to figure them out themselves.

Jinghe was indeed called away by Zhao Chi.

She had been standing behind Li Yang, quietly watching Li Yang and Wei Songlan talk. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhao Chilai hiding behind a tree and gestured for her to come over. Seeing that Li Yang and Wei Songlan seemed to have a long talk ahead of them, she bypassed them and walked over.

Zhao Chilai seemed to have dressed up carefully today, wearing a white brocade robe with a round neck. The mutton-fat jade pendant on his body gleamed warmly in the sunlight, just like him—refined, elegant, and cultured. Zhao Chilai grabbed Jinghe's wrist, said nothing, and led her through a maze of turns to a secluded courtyard.

"Young Master Zhao, what do you want from me?" Jinghe shook off his hand and stopped walking.

Zhao Chilai gripped her tighter, but her movements had no effect on him. Seeing that she refused to move forward any further, Zhao Chilai said, "Jinghe, I... I have something to tell you."

"What are you trying to say? Is it that after meeting so many beautiful, gentle, and elegant ladies, you think I'm just average and not presentable?" Jinghe questioned.

Zhao Chilai was a little anxious: "What are you talking about? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Jinghe turned away from him and said, "So what exactly do you want to say?"

"I, I," Zhao Chilai couldn't speak. Under Jinghe's scrutinizing gaze, he made up his mind: "I don't care about anything anymore. Come on, I'll take you to see my father and mother."

Jinghe grabbed his sleeve: "No."

"Why? If we wait another day, my father and mother will arrange a marriage for me!"

"Even if we met, so what? Would the Duke and his wife agree to us? You are the heir of the Duke's mansion, the future first-class duke, but what about me? I'm just a little maid. Do you think we're a good match?"

Jinghe had said these words to him many times, and Zhao Chilai had also advised him many times: "Jinghe, as long as we love each other, what do we care about worldly status? I have already sworn that I will marry no one but you in this life. I said that before, and I will say it for the rest of my life."

Jinghe's eyes reddened with grievance: "You can, but I can't. I can't abandon my mother and sister. Young Master Zhao, let's leave it at that. Go and choose a suitable lady from among the young ladies who came today to be your wife."

"No! I don't want anyone else!" Zhao Chilai bent down and hugged her: "Don't talk nonsense, I only want you!"

“Young Master Zhao, I…” Jinghe struggled twice but couldn’t break free. Tears streamed down her face silently. She leaned against Zhao Chilai’s chest and choked out, “It’s because I’m of low status and not worthy of Young Master Zhao.”

Zhao Chilai hugged her and suddenly had a good idea: "Let's run away, Jinghe, let's run to a place where no one knows us, so no one will know who we are."

"No, you are the heir of the Duke's mansion and will inherit the entire mansion in the future. You have your responsibilities, and I cannot be so selfish as to take you away."

Zhao Chilai was caught in a dilemma: "Then wait for me, Jinghe, wait for me. Once I inherit the title, no one will be able to control me anymore, and then I will marry you!"

Jinghe just shook her head and cried, refusing to say anything more. Zhao Chilai kept comforting her and making promises. Until a sneer came, and Zhao Qiu'er walked over with her arms crossed and a look of disdain: "Oh, poor little lovers, chatting here."

Upon hearing the voices of outsiders, Zhao Chilai instinctively released Jinghe. Then, a moment later, he reacted and leaned forward to shield Jinghe, saying, "Third Sister."

Zhao Qiu'er looked them up and down: "Don't do that, it makes me sound like some kind of wicked old hag who's trying to break up a couple. Jinghe, Li Yang is looking for you everywhere outside. Come with me, I'll take you there."

She always had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and Zhao Chilai knew that there were many people and eyes in the mansion today, so it would be inappropriate to let Jinghe go back alone. He turned to Jinghe and said, "You must wait for me. I will come to see you again when I have the chance."

After saying that, he turned to Zhao Qiu'er and said, "Third sister, thank you for your trouble."

"Alright, alright, do you think I'm going to eat her?" Zhao Qiu'er glanced at the two of them impatiently. "Let's go."

After the two bid each other a reluctant farewell, Jinghe followed behind Zhao Qiu'er, walking forward step by step.

Beyond the secluded courtyard wall lies the main road bustling with people. Maids and servants pass by from time to time. Zhao Qiu'er walks ahead with her head held high. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Jinghe following behind. Zhao Qiu'er says casually, "My eldest and second sisters are both married, I'm engaged, and my fourth sister is also getting engaged."

Jinghe didn't know why she was saying these things, but she vaguely felt that it might be related to Zhao Chilai.

Sure enough, Zhao Qiu'er continued, "Back then, in order to give my father a legitimate son, my mother became pregnant at an advanced age and passed away not long after giving birth to my fifth brother. Later, my father married a stepmother. I know that she married my father only because she was after the wealth and honor of the Duke's mansion. For these things, she willingly drank a sterilization drug and raised the five of us siblings. So you see, whether it's my father, mother, and stepmother, or our sisters' marriages, it's all for the sake of Chi Lai's future life to go further."

Jinghe's steps became somewhat weak and gradually slowed down.

Zhao Qiu'er, who had been observing her changes, continued, "I'm not such an unreasonable person. It's good that you two have feelings for each other, but I think it's unlikely that Chi Lai will marry you as his wife. However, there is one path you can take: after Chi Lai marries, you can come and be his concubine. Later, when he has a legitimate son, you can have another child, which will be a source of support. Just like you both insist, as long as Chi Lai has you in his heart, what difference does it make whether you're his wife or a concubine? You'll still be together, won't you?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in her words, which Jinghe, though somewhat dazed, still caught. Zhao Qiu'er didn't turn around, and Jinghe, in no mood to respond, simply walked forward silently with her head down.

"Alright, this is the place where we entertained our guests today. You can find Li Yang if you go in." Upon arriving at the courtyard, Zhao Qiu'er stopped and turned to look at Jing He: "I hope you will think carefully about what I said today. You are Li Yang's personal maid, and your actions will affect her reputation. She has treated you well these past two years, hasn't she? I hope that in the future, you will think more about your family and her when you do things."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left the courtyard without waiting for Jinghe's reaction.

Jinghe kept her head down as she walked through the winding corridors and small gardens, silently standing behind Li Yang.

Li Yang was talking to the Duchess of Zhongyong when she noticed someone standing behind her. A glance at Jinghe's clothes confirmed it was her, and Li Yang felt somewhat relieved. But the next moment, she saw a hint of satisfaction on the Duchess of Zhongyong's face. Li Yang's heart skipped a beat; she knew that Jinghe must have gone through something while she was disappearing.

She stood up apologetically and said, "Aunt, I'm really worried about Xiao Taozi, so I'm afraid I won't be able to attend this banquet."

The Duchess of Zhongyong's banquet today was merely to discourage them from pursuing Zhao Chilai again. Having achieved her goal, she didn't linger, but instead held Li Yang's hand sincerely, saying, "Yang'er, your aunt had no choice. I hope you can understand what happened with Chilai."

Li Yang nodded: "Don't worry, Aunt, Yang'er knows what to do."

Jinghe had been holding on, but once she was on the carriage, she could no longer hold back and broke down in tears, sobbing. Li Yang patted her hand: "After we get back to the manor, go home and stay for a few days. Get some rest."

Jinghe nodded tearfully, "I'm sorry, Madam, I've embarrassed you."

"No, no," Li Yang stepped forward and hugged her shoulders. "Don't think too much. Go back, have a good meal, and get some sleep. You'll be fine when you wake up tomorrow morning."

It was unclear whether Jinghe had listened or not. Although the crying was getting quieter, the sound was intermittent, which made Li Yang feel more and more heartbroken.

After they returned to the Yuan residence and got off the carriage, Li Yang personally escorted Jinghe back to her room before returning home with peace of mind.

Inside the courtyard, Yuan Chongjing was playing with Xiao Taozi. Upon seeing her return, Xiao Taozi happily jumped down from Yuan Chongjing's arms and ran towards Li Yang, saying, "Mother~ Mother~ Xiao Taozi missed you so much."

Li Yang picked up Xiao Taozi and affectionately rubbed her nose against hers: "Mother missed Xiao Taozi too."

Little Peach giggled and hugged her neck: "Little Peach thinks a lot~ She really, really thinks a lot~ Isn't that right, Daddy?"

Yuan Chongjing nodded with a smile, his gaze falling on the plate with some leftover pastry crumbs on the table: "Indeed, you were so thinking about it that you ate a whole plate of pastries."

"Oh, Daddy, you're so mean!"

Li Yang sat down in front of Yuan Chongjing and covered Xiao Taozi's head: "Daddy actually undermined Xiao Taozi, let's ignore him, okay?"

Little Peach covered her face and nestled in Li Yang's arms, refusing to look at them anymore.

Li Yang was amused by her and shook the little peach in her arms.

Yuan Chongjing asked, "Why are you back so early? Didn't your aunt invite you to stay for dinner?"

Li Yang said, "I stayed. I said I was worried about Xiao Taozi, so I came back early. There were too many people there, and the smell of all kinds of perfumes and powders gave me a headache."

Her face was paler than in the morning, and Yuan Chongjing quickly said, "How are you now? I'll go and get a doctor to take a look at you."

"I'm fine, I'll be alright after a rest." Li Yang refused, her face showing worry: "I'm a little worried about Jinghe. I'm afraid there's no turning back for her and Zhao Chilai."

She had originally thought that her aunt could mediate, but now it seemed that neither her aunt nor Zhao Qiu'er wanted Zhao Chilai and Jinghe to have a good outcome.

Yuan Chongjing said, "It's pointless for us to think about this any further. We've done all we can. The rest is up to them."

"That's all we can do for now," Li Yang sighed.

"By the way, I received news that the house where Song Xi was burned down has been cleared by Song Hezhou, and His Highness is no longer pursuing the matter. As long as Song Xi doesn't appear openly again, the matter will be considered closed. Xiao Taozi was recently recognized as His Highness's adopted daughter, so we'll definitely attract some attention. At least in public, the less we see Song Xi, the better. Fortunately, when I met with Song Xi before, he prepared your medicine for the next three days, one dose per day, enough for three days. I'll contact Song Xi again after three days."

"good."

***

With Song Xi's care, Madam Zhao's back injury healed quickly.

In just three days, she was already able to sit up in bed wearing loose clothing. At this moment, Xiao Han had prepared her medicine for the day and knocked on the door to enter. She saw Song Xi talking to Madam Zhao.

The dynamic between the two of them just isn't quite right.

Xiao Han carefully put the medicine down and said to Madam Zhao, "Master, the medicine is ready."

These words broke the silence between Song Xi and Madam Zhao. Madam Zhao said coldly, "You're too old to control now. Do as you please."

Song Xichao said to Xiao Han, "Go pack your things. Yangyang will be coming today. After I check her pulse and make sure she's alright, we'll leave here."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and walked out of the room.

Xiao Han and Madam Zhao were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

Watching his stubborn back, Madam Zhao said to Xiao Hanqi, "Look at him, look at him! I only told him to try to win Li Yang back because he was hiding in a corner and grieving. But he said that everyone has their own destiny, and that Li Yang was destined not to be his, and that it was useless to try. If I had thought like that back then, he wouldn't exist."

Xiao Han quickly comforted her, "Grandma, don't be angry, I have a solution."

Madam Zhao looked at him with her sharp eyes: "Speak."

Xiao Han glanced outside to make sure Song Xi wasn't nearby, then whispered, "One of the herbs Master gave to Madam Yuan is missing. When Madam Yuan arrives, Master will definitely notice something amiss when he takes her pulse."

Madam Zhao looked at him and said, "So we can't leave today?"

"No, we can walk."

“Then Xi’er insists on ensuring that Li Yang’s pulse is normal…” Madam Zhao paused, looked at Xiao Han, and said, “I understand what you mean. Go and prepare. I’ll take care of Xi’er.”