Chapter 45: So what if I admit that I like her?

In mid-April, Huaicheng was still experiencing the chill of early spring or even late winter.

When Zhu Hao opened the door, what caught his eye was Song Xieqing leaning leisurely on a rocking chair shaded by an ancient pomegranate tree.

Song Xieqing glanced sideways. The young woman's face was pale, a look of weariness that even rouge and powder could not conceal. She stood in the sunlight, clad in a long, goose-yellow silk dress. The thin sunlight filtered through her dress, faintly revealing her slender arms. He knew the fragility of the dress. Song Xieqing frowned silently, and only when Miaoli ran out of the house, clutching the cloak, and carefully put it on her and tightened it, did he remove his eyes from her.

Miaoli smoothed Zhuhao's collar and hurried to the small kitchen to bring him some warmed medicinal soup. "Sister, it's cold today, so I added a little asarum to the medicine to warm you up." Miaoli lowered her brows and muttered, "Sister, you're even weaker today... Can't you just stay home and rest for a day?"

Zhu Hao drank the medicine in one gulp, and she gently stroked Miaoli's forehead, "Good Miaoli, I'm fine, I just felt pain for a while in the middle of the night, but I'm fine now." She was afraid that Miaoli would worry, so she endured the residual soreness in her lower abdomen, lifted up the hem of her skirt and jumped happily in front of Miaoli. Unexpectedly, she stumbled and fell into Miaoli's arms, and they both laughed.

In the middle of the night, her period suddenly arrived, the pain so severe that Zhu Hao couldn't sleep. She circled around Miao Li again and said with a smile, "Good Miao Li, I wasn't kidding you, was I? Look, I'm really fine." Zhu Hao handed the empty bowl back. "If you have time, please take some of the nourishing medicine that Zhongchun Hall sent to the Shi family a few days ago. It's a big trouble for you to come."

Half a month ago, Shi Yu fell down the stairs and sprained several bones. Because of this, Shi Chunsheng had not yet returned to Beijing. However, because Shi Chunsheng was caring for Shi Yu, the two had had very few opportunities to meet since the pilgrimage. Zhu Hao thought that it would be a good idea for the old man to use some nourishing soup and medicine. After she finished her work at the clothing store, she would go to the Shi family to visit.

Miao Li smiled and said, "I'm so lucky to have your support, how could I feel tired? Don't worry, I'll send it to the Shi family soon."

Although Miaoli hoped that Zhuhao would rest at home, she knew that she could not persuade her, so she had to take the medicine bowl and go back to the small kitchen to wash it.

Zhu Hao couldn't help but smile as he looked at the busy little girl. Miao Li became even more eloquent and kept saying nice things to make her happy.

Zhu Hao collected her thoughts and walked forward with her cloak rolled up. When she was only a few steps away from Song Xieqing, she stole a glance at him. Unexpectedly, he was also looking at her at this moment. Zhu Hao's body stiffened. She quickly looked away and said indifferently as she walked, "Good morning, Immortal Lord."

It was clearly a greeting, but her tone was extremely cold. Song Xieqing smiled. In the past half month, except for the greeting every morning, she hardly said a word to him.

Before, although she would also address him as "Immortal Lord", most of the time it was meant to be teasing. In the past half month, she seemed to be greeting him and respectfully addressed him as "Immortal Lord", but in fact she wished she could push him eight hundred miles away.

Miaoli, who was not far away, naturally took in everything the two did. She knew that her sister and Young Master Song had remarried. She had seen Young Master Song walking through the inner courtyard recently. Last month, her sister had even cleaned up a neighboring room for Young Master Song. Thinking of this, Miaoli found it difficult to understand. Since they had remarried, why did they have to sleep in separate rooms?

Although Miao Li didn't hear what they said clearly, it was easy to tell that her sister treated him with indifference. Could it be... that they had a quarrel? She naturally disliked this Mr. Song. Even if he reconciled with her sister, it would be difficult to please her. What kind of man could such a man be?

…

When Zhu Hao stepped into the door of Qiongyifang, there were already many young ladies choosing clothes there. Since the reopening of Qiongyifang, the business of this building has been picking up as expected.

A place where many people gather and hundreds of voices are heard, it is also a treasure trove for gathering information from all directions.

Zhu Hao listened carefully and found that the discussion was about the eldest lady of the Xie family eloping with her lover.

"Shh, I never thought Madam Xie would be back after just one day away? I heard... she was soaking wet when she returned home this morning! I wonder where she fell into a puddle. Could it be that that poor scholar cheated her out of money and sex, and then her lover kicked her into the ditch?"

"You didn't listen carefully enough! How could Xie Shangqing be kicked into a ditch by her lover? It's...her lover is dead! On the way to the clothing shop, I just saw her being taken away by officials from the government office for questioning!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone exclaimed in surprise. A young woman in green clothes stepped out from the inner room where guests changed their skirts and continued, "Ah! What a coincidence! My second brother is on duty at the government office, so he knows a thing or two! It's said that Xie Shangqing and the poor scholar secretly boarded a merchant ship at Yuequan Wharf, and it was robbed by pirates. Somehow, the entire merchant ship, including the scholar, died. Oh! Yuequan Wharf... it seems like there was a pirate robbery last year too? They actually took away all the cloth from one merchant! Not a single piece was left!"

Upon hearing this, the cloth in Zhu Hao's hand rolled to the ground with a sound that was neither loud nor soft, attracting the attention of all the young ladies.

"Huh? Why are all these girls gathered together talking about something instead of carefully comparing their clothes?"

Everyone turned their attention to the person who spoke, but saw that person lift the curtain and walk into the inner building. She was wearing high-quality silk brocade with flower and bird patterns. Zhu Hao only took one look at her and was horrified.

Everyone stood still, and only the young lady in green clothes came forward and said with a big smile, "Madam Zhu."

Wish you raised your eyebrows, Mrs. Wish?

There are only a handful of people with the surname Zhu in Huaicheng.

Duan Meiyin didn't give Miss Cuishan a good look. She walked straight towards Zhu Haoxing and shook her hand, "Little cousin?"

The woman in green clothes was humiliated but did not retaliate. She just quietly retreated to the side.

Zhu Hao felt uncomfortable and pulled his hand back, "Do I know my wife?"

The woman wore a gold hairpin and jade pendants, and had a voluptuous figure. She looked like a noble lady. She was heavily made up, but there was a hint of brilliance in her eyes.

Duan Meiyin raised her voice slightly, hinting at something: "Congratulations to Qi on welcoming his new wife at the end of the year."

Zhu Hao looked Duan Meiyin up and down, and she was silent and had never heard of this matter.

She and Zhu Qi were not very close. Moreover, there was always a thorn in Zhu Hao's heart because the brocade she bought from Nanjun last year was looted by "water bandits". She thought that Zhu Qi wished he could strangle her to death because of his mother's imprisonment. Although they were cousins, they did not interact with each other. Instead, this "cousin-in-law" in front of her came forward without knowing the reason. What did this mean?

"Why should we address each other so formally? Just call me by my name." Zhu Hao calmly glanced at Duan Meiyin's dress, a flicker of light flickering beneath his half-lidded eyelashes. "Madam, did you come here today to choose some clothes? Unfortunately, Shopkeeper Liu is still busy upstairs. If you don't mind, I'd like to take a look at it for you. I wonder which workshop produced the silk brocade you're wearing? It looks quite extraordinary. I'm afraid the ones in Qiongyilou are a little inferior. I'm afraid your trip was in vain."

Duan Meiyin stroked her skirt and flicked her fingers. "It's just a gift from my husband. As for where it came from..." She raised her eyes and paid attention to the tip of Zhu Hao's eyebrows and the corner of her eyes, trying to see something unusual, but the woman in front of her was completely guarded. Duan Meiyin curled her lips and said, "My husband never told me. As a woman, I don't understand this..."

She smiled gently, "Then, please recommend some dress styles for me."

Zhu Hao smiled back and led Duan Meiyin inside. The building inside Qiongyifang was spacious, and skirts of different styles were mostly displayed in separate rows.

Duan Meiyin glanced at a few of the skirts, then suddenly clutched her stomach and said with difficulty, "Xiao Zhu... my stomach aches. I wonder what kind of unclean food the slaves at home fed me... where is the toilet?"

Zhu Hao took advantage of the situation and supported Duan Meiyin. He wanted to take the opportunity to lift her sleeve, but Duan Meiyin quickly pressed it down. Zhu Hao smiled calmly and helped her walk slowly towards the curved corridor on the left. "Madam, this is it."

The two walked along the winding corridor and came to an open space. There was a flower pond on the side that was bottomless.

Zhu Hao let go of Duan Meiyin. She took two steps back and pointed to one side, saying, "Go around the flower pond and it's the front room."

"Thank you, Xiaozhu." Duan Meiyin walked tremblingly around the flower bed. When she reached the edge of the pond, she covered her lower abdomen again with a look of pain on her face.

Zhu Hao did not go forward. The people around her had already told her the exact location, so why should she ask for trouble?

When Duan Meiyin moved, she flipped her inner sleeve halfway out, Zhu Hao's heart skipped a beat, but it was just a quick flick, so Zhu Hao couldn't see clearly.

She thought for a moment, strode forward, and Zhu Hao pulled one of her arms. This time, she did not give Duan Meiyin a chance to react. Zhu Hao simply lifted the edge of her sleeve. No matter the front or back of the brocade, the pattern was the same.

The patterns on the reverse side of ordinary brocades are mostly shapeless, or not as clear and exquisite as those on the front side. However, the brocade that Zhu Hao bought from Nanjun last year had patterns on both sides, so he could make clothes from both sides.

Furthermore, although flower and bird patterns are common, the pattern sold to her by the Nanjun merchant was not an ordinary one. The bird had colorful feathers and the flowers were in bud. The Nanjun merchant once said that the pattern was unique and would only be sold once. Therefore, for a mere fifteen pieces costing nearly three hundred taels, the brocade Duan Meiyin was wearing not only had the same pattern as the one she was robbed by pirates, but also had the same pattern on both sides. And she happened to be Zhu Qi's wife. How could there be so many coincidences in the world?

The most urgent task is to find a way to get the brocade she is wearing. She did not confront Zhu Qi back then because it was difficult to collect evidence. It seems that the woman in front of her has no idea of ​​the pros and cons of this matter. How could Duan Meiyin dare to wear a skirt made of this brocade and parade in front of her?

Duan Meiyin's eyes darkened slightly. She pushed Zhu Hao away and asked loudly, "Why are you using so much force? You hurt me! Why, now that you see that Aqi is rich and dotes on his wife, you start to regret not marrying him back then? Yuequan Wharf..."

Duan Meiyin's eyes twitched and her heart was filled with fear. Zhu Hao's body seemed to be boneless and was about to collapse by the pool. She just now... didn't use much strength at all!

…

Chi Xing brought the nectar from the upper realm and a pair of three-legged cups and knocked on the door of Zhu's house.

At the pavilion by the water, he casually filled Song Xiqing's glass with fine wine.

Song Xieqing raised his head and sipped lightly, then asked, "Is there any news about her?"

Chi Xing remained silent. Song Xieqing understood and said, "I've searched so hard until now, but still can't find her. She probably doesn't want to see me. From now on... there's no need to look for her anymore. How can I know if she's still herself? Or if I'm still myself?"

"You've guessed about 70% right. Although I know your mother is a minor immortal of flowers and plants, she's definitely not an ordinary immortal without rank or divine position. She's capable of concealing her identity and whereabouts, so even Father God can't find her. Besides..." Chi Xing sighed, "My mother doesn't want him to look for her either."

Song Xieqing expressed his understanding. His father and Chi Xing's mother had been married for a long time. It was only because of some strange coincidence that they were ordered by the Emperor of Heaven to go down to the mortal world to bless the people. He lost his memory and divine power and married his mother in a mortal body. Little did he know that both of them were not mortal bodies.

"However, you must search for her. You must live or die. Apart from your mother's matter, what else do you want to live for? However... if your mother doesn't show up of her own accord, it will probably take quite some time. Therefore, if you don't resolve the heavenly punishment, how can you know how to live to see that day? The most urgent thing is, I advise you to marry Madam Zhu as soon as possible..."

Chi Xing pondered for a moment and said, "Madam Zhu, I should like you a little."

Song Xieqing almost blurted out: "How long can she like me?"

After he finished speaking, he lost his mind. Song Xieqing heard Chi Xing's words from the side, and never thought about how to cover it up, nor did he think about stopping her feelings, but subconsciously asked back - how long can she like him.

Just because he has never experienced love doesn't mean he is stupid about it.

She was just a nineteen-year-old girl, how could he not see through her thoughts.

Zhu Hao rarely interacted with other men, and Song Xieqing believed that her current vague feelings were nothing more than a youthful illusion. Besides, what could he possibly have that was worthy of her affection? Over time, without the need for other people to push her, she would naturally come to her senses. Therefore, he never considered trying to stop her illusory feelings.

However, he lost his composure.

It seems like a simple rhetorical question, but it is full of vinegar.

The last time she visited Qinse Palace, Song Xieqing saw from the red thread conjured by Song Yue that she was destined to be a perfect match with Shi Chunsheng in this life.

...Shi Chunsheng is not as good a match for her. He comes from a poor family, suffers from a hereditary disease, and has no good way to make a living. Fortunately, she has made great efforts and has no problem supporting herself.

Before this, the love that he had ignored or even sneered at in front of others had slowly climbed up the wall of his heart like a branch breaking through the soil. He thought it was just a new bud that could be strangled at any time. However, when others asked him about it, he found that it was not the case.

Chi Xing frowned, and Song Xieqing met his gaze calmly, but accidentally knocked over the wine cup beside him.

The surroundings were so quiet that the only sound was the splash of jade liquid along the edge of the table onto the blue bricks. Chi Xing's fingertips rested on the rolling three-legged wine cup on the table. He rarely looked serious and asked in a deep voice, "Alang, when did it start?"

His question was not direct, and could even be described as implicit, but Song Xieqing was definitely not a fool.

Song Xieqing raised his finger slightly, and the wine on the table gradually condensed into water droplets. He bent his finger, and the water droplets floated in the air, gathered together in an instant, and poured into the cup.

When did it start?

Song Xieqing scoffed, "Do you still remember how many sips of wine you drank just now? Do you still remember how many hours you slept yesterday?"

"That's the implication." Chi Xing raised his chin and said with a smile, "Xie Qingjun, are you admitting defeat?"

Seeing that Song Xieqing had collected all the spilled wine into the three-legged cup, Chi Xing recalled the day of Song Xieqing's wedding with Zhu Hao. He had made a joking remark to test Song Xieqing. At that time, Song Xieqing said calmly, "If I admire her, I will admit defeat."

Song Xieqing turned the wine cup, and the water rippled. He smiled calmly, "So what?"

Chi Xing had never seen Song Xieqing like this before - flustered and stubborn, frequently misbehaving in front of him.

"So, Xie Qingjun likes this style?" He thought about Zhu's good fortune and had to remind him, "Song Xie Qing, you should know that Miss Zhu..."

Looking up, Chi Xing suddenly saw Song Xieqing standing up by the edge of the table, the three-legged cup was overturned and the wine spilled everywhere. He clenched his jaw and there seemed to be fire in the depths of his eyes.

A hundred years later, he is now alone and free from all constraints. Apart from that mortal girl whose life is about to end, what else, who else, could make him like this?