Little cousin

Footsteps approached, and the young man in plain clothes, who was sitting upright in the chair, looked up, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

The newcomer was dressed in a white robe, over which he wore a heavy, sturdy black outer robe, both in men's style. His hair was also styled in a masculine bun, tied high on his head, revealing his fair, oval face. His eyebrows were thick and well-defined, giving him a somewhat masculine air, but his watery eyes and thin lips added a touch of feminine softness, yet he did not appear pitiful or evoke pity.

She strode in, as dazzling as the blazing sun outside the window, almost blinding. Cheng Lang's gaze softened; after so many years, he had finally seen his little cousin again.

While Cheng Lang was sizing up Zhu Qinghe, Zhu Qinghe was also looking at him. Her cousin seemed to still be in poor health, his face pale and sickly. She subconsciously examined his face: small nose, slightly sunken forehead, and narrow forehead. Although his features were all quite outstanding, together they made him a sickly yet charming young man.

But this face suggests a soft-hearted, indecisive nature, making him easily taken advantage of. Zhu Qinghe sighed inwardly; it seemed her little cousin was still the same as when he was a child.

Thinking back, she realized she had been just like that before. But having been given a second chance at life, Zhu Qinghe believed she was no longer the weak and easily bullied person she once was. So, she felt a pang of heartache facing her still "incorrigible" cousin.

Cheng Lang greeted her warmly, "It's been many years. My cousin looks to be in good spirits. I went to the Zhu residence to visit you but was surprised to learn that you had moved out. I was worried that you weren't doing well, but it seems I was overthinking it."

Zhu Qinghe humbly replied, "Thank you for your concern, cousin. I just do some casual business. I'm only grateful for the shop my mother left me, otherwise I would have starved to death."

“By the way, cousin,” Zhu Qinghe asked, “why did you suddenly go to the Zhu residence?”

After all, it had been so many years since they last met. Didn't he go back to his hometown with his parents before? Although she didn't remember things from her childhood very clearly, she did recall that Cheng Lang's parents were unable to take care of him because of some trouble they had in their hometown. Cheng Lang's mother and Zhu Qinghe's mother were sisters and had always had a good relationship.

So even though Zhu Qinghe's mother had already passed away, Master Zhu still took in the orphaned Cheng Lang.

Three years later, the matter was resolved, and Cheng Lang's parents took him away from the Zhu family. This separation lasted for so many years.

Cheng Lang said, "It's a bit embarrassing to admit. I came to the capital to take the exam, so I had to shamelessly stay at the Zhu residence. Moreover, Master Zhu is a refined and scholarly man, so staying at the Zhu residence makes it convenient for me to learn from him."

Zhu Qinghe nodded. That's true. Her cheap father didn't have any other merits, except that he was good at taking exams. Looking at it this way, the Zhu family's genes are actually quite good. It's just a pity that she didn't inherit any of them.

She gets a headache just looking at those classical Chinese books; nothing beats the joy of making money by telling fortunes.

"So you're so amazing, cousin. Then I wish you success in the imperial examination and that you become a high-ranking official soon." Zhu Qinghe gave a common blessing and then chatted with Cheng Lang about their recent situations over the past few years.

When the conversation turned to her, Cheng Lang's gaze fell on the obviously ill-fitting, oversized outer robe she was wearing, and a look of doubt crossed his eyes: "Where did my cousin go today, and whose clothes are you wearing?"

Zhu Qinghe followed his gaze and realized that she was still wearing Shen Wumei's outer robe. Shen Wumei's face flashed before her eyes, and she unconsciously bit her lower lip. "Recently, Sai Banxian has run into some trouble and gotten involved in a case. I went to be investigated."

Cheng Lang hurriedly inquired about the reason, and Zhu Qinghe answered him with ease. The two talked for a while longer, and when it was almost time, Cheng Lang took his leave and returned to the Zhu residence.

Before leaving, he gave her an invitation. The invitation was elegant in appearance, with a lifelike crane delicately painted on it in gold. The handwriting on the inner pages was graceful and neat. Zhu Qinghe glanced at it and saw that the words were very literary. The gist of the invitation was to invite literati and scholars to the elegant residence to compose poems, paint, and enjoy fragrant tea.

The inscription is from the Yunhe Poetry Society.

Zhu Qinghe had heard of the Yunhe Poetry Society; it was a favorite haunt for the literati and talented women of the capital to express their feelings and pass the time. However—Zhu Qinghe was a little puzzled as to why Cheng Lang had given her this invitation.

Cheng Lang smiled gently: "I am new to the capital and not familiar with this place yet. Since I am a candidate for the imperial examination this year, Master Zhu gave me these two invitations so that I can broaden my horizons and make some friends."

"There are two invitations, and I don't have any friends here. After thinking it over, I realized that only my cousin can go with me."

So that's how it is. Zhu Qinghe understood. She naturally wouldn't refuse such a small matter, so she said, "As long as my cousin doesn't think I'm embarrassing myself, I'll have no problem with it."

"How could that be? Cousin, don't be so modest."

Zhu Qinghe shook her head: "This is not being modest. I can only read. I am not good at anything else, such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, let alone composing poetry."

It could be said that she knew nothing but fortune telling.

Cheng Lang didn't mind: "It's alright, I'll come pick you up in three days."

Zhu Qinghe agreed. After seeing Cheng Lang off, she stretched. These past few days had been too tumultuous. Now that the Xiao family case was resolved, she could finally get a good night's sleep.

Shen Wumei was very efficient; the next day, a big-character poster clearing Sai Banxian's name was already posted on the bulletin board.

A crowd of onlookers gathered, layer upon layer, and the man at the front read aloud the contents of the big-character poster. After listening, the crowd was filled with emotion.

“I knew Mr. Science wouldn’t do such a thing.”

"Of course, I have to go to Mr. Science every day to get a peace charm before I can work with peace of mind."

"That's great! Mr. Science was indeed wronged. It must be because his fortune-telling was too accurate that he got into this mess. We should support Mr. Science more often in the future."

"That's right, you're absolutely right."

Zhu Qinghe, sporting a small mustache, discreetly read the notice from the crowd, feeling quite satisfied. With Sai Banxian's name cleared and her reputation restored, her future looked brighter than ever.

Lord Shen is quite reliable, isn't he? Zhu Qinghe recalled the previous scene replaying itself. Although Shen Wumei didn't tell her who the murderer was in the end, she had a pretty good idea.

Combining the round pit on the shore, the scar on the butler's head, and the scratches on the pool wall, one can vaguely imagine what happened.

In the pitch-black night, the man and the butler were strolling by the lake. The butler was staring absentmindedly in the direction of Xiao Yuanzhou's house. Unfortunately, he saw Xiao Yuanzhou, disguised as Xiao Yuanyou, appear. The figure was blurry, and he felt guilty. He was flustered and distracted, and was pushed into the lake by the person next to him.

After that, the people on the shore quickly lay down and used their canes to press the butler's head hard into the water, preventing him from surfacing. The butler had already choked on a lot of water, and being pressed to the surface made him unable to get oxygen. After struggling for a while, he only left a few futile bloodstains on the pool wall before reluctantly sinking into the water and becoming a cold corpse.

The cool, dark water reflected only an old, hateful face—that of Master Xiao.

If the real culprit is Master Xiao, then it makes perfect sense. He has a motive, and the murder weapon matches. After all, besides Master Xiao's cane, there's nothing else in the Xiao mansion that matches that small round hole.

The case was closed, but Zhu Qinghe felt a heavy weight in her heart. Who was ultimately responsible for the tragedy that befell the Xiao family?

Is it Master Xiao? If he hadn't been lusting after a beautiful woman and taken a concubine, that vicious woman wouldn't have come along.

Is this the current Madam Xiao? She should have behaved herself after marrying into the Xiao family. Why did she have to be so vicious as to kill the original Madam Xiao and then cruelly abuse Xiao Yuanzhou? In the end, she reaped what she sowed.

She also committed adultery with the steward and conspired to murder Xiao Yuanzhou, but inadvertently caused the death of her own son. Xiao Yuanyou, meanwhile, became an unwitting victim of this power struggle and was sent to his death in a daze.

It's truly pathetic and lamentable.

With the case solved, Zhu Qinghe has been focusing all her attention on Sai Banxian's business these past few days. When Cheng Lang came to pick her up early that morning, she was wondering why she was there.

Cheng Lang could tell from her expression that she had forgotten his invitation, but he was gentle and not angry. He just smiled and sighed, "Cousin, have you forgotten that you were supposed to accompany me to the Yunhe Poetry Society today?"

Upon hearing his words, Zhu Qinghe slapped her forehead, realizing what had happened. She said embarrassedly, "Cousin, wait for me a moment. I'll go change my clothes and come right away."

Zhu Qinghe had never been to the Yunhe Poetry Society before, but she was just there for show today. Her main purpose was to help Cheng Lang make friends and expand his social circle in the capital, so she changed into a women's dress. Although it was not gorgeous or expensive, the fabric was exquisite and the tailoring was appropriate, so it was not impolite.

Zhu Qinghe quickly changed her clothes and went out. When Cheng Lang saw her, his eyes lit up and a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes.

Zhu Qinghe didn't notice anything amiss; she just felt a bit awkward suddenly switching back to women's clothing after wearing men's clothes for so long.

She's living a much rougher life now, but what can she do? Life forces her to be.

The Yunhe Poetry Society's gathering was held at Yakeju, a place that, as its name suggests, was frequented by learned scholars and had no commoners among its visitors. Those who gathered there were all refined gentlemen, each dressed in flowing white robes and carrying a fan, exuding an air of elegance.

Passing through a wide veranda and smelling the faint sandalwood scent in the air, this elegant guesthouse is divided into two floors. The male guests are on the first floor, distributed in different private rooms. Some who like to make friends set up couplets on the huge table in the lobby and wait for others to match them.

As soon as Cheng Lang entered, he was attracted by the couplets hanging there. Zhu Qinghe, on the other hand, was not interested in them at all. Two simply dressed maids led the way, and she followed them to the women's area on the second floor.

Upon reaching the second floor, Zhu Qinghe was immediately drawn to the pastries displayed in the central rest area. She politely inquired, "Ladies, may I ask if these pastries are free to eat?"

Upon hearing this, the lead maid with slanted eyes revealed a look of disdain, while another maid with a round face and round eyes replied with a smile, "Yes, the tea and pastries at the Elegant Abode are free, just for the young ladies and gentlemen to eat and drink."

"Are you hungry, young lady?"

Zhu Qinghe patted her belly and smiled sheepishly, "A little bit."

"Then I'll take the girl there."

"No need, no need," Zhu Qinghe quickly waved her hand, "I can manage on my own, you guys go ahead and do your work."

Upon hearing this, the woman with the slanted eyes snorted coldly and swaggered away. The kind maidservant said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Miss, that's just her personality."

Zhu Qinghe said she was fine, so she left. Zhu Qinghe happily went to the rest area and slowly ate her pastries.

She suddenly realized that this elegant guesthouse wasn't so bad after all.