Chapter 18 Bliss on Earth

Meng Qingci's eyelashes trembled. How could she dare to take his words seriously? Under Fu Heng's seemingly tangible gaze, she hurriedly got off the bed and slipped on her shoes.

She gently patted the non-existent dust off the corner of her official robe with her delicate, boneless hand, wanting to say "it's not dirty," but then feeling that it would be an attempt to cover up the truth.

He neatly folded his scarlet official robes and respectfully placed them on the soft couch. Then he bowed and bid farewell to Fu Heng, before turning to leave as if fleeing.

Fu Heng: "Wait a minute."

Meng Qingci had no choice but to turn around as instructed, stand with her hands at her sides, her long eyelashes lowered, concealing all the emotions in her eyes.

Fu Heng pushed a book on the rosewood table closer to her with his slender fingers, his tone unusually approachable: "If you wish to travel south, you may stay here for a few days. You can then travel with my official ship, which will save you the trouble of traveling and ensure your safety."

Meng Qingci looked up, her gaze falling on the paper. Her heart tightened suddenly; it was the property deed she had just sold a few days ago. She then recalled how the buyer had inquired about her private affairs, seemingly unintentionally. It turned out that she had been recognized by Fu Heng's men back then.

She had originally intended to return to Biqiong Garden for another night, but now she wanted to board a ship and leave overnight. As long as she could get away from this place of trouble in the capital, anywhere would be fine.

"Thank you for your kindness, Third Master, but it's probably not on my way, so I won't disturb your journey. I'll take my leave today. Thank you for your kindness to me." Meng Qingci declined the letter as well, her figure as supple as a willow, and she curtsied deeply.

Fu Heng was offended by her kindness but didn't hold it against her. Instead, he was in a good mood and a faint, ambiguous smile appeared on his lips as he gazed at her with a half-smile: "Since you feel there is 'affection,' that's good. My efforts have not been in vain. Go."

He pronounced the word "love" with particular lingering tone, carrying a hint of indescribable playfulness.

Seeing how easy he was to talk to, Meng Qingci left with genuine gratitude and a lighter step.

When Mo Jian saw Qing'er come out of the study, he hurriedly went up to her and asked in a humble manner, "Now that the beating is about to begin, where would Miss Qing'er like to watch it?"

As the sun began to set, Meng Qingci had no time to care about anything else. She waved her hand impatiently and said, "Suit yourself, I won't look anymore."

Mo Jian watched her graceful figure disappear into the distance, and secretly clicked his tongue in amazement: He had dragged out the time he could, and had said everything he needed to say... Sigh, his heart was truly red enough to be ripped out!

Meng Qingci hurriedly returned to Biqiong Garden, rushed back to her room to get the luggage she had packed earlier. She had been hungry since noon, and also packed a few pieces of pastry from the plate on the table to take with her.

Just as she was about to go out, she heard someone calling her from outside: "Is Miss Qing'er here?"

Now, whenever Meng Qingci hears someone call 'Qing'er,' it's as if they're hooking her soul, making her blood freeze instantly, leaving her feeling uncomfortable all over, with every limb and bone resisting. But she recognizes the voice, so she can't ignore it even if she wanted to.

As soon as Xiuyu entered and saw Qing'er, her eyes reddened. She stepped forward and grabbed Meng Qingci's arm, refusing to let go. Her voice choked with sobs as she said, "Good girl, please go and see our mistress! I don't know what she did to offend the young master. This afternoon, he threw a tantrum in his room, and no servants were allowed to approach. All we could hear was our mistress crying inside. Right now, that little devil has left the manor. It's just a pity for the second mistress; she's like a lost soul in her room."

Two lines of clear tears dripped from Xiuyu's eyes as she pleaded hesitantly, "In this mansion, I don't know who else I can turn to. I only came to you as a last resort. Our mistress only listens to you to a certain extent. Considering her sincere and honest feelings for you, please, help our mistress."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiuyu was about to kneel down when Meng Qingci pulled her up and scolded her impatiently, "Speak properly if you have something to say, what are you doing?"

Xiuyu was pulled up, shaking her head while crying, "I know I shouldn't have come to you, but there are some things that our mistress doesn't say, but I can guess seven or eight parts of what's going on. Today's matter is probably because the young master knows that our mistress is always relaying messages to you, which angered her and caused her to lash out. I dare not have any other expectations, I only beg you to consider your past relationship with our mistress, go and take a look, and help persuade her, so that our mistress won't do anything rash."

Meng Qingci was a person of detached emotions. Xiuyu's tearful plea, though every word was filled with blood, could not move her. However, she did owe the Second Madam a favor for passing on the message, and it was difficult for her to refuse to repay the favor. Nevertheless, she did not immediately give in.

Because of the second son and his father, she never stepped into the second son's courtyard.

Seeing the scrutiny and hesitation in her eyes, Xiuyu thought: Just as the Second Madam said, Qing'er is a person of great loyalty and affection. She lowered her voice and persuaded her, "How could I not know your difficulties? It's just that the Marquis is away on official business and won't be returning. The servants around the Heir Apparent have just coaxed someone out of the manor to gamble and visit prostitutes. Once they leave, they'll definitely not come back overnight. Come with me to see our Madam and say a few words of advice. It will only take a short while. If you still have reservations, you can ask the gatekeeper to inquire before going over."

As she spoke, Xiuyu hardened her heart, raised three fingers, and swore solemnly: "If I have lied to you even half a word, may I be struck by lightning and never be reborn as a human in my next life."

When Meng Qingci saw Xiuyu make a vow, he believed her to some extent. However, he was worried that the Second Madam Jiang might have suicidal thoughts again because of her. After thinking for a moment, he still couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew that the life of the person he had shown kindness to was in danger, but he turned a blind eye to it.

Meng Qingci had already bid farewell to Fu Jingyu, so there was no need for her to go there again. She carried her bundle and followed Xiuyu to Shaoguang Courtyard.

In Cihui Pavilion, Second Madam Jiang had just finished serving Old Madam Wang dinner. For the past few days, Madam Jiang had been resting on the soft couch in Wang's outer room, taking care of Wang day and night. Now that she had some free time, she wanted to go back to her own courtyard to freshen up before coming over.

Wang lifted her eyelids, her eyes darkening: "Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Wang's mood has been unpredictable lately, but Jiang is used to it. She still tried to please her with a smile, saying, "Your wife should have changed her clothes a long time ago. Otherwise, they'll smell bad to Mother. Even if you don't mind, I'll still feel embarrassed."

"Have them serve you. There's a bathtub in my room; you can relax there." Madam Wang called over the servants and even asked them to find some of her bright clothes from her youth for Madam Jiang to wear.

Jiang was surprised by Wang's good mood, but she didn't want to go against it. She teased, "Then the daughter-in-law will have to be shameless and refuse. As long as Mother is happy, the daughter-in-law can be considered to be entertaining her mother." Wang waved her hand to signal Jiang to go quickly. When she saw Jiang lift the curtain and go out, the smile in her eyes disappeared, replaced by numbness and coldness.

Xiuyu held her hand all the way, thanking her repeatedly: "I will remember your great kindness today, young lady, for the rest of my life."

Meng Qingci sighed, "You've done your best for your wife, so there's no need to thank me. But if she gets better in the future, you'll still need to take care of her."

Xiuyu lowered her eyes: "The Second Madam is kind-hearted and treats us servants well. Naturally, we servants all remember the Madam's kindness."

Meng Qingci was absent-minded the whole way, feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure it out for a while and didn't realize that his few words with Xiuyu were mismatched.

Before long, they arrived at the door of the second wife, Jiang's, room. The entire Shaoguang Courtyard was quiet, without a single person in sight.

Xiuyu smiled apologetically, "They were all terrified today. Since Madam couldn't find anyone, she sent them all to a secluded place to rest." As she spoke, she turned to the door and reported, "Madam, Miss Qing'er has arrived."

After saying this, Xiuyu gently opened the door and invited Meng Qingci in.

As soon as Meng Qingci stepped into the room, the door behind him creaked shut with a bang.

Meng Qingci's heart skipped a beat and sank suddenly. She immediately turned around and pulled on the door, but the closed door did not budge.

"Qing'er, it's really difficult to just share the ultimate pleasure with you. Don't worry, I will make you addicted to this and cling to me so much that you can't stop eating."

The ethereal, frivolous voice of Prince Fu Hongxuan, like the hiss of a venomous snake, drifted over, sending chills down Qing'er's spine. She felt as if she were being stared at by a cold, slippery viper, her back stiffening inch by inch.

A note from the author:

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