Xue Huichun and Qi's wife strolled together on the path of the poetry club, surrounded by lanterns hung with riddles. The lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, creating a unique atmosphere.
"Mrs. Jiang, are you also interested in riddles?" asked the wife of the Qi family with a smile.
"When I was at my mother's house, I often played with my younger sister to relieve boredom, and I was quite interested in word puzzles." Xue Huichun responded, her eyes moving over the various word puzzles.
The two chatted as they walked, occasionally stopping to think about the answers to the riddles. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Xue Huichun discovered that although the wife of the Qi family dressed simply, her words and deeds revealed a unique temperament that made people involuntarily feel good about her.
"Mrs. Qi, were these riddles also written by your husband?" Xue Huichun asked curiously.
"Some of them are his, and some are masterpieces by other talented people in the poetry club," the Qi family's wife explained. "Although my husband doesn't hold an official position, he is quite knowledgeable about poetry and riddles. In his free time, he would discuss them with his friends in the poetry club."
Xue Huichun nodded and became a little curious about the husband of the Qi family's wife. He was not an official, but was able to marry such a gentle and virtuous wife. He must be an extraordinary person.
Suddenly, a burst of enthusiastic praise came from a distance.
"Mr. Qi's seven-character poem is truly a beautiful poem!"
"The rhyme is rigorous, the artistic conception is profound, and it complements the title perfectly. It is really wonderful!"
Xue Huichun looked over when he heard the voice, his gaze passing through the crowd and landing on a white-haired old man.
Although he is old, he is vigorous and energetic, standing out among a group of young talents.
Everyone called him "Mr. Qi". Xue Huichun's heart moved. Could it be that this old man was the husband of Mrs. Qi next to him?
However, she quickly rejected the idea, thinking that his age was not suitable for Madam Qi.
Maybe she was wrong. She turned to look at Madam Qi, but saw that she was also looking at the old man with a faint smile on her face.
"That's my husband." Madam Qi spoke calmly, as if she was just stating a trivial matter.
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Xue Huichun's face, and she immediately said apologetically, "I am guilty of the offense, Madam Qi, please forgive me."
Madam Qi asked softly, "Madam Jiang, do you know my maiden name?"
Xue Huichun shook her head, vaguely realizing that the other party's invitation to her was not just for fun, but had a deeper purpose.
"My maiden family is the impoverished Ning'an Marquis's Mansion," Madam Qi said slowly, "and my maiden name is Zhang Ruowan."
Xue Huichun stared at her, feeling an inexplicable uneasiness in her heart, as if a stone had been thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.
"If we're talking about seniority, I should call Lord Liang Fushan my cousin." Madam Qi, Zhang Ruowan, turned to Xue Huichun, a trace of regret on her face. "If no one were to interfere, perhaps I should call you 'cousin' instead of 'Madam Jiang'."
As Jiang Lun's wife, Xue Huichun naturally did not want such an old matter to become a topic of gossip.
She said seriously, "It's just a few jokes from the elders, how can you take it seriously? If you really take it as a basis, it would be spreading rumors and violate the etiquette."
After saying this, Xue Huichun turned around and wanted to go back along the path, but unexpectedly Zhang Ruowan stepped forward and blocked her way.
"Mrs. Jiang misunderstood. I didn't mean to cause trouble," Zhang Ruowan said with a hint of helplessness in her tone.
Xue Huichun did not back down either: "Now that Lord Liang is an official in the court and has made remarkable achievements, you are his relative, and since Madam Qi does not want to cause any trouble, there is no need to say more."
Zhang Ruowan knew she was in the wrong, but her chance encounter with Xue Huichun today brought a glimmer of hope to her hellish life and even inspired her with a bold idea.
"Mrs. Jiang..." Zhang Ruowan called softly, slowly lifting her sleeves.
"This?" Xue Huichun held up her wrist in surprise, only to see that it was covered with bloody pinch marks, blue and purple interlaced, which looked particularly shocking on the originally white arm.
"I can't say much right now, nor do I want to complain to you. My cousin... no, Lord Liang, he's already returned to the capital. I'm afraid many things will eventually become public knowledge. If you ever have any questions, Madam Jiang, please come to me at the Chunlin Poetry Club."
After saying that, it was Zhang Ruowan who hurried towards the tea room, leaving Xue Huichun with a look of surprise, standing there in a daze for a long time.
Jiang Lun walked through the bustling crowd near the poetry club and finally found Xue Huichun who was talking to someone.
He had a gentle smile on his face. After greeting everyone one by one, his eyes fell on Xue Huichun.
"My lady, you are here." Jiang Lun said softly, with a hint of intimacy in his tone.
Xue Huichun turned around and saw Jiang Lun, a faint smile appeared on her face.
Jiang Lun pointed to the pleasure boat parked by the lake and said, "It's still early. How about I take you boating on the lake or fishing?"
Xue Huichun was slightly stunned when she heard this. Somehow, she felt tired, but Jiang Lun's proposal made her feel a little moved.
However, thinking of what Zhang Ruowan had said just now, she felt a little worried again.
"Husband, I'm a little tired today. Why don't we come again next time?" Xue Huichun politely refused.
After hearing this, Jiang Lun suddenly thought of the scene in the wedding night last night, and immediately understood. He said considerately: "Then let's go back home and rest first." Then he asked the servant to park the carriage in front of the poetry club.
Then he turned to Yang Yulin and Qi Xianggong and said, "Everyone, I will go ahead today. I hope you can forgive me."
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