2 Chapter 2
◎The hardships she endured for the first seventeen years weren't in vain; she's finally reaping the rewards!◎
Chapter Two
The door was open, and she intended to wait for Xie Lang to come out in the corridor, but Xie Wu bowed and invited her in.
The study of the Minister of Justice, a place of utmost importance, was being entered by her so easily? This was something Liu Qingqing hadn't expected, but since Xie Wu had invited her, it must be his master's intention. It was a proper marriage, so Liu Qingqing had nothing to be afraid of entering.
The footsteps behind him faded into the distance, and when he turned around, Xie Wu was nowhere to be seen.
Not seeing Xie Lang, Liu Qingqing surveyed his study. It was very simple, clearly the space Xie Lang usually used for working alone. There was only a table, a chair, and a lamp. Behind the table was a bookshelf full of files, none of which she could read. Liu Qingqing lowered her head and composed herself.
The study was furnished with ordinary items, but the Cymbidium goeringii growing beside the low couch on the east wall was particularly beautiful, its lush green leaves spreading freely on the ground, which she envied.
Just as she was wondering why Xie Lang hadn't arrived yet, she was also curious that there must be some hidden secret behind the bookshelf, otherwise where had he gone? She felt a bit like a cunning rabbit with three burrows, and her sense of reality regarding her husband being the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review deepened.
I should be more careful when interacting with him in the future.
As she stared at the orchids emerging from the depths, her brows suddenly furrowed slightly. There seemed to be something under the folded leaves. After a moment's hesitation, she walked over, bent down, and picked it up. Only after parting the lush leaves did she see that it was a piece of yellowed white paper.
This piece of paper seemed to have been lying here for a while; the edges were wet, warped, and wrinkled. Afraid of damaging the paper, Liu Qingqing carefully pulled it out. As she pulled, the paper unfolded, and when she inadvertently saw the words on it, her expression changed drastically, her cherry-red lips turning deathly pale.
Just then, her worst fears came true. As Liu Qingqing felt a cold sweat break out on her back, she suddenly heard Xie Lang's footsteps. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, but she calmly stuffed the note into her chest and, as he was behind her, turned to the side and straightened her clothes.
"My husband, please wait a moment. My undergarments are a bit uncomfortable."
After a long while, Xie Lang finally hummed in response. Liu Qingqing's fingers, which were pretending to move, paused slightly, and her fair ears suddenly turned red.
On their wedding day, amidst the hustle and bustle, the two of them didn't have much interaction. She only remembered the halo of light shining through her red veil and his warm hand supporting her.
After two years apart, this was the first time she had spoken to Xie Lang without anyone else around, and her ears were itching to hear him. It was different from before. If his voice used to be like a crisp apple, now it was like an apricot she had stolen from Liu Qingying when she was a child. The ripe apricot had a sour skin and sweet flesh, and when she ate it, it crunched down her throat. Just listening to his voice made her swallow her saliva.
Are your legs sore?
She quickly came to her senses and looked up, only to see his hand outstretched in front of her. The veins on the back of his hand, as perfect as jade, were slightly raised. How could it be so alluring to her?
Seeing that she seemed to be lost in thought, he let out a helpless chuckle, and his warm hand went down to support her forearm, holding it tightly. "Excuse me, Madam."
Before Liu Qingqing could react, she was easily lifted up like a duckling. She lost her balance and swayed slightly, but those hands gently supported her waist to help her regain her footing.
Liu Qingqing paused for a moment before blushing and slowly raising her eyes to look at the man standing opposite her, who was so close to her.
When she saw his face clearly, Liu Qingqing was stunned again, and her fragile heart trembled once more.
She hadn't looked at him closely for two years, and now her husband's hands were as white as jade, and his looks were far more outstanding than before. He was handsome in the past, but then he was like an unsharpened sword; two years had passed, and the blade had been sharpened, its edge gleaming!
At this moment, she had only one thought—her mother must be a goddess from heaven who arranged this wonderful marriage for her so early on. This marriage not only helped her escape that den of wolves and tigers, but also gave her such a stunning beauty as her husband.
It truly proves the saying that the hardships she endured for the first seventeen years were not in vain; now she's really reaping the rewards!
As soon as he stepped into the study, Liu Qingqing, lost in thought, was caught off guard by his presence and slowed down a step.
She had a keen sense of smell since childhood, and as soon as she stepped into the study, she smelled a light and sweet floral fragrance.
Xie Lang has always preferred to use the light and elegant fragrance of moon unicorn.
A vague thought flashed through her mind, like a nimble snake's tail, instantly wrapping around her ankle, only to be swallowed up by Xie Lang's sudden, gentle question.
Do you like the items?
The moment I looked up, I met his gentle eyes. His words were so familiar, as if there had been no separation or estrangement between them over the past month.
No, not just one month.
During their wedding, her face was covered by a veil, so she couldn't see him, only feel his warm hand. The time before that, no candles were lit in the room; only the darkness outlined his vague silhouette. And before that, Qing Lingling hadn't clearly seen his face for two years…
At that moment, upon seeing him clearly, Liu Qingqing's heart pounded wildly.
Xie Lang is now truly heroic and handsome.
Like a tall ginkgo tree in autumn suddenly turning yellow, its beauty is dazzling. He is taller and stronger than before, and his brocade clothes fit him perfectly, outlining his powerful lines.
It is no wonder that this is a family tradition of military generals.
This reminded her of the storybooks she had treasured before her marriage, which were then snatched away and burned by Granny Li.
The description there is so detailed, how strong and handsome the lover is, how irresistible he is.
Although she did not consummate her marriage with Xie Lang, thanks to the stories in the novel, she knew a great deal about this.
What are you thinking about!
"like."
Liu Qingqing quickly lowered her eyes; did he not see her burning ears?
"If you like it, that's fine."
Xie Lang still held her arm. Her summer clothes were thin, and the warmth of his hands seeped through the fabric, making them feel hot. Xie Lang seemed oblivious to his wife's embarrassment, and continued to apologize softly from a distance of half a step away, "I've been very busy with official duties lately. Please forgive me, Madam, is that alright?"
The humid heat in the courtyard seemed to be driven into the house by the incessant chirping of cicadas, crowding between the two of them. Liu Qingqing felt that the stories she had read in her mind were like burning charcoal, making her body increasingly hot and thirsty.
Xie Lang remained silent for a long while, but Liu Qingqing could feel his gentle gaze fixed on her, as if he wouldn't give up until he received her answer.
"good,"
She forced down her wandering thoughts and started talking to him seriously, "So, are you likely to come back tonight?"
Fearing Xie Lang might misunderstand, she quickly looked up and said hastily, "I need to prepare dinner in advance."
She met Xie Lang's dark eyes, as if he could see right through her. Her heartstrings faltered slightly, and she quietly clenched the sleeve covering her palm.
Just then, someone hurried over and knocked softly on the door. Xie Lang looked in the direction of the sound, then bowed his head and greeted her.
Knowing this was a signal of urgent official business, Liu Qingqing didn't dwell on his reply. She simply glanced at him again as she turned to leave, saying, "If you don't return tonight, send someone to let me know. Don't leave me waiting in vain."
Xie Lang was stunned by this glance, and by the time he came to his senses, Liu Qingqing had already gone far away.
Xie Wu, who was waiting to the side, glanced at his master's eyes for a while before stepping forward and whispering, "My lord, the Regent requests your presence."
Xie Lang glanced at him sideways: "How do we get there?"
"I will take you through the secret passage."
Xie Wu felt a tightness in his scalp, and his voice became even lower, almost inaudible.
Xie Lang nodded to indicate that he understood, but as he walked deeper into the study, he suddenly looked back.
The hanging flower gate was already empty.
Liu Qingqing was annoyed with herself.
As she stepped out of the corridor, a gust of wind swept over her, and Liu Qingqing shivered, realizing that she had actually broken out in a sweat in a short time. She didn't rush to leave, but gently pressed her numb left arm and pretended to straighten her slightly wrinkled long sleeves.
Thinking of how she had just appeared in front of Xie Lang, she couldn't help but let out a low groan and cover her face.
How embarrassing! I've heard that Xie Lang prefers gentle and refined ladies. I hope he doesn't find out that he goes limp at the slightest touch from him.
Although she envied the passionate love between the women and their lovers in the storybooks, she was determined to live a good life with him before getting married, and she was content as long as they could be a harmonious and respectful couple.
Knowing that those storybooks could not be shown to others, Liu Qingqing secretly gave them all away to others early on. Some of them were so badly damaged that they could not even be given away, and were all burned to ashes by Li Mama under pressure.
But what's the use of burning it? Those things are already etched into her mind.
Liu Qingqing was annoyed. She had come up with this foolish idea because no one had taught her about matters between men and women. But after reading it, she found that the storybook about how to talk about love at night was really interesting.
She couldn't imagine that Xie Lang would one day be as passionate as the man in the book. Xie Lang was upright and proper, and he probably did his job properly in bed at night. Liu Qingqing felt quite sorry for his heroic figure.
"A calm mind brings coolness."
She gazed at the swaying shadows of the trees in the distance and murmured softly.
I watched quietly for a while before continuing to walk back, my mind preoccupied with thoughts as I went.
Logically speaking, Xie Lang, as the eldest son and heir of the Marquis's mansion, should have his courtyard in the best location besides the main courtyard.
But that's not the case. In this large mansion with three sets of five courtyards in one building, their courtyard was in a quiet corner far from the main courtyard, only one courtyard away from the main gate of the Marquis's mansion. On the contrary, the courtyard of the concubine's house was right next to the main courtyard.
Their courtyard is divided into inner and outer sections. Recently, Xie Lang has been staying in the study in the outer courtyard, and a separate small door has been opened for him, saying that it is convenient for him to come and go when he is busy with official business.
Upon entering, the old lady had someone lead her around the mansion. It was a five-courtyard complex, but most of the courtyards were empty, the gates were locked, and there was a sense of desolation and loneliness.
She was thinking about the Xie family. They had only been married into the family for a little over a month, and their methods were quite different from the open and ruthless methods used by her family. However, the atmosphere in the Marquis's mansion was rather mysterious and strange.
The Xie family was one of the most prominent families in the capital. Xie Lang's grandfather, Xie Lingcheng, and Xie Lang's father, Xie Dang, had repeatedly performed meritorious service under the founding emperor and were granted the title of Loyal and Martial General. A few years later, Xie Lingcheng was granted the title of Loyal and Martial Marquis. Unfortunately, Xie Lingcheng suffered too many old wounds from fighting on the battlefield and died young before enjoying much glory. Xie Dang then inherited the title.
The Xie family was not very large; General Xie only had two sons, one legitimate and one illegitimate. Now that General Xie has passed away, the old lady is still alive. She is kind and loving, in good health, and has a reasonable and straightforward personality. She now oversees the inner courtyard of the Marquis's mansion, managing it in an orderly manner.
Xie Dang married at a young age at the behest of his parents. After their marriage, the two lived in harmony. Xie Dang devoted himself to his wife, never having any romantic relationships with other women, and never taking a concubine.
The couple had an eldest daughter, Xie Wanyan, and then Xie Lang. Xie Wanyan had also married a few years earlier, and her husband was no pushover either; no one in the capital had expected the Xie family to agree to the marriage.
Speaking of Madam Xie, she adored her when she was young, always sending people to deliver novelties and delicacies to the Liu residence. Even Xie Dang, who was stationed in the Northwest, would bring her a gift every time he returned to the capital. Xie Lang was the same; although they had rarely met in the past few years, letters were sent to the Liu residence every year along with packages from his parents.
Because of the blatant favoritism shown by everyone in the Xie family, her stepmother, who wished she could crush her, didn't dare to go too far.
But Liu Qingqing never saw Xie's mother again after she grew up.
Fearing she might overthink things, Xie Lang explained the reason to her in a letter well in advance.
It turned out that Xie Lang's mother was in poor health and could not adapt to the heat of the capital. She had been recuperating in the Jiangnan region for many years. This time, she fell ill again halfway to the capital and had to turn back to Jiangnan. She asked Xie Lang not to mind.
Her mother and Xie Lang's mother had a very good relationship, which is why they arranged their marriage when they were young. This marriage saved her from dire straits, and Liu Qingqing was so grateful that she didn't mind at all.
However, Xie's mother suddenly had an accident on her way back to the capital and died.
Xie's mother's name was Xia Rushi. All her brothers were military officers. In this world, there was no need to worry about the customs of mourning. Being alive was the greatest blessing. Therefore, her marriage to Xie Lang was not delayed.
For some reason, now that Xie's mother has been gone for nearly two years, ever since she married into the family, it seems that the entire Xie household is very secretive about the Lady of the Marquis, and no one dares to mention her. It's very strange.
Another point is that Xie Lang has clearly been named heir apparent, yet those around him address him as "Sir" instead of "Heir Apparent," which is quite strange. It reveals an awkwardness and estrangement between him and his father…
Besides Xie Dang, the Marquis of Zhongwu, Xie Lingcheng also had a son by a concubine named Xie Pan. Xie Pan now works under Xie Dang, and Xie Pan is very obedient and honest, never vying for anything. However, he is now thirty-five years old and still unmarried, living alone in a side courtyard next to the main courtyard.
According to Li Mama's investigation, Xie Pan was aloof and often kept to himself, rarely interacting with anyone in the household, only showing up during family reunion dinners at festivals.
The vast Marquis's mansion had only a few masters, yet it was as deep as a bottomless pool.
Once back in the courtyard, Liu Qingqing had calmed down, and there was no trace of the heat she had felt earlier on her face.
As soon as she looked up, she saw Granny Li waiting at the entrance of the main room. The plump, kind old lady saw her and hurriedly came over to greet her. She grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind the rockery in the courtyard. After glancing around to make sure there were no tails behind her, she whispered anxiously in her ear, "Miss, the Second Madam just sent someone to deliver a message saying that the late Madam's ancestral hall is leaking. Although she sent people to repair it, she still needs to go back and take a look at some of the details, such as how to arrange things."
The two looked at each other, both sensing an impending storm.
Her stepmother was no pushover; this trip might very well be a trap.
They're up to no good.
[Author's Note]
Qingqing rested her chin on her hand: It looks beautiful, I want to...
Xie Lang glanced at her: What are you thinking about?
Next chapter preview: Before the fragrance dissipates, she's determined to smell it clearly.
Although Meibao is timid, cowardly, and loves beautiful women, she is also a clean freak!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
