31 Chapter Thirty-One
◎“I want to plant a willow tree here.”◎
Chapter Thirty
The wooden door creaked open, followed by the steady sound of boots hitting the ground.
Liu Qingqing recognized Xie Lang's footsteps and swallowed hard. She looked around frantically, not knowing what she was looking at. She felt as if the jade rabbit hidden in her heart was about to jump out of her throat.
The scenes from the previous incident gradually became clearer in her mind, like a clean white veil. She clutched the thin blanket tightly, unsure whether to sit or lie down.
She lay down for a moment, and then felt the soft mattress instantly turn into hot pebbles. She sat up halfway under the covers, dazed, and the sound of water in the bathroom felt like scalding oil being poured over her heart, making her eyelashes tremble.
Something just doesn't feel right.
When she heard the bathroom door open again, she simply buried her head in the sand like an ostrich, curling up into a ball under the covers.
When Xie Lang arrived, this was the scene he saw, and he couldn't help but laugh.
He originally thought his wife was gentle and dignified, but the more he spent with her, the more interesting and charming she became.
Hearing his deep, jade-like laughter, Liu Qingqing's face, buried in the brocade quilt, turned even redder. The candlelight seeped in through the gaps in the quilt, inescapable, just like his gaze that could see through people's hearts.
"My husband, please put out the candle."
Xie Lang was taken aback by the sound. A damp, trembling sweet sound came from the seam of the quilt, like a cool, sweet melon soaking in a well on a summer day, making one want to grasp it in their palm and then crush it. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes deepened without her noticing. He turned and, as she had instructed, stood beside the candlestick. But when he picked it up, his hand paused. He glanced at the trembling quilt and changed his mind. He put down the candlestick and leaned forward slightly to blow out the candle flame.
Xie Lang's sharp eyes remained fixed on that spot even in the darkness.
Sure enough, with a whoosh, the bag trembled, and in the darkness, Xie Lang laughed silently.
His wife is very lively.
He had originally intended to let her rest today, but now he changed his mind.
He walked slowly toward the bed, causing the quilt to tremble even more, and the smile in Xie Lang's eyes grew deeper and stronger.
He gently twirled his fingers at his sides, then stepped forward and pulled open a narrow opening in the brocade quilt, which indeed elicited a gasp from her.
"ah!"
Like the song of a kingfisher.
Xie Lang noticed her reddened eyes and thought... he wasn't addicted to women.
He had no interest in marriage, at least not before. Amidst the fluttering of birds and dancing butterflies, his gaze never lingered.
Suddenly, he reached out and took her hand. With a slight pull, she floated into his arms like a light flower petal.
This night was different from what Liu Qingqing had expected. She thought he would be as restrained and gentle as the first time, but for some reason, for some reason...
Her fingertips dug into the flesh of his shoulder and back, but he seemed not to feel the pain and pulled her even closer to him.
Though it happened only once, it was comparable to leaping off a mountain peak...
Afterwards, she tried to get up, but her legs trembled and she fell into his arms. Xie Lang chuckled and carried the blushing girl to the bathroom to bathe.
He gently placed her in the warm water. Liu Qingqing sat there awkwardly, raising her eyes to carefully observe him. She noticed a faint glimmer in his dark, deep pupils, and her heart skipped a beat. When she looked again, he was looking at her, as elegant and gentle as ever.
She must have misread it.
Xie Lang's Adam's apple bobbed, and he changed the subject: "Has Madam had anything troubling her lately?"
This immediately drew Liu Qingqing's thoughts elsewhere; she had been quite troubled lately. Encouraged by Xie Lang's gaze, she mustered her courage and said, "I went to take a look around the other day, but I don't know how to sort out my dowry."
Xie Lang pondered for a moment and then said, "Why don't we take over my mother-in-law's business first? If there's a shortage of people, you can just ask the steward."
Liu Qingqing said uneasily, "But I haven't done any of these things."
Xie Lang laughed upon hearing this, "I didn't know martial arts when I was young, so it's good that I didn't learn it."
Seeing that Liu Qingqing looked uneasy, Xie Lang even told her a few embarrassing things that happened when he was a child.
“After studying for a while, I went to the military camp with my father. I thought I was quite good at it and insisted on competing with the soldiers.”
Liu Qingqing pressed on curiously, "And then?"
Xie Lang touched his nose and smiled: "Then I was beaten by the soldiers and had to go back to my room and lie there for two days."
Amidst laughter and conversation, Liu Qingqing let down her guard and, seeing that she had finished washing, Xie Lang wrapped her in a clean cotton towel and held her in his arms.
Unexpectedly, Xie Lang would have such a moment. Liu Qingqing rested her head on his shoulder and remained silent for a long time. At this moment, Xie Lang gently patted her shoulder. "Don't be afraid. When we succeed, we'll drink together and talk about our original aspirations."
Liu Qingqing's heart trembled slightly as she looked up into his clear and bright eyes.
Xie Lang noticed, lowered his head, and gently touched her eyelids with his lips, saying in a hoarse voice, "Go to sleep first, don't think too much, I'll take care of everything."
Liu Qingqing obediently closed her eyes, only to feel a warm current rushing from her lower abdomen to all parts of her body, making her feel warm all over, and even her eyes felt like they were being burned and brought to tears.
After she fell into a deep sleep, Xie Lang got up and went to the bathroom.
In the quiet night, the sound of running water could be heard, followed by a muffled groan after a long while.
When Xie Lang woke up the next day, he had already gone to the government office.
After washing up, Liu Qingqing went to her dressing table, where Qingju was tying her hair up, while Zhao Pansheng stood by, passing her various items as he learned. Meanwhile, Granny Li was overseeing everything, taking stock of the items she needed to take with her that day and instructing the young lady on how to collect the women who had accompanied her last time.
The servants in the courtyard watched as their mistress became more and more secure in her position, and even when they were working, they had inexhaustible energy.
Although it's busier than before, the days are brightening and there's something to look forward to, which makes me incredibly happy.
The people of Jialan Garden watched with bated breath as the lady miraculously turned her life around. In just over a month, she not only pocketed the master's private treasury but also won his favor.
Everyone secretly said that the lady was kind-hearted but shrewd and not to be underestimated. They almost regarded her as a deity.
Unfortunately, Liu Qingqing was unaware of their thoughts; she was staring blankly at the bronze mirror.
Shedding her past confusion, a slight nervousness remained in her heart. Although Xie Lang encouraged her, she... was afraid of disappointing him if she didn't do well.
She knew she was still far from being able to walk alongside him.
I don't know when it started, but I've taken his opinion to heart.
She could suppress her admiration for him when he treated her coldly, but now he's treating her so well...
As he was thinking, his hands were twisted together like pretzel when someone came to report.
Liu Qingqing gestured to Granny Li to go and see what was going on, but Granny Li returned shortly to report, "It's someone sent by the young master!"
Granny Li beamed with joy: "They said that today, besides the steward, Lord Xie Wu will also be at your disposal!"
Although Xie Lang could not travel with him, everyone in the capital knew that Xie Wu was his man.
What Xie Wu said was exactly what he thought.
Upon hearing that not only the steward Xie Wu was accompanying her, but also Xie Liu, who was secretly protecting her, her heart immediately settled.
His wavering gaze gradually hardened.
Xie Lang has been so thoughtful and considerate towards her, she cannot let her spirit be diminished!
With Xie Wu by my side, things really went much more smoothly.
First, they went around to check on the rented shops. The tenants recognized the land deeds and didn't dare to mess with the high-ranking officials and wealthy people. Anyway, it didn't matter who they rented from, they just had to pay the rent.
Xie Wu treated her with utmost respect, always consulting her before doing anything.
Having made a good start, Liu Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief, but a bad feeling lingered in her heart.
Since the village was too far away, I decided to visit it another day and went to the nearest clinic first.
The clinic was one of the most important items in Liu's mother's dowry. At that time, Liu Xu had just passed the imperial examination, and his household was just an empty shell with little money. He survived by relying on Liu's mother's clinic.
As expected, the fat shopkeeper, who seemed fierce and unapproachable last time, appeared somewhat resistant this time when Liu Qingqing arrived with her entourage. Today, the old doctor was unwell and had gone home to rest, leaving only the fat shopkeeper selling medicinal herbs at the clinic.
These days, they find it too troublesome and won't even take on the job of decocting medicine anymore.
They lived a carefree and happy life, even secretly pocketing 20% of the money for the medicinal herbs, and were already quite well-fed and bloated.
They looked at the newcomer as if he were a villain causing trouble.
At first, he was patient, but when he heard the manager say, "From today onwards, the clinic will be taken over by our lady," he was moved to a different place.
The portly manager, as expected, refused, but a fake smile appeared on his face. "Manager, please don't joke around. This clinic belongs to Madam Liu."
The Madam Liu mentioned by the fat shopkeeper is actually Madam Ying.
These later visitors, unaware of the past grievances, simply assumed it was Xiao Ying's shop.
Even though Liu Qingqing is the legitimate daughter of the Liu family, once a daughter is married, she is no longer considered part of her family. How could she possibly have any say in her family's business?
The fat shopkeeper felt that what Madam Liu had said earlier was true—she had a hard life in the mansion and had been looked down upon by her previous children.
This stepdaughter is overstepping her bounds!
The portly shopkeeper smiled wryly, his gaze sweeping over Liu Qingqing, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Even if you've got your eye on something, you can't just snatch it away."
The fat shopkeeper's surname is Tang, and he has a very deep connection with Madam Liu. Even if Liu Qingqing marries the heir of the Marquis's mansion, he is not afraid. So what if she is the heir's wife? So what if she is a high-ranking official?
Do you think you can just steal someone else's things?!
His thoughts were written all over his face, making them completely transparent.
Manager Tang swiftly and decisively hung up the "Closed for Business" sign, then secretly instructed his servant, "Go and report to the authorities!"
Xie Wu had excellent hearing and sneered upon hearing this: "I see you won't shed tears until you see the coffin. Then let's report it to the authorities."
Xie Wuli, who was capable of uprooting mountains, did not stop them upon seeing this. Instead, he turned around and moved a round-backed chair in front of Liu Qingqing, saying, "Madam, please rest. I will deal with these unruly servants today."
Liu Qingqing was tired after visiting several shops, so she sat down to rest.
Xie Wu then sent someone to buy some refreshing milk, leaving Li Mama to look after him, before going off to attend to other matters.
There are stewards for civil affairs and Xie Wu for military affairs.
The steward quickly glanced through the ledgers on the other end.
Xie Wu picked up a long bench, placed it down, and sat steadily at the doorway, exuding an imposing aura.
Liu Qingqing was relaxed and carefree, Xie Wu was organized and efficient, and the management was carried out in an orderly manner.
Seeing this, Manager Tang gradually panicked.
How could they not be afraid of being reported to the authorities?
Now that the new dynasty is gradually becoming more enlightened, the officials who forcibly abducted women and robbed people of their money in the past two years have all been severely punished by the Regent. Since then, they have dared not do so.
Could it be that this clinic really belongs to Miss Liu?
Manager Tang recalled the early years, but then felt it was impossible.
He immediately sent someone to find Madam Liu.
Besides, those ledgers were all fake; he had long since hidden the real ones, and he wasn't afraid of them seeing them!
Can you even see anything special about it?
Manager Tang was confident and, although slightly flustered, he was not afraid and gradually calmed down.
Thinking of the ledger, he smiled smugly. The place where he hid his ledger was so well that not only he himself could find it, but even a ghost couldn't find a trace of it!
Let him wait. Even if this clinic really belongs to Madam Xie, he can just beg for forgiveness and admit his mistake!
Thinking of this, Manager Tang felt more at ease.
"What brings you here, sir?"
Just then, a servant outside respectfully greeted Xie Wu.
In the capital, who among those working in the government doesn't know that Xie Wu is a favorite of Lord Xie Lang?
They also held some kind of official position!
Manager Tang was unaware of all this; he only felt that the arrival of the yamen runners would give him support, and that the silver he had secretly paid over the years could not have been paid in vain!
He hurried to greet them, but was stopped halfway by the steward.
"Shopkeeper, I find this ledger a little confusing. Could you please give me some pointers?"
When Manager Tang heard this, he turned around and rolled his eyes. What kind of good idea was this steward of the Marquis's mansion thinking?
Manager Tang appeared respectful, but inwardly he scoffed.
How is this any different from making him castrate himself? How could I possibly tell him that?
Besides, how can you tell if money was spent from these fake ledgers...?
Just as he was thinking this, he glanced over and saw a drop of ink at the yellowed corner of the ledger, and his expression changed drastically.
He had accidentally spilled too much ink on the corner of the page when he was writing in the ledger! He remembered it clearly, how could it be here!
His pupils trembled and moved downwards. When he looked closely, his eyes widened instantly, and he felt his hands and feet turn ice cold.
A buzzing sound filled his ears, and the voices of the yamen runners at the gate were muffled by a thick blanket, making it impossible for him to hear them clearly.
"How...how could this be...how could this be?"
Shopkeeper Tang was incredulous, feeling his tongue suddenly become so heavy that he couldn't control it, and his words became incoherent. Beads of sweat instantly fell like raindrops, and he didn't care about his appearance, wiping them away with his trembling arms.
Oh no, oh no.
Sweat dripped into his eyes, making them sting with sand, and Manager Tang felt his mind go blank.
By this time, the yamen runner had finished exchanging pleasantries with Xie Wu and came over. His tone was completely different from when he spoke to Xie Wu, but he still gave him some face.
"Manager Tang, what brings you here with this message?"
Upon hearing this, Manager Tang hurriedly wiped his sweat, his flustered eyes darting around before finally looking at Miss Liu, who had remained silent...
No! It's Madam Xie!
He shuddered suddenly, realizing he had underestimated her!
It certainly wasn't as Xiao Yingshi claimed, that she was disliked by the Marquis's mansion!
His mind raced, and he quickly replied, "Perhaps the errand boy misunderstood. What could possibly be on my end that would make you come all this way for nothing?"
Before the constable could even change his expression, Manager Tang quickly moved behind the counter to get rid of him as soon as possible, saying, "This is some good new donkey-hide gelatin. Take it back quickly to nourish your aunt and sister-in-law."
After saying that, he looked left and right, grabbed the errand boy, kicked him three meters away, and scolded him, pointing his finger at his nose, "You never listen to anyone, how dare you disturb the officials!"
The servant was stunned by the kick, clutching his stomach in pain, "Manager, it wasn't you..."
Manager Tang flew into a rage: "What do you mean, 'what ...'"
The constable was very astute; he knew that this matter was too complicated to be involved in casually, and it wasn't something someone like him could easily meddle in. Sweating profusely, he didn't quite catch what Manager Tang said, took the things, and hurried away.
Despite his aching legs, Manager Tang forced himself to close the shop and tightly shut the door of the clinic. When he turned around, he collapsed to the ground.
Xie Wu gave his attendant a wink, and the attendant helped the servant, who was sweating profusely from the pain, away.
Manager Tang was quick-witted; he sat on the ground, his mind racing.
Upon seeing the account books, he knew that this matter could not be resolved peacefully, and he also knew that Liu was now backed by the Marquis's mansion and was no longer someone who could be bullied as before.
Manager Tang was about to switch sides when Xie Wu seemed to see through him and raised his hand to stop him.
Although Xie Liu was operating in the shadows, he hadn't been idle lately under Xie Lang's instructions. He had already thoroughly investigated Manager Tang's sordid affairs over the years.
Manager Tang got the job because he married the daughter of the old nanny who served Xiao Ying.
After making a fortune as the owner of a clinic, he forgot his roots and started another family outside. His rather fierce wife was unaware of this; if she had, she would have skinned him alive.
He also has an elderly mother who is being held captive by others!
After recounting all the details, Manager Tang no longer pretended and collapsed to the ground, covering his face and weeping bitterly.
No one stopped him. When he had finished crying and was crawling towards Liu Qingqing in a disheveled state, Xie Wu and the steward blocked him in a flash.
Liu Qingqing was like a fairy descended from heaven. From the moment she entered the clinic, she simply sat there and looked on with indifference, seemingly disdainful of the filth of the mortal world.
But whether this matter can be carried out, and how it can be carried out, requires her approval.
She hadn't uttered a word since she entered, and now Manager Tang knew who held his life in their hands.
"Miss Liu... no, Madam Xie"
Shopkeeper Tang wiped his face, then his expression hardened. "From now on, I, Tang Dali, am your dog, Madam. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west!"
He showed none of his previous arrogance. He readily and decisively admitted defeat.
However, he has a flexible and adaptable nature when dealing with people in the marketplace.
"I only beg you to protect my old mother!"
Manager Tang kowtowed deeply.
How could someone who is so carefree suddenly change into such a sentimental person?
As Liu Qingqing looked on in surprise, Xie Wu stepped forward and explained in a low voice, "Back then, Manager Tang had a childhood sweetheart with whom he was deeply in love. But his current wife first controlled Manager Tang's mother and forced him to marry her. She then used a scheme to make the childhood sweetheart leave for another place. She didn't have a good life there and returned to Manager Tang a few years ago. Manager Tang found out after investigating, so he took advantage of the situation to make money and set up a home for the childhood sweetheart."
Liu Qingqing asked curiously, "How can you subdue people?"
Xie Wu's voice was even lower: "The medicine. After taking it, Tang's mother can't live without it."
Liu Qingqing suddenly realized something, a line flashed through her mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.
The new dynasty dealt with this matter very strictly. If the master of the house reported that his subordinates were embezzling money, the consequences would be minor, but serious enough to cost them their lives. How to deal with it depended entirely on the master of the house's wishes.
Seeing Xie Wu's respectful demeanor, Manager Tang became even more certain. He kowtowed to Liu Qingqing, his forehead bruised and bleeding. "If you find me pleasing to the eye, hand me over. I'll be the villain!"
“My lady! The clinic is the most prestigious among all your dowry items. I used to be in charge of all your estates and shops. I also know which people are two-faced and which are wicked!”
Now Manager Tang is no longer holding back, and has revealed everything.
Originally, I thought I could play dumb and not get involved in the power struggles among officials' families, but now it seems that's not going to work.
Liu Qingqing looked at Xie Wu, but Xie Wu stood beside her with his head bowed and eyes lowered. The steward did the same.
Everyone was waiting for her instructions; even Manager Tang's hand, which was supporting him on the ground, was trembling.
Is this what it feels like to be in a superior position?
Her heart pounded, and she felt a surge of emotion rushing to her head. She never imagined that the problem that had troubled her for so many years would be solved so easily.
Even Xie Lang has not shown up yet.
Liu Qingqing quietly curled her fingers, barely managing to control her turbulent emotions.
"What medicine did she give your mother?"
Shopkeeper Tang hadn't expected his master's first words to be about his mother, not ordering him to go out and do dangerous work. His cloudy eyes immediately reddened, and his plump cheeks trembled. "I don't know either. I've been secretly investigating all these years, but I haven't found it. My mother has to take that medicine every full moon night, otherwise her skin will itch unbearably, and she'll scratch herself until her flesh is bleeding."
“My mother didn’t want me to submit, so she gritted her teeth and endured it, but her body was covered in sores.”
The mother bit her hand to endure the pain, her whole body trembling until she fainted, but she had bitten off a piece of flesh from the back of her hand!
The horrific scene seemed to be right before his eyes. Manager Tang gritted his teeth in hatred, his body trembling uncontrollably from the rage.
Most of the money embezzled by falsifying accounting records was used for this purpose.
Unfortunately, there has been no improvement over the years.
He ate himself into a pig-like state so that the wicked woman would despise him; she could simply be gentle and affectionate, and keep her from touching him again. Who would have guessed that he was once a handsome, promising, but poor, scholar?
If it weren't for his mother, he would have killed himself long ago. Why bother dealing with this wicked woman!
Knowing that this might be his only chance to turn things around, he told everything he knew without reservation.
"Then what's going on between you and your childhood sweetheart?"
Upon hearing this, Manager Tang turned his face away, his voice hoarse, "I have nothing to do with her, I haven't done anything."
Fearing that people wouldn't believe him and would go looking for Qingmei again, he hurriedly said, "I'm all dirty, how could I be worthy of her?"
After hearing the whole story, Liu Qingqing fell silent.
If even the daughter of the nanny serving Xiao Yingshi has such ruthless methods, then Xiao Yingshi herself must be even more ruthless.
Liu Qingqing immediately lost interest and, without being taught, assigned him a task: "You help the steward sort out my family's assets first."
She was straightforward and didn't keep anyone in suspense: "I haven't heard of this medicine for your mother, but I will send someone to investigate."
Upon hearing this, Manager Tang burst into tears. He felt as if his defiled and wretched state, like a filthy demon, was finally about to see the light of day!
He kowtowed again and again. Liu Qingqing couldn't bear to watch, so she quickly asked Xie Wu to help him up.
After the man left, Xie Wu's eyes flickered, and he took a step closer and whispered, "This man cannot be entirely trusted."
Manager Tang switched sides too quickly, and Liu Qingqing knew this too, so she "had Xie Liu keep an eye on things secretly."
When I stepped out of the clinic again, the sun was still shining brightly, only an hour had passed.
But Liu Qingqing felt that everything was different compared to when she first stepped in. Her very soul seemed to be trembling.
She glanced down at her trembling fingers for a moment, then clenched them tightly and tucked them into her long sleeves.
When he looked up again, there was a faint burning light in his eyes.
She already had a guess as to what the most precious thing her mother had left her was.
Upon returning to the mansion, he found Xie Lang already there, unexpectedly sitting in his room, flipping through a file.
She hurried over and excitedly told Xie Lang about it.
Xie Lang's gaze softened as he put down the file and listened attentively.
He nodded approvingly when he heard her final decision, saying, "Madam did a truly excellent job; this is a classic example of using someone else's strength against them."
Liu Qingqing blushed upon being praised.
"If you need anything from me, please don't hesitate to ask. Don't be shy."
If Liu Qingqing had heard these words when they were newly married, she would not have believed them, but now, upon hearing them, she smiled and nodded heavily.
"How did Xie Wu do today?" Xie Lang asked again.
"Excellent!"
Speaking of this, Liu Qingqing also became interested and recounted in detail how powerful Xie Wu was outside.
She retained Xie Lang's elegant demeanor in the slightest; who wouldn't praise her as worthy of being Xie Lang's sidekick?
She was clearly too shy to praise Xie Lang directly, so she used Xie Wu to praise Xie Lang instead.
Xie Lang listened, then stared at her with a half-smile, and after a long while asked slowly, "How does he compare to your husband?"
Liu Qingqing was taken aback, then realized what was happening.
His gaze was fixed on her, making her blush even more. Liu Qingqing had no choice but to reach out her small hand and place it on the back of his hand to beg for mercy, "Of course, my husband is more divine and mighty."
This seemed to be the first time she had ever acted coquettishly towards him.
It was also the first time he had seen the innocent charm of a young woman.
Xie Lang's gaze slowly swept over her radiant face, then he looked down at her, her fair fingers on his tanned skin as tantalizing as milk.
His eyes suddenly darkened, his Adam's apple bobbed, but when he looked up again, he remained calm and chuckled softly, "Madam has good taste."
The air felt like thick syrup.
Liu Qingqing blushed and wanted to get away, but she didn't want to leave him.
She sat opposite him, her face cupped in her hands and eyes lowered, picking up a travelogue and pretending to read it intently. But her mind was elsewhere.
She felt the gloom dissipate, and the warm sun enveloped her, following her wherever she went.
The couple kept each other company, one handling official business while the other read travelogues.
On a quiet summer day, the only sound by the window of the main room was the soft rustling of pages turning.
Liu Qingqing glanced at the rustling green leaves outside the window and suddenly noticed a servant digging in the soil.
"What is this for?" she asked.
Xie Lang: "Plant trees."
What kind of tree should we plant?
Liu Qingqing expressed her doubt with her eyes.
Their eyes met, and the clear lake in Xie Lang's eyes was stirred. He came up behind her, gently put his hand on her shoulder, and pointed his jade finger in front of her eyes. "I want to plant a willow tree here."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
