38 Chapter Thirty-Eight
"Didn't my sister send me away because she found me annoying?"
Chapter Thirty-Eight
It turned out to be a parchment scroll.
The process of making parchment scrolls is complex, and they are difficult to preserve. In the Central Plains, bamboo is abundant, and bamboo slips were used more often before paper was produced. It was extremely rare to use parchment scrolls for recording information.
I've heard that Persia uses many sheepskin rolls over there.
The clever placement of the soft parchment scroll in the vanity case was ingenious. It was perfectly compressed and wouldn't move, and being lightweight and without any sharp edges, one wouldn't notice what was hidden inside even if they picked it up and put it down.
She carefully took it out with her fingertips, looked it over from left to right, and then carefully placed it on the desk by the wall, slowly unfolding it.
Holding my breath and concentrating, I was met with some strange and unusual characters.
She looked at it from all angles but couldn't figure it out for a while.
Fearing that Liu Qingying might barge in without thinking, Liu Qingqing glanced at the scroll again and quickly hid it in the makeup box, then placed the makeup box in a cool, dark corner.
Not long after she left, Liu Qingying indeed followed her around like a persistent bee, drawn by the scent.
As soon as it entered the hanging flower gate, its lively eyes darted around, as if searching for someone.
Liu Qingqing looked her up and down and then realized that she had changed into a plum blossom-scented silk dress, adorned with butterfly and flower hairpins. What a fresh and elegant little beauty she was.
He had just held her in higher regard because she took out her hairpin to try and save someone, but now his opinion of her had cooled.
This person seems to be both kind-hearted and capable of saving people, yet also habitually greedy and prone to stealing her things.
Madam Ying was hiding outside and had not yet returned to the manor. She had no choice but to keep the hostage who had been delivered to her door.
When it was time for dinner, Xie Lang had indeed not returned.
When Xie Wu came to report, Liu Qingqing glanced at Liu Qingying without leaving a trace, and sure enough, she saw that Liu Qingying had lowered her eyes and looked disappointed. Her straight back was hunched over, and she kept twisting her clothes and looking out from time to time, unwilling to give up.
Liu Qingqing, however, was in a good mood.
Xie Lang treated Liu Qingying as just an ordinary relative, unlike his father and brothers who would spoil her. Xie Lang rarely even showed his face, which made Liu Qingqing even more relieved.
Of the few people she was close to in this world, her father and brothers favored Liu Qingying, her mother died early, and now the closest to her was Xie Lang. Fortunately, she was more important to Xie Lang.
Although they didn't see each other often when they were young, two years before their marriage, when Xie Lang came to the Liu residence, Liu Qingying rushed forward to fawn over Xie Lang and act silly. Xie Lang ignored her and instead walked up to her and asked her in a deep voice if she was always hungry.
Xie Lang had just returned from the frontier, tanned and weathered. She was exhausted and felt as if a fog had obscured his face, but she etched his eyes, bright as stars, into her heart.
She was like a rootless duckweed, a kite drifting in the air, and Xie Lang became the rope connecting her to this world. With him by her side, she was no longer a lonely, homeless person.
After dinner, Liu Qingqing sent Liu Qingying, who was dressed in her finest clothes, back to the courtyard.
Liu Qingying doesn't seem to be a bad person by nature, but she has been held back quite a bit by her mother.
It was really annoying that he kept pestering her like a dog's tail all day long. Liu Qingqing didn't understand why Liu Qingying still liked to hang around in front of her even before she got married.
Night fell, and Xie Lang still hadn't returned.
Liu Qingqing leaned against the window and gazed at the crescent moon. It was already this late; he should be spending the night in his study.
Xie Lang was very busy with official duties. Although he was the powerful Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he was always at home.
Liu Qingqing didn't understand and vaguely felt something was strange.
But she never asks questions she shouldn't.
Her barely calm mood during the day was suddenly overwhelmed by a raging storm, plunging her into a vortex of gloom.
Liu Qingqing knew she was a boring person. For the first seventeen years of her life, she was busy trying to avoid being taken advantage of by Xiao Yingshi. She could only barely see the things in front of her—she just wanted to eat a hot meal and marry into a good family.
She was like a hedgehog lurking in the shadows, spying on Liu Qingying and her family's reunion and harmony.
She was clearly in the mansion, everyone could see her, but no one paid any attention to her.
Only Xie Lang would always look at her first when he arrived at the Liu residence. Only at that moment did she feel like she was still alive.
We long for his arrival, we long for his return.
Only when he comes can she sit down at the table and eat a few bites of meat, and only then can she see more living people besides Granny Li and Qingju.
The mask she had been wearing for nearly half a year was about to burst open. The thought that one day Xie Lang would treat her like a dead person, just like everyone in the Liu family, knew she was alive. Just thinking about it made her feel unbearable.
Whenever she was eating leftovers and suffering cold treatment at the Liu residence and was about to give up, she would think of the look in Xie Lang's eyes when he first came to visit.
Ultimately, among the people in the Liu family, she ranked high in his eyes. And whenever he had to choose between Liu Qingying and him, he would choose her.
Unlike her father and brothers, even when Liu Qingying went to her courtyard to snatch her mother's belongings, they would only say, "She's the younger sister, you should let her have her way."
Whatever Liu Qingying wanted, she had to give it to her. Even if Liu Qingying wanted the pastry she had already eaten, she would have to spit it out, even if she couldn't eat it anymore.
But Xie Lang wouldn't; Xie Lang favored her.
He valued her even more.
But now that Liu Qingying has come to the mansion, she is afraid that Xie Lang will become like her father and brothers. First, she said that she is the older sister and should give way to her. Then, she only has eyes for Liu Qingying. Finally, she looks at her with disdain and questions her about how she can be so narrow-minded that she can't even tolerate her younger sister.
Favoritism is like a soft knife, cutting people invisibly.
She was subjected to slow, agonizing torture every day. Year after year, she bled profusely, gradually becoming numb.
Xiao Ying whispered in his ear like a devil: "If even your loved ones don't like you, you're worse than a demon."
In the stillness of the night, the nightmare recurred.
Where is Xie Lang?
Will he end up like his father and brothers, who were initially her closest people, but in the end seemed to be under Liu Qingying's spell and only felt disgust towards her?
It will be even worse than when she was in the Liu family mansion, where she could at least look forward to getting married.
If she has no hope of getting married, she can only be trapped in this mansion, waiting to die in loneliness.
The mere thought of this possibility is like a cold wind blowing through me, chilling me to the bone.
He sat on the tatami mat, wearing a nightgown.
As she was immersed in her pain, in the quiet of the night, she lowered her eyes and stared at the tender shoots of wild grass growing in the cracks of the blue bricks, when she heard familiar footsteps. She looked up sharply.
Sure enough, the next moment Xie Lang hurriedly passed through the hanging flower gate, stepping on the moonlit river. Dressed in a moon-white robe, he looked like a banished immortal descending to the mortal world, his whole being cold and lonely, as if he would step on the moon and become an immortal with one step.
Just then, he noticed someone watching him. He looked up and their eyes met, his gaze sharp as torches. Upon seeing her, his eyes softened instantly. The man, whose face was as cold as jade, smiled at her, and all the icy coldness around him shattered, suddenly becoming warm and human.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she smiled through the night before the tears fell.
Afraid he would notice, she quickly turned and walked towards the door, wiping away her tears before opening it.
The door was open, and I could smell the fresh scent of soapberry and the dampness emanating from him.
She was standing too close to the door and almost bumped into it while lost in thought. Xie Lang skillfully hooked his arm around her waist, looked down and saw that she was looking at him, and explained, "I just finished washing up in the study and took care of some official business, so I came back to see you."
I was supposed to go to the mansion tonight, but someone came and reported that the lady seemed unwell, so I came to check on her first.
Seeing her red and swollen eyes, Xie Lang sighed inwardly. Everyone has their own predicament to break.
Since she married into the Marquis's mansion, he has seen her calm demeanor every day and thought she had broken free from her predicament.
Looking at it now, the little girl did a pretty good job of pretending.
Despite his strong and composed appearance, he felt uneasy.
Seeing him staring at her, Liu Qingqing hesitated and took two steps back. "Husband, I'll go to the bathroom to wash up first."
Completely forgetting that she had finished washing up early.
She hurriedly went to the bathroom to wash her face, and then stood there in a daze for a while.
She thought Xie Lang wouldn't be coming back tonight...
Her chest pounded like a rabbit was in her chest, and Liu Qingqing clutched her chest.
Two conflicting thoughts were pulling her apart.
She wanted to probe and ask Xie Lang what he thought about Liu Qingying moving into the mansion, but she didn't dare to ask, fearing he would find her too jealous.
If he finds that she is not gentle and generous, will he be disappointed in himself?
Will the peace between them disappear?
Like a guillotine hanging over her neck, Liu Qingqing looked up and vaguely saw the precarious thin rope about to break.
The guillotine trembled precariously, about to fall.
With her mind a jumbled mess, Liu Qingqing knew she couldn't delay any longer. She patted her cheeks to clear her head and forced herself to calm down before heading out.
Back in the inner room, Xie Lang was already lying down, a thin silk quilt covering his waist and abdomen. Seeing her approach, Xie Lang reached out his hand to her.
His gaze remained as gentle as ever, giving her immense encouragement.
Liu Qingqing placed her hand on his, and Xie Lang pulled her into his arms with a forceful pull.
Seeing her reflection in his dark eyes, she suddenly felt a surge of impulse.
“I’m planning to send my younger sister to the academy,” Liu Qingqing said, leaning against him, wanting to know how much he knew about her.
She started a strange conversation, but Xie Lang listened patiently.
Xie Lang didn't care where he was sent; he simply nodded to indicate that he was listening.
His dark eyes looked at her, encouraging her to continue.
"Does my husband know that I do not like my sister?"
She was so nervous that her mouth went dry, she kept swallowing, and then she pursed her pale lips.
She didn't realize how pitiful she looked.
Her eyes, though not crying, were brimming with tears.
So pitiful.
This was even more unbearable for him than crying.
Why did Xie Lang's wife have to come to this?
He stretched out his long arm, gently stroking the soft hair at the back of her head with his large hand, then twirling it with his fingertips, saying nonchalantly, "If you don't like her, you don't like her. Who says you have to like her? You're not her parents."
Liu Qingqing was surprised.
Just now, she felt like she was being suffocated by a giant, but after hearing him say that, the giant loosened his grip, and she seemed to be able to breathe again.
So she naturally asked what was on her mind, "Won't my husband think I'm too selfish, not generous or kind?"
Xie Lang never felt that he was soft-hearted.
At this moment, he felt completely bewildered; his tender-hearted wife was so trembling with fear.
Xie Lang slid his hand down, grasped the back of her neck, and made her look up at him. "Everyone has selfish desires. It's only natural for people to think of themselves."
"As for the people in the Liu family, or anyone else, you are the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion, so it's alright for you to be a little domineering. Such trivial matters are not worth your worry."
Liu Qingqing did not expect him to say that.
They supported her even more than she dared to hope for.
Liu Qingqing pressed her face against his chest in a daze, lowering her wet eyelashes to reveal her true feelings, "Husband, you are all I have left."
Xie Lang didn't know what was wrong with her today; she was like a piece of smooth, tender tofu, and he didn't know whether to hold her or touch her.
Xie Lang has never lied to anyone.
Hearing this, he didn't know how to reply, so he just patted her shoulder gently.
But Xie Lang's wife shouldn't have to suffer this injustice any longer. "I'll take care of everything. Why don't you come with me to practice martial arts tomorrow? If you're angry again, you can fight back."
He saw that she was preoccupied and needed to work up a sweat to avoid worrying and feeling wronged.
The faint sorrow that had begun to fade was pierced by his rough mind, and Liu Qingqing finally smiled, "How could you hit someone?"
Xie Lang replied seriously, "Why not? If we don't retaliate when we've been wronged, are we going to wait until later? It's not so easy to get revenge later."
Knowing that she was feeling resentful at the Liu residence, he said half-jokingly, "Otherwise, tomorrow I'll send someone to put your brother-in-law in a sack so you can beat him up to vent your anger."
Liu Qingqing thought he was teasing her, so she nestled against his chest and chuckled softly.
My emotions were in turmoil, and soon I felt sleepy.
Xie Lang hadn't expected Liu Qingqing to open up to him like this. After she fell asleep in his arms, he fell into deep thought. He couldn't worry about anything else; he could only teach her how to protect herself first.
He wasn't teasing her; he was speaking his mind.
If her status as the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion cannot give her peace of mind, then she must be upright. If she has enough confidence, she will be fearless.
Now that she has a lot of money, she needs to learn how to maintain it.
Liu Qingqing thought Xie Lang was joking, but he didn't expect that he would keep his word the next day.
He dragged her out of bed early in the morning and made her slap him. Liu Qingqing was still half asleep and slapped him in a daze. Xie Lang clicked his tongue and said, "With your strength, you can't even slap someone without hurting them."
Without saying a word, he dragged her to the training ground.
Liu Qingqing was thus dragged to practice every morning in a daze, from being out of breath at first to eventually being able to run several laps around the training ground.
Xie Lang instructed her to strengthen her muscles and bones so that if she encountered danger, she could outrun those young ladies and not fall behind, and not be caught by bad people.
Even if she hits someone, she should run back to her residence quickly. Even if they come looking for her, he can ensure her safety.
Xie Lang persuaded her in such a bizarre way.
He also took her to hit the sandbag and taught her a set of signature stick techniques.
It is said to be the old Marquis's signature skill, created by himself.
"Can I learn it?"
“You are his granddaughter-in-law, why can’t you learn? When I’m not at home in the future, you can teach our children.”
What...what child.
Liu Qingqing blushed.
After practicing every day, Liu Qingqing didn't know how well she could fight, but her body had become much stronger, and she was no longer as tired from managing the accounts as before.
In that matter... I was awake for a long time.
Putting down the account book, Liu Qingqing blushed as she recalled what had happened that morning. She quickly covered her face by picking up the rose honey wine and sipping the tea and snacks given to her by the princess, gazing at the floating dust in the light.
There's not much time for self-pity anymore; there's always so much to do.
She sorted out the things that needed to be done.
First, she should sort out her dowry and take back everything that was rightfully hers. This would be her foundation for a stable life in the future. Even if she had a falling out with Xie Lang or they couldn't get along, she could still live a peaceful life with her dowry.
Secondly, she needed to find out what secret her mother's parchment scroll contained that had kept Xiao Ying relentlessly pursuing her for so many years. Otherwise, given Xiao Ying's persistent nature, even if she dared not do anything due to the power of the Marquis's mansion, she would still secretly pester her for the rest of her life because of her maternal family and filial piety.
Thirdly, she needed to find out who the young man was and why he approached her. Judging from the jade pendant that resembled her own, she had a feeling it was related to the second matter.
The last thing was Aunt Jia.
She always felt that the beautiful figure she saw by the lake in the mansion looked just like Aunt Jia.
How could she let Xie Lang know? She needed to avoid the limelight. Since Xie Lang hadn't told her, it meant he didn't want her to know. Therefore, she couldn't let Xie Lang know that she already knew.
This matter is the most difficult, as it involves many twists and turns.
After finishing the honey wine, a servant came to report.
"Madam, the master said he would be back tonight and asked you to wait for him so we could have dinner together."
Liu Qingqing smiled and said, "Go down."
She cupped her face in her hands, completely losing interest in looking at the account books.
It seems like things have changed between her and Xie Lang...
He not only didn't dislike her little tricks, but also taught her how to do them better.
Lately, aside from household chores, they've been able to talk about other things. Occasionally, he'll even tell her about the embarrassing situations that officials in the court have made, just like a loving couple.
When your mind is at peace, life becomes more enjoyable.
These days, every day feels as refreshing and carefree as eating a cool watermelon hanging from a well under the scorching summer sun.
Liu Qingqing covered her flushed and hot face.
Thinking of the increasingly hot nights...
They are clearly a real married couple.
She couldn't help but imagine what it would be like when they had children.
-
When she had some free time, she would go for a walk in the garden to digest her food, and then she would ask Granny Li, "How's that matter going?"
She was more open-minded about Liu Qingying's situation than before.
Granny Li: "I asked several academies. Things are gradually calming down now, and they are all eager for talented people. They heard that Miss Qingying is literate enough to understand the Four Books and Five Classics, so they said she could go there. The best academy in the capital, Songyang Academy, said that if she doesn't get in tomorrow, she can go there the day after tomorrow. She can stay there, since there are dormitories, and she can go home every day."
Liu Xu was concerned with appearances. Although he secretly disliked Liu Qingqing, he did a good job of maintaining appearances. He also sent Liu Qingqing to the clan school. Since Liu Qingqing went, Liu Qingying also insisted on going. In this way, she crammed in the Four Books and Five Classics and learned a rough understanding of them.
Observing the young lady's expression, he asked again, "Which academy do you think would be best for her, young lady?"
After a moment's thought, Liu Qingqing asked again, "Is Songyang Academy the best?"
Granny Li nodded.
Liu Qingqing: "Then send her to Songyang Academy."
Granny Li was surprised and muttered under her breath, "Wouldn't it be better to send her to an ordinary academy? Songyang Academy has high tuition fees, so Miss would have to come and collect it herself."
Liu Qingqing shook her head: "If it's good, then it's good. We're not short of money right now, so let's not worry about these things. It's good for her to take the lead and see more."
See the world, broaden your horizons, so you don't just focus on your own little corner of the world all day.
"The day after tomorrow I will take her to pay her respects to her master and perform the traditional apprenticeship ceremony. Granny Lao, please prepare the prepared meat, dried meat, and other delicacies tomorrow."
Granny Li didn't understand why her young mistress repaid evil with kindness, but listening to her was always the right thing to do. She had noticed these past few days that her young mistress was growing rapidly, transforming from a sapling into a tall and straight sapling.
She's very different from before. She's starting to show the demeanor of a matriarch.
After finishing their business, the two, who were like mother and daughter, leaned even closer together and began to whisper sweet nothings.
"Granny, something feels really strange to me. Why do you think Madam Ying hates me?"
Granny Li knew the reason, but dared not say it.
Miss has already suffered enough; let bygones be bygones.
He stammered and gave a perfunctory answer.
-
I'm so busy every day that I'm practically running around like a headless chicken.
The next day, before sending Liu Qingying to the academy, he forgot to tell her in advance. When he brought her to the gate, he heard Liu Qingying exclaim in surprise, "Sister, why did you bring me here!"
As if just waking up, Liu Qingqing looked up at the plaque hanging high above.
The sun was high, and she squinted, then answered after a long while, "From today onwards, you will study here. Songyang Academy will have a day off every half month. If you still cannot return to the Liu residence by then, you will go to the Marquis's residence."
Although the border regions are still unstable, the government is not engaging in militarism; on the contrary, it values education. Official schools not only admit boys, but there are also newly established girls' schools and academies that admit both genders.
She never expected that her elder sister would actually send her to the academy!
She had learned enough at the clan school, yet she still wanted to go to the academy!
Seeing Liu Qingying's wide eyes, Liu Qingqing thought for a moment and then changed her words, "If you want to be the wife of a high-ranking official in the future, it's always good to learn more."
Liu Qingying looked inquisitive: "Sister, you didn't send me away because you found me annoying?"
Liu Qingqing, though caught off guard, showed no sign of guilt and replied calmly, "If I wanted to send you away, I could have easily found any academy. Why would I need your brother-in-law's help to come to this prestigious Songyang Academy?"
“I also spoke with my father and brothers, and they all said it was fine.”
Liu Qingying was not easily appeased, and asked again, "Is this for my own good, sister?"
Liu Qingqing nodded.
Liu Qingying's fox-like eyes darted around, and she looked up at the plaque just like her sister had done. "Since you say so, sister, then I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work, I'll go back to the manor, okay?"
Liu Qingqing nodded again.
Liu Qingying nodded in agreement. Surprisingly, she was unusually agreeable this time. She reached out her hand to Granny Li and said, "In that case, hand over your luggage to me."
Granny Li looked at the young lady, who shook her head at her.
Liu Qingqing then said to Liu Qingying, "No rush, let me take you in to see Headmaster first."
After saying this, he indeed took Liu Qingying into the academy to pay her tuition and then carefully inspected the dormitories. Liu Qingqing reserved the best dormitory for her and had Granny Li and Liu Qingying's maidservant make up the bedding and tidy it up before leaving.
Liu Qingqing watched her sister leave with bated breath, while people around her whispered, "That was Lord Xie's wife, how elegant."
"Lord Xie? Which Lord Xie?"
"Which other Lord Xie could it be? Of course, it's Lord Xie Lang, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He's so young to be the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. My father told me that Lord Xie has made great military achievements, and his merits are far more than this. The Regent is just keeping him in check for now. He will surely rise to great heights in the future."
"Second only to the emperor, above all others!"
Liu Qingying noticed the envious glances from others out of the corner of her eye, and couldn't help but puff out her chest, like a proud little bird raising its head and flapping its wings before returning to its nest.
-
Finally, a worry was relieved: she couldn't let outsiders into her courtyard.
Those who are allowed into the Liu residence are even worse.
After sending Liu Qingying away, life suddenly became much more peaceful.
Wanting to sort out her dowry as soon as possible and figure out what her mother's belongings were, she suddenly realized that she had no one she could use.
She sorted out the people she had at her disposal.
Granny Li is kind and shrewish, but as she gets older, she becomes less quick-witted.
Although Qingju had been with her for a long time, she was kind and honest, with excellent cooking and needlework skills. She was also gradually learning to manage servants and could be a good head maid, but she was only involved in managing the household affairs.
Zhao Pansheng is clever and intelligent, and knows how to behave appropriately, but being a girl, she has many inconveniences when traveling.
Although the clinic's manager, Tang, had switched sides, she only dared to employ him temporarily. This man was cunning and treacherous, a wolf in sheep's clothing. She dared not hope for his loyalty.
Dr. Lu is kind-hearted and highly skilled in medicine, and for now, he seems loyal to my mother, but he is too old. Besides, my mother is not her.
Thinking about it this way, it becomes very difficult to move forward.
With one thing after another piling up, my mind is never at rest!
Another morning, I was awakened by the sound of pouring rain.
Liu Qingqing slowly opened her eyes, glancing sideways at his clear and handsome features. Her watery gaze swept down, passing over his smooth, rosy lips. Thinking of this... she couldn't help but swallow.
Recently, after he took her out to train, she realized how strong and healthy a military officer was when they returned to the tent.
She strolled in the gentle, tranquil morning light, accompanied by the sound of rain, when she suddenly saw his eyelashes flutter as if he was about to open his eyes. Not knowing why, she quickly closed her eyes and pretended not to be awake.
I didn't dare breathe loudly, for fear of attracting his attention.
"lady",
A rustling sound came from the sound of him turning over. The next moment, his warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine. Liu Qingqing bit her lip and held her breath, refusing to move.
I know you're not asleep.
His voice, still carrying the hazy warmth of just waking up, swept her lightly into his arms as he whispered in her ear, his voice like jade, his breath full of laughter, "It seems my lady knows today is the fifteenth."
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
For the first time, Liu Qingqing had an impulse to ask him why he was so cold and distant towards her, given how good he usually was to her.
Does he even have her in his heart?
--
The fire's started!! (I recognize some of you in the comments, and there are some new friends too, so happy~)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
