44 Chapter Forty-Four
How can I believe his words?
Chapter Forty-Four
Intermittently, and after a long time apart.
Liu Qingqing looked up, swallowed the fear and bitterness rising in her throat, afraid that she would not escape his eyes, and then smiled.
After marriage, her husband's family became her domain, and the Xie family was powerful. She had no one to rely on, and her own family couldn't support her. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that her life and fortune were in his hands. No matter what she thought in her heart, she dared not offend him and could only suffer in silence. No matter how unbearable the days of suffering were, she had endured them in the Liu family for more than ten years, so what difference would it make?
She put down the ledger, stood up, and came out from behind the table. She bowed to him and said, "You're back, sir."
It is so meticulous that no one can find fault with it.
Now that he is considering leaving, and knowing his true thoughts, I dare not be careless.
She stared intently at the shallow grooves and fine lines on the stone slabs on the ground.
When we met again, it felt like a lifetime had passed. He seemed like a complete stranger, and I felt no joy or excitement whatsoever. My whole body was tense.
A warm, large hand gently supported her arm, and a sharp gaze swept across her face. "You look thinner. Are you feeling any better?"
Liu Qingqing felt extremely uncomfortable, but forced a smile and replied, "Thank you for your concern, sir. I've been doing well lately."
Xie Lang, who had been looking down at her to see if she had lost weight, raised his eyelids and looked at her meaningfully when he heard her words: "Why do you call me 'sir'? You seem so distant."
Liu Qingqing kept her head down without any expression, but when she raised her face, she had a gentle smile on her face, "Husband."
Xie Lang: "Could you prepare extra food for dinner tonight?"
Liu Qingqing: "Does my husband want to have dinner in the courtyard? I'll have Qingju prepare two more dishes that my husband likes."
After saying that, he quickly retreated and left as if fleeing.
Once they reached the small kitchen, where Xie Lang couldn't see them, Liu Qingqing's face darkened. She let out a long sigh and clutched her chest. If she had to continue to feign compliance like this in the future, it would be too unbearable.
Now is not the time to think about these things. Quickly instruct Qingju to add two more dishes.
Meanwhile, Xie Lang watched Liu Qingqing's hurried departure and his face darkened. After glancing around the east wing, he took two steps forward and glanced down at the account books on the table. Nothing seemed amiss.
But his wife seemed rather strange today.
But why resent that he hasn't returned during this time? He has his reasons.
Lately, she seems to have become much quieter. Before, her eyes were always glued to him, but now she's much more serious.
After some time apart, his agitated heart calmed down, realizing that the previous disturbance was caused by that evil drug.
Her intense dependence and love suffocated him. He hoped she wouldn't always cling to him.
But for some reason, even though the desired effect was achieved, Xie Lang felt that the scene just now was quite jarring. Thinking of his colleagues complaining about having a "tiger mom" at home, he had a sudden thought. After thinking it over again, he realized that there were things he couldn't tell her.
As for the previous grudges, he let them go. He didn't know what was wrong with him, that he was being so petty as to hold a grudge against a woman.
She's sick; he's just being attached to appearances.
Xie Lang pressed his swollen brow and shook his head helplessly.
Xie Lang stood there waiting for a while, but Liu Qingqing still hadn't returned, so he went back to his room. It seemed she was still angry.
Having been away for a long time, Xie Lang was quite tired. He went to the washroom to wash up, changed into a clean robe, and then went to bed for a short rest.
When Liu Qingqing finally had to return after dawdling for a long time, Xie Lang was already fast asleep.
She stood silently a few feet away, her gaze gently sweeping over the bluish-gray under his eyes. She recalled what Granny Li had brought back a couple of days ago: that the master hadn't intentionally stayed away, but was injured and didn't want her to worry.
My gaze drifted down, gliding over his neatly arranged clothes.
Was he really injured?
In the past, she would have pulled back his shirt to take a good look. But now, she found it utterly boring.
Even the closest and most distant relatives are husband and wife. If they each have their own thoughts, what's the point?
Lost in thought with a cold expression, Xie Lang suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand. Before she could react, he pulled her forward, causing Liu Qingqing to stumble into his arms. Remembering that he might be injured, she quickly braced herself with her arms to avoid falling on him.
Her gaze toward him was filled with anger.
Does he really treat her like a toy? He summons her at will and dismisses her at will!
Xie Lang didn't know what she was thinking, but he felt that she was very lively, and he laughed heartily. He helped her up and sat her down next to him.
He went straight to the point, "I noticed that Madam has been quite cold towards me this time, which must be because she harbors resentment. I was genuinely injured this time and was afraid of worrying Madam, so I had no other intentions."
As he spoke, he loosened his belt, revealing a white strip of cloth running from his left shoulder to his waist, with traces of dried blood on it.
The waiting period was naturally and easily glossed over.
Liu Qingqing's expression changed slightly. Just as she was about to speak, Xie Lang grabbed her hand and asked again, "Madam has lost a lot of weight. Is she feeling any better?"
It is already rare for someone of your stature to offer an explanation; if you know what's good for you, you shouldn't press the matter.
Liu Qingqing composed herself, lowered her head and replied obediently, "Thank you for your concern, my husband. I only caught a cold, and I'm much better now."
Xie Lang pondered, "Was it because of the heavy rain and wind that day?"
Liu Qingqing smiled, but her lips were stiff.
There had only been one heavy rain recently, and Xie Lang knew it was that day. However, he was also tactful and, seeing that her complexion was still not as rosy as usual, he didn't say anything.
His sharp, hawk-like eyes shone like torches as he suddenly asked, "Does Madam have something she wishes to tell me?"
Liu Qingqing was startled upon hearing this, but her face remained impassive, her eyes showing confusion. "What...is it?"
Xie Lang's gaze was fixed, but he sighed softly as if disappointed. He patted the back of her hand after a slight pause, "It's good that you're alright. Qingqing, just remember that we are husband and wife."
Seeing that Liu Qingqing lowered her eyes and did not respond, Xie Lang's expression also turned indifferent. "I'll rest a bit more. Call me again at dinner time."
Liu Qingqing agreed, then left the main room and gently closed the door. How could he possibly believe his words?
Is he still disappointed?
Even though he had married her, those words about being inferior to Qingying still echoed in her ears. She couldn't help but lower her eyes and sneer.
Xie Lang stared blankly at the closed door, lost in thought.
He couldn't understand why she, knowing something was amiss and how important his mother was to him, didn't tell him.
Wasn't he good enough to her?
She... shouldn't disappoint him.
In the corridor, Liu Qingqing had not yet left when a gust of wind blew by, making her shiver. Only then did she realize that her back was covered in cold sweat.
Interacting with those in high positions is terrifying.
His suspicious and scrutinizing gaze was like a raging fire, gradually thinning and burning away the last vestiges of affection in her heart.
Liu Qingqing gritted her teeth, fearing that if she angered him, he would throw her out before she was fully prepared. The young Lady Ying was still lurking in the shadows, watching her closely; if she lost the protection of the Marquis's mansion, she would surely make a comeback.
With everyone preoccupied with their own thoughts, the dinner was unusually quiet, save for the soft clinking of dishes.
After dinner, Xie Lang, as he always did, had Xie Wu bring him books and sat on the chaise lounge by the window, ready to read. It seemed as if the awkwardness from last time had simply been turned over a new leaf.
But then Liu Qingqing, who was resting by the octagonal table, hurriedly got up.
Their eyes met, and Liu Qingqing's gaze flickered as she found the excuse she had just thought of, "I'm too full, I'm going out for a walk."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lang was about to put down his book, but Liu Qingqing stopped him, saying, "My husband is still injured; it's important for him to rest."
Xie Lang was about to get up, supporting himself on the couch, when he frowned and looked over. Liu Qingqing had already hurriedly left. Xie Lang narrowed his long, narrow eyes, lost in thought.
Liu Qingqing walked quickly and had already left Jialan Garden.
Zhao Pansheng followed closely behind, never leaving Liu Qingqing's side. Ever since she fainted in the garden last time, the three of them had refused to let Liu Qingqing go anywhere alone. They had to take turns following her wherever she went.
Liu Qingqing was in turmoil. She knew her excuse had been too stiff and blunt. But now, being beside him felt like being underwater, suffocating and unbearable; she always had to surface for air. The thought that he might stay in the main room that night made her very anxious.
The Marquis's residence was originally the former residence of the Prince Yong of the previous dynasty, so it was naturally magnificent and the garden was exquisitely beautiful. But even the largest place has its limits, and Liu Qingqing didn't want to go back yet, so she took Zhao Pansheng and quietly left the garden, walking slowly past her second uncle's courtyard, listening intently to the sounds inside. Suddenly, she heard the very soft sound of a guqin.
"Miss, what tune is this? It sounds rather sad."
Liu Qingqing immediately stopped, then quickened her pace as if afraid of something. This sudden stop and quicken left Zhao Pansheng completely bewildered.
The guqin is a musical instrument for personal enjoyment; its sound is not heard beyond three feet.
She hurried forward a few steps past her second uncle Xie Pan's courtyard, and only after she could no longer hear the zither music did she realize that Zhao Pansheng had just asked her a question. She stopped and looked at the tightly closed courtyard gate, and answered in a low voice, "This piece is called 'Guangling San'. Ji Kang of the Wei and Jin Dynasties was skilled in this piece. He asked for a zither to play before his execution, and then calmly faced death."
Zhao Pansheng's eyes widened: "Xing Qian?"
She wanted to ask more, but seeing that her mistress was distracted, she swallowed back the words she was about to say. She assumed it was because of the master's return. Zhao Pansheng, being perceptive, quietly retreated behind her mistress.
Liu Qingqing's suspicions had become true by a twist of fate, while Xie Liu appeared out of nowhere and gently knocked on the window.
Xie Lang recognized the voice as Xie Liu's and followed the sound.
Xie Liu hid in the bamboo grove next to the back window. Xie Lang was about to push the window open when he suddenly remembered Liu Qingqing's pale and thin face. He withdrew his grip and only opened the window a crack.
"What's the urgent matter?"
Xie Liu was ordered to remain hidden in the shadows and not to reveal himself unless there was an urgent matter.
Xie Liu: "Reporting to my lord, someone was spying on Jialan Garden just now."
Xie Lang: "Hmm? Who comes here?"
Xie Liu replied dejectedly, "The newcomer was highly skilled in martial arts and quick-witted. I didn't see him clearly and couldn't catch up with him."
Xie Lang pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then tapped the window frame lightly with his finger. "I understand. It's probably someone behind the Governor-General of Huguang. Keep a close eye on them. Since they've come once, they'll definitely come again."
Xie Liu accepted the order: "Yes!"
Xie Lang asked, "Has anything unusual happened in the manor recently? Have you made any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate before?"
When his master asked, Xie Liu immediately thought of the fact that his wife hadn't returned home for a long time that rainy night. However, seeing that his wife had returned from the master's place, the master must know about it. Besides, Xie Liu knew that the master valued his wife and didn't like to hear gossip, so after thinking it over, he suppressed his thoughts and didn't say anything about it.
How dare he interfere in his master's and his wife's affairs?
Speaking of recent events at the manor, "Nothing unusual has happened at the manor; a secret check revealed no strangers have entered. However, there is one thing..."
Xie Lang: "What is it?"
Xie Liu: "I overheard that the old lady seems to be arranging for the second master to have a match made."
This was unexpected, but he couldn't interfere in his elders' private affairs.
After dismissing Xie Liu, Xie Lang deduced, after much thought, that it was related to the Governor-General of Huguang. However, the Governor-General's case was a complex web of corruption, and the investigation was only deepening. According to Wei Mingzhao's information, this Governor-General was extremely audacious; not only him, but he had also dragged others in the court into collusion with the Northern Qiang. The specific officials involved needed further investigation. To avoid alerting the enemy, they pretended not to know for the time being.
As for his second uncle, although he didn't know why his grandmother, who usually didn't care about these things, had gotten involved, he couldn't interfere in matters within the elders' quarters, so he would just observe for now.
Xie Lang quickly wrote a letter and ordered Xie Wu to secretly deliver it to the Wei residence.
After Xie Wu left to carry out his orders, Xie Lang stood under the eaves, frowning as he looked at the darkening sky. He then sent someone to summon Granny Li.
"Madam hasn't been feeling well lately. Does she take such long walks every day?"
Granny Li, however, seemed guilty, her eyebrows drooping and her eyes downcast. "Perhaps it's because Miss hasn't left the manor lately and is feeling restless, which is why she's been strolling around for a while longer."
Xie Lang saw that Li Mama had misunderstood, but did not explain. He only said, "It's getting chilly at night. I think Madam is not well yet. I need to ask you to persuade Madam to stay home."
He then went back to his room and picked up the book again.
But this time, I couldn't concentrate on it.
Lately, he's been preoccupied with many trivial matters, and he also needs time to think things through, though he hasn't quite figured things out yet. It seems there's also been a rift between him and his wife. He hadn't thought much of it at first, but seeing how distant she was from him when he came back today, he felt a little uneasy.
"She's a cat that can't be tamed," he said, shaking his head.
Thinking of her outrageous father and brothers, Xie Lang snorted coldly.
They actually had the audacity to try and curry favor with the Regent's Palace, even going so far as to propose marriage between the Lady's stepsister and Li Ying. What a pipe dream! It's like a pie falling from the sky.
That would be good, of course. Although his wife still cherishes blood ties, he felt that they were not learning from their mistakes and were not quick to change. It would be better if they hit a brick wall again.
If we're talking about marriage, then the stepsister is naturally more suitable than the wife, since the wife and Li Ying are blood relatives.
He praised his stepsister to the skies, and it seems that Liu Xu thought he was a confidant of the prince and was already carried away by it.
When Liu Xu discovers the Regent's Consort's true identity, the scene will be quite a spectacle. It's likely Liu Xu will be in serious trouble by then.
The Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review was most adept at using others to commit murder.
However, she didn't need to know about these sordid matters.
She ignored him, but he secretly avenged her. Once it's done, what method will she use to make him forgive her?
Xie Lang found it amusing at first glance. He also felt that the lady's cold face was better than her smiling demeanor before.
She still hadn't returned after waiting for a long time.
Xie Lang couldn't wait any longer, so he put down his book, grabbed his cloak, and went to look for the person.
The servants working in the courtyard were moved to tears upon seeing this, their faces beaming with uncontainable joy. Only with their masters reconciled could they live in peace.
Xie Lang went to the garden, but after entering, he looked around and couldn't see her anywhere. He frowned and felt worried.
No matter how much he resented her for hiding things, she was still his lawfully wedded wife. He couldn't let her be wasted on him.
Just as I was hesitating about which way to start looking, I turned around and saw Liu Qingqing walking towards me from the other side of the bamboo forest.
Her plain white dress stood out starkly in the hazy night. She was so thin that it seemed a gust of wind could blow her away, lifting her off the ground and back into the sky.
The moment this thought crossed his mind, Xie Lang felt a tightness in his chest, and then his displeasure deepened.
When he stopped in front of her, she was slightly taken aback, as if she had just noticed him, and it was unclear what she had been thinking.
She seems to be quite preoccupied lately.
Xie Lang glanced at the cloak behind her, and with a long arm, wrapped the cloak he was carrying around her neck.
"You're not fully recovered yet, don't catch a cold again."
Seeing her blank and empty eyes, Xie Lang felt a pang of pity and tightened his grip on her cold hand.
A tremor ran through him, and for the first time, the carefree and dashing young master of the Xie family lowered his head. "I was wrong last time."
That's enough, that's enough.
Seeing that she had lost a lot of weight, he realized that no matter what the reason, he shouldn't ignore her.
We shouldn't have forced her to back down.
A perfunctory apology is worthless; he's all sweet talk and treacherous, and you never know what he's really thinking. To share a bed with such a person would only fill me with dread.
Liu Qingqing showed no joy on her face and even awkwardly withdrew her hand. Xie Lang paused slightly, then put his arm around her shoulder and said in a low voice, "Let's go back to our room."
He then instructed Zhao Pansheng: "Go back quickly and boil some hot water to soak in."
Zhao Pansheng retreated nimbly, and after three steps he started jogging.
Her face was tense; she had only recently come to realize just how deep the waters ran in the mansions of princes and nobles.
Zhao Pansheng was quick-witted.
The first time the young lady had a fever was outside the bamboo grove in the garden, the second time she fainted in the bamboo grove outside the second master's courtyard, and this time she also felt unwell after passing by the second master's courtyard.
Although the young lady tried her best to disguise herself, Zhao Pan, who had escaped death, still had this much insight; otherwise, she wouldn't have survived.
Although she didn't know exactly what it was, she vaguely guessed that the young lady's recent strange behavior might be related to the second master.
After being embraced by Xie Lang, Liu Qingqing smelled the familiar scent of moon unicorn and suddenly came to her senses. Her eyes darted around in a panic, and fearing that he might overthink things, she quickly made an excuse, "I'm sorry to have made my husband laugh at me. I was just a little cold."
She dared not let Xie Lang know that she suspected Aunt Jia was in her second uncle's courtyard.
While he treated her well, he secretly plotted when to abandon her.
The depths of her heart terrified her.
Who knows if he would silence her if he knew she knew such a secret?
If she had dared to test the waters before, Liu Qingqing wouldn't dare to gamble at all now.
She was not only herself; behind her were people like Granny Li, Qingju, Zhao Pansheng, and Lin Mei who followed her.
Back in the courtyard, unable to take a bath due to her period, Liu Qingqing washed up and then lingered in the washroom, reluctant to leave, leaning against the tub and splashing water with her hands. Hearing that he showed no sign of leaving, she bit her lip and frowned, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
The thought of sharing a bed with him makes me feel like there are bloodworms crawling under my skin.
I really don't want to.
I really don't want to...
Xie Lang, seeing that no one was coming back, was about to go and check when he heard someone approaching the main room. He turned and walked towards the door.
It's Granny Li.
Xie Lang opened the door a crack, and Li Mama handed in a teacup. "Sir, this is ginger soup with honey. Please make sure Madam drinks it all."
Seeing Xie Lang lower her eyes, Granny Li quickly explained, "Madam is menstruating, and we're afraid she'll catch a cold and have abdominal pain."
"Okay." Xie Lang took the teacup.
Inside the clean room, Liu Qingqing was lost in melancholy.
But what could she do as she was living under someone else's roof? When Xie Lang came to knock on the door, she could no longer delay. She picked up a handkerchief and hastily wrapped it around her still-wet hair.
She strode out, glanced quickly at Xie Lang, and said with a light smile, "I'm sorry, my husband, I've been using it for a while."
Xie Lang frowned slightly, about to speak, but she quickly returned to the bedside. He didn't say anything more and went into the bathroom to wash up.
After carefully cleaning, Xie Lang hesitated before leaving, turning back to the small room where the bathtub was located. Standing beside the tub, he swept the clean, refreshing floor and glanced at the clear water inside.
When he went out again, his gaze toward her seemed thoughtful.
The clean room has a small door for servants to enter and exit.
The servants carried the bath tub away and emptied the water.
Xie Lang held the book and read for a while longer. Only after the other side finished their work and quieted down did he get up and go to the bedside.
Liu Qingqing had already lay down on the inside with her back to him, the brocade quilt pulled up to her neck, covering her completely.
Xie Lang extinguished the candle and lay down beside her.
"Asleep?" he asked in a low voice.
For some reason, he always felt that something was wrong with her.
An eerie silence, broken only by the mingling of breaths.
Xie Lang sighed inwardly. She must be asleep; she probably wasn't fully recovered yet.
Afraid she would get cold, Xie Lang reached out and wrapped his arm around Liu Qingqing's slender waist, wanting to pull her into his embrace. But just as he encircled her waist, thinking about how she had become so thin, before he could even exert any force, a pair of cold, soft hands suddenly gripped his forearm, followed by her dry, tight voice, "Husband, I'm not feeling well."
"..."
Another strange silence ensued. Xie Lang's brow furrowed as he chuckled helplessly, "Today is neither the fifth nor the fifteenth. I was just worried you'd be cold."
After a long while, Liu Qingqing's apologetic murmur came from the darkness, "I'm sorry, my husband."
Where he couldn't see her, she remained expressionless, her eyes filled with disgust.
Xie Lang suddenly felt like teasing her and asked, "What have you done to wrong me?"
Liu Qingqing still held his arms tightly with both hands, but did not answer the question.
A few breaths later, the faint smile on Xie Lang's face vanished.
Even if he was slow to understand matters of love and sex, he knew something was wrong.
Noticing that she was stiff all over, he reluctantly withdrew his hand.
But he still tucked the quilt in for her and then silently stepped aside.
He lay back down, but suddenly couldn't fall asleep. He gazed at the bed curtains in the moonlight.
Today she was quite resistant to him and rather cold.
In the darkness, his dark eyes gleamed with an eerie light.
After an unknown amount of time, Xie Lang glanced at her and noticed that she looked tiny in the darkness.
Like the rather temperamental raccoon he had as a child. That raccoon later died of illness, and he hired skilled craftsmen to take out its internal organs and make them into ornaments, which are still on display in his secret storeroom.
He pressed his swollen brow; he had been too tired lately and fell asleep almost immediately.
Hearing his even breathing, Liu Qingqing loosened her clenched teeth, not daring to move, afraid that any movement would wake him. After a while, she realized that she was soaked in sweat, her undergarment clinging uncomfortably to her body. She then discovered that she had been sweating profusely without even noticing.
But she dared not move.
She was afraid of both disliking him and being liked by him.
Uncertain about the future, perhaps because the night was too quiet to conceal her inner turmoil, she suddenly felt like crying. Afraid of making a sound and disturbing him, she quickly bit the corner of the blanket. In a daze, accompanied by fear and confusion, drowsiness overcame her, and she fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning.
Xie Lang woke up early, but when he opened his eyes he realized something was wrong. Why was there a cute little cat in his arms?
Liu Qingqing was pressed against his chest, seemingly cold, and her arms were tightly wrapped around him.
Xie Lang lowered his eyes, but his face darkened when he caught sight of the faint tear tracks on her face.
What's wrong?
What happened?
Seeing that she was sleeping soundly, Xie Lang glanced outside and hesitated before finally deciding not to push her out.
When it was time to leave for court, he gently helped her lie down.
As he left, Xie Lang turned back and gave her a deep look.
Because he came out late this morning, Xie Wu waited outside early, just like an ant on a hot pan, wondering whether to go and call the adults.
Seeing that the adult had figured it out and was striding towards him, and that the adult seemed to be in a good mood, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He hurriedly followed the master out of the mansion.
Xie Lang suddenly stopped, turned around and instructed Xie Wu, "Summon the physician when you return to the manor today. I have something to ask him."
Xie Wu was stunned for a moment, then quickly responded.
Xie Lang suddenly felt lost, as if he were deep in a fog.
Even though Madam Mingming had stopped being as sticky and clingy as he had hoped, he felt better for a moment, then felt uncomfortable again, as if he were being suffocated by a net.
As they left the courtyard, a figure could be seen faintly behind the hanging flower gate.
Liu Qingqing felt comfortable after waking up.
I've been feeling cold lately, but I slept well last night because it was warm.
Before going to bed, I was vaguely worried that I might catch a cold and then get a fever, but it turned out fine.
Upon learning that Xie Lang had left the mansion, Liu Qingqing finally relaxed and enjoyed a proper breakfast.
I was so nervous yesterday that I didn't even get enough to eat.
She was afraid that Xie Lang would think she ate too much and kick her out.
It seemed absurd, for she knew Xie Lang wasn't that kind of person.
Can……
She could no longer trust him.
After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Liu Qingqing locked himself in the east wing.
First, he managed his money.
The gold bestowed upon her by the princess could be exchanged for silver notes.
If Xie Lang really intended to kick her out, she would need to take advantage of the Marquis's influence to quickly resolve the estate issue and retrieve what she was owed from Madam Ying.
Last time the academy was closed for a day, she happened to have a fever, so Liu Qingying stayed for a day and then returned to the academy.
She has another two days off, so she needs to sound out their intentions.
Those things are simple; the difficult part is that she has nowhere to go.
The current dynasty has been in power for more than ten years, yet the border regions are still unstable, and other places are experiencing both good and bad fortune.
She couldn't just blindly stumble into someone's net.
This matter is very difficult, and I have no clue what to do. Liu Qingqing decided to put it aside for the time being and focus on the matter at hand.
The mysterious zither music in my second uncle's courtyard.
She was 80% certain that the person in the courtyard was Aunt Jia.
Aunt Jia was a big fan of Ji Kang, and she had even heard Aunt Jia play this piece.
Xie Lang is Xie Lang, and Aunt Jia is Aunt Jia.
She didn't know why Aunt Jia was in her second uncle's courtyard, nor did she know that the Marquis and the entire Marquis's mansion were unaware of this matter. But now that she knew, she had to test the waters and see if Aunt Jia was trapped there and unable to extricate herself.
But when she recalled the music, she felt it didn't sound like it.
"Never mind, we have to find out the truth."
Only then can we repay Aunt Jia's kindness to us.
Thinking it through this way makes one feel more at ease.
But the concern is how to avoid alerting the enemy.
Just then, Zhao Pansheng and Qingju brought a basket of melons and fruits, their faces beaming with joy.
Seeing the young lady's puzzled expression, before she could ask, Zhao Pansheng secretly delighted, "These were sent by Madam Wei. She said they were fruits offered at the temple, and they're perfect with incense!"
Zhao Pansheng was simple-minded; she felt that her young mistress had been unlucky lately and in poor health. If she could receive these offered fruits, she would surely recover quickly!
As Liu Qingqing listened, her blank gaze gradually cleared; it was truly a godsend!
Her eyes widened, and suddenly she clapped her hands, "I've got it!"
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
Xie Lang strode in, pushed open the door to the main room, and saw that the room was empty.
"Where is Madam?"
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