58 Chapter Fifty-Eight
Even at this point, Xie Lang still didn't believe that Liu Qingqing's request for a divorce was genuine.
Chapter 54
The group headed towards the newly rented house.
The old lady wanted her to use the Marquis's carriage, but since they were divorced, it wasn't appropriate to use the Marquis's carriage anymore. This afternoon, she had Lin Mei rent a carriage.
I didn't buy a car because it's expensive, and I'll be leaving Beijing soon, so it wouldn't be worth the money.
She has always been frugal and insecure, and even now, she has to carefully plan her finances.
Zhao Pansheng handled things properly. The rented house was in the east of the city. The east of the city was mostly inhabited by commoners and the price was lower, but it was very close to the military headquarters.
The Military Command is responsible for protecting the security of the capital. Even though they are all women, the Military Command is very active here, so petty thieves don't dare to come. Even notorious thieves would have to think twice before coming and trying to escape unscathed.
The master and servants looked them over and were quite satisfied.
Granny Li patted Zhao Pansheng on the shoulder to show her approval.
Zhao Pansheng's eyes sparkled as he smiled at Qingju and Lin Mei, revealing his snow-white teeth.
Because of its proximity to the military headquarters, this alley was mostly inhabited by minor officials from the headquarters. The alley looked quite clean, and some women were sitting at their doorways, picking vegetables and chatting. When they saw an unfamiliar carriage drive into the alley, they all peeked out to take a look.
Oh, what a beautiful young lady.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out that the hairpin was worn by a woman.
The new dynasty has only been established for a little over ten years. Unlike the previous dynasty, which strictly forbade women from showing their faces in public, this dynasty encourages women to go out and do business. Regarding marriage, unlike the previous dynasty which erected chastity arches, the court encourages divorce and remarriage. If things don't go well, separate; what's the point of staying together and suffering?
Therefore, when the neighbors saw Liu Qingqing wearing a woman's hairpin and that the whole group of people were women, they didn't think anything of it.
This young lady had skin as smooth as jade, like a fairy descended from heaven, making one hesitant to look closely. She was enveloped in an ethereal aura, and at first glance, it was clear she was not from an ordinary family; she was obviously a noblewoman.
Liu Qingqing, unaware of what others were thinking, was in a hurry to enter the courtyard.
Given the urgency of the situation, even if she can leave the capital with her cousin tomorrow, she still needs to settle things with Granny Li and the others.
Standing in front of the courtyard gate, Liu Qingqing stared intently at the house.
The two wooden doors were painted black, the roof was covered with dark gray tiles, and the steps were light gray stone. Although it was clean and upright, the paint was uneven and the edges of the wood were cracked. It could not compare with the elegant Liu Mansion, let alone the magnificent Hou Mansion.
"Miss, quickly push the door open and go in to take a look." Granny Li couldn't wait any longer.
Liu Qingqing turned her head and smiled at her, placing her hands on the uneven door and applying slight pressure. The two wooden doors creaked open slowly, revealing the true scene in the courtyard.
Although it's a two-courtyard house, it's rather simple compared to the Marquis's mansion.
This was Liu Qingqing's first thought.
The courtyard is paved with blue bricks and gray tiles, and the ground is also covered with stone slabs.
This courtyard also has a hanging flower gate, which divides this two-section courtyard into a front yard and a back yard.
It was spotless; not a single weed could be seen, and the walls were free of moss. A small vegetable patch had been cultivated against the wall, with a wooden frame supporting the very end of the patch.
The wooden frame looked familiar to Liu Qingqing; it was very similar to the grape trellis in Shi'an Garden.
It's clear that although the previous owners weren't wealthy, they were quite caring. If properly maintained, it should be a very warm and inviting place.
Granny Li immediately got into the spirit of work, put the bundle down in the side room, and went to find a broom.
Although the rain that started at noon has stopped, there are still several puddles in the yard.
Zhao Pansheng and Qingju couldn't let Granny Li do such rough work, so they both rushed to grab the broom and asked Granny Li to tidy up the main room for their young lady so that she could rest.
Granny Li thought it made sense! She put down the broom and headed towards the main room.
Zhao Pansheng pushed Qingju to the kitchen, and Qingju busied herself in the kitchen.
Fortunately, although the courtyard was not large, it had all the necessary items; the stove was intact, and the iron pot was still in good condition.
The courtyard, which had been rather quiet just moments before, suddenly became lively!
Granny Li busied herself tidying up the main room, which was divided into three rooms: the middle room was the main hall, the east side was the bedroom, and the west side was furnished with tables and chairs to make a study.
Granny Li had just finished cleaning the bedroom and urged the young lady to go in and rest. Liu Qingqing refused, but Granny Li, unusually forceful, pushed her directly onto the bed, saying mysteriously, "I've been airing these beddings for several days. Miss, try sleeping on them and see if you like it?"
Seeing the joy on Li Mama's face, Liu Qingqing granted her wish.
She lay on her side on the bed, closed her eyes and listened to the lively and bustling sounds outside. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, and this burning sensation went straight to her eyes.
With only the four of them busy in the two courtyards, they were somewhat stretched thin. Several maids from the original Jialan Garden still wanted to stay in the Marquis's residence, and she did not insist.
As she drifted through the storms, nothing was as comforting as the Marquis's mansion.
She wondered if she should buy some more servants, but she didn't know when she could return, so she couldn't decide for the time being.
Thinking this way, I actually fell asleep.
It was Zhao Pansheng who woke her up. She had been sleeping soundly, and when she woke up again, it was already dark outside. A delicious aroma wafted from outside the door, one she had never smelled before, making her mouth water. Liu Qingqing immediately woke up, and her stomach rumbled as she realized she was hungry.
Passing through the door between the bedroom and the main room, I saw a large porcelain bowl on the octagonal table. Upon closer inspection, I saw shredded vegetables and chunks of meat inside, which smelled delicious, but I had never seen anything like it before.
Liu Qingqing looked at Qingju, who blushed and said shyly, "Miss, this is a soup I recently learned to make. Would you like to try it and see if it suits your taste?"
Everyone stared at her with bright eyes, as if trying to find a trace of sadness or sorrow in her brows and eyes.
Liu Qingqing seemed oblivious and called out to them, "Then come and try it together."
Granny Li said reproachfully, "Miss, please eat first. We'll wait!"
Liu Qingqing: "We'll not worry about the future, but let's treat today as the first meal in the new house and eat together."
Upon hearing this, the group looked at each other. Zhao Pansheng and Qingju shyly pushed each other back and forth, while Liu Qingqing waited patiently with her chin resting on her hand. There was a clear sense of stubbornness in them, as if they wouldn't sit down until they did. Seeing this, Granny Li compromised and said, "Then I'll go get the bowls and chopsticks."
Qingju eagerly ran ahead, saying, "I can go, there's no need for you to make the trip."
Zhao Pansheng followed closely behind, jogging over.
The two young people easily left Granny Li behind. Granny Li helplessly pointed at their backs and pretended to curse them angrily, "You two!"
Liu Qingqing took in this scene, noticing that everyone looked different from how they had looked in the Marquis's residence, and couldn't hide the smiles on their faces.
The rain is cool today, just the right time to enjoy hot soup.
Qingju said the newly made soup is called Hulatang, which is warming to the stomach. She also made pepper and salt pancakes, which are topped with sesame seeds and smell delicious.
Each person had a bowl of soup and a flatbread, and they ate until beads of sweat appeared on their noses. It was so satisfying!
A mouthful of spicy soup warms the whole body. Then, a bite of the crispy outer layer of the flatbread releases a delightful aroma – pure bliss!
Liu Qingqing had a good appetite today. She finished a pancake with the novel hot soup, put down the porcelain bowl, and let out a long sigh.
This new beginning looks great!
Then I wondered if Xie Lang had returned to the manor by now?
If you return to the manor, you will see the divorce papers she left behind.
-
Two hours ago.
Contrary to his usual behavior, Xie Lang returned to his residence early in the afterglow of the setting sun.
From the moment I entered the mansion, I sensed something was different.
The servants were all tense, glancing at him with what they thought was their hidden intelligence. Xie Lang ignored them completely.
Only three or four servants remained anxiously guarding the door. When they saw Xie Lang return, they were excited and wanted to go to greet him, but they dared not.
After passing the screen wall, walk along the long corridor towards Jialan Garden.
Passing by a side courtyard, he noticed that the wooden box that had been placed there the day before was gone. He didn't go in to check, but continued on his way.
Upon arriving at the hanging flower gate of Jialan Garden, they did not immediately step inside.
A quick glance around revealed a tranquil courtyard. Now that it was late autumn, the sunlight was no longer bright and golden, but rather tinged with a bronze hue. This bronze-colored afterglow enveloped the courtyard, yet carried a sense of desolation.
Xie Lang did not go to the main house. Instead, he strolled leisurely to the small lake in the courtyard and stood beside the willow tree that had no branches or leaves.
As autumn drew to a close, the willow leaves had long since fallen. Compared to the robust willows outside, this transplanted tree appeared thin and frail, quite immature.
Xie Lang raised his hand to touch it, the dry bark pressed against his palm. He lowered his eyes slightly, seemingly lost in thought. A gust of wind blew the bare willow branches, striking his face with a crisp sound. Xie Lang snapped out of his reverie, raised his hand, touched it with his fingertips, and chuckled softly.
His temperament is remarkably similar to that of his wife who ran away from home.
"grown ups!"
Xie Lang frowned as he heard Xie Wu's voice calling from behind, but he couldn't hear Xie Wu's footsteps approaching.
Xie Lang lowered his hand subtly without turning around.
"Where is Madam?" Xie Lang asked calmly. "Has she been settled in?"
Xie Wu glanced at the magistrate's aloof and indifferent back and knew something was wrong. His face tightened, but he forced himself to reply, "The madam's side is all settled. Xie Liu came to report that smoke was already rising from the chimney this evening, so she must have already eaten hot food."
Xie Wu didn't dare say anything, but Xie Liu said the soup the little maid made smelled wonderful, and it even seemed like she had baked some pancakes; even the people hiding there were drooling over the smell. Inside the courtyard, there was only laughter and cheerful conversation; not a trace of sadness or grief was felt for leaving the Marquis's mansion.
Xie Wu paused slightly, and before Xie Lang could ask any more questions, he continued speaking to himself.
"The courtyard was prepared in advance, and Madam did not notice anything amiss. We have secretly investigated the neighbors and found nothing unusual; they are all respectable families. Yesterday, we had all the stoves and pots in the house inspected and repaired. Everything is in order, and Madam will surely be able to stay comfortably."
"Um."
The official only responded with a single word, and Xie Wu was terrified. Sure enough, the next moment he heard the official ask again, "How is General Ying?"
Xie Wu immediately knelt on one knee, his knee landing firmly on the stone surface with a dull thud.
"General Ying packed his bags and went to the Regent's Palace this afternoon. He hasn't left his room since returning to the inn."
Xie Wu didn't know why the order to deal with the matter in three days had been issued, and the young general should have left the capital yesterday. Why was it changed to tomorrow?
"Since he can shoulder the responsibilities of a young general, he is certainly not just a figurehead."
I never expected Ying Yucheng to have some skills; he's quite capable even in Beijing.
Xie Wu bowed his head deeply.
He felt very guilty for not handling the matter well.
"Is everything settled by tomorrow?" Xie Lang asked in a low voice.
"It's all taken care of, don't worry! Xie Liu is now leading his men to guard outside the city!"
"Um."
Xie Lang waved for Xie Wu to leave, saying, "Get some rest early; you might have to get up early tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Xie Wu stood up and lingered in the same spot for a while without leaving.
Although he was clueless about love, he always felt that the adults' approach was a bit off.
The lady is already angry with the master and wants to leave. How can we just let him go and then bring him back?
His lips moved slightly, and he murmured twice, but still didn't speak. He scratched the back of his head, shook his head, and quietly withdrew.
As he was about to leave Jialan Garden, he caught a glimpse of Miss Zhao smiling at him out of the corner of his eye. He stopped abruptly and looked closely, only to find a swaying shrub. Miss Zhao was nowhere to be seen.
He recalled Zhao's initial radiant smile and her later cold indifference towards him. Xie Wu's face contorted in a grimace; his heart was filled with bitterness.
After Xie Wu left, Xie Lang did not rush to leave.
The wind carried Xie Lang's faint sigh.
"I hope my wife won't disappoint me..."
As darkness fell, the wind grew cooler.
Xie Lang turned and headed towards the main room, but the door that Xia Chang usually kept open was now tightly closed.
The lanterns on the corridor were still the same, and the flowers and plants were unchanged, looking exactly the same as when she was there, but for some reason, it seemed a bit lonely.
He pushed the door open with one hand and stepped over the threshold.
The room was dimly lit, as no lights were on. He lit a candle with a tinderbox, and only then could he see his surroundings clearly. He couldn't help but chuckle coldly.
Xie Lang walked to the table and tapped the surface lightly with his knuckles, then looked around the main room.
She moved quickly; all her belongings were gone from the room, leaving it completely empty.
Remembering something, Xie Lang went to the makeup box and reached out to hook it, only to find the brocade box still lying there peacefully.
He took out the brocade box, opened it, and examined it closely. The three pills were no different from the last time.
For some reason, I felt relieved.
Even at this point, Xie Lang still didn't believe that Liu Qingqing's divorce was genuine.
She found the Marquis's residence boring and felt it wouldn't hurt to stay elsewhere temporarily.
Divorce is not an option.
Xie Lang didn't delve into why he was so indulgent towards her. He simply felt that since he had married her and she was his first wife, he should give her more leeway. Once she had had her fill of playing around and causing trouble outside, she would naturally return to his side.
His dark eyes gleamed with a dim light, and he found his wife increasingly intriguing.
Xie Lang thought he might have to get up early tomorrow, so after a quick wash, he went to bed fully clothed without having dinner.
The bedsheets still carried her faint floral scent, but she was nowhere to be seen. He reached out and touched her; the side that was usually warm was now completely cold. He lay down beside her.
He looked out at the dark night and murmured softly, "It's cold tonight."
I wonder if she's cold?
Whether it was the cold or the allure of her fragrance, Xie Lang, though resting with his eyes closed, did not sleep all night.
As for the divorce papers on the table, he pretended not to see them.
If you don't see it, then it doesn't exist.
What does the divorce agreement he didn't sign count for?
Meanwhile, in the new house.
Liu Qingqing woke up early, before the sun had even climbed to the treetops.
She was thinking of quietly washing up, but as soon as she opened the door, she saw Li Mama and the other three women anxiously waiting under the eaves. Every single one of them had red eyes, and even the usually taciturn Lin Mei's eyes were swollen like peaches.
Liu Qingqing couldn't help but chuckle, but her eyes reddened and her voice trembled slightly.
"It's not like I'm not coming back, what are you doing?"
Last night before going to bed, she summoned the four of them and told them her plan.
She was thinking of going to the Northwest with her cousin, but bringing a maid might not be appropriate. She noticed that her cousin hadn't brought a servant when he came to the capital, which suggested that her uncle's family had strict rules and taught them to be self-reliant.
They all insisted on joining in, each saying their own thing, and after a while, it was finally Li Mama who calmed them down.
"I'll follow Miss's instructions."
Granny Li, however, had other plans. If the young lady was unhappy, then so be it; but she was still young and needed a place to settle down. She thought General Ying was quite suitable.
The journey is long, and the man and woman are alone, making it a perfect opportunity to get to know each other.
That's how the matter was settled.
Even so, they were still reluctant to part. They got up very early to pack their young lady's luggage. Qingju and Zhao Pansheng got up even earlier and went to the kitchen to bake a lot of shortbread that was easy to store and carry.
This was Liu Qingqing's first time going out alone, and she brought a lot of things with her, especially various kinds of medicine for injuries.
The original half-pill was almost gone, but fortunately, she found a similar prescription in a book left by her mother. However, knowing that this matter was of great importance, she had not yet consulted a doctor.
She also brought the poison powder and sleeping pills that Xie Lang had given her, which she hid in a specially made ring and wore on her hand.
Aside from banknotes and loose silver, I didn't bring much valuables. My small bundle couldn't hold that much. If that didn't work, I could just go to a clothing store and buy some.
"Why are you dressed like this today, Miss?"
Qingju was surprised.
Unlike her usual elegant and refined appearance, today the young lady wasn't even wearing plain brocade; instead, she wore a simple cotton, narrow-sleeved, short-sleeved Hu-style dress. Her long, flowing hair was tied up high, giving her a rather dashing and heroic look at first glance.
Everyone's eyes lit up, and they all praised the young lady for looking even more beautiful this way.
Granny Li nodded in approval: "Miss did the right thing! Brocade clothes are too flashy; you can't wear that while traveling outside. Even when you leave the city, you'll have to wear a veil and be extra careful."
Liu Qingqing nodded, "Granny, I understand."
Seeing that her mistress had agreed, Granny Li breathed a sigh of relief, but she still felt uneasy. The thought of her mistress, whom she had always kept under her watchful eye, going alone to such a far place felt like someone had ripped a piece of her heart out.
Her eyelids twitched, but no matter how reluctant she was, she couldn't delay her mistress, so she turned aside to wipe her face and said, "I'll go get breakfast."
Under their watchful eyes, Liu Qingqing ate her breakfast, but fearing it would be inconvenient on the journey, she didn't even dare to drink much water. Granny Li, seeing this, felt sorry for her and turned away, her eyes reddening. Qingju and the others, seeing this, also felt distressed.
They were always worried that without their care, the young lady would suffer outside. What would happen to them when they were far away from the emperor?
"I'm going to visit my uncle's family in the Northwest, not to die. Look at the way you all are acting."
Liu Qingqing teased them, but they were all furious. "Pah, pah, pah! How can Miss say such nonsense? Quickly, spit it out!"
Liu Qingqing laughed again and had no choice but to spit out a few more times as they pleased.
Despite our reluctance, dawn was breaking and it was almost time to depart.
Yesterday she sent someone to inform her cousin, who said he was waiting for her outside the city at dawn.
The city gates open wide at dawn (3-5 AM), and there should be fewer people by dawn (5-7 AM). By then, the sun will be rising, and it will be warmer.
Liu Qingqing knew that her cousin had taken care of her, and she appreciated his kindness. She thought that she should be more sensible on the way and not cause her cousin any trouble.
After breakfast, it was time to set off.
Yesterday, my cousin brought me a tall, chestnut-colored horse with a white spot on its rump that looked like a leaf. So she named it Red Leaf.
Red snorted, presumably because it liked the name.
My cousin said this horse is gentle and suitable for her to ride.
She fed the horse grass and groomed its fur, and after spending some time getting close to it, the horse accepted her.
It made her nervous for nothing.
Once outside the gate and on horseback, the horse moved trotted along, not very fast.
The nannies and their entourage were arranged like soldiers in battle formation, with two guarding each side.
As dawn broke and the sun had just risen, before it could spread its rosy glow, the streets were already bustling with activity.
After walking a little further out of the alley, the streets are lined with all sorts of stalls, selling vegetables, dry food, and breakfast.
This was the first time Liu Qingqing had ever seen it, and she looked around curiously.
Before long, the city gate came into view. Liu Qingqing tightened her grip on the reins, her throat tightened, and she swallowed hard.
Once outside the city gates, one will embark on a long journey.
Saying goodbye to the seemingly familiar capital city, heading towards the unknown distance.
"Miss, shall you send a message back from each place you visit?"
Zhao Pansheng suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Liu Qingqing lowered her eyes and agreed, "Okay."
"We will look after the estate and clinic for you. If you have any plans regarding the remaining rented shops, please write to us and let us know."
"good."
"Don't be stingy with money when you're out and about. If you get tired from riding, talk to the young general about buying a carriage. Otherwise, it won't be worth it to tire yourself out while traveling," Zhao Pansheng said with concern.
Qingju was also worried, "Miss, remember to heat the water and let it cool before drinking it outside. Don't go hungry, eat something easy to digest, or you'll get a stomachache."
Liu Qingqing smiled and agreed, "I understand, all is well, I'll do as you say."
For a moment, anticipation mixed with reluctance created an indescribable feeling that made her tongue numb.
After a moment of silence, the five people, master and servants, remained silent, each footstep becoming even quieter.
Despite their reluctance, they finally reached the city gate.
Liu Qingqing tightened the reins, and the horse stopped.
She dismounted and, to their surprise, gently hugged each of them, saying, "See you another day!"
Without giving them time to react, he swiftly mounted his horse, raised his whip at them, and said quite readily, "Gentlemen, stop here and go back!"
Chapter Fifty-Eight
I took another look at them, taking in the expression on each of their faces.
Liu Qingqing took a light breath, smiled at them, and lightly flicked her whip to urge her horse forward, "Giddy up!"
The horses' hooves clattered as they passed through the city gate.
The scene inside and outside the city was completely different. Outside the city, dust filled the air, and dirt roads had long been trodden out by passersby.
Her cousin arranged to meet her under a tree outside the city gate.
From a distance, she spotted a tall figure under the crooked old tree. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately spurred her horse on, which began to trot lightly.
She turned back and waved her hand, signaling Li Mama and the others to stop and not see her off any further; she didn't want to travel in tears and sorrow. Li Mama and the others understood her thoughts and, respecting her wishes, reluctantly stopped at the city gate.
And so I watched her figure gradually walk away.
Qingju had the softest heart, and she couldn't help but cover her mouth and cry. Zhao Pansheng didn't cry, but she bit her lips until they turned white.
Lin Mei, who was guarding the last spot, turned her back and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
With her eyes closed and hands clasped together, Li Mama's lips moved repeatedly as if she were chanting some sutra, praying to God to bless the young lady with a safe journey.
In a short while, Liu Qingqing was very close to the figure under the crooked old tree.
She vaguely sensed something was wrong, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. Without dwelling on it, she slowed her horse as she approached, dismounted, and strode over.
"Cousin..."
Upon hearing her voice, the man slowly turned around.
The amber-colored sunlight of dawn shone on his face, outlining his deep and unparalleled features.
When Liu Qingqing saw his face clearly, her eyes widened in astonishment.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
He actually drove her to this point! He actually drove her to this point!
A faint sense of hatred rose in his heart.
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