89 Chapter Eighty-Nine
She remembered everything.
Chapter 89
Liu Qingqing's eyes flickered slightly, "Of course we'll keep them."
She was quite looking forward to seeing Xie Lang's reaction to the mutton noodles.
Because she had fallen into the water earlier, Dr. Zhang said she felt a bit cold, so he advised her to get some sunshine during the day.
Xie Lang ordered someone to find her a comfortable reclining chair and then worked through the night to polish it for her.
Liu Qingqing was sunbathing in the courtyard, the warm light bathing her body, and she comfortably closed her eyes, feeling drowsy. Xie Lang had been very busy these past two days, interrogating people and training troops; there was a sense that a storm was brewing.
Having captured the second prince and annihilated most of the vanguard, this situation is unlikely to end well. I've heard there's already movement in the capital.
At this moment, Liu Qingqing kept quiet, not wanting to cause trouble for Xie Lang.
Suddenly, the sound of weapons clashing rang out outside, accompanied by the boy's angry shout.
"My sister is inside, why can't I see her!"
Hearing the noise, Liu Qingqing sat up and looked outside, vaguely seeing shadowy figures, as if there was more than one person.
Then a gentle voice rang out, "Please ask your cousin if it's convenient for her to receive guests."
The voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Sure enough, a moment later Xie Liu hurried up to her and respectfully asked, "Madam, did you hear that there are two... distinguished guests outside who wish to see you?"
Liu Qingqing glanced at Xie Liu, then at him again, and suddenly asked, "Where did you come from? I didn't see you just now."
Xie Liu choked up.
He couldn't figure out the current situation of his two masters, so he could only vaguely say, "The situation in Yingcheng is unclear right now, and I'm secretly protecting you, sir."
Liu Qingqing let out a drawn-out "oh," and Xie Liu looked down and felt his wife staring at him. Soon after, his back was covered in sweat.
How can a lady who has lost her memory be even more difficult to deal with than before?
"Then let them in."
Liu Qingqing pondered for a moment, deciding that since Xie Liuneng had come to ask, she shouldn't outright refuse. Given how closely Xie Lang was protecting her, these two shouldn't harm her.
As soon as they entered, Li Ying ran ahead, and upon seeing Liu Qingqing, tears streamed down her face. Ying Yucheng, who followed closely behind, tried his best to restrain himself, but his eyes also reddened.
Liu Qingqing's eyes showed curiosity, but there was no joy in seeing an old friend.
Two days prior, Xie Lang had sent people to warn them separately that Liu Qingqing had forgotten some things and needed to rest quietly, and not to agitate her.
Therefore, no matter how much Li Ying wanted to say, he had to swallow his words.
The same applies to sincerity.
Because they all had doubts, the three of them remained silent.
Li Ying and Ying Yucheng had barely entered when Xie Wu came in and chased them away.
"Now that you two gentlemen have seen my lady, please come in."
Li Ying and Ying Yucheng were both speechless, but Liu Qingqing did not say anything to stop them, so they could not linger any longer.
Liu Qingqing smiled rather embarrassedly: "I forgot some things. I'll go find you two when I remember."
The two had no choice but to reluctantly say goodbye.
Li Ying felt guilty for not catching his sister that day.
Ying Yucheng felt even more ashamed. If he hadn't hesitated that day, would he have been the one to catch his cousin?
Therefore, this hurried trip left Liu Qingqing somewhat confused.
I had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was.
She called out to Xie Wu, "Why are your parents so wary of these two?"
He readily went back to the clinic with her, and it didn't seem like he didn't want her to have any contact with the past.
"..."
Xie Wu hurriedly looked away in embarrassment, "You should ask the adults later."
After taking two steps forward, Xie Wu suddenly stopped. After hesitating for a long time, he turned back and couldn't help but ask, "Madam, do you still remember Zhao Pansheng?"
-
Liu Qingqing felt the name was familiar, but before she could think about it further, the outside became lively again.
People came to the gate to kowtow and apologize, begging Miss Lin, or rather, Madam Xie, for forgiveness.
After that incident, even the dogs in Yingcheng now know that the young lady at the clinic, Miss Lin, was originally the wife of Xie Lang, the Vice Minister of War!
Who dares to mess with her?
Upon learning that Miss Liu had been secretly distributing medicine to alleviate their symptoms, he couldn't help but despise his previous intention to scheme against Miss Liu.
Especially after the medicinal herb field was taken over by Lord Xie's subordinates, the previous preferential treatment was no longer given!
They were filled with remorse and had nowhere to turn to cry.
Liu Qingqing was unaware of all this. Xie Lang seemed to be protecting her within a transparent barrier, preventing any disturbances from disturbing her ears.
The noise gave Liu Qingqing a headache. She exchanged a glance with Lin Mei and said, "We can't rest today."
She muttered to herself.
Lin Mei looked at her mistress in surprise. Her mistress had lost her memory and was quite different. Had she ever complained like this before?
I've gained the vibrancy that comes with age; I was so dull before!
Touched, Lin Mei led her out quietly through a side door.
Where do I usually go?
Lin Mei thought for a moment, "Miss and Liang Li from Qingfeng Pavilion are quite close, why don't we go sit there for a while?"
Liu Qingqing nodded, and the two of them headed there.
Upon arriving at Qingfeng Pavilion, Liu Qingqing was surprised to find it quite interesting.
I couldn't help but widen my eyes, wanting to see more clearly.
After passing through the corridor, you will see a man and a woman standing very close together.
The man's appearance... at first glance, did resemble Xie Lang somewhat.
The man was kneeling in front of Liang Li, his eyes filled with sorrow.
Liang Li's expression, however, was somewhat cold.
"If you like it, I'll grant your wish. But what kind of behavior is this now?"
This girl looks like a sweet fruit, but her words are like needles and swords that can draw blood! Liu Qingqing likes her.
Not wanting to disturb them, Liu Qingqing quietly slipped out.
Before leaving, she glanced back at the man's profile, but it was just a fleeting look; he didn't look much the same now.
Today, Liu Qingqing met many people, including a refined and scholarly general who claimed to be her cousin, and a dashing young man who said he was her younger brother.
Her life before... was quite colorful.
He was about to return to the clinic, but then he changed his mind and decided to go find Xie Lang.
Xie Lang left a note saying that if anyone needed to contact him, they could go and find him.
Liu Qingqing and Lin Mei then walked towards the yamen.
-
In the dark dungeon, Fu Xiuzhu was moved and hung in a closed cell, his severed wrist already rotting and foul-smelling. Every day, jailers would sprinkle wound medicine on it.
Contrary to Fu Xiuzhu's expectations, Xie Lang did not subject him to further torture, but instead began to attack his mind.
Xie Lang sat down in front of him with an air of nonchalance, first recounting the recent royal court's commendation of the eldest prince, which Fu Xiuzhu scoffed at, not taking it seriously.
It's all about power; it rises and falls. As long as he doesn't die, he'll have a chance to rise again!
Xie Lang glanced at him and then pulled out a second secret document.
"This came from your capital today, it's still fresh."
Xie Lang, surprisingly kind-hearted, stood up and held the letter under Fu Xiuzhu's nose so he could smell it. "Does it smell like the grasslands?"
"Your childhood sweetheart was drowned in sewage by your brother."
Fu Xiuzhu's eyes instantly turned red, and veins bulged. "Impossible! You're talking nonsense!"
Xie Lang glanced at him, then continued reading, drawing out his words, "Oh, when the servants were preparing the body for burial, they discovered that the woman appeared to have recently given birth."
"Wh...what?" Fu Xiuzhu was struck dumb.
Xie Lang waved his hand, and Xie Wu quickly stepped forward and handed Fu Xiuzhu a blood-stained robe and a turquoise necklace.
"Your beloved concubine seemed to have been tortured before she was drowned. Here, keep this string of turquoise as a keepsake."
Fu Xiuzhu was utterly devastated. He took the item in a daze, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
"I also forgot to tell you that your mother, along with your beloved concubine, was also drowned by the eldest prince under the pretext of the incident."
Xie Lang lowered his voice, his eyes filled with pity for Fu Xiuzhu, "Fu Xiuzhu, you risked your life to infiltrate Yingcheng for half a year for the sake of the Northern Qiang, and what did they give you in return?"
"—Will your family be destroyed and your loved ones killed?"
The dark prison was deathly silent.
Meanwhile, a distinguished guest also arrived at Xiao Ying's prison.
After hearing about her daughter's series of misfortunes in Ying these past two days, Ying Yi was filled with rage.
Lord Xie held his daughter tightly, his words implying he didn't acknowledge her as his mother-in-law. Ying Yi felt annoyed, but then thought that Lord Xie seemed more energetic than before.
If she could..., her daughter wouldn't have suffered so much.
Therefore, these past two days, apart from lingering outside the clinic to secretly catch a glimpse of her daughter, Ying Yi did not use her status as a princess to intimidate anyone.
After secretly having someone investigate, they had the young man bound and brought to them.
She knew Xiao Ying very well and couldn't wait to give her younger sister a wonderful surprise.
"I heard you want to see me."
Upon hearing the gentle female voice from her memory, Xiao Ying shuddered and turned around abruptly.
But then she saw her deceased elder sister standing right in front of her!
It is elegant and magnificent, with an extraordinary presence.
And her? The filth and stench filled her with food and excrement, all within this cramped cell!
Her elder sister looked at her with the same gaze as before, as if she were looking at a dirty ant!
"I have prepared a little surprise for you."
As soon as Ying Yi finished speaking, a jailer opened the cell and dragged her out without any mercy.
Little Ying didn't know what was going on, her eyes fixed on Ying Yi.
She's so beautiful, how come she hasn't aged at all over the years?
Her heart was bubbling with malice and hatred. She couldn't hold back any longer. Even on the verge of death, she would still try to stab her!
"Does Your Highness know how pitiful you were in the Liu family, and how you cried for Liu Xu?"
Ying Yi glanced at her condescendingly, his eyes filled with mockery and disdain.
Soon they arrived at a quaint little courtyard next to the prison.
"Open the door."
Little Ying didn't know what kind of wolves and tigers Ying Yi had prepared to deal with her, so she cowered and hid behind.
But when the wooden door slowly opened and she saw the handsome man standing quietly in the courtyard through the crack, she was stunned and her eyes reddened.
“My love…”
She murmured softly, tears streaming down her dirty cheeks, leaving a trail.
Xiao Ying suddenly remembered that she hadn't washed her face or body these past few days, so she quickly turned to the side and wiped her cheeks with her sleeve. She then gathered her long hair back up.
She straightened her clothes; thankfully, she had worn a dark blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) to conceal her tracks, so it wasn't noticeably dirty.
After tidying herself up a bit, she finally looked over.
As if sensing something, the man in the courtyard turned around, his gaze first falling on the striking noblewoman behind the disheveled woman, his eyes lighting up. Seeing the noblewoman silently draw her sword, the man quickly looked away, only then recognizing the woman.
He Tan frowned slightly, as if he hesitated and dared not recognize her, "...Yun'er?"
Upon hearing her maiden name, Xiao Ying couldn't hold back any longer, and tears streamed down her face. Who had remembered her maiden name all these years? She was only called Xiao Ying because her elder sister was above her!
She has her own name, Ying Yun!
Moved to tears, Xiao Ying rushed towards He Tan, her eyes filled with deep affection. Taking advantage of He Tan's stunned moment, she threw herself into his arms, "Tan Lang! I've missed you so much! Do you know how I've been all these years?"
Xiao Ying was nestled in He Tan's arms, and He Tan didn't suddenly hold his breath.
The sour, rancid, and foul smell hit him so hard that He Tan almost vomited!
If he hadn't wanted that noblewoman to see, he would have leaned against the tree trunk and vomited up his dinner from last night!
"My love, my love, do you miss me? Have you come to Yingcheng to find me?"
Xiao Ying raised her eyes and stared intently at He Tan.
He Tan is old now; wine and women have long since ravaged his body, but he hasn't gained weight and still looks alright. He vaguely retains some of his youthful charm.
That single glimpse of her was enough to make Xiao Ying fall in love.
They had never embraced like this in public before. Even if they were to die in each other's arms the next moment, it would be worth it.
She took this as a reunion between husband and wife before she died!
She knew Ying Yi wouldn't let her off the hook!
She decided to tell her lover everything on her mind.
"Do you know that I gave birth to a daughter for you? She looks like you and like me, and she's very clever."
Seeing He Tan's wide eyes and astonishment, Madam Ying stroked He Tan's still imposing chest to comfort him, "Don't be afraid, Tan Lang. I have hidden my daughter away long ago. No one else can find her."
"In this life, I only wish to live and die with you. Will my wish be fulfilled today? We are already husband and wife. Now that we can die on the same day, month, and year, it must be our destiny."
The courtyard was small and very quiet at the moment, and the wind carried these gentle words to every corner.
He Tan's eyes almost popped out!
However, how did he become so crazy after all these years, having had a fleeting romance with someone he caught in his youth while doing something for a reason?
He already has a beloved wife and beautiful concubines; who would want to live and die with her?!
It happened so many years ago, are we just going to pin the blame on him like this?
He Tan tore her arm apart and tried to back away.
"Yun'er, don't joke around. We were young and inexperienced back then, how could we know the value of love? Don't talk nonsense."
Madam Ying was stunned. After a few moments, the tenderness on her face faded, and she stared in astonishment at He Tan, whose gaze was darting away!
Just then, the door to the only room in the courtyard was kicked open.
Xiao Ying slowly turned her head and saw Liu Xu kick open the door and rush out, his face contorted as he ran towards her.
Liu Xu grabbed Xiao Ying's hair and they started fighting.
"You vicious woman! I've done all this for you, do you have any conscience? I ruined my wife for you, and you still cuckold me! Whose daughter is Liu Qingying? Tell me, whose daughter is she!"
Liu Xu, who prided himself on being a gentle and refined gentleman, was not good at cursing, but he did not hold back at all when he hit people. Before long, Liu Xu's hands were covered with strands of black hair, all of which belonged to Xiao Yingshi. Xiao Yingshi's head was also shaved off, leaving her bald!
Xiao Ying was beaten so badly she couldn't even keep her own feet up. How could she possibly fight off a man? She cried out, "My love, save me!"
He Tan pretended not to see, but he understood and quickly advised, "Don't involve others in your marital affairs."
Immediately, Ying's eyes turned red!
She turned and lunged at He Tan, shouting, "What do you mean by this! I've suffered for you for so many years!"
She grabbed He Tan's collar and wouldn't let go. At this moment, she had the strength to shake him back and forth.
He Tan was so dizzy from being shaken that he was punched before he could even speak.
"Adulterer!"
Liu Xu charged forward and pinned the two to the ground, yelling, "I'll beat you to death!"
After being driven out of the capital, Liu Xu became homeless and, in order to get a bite to eat, he actually developed some strength.
The pampered He Tan and Xiao Ying were no match for them. In no time, they were beaten so badly that they could only exhale and not breathe.
After beating the two men until their faces were bruised and swollen, Liu Xu collapsed to the side, panting heavily.
He glanced at Liu Qingying, who was stunned in the room, pursed his lips, let out a low hum, and turned his face away.
After Ying Yi turned and left, she heard a fight break out in the courtyard behind her, with chickens flying and dogs barking.
Liu Qingqing hid in the corridor behind the screen wall, never expecting that her trip would turn into a grand spectacle.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her head and her vision blurred. She quickly grabbed Lin Mei to steady herself.
When she looked up again and saw the face of that elegant and noble woman, she suddenly gripped Lin Mei's hand tightly.
In the blink of an eye, countless fragmented images flooded into my mind.
She remembered everything.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
Why is he behaving like this today? It's making her... a little unable to control herself.
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