50 Chapter Fifty
◎“This is the brocade box that your cousin gave to you today in the back alley.”◎
Chapter Fifty
That's certainly possible.
Seeing that her cousin seemed to have something important to do, and appeared to be trying to avoid people, Liu Qingqing instructed the coachman to drive the carriage to the alley entrance.
The driver set up the chariot seat, and Zhao Pansheng went forward to help her. But Liu Qingqing didn't step on it properly, and whether it was because the pedals weren't set up properly or something else, she wobbled and almost fell.
Ying Yucheng hurriedly reached out to help her, but Zhao Pansheng was even faster, instantly stabilizing Liu Qingqing.
His fingertips brushed against her sleeve, the subtle pattern on the fabric. Seeing that she had steadied herself, he was momentarily stunned, then slightly bent his hand. Before she could notice, he quickly withdrew his hand and put it behind his back.
After Zhao Pansheng and the young lady had regained their footing, they hurriedly looked down and, sure enough, found a small pebble under the carriage footrest. Immediately, they angrily turned and strode over to confront the driver. Liu Qingqing couldn't stop them.
While Zhao Pansheng was arguing in a flurry, Liu Qingqing smiled gently at Ying Yucheng and said, "I'm sorry to have offended you, cousin. This girl of mine has quite a temper."
Ying Yucheng snapped out of his daze, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's good that you have a bit of a temper."
Liu Qingqing could not linger outside the Marquis's residence. Although Ying Yucheng was her cousin, others did not know this, and it would be inappropriate for them to see her.
She then asked directly, "Is there anything else, cousin?"
Ying Yucheng's throat tightened; he knew he couldn't delay any longer. There might be secret agents of the princess lurking somewhere.
As if by magic, he took out an exquisite brocade box from his clothes, placed it in his palm, and presented it to her eyes.
What is this?
Liu Qingqing was surprised, and seeing that her cousin's expression was different from usual, she even joked with him, "I can't always ask my cousin for gifts for no reason."
Ying Yucheng was startled by her frank smile and looked away. Following the princess's instructions, he said in a deep voice, "These are the Ying family's heirloom pills. We haven't had the chance to give them to you before, but this is the perfect opportunity..."
Liu Qingqing took the brocade box, glanced at her cousin, and accepted it under his encouraging gaze. She looked at it twice and was about to put it back in her sleeve when her cousin stopped her.
Ying Yucheng suddenly said, "There are three pills in the box. Cousin, open it and I will tell you their uses one by one."
There are three?
After Liu Qingqing retrieved her mother's dowry, she learned that the most renowned medical clinic in the capital had once been in her mother's possession. Having also seen the pharmacy and medical records inside, she guessed that her mother must have some medical knowledge. Therefore, it seemed reasonable that her mother's family possessed secret medicines.
She opened the box, and sure enough, there were three round, plump, brown pills inside.
"These three pills are for three purposes: first, contraception; second, feigning death; and third..."
Upon hearing the word "two," Liu Qingqing looked up in astonishment. But after hearing about the effects of the third pill, her eyes widened instantly, and her pupils suddenly contracted.
Ying Yucheng lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze.
He had a hunch that once the brocade box was given to her, many things would likely change dramatically.
But he didn't know what it was.
He wanted to say that if anything happens in the future, you should remember that your cousin did it for your own good.
Ying Yucheng was very worried. If one day his cousin learned that her beloved mother had not died young but had become a princess, how heartbroken his cousin would be.
If that day comes, how will my cousin cope?
Will he... hate that he also hid it from me?
Ying Yucheng felt even more sorry for his cousin and only hoped that Xie Lang would treat her well. If the couple lived happily together, at least Xie Lang's love for his cousin could help her weather the storm.
His subordinates often said how wonderful it would be if their parents could become a wealthy and powerful family someday.
They had never seen the sordid affairs of wealthy and powerful families.
Ying Yucheng avoided eye contact with his cousin. These pills were more outrageous than the last. He had never felt so uneasy before going to the battlefield.
A look of surprise flashed across Liu Qingqing's eyes, but she did not notice her cousin's unusual behavior.
“I know about my cousin.”
Zhao Pansheng was already calling her softly. It wasn't good to linger outside the mansion for too long, so she thanked her cousin apologetically, "Thank you for your help today, cousin. I'll invite you to tea next time."
Ying Yucheng forced a smile, glanced at the darkening sky, and said, "Go back quickly, it's getting cold. You were sick recently, don't catch a cold."
Liu Qingqing nodded obediently and bid farewell to Ying Yucheng.
A gust of wind came, causing the dense canopy of trees to rustle and lose its shape. Xie Liu suddenly jumped from the treetop back to the trunk and pulled his head back in.
Not far away, Ying Yucheng watched his cousin walk away, then looked up at the tall tree canopy inside the mansion wall and frowned slightly.
Just as I was about to walk over for a closer look, there was a clear bird call, followed by a plump magpie flapping its wings and flying out, and then a black cat nimbly leaping up from the wall.
The magpie flew away, then turned back and cawed twice, while the black cat chased after it relentlessly.
Ying Yucheng stopped in his tracks, realizing he had been too suspicious, and shook his head helplessly.
Once the gates of the Marquis's residence were closed and Ying Yucheng could no longer hear any sounds from his cousin's side, he mounted his horse and left.
As he swayed on horseback, Ying Yucheng recalled something else—the young man from the farm today seemed to have a kind face.
Unfortunately, he never knew the boy's name until he left.
Liu Qingqing hurried back to Jialan Garden, only to find the brocade box hidden in her sleeve burning hot. She thought she should hurry back to her room to take a good look at it.
Just as he was about to push open the main door, he suddenly remembered something and stopped, turning sharply to look behind him.
Upon returning to Jialan Garden, Ying Yucheng was nowhere to be seen.
But how did he know she had caught a cold a few days ago? She didn't seem to have mentioned it.
But then she realized that this wasn't the most important thing right now. She returned to the main room, closed the door tightly, and opened the brocade box with her back against it.
The aroma of medicine was enticing, and the round pills had a sheen. Only upon closer inspection could one notice that the color of the three pills gradually deepened from light to dark.
The lightest one is a birth control pill, the one in the middle is a temporary erection pill, and the one on the far right...
Perhaps due to nervousness, Liu Qingqing felt her throat was dry and burning, and she swallowed hard.
This medicine...
How could the Ying family...?
She suddenly realized that her mother's side seemed to consist of more than just military generals.
Sweat beaded on her temples trickled down her chin and into her collar, her pearly teeth leaving a moonlit white mark on her lower lip.
A pillow was brought to me while I was dozing off.
It was as if God knew she harbored thoughts of leaving that He sent her this precious and indescribable pill.
A mixture of panic and joy lingered, leaving him unsure of what to do. For some reason, he also had a vague, unsettling feeling of being spied on.
Although she believed that Ying Yucheng was her cousin, she had already learned from Xie Lang the truth that the human heart is unknowable.
Now she trusts no one but herself.
She thought that these pills had powerful and unusual effects, so even if she wanted to use them, she couldn't just swallow them haphazardly.
In an instant, he thought of Doctor Lu at the clinic. Recently, Manager Tang had been writing to him frequently. He was doing this spy work with great skill. He said that Xiao Ying had sent a message to prepare medicinal herbs, and this time it was quite strange compared to before, but he didn't say exactly how strange it was.
She focused her attention on the immediate matter at hand. She trusted Doctor Lu's medical skills and figured he should be able to determine whether the pills were genuine or not.
She also believed that Dr. Lu was a good person, but she couldn't let anyone recognize her. After thinking it over, she called Lin Mei over.
Lin Mei lowered her eyes and stood there unnoticed.
Liu Qingqing spoke up: "I have something to entrust to you. You shall leave the manor after breakfast tomorrow..."
After giving her detailed instructions, she told Lin Mei, "I will give you the note and the brocade box together tomorrow. Please don't lose them."
Lin Mei: "Miss, I understand."
After saying that, he quietly left the main room.
Liu Qingqing stared blankly at Lin Mei's slightly hunched back. Granny Li said that Lin Mei was always beaten by that scoundrel of a husband, which is why she developed a taciturn personality.
Liu Qingqing sighed softly, "It's not easy for anyone."
Then I had another worry. Since they were already considering leaving, how should I settle them down?
She quickly turned her head and looked around, but the room was empty, and the beams were bare.
In the past, she might have doubted whether Xie Liu was present, but after her illness last time, she felt that Xie Liu must be busy with other things. If Xie Liu were present, he would have told Xie Lang that she had been to the study.
Xie Lang seems unaware of this lately.
She was relieved; she must have been overthinking it.
As night fell, Liu Qingqing washed up and returned to her bed, wrapping herself up tightly.
Summer has passed and autumn has arrived; the nights are starting to get cool.
She lay on her side, her hands folded beneath her soft cheeks. Her pupils, which had been focused during the day, were now dull as she stared blankly at the moonlit river of light that had seeped through the windowpane and spread across the floor.
In the dead of night, when no one is around and she can no longer deceive herself with busy daily routines, a deep weariness and emptiness, along with the bitterness and fear of being abandoned, will wrap around her body like a giant python, then contract and tightly constrict her, making it impossible for her to breathe.
The road ahead was uncertain; it felt like she was walking on a mountaintop day after day, with a sheer cliff beneath her feet. She didn't know when she would open her eyes and fall into the abyss.
Panic made her fingers tremble uncontrollably. She scratched the tender flesh on her fingertips with her nails, the stinging pain making her wrinkled inside feel a little better.
If Xie Lang had openly expressed his dislike for her earlier and made a pact with her to part ways amicably, she wouldn't be so afraid.
What she feared most was that he would smile gently at her, but secretly harbor resentment and have ulterior motives. The guillotine hanging over her head seemed to fall at any moment, leaving her constantly filled with dread.
Xie Lang probably loathed her so much that he wanted to abandon her at the edge of the cliff.
On second thought, he was quite pitiful, being forced to marry a wife he didn't like.
Liu Qingqing smiled bitterly, secretly cursing herself for still having the mind to pity him.
Xie Lang is a close advisor to the emperor, with a promising future; how could she possibly be pitied?
Her unwillingness to anger him does not mean she is sitting idly by and waiting to die.
Although she seemed to be living a normal life during this period, she had already exchanged all the gold and silver ingots she could for silver notes. However, she was afraid that her actions would be too obvious and that Xie Lang or others would find out, so she couldn't exchange too many.
All the valuables and small items that could be carried had already been packed into a small bundle.
If we're going to leave, we'll definitely need to pack light.
Before he gets tired of it...
She needs to act faster to avoid ending up being chased away and having nowhere to go, becoming a laughingstock.
etc.
She sat up abruptly.
Last time I went to see the princess, she interrupted me, and I seemed to have forgotten to give her the gift!
He slapped his forehead in frustration. How could he forget that!
She had to find another day to deliver it to the Prince's mansion.
With her attention diverted, Liu Qingqing's mind wandered, and she gradually grew sleepy.
Exhausted from today's journey, she squinted at the perfectly closed makeup box as she was about to drift off to sleep.
Fearing Xie Lang would return at night, Liu Qingqing hid the brocade box inside her makeup case. Xie Lang never touched her things.
With something on his mind, he tossed and turned in bed for a long time before finally falling asleep.
Tears streamed down her cheeks again.
Unbeknownst to her, after she drifted off to sleep, a crack opened in the side window, and a dark shadow darted in.
-
Two hours ago.
Xie Lang had a plan for today: he would leave the mansion through the main gate at noon, but would secretly return through the underground passage.
He was in his study reviewing official documents, waiting for night to fall.
But he was lost in thought while reading the official document. He put down the letter and, knowing that he couldn't see anything through the window and wall, still glanced at the other side of the main courtyard.
He tapped the long table lightly with his finger, his brow furrowing slightly.
Recently, the lady has been acting strangely.
He wasn't unaware of it.
By peeling back the layers, he recalled that the source of everything was the time when the lady was frightened in the garden and refused his touch.
For some reason, after that incident, the lady always avoided his gaze whenever she was in front of him.
These days, this feeling has become increasingly apparent; it's as if there's a wall between them.
She said nothing more to him.
Give her some more time; perhaps she'll figure it out herself.
Then he thought of Ying Yucheng, and Xie Lang's expression turned cold.
He knew that this man had repeatedly won military merits and was highly respected in the Northwest Army. He was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, but was gentle and easy-going with his own people, unlike most military generals who were rough and unruly.
But he disliked this person; no one can be both extremes, this person must be hiding something.
Why didn't Madam tell him that Ying Yucheng was coming to visit?
For some reason, Xie Lang suddenly felt depressed. He lowered his eyes to hide the gloom in them. He wanted to see if his wife would tell him if he didn't bring it up.
Suddenly, a pebble struck the window frame with a dull thud.
Xie Lang looked up, stood up, straightened his night clothes, pushed open the study door, and disappeared into the night.
Almost blending into the darkness, he quietly entered the garden and went to the place where the lady had stopped last time. With a leap, he disappeared into the night and sneaked into Tingzhu Pavilion.
Upon landing gently, one is greeted by a small courtyard filled with flowers and plants.
The night was pitch black, and he couldn't see clearly. He glanced around but didn't see anything unusual. He looked around again and a spy reported that his second uncle was staying at the camp that day. Not a single lamp was lit in Tingzhu Pavilion. The dark, dense buildings looked like the gaping maw of a monster, which was quite frightening, but it didn't frighten Xie Lang.
Xie Lang listened to the sound, then nimbly flipped onto the roof ridge, taking in the entire Tingzhu Pavilion.
As far as the eye could see, there was indeed no one there.
Xie Lang lowered his eyes. What was that lady throwing into the courtyard, and to whom was it being thrown?
He knew his wife was timid and cautious, and more adept at self-preservation than others. She would never have done something so outrageous for her if it weren't related to anything else.
Xie Lang had a vague suspicion, but...
Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a light in the corner out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head to look and jumped to the ground.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that it was a cellar.
This cellar... is slightly different in style from the others in the mansion.
Ordinary cellars have wooden covers that are simply placed on the ground. But my second uncle's cellar was like a small hut, with just enough room for one person to pass through, and a heavy iron door on top.
Although it's not aesthetically pleasing, it has its advantages, such as making it easier to get in and out.
He paused to observe the cellar, finding nothing unusual, and was about to leave when his shoe bumped against something. He looked down and moved his foot; it was a clod of dirt.
The courtyard ground was covered with bluestone, except for the area around the cellar where the bluestone had been lifted to expose the yellow earth. He frowned and swept the yellow earth under his feet, then suddenly squatted down and picked up a clump of half-dry soil with his fingers; it was still slightly damp.
Xie Lang suddenly remembered that someone had reported that his second uncle had planned to dig a cellar in the yard, but several months had passed and the cellar had already been dug. How could there still be moist new soil?
Their inquisitive gaze fell upon the tightly closed iron door of the cellar, which was still secured with chains.
He stepped forward and gently touched it, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes.
My second uncle's cellar in the courtyard actually uses the finest black iron.
Just as he reached out to hook the chain, he heard steady, heavy footsteps outside the door. Xie Lang straightened up, leaped over the courtyard wall, and climbed over to hold onto the wall.
The tall trees in the courtyard blocked most of his view.
The courtyard gate creaked open, and Xie Pan entered.
But the next moment was beyond Xie Lang's expectations. After entering the courtyard, his second uncle did not light the lamp or go back to his room. Instead, he went straight to the cellar and impatiently grabbed the black iron chain.
Just as Xie Lang stepped forward to try and see more clearly...
"who!"
With a gaze as sharp as a hawk's, Xie Lang swiftly released his grip, disappearing into the vast night before Xie Pan could catch up.
Back in his study, Xie Lang immediately changed into a moon-colored robe.
He already had a plan in mind—his second uncle had hidden someone in the yard.
The lady knew that man.
Before her marriage, Lady Li lived a secluded life in the Liu family mansion and had no close friends.
He racked his brains, searching for people his wife and second uncle both knew... but it only pointed to one person! A person whose name, if spoken, would shake the heavens and earth, utterly unbelievable!
Xie Lang's pupils contracted sharply, and he gripped the handrail tightly, the mahogany handrail creaking painfully from the excessive force.
Although he had suspected something before when his wife lost her composure, he never dared to think that way!
Everything makes sense now. Why have he and Wei Mingzhao been searching for their mother for nearly two years without success?
His tense back slowly relaxed as he leaned back in the chair, squinting at the nothingness before him.
He has already alerted the enemy; he must proceed with caution.
The thought that his mother should be in the mansion ignited a raging fire in his chest, scorching him.
His eyes were filled with a turbulent darkness, his molars were clenched tightly, and his jawline was sharply defined.
His suppressed resentment towards his wife suddenly resurfaced.
They are husband and wife, why would she hide it from him?
Bang!
He slammed his fist heavily on the wooden table, causing it to shake violently and almost shatter.
Xie Lang swallowed the cotton in his throat and clenched his fist even tighter.
Suddenly, another pebble struck the windowpane.
Xie Lang stared intently without uttering a sound, his gaze as sharp as a sword.
Then came several rhythmic tapping sounds, a signal that Xie Liu had something urgent to report.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his complex emotions, and when he stood up again, his expression was no different from usual, exuding a calm, dignified, and self-disciplined demeanor.
Upon opening the door, Xie Liu bowed and handed over a brocade box. The thought of what he was about to say made his scalp tingle, and he dared not look at the adult.
Xie Lang took the brocade box, looked it over in his hands, and asked, "What is this?"
Hearing faint sounds coming from inside, I opened it and found three pills.
He lifted his eyelids and glanced at Xie Liu. "Why are you in such a hurry? Where did you come from?"
Xie Liu is a steady and reliable person, and rarely acts so hastily.
Xie Liu felt the unrestrained pressure emanating from his master and became extremely nervous, swallowing hard.
Xie Lang noticed Xie Liu was still hunched over and couldn't help but wonder, "Stand up straight and speak properly."
Xie Liu accepted the order, closed his eyes heavily with a death-defying posture, and whispered, "This is the brocade box that my wife's cousin gave to her in the back alley today. Each of the three pills has a purpose, but I couldn't hear the specifics because I was far away."
Feeling the sharp, dagger-like gaze sweeping over him, Xie Liu stiffened his neck and continued, "The lady values it highly; it must be very important."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lang held the brocade box under his nose, and a strong medicinal fragrance wafted in.
Xie Lang lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then gently rubbed his fingers behind his back before saying, "Have the physician come over."
The physician was dragged out of his warm bed by Xie Wu and was still yawning outside the study.
Xie Liu stood under the corridor and winked at Xie Wu. Xie Wu understood and whispered something to the physician. The physician immediately opened his eyes wide and woke up completely. He then walked shakily toward the study.
The physician entered the study, and the door slammed shut behind him, startling him.
Xie Lang sat upright behind the long table, his fingers lightly tapping the surface, making a crisp thumping sound. "Come and take a look at these pills."
The physician hurried over, carefully picked up the brocade box, and a look of astonishment flashed across his face as soon as he smelled the strong aroma of medicine. Xie Lang did not miss the change in the physician's expression.
First, he was astonished, then he opened his mouth in shock, and even panicked to the point of wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
"What medicine is it?" Xie Lang asked in a deep voice.
"This old man...this old man..."
The physician opened his mouth, then closed it again, repeatedly pursing his dry lips.
Xie Lang's thoughts sank slightly: "Say it then, it's fine."
The physician was terrified and dared not hide anything. He lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "If I am not mistaken, these three pills are all ancient formulas worth a thousand gold pieces. The first one is a miraculous contraceptive. If you do not take the antidote after using it, you will definitely not be able to get pregnant."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lang's brow twitched. He gripped the armrest, leaned forward involuntarily, and asked in a hoarse voice, "What about the second one?"
The physician glanced at him quickly, his body trembling like a leaf. "The second one is... a drug to fake death."
Xie Lang's pupils suddenly contracted, his eyes filled with shock. He raised his voice in disbelief, "Fake death?"
The physician immediately knelt down: "My lord, I would never dare to lie to you. I only smelled this pill once when I was learning medicine from my master. It's because there's a miraculous medicine in this pill with a unique and powerful aroma that I've remembered it for so many years. My master said that this medicine has long been lost. I don't know where you, with your extraordinary abilities, obtained it, but I truly did not lie to you, my lord!"
After a long pause, just when the physician thought the master wouldn't ask, came the master's deep, hoarse voice from above, seemingly near yet far, "What about the third one?"
The physician shook his head blankly, racking his brains but still unable to figure it out. "I have never seen this third one before."
Xie Lang waved his hand: "Thank you for making this trip tonight. Go back and rest."
The physician hurriedly stood up, knowing he had stumbled upon a secret and wishing he could run away as fast as he could. But as he was about to leave through the door, he hesitated for a moment and then turned back. "Sir," he said, "if I remember correctly, this second pill will have adverse effects after being taken?"
What is it?
"If this pill is the formula my master mentioned, the state of suspended animation can last for three to seven days at most. However, the downside is that if it's not used properly, it will ultimately deplete the body's reserves..."
"Deficient in health?"
"Yes, sir."
"Understood, you may leave."
The physician quickly fled, only glancing back as he neared the small courtyard of the study. He had just vaguely detected the unusual scent of the third pill, but unsure, he dared not speak of it. It was rumored that the appearance of that medicine always brought about a change of dynasty, and he gritted his teeth. What a secret this was! He dreaded being silenced!
He needs to go back and study his medical books carefully!
After everyone left, the study returned to its tranquility.
As autumn deepens, the chirping of insects and birds in the trees and grass has become increasingly rare.
Xie Lang sat alone for a while longer, the candlelight casting his dark gray shadow.
He didn't understand; he thought it was about a loving mother and filial son, and about a harmonious marriage.
Why did his mother keep it from him?
Madam...why did you hide these birth control pills?
Are they all fake?
Compared to the rarely used drug for faking death, Xie Lang found the contraceptive pills quite an eyesore.
Doesn't she want to have his child?
This pill is like a loose thread; once pulled open, it reveals the secret that his wife has been hiding from him.
She seemed unwilling for him to touch her before...
So that's how it is.
suddenly see the light.
She used to pester him so much when she was under the influence of the drug, but now that the effects have worn off, she's turned her back on him.
Xie Lang raised an eyebrow, fiddling with the exquisite brocade box in his hand. He stared at the pill and scoffed lightly, but in an instant, the smile on his handsome face vanished, and his expression quickly darkened.
Although he wasn't in a hurry to have children, thinking he wouldn't care about such trivial matters, he soon realized she didn't want any...
For some reason, a fire suddenly welled up inside me.
He didn't even realize that he hadn't bothered to verify the true whereabouts of the pill, nor had he thought about the unknown third pill. He only felt that this contraceptive pill was extremely conspicuous.
Was he not good to her?
They're doing just fine, so what's going on?!
It's one thing to throw a tantrum, but why is she so defensive towards him?
The moonlight outside was just right. He suddenly stood up, picked up the brocade box, pushed open the study door, and strode towards the main room.
In the main room, Liu Qingqing was fast asleep.
In her hazy state, she felt a cold, damp gaze fixed on her. She suddenly woke up and saw a figure standing by her bedside.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
"If I go, would you, my sister, be willing to stay with me, sir?"
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