19 Chapter Nineteen
"I'm not interested in that; I'll wait until I'm fully recovered before we consummate the marriage."
Chapter Nineteen
"There's no need to envy you, Qingqing."
Xie Lang raised his chin and nodded outwards, "Wei Mingzhao."
Upon hearing those three words, Xie Wanyan, forgetting all pretense of gentleness and elegance, and even her two children, jumped up, grabbed her skirt, and prepared to run outside.
As she approached the door, her foot slipped, and she lost her balance, about to fall, when suddenly a strong arm caught her around the waist.
"Why are you running?"
Wei Mingzhao lowered her eyes, raised an eyebrow and mocked her, "Do you think I'm going to eat you up?"
This time, it was Liu Qingqing's turn to hide in Xie Lang's arms and watch the fun.
She had never met this infamous commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, her "brother-in-law."
If Xie Lang is like an elegant leopard, then Wei Mingzhao is like a fierce wolf, exuding a cold aura. He is also more robust, dressed in a black robe, and looks imposing. He looks like a person with blood on his hands, and his big hand is almost able to grasp Xie Wanyan's slender waist.
In an instant, several stories with large differences in body type flashed through Liu Qingqing's mind.
Wei Mingzhao helped Xie Wanyan stand up, grasped her waist, looked up at her two children playing peacefully in the corner, and called them softly, "Xu'er, Yi'er."
Wei Anxu politely bowed and greeted his father, then said, "Father, my sister and I will stay at our maternal grandparents' house for two more days."
Wei Mingzhao nodded, then looked at Xie Lang, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Xie."
After saying that, he nodded to Liu Qingqing, and then half-embraced and half-carried her away.
This sudden turn of events startled Liu Qingqing, who opened her mouth slightly and instinctively looked for his eyes.
Xie Lang patted the back of her head reassuringly and shook his head gently, indicating that she didn't need to worry.
"Will Grandmother ask?"
Xie Lang gave her a meaningful look upon hearing this, "I won't ask, but..."
But what?
No matter how expectant Liu Qingqing's gaze was, Xie Lang refused to say anything more.
On the way, Liu Qingqing secretly observed the babies' emotions. To her surprise, the two little ones were very calm and showed no signs of unease or dissatisfaction at being abandoned by their parents.
Seeing that Liu Qingqing was looking at them with concern, Wei Anxu could only sigh softly and then explain in a clear voice, "If Mother doesn't come home, Father will cry."
Liu Qingqing was stunned: "?"
"I guess my father couldn't hold back any longer and came to arrest people from yesterday to today."
Wei Anxu propped up his chubby cheeks, "But it seems that whenever Mother cries, Father stops crying instead."
Liu Qingqing: "...?"
At first, she didn't react, but when she turned around blankly and met Xie Lang's deep eyes, the storybook in her mind suddenly started to fly by, as if she understood.
I don't know if I truly understood or not, but I blushed deeply.
Seeing this, Xie Lang changed the subject, and kindly leaned forward to let her hide behind him.
When the group returned to the mansion, no matter how much Liu Qingqing prayed, Xie Wanyan's servants still sent the two little babies to the old lady's place. The babies took turns hugging Liu Qingqing's legs as they left, showing their reluctance to part.
Liu Qingqing was also reluctant to part with him. It was fine when there were other people around, but if it were just the two of them, she simply didn't know how to get along with Xie Lang.
They say they're not familiar with each other, but the things they do seem like they're very familiar with each other.
If she were a typical young lady from a respectable family, it would be fine if she accepted his advances, but last night she was the one pestering him for more.
How could she possibly save face?
Unfortunately, things didn't go as she wished.
Upon returning to Jialan Garden, Xie Lang waved for the servants to leave, and the courtyard instantly fell silent.
Liu Qingqing, like a frightened cat, bristled all over.
"Why have you returned to the manor so early, sir?"
She had just finished speaking when she met Xie Lang's indifferent gaze, and quickly blushed as she changed her words, murmuring softly, "Husband."
"I went to find medicine."
Xie Lang readily apologized, saying, "I was too reckless last night."
He then opened his palm in front of her, revealing a white jade bottle. "Apply this medicine and the pain will subside."
In an instant, Liu Qingqing's heart was in turmoil. She took a deep breath and asked, "Where did you find this medicine, husband? Did you go there yourself?"
If Xie Lang went in person, wouldn't people find out what they did?
Fortunately, Xie Lang was always thorough in his work, and as if he knew what she was thinking, he said, "He sent someone, and the clinic didn't know that I was the one who asked for the medicine."
It's a clinic under the Regent's wife's name. Although he didn't go there, they probably already know about it. But no one should care about such a trivial matter.
Now Xie Lang noticed that his new wife, though lively, was also sensitive, so he added, "This medicine is usually used for battlefield abrasions. It's nothing to worry about."
Liu Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief and looked at him with great gratitude.
Xie Lang's mind stirred slightly: "Can I help you?"
If Liu Qingqing were truly a cat, her fur would be standing on end, and she would shake her head hastily.
Xie Lang had only meant to tease her, but seeing her like this, he couldn't quite describe how he felt. Instead, he brought up another matter, "Your maid said you're sensitive to the cold, and you felt a little unwell when you returned to the manor last time. I was thinking of having a doctor come and take a look when I get back."
"I thought you should take care of your health first before we consummate our marriage. Although I am not greedy for that kind of thing, I have no other intentions. We are married to live a good life together."
He spoke so solemnly, as if it were some official business. She could no longer cower and run away, so she could only obediently nod.
Xie Lang: "I need to leave the capital tonight, and I'm going to bring a few changes of clothes back with me."
Upon hearing this, Liu Qingqing first breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a sense of loss.
Without thinking of anything else, she quickly stuffed the medicine back into his hand, picked up her clothes, and hurried back to her room, heading towards the cabinet.
In the past two days, Xie Lang has moved most of his clothes over.
"My lord, is the place you're going to nearby or far away? Should we bring some warm clothes?"
As Liu Qingqing made her move, Xie Lang was standing behind her watching. He seemed lost in thought and didn't respond for a long time. Only when Liu Qingqing turned around did he answer, "Either is fine."
Seeing Liu Qingqing frown, he cleared his throat and said, "A thick robe will suffice."
That meant the place wasn't far away. Liu Qingqing ignored him and quickly picked out two more long gowns.
He went into the inner room and picked up some commonly used medicines from the medicine box, stuffing them into his bundle.
These are all emergency items; the rest can be bought on the spot.
When Xie Lang saw Liu Qingqing about to put the pastries in, he finally interrupted her.
"You don't need that much. You can buy more if you need more later."
Liu Qingqing was unaware of these things: "But if you get hungry, it can fill your stomach."
Xie Lang didn't mention that they only carried dry rations, and that they could just drink some water if they had trouble swallowing. But the concern in her eyes was so genuine that Xie Lang's throat moved slightly. "You like the snacks I brought back from the Regent. Just pack me a couple. Xie Wu will buy some more when we leave the city later."
"good."
Liu Qingqing obediently agreed and did not insist. He said he wanted two pieces, so she packed two pieces for him, the ones she thought were the sweetest.
When Liu Qingqing first packed his bags, her heart pounded like a drum.
She didn't know where he was going or what mission he was on, but she knew she shouldn't ask. Yet she worried that he might get hurt, but she also knew that when soldiers are on the front lines, it's best for their families not to shed tears.
Perhaps it was because she had just felt that he was someone she could rely on, but now that he was leaving, she suddenly felt empty inside.
Overwhelmed with mixed feelings, Liu Qingqing didn't know what to say. She simply handed him his luggage and managed to say, "I'll wait until you return home safe and sound."
Xie Lang looked down at the small bundle that had been stuffed into his arms. He held it in one hand and then reached for her hand with the other, only to find that she was trembling.
Xie Lang tightened his grip on her slightly cool hand and replied in a deep voice, "Okay."
Xie Wu was already waiting outside the courtyard gate. Seeing that the adult had not come out for a long time, he became very anxious and paced back and forth at the gate.
Yesterday you clearly said you would leave the city directly, but for some reason you have to go back to the manor today.
Fortunately, before Xie Wu could rush into the courtyard, Xie Lang strode out, stopped at the gate, and turned back to wave inside.
"Go in."
Xie Lang raised his voice.
From a distance, Liu Qingqing nodded to him and quickly turned around.
The moment she turned away and was out of his sight, tears streamed down her face.
Xie Lang glanced at that direction again, his throat bobbing, and then strode out without looking back.
He gestured for Xie Wu to report, and Xie Wu immediately stepped forward and whispered, "The sentry ahead has informed us that the Governor-General of Huguang has already left the city..."
To avoid attracting attention, Xie Lang ordered someone to prepare an ordinary carriage.
He had someone impersonate him and ride a horse to the Dali Temple, while he himself left the mansion through the secret passage in his study.
He lied to Liu Qingqing. There was no time to prepare snacks. They were traveling light and didn't even bring much dry food.
He was leaning back with his eyes closed, resting, with the bundle she had tied by hand beside him, which he gently ran his fingers over.
It turns out that getting married is such a joy to be missed by others; it has a unique flavor to it.
Even if there is no romantic love between him and her, he will still respect and protect her in the future.
On the other side, since no one was in the courtyard, Liu Qingqing cried without restraint.
It's like I just made two good friends, but one after another they all left.
The Marquis's mansion, which had just become familiar with people, fell silent again.
Lying on the tatami mat, his scent still lingered on the soft mattress.
Liu Qingqing wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, and even the parts of her body no longer hurt.
The flower buds, just about to bloom, lost water and withered.
Even my usual solitary dinner felt lonely.
Granny Li saw this but said nothing. She felt sorry for her young mistress but was also relieved that the young couple had finally gotten back on the right track.
When it comes to interpersonal relationships, the more you spend time together, the more affection will naturally develop.
After extinguishing the candles that night, Liu Qingqing secretly applied medicine to herself.
There were some parts of her chest and back that she couldn't reach on her own, and she didn't want to ask for help, so she thought it would be nice if Xie Lang were at the manor.
The thought of Xie Lang brought back that emptiness in my heart.
She didn't know about others, but she now felt that Xie Lang was a rare and wonderful husband. He knew how to protect her, cherish her, respect her, and had none of those sordid things. He was already extremely good.
I drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
As if Yue Mengshen knew her thoughts, Xie Lang was in her dream all night, and she saw all the details she couldn't remember from last night in her dream.
The next day, Liu Qingqing was awakened by the heat.
A suffocating scream escaped her throat, and Liu Qingqing jolted awake, sitting up abruptly. Only after getting up did she realize that the soft mattress beneath her was wet.
Liu Qingqing covered her face in embarrassment and anger, no longer feeling any reluctance to part with Xie Lang.
I don't miss him anymore; it's better if he comes back a little later.
Fearing that Granny Li might notice something amiss, Liu Qingqing took advantage of her absence to have Zhao Pansheng change the mattress and quilt.
He then calmly ate his breakfast while staring at Granny Li's probing and concerned gaze.
Just when everyone thought it would be another ordinary day, Xiao Ying sent someone over at the crack of dawn.
They said they would send it to her as soon as the dowry list was finally fixed.
The sun is rising in the west!
Liu Qingqing and Granny Li exchanged a glance, both with the same thought in their minds: this weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken could not be anything good.
The lord just left the capital yesterday, and people have already arrived today. I have a feeling that they are up to no good.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview: "Please... save me..."
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