29 Chapter Twenty-Nine
"If Madam Liu wants to leave, she will naturally be set free."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Xie Lang was unaware of his own thoughts. Before his mind could process what he was thinking, his hand had already hidden the book in his pocket.
After coaxing her back to sleep, I was shocked to find that my clothes were soaked with sweat on my back, which was even more terrifying than my first time on the battlefield.
Letting out a soft breath, Xie Lang gazed intently at her serene sleeping face for a moment before rising and going to the chaise longue. By the moonlight, he struggled to make out the contents of the second half of the book. His handsome face flushed and paled intermittently, and his prominent brows furrowed once more.
He recognized every single word in the book, but how could they be put together like this...?
Xie Lang couldn't help but press his fingertips heavily between his eyebrows.
The corners of the pages were wrinkled, signs that they had been read many times. The paper still carried the delicate floral scent of her. He had been secretly investigating the case for years, and even he couldn't deceive himself.
His gaze toward the lady was quite complex.
Who would have thought that this seemingly gentle and frail lady would have such a taste?
But the divine physician warned him never to be greedy...
He hadn't felt anything when the Governor-General of Huguang was being interrogated, but now he was starting to get a headache.
In the end, he simply hid the book under the mattress next to her and pretended not to know anything about it.
He lifted his thin blanket and lay down next to her again.
Her eyes were sore, and she had just closed them to rest for a moment when she suddenly heard a rustling sound. She snuggled into his arms like a soft kitten. The man, who was surrounded by a fierce aura, softened instantly and had no choice but to open his arms to accommodate her movements. He waited until she found a comfortable position to rest her head on his shoulder before loosening his embrace around her slender shoulders and back.
Her shoulder blades protrude from her thin frame, like a butterfly about to take flight.
Xie Lang gently stroked her, feeling that the small kitchen had been built too late. She was so thin; she should have been given special care and nourished earlier.
Her warm, soft body pressed against him. Xie Lang was in the prime of his life, and had just experienced the pleasures of womanhood. But remembering that she needed six months to recover from the evil drug, he could only swallow hard and restrain himself by clenching his jaw.
He tried to hold back, but she didn't appreciate it.
He was trying to distract himself by thinking about important matters with his eyes closed, but she quickly found him by scanning the area below.
Xie Lang froze, too afraid to move, his mind filled with complex emotions.
Seeing the noise, but unable to fall asleep, I had no choice but to distract myself.
He calmed down and carefully pondered the casual conversation between the divine doctor and him during the day.
"You were able to pull through, not because you didn't have good medicine to keep you alive at the time."
But I didn't bring any medicine with me?
"Could it be that he took some herbal medicine?"
There's no time to think about it during the day, but it's perfect when it's late at night and quiet.
The only food he ate during those two days was the two pastries that Liu Qingqing had stuffed into his arms.
It has an unusual smell. Is it because there are herbs in it?
Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly felt a tightness in her hand, and Xie Lang's handsome face contorted as he quickly grabbed her wrist.
"Stop fooling around."
He turned his head and coaxed her softly, his hot breath hitting her cheek, making her ticklish and rubbing against his chest. Xie Lang's chest heaved and he gasped, so he could only gently touch her cheek with his lips as if begging for mercy, silently comforting her.
Fortunately, she only moved slightly today before mercifully stopping, leaving him drenched in sweat, while she turned over and slept soundly.
Watching her retreating figure, Xie Lang shook his head helplessly, calmed his anger for a moment, and then went to sleep.
The next morning, Xie Lang, who had not slept well all night, went to his study early.
When Liu Qingqing woke up, she felt something was amiss.
Why is there a blanket next to it?
Did Xie Lang return last night?
When did she return?! How come she didn't know!
He reached out and touched it, and found it still slightly warm, which startled him. He hurriedly sat up and searched for the book of tigers and wolves.
Don't let him see it!
As her scalp tingled and her heart pounded in her throat, she finally felt something unusual under the mattress in the corner. She lifted it up and saw that it was indeed there.
Liu Qingqing covered the book to her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
That was incredibly dangerous.
After regaining her senses, she shivered and realized that her undergarments were soaked.
Liu Qingqing asked someone to bring hot water to wash away the sweat. After washing up, Granny Li brought in breakfast.
It was her favorite scallion noodles again.
Compared to the life of "living under someone else's roof" in the Liu family, I felt like I was living a good life when I first joined the Marquis's mansion. But now I know what true comfort is.
When she first joined the Marquis's mansion, Granny Li cooked noodles for her, but that was on a makeshift stove built with firewood, which had to be dismantled after use. The two women, mistress and servant, were used to being cautious and careful in the Liu mansion, so they were careful not to give anyone any leverage over them. Besides, they couldn't bear the reputation of causing trouble in the Marquis's mansion.
That kind of fear and trepidation is nothing compared to the open and aboveboard feeling of having a small kitchen now.
Not to mention Xie Lang used ruthless methods to establish her authority, and with just a few words, he "bloodied" Jialan Garden. Now, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that all the capable people in Jialan Garden are her confidants.
Even if she were to put her hand on her chest and say it, Liu Qingqing knew that Xie Lang had truly treated her well.
Now that their relationship has warmed up, they have something to look forward to in the future. Once she has a son or daughter, her life will be secure.
After having breakfast, Liu Qingqing hesitated whether to go find Xie Lang to find out if he had discovered her secret.
Just then, they heard hurried footsteps; it was the gatekeeper coming to deliver the message.
"Madam! The master requests your presence in the flower hall."
Liu Qingqing stopped and asked, "What's the matter that's so urgent?"
The servant said, "Someone from the palace has come, but I don't know the specifics of their visit."
Liu Qingqing didn't ask any further questions. As she turned around, Granny Li, with great tact, came forward to help her with her hair and makeup. Qingju and Zhao Pansheng also went to find more formal dresses.
With the help of these three people, Liu Qingqing was ready in no time and headed to the flower hall.
Just as I passed through the hanging flower gate, I heard a strange, hoarse male voice.
Her heart tightened, and all she could think about was the court etiquette that Granny Li had taught her. She absolutely could not embarrass Xie Lang at this moment.
The two people in the flower hall had excellent hearing. As she approached, they stopped talking and looked over. Xie Lang took two steps forward to greet her. Surprisingly, the person from the palace also came over.
Xie Lang stopped half a step in front of her, turning half his body to block her view. "This is Lord Tan, the chief steward of the palace."
The person who arrived was none other than Tan Gao, the chief eunuch of the young emperor, who held the highest rank.
Tan Gao was handsome and dashing, with a tall and straight figure like a pine tree. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Xie Lang and was in no way inferior to him. You couldn't tell that he was missing a body. All you could tell was that his face was unusually pale.
Leaving aside the word "father-in-law," Tan Gao's gaze swept over Xie Lang with a meaningful undertone. Unlike his cold and arrogant demeanor towards others, Tan Gao bowed slightly to Liu Qingqing, saying, "Greetings, Madam."
"Today, I am here on His Majesty's orders to present you with auspicious wedding gifts."
Tan Gao waved his hand, and a group of eunuchs carrying cloth and brocade boxes filed out, standing in front of them with their heads bowed and eyes lowered.
It was merely a pretext for the wedding; it couldn't be explicitly stated that it was the "reward" Xie Lang received for using himself as bait to cause the Governor-General of Huguang to suffer a setback.
Tan pointed and said, "This is the Red Sun Silk from the attack from Jiangnan. The brocade box behind it contains pearls from the East China Sea and some common items."
As she spoke, Ru Yu's gaze swept over Liu Qingqing, and she asked with a smile, "I wonder if Madam likes it?"
Xie Lang frowned slightly, about to speak, when Tan Gao said again, "Lord Xie has gone through wind and rain to capture corrupt officials for the court, which is no easy task. Moreover, you are newly married, and His Majesty is deeply concerned. Therefore, he ordered me to deliver some small gifts. Please do not refuse, Madam."
How could I dare refuse a gift from the Emperor?
Liu Qingqing knelt and kowtowed: "I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's gift."
As soon as she made a move, Xie Lang stepped in front of her and joined her in expressing their gratitude for the emperor's favor.
Tan Gao paused for a moment, then stepped aside slightly, only instructing, "Madam, please put the gift away."
He then took his leave, saying, "I have other matters to attend to in the palace, so I will not disturb you any longer."
As Xie Lang ordered someone to accept the reward, Liu Qingqing secretly glanced towards the door and felt that Tan Gao was so thin that he looked like he could be blown away by a gust of wind. He was nothing like the powerful chief eunuch she had imagined, but rather a refined and easy-going scholar.
Just as she was about to turn the corner, Tan Gao suddenly turned back, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, as if it had claws that could tear flesh apart instantly. Liu Qingqing was startled and froze on the spot. In an instant, their eyes met. Tan Gao saw that it was her, his gaze suddenly softened, and he smiled faintly and nodded at her.
After Xie Lang finished making the arrangements, he turned around and saw Liu Qingqing staring blankly. He followed her gaze and then called out to her softly, "Madam?"
Liu Qingqing then came to her senses and hurriedly called out to her husband.
Xie Lang looked her over carefully again, and seeing that there was nothing unusual, he took her hand and walked to Chi Ri Sha.
The color of the red sun gauze is extremely vibrant, radiating brilliance under the sunlight. This gauze is only produced in one ancient town in Jiangnan, and only three pieces can be made each year.
Even noble families could only find a foot or two to add color and embellishment to their new clothes. Even so, such a piece would attract attention at any banquet.
I've never seen such a grand gesture before! These are two whole bolts of priceless Crimson Sun Silk!
Looking further ahead, a brocade box filled with East China Sea pearls was dazzling.
Finally, there was a wooden box about an arm's length long. Xie Lang gestured for Liu Qingqing to open the lid, revealing a box full of gold ingots. These were truly radiant and dazzling, so bright that Liu Qingqing had to hold onto Xie Lang's arm with one hand and cover her lips with the other.
She knew she looked utterly pathetic, but she couldn't help it!
I've never seen so many gold ingots before!
She was completely stunned by all that money!
This shows just how popular Xie Lang is right now.
Only then did she truly feel the reality of marrying into the Marquis's household.
The way she looked at Xie Lang was different now; she didn't realize that her gaze had suddenly become scrutinizing and probing.
Seeing this, Xie Lang didn't say anything, but beckoned Li Mama over, "Please have someone move these back to the main room."
Seeing Xie Lang like this, Liu Qingqing quickly stopped him, "Husband, how can these be kept in the main house? Shouldn't they be put in the storeroom?"
She didn't dare sleep with all this in the room.
Xie Lang: "Madam, you can decide what to do."
One sentence left Liu Qingqing quite bewildered; how was she supposed to handle it?
Seeing her like this, Xie Lang smiled and said, "Of course, Madam's things are what she decides."
Liu Qingqing's eyes widened in surprise, "Husband?"
"It's all yours."
Xie Lang laughed, "What use would I have for this Crimson Sun Silk?"
He then looked at the pearls and gold ingots from the East China Sea, saying, "The pearls will be left for you to make jewelry, and the gold ingots will be left for you to keep as your private stash."
After saying that, he turned and left, truly not caring about these gold and silver treasures.
"Madam, please take care of these matters first. I still have some official business to attend to. Once I'm done, I'll take you out of the city for a vegetarian meal."
Liu Qingqing stared blankly at his tall, straight back, her eyes burning. Suddenly, she turned away and covered her burning eyes.
No one has ever pampered her like this.
I felt as if my heart was being kneaded by him like dough.
Seeing her mistress like this, Granny Li was both happy and sad. She quietly stepped forward and hugged her mistress, her eyes also reddening.
"Miss, you've made it through! You've made it through..."
The other end is the study.
After Xie Lang entered the study, he went into the underground passage.
Wei Mingzhao, whose discord with Xie Lang was known throughout the capital, swaggered into the secret passage, sitting on a couch with a book in his hand. When Xie Lang approached, he sneered, "I didn't expect Lord Xie to be such a romantic. Did you really mean what you said about getting a divorce in three years?"
Xie Lang: "If Lady Liu wants to leave, we will naturally set her free."
Wei Mingzhao raised an eyebrow. "I admire Lord Xie's courage in taking the initiative."
After saying that, he casually tossed the book aside. "If you were originally determined to get a divorce, I think you will change your mind after hearing this."
Xie Lang lifted his eyelids and looked at him indifferently: "What is it?"
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview: Last time we consummated our marriage, I drank some wine and thought it was a dream, but now I'm sober.
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