95 Chapter Ninety-Five
Summer has passed and winter has come. He has not yet returned.
Chapter Ninety-Five
They rushed back to the capital.
Fearing war, they traveled quickly and hurriedly.
Contrary to usual, the Regent's wife's carriage was not placed in the center of the convoy, but instead stood behind Liu Qingqing's small and inconspicuous carriage.
The Regent's wife's servants took good care of Liu Qingqing and her party along the way.
But she had no mind to pay attention; every time she closed her eyes, she would remember Xie Lang's smile when they parted.
The laughter was unbearable.
Xie Wanyan kept coming to see her on the way, and that night she was urgently summoned, so Wei Mingzhao rushed back to the capital overnight.
War breaks out, and millions of corpses lie in wait; it's never a good thing.
Both of them were restless and depressed.
However, Xie Wanyan was more open-minded. "The Xie family members always have to go to the battlefield. This is a path that every matriarch has to walk. If the men of the Xie family can go to the battlefield, then the matriarch of the Xie family must be the pillar of stability at home."
"Are you going back to the Marquis's residence this time?"
Originally, Liu Qingqing did not want to return to the Marquis's mansion, but the old lady was getting old and the situation with Aunt Jia was unclear, so she had to go back and help out for both the sake of courtesy and reason.
She thought for a moment, "I won't go back to live there; I'll go and take a look during the day."
Xie Wanyan nodded: "That's good. Let that kid learn his lesson. It's not so easy for him to get away with driving his wife away."
He paused slightly, his face full of disdain, and said, "Even though he's not very bright, we can't let him off easily."
Liu Qingqing: "..."
The two looked at each other and laughed, but after a couple of laughs, they both fell silent again.
"I only hope that all the soldiers can return safely."
"yes."
Xie Wanyan raised her chin again, gesturing to the distinguished person in the luxurious car behind, "What are your plans over there?"
Liu Qingqing was slightly taken aback: "What can we do? We've all lived our own lives over the years."
Now that things have come to this, she's no longer so naive to try and rekindle the mother-daughter bond.
She thought for a moment, "As long as it looks presentable, that's fine."
She remained true to herself.
She is no longer the little girl who craves maternal love and care.
Xie Wanyan looked at her with pity: "It's good that you can understand."
In just a few days, they returned to the capital.
As the carriage entered the city gate, Liu Qingqing quietly lifted the curtain and peeked out. The capital was bustling with activity, not much different from before. Unlike the fear and unease in Yingcheng, it still presented an image of peace and prosperity, unaffected by the war.
Liang Li also came to the capital with her, along with Yu Run.
Xie Lang was initially quite jealous when he found out, but after learning that Liang Li and Yu Run were living and eating together, he no longer cared as much as before.
At least it's not visible on the surface.
Liang Li is wealthy, and he will be able to settle down comfortably in the capital.
They were just following along, seeking refuge.
So when she entered the city, she came to say goodbye, saying that she should hurry up and buy a house.
Liu Qingqing and Xie Wanyan returned to the Marquis's residence together.
The solemn plaque hanging high in the Hou Mansion was as dignified as ever. They first went to Shi'an Garden to pay their respects.
Liu Qingqing was extremely nervous on the way to Anyuan after going there and returning.
As they approached Shi'an Garden, they heard the old lady shout in a strong voice, "You two little rascals are so naughty, I'll tell your mother!"
The two little ones begged for mercy, calling out "Grandma" in their childish voices. The old lady pretended to sigh helplessly, finding the scene quite amusing.
Just as Liu Qingqing was about to step over the threshold, she hesitated slightly, but Xie Wanyan grabbed her hand and swiftly dragged her inside.
"Grandma! Look who's back!"
The old lady looked up at the sound and her eyes lit up when she saw Liu Qingqing. She then smiled and said, "Come here quickly and let your grandmother take a look."
He stroked her rosy cheeks with a loving hand. "It seems you're doing quite well out there."
Liu Qingqing's heart skipped a beat, and then she heard the old lady sigh, "I envy you so much. When will this old woman be able to go out and about?"
The two toddlers went to cling to Xie Wanyan and act cute.
The old lady looked at him with considerable satisfaction, then winked at Liu Qingqing, "Our Lang-ge is quite good at sweet-talking people, isn't he? How was he?"
Liu Qingqing was already nervous and anxious, and upon hearing this, her face instantly turned bright red. The old lady, seeing this, burst into laughter.
"grandmother!"
"Alright, alright! I'll pretend I don't know anything about what you young people are doing, I'll pretend I don't know anything."
"Today is a joyous occasion! Have a feast prepared in the kitchen so we can have a proper get-together."
Liu Qingqing was worried about Aunt Jia, but Xie Lang and Xie Wanyan both said it was hard to say and that she would know when they returned. She couldn't ask in front of the old lady.
The old lady was genuinely happy to see Liu Qingqing. With her return, the family was not broken up, and the Marquis's mansion could continue as long as the mistress of the mansion was alive.
Liu Qingqing holds a very high position in the old lady's heart.
If they can subdue that little bastard Xie Lang, managing a household will be a piece of cake, right?
The Marquis's family will prosper for three more generations!
Overjoyed, the old lady grabbed Liu Qingqing and wouldn't let go, asking her curiously about her experiences in Yingcheng. After hearing her story, she looked on with longing.
"If Grandmother wants to go, she can go and see for herself after the war ends. The local customs and culture there are very different from those in the capital."
The old lady patted her hand meaningfully, her heart filled with joy, "I couldn't go out before, but now that you're back, maybe I really can go and take a look!"
Liu Qingqing was momentarily at a loss for words.
She wanted to say that she and Xie Lang had agreed to wait and see, but when she thought about Xie Lang going to the battlefield soon, she couldn't say anything.
The old lady, contrary to her previous taciturn nature, was quite talkative today, which showed that she was happy.
Granny An watched from the side, her old face beaming with joy, then she wiped her eyes as she laughed.
Time flies when you're having fun.
The servants informed them that dinner was ready, and the group went to the front hall to eat.
Along the way, Liu Qingqing was led by the old lady, walking and looking around, but she couldn't see Aunt Jia anywhere, and she became anxious.
But seeing Xie Wanyan's relaxed demeanor, he managed to regain his composure.
Unexpectedly, she saw the person she had been longing for as soon as she entered the front hall. She hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Aunt Jia."
Her eyes instantly turned red.
Hearing the commotion, Xia Rushi quickly got up and tenderly stroked Qingqing's cheek. She wanted to say that she had lost weight, but when she saw Qingqing's rosy face, she choked up and couldn't say anything.
"As long as you're happy with your life, that's all that matters."
After saying that, he looked at Xie Wanyan and extended his hand to her. Xie Wanyan hesitated for a moment before going over, looking rather unhappy.
"Qingqing knows everything, but Mother kept it from me back then, and I'm going to be jealous."
Xia Ru knew her daughter's personality best; she was very unforgiving when she was in the right, yet she was also stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside. She shook her daughter's hand and begged for forgiveness, saying, "You can't pretend. It won't be pretty if you're found out."
As they were talking, the old lady arrived, and the group took their seats.
Liu Qingqing then realized that Aunt Jia was now out in the open.
She looked at Xie Wanyan questioningly, and Xie Wanyan gently shook her head. Aunt Jia smiled reassuringly at her.
The old lady raised her wine cup. "Today, our Marquis's mansion is filled with great joy—Qingqing has returned. All the men in the family have gone to the military camp, and now only we women remain in the Marquis's mansion. This is the third time we have faced such a situation. They are fighting on the battlefield, and we are not to be idle! We must also do our part! Protect the people of the capital, and protect the Marquis's mansion!"
His words were deeply moving.
The four men exchanged a glance, then raised their voices, "Protect the people! Protect the Marquis's mansion!"
The meal was very enjoyable, and the old lady asked a lot of questions about Yingcheng. When she heard that Xiao Yingshi had actually betrayed her own people and worked for the Northern Qiang, and was even involved in a love affair, she couldn't help but click her tongue and sigh, "She's not smart, she's not a good person at all. Is her brain filled with water?"
He sighed, "This is what happens when there is no virtuous wife in the house."
The once prosperous Liu family was ruined, with everyone dying.
The old lady was sensible and didn't ask any further questions. Seeing that they seemed to have something to say, she excused herself, saying she was tired, and went back to rest.
As she was about to leave the courtyard, the old lady leaned against the stone wall and looked back, her aged eyes shimmering with emotion.
Granny An supported her, saying with some excitement, "You've finally made it through!"
The old lady smiled upon hearing this, but did not reply. Yet, the unbridled joy in her eyes and brows was undeniable!
After the meal, the two babies, who hadn't seen their mother for a while, clung to Xie Wanyan and wouldn't let go. Xie Wanyan had no choice but to go ahead and take them back to her courtyard to coax them to sleep.
Liu Qingqing followed Aunt Jia to Tingzhuxuan.
At first, Liu Qingqing was a little embarrassed, but Aunt Jia said, "Your second uncle and the Marquis have both gone to the military camp. It's alright for you to come in and take a look."
That sentence is quite evocative.
What do you mean by "they all went to the military camp"?
When Liu Qingqing entered Tingzhuxuan, he was stunned and speechless when he saw the ruins behind the room and two military tents in the middle.
"this……"
"oh",
Xia Rushi shook her fan. "The day the Marquis discovered I was at Tingzhu Pavilion, he smashed down the wall connecting it to the main courtyard."
Liu Qingqing blinked her eyes.
"Then they set up military tents in the open space in the middle, and your second uncle, for some reason, also set one up next to it."
Is this even possible?
Aunt Jia is indeed brave and generous.
Liu Qingqing thought to herself, what else could she think? She could only stay close by and guard against the Marquis.
But who would believe that Second Uncle was wary of the Marquis?
Liu Qingqing glanced at Aunt Jia's expression secretly, then didn't ask any more questions.
This kind of thing between elders is just too complicated...
She couldn't understand it with her little brain.
"How was it in Yingcheng? That fool Lang-ge has suddenly become quite capable and managed to win you over?"
That's hard to say.
Aunt Jia was Xie Lang's mother after all. When she thought about what he had done in Yingcheng, especially how he had injured her all over and nearly killed her when she fell off the city wall with him, Liu Qingqing didn't know what to say.
Xia Ru, however, knew her own son well. She gently waved her fan, glancing left and right to cover her red lips, "He must be like a mad dog that the master doesn't want, right?"
Liu Qingqing: "..."
"Look at you, so protective of your own."
Xia Ru lightly tapped her nose with her round fan and laughed, "You're not happy about being called a mad dog?"
"Aunt Jia, I'm not unhappy..."
"Oh dear, oh dear, alright, you're so anxious your face is all red! But Aunt Jia is not unhappy about it, hahaha."
This made Liu Qingqing blush even more, and she avoided eye contact. Unable to bear Aunt Jia's gaze any longer, she simply gave up and covered her face.
Xia Rushi smiled even more happily!
But jokes aside, we still need to get down to business.
"I only recently learned about your mother's affair. It was your mother who was confused and did something wrong. Don't make me suffer the consequences of her actions."
There is another one.
"Whether you came back this time due to circumstances or because you genuinely wanted to, Aunt Jia won't ask you. Just follow your heart. Life is only a few decades long. Don't force yourself, understand?"
Liu Qingqing's eyes reddened, and she nodded gently.
Where are you staying tonight?
"Aunt Jia, I want to live in my own house..."
Upon hearing this, Xia Rushi glanced at the sky and readily agreed, "Then let's hurry back, it's getting late."
Liu Qingqing nodded and bid farewell to Aunt Jia.
As I walked out, I passed by Jialan Garden.
Liu Qingqing stopped in front of the hanging flower gate, and through the crack in the door, she could see that the inside was exactly the same as before.
She seemed frozen in place, but it was only because she turned around.
For a moment, I couldn't quite describe the feeling in my heart.
As he took another step, Xie Liu suddenly appeared, saying, "The master said that no matter where you stay when you return, you can use his study."
Liu Qingqing paused for a moment, then said, "I understand."
The war is at a stalemate.
Although Fu Xiuzhu was seriously injured, he somehow persuaded his brother Wang to allow him to go to the battlefield.
Summer goes and winter comes.
He has not returned yet.
[Author's Note]
Next chapter preview:
Will she think of me in the future?
Will you blame him for breaking his promise?
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Strong and Multiple Matches
With the new dynasty newly established, the people are more open-minded, and men and women are free and bold in their romantic relationships.
Liu Yi's family was the largest pharmaceutical merchant in the capital. He had been separated from Xie Baihan, the heir of the Marquis's mansion, for several months. He already had a cousin by his side. This was the first time that the upright and gentle young master had admitted to having a sweetheart.
Rumors circulate that good news is on the horizon, and she is showered with affection. The stars and moon respond to her every whim.
Liu Yi seized all the business opportunities and cooperative farms he had acquired, giving them to his beloved. Meanwhile, Xie Baihan's cousin's medicine business was booming, almost leaving Liu Yi barely clinging to life.
Medicine merchants gathered in the capital. During the banquet, someone curiously asked Liu Yi, "Rumor has it that you discovered a new medicine called Hanxiao, named after your lover? Is that true?"
Not far away, Xie Baihan suddenly looked up. His delicate cousin nervously tugged at his sleeve.
-
The family business, which had survived the war, was about to be destroyed in her hands.
Liu Yi was forced into the deep mountains by her creditors. She fell into a ravine and broke her hand. In a daze, she thought she was going to die there.
After an unknown amount of time, a sigh was heard, and she was pulled into someone's arms.
"Without me, she has fallen into such a pitiful state."
It turned out to be Xie Baihan's uncle, the current head of the Xie family, and the Grand Tutor of the court—Xie Yanxing.
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