Chapter 85 Xiao Qingyan to Marry Xu Chumian
Before it got completely dark, Xu Chumian left the Li family's old house.
Xiao Qingyan's face was deathly pale as he watched the carriage disappear into the distance, as if he could collapse at any moment.
Several dark figures appeared behind them.
"Second Young Master, there's no time to lose, we must leave the capital."
Xiao Qingyan shook his head: "Wait a little longer."
He wanted to see his grandmother off.
His mother died young, and he was unable to properly care for her in her old age. When his maternal grandmother was on her deathbed, Xiao Qingyan did not go anywhere.
Dr. Chen had come to examine the old lady before.
He only said four words.
His time has come.
"Second Young Master, if the Old Madam knew, she certainly wouldn't want you to stay in the capital and risk your life."
Currently, both the Prince Ding's residence and Xiao Qingyan's own residence are being watched by Emperor Mingde's spies.
Emperor Mingde will not take action against Xiao Qingyan until there are signs of unusual activity in the north.
Prince Ding enjoyed a high reputation among the people.
If Emperor Mingde were to arrest Xiao Qingyan first, Prince Ding would have a perfect excuse to rebel.
Xiao Qingyan's eyes sharpened. "No one is allowed to tell Grandmother about this."
"Second Young Master!"
One of his subordinates couldn't help but ask, "Second Young Master, could it be that you can't bear to part with that woman...?"
Xiao Qingyan: "Shut up!"
The people behind him immediately fell silent.
Filled with grief and indignation, Xiao Qingyan punched the wall of the Li family compound, and blood quickly oozed from his knuckles.
"I will be getting married in three days."
"Second Young Master!"
The group was too exhausted to persuade them any further, and simply said, "Then we'll leave the capital after the wedding."
...
Braving the wind and snow, the carriage returned to the Xu family's courtyard.
Xu Chumian's eyes were still a little red and swollen. When she thought of her grandmother, she couldn't help but shed tears. The bracelet on her wrist seemed to still retain the warmth of the old lady.
The car stopped.
Xu Chumian took a long time to calm down before getting off the carriage. Qiu Yu, who had been waiting under the eaves, immediately said when she saw Xu Chumian return, "The second young lady is in the young lady's room."
Xu Chumian's worries vanished instantly. "What's Mu Mu doing here?"
Mu Mu was reading a book at the table, with the bow beside her.
Xu Chumian completely ignored the bow, picked up her younger sister, and kissed Mu Mu on the forehead.
Mu Mu hummed softly, "My sister has been busy lately, so I want to sleep with her tonight."
Xu Chumian was taken aback. Indeed, she had been busy preparing for the small exams in the past few days, and then she had been copying translations and making incense. She hadn't spent much time at home each day, and several times when she came back, Mu Mu was already asleep.
Xu Chumian smiled, a pang of guilt rising in her heart, "Then I'll take the little glutton to take a bath first."
Mu Mu held Xu Chu Mian's hand and said, "I'm not a glutton."
The temperature in the room was just right for Mu Mu, and the tub was full of hot water. She tumbled around in the water for a while before Xu Chumian wiped her body and applied cream.
Mu Mu put her precious little bow away and climbed into bed.
After Xu Chumian finished bathing, the two sisters whispered to each other.
"Sister, I want to go to school."
Xu Chumian had also been planning this recently, and she listened patiently as Mu Mu finished speaking.
"Sister, I want to go outside and have a look around."
Occasionally, when Xiaotao takes Mumu out for a stroll, they see other older children coming home from school, and Mumu is always very envious.
She also wanted to go to school.
Xu Chumian patted her younger sister's head. "Okay, I'll go find you a tutor."
Mu Mu snuggled happily into Xu Chu Mian's arms.
My sister is omnipotent.
She'll be able to go to school soon!
Xu Chumian's lips curved slightly, but her eyes held a hint of sorrow.
Finding a suitable teacher to enlighten one's mind is the most important thing; price is secondary.
First, the teacher was of good character and quite knowledgeable. Second, Mu Mu's face hadn't fully healed, and Xu Chumian was worried that Mu Mu would be bullied by her classmates.
That night, Xu Chumian couldn't fall asleep for a long time, the events of the day still weighing on her mind.
Even though Xiao Qingyan didn't speak, Xu Chumian was prepared to find an opportunity to ask him.
She hoped that Madam Li could pass away peacefully.
The heavy snow outside the window broke the plum branches.
Xu Chumian could no longer fall asleep.
She emerged from the house wearing a cloak and stood in the spot where Xiao Qingyan used to like to stop.
She stood under the eaves, her gaze falling upon the plum tree in the courtyard, which faced the window of Xu Chuming's bedroom, next to which was a desk.
Xu Chumian's eyes gradually welled up with tears.
Having not slept all night, Xu Chumian was surprisingly energetic the next day.
The snow is heavy again today.
Before leaving, Xu Chumian told Liu Da about her business trip with the Yu family.
Liu Da was overjoyed: "Miss, I'm willing to go."
Xu Chumian nodded, and then instructed him and Qiuyu to inquire about a virtuous and talented teacher in the vicinity.
Xu Chumian had to go to school today, and all the students in Lumingxuan were eagerly waiting for her. Only then did she realize that today was the day the results of the preliminary exams would be announced.
Xu Chumian had been too busy these past few days to even think about it.
As Qin Hua entered the lecture hall, his gaze inadvertently drifted towards Xu Chumian.
Xu Chumian stared blankly at the table, lost in thought.
When she heard her name called, she didn't react for a moment.
The classmate sitting behind her nudged her shoulder.
"Miss Xu, you've got first place, Grade A."
Xu Chumian looked ahead.
Qin Hua Gongzi smiled, "You answered very well."
Perhaps a few days ago, Xu Chumian would have been happy, but now, with the matter of Old Madam Li weighing on her mind, Xu Chumian can't even smile.
After school, Qin Hua called her over.
"Miss Xu, you're not behaving like usual today. Could it be that Young Master Xiao misunderstood yesterday?"
In the past, Xu Chumian rarely spaced out during class; her bright and clear eyes were full of intelligence. Today, however, she looked preoccupied and overwhelmed with worries.
"Qingyan?" Xu Chumian's eyes widened slightly, and she shook her head. "Qingyan knows about our relationship."
Qin Hua twitched her lips but said nothing.
After walking a few steps together, Qin Hua couldn't help but ask, "Is there still a problem with the spices?"
"No, it's because an elder in my family has fallen ill, and I've realized how unpredictable life can be."
Qin Hua asked in a deep voice, "What illness is it? Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Thank you for your kindness, young master, but it's a bit late." Xu Chuming shook her head. "I will deliver the spices on time, so you don't need to worry."
Qin Hua pursed his lips; he really wasn't worried about the spices.
Hearing Qin Hua sigh, Xu Chumian was about to speak when she saw Zhao Lingyao waving at her from ahead.
Xu Chumian smiled, and the worry in her eyes lessened somewhat.
Xu Chumian bid farewell to Qin Hua and then headed towards Zhao Lingyao.
Behind her, Qin Hua stared in a daze at Xu Chu Mian's fluttering, layered skirt.
Since that day at the plum garden, Xu Chumian and Zhao Lingyao have not met very often.
Today, the Second Madam finally didn't restrain her.
"It seems my dad is coming back soon, and my mom won't have time to take care of me today."
Xu Chumian's gaze lingered slightly.
Zhao Lingyao, not hearing Xu Chumian's voice, added, "My father was previously transferred to an official post outside the capital, but now that his term is over, he has returned."
“But… my father came back, and he brought other people with him.” Zhao Lingyao’s voice was low.
Xu Chumian glanced sideways at Zhao Lingyao, who still looked like a young girl, and felt extremely soft-hearted.
In his previous life, the second master of the Zhao family returned to the capital with his concubine and son. His second wife was dissatisfied, and the couple became estranged. The second master of the Zhao family became more and more biased towards the concubine and her son.
Later, the concubine became arrogant and repeatedly provoked the second wife, even blaming Zhao Lingyao for her son's accidental drowning.
At that time, Zhao Lingyao was only fifteen years old, innocent and naive, and didn't know how to explain herself.
The second master of the Zhao family was convinced that Zhao Lingyao was responsible, so he slapped her and severed their father-daughter relationship.
Later, Zhao Lingyao, unwilling to stay in the Zhao family, hastily agreed to marry the Li family of Longxi.
Xu Chumian had just returned to the Xu family courtyard when Doctor Chen arrived.
Dr. Chen smiled, his eyes narrowed: "Miss Xu, this is a hot compress ointment for joints. It's been cold these past few days, so it's perfect for this."
Xu Chumian's gaze fell on Doctor Chen's hands.
She pursed her lips: "...Was it Zhao Yu who said it?"
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