The second male lead appears in Chapter 3.
The Xu Family Courtyard.
The woman in the mirror had cascading black hair, and Xu Chumian felt a little uncomfortable looking at herself, who was still in her early teens.
She stepped out of the bedroom, where the autumn morning light flowed like amber, and everything in the courtyard was full of life.
Just like her life with Mu Mu.
Having been given a second chance at life, there's still time to change things; she won't repeat the mistakes of her past life.
Xiao Tao couldn't help but ask about what happened last night, her face full of worry.
"Young lady, did Lord Zhao not make a move last night?"
Lord Zhao was a man of such imposing presence that every time he came, the young lady would be sullen and fearful for several days.
Xu Chumian shook her head, "He probably won't come again. Let's just live our own lives."
Zhao Yu was proud by nature, and the only thing that could make him bow his head was Shen Lingyin and his grand ambitions.
She, Xu Chumian, was not among them.
Xiao Tao nodded, "Whatever Miss says, goes."
Two years ago, Xu Chumian's father and stepmother died unexpectedly while seeking medical treatment. The first branch of the Xu family left behind only Xu Chumian and her sister Xu Muyang. The second branch of the Xu family wanted to offer Xu Chumian to an official in Jiangnan as a concubine and also planned to throw Xu Muyang out of the Xu family.
In order to survive, Xu Chumian risked her life to escape with her younger sister. Xiao Tao followed the two sisters all the way to the capital. Xu Chumian visited famous doctors everywhere, but no one could save her.
By chance, she met the third master and his wife of the Zhao family, who were also her younger sister's maternal uncle and aunt.
Unexpectedly, the two members of the Zhao family had no intention of rescuing Xu Muyang.
The two tricked Xu Chumian into entering the Xu family, intending to imprison her. After their son died, they poisoned Xu Chumian to arrange a ghost marriage for their son.
Xu Chumian escaped by chance. She had no money or power, but her face was passable. In order to seek protection, Xu Chumian had no choice but to seek out Zhao Yu, the eldest son of the Zhao family and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
Zhao Yu promised to protect the two sisters and also to find a doctor for Xu Muyang.
For the past month, Xu Chumian has been cooking for Zhao Yu every day, and Zhao Yu's servants come to collect the meals every noon.
Occasionally, when Zhao Yu had some free time, he would take Xu Chumian out of the mansion for sightseeing.
Zhao Yu returned to the city late yesterday, and seeing that it was about to rain again, he had no intention of leaving and stayed overnight.
Xu Chumian picked the green beans in her hand, her eyes lowered.
"He has limited patience. I was the one who provoked him first. We'll just avoid him from now on."
She and Zhao Yu have only known each other for a month. Zhao Yu is busy with official duties and will soon forget about her.
"Yes, Miss. With so many famous doctors in the capital, they can definitely cure the Second Miss's illness. Perhaps you will meet a suitable husband during the imperial examination next March."
Xu Chumian chuckled: "The most important thing now is to cure Mumu. Perhaps in the future I can go back to Jiangnan and find a quiet town to live in. I just want to live a peaceful and healthy life. I don't ask for anything else."
Another thing is that we need to move as soon as possible.
The third master of the Zhao family and his wife may have already found out where they live.
Outside the door, Zhao Yu stood by the wall, motionless for a long time.
Ordinary days?
I want to go back to Jiangnan.
Recalling the argument Xu Chumian had before her death in his previous life, a chill crept into Zhao Yu's eyes.
When Xu Chumian said she didn't love him anymore, she wasn't lying.
It's not a lie that I want a divorce.
Zhao Yu had to admit that his relationship with Xu Chumian started because of Xu Muyang's illness.
So being with him was never the life Xu Chumian wanted?
Zhao Yu's gaze was mocking. He and Xu Chumian were separated by only a wall, yet it felt like an insurmountable chasm.
Their relationship was impure from the beginning, so how could they possibly achieve perfection?
Since that's the case, Zhao Yu will grant her wish.
From then on, the bridge remained the bridge, and the road remained the road.
As Zhao Yu and his companion exited the alley, a carriage belonging to someone earlier was blocking the entrance, preventing Guan Yan's carriage from entering. They had no choice but to stop at the alley entrance.
Zhao Yu was clearly in a bad mood, and Guan Yan hadn't done anything to offend him.
After a long while, some movement came from inside.
"Dr. Chen will arrive in the capital this afternoon. Go and deliver a message that Xu Muyang must be cured."
"Also, don't come here again."
Guan Yan hummed in agreement. It seemed that the master was going to completely sever ties with Miss Xu.
But Guan Yan quickly raised a doubt: "Sir, hasn't Doctor Chen's news come back yet?"
There was no further sound from inside.
From the very first day Miss Xu went to find Zhao Yu, the master sent people to investigate Doctor Chen's whereabouts.
Dr. Chen is a folk healer with miraculous healing skills; he should be able to cure that little girl.
Guan Yan thought to himself silently.
Xu Chumian was unaware of what was happening outside. After having dinner with her sister, she went out on the street alone.
The Xu family was relatively wealthy, but after the elders passed away, the second branch of the family's uncle and aunt swindled away most of their property.
When Xu Chumian left with her younger sister, she only had five hundred taels of silver notes.
Xu Muyang's illness is not like that of ordinary people. A single dose of herbal medicine costs more than one tael of silver. With the addition of various other medical expenses, Xu Chumian now only has a little over one hundred taels of silver left.
The first thing to do now is to ask Doctor Chen to treat my illness, and the second thing is to find a job in the capital as soon as possible, so that I don't just sit around and do nothing.
Xu Chumian went to the brokerage firm and bought two highly skilled guards and a maid.
The two guards were named Liu Da and Liu Er, and the maid was named Qiu Yu.
"Greetings, Miss!"
Xu Chumian nodded in satisfaction.
Liu Da and Liu Er are two brothers, both in their early twenties, with muscular builds and looking like they could fight.
Qiu Yu was once a slave in an official's household. When her master made a mistake and was demoted, Qiu Yu was sold off.
Xu Chumian took the three of them home.
She didn't notice a gaze that occasionally fell upon her from the second floor by the window on the street, but lingered there for a long time.
The woman's every move was like that of a lady in a painting; her eyebrows and eyes were as delicate as distant mountains, yet they carried a hint of sorrow, making one want to peek inside.
Xiao Qingyan's agitated mood instantly cleared up, as if a clear lake had poured into his heart, and his limbs felt relaxed again.
Xiao Qingyan had come to keep an appointment with his superior today, but when he arrived at the teahouse, he was met by his superior's niece.
The little girl chattered away about her needlework lessons, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Xiao Qingyan.
Xiao Qingyan is the second son of Prince Ding. He is handsome, has a noble status, and currently serves as the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He has a promising future and is the dream lover of many young ladies.
Xiao Qingyan stood up, his movements graceful and fluid. "Miss Chen, please make yourself at home. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
The woman in yellow made two "eh" sounds, and could only sigh regretfully.
-
The Xu family's house was located at the very end of the alley. Although it was small, it was close to the imperial city and was patrolled by soldiers at any time, so it was relatively safe for the Xu Chumian sisters.
The premise is that they didn't encounter Zhao Chenyu, who was lingering at the alley entrance.
Zhao Chenyu was the son of the third master of the Zhao family and his wife. The doctor diagnosed him with less than three months to live.
Yet this short-lived person had already set her sights on someone on the very first day the Xu Chumian sisters arrived in the capital. Her parents sent someone to inquire, only to find out that she was actually her father's sister's stepdaughter.
Zhao Chenyu stood by the carriage, gazing at Xu Chumian as she approached. He was extremely thin, and the wind made him cough incessantly, indicating his weakness. Yet, his face wore a determined smile.
Xu Chumian felt cold all over.
The two Liu brothers quickly engaged in combat with Zhao Chenyu's guards.
The people along the road quickly ran away.
Zhao Chenyu whistled at Xu Chumian, his gaze lewd, and walked towards her.
Xu Chumian was surrounded by Zhao Chenyu's servants.
Xu Chumian's face turned pale: "Stop right there. This place is near the imperial city, and there are patrols at any time."
Zhao Chenyu scoffed: "What? I'm a member of the Zhao family. Do you think I'm afraid?"
With no way to avoid it, Zhao Chenyu's disgusting hand came toward Xu Chumian's cheek.
Just then, a figure in white appeared and grabbed Zhao Chenyu's wrist.
Xu Chumian looked up, her eyes wide with shock, and her tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
Just as Zhao Chenyu was about to get angry, he saw that the person who came was Xiao Qingyan.
Zhao Chenyu swallowed hard and stood up straight.
"Young Master Xiao."
With a sword at his waist, Xiao Qingyan's figure overwhelmed Zhao Chenyu. His noble bearing made people afraid to look directly at him. As soon as he appeared, Zhao Chenyu could no longer stare at Xu Chumian.
Xiao Qingyan's voice was clear and bright, but his gaze was fixed on Zhao Chenyu: "Young Master Zhao, why aren't you at home recuperating? What are you doing here?"
Xiao Qingyan comes from an arrogant family and looks down on everyone in the capital. He is on par with his cousin Zhao Yu, and the two are also close friends. Zhao Yu has a great deal of influence in the mansion, and no one in the younger generation is afraid of him.
Zhao Chenyu was worried that his cousin would find out about this, and fear appeared in his eyes. He hurriedly said, "I...I'll leave now."
Xiao Qingyan narrowed his eyes: "Get lost."
Zhao Chenyu, terrified, boarded the carriage, which then drove away.
...
Quiet down where you are.
Xu Chumian's heart eased slightly, and she looked gratefully at the man beside her, her gaze meeting a pair of eyes as bright as stars.
Xu Chumian bowed slightly: "Thank you for your help, young master."
Xiao Qingyan was much taller than Xu Chumian. The young man was like a jade tree branch, with a slender figure and gentle, bright eyes. This was the first time he had taken the initiative to approach a woman.
Xiao Qingyan pursed his lips and spoke in a calm tone:
"Young lady, do you know him?"
Her lips moved slightly, and she lowered her eyes: "Just a brief encounter."
The matter between Xu Chumian and the third branch of the Zhao family is complicated. The Zhao family is powerful, and she doesn't want to implicate the person in front of her.
Xiao Qingyan hummed in agreement, his mind uncontrollably drawn to the woman before him. A faint smile played on his lips, exuding an air of arrogance, yet his earlobes began to burn inexplicably.
Xiao Qingyan tried to look away.
"My name is Xiao Qingyan, and I am the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
Xu Chumian smiled, her bright eyes and white teeth gleaming, and the autumn breeze carried the faint scent of osmanthus blossoms from her.
Xiao Qingyan heard the woman's soft, sweet voice.
She said her name was Xu Chumian.
Xu Chumian thanked him again, her eyes sincere and clear: "Thank you very much, Lord Xiao."
Xiao Qingyan's heart fluttered. He took the jade pendant from his waist and put it in the woman's hand. Ignoring her objections, he said quickly, "If you need anything, come to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to find me with this jade pendant. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
"Hey? Wait a minute."
The young man was tall with long legs and a strong lower body when he walked.
Xu Chumian could only watch helplessly as he disappeared into the crowd.
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