Chapter 59
What's there to be embarrassed about for an old married couple?
Zhang Gui disappeared without a trace, and Qian Yuming also vanished as if he had disappeared into thin air, locking up his shop for several days without a trace.
After Zhang Gui's tyrannical rule was over, Xuande Street returned to its original peace. Shopkeepers looked after each other, promoted their businesses, and a rare atmosphere of harmony permeated the area.
Good things come in pairs. Not long after, Chang Le came to visit again, saying that the governor's case was progressing smoothly. Qian Yuming's father had provided evidence, and the county magistrate had been imprisoned, awaiting trial by the Dali Temple.
The misunderstandings of the past were all cleared up, and the neighbors regarded the couple as their benefactors.
Seeing that everything was on track, Lu Qin put Zhang and Qian out of her mind and continued to focus on running her clothing shop.
She launched a new children's clothing line, and when Nannan heard about it, she volunteered to be the spokesperson for Luqin, even bringing her younger brother along.
Lu Qin applied adorable makeup to the two children. Today they were a tortoise and a rabbit, tomorrow a cat and a dog, and the day after a butterfly and a caterpillar. Every day was different, and the variety was endless, which attracted the attention of many children.
Nannan stood at the door, skipping and jumping to show off her new clothes. Nannan's mother came over and said that from now on, all the family's clothes would be bought from Xiaolu Clothing Shop, and Zhilan would pick them up on their behalf. Luqin happily agreed.
Seeing Nannan's mother leave with her two children, she had another flash of inspiration and asked Hao Jingshi to design a set of clothes to sell.
Matching outfits, consisting of two or more pieces, can be worn by parents and children or friends. Unsurprisingly, these clothes have become popular, blooming everywhere like small flowers breaking through the soil.
As the flowers bloom and the beauty unfolds, Little Deer Clothing Shop also welcomes a new spring.
The house was always packed with people, which was the norm. On this day, after Lu Qin saw off the last group of guests, a figure suddenly climbed up the roof beam into the house, landed steadily in the rest area, and skillfully sat cross-legged on a stool.
At first, she and Hao Jingshi thought it was a thief, but when they saw it was Chang Le, they exchanged a glance and were no longer surprised.
"Princess."
Lu Qin greeted Chang Le with a smile, and Hao Jingshi took the clothes she was about to hang up and gestured for her to sit with the princess.
His gaze followed Lu Qin's figure, and he couldn't help but add, "Has the princess been practicing the Gecko Kung Fu lately?"
"You're ignorant. This is called lightness skill." Chang Le flicked the dust off her sleeve and said, "Now that your business is booming, your doorsteps are practically worn out. This princess is just saving you some money."
Her words made the two of them burst into laughter. Lu Qin straightened her clothes and sat down, teasingly saying, "Thank you for your kind words, Princess. By the way, Princess, you didn't sneak out in the carriage again this time, did you?"
“Aqin, you’re becoming more and more like your husband, with such a sharp tongue.” Chang Le glanced at Luqin and declared, “I have come here on the orders of the Imperial Concubine to invite you to the palace for an audience, which is perfectly legitimate.”
"To enter the palace for an audience?"
Upon hearing this, the couple exchanged a glance from afar.
Knowing that this matter was of great importance, Hao Jingshi put down the clothes in his hand, walked quickly to the two people, and stood opposite Chang Le.
"Why does the Imperial Concubine suddenly want to see us?"
"Naturally, it's for the clothes," Chang Le said smugly. "Your clothing shops are popular among the common people, and even nobles in the palace have heard of them. The other day, I wore one of your clothes to the palace and happened to meet the Imperial Concubine. She recognized the style at a glance and liked it very much. When she learned that the design was by you, she asked me to bring you into the palace."
"The Imperial Concubine says she wants you to paint her portrait in person so we can discuss the details and revise anything she doesn't like. The carriage is ready; the two of you will come to the palace with me early tomorrow morning."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qin's eyes lit up.
The clothing shop was bustling with activity, and the Imperial Concubine had taken a liking to their clothes. Didn't this mean that they had another path to wealth and prosperity?
Clothing that is favored by royalty is something that ordinary people would never even dare to dream of.
She had read many time-travel novels, and those who managed to build up royal businesses invariably ended up being appointed as female officials, expanding and strengthening their empires.
Does that mean she'll soon have some good days ahead of her...?
Lu Qin's mind was filled with wonderful fantasies as she eagerly looked at Hao Jingshi.
However, Hao Jingshi did not show any joy; instead, he became cautious.
He said, "Since the Imperial Concubine wants me to paint, why did she invite you to come along?"
Chang Le leaned back in her chair and waved her hand magnanimously: "The Imperial Concubine originally only wanted to invite you, but I know you can't be without your wife for even a second, so I asked for your favor on behalf of A Qin as well. You don't need to be too grateful to me."
He's so inseparable from his wife.
Hao Jingshi was both amused and exasperated, but with important matters at hand, he had no time for verbal sparring and couldn't help but lower his eyes to consider the pros and cons.
The Imperial Concubine's command was difficult to disobey. Moreover, if the clothing gained the Imperial Concubine's favor, their clothing shop could potentially develop into a royal property. He knew that Lu Qin had always hoped that their clothing would be liked by more people, and he hoped that her wish would be fulfilled.
However, he also worried that his grandfather had sworn to retire in the main hall to dispel the emperor's suspicions and prevent his achievements from overshadowing the emperor's authority, thus demonstrating his loyalty. If he rashly went to see the imperial concubine, and was suspected by those with ulterior motives who did not know the reason, wouldn't that be a waste of his grandfather's plan and a hidden danger for the Hao family?
What should I do...?
As he swayed, Hao Jingshi glanced at Lu Qin, only to find that she was also looking at him.
As they looked at each other, Lu Qin keenly sensed his hesitation, so she got up and walked to his side, facing Chang Le directly.
She quietly grasped Hao Jingshi's hand from behind, "Oh, this matter is rushed. My husband is afraid of making a mistake in front of the Imperial Concubine. Please put in a good word for me, Princess."
"That's natural."
Chang Le noticed their subtle interaction but didn't expose them. Instead, she propped her cheek up and said, "Young Master Hao, you don't need to worry. The Imperial Concubine has already spoken to the Emperor, and he knows about this matter. He won't suspect you of anything. Besides, your cousin just gave birth to a prince, and the Emperor is overjoyed. He's too busy rewarding Hao Shi to even think about it."
"What wonderful news!" Lu Qin exclaimed. "That couldn't be better, wouldn't it, my husband?"
Hao Jingshi's palms were warm from her grip, and he nodded, "Yes, but Madam is not familiar with palace etiquette, and the clothing shop cannot be left unattended. I'll go by myself."
Chang Le was surprised: "Oh, you've finally decided to part with your wife."
Hao Jingshi remained silent. He felt that going to the palace was not a good thing, so he did not want Lu Qin to follow him.
He squeezed Lu Qin's hand in return. Lu Qin didn't ask why, but just nodded: "Then I will wait for my husband to come back."
Chang Le leaned back in her chair and said, "Alright, then you go ahead and paint. I'll take A Qin out to play."
"..." Looking at her eerie smile, Hao Jingshi had a bad feeling.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Just don't take her to any music halls or cause trouble."
...
After a few jokes, the matter was settled, and the atmosphere became more lively. Chang Le even told the two of them some gossip about the palace.
Recently, a new favorite has emerged in the palace, named Fang Xiaoping. She was originally an inconspicuous maid in the imperial kitchen. Because of her humble origins, no one paid attention to her. Unexpectedly, she served the emperor one after another and was promoted to the rank of concubine in just a few days, which caused complaints from the entire palace. Even the once most favored concubine was neglected for many days.
At a critical moment when the governor was in the eye of the storm, Consort Fang actually devised a plan to help Consort Yi lose favor and made the Imperial Concubine suffer in silence. Everyone said that she was a formidable character and that one should avoid her when they met her.
Lu Qin was curious about what kind of person this was, and Chang Le said, "I saw her once at the banquet. That Consort Fang was very charming and beautiful, but everyone said she was a vixen."
Hearing Chang Le speak so bluntly, Lu Qin was so frightened that she stuffed a pastry into her mouth and changed the subject.
That night, while whispering in each other's arms, Lu Qin brought up the matter again with Hao Jingshi. When she mentioned that Consort Yi had regained favor and was pleading for her father, Hao Jingshi looked slightly worried.
Seeing this, Lu Qin comforted him, saying, "The outcome of the governor's case is not up to us, so please rest assured, my husband. At least Xuande Street has been peaceful these past few days, and we have done our best."
"Hmm." Hao Jingshi responded hastily. Seeing that she had finally finished speaking, he looked down at her and said, "Don't go to crowded places while I'm not here. If you must go out, be sure to bring your bodyguards. The princess is playful, so don't follow her whims and run around aimlessly."
Um?
So it turns out he wasn't worried about the magistrate being pardoned, but rather about her?
Hearing this series of instructions, Lu Qin was stunned for a moment, then felt a warmth in her heart and said, "You can go and make clothes for the Consort without worrying about me. I'm not a child anymore."
Hao Jingshi chuckled: "I can't remember who was missing for so long last time that I searched for them until dark."
"That was an accident. It won't happen this time. How can you be so unlucky as to get kidnapped every time?" Lu Qin poked his chest and said, "But you, you need to be careful when you enter the palace. Don't have a sullen face."
"Understood, I know what I'm doing."
Hao Jingshi responded lazily, then tucked the blanket in, put his hand on her waist, and said, "Go to sleep."
Lu Qin turned her back to him, found a more comfortable position, closed her eyes for a while, and then Hao Jingshi suddenly pulled her over and turned her over.
"No, to be on the safe side, let Xuanlan stay by your side. Ling'er will come to the palace with me."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qin opened her eyes and saw him looking at her with that anxious gaze again. She couldn't help but ask, "Husband, is there something you're hiding from me?"
Given his personality, he would never dwell on the past with lingering fear. What could be making him so nervous?
Hao Jingshi paused for a moment, his eyes darting around: "No."
Lu Qin stared at him: "Confess honestly."
"No, really."
"Oh." Seeing that he didn't speak, Lu Qin pretended to suddenly understand, "That means he did something wrong and was afraid that I would find out, so he paid extra attention to my every move and even had Xuan Lan monitor me."
"Nonsense!"
The old trick of goading worked as expected. Hao Jingshi blurted out, "Why would I be spying on you? I'm worried—"
They were worried that the old man's words about a short life would come true.
The words he was about to say stung him, and Hao Jingshi stopped abruptly, not wanting to continue.
He gave a vague analogy: "Well, I had a nightmare a few days ago."
"Related to me? What dream?"
"Hmm, it's bad luck to say it out loud, don't ask."
Hao Jingshi lowered his eyes awkwardly, and Lu Qin couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at his evasive gaze.
It turns out it was all just for a dream.
Even the most unruly person will become cautious once they have something to care about.
"What do you mean?" Lu Qin snuggled into his arms and looked up to meet his gaze.
"My husband doesn't even believe in ghosts and gods, yet he cares so much about a dream, tsk tsk... Alright, alright, I know my husband loves me the most. Next time, just say it directly, no need to beat around the bush."
"Who, who's beating around the bush?"
Hao Jingshi was speechless after hearing what she said, and muttered something in embarrassment.
Seeing him like this, Lu Qin found it amusing, as if she had returned to several years ago when she boldly flirted with him and his ears turned red.
She missed him terribly, realizing that it had been a long time since she had flirted with him, so she cupped his face and uttered some wild words.
"Why is my husband not saying anything? Oh dear, what can't we, an old married couple, say to each other?"
"..."
"Speaking of which, my husband has never confessed his love to me. It's so unfair. Tell me you love me. I want to hear you say it from your own lips."
"..."
"Hey, can't you at least put on a sweet talk for once? You're so unromantic."
"..."
"I'll take the money and run away from home tomorrow."
"..."
She threw a tantrum for a while, but the person opposite her didn't say a word, only staring at her incessantly chattering lips.
"My husband is being quiet all the time; he's definitely up to something." Lu Qin's face burned under his gaze, and she had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, Hao Jingshi's gaze towards her had become less innocent.
"It seems that Madam does not want to sleep yet."
A restless hand then reached out, and Lu Qin pursed her lips and quickly shrank back into the blankets.
Hao Jingshi pulled her out without saying a word.
"I must taste what kind of honey has been smeared on your lips, my lady, before I know how to express my feelings."
"..."
"Why aren't you saying anything? We're an old married couple, what's there to be embarrassed about?"
"..."
"Running away from home is too much trouble, save your breath."
"..."
In the dim light, a slender hand rose up and gripped the bed curtains tightly, then softly fell back down, leaving a damp patch on the surface of the curtains.
Even though it's not the height of summer, the air feels like it's on fire, making it stuffy and hard to breathe.
Outside the window, the moon climbed to the treetops, while inside, the bed sheet embroidered with mandarin ducks gradually became wrinkled.
The petite woman clutched the blanket, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, while the woman leaning against the headboard squinted, revealing a satisfied expression of possession.
A moment later, he leaned down and kissed her earlobe, saying each word carefully.
"I love you, Lu Qin, did you hear me?"
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