Chapter 111 Self-Defilement
Let's go back to last night.
When Bao Qingsu stood in front of Zhou Jin, her heart was pounding, and she could not suppress her excitement at all.
However, his first words were: "Accidental drowning or voluntary marriage, your choice."
She looked up in shock.
The man she couldn't help but want to cling to was standing within her reach.
How could she be willing to give up?
She spoke softly and cautiously, "I only wish to serve my third cousin as a slave."
He didn't even glance at her, just waved.
Huaiqiu brought over a basin of water and, without saying a word, pressed her face into the basin.
The suffocating pain filled her chest, but fear kept her mind clear.
The moment her lungs came into contact with the air, she shouted, "I'm getting married!"
It's just a temporary compromise.
Third cousin's path is blocked.
Then let's hurt ourselves by banging our heads against a pillar to force this lucky cousin-in-law to change things up.
It didn't work again.
Huaiqiu dragged her out of the mansion, unsure of what to do with her. She remembered that her former fiancé, who had come looking for her, was in Hezhou.
"My fiancé and I are in love, but my aunt forced us apart!"
"It was my aunt who forced me to do everything I could to stay in my third cousin's courtyard!"
"Who would rather be a concubine than a wife!"
"Please take me to my fiancé's place. I promise to bring him there tomorrow and ask for your help."
Only by staying can we have a chance.
She succeeded.
When she arrived at the elders' house, the matter escalated to the point where she gave another explanation.
"Waaah, my cousin's wife is so jealous. After she took Qingsu back, she cried and made a scene with my third cousin, forcing him to marry me off to someone else."
"They even said that if I stayed, I would not have a good ending."
"Qingsu was terrified, sob sob sob..."
Her aunt indeed believed her words without a doubt.
She is now back in the game.
What a joke! Who would want to be the wife of that poor student's fiancé?
She was willing to become a concubine for a powerful and influential man.
Moreover, such a handsome man.
When she first arrived in Hezhou six months ago, her aunt pointed him out to her, and she knew it the moment she saw him.
This is the man she wants.
Bao Qingsu's eyes were filled with deep admiration, like a cup of coffee that had been suddenly spilled.
It's hard for Li Qu not to notice him.
She reached out and picked up the cup.
*
"Pregnancy is indeed very hard, but that's all women have to go through."
Mr. Bao's smile was gentle.
She recounted the story of sending the concubine to her door again.
He concluded sarcastically, "My niece-in-law said that she can't make decisions about your bedroom affairs, so you have to decide."
Zhou Jin: "Yes, she's right."
Li Qu took a sip of tea.
"It really is so! Second Aunt didn't believe it at first," Madam Bao said with a smile, brushing it off.
Zhou Jin questioned, "Yesterday, I gave Ms. Bao the choice between drowning or getting married. It has nothing to do with my wife."
"She chose the latter, and I respect that decision."
"Why did you return to the mansion so early to frame my wife?"
Bao Qingsu dared not speak.
Bao Shi took it as Zhou Jin's polite words to save face for his wife and take all the blame upon himself.
"But what did Qingsu do to upset my nephew?"
"She's breathing."
Bao Qingsu covered her face with a handkerchief and sobbed, "Aunt, Qingsu will die now, so as to fulfill someone's wish!"
She got up and walked out, but perhaps her legs had gone numb from squatting for so long, because she stumbled and fell back to the spot.
Mrs. Bao hugged her and coaxed her gently.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, your aunt will take care of it for you."
Bao Qingsu then sat down sideways on the ground.
Her skirt flared out, her waist was slightly concave, and her figure was graceful.
She looked up at him, her gaze seemingly filled with resentment and reproach.
They have powerful backers.
She was blatantly seducing him.
Li Qu put down her teacup, as if she were an outsider.
Madam Bao glanced at Li Qu, then gently patted Bao Qingsu's hand in her palm: "Nephew is joking. If Qingsu doesn't like her..."
"I'll have your second uncle pick one out for you himself later."
"The matchmaker for your eldest brother's wife, Liu, was your second uncle."
Zhou Jin refused: "No need."
"What's wrong? Do you have a prejudice against your second uncle and aunt?"
"My nephew has no prejudice against his second uncle and aunt."
"Then why refuse the elders' good intentions?"
"I can't."
Chang spat out a mouthful of tea, which traveled two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) away.
The female relatives of the same generation standing behind Bao and Chang wanted to leave.
rustling sounds.
Zhou Jin spoke up: "No need to avoid it."
The women who were about to leave stopped turning around.
Zhou Jin leaned back in his chair, looking calm.
“I handled Ms. Bao’s case yesterday.”
My wife is very virtuous.
"A woman who is not jealous and does not wish me to take a concubine."
"Second Aunt, Third Aunt, and all my sisters-in-law, please remind anyone who tries to send women to my courtyard next time you see them."
"I dislike this kind of behavior."
"If I don't like something, I might do something that shows no mercy to my family."
"For example, recruit Zhou Yeqiong and his fellow good-for-nothings into the army and assign them to Qizhou."
Bao jumped up: "What did you say!"
Behind Bao, Zhou Yeqiong's mother exclaimed in shock, "Qizhou is a dangerous place, and war could break out at any time. How can you go to Qizhou!"
Bao's other daughters-in-law also became excited.
"They're spoiled and pampered; how can they fight a war!"
"This is forcing them to their deaths!"
"That's right!"
Bao's chest heaved as she stared at Zhou Jin in shock.
She grasped another layer of meaning.
"I saw the imperial edict with my own eyes; it clearly used my elder brother's seal!"
Zhou Jin put down the cup in his hand: "I am using Father's man, Father's seal."
"That, that beauty?"
Zhou Jin was very generous: "Not only does my second uncle have some, but several of my cousins from the second household also have some."
"ah!"
Before Madam Bao could speak, her daughters-in-law screamed.
Madam Bao pointed at Zhou Jin: "You...how dare you give your second uncle's room..."
Zhou Jin abruptly overturned the cup beside him.
The room fell silent instantly.
He looked up and met Bao's eyes.
It is considered offensive for a younger person to give a woman to an older person.
It's perfectly acceptable for someone in a higher position to bestow women upon someone in a lower position.
The fact that Zhou Jin could command Zhou Lang's men and use Zhou Lang's seal indirectly indicates that Zhou Lang had begun to transfer power to Zhou Jin.
The one sitting there now is a son and nephew, who is also the head of the Zhou family.
Mr. Bao slowly withdrew the finger that had been pointing at him, looking dazed, and plopped down in a chair.
*
After Zhou Jin finished speaking, he leaned over and asked Li Qu, "Didn't you sleep well last night?"
When he looked at her, his eyes were focused and tender.
"Thank you for your concern, my husband. I have something to tell you. When are you free?"
"I'm always available if you need me."
His doting affection for her was obvious to anyone with eyes.
As for his claim that he is incapable... the head of the Zhou family cannot be a useless person.
so……
Chang's gaze fell on the face of her beautiful niece-in-law.
He actually chose to sullied himself for her sake!
Zhou Jin suddenly got up and walked outside.
Chang instinctively got up to see him off.
Li Qu rose, bowed to the old lady, and took his leave.
Then he turned and bowed to Madam Bao.
When they reached Changshi, Li Qu smiled and said, "Congratulations, Third Aunt. I heard that Brother Feng's wife is pregnant."
Chang was surprised by Li Qu's affectionate tone: "Ah, congratulations! Feng-ge'er was naughty, but he didn't cause any trouble for the third brother, did he?"
"Third Master likes Feng-ge very much." Li Qu smiled and bowed to Chang-shi. "I'll visit Third Aunt again when I have time."
"Alright, alright." Madam Chang watched the person leave.
Then she saw her difficult nephew waiting for her at the door, lifting the curtain for her.
As Li Qu approached, Zhou Jin extended his hand to her.
With her back to everyone in the room, Li Qu gave him a wink, a wink that was both satisfied and slightly reproachful.
A smile unconsciously crept onto his lips, and his entire demeanor suddenly softened.
He took her outstretched hand and led her out the door.
The curtains were drawn, blocking the view inside the room.
The old lady sitting in the main room rolled her eyes.
*
After Zhou Jin left, the room instantly became lively.
Bao's daughters-in-law surrounded her, some complaining and some crying.
The daughters-in-law of the Chang family surrounded her, chattering away.
Bao Qingsu was still reeling from the shock of being told that "he's no good."
*
The rain has stopped.
Zhou Jin and Li Qu headed towards Fanghua Garden, with Granny Xu and the others following at a distance.
Li Qu raised her eyebrows and said, "I did indeed toss and turn all night last night."
Zhou Jin knew she had written a lot last night: "What is it?"
Li Qu slowly stopped in her tracks.
Zhou Jin stopped and turned to look at her.
She hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
Zhou Jin: "What's wrong?"
She tickled his palm with her fingers: "I told you, please don't be angry."
Both humble and honorific terms have emerged.
Zhou Jin began to think about what things could make him angry.
The first choice is related to Xiao Cong.
"Tell me, and I promise I won't get angry."
She moved toward him, revealing an expression she hadn't shown in a long time—an ingratiating look.
He quietly clenched his other hand behind his back into a fist.
She stepped forward on tiptoe and whispered in his ear: "Because..."
"Sleepless nights are hard to come by."
She kissed him on the cheek, then took two steps back and looked at him reproachfully.
The fist behind his back suddenly loosened.
A smile spread across his face.
He looked at her, who resembled a wronged woman, and bent down to kiss her.
She blushed and smiled shyly and beautifully.
He led her away, his smile growing wider.
She vented her anger by grabbing and squeezing his fingers with both hands.
He let her do as she pleased.
A sweet breeze caressed the two of them, and behind them, Granny Xu grinned from ear to ear.
*
Unlike the cool, overcast skies of the south, Beijing was bathed in sunshine.
Lin Xiaocong leisurely emerged from the East Palace.
The cicadas were going crazy with worry.
Seeing Lin Xiaocong and the eunuch leave the palace gates, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Young master, the second young lady has left."
Lin Xiaocong showed no emotional fluctuation: "Really gone?"
"Really! The moment you entered the palace, this servant went to the steamed bun shop."
"The steamed bun shop is closed today."
"This servant has gone to the Li residence again."
"When they entered, they found Qiu Hui tied up on the bed, and the Li family members were nowhere to be seen."
"When we asked the Imperial Guards who were stationed at the Li residence, they said that Li's father had sent the second young lady to the steamed bun shop before dawn."
"Then Li's mother took the child out again, saying that she was going to visit her eldest daughter's relatives."
"This servant then went to the home of Lord Zhao, the Revenue Manager."
The Zhao family servant who opened the door said that no relatives had come to visit that morning!
"Isn't this what it means to leave?"
Lin Xiaocong handed the medicine box to Qiu Chan.
"knew."
Qiu Chan followed Lin Xiaocong, carrying a medicine box.
"The horse is ready for you. I have summoned Qiufeng and his men to wait at the city gate. Would you like to go after them now, young master?"
"How can you go empty-handed? Bring some gifts."
He smiled gently, showing no anger at all that she had run away.
He has always been detached yet strategically astute.
Once they've entered the game, they've never lost.
*
Li Rong was very flustered.
The carriage sped along, with Li's father driving it.
Li's mother is breastfeeding her son.
Li Rong suddenly spoke up: "No, when Third Sister left Yan, she saw off Eldest Sister's family first."
Li's mother said, "Your brother-in-law is an official, so the Lin family should be more cautious. You should take care of yourself first."
"But, but he even dared to do that to a princess..."
"You didn't see it with your own eyes, you only heard the noise, it may not be real."
Li Rong couldn't help but shudder when she thought of the phrase "there are dead people".
She knew it was true.
Waterways are faster, but river transport in the capital region remains restricted, so they can only travel by land for the time being.
How can a child compare to the fine steeds raised by the Lin family, a lineage of military generals?
Just after noon, Qiu Feng led his men to surround the carriage.
Lin Xiaocong didn't come in person; his grandmother caught him and took him back.
Qiu Feng, his face cold, drew his sword and said only, "Young Master's orders are that if the Second Miss does not return, everyone else, except for the Second Miss, may be killed."
Li Rong hugged her father, who was trying to resist to the death, and cried out, "Father, let's go back, let's go back!"
Li's mother held her son against the back of the carriage, closing her eyes helplessly.
An escape without careful planning is a joke.
*
Rong'an Hall of the Marquis of Weiwu's Mansion.
Hua Yang sat on the footstool of Old Madam Lin's couch, carefully tugging at the hem of Old Madam Lin's clothes, and glancing at Lin Xiao Cong out of the corner of her eye.
"...That's how it is."
"I had no choice but to reveal that the Seventh Prince had asked me to create the Three Books, and that the princess was threatening my life with it."
"The Seventh Young Master said that if I dared to reveal this matter, he would take my life."
"Waaaaah, you must try to persuade the Seventh Young Master!"
"It's getting more and more outrageous!" A ruler sat on the low table in front of Old Mrs. Lin.
She frowned, clutching the tourmaline bracelet in her hand: "Forging three documents and a fake seal, deceiving the Li family woman, and threatening Hua Yang—you're becoming more and more outrageous!"
Lin Xiaocong sat on the round stool and begged for forgiveness: "Grandma, please don't be angry."
"My grandson was just joking with that playboy."
"You're the one who called him 'Flower Sheep'! According to seniority, you should call him 'Cousin-Uncle'."
Upon hearing this, the humble sheep immediately straightened its back.
He hunched over again at Lin Xiaocong's gentle smile.
He quickly replied, "No, no, I wouldn't dare."
"The families in the capital are all related by blood, and the generations are very complicated."
"Young Master Lin, just call me by my name."
Grandma Lin didn't dwell on this unimportant issue.
He said to Hua Yang in a gentle tone, "If he ever harms a single hair on your head, you can come to my door and complain."
"If he lays a single hair on your head, I'll pluck ten hairs from his head!"
"Don't be afraid of this wretched creature. I'll beat him as long as I live."
Hua Yang quickly knelt down to express her gratitude.
Lin Xiaocong said sincerely, "Your grandson would never dare to harm your cousin Hua in the slightest."
"If anything happens to him, Grandmother, you can always blame it on your grandson."
Hua Yang immediately stood up and cupped his hands to Lin Xiaocong, saying, "Lin Qi, from now on I, Hua, will follow you."
Lin Xiaocong stood up and returned the greeting: "Uncle Hua, you are too polite. Everything is fine."
"Ah, I'm relieved to have your promise." Hua Yang winked at Lin Xiaocong, "Come to me if you need anything."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and said, "Thank you for your help, Uncle Hua."
"We're on the same side, we're on the same side." Hua Yang laughed heartily.
Grandma Lin couldn't bear to look at this guy.
They've already elevated his seniority, yet he's still so obsequious.
Hua Yang said a couple more nonsense words, and then bid farewell to Old Mrs. Lin.
When only the grandfather and grandson remained in Rong'an Hall.
Grandma Lin picked up a ruler and started hitting Lin Xiaocong.
Lin Xiaocong moved nimbly and dodged her sudden attack.
Old Mrs. Lin followed and stayed at the hotel.
"You wretched creature, stop right there!"
"Grandmother, I won't do it again! Please be gentle!"
"I'll teach you to cheat, to threaten people, you bastard!"
"How did you promise that!"
Grandma Lin couldn't catch up with Lin Xiaocong, and after running for a while, she hit him once or twice.
Enraged, she threw down the ruler and pointed at Lin Xiaocong: "Did you even accomplish anything?"
Lin Xiaocong, who was still crying out in pain a second ago, immediately smiled shyly upon hearing this: "We've been completely honest with each other."
Grandma Lin was so angry that she felt dizzy.
Seeing this, Granny Yue quickly helped the old lady to the bed.
Old Mrs. Lin leaned against the couch, not even wanting to look at him.
"If you want someone's innocence cleared, you have to take responsibility!"
"If she's unwilling to be your concubine, then marry her!"
"Just because she's of low status doesn't mean you can escape being laughed at!"
Lin Xiaocong smiled as he accepted the tea offered by Granny Yue and respectfully presented it to the old lady.
"Even if she has the ability to live under her mother's control, her grandson cannot give her a formal title."
Grandma Lin's sharp eyes swept over her grandson.
Lin Xiaocong quickly explained, "The third daughter of the Li family is Zhou Jin's wife."
Grandma Lin slowly sat up straight, her expression turning serious: "Which Zhou Jin?"
Lin Xiaocong sat down on the other side of the couch and smiled, "Zhou Jin from Hezhou."
"Why didn't you tell me this before!"
"Grandmother didn't ask at first, did she?"
"Since they are related to the Zhou family by marriage, why are they settling in the capital?"
"My grandson hasn't asked yet."
Grandma Lin frowned.
The maidservant served tea to Lin Xiaocong.
Lin Xiaocong picked up the teacup and gently pushed the lid.
“My Lin family are loyal and capable generals, while the Zhou family is eager to make a move.”
"How can my grandson be related to Uncle Zhou by marriage?"
"This is no different from colluding with the enemy."
The Lin family and the Zhou family held different political stances.
The old lady looked displeased: "Then you two are destined to be incompatible, why are you still bothering her!"
"A match made in heaven, how could it not be suitable?"
The old lady looked at him.
Lin Xiaocong laughed: "When my grandson left Hezhou, Uncle Zhou gave him a good farewell with wine and tried to sow discord between them."
"Now that the news of my grandson lying to his aunt has spread, I've offended him."
"A new emperor is about to ascend the throne, so we can't leave a bad impression on him."
He lifted his cup and took a small sip.
The old lady was speechless.
The aroma of tea filled the air, and a smile crept onto his lips.
He knows how to say things to get the result he wants.
He put down his teacup and said, "She lost her chastity to her grandson, and her grandson will take responsibility for her."
“Apart from her title, her grandson will never shortchange her in anything else.”
"Please take good care of her in the future, Grandmother."
Old Mrs. Lin replied with five words: "Go kneel in the ancestral hall!"
Lin Xiaocong accepted the punishment and actually knelt for an entire afternoon.
It wasn't until late afternoon that the old lady called the people back to Rong'an Hall.
The old lady sat on the couch, watching Lin Xiaocong limp in, sit on a round stool and rub his knees in grievance, without feeling the slightest bit sorry for him.
"Don't think that kneeling for an afternoon is enough!"
"Bring Rongrong to see Grandmother tomorrow."
"Let Grandmother hear what Rongrong has to say before we consider how to handle this matter!"
Just then, Granny Yue came to announce: "Qiu Feng is looking for the Seventh Young Master."
Lin Xiaocong's eyes lit up instantly: "Grandmother, Rongrong is back."
As soon as he finished speaking, he stopped limping and walking away like a whirlwind.
Grandma Lin sighed.
"A tragic fate!"
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