Chapter 122 Waiting for You
The man's voice was like an autumn breeze passing through the warm sun, carrying a natural coolness yet as soft as lukewarm water.
Li Qu sat facing him on his lap, her hand resting on his collar.
He supported her lower back with his hand to prevent her from slipping.
Her gaze shifted from the seal to his face, and she stared blankly into space.
His gaze fell into her eyes, and he casually said, "I'll teach you how to play."
A feeling of soreness and tightness slowly crept into her chest.
She had seen a seal in the old lady's study that was exactly the same as the seal in Zhou Jin's hand, but half the size.
It was carved from Hetian white jade and was the seal used by the matriarchs of the Zhou family throughout the generations.
The Hetian red jade seal in Zhou Jin's hand is the main seal of the Zhou family.
It symbolizes the supreme power of the South.
The Book of Rites states: "Men should not speak of domestic matters, and women should not speak of foreign matters."
In this era that values etiquette and law.
He presented his seal.
Something seemed to be stuck in her throat, and she was speechless for a moment.
Zhou Jin raised his hand, pinched her chin, and shook it: "Scared?"
She regained her senses, propped herself up on her knees on either side of his legs, and moved closer to him.
A perfect balance between emotions and behavior.
She sat down, almost rubbing against him.
With a sense of disbelief and uncertainty in my heart.
"My husband is so mean, trying to frame me and get me scolded?"
Zhou Jin pushed her down a little, and seeing her timid look, he leaned back on the couch.
He took her hand and placed the seal in her palm.
"Governance and chaos depend on the principles of governance, not on the inner chambers of women's homes."
"Your rebuttal is excellent."
The seal in your palm feels warm and silky to the touch.
She slowly clenched her fists, then looked up at him: "My husband, are you protecting me?"
His gaze lingered on her tenderly: "With me here, you will be safe."
Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately avoided looking at him.
The roly-poly toy made of pure gold on the shelf represents Han Xiangzi playing the xiao (vertical bamboo flute).
It brings life to all things.
He smiled faintly, propped himself up with his arms, slipped his hands under her armpits, held her shoulder blades with his large palms, and leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Dragonflies skimming the water.
His voice whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, you'll have plenty of comfortable days ahead of you."
She realized he was flirting, and her ear rubbed raw.
"Eat well, take good care of yourself, I'll be waiting for you."
She closed her eyes, a sweet smile spreading through her heart.
He distanced himself from her, and she raised her hand to cover his eyes.
Then she lifted his chin and kissed his lips.
It was long, proactive, and unlike any kiss before.
This man knocked on the door of her heart, a door she thought she could never open again.
She released his lips, but her hand remained on his eyes.
I just stared at him for a long time.
Then Xu Mama whispered, "Madam, the kitchen has brought breakfast again."
She smiled, touched his lips with her finger, released her hand from his eyes, and slid down his leg.
Her voice was light and cheerful: "The husband is the head of the household, and from now on I will listen to my husband in everything."
He didn't believe her sweet talk and let her slide down.
The room had been tidied up, and Granny Xu summoned breakfast and set it out again.
The couple dined together; she served him food, and he urged her to eat more—a scene as warm and loving as ever.
Zhou Jin could tell she was very happy.
When Aunt Xun arrived, Zhou Jin had already left.
Li Qu passed the time by doing needlework on the couch.
As Aunt Xun entered, Li Qu rose to greet her: "I heard from the maid yesterday that you were coming to visit, but unfortunately you weren't here."
Aunt Xun respectfully bowed to Li Qu: "Third Madam."
Li Qu stepped forward and helped her up, saying, "Sister, you're being so formal. I won't think of you next time I have something good."
The three concubines of the second wife help the second wife manage the household affairs, and they are usually very busy.
Li Qu returned home to focus on her pregnancy, and they rarely interacted.
However, they exchanged gifts privately.
Seeing that Li Qu was still the same as before, Aunt Xun became more amiable.
"To celebrate the birth of my son, my sister, I recently received a set of tangram pieces made of seven-colored thin jade. I hope it will bring you joy and that you will not find it too tacky."
"Thank you, Sister Xie."
The maidservant presented the gift box, which Xu Mama accepted.
Li Qu invited Aunt Xun to sit on the couch.
"It's so boring during postpartum confinement. You can't do this or that. What did you do to pass the time before, sister?"
"Read a book."
Li Qu leaned closer to Aunt Xun and asked with a smile, "Is it that kind of book? Sister, bring me two next time you come?"
Aunt Xun laughed and poked her head back with her finger.
"You must not read historical books or other miscellaneous books, lest they disturb your mind."
When the topic of reading came up, Aunt Xun's eyes lit up when she looked at Li Qu.
"My sister is well-read and became famous overnight at Yueyou Tea House. She has brought honor to us women. I admire her greatly."
Li Qu blushed: "I only know that little bit of stuff. My actions are outrageous, which makes me a laughingstock and subject to criticism."
Aunt Xun straightened her chest: "The ridicule of vulgar people is no different from the clamor of frogs at the bottom of a well."
Why bother with it?
"Even those despicable men who use traditional ethics as an excuse to criticize their sisters are just jealous and fearful of women more than men!"
"What a petty person."
Li Qu gave Aunt Xun a thumbs up.
Aunt Xun laughed and got down to business.
"To be honest, I was entrusted to deliver a message to my sister today."
She presented the letter from Old Mrs. Lin.
"I don't know the specifics either."
"Old Madam Lin only said that it concerns your second sister and Young Master Lin, and asked me to deliver the message."
A maidservant served tea, and Aunt Xun took a sip from her cup.
Li Qu opened the wax-sealed paper strip and gently unfolded it.
The old lady Lin's letter was brief and tactful.
'...Staying in the Marquis's mansion is not a long-term solution; it would be better to return to the south...'
Just then, Aunt Hu's laughter came from outside: "Oh dear, old Xun, you're really not being fair."
“They came to Fanghua Garden secretly without calling us.”
Li Qu put the letter away, and Aunt Xun didn't bring up the topic again.
The two looked up and saw Aunt Hu and Aunt Zheng being escorted into the room by their maids.
Knowing that the two men were about to pay their respects, Li Qu quickly got off her bed to greet them. When the two men bowed to her, she also curtsied in return.
"Greetings to the Third Madam."
"Greetings, my two elder sisters."
The sounds rang out simultaneously.
Aunt Zheng and Aunt Hu were taken aback, but when they looked up, they saw the mischievous smile on Li Qu's face and immediately burst into laughter.
Although her identity has changed, she is still the youngest Li Meimei.
Aunt Hu tapped Li Qu's little head: "Who wouldn't love you?"
Aunt Zheng urged Li Qu to sit down on the couch quickly: "Go sit down quickly."
Seeing Li Qu embroidering, he quickly picked up the basket and handed it to the maid.
"If you're bored, have your nanny read to you. Don't do things that hurt your eyes."
People in ancient times paid great attention to maintaining their health.
Li Qu agreed, "Okay."
The two men then presented Li Qu with their congratulatory gifts.
Li Qu expressed his gratitude.
The maid brought round stools for the two of them, and the four of them sat together, chatting idly as before.
When Li Qu needed to breastfeed, the three concubines took their leave together.
After feeding the child, Li Qu went to the west study, picked up a brush, ground ink, and wrote back to Li Rong.
She didn't believe her second sister was willing to spend her life with Lin Xiaocong without any official status or relationship.
Second sister must have her own plans.
*
The autumn air is crisp and clear.
Another round of cooling and rainfall is expected in the northern region.
On the third floor of the Tongbao Money Shop's Beijing headquarters, Xiao Cong stood by the window, gazing at the bustling traffic on the street.
Autumn rain occasionally tries to climb onto the hem of his robe on the wind, but it never quite manages to.
With his focus on his career, everything he did in Beijing went smoothly.
In the distance, Wu Xubai was seeing several men off to their carriages in front of a restaurant.
Fang Shuang seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation, and even when she clasped her hands in farewell, she remained very enthusiastic.
After seeing off several business clients, Wu Xubai seemed to sense something, looked up at Xiao Cong's direction, and gritted his teeth in anger.
He returned to his lair with an umbrella, stomped upstairs, and pushed open the door.
"Your Highness, that's my money. Isn't it rather unfair of you to take it for yourself like this?"
Xiao Cong didn't even turn his head: "The confiscated silver belongs to me, the heir."
"Why am I being punished?"
"Who told you to steal my money again?"
"It's not that the relocation wasn't possible!"
Xiao Cong ignored him and instead noticed someone he had been paying attention to for a long time.
On the street, Lin Xiaocong walked slowly under an umbrella: "What did Rongrong ask me to bring?"
He keenly sensed the gaze directed at him, and slightly raised the umbrella to look out from a distance.
There was no one in sight, as if the gaze I had just sensed was an illusion.
Qiu Chan didn't notice and bumped into him, almost knocking the pastry out of her hand.
"Young master, why did you suddenly stop?"
Lin Xiaocong suddenly realized: "I finally remember what Rongrong asked me to bring."
Qiu Chan moved to the front of Lin Xiaocong.
But look at him, he's carrying an umbrella on his shoulder, holding various kinds of pastries in his hands and hanging from his arms.
His face was full of doubt: "Have you really remembered this time?"
Lin Xiaocong assured, "This time I really remembered."
Li Rong asked him to bring her a serving of crispy fish cakes from Cyclamen after his shift.
"You wait here, I'll go buy it."
He walked back with his umbrella, while Qiu Chan waited by the roadside.
He came out of the cyclamen restaurant carrying a bag of crispy fish cakes.
When he encountered familiar faces, he greeted them with a smile, his demeanor polite and his demeanor sunny and friendly.
The entrance to the restaurant is orderly, with waiters bowing and smiling to welcome and see off its guests.
Horse-leading boys guided the carriages in an orderly fashion.
As Lin Xiaocong descended the steps, a maidservant rushed towards him.
"oops!"
He remained expressionless and quickly stepped aside.
He opened his umbrella, carrying the crispy fish cakes, and strolled leisurely past the maid who had fallen face-first into the dirt.
*
The carriage was hidden behind the crowd.
The maid bought a packet of dried plums from a nearby shop, then stepped onto a stool and entered the carriage.
"Young Master Lin is too heartless. He just watched Chunxing fall and didn't even help her up."
Wang Yujin accepted the fruit offered to her by her maid Chuntao with both hands.
"Men in the world are all fickle and tender."
"He is a man of principle, which is good."
Chuntao questioned, "But he completely ignored a woman who had fallen down."
“The entrance to the Cyclamen restaurant is carpeted and flat.”
"Why did you fall down?"
Wang Yujin smiled and said to Chun Tao, "There are always people who don't use their brains when they go out and like to play the hero and save the damsel in distress, so go and help Chun Xing."
Chun Tao lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. Sure enough, she saw several male customers coming in and out of the Xiankelai Restaurant. Some were helping Chun Xing up, while others were taking off their coats to cover Chun Xing's half-wet dress.
Chun Tao lowered the curtain and took the candied fruit that her mistress offered to her mouth.
"Did Young Master Lin see through Chunxing's deliberate fall?"
Wang Yujin thought for a moment and nodded.
“He has practiced martial arts since childhood, and his reaction is quicker than that of ordinary people, so he must be aware of what’s going on.”
Seeing this, Chun Tao smiled and teased, "Miss understands Young Master Lin so well, you must be satisfied with this marriage?"
Wang Yujin blushed instantly.
She didn't hide anything from her personal maid.
"What noble lady in the capital wouldn't be moved by such a distinguished, ambitious, and charming young man?"
Chuntao hesitated: "But, I heard that Young Master Lin has a mistress."
Wang Yujin didn't care at all: "Just a mistress."
"If he cannot have a son, what harm is there in him keeping three or four wives?"
"Which noble son in the capital doesn't have several concubines and mistresses?"
"These are all things that can't be presented in public."
*
At the entrance of Chuntang Garden, Qiu Chan stopped her car and lifted the curtain.
Li Rong, holding an umbrella, went down the steps to greet him.
The moment Lin Xiaocong leaned out of the carriage carrying the crispy fish pastry, Li Rong had already raised the umbrella over his head.
Why are you so late coming home tonight?
"Rongrong misses me?"
Li Rong responded softly, "Mm."
He got out of the car with a smile, took the umbrella from Li Rong's hand, and tilted the handle towards Li Rong.
"I was helping my master grade exam papers today, and I feel dizzy and lightheaded."
"I forgot what Rongrong asked me to bring."
"I wandered around Taikoo Tower for a bit before I remembered."
"Here." He placed the crispy fish pastry in front of her.
She took it and held his hand; "I made you your favorite stir-fried chicken tongue tonight."
She took a step to leave, but he stopped her.
She turned her head: "What's wrong?"
Aren't you going to ask me why I can't remember what I wanted to bring you?
"Why?"
"Because you're on my mind all day long."
Her face was visibly red, but her gaze remained fixed on him without wavering.
"Why can't I remember what I asked you to bring?"
"I only want you from last night..."
She quickly let go of his hand, covered his mouth, and said, embarrassed and annoyed, "Shut up!"
Qiu Chan smiled and drove into Chuntang Garden through the side gate.
He took the opportunity to kiss her palm.
She quickly withdrew her hand and wiped it on her clothes: "How can you be so improper?"
"I'm only being indecent with you."
He smiled and stepped forward, pinched her chin, and placed a kiss on her lips.
Then, he took her hand and walked towards Chuntang Garden: "Let's go home, my dear Rong'er."
Li Rong obediently followed beside him.
The umbrella was tilted completely over her head.
He said, "When I bought you crispy fish cakes today, a silly maid pounced on me."
"That's terrifying."
"I'm so afraid she'll be defiled by me."
"Rongrong, will you pick me up from work from now on?"
Li Rong reached out and pushed the umbrella towards him: "Just say you want me to pick you up after your shift."
He lowered his gaze and asked with a smile, "Can you just say anything?"
"Um."
He shook her hand; "Let me help you tonight?"
Li Rong turned her head and looked at Qiu Hui who was following behind her.
Qiu Hui smiled politely at her.
"Last time in the carriage I..."
She flung his hand away and ran off quickly, saying, "Don't even think about it."
Qiu Hui quickly caught up with Li Rong and held an umbrella over her.
Lin Xiaocong walked slowly, his gaze fixed on the figure that was gradually becoming more vibrant.
Look, time is filling the gaps between them.
Back in the main house, he took off his half-wet outer robe and headed towards the bathhouse.
He has a habit of taking a shower when he gets home after work.
Li Rong was mixing the water and preparing the things he needed.
He entered the room and saw her virtuous figure from behind. He raised his hand to undo his belt and began to complain.
"Rongrong, you've misunderstood me."
Li Rong slammed his clean clothes onto the rack.
"Don't even think about insulting me with that object again!"
After saying that, he turned to leave.
He quickly stepped forward to block her path: "Let me explain."
Li Rong looked up at him and said, "Go on."
Seeing that she wasn't leaving, he smiled and began to unbutton his clothes as he explained.
"I wanted to say that last time in the carriage, I saw that the nail polish on your toes had come off."
"I'll reapply it for you tonight."
Li Rong blushed deeply.
He raised his hand and hit him.
He wailed, "Why are you hitting someone as innocent as me?"
She hit harder.
After he finished undressing, he picked her up in his arms amidst her screams.
"My dear Rong'er, you've already hit me, let me ease my longing."
He threw her into the water and followed closely behind.
Rippling water, fish and water in harmony.
After all that fuss, she begged for mercy.
His chest pressed against her smooth back: "Rong'er, shall we do it again?"
She struggled: "Don't blame me for scratching you!"
"Don't scratch your face and neck, or my colleagues will laugh at me for losing my husbandly authority."
He turned her over and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
He forced her to the edge of the bathtub.
He held her back, preventing her from running away.
She relented: "Can't I give you one more chance later?"
That's exactly what he was waiting for.
"I'll listen to Rongrong."
She finally escaped, washed and dressed, and when he wasn't looking, splashed a bucket of cold water on his face.
It was late autumn, and the cold water was quite chilly.
Before she could see his reaction, she lifted her skirt and ran.
A loud shout came from behind: "Li Rong, you turned your back on me after you were done with me!"
She couldn't help but laugh.
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