Chapter 142 Old Testament
As Li Qu walked, she took out a piece of white paper from the hairpin box.
The midday sun shone so brightly on the paper that it was blinding.
"Winter snow seals the river, old promises remain, yet I still recall the joy of parting."
As dusk falls, a lone boat is moored on the south bank; the moon shines like a lonely shadow.
An acrostic poem.
Li Qu folded the note and put it in the box, then took out the hairpin.
Old Testament?
Her eyes lingered on the hairpin, finally settling on the white jade inlaid in its head. Her steps slowed until she finally came to a stop.
The jade pendant at Xiao Cong's waist, carved with a qilin pattern, was a symbol of his status and power in the Yan region.
Although the white jade hairpin has been polished and carved, faint old patterns can still be seen when the fingertips are rubbed against it.
'A-Qu wants the jade pendant on Your Highness's waist, will Your Highness give it to her too?'
Before he was married, she had tried to win him over.
How could a concubine be worthy of his power?
She probed indirectly.
He might not understand her hints, or he might never have imagined that she could escape his grasp.
He smiled faintly for a long time, then replied, "It's fine to give him a son after A-Qu gives birth to one."
What a concubine is not worthy of, how can her son be worthy of?
Li Qu only sensed the perfunctory tone in his words that day.
How can this be considered part of the Old Testament?
She put the hairpin into the box.
Even if that was the intention back then, it doesn't matter now.
Li Qu continued walking.
Then I remembered what Li Rong had said about "two busy things".
One of them was to give a hairpin.
Is the other one referring to Lin Xiaocong or Zhou Jin?
If it were Lin Xiaocong.
What does he want to do with Lin Xiaocong?
She went straight to Zhou Jin's study.
They were trying to find some clues in politics.
Xu Mama and the others had become accustomed to Li Qu flipping through various documents in Zhou Jin's seat.
Li Qu has already read the latest document.
The new message was sent to the government office.
Li Qu leaned back in his chair, pondered for a moment, then got up and walked outside.
"Granny, we're going to the government office to see our husband; we can't go empty-handed."
Xu Mama supported any action Li Qu took: "Madam, please go back and prepare. This old servant will be right back."
Having said that, he strode quickly toward the kitchen.
Li Qu returned to her room and changed her clothes again.
Before leaving, Granny Xu returned carrying a bowl of milk and bird's nest soup.
"The kitchen, this is it."
This is Li Qu's afternoon snack.
Li Qu wanted an excuse: "This will do."
Li Qu sat in front of the dressing table to check her hair and accessories. Seeing that everything was in place, she went out.
Upon arriving at the government office, the guards were required to go in and report, but Li Qu stopped them.
"Does Third Master have something he's hiding that requires reporting and cover-up?"
The guard wiped the sweat from his brow: "Of course not."
Li Qu then led his men inside.
Her hair was all tied up, and he wore a jade pendant at her waist. Servants and maids followed behind her, exuding an aura of authority.
As they entered the government office, everyone they met bowed respectfully.
Hearing that a meeting was being held in the council hall, she wanted to go and listen, so she quickened her pace unconsciously.
But just as they were about to enter the council chamber courtyard, they were stopped by a person who quickly turned from the covered walkway of the council chamber and knelt down.
Li Qu was startled.
Granny Xu stepped forward to protect Li Qu and scolded, "How dare you! Who dares to offend the Third Madam!"
The man knelt on the ground and presented his name card with both hands.
"Gong Pin of Pingjiang pays his respects to Madam!"
"Madam's virtue is illustrious and her talent is unparalleled. As a staff member by Third Master's side, I have long admired your demeanor."
"I am writing this letter now with great humility, hoping to offer my humble service."
"I am not talented, but I am quite literate and also know how to strategize."
"If you do not despise me, Madam, I will do my utmost to assist you in managing affairs and share your burdens."
"In both advancing and retreating, one must be respectful and courteous, and dare not disobey."
Upon hearing this, Li Qu subconsciously glanced around.
My heart started beating faster and faster.
He unconsciously used a little more force when supporting the maid's hand.
From the Qingtan Conference to the present, the seeds she planted have finally sprouted.
But right under Zhou Jin's nose.
It's a good start.
She released the maid's hand and stepped forward.
Granny Xu voluntarily made way for them.
Li Qu stopped in front of Gong Pin and took a deep breath.
Are you married?
Gong Pin: "Pin means selling talent, not body."
Granny Xu sternly shouted, "Slap him!"
Gong Pin raised his hand and slapped himself across the face.
He lay prostrate on the ground, bowing low, not daring to raise his head or offend anyone, displaying extreme humility.
I don't know if the slap made his face turn red, but the sound was very crisp.
Li Qu: "Since ancient times, marriage alliances have secured power, but unfortunately, Third Master's health is failing."
"Is there any solution to hiring a public servant?"
Gong Pin: "The solution lies with the lady."
"Please advise me."
Gong Pin said: "If the ladies cannot become sisters with the wife, it is not impossible for them to become colleagues through marriage."
"The lady first sought fame for women through intellectual discussions, and then dabbled in politics, defying the world's condemnation."
"If we can do things that benefit all the ladies, this situation can be broken."
This coincided with Li Qu's idea.
"Please be careful with your words when hiring officials!"
"My words were inappropriate; please forgive me, Madam."
Li Qu threw his calling card in front of him.
"This lady doesn't need a strategist with great talent and ambition. The only person who can be by my side is to take stock of the tax revenue each season. That's a waste of his talent."
"I will definitely introduce him to the Third Master."
She led her people toward the inner courtyard.
Gong Pin shifted his knees in place, raised his hands, and bowed to Li Qu's retreating figure.
"The betrothal was already married; his wife was surnamed Gong Huang."
Li Qu: "Very good."
As she arrived at the council hall, Huaiqiu greeted her from afar.
"Madam, please come with me."
Li Qu followed Huai Qiu.
"Did Third Master know I was coming?"
"I don't know."
Li Qu followed Huai Qiu to the room next to the council hall.
Pushing open the door, inside were a table, a soft couch, a needlework basket, and walls covered with books...
She has all sorts of things she usually uses to pass the time.
She was taken aback, and ripples spread through her heart.
Walking to the incense burner, I found my favorite incense and lit it.
She put the lid on the incense burner and waved to Huaiqiu.
After Huaiqiu withdrew, Granny Xu tiptoed in with a food box.
The room was separated by a screen, and Li Qu could hear everything being said in the council hall next door.
Granny Xu carefully placed the food box on the low table on the soft couch, afraid of making any noise that might be heard by the people next door.
Li Qu sat behind the desk, leaned back in her chair, and listened to the sounds coming from behind the screen.
"...In the past, when Guan Zhong governed Qi, 'the granaries were full, and people knew etiquette,' this was the way to long-term stability and peace."
"Mobilizing a large army will only exhaust the people and waste resources. The most urgent task for our southern region is to establish itself legitimately."
Matters of war must be handled with utmost caution.
Another old man's voice came from behind.
"Those in the north are mobilizing troops and generals, their intention to attack the south is blatantly clear. If we wait for the north to strike first, won't our southern lands be at their mercy?"
"Our lord has already deployed his troops in Fengxiang Prefecture. We should take advantage of the Xiao family's lack of leadership and launch a northern expedition."
"This land has been ruled by the Xiao family for three hundred years. Whenever I think of this, my heart is heavy with sorrow."
Opposition.
"No! One hundred thousand iron cavalry from Yanbei are stationed on the river, effectively blocking our left flank."
'Without a guaranteed victory, launching a northern expedition would only waste the people's resources; what's the point?'
...
The discussion went on and on, but no conclusion was reached.
However, everyone agrees that we should prepare for war and guard against the North.
The meeting ended with the irresistible aroma of food.
Upon hearing Zhou Jin speak, "Dismiss the discussion."
From the other side of the screen came the sounds of people taking their leave and gradually departing. Li Qu went to the window and saw that after everyone left, they seemed to be running with the wind, each one faster than the last.
There are also petty people who, seeing their political enemies walking ahead, will try to bump into them and then offer a fake apology.
I apologize for the accidental contact.
Before the other party can even speak, they immediately resort to moral blackmail.
'If you do not understand, then you have no restraint.'
Enraged, the other party cursed, "I'll kick your leg! You stop right there!"
This amused his other colleagues.
A happy atmosphere enveloped everyone.
Li Qu: It turns out that people in ancient times were also very proactive about leaving get off work.
Seeing Zhou Jin coming around from behind the screen, she quickly went to greet him.
The maid brought him water, and she washed his hands herself.
"They're starving, so be it. Why don't you cherish yourself?"
"Look at the time!"
Her tone was reproachful.
Zhou Jin was starving, and his face showed signs of exhaustion.
My gaze fell on her small hands as she rubbed her large palms together.
Listening to her nagging, her tired eyes were warmed.
After washing his hands, she carefully dried them with a towel, tickling each finger until it itched between his fingers.
After wiping her hands, she threw the towel into the basin and glanced at him.
"If my husband starves, what will you give me in return?"
Zhou Jin chuckled and patted the back of her head: "You won't dare to do it again next time."
"Hmph, I bet you wouldn't dare."
She turned and went to the couch.
"Come and eat quickly."
She put aside the fan that had been used to fan the aroma of the food, rolled up her sleeve with one hand, and served him food with the other.
“I will come here often from now on to keep an eye on you.”
He got into bed and picked up his chopsticks.
"I know you can't stay idle. This was a temporary arrangement. The place over on the river island is prettier than this one."
After saying that, he began to focus on his meal.
Feeling warm inside, she served him food, saying, "Thank you, my husband."
Zhou Jin hummed in agreement, not taking it to heart.
"What does my husband think of Gong Pin?"
Zhou Jin swallowed the food in his mouth: "The theme of Third Uncle's discussion was his suggestion."
"This person, after hearing what you said at the discussion meeting, wants to abandon me and join you."
"You're frustrated because you have no connections in the inner quarters, and you didn't even notice when his wife sent you a letter. You're constantly asking me for an introduction."
"So now it seems you've met them?"
Li Qu didn't hide anything from Zhou Jin: "I've seen him."
Something's not right.
etc.
Li Qu savored the taste, leaned slightly forward, and asked earnestly:
"Was the discussion that Uncle hosted at Yueyou Teahouse arranged by you, my husband?"
Zhou Jin's gaze fell on the food.
“When you stand beside me, you don’t stand tall and proud, but instead rack your brains trying to mend that trace of anxiety. It’s my fault.”
He knew she was worried about the unequal power dynamic between them and the possibility of him changing his mind in the future.
He had long since discerned her desire for power to protect herself.
She suddenly remembered the day they had a quarrel because of the discussion.
He said, 'Aqu, I will bring you whatever you want.'
You don't need to risk doing something that would give people something to talk about.
Her heart was in turmoil.
"Therefore...the betrothal, my husband..."
Without even looking up, he said, "He's trustworthy."
She remained silent for a long time, her gaze following him.
From the shape of the eyebrows and the long eyelashes to the slightly moving thin lips.
He was thinking about politics, his pale skin like jade in winter.
She suddenly spoke up: "Jinlang, let's have another daughter."
Zhou Jin choked on his food.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
