Chapter 44 Longing for Return
The night was cool and still. Seeing that Li Qu hadn't returned to the room yet, Cui Guo took out a thick outer robe and draped it over her shoulders, saying, "It's chilly in the mornings and evenings, Auntie, be careful not to catch a cold."
Li Qu leaned against a pillar, gazing at the boundless night. She reached out to grab something, but even though there was nothing there, she felt as if she had grasped something. Then she brought it to her lips and gently blew on it.
The nonexistent thing in my palm, like a dandelion seed, drifted freely away in the wind.
She looked up and followed, her gaze moving from near to far, piercing through the deep courtyard, and finally settling on the far horizon.
She smiled faintly and murmured, "From this point on, the advantage is in my hands."
The next day, Li Qu woke up late and saw Cui Guo squatting by the bedside, looking at her with bright, sparkling eyes.
She sat up, closed her eyes to adjust to the light for a moment, and then looked at Cui Guo: "Good news?"
Cui Guo suddenly became excited: "Miss Huai Chun has been married off by Third Master!"
The sudden increase in volume startled Li Qu, who couldn't help but close her eyes and lean back slightly with a helpless expression.
"Ahhh, Auntie, you're amazing! With just a few words, without crying or making a fuss, and a few casual chats, Third Master got the person dealt with!!"
She could hardly believe the gossip she had heard that morning. She excitedly got up, punched her fist in the palm, and paced back and forth.
"You don't know, I heard that when Huaiqiu went to Jinxiu Hall last night to tell Miss Huaichun to go to Mianxiao Residence, Miss Huaichun spent two quarters of an hour getting ready!"
"Who would have thought they'd come out in less than half a cup of tea's time!"
"Then this morning, Huai Shi went to Shou'an Hall to convey Third Master's order to release Huai Chun's concubine."
"Now the news has spread! Everyone's laughing at him for being lovesick!"
From the moment Cuiguo learned that Huaichun had tarnished her master's image in the Third Master's eyes with his purse, she loathed Huaichun to the extreme.
She is straightforward and honest; she sides with whoever is her master and whoever treats her well.
Her aunt was her mistress and treated her well, so she stood firmly on her aunt's side!
Li Qu made no comment on matters of first love.
A wise person does not stand under a crumbling wall.
Huaichun harbored impure intentions towards her, and since she happened to have the ability to take action, she couldn't magnanimously watch her grow stronger.
It's just leveraging existing resources; it's not a particularly clever trick, but it saves trouble.
It reveals both Huai Chun's place in Zhou Jin's heart and Zhou Jin's way of dealing with those close to him.
The result was as expected.
As expected of Master Zhou!
With a sigh, she threw off the covers and got out of bed to wash up.
After washing up, Cuiguo brought the prepared clothes and helped Li Qu get dressed.
Li Qu raised her hand: "Any news from the prison?"
Cuiguo was in a good mood today: "This morning, as soon as my brother arrived at the prison gate, the prison warden, who used to ignore me even when I offered him silver, came up with a smile and started chatting with me."
"They said that your family members have been moved to separate and clean cells to recuperate, and Third Master has arranged for a renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor from the capital to treat them."
"Since the second young lady has an injury on her foot, and we were afraid that seeing her would harm the baby, we arranged a separate room for her."
"Although Third Master did not directly order the release of the people, he instructed Huai Shi, who served at Mianxiaoju, to deliver meals three times a day, including both meat and vegetables."
"They probably want to wait until they recover from their injuries before letting them come out to reunite with their aunt."
Cui Guo was optimistic, but Li Qu didn't think so.
Zhou Jin was determined this time, and he was determined to find out everything clearly before he would stop. There must still be something he had doubts about.
After getting dressed, the two moved to the dressing table.
Cui Guo's hairdressing skills are not as good as Hong Guo's, but they are tens of thousands of times better than Li Qu's.
Her black hair was styled in a loose, flowing style, held up by two hairpins, simple yet elegant, just right.
Upon arriving at the dining room, Granny Xu had already prepared everything and was waiting.
Just as Li Qu sat down, the maid guarding the door came in and announced that Miss Huaixiang was requesting an audience.
Li Qu and Granny Xu exchanged a glance.
Granny Xu went to the door to greet her personally, and when she returned, her eyes were practically slits with laughter.
Huaixiang, who was following behind her, bowed respectfully to Li Qu as she entered the room: "Before leaving, Master instructed me to bring over some of the clothing, jewelry, and ornaments that the concubines in the storeroom could use, as an apology."
There was quite a commotion outside. Cuiguo walked to the door and peeked out. She was so excited that her mouth was wide open, and she kept gesturing to Li Qu, as if to say: "Auntie, come and see! Auntie, come and see!"
Li Qu followed her body downwards and saw her feet rapidly alternating their footsteps.
Overjoyed.
Seeing this, Li Qu put down her chopsticks, got up and went to the door.
Twenty servants were seen in the courtyard, two carrying a large box with a copper clasp, lined up in a row.
The box was opened, revealing a full range of daily necessities, including fabrics, leathers, ornaments, writing brushes, ink, paper, and jewelry.
Huai Xiang turned around and personally took the tray containing the entire set of twenty-three pieces of imperial green jadeite jewelry and presented it to Li Qu: "This was specially ordered by Third Master."
Li Qu reached out and picked up a bracelet from the tray.
It feels smooth and delicate to the touch, warm and substantial.
Top-quality jadeite is truly irresistible.
She didn't put it on, but put it back: "It looks good."
"There are other fashionable fabrics available, and I have already instructed someone to make clothes according to your measurements, Auntie." She carefully handed the tray to Cuiguo.
"If you need anything else, Madam, please send someone to summon me at any time."
This is probably what Zhou Jin meant by "good days".
Li Qu politely thanked her, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Huaixiang."
"It's all my duty," Huaixiang said politely, with a slight smile. "If Madam has no further instructions, I will take my leave now."
"You've all had a long journey, let me treat you to some tea."
Li Qu turned to the side and saw Cui Guo put the jade away and then take the reward.
She smiled and went to Huaixiang's side, presenting her with a bulging purse containing a few pieces of silver.
"This servant thanks you on their behalf, Auntie." As she spoke, Huaixiang subtly tucked the purse into her sleeve, clutched the broken banknotes, and took her leave.
After Huaixiang and her entourage left, Li Qu went to have his meal.
Granny Xu and Cuiguo had already run into the courtyard and were instructing the maids to take stock of the items.
They seemed to have boundless enthusiasm for expanding Li Qu's private treasury.
After a hearty meal, she called Cuiguo to lead the people inside and clear away the remaining food, then went to the corridor to digest her food.
Without Cuiguo, who was literate and arithmetic, to keep the accounts, things in the courtyard were temporarily put on hold.
The four little girls didn't dare to show any envy at the various jewelry displayed in the sunlight; instead, they chattered around the trunk containing the fabric.
Granny Xu walked up behind Li Qu, unable to hide her smile: "Third Master treats his concubine differently after all."
Nothing else matters, but that set of jade jewelry is truly excessive.
Li Qu smiled faintly: "Each of you picks one bolt of cloth, and you, Granny, pick two."
"Thank you, Auntie."
When Granny Xu announced the news that the concubine had bestowed cloth upon her, the whole courtyard cheered.
Currently, a fiscal and monetary policy combining cash and cloth is in effect, with cloth being a hard currency.
Looking at the girls' simple and contented smiles, Li Qu's smile became even more genuine.
Her eyes suddenly lit up when she saw Granny Rong leading two maids toward her.
Because everyone was helping to take inventory, no one was guarding the gate, so Granny Rong could pass through without any hindrance.
Li Qu saw it from afar and quickly went down the steps to greet it.
When Rong Mama approached Li Qu, she was the first to bow and greet her: "Greetings, Auntie."
Li Qu returned the greeting: "You've come in person, is there something important?"
Rong Mama smiled faintly: "Huaichun received the Third Master's favor and was allowed to leave the manor to marry. Jinxiu Hall is short-handed, so the Old Madam ordered this old servant to send two maids to Jinxiu Hall for Huaixiang to serve and train, and to select and keep them."
"I just happened to be passing by my aunt's courtyard and noticed that no one was guarding it, so I came in to ask if my aunt needs any help?"
"If there is a shortage, Auntie, you might as well choose one to keep. They are all servants trained by Aunt Li, which will save you from having to lay off people at Jinxiu Hall again."
Li Qu glanced at the two maids behind Rong Mama.
Both of them had their heads down, so their faces couldn't be seen, but their figures were far superior to those of the malnourished, skinny guys in her yard.
Li Qu smiled and said, "How could I dare to take away what Third Master likes? If you have any arrangements, you might as well send another one over."
"It's alright."
"Then please make the arrangements, Granny."
Granny Rong turned around and randomly pointed to someone, who then knelt down and kowtowed to Li Qu: "Please, Aunt, bestow a name upon me."
Li Qu smiled throughout: "Green makes you look pretty and makes your skin look even fairer. The clothes you are wearing suit you very well, so let's call you Green Fruit."
Upon hearing this, Cuiguo, who had returned at some unknown time, pouted in protest.
Li Qu pretended not to see it.
"Today is perfect, Third Master sent over some fabric, and everyone in the courtyard gets a share."
Li Qu smiled and looked at Cui Guo: "Cui Guo, pick out a piece of green fabric for Lv Guo."
Green Fruit quickly kowtowed: "Thank you for the gift, Auntie. Thank you for the name."
Cui Guo reluctantly went to select materials.
"Get up." Li Qu looked at Rong Mama. "My two head maids are Hongguo and Cuiguo. I can only ask them to be second-class maids for now."
Granny Rong smiled, her emotions unreadable: "Once sent to the concubine's courtyard, she will be the concubine's person. You can make the arrangements, concubine."
"Thank you for your trouble, Granny."
"It's all my duty."
Li Qu took a step aside and led Rong Mama to the side: "It's a lucky day. I'll pick out a piece of fabric for your room later. I hope you won't find it offensive."
Rong Mama noticed that Li Qu had something to say, so she went to the side with Li Qu and said, "Not at all, it's just that this old servant is fortunate enough to be here to celebrate your happy occasion, Madam."
Li Quqian replied, "Third Master only pities me."
The two walked slowly to the side, distancing themselves from the crowd.
When the word "pity" was mentioned, Granny Rong couldn't help but think of the story she heard from Li's mother when she went to the Hezhou Prison.
The past of this aunt in front of us can be described as a desperate struggle for survival and a comeback against all odds.
Thinking of Li's mother's tearful lament and Li Er's heartache, which she refused to utter even after being tortured into unconsciousness, Rong Mama couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Before Li Qu could ask, she took the initiative to speak.
"The old lady is kind-hearted. Considering that the concubine concealed her past relationship with the Prince of Yan, it was due to the circumstances and is understandable."
"Besides, the concubine entered the manor with a clean slate, and since the Third Master has already decided not to pursue the matter further, we do not intend to investigate further."
Ultimately, this matter did not cross the old lady's bottom line, nor did it cause her any loss.
Li Qu quickly bowed and said, "This concubine thanks the old lady for her magnanimity."
“My aunt’s journey from the remote village to the river island was arduous. The old lady admired her aunt’s resilience and felt a pang of sympathy for her past.”
Granny Rong told the truth.
"I'm an old servant, I've seen all kinds of storms, but when I came out of the Hezhou prison last night, I admired my aunt."
"After returning to the manor, the old lady listened to the old servant's account and remained silent for a long time. Finally, she sighed: 'It's a pity that she was born into the wrong family.'"
His affection was evident in his words.
"But Auntie's excellent situation was ruined by Huaichun's shout when he ran to Shou'an Hall to complain in the morning."
“It was a foolish move for Aunt to have Third Master send Huaichun away.”
It was originally a matter of budding romance, but it displeased the old lady.
"At twenty-three, Huaichun is well past the age of marriage. The old lady originally planned that the mistress could raise her as a concubine as soon as she entered the household."
Li Qu quickly bowed and apologized: "It was my fault for speaking out of turn, which caused this bad result. I will definitely send some dowry to Miss Huaichun later to express my apology."
As she spoke, she glanced at Green Fruit kneeling on the ground again: "I will make proper arrangements for Green Fruit's matter."
Not only did she send Huaichun away, she also planned to disgust him.
They have a completely different attitude towards Green Fruit.
Granny Rong raised an eyebrow: "Having fallen in love with someone violated the concubine's taboo?"
"I dare not, my romantic thoughts are merely a taboo subject for Third Master."
Li Qu summarized the matter of the purse in a few words, and Rong Mama understood immediately: "Sowing discord and deliberately causing trouble is a grave taboo. This is the fate that awaits Huai Chun."
After saying that, she looked at Green Fruit, who was still kneeling on the ground: "Auntie is a wise person. The old lady just feels sorry for Third Master."
"I also feel sorry for Third Master."
Granny Rong nodded: "It wasn't easy for you to get to where you are today. Now that you have the Third Master's favor, it can be said that your hardships have finally come to an end. If you settle down and serve the Third Master well from now on, you will have no worries for the rest of your life."
“From the concubine’s residence.”
"In the end, this is all a man's business. A woman's virtue and generosity can also earn a man's respect. Aunt, don't narrow your own path."
"Thank you for your guidance, Granny."
After respectfully seeing off Granny Rong with a smile, Li Qu returned to her room and her smile vanished.
Xu Mama handed over the matters outside to Cuiguo. When she entered the room, she found Li Qu sitting at the table with a blank expression. She assumed that Li Qu was upset because the old lady had sent people over with impure motives, and began to blame herself.
"It's all my fault. I should have promoted two maids to second class and transferred two more female servants to do menial tasks like guarding the gate."
Li Qu closed her eyes and rested her hand on her forehead: "It's nothing to worry about."
The fact that he was in love with someone was enough to serve as a warning to others.
She just suddenly felt very bored.
In the deep courtyards of mansions, the relationships between people are intricate and complex, and every action must be taken with utmost care.
As a concubine, she had absolutely no status.
The elders, the mistress, and the lord—these three mountains are already enough to make it hard to breathe.
They even went so far as to act as pimps.
Fortunately, her feelings for Zhou Jin were all feigned; if she had even a shred of genuine affection, she would have gone mad by now.
Love cannot tolerate a threesome.
Madness is not tolerated by the world!
"Auntie?" Xu Mama called out worriedly.
Li Qu took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
How could she possibly endure such inhumane and suffocating days!
She loathed it!
She got up and walked towards the desk.
Granny Rong is right, it's all a man's business.
The one who tied the knot must untie it.
We need to start with Zhou Jin.
She added water to grind the ink, smoothed the paper with a paperweight, selected a fine rabbit hair brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write:
My beloved Jinlang, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person.
Before a day has passed, I feel as if three autumns have passed between us… My heart is like a double-stranded net, with a thousand knots within… The autumn dew is heavy, and I fear the dew will be even heavier as I think of you… I long for your return.
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