Chapter 64 Indulgence
In the side hall, the ladies and daughters of various families, who were waiting for Master Zhou to give them an explanation, did not receive any news of the punishment of the insubordinate Li.
Instead, they gradually gathered by the window and door, and saw that tall and handsome figure carrying Li Shi in one arm as they walked outside.
But look at Li Shi, her waist-length hair swaying with every step, sitting delicately in his arms, softly hugging his shoulders and neck, turning to the side and smiling gently.
In that instant, they felt that the sea of pink plum blossoms they had seen today was not as radiant as the faint smile on her lips.
They couldn't hear what she said, but they saw the man turn his head and look up at her, responding to her.
She laughed even harder, wrapped her arm around his and gently tugged at his earlobe, forcing him to look straight ahead.
Deeply affectionate.
Only after the loving couple disappeared from sight did everyone gradually come back to their senses.
They looked at each other in bewilderment.
Someone muttered a sneer: "Vixen."
Someone turned and instructed the younger members of the family and servants: "Do not offend that Li family."
Not everyone has Zhou Lan's confidence.
Zhou Lan was so angry that she slumped into her chair, her eyes glazed over and she felt dizzy.
She, the dignified eldest aunt of the Zhou family, the first-ranked wife of the Chu family in the four generations of Chu, Wei, Qiao, and Bai, couldn't even discipline a mere lowly concubine.
Zhou Jin has rebelled against the Heavenly Gang!
When Madam Wei entered and saw this scene, she understood everything.
Just as she was about to offer some words of advice, Chu's servant rushed in and reported, "Madam, Rong, the old lady's maid, has arrived."
Zhou Lan seemed to have been given a dose of nectar, slowly sitting up straight, her expression returning to normal.
She stood up, straightened her clothes, and whispered, "Go to the Zhou residence!"
As for the young ladies and women in the side hall who were implicated, Madam Wei, Madam Zhou, and Madam Chu would all send people to comfort them.
*
The wind whistled past their ears, and the thick clothing prevented the two from having any intimate contact while riding together on the same horse.
Zhou Jin held the person in his arms tightly, his expression cold and stern.
From an angle that Li Qu couldn't see, his expression was unsightly enough to make Huai Qiu cautiously look at him.
He rode all the way to the horse farm, then pulled on the reins and stopped the horse.
Looking down at the figure in his arms, hidden by the hood of the cloak, he closed his eyes to compose himself before dismounting: "We've arrived."
The head of the Wei family and Huaiqiu and a group of servants followed behind. When they saw Zhou Jin dismount, they all followed.
Zhou Jin lifted Li Qu off the horse.
The head of the Wei family stepped forward with a smile: "A place to rest has been prepared; may the young mistress find some rest."
Li Qu covered her face with a handkerchief and her eyes with a hood, completely concealing herself.
Upon hearing this, he bowed in the direction of the head of the Wei family: "I have not yet had the chance to thank Madam Wei for her protection, so I humbly request that Lord Wei convey my gratitude to her."
"It was an oversight on the part of the household, please forgive me, young mistress."
"It is I who have caused trouble for Duke Wei and Lady Wei."
After exchanging a few polite words, the head of the Wei family led Zhou Jin and Li Qu towards the Chunnuan Pavilion, where they would rest.
Zhou Jin escorted Li Qu.
The Spring Warm Pavilion had already lit a charcoal brazier, making it warm and cozy inside. There were servants from the Wei family inside to attend to their needs.
When the two reached the gate, Zhou Jin reached out to help her remove her cloak, but she dodged him, saying, "Jin Lang, you should go and attend to your business first. I'll come to find you after my eyes have calmed down."
"Let me see how serious it is."
She turned and went into the house: "A woman dresses up for the one she loves. Jinlang insists on seeing me, and I'm going to get angry."
His tone was gentle, without him even realizing it: "I won't look, don't be angry."
Seeing that she had her back to him, he reminded her again, "Take off your cloak yourself, so you don't sweat and feel uncomfortable."
"I understand." She didn't even bow to him, took off her cloak, handed it to a servant of the Wei family, and walked straight into the inner room.
He turned around only after her figure disappeared from sight.
Realizing that Zhou Jin had not left but was merely standing on the veranda, Li Qu went to the window, peeked out slightly, and looked at that tall and imposing figure.
"Jinlang, aren't you leaving yet? Are you going to be my doorman?"
Zhou Jin did not turn around to look at her, afraid of upsetting her.
The resentment in his heart accumulated into a sense of indebtedness, which bound him.
Seeing this, Li Qu leaned against the window.
She looked openly at the figure that had once terrified her and required her to serve with utmost care.
"Why does Jinlang like to daydream like this? On the way here, I tried to talk to Jinlang, but he ignored me. And now he's ignoring me again?"
Her voice carried a hint of resentment.
Zhou Jin could imagine how charming she would be when she spoke, her eyes slightly reproachful.
He asked, "Aqu, what is your wish?"
"Yes, I have."
Tell me about it.
She closed her eyes slightly and smiled, "I wish that Jinlang would protect me like this forever."
"Yes, we'll choose another one."
"I'd like to go horseback riding this afternoon."
"I was planning to take you horseback riding anyway, let's try something different."
She opened her eyes, the words swirling on her tongue before finally uttering, "I wish to transfer that restaurant to my second sister."
"So that my parents can have some income to rely on."
"However, the household registration is still in Jinlang's hands..."
Zhou Jin closed his eyes upon hearing the sound.
When he opened his eyes again, his tone was exactly the same as before: "It was yours to begin with, I'll have someone return it to you later."
"Let's try another one."
Her voice was clearly excited: "Then... when the kitchen in Fanghua Garden is ready, can Jinlang personally cook delicious meals for me?"
Zhou Jin lowered his brows.
This put him in a difficult position.
He can't cook.
A wise man keeps away from the kitchen.
She seemed to know his difficulties and said with a smile, "I will teach you when the time comes."
"Have Granny Xu guard the courtyard gate and prevent anyone else from finding out."
She drawled out her pleading, "Jinlang~"
"I'll grant your wish," he said, unable to resist her soft voice.
Her smug laughter rang out.
He also felt a little better.
When Granny Xu and the others, who arrived late by carriage, came over, Zhou Jin then left.
As Li Qu watched Zhou Jin's departing figure, the smile on her face grew wider and wider.
"Oh dear, I should have known I had pepper in my purse. This pepper is really too spicy."
As soon as Granny Xu entered the room, she burst into tears.
Hongguo, who was also holding a packet of pepper powder, nodded: "Yes, yes, the pores on my hands are all swollen from the spiciness."
Cuiguo: "The pepper doesn't burn my hands, but it's pungent. I sneezed so much that my nose started running."
"Then stay away from your aunt." Granny Xu quickly shooed her away.
"I covered my mouth and nose with a handkerchief and washed it clean." Cui Guo dodged away and moved closer to Li Qu.
"Granny should stay away from the concubine, lest she pass the chili peppers she's holding to the concubine."
Li Qu listened with a smile as they engaged in their back-and-forth banter.
It was lively and bustling.
Feeling happy
"Get me some ice water, I'll put it on my eyes."
Her eyes need to get better soon.
Xu Mama thought Li Qu was happy because she had won a battle, so she hurriedly ordered the servants of Wei Shi to prepare ice.
At noon, Zhou Jin came to see her and spoke to her through the beaded curtain: "The quality of this batch of horses from Duke Wei is quite good. There is a little white horse. Go down and take a look at it."
She lay lazily on the cushion, her legs dangling off the couch, swinging restlessly.
"Is Jinlang going to give a horse to his concubine?"
His gaze fell on her swaying legs: "Since I haven't found the best one, I'll raise one for you to play with first."
"Jinlang has been very kind to me."
"It's good that you know."
She suddenly stopped shaking.
He asked, "Are you hungry?"
"We just had lunch, has Jinlang eaten yet?"
"have eaten."
She fell silent again.
He asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
She asked in a low voice, "If I am no longer beautiful, will Jinlang still treat me well?"
Zhou Jin frowned: "Are your eyes bad?"
He stopped indulging her, lifted the curtain and entered, instructing the servants, "Go and summon the doctor."
"Don't spread it, don't spread it!" Li Qu shouted, burying her head in the cushion she was holding.
He sat down next to her: "Take a look, sir."
It only feels good when you're close to her.
She was angry, and a muffled voice came from under the cushion: "I don't want Jinlang to laugh at me!"
He patted her sideways hip: "I promise I won't laugh."
She kicked him angrily: "I don't want to show this to Jinlang."
"Then why did you bring up the issue of whether it looks good or not?"
He reached out and pinched her ticklish spot.
She immediately laughed and let go of the cushion.
He reached out and helped her sit up from the couch.
"Did you hurt your face?"
She covered her face with both hands, refusing to let her see, seemingly genuinely annoyed: "No, no!"
"Jinlang, you are so worried about my appearance, is it only my appearance that you love!"
“Of course not.” Zhou Jin said seriously, “If you are injured, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.”
"You've become ugly, you've grown old, but I'll stay with you. What's there to be afraid of?"
“It’s different. Jinlang is so handsome and has such an outstanding temperament. He will surely be loved by the young lady even when he gets old.”
She's probably jealous again.
"Since I love you, no matter how good others are, they are not worthy of my attention."
"Whether you become ugly or fat, you will always be you, and no one can replace you."
He patted her little head.
"Don't overthink it."
She seemed pleased with his sweet words, covered her face and threw herself into his arms: "Jinlang, if one day you have someone else in your heart, then let me go."
His hand, which was about to put his arm around her, froze.
He disliked the word "let go".
"There won't be anyone else here." He patted her back.
She sat on the couch, slightly loosened her fingers, and looked at him: "I do not wish to leave Jinlang, but I am of humble birth. If Jinlang were not to protect me, what would become of me?"
She was ultimately frightened.
He looked at her: "I swear to God, I will not let anyone bully you. If I break this oath, then..."
In a moment of desperation, she pressed her lips to his.
Then he saw her right eye, which was red and swollen.
A smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.
She seemed to realize she had used the wrong hand and immediately switched to the other hand.
The left eye is fine.
The eye that was burned by the spice was noticeably smaller, which made the contrast even more comical.
Zhou Jin couldn't help but smile as he looked at her.
Her lips creased deeper and deeper.
“Aqu”.
"Ah! I can't live anymore!"
She covered her eyes and threw herself onto the soft pillow, gurgling as she did so, her buttocks sticking out towards him.
"Waaaaah, do you even have any shame?"
“I am no longer beautiful. My image in Jinlang’s heart has been tarnished.”
"Waaaaah."
Zhou Jin smiled and coaxed her, "You look beautiful even like this, Aqu."
She threw a pillow at him, then angrily ran to the bed and drew the curtains.
He chased after her, lifted the curtain, and saw her sitting on the bed with her knees drawn up to her chest, her back to him.
“Aqu”.
"Hmph!" She twisted her hips, turning her back to the source of the sound.
"Jinlang just wants to see me make a fool of myself!"
"No, I'm afraid you'll really get hurt and then keep it from me, which could lead to even worse consequences."
"Do you think I'm such a person who can't tell what's important? Humph!"
He smiled and stared at her.
I think she is really lively and adorable.
Seeing that there was no sound behind her, Li Qu turned slightly to look back.
Then she met his deep gaze.
She hurriedly turned around, trying to escape into the bed, but he had already grabbed her left wrist, pulling her to the right while leaning closer.
Once he had pinned her left wrist down and forced her to lie on the bed, he was already above her.
He looked at the person beneath him, finding it amusing, but inwardly delighted by her unusual demeanor.
"Aqu, it's beautiful."
She raised her hand to cover herself, but he grabbed her other wrist and pressed it above her head.
With both hands gone, she pouted and cried, "Ugly~ I hate Jinlang."
He kissed her swollen eyes: "You look really beautiful."
She blinked and looked at him: "Jinlang, you really don't mind?"
"I like it, and I don't mind it."
Her face gradually turned red.
"Aqu is beautiful no matter what."
She smiled: "Jinlang, you can release me now. I trust you."
He didn't move, he just watched her quietly.
Her eyes were clear.
His thoughts are filthy.
He said, "Aqu, what should I do? I can't live without you."
She stared at him blankly, noticing the growing desire in his eyes, and hurriedly struggled, saying, "We're guests at someone else's house!"
He was like a mountain: "Aqu, you are fine no matter what, I like you no matter what."
She refused: "I, Rong Jinlang, like to go back to the manor tonight, but not here!"
He kissed her and loosened her sash: "Just once."
"I'm angry!"
"Just say your clothes are dirty and ask me to change and wash them."
"no!"
"A-Qu~"
"I'm really angry! And I can't be appeased!"
Her tone was serious, so he stopped what he was doing about her clothes and leaned close to her ear, breathing heavily.
"Aqu~" His tone carried a hint of pleading.
She firmly refused: "No! I will really be angry!"
He seemed annoyed by her rejection and bit her earlobe.
She pounded his back in pain.
He kissed her, his large hand reaching under her clothes before finally letting her go.
He got up and sat on the bed to look at her, his eyes seemingly filled with resentment.
She smiled and climbed up to him, kissing his cheek: "Tonight, I'll wear the clothes that you like for me."
"Hmm? Aqu, you're not allowed to lie to me."
"I will definitely wash myself nicely and wait for my beloved Jinlang."
He was indeed captivated by her relaxed yet controlled demeanor.
A laugh that was lost in the moment.
*
The horse racing activities at the Weiss Racecourse are suitable for both men and women. Each person has their own seat, which is far apart from the other side, so that their faces cannot be seen clearly. Women do not need to cover their faces.
Li Qu's status was special; she could neither bypass the wives of the various families who came to watch the competition nor be negligent. She was arranged to sit at the very end of the table below the wives, in a separate spot separated by a screen.
Aunt Zhao and Aunt Hu were still by her side.
Aunt Hu was protected by Aunt Zhao and was unharmed.
Aunt Zhao applied some pepper powder to the back of her neck, which made it a little red, but it wasn't a big deal.
The three women sat around a small table, with Aunt Zhao in the seat of honor, and Aunt Li Qu and Aunt Hu on either side.
"I heard that the eldest aunt went back to the Zhou residence to complain. Sister Li, have you thought of a solution?"
Li Qu smiled at Aunt Hu and said, "I've made up my mind."
Aunt Hu was extremely curious: "What method?"
"I can't tell you." She smiled brightly and placed the roasted chestnuts on the tray in front of Aunt Zhao.
Seeing this, Aunt Hu swapped her tray with Aunt Zhao's tray.
Aunt Zhao watched her daughter's mischievous antics with a smile.
The three chatted and laughed, watching the horse race taking place in the arena.
First, they took turns walking the horses, bringing them out for everyone to see.
Then comes horse racing betting.
Whether it's a few ounces or a few coins, master or servant, anyone can place a bet on the horse they like.
Playing small bets can get everyone involved.
Next came the horse race, which was the most exciting event for the women.
The horses were chosen on the spot, and the race was only for men.
A dashing young man, riding a galloping horse, exudes a vibrant aura of hormones that wafts through the air.
Occasionally, some of the less reserved 'little maids' at the women's table would let out a cry.
Aunt Hu scoffed and rolled her eyes at this, saying, "You've never seen the world."
As a group of imposing, mature men with broad shoulders, narrow waists, and muscles that couldn't be concealed by their clothing raced past.
Li Qu let out a scream as she looked at the unreserved 'Little Hu Maid/Auntie' in front of her. The raw chestnut in the clip fell onto the table with a thud and rolled away somewhere.
She somewhat regretted sitting with Aunt Hu.
Aunt Zhao smiled gently, picked up the fallen raw chestnuts, and put them on the small stove to roast.
Zhou Jin would naturally not participate in this attention-grabbing activity.
He doesn't need it.
Finally, it came down to choosing and buying horses.
This was also the Wei family's ultimate goal: to sell horses.
"Can Sister Li ride a horse?" Aunt Hu finally calmed down, still not quite finished: "There are too many masculine clothes this year."
Li Qu pretended not to hear: "Yes."
"Me too! Want to go horseback riding together sometime?" Aunt Hu asked happily, munching on a chestnut. "Do you have a horse?"
"If not, I'll have my aunt send you one later."
Aunt Zhao said, "Good, I get along well with the young mistress, and I was just wondering what to give her to play with."
Li Qu: "Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Zhao, but I can't keep up with just one horse, so I can't raise any more."
Aunt Hu: "You already have a horse?"
"Third Master said he'd pick one for me to raise today, but how would I know how?"
There was no need for Li Qu to personally raise horses; this was a polite way of declining.
Horses are currently very valuable.
Aunt Zhao watched Li Qu with a slight smile.
The wives and daughters of the guests have been leaving the venue one after another.
The three chatted for a while longer before getting up and leaving their seats.
Surrounded by maids and servants, they walked towards the horse ranch.
Under the sunlight, the dazzling diamond headpiece shimmers with iridescent colors, refracting various hues and instantly captivating the eye.
Zhou Jin stood in the men's section opposite the horse racing track, surrounded by the heads of various families.
He occasionally chimes in to respond to the patriarchs' endless chatter, appearing quite sociable.
Until the dazzling light drifted past his eyes, he pretended to look into the horse farm and then instantly looked over there.
From a distance, I could only see her silhouette.
At the same time, a rebellious horse in the arena reared up, let out a loud neigh, shook off those who wanted to tame it, and galloped wildly toward Li Qu as if it had found its child's mother.
It charged recklessly, startling the crowds of people looking at and buying horses, who scattered and fled.
When they reached the spiked railing that was blocking the horses, someone exclaimed, "It's too high! This horse is asking for trouble!"
But then, this chestnut steed, its hooves treading on white snow, leaped up and perfectly cleared the obstacle that no ordinary horse could cross.
Someone clapped and shouted, "What a fine horse!"
The head of the Wei family, who was standing next to Zhou Jin, also noticed it: "Isn't this that unruly horse?"
Zhou Jin also recognized him.
He and the head of the Wei family had seen this horse that morning.
This is a fine horse with a small frame, suitable for women.
But the horse was loyal to its former master and refused to give in despite being whipped and stabbed. So he compromised and first picked out a nice white horse with a small frame for her, promising to give it to her when he found a suitable one later.
What's wrong with this horse right now?
Li Qu seemed to sense something and glanced at the horse farm.
In an instant, she froze, pushed aside the maids and servants, and rushed to the railing of the horse stable, looking at the galloping horse.
Her heart pounded; she never imagined she would see it again in her lifetime.
How did it get here?!
At the same time, the Yanbei scout who had been following the horse pulled aside the person next to him and asked, "Whose lady is that?"
Someone who recognized Li Qu explained: "The concubine of the Third Master Zhou is not his wife."
The man glanced in Zhou Jin's direction, feeling a strong sense of crisis, and quickly left.
His mission was to find the person and quickly send a message back to Yan!
The assassin from Yanbei, who wanted to play the role of the predator, was ordered by the Crown Prince's wife to follow the trail of the Crown Prince Bu.
Now that her target had appeared, she immediately moved closer to Li Qu, her crossbow hidden in her sleeve ready to fire.
Her mission was to kill the Third Sister! To ensure her death outside the territory of Yan!
The moment the assassin moved against the flow, Zhou Jin, on the other side of the river, noticed something amiss.
In an instant, a suffocating sense of crisis, as if the enemy had pierced his heart, surged into his mind, making his scalp tingle and his back go cold.
He raised his hand with a heavy expression and made a gesture.
Then he stared intently at the assassin, his hands involuntarily gripping the railing tightly.
The unsuspecting, beautiful woman stood looking down at the foolish horse that was trying to curry favor with her.
He was too far away to see the shock on her face and the fear between her brows.
He noticed something.
That horse acknowledged her as its master!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
