Chapter 67 Venting
Zhou Jin was both wild and agitated tonight.
She knew he must have noticed that Xiao Cong had come looking for her.
She tried to comfort him.
He did indeed want to draw a sense of security from her.
A palace lantern in the corner adds a touch of brightness to the hazy room.
A few soft murmurs flowed from her lips, tickling one's heart.
He kissed her lips, pried open her pearly teeth, and made the soft sounds louder and louder.
The sound penetrated his ears, flowed through his heart, and struck the top of his head.
The night was absurd.
Whether he was blinded by beauty or simply preoccupied with too many things to do that day, he was distracted.
At this moment, a letter sent from Hezhou to Wanxian is rushing to its destination at top speed.
He was completely unaware of this.
Everything is ready to evacuate the eldest sister's family from the south; all that's needed is the final push.
This favorable wind has already been born in Yan, and it is only waiting for the right opportunity to become a raging storm.
Two days later, the sky cleared up.
Xiao Cong received news from the south.
This is not just one source of information.
*
Yan region.
Council Hall of the Prince of Yan's Residence.
Xiao Cong sat in the main seat, on a long table was a sand table of the Yan region.
The advisors and wise men sat on either side.
They were discussing the triennial household registration review.
"Your Highness, it's time to reel in the net after casting it for three years."
The staff were all eager to get started.
They hope this large-scale population census will yield good results.
Xiao Cong was unwilling to wait any longer.
Because this idea was proposed by Li Qu at the time.
Then her brother-in-law wrote a letter detailing the matter.
In addition, the council members discussed the matter.
That's when he decided to give it a try.
She has now escaped, and Zhao Lianqing is no longer under his control.
He couldn't guarantee that his long-term plan wouldn't be leaked.
He tapped his middle finger on the table and said, "Zhao Quan is in charge of the investigation according to regulations. Mr. Xu, I'll leave it to you to take full control."
The elderly man on his right and the young man in the middle on his left stood up to receive the order.
From now on, Xiao Cong will not need to personally oversee any of the matters.
He left his seat and exited the council chamber, where a maidservant presented him with a cloak.
The Yan region is colder than the southern regions.
After the maid helped him put on the cloak, Xiao Zuo respectfully stepped forward and presented a bamboo tube sealed with sealing wax: "News from the South."
Two bamboo tubes, two sources of information.
Xiao Cong lowered his eyes and opened them, revealing a flawless face with a jade-like purity, accentuated by the sunlight.
After reading it, a chilling aura gradually crept onto his gentle, jade-like face.
Her gentle, watery peach blossom eyes were now filled with anger.
He clutched the two small pieces of paper in his palm, lowered his eyes, and strode towards the backyard.
Before even reaching Qinghui Hall, he had already perfectly concealed his emotions, returning to his usual gentle and refined demeanor.
*
In Qinghui Hall.
Princess Consort Lin Wanru was frowning as she drank the medicinal soup meant to regulate her body.
She slammed down the medicine bowl, looked at the maidservant who was serving her with her head bowed, and ordered, "Come forward."
The maidservant stepped forward, trembling.
Lin Wanru leaned forward and slapped him across the face.
"You bitch!"
The maid knelt down with a thud.
Trembling.
“Raise your head.”
The maidservant lowered her eyelids tremblingly and looked up.
Turn your face to the side.
The maid's face turned pale, and she slowly turned her head to the side.
An embroidered shoe suddenly kicked her in the cheek: "You're so lucky! Do you even understand what the prince is saying about poetry and painting?"
"This servant is illiterate and doesn't understand. Please, Your Highness, spare my life!" the maid pleaded hastily, her voice soft and alluring.
It's a world apart from the calm and gentle tone of the person in question.
The maid was named Tao Hong, and her profile resembled Li Qu's by a factor of two.
She was given a potion by Lin Wanru that would prevent her from having children, and then placed in her room to secure her favor with the emperor.
Xiao Cong would occasionally ask her questions she didn't understand, but he didn't let her get close.
However, this displeased the Crown Princess.
He was often abused.
The trusted nanny advised Lin Wanru: "Your body is still recovering, you cannot accept the emperor's favor."
"You must keep this lowly maidservant to help you retain the young master. You must not let the young master discover that you dislike her."
Lin Wanru closed her eyes and took a deep breath: "This princess consort's body is in such a state because of that vile woman!"
"First, she had an ambiguous relationship with that homosexual Wu Xubai, and then she bewitched the young master!"
"A modern-day Daji, a vixen who brought ruin to a country!"
"They pretend to be all high and mighty, it's absolutely disgusting!"
The trusted nanny patted her back and said, "An unclean woman cannot enter the prince's harem."
"Even if the Crown Prince doesn't despise her and brings her back to raise her outside, her future children will not pose any threat to the young Crown Prince."
"As for the few scraps that the young master has slipped through his fingers, what is there to fear?"
Lin Wanru shook her head; "Granny doesn't understand."
"She is different in the Crown Prince's heart!"
Her gaze fell on Tao Hong.
“This lowly maid’s profile resembles hers by a few points. I originally thought the young master would take her in.”
"As it turned out, the prince just liked to stare at her profile in a daze."
"I'm scared..."
She stopped using honorifics and leaned against her trusted nanny, rubbing her heart with her hand.
"Wherever she is, the Crown Prince only has eyes for her."
Do you know?
“On the day she came of age, I saw with my own eyes the prince push her onto the bed.”
"I was in excruciating pain at the time."
"I thought she was about to succeed, but the prince held back."
"He held back his tears just because she cried!"
"How much does he like that bitch? He's willing to spit her out even when she's on the verge of being spoken of."
"Who else has he ever cherished like this?"
She didn't know which piece of fabric she was grabbing; she just instinctively gripped it tightly in her hand.
It was as forceful as grabbing that bitch by the neck.
"The concubines who entered the palace one after another: Concubine Wang, Concubine Huang, and Concubine Huo?"
"...They are still virgins."
"Everyone says that the young master and I are deeply in love and never touch other women, but he can't actually let go of that vile woman, Li."
She was so grief-stricken and fearful that she wanted to cry.
"How can I be at ease if she doesn't die!"
When she caught a glimpse of her sleeping son in the crib out of the corner of her eye, her gaze turned fierce again.
"We can't let her come back alive! She must die in the South!"
As soon as she loosened her grip, the old woman, whose face had turned a deep purplish-red from the pain, breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Wanru got up from the nanny's lap and sat up straight: "Has there been any news from the south?"
"I've got it."
"Hurry up and take it..."
Realizing that the person who answered her was not her trusted nanny, Lin Wanru's heart skipped a beat.
She looked up and saw Xiao Cong step into the room.
"The information the Crown Princess wanted has been delivered to you by this Crown Prince."
Lin Wanru's heart pounded like thunder. Her mask had been discovered by the person she cared about most. She was unresponsive, staring straight at him, her whole body stiff.
Xiao Cong stopped in front of her, looking down at her.
He remained as aloof and noble as ever.
But his expression remained cold and indifferent.
She was terrified and filled with fear by the coldness in his eyes.
She got up to get off the bed, but her legs gave way and she knelt on the ground.
The old woman was also terrified and hurriedly stepped forward to help Lin Wanru.
"How dare you send someone to kill her?"
Lin Wanru vehemently denied it, standing up with the help of the nanny: "No!"
"I am as close to her as sisters, and I long for her to return to the manor to keep the young master company and bear children together. How could I possibly send someone to kill her!"
Xiao Cong threw the empty wax-coated bamboo tube at Lin Wanru.
The blow made her forehead ache, but she dared not cry out.
"I remember you had a maid named Chunxing by your side. Where is she?"
Lin Wan unconsciously swallowed her saliva.
"I have already released her and arranged for her to marry. Why does Your Highness bring her up?"
Xiao Cong: "She's dead."
Lin Wanru was startled.
He gazed quietly at the elegantly dressed woman before him. After a long while, he withdrew his gaze, glanced at Chun Tao lying prostrate on the ground, and turned to the crib.
Upon seeing this, Lin Wanru gradually calmed down.
Xiao Cong instructed his servants to bring him clean water, washed his hands, and picked up his sleeping son.
“Arrange for that maid in the apricot-colored dress to stay at the Xiangrong Residence next door. Once she gives birth to a child, she can be promoted to a concubine.”
Lin Wanru swayed, almost thinking she had misheard.
Peach Blossom, dressed in an apricot-colored dress, seemed to hear heavenly music and kowtowed to Xiao Cong to express her gratitude.
Lin Wanru found this result unacceptable: "Your Highness!"
Xiao Cong glanced at her indifferently: "Didn't you want to keep her company?"
"She hasn't returned yet, so let this maid, who looks a bit like her, keep you entertained."
She sternly refused: "I have Sister Huang and Sister Wang to keep me company, I don't need this maid to keep me company."
"Hmph." Xiao Cong sneered, "You have impressed me greatly!"
He said a deep, resonant voice, then turned and left, protecting the child.
Lin Wanru stepped forward and blocked his path.
Now that things have come to this, there's no need to keep pretending in front of him.
"Your Highness can have anyone, except Li Qu!"
"In the inner quarters of the Prince of Yan's mansion, it's either her or me, Lin Wanru; it's either me or her, Li Qu!"
"I sent Chunxing to intercept and kill her!"
"Now that Chunxing is gone, the young master must be very happy!"
Xiao Cong: "Why do you despise her so much?"
"Why?" Lin Wanru looked at the face in front of her, her eyes slowly reddening.
"I cannot tolerate the fact that the Crown Prince cherishes a woman so much!"
"I'm jealous of her!"
She reached out and grabbed his robe: "I hate that she occupies most of the Crown Prince's heart!"
"She's a lowly commoner, yet somehow she managed to get involved with Wu Xubai and then deliberately seduced you!"
"She's not a good person, you should forget about her!"
Xiao Cong thought he would be furious and argue with Lin Wanru.
In fact, he was calmer than he had imagined.
“She left me a nine-square box, and inside the box was a letter.”
"The letter details all the ways you've treated her, threatened her, and intimidated her over the years."
"She said she chose to leave for two reasons, one of which was you!"
“But I never believed it. I thought she was just trying to save herself by slandering you.”
Lin Wanru stared blankly at Xiao Cong.
She was unaware of the letter's existence and had no idea that Xiao Cong actually trusted her so much.
"Now it seems that the letter is probably true."
He knew how to torment her most satisfyingly.
"Princess Consort Lin has contracted a serious illness, which may be contagious. Therefore, Qinghui Hall is to be closed from today."
"No!" Lin Wanru was stunned, as if struck by lightning, unable to come to her senses.
The maids and servants prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to breathe.
She only chased after Xiao Cong after he disappeared from sight.
"Xiao Cong, Xiao Cong! My father is a mighty general! My Lin family guards the throat of your Xiao clan's northern border! How dare you treat me like this!"
As it turns out, Xiao Cong dared to do it.
“Jealousy is one of the seven grounds for divorce, and the house confinement is already out of consideration for my father-in-law.”
That's what he said.
Lin Wanru felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Watching that figure grow ever more distant, she felt heartbroken and wanted to die.
"Xiao Cong, how could you do this to me!"
"I love you so much, I carried your child for ten months, endured a difficult childbirth, and almost lost my life!"
How could you do this to me!
"I am your wife of many years!"
"Xiao Cong!"
"Your Highness!"
"Aaaaaah!"
Xiao Zuo blocked her way: "Princess Consort, His Highness has ordered that you return to your room to rest."
She was not willing to accept it!
Why? Why?!
Next, the relevant personnel will handle the matters concerning Qinghuitang.
Princess Yan took over the responsibility of raising her grandson.
He didn't take the conflict between his son and daughter-in-law seriously.
"I'm still young. It will take another ten years or so before I can understand the path that women should take in this world."
She looked at her grandson sleeping soundly and mocked her daughter-in-law, "She can't even tell what's important and what's not; she needs to learn a lesson."
*
It has been proven that in a patriarchal feudal society, it is irrational for a weaker woman to provoke a man who is favored by social rules.
Even a noble princess like Lin Wanru, whose father was a powerful general with military authority, was imprisoned in the inner palace after being caught committing the seven grounds for divorce due to jealousy.
Take Zhou Lan, for example. He had a very high opinion of himself, and now he is reaping the bitter fruits of his actions.
*
The kitchen in Fanghua Garden was completed, and Li Han and Li Rong came to visit.
The three sisters were busy making a ruckus in the small kitchen.
Li Han's light, bell-like laughter rang out from time to time, adding a touch of liveliness to the courtyard.
"Third sister, make a little more of this minced meat sauce. I'll take it back and make it with Dad's flatbread."
Li Qu ladled a bowl of minced meat from the pot, and put the rest into the jar that Li Han was going to take away.
"Second sister, the little pig buns you're making are getting more and more realistic."
"Sister Hongguo's sculpted horns are so beautiful."
"Sister Cuiguo is a good cook."
"Sister Qingguo is so good at chopping vegetables, clink clink clink, so fast and good."
"Sister Blueberry's pastries are so beautiful."
Li Rong rolled her eyes: "Everyone's busy, and you're the only one who eats. You'll end up eating the most."
Li Han chuckled, sitting on a round stool and swinging her legs freely.
"I'm cheering you on, so I'm part of the team too."
"I eat a lot because your cooking is delicious."
"I would never eat something that tastes bad!"
She was born when the Li family was at its best; they were certainly born with a silver spoon in their mouth, if not a golden spoon.
I am indeed a picky eater.
Xu Mama, who was sitting by the door doing needlework, smiled when she heard this.
Li Han jumped off the round stool, approached Granny Xu, and smiled sweetly.
"Granny, the lotus flowers you embroidered are so beautiful."
"It looks so real."
"I've seen real lotus flowers before, and they're exactly the same."
Xu Mama smiled broadly and said, "If Fourth Miss likes it, this old servant will make a purse for you later."
Li Han immediately smiled and clapped her hands: "Okay, okay, thank you, Granny."
"I'll wear it every day from now on."
"I tell everyone I meet that this is a purse embroidered for me by the best nanny in the world."
"It's my favorite purse."
Granny Xu was so happy she was completely out of her mind.
The old woman guarding the gate rushed over: "Auntie, Auntie."
Granny Xu quickly stood up: "What's wrong?"
"The eldest aunt has arrived and gone to the main house. Tell the concubine to go there quickly."
Li Qu untied her armband, quickly tidied her clothes, and returned to her room.
When Li Qu arrived, Zhou Lan was sitting in the main seat, and the maidservant from the tea room had already served her tea.
Li Qu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This concubine greets the eldest aunt."
Zhou Lan was in a bad mood; her eyes were red, clearly from crying.
However, in front of Li Qu, she still maintained a superior attitude, noble and unapproachable, and domineering.
"You can have the third brother exempt me from becoming a concubine of the Prince Huan in the capital."
Li Qu stood respectfully: "This concubine will not participate in Third Master's political affairs."
Zhou Lan slammed her hand on the table and stood up, suppressing her anger. She looked at Li Qu with eyes that seemed to want to skin her alive.
"In truth, this whole thing started because of you!"
"That scoundrel Zhou Jin, who can't distinguish between relatives and friends and is blinded by lust, actually made my Yingyang his concubine just to vent your anger!"
"If you can't make him give up, I, Zhou Lan, swear to God, you'll regret this for the rest of your life!"
Li Qu drooped her long eyelashes: "Before you came to my place, you must have been to Shou'an Hall, right?"
Zhou Lan pointed at Li Qu and said, "I'm here to inform you!"
"This is your business, it's none of anyone else's concern!"
"At most three days. If we don't hear from you in three days, your second sister's shop can forget about reopening."
"If you're so capable, then protect your family for the rest of your life. Otherwise, even if I can't touch you, I can't touch them!"
As Zhou Lan spoke, her gaze lingered on Li Qu's face for a couple of seconds before she turned away and, as if venting her anger, swept the teacup off the table.
She took a deep breath, came with an air of superiority, and walked away with her head held high in arrogance.
Her noble birth was a source of pride ingrained in her very being.
It's ridiculous that she actually took the initiative to submit to a lowly concubine today!
For Zhou Lan, threatening a lowly concubine was already an extremely beneath him.
I felt both wronged and angry.
She seemed to be fleeing in panic, not wanting Li Qu to see that she had nowhere to go, and her steps were extremely fast.
After leaving Fanghua Garden, she walked straight out of the mansion.
She has already been to Shou'an Hall.
It's useless.
In the old lady's eyes, her granddaughter was not as important as her own grandson.
The old lady did not object to her granddaughter paving the way back to the south for her own grandson.
She cried as she boarded the carriage for the return journey.
She knew there was no turning back.
Her Yingyang is definitely going to the capital.
Why is this world always so harsh on women?
"Why should my Yingyang have to be sacrificed for their men's business!"
"That bastard Chu Qingtian! He's an inconsiderate husband and a greedy father. Why doesn't he just die!"
Aunt Yan hugged her and comforted her, "Miss is beautiful and intelligent, she will surely turn bad luck into good and be happy every day."
Zhou Lan gripped Aunt Yan's sleeve tightly, choking back tears.
"How can I be happy as a concubine!"
"Endless rules to follow, endless contempt to endure!"
"Besides, the capital city is a place teeming with nobles!"
"My Yingyang is a high-ranking legitimate daughter in Hezhou. How will she adapt to the change in status after going to the capital!"
"Waaaaah..."
*
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Li Han was playing with the Mohe Le roly-poly toy that Zhou Jin had sent her, and she couldn't stop laughing.
"My third brother-in-law is truly the best brother-in-law in the world!"
"The dress he had someone buy for me is beautiful, the beaded flowers he bought for me are beautiful, and this Mohele is fun too."
"I asked my third sister to make him some minced meat sauce, which is the best thing to eat with the pancakes."
"Sister Huaixiang, please remember to tell your third brother-in-law later."
"I am very grateful to him."
Huai Xiang was amused.
Fanghua Garden was filled with laughter and joy because of Li Han's arrival.
Li Qu and Li Rong had already come out of the kitchen and were now watching the fish by the window.
The maids and servants were all in the courtyard playing with Li Han, and no one was around.
Li Qu chased the small fish in the glass with a plucked phoenix feather: "Madam Chu and I have some past grievances."
"If she sends people to cause trouble, that will be the best time for you to go to the capital."
Li Rong is eating dried small fish, which is sweet and spicy.
Her mouth is always busy; she can eat a lot but doesn't gain weight.
Kutsukutsu: "When is she going to cause trouble?"
"In the next few days."
Li Qu decided to play along.
"Han'er is with me for the time being. Because of him, Madam Chu should not dare to take action against Qinyuan."
"However, I will also be on guard."
"I'll arrange for Huaixia to protect you."
Li Rong: "And what about you?"
“During the holidays, family members of relevant personnel in the compound need to be relocated, and I also have a lot of things to do. Staying home is very safe.”
"I'm referring to the situation in the Yan region. Do you think the appearance of jujubes was a coincidence?"
"Don't worry, he will help me block the people and things from Yan."
"When are you going to see the jujubes?" Li Rong asked, munching on a dried fish.
“I bought it and coaxed it every day, telling it that once its injuries healed, I would come to see it.”
"It's almost fully recovered from its injuries, and you still haven't shown up!"
"It starts whimpering whenever it sees me now."
Li Qu stared at the small fish in the glass and noticed that the fish was particularly easily startled today: "Not now, he doesn't like that horse."
Li Rong rolled her eyes: "Why are you frowning? Eat a dried fish."
Li Rong stuffed a small dried fish into Li Qu's mouth.
Li Qu chewed on the dried fish in her mouth, looked at the fish in the fish tank, and frowned even more: "Shouldn't we be avoiding eating their own kind in front of them?"
She turned to Li Rong and asked, "Did you sense their fear?"
Li Rong: "..."
It opened its mouth and bit off the head of the dried fish, displaying extreme ferocity.
The little fish in the tank were so frightened that they slithered away.
*
Tonight, Li Han stayed at Fanghua Garden.
Granny Xu's lips were pouting so much they were almost turning into upturned lips.
When Zhou Jin came over that evening, Li Qu stood on the veranda and greeted him with a smile: "Tonight, I'll be cooking dinner myself."
His expression softened as he lifted the hem of his robe and ascended the steps.
A cute little sprite suddenly darted out from behind her: "Trick!"
He was startled.
The two freshmen, one big and one small, burst into laughter.
The lanterns swayed and glowed, and her face was filled with tender affection, gentle and graceful.
The little girl seemed frightened and hid behind her again.
She patted the little girl's head and encouraged her, "Han'er, greet people."
The little girl stuck half her head out to peek at him.
In that instant, he suddenly remembered her words about wanting to have a daughter.
The future has become tangible.
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