Chapter 71 Insomnia
Li's mother signed three documents, but did not give them to Huaiqiu to take away.
She took three books from under her pillow and handed them to Li Qu: "You must think carefully and take responsibility for your own life."
Li Qu knelt down to express her gratitude, bowing deeply to her mother: "Thank you for your understanding, Mother."
Looking at Li Qu kneeling on the ground, Li's mother raised her hand and wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes: "Why do this?"
What a bright future! How can you not forgive?
She didn't understand what her daughter was holding onto, and helplessly chose to let go and let her fight it out.
But the thought of seeing her daughter as if she were in an abyss, where one wrong step would shatter her to pieces, made her heart ache.
Why bother!
*
Around 3 PM, Cuiguo, who was guarding Fanghua Garden, came to report that Zhou Jin had sent word that he would be taking Li Qu to a banquet that evening.
The Zhou family's New Year's Eve banquet began at 5 PM and lasted until midnight.
Small banquets, entertainment, theater performances, large feasts, and other activities continued until midnight.
After arranging matters concerning Li's mother at Qinyuan, Li Qu returned to his residence to prepare.
She didn't understand why Zhou Jin would take her to the Zhou family's New Year's Eve banquet, given that she was now a lowly concubine whose status was not even listed on the official register!
Are you going to stand there like a decorative vase?
All emotions vanished as the proud young man entered the Zhou mansion.
She smiled gently, and once again became the kind and gentle Aunt Li.
Back at Fanghua Garden, she placed the three books in her dressing table drawer, hurriedly washed up, changed her clothes, and put on makeup.
Today I chose a purple pearl headdress, which makes me look beautiful and dignified.
After getting ready, it was almost dusk when she was about to head to Jinxiu Hall to meet Zhou Jin when Huaixiang gave her a new set of clothes.
"Madam, the master wants you to wear this tonight."
Li Qu touched the intricate gold and silver embroidery on her clothes: "Is this inappropriate?"
Huai Xiang smiled politely: "If it's not appropriate, when you see Master later, you can ask him if he wants it changed."
Li Qu changed her clothes again.
Clothes make the man.
As Li Qu put on the clothes and turned around, Xu Mama was a little stunned. She looked at Huai Xiang and asked suspiciously, "Did Third Master really make Auntie wear this?"
This is not something a concubine should wear according to the rules.
Absolutely overstepping the bounds.
Huaixiang bowed and led Li Qu to the Brocade Hall.
Li Qu was fearless, so he simply went to Jinxiu Hall first instead of going directly to the New Year's Eve banquet.
Zhou Jin was not in Jinxiu Hall. After Huaixiang led Li Qu to a seat and served tea, she withdrew.
Li Qu was sitting idly, wandering around, when he was drawn to a painting hanging on the wall.
It was the painting "Beauty Leaning on the Balustrade" that Zhou Jin had painted himself when she last visited Jinxiu Hall.
The person in the painting is undoubtedly her.
Additional inscription:
Bright as the moon, its brilliance is dazzling.
When a daughter marries, may she bring harmony to her family.
She looked away.
It seems she overdid it with this fire.
With a calm expression, she looked around the room, at the tables, carpet, and bed, recalling some unpleasant memories, before finally deciding to go outside for some fresh air.
Dusk fell over the sky, the orange light faded, and the moon appeared.
When Zhou Jin arrived at Jinxiu Hall, he saw her chatting with Huaixiang about embroidery on the corridor, her head tilted and a faint smile on her face.
She smiled when she noticed him return.
Huaixiang rose and bowed, and the servants followed suit.
Zhou Jin kept his eyes on her, strode forward, lifted his robe and went up the steps, standing in front of her.
His gaze lingered on her.
She winked at him and asked, "Does it look good?"
"Mmm." A soft, seductive voice escaped from his throat.
He couldn't help but take her hand: "Why are you outside?"
"Seeing Sister Huaixiang carrying an embroidery frame walking across the corridor, I couldn't help but call out to her, itching to offer some pointers."
Huaixiang, who was standing to the side, quickly knelt down and said, "I don't deserve to be called 'sister' by my aunt."
Li Qu was puzzled.
That's how it's usually called.
Zhou Jin said calmly, "Go down."
Huai Xiang felt relieved and took her leave.
"Where's the jade pendant I gave you before?"
"I just happened to have it with me." She had a habit of carrying this jade pendant with her at all times.
Because it's convenient to use.
She pulled her hand away from his and bent down to take a jade pendant from her waist and give it to him: "What's wrong?"
He extended his other hand, which held a gold necklace adorned with tassels.
He hung the jade pendant on the gold necklace and put it around her neck.
She already had a purple pearl necklace around her neck; the necklace was small and hung outside her clothes, at the collarbone.
The gold necklace was quite large, and the jade pendant hung just below her chest.
Given the intricate patterns of the clothes I'm wearing today, it doesn't seem out of place at all.
He squeezed her hand and couldn't help but kiss her forehead: "I'll go change my clothes."
She scolded him, "I have a flower decoration on my forehead, which I went through a lot of trouble to draw on. Don't ruin it for me."
He loved watching her lively appearance, and his eyes softened.
"What are you looking at! Go change yourself, I'm not serving you."
She pretended to be angry and pushed him into the room, not wanting to help him change his clothes.
Knowing that tonight's banquet was a grand affair, he didn't pull her inside.
If I ruin her makeup, it would be bad if she got really angry.
When he came out, he had changed into a similarly heavily embroidered outfit that matched hers.
He extended his hand to her: "Let's go."
She pointed to her clothes: "Is Jinlang sure?"
"Mm." His expression was warm.
Seeing that she hesitated to reach out, he stepped forward and took her hand in his palm.
Soft and delicate, with cool fingertips, quite different from his hot and slightly rough large hands.
The regret of not being able to pull her into the house earlier surged into his palm.
He played with her hand, as if he were teasing its owner.
She was unaware of his inappropriate thoughts and let him rub and knead her hands.
He remained serious: "It's a family dinner, no need for formalities, just like any other time."
"But my attire today is truly inappropriate; Jinlang, you must protect me."
"Yeah, I'll protect you no matter what."
"Will you protect me for a lifetime?"
"nature."
"Then I must cling tightly to Jinlang's golden thigh."
He chuckled softly.
*
Li Qu originally thought that her participation in the banquet was just to be a decorative vase.
To my utter surprise, I had a seat, and at the head table, next to Princess Zhao, opposite the Second Master and Second Madam, with Zhou Jin on the other side.
It wasn't far from the old lady.
And when Zhou Jin led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her, no one objected.
After she sat down, the old lady even said, "There's a new person at the table, how joyous!"
He immediately plucked a gourd-shaped tassel and a kingfisher hairpin from his hair and gave it to her.
Li Qu answered fluently and stood up to thank the old lady.
Princess Zhao, sitting opposite, smiled and took off a string of red agate beads and auspicious beast necklace from her neck and gave it to her.
Li Qu's heart pounded, and she smiled as she accepted the gift from Princess Zhao: "Thank you, Madam."
Second Madam Yao also smiled faintly and gestured behind her.
A maidservant presented a box to Li Qu.
Second Master Zhou Yan couldn't wait to speak: "A coral and tourmaline bracelet. Its value lies in the rare and exquisite design of the coral carving. Third Sister-in-law can wear it for fun."
Li Qu's heart suddenly choked as she heard the words "Third Sister-in-law".
She forced herself to remain calm, accepted the gift with a smile, thanked him, and then glanced at Zhou Jin.
Zhou Jin was leaning back in his chair, staring at her and smiling.
The usually stern-faced Master Zhou now wore a warm, gentle smile.
This greatly surprised the younger generation.
Everyone stared in disbelief, peeking around furtively, and a gossipy atmosphere filled the room.
Then look at the woman who was treated this way by her own domineering third uncle.
And yet, it felt perfectly natural.
Even heroes should bend their knees for a beautiful woman.
The old lady tapped Zhou Yan on the shoulder with the flower drumstick beside her: "You talk too much."
Zhou Yan chuckled and said, "Anyway, it's almost midnight."
Li Qu, her heart pounding, maintained a polite smile throughout.
He wanted to ask Zhou Jin something, but due to the occasion, he could only hold back.
It was so stifling that I couldn't even hear what the opera was about, and I couldn't taste the delicacies.
I did manage to handle the Flying Flower Token game twice, thanks to my accumulated knowledge of poetry from my previous life, after some minor revisions.
The commotion lasted until midnight, when the old lady returned to Shou'an Hall to rest.
Young people moved to Riyue Lake to watch the fireworks.
Colorful fireworks exploded in the sky, spreading across the heavens. The momentary brilliance bombarded our eardrums and shocked our vision. The colors reflected on the calm lake surface, creating a breathtaking scene.
The younger maids and servants behind them couldn't help but clap and scream with joy.
The second wife was pregnant, and the second master accompanied her; they did not come over.
The First Madam made up a random excuse and didn't come.
Among those present, Zhou Jin held the highest status.
His seat was arranged in the best viewing spot: the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Ahead lies a vast lake, and overhead, fireworks burst forth.
With the lake reflecting the view, the fireworks seemed to explode all around.
It was incredibly shocking.
Li Qu glanced behind her; the long pavilion stretched to the shore, where countless people were moving about.
The annual fireworks display, a sky full of stars, was the most anticipated spectacle for the ancient indigenous people who lacked entertainment.
Regardless of social status or wealth, anyone can watch it from any spot.
It can be appreciated by people of all ages and genders.
The fireworks exploded with a deafening roar, illuminating the night. She turned her head back to the sky filled with fireworks.
She was watching the fireworks, but he was watching her.
Under the cover of night, no one paid any attention.
His eyes held a mixture of doting, aggression, and possessiveness.
He suddenly realized that coming here to watch the fireworks was a mistake.
There are too many people.
His gaze fell on her neatly dressed clothes, his thoughts wandering.
She seemed a little lost in thought.
When was the last time I watched fireworks?
The Prince of Yan's Mansion.
It was also New Year's Eve.
Xiao Cong showed it to her.
The seat is at the end.
Amidst the laughter and chaos of exploding fireworks, she was pushed into the water.
No one around noticed.
Everyone's attention was focused on the fireworks exploding in the sky.
No one knew that after her brother drowned, she spent a summer learning to swim.
She swam to a remote shore, climbed ashore, went back to her room wet, changed her clothes, and sent someone to tell Xiao Cong that she had returned first.
After that, she never again spoiled other people's interest in watching fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Everything seemed like it was just yesterday.
Her chin was brushed by a cool, long finger, forcing her to look at the owner of that finger.
A slightly hoarse voice rang out: "Not good-looking? You still have time to think about other things?"
Shock flashed in Li Qu's eyes.
Having slept together for so long, she knew his reactions all too well.
His voice usually becomes so low and hoarse only when he is thinking.
She bit her lip and laughed out loud.
As another round of fireworks went off, she saw him with drooping eyebrows, his face showing impatience and a hint of seriousness as he waited for her explanation.
She turned slightly to the side and whispered in his ear, "Is Jinlang jealous?"
He didn't deny it: "Yes."
She chuckled and said, "He doesn't treat me as well as Jinlang did. When I was watching fireworks with him, someone pushed me into the water and he didn't even know."
He felt a sense of triumph, but then frowned: "Who pushed you?"
"have no idea."
"But later I was pulled up by the maid next to me."
He said, "The point is to learn how to swim."
"I won't learn, because I'm afraid of water."
He patted her little head: "It's getting warmer, Grandpa will teach you."
She recalled the scene of him cornering her in the hot springs of Xuequan Manor, and reached out to twist his arm: "I don't want Jinlang to teach me."
He realized it too, and suddenly felt a tingling sensation in the area where he had been twisted.
As the fireworks dimmed, he held the back of her head and leaned in to kiss her.
A deep, pleasant, and slightly husky voice flowed from his throat.
"It is my honor to serve you, Madam."
Fireworks went off again, and she quickly pushed him away, afraid of being seen rudely by the crowd behind her.
He chuckled, pinched her chin, and shook it: "Tomorrow morning, go and kowtow to Mother, and receive the red envelope for the formal address."
She didn't take it to heart, dodged his hand, and scolded him for his impolite behavior of touching her: "Jinlang, are you joking?"
"I added your name to the family register this afternoon. Otherwise, why do you think no one objected to you sitting at the table to eat?"
Fireworks lit up the sky, the crowd was excited, but Li Qu remained stunned.
"Huh? You're laughing your head off?"
"Mrs. Zhou?"
All her questions were answered at that moment.
At the same time, I felt my heart racing, a heartbeat more intense than the sound of fireworks exploding in the sky.
My ears are buzzing.
The smile remained: "So fast?"
"nature."
"From now on, you won't have to worry about your child being born and your status being questioned."
"She is the legitimate child of the master and his wife, and there is no doubt about it."
Taking advantage of the darkness, Li Qu steadied himself and asked, "Then, the three, the three letters?"
"Oh, Master had it taken from your dressing case."
His large hand landed on her lower abdomen, gently stroking it: "This is probably what Aqu meant by a secret marriage."
Although not many people know about it, we are already husband and wife.
"It lives up to its name and its reality."
He looked forward to her growing belly, to bearing him children.
"A-Qu, do you think she might have conceived a child last night?"
As the fireworks faded and the night concealed the overwhelming terror in her eyes.
Won't!
She would never have his child!
Don't get entangled with him for the rest of your life!
*
That night he told her to get some rest.
She breathed a sigh of relief; she had one contraceptive pill left, which she cherished.
She dared not let him see any signs of her emotions, and as usual, she fell asleep holding his arm.
Insomnia.
In the darkness, he suddenly spoke: "Can't sleep?"
She was startled and dared not pretend any longer, rubbing her head against his shoulder and saying, "I'm a little excited."
"I also feel relieved that something has been on my mind."
"Judging from what the old lady said, I was added to the family genealogy last June..."
"Yes, the family tree is in my parents' hands. My mother says when it's registered, and that's when it's registered."
"Can someone be included in the family genealogy without informing the clan members?"
"When I get married, do I need to consult with any of them? Who's worthy of me?"
"But... what if someone objects..."
"A-Qu is overthinking it. If your parents agree, no one will object."
"But Jinlang was discussing marriage with someone else not long ago." She seemed angry when she mentioned this, letting go of his arm, moving further into the bed, and turning her back to her.
"Hmm." He had been controlling himself, and now that she was far away, he felt a sense of relief.
"Since you have no background, people will probably think that the master intends to abandon his poor wife and marry a noblewoman."
"It's just that things haven't come to fruition yet."
"With my mother's help, everything can be handled smoothly."
"Don't worry."
Li Qu, unwilling to give up, asked one last question.
"Has it been filed with the government office?"
"A-Qu, guess."
Li Qu thought for a moment and tentatively said, "Definitely not."
"The status of a concubine is ultimately too low."
"Well, because it was too low, after I went to the government office to file my records last June, I never gave you the treatment of a principal wife, which made people mistakenly think you were a concubine."
Li Qu sat up abruptly in bed: "Can Jinlang guarantee that there won't be any problems with the matters at the yamen?"
"What if the Emperor finds out that you've taken a lowly concubine as your wife, and uses that as an excuse to punish you?"
"Unfortunately, although my second brother is a merchant, he also holds a sinecure in the government office, which is in charge of the matchmaking department. It's just a matter of adding another document."
How could it have turned out like this!
"Then...doesn't that mean that, apart from the three letters and six rites being a mere formality, Jinlang completed all the procedures in one day?"
"How could it be a mere formality? The three documents signed and stamped by my mother-in-law clearly record when the betrothal ceremony will take place, when the auspicious date will be chosen, the amount of the betrothal gifts, and the dowry."
Li Qu could not accept it.
"Just because Jinlang wants a legitimate child?" He's done so much in just one day!
“Yes, Aqu is not afraid that the child will cause controversy after it is born, so that no one will criticize it.”
Li Qu cried.
If I had known, she wouldn't have used the issue of her official status as an excuse for not wanting to have children!
So what if she agreed to have the baby first!
She hugged the blanket and nestled against his chest.
How can a person do something so deceitful!
"I am so happy that I weep with joy."
"Hmm." He raised his hand and stroked the back of her head.
"Tomorrow, a younger member of the Zhou family's collateral branch will come to pay their respects to Mother in advance. You should hang the jade pendant around your neck and receive the guests with Mother."
"When they see you, they will ask about it, and your mother will help you maintain your identity."
Li Qu was very sad: "Jin Lang is so considerate, I have no way to repay him, sob sob sob."
"I'll take you out to play tomorrow night, so you can comfort me properly."
"Alright, Jinlang, let's go back to Jinxiu Hall tonight. I'm so happy that I can't control my emotions and I'm afraid I'll disturb your rest."
She kicked Zhou Jin out.
Zhou Jin, standing outside the door in the cold wind, clutching his clothes: "..."
"A-Qu, I've resolved your concerns today, and you're kicking me out of my room tonight? Isn't that a bit unfair?"
"Waaah, if Jinlang doesn't leave, I'll have Qingguo chase you away with a big broom!"
She bolted the door from the inside.
He was unhappy, yet also somewhat happy.
Qingguo, trembling with fear, watched from outside as the Third Master, who had been chased out by his aunt, laughed. She instinctively felt she might be seeing a ghost, and dared not move an inch, silently chanting in her heart: "The ghost can't see me, the ghost can't see me..."
Master Zhou, who was possessed by a ghost, has finally passed away.
I'm in a good mood.
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