Chapter 81 and around
An atmosphere of trepidation enveloped Fanghua Garden.
From Granny Xu down to the gatekeeper, everyone was prostrate on the ground, trembling.
Zhou Jin, his face as cold as frost, came from outside the courtyard, sword in hand.
'The entire Fanghua Garden failed in their duty to protect their master; they are all to be executed!'
The sounds of panic and weeping rose and fell.
Xu Mama's face, with its deep nasolabial folds, was ashen, filled with despair and helplessness.
The red and green fruits huddled together, trembling, their faces filled with terror.
The longsword swung down, and blood splattered three feet.
*
"stop!"
Li Qu suddenly opened her eyes, only to be met with complete darkness.
The sound of a donkey and a jujube arguing quietly came from outside the window, and Li Qu snapped out of her reverie.
It was a dream.
The rain outside has stopped.
Li Qu's scream woke Gouwa's mother, who was sleeping on the floor outside the curtain.
She lit the precious candles and lifted the curtain to go into the inner room.
Li Qu sat up in bed.
She never intended to fake her death to escape.
She dared not gamble that Zhou Jin, in his grief over the loss of his wife and son, would be able to reason with people and avoid implicating innocent people.
She chose a path that was more difficult for her.
She bluntly told him that everything was something she had planned for a long time.
It has nothing to do with anyone else.
It would be best if he could just let her go.
If not... then she will face what she must face.
With her family members all gone, she was left all alone.
The victor is king, the loser is villain.
At worst, it's a sacrifice of one life for this era.
*
Originally, with the ability to travel thousands of miles, she had a 60% chance of escaping.
Now they are caught in a dilemma.
The candle was brought closer, and Gouwa's mother dripped hot wax onto it, pressing the candle onto the bedside table.
"Sister, are you scared? There's still this half-burnt candle at home, just leave it here..."
As Gouwa's mother spoke, her gaze fell on Li Qu, who was sitting on the bed.
The rest of the words vanished, and she opened her eyes wide.
The person on the bed looked completely different in the soft candlelight.
With skin as smooth as cream and hair as black as a waterfall, this was the kind of beauty that storytellers described as capable of eclipsing the moon and shamed the flowers.
Li Qu raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead: "Didn't I tell you, don't lift the curtain and come in at night without my permission?"
"I, I, I..."
“You're just concerned about me,” Li Qu said on her behalf.
Dogwa's mother knelt down with a thud: "Please spare my life, my sir!"
She lay prostrate on the ground in fear.
"Leaving a mask on your face for an extended period of time can be detrimental to skin health."
"It's not that I'm afraid you'll see it and it will affect me, it's just that I don't want to cause you any trouble."
Dog-child's mother deeply regretted her overly attentiveness.
"I originally planned to leave yesterday morning, but I had a miscarriage and had to stay another night."
"Ah!" Gouwa's mother looked at Li Qu in horror, "That, that medicine..."
"For pregnancy support."
Dog-wa's mother breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Qu sighed.
Before going to Gouwa's mother's house, she had a doctor in town take her pulse.
The other party said that the risk of miscarriage at four months is about the same as the risk of giving birth in ten months.
This put her in a dilemma.
Whether it's for a safe pregnancy or to terminate the pregnancy, the trip must be suspended.
If we delay any longer, the pursuers from Hezhou might catch up.
Hearing Li Qu's soft sigh, Gouwa's mother cautiously asked, "Madam, are you facing some difficulties?"
The baby in her womb seemed to be disturbed and suddenly moved.
Li Qu's heart skipped a beat.
Raise your hand and place it on your lower abdomen.
This was the first time she had felt clear and distinct fetal movements.
Moths circled around the candle flame, courting their own death.
After a long pause, Li Qu finally spoke: "It is the will of Heaven."
Then he looked at Gouwa's mother and said, "Make sure you remember what I'm about to tell you."
Once she sheds her disguise, the aura of power she exudes is palpable, inspiring awe in ordinary people.
Dog-wa's mother dared not look her in the eye: "Yes, yes, yes! Please give your instructions, sir."
"First of all, I was in a miscarriage, and then it was raining heavily. Your family saved me."
She took out Zhou Jin's jade pendant and placed it by the bedside.
"Secondly..."
*
The torrential rain in the sky was blown away by the wind, and the raindrops pattered against the porthole.
Inside the cabin, on the bed, the handsome man, who had been forced to sleep by the calming incense, suddenly reached out with his large hand to grab at the air.
"A-Qu!"
I suddenly sat up in bed, and everything went dark.
Zhou Jin snapped out of his daze and raised his hand to pinch the space between his eyebrows.
Because he left in such a hurry, he missed the safe arrival letter from Hezhou to Zhuzhou.
Now he is alone, tormented by the contents of the note.
The note read: "The plot failed, and Madam Zhou fell into the water; her fate is unknown."
*
A knock came at the door, and Huaiqiu reported, "The storm came suddenly, so we have to moor at the shore and wait for the storm to pass."
Zhou Jin dejectedly lowered his hand: "I understand."
He couldn't sleep; every time he closed his eyes, he saw his little Aqu choking on water.
He couldn't accept the possibility of something happening to her; he couldn't even bear to think about it.
What should have been a journey that could have been completed in seven days took eight days to reach the river island due to a storm.
As the ship docked, Zhou Jin hurriedly stepped off the deck.
Huai Xia and the head steward Zhou Bo, who were waiting on the shore with their horses, stepped forward to greet them.
Zhou Jin couldn't wait to ask, "How is Madam?"
Zhou Bo bowed and replied irrelevantly, "The old lady requests that you return to the mansion first, sir."
Huai Xia bowed and said, "Huai Chuan left a mark and has tracked down the lady's whereabouts."
Zhou Jin's anxious heart was instantly relieved.
She's alright, she's alive!
At the same time, my heart was struck again.
He looked at Huaixia: "Who are you talking about?"
"Huai, Senior Brother Huai Chuan's tracking skills and martial arts are the best among the Huai generation."
"He has tracked down the lady's whereabouts. She is unharmed, please rest assured, sir."
With each word he heard, Zhou Jin's heart tightened more and more.
In addition to his usual duty of protecting Li Qu, Huai Chuan had another task.
'If Madam intends to leave the river island alone, do not stop her. Secretly follow and protect her, and leave a record for future reference.'
What was he doubting when he gave that order? And what was he expecting?
"Li Qu!"
He practically spat out those two words through clenched teeth.
She actually dared to leave!
Seeing this, the head steward quickly spoke up: "The old lady orders that Third Master return to the manor immediately!"
No disobedience is permitted.
Zhou Jin grabbed the reins, mounted his horse nimbly, and instructed Huai Xia: "Send a message to Huai Chuan, do not let the lady leave the southern land."
Huai Xia accepted the order: "Yes."
*
They sped all the way to the Zhou residence.
Granny Rong was already waiting at the gate.
Seeing Zhou Jin drop the reins to the gatekeeper, she immediately stepped forward and said, "Madam, please ask Third Master to go to Shou'an Hall first."
Zhou Jin remained expressionless, his feet never stopping.
As they moved, a gust of wind swept past Rong Mama's door, and Rong Mama felt a chill.
Upon arriving at Shou'an Hall, the old lady heard the announcement: "Third Master has arrived."
He immediately sat up straight on the couch, looking serious.
Zhou Yu, who was sitting at the lower end, also took a deep breath.
Qiao's eldest daughter-in-law, standing behind Zhou Yu, swallowed hard.
The curtain was lifted, robes fluttered, and the person had entered.
The maids and servants bowed respectfully, and Qiao's eldest daughter-in-law curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Third Uncle."
The old lady didn't expect her son to be in the mood for politeness right now, and spoke up before Zhou Jin could sit down: "Please sit down."
Zhou Jin sat down, and a maidservant served tea.
The old lady glanced at her son's expression and began by talking about the Qiao family's lotus garden.
"There are only those who steal for a thousand days, but not those who guard against thieves for a thousand days."
“This was extremely unexpected. Your second sister prepared a generous gift to apologize to your wife.”
As soon as the old lady finished speaking, someone immediately brought over a tray.
"Your wife likes gold-inlaid jade."
"A pair of intertwined branches, a pair of twin lotus blossoms."
"It is made of top-grade Hetian red jade and Hetian white jade, and the workmanship is exquisite."
"A set of items including a necklace for the child."
“It would look great if the mother and child wore them together.”
The old lady knew how to coax her son.
But Zhou Jin now is not someone who can be coaxed by sweet words.
"Ya Ge's daughter-in-law also made a hundred-blessing belly band and beautiful tiger-head shoes for the child by hand."
Qiao's eldest daughter-in-law spoke up at the right moment: "I hope Third Uncle won't find it offensive."
Seeing that Zhou Jin didn't respond, Zhou Yu said, "The assassin has already been interrogated."
"They were experts sent by the Tang family to capture the third brother and sister-in-law alive, hoping that the coup would fail and the Tang family bloodline would survive."
"Unexpectedly, the plan backfired, causing my three younger siblings to fall into the water."
"Thankfully, Third Brother Suo, you are always thorough. You sent Huai Chuan to protect her, and she escaped unharmed."
"Now, the three assassins, one dead, one captured, and one lured into a trap, have all been sent to the Hezhou Prison and are to be kept under strict guard."
"If Third Brother wishes to retry the case, he may go and bring the person himself."
"As for my third brother's wife, I originally intended to apologize to her in person."
"But she was so frightened that she didn't leave the room."
"I sent her a visiting card, but she didn't respond."
“These things are a token of appreciation from Ya Ge’s daughter-in-law. I also prepared apology gifts for my third brother’s wife and future nephew.”
"Please help me convey my apologies for the poor hospitality, Third Brother."
The personal maid behind Zhou Yu immediately presented a thin booklet with both hands.
Zhou Jin's expression was cold and unfriendly.
The old lady spoke first: "The maidservant sent by the Tang family is a master, skilled in disguise."
"It was the large banquet that day that gave people an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
"The things your second sister picked out for your wife are all good things that can be passed down through generations."
"Do I really expect your wife to come and collect it herself?"
The news that Li Qu had disappeared was bad for him.
Zhou Jin hesitated, then picked up his teacup and took a step back: "When she is willing to see Second Sister, Second Sister should apologize to her personally. She is the one who was frightened, not me."
Zhou Yu glanced at her mother.
The old lady gestured with her chin for her to go first.
After exchanging a few words, Zhou Yu and her daughter-in-law got up to take their leave.
Everything was left behind.
The tea in Shou'an Hall was changed, and the old lady no longer had the gentle demeanor of pleading for her daughter, but instead had a slight frown and a somewhat serious expression.
“Huaichuan is your shadow. You gave him to the Li family and I won’t say anything.”
"But since you've placed Huaichuan by her side, you shouldn't let a piece of news, whether true or false, throw you into a panic!"
The tone of his voice was clearly angry as he finished speaking.
"With Huai Chuan's abilities, how could we let her die in the water!"
"Look how anxious you are!"
"The matter in Zhuzhou is not yet settled; how can we abandon it without making proper arrangements?"
"If our enemies follow suit one day, they can subdue you with just a gust of wind!"
"How could he be so easily swayed by a woman!"
After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
The old lady quickly twirled her prayer beads.
The atmosphere inside the room was stifling.
Zhou Jin waited until the old lady calmed down a bit before speaking: "Father is in Zhuzhou. Now that I'm gone, Father will make all the arrangements. I know what I'm doing."
"Don't try to argue!" The old lady clearly didn't accept Zhou Jin's explanation.
"Even if Huai Chuan wasn't there, only Huai Xia was present."
"With Huai Xia's abilities, an assassin couldn't hold her off for even ten breaths."
"At that time, there were about ten servants and maids in the corridor, all protecting her."
"Even if the escaped assassin were to kill her, Huaixia would still be able to come to her aid when he gets close enough to kill her."
"Not to mention Huai Chuan is still lurking in the shadows."
“The maids of each family are all in the garden.”
"Where would you possibly leave your affairs in Zhuzhou and come back in person?"
Zhou Jin impatiently put down his teacup: "It's all just Mother's speculation. If the other party was after her life, how could she have survived!"
"It is a fact that something went wrong at the banquet organized by the Qiao family, which put her in danger!"
The old lady objected: "She went to the banquet precisely to find an opportunity to leave!"
"I have already interrogated the people from Fanghua Garden."
"She spoke up several times to ask the servants to move back a little."
"It was she who made Huaixia stay at a distance."
"She pushed Granny Xu away on her own initiative, and then jumped into the water herself!"
"She painstakingly peeled away her protective layers, giving the assassin an opportunity."
Zhou Jin leaned back in his chair, refusing to argue with his mother any longer.
“Mother, please continue, I am listening.”
The old lady saw the weariness on her youngest son's face and felt a mix of emotions.
With a heavy heart, he stabbed her in the back.
"She doesn't like you. If you try to win her back, you'll only torment yourself and her."
Zhou Jin didn't like this topic.
He frowned, sat up straight, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and pretended to be calm: "She just misses her family."
Stop lying to yourself!
"What my son said is true."
"It's not that your mother hasn't tried to help you; even if she were offered the power and influence in the south, she wouldn't be tempted in the slightest. She simply doesn't like you!"
Zhou Jin's hand holding the teacup turned white, and his chest heaved from the stab wound inflicted by his mother.
A strange, aching sensation filled my chest and began to spread to my limbs.
"My intention is that if she still doesn't want to live with you after giving birth, then you should let her go..."
The cup slipped from her hand uncontrollably, the noise interrupting the old lady's words.
Zhou Jin stared blankly at his trembling hands.
The old lady closed her eyes tightly.
She shouldn't have sought that fortune-telling back then!
Zhou Jin forced himself to remain calm, shook off the tea stains on his clothes, stood up and bowed to the old lady: "She was willing to have a son for her son, she loves her son."
"Mother, she was just feeling down and went out for a walk to clear her head."
"Please don't be harsh on her when she returns."
The old woman picked up the cup next to her and threw it at him: "Get out!"
He neither dodged nor avoided the tea, which spilled all over his chest. He bowed and then turned to leave.
Behind him, the old woman roared, "He's possessed by a demon! I think he's possessed by a demon!"
*
Zhou Jin ignored the commotion and the tea stains on his body, and hurried to his destination, only to find that his feet had led him to Fanghua Garden.
After entering the courtyard, he slowed his pace and walked inside.
Looking up, what was he expecting?
They stopped walking.
The corridor was empty.
He didn't expect anything.
A group of servants knelt on the steps below.
As he shifted his feet, his mind went blank for a moment.
The moment I stepped onto the stairs, the old lady's words, "She just doesn't like you!" rang in my ears.
His chest heaved uncontrollably, and his whole body was gradually filled with soreness.
He slowly clenched his fist. The emotions he could suppress in Shou'an Hall surged like a tidal wave, almost engulfing him.
It feels like my heart is being squeezed.
But he still clung to a sliver of hope.
I washed up, changed clothes, and opened the door.
It was completely empty.
After taking her seat in the main seat, Granny Xu, with a white cloth sling over her arm, stepped forward and kowtowed.
“The servants failed to protect their master; it is the servants’ dereliction of duty.”
Zhou Jin leaned back in his chair, tilted his head back slightly, and closed his eyes, unwilling to look at anything in the room.
With just a few questions, he was able to unravel her entire scheme.
"What life-saving pouch? Let me see."
Granny Xu quickly served it.
After looking at the contents of the brocade pouch, Zhou Jin laughed in exasperation.
"She has a token in her hand, which makes it convenient for her to direct the officials of Hezhou to do this kind of thing."
Granny Xu trembled and said, "This old servant is terrified."
"She was afraid that the master would be angry with you and release you and your families into the freed households, thinking that the master couldn't control those with freed status."
But it's not that simple for wealthy and powerful families to release their free servants.
He casually tossed the brocade pouch in front of Granny Xu: "Have all the family punishments applied. If you dare to put Madam in danger again, we'll tattoo your name and sell you off."
"roll."
Granny Xu quickly accepted the order and withdrew.
A few lashes are nothing compared to being beaten to death on the spot.
After Granny Xu left, leaving him alone in the room, the boundless emptiness suddenly magnified a thousandfold.
He said, "Aqu, tell me where I did wrong, and I will correct it."
"How could you torture me like this?"
He remembered that Granny Xu had just said she had left him a letter.
He got up from his seat, went to the desk, and found the letter on it.
sit down.
'Opened by Master Zhou himself'
It wasn't a title he liked.
She opened the envelope, took out the letter, and unfolded the paper. The handwriting was the regular script she was used to.
*
The sunlight was as scorching as it had been a year ago, and the cicadas were chirping incessantly.
He leaned back in his chair, his arms dangling, and the letter, filled with delicate handwriting, slipped from his fingertips and fluttered to the ground.
The last straw broke the camel's back.
Every word on the paper pierced his heart.
She shattered the illusion she had created with her own hands.
She doesn't love him.
She longed to leave him, just as she longed to forget the nightmare of being forced into pleasure by a powerful man.
It's not that he's not doing well enough now; it's that he made a mistake at the beginning.
She hated him for shattering her hopes and bringing her a nightmare.
She hated her humble origins, her only advantage being her beauty.
She said she hated him.
She actually said she was disgusted.
Zhou Jin couldn't remember the last time he felt this sad.
My chest felt endlessly sore and numb.
It's as if my energy and spirit have been drained away.
The sound of my heartbeat became heavier.
"Let's part ways amicably and each find our own happiness..."
He raised his hand to cover his face, and laughter escaped through his fingers.
She feared he would take his anger out on Granny Xu and the others, and that he would blame everything on her own scheming for leaving.
Even Aunt Zheng, who indirectly helped her, was kept in the dark by her.
The old man who was forced by her power to sell her the boat was completely unaware of this.
She is so kind; she considers everyone.
He was the only one they didn't consider.
How can one find joy?
His joy no longer needed him.
Teach him how to generate joy!
“Aqu…how dare you run away?”
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