Chapter 86 Dog
Heaven granted our wish.
After getting rid of Zhou Jin, Li Qu traveled to a pier two miles away and saw a covered boat moored by the pier. He decisively changed boats and continued on his way.
Martial law was declared in Beijing, and waterways to and from the capital were closed.
Upon reaching the next ferry crossing, a passenger ship happened to be docked.
As soon as she stepped ashore, she saw Imperial Censor Zheng disembarking as if he had lost his parents.
A carriage also disembarked with Imperial Censor Zheng.
Whether it was due to fatigue from the boat trip or something else, Imperial Censor Zheng did not get into his carriage and leave immediately after disembarking.
Instead, he randomly picked a rock and sat down.
He sighed deeply, muttering to himself, "Heaven is going to destroy this old man!"
Hu Jiu, who was driving, grew impatient with the dawdling.
They only stopped after carrying him onto the carriage.
Taking advantage of the moment when the driver left, Li Qu climbed into the carriage.
That's how the scene of Imperial Censor Zheng staring at her came about.
*
Because Imperial Censor Zheng recognized Li Qu, and Li Qu was just a woman who was powerless to even kill a chicken.
After checking Li Qu's household registration and residence, Hu Jiu did not take it seriously.
The journey to Beijing was smooth and unimpeded.
Thanks to Hu Jiu's status as a member of the Northern Imperial Guard, his household registration and place of origin were not checked at the checkpoints when he entered the capital.
Upon arriving in the capital, we encountered a thunderstorm.
During the national mourning period, markets in the capital were closed, and the slaughter of livestock, banquets, and all celebratory events were prohibited.
On the streets, the Imperial Guards patrolled, their presence solemn and orderly.
Hu Jiu and Imperial Censor Zheng are to be reinstated in the palace.
Passing by the house of Imperial Censor Zheng, Imperial Censor Zheng handed Li Qu over to his wife, Granny Zheng, and instructed Li Qu to explain properly before making his escape.
The way Zheng Po looked at Li Qu was like a queen looking at a mistress—scrutinizing, contemptuous, and disdainful.
Li Qu smiled and said, "It's a misunderstanding. I met Master Zheng once before. I was traveling north by car to do some business."
"May I borrow your writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone?"
She wanted to prevent Zhou Jin from filing the official documents from her place of residence.
Her reply was: "Pah!"
"You're a teenage girl, bearing children for a filthy old man, how disgusting!"
Li Qu raised her hand and wiped away the spittle that had splashed onto her face.
"Get in here, you old bastard!"
Before I could even react, Granny Zheng rudely dragged me into the courtyard.
There were more than a dozen people of all sizes standing in the courtyard.
Their clothing suggests they are poor.
One of the children suddenly exclaimed, "Wow, is this Grandpa's new baby girl? She's so pretty!"
Zheng's daughter-in-law glanced at Li Qu and said, "Mother, Father made a good choice. This can fetch a good price when resold."
"Shut up, all of you!"
Granny Zheng scolded, "Eldest daughter-in-law, go to Huai'an Hall and get a dose of abortifacient medicine."
Li Qu interjected, "Please trouble the best doctor to come to our door with the best abortifacient. I will pay for it."
Everyone looked at Li Qu.
Li Qu smiled as she looked at Granny Zheng: "Lord Zheng came to Hezhou intending to repay his loyalty with his life."
"By a stroke of luck, I averted their deadly predicament, but in doing so, I have tarnished their reputation."
"When I was in trouble, I met Lord Zheng on the road and was rescued by him."
"Entrusted by Lord Zheng, I testify to his innocence."
"You may ask me anything, and I will answer to the best of my knowledge."
Upon hearing this, Granny Zheng, who had previously looked down on Li Qu, gave Li Qu a once-over.
Finally, his gaze fell on Li Qu's lower abdomen: "You child?"
"Zheng Gong was a man of integrity and loved his wife dearly. He regarded women as mere skeletons and had nothing to do with them."
Li Qu smiled and offered the key point: "Lord Zheng is poor and cannot afford to buy a set of clothes for a junior like me."
Only then did everyone notice Li Qu's skirt.
Her package was prepared anew by Xiao Cong's people.
The coarse cloth clothes that were used as a disguise inside were all replaced with skirts and gowns chosen by Xiao Cong.
The materials used are of high quality and the price is considerable.
Granny Zheng's gaze towards Li Qu changed again, but her tone became much kinder: "Eldest daughter-in-law, serve tea to our guests."
Li Qu breathed a sigh of relief.
Once inside, Li Qu requested that everyone else be dismissed before she would have a proper chat with Granny Zheng.
Granny Zheng did as instructed.
Once only the two of them remained in the room, Li Qu then meticulously analyzed Zheng Gong's predicament and the perilous situation of the Hezhou trip for Zheng Po, downplaying the main issues and subtly shifting the focus.
Granny Zheng suddenly realized what had happened, thanked Li Qu for saving her life, and treated Li Qu as an honored guest.
We were treated to fine tea and snacks.
Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are presented.
Li Qu quickly thanked her, saying, "Thank you, Grandma."
"Treat this as your own home." Granny Zheng's attitude changed 180 degrees, stunning the whole family.
After Li Qu finished writing the letter, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zheng family also invited a doctor.
After taking the pulse, the doctor frowned and said, "This pregnancy is very stable. Although there are signs of fetal movement, with proper care, there will be no major problems."
"Why did you make this old man bring abortifacients?!"
He picked up his pen and wrote out a prescription for a pregnancy-stabilizing medicine: "I will come back in ten days to change the prescription."
"If possible, you can eat some nourishing foods like bird's nest every few days. It's good for both the fetus and the mother."
Li Qu ultimately kept the highly effective abortifacient.
He personally prepared the medicine.
When the medicine was served, Li Qu sat at the table and waited for it to cool.
Granny Zheng sat to one side, fanning herself, and looked at Li Qu: "You saved my old man's life, so I can lend you a place to recuperate."
"You just need to think it through; having children is all about fate."
The baby in her womb seemed to be feeling uneasy, and was moving frequently.
“A tragic fate.” Li Qu looked at Granny Zheng. “Whether the unborn child is born or not is up to me, its mother.”
Seeing Li Qu's indifferent expression, Granny Zheng clicked her tongue and sighed after a long while: "It's not easy for women in this world."
"If we cannot give him a good environment to grow up in, and prevent him from suffering in this world, that is also a kind of kindness."
Li Qu never expected that Granny Zheng would say something so ahead of her time.
Old Mrs. Zheng laughed: "My father left home when I was three years old, and I had no choice but to go with my mother to remarry."
"My wife has suffered so much to support her."
"And the old woman was cursed as a fatherless, lowly bastard since she was a child."
She was both fragile and strong-willed, and slammed her fan on the table.
"My wife hates men who abandon their families and children the most, and she can't stand seeing women struggling with their children."
Her gaze fell on Li Qu again: "That man needs to be a responsible one."
"I won't let you wander around while you're heavily pregnant."
She thought Li Qu was a heartbroken actor.
"Start a new life after falling behind."
"If you don't let go, you'll be forever entangled with the past."
"Besides, a child is not a cat or a dog."
"Once a child is born, you have to spend time and energy raising it."
"If you can't raise them, don't have them."
"Accumulate virtue."
She got up, fanning herself as she walked outside: "Old woman, go check if the room I prepared for you is ready."
Li Qu looked at the bowl on the table and patted her lower abdomen.
"Your mother and father have an unresolved grudge. If you were born, your upbringing would be destined to be unpleasant."
"Furthermore, my future is uncertain, and I cannot guarantee that I can raise you to adulthood under these circumstances."
"Not having children is also a way of being responsible to you."
"If fate allows, and your mother is at peace and has met a good father, then you can come again."
The lower abdomen remained quiet and unresponsive.
The medicine is cold.
Li Qu picked up the medicine bowl.
Lightning flashed across the sky, thunder roared, and a torrential downpour began in an instant.
*
The border between the southern region and the capital region.
Zhou Jin and his think tank are discussing the map of the capital.
With the collapse of the mountain, the capital region, a large and lucrative territory, temporarily lost its owner.
The owner's fat meat—whoever has the ability can eat the biggest piece.
A middle-aged man spoke up: "All waterways in the capital region are closed off, and the entire section of the lower Yellow River from Dingzhou to Qingzhou is under martial law."
Clearly, the Xiao family's territory was more guarded against by the Zhou family from the south.
A young man suggested, "We can take a detour through the river."
Zhou Jin then had someone bring him a map of Yan. He placed the two maps together and said, "This morning's news is that the King of Yan has sent 100,000 troops down the Yellow River and intends to garrison Hebei."
An uproar ensued.
"Father, we will travel to Hezhong tomorrow. Our goal is to reach the northern pass between Dingzhou and Qingzhou."
"If a mutiny breaks out in the capital, we must find a way to go north and purge the court of corrupt officials."
This is the only reason why the Zhou family was able to gain momentum.
Regardless of whether there is a mutiny in the capital, there must be a mutiny.
This is not something that can be accomplished in a few days.
In the capital, the Guangxi faction still holds power, and the legitimate crown prince is still alive.
Some people are making a fuss.
A buzz of discussion spread among the think tank members.
Zhou Jin stared at the map, his gaze lingering on Hejian, where Marquis Weiwu Lin Zhongtian was located.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my heart.
The pain made him lean forward and grab the table in front of him for support.
The strategists cried out, "Third Master!"
In just a moment, the inexplicable throbbing pain suddenly disappeared.
He seemed to have lost something important, and for a moment he felt a sense of emptiness.
It's as if nothing has been lost.
The doctor rushed over upon hearing the news, but couldn't find anything.
Finally, a calming decoction was prescribed.
Politics drew his attention back.
An ordinary day.
As night fell, Huai Chuan, who was waiting in the capital, sent back a message: the lady had not yet appeared.
Zhou Jin was a little annoyed and regretted letting her go out to play by herself.
*
Imperial Censor Zheng was also filled with remorse.
"Heaven is going to destroy me, Zheng Changxing!"
He returned home from the palace with a heavy heart, expecting to be beaten by his wife.
Unexpectedly, his wife showed him great concern, repeatedly saying it was a misunderstanding and that he had suffered and been frightened during his trip to Hezhou.
He was so frightened that he didn't dare to eat dinner, fearing that his wife had poisoned his food and would send him to his death.
Only after his wife started eating did he shakily pick up his own chopsticks: "I am upright and innocent, and I'm sure that woman has explained things to you."
"Yes, that's clear." Granny Zheng eagerly served food to Imperial Censor Zheng.
Looking at the food in his bowl, Imperial Censor Zheng shakily reached for his chopsticks: "I really haven't done anything to wrong you!"
Granny Zheng looked at the old man who had an unfortunate appearance and slammed her chopsticks on the table.
With a snap!
Imperial Censor Zheng dropped his chopsticks and skillfully slid down to his knees.
"Niu Dahua, killing someone is just a matter of beheading them, how can you humiliate this old man like this in front of your children and grandchildren!"
"I am a dignified seven-foot-tall man!"
The family was used to it and ate their meal in silence, without making a sound.
Granny Zheng looked at Imperial Censor Zheng with disdain: "You treat me like I'm asking for my life! If you don't want to eat, then get out!"
Imperial Censor Zheng cautiously rose to his feet: "Women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with!"
Having said that, he turned and left, looking up at the sky with a long sigh.
He may appear pitiful, but he is inwardly extremely content.
He can still hear his wife scolding him; how blissful!
Just as he was immersed in happiness, he saw his wife carrying food to the front room.
He reminded him, "I'm here."
"I see, stand if you want!"
He followed up and asked, "Who are you delivering food to?"
"That girl."
"Huh? She hasn't left yet."
"She miscarried today and will need to stay with us for a while to recover."
"What!" Imperial Censor Zheng was struck dumb.
He stepped forward and grabbed his wife's arm, his eyes wide: "You said she miscarried in our house!"
"What's wrong with you? She saved your life, you're just looking for a place to stay and catch your breath! Who are you trying to fool by acting like you're about to die! Don't you have any conscience at all!"
"How could you let her get rid of the child in our house!" Imperial Censor Zheng was so frightened that his scalp stood on end.
Old Granny Zheng, whose arm was being gripped so hard, raised her hand and punched Imperial Censor Zheng.
"If you don't discipline someone for three days, they'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles."
He turned and went into Li Qu's room.
Imperial Censor Zheng covered his eyes and died.
He was filled with deep regret.
After his wife left Li Qu's room, he stood at the doorway and angrily shouted in a low voice, "How dare you implicate my entire family!"
"If that thief finds out, how can things end well!"
Inside the cramped little room separated by a door.
Li Qu leaned against the pillow and closed her eyes to rest.
Upon hearing Imperial Censor Zheng's voice, she smiled and said, "I went through all the trouble of escaping from Hezhou and heading north, just to leave him."
"Speaking of which, you were the one who went to his door and insulted him back then."
"That made him feel bad."
"And it just so happened that I stepped on his landmine, which is why I was forced to serve him."
"Now, I have escaped his sight because of you, which can be considered fate."
"Now that things have come to this, I would like to ask Lord Zheng to prepare a new household registration and place of residence for me."
"And silence those who know my whereabouts."
"Once I recover, I will disappear into the crowd."
"Otherwise, I will have him come looking for me, and I will say that Zheng Gong's wife was jealous and misunderstood, and forced him to abort the child."
An angry stomping sound came from outside the door.
Li Qu found the affairs of this world to be extremely interesting.
“If Lord Zheng helps, I will never implicate him in this matter again. I, Lady Li, swear to Heaven that if I break this oath, I will die a horrible death.”
She added, "I'll cover the related expenses."
Having said all that, what could Imperial Censor Zheng do?
Are we just going to watch our lovely old wife be threatened and harmed by that scoundrel Zhou with his sword?
He shook his head vigorously, trying to banish the image from his mind.
"Heaven may kill my old husband, but it cannot kill my old wife!"
*
The heat of July is intense.
The hot weather makes people feel irritable.
I received a letter from Li Qu in June saying that he planned to go north.
Every day, she would close her shop and then go to the dock to wait for a while.
They hoped that Li Qu would appear at the ferry crossing.
Now that river transport is suspended, she goes to the city gate to wait.
That day, instead of her long-awaited third sister, she encountered the sucker who spent a hundred taels of silver to buy her a meal.
To make sure she wasn't mistaken, she deliberately lifted a corner of the veil and looked carefully.
Upon realizing that the other person was looking at her, she quickly put down her veil and instinctively hid behind Qiu Hui.
Qiu Hui smiled and said, "Second Miss, our young master has returned."
"When I took you to live in Chuntang Garden, you didn't say there was a mistake."
"They stayed at Chuntang Garden for three months before saying it was a misunderstanding, that they mistook the person who picked them up from the boat and stayed in the wrong place."
"Now that the young master has returned, please explain any misunderstandings to him."
"With our young master's consent, you can move out of Chuntang Garden tomorrow."
Cao Guangli was seasick, so Lin Xiaocong and he took the land route.
Two days after Qiu Chan returned to Beijing, the two of them finally came back.
At the city gate of the capital.
The cicadas are something I dread, something I pray to gods and Buddhas would never want to see.
It appeared! Ahhhhh!
Lin Xiaocong rode his horse directly to Li Rong and Qiu Hui.
"Rongrong".
Li Rong was startled by this title.
Qiu Hui stepped aside, revealing Li Rong who had been hiding behind her.
"Rongrong, lift the veil and let me see."
Before Li Rong could refuse, Qiu Hui had already lifted Li Rong's veil.
He looked down at her, his gaze sweeping from her eyebrows to her chest.
A tingling excitement welled up in his heart, bringing a touch of spring to his brow.
Li Rong slapped Qiu Hui's hand away: "You're so meddlesome, really."
She lowered the veil again, blocking Lin Xiaocong's view.
His gaze reminded her of the look in his eyes when she first dropped her pretense and tried to recommend herself to win his favor.
It's very uncomfortable.
Lin Xiaocong watched as Li Rong put down the veil, then dismounted with a smile.
He naturally walked up to Li Rong.
He is upright and refined, a gentleman of great elegance.
But it's all an illusion; he's a tough guy who can fight!
Li Rong thought of the money she had earned against her conscience, and how she had mistaken the person who picked her up from the boat and ended up staying at the garden. She felt a little weak: "Young Master Lin, you're out of prison?"
Her tone no longer carried excitement and joy, but rather distance and politeness.
He assumed they hadn't seen each other in a long time, and that she was shy in public.
"Hmm." He had taken a liking to her, and his gaze lingered directly on her long veil.
She felt uneasy under his gaze: "Then, when do you have time?"
Give her a chance to explain the misunderstanding!
She needs to move out of Chuntang Garden as soon as possible.
Lin Xiaocong didn't expect Rongrong to be even more impatient than him.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks, and she glanced to her left and back.
Seeing Cao Guangli not far away with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, looking at them with a half-smile, he coughed seriously.
"I just returned to the capital today and must go back to the palace to report."
"I need to return to the mansion later to pay my respects to my elders."
"If we don't go tonight, we will definitely go tomorrow night."
"Oh, you only have time in the evening?" Li Rong goes to bed early at night because she has to get up early in the morning to sell steamed buns.
"During the day too?" He found it a bit exciting.
"In the afternoon is best." She would come to the city gate to wait for her third sister after closing the shop in the morning.
Lin Xiaocong clenched his fist, his voice becoming slightly hoarse: "Then I'll go to Chuntang Garden tomorrow afternoon?"
"Oh, okay, then I'll wait for you at Chuntang Garden tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes, you're here..."
"Oh, you've come from Hezhou. Do you have any news of my third sister?"
This is a sensitive issue.
He thought for a moment, then took Li Rong's hand and led her to a less crowded area.
Li Rong was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and quickly shook off his hand: "Young master, please have some self-respect."
Lin Xiaocong frowned and looked around; people were coming and going.
Never mind, Rongrong is too sensitive.
Seeing that no one was around, he lowered his voice.
"In the capital, you must not mention to anyone that your third sister is a Zhou woman."
"Otherwise, it could be life-threatening."
Li Rong nodded quickly: "I didn't mention it, I didn't mention it. And don't tell anyone."
"I won't tell anyone and cause myself trouble."
He waved to Qiu Chan, who was hiding to one side.
Overwhelmed with grief, Qiu Chan dragged her feet as she approached, calling out, "Young Master..."
"Have you found out everything about the Third Miss?"
Ah, that's an easy question to answer.
Qiu Chan came back to life and said with a smile, "I was frightened after falling into the water and have been resting in the mansion. Everything is fine."
"Pregnancy care!" Li Rong exclaimed.
My third sister didn't mention this in her letter.
"Is your information accurate?" Li Rong questioned.
Qiu Chan patted his chest and said, "This servant is always reliable."
Li Rong suddenly realized: "Has something else happened?"
Lin Xiaocong interjected, "An unexpected event? It's not normal for a woman to be pregnant while staying at home, how can that be considered an unexpected event?"
Li Rong glanced at him, wondering how an outsider like him could have the nerve to discuss other people's family matters.
"It's nothing," she replied dismissively.
He then asked, "Isn't the young master going to report on some mission?"
Lin Xiaocong was unaware of Li Rong's coldness towards him.
He had a thousand reasons to explain for her.
"Then I'll be going now."
Li Rong waved her hand: "Goodbye."
Lin Xiaocong paused for a moment before leaving, but after taking three steps, he came back.
He finally got to see the woman he was keeping.
How could they just leave like that?
He turned around, stood in front of her, lifted her veil, lifted her chin, and leaned down to kiss her lips.
A light veil fell on his head, enclosing the two of them in a closed space.
He aggressively pressed his lips against hers.
He immediately let go.
During the period of national mourning, he acted out of line in public.
The foxtail grass that Cao Guangli was holding in his mouth fell to the ground in the distance.
Li Rong was completely stunned.
Qiu Chan covered her face and cried, terrified that the Second Miss would slap her young master across the face.
Qiu Hui raised an eyebrow.
So it turns out the young master has taken a fancy to that girl?
When Li Rong came to her senses, Lin Xiaocong and Cao Guangli were already gone.
Qiu Hui approached Li Rong and asked, "Miss, are you still waiting for someone?"
Li Rong pointed in the direction where Lin Xiaocong disappeared, and looked at Qiu Hui: "He, he, he..."
She couldn't come up with any other words for a long time.
Qiu Hui smiled.
After a long pause, Li Rong finally blurted out, "Are you a dog? You're sick! Ugh! How disgusting!"
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