The early summer sun streamed into the study through the carved window lattice, casting dappled light and shadow on the sandalwood desk.
Wang Xiuxiu was reviewing account books with a vermilion brush when she suddenly heard a maid gently knocking on the door: "Your Highness, the Princess Consort has sent me to announce that a young lady outside the mansion, who calls herself Qiuxin, is requesting an audience."
The hand holding the brush paused slightly, and a drop of ink spread on the rice paper, much like the tear in Qiu Xin's eyes when she left Huanghua Town that year.
Wang Xiuxiu looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Qiu Xin?"
"Yes, they said they were old acquaintances of yours and came all the way from Huanghua Town to pay their respects to Your Majesty."
"Please come to the flower hall quickly, I'll go right now." Wang Xiuxiu put down her pen, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the sachet on the hem of her skirt—this was the very sachet that the maid had given to her while crying when she parted from Qiu Xin.
As Wang Xiuxiu walked through the corridor, her heart began to race.
Over the years, she has always remembered the girl with whom she briefly shared a life-or-death bond in Huanghua Town.
I wonder how she is doing? Are the girls at Mingyue Tower also doing well?
Only when she saw Qiu Xin did Wang Xiuxiu finally feel relieved.
In the flower hall, she stood with her back to him, her posture much more upright than he remembered.
Hearing footsteps, Qiu Xin turned around and bowed.
"This humble woman, Qiu Xin, greets Your Highness, the Consort."
Wang Xiuxiu quickly stepped forward to help her up: "Don't be so polite."
She carefully examined the girl in front of her. Her eyes, which had always been filled with sorrow, had now become calm and composed, but there seemed to be some unspoken worries hidden between her brows.
"I will never forget the kindness Your Majesty showed me back then." Qiu Xin's voice was clearer than she remembered.
Wang Xiuxiu smiled and pulled her to sit down: "There's no need for such formalities between us. Although I've been in the capital all these years, I've always kept you and Qiuyue in my thoughts."
She personally poured Qiu Xin a cup of tea, "Is Qiu Yue's cough any better?"
Qiu Xin's fingertips trembled slightly, causing the tea to ripple in the cup.
She smiled faintly, "Thanks to Your Majesty, Qiuyue's health has greatly improved. She only suffers from a cough during the autumn and winter seasons each year, which is nothing serious."
"That's good." Wang Xiuxiu breathed a sigh of relief, then suddenly noticed the half-length red rope peeking out from Qiu Xin's sleeve.
That was the unique peace knot worn by the girls of Chunhualou back then, but the way it was tied seemed to be different from what I remembered.
Qiu Xin seemed to sense something, and without making a sound, she pulled her wrist back into her sleeve and took out a brocade box from her bosom: "This is for you."
Wang Xiuxiu was stunned: "This is..."
"This is the profit sharing from Mingyue Tower over the years."
"You bought Mingyue Tower back then and then gifted it to us," Qiu Xin's voice was soft yet firm. "You kept it a secret, not wanting us to feel burdened, but the sisters in the tower and I couldn't be ungrateful and pretend not to know. So we made a private decision to convert the money you used to buy the tower into shares."
Wang Xiuxiu repeatedly declined, saying, "Qiuxin, I'm at ease as long as you're doing well. This apartment is a gift to you; you don't need to repay me."
She grasped Qiu Xin's slightly cool hand, "Besides, over the years, Mingyue Tower has been entirely managed by you yourselves; I haven't contributed anything."
Qiu Xin insisted on pushing the brocade box forward: "Your Majesty, how can you say that? If it weren't for you giving us sisters a place to live and make a living, where would we be living now? You must accept this money!"
Unable to refuse, Wang Xiuxiu could only sigh and say, "Fine, I'll take the money. Consider it repayment for the money I gave you to buy the building. Don't give me any more dividends in the future; just use it for the women in the building."
A gentle light appeared in her eyes. "As long as you are doing well, I am happy."
"Yes, I'll do whatever you say." Qiu Xin lowered her head and sipped her tea, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her face.
The two talked for a while longer, then Qiu Xin suddenly said, "There's one more thing I'd like to ask Your Highness for help with."
"No need to be so polite, please speak."
"This humble woman wishes to open a Bright Moon Pavilion in the capital," Qiu Xin said, raising her eyes with a complex expression that Wang Xiuxiu couldn't decipher. "Please advise me, Your Highness."
Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback, then realized: "Why did you decide to open a branch in the capital? Is there some trouble in Huanghua Town?"
"No, no," Qiu Xin quickly waved her hand, "It's just that there are more and more sisters in the building, and more people coming and going from the capital, so we wanted to set up a branch here."
As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the teacup. "Besides... I also want to be closer to Her Majesty."
Wang Xiuxiu felt a warmth in her heart, but she also felt that there seemed to be something hidden in those words.
She smiled calmly and said, "I see. I happen to have some free time these days; I can help you look after the shop."
After a pause, Wang Xiuxiu asked again, "Have you found a place to stay?"
Qiu Xin shook her head: "I just arrived in the capital today and came directly to pay my respects to Her Majesty."
"It's getting late. I'll go tell the Princess to have a guest room prepared so you can stay at the manor for the night."
Wang Xiuxiu got up and called for a maid, but she didn't notice the struggle that flashed in Qiu Xin's eyes when she heard this.
Watching Qiu Xin leave with her maid, Wang Xiuxiu stood on the corridor for a long time without moving.
As dusk fell, she felt that something about Qiu Xin had changed—not just in appearance, but also in that indescribable feeling.
After dinner, Wang Xiuxiu told Lu Jingze about what had happened that day.
After listening, Lu Jingze said, "Qiu Xin has managed Mingyue Tower for many years and has seen a lot of human interactions, so some changes are not surprising."
Wang Xiuxiu frowned and leaned on his shoulder: "I understand what you mean, but..."
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Besides that, something just feels off."
"What's strange about it?" Lu Jingze played with her hair.
"I just don't know what's wrong with it, that's why I'm asking you for help!" Wang Xiuxiu lightly punched his chest in annoyance.
Lu Jingze smiled and took her hand: "Don't be angry, don't be angry. I'll send someone to investigate. If she really was bullied, I'll make sure you stand up for her."
Hearing him say that, Wang Xiuxiu felt a little relieved and buried her face in his arms to fall asleep.
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