It was not convenient to try on clothes in the bookstore, so Xu Jiang invited Madam Cui to have tea, then left the box there and went to the private school to wear it and let Hong Chu take a look.
It was a good opportunity to go and report to Master Lin that I was safe and sound, and to let him know that I had returned safely. I also had to send a letter to Zeng Zhui to convey Du Hui's instructions.
After seeing Madam Cui off, Song Qiao came again.
Xu Jiang saw that she was not surprised to see him, so she asked with a smile, "How did you know I was back?"
"I met Shopkeeper Wang on the way back and heard what he said." Song Qiao looked her over and saw that she was okay before handing her a paper bag. "This is honeysuckle tea I left for you."
"Thank you. Come sit down and let's talk for a while." Xu Jiang took the tea and pulled her to sit down. While pouring tea for her, she asked, "How have you been lately?"
"Same old style, either in the orchid garden or all over the city sending flowers. How about you? Have you found your mother?"
"Yeah." Thinking of Xizhi, Xu Jiang couldn't help but smile, "We recognized each other."
Song Qiao was also happy for her, "Congratulations."
The two drank a cup together, and Xu Jiang talked about the experience of recognizing her relatives and what she saw and heard along the way.
After hearing this, Song Qiao couldn't help but sigh, "It's not easy for you and your parents."
Xu Jiang, however, is becoming more open-minded. "No matter how difficult it was, it's all in the past. And precisely because it was difficult, we should cherish the present even more."
"I admire your open-mindedness." Song Qiao tapped the teacup, a trace of sadness in his eyes, "If it were me, I would never be as carefree as you."
Xu Jiang poured her tea and listened to her story carefully.
Song Qiao was silent for a moment and then said, "My mother and father divorced a long time ago."
Just one sentence startled Xu Jiang, "Divorce?"
Before the Great Sheng Dynasty, although women could divorce and remarry, there was no law to restrict this. Most of the decisions were made through consultation between the two clans. It was only since the beginning of this dynasty that legislation was enacted, allowing women to file for divorce openly.
Although the law was established, it was still constrained by clan etiquette, the interests of the two clans, or the concern for reputation. Even if the marriage was not suitable, few women dared to ask for divorce.
From this point of view, Song Qiao's mother can also be considered a strange person.
Song Qiao said slowly, "My mother and father were married by our parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. My mother was unwilling at the time, but because her family was poor, they married her to my father and collected a betrothal gift to support my two uncles' studies and imperial examinations."
"She had me a year after she married my father, but she was still unhappy when I was born. She was very cold to me and my father. As far as I can remember, I have never received a smile from her. No matter how I tried to please her, she turned a blind eye." Song Qiao was a little sad when recalling the past.
Xu Jiang sighed slightly and patted her hands gently.
She smiled at Xu Jiang, but it was a cold smile. "Later, my grandfather and grandmother passed away one after another. As soon as the mourning period for my grandmother was over, my mother immediately asked my father for a divorce, and my father agreed."
"She left on the day we signed the divorce papers. She didn't take anything with her, not even me. No matter how much I begged, she never stopped or looked back."
Xu Jiang was distressed when she heard this.
Song Qiao lowered his eyes, "After leaving, he never came back, not even once."
This mother is also hard-hearted.
Xu Jiang asked, "Where is she now?"
"She's remarried now and has a son and a daughter." A self-deprecating look flashed across Song Qiao's face. "I went to see her at her wedding and her baby's first month celebration. She was very happy and doted on her new son and daughter. She was completely different from when she was with me and my father."
It is hard to imagine what kind of mood Song Qiao was in when he went to find his mother, and what kind of mood he was in when he saw her doting on her other children.
Xu Jiang asked, "What about your father?"
Speaking of his father, Song Qiao's expression softened. "Ever since she left, my father has acted as if she never existed. He never mentioned her, but he never stopped me from looking for her either."
She smiled bitterly and said, "Perhaps she knew she would make me give up. Ever since I attended her daughter's full moon banquet, I haven't looked for her again. Sometimes when we meet on the street or in other people's houses, I just pretend I don't know her."
They are truly a mother and daughter pair who are as close as they are distant.
With such a background, it is no wonder that Song Qiao developed such a suspicious and overthinking character.
But Xu Jiang couldn't comment on other people's affairs, so she consoled him, "It's better not to look for him or recognize him. Just let him go."
Xu Jiang thought back to her childhood when she didn't know her true life story. Seeing Xu Si and Xu Wu being doted on by their parents, she felt very envious and jealous, so she secretly left home to look for them.
As a result, he got lost and was found by his master, who gave him a good lecture.
She felt wronged and unwilling to accept it, and just cried and asked to find her parents.
The master felt both angry and compassionate. Finally, he held her in his arms and patiently coaxed her, "Those with different paths cannot work together. Even if it's between parents and children, once they take different paths, it's difficult for them to reunite. When you appeared in Jiangdi, your parents had already gone in opposite directions. Why should you abandon your own direction and seek a false path, wasting yourself?"
At that time, Xu Jiang was young and could not understand what his master was saying. It was not until his master left that he deeply understood the truth.
Later, when I learned his true identity, I truly understood the meaning behind these words.
She said to Song Qiao: "If you don't share the same ideals, you can't work together. It's better to let nature take its course."
Song Qiao chewed on each word, and then suddenly he understood. He raised his cup to Xu Jiangjing and said, "What a good saying, 'Those with different ideals cannot work together.' What a good saying, 'Let nature take its course.'"
Xu Jiang smiled and said, "So let's cherish what's in front of us."
Clink the teacups lightly and drink a cup of clear tea.
Yin Yin heard Song Qiao's voice in the backyard, and she stuck half of her head out of the small door and called out, "Sister Song."
Seeing that she was hiding far away, Song Qiao waved at her, but Yin Yin hid herself away.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
