Chu Jiayou and Chu Yening both had a smile on their lips, showing no sign of...
Jiuqu cleared his throat and reported from outside, "My lord, someone from the palace has come. They say the day after tomorrow is the princess and the crown prince's birthday. The princess has sent out invitations to all the mansions. His Highness the crown prince originally intended to cancel the celebration this year, but the princess said it would be better to have a small celebration. The person from the palace said they must personally deliver the invitation to you before they can return to the palace to claim their reward..."
A cold voice came from inside the study: "Go and collect your twenty strokes of the military rod!"
"ah?"
"Old Zhong isn't here today." Jiuqu gazed longingly at the half-closed window from outside.
The Jiang siblings were born on the same day of the same month but in different years. When Empress Tao was still the Crown Princess, she gave birth to Jiang Yuanfu, who was premature. Coincidentally, she and Jiang Yuanjun were born on the same day of the same month. Back then, not only in the palace but also among the common people, it was widely rumored that although the princess was a premature baby, she was born on the same day as the future emperor, which meant she must have an extremely noble destiny. But why was it such a coincidence? Later, Empress Zhao Fucheng, then the Empress Dowager, simply summoned the wives of noble families to the palace for a casual chat. During the conversation, she mentioned that the Crown Princess had been frightened because her young grandson had been punished by his father, which led to the princess's premature birth.
Afterwards, the wives of the various noble families, having received the Empress's favor, gathered occasionally and, intentionally or unintentionally, discussed the matter after meals, which quickly brought the storm to an abrupt end.
Qin Weixi's gaze suddenly turned cold as she looked at him. She gave a dry laugh, turned around, and headed towards the door.
Chu Yening called out to her again, "Qin Luo, go to the palace less often in the future!"
Qin Weixi turned around abruptly, about to ask more questions, when he heard Feng Hua and Jiu Qu talking outside, along with a bird's tongue that seemed to have returned from Chengxin Nunnery.
Chu Yening had subtly concealed the chilling glint in his eyes: "Let Sparrow Tongue go back with you." His voice even softened slightly.
"There are few truly sincere people in this capital city; one must be cautious in all matters."
"I will have my people in Jiangnan keep a close eye on Zhuang Shijun's matter."
Qin Weixi lowered her eyes, staring intently at his hands that she had just felt were icy cold. Then she raised her eyes to meet his dark, moist eyes, a faint smile on her lips: "Fourth Brother, you must take care of yourself from now on."
Chu Yening pondered the meaning behind her words, smiled faintly, and watched her leave. Then he went out of the room, stood with his hands behind his back under the withered trees, and Jiu Qu approached with a bitter expression. She glanced at the withered trees in the garden again, and suddenly remembered that year under the magnolia tree, they were all full of vigor and high spirits; their smiles were genuine, and their joy and happiness were real.
She turned to Chu Yening and said, "Fourth Brother, let's plant a magnolia tree in the yard. When it blooms, everyone will feel better."
Chu Yening smiled and said without hesitation, "Yes, as you wish."
"Oh, oh, oh, whose young man is this, so considerate!" Tao Qingyun walked into the courtyard with a mischievous look on her face, followed by Xiao He. No one informed them of their arrival, so it was unknown when they had arrived.
He looked at Xiaohe: "Miss He'er, why are you still following me? Do you think I would steal from your manor?" He pointed at Chu Yening with his folding fan: "Isn't your master right here?"
Xiaohe bowed to Qin Weixi first, and then said, "The Marquis said that a pair of luminous pearls have gone missing from this courtyard. I wonder if there has been a thief in the Marquis's mansion. He told us to keep a close eye on the guests who come to the mansion and to supervise each other."
A luminous pearl? Qin Weixi's heart skipped a beat. He looked up at Tao Qingyun, who happened to be giving him a meaningful look as well.
Chu Yening suddenly raised his chin.
"Alright, you sharp-tongued third brother!" Xiaohe understood and slipped out with a smile.
"What did you call me?" Tao Qingyun's eyes widened, and she pretended to hit her on the head, snorting, "You're just a kid, don't say whatever comes to mind!"
Xiaohe slipped away quickly, and soon disappeared from view under the eaves.
Tao Qingyun looked at Qin Weixi and asked, "Seventh Sister, what are you doing here?"
Qin Weixi smiled and said, "What about Third Brother? It's getting late. I have to go pick up Xiaoshu. Please don't see me off, Third Brother."
Tao Qingyun nodded.
Qin Weixi walked to the corridor and looked back. The boy under the tree ten years ago now stood tall and straight like a pine tree, wearing a black brocade robe with a belt and a dagger at his waist.
Pu Niang said that she would sharpen her hairpin to protect herself when things happened. So, in her own garden, she should also always carry a sharp blade with her. Isn't that another way to protect herself?
A strange feeling crossed her mind, but soon the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and she looked at the dark figure under the tree with a faint smile.
Chu Jiayou, may you walk alone with a guiding light, and may everything go smoothly for you. May the gods bless you for a lifetime.
Seeing that the person had gone far away, the two entered the study. Tao Qingyun glanced at the person beside him, then opened his ever-present folding fan and stood in the center. However, unlike usual, he was wearing a rose-colored long robe that he did not often wear, and a striking pearl and jade headband.
He chuckled: "What, are you going to spoil them so much they'll be sent to the Nine Palaces of Divine Pampering?"
Chu Yening sat back down in the armchair in front of his desk as if nothing was wrong. The chair was still slightly warm. He said, "I watched them grow up, so I'll spoil them."
Qin Weixi, Feng Hua, and Queshe walked out of the corridor and around the corner, only to see Xiao He squatting on the ground drawing with pebbles, as if waiting for her.
Seeing the innocent and carefree Xiao He, Qin Weixi suddenly thought of Jiu Bao, who was in the nunnery. After Qin Weixi was injured, Xiao He came to the Luo residence, and Qin Weixi ate and lived with her. Xiao He told her that she originally grew up in the Northwest, and ten years ago, someone had left her in the sandstorm, but she was fortunate enough to be found. However, there were no women in the army to care for an infant girl, so later, Que She Jiu Qu and others raised her little by little. When Doctor Dong saw her love for medicine, he took her as his apprentice.
At that time, Chu Yening was still slowly making his way through the wind, sand, and snow of the Northwest...
She beckoned to Xiaohe and gave her all the Tongling crisp candies from her purse.
"Little Lotus Girl is eating candy."
Xiaohe squinted as she thanked her, then tilted her head and thought for a while: "How have you been lately, elder sister?" As she spoke, she looked at her palms, her small eyebrows suddenly furrowing slightly: "Why are there some scars?"
Qin Weixi looked at Xiaohe and recalled how she used to sharpen her hairpins in the library. Now, she didn't care about food or clothing, or anything else; as long as she could stay alive, that was enough.
She smiled and said, "It's alright, it's nothing." Then she added, "Where is Uncle Dong? He's been sending medicine to my house ever since I was injured that day, but I haven't had a chance to thank him yet."
Xiaohe shook her head: "Master is sick. Yesterday, before Brother Jiuqu went out, he insisted on taking Master to Shuiyunlou to drink and eat crab. Master was so happy that he forgot that he can't drink alcohol or eat seafood. As a result, when he woke up this morning, his head was swollen like a pig's head, and it turned out to be a rash."
crab?
Qin Weixi lowered his eyes and pondered.
She recalled the day Chu Yening came to the Luo residence to deliver crabs, a time before they had recognized each other. She remembered him saying he had just come to the Luo residence to deliver a sudden gust of wind, and that he and Doctor Dong had also brought a load of crabs. Why would someone who couldn't eat crabs send them?
She and Feng Hua were about to board the carriage after leaving the Luo residence when they saw Que She standing motionless, holding the reins and staring at Luo Yuan on the carriage floor.
Sparrow Tongue said, "Miss, the Marquis said that from now on I will be at your beck and call. If you don't let me go to the Luo residence, then I..."
"Get in the car," Qin Weixi said decisively, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
Along the way, Queshe and Fenghua chattered and winked, making Fenghua smile. Now, Qin Weixi only had Fenghua by his side; there were no other girls her age. Ten years had passed, and the events of that year had been revealed in the Qin family's old house, clearing up the misunderstandings buried in many people's hearts. Fenghua now had a little friend to laugh with.
A faint smile played on Qin Weixi's lips; she felt that everything was peaceful and serene. She lifted a corner of the carriage window curtain and looked out, passing once again the food stall that sold roast chicken that day. But the figure of the little master named Juechen was no longer there; now there was only a young boy named Jiubao, hidden in the nunnery, under the protection of everyone she knew and cherished.
Sparrow Tongue suddenly chuckled beside her. Qin Weixi snapped out of her reverie and followed the gaze. The carriage had passed the Fragrant Robe Shop. It was a clothing shop beloved by noble ladies of the capital, selling ready-made clothes as well as custom-made garments. The silks used in its production came from all over China and even from various countries.
Sparrow Tongue said, "I was still wondering how the Marquis knew your identity, young lady. It must have been a long time ago. Some time ago, at the small spring banquet held in the palace, the Marquis ordered me to find a way to get my hands on a new brocade dress that had just arrived from the Fragrant Robe Shop, and then spread the word to the young grandson of the Marquis of Chengyi. I was a little puzzled at the time. This time... I finally understand."
Qin Weixi was taken aback upon hearing this.
Feng Hua, standing to the side, gaped and asked, "Miss, is this the dress that Fa Cai sent the other day? The one that Young Master Tao bought by robbing and swindling, paying three times the price?"
Qin Weixi looked at the fragrant robe shop again, wondering when she had revealed her weakness to him—perhaps even earlier than when they went to Xiaguang Peak. She pondered for a moment, then suddenly recalled the nightmare she had about her brother, the time she held his sword and talked with him under the hibiscus tree in the courtyard, and then his quiet arrival…
She thought that if Tao Qingyun found out about this, there would inevitably be chaos. Remembering that the two of them had been bickering since they were young, she couldn't help but smile.
As dusk deepened, the Luo family's carriage sped toward the Zhao family's residence. When they reached the shimmering river below Shuiyun Tower, the three people inside the carriage suddenly heard a woman's wailing outside, followed by a man's angry shouts, the sound of clubs falling, and then bursts of punches and kicks.
"I stole all my family's wealth from you. And you lied to me, saying you were three months pregnant..." the man's voice cracked with rage.
The noise was extremely loud, and Qin Weixi could hear it clearly from inside the carriage, yet she also vaguely felt that the sound was somewhat familiar.
She lifted the curtain she had just lowered again. In the brightly lit night, a painted boat surrounded by lanterns stood on the riverbank. On the shore, a woman dressed in fine clothes, whose face was originally very beautiful, was now bruised and swollen, being punched repeatedly by a strong young man.
The man walked with unsteady steps, his eyes glazed over. Beside him were several young men of similar age, their arms around each other's shoulders, speaking incoherently, swaying and laughing lewdly.
Qin Weixi glanced back at the brightly lit restaurant, where several people were clearly coming out drunk.
Feng Hua asked in surprise, "...Who is this? Beating a woman like this in broad daylight. Although it looks like he came down from a pleasure boat."
“Pei Qing’s fiancé,” Qin Weixi said softly.
"However, that won't be the case for long."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
