Chapter 70070 Debate with Scholars
On April 20th, the newly-appointed Jinshi gathered at the Meridian Gate.
The court awarded Du Qingtang, the top scholar, a sixth-rank court crown, court robes, patched robes, belts, boots and other items. It also awarded each of the successful candidates five taels of silver and a length of outer and inner clothing material.
On April 21, Du Qingtang led the other Jinshi candidates to present a letter of thanks.
On April 22, Du Qingtang led the Jinshi scholars to the Confucius Temple to perform the ceremony of releasing the monks from their official positions.
On that day, the Ministry of Works allocated one hundred taels of silver to the newly-appointed Jinshi and erected a stone tablet in the Imperial College.
The names, native places and rankings of 360 Jinshi are engraved on the stone tablet so that their names can be recorded in history and used for research by future generations.
On the way back to Yao's residence from the Confucius Temple, the warm April breeze blew the voices of the people's conversations into the carriage.
"Have you heard? The second son of the Duke of Changguo's mansion is engaged to the third daughter of the Xue family."
"The Xue family is undoubtedly a powerful family in the capital. The third daughter only married a sixth-rank official. I'm afraid she'll never be able to hold her head up high among her sisters."
"You're really just meddling in other people's business. The Duke of Changguo's Mansion has been illustrious for a century, and the Second Lady is the Third Miss's aunt. This close relationship between the two families is truly a wonderful thing, and others haven't even had it yet."
"That's true. Second Young Master Qi is still an official, unlike us, who have to toil all our lives."
These words touched everyone's heart, and everyone was speechless for a moment.
Du Qingtang and Yao Jingzhou looked at each other, slowly stroking the teacups in their hands, a hint of understanding flashed in their eyes.
Yao Jingzhou lifted the carriage curtain, looked out, then withdrew his hand and looked at Du Qingtang: "Uncle Master, is Third Miss Xue Xue Yishu?"
Du Qingtang nodded: "Not bad."
"They..." Yao Jingzhou hesitated for a moment and muttered, "They're quite a good match."
Du Qingtang: "...When did Wen Jing become so mischievous?"
Although it is true, if two bad people get together, there will be a lot of chaos in the future.
Yao Jingzhou has been learning the ways of a gentleman since he was young, and he shouldn't criticize others behind their backs, but this time he really couldn't help but speak out.
"Who made him so shameless, claiming to be my son? And there's another one who uses such despicable means, showing no self-respect at all. I hope they can stay together for a long time and not come out to harm others."
Du Qingtang laughed. She also hoped that those two psychopaths could be locked up forever.
No, not forever.
Du Qingtang lowered his eyes. How could a dying person have a whole life?
......
After returning to Yao's house, Du Qingtang began to pack his luggage and prepare to return to Qingyuan County.
After putting the books into the bookcase, the servant came and knocked on the door.
"Mr. Du, dinner is ready. Please move to the dining room."
Du Qingtang responded and went to the dining room.
He didn't talk while eating or sleeping. Only after putting down his chopsticks did Yao Jingzhou speak: "Master, please go to bed early tonight. We must set off before dawn tomorrow morning."
Du Qingtang nodded in agreement, returned to his room, sat under the lamp and read a few pages of a book, then turned off the light and went to bed.
The moonlight came in through the window and gently fell on the table and the antique shelf, with a bright silver glow, like a dream.
Du Qingtang lay flat on his back with his hands clasped in front of his abdomen, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
When the moon was at its zenith, a dark shadow appeared in front of the window, blocking out the moonlight.
The man pried open the wooden window, sneaked in quietly, and walked slowly towards the bunk bed.
The person on the bed seemed unaware and slept peacefully.
When I walked to the round table, I heard a light "click".
White powder fell down and covered the person's head and body.
The newcomers were thrown into disarray and retreated hastily.
But it was still too late.
He was like a punctured balloon, all his strength drained away in an instant. He staggered and fell straight down with a muffled sound.
Du Qingtang opened his eyes, sat up slowly, and stared at him calmly.
He, or Qi Heming.
Or maybe Qi Hezhang.
Du Qingtang pulled out the dagger from under his pillow, held it in his hand, walked towards Qi Heming in slippers, and looked down at him.
Qi Heming was just feeling weak all over, but he was still conscious.
He looked at Du Qingtang infatuatedly and murmured softly: "Atang..."
Du Qingtang went up and kicked him.
Qi Heming's head was turned sideways after being kicked by her, and there was half a footprint on his left cheek, which looked very funny.
"It seems you haven't learned enough of your lesson." Du Qingtang said coldly.
Qi Heming raised his hand with difficulty and wanted to hook the corner of Du Qingtang's robe, but the latter stepped on his wrist. The pain made him gasp.
But compared to the pain, he was more afraid of Du Qingtang's misunderstanding.
Qi Heming said anxiously: "Atang, Xue Yishu and I have nothing. I will not marry her."
Du Qingtang had no expression on his face: "Are you guys asleep?"
Qi Heming paused slightly: "No..."
Facing Du Qingtang's all-seeing eyes, the words of denial were stuck in her throat: "Atang, listen to my explanation. I was tricked. You know, I don't like her at all."
His marriage with Xue Yishu was arranged by Xue and Second Madam Xue without his permission, and he never acknowledged it.
Xue ordered people to spread the news of the marriage between the two families. Qi Heming was furious and worried that Du Qingtang would misunderstand him, but his identity did not allow him to visit openly, so he resorted to this bad idea and visited Du Qingtang late at night.
Unexpectedly, Du Qingtang was well prepared. He used some kind of medicine, but it instantly made him lose all his strength and unable to move.
Du Qingtang sighed and raised his hand to crush the white powder on the table: "Do you know what this is?"
Qi Heming nodded in agreement.
"Veterinary medicine, specifically for animals." Du Qingtang twisted the powder lightly with his fingertips, and the powder scattered into the air. "I used this to kill Qi Ping back then."
Qi Heming understood her implication, and his face froze for a moment: "Atang, you can't kill me. I have people outside the Yao family. If I come, I won't be able to come back..."
Du Qingtang became annoyed when he heard his voice and kicked him again.
After this kick, half of Qi Heming's face was swollen.
Qi Heming and Xue are truly mother and son, both as cunning as foxes.
"Don't worry, I don't plan to kill you."
Even if Qi Heming came to her door on his own initiative, he was like a fish on the chopping board, lying on the ground for her to slaughter.
It's not the right time yet.
She wanted to squeeze out Qi Heming's surplus value, expose her identity through his mouth, and then send him to hell.
From the beginning to the end, Du Qingtang had no intention of hiding his identity for too long.
She studied hard for many years and went through many hardships, not to walk in the court as a man.
Seeing Du Qingtang's silence, Qi Heming showed an expression of as expected, and said with certainty: "Atang, you love me."
Because she loved him, she repeatedly assaulted him after learning that he was engaged to Xue Yishu.
But he couldn't get over the hurdle he had faced back then, so he treated him coldly, thinking that this would make him give up.
Du Qingtang: “…”
Now Du Qingtang was really silent.
After a brief silence, Du Qingtang turned his wrist and thrust the dagger into Qi Heming's chest.
"Well......"
Qi Heming's smug expression was frozen on his face as he groaned in pain.
Du Qingtang had never seen anyone more despicable than him. Even though he knew what would happen if he came to her rashly, he still came to disgust her again and again.
Of course Qi Heming knew.
He was just gambling.
Bet that Du Qingtang will be soft-hearted for a moment.
Unfortunately, he lost the bet.
Du Qingtang remained calm and stabbed the second time.
"On the day of the Qionglin Banquet, I worked with your mother to send Xue Yishu to your bed."
In severe pain, veins bulged on Qi Heming's forehead and neck, and a low growl like a trapped beast escaped from his throat.
He stared at Du Qingtang with disbelief in his eyes. Under the moonlight, a faint glimmer of water appeared.
"Why?"
He used up almost all his strength to say these three short words, and his hoarseness was filled with deep sorrow.
Du Qingtang raised his knife and stabbed a third hole in Qi Heming's chest.
"If I truly love someone, I will treat him like a treasure and won't even touch him with a finger."
"And you...you're so dirty. I don't have a habit of picking up trash."
Qi Heming opened his eyes wide, his pupils dilated, and the tears in his eyes solidified, overflowing from his eye sockets and sinking into his hair.
He was grief-stricken and poisoned by animal drugs. His eyes went dark and he completely lost consciousness.
Du Qingtang was not moved at all and just pretended to be nice.
She drew out her dagger, bent down, picked up Qi Heming, opened the door, walked out, and came to the wall piled with firewood.
He climbed up the wall by stepping on firewood, raised his hand, and threw Qi Heming out with a dull "bang".
Not caring whether he would die outside, she went back to the house, lay down and fell into a sound sleep.
......
Two hours later, Du Qingtang changed his clothes and washed up, then went to the dining room on time.
Yao Jingzhou came in a step behind her and bowed, "Greetings, Uncle Master."
Du Qingtang nodded: "Sit down and eat."
Yao Jingzhou replied yes, sat down and ate quietly.
When they were halfway through the meal, Yao Bo came over with a solemn expression and said, "Sir, the guards found several bloodstains on the wall of the third courtyard. The bloodstains have dried up and are estimated to have been left there several hours ago."
Three courtyards?
Yao Jingzhou looked at Du Qingtang and said, "Uncle Master, did you hear anything unusual last night?"
Du Qingtang said calmly, "No, maybe it was left by an injured bird."
Yao Jingzhou pondered for a moment and instructed Uncle Yao: "During the days we are back, arrange for guards to patrol every night to prevent any criminals from breaking in at night."
Yao Bo responded respectfully, "Don't worry, sir. If he is a bad guy, I will immediately hand him over to the authorities."
Yao Jingzhou felt relieved and ate in silence.
Yao Bo stepped back and told the servant to put the luggage on the carriage.
After a while of going in and out, Du Qingtang and Yao Jingzhou rode in the same carriage, accompanied by guards and servants. There was also a carriage carrying luggage following behind. The group left Xiajing in a mighty manner and headed back home.
-
Twelve days later, Du Qingtang arrived in Shuntian Prefecture.
After resting for half a day, we continued on our journey the next day and took a boat to Zhending County.
Ten days later, the passenger ship arrived in Zhending County early in the morning.
It was May, and the early summer sunshine sprinkled on my body, bringing up a hint of dryness and heat.
After the group got off the boat, Yao Jingzhou wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and pointed to the inn not far away: "Let's stay here tonight and rest for a night. We'll leave tomorrow."
Du Qingtang had no objection.
We've been traveling so long and the weather is getting hot, it's time to stop and rest for a while.
As we entered the inn, the waiter came up to us with a smile on his face: "Would you like to stay overnight or just for a meal?"
"Stay in the hotel."
"Okay! Sir, please come this way!"
The waiter led Du Qingtang and his group upstairs, where they settled down and then went downstairs to eat.
When ordering, the waiter smiled and said, "Why don't you try our braised pork noodles? They're good value for money, and everyone who's tried them says they're great."
Yao Jingzhou glanced at Du Qingtang, who nodded slightly. He then said, "One bowl for each person."
The waiter smiled broadly and shouted as he walked, "Twenty bowls of braised pork noodles!"
The braised pork noodles had not yet been served. While waiting, Du Qingtang used tea to wash the wooden chopsticks.
Seeing this, Yao Jingzhou followed suit.
At the next table sat a few young men dressed as scholars, talking loudly.
"I just went out and learned that a Qiong English Society was established in Zhending County in February. The members are all women, including daughters of officials and wealthy families. They also invite all women in the city to join the society, claiming that all members can read and write."
"A literary club founded by women? Everyone can read and write?"
"Exactly."
"This is simply nonsense! Women are supposed to uphold their duties as wives, supporting their husbands and raising their children. Why don't these women's families stop them?"
"It is said that their families not only did not stop them, but supported them in going out into the world, gathering together to read and learn, and write poetry and prose."
"This Qiong Ying Society brings together the city's rebellious women. If a girl from a good family is tricked into joining them, the consequences will be disastrous!"
"The Qiong English Society shouldn't exist! They're not men, so what good is it even if they can read and write? They might as well read Women's Rules and Rings a few more times and embroider a few more flowers."
"Maybe they think they can become officials and take the imperial examinations." One of the scholars said in a long and sarcastic tone.
The others burst into laughter.
"A woman serving as an official? That's just a pipe dream!"
"They are just a bunch of naive young ladies. You can spread the news about the Qiong Ying Society. When the whole city is in turmoil and public opinion is at their mercy, we'll see how long they can hold out."
"That's exactly what Zhang is thinking!"
"So does Li."
"Bah!"
This voice came after the scholar named Li. The scholars were startled and turned to look at the source of the sound.
She was a woman, wearing a short shirt and long skirt made of coarse cloth. Her hair was white and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were full of traces of time and suffering.
Although she was a woman, she was standing at the door with her hands on her hips. Her voice was like a loud bell, and she was heroic and confident. Her aura overwhelmed those scholars.
"What do you mean by women should strictly abide by the code of conduct for women, support their husbands and raise their children? You are human beings, and so are they. If you can do something, why can't they do it?"
"You keep calling me a heretic and a heretic. If you have the guts, say it in front of your own mother."
"If they knew that their sons, born after ten months of pregnancy, looked down on women and used them as topics of conversation and jokes, they would probably regret giving birth to you in the first place."
"I don't think you come from a wealthy family. Your mother doesn't show up in public, doesn't get up early and work late to earn money. How can you sit here comfortably, drink tea and chat, and discuss how to bully a group of weak women?"
"If I were them, I would die of shame for you!"
"Being literate is considered heresy? That's called being wise and sensible, and it's for seeing through you hypocritical men!"
The woman approached them while making sarcastic remarks.
When had the scholars ever seen such a scene? When had they ever been questioned like this? Their faces turned pale and blue, which was more exciting than a dyeing factory.
"Auntie, we are talking about the Qiong English Society. It should have nothing to do with you, right?"
The woman waved her hand and spitted all over the face of the scholar who asked the question: "Why does it have nothing to do with me? My daughter is studying at the Qiong English Society."
The scholar's fingers were trembling, intimidated by the woman's ferocity. He didn't even dare to wipe his face. He stiffened his neck and said, "Your daughter is hanging out with those women. Your reputation will be ruined in the future. No one will dare to marry you!"
Woman: "Bah! Bounce, bounce! Bounce all of them! No one dares to marry you!"
The scholar who was sprayed in the face again: "......"
Onlookers: “…”
The woman pointed at the scholars and said sharply, "You are just afraid that women will become more knowledgeable than you and you won't be able to order them around or gain a sense of superiority from them."
The scholars' faces flushed and they glared at the woman.
The woman snorted coldly, not afraid of them. She turned her head and looked at everyone present: "Don't listen to their nonsense. The Qiong English Literature Society is great. My daughter has read a lot of books and learned a lot of words since she joined the society."
"Not only has he not become a rebellious person like they said, but he has become even more well-behaved and sensible. Last month he even found a job copying books and earns several hundred coins every month."
The crowd who were originally watching the fun were cheered up.
"Are you serious?"
The woman held her head high, her eyebrows raised high, and she looked extremely proud. "Why would I lie to you? My daughter copies books for the largest bookstore in the west of the city."
"I know, it's Sijin Bookstore!"
"My daughter told me that there's more than one Qiong Ying Society. We have one in Zhending County, Hejian County, Xingtai County, Qingyuan County..." The woman counted on her fingers, listing several counties in succession, "There are also Qiong Ying Society in these places."
Everyone was stunned and very surprised.
"Why are they all called Qiong English Club?"
"Was this discussed in advance?"
The woman actually knew the reason and shook her head, saying, "Actually, in the beginning, only Qingyuan County had the Qiong Ying Society. At the beginning of the year, the women of Qingyuan County united and rescued a member who was locked up at home by her parents. After the news spread, other counties gradually established Qiong Ying Society."
“Why was that member locked up at home?”
"Most likely they're using her in exchange for a high betrothal gift."
"That's right!" The woman always looked down on families who sold their daughters. It didn't matter whether they had a boy or a girl. Aren't girls born after ten months of pregnancy? "My daughter also said that in Qingyuan County, wealthy families all hired members of the Qiong English Society to teach their daughters."
"Ms.?"
"I only know of private school teachers. This is the first time I've heard of a female teacher."
"This proves that women can do what men can do," the woman snorted, glancing at the scholars with a pointed expression. "My daughter said that the female teachers in Qingyuan County can earn one or two taels of silver a month. Isn't that much better than the men who rely on their families?"
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the lobby.
"One ounce of silver?"
"Teaching makes so much money?"
Everyone looked at each other and was deeply moved.
"My daughter is thirteen this year. I don't know if it's too late."
"Actually, I've always thought it's a good thing for girls to learn a few more words. Unfortunately, my family is poor. I'll send my daughter to the Qiong English Club to learn how to read and write."
The scholars didn't expect that everyone would be so accepting of the Qiong Ying Society, and their faces looked extremely ugly.
One of them shouted, "Qiong Yingwen Society is a troublemaker. You will all regret this!"
"Hey! Say that again?" The woman rolled up her sleeves, wanting to teach him a lesson.
The scholars were so frightened that they didn't even have time to eat and fled back to the second floor.
"Sister, tell me more about the Qiong English Club."
The woman was very happy to see that everyone was curious and had no resistance.
As a beneficiary of the Qiong English Society, her family naturally hopes that the Qiong English Society will become better and better, so that more people will know about it and more girls can learn to read and write and support their families.
So the woman cleared her throat and started talking.
......
"Sir, your braised pork noodles."
The waiter placed a bowl of steaming noodles in front of Du Qingtang.
Du Qingtang withdrew his gaze and picked up his chopsticks to eat noodles.
Yao Jingzhou sat opposite her. Although he did not witness the whole process, he listened to it.
The chattering scholars dispersed, and Yao Jingzhou fell silent for a moment, his voice barely audible. "My grandfather had only one child, my mother, and he raised her as a man from a young age. She started learning at the age of four, and was studying the Four Books and Five Classics at the age of six. By the time she reached marriage age, her talent and learning were no less than any other man."
"But everyone thought Grandpa was wrong."
Du Qingtang paused while rolling the noodles and looked up at Yao Jingzhou.
Yao Jingzhou's eyes were filled with disappointment and longing: "They think my mother is a woman, and women are virtuous without talent, except for my father."
"He said women are naturally literate and can master the teachings of the sages. He also said my mother was not wrong, but the world was wrong."
"I still remember the time when my parents discussed poetry and prose together. I also remember my mother lamenting with regret that it would have been so much better if she were a man, perhaps she could have achieved great things."
Yao Jingzhou looked at the woman, who was praising the women of the Qiong Ying Society. He couldn't help but chuckle, and his handsome features softened. "If she were still here, she would definitely support the Qiong Ying Society. Maybe she could become a female teacher that everyone envied."
Du Qingtang listened quietly until Yao Jingzhou stopped talking, then asked calmly, "Do you hope that the Qiong English Society will continue to grow?"
Yao Jingzhou nodded without hesitation.
Du Qingtang asked: "Why?"
Yao Jingzhou's braised pork noodles were also served, but he didn't start eating right away. Instead, he said slowly, "During those years studying abroad, I made many like-minded friends and witnessed all kinds of life. Some had happy endings, while others ended in tragedy."
"I once stayed in a village. That night, a woman set fire to her husband's family and killed everyone in their family, including her parents-in-law, husband, uncles, sisters-in-law, and their children."
"Everyone was cursing her and beating her up. Out of curiosity, I asked the locals about her story."
"The woman had been married for many years, but there was no sign of pregnancy. Her mother-in-law gave her many folk remedies, but she was already pregnant at the time, and her first child died in the womb."
Du Qingtang frowned slightly.
"Two years later, the woman became pregnant again. Her mother-in-law, hoping to give her a boy, asked her to take some folk remedies. As a result, she gave birth to a child with three legs. The child died shortly after birth."
"A year later, the woman became pregnant again. This time, she refused to take any more folk remedies." Yao Jingzhou paused and said, "Uncle Master, do you think she will get what she wants this time?"
Du Qingtang shook his head: "No."
Yao Jingzhou smiled, his smile revealing a sense of heaviness and helplessness. "Her husband believed a street fortune teller who told him that the baby in her belly would bring bad luck to him. He forced her to drink a bowl of medicine, forcing her to abort a fully formed male fetus."
"Then she went mad, burned 15 members of her husband's family to death, and then committed suicide by jumping into a well."
"I was thinking at the time, if the woman, her mother-in-law, and her husband had read a few more books, perhaps the tragedy that night would not have happened."
"It wasn't until later that I realized there were many reasons for the tragedy, and their ignorance was one of the least significant."
"In this world, the environment they live in affects them all the time."
"There are too many women and their mothers-in-law in this world. The tragedy will not stop, but will only repeat itself."
"So I think that if the Qiong Ying Society can continue to grow and expand, and spread across every inch of Daxia, perhaps many women will be changed and saved, and their endings will be different."
The confession was serious, objective and thought-provoking.
Du Qingtang couldn't believe that a man could stand in a woman's perspective and express his hope that they would be better and more outstanding.
After a brief silence, Du Qingtang sighed, "Master has really taught you well."
If her senior sister were still alive, perhaps they could resonate with each other to some extent and become like-minded friends.
Yao Jingzhou was a little embarrassed. He lowered his head to eat a mouthful of noodles, his eyes misty. He said in a serious tone: "Because I have a very good mother."
......
In the afternoon, Du Qingtang walked alone to the Qiongying English Society in Zhending County.
She had learned in advance that, like the one in Qingyuan County, the Qiongying English Society here was also initiated by the county magistrate's daughter and co-founded by twenty young ladies from official families and wealthy families.
In just three months, the Qiong English Society has grown from the initial 20 people to the current 58 people. One can imagine the hardships involved.
But they persevered despite tremendous pressure from public opinion.
Du Qingtang stood outside the door not too far away, watching the young and high-spirited members reciting poems, concentrating on learning to read, or reading aloud. He felt extremely calm and satisfied.
From plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum to Zhang Xiaoxue, from the Qiong Ying Literature Society in Qingyuan County to the Qiong Ying Literature Society spread across multiple counties.
Before she even realized it, many people's predetermined outcomes had changed because of her.
"Sir, what can I do for you?"
Du Qingtang came back to his senses and saw the young woman standing inside the door, with curiosity and vigilance in her eyes.
Du Qingtang shook his head and turned away.
"Who's outside?"
"I don't know him. Maybe I went the wrong way."
"Come on, you haven't finished practicing calligraphy for today."
“Here I come!”
They were laughing, genuinely happy.
That's enough.
......
On the way back, Du Qingtang met a little beggar.
The little beggar was no more than seven or eight years old. He was lying in the alley with bruises all over his body. He was breathing more out than in, and there was little sign of his chest rising or falling.
Du Qingtang originally didn't intend to meddle in other people's business, until they accidentally looked at each other and saw a pair of eyes filled with anger and unwillingness.
There was a raging flame in those eyes, as if to burn everything in the world to ashes.
This made Du Qingtang pause slightly. After hesitating for a while, he chose to walk into the alley, put the purse containing the silver ingots under the little beggar, and then left without saying a word.
After Du Qingtang left, the little beggar lay on the moss-covered stone slab, his eyes still looking towards the alley entrance, motionless, like a dead body with its eyes open.
During this time, someone appeared at the entrance of the alley. The moment he saw the corpse, he retracted his foot and left cursing.
In this way, people came and went until night fell over the entire Zhending County.
The corpse jumped up, hid the purse close to his body, and staggered away.
-
The next day, Du Qingtang and his party set off again.
The carriage rumbled as it headed south towards Qingyuan County.
Thousands of miles away in Xiajing, the Duke of Changguo's Mansion and the Xue Mansion completed five of the six ceremonies, and Qi Hezhang and Xue Yishu became an engaged couple.
Normally, it takes at least several months to complete the six rituals.
The Qi and Xue families completed the six rituals in just half a month, causing endless speculation among families in the capital.
In response to this, the mistress of the house, Mrs. Xue, said that Qi Hezhang was seriously injured in an accident and was bedridden. It would be a good opportunity to arrange a marriage for him as soon as possible to get him some good luck and dispel his illness.
The Duke of Changguo's Mansion had no objection, the Xue Mansion had no objection, and outsiders had no right to say anything, so they all offered their concern and blessings.
During this period, the two parties had objected many times and were unwilling to get engaged to each other.
However, they are already husband and wife. Although only a few people know about it under Xue's control, this is an indisputable fact.
If Xue Yishu becomes pregnant and is unfortunately discovered, not only will her reputation plummet, but the unmarried women of both families will also be criticized and their marriages will be difficult.
After completing the five ceremonies, Xue Yishu seemed to have accepted her fate. She never mentioned Du Qingtang again and stayed obediently in the Xue Mansion, concentrating on embroidering her wedding dress.
That day, Xue Yishu went to ask Mrs. Xue Er for permission: "I haven't seen my aunt for a long time. I want to go and spend a few days with her."
Because of that incident, Second Madam Xue had lost interest in Xue Yishu and had been lukewarm towards her ever since. Upon hearing this, she just nodded and said nothing else.
Xue Yishu bowed and turned to leave.
After she left, Mrs. Xue sighed, "This child is heartless. Fortunately, she will marry into the Qi family in two months. Out of sight, out of mind."
The maids and old women beside her tried to comfort her and told her many interesting stories, and only then did Mrs. Xue smile.
......
Xue Yishu came to the Duke of Changguo's Mansion by carriage, and Xue was checking the accounts.
Her dowry included several shops, all of which were very profitable, and she was now planning to give one of them to Xue Yishu.
Xue Yishu had previously drugged her and lied to her that she had never been to Qionglin Garden. Xue always felt guilty and extremely sorry.
The most important point is that Qi Heming was seriously injured again. After the doctor's diagnosis and treatment, he concluded that his lungs were damaged and his life span would be shortened.
Xue almost cried to death, but after calming down, she immediately blocked the news.
No one wants to marry a man who is about to die and may die at any time, even cousins.
Not to mention that this marriage was originally planned by the Xue family, and she didn't dare let Xue Yishu know about it.
After much deliberation, Xue decided to give Xue Yishu a shop as compensation.
"aunt."
I heard his voice before I saw him.
Mrs. Xue didn't expect Xue Yishu to come. When she came forward, she held her hand affectionately and asked about her well-being: "It's been a long time since we last met. Sister Shu has lost a lot of weight..."
Xue Yishu sat next to her, occasionally responding, her tone as intimate as ever: "It's hot, the room is stuffy, and I don't have much appetite..."
The aunt and niece asked and answered each other, and their relationship was warm and intimate, just like mother and daughter.
Upon hearing this, Xue immediately made the decision: "Let's go to the farm to escape the summer heat!"
She had a dowry farm, which was surrounded by water on three sides and backed by mountains and forests, so it was very cool even in the hot summer.
Xue Yishu's eyes lit up, and she hugged Xue and acted coquettishly: "I knew that my aunt loved me the most."
Xue was so coaxed by her that she couldn't stop smiling. She immediately ordered the maid to pack up her things.
Xue Yishu was watching from the side. Seeing that Xue had selected a dozen or so people to accompany them, she pouted unhappily, "Aunt, we're going to the farm to escape the summer heat. Why do they want to come with us? They're such an eyesore. Wouldn't it be better for just the two of us to go?"
Xue hesitated for a moment, and felt that there were too many people: "Then take two people with you. There are servants waiting on the farm anyway."
Only then did Xue Yishu smile happily.
The maid quickly packed the luggage. Xue took Xue Yishu and her most useful maid and servant, and set off for the farm outside the capital in two carriages.
Zhuangzi's steward received the news early in the morning and arranged for people to clean up the room and prepare fresh chicken, duck and fish.
Near noon, the group arrived at the farm.
After lunch, Xue felt a little sleepy, so she let Xue Yishu go play by herself and went back to her room to sleep.
I slept for a long time and it was already evening when I woke up.
Xue Yishu ran into the house excitedly, her face covered with black soot and her dress was also dirty.
"Aunt, I learned a few dishes from the chef in the mansion a few days ago. Come and try them!"
Xue was surprised and delighted, and said angrily, "There are so many servants in the mansion, why do you need to cook for yourself?"
Xue Yishu blushed and stammered, "I also want my second cousin to taste my cooking skills."
Xue was overjoyed. It seemed that Shu Jie'er had forgotten Du Qingtang and was gradually accepting Qi Heming.
The food was served and the aunt and niece sat opposite each other.
The maid was about to go forward to serve Mrs. Xue's meal, but Xue Yishu stood up and said, "I'll do it. There's still some food outside. You guys go and eat."
The maid looked at Xue, who was tasting the dishes, and then she left.
"Aunt, try this."
“Good, good, delicious!”
Under Xue Yishu's eager gaze, Xue tasted every dish and ate until she was full without realizing it.
Just as I was about to go out to digest my food, I suddenly felt dizzy and everything around me was spinning.
Darkness came over her like a flood, and Xue fell to the ground.
When I woke up again, I found myself lying on the side of the carriage, with the maid and the old woman at my feet.
My head felt dizzy and my limbs felt weak, as if all the strength had been drained from me.
"Aunt, you're awake."
Xue looked in the direction of the voice and saw Xue Yishu with her head slightly tilted. She was pouring a white powdery substance into the wine jug. Half of her face was reflected in the candlelight, and the other half was immersed in the darkness, which looked inexplicably strange.
Xue had an inexplicable sense of foreboding, her heart pounding. "Where are we going?"
"Where are we going?" Xue Yishu tilted her head and smiled sweetly, "Of course, we're going to the underworld."
As Xue Yishu spoke, she pinched Xue's chin, forced her to open her mouth, and poured the wine mixed with white powder into her throat.
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