Chapter 91, Final Chapter: "I really envy you, being treated like this by me..."
Located a hundred li northwest of Changzhou, south of the capital, is Linzhou, a quiet and pleasant place with a pleasant climate.
Scholars and candidates from the southwest region often chose this place as a transit point on their way to the capital for the imperial examinations, so they could study and calm their minds.
In the summer of the fourth year of the Qianning era, a family surnamed Ji, who had moved south from the capital, bought a long-vacant courtyard in the west of the city. Their lavish spending and the distinguished demeanor of the owners drew the attention of the neighbors.
For the first six months after the family moved in, their front door was always closed, the smell of medicine lingered, and only stewards and servants came and went.
They simply said that there was a sick person in the family who had chosen this place for recuperation, nothing special. As time went on, fewer and fewer people inquired about it.
However, the Ji family mansion has another special feature: it is often mentioned by people during their leisure time because of its prominent presence.
In their household, apart from the steward Ji Zheng, who was a man, the shopkeeper under his name was a woman, and the person who made decisions on all matters, big and small, was also a young woman.
It was extremely rare for a woman to be in charge of the household in the Jiang Kingdom.
It wasn't until the second year after the Ji family moved to Linzhou that the horrifying smell of medicinal soup in the mansion gradually faded away.
Two beautiful young women appeared in the city. One of them took over a long-abandoned restaurant and teahouse on the street and renovated it in a grand manner.
The restaurant owner's name was Yu Lanzhou. He was an exceptionally skilled musician and was rumored to have been the most beautiful courtesan in Changzhou. Later, he was redeemed by a nobleman and became a good man.
The little girl who often followed her was simple-minded, but she smiled at everyone she met. Not only was she pretty, but she also had a beautiful voice that was pleasing to the ear.
It was originally just an ordinary business, and it didn't attract much attention.
I don't know when it started, but a sign was hung at the entrance of the restaurant announcing an event that would be held in the next seven days.
It's not just about watching ordinary song and dance performances; it also includes various experiences such as playing the guqin, singing, and dancing.
Regardless of age, gender, or social status, anyone who wins a lottery will have the opportunity to go.
There are all sorts of bizarre activities, but the most attractive one is still the stand-up comedy.
Every three days, a petite woman dressed in plain clothes and wearing a simple hat would sit on the platform and chat with everyone.
At first, people just thought it was idle gossip and ordinary storytelling, but as time went on, they gradually discovered that she could make any trivial or ordinary thing sound wonderful and amuse people.
What's even more interesting is that the girl not only talked about it herself, but also carved a cylindrical frame out of wood that could stand on its own, and named it "Open Mic".
Regardless of age or gender, anyone can go on stage to vent and make people laugh, expressing their frustrations and disapprovals for others to enjoy.
Over time, the restaurant business here has become increasingly prosperous.
·
The Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed, and the weather in Linzhou was still cold, but a brazier was already lit in the main room of the Ji residence.
The bronze mirror reflected Ning Lu's image as she slumped over the table, her face filled with sorrow.
Xie Qinghe stood behind her, holding her waist-length hair in his hands, skillfully intertwining several strands of hair.
Her loose hair was quickly tied into neat little braids, making her look smart and energetic.
Qinghuai and Qingzhi stood to one side, holding the jewelry they had chosen. They looked down at each other and couldn't help but chuckle.
Since Xie Qinghe's health improved, the two of them have visibly had more free time.
“I’m really angry. Hongyu was supposed to sing today. She slapped her forehead and said she was going to eat sweet cakes and wouldn’t sing, so I had to fill in for her. How could this happen?”
"No matter what, I'm the second-in-command, right? What other second-in-command ends up like me?"
"I'm not fully awake yet!"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Ning Lu grumbled and pretended to turn around to seek Xie Qinghe's approval.
A sandalwood-scented hand pressed against her face as if it had known the future, expertly twisting her head back into place.
"Don't move. You'll pull your hair and cry out in pain again."
Xie Qinghe spoke in a flat tone, casually raising his hand to take the hairband that Qinghuai handed him, skillfully tying it up, and then carefully tidying up the stray hairs on her forehead.
He held the bronze mirror up to Ning Lu, and after she examined it from all sides and nodded in satisfaction, he braced himself against the edge of the table, moved half a step to the side, and slowly sat down.
Seeing that he was also sleepy-eyed, Ning Lu pouted, lazily got up, and hastily draped a coat over her shoulders.
Lost in thought, he stared at the intricate knots around his waist, hesitated for a moment, then turned around, staggered two steps like a lost soul, and fell into Xie Qinghe's arms, raising his chin slightly.
The tea in the cup, which had not yet been tasted, was placed back in its original position.
The man naturally picked up the buttons and fastened them one by one, not forgetting to straighten the twisted belt.
What a submissive, gentle, and well-behaved husband!
Ning Lu was very satisfied and suddenly became playful. She tugged at the stray hairs on his shoulder and said, "Young Master Ji, you have to think of a way for me."
Hongyu is still recovering from her illness; she has mental instability and a childlike temperament, and she becomes unreasonable when arguing.
The other party lacks logic, so no matter how eloquent she is, it's useless; she'll only suffer losses.
It's very frustrating.
Seeing that Xie Qinghe didn't seem inclined to respond, she quickly changed to a more understanding tone, saying with regret and pity, "Our Ji A-ming isn't fully recovered yet, how can he keep disturbing our afternoon nap?"
Since the incident two years ago, Xie Qinghe's heart and lungs have deteriorated significantly, making it difficult for him to get up, sit, or walk, requiring him to be extremely careful in everything he does. He spent two years recuperating here before his condition began to improve.
Any matters concerning the household that Ning Lu could decide with her subordinates herself would never be brought before him to cause him trouble.
At this moment, these words sound full of concern.
pity……
The moment she opened her mouth, Xie Qinghe knew what song she wanted to sing.
The man leaned back, looked up at her, and stated the facts in a hoarse voice: "Boss Ning, it's already past 1:45 PM..."
"What's wrong with 'not... not 3:45 PM' again?"
Feeling guilty, he fell silent.
It's only almost 3 p.m.
She works hard every day, so it's only right that she takes a longer nap.
What's more... it was a nap with Xie Qinghe.
The bed was warm, but his body was cool. The lingering summer heat hadn't completely subsided, and holding him while sleeping was the most comfortable thing to do right now.
Ning Lu clicked her tongue in regret, swallowed hard, and came up with a new excuse.
"Don't act all indifferent now. Once she goes out to eat sweet cakes every day and I have to go to the restaurant to watch over her every day, there will be no one to keep you company during your afternoon nap. Let's see what you do then!"
A blatant threat.
Upon hearing this, his fingers tightened silently around her belt.
Xie Qinghe pondered seriously for a moment, and when he spoke, his tone was cold and sinister.
"Then let's deal with the owner of the sugar cake shop."
Ning Lu, who had been chattering away just a moment ago, suddenly choked up. Seeing that he didn't seem to be joking, she shivered and silently pulled the belt out of his hand.
"Murder is illegal, brother."
"Incorrigible."
Qinghuai and Qingzhi looked at each other, then turned and stormed out the door before they could utter a sneer.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Ning Lu stared at him intently, a mischievous smile spreading across her face, and once again cupped his fair and smooth cheek.
"But you're right, I could indeed target the owner of the sugar cake shop."
“I’ll have Wei Zhan arrest him and lock him up in our restaurant. When Hongyu wants to eat, I’ll have him cook for her, so that the girl won’t run around.”
A sudden inspiration struck her, her eyes lit up, she clapped her hands in admiration for her own idea, and didn't forget to plant a kiss on his face.
"Ji Amin is indeed my capable wife."
"In that case... could you take me to a restaurant today?"
Xie Qinghe tightened his grip around her waist.
I heard from the audience that some of the jokes she's been telling lately are related to him. Every performance is packed to capacity.
But whenever he wanted to go, she always refused.
On the few occasions they managed to go out, he would either develop a high fever or suffer from a heart ailment after returning home. After a while, Ninglu refused to take him out again.
Her radiant and spirited appearance was visible to everyone in Linzhou City, except for him.
The fingers cupped his face rose and fell rhythmically, gently patting his cheeks as if weighing and calculating.
"Mr. Luo said it's okay."
Seeing her hesitation, Xie Qinghe gently added more pressure.
"But the restaurant is too crowded and noisy."
The illness was slowly receding, and Xie Qinghe's immunity was indeed much weaker than before.
This is already a rejection.
Xie Qinghe's raised eyelashes trembled, and his phoenix eyes dimmed. His lips turned down, and he released the hand that was resting on her side.
He opened his mouth as if to explain, but then, remembering something, the words that were about to come out turned into a compromise.
"Then go ahead... I'll wait for you at home..."
With his waist empty, the man looked dejected and aggrieved.
Ning Lu was no match for him and quickly surrendered, leaning over with a forced smile.
"Go! If you want to go, then we'll go."
She reached out and pulled his hand back to her waist, resuming her embrace. She noticed his eyes were unfocused and unsteady, as if he didn't believe her.
She immediately escalated the situation by broadcasting the announcements louder.
"Wei Chun, go and tell Lan Zhou to vacate the private room for us to use."
After the other party agreed, she realized that the person giving the instructions was actually one of his accomplices.
Their eyes met, and Ning Lu's smile became even more obsequious.
Even though Wei Chun had informed her in advance, Yu Lanzhou still felt a chill run down her spine the moment she saw Xie Qinghe step down from the carriage.
That face and the imposing aura surrounding it did not diminish even as power crumbled.
"Lanzhou!"
Hesitant and stunned, Yu Lanzhou stood there until Ning Lu called out to her. She snapped out of her daze, strode forward, and nodded to Xie Qinghe.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"You're too kind, young master."
Yu Lanzhou curtsied and replied with composure.
"We're old acquaintances, why are you two being so polite?"
Their distant manner seemed not only nauseating but also creepy to Ning Lu.
She stepped forward to greet Yu Lanzhou, intending to inquire about the arrangements for the private room, when suddenly her sleeve tugged, and she realized that she was holding hands with Xie Qinghe.
The large hand in her palm clenched in a mournful gesture, silently accusing her of forgetting herself in front of her friend. Ning Lu stuck out her tongue, slowed her pace, and took Xie Qinghe's arm with one hand while helping Yu Lanzhou with the other, expertly making arrangements.
Yu Lanzhou had heard her story hundreds of times, to the point that her ears were calloused from hearing it, and she eagerly began to report it on her fingers.
"Knowing that you cherish this important person, I have already prepared everything as requested."
"Fruit platter, pre-Qingming Longjing tea, silver thread charcoal, screen partition, and medicine to calm the mind and relieve asthma. There are no noisy customers around, and guards are on duty outside the downstairs window..."
"Grandma, you can rest assured that no one will be allowed to disturb our God of Wealth."
Reminded by Yu Lanzhou, Ning Lu remembered that although they had managed the business well, a significant portion of the start-up capital for the shop had come from this gentleman, so she quickly added more.
"The God of Wealth is not short of money, add two more baskets of charcoal!"
The servants chuckled silently, and even a proper and demure lady like Yu Lanzhou couldn't help but roll her eyes, too lazy to pay any more attention to her.
Seeing this, Ning Lu grinned foolishly, cupped her hands in a gesture of respect, and begged for forgiveness.
"You were already late, hurry up and go wait in the waiting area."
Seeing that the guests were getting anxious, Yu Lanzhou disregarded Xie Qinghe's presence and urged them repeatedly.
"Okay, I'll go first." Ning Lu turned her head and gently shook Xie Qinghe's sleeve, then added a few more words of advice with concern: "You go with Lan Zhou, don't wander off, I'll be quick."
"good."
As Yu Lanzhou led the man into the private room, Ning Lu glanced over out of the corner of her eye.
Looking at Xie Qinghe again, his usually expressionless face was exceptionally gentle, and he nodded slightly in response.
From a distance, she always worried that Xie Qinghe's harmless demeanor in front of Ning Lu was just an act.
Until last autumn, she received a letter from Xie Qinghe in Changzhou.
The letter said that his illness was serious and he feared that something unexpected might happen, and he might not be able to survive the winter. Although Ning Lu was resolute and decisive, she was ultimately alone here and had no one to rely on. If she hesitated or wavered, he could not bear to see her pretending to be strong, so he asked her to come and keep him company.
Every word was written with heartfelt emotion and sincerity.
If it's acting, it's far too realistic.
Seeing the two of them so deeply in love and with such a strong understanding, she chose to believe them.
The gavel struck downstairs, snapping Yu Lanzhou out of her daze, and she looked in the direction of the sound.
Ning Lu had already rolled up her sleeves and calmly started her performance.
“We need more manpower up ahead, I’ll go help. Please have a seat, young master.”
"Thank you, Miss Yu."
Just as I was about to exchange pleasantries, I saw Xie Qinghe take a half step back, clasp his hands together, and bow forward.
This person is arrogant; this is already a rare and great gift.
She immediately understood what Xie Qinghe was thanking her for, and curtsied in return.
"Ninglu and I are close friends, and we naturally support each other. There's no need for thanks."
They smiled at each other, bowed their heads, and fell silent in tacit agreement.
The room was warm and cozy with the aroma of charcoal fire, and the tea was fragrant and delicate.
In the silence, only Ning Lu's resounding speech remained. Today, she spoke of a humorous anecdote about a ruler ordering his subject to die, and the subject having no choice but to die.
She explained that the relationship between a ruler and his subjects is simply that of a shop owner and a waiter. If the shop owner wants to raise prices, there's no reason for the waiter to personally pay for a discount for the customer.
Strange and bizarre arguments.
Xie Qinghe leaned against the chaise lounge, closed his eyes to listen to the sounds, and chuckled lazily.
He interlaced his fingers in front of him, tapping them in time with the rise and fall of her voice.
Spending every day together, he had, without realizing it, developed the ability to infer her demeanor and actions simply from her tone of voice and words.
A moment of silence, a brief blank space.
The audience downstairs applauded and laughed heartily.
Ning Lu calmly accepted the applause, and then spoke again steadily.
Xie Qinghe paused slightly, his thoughts drifting away.
When she wanted to hold a so-called special event here, she pestered him to rehearse for several days.
The first time he went on stage, he was so nervous that his voice trembled. When he got home, he would ask him repeatedly how he could live up to the applause.
In just one year, she has become able to handle applause and silences with ease.
Fortunately, he didn't hinder her dream.
A breeze swept through the hall, causing the hem of clothing to flutter lightly.
A gray shadow appeared inside the room.
Xie Qinghe's fingers curled slightly at his side, his eyelids trembled, and he waited for the other party to speak.
"Your subordinate Guo Chi is here on His Majesty's orders to deliver something to you, sir."
A touch of bright yellow is presented with both hands.
His gaze swept over it, but he didn't get up, clearly having no intention of taking it.
Upon seeing this, Guo Chi pondered for a moment, then quickly stepped forward, whispered a word of apology, and stuffed the item into his arms.
"His Majesty said that he knows you have no interest in worldly affairs, and he feels deeply indebted to you and has no way to repay you. This imperial edict is the only thing he can think of that you need."
The silk was spread out, and the paintings and calligraphy were naturally familiar.
[By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: A good match is ordained by Heaven, a perfect couple is formed naturally… From this day forward, may they live up to their former glory and not shy away from the new day. May they enjoy harmonious marriage and peaceful years.]
Written by the Emperor himself.
Blank imperial edict.
"Your Majesty has granted me permission to write down the wedding date and my name."
The gavel struck again, and the audience erupted in noise. The storyteller on the bench had been replaced.
Ning Lu leaped down from the hall, intending to rush towards him. Before she had taken two steps, she was surrounded by several eligible men carrying gift boxes.
Catching a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of his eye, Xie Qinghe's shoulders tensed silently, his gaze fixed on it, unable to look away.
The words of that girl refuting his claim to a title were still ringing in my ears on the day I left the capital.
He is indeed feeling a bit better now.
However, her high spirits and the attention she drew were only increasing the external crises.
"Your Majesty has truly gone to great lengths."
Ning Lu, her face full of vigilance, pointed in the direction of Yu Lanzhou. Before the men could react, she nimbly dodged and made her escape.
Her graceful figure moved swiftly as she raced towards him.
Xie Qinghe chuckled helplessly and closed the imperial edict: "I dare not refuse Your Majesty's decree."
Guo Chi breathed a sigh of relief and was about to bow when Xie Qinghe presented the imperial edict to him again.
"However, I no longer need it. Please ask Captain Guo to convey my gratitude to His Majesty."
"My lord! His Majesty's gesture is very kind. If you don't accept it... I will not be able to explain myself."
Footsteps sounded outside the door.
Guo Chi had fought Ning Lu before and knew best how fierce and difficult she was. He was caught in a dilemma, at a loss for what to do.
Looking at Xie Qinghe, he appeared weary but relaxed, as if he had already made an unshakeable decision.
He was also involved in the turmoil of the three years of the Gan Ning era, and witnessed firsthand how Xie Qinghe painstakingly and painstakingly navigated the situation. He understood even more how precious these peaceful days were.
Finally making up his mind, he bowed deeply, accepted the imperial edict, and leaped out of the window.
The door creaked open.
A figure flickered, and Xie Qinghe felt an extra weight in his arms, causing him to lean back slightly.
"Have you been waiting long? Are you tired?"
Looking up with a smile, the man indeed shook his head.
"I think I just heard someone talking. Where is that person?"
He shook his head as usual.
Seeing her looking around, Xie Qinghe had no choice but to raise his hand, pinch her soft cheek, look directly into her eyes, and bring up the old story again.
"Mr. Ning is so talented, another promising young talent has come knocking on his door?"
"Hmm...you saw it?"
Ning Lu sensed a hint of sourness, twitched her lips smugly, wiped her chin, and pretended to be profound.
"He can't really be called a promising young talent."
She sat up straight, put a little distance between herself and the man, and looked him up and down. She muttered, "If we're talking about talent, how many people in the world can compare to Lord Xie? And if we're talking about looks, who can be more handsome than my Ji A-Ming?"
"Yeah?"
"Of course. Young master, you must not underestimate yourself."
"That doesn't stop Boss Ning from having a pleasant conversation with them."
Xie Qinghe remembered that this guy had said...
Homegrown flowers don't smell as good as wildflowers.
He raised his phoenix eyes slightly, narrowed them, and drew closer to her brows and eyes.
Sensing danger, Ning Lu quickly grabbed his collar, feigning weakness, and gently explained while covering his pale lips, "They didn't come to make friends with me."
"They came to thank me."
"Um?"
"Yes! Not only them, but some girls also came a few days ago. They said they wanted to thank me for making everyone happy. In the past, everyone would keep their troubles to themselves, but today, as they listened to others complain about their worries, they suddenly realized that there were people in the world who had the same experiences and the same feelings as them."
"They then felt comforted, no longer lonely, and even relieved."
“Some girls also said that because of me and Lanzhou, they know that life has many forms, and there is no need to get stuck in obsession, let alone feel ashamed of not being pretty or slim enough.”
She was poised and composed, speaking with an air of nonchalance, as if recounting an ordinary matter.
Xie Qinghe felt his heart surging, and the love and desire in his eyes became more and more direct and naked.
“Ji Amin”.
"I'm listening."
"I really envy you, to be loved by someone as wonderful as me."
Xie Qinghe was taken aback, then suddenly laughed out loud. Helplessly, he tugged at her earlobe and nodded in agreement.
“That’s true, Ning Lulu is right.”
"Don't feel ashamed of yourself. You are also a very capable and good person."
She straddled Xie Qinghe's lap, one hand on her hip and the other patting his shoulder reassuringly.
"Today is a very good day. If Brother Li can successfully develop my grilled fish recipe today, it will be a perfect day."
"go home!"
“Ning Lulu…”
Xie Qinghe raised an eyebrow, stopping her from getting up.
"You said back then that we would discuss titles and status when we felt at peace with ourselves."
"Now that I no longer have to worry about my life, and you have achieved success in your career, shouldn't you give me a proper status?"
That was a sudden question.
Her eyes suddenly narrowed and her cheeks flushed.
Looking down into Xie Qinghe's eyes, love surged like a tidal wave.
Outside the door is the restaurant she and her friend ran, and everything she called her passion has gradually become a reality in her life.
If we're talking about peace of mind, we've been at peace for a long time now.
Sensing Xie Qinghe's unspoken meaning, she couldn't hide her smugness. She reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, her restless little hand stroking down his neck through his clothes.
The person in my arms was breathing faster and their chest was vibrating.
As their foreheads collided, her soft tongue brushed against Xie Qinghe's high nose bridge, then tilted her head down to pry open his lips and teeth.
The lips brushed together, breaths exchanged, almost an act of seduction.
"That depends on your performance, Ji Amin."
---End of text---
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A note from the author:
The main story is finished, yay!
1. We have received your requests for side stories and have added them to the list. They will be released gradually. This week, we plan to update with a sweet slice-of-life story set in ancient times, followed by a modern slice-of-life story set in an alternate timeline.
2. I will be revising and reviewing the previous chapters to prepare for the new story. The gap won't be too long; conservatively, I estimate the new story will start no later than March. (Shamelessly asking for pre-orders again!)
The following are the author's musings:
I've been taking too much leave during the final stages, so I apologize in advance!
Thank you for reading this far. Thank you for supporting the original work. I hope I haven't let you down and that it's at least passing grade. I hope you enjoy it.
While writing this story, I was constantly worried about affecting everyone's reading experience, so I tried to stay out of the spotlight and not appear too often in the author's notes or comments section. At this point, please allow me to express my gratitude. I have read every single comment repeatedly (that's how a young author should be; thank you to every reader, bowing deeply!!!).
This book is extremely special and important to me personally. One reason is that it's my first book on Jinjiang Literature City. And precisely because it's my first book on Jinjiang, it's essentially a pre-contracted work, so I made some changes to the first three chapters to fit the contract, which weren't quite my own, and I haven't had a chance to revise them yet. Okay, I will make some minor revisions after it's finished, but the overall plot will remain unchanged, so please rest assured!
In short, I am grateful for writing, grateful to have met everyone, and grateful to Qiuqiu and her friends.
Once words resonate with someone, they will not easily abandon that person.
Happy reading! May you always enjoy delicious meals!
I hope I can make a little progress with each book!
(P.S.: I have a stable work ethic and I alternate between historical and contemporary romance novels, so if you're not interested in my upcoming novels, please consider adding them to your favorites!)
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