42 Clarification
◎Before you, I have never liked other women◎
The next day, news of the master and servant enjoying themselves together in Fuxi Hall spread like wildfire. The maids and servants in the various courtyards discussed the situation privately, some expressing curiosity, some envy, and some sneering.
"They're saying 'apologies' in a nice way, but it's just to win people over. They're afraid they'll have trouble getting things done in the future..."
Yan Qizhu's personal maid, Minlan, knew that the young lady had always disliked the young mistress, so she composed a few words and came up with three words: "Hypocritical!"
Usually when she said this, the young lady would follow up with ridicule and sarcasm, but today, the young lady did not say a word.
"Miss, didn't you hear what I said?"
Yan Qizhu was a little absent-minded, but still heard what Minlan said.
"Perhaps..." Yan Qizhu said calmly, "It's for my own peace of mind."
Minlan looked a little surprised and was about to say something, but Yan Qizhu dropped the recipe book in his hand and said, "Go to the kitchen and make something to eat."
The eldest daughter loved to eat. She had been a glutton since she was a child. Even when she was older, she often made her own snacks based on books. Minlan was not surprised and followed the daughter to the kitchen to help.
After a busy morning, I finally finished a pot of fragrant hibiscus cake. Each piece was shaped like a petal, with fine carvings on it, just like a pink hibiscus flower.
Minlan helped to try half a piece and couldn't help but praise: "Miss, your cooking skills are as good as those of the masters outside. Not only is it delicious, it looks good too!"
Yan Qizhu smiled with satisfaction, put all the lotus cakes into a food box, and walked out of the kitchen.
Minlan asked hurriedly: "Where are you sending this to, Miss?"
Having eaten a few more mouthfuls of food last night, Wei Ziyan had only a little porridge in the morning, and she didn't feel hungry even when lunchtime approached. Just as she was debating whether to set out lunch, someone outside announced that the eldest daughter had arrived.
The young lady never comes to the temple for no reason, I wonder what it is this time?
Wei Ziyan ordered someone to come in, and soon Leng Xiang came up with a food box, and Yan Qizhu came one after another.
"Young Madam, the eldest lady brought some homemade snacks." Leng Xiang placed the food box next to her and opened the lid.
What a delicate hibiscus cake! Wei Ziyan turned her gaze to Yan Qizhu and jokingly said, "Your eldest brother is not at home, so he won't give it to me, right?"
This eldest lady had never been kind to her, so the only person she could make or deliver something to personally was naturally her beloved elder brother.
However, unexpectedly, Yan Qizhu replied with an embarrassed expression: "For you."
"You're frightened, eat some sweets to calm your nerves."
This is strange! Wei Ziyan found it unbelievable.
"I caused your eldest brother to get hurt, and you don't blame me and still try to please me? Have you done something wrong?"
"Who wants to please you?" Hearing her say this, Yan Qizhu's cheeks suddenly puffed up, looking like he was wronged.
"I only came to say hello for the sake of my big brother. Anyway...I made too much when I was bored, so I just gave you some."
Wei Ziyan stared at Yan Qizhu with a look of suspicion.
"Why don't I believe this?"
"Believe it or not!" Yan Qizhu said angrily, turned around and walked out.
The final return to normal made Wei Ziyan even more puzzled. Could it be that the sun rose from the west today?
She pondered over it, but couldn't understand why Yan Qizhu suddenly bowed her head and showed her goodwill. Before, she had repeatedly called her an "abandoned woman" and was punished by her eldest brother, and she had angrily blamed it on her...
etc--
Wei Ziyan had an idea.
Yes, Yan Qizhu was fined by her elder brother and had her three months' salary confiscated. Could it be that the money-grubber came here for her money?
Wei Ziyan couldn't find a more reasonable reason. It couldn't be that Yan Qizhu had changed his personality for no reason and really cared about her, his "sister-in-law".
But no matter what, it was rare for Yan Qizhu to lower her head, so as the "eldest sister-in-law", she should of course be more generous.
Wei Ziyan tasted a piece of hibiscus cake and it tasted quite good.
You can't judge a person by his appearance! A spoiled young lady like Yan Qizhu can actually make snacks. This made her look at him with new eyes. She is better than her, and she can't do anything.
After slowly eating two pieces, Wei Ziyan saved the rest of the lotus cake. When Yan Qizheng returned in the afternoon, she would serve it to him and take the opportunity to bring up the matter of him punishing Qizhu.
"Third sister is almost fifteen, half a grown-up girl. If you fine her the regular fee, it will hurt her face. Besides, I don't take her words to heart, so please don't punish her, okay?"
Yan Qizheng was holding half a lotus cake in his hand and looked at her curiously: "Why are you speaking for Qizhu?"
Wei Ziyan pointed at his hand and said, "I'm grateful for the kindness I've shown you."
Yan Qizheng looked down at the half piece of lotus cake and understood what was happening: "Qizhu sent it?"
Seeing her peck his chin, Yan Qizhen couldn't help but smile.
He thought she was being considerate today and specially prepared tea and snacks for him.
"You agreed?" Wei Ziyan looked at him and smiled.
Yan Qi was stuffing half a lotus cake into his mouth, chewing slowly while meeting her gaze. Wei Ziyan was a little impatient at his leisurely pace. "If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your consent."
A smile spread across Yan Qizheng's lips: "You've already asked me, if I don't agree, will I not be allowed to sleep in your bed tonight?"
He had just teased her last night, and she was so annoyed that she ignored him before going to bed.
Although these words were said jokingly, they made Wei Ziyan blush and reveal a hint of annoyance. Yan Qizheng could only think of this kind of reaction as a girl being too shy.
He was quite puzzled. How could she have done those shameless things to him in the past?
Yan Qizheng stopped at the right time and immediately returned to a serious attitude: "I punished Qizhu to seek justice for you. Since you don't want to pursue it, why should I punish you?"
Wei Ziyan rolled her eyes and knew that he had done it on purpose again.
Why not let him sleep in the bed?
"If you don't agree, then don't agree. I don't need to get angry... It's not worth it to get yourself upset."
As she spoke, her cheeks puffed out and her mouth pouted slightly. Yan Qizheng endured it again and again and finally did not reach out to pinch her face. Instead, he took a piece of lotus cake and handed it to her mouth.
Touched.
This overly intimate feeding action made Wei Ziyan suddenly stunned, and her eyes, which had been lively and smart just now, suddenly froze.
How could he...
"I'm offering you this gift," Yan Qizheng said calmly, "I've been angry with you many times before, and I want to apologize to you."
…
Why are you apologizing again?
"I never helped you when you and Qizhu were fighting over things before. I'm sorry."
…
Wei Ziyan's eyes widened.
Even if you're apologizing, there's no need to bring it back to your childhood, right?
"That was so long ago."
Although it was a long time ago, Yan Qizhen still felt regretful.
"Do you blame me?" He really wanted to know if this was the root of her hatred for him.
It must have been strange at that time. Wei Ziyan nodded without hesitation: "However, I don't blame you for not helping me. It's you who didn't ask right or wrong and only favored your sister."
After many years, Wei Ziyan still remembers the mood of the little girl at that time.
"It was Qizhu who came to steal my things, but just because I'm older than her, you think it's my fault and say I don't know how to be humble and ignorant."
She had already lost her brother at that time, and she was even more jealous of Yan Qizhu because she always had a brother to support her.
"I'm sorry, I was too arbitrary."
Hearing Yan Qizheng's apology, Wei Ziyan shook her head again: "What brother doesn't favor his own sister?"
Besides, looking back on it when I grew up, I realized that there was nothing wrong with what he did.
Because she really isn't likable either.
Wei Ziyan let out a sigh, "I was indeed ignorant and willful back then. It's normal that you don't like it."
"I..." Yan Qizhen subconsciously wanted to argue, but found that he had no way to refute it.
"You like dignified, virtuous, well-educated and well-mannered ladies like Wei Tingshuang..."
"Who said I like that?" Yan Qi could refute this statement with confidence.
"I don't have any thoughts about Miss Wei. The reason I went to the restaurant was because she invited me in the name of her brother. I thought the person inside was Wei Tingzhou."
"Really?" Wei Ziyan didn't expect to hear an explanation today. "You didn't say that then."
Yan Qizheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You didn't even give me a chance to speak in the beginning."
“…”
Wei Ziyan recalled what happened at that time.
Someone had tipped her off in advance, saying Yan Qi was going to a restaurant to meet his beloved, with the time and place clearly written. She secretly waited in the restaurant according to the time, and indeed, she caught him.
As soon as Yan Qizheng entered, she rushed in right after him. Seeing that he and Wei Tingshuang were the only two people in the box, she immediately...
Well, the show is a bit too fast.
"Forget it, forget it, it's all in the past so let's not talk about it anymore." Wei Ziyan waved her hands awkwardly, it would be embarrassing to talk about it anymore.
She didn't care, nor did she really mind his secret meetings with other women. He was arrogant and jealous, and couldn't tolerate even the slightest bit of sand in his eyes. It was all just a show for him.
Yan Qizhen felt upset when he thought of all these misunderstandings.
Especially when I thought about how I had misunderstood her and wanted to break off our engagement because of a seemingly plausible statement, I felt even more regretful...
Seeing his face suddenly darken, Wei Ziyan noticed something was wrong: "What's wrong with you?"
Yan Qi regained his composure and slowly turned his gaze back to her face.
"Wei Ziyan..." he said solemnly, "I have never liked dignified, virtuous, well-educated and well-mannered ladies..."
Yan Qizhen's amber eyes locked onto a pair of dark eyes from a distance.
"Before you, I have never liked any other woman."
…
Wei Ziyan forgot to blink, her heart felt like it was being pinched, and it seemed to stop beating. But the next second, it was beating rapidly again.
What was going on? He was probably explaining, letting her know that it was all a misunderstanding. But why did it sound like he was saying, "I've never loved anyone else except you?"
Wei Ziyan suddenly looked away, too embarrassed to look at him again, and too embarrassed to think about why she still felt vaguely happy.
How could a man who was willing to write a divorce letter to her love her?
Fortunately, Qiu Luo came in with medicine at this time, distracting Wei Ziyan from her self-conceited thoughts.
The tonic soup the doctor prescribed was incredibly bitter, yet she had to drink two large bowls every day. The mere smell of it made her want to vomit. But now, just looking at the soup on the tray, her face calmed down and her heart stopped racing.
"Can you please not drink it?" Instead, Wei Ziyan frowned and tried her best to resist this unpalatable thing.
"Didn't the doctor say I've recovered well and allowed me to walk around outside?"
"But the doctor also said that the bruises haven't healed yet and we need to continue to repair the damage."
Qiu Luo's words left her speechless. Wei Ziyan stared at the dark medicinal liquid, feeling incredibly miserable. With a scowl on her face, a bony hand lifted the bowl of soup from the tray and fed it to her mouth as if coaxing a child.
"Be obedient, I'll take you somewhere after you drink the medicine."
…
Wei Ziyan never imagined that the place Yan Qizhen said he would take her to would be the Ministry of Justice prison.
It had always been the place where criminals reported by the local authorities were detained. In the eyes of ordinary people, it was a hell filled with torture, blood, and darkness, and just talking about it was enough to send chills down one's spine.
How can we not be worried about Liu Yuer being locked up here?
Wei Ziyan had wanted to visit him for a long time, but she was injured and couldn't travel. Today, Yan Qizheng finally agreed to let her drink ten bowls of medicine, not just one!
Yan Qizhen did what he said and spent two days to make all the arrangements.
Before leaving, Wei Ziyan wanted to bring some clean clothes for Liu Yuer, but Yan Qizheng said that only prison uniforms were allowed. She wanted to bring some food in, but he said there were prison rules: to prevent poisoning, no outside food was allowed in.
As a key witness, Liu Yu'er was originally not allowed to be visited, so Yan Qizheng asked Yu Sugong to secretly facilitate this. Wei Ziyan didn't want to embarrass him, so she had to give up.
Thinking they could go and come back quickly, Wei Ziyan didn't bring Qiu Luo with her since Yan Qizheng was accompanying her. Xu Ji drove the car and parked it on a small road in front of the Ministry of Justice Prison, then walked a few steps over.
Yu Sugong came out and gave them some instructions and led them in.
The prison was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a damp, fishy smell. A jailer, holding a lantern, walked ahead with Yu Sugong, followed closely by Wei Ziyan and Yan Qizheng.
There happened to be a prisoner on trial, disheveled and bloodstained, letting out a shrill scream. Wei Ziyan immediately withdrew her eyes, not daring to look around anymore, and just held on tightly to Yan Qizheng's arm and walked inside.
Passing a row of dark cells, I climbed the stairs and arrived at another cell block. After turning a few corners, I entered a corridor. The cells here were obviously different from the others, at least they didn't look as eerie or scary.
Yu Sugong pointed to the end of the passage, which was Liu Yuer's residence.
This place is full of twists and turns. Even if someone from outside breaks in, it will probably take a while to find it.
As agreed, they would chat with the two sisters. Yu Sugong and Yan Qizheng stopped here to wait, while Wei Ziyan continued forward with the jailer alone.
The cell door in front of them wasn't made of iron bars, allowing one to see inside. It was a solid iron door with only a small window at the top. The jailer took out a key to unlock the iron door, pushed it open, and Wei Ziyan quickly walked in.
"Sister Liu."
"Zi Yan?" Liu Yu'er was sitting and reading a book. When she found out that it was her, she stood up to greet her in surprise.
"Why are you here? Are your injuries feeling better?"
Liu Yu'er was wearing prison clothes, her black hair tied into a bun at the back of her head, and she looked a little haggard. Even in this state, he asked her if she was feeling better.
"What about you?" Wei Ziyan felt uncomfortable. "Are you okay here?"
"I'm fine." Liu Yu'er smiled. "There are tables, chairs and a bed here. Lord Yu also gave me some interesting scripts."
While she was talking, Wei Ziyan looked around and heard Liu Yu'er continue, "This cell is only for high-ranking officials who have committed crimes. They will provide the best food and daily necessities. You don't have to worry."
These words were simply meant to teach her to be at ease, but how could Wei Ziyan not be worried at all?
Judging from what the prince said, if the real culprit behind the scenes is not caught, Liu Yuer will be imprisoned forever. When will she be able to get out of here and see the light of day again?
"Actually, there's no difference," Liu Yu'er said calmly, "For me, going out is the same as going to jail."
"How can it be the same?"
"I live to avenge my brother. Even if I get out, if the murderer isn't eliminated, I'll still be trapped in my obsession. It's better to be trapped here, where there's still a glimmer of hope."
So, she willingly stayed here as bait.
Wei Ziyan had no right to question Liu Yu'er's determination. Having said that, she stopped arguing with her about whether she could go out or not, and simply told her to take good care of herself.
"Can't I be safe?" Liu Yu'er smiled again, as bright as before.
Although Wei Ziyan felt sympathetic, she couldn't help but smile a little: "Is there anything else you need? Or is there anything you want to see or want? I'll find a way to get it in."
Liu Yu'er chuckled and joked with her for a few words. Suddenly, she thought of something and her face straightened: "There is something I want to ask you for help."
Wei Ziyan couldn't wait to ask: "What's the matter?"
Liu Yu'er held her breath and uttered two words: "Borrow money."
"ah?"
This is a bit unexpected.
"That's right." Liu Yu'er asked her, "Do you still remember the house I took you to on the day you ran away from your marriage?"
"Uh-huh."
"After I came to Liangjing, I gave half of my banknotes to my aunt, and I deposited the other half in a bank to rent this house. At that time, I thought that if the Liu Mansion couldn't accommodate me, I would have a place to stay."
"I withdraw the rent from the bank every month and then give it to the owner. But now I'm locked up and can't leave for a while. I'm worried that the owner won't be able to collect the rent next month and will take the house back. You—"
Before Liu Yu'er could finish her words, Wei Ziyan clapped her hands and interrupted her.
"I see! You want me to pay your rent for now, right?"
Liu Yuer smiled and nodded: "Yes."
"No problem, leave it to me!"
At least she could help a little. When Wei Ziyan came out, her expression was more relaxed than when she went in. Yan Qizheng noticed the change and asked her if she felt relieved after seeing it with her own eyes.
"Yeah." She responded and mentioned the matter of Liu Yu'er entrusting her to pay the rent.
"Let me go for you." Considering that it was not suitable for her to run back and forth, Yan Qizhen took the initiative to take it over.
When Wei Ziyan agreed to Liu Yuer's request, she was thinking of going there in person, so when Yan Qizhen suddenly wanted to go for her, she was confused for a moment.
Seeing that she didn't respond, Yan Qizheng asked, "Are you worried about me going?"
Wei Ziyan denied it hastily, fearing that he might have misunderstood her, and Yan Qi changed his mind.
"Come along, I'll accompany you."
Xu Ji drove his carriage all the way to find the address written by Liu Yuer.
Wei Ziyan had only been to that house once. It was in a small alley. She had no impression of what the gate looked like, but she only remembered that there was a pair of small stone lions at the door.
When Wei Ziyan saw the pair of stone lions again today, she recognized them at a glance.
"Here it is."
Yan Qizheng looked around. It was just an ordinary small house, without any inscribed plaques. If he didn't search every house, it would be difficult to find the person.
"So you were hiding here."
On the way here, Wei Ziyan had let slip that she had hidden here when she ran away from her marriage. Now, bringing him back to the old place was a bit awkward.
Wei Ziyan didn't respond to him. She took the key to the house from the stone lion's mouth, unlocked the door and walked in.
The layout of the house was the same as when she'd last come back, though it hadn't been cleaned in a while, so the dust was noticeable. Wei Ziyan pulled out her handkerchief and was about to wipe the dust when Yan Qizheng got there first. Seeing him bent over to wipe the chair, she couldn't help but think of Yan Qizheng wiping the dust off the stone bench for her in the pavilion on the hill behind Xuanyi Temple.
At that time, he said that it was his fault for not caring about her in the past. He also said that after they got married, he would treat her sincerely and would not let her suffer any injustice...
"Sit down." Yan Qi was just finishing up dusting when he saw her still standing there. "It'll be a while before the owner comes over. Sit down and rest for a while."
Wei Ziyan came to her senses and sat down as she was told.
"And you?"
"I don't need it." Yan Qi was standing in the middle of the room, looking around at every corner.
The furnishings here are simple and the layout is small, so it would not fetch a good price on the market. Liu Yuer chose it because of its low rent.
I don’t have much money anyway, so instead of going there every month to pay the rent, I might as well just buy it and save myself the trouble.
"Sister Liu is proud and arrogant. If I buy it on my own initiative, she will be unhappy." As soon as Yan Qizhen expressed his idea, Wei Ziyan felt that it was not feasible.
"When you're doing something good for someone, you have to ask if they're willing. If they're not willing, isn't that a case of good intentions leading to bad results?"
You also have to ask people if they are willing...
These words suddenly made Yan Qizheng's heart tighten slightly.
That day, as they rode down to the bottom of the mountain, she couldn't stand the fatigue and fell asleep in his arms. He held her all the way, feeling a sense of relief as if he had found something he had lost.
At that moment, he clearly realized that it was not that he could not like her, but that he had already liked her.
So he was afraid that something might happen to her, but he couldn't bear to let her go and part ways. So he tore up the divorce agreement and wanted to give it another try, but he didn't ask her if she was willing...
"What’s wrong with you?"
Seeing Yan Qi staring at her silently, Wei Ziyan waved her hand in confusion.
"Nothing..." Yan Qizheng looked away and changed the subject: "It seems someone is coming. I'll go out and take a look."
It was indeed Xu Ji who came outside with the owner of the house.
The house was small, and the voices of several people talking could be heard clearly through the air. Wei Ziyan simply did not show up and waited for Yan Qizheng to finish the negotiation.
To avoid trouble, Yan Qizheng discussed with the landlord and decided to temporarily change the payment to three months. She couldn't help but wonder if this would be the time when Liu Yu'er would be free again.
Within three months, the prince should have completely put an end to this matter.
"Let's go." The negotiation ended quickly. Xu Ji sent the owner away, and Yan Qizheng turned around and came back to take her away.
The alley in front of the door was too narrow, and the carriage stopped at the entrance of the alley dozens of meters away. Yan Qizheng supported her and walked slowly over as he had done when they came.
After getting on the carriage, Xu Ji also arrived and drove back to Yan Mansion.
"Oh, I forgot to put the key back." Wei Ziyan suddenly realized that she had put the key in her pocket when she left.
It’s not a big deal. I just walked a short distance and put it back.
"Give it to me."
Yan Qizheng asked her for the key, told Xu Ji to take good care of the young lady, and hurried back. Unexpectedly, just as he reached the alley entrance, he saw two dark shadows flashing in front of him and leaping into Liu Yuer's house.
Yan Qizheng immediately flew into the alley, unlocked the door, and pushed it open.
Two masked men in the house were rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for something. Yan Qizhen stepped forward and knocked them to the ground in a few seconds.
"What are you looking for? Who sent you?"
"Sir, spare our lives!" One of them kowtowed to him. "We two brothers are short of money, and we came here just to steal some silver."
Yan Qizheng stared coldly at the leather boots on his feet and sneered, "You two don't look like you're short of money by the way you're dressed."
Hearing this, the two men looked at each other, suddenly jumped up from the ground, and attacked again.
Yan Qizheng's attack was even faster, more accurate, and more ruthless this time. He knocked them both unconscious and tied them securely to the pillars. These idiots, when Yu Sugong took them back and tortured them rigorously, might even confide something.
There was a shop selling fried tofu along the street. From the hot oil, the crispy aroma drifted in from afar. Wei Ziyan lifted the curtain of her carriage and looked over, following the scent.
Xu Ji, standing outside the carriage, had already been tempted by the sight, and asked, "Young Madam, would you like some fried tofu?"
"Is it tasty?"
"Delicious!" Xu Ji swallowed his saliva. "The tofu is coated with flour and fried in boiling oil until it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It's topped with a sweet and sour sauce, then a spicy and sweet sauce..."
Hearing what he said was very tempting, Wei Ziyan did not hesitate: "Then buy it."
"Okay!"
Xu Jixing eagerly obeyed the order and quickly headed towards the tofu shop across the street. However, before he even reached the shop, a woman's scream suddenly rang out from behind him.
Xu Ji turned around, his face suddenly changed in horror: "Young Madam——"
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