fireworks
Qu Linghan thought she had misheard. She had just returned and hadn't contacted a single supplier yet, so why were so many people looking for her?
Then the knocking sounded again, accompanied by the question, "Is Miss Qu inside?"
Qu Linghan turned to look at Jing'er and pointed to the door.
He whispered, "You're looking for me, aren't you?"
Why is someone looking for her again?
After seeing Jing'er nod, Qu Linghan walked out of the room with a wary look on his face.
"May I ask who you are?"
The person in front of me was holding a beautifully wrapped gift box, with a smile on their face.
Qu Linghan had never seen him before.
"Miss Qu, this is a bottle of fine wine from my son, a gift to you. May your business prosper for many years to come."
Qu Linghan took the wine offered by the servant and asked, "May I ask who your young master is?"
"My young master's surname is Pei."
After saying that, the servant left.
Qu Linghan returned to the room, and Jing'er ran to her side. "Miss, what is this?"
"liquor."
Qu Linghan blurted it out.
"Was it a gift from Miss's friend? He's so kind." Jing'er's voice was full of satisfaction.
"It should have been Pei Wuyang who sent it." Qu Linghan was a little puzzled, but before he could say it, he heard Jing'er's excited tone.
"I heard that Young Master Pei is distributing porridge to disaster victims at his own residence, and he even took the time to send you wine. Young Master Pei really still cares about Miss."
Qu Linghan didn't listen to Jing'er's words. She opened the packaging on her own, revealing the exquisite bottle.
"But I don't have much of a relationship with him," Qu Linghan said softly.
My mind was already preoccupied with something else.
Bai Hui has been at the palace for a day now, and it's getting late. Qu Linghan has no idea when he will return.
Besides, the two of them were not a deeply affectionate couple, and Qu Linghan was not a member of the royal family, so there was no reason for her to wait for him at the palace gate and put on some kind of sentimental drama.
Perhaps he was missing her? Qu Linghan didn't know, but two days had passed and Bai Hui still hadn't returned. Time was indeed passing slowly.
The sun sets as usual, the chill of deep winter is dissipating, but it also brings the lingering cold of spring.
The Spring Festival is approaching, and this will be Qu Linghan's first Spring Festival in this era.
As usual, she put on her new clothes and strolled down the street.
As time went by, the unfamiliar streets had taken on a familiar flavor; the roasted sweet potatoes on the east side and the yokan (sweet bean jelly) on the west side were her favorites.
…
Qu Linghan touched the money pouch and sighed, "The money Bai Hui gave me is almost gone, why isn't that guy here yet?"
She was walking with her head down when she bumped into someone.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," Qu Linghan said, looking up as she apologized.
A familiar face with clear, gentle features came into Qu Linghan's eyes. His eyes seemed to hold the whole of spring, and his whole body was filled with warmth.
"Young Master Pei, it's you." Qu Linghan's eyes curved into crescents, seemingly forgetting the pain, as she looked at Pei Wuyang and said.
"Yes, Miss Ling Han." Apart from that, Pei Wuyang didn't say anything, as if a thousand words were stuck in his heart.
"I received the wine you sent me. It's very exquisite, and I like it very much." Qu Linghan's tone was full of joy.
"I'm glad you like it. I've been too busy with official duties to visit your shop in person, and I feel guilty about that. So I sent my servant with some wine as a gift. It's not a big gift, but I hope your business will be prosperous and long-lasting."
"Thank you, thank you." Pei Wuyang was about to say something when a servant suddenly came to his side.
"Young Master, shall we continue distributing porridge today?" Pei Wuyang asked, turning to listen.
“Of course we will continue.” His voice was clear and gentle.
Qu Linghan was carefully examining Pei Wuyang when he turned around.
"Miss Qu, would you like to join me in distributing porridge to the disaster victims today?"
"Huh? Me?"
No way, I'm not qualified.
Pei Wuyang didn't seem to intend to give Qu Linghan a chance to refuse, and grasped Qu Linghan's wrist through the fabric of his clothes.
His hands were different from Bai Hui's; they were warm, and Qu Linghan immediately lost the will to refuse.
The two walked slowly to the temple entrance, and Pei Wuyang carefully led Qu Linghan behind the hot pot.
The steam carrying a faint aroma of rice wafted far and wide. Pei Wuyang stood beside Qu Linghan, the tips of his ears turning slightly red, as if he had been looking forward to this scene countless times.
He reached into the pot with a long-handled wooden ladle, lifted the rice at the bottom, scooped up a full ladle, and steadily placed the hot porridge into the bowls of the disaster victims.
Following Pei Wuyang's example, Qu Linghan spooned the hot porridge into the bowls of the disaster victims.
"Grandpa, be careful, it's hot."
"Don't rush, everyone will get a share."
"Thank you, young lady, thank you, young lady."
Hearing their heartfelt gratitude, Qu Linghan felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
As dusk gradually faded, night fell like still water, and the moon hung high in the sky.
The day's porridge distribution was over, and Qu Linghan rolled up her sleeves.
"Thank you for helping me do good deeds today, Young Master Pei." After saying this, Qu Linghan bowed and prepared to take his leave.
“Miss Qu, it’s late. It’s not safe for you to be alone. Let me take you home.”
Qu Linghan looked at the bright moon in the sky and realized that it was already late.
"Okay." And so, Qu Linghan finally got into the car of the handsome guy she had been longing for.
Even though they already knew that the Pei family had held high positions for generations and had produced three empresses since the founding of the country, their lifestyle was second only to that of the emperor.
Qu Linghan was still stunned by the extravagance of the Pei family's carriage. The body had delicate textures and a warm luster, and the spokes were carved with exquisite patterns...
"Miss Qu, were you happy with today's porridge distribution?" Pei Wuyang sat beside Qu Linghan, unconsciously fiddling with the hem of her clothes, asking with a hint of anticipation.
“Of course I’m happy.” As Qu Linghan turned to speak, Pei Wuyang raised his eyes and then quickly lowered them again.
A hint of confusion and doubt flashed in Qu Linghan's eyes.
"Is there something you want to tell me, Young Master Pei?"
"I'm sorry, Ling Han. I can only stand by your side in this capacity. But you know this is not what I wanted. My mother doesn't want me to marry you. Although I am the legitimate son, I have not made any military achievements and have no say in the matter."
As Pei Wuyang spoke, her gentle voice trembled with tears, which seemed about to spill from her eyes.
"Don't worry, once I'm on the battlefield and have taken the enemy's head, I'll come back to marry you in glory."
Qu Linghan was completely confused, then suddenly remembered what Jing'er had said that morning, "Young Master Pei still cares about Miss after all."
Qu Linghan immediately imagined a hundred different heart-wrenching love stories in her mind, but they were all just about two people who loved each other but were separated by their families due to their different social statuses…
“Young Master Pei, I’ve long forgotten what you said. Now, I’m married. We’re just ordinary friends now.”
Qu Linghan had no memories of the original owner, but with a face exactly like the original owner's, she couldn't possibly tell Pei Wuyang that she wasn't Qu Linghan at all, but came from two thousand years in the future.
Nobody will believe it.
Pei Wuyang wiped away her tears. "I heard you went to Yuzhou together, but it's only been a little over ten days. Have you already developed feelings for Bai Zhaoming?"
Qu Linghan looked at the broken man in front of her and felt a pang of pity.
No.
"Then why, why won't you give me even a glimmer of hope..."
Qu Linghan did not answer; she was no longer qualified to make decisions for the original owner.
"I will do as you once said, go to the battlefield, kill the enemy and make meritorious contributions." Pei Wuyang's voice was firm.
Yes, you will. You will be invincible, become a general that everyone envies, and be remembered for generations to come, admired by all.
But these are all things for the future, and Qu Linghan has no right to tell him about his future in advance.
Okay. I believe you.
After speaking, Qu Linghan didn't have the courage to meet Pei Wuyang's gaze. She lifted the curtain of the carriage window and let the wind blow on her.
The wind blew the stray hairs around Qu Linghan's ears, and Pei Wuyang reached out to tuck them behind his ears, but the carriage suddenly stopped.
"Young master, we have arrived at the Bai residence."
Qu Linghan's eyes lit up instantly, and he turned to look at Pei Wuyang, "Then I'll go first. See you later."
"good."
Qu Linghan dismounted from the carriage in one go, as if she had finally escaped her misery.
The light inside the carriage seemed to dim little by little as Qu Linghan left, leaving only a desolate scene.
The Spring Festival did not stop because of anyone's absence; every household began to clean, prepare for the New Year, and decorate their homes.
Every day, Qu Linghan would walk to the shop to check on the workers' progress in decorating. A few days before New Year's Eve, the shop was finally completed.
Qu Linghan and Jing'er, along with their hired servants, cleaned the shop until it looked brand new. They also bought red lanterns and couplets from the market and hung them at the shop entrance.
Although Qu Linghan's shop hasn't officially opened yet, it already has a bustling atmosphere.
The store layout was almost exactly what Qu Linghan had envisioned: fitting rooms, display areas, rest areas, and counters—all perfectly in line with Qu Linghan's expectations.
Even better, the lanterns in the capital have been lit up high these past few days, and Qu Linghan stands in front of the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor, enjoying the scenery of the capital every day.
Beautiful, beautiful.
The shop will be completely renovated soon.
These past few days, Qu Linghan has often stood upstairs, gazing into the distance, displaying an air of "pointing out the landscape and stirring up emotions with words."
As the number of homeless people on the street dwindled, Qu Linghan felt a greater sense of security.
The days repeated themselves until New Year's Eve finally arrived.
Qu Linghan and Jing'er arrived on the second floor, where every household seemed to be busy with their own affairs.
The sounds of children's laughter, the crisp chopping of women's dumpling filling, and men's loud conversations as they tidy up for the New Year.
"Madam, shall we open for business after the New Year?" Jing'er asked expectantly, glancing at Qu Linghan out of the corner of her eye.
"Hmm...we'll see. We'll open for business when the Marquis returns from the palace."
"Why must we wait for the Marquis to return?"
"You forgot? Our shop is still missing a signboard. It would be too expensive to hire a craftsman to write one. Bai Hui's is much more practical."
Jing'er suddenly realized, "So that's how it is..."
"Miss Jing'er, come and help me."
He was the tailor in the shop.
"Miss, I'll go down now."
"good."
Qu Linghan remained lost in thought, gazing at the scenery of Beijing outside the building.
The night was as still as water, and the moon as round as a hook.
As the city lights gradually illuminated, and amidst the brilliant starry sky, several Kongming lanterns rose into the air.
Qu Linghan closed his eyes tightly and clasped his hands together.
She made a wish that she hadn't expected.
"I hope Bai Hui will return safely from the palace soon."
Suddenly, a dazzling light burst forth at the edge of the capital city, and countless glittering stars fell to earth from all directions.
Everywhere you look, there is dazzling brilliance.
As Qu Linghan sighed, he heard a very familiar call.
"It's cold upstairs, come in and take a look."
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