The next day, a torrential downpour began, and Xi Hongmei hesitated whether to go to the small bamboo grove.
As the rain gradually subsided at the end of the afternoon, Xi Hongmei finally left...
In the small bamboo grove, Zhang Junlan was soaked to the bone.
Upon seeing Xi Hongmei arrive, he smiled and said, "You've finally come..." Then he fainted.
Actually, Zhang Junlan was already feeling unwell after being splashed with swill, and the rain made him finally collapse.
Xi Hongmei asked Yang Cui for leave because the weather had been bad for the past few days, with a lot of rain, making it unsuitable for traveling. So Yang Cui postponed her return home and granted Xi Hongmei leave as well.
In this way, Xi Hongmei took good care of Zhang Junlan at the clinic, and cooked chicken soup for him at the General's Mansion every day.
After several days of careful rest, Zhang Junlan's health improved significantly. At the same time, their relationship quickly warmed up, as if they had rediscovered the feeling from back then.
"Xiang'er, let me take care of you from now on," Zhang Junlan said tenderly, holding Xi Hongmei's hand.
Are you going to buy my freedom?
Zhang Junlan's eyes changed slightly, then he smiled and said, "Of course, since you are my woman, I will not let you continue to do the work of serving others. Besides, we have already missed too many years. From now on, we will cherish every day."
"My ransom won't be cheap, are you really willing to pay it?"
"Xiang'er, what are you saying?" Zhang Junlan said, feigning anger. "I will do anything, even if it means going bankrupt, to redeem you from your servitude."
Upon hearing this, Xi Hongmei smiled and said, "Then I'll be waiting."
"But... Xiang'er, how did you get into the General's Mansion? Doesn't General Cen have no concubines?" Zhang Junlan asked tentatively.
“It was because the village chief was kind-hearted that he saw me being bullied on the street once, and he helped me and even redeemed me from my servitude.” Xi Hongmei did not tell Zhang Junlan the truth.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Junlan became slightly agitated: "So you're serving Lord De'an now?"
"yes."
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Zhang Junlan was even more excited, feeling that it was truly a stroke of luck!
“De’an Township Lady is a woman of great wisdom. It is your good fortune to be able to work for her.”
"Of course."
"You are so beautiful, and the village lord still allows you to serve by her side, which is enough to show her trust in you."
Xi Hongmei initially disfigured herself, but Yang Cui later found her a famous doctor to treat her, so the scars are not obvious now. After applying makeup, they are even less noticeable, and it can be said that she is still beautiful.
“The village lord trusts me, and I will not betray him in return.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Junlan laughed and said, "Then, between me and the village head, who is more important to you?"
"Of course, the village lord is more important. You said you would redeem me, but who knows if it's true or not? A man's words are just lies."
Zhang Junlan didn't suspect her words, thinking she was saying it on purpose. He flicked her nose and said, "Xiang'er, I heard that Lady De'an is going back to her hometown?"
"We're going back to our hometown. If it weren't for the bad weather, we would have left Beijing long ago."
Zhang Junlan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then let's escort the village chief back to his hometown together, and hold the wedding at the place where we first met, with the village chief as our witness. What do you say?"
Xi Hongmei was stunned.
"You don't like it?"
Xi Hongmei shook her head: "No, no, you mean the wedding? Do you want me to be your legal wife?"
Zhang Junlan's expression stiffened slightly, then he said, "Xiang'er, I love you, but you know your status... My mother will never agree to this, but I can give you the treatment of a legal wife, only the title is not acceptable."
“I understand. For a woman like me to be your concubine is already an immense blessing.” A hint of bitterness flashed in Xi Hongmei’s eyes.
Hearing this, Zhang Junlan breathed a sigh of relief: "Don't worry, I will definitely treat you well. The village lord has been kind to you immensely. Now that General Cen is dead, the journey back to Wan'an is long and the village lord is very wealthy. The journey may not be safe. Let's escort the village lord back to his hometown together as a way of repaying his kindness. What do you say?"
"Then I will go back and report to the village chief."
"No! Don't make this public." Seeing Xi Hongmei's expression change slightly, Zhang Junlan, fearing she might suspect something, immediately explained, "Think about it, when she returns to her hometown, she'll definitely take the General's Mansion's money and valuables back with her, right? And she's so beautiful, what if she attracts the covetous eyes of bandits and robbers?"
We'll protect her secretly, so if anyone tries to harm her, we can catch them off guard.
"Then I'll go back and tell the village chief first, so she can be prepared. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
Zhang Junlan hadn't expected to fail to persuade Xi Hongmei. He sighed and said, "Actually, there's another reason... My mother forced me to go and ask for the hand of Lady De'an..."
Xi Hongmei's eyes widened in disbelief.
"But don't misunderstand, I only admire the village lady and have no other intentions. I was forced into this marriage by my mother, but fortunately the village lady refused. Xiang'er, please don't misunderstand, I'm telling the truth."
"The Lady of the Township was deeply devoted to the General and would never remarry. Besides, the General has only been gone for a few days, and you two..." Xi Hongmei's face was extremely ugly.
“I know, but I couldn’t persuade her. But luckily I went to the General’s Mansion that day, otherwise I wouldn’t have known that the person I’ve been thinking about day and night was in the General’s Mansion,” Zhang Junlan said affectionately.
Then, he continued, "Xiang'er, now that this has happened, Xiangjun must have a problem with me. And you are her person. I don't want to put you in a difficult position, and I'm also worried that she will refuse my help, and even more worried that she will oppose us."
So I thought I'd secretly protect her back to Wan'an, and then we'd confess after things were done. That way, she'd be moved and the previous unpleasantness would be soothed.
It's not easy for a woman like her, let alone someone so wealthy; it must be even harder for her. Our covert protection gives her an extra layer of security.
Xi Hongmei hesitated for a moment, then nodded and agreed.
Zhang Junlan hugged Xi Hongmei with delight, a barely perceptible sneer appearing in his eyes.
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