Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Even though Uncle Yu was usually eloquent, at this moment, he didn't know how to respond. He felt that no matter what he said, it would be wrong.
He was about to say something ambiguous to brush it off when a soft voice came from beside him, "It's just that I was captivated by the beauty of the night and looked a little too long, so I caught a bit of a chill. What does that have to do with anyone else? After dinner, my time is my own. No one can dictate what I should or shouldn't do."
Qing Wu quickly extricated Huo Yun'ai from the situation with just a few words, then stepped forward and took He Family's arm, apologizing, "Mother, this time it was my fault for worrying you again. I won't do this again next time."
Her words were sincere.
In her view, it was indeed her own choice to run out that day, and she had done so without wearing a cloak. After leaving Zhaoning Palace, she remembered she had forgotten her cloak but still did not return to get it.
Although the reason she casually provided was not entirely true, she had indeed caused such consequences herself.
He Family had originally heard that Qing Wu was ill in the palace and was very worried. Now that they looked closely, their daughter's complexion was rosy and she seemed slightly plumper than when she had left a few days ago, which eased their worries significantly. They patted her hand and said, "You're well now, that's better than anything else. You mustn't do this again next time."
Years ago, her biological daughter had fallen ill due to catching a chill and ultimately passed away. Therefore, she was particularly concerned about such ailments.
Qing Wu hurriedly agreed repeatedly.
Uncle Yu did not expect Qing Wu to take full responsibility for everything. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and lowered his voice to Master Wen, saying, "His Majesty is also very worried about Lord Liu's condition. He has specially granted a few more days of leave and prepared many items for the banquet."
At this point, he opened the boxes one by one for everyone to see.
The precious medicinal herbs designated by Huo Yun'ai filled two boxes. The clothing and jewelry prepared for Qing Wu occupied one box. The other three boxes contained various utensils and tools suitable for hosting banquets—exquisitely made and crafted from luxurious materials.
Upon careful consideration, these items were even more valuable than the rewards given during New Year.
Liu Fangyi initially felt it was inappropriate but suddenly understood upon seeing Uncle Yu's apologetic expression.
The New Year Reward was nothing but a routine matter. This time, Qing Wu had been ill in the palace for several days, which was certainly different. It must be that the Emperor was showing concern for his officials, hence this situation.
Logically, Qing Wu had caused this outcome herself and had delayed her duties, so a salary deduction would be appropriate. Yet, the Emperor had not done so; instead, he bestowed gifts...
This shows that he is not as unfeeling as others claim.
Seeing that everyone believed these reasons, Uncle Yu finally let out a big sigh of relief.
He had previously considered that sending medicinal herbs was acceptable since Qing Wu had fallen ill in the palace. However, Qing Wu was still an unmarried young lady. Sending clothing and jewelry through Huo Yun'ai would inevitably attract criticism. Thus, he cautiously suggested this concern. Huo Yun'ai then agreed to send over some additional items.
Clothing and jewelry were also necessary items for the banquet. Using the excuse of various items for the Reward banquet to also send the girl's belongings made it seem less abrupt.
After handling the matter appropriately, Uncle Yu intended to take his leave. Just as he took a few steps, he was called back by repeated shouts.
“Eunuch Yu, please wait.”
Master Wen strode up to him and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, “I have an unreasonable request and would like to trouble Eunuch Yu for some clarification.”
Uncle Yu smiled and replied, “Marquis, you are too polite. Please go ahead.”
“Is it true that the Emperor is already aware of Qing Wu's relationship with the Wen Family?” His question was not asked carelessly. When he received the imperial edict earlier, he noticed that Uncle Yu showed no surprise at all, which gave him some assurance. Still, it was better to confirm clearly.
“Lord Liu has not concealed anything from the Emperor; His Majesty is already aware,” Uncle Yu said with a smile, implying: “Lord Liu has acted appropriately; Marquis, you can rest assured.”
Upon hearing this, the Marquis felt somewhat relieved.
Previously, when Qing Wu sent someone to communicate with them and temporarily kept her relationship with the Marquisate under wraps, he had some reservations. After all, the Marquisate was a noble house; if they wanted Qing Wu to acknowledge her ancestry and return to her roots, it would certainly need to be reported to the Emperor.
Now that His Majesty is aware and has tacitly approved Qing Wu's decision to temporarily suppress the news, Marquis has relaxed considerably. After thanking Uncle Yu, he bid him farewell.
The old man pondered privately that now Qing Wu had fallen seriously ill, His Majesty had granted her quite a few days off. If he wanted to take Girl back home to pay respects during the Clear Festival, the holiday would surely not be long enough. He wondered if he could ask His Majesty for a few more days of extension when the time came.
Once the people from the palace had left, things were divided up in the Liu Residence.
The medicinal herbs were naturally kept for Qing Wu. As for the utensils used for the banquet, they were all covered again, and several boxes were given to Marquis.
After all, the banquet was organized by the Marquisate.
Master Wen did not mind and laughed, saying, “There is no residence for the Marquisate here. This time we held the banquet at a friend's villa. Even if these things are given to me now, I cannot use them. It would be better to leave them here so that when Girl needs them in the future, it will be more convenient.”
Hearing this, Liu Fangyi laughed heartily. Knowing that Marquis intended to leave everything for Qing Wu, he did not dwell on it and directly instructed someone to send those boxes along with the clothes and jewelry to Qing Wu's residence in the West Courtyard.
While everyone was busy tidying up various items, Qing Wu briefly discussed a few matters with the He Family. Then she invited Marquis and Wen Qingyue into the hall and sent everyone else away.
The girl usually wore a gentle smile. Now, however, her brows were slightly furrowed and her lips tightly pressed together, her expression serious and solemn. Seeing this, Master Wen also put away his smile and quietly watched her.
Wen Qingyue glanced around at the room now occupied only by the three of them and smiled instead. He teasingly curled his lips, “You are quite thoughtful. Knowing that your brother has been busy these past few days, you specially invited me in to sit for a while.”
After a moment, Qing Wu finally spoke up: “What have you been so busy with?”
As she spoke, she absentmindedly stroked her sleeve.
Wen Qingyue tightened his grip on the armrest of his chair with his right hand but still wore a smile as he replied, “Naturally busy with matters regarding the banquet.”
Qing Wu gently responded with an "mm," slowly pulled out a chair, and sat down in front of the two of them.
She bowed her head in silence for a long time, as if gathering strength, her breathing becoming much lighter.
Finally, under their gazes, she slowly took something out from her sleeve. Then, with her head lowered, she presented it with both hands in front of Master Wen.
One glance.
Just one glance, and both Master Wen and Wen Qingyue suddenly stood up.
The two chairs could not withstand the force and fell to the ground behind them with a loud crash.
The usually composed Heir of the Marquisate grabbed the object tightly, clenching it in his palm. Despite the intricate patterns on it piercing his skin, he did not let go.
"Where did this come from?" Wen Qingyue asked with red-rimmed eyes. "Where did it come from?"
From his agitated voice, Qing Wu vaguely sensed something and stammered, "I... found it."
That day she had given it to Huo Yun'ai, and the young man had kept it safe all along, never discarding it.
She didn't know if it was related to recognizing her grandfather and brother. During her illness, memories of that time often surfaced in her mind. She asked Huo Yun'ai for it back.
She felt that the woman who had protected her so tightly must have cared for her deeply.
Thinking of the woman whose neck had been severed and the tight embrace that had shielded her, a wave of immense sadness suddenly surged within Qing Wu.
She bit her lip hard, trying to calm herself down.
Then she softly said, "...That night, I took it from her hair. I... I remembered some things."
That night, blood flowed like a river. All around were severed limbs and broken bodies.
That night, she was both terrified and frightened. To defend herself, she pulled the hairpin from the woman who was pressing down on her.
That night...
The woman held her so tightly that it took a great deal of effort for her to crawl out.
Qing Wu slowly recalled, recounting bit by bit.
"Is it true... is it true that mother is gone?" Wen Qingyue asked with a trembling voice.
He had heard from the people at Liu Residence that due to extreme sadness and pain, his sister's memories were somewhat fragmented. She could no longer clearly remember what had happened there. She was even confused about who had passed away.
He did not blame her.
Such a child, having experienced such a bloody scene, could hardly remain calm.
However, now that he suddenly received this news, how could he respond with indifference?
Qing Wu understood that Wen Qingyue was asking about that woman.
Though her heart was filled with immense sorrow, Qing Wu gritted her teeth and softly said, "She is gone."
Upon receiving this definitive answer, the refined and composed Heir Apparent could no longer resist the overwhelming grief within him, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Master Wen murmured to himself, tears streaming down his face, "Gone? Truly gone? She is no longer here. What about him? Yes. So many people at that time... they have all died. They are dead..."
They had not been without hope.
Grandfather and Grandson had a glimmer of expectation; since Qing Wu was alive, perhaps he and she, two people with such a good relationship, were also alive.
General Qin, at that time, there were corpses everywhere around. Yet even so, they still held onto hope, believing that somehow they could find the two of them.
Now they realized that all of it was merely a wishful thinking.
Their two closest relatives would never return.
Qing Wu listened to the sorrowful sobs of the two, unable to bear looking up. Her heart was filled with indescribable pain, like being cut by a knife, gradually wearing away her last bit of strength.
Just as the three were immersed in profound grief, an inappropriate knocking sound came from outside the door.
Before long, Red Peony's hesitant voice came through.
"Miss, Madam Wu has arrived and insists on seeing you."
Comment 0 Comment Count