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墨書 Inktalez
Although Qin Yaru appeared calm and confident in front of her Sister-in-law, she was actually quite worried.
Things were different now than before; when Gao Feng went to war, she was mostly on the front lines with him, sharing life and death together. While there was always tension, she had never felt as anxious as she did now.
There were many chaotic rumors circulating in the capital, and even among officials, there was little optimism about the current war. Qin Yaru's Third Sister, who had become Consort Lu, was said to be well-informed, but she could not provide any reassuring news to her sister and Sister-in-law.
It was now July, and although the weather had turned cooler, the heat still lingered.
Qin Yaru felt stifled at the Qin Family. Her Sister-in-law was pregnant and couldn't eat too much ice, so every day when she sat inside holding a bowl of ice to indulge herself, she would look at Qin Yaru with a gaze that seemed to silently complain. This made Qin Yaru feel guilty for indulging in something that might be too stimulating for a pregnant woman who couldn't find her husband to lean on, forcing her to endure the sweltering heat as well.
One day, after coaxing her way through a morning of making shoes and socks for the Cheng Family, she heard several Lady-in-Waiting and Wancui arguing about going out to buy snacks. After thinking it over, Qin Yaru decided this was something she could accommodate. She changed her clothes and took Wancui along with a group of Lady-in-Waiting out.
Three girls around thirteen or fourteen years old chattered excitedly. Qin Yaru chuckled and casually suggested, "Why not come back with me to the Gao Family to pay respects to Mother?"
At her words, the courtyard fell silent. The three girls stood there trying hard to appear obedient and graceful, but there was an unmistakable air of fear about them.
Wancui shook her head in exasperation and whispered in her mistress's ear, "Why scare them like that? They are still just children."
Qin Yaru raised an eyebrow and held Wancui's hand as they got into the carriage.
It wasn't entirely surprising that these girls were frightened; every time they visited the Gao Family, the Lady-in-Waiting around Qin Yaru often found themselves reprimanded by the strict matriarch for their behavior. It seemed that even the most obedient Lady-in-Waiting would be assimilated into a more relaxed demeanor within a month or so of being around her. This lack of respect for their mistress was something Fang Family found most displeasing.
In her view, what Gao Family prided itself on most was its strict adherence to rules. Unlike other families that were more lax, Gao Feng, this general, bore no resemblance to his family; he was truly a rough man.
At this time, the rules between masters and servants were not particularly strict. They were not like in later generations when servants became mere slaves. The mistress treated her Lady-in-Waiting well, and even had many daughters to raise. However, there were indeed some signs of the later customs. Families like the Gao Family, who valued propriety and etiquette, were not uncommon in Kaifeng City.
Qin Yaru did not appreciate the so-called family traditions of the Gao Family at all and was unwilling to turn the lively and lovely girls into rigid wooden figures. They certainly needed guidance, they needed rules, they had to do their jobs well, and keep the master's secrets, but Qin Yaru had no intention of treating them as objects. A group of educated and elegant Lady-in-Waiting accompanying her was far more appealing than a bunch of dull and thoughtless ones.
She intended to visit the Gao Family, not just to tease the girls at home; Qin Yaru genuinely wanted to go for a visit. It had been over a month since she last went, and moreover, yesterday someone from the Fang Family came to inform her that Gao Feng's mother, Tao Jie, was ill, so she should go pay a visit and see how things were.
Before heading out, Qin Yaru thought for a moment and decided to let the carriage circle around the market first.
The war with Dangxiang had not affected the prosperity of Kaifeng. Business on the streets continued as usual, and people leisurely strolled about, walking dogs or fighting chickens.
Along the way, Qin Yaru saw many vendors selling various drinks and snacks, so she sent a few Lady-in-Waiting to buy things they liked. Even Wancui took a candied hawthorn stick to eat slowly. Although she was older now, she had become more childlike; she used to dislike sweets but now enjoyed them. A large portion of the candies that Qin Yaru prepared for guests ended up in her stomach.
Looking out casually through the carriage window, Qin Yaru suddenly paused, frowning.
Following her gaze, Wancui was startled: "Is that... is that Lord Pang?"
Not far away, standing in front of a pharmacy and seemingly talking to an assistant, was none other than Pang Yuanying, who had not appeared before Qin Yaru for over ten years.
Years ago, when the Pang Family committed a grave offense, the old Marquis, Pang Chunzhi, committed suicide by drinking poison, and the eldest son, Pang Yuanzhi, was executed by hanging. Only Pang Yuanying, despite having many crimes, lacked concrete evidence against him. In most cases, those whom the Empress Dowager wanted to protect could be saved.
He was exiled three thousand miles away from Kaifeng.
Qin Yaru sighed as she recalled that last year when the emperor's first son was born, he was very pleased and pardoned a batch of prisoners. It was likely that Pang Yuanying was among them.
Through the car window, the person outside still looked as beautiful as spring flowers. It seemed that even in exile, he was being well taken care of.
However, the Empress Dowager indeed doted on him, and the Emperor's impression of him was not very bad. Although he had dealt with various troubles for him, it was easy for someone like Pang Yuanying to be disliked, but it was even easier for him to be liked. Even if the Emperor had a thousand and one grievances against him, he had to admit that Pang Yuanying could sometimes be quite a lovable child. Despite his arrogance and willfulness, he was not the kind of person who would make others hate him to the point of wanting to get rid of him.
The market was crowded with people, and the carriage moved slowly.
Pang Yuanying casually turned around and happened to see Qin Yaru.
Qin Yaru smiled and slowly lowered the curtain of the carriage. Pang Yuanying quietly watched the departing carriage, his mood not as tumultuous as it had been more than ten years ago. Over the years, he occasionally thought of that woman, but his impression of her faded year by year. He had many things to do: he needed to raise his elder brother's son and work hard to support the Pang Family. He had done many things he never thought he would do before. He had thought that when they met again, he would either be so excited that he would rush up to bite her or not recognize her at all. However, when he actually saw her, it was very different from what he had imagined.
Pang Yuanying smiled and took the medicine pouch handed to him by his companion, counting out the copper coins—he neither failed to recognize that woman nor was overly excited. That woman was like a scar deep in his heart; usually painless and unnoticeable, but occasionally it would sting a little, causing some pain, yet it was nothing serious.
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