??Chapter 454: Chapter 455 Probe the Situation_1
Chapter 454: Chapter 455 Probe the Situation_1
She had been kneeling in the ice and snow for most of the day, her whole body exuded a chill, trembling violently, and her little face was devoid of any color.
She was clearly a mistress, yet her clothes weren’t even as thick as a servant’s, lacking even a padded jacket. Standing outside in the cold wind in such an outfit, it was no wonder she couldn’t stand it!
Qingya’s heart tightened at the sight, and she quickly took off her cloak and draped it over Qingi, “Miss Qingi, what’s happened here? Mr. Lu has gone too far, how could he do this?”
No sooner had she spoken than she heard a languid voice, “Who is that?”
Qingya looked up and saw it was none other than Lu Ziquan, with a strange woman in his arms, no doubt the “capable maid” he had referred to.
There was a charcoal stove lit inside the house, and it was very warm. The mont he stepped out, he shivered and cursed, “This damn winter season, simply unfit to step outside, it’ll freeze soone to death!”
Qingya couldn’t help her temper and snapped, “You know it’s cold enough to freeze soone to death, yet our Miss Qingi is kneeling out here in the ice and snow with so little on, and you can sit comfortably inside without a care?”
Lu Ziquan chuckled lazily, “I was wondering who it could be—it turns out to be the head maid from Qiao Muniang’s side. What, have you co especially to vindicate her? Wang Qingi is now a concubine in my room, and how I treat her is none of your Lady’s business. This is the County Chief’s residence—are you sure you want to make a fuss?”
Furious to the point of wanting to vomit blood, Qingya thought Lu Ziquan was simply a bandit!
Qingya clenched her teeth and managed to say, “I’m here today to deliver a New Year’s gift for you, Mr. Lu, especially entrusted by our Lady. I ask you to please have a look.”
Lu Ziquan was intrigued, as Qiao Muniang was actually sending him sothing. The servant handed over the box, and upon seeing it, Lu Ziquan was startled. How rare was that Jade Ruyi! How many households in Chatu Town could have such a jade? Moreover, it was apparent at first glance that it was of very fine quality.
“Your Lady is indeed thoughtful, sending such a generous gift especially for . I don’t even know what to give in return,” Lu Ziquan, with a cheeky smile on his face, was clearly delighted. But he still needed to be sure he didn’t have to return the favor, otherwise, he would struggle to find sothing suitable.
Qingya was completely fed up with this behavior but still suppressed the disgust in her heart and said, “This is rely a token of our Lady’s regard. Miss Qingi is a cherished younger sister to our Lady. Now that she is married to you, Mr. Lu, as a concubine, our Lady still considers you her brother-in-law. The importance of the gift is not what matters, but the thought behind it. Naturally, there is no need for you, Mr. Lu, to reciprocate.”
The aning of her words was quite clear, how could Lu Ziquan not understand them? Wasn’t it just a way of telling him that Wang Qingi had Qiao Muniang’s support? Lu Ziquan glanced at Wang Qingi and couldn’t understand. Clearly, she was just a sworn younger sister and even one with such a ek character. Why would soone like Qiao Muniang insist on patronizing her?
However, Lu Ziquan was not in the mood to ponder these things anymore. He had originally married Wang Qingi just to spite Qiao Muniang, but now that she was no longer of use, he naturally didn’t mind treating her any which way. Still, today’s gesture by Qiao Muniang made him see a bit of value in Wang Qingi, at least worth a Jade Ruyi, wasn’t she?
Lu Ziquan imdiately began to smile, “This puts
in quite an awkward position. Since Lady Yu’s good intentions have been conveyed, I certainly cannot refuse. Take the gift inside.”
Qingya, with an expressionless face, continued, “And our Miss Qingi…”
Lu Ziquan glanced at the shivering Wang Qingi, then said, “Take her back to her own room.”
He smiled at Qingya, “It’s cold outside, why not co in and sit down to warm up?”
Qingya went straight to help Wang Qingi and said, “No need, I still have to go back and reply to Lady Yu. I won’t stay long.”
With that, she left with Wang Qingi.
Lu Ziquan’s invitation had just been a courtesy; now he had no intention of entertaining Qingya, but quickly went inside to carefully check on his treasured Jade Ruyi.
Qingya took Qingi back to her own courtyard, lit the charcoal stove for her, and then said, “Miss Qingi, if there is anything next ti, you should speak with Lady Yu. Why suffer like this? If Lady Yu knew of your current circumstance, she would surely feel distressed.”
Qingi huddled up, her eyes reddened. When she had married Lu Ziquan, it was to let others know she could be of high status. But now that she had fallen to such a state, how could she dare to tell Qiao Muniang?
Qingya said indignantly, “Didn’t Lady Yu advise Miss Qingi earnestly back then? You always refused to believe her, and now that you’ve suffered, it’s hard even to turn back. It has only been a bit more than a month since he married you and he’s already treating you like this. If Lady Yu hadn’t sent
today, would you have frozen to death out there?”
Tears flowed from Qingi’s eyes, and she sobbed without being able to speak. Qingya, feeling sympathy, comforted her with a few words and took out the pastries and food Qiao Muniang had sent: “These were prepared by Lady Yu. If you haven’t eaten yet, have sothing to fill your stomach. I’ll return now, and co to see you another day, Miss Qingi.”
Qingi nodded, her heart slightly comforted. She watched Qingya leave before wolfing down the food.
After returning, Qingya relayed what happened to Muniang. Muniang was not surprised that Lu Ziquan would act this way; once bored, he would simply start to neglect. However, the speed of his “Change Heart” was quite quick, considering it had only been a bit more than a month!
“Miss Qingi looked so pitiable, frozen stiff. It took a long ti for her to warm up,” Qingya said.
Muniang shook her head, “She chose this path herself. She must take responsibility for her choices. Besides, she is now a concubine to Lu Ziquan, not a wife. She cannot even propose a divorce unless Lu Ziquan dismisses her. She can never leave Lu Mansion for the rest of her life. Even I cannot help her start over.”
She sighed, “I’ll pay a visit to Lord Lu soti and ask him to take care of her.”
Once the year was over, i Garden opened with great prosperity again. Chen Yuhua had three months of recuperation and had recovered quite well. “Journey to the West” had just finished, and “The Condor Heroes” was perford again, starting from the very first scene. The enthusiasm was undiminished, not only because of the lingering affection for “The Condor Heroes” but also due to “Journey to the West” retaining the audience’s interest.
Muniang entrusted the managent of i Garden entirely to Zhong Yulang and went with Yu Ze to Qinghua City to scout out the situation, select a new location for i Garden, the storefront of Yuyang Embroidery House, and their new ho.
Reviews
All reviews (0)