As they continued to chat and laugh, the sky had darkened completely. Li Qin said, “It’s dark now, let me take you back.” Qingqing nodded, and they shared a horse. Qingqing, unfamiliar with matters between men and women, swayed comfortably on the horse, while Li Qin blushed, and Xiao Dengzi beside them was amused. “Let’s stop here,” Qingqing said when they were close to the Lin residence. Li Qin knew it was inconvenient for her to reveal where she lived, so he found a secluded spot to let her off, advising her not to be sad, then hurried away.
Qingqing, approaching the back door, felt her heart pounding, ready to accept any punishment. Fortunately, it was completely dark, and she encountered no one on her way from the back door to the east wing. The light was on in Third Lady’s room. Qingqing hesitated at the door for a long time, finally gathered the courage to knock three times. Third Lady’s voice came after a while, “Come in.” Qingqing entered, knelt before Third Lady without a word, and said, “Qingqing knows her sins are great, please punish her as you see fit.” She closed her eyes, waiting for a long time, but Third Lady made no move. Gathering her courage, Qingqing looked at Third Lady, whose expression was complex, neither angry nor sad. Qingqing tentatively said, “Mother…” Third Lady sighed and said, “Stand up.” Qingqing replied, “Qingqing dares not.” Third Lady insisted, “Stand up when I tell you to. You’re not an ordinary child, I misjudged you before.” Qingqing, recalling Xiao Dengzi’s words, feared that her mother might also ignore her from now on. She hastily kowtowed several times, “Qingqing knows she was wrong, please punish me.”
Third Lady gently said, “Stand up, I’m not blaming you.” Qingqing, looking skeptical, slowly stood up, “You really don’t blame me?” Third Lady nodded, “I really don’t. However… your father is quite upset. Explain to him properly tomorrow…” Qingqing said, “He won’t let me study anymore…” Third Lady responded, “I’ve said, your father wants to toughen you up. Go to the study tomorrow and plead with him.” Qingqing nodded, “Mother, I will study hard and make you proud.” Third Lady smiled, “Go to sleep.”
The next day, Qingqing got up early, initially reluctant to go to the study, but remembering her promise to her mother and Li Qin’s words, she forced herself to face the study. Yafu and Lin Hong were already there, surprised to see her. Yafu scoffed, “What are you doing here?” Qingqing replied firmly, “I’m here to study.” Yafu had no response to that.
As they were talking, Mr. Liu entered. Seeing Qingqing, he smiled without surprise, “You’re here?” Qingqing replied, “I am.” “Who told you to come?” This was not Mr. Liu speaking, but Master Lin, who had just arrived. Qingqing knelt down, “I came on my own. I know I was wrong yesterday, but after being punished, please let me continue studying.” Master Lin kept a stern face, but Mr. Liu noticed a hint of amusement in his eyes. Master Lin said, “Since you’re willing to accept punishment, from now on, all the dirty and tiring work in the study will be yours, and we won’t need any servants here.” Qingqing immediately kowtowed, “Yes.”
