This was her heartfelt concern. If they didn’t first probe the situation, everyone would be anxious and things could become chaotic!
“You can,” Qu Xiaojue gave a definitive reassurance. “Each family’s base price will be lowered, but supply will be increased by half a layer, and your standard prices will not be compressed. The Qu family will carefully choose new families, and their prices will not be lower than half of your previous rates.”
This meant that new entrants would find it difficult to profit through low margins or high volume. Existing merchants would be impacted but not suppressed.
Li Xianlan pursed her lips in thought, understanding the implications, but still asked, “What if some are still dissatisfied?” Everyone was influential, and if their bottom line was touched, they might cause trouble.
Qu Xiaojue coldly laughed, “The Qu family is not short of hardworking people.”
Li Xianlan was startled, looking at her in shock. The person’s face was full of coldness. She stood up, pushing down other questions. “I understand the Qu family head’s intentions. The Li family will continue our cooperation. I will take my leave today.”
Qu Xiaojue glanced at her. “Miss, having come from afar, why not rest here for a while?”
Hearing this, Li Xianlan raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. “My mother is waiting for my message and instructed me to return quickly. I cannot disturb you today.”
Qu Xiaojue pondered for a moment. “See Miss Li out.” “Farewell.” She slightly lowered her head, her departing figure still graceful.
After reviewing it again, she gave a few instructions to the young girl, picked up her medicine box, and turned to leave. Feeling the cold gaze behind her, she finally sighed, “Those who are meant to wake up will naturally awaken.”
Qu Xiaojue immediately ordered someone to decoct the medicine and sat down by the bed. A faint cough echoed in the room, and only then did she notice the young master of the county magistrate, Yuan Ling, standing in a corner of the room.
Yuan Ling’s expression was somewhat unsightly, silently watching this side. However, she was now too weak to care and spoke softly, “County Magistrate, I apologize for the poor hospitality.”
Given the current circumstances, please return to your residence and rest. I will come to apologize another time.”
“No need. This matter is partially my fault. Let him rest well, and notify me immediately once he recovers.” Yuan Ling spoke with guilt, glanced once more at the bed, and then bid farewell and left.
Qu Xiaojue looked at the person on the bed. The sunlight was exceptionally good today, and his bed was next to the window. When the sunlight came in, it cast a soft, gentle light on his cheek, yet it was not warm.
She suddenly felt powerless and smiled wryly. Her first thought was not to investigate why this happened, but simply to sit quietly and wait for him to wake up.
Xu Wanzhi had not intentionally jumped into the water. The two packages of medicine in his room were untouched, and he did not want to create unnecessary trouble for Yuan Ling. Originally sitting quietly in the lotus pavilion, he noticed small fish jumping among the flower leaves. He walked into the water corridor to get a closer look. Who would have thought that Yuan Ling, whom he met a few days ago, would slowly approach him?
After an insignificant conversation, he became somewhat impatient. Hearing Yuan Ling ask why he had come and not stayed, he felt bored and frustrated. What did all this have to do with Xu Wanzhi?
The problem was that the man here was truly fragile and helpless.
When he turned to leave, Yuan Ling felt particularly aggrieved, thinking about losing face in front of a merchant’s husband. In her excitement, she almost slipped into the water. Xu Wanzhi, who had not yet seen this happen, instinctively reached out to pull her, ultimately falling in himself.
He had not intended to drown and, upon reflection, was too lazy to struggle. Perhaps this was an opportunity?
Of course, he was quickly pulled out by the tall woman from the Qu family and now faced the awkward situation of having to wake up.
He ground his teeth and opened his eyes, indeed seeing Qu Xiaojue’s cold face, instantly wishing he was in an unreal dream.
His jaw suddenly tightened as he opened his eyes, meeting a pair of cold eyes. He heard a cold warning from above: “Husband, since you’re awake, get up and drink the medicine before resting.”
Was she angry with him?
Xu Wanzhi cast an indifferent glance and spoke softly, “No, let go. I want to sleep.”
Qu Xiaojue gripped him tighter: “Husband, I’m worried about you being so careless. Look, your face is pale.” She reached out to touch his cheek. Xu Wanzhi shuddered and gritted his teeth, “Say it again. Let go.”
Qu Xiaojue coldly looked at him. She had rushed over worried about his drowning, and now he was playing dead?
Turning away as soon as he saw her?
“Husband, you’re still sick. Be less willful,” Qu Xiaojue averted her gaze and decisively pulled him up, making him sit propped against the pillow. She glanced at a young servant who immediately bowed and handed over a bowl of dark medicine. She took it and brought it directly before his eyes.
Xu Wanzhi’s inner anger was rising. What kind of woman had he encountered!
Frowning, he turned his face away: “Take it away. I won’t drink this.” He might as well die and be done with it. This Qu Xiaojue was interfering too much. Leaving him here would be best for everyone!
“Drink it,” Qu Xiaojue also became angry, placing the bowl at his lips. What was he trying to do?
Xu Wanzhi coldly snorted, “I said I won’t drink it. Now, please leave my sight.” He pointed his finger toward the door; her presence was irritating him.
“You!” Qu Xiaojue slammed the medicine bowl onto the bed, coldly asking, “What if I say I won’t go?”
“Is that so?”
Xu Wanzhi suddenly reached up, grabbing her wrist and twisting forcefully. He looked into her surprised eyes and spoke coldly, “Qu Xiaojue, you are repeatedly crossing my bottom line.”
Qu Xiaojue silently looked at him. She had seen all his changes.
This cold-faced, perhaps cold-hearted husband – was he changed, or had he always been like this?
She glanced at the medicine bowl now shattered on the ground, pursed her lips, and spoke in a low voice, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Xu Wanzhi stood from the bed, quietly dressing in his dark robe. He walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and slowly drank it. In a clear voice, he said, “I don’t need you to worry about my life. I apologize for the unnecessary trouble I’ve caused you recently, but please give me the space I need. I’m not accustomed to being constrained.”
Her concern for his health and urging him to take medicine had become constraint!
A sharp, dull pain arose in Qu Xiaojue’s heart. She tightened her hand, looking at his cold profile, and asked, “What kind of space do you want? Have you forgotten your identity? Have you also forgotten about An’er, our child?”
To him, An’er was just another family’s cute child.
Feeling the discussion’s origin was fundamentally not about him, Xu Wanzhi became increasingly displeased. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow: “As you can see, we are merely passersby.” Here, he had always been alone.
“You—” She stared directly at him, her hand alternating between tight and loose. Had no one ever spoken to her more heartlessly, causing her such anger and helplessness?
Xu Wanzhi also sighed; he did not like to say such words, yet he couldn’t help but say so much. “Please forgive me, I truly just do not need your deliberate care.”
