Lin, hoping to use this opportunity to handle the “son-in-law” he did not choose, realized that with her return, he could not go against her wishes. He spoke softly: “Jue’er, you must be tired from your journey. Come pay respects after the evening meal.”
“Daughter understands.”
As the group disappeared down the corridor, Xu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow, glancing at the pale-faced Qi’er and calling him.
Qi’er came to his senses, seeing the cold Qu Xiaojue, and fell to his knees: “Master.”
“What happened?”
She waved her hand lightly, her expression cold and distant.
But this woman was “her” wife’s master.
Qi’er stammered: “Master wanted to go out for a walk and happened to encounter the elder master…”
“Enough.”
You may go.”
“Yes, this servant will retire.” Qi’er bit his lip, looking back worriedly at Xu Wanzhi before withdrawing into the courtyard.
Xu Wanzhi had no intention of getting to know these strangers—a group of imposing women… better to forget it. She turned to leave but was stopped by Qu Xiaojue, who finally had a moment to address her: “Husband, stand still.”
Her tone was a complete command.
“What?”
Pausing her departure, she looked up and gave her a casual glance, feeling free to disobey—after all, this was an unrelated person.
Qu Xiaojue’s last bit of patience had run out. Making a scene here and letting the servants laugh at her, she didn’t have such a good temper. Casting her gaze on Xu Wanzhi’s indifferent face, a cold light flickered in her eyes as she said softly, “I think my husband needs to explain today’s events.”
Speaking thus, she strode forward, forcefully gripping her shoulder, rendering her immobile. Xu Wanzhi struggled internally but to no effect, and was dragged into a nearby small courtyard, her own room.
The door closed from the outside. Qu Xiaojue released her without hesitation and sat on the edge of the table. The tea was freshly served, and she took a sip, feeling tired from days of travel.
Qu Xiaojue’s eyebrows twitched as she glanced at her husband, who seemed ready to leave at any moment.
She finally spoke with a restrained tone: “I know you are not favored by my father, but today you deliberately confronted him—”
“As you can see.”
