It’s fine if you don’t go. Wancheng has been experiencing a severe drought these days.” She quickly grabbed his arm, but Xu Wanzhi immediately frowned and struck her hand away. Qu Xiaojue naturally withdrew her hand first.
“Husband, please sit. I have more to say.”
Say it then, don’t touch me! With a cold, warning glance, he sat back down, waiting for what was to come.
At this moment, tea was served. She took a slow, deliberate sip: “In a few days, I’m going to Huancheng. The climate there is most suitable for cooling off. You’ve been at the Qu family for three years and must be bored. Would you like to come along?”
So, was she inviting him to travel?
Xu Wanzhi gave her a strange look and asked, “What if I don’t go?”
“No matter. My father has been feeling restless lately and remembers the previous misunderstanding between you two. He suggested bringing you to visit various families, to chat with acquainted lords about the ways of being a husband, to temper your youthful spirit, and to truly become a son-in-law of the Qu family. Such meditation might help pass the time.”
Xu Wanzhi twitched and was speechless. Did this woman always have to speak so circuitously? He coldly retorted, “Do you think I would listen to your father’s words?”
“I wouldn’t dare. My words are, in your eyes, no more than a breeze in passing… I’m just stating the facts.” Qu Xiaojue added a perfectly measured bitter tone, then continued, “Huancheng’s scenery is universally praised.
Not to mention the extraordinary Cloud Peak, the peak of Lan Mountain, the blood-red sea, even the old Xin Garden – though desolate, it harbors infinite vitality, making one marvel at the power of creation.”
Was this another attempt to entice him?
Xu Wanzhi propped up his head again, saying casually, “The scenery I’ve seen is all considered rare, not necessarily different from what you describe.”
Qu Xiaojue’s brow tightened, definitively stating, “What you’ve seen is certainly not what I’ve described.”
“Oh?” He turned to look directly at her, countering, “And what of it? Has everyone who hasn’t been to Huancheng committed a crime?”
She sighed softly, “Nothing… It’s just that day, seeing you gazing at the distant mountains and near waters from the lotus pavilion, I thought I’d take you to see the things you like.”
“…”
Clearly, Xu Wanzhi was once again rendered speechless by her overwhelmingly dramatic statement. He drank some tea to help digest this, wanting to mock her but knew such a comment would be inappropriate.
“How long will we be gone?”
Hearing his negotiable tone, Qu Xiaojue looked at him and answered honestly, “The round trip will take ten days. Adding some stay time, about a month.”
Now he understood why her casual trips always took months.
During his school days, he had always hated unnecessary travel, often feeling exhausted and unable to recover for days!
He shook his head and decisively considered, “Let me think about it.”
After several days of thinking, Qi’er, having heard about this from somewhere, deliberately and enthusiastically urged him. Xu Wanzhi, bored and slowly recognizing characters in the “Lotus Collection”, finally couldn’t stand the youth’s girl-like persistence. He glanced at him and said casually, “Qi’er.”
“Yes.” Carefully looking at him, Qi’er immediately stopped talking and quietly went to clean a flower vase.
Xu Wanzhi couldn’t help but shake his head, sighing, “You don’t need to accompany me all the time. I’ll call you if I need something. You can do your own things during idle times.”
But his proper job was to serve the Qu master.
Qi’er still nodded and retreated from the room. At the same time, some significant noise came from the doorway, which Qi’er heard with some surprise and respectfully called out, “Master.”
“Hmm.”
A shadow appeared at the door, and steady footsteps walked directly towards Xu Wanzhi. He pressed down on the book and looked up, “Something wrong?”
“Can’t I come look at you if there’s nothing wrong?” Not expecting any warm welcome, Qu Xiaojue walked directly to sit opposite him, glancing at his calm but silent demeanor: “The county magistrate has sent people several times to inquire about your fall into the water.”
I’ve accepted the medicinal herbs on your behalf.”
He was completely uninterested, nodding slightly, silent.
“Still reading this collection? Didn’t you put it down a long time ago?”
Her brow slightly furrowed. Xu Wanzhi had no intention of explaining, casually saying, “Nothing else to do.”
As he turned to put the book away, Qu Xiaojue watched his dark-colored back moving, tapping the table’s edge, “Since you’re free, why not recite a couple of poems for me? What’s so special about this collection?”
“I can’t read.” Xu Wanzhi let out a mocking laugh, turning with a half-smile that seemed to mock more than just her.
“You—never mind.”
His expression clearly ridiculed more than just her. Qu Xiaojue felt a pang in her heart, staring directly at him. He simply put the book away, offering no explanation. She paused her gaze for a moment, ultimately giving up on pursuing why he suddenly couldn’t read.
Turning her gaze to the teacup, she took a sip. The tea she’d been drinking here lately was all bitter.
“Husband, two days from now is An’er’s birthday. I’ve ordered that we don’t need to make a big fuss, just gather as a family for dinner and offer some blessings. What do you think?”
Xu Wanzhi replied coldly, “Children don’t need those unnecessary formalities. Just keep it simple.”
Edited Article:
Although one of them wanted to get closer, they were ultimately not used to being overly enthusiastic, making the other person feel uncomfortable. Thus, they fell silent again.
Xu Wanzhi stood by his bookcase for a moment before returning to sit at the table, trying to make conversation: “Do I need to do anything? What gift does An’er like?”
“As a father, A’wan should know what he should do. Wouldn’t you know best what gifts he likes?” Qu Xiaojue’s gaze fell back on his face, the words carrying an unmistakable reproach.
Xu Wanzhi was immediately provoked, coldly retorting, “Should I also be clear about everything in the Qu family, including your father’s and your birthdays, what you like and dislike? Should I even enthusiastically take care of Qu family matters?”
“Naturally,” she responded sharply, staring directly at his slightly irritated expression.
“I can’t do that,” he said calmly after a moment. “I don’t want to get involved in your family’s affairs. Let’s end this discussion. If there’s nothing else, please excuse me.”
He stood up and walked directly outside. It wasn’t that he found Qu Xiaojue unbearable, but her words felt like they weren’t really directed at him, and the tone was uncomfortable.
He had no patience to be anyone’s substitute or listen to irrelevant reproaches.
Qu Xiaojue put down her cup lid and said coldly, “Stop!”
The person at the door didn’t pause, so she suddenly stood up and grabbed him, demanding, “What kind of attitude is this? Can’t we sit down and talk properly?”
“Let go of me!” Xu Wanzhi turned his head, his brow furrowed with impatience.
“No!”
Qu Xiaojue directly pulled him back to the table, forcibly sitting him down. Her chest heaved heavily, clearly truly angry. Xu Wanzhi was forced to look up at her gloomy face, involuntarily raising an eyebrow. Although he felt innocent, he had clearly managed to provoke her anger again.
Fine, he’d deal with the consequences of his actions. He turned around in the limited space and poured a cup of tea, holding it out to her: “Tea. Calm down.”
The tea was held steadily, and when no one took it, he even raised it a few times to urge her. Qu Xiaojue stared fixedly, suddenly feeling absurd. She was angry with him, yet he was trying to placate her.
