This question stumped Xu Wanzhi again. Since Qu Xiaojue brought it up, the matter must have reached a serious level. He hesitated to make a casual judgment, gazing at the distant scenery outside the window, and slowly said: “Disregarding grand principles, purely from personal feeling: those truly loyal should be treated with sincerity, and one who is disloyal once should never be used again.”
“However, for your family’s old veteran, I don’t know why she has turned now, but there must be a reason. I suggest you try to be more tolerant.”
Qu Courtyard
For several days, everything was peaceful. On the fourth evening, they arrived at Huancheng. The Chen family had long ordered servants to wait at the city gate. An old woman from Qu family’s Huancheng manor had also been waiting here for a day and unexpectedly met them.
Zhou Xian bowed to Qu Xiaojue: “Excuse my presumption in calling you Qu family sister. Thank you for taking care of us during the journey. I hope we can work with Qu family in the future, which would be my little sister’s blessing.”
Qu Xiaojue nodded: “No need to be polite.”
Chen Tinglan’s closeness to Xu Wanzhi probably stemmed from two reasons, being male and completely different from herself.
Seeing his wife’s master say goodbye to Qu family’s master, he proactively approached Xu Wanzhi and whispered: “A’wan, let’s part ways today. If you’re free and bored, feel free to visit Zhou family.”
Xu Wanzhi nodded: “Mm.”
This response was somewhat noncommittal. Chen Tinglan added: “Can I come find you?”
“…If there’s something.”
“Okay.” He could see Xu Wanzhi disliked socializing and rarely spoke during the journey unless necessary. This response was probably the best he could manage.
Xu Wanzhi heard everything clearly beforehand and couldn’t help but glance at Qu Xiaojue beside her. Her expression was serious, almost to the point of being close to a relative. She probably couldn’t be associated with the word “cordial” in her entire life.
However, this Miss Yan was truly an exceptional type in this era.
They did not have dinner together. Xu Wanzhi was tired, asked where she would be staying, and after getting the answer, directly went to her room. She lay down to sleep.
Qu’s family had their own arrangements, and Yan Ziyan was originally going to be arranged in the west wing. She said, “Anyway, there are so many empty rooms here, just arrange a comfortable one for me without troubling others.”
The Qu family members were already used to her style and directly returned to their rooms without arguing.
Madam De, who was always serious and calm, saw that the master didn’t object, so she arranged her in the small secluded pavilion. When he woke up again, it was already bright outside. Xu Wanzhi lay in bed, stretched lazily, feeling his body was finally more comfortable, and casually rolled around in the blanket. A precise knock sounded at the door, accompanied by a gentle young voice: “Master, are you awake?”
“Mm.” He responded and then added: “Don’t come in yet, I’ll call you if I need something.”
“Yes.”
After changing clothes, he opened the door from the inside. The young man was caught off guard and stunned, quickly lowering his head to greet: “Master.”
Seeing the young man holding washing water, Xu Wanzhi reached out to take it. The young man was startled again and quickly withdrew his hand: “This humble servant Qing Yu, awaits the master’s orders.”
“Bring the water in for me.” Rubbing his forehead, he no longer tried to take it himself. Qing Yu’s face relaxed, and he quickly and steadily carried the copper basin into the room and placed it down. Standing properly, ready to help him wash.
Walking over, he shook his head: “I’m used to washing myself. If you have nothing to do, please go get me some breakfast.”
“Qing Yu hurriedly lowered his head and replied: “Master, breakfast will be here momentarily—please wait—and please do not humble this servant…”
Okay. He nodded, went to wash up, and when Qing Yu wanted to help him comb his hair, he suddenly asked: “Is there hot water available? I want to bathe.”
Qing Yu bowed: “This servant will go and arrange it immediately.” Glancing at Xu Wanzhi, he slowly backed out and hurried to the hot water room.
In a moment, another young boy came with breakfast, also looking like a timid little rabbit. Xu Wanzhi couldn’t help but think to himself, no wonder this place practiced female supremacy. Such boys were truly suitable for being kept and “bullied” at home! Qu Xiaojue was really something, keeping such fierce female subordinates and yet brazenly having a handful of such beautiful young boys. Unbelievable!
The rear mountain…
She turned her gaze to Qing Li and smiled, saying: “Do you know, little attendant?”
“This servant does not know, please forgive me…” Suddenly seeing such a beautiful young lady, Qing Li had no time to consider her relationship with the masters, and her face immediately turned red as she lowered her head. Hearing the question she could not answer, she hung her head even lower.
Yan Ziyan was somewhat disappointed, but then raised her eyebrows and became cheerful: “You’re not familiar with this place either, right?”
These past few days we’ve been traveling, either on the road or in the carriage, and we’ve finally stopped. Why don’t we find something fun to do?”
Xu Wanzhi did not refuse, raising an eyebrow and asking back: “Do you have an idea?”
She suggested: “I saw the city walls seemed interesting yesterday. Shall we go out and take a look?”
“I’m still tired from these past few days and haven’t recovered. We can first consider what entertainment there might be inside the Qu family courtyard.”
“That’s right.” Yan Ziyan’s gaze slowly swept across the courtyard, suddenly catching sight of a few fluttering butterflies, she clapped her hands in delight: “Let’s go fly a kite!”
“There’s no wind.”
“Let’s go to the back mountain. There’s wind there,” Yan Ziyan immediately proposed.
“How do you know there’s a back mountain?”
“My family has one—” Her voice became smaller under Xu Wanzhi’s calm gaze, turning to Qing Li. Qing Li said clearly: “There is indeed one, but…”
“What?” Yan Ziyan immediately asked, her eyes full of curiosity.
“This servant dare not speak rashly. I’ve heard there are unclean things…”
This time it was Xu Wanzhi’s turn to be surprised. He didn’t expect to encounter such a legendary thing in the Qu family, and he became quite interested. Yan Ziyan clapped her hands and laughed: “This young lady will definitely fly a kite today.”
Qing Li could not stop the actions of a master and a distinguished guest. They directly ignored his opinion, but finding a kite would still require his help. Although following orders, he naturally felt their behavior was quite inappropriate. Taking advantage of this moment, he went to find the steward Qu Lei to report.
Qu Lei pondered for a moment: “Have someone protect them well and do not overly obstruct.” These were Qu Xiaojue’s original words, already instructed early before leaving, seemingly everything was within expectation.
“Yes.” Qing Li responded, feeling more at ease after receiving the order, and quickly returned. Xu Wanzhi and Yan Ziyan sat opposite each other in the pavilion, one quietly drinking tea, radiating elegance, the other looking around, her eyes blooming.
Qing Li was stunned for a moment, suppressing the many thoughts in his heart, and respectfully walked over, standing outside the pavilion and bowing, saying: “Master, Young Lady, the kite is found.”
“Let me see!” Yan Ziyan bounced up and walked towards him, reaching out to take it. Xu Wanzhi put down his teacup, looking at the hawk kite, and habitually said “Thank you”.
Master.” Before Qing Li could hand the kite to Yan Ziyan, he bit his lip and said, “Please allow this servant to lead the way.”
