The steward immediately broke into a sweat, knowing this lord rarely attended gatherings and hadn’t expected him to not even recognize Yuan Ling, the Prefect of one region. Before any further commotion could arise, he stepped forward: “My lord, Yuan Ling, the Prefect, heard of your illness and sent family to inquire earlier. Today he has come to visit personally.” A Prefect specially coming to visit an ordinary merchant’s husband? ”Mm, I see.” Whatever his intentions, Xu Wan would never take them to heart, politely nodding and casually saying “Thank you”. The young servant’s face instantly turned angry. The steward clasped his hands, looking awkward and puzzled. Yuan Ling’s eyebrow moved, flashing a hint of surprise. He had heard about this Qu family lord before, though never having seen him in person. Many husbands had secretly said he didn’t dare to show himself, but now he seemed so proud? With his discerning eye, this person was not unversed in social graces, yet still so impolite to him. Was he completely disregarding his status as the Qu family lord, or simply not caring about a Prefect’s status? How interesting! The old man kept his head down, not daring to listen to the masters’ conversation. However, Xu Wan casually continued her previous topic: “Uncle, why is it called Lian Zi?” Everyone present almost choked. The old man didn’t dare to answer rashly. ”How about I explain?
Yuan Ling stepped closer, brushing back his hair, inadvertently revealing his delicate profile, his smile growing deeper. “Lian Zi is a flower unique to our great nobility, difficult to cultivate, which shows the flower gardener’s admirable love for flowers.”
“The Prefect is too kind, this servant is overwhelmed.” The old man hurriedly bowed.
Xu Wanzhi originally had no intention of talking much with unrelated people. Hearing him praise the old man, the rejection in her heart eased slightly, and she stopped her gaze on him, waiting for what would follow.
“It is said that at the beginning of the great merit, there was a father and son who were stranded in the mountains. The father loved his son deeply. Thinking that his son had no playmates and often played in the mountains, he would daily prepare roasted meat for him, crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. When encountering fierce beasts, he would throw the meat, and surprisingly, no animal would harm him. But one day, the child wandered far and never returned. The father searched but could not find him, his obsession undiminished. Every day, he would roast meat in case they were hungry, attracting numerous mountain beasts, yet there was no trace of his son. Later, the meat scraps left at the door gradually rotted and cracked, and unexpectedly grew into flowers like these.
For Xu Wanzhi, who had been exposed to various stories from ancient and modern times both at home and abroad since childhood, such a legend was not particularly remarkable. Knowing its origin, she politely nodded with a faint smile: “Thank you for the explanation, it fits the flower’s meaning well.”
After expressing thanks, she turned to leave.
Yuan Ling was surprised by her indifferent reaction and gradually smiled: “Qu Zhu Jun, don’t you find this story quite moving?”
“What does it have to do with me?”
Such a questioning response, somewhat puzzled, somewhat helpless. She herself was already a complicated knot, only knowing what she wanted to know when interested.
Yuan Ling’s eyebrows furrowed and rose. He felt that the person who had just been conversing with him and was now turning away had eyes too distant. He had a vague feeling that the next time they met, this Qu Zhu Jun might not even recognize him.
The steward Qu Lu also couldn’t help but look at his slow retreating figure, feeling inexplicably strange.
Yuan Ling’s thoughts shifted, and he instantly made a decision: “Qu Zhu Jun, in five days, the Yu Ling Young Master’s Qingxin Banquet. Please attend.”
He had personally invited him; could he refuse?
Xu Wanzhi had already walked a short distance, almost passing through the corridor pavilion. Hearing the words were directed at her, she turned and glanced at him, slightly shaking her head: “Thank you for your kindness, but no.”
Such a matter-of-fact rejection!
Yuan Ling’s gaze shifted, and the white-clothed young servant immediately stepped forward, pointing at Xu Wanzhi: “Qu Zhu Jun, the Junling has invited you. By refusing so, are you trying to embarrass the Junling?”
Xu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow, looking at him strangely: “We just met and don’t know each other. Why would I embarrass him? What does your Yu Ling Young Master’s Qingxin Banquet have to do with me?”
Yuan Ling suddenly stopped him, glancing at the embarrassed and panicked steward and old man. Turning to Xu Wanzhi, who had a slight hint of impatience between her brows, he smiled lightly: “Qu Zhu Jun, please excuse the rudeness. Anyway, Yuan Ling will take his leave now.”
“Please feel free.”
These words were indeed directed at him.
Xu Wanzhi’s politeness was well-cultivated, and she courteously responded, waiting for him to turn away with the angry young servant before slowly walking off.
Little did she know that in a world where no wall is completely soundproof, the Qu family also had gossipy servants. Despite the steward’s strict instructions, the story twisted and leaked out.
It was merely that the Qu family’s reclusive main wife, after a serious illness, had suddenly become fierce, preventing the master from taking concubines and forcing her to be away for months! Especially unacceptable was daring to argue with Yu Ling’s first young master, Yuan Ling Junling, who personally visited, disrespecting his face, which was entirely against wifely virtues and unworthy of being a noble wife… causing quite a stir.
Regardless of how wild the rumors were, Xu Wanzhi’s small courtyard remained undisturbed and serene. After touring this ancient garden for several days and feeling the novelty fade, she found it boring and wanted to explore the outside world, planning to return home by any means.
Here, she had no concerns, needing only to dress properly to go out.
The sky was blue, the clouds sparse and the weather fine.
“Master, are you going out?”
Qi’er, entering from outside, encountered her light steps. Xu Wanzhi, in a good mood, casually responded: “What, I can’t go out?”
How could a noble wife go out without preparation, wandering casually?!
But looking at her expression, it seemed as natural as carrying two silver pieces for a stroll. Qi’er didn’t dare lecture her and was stopped by that rhetorical question.
Glancing at her, Xu Wanzhi fastened her long clothing belt and cheerfully walked out the door.
Qi’er, recovering, hurriedly lifted her skirt and chased after, catching up after several steps. Touching her quickened pace, she finally boldly grabbed her clothing hem and urgently said: “If master is going out, let this servant follow!”
“As you wish.”
What a delicate young person, her cheeks turning slightly red. She shook her head, pulling out Qi’er’s messy hairpin and placing it in her hand, saying indifferently that anyway, she needed a guide, and though this child was probably useless, at least she was a genuine local.
The two traveled light, one energetic, the other cautious.
Before the courtyard gate’s corridor, a blue stone path extended. At this moment, two middle-aged men were walking briskly on that path, and seeing the master and servant, they quickened their small steps.
Both sides were somewhat surprised.
Xu Wanzhi intended to step back and let them pass first. Qi’er trembled behind her, her face turning pale, and she wobbled forward, supported by two people, bowing to the man at the front, her voice timid: “Greetings, Old Master.”
