“Just treat him as if he’s dead! Marry Lan’er as a secondary wife. In the future, have a daughter who is virtuous and filial, and take good care of the Qu family.”
Don’t harm yourself anymore!”
“I know father means well, but I don’t want to…”
Lin Shi’s thin eyebrows furrowed, and she coldly laughed: “Then tell me, what’s so good about him! You don’t want to marry Lan’er, fine. The fallen young gentleman you used to fancy, I’ll let him enter the door. Are you satisfied now?”
Qu Xiaojue slightly lowered her eyes, but took Lin Shi’s hand and gently held it, softly and bitterly smiling: “Father, Lan’er is my cousin. Wu Gongzi I can only regard as a confidant… He indeed has nothing good about him, doesn’t know how to serve a wife, and doesn’t care about me at all. But he’s the only one who would always look me in the eyes while speaking, even if he’s unwilling to pay me attention. I’ve always believed that he remembers how I treat him… I don’t want anyone else! Mother passed away six years ago, and I’m twenty-five this year. Can’t I make this decision?”
Lin Shi looked at the hand she was holding, her heart softening slightly. Being confronted with her daughter’s status, a wave of indescribable sorrow surged in her heart, thinking of the person who left early. Father and daughter fell silent.
“Forget it!” Lin Shi’s heart ached, looking at her daughter’s pale face with a mix of bitter love and resigned acceptance: “You have no siblings. I’ll personally find a good match for Lan’er and return to the ancestral home to keep vigil for our ancestors!”
“Qu Xiaojue turned her attention to Lin Lan, the initial warmth in her heart now mingled with a hint of sorrow. She straightened her posture, forcing herself to focus. “What is it, Lin Lan?”
Lin Lan hesitated, her expression uncertain, as if weighing her words. “I… I just wanted to see how you are doing. You look upset.”
“It’s nothing,” Qu Xiaojue replied, her voice steady, although the heaviness remained in her heart. “Just a little family matter.”
Lin Lan nodded but did not press further. Instead, she changed the subject, trying to lift the mood. “Have you thought about the upcoming festivities? It could be a welcome distraction.”
Qu Xiaojue forced a small smile, grateful for the attempt but still feeling the weight of her recent conversation with Lin Shi. “Yes, maybe it will be good for both of us. We should prepare well.”
As the two cousins continued to talk, the atmosphere gradually lightened, but a sense of unresolved tension lingered in the background.
Facing the boy who used to sweetly call her “Miss Jue” in childhood, Qu Xiaojue’s mind was made up, smiling and softening her expression: “Lan’er, when you get married, consider this place your maternal home. Wherever Lan cannot take care of, just tell me. I can be this kind of sister.”
“You really don’t want me?” Finally asking, Lin Lan bit her lip tightly, looking at the person on the bed, tears rolling down, gradually turning into loud sobs.
Qu Xiaojue quietly listened to his crying, which grew more sorrowful, lasting nearly half an hour before he forced himself to gradually stop, raising his red nose and twisting the handkerchief.
Qu Xiaojue stated firmly: “I’m waiting for your brother-in-law to return.”
Lin Lan wanted to cry again but bit down hard and held back. He seriously looked at her for a long time, quietly bowed to her, and then ran out quickly.
Xu Wanzhi followed Zhan Suya’s suggestion, immediately hired a carriage, sitting with the carriage woman at the front. She quickly laughed and chatted with the carriage woman.
They rested in a small town at night and continued on their way early the next morning. Zhan Suya lifted the curtain and entered, sitting opposite her, thus lamenting: “I don’t know if the doctor explained clearly. Xiao Wei must be anxious to death!”
Xu Wanzhi glanced at her, silent.
Zhan Suya, getting no response, continued: “You really won’t tell me anything? How am I supposed to explain to Xiao Wei when I go back?”
“I might have made a mistake and harmed someone… Xiao Wei helped me during my most confused time, and I’ve always been grateful. I won’t return to Sanxin Sect. If I’m fortunate enough to see her again, I’ll sincerely ask for her forgiveness. If not, then our fate ends here. So, Miss Zhan, I also thank you for your help. Please return at the next town. If I can’t successfully reach my destination, perhaps it’s destiny, and I won’t force it.”
Zhan Suya was puzzled by his melancholic expression, frowning: “You want me to leave first?”
Xu Wanzhi nodded, smiling at her: “Yes. Thank you.”
Zhan Suya finally couldn’t hold back her curiosity: “Who are you going to meet?”
“…My wife.”
Rushing here and there, he finally entered the city gate on the evening of the third day. After paying the fare, he asked the carriage woman to deliver a farewell letter to Ding Xiangwei. By the time he reached the Qu family’s gate, night had completely fallen. The doorkeeper saw a dark figure approaching directly and asked in a tight voice, “Who goes there?”
Xu Wanzhi stepped onto the stairs and stood under the lantern. The doorkeeper recognized him at a glance and cried out in surprise, “Master? The master has returned!”
After the initial reaction, he knelt down and kowtowed three loud times, then hurriedly led him inside. Just as they entered the first inner gate, Qu Shan silently appeared before them, waving her hand to dismiss the doorkeeper. “Master, what identity are you returning with this time?”
Her tone was full of anger and interrogation. Xu Wanzhi spoke in a cold, calm voice: “How are you addressing me? Since the personal guard of the Qu family master has the leisure to care about such things, it seems her body is not in serious condition.”
He then nodded and turned to leave.
Qu Shan was shocked, feeling both angry and powerless. She suddenly knelt before Xu Wanzhi, bitterly smiling, “Master, Qu Shan was disrespectful. Please forgive me. The master has been waiting for you.”
“Get up!” Xu Wanzhi said clearly: “I do not need you to kneel. I’m only telling you that I’ve come to find Qu Xiaojue because of what she’s done for me. As for others, whatever their thoughts, it has nothing to do with me, and I’m not interested in hearing anyone’s sarcasm. Regardless of whether I’m your master or not, you must show me proper respect!”
“Yes,” Qu Shan no longer objected, leading him to the Jue courtyard and silently withdrawing. Xu Wanzhi knocked on the door, and after a moment, a low voice from inside said, “Come in.”
He pushed the door open, entering Qu Xiaojue’s bedroom for the second time, feeling very different from his first visit. The room flickered with a warm, yellowish candlelight.
“…Qu Xiaojue.”
She reclined on the bed, holding a book, her eyes showing clear surprise at the sudden appearance, staring intently. Hearing him call her name, she gradually collected herself and stared at him.
Xu Wanzhi narrowed his eyes, carefully observing her expression, and sighed, “You’re injured? At least you’re still okay.”
Qu Xiaojue threw aside her book and laughed coldly, “What kind of words are these from my husband? I’d probably be better off dead!”
“I’m sorry,” he apologized sincerely, then turned to say, “Rest well, I’ll come see you tomorrow.” Qu Xiaojue trembled with anger, shouting, “Come back!”
Xu Wanzhi paused, turning back to approach the bedside. Qu Xiaojue grabbed his hand tightly, her cold voice trembling, “I’m betting on how heartless you can be.”
Her grip was intense. Xu Wanzhi sighed apologetically, “Qu Xiaojue, I’m not Xu Wan, nor am I your husband. I didn’t explain clearly before, which caused you to rush about and get injured. I’m truly sorry.”
Is an apology enough? Qu Xiaojue took a deep breath and snorted, her gaze fixed on his eyes, asking, “What if I had died?”
