Lin’s face instantly changed, his eyes filled with joy. Xu Wanzhi was startled, following his gaze to the woman appearing at the end of the corridor, gradually approaching. She wore a blue-green simple robe, her hem dusty, clearly having traveled from afar. Several tall women silently followed her. When she noticed Xu Wanzhi’s gaze, she looked back with cold, deep black eyes.
In fact, she was quite striking—her eyebrows defined, her features handsome, her posture upright—a very attractive woman.
Qu Xiaojue did not look at Xu Wanzhi. She swept an authoritative glance across everyone, instantly calming the previous tumultuous atmosphere. She stepped forward and bowed to Lin: “Father, I hope you are well. Daughter has been away for three months, and father has worked hard managing the household.”
“Jue’er, you’re back. Come, let father look at you. You must have suffered outside and have grown thinner.”
He immediately transformed into a loving father, grasping Qu Xiaojue’s hand. She held it briefly before subtly withdrawing and said: “Do not worry, father. Daughter is fine. The household has only troubled father with management, ensuring everything remains peaceful.”
These words sent a chill down Xu Wanzhi’s spine as she watched coldly.
Slightly stepping aside from Lin, Qu Xiaojue turned to the steward and demanded: “Qu Lu, you manage the entire household. How could you allow the elder master to stand here so long, potentially harming his health? Can you bear this responsibility?”
“This servant does not dare.”
Qu Lu, whom Xu Wanzhi had seen before, immediately stepped forward, bowing with a face full of shame and trepidation.
“Let there not be a next time.”
“This servant understands.”
Qu Xiaojue’s expression softened slightly, turning to Lin: “Father, the wind outside is strong. You should return and rest. Someone, escort the elder master back to his quarters and attend to him carefully.”
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.”
Xu Wanzhi had no intention of dwelling on this matter, shrugging indifferently. It was only natural to defend oneself when someone had come to their doorstep.
“You—have changed.”
Seeing his cold expression, Qu Xiaojue slowly stood up, staring directly at him and uttering these words.
“As you can see,” Xu Wanzhi shrugged again, responding with the same phrase, unwilling to argue or explain.
“Is your attitude because you’re angry with me?”
“Hmm? You’re overthinking.”
Qu Xiaojue’s eyebrows moved, suddenly looking fierce. Xu Wanzhi stood by the door, her expression calm and unperturbed.
“Very well,” she sighed vaguely, no longer looking at him. She turned and entered the inner room, rustling sounds emerging. Xu Wanzhi had recently become familiar with this sound. Qu Xiaojue was tired from her journey, and what she needed most now was probably to bathe, change, and rest.
Halfway through undressing, with her shoulders feeling slightly sore, she remembered her husband’s massage skills and called out, “Come in.”
There was no movement from beyond the screen. She restrained herself and called again, “A’wan, come in!”
Still, no footsteps moved. Xu Wanzhi casually chose a small path and walked leisurely. However, this delay meant it was almost noon, and though it wasn’t her body being scorched, she was still feeling the heat.
The Qu family’s garden was vast. With the young Miss Xu’s mysterious tendency to get lost, and Qi’er following her more or less closely these days, she didn’t feel particularly concerned. Suddenly feeling lazy, she saw a lotus pavilion about ten meters away, with cypress trees lining the path. She walked directly there, sprawling on a stone bench to gaze at the scenery.
With flowers and leaves, the air quite fresh, accompanied by intermittent bird calls, it was truly a natural place for a spring nap. Xu Wanzhi’s drowsiness deepened, and she simply laid her hands down and fell asleep.
The dream was a beautiful modern fantasy – her beloved family, her familiar life, her inherent habits…
“Daddy, daddy—”
“Hmm?” In her confusion, a pair of small hands with gentle strength pushed her arm. Xu Wanzhi’s brow furrowed as she opened her eyes, sliding past unfamiliar scenery before landing on the small person beside her.
The little one, who had been pushing her for half a day without waking her, looked anxious. Now seeing her daddy looking at her, a smile spread across her face.
Xu Wanzhi suppressed her displeasure at being disturbed. Propping her head with one hand, she looked at the child gazing up at her. She reached out and picked him up, sitting him on the stone bench beside her, forcing a smile and asking, “An’er, how are you here? Have you eaten lunch?”
An’er mimicked her, leaning on the table and seriously said, “Daddy, An’er doesn’t need medicine anymore!”
Seeing her daddy silent, An’er pouted, “Daddy hasn’t come to see An’er for a long time. The caretaker said An’er’s hair has grown long…”
Xu Wanzhi reached out and touched his head. Hmm, his hair was tied in a small bun, but she couldn’t really tell. “If daddy doesn’t come to see you, An’er can come see me. Who else would you talk to?”
“But before, when mommy came back, daddy would always carry me to mommy. Then mommy would hold An’er and tell stories, and daddy would pour tea for us.”
“So, why did you come find daddy? Have you seen your mother?”
“No, the caretaker said mommy went to the old master’s courtyard and told me not to disturb her.”
An’er’s eyes misted over, feeling somewhat aggrieved. He really missed his mommy!
Why wasn’t he allowed to go to grandpa’s courtyard?
