Xu Wanzhi quickly understood his meaning but had no intention of explaining such matters to a child.
“An’er, are you hungry? Let’s go to the kitchen and see if there are delicious pastries.” She scooped him up, set him down, and held his small hand, leading him away. The child’s thoughts were immediately diverted, lifting his head and giving Xu Wanzhi a big smile: “Okay.”
Actually, she had no idea where the kitchen was.
Leaving the corridor, two tall women approached, bowing when they saw them: “Master, Young Master, the family head requests your presence.”
“Yay!”
Before Xu Wanzhi could respond, An’er answered happily, shaking her arm: “Daddy, hurry! We can see mommy now!”
Dragging her along, Xu Wanzhi casually pushed him towards those two women: “Take this child away, tell your master whatever reason you want, or tell the truth. I’ll go back to my own courtyard.”
They caught An’er, politely supporting his small shoulders, looking straight at Xu Wanzhi who passed by them directly, finally unable to hide their surprise.
If you do not go, we will find it difficult to explain,” one woman suddenly rushed in front of him, respectfully lowering her head, appearing sincere.
Blocked from his path, Xu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow and looked at her. “Either your master is unreasonable, or you find it difficult to explain – what does that have to do with me?” She was not heartless; she was accustomed to being convenient within possible limits. However, these ancient people had absolutely nothing to do with her true self. She had no interest in casually participating in others’ lives.
“Master—”
The woman was momentarily stunned by his indifferent words and could not find an appropriate rebuttal. Politely nodding to her and giving a few words of comfort to the aggrieved An’er, Xu Wanzhi turned to leave, feeling the heavy gaze behind her. She took a step back: “If she truly has something and it is within my ability, she can come find me herself.”
She spoke matter-of-factly, unaware that the two women were even more astonished.
Of course, between husband and wife, or if a night attendant was needed, or if someone wanted to go to a specific courtyard, or if the mistress summoned someone, the rules were different. Who visited whom reflected status and rank.
Xu Wanzhi did not consider these things, and even if she knew, she would at most raise an eyebrow to show understanding.
At the courtyard gate, Qi’er anxiously clutched her handkerchief, looking around. The master had been gone for a long time, and the family head’s courtyard had sent someone, but no one had returned. Where had the master gone?
He thought the master was still at the family head’s place. Learning of the unknown whereabouts, he wanted to go out and look but was afraid no one would be available when the master returned.
“Qi’er, it’s so sunny outside. In the future, when I’m not here, don’t wait.”
She was not stupid. She could see Qi’er’s nervous concern, but she truly did not need it.
“Master, you’re back. The family head’s courtyard just sent someone to request—”
“I know.”
Interrupting Qi’er’s joyful words, Xu Wanzhi entered the room, removed her outer garment, let down her hair, and directly lay on the cool couch.
Qi’er wanted to speak again, but Xu Wanzhi pointed to the green bean soup on the table: “Please pass me this soup.”
Hearing the word “please”, Qi’er hurriedly brought the soup, no longer speaking, silently waiting for her to finish drinking, then took the bowl out.
The cool couch was by the window, from where one could see the tall jujube tree outside, swaying and creating patches of light. Xu Wanzhi had nothing to do and was unusually unable to sleep. Hearing footsteps, she commanded: “Qi’er, bring a stool and sit. Let’s talk.”
“Yes.”
Qi’er sat awkwardly on a low stool by the bed. Xu Wanzhi turned and propped herself up, first asking: “What does your master – me – usually like to do?”
Thinking for a moment, Qi’er replied: “The young master usually reads books, tends flowers, or cuts clothes for the family head and young master. Sometimes plays the zither, paints, visits the young master’s courtyard, and previously would visit the old master’s courtyard to pay respects and learn etiquette…”
“You also often remember the family head, making soup and sending it over.”
Xu Wanzhi fell back on the couch, sighing: “I’m quite diverse! Go fetch me a book to look at.”
“Yes.”
The previous master Xu Wan also loved books.
Lotus Flower Collection??
Puzzled by the title, Xu Wanzhi opened it and immediately felt overwhelmed.
Not to mention the unfamiliar characters, after deciphering them, she realized they were introspective poems. After reading two poems, she was cross-eyed. Giving up on learning ancient culture, she propped herself up and told Qi’er: “Go rest. Don’t mind me. I haven’t slept enough, and don’t wake me.”
Qi’er was interrupted again, with a cold female voice emerging from the shadowy doorway: “So, what kind of life does my husband want?”
Qu Xiaojue had already changed, wearing a brand new blue long robe, with a simple hairstyle and sharp, calm eyes, standing powerfully in the doorway. She held An’er’s hand, who was about to call for his father but sensitively perceived the tense atmosphere between his parents. Qu Xiaojue slightly lowered her head, softening her voice: “An’er, go back to your room and take a nap, only sleep for half a time. In the afternoon, you can walk around the courtyard. Soon when you have a female teacher, you won’t be allowed to play around. At dinner, mother will have someone cook something delicious.”
Hearing Qu Xiaojue speak this way, An’er became happy again, rubbing against her clothes and sweetly saying: “An’er will be obedient, wants to eat Grandpa Li’s cake.”
She patted his little head, signaled with her eyes, and several servants immediately came forward to lead him out. Seeing the young master sent away, Qi’er quickly bowed to Qu Xiaojue and retreated. The few people accompanying her did not enter the room.
The room was suddenly left with just the two of them, and Qu Xiaojue’s gaze fell on Xu Wanzhi, walking towards her.
So this woman wanted to talk to her alone?
Qu Xiaojue stopped a few steps away, noticing the absence of the usual cloud-line incense, and paused: “A’wan, you are angry with me.”
A definitive tone.
What language are you speaking? Xu Wanzhi was somewhat speechless, glanced at her, and shook her head: “I told you, you’re overthinking.”
“Clang!”
Looking up, the person in the room picked up a teacup and heavily struck it against the table’s edge, turning again towards Xu Wanzhi, suppressing her anger and speaking softly: “I will not marry him, so why are you doing this?”
Xu Wanzhi instantly stared at her, not gossipy, but bored!
This gaze automatically transformed into anger in front of Qu Xiaojue. She tried to speak softly: “A’wan, you have your merits, but he is different from you. Moreover, I will never let him enter the Qu family.”
“How is he different?”
Glancing at her, Qu Xiaojue stated definitively: “The you from before would not ask such a question.”
“Oh?
If you don’t want to say, it’s no big deal.” She had never been one to dig deep into others’ affairs.
Seeing her so cold, Qu Xiaojue inexplicably felt displeased, speaking softly: “You will always be the husband of the Qu family. Today’s willfulness cannot happen again.”
“Back then, when your father was going to divorce me, he promised that not a single penny of the settlement would be missing.”
“What?” Qu Xiaojue’s eyes suddenly fixed on him, the light from the window casting on that familiar face. She suppressed her thoughts and said: “Xu Wan, has actually lost all your refinement?”
