After the meal, the dishes on the table remained untouched. Estimating the child’s appetite, Xu Wanzhi lowered his head. ”An’er, are you full?” ”Yes!” An’er patted his little belly and nodded heavily. Xu Wanzhi pulled down his hand: “Dad will send you to rest.” ”Okay—” An’er tilted his head, letting himself be led, ignoring Qu Xiaojue. She had never encountered such a situation before and stood up, coldly calling: “Someone, send the young master back to Hanzhang Court.” An’er was immediately picked up by his nursemaid. Qu Xiaojue’s face turned cold: “Take good care of him.” ”Yes.” The nursemaid hurriedly carried An’er away. Xu Wanzhi hadn’t even had time to play the “loving father” before being left there, finding it uninteresting. She would leave too. Before taking a step, a cold voice came from behind: “Husband, are you deliberately trying to embarrass me?” Xu Wanzhi turned to look at her, finding it amusing: “Qu Family Master, I don’t know why you think this way. I have no intention of embarrassing anyone, including you. It’s just that what you said during the day was not kept. We have no relationship – I simply don’t easily eat others’ food. Think more if you want, I can do nothing about it.” After three years of marriage, she was actually an outsider! Qu Xiaojue stood in the shadows, momentarily stunned, unable to say anything.
She wasn’t deliberately trying to embarrass this woman, but this typical female-dominated woman opened a vent for her many hidden angers. She watched coldly, even if she was completely unaware – Xu Wan’s departure and her own fall to this place, she had indirect credit. Of course, she didn’t hate her, she never hated anyone, moreover, who would hate someone they barely knew? She just momentarily vented, and Qu Xiaojue happened to be in the line of fire. Forget it, today’s matter can happen once but not again. Regarding Xu Wan’s matter, he had already shown anger twice, which was enough. As for herself, no one could help her. If she couldn’t accept fate, why not bet everything? Lanterns of pale yellow were lit throughout the Qu family compound, which to someone who had enjoyed modern lighting seemed not bright at all, carefully watching her steps, not really a matter of technique or vision. Qi’er insisted on coming with her and was taken away by a young man after arriving, seeming quite familiar, so she let her go freely. At this moment, a thin figure holding a lantern at the gate kept looking this way. She pursed her lips and walked over. Suddenly a cold shout came from behind: “Stop!” This voice was none other than the “wife master” she had just parted with.
Manner of Death
Footsteps behind her were heavy and steady, gradually becoming clear, bringing a somewhat solemn atmosphere. Knowing she was being called, Xu Wanzhi paused, waving to Qi’er who had heard the noise in the distance, then turned to look at the woman walking out of the shadows. Her expression was serious, her eyebrows slightly lowered, staring directly at her.
Qu Xiaojue suppressed her anger, not understanding why he treated her this way. If it was because of that person… he should understand that such actions would only place him in a more embarrassing situation. However, standing in the night, he turned his head politely at her call, slightly raising an eyebrow. Before she even approached, he casually pulled his sleeve, neither shrinking nor depressed.
He was completely unaffected by her emotions. Xu Wanzhi slightly turned her head: “Something else?”
“Husband.”
She called softly, as if there were many words to follow, but looking at his expression, it seemed whatever she said would be like a passing cloud, dispensable.
“Speak if you have something to say.” After waiting a while with no further words, she urged slightly.
“…How have you been these days?”
The words were soft and light. Qu Xiaojue watched his expression intently.
Xu Wanzhi suddenly looked up and glared at her fiercely. She asked if he was well, did she know his “husband” was already gone? Did she understand that many things had changed? Xu Wanzhi bit her teeth tightly but decided not to argue with this woman anymore. In the end, she could only sigh at her own bad luck. She wouldn’t grieve for Xu Wan, nor would she live in pointless sorrow. Taking several deep breaths, the cool night wind helped her clear her mind. Retracting her complex gaze, Xu Wanzhi coldly glanced at her and turned to leave. Stunned by that angry gaze, Qu Xiaojue stared blankly at his retreating back, suddenly calling out loudly: “What exactly happened during this time?” “Look into your own heart.” The cool voice drifted in the night wind, slowly spreading and unexpectedly heavy.
A moment later, hearing the footsteps of her subordinate behind her, she narrowed her eyes: “Call Qu Lu.” “Yes.” Sensing the master’s dark mood, the subordinate’s steps were light, but before she could leave the courtyard, Qu Xiaojue’s retort was: “No need to call, you can rest as well.”
“Yes.” After a pause, she retreated without objection. “Young Master!” Seeing him return, Qi’er happily raised her face, taking small steps closer. Xu Wanzhi smiled at him, gestured towards the door, and walked straight out. Qi’er hurriedly picked up the lantern and followed nimbly.
He was somewhat curious about how the young master and the master had gotten along tonight, but the person ahead, while smiling, was inexplicably cold. He could only restrain his thoughts and follow carefully, not daring to overstep.
Today, after being provoked to anger by Qu Xiaojue several times, she grew even more disgusted with this place, completely abandoning any thoughts of going out for a few days.
Returning to her room at night, she told Qi’er to extinguish all the lamps and lay quietly, her mind dwelling on a program she had once watched called “A Thousand Ways to Die”. Good, this was precisely the problem she was wrestling with.
There was nothing to discuss about this. What was worth mentioning was that it gave Young Miss Xu a clear train of thought. As the saying goes, living is difficult, but dying isn’t easy.
Ancient people often used grand methods: hanging, slicing, drowning, arsenic poisoning.
She truly had no other way, which is why she resorted to these “last resorts”. If she happened to transmigrate back tonight, she wouldn’t need to consider “how to kill yourself” tomorrow.
Early the next morning, soft quilts and dreamy gauze, with gentle light reflecting on the windowsill, created an antique atmosphere. Qi’er was already waiting as usual. Hearing movement, she lifted the curtain and entered, then coughed and retreated. After dressing herself, Xu Wanzhi finished breakfast and went straight to the point: “Qi’er, a month ago, how did I become, um, extremely fragile?”
Qi’er softly replied: “You didn’t eat regularly and were depressed all day, and became like that. Fortunately, your body wasn’t damaged…”
Xu Wanzhi glanced at the high beams and said, “Qi’er, these past few nights I’ve often heard rats rustling in the room, quite disturbing. Go buy some medicine and keep it on my dressing table. When night comes and I’m restless, I can sprinkle some.”
It wasn’t that she wanted to be perverted, but jumping into a river or using white silk was too painful physically and emotionally. Even if the end result was the same, choosing a good method wasn’t excessive.
He meticulously cleaned every day. Hearing this, he immediately searched the corners, finding many small animal claw marks on various wooden furniture. Qi’er exclaimed: “How hateful!” However, sprinkling medicine indoors seemed inappropriate, and she couldn’t help suggesting: “Young Master, you used to like gentle cats. Shall I bring one?”
