“No.” She immediately refused: “Ever since that lazy cat, I no longer like cats. Moreover, though they’re obedient, running around the room all day is also annoying.”
Having her suggestion rejected, Qi’er, who usually complied with her master, felt somewhat conflicted: “Then I’ll go to the medicine room and ask today.” Such items were generally restricted and required approval from the account manager.
Xu Wanzhi smiled slightly: “No rush, just buy it and keep it for me.”
“Yes.” The master and servant had a rare harmonious morning chat. Xu Wanzhi abandoned her thoughts of sleeping and transmigrating back, and began to plan practically.
Qu Xiaojue looked at him deeply, no longer dwelling on the topic: “I heard you wanted to go out yesterday, so today is perfect, come with me.”
“No need, I still have some things to do.”
” Qu Xiaojue paused, asking him directly. Seeing him slightly lower his head and fiddle with the lotus heart, she added: “Could my husband have some elegant interest, brewing a cup of lotus flower tea?”
If it were a familiar friend, she would have replied: “You talk too much.” However, facing Qu Xiaojue’s slightly intentional friendly expression, she had no position to be harsh. She honestly shook her head and answered: “No, they’ve gone bad soaking in the pond, but I can still pick them out and keep them for two more days.” Brewing tea or porridge would still put them to good use.
This pitiful and cherishing appearance seemed quite normal to Qu Xiaojue. Seeing him clear and gentle in the morning light, unlike yesterday’s seemingly sharp knife and bitterness, she relaxed her brow and brought up the previous question: “You said earlier you wanted to meet Lin Alun’s husband. I’ve been delayed for a long time, shall we visit together today?”
She finished speaking and carefully observed his expression.
Xu Wanzhi raised his eyes, looking at her strangely: “Qu Family Master, you’re being too enthusiastic.” Such direct words always choke the listener. Qu Xiaojue turned her eyes, seeing his slight bitter smile, but spoke truthfully: “Awan, I don’t know why you’re like this. I want you to go out, so I’ll make it convenient. We’ve depended on each other for three years…”
If you had this idea earlier, how could today be like this?
Is “only understanding cherishment after losing” truly an unbreakable curse? Xu Wanzhi sighed inexplicably, holding the lotus pod, bitter in his heart.
“Let’s go.” Tucking the lotus pod into his sleeve, he loosened up and turned outward. Qu Xiaojue couldn’t help but feel a bit happy, following him and hearing his words: “I’m not going to meet anyone’s husband, just take me for a walk. Oh, bring some silver.”
“…I brought it.”
This was their first time going out together. Xu Wanzhi was not used to being close to unfamiliar people, always unconsciously moving aside. Qu Xiaojue thoughtfully gave him enough space.
The household servants, who probably hadn’t seen both masters appear together for a long time, were caught off guard when they met, hastily bowing: “Greetings, Family Master, Master.”
“Mm.” Qu Xiaojue nodded.
Xu Wanzhi handed over the lotus pod: “Please send this to my courtyard, have Qi’er cook a portion of porridge and keep it cool, and send a portion to the young master too.”
“Yes, Master.” The young servant hurriedly took it.
Oh, Master, your disagreement with the old master is one thing, but in giving gifts, you’ve neglected the one who should be first by your side!
Qu Xiaojue turned and walked ahead, Xu Wanzhi followed leisurely. Along the way, they received countless servant bows.
Leaving the gate, Qu Xiaojue turned to look at him and got into the carriage first.
“Master, please.” A teenage boy bowed, understanding the invitation at a glance, raising her eyebrows and standing still. After a moment, a voice from inside urged: “Come up.”
Xu Wanzhi stepped forward, and the boy trembled almost imperceptibly. She waved her hand and turned to walk in another direction: “If you want to take the carriage, you can go ahead. I’ll just walk around.”
“Husband!” Hearing such words, Qu Xiaojue’s anger suddenly rose. She lifted the curtain and got off the carriage, shouting at the back a few meters away.
A man walking around casually? Doesn’t he know that even disguised as a woman, he would only add more brilliance? Must he always go against her?
“What’s the matter?” Often questioning her like this made her feel frustrated. Turning around, his eyes were puzzled and innocent. Qu Xiaojue stared at him heavily, suppressing her voice to ask: “Why won’t you get in the carriage?”
The serving servants felt the atmosphere was wrong and didn’t dare breathe, hoping he could be a bit more polite in front of the main mistress and not implicate these innocent servants.
Xu Wanzhi had no idea how cautious these servants were now, and was completely bewildered by Qu Xiaojue’s sudden anger. He could only sigh that generational gaps were indeed terribly scary, and said helplessly: “I get carsick in your carriage.”
Qu Xiaojue carefully examined him for a moment, finally seeming to concede: “You all can go. Only Qu Shan and Qu Yao will come with us.”
Qu Xiaojue walked directly to Xu Wanzhi, unmistakably grasping his hand: “Husband, you’re going the wrong way.”
“Let go, I can walk myself.” Xu Wanzhi tapped his wrist, indicating she should release him.
Qu Xiaojue pressed down on his wavering shoulder with one hand, only letting go when he stopped frowning. Unable to break free from her grip on his delicate wrist, Qu Xiaojue’s tone became teasing: “Husband, the streets are crowded and slippery. Let me guide you.”
“
Saying this, she held his hand tighter and turned, crossing the Qu family gate and walking in another direction.
Holding onto this person and walking slowly, Qu Xiaojue suddenly felt in a great mood, responsibly clearing the way for him along the journey, walking several streets without letting anyone touch him even slightly.
Looking at the tall women on the street, occasionally accompanied by a “small male” like himself, Xu Wanzhi felt frustrated. What kind of bizarre place is this? Men don’t look like men, and women barely look like women, but why does she find it so irritating and suffocating? Thinking this, she regretted her impulsive decision to “broaden her horizons.”
Yu Ling was a famous city of nobility, and An Ming Street, as one of the four main streets, was bustling with people and commerce. Stalls lined both sides, with lively hawking. Xu Wanzhi had almost never seen such a scene and couldn’t help but observe carefully, wanting to take a closer look at anything she had never seen before.
With a tone that sounded like a wealthy patron spending money, Xu Wanzhi quickly deleted this program and firmly shook her head: “Not buying.”
Then she continued forward without any hesitation.
Qu Fan paused briefly, paying for everything he had carefully looked at and ordering them to be sent to the Qu residence. When these merchants happily delivered the goods, they discovered it was the prominent Qu master, Xu Wanzhi inadvertently becoming a money-scattering child, which was then wildly embellished by various rumors.
After this stroll, Qu Xiaojue discovered that her husband beside her didn’t truly like anything!
This wouldn’t normally be worth feeling depressed about. He would smile slightly and praise “really well-made” for anything he saw, but whenever he turned away, those things would no longer be in his eyes. He would continue to appreciate and praise newly discovered clever items without ever looking back. Often, a person’s attitude towards things and people is the same.
She gradually watched him in shock, remembering how he had carelessly waited to be divorced, and she had thought it was just an extreme way to embarrass her… Now she realized she was the one who should feel cold!
