The next day.
When Zhao Qingyue woke up, it was bright. She moved her body, feeling sore and weak. She stretched out her hand to cover the quilt next to her. It was already cool, but his breath seemed to still linger around her, which made her very happy and comfortable.
Qiulan pushed the door open with water in hand and saw Zhao Qingyue on the bed. She smiled and joked: "Miss, I haven't seen you lying in bed for a long time."
The weather was getting cold, and the old lady suffered from leg problems and had no energy to entertain them, so she did not disturb her master's dream.
"Stop teasing me." Zhao Qingyue touched a hanging strand of black hair and recalled Ji Huai's actions last night in her mind, "When did the Marquis get up?"
Qiulan: "The Marquis entered the palace at Mao Shi."
"I'll be there soon." She murmured to herself, with her eyebrows lowered and a smile on her face.
"What are you thinking about, Miss? The tips of your ears are red." Qiulan said deliberately.
"I am shameless, how can I have red ears." Zhao Qingyue looked up at her with a very magnanimous expression, stood up and walked aside, not knowing what she thought of, she pursed her lips and smiled, and whispered, "Some people are shy. "
After she said those words last night, Mr. Hou's expression changed and became more cruel. He didn't know whether it was because he was tired or ashamed. His face and neck were red, and he didn't answer her. He just bullied her.
If you said you weren't happy, why did you carry her to the bathhouse afterwards? When he came back, he still slept with her in his arms.
"What?" Qiulan didn't hear clearly.
"Nothing." After Zhao Qingyue washed up, she said to Qiulan, "I'm very bored today. If you go out and look for something to talk about, you can relieve my boredom."
"This..." Qiulan was embarrassed, walked to her side and lowered her voice, "Although the Second Madam can't control you now, she often tells me to look at the young lady. Du Xiang reads and plays the piano every day, and she relies on that trick to seduce her. Your Majesty, Miss, how about we invite a gentleman to teach you calligraphy and painting?"
Her young lady has been playful since she was a child. A woman should be virtuous and virtuous, so how could she be delayed by those deceptive words
If the old lady knew about this, she would make a big fuss.
"I'm not addicted to that story book, I always have some ways to relieve my boredom." Zhao Qingyue disagreed, "I don't have the leisure and elegance. The Hou Mansion has a pile of account books waiting for me to look at, and a lot of things waiting for me to deal with. That little trick , I don’t like it either.”
Qiulan was relieved when she heard what she said: "Young lady is the mistress of the house, so she naturally has to manage the entire Hou family. Manager Chen also brought the accounts yesterday and is waiting for your review."
"Well, I'll read it in a minute." Zhao Qingyue nodded, "Don't forget about the script."
"Speaking of storybooks, I went out a few days ago and asked for a storybook." Qiulan had been close to her since she was a child, and they often shared storybooks together. He approached her and said, "That storybook is very interesting. "
"How is it interesting?" Zhao Qingyue was curious, "Tell me about it first."
Qiulan stood behind her, combing her hair, and Xiaozui couldn't help but say: "In the storybook, it tells the story of a fox demon who became an immortal. She came to the mortal world and met a scholar with a handsome face. The fox demon was as beautiful as a fairy, with a lively and agile temperament, so she was attracted by the prefect's son and sent people to snatch her away. After she escaped, she met a scholar who came to Beijing to take the exam. Don’t dare to cross the line.”
"The fox demon thought that the scholar was really stupid, so he teased him. Every time, the scholar was always gentle and restrained, behaved politely, and turned red in the face."
…
"What happened next?" Zhao Qingyue became interested, "What about the scholars in the back?"
"This slave is also waiting for the next time." Qiulan put on the hosta for her, "This scholar was destined to fall, but now he is still a gentleman and abides by his duty."
Zhao Qingyue's eyes were thoughtful.
noon.
Du Xiang went to the old lady's courtyard to have a meal with her, and smoked her legs with vanilla before returning. On the way, he met Zhao Qingyue again.
The other party was wearing a gorgeous phoenix-tailed skirt, exquisite makeup, a smile on her eyebrows, and looked in a good mood.
She also raised a smile, walked over, and called softly: "Cousin-in-law."
Zhao Qingyue was not in a good mood when he saw her in the past. Even if she restrained herself, she would show it off, and she could only maintain elegance and dignity in front of her cousin and grandmother.
In fact, she disliked her very much, otherwise she would not have barged into her hospital without reason that day to question her, or she would have been regarded as a thorn in her side.
Qiulan saw her first, her face changed, and her eyes were a little unhappy. Du Xiang smiled back, as if he didn't know anything.
Zhao Qingyue turned around, saw her, and asked, "Cousin is eating slowly?"
"Du Xiang went to have dinner with the old lady and just came back from the yard." Du Xiang replied.
"My cousin is caring. I heard that my cousin has been fumigating herbs for the old lady in the past few days. She is so concerned about the old lady, which makes me feel ashamed." Zhao Qingyue looked guilty and walked forward slowly.
When Du Xiang saw her coming, his eyes flashed slightly, and he was a little scared. The maid Xiaoxiang also swallowed her saliva and stood tensed on the spot. She felt that Madam was too bold. Was she going to teach Miss Du a lesson
"I still remember that day, I went to find you abruptly..." Zhao Qingyue was already standing in front of her.
Qiulan looked at Du Xiang's frightened look and sneered in her heart. She could only pretend to be pitiful and deceive the Marquis. When she met their young lady alone, she didn't even dare to breathe. Use means to punish people.
"What happened that day?" Du Xiang never dared to confront Zhao Qingyue. She was an orphan. He was about to say that she had forgotten about it a long time ago when he caught a glimpse of Ji Huai walking towards him and immediately changed his mind. , lowering his eyes to suppress his emotions, and said in a low voice, "Du Xiang has forgotten it a long time ago. I know that coming to the Hou Mansion has caused trouble to my cousin and sister-in-law, and I have no intention of causing trouble to my cousin. If there are good things, my cousin can tell me clearly and Du Xiang will definitely correct them."
Qiulan pursed her lips and looked down upon her behavior.
However, Xiaoxiang also saw Mr. Hou not far away, and immediately followed Du Xiang's words and said, "Madam, Miss Du knows that she is living under someone else's roof, and has never acted beyond her limits. She also cares for and cares for the old lady with all her heart. "
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw that Zhao Qingyue had already taken Du Xiang's hand. Du Xiang didn't dodge and let her hold him. He just looked at her in confusion and fear: "Cousin-in-law."
This time, are you going to take action against her
That was really in line with her wishes. Ji Huai had a bright future. There were only a few people in the house, and there were no concubines. With her status, and no family to support her, she might as well be a concubine, with endless glory and wealth.
Zhao Qingyue raised her hand, and Xiaoxiang felt that she was really unlucky. Now let's see how the Marquis will punish her!
Du Xiang stood motionless, looking at her without any resistance.
"It was my fault that day." Zhao Qingyue lowered her hand gently, patted her hand, and said apologetically, "I went back and reflected on it. I was impulsive that day because I had a quarrel with your cousin and ignored her. , but my cousin made a joke."
Not only Du Xiang was stunned, Xiaoxiang and Qiulan were also stunned.
Zhao Qingyue's apology continued. She held Du Xiang's hand affectionately and said warmly: "The old lady is getting old and her health is getting worse. Your cousin and I should be grateful to you for being with you like this." . I also solemnly apologize to you for what happened that day."
Ji Huai stopped not far away from the two of them and his eyes fell on them.
Du Xiang's expression suddenly changed, and his hands were sweating. He looked away and said quickly: "Cousin-in-law doesn't have to be like this. Du Xiang knows it, and he doesn't blame cousin-in-law."
Why is Zhao Qingyue so crazy? What kind of apology could Miss Guo Gongfu apologize to her and this orphan girl? Isn't she very arrogant? You can't tolerate sand in your eyes, so what the hell is going on
"If you're wrong, you're wrong." Zhao Qingyue let go of her hand, took off the green and transparent bracelet on her wrist, put it on her, and lowered her head and said, "Your cousin has already trained me hard. Sorry, I've thought about it for a long time, and it's indeed wrong. I should be caring about my cousin, but it's really my cousin's fault."
Du Xiang struggled to break away several times, but she was not as strong as Zhao Qingyue, so she was forced to put on the bracelet. Zhao Qingyue even praised: "This bracelet was given to me by your concubine, but it looks even better when it is worn on my cousin's hand." "
"Du Xiang can't have it." Du Xiang's face showed fear.
"If my cousin doesn't accept it, she will still refuse to forgive me. If the Marquis comes back and finds out, he will lecture me again." Zhao Qingyue said, with a few tears still shining in her eyes. She raised her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes.
Du Xiang glanced at Ji Huai who was not far away. He was riding a tiger and could not get off, so he could only say: "Thank you, cousin."
"If my cousin has any discomfort or other dissatisfaction in the house, you must tell me. The house is sparsely populated and there is plenty of money in all aspects. Your cousin also said that you should take good care of yourself and wait for a while. , I will go into the palace to inquire with the concubine to see if there is a good husband, and I want to find a good family for my cousin." Zhao Qingyue completely forgot what the old lady said to her some time ago, and said with a kind heart, "When the time comes, I will prepare a generous dowry for my cousin so that you can marry in style."
She never loses when it comes to acting and behaving well.
Many maids are still there. This play is for Ji Huai and the rest of the family. She has found a good husband and prepared a dowry. As a sister-in-law, she can't make a mistake. If Du Xiang is not interested, then it is Don't know what is good or bad.
Du Xiang couldn't answer the question for a long time. He didn't know how to answer. He was anxious and holding back his anger.
She doesn't want a good husband. Even if she is a wife, she is still a small family. Her cousin may be a high official in the future, and there is an old lady to take care of her. Giving birth to a child will be so comfortable.
"Cousin? What's wrong with you? Did I do something wrong?" Zhao Qingyue asked her sincerely.
How dare Du Xiang say that, he quickly shook his head: "Du Xiang just feels that he is not worthy of my cousin being so kind to me. I am an orphan and just want to stay with the old lady..."
"Nonsense, my cousin has been a member of my house since the day she entered the house." Zhao Qingyue interrupted her directly, with a protective tone, and then changed the subject, "You just recovered from illness a few days ago, I'll let you go soon." The warehouse will send you some tonics, so you need to take good care of yourself and let them take good care of you."
What are you doing with the old lady? Be an old girl
I'm afraid she wants to be the Marquis's concubine, right? ! It's hard to imagine that an orphan girl from a small family could see the future of the Marquis so clearly.
According to the situation in the DPRK, the official position of the Marquis will rise directly in the future, and it will be much more than that.
Qiulan complained in her heart about Madam's kindness to this scheming girl. Just as she was about to step forward, she noticed Ji Huai walking over and raised her voice and saluted: "Master Hou."
Du Xiang and Xiaoxiang also calmed down and pretended to see Ji Huai.
Zhao Qingyue paused, looking back quickly in her mind, frowning and biting her lower lip, trying desperately to remember if she had said anything wrong just now, her voice weakened by two points: "Master Hou."
Ji Huai's eyes fell on her, with unclear meaning in his eyes.
Zhao Qingyue squeezed out a smile, walked slowly to him, and said in a gentle tone: "Didn't the Marquis say he would come back later?"
He replied: "Official work has been postponed to tomorrow."
"Have you had lunch, Lord Marquis?"
Ji Huai shook his head.
"I didn't have much appetite just now, but now I'm hungry. It's just right for me to share with the Marquis." After Zhao Qingyue finished speaking, she looked at Qiulan and said, "Hurry up and prepare more dishes in the kitchen."
Qiulan hesitated to speak, but was stopped by her look. She nodded and went to the kitchen.
Zhao Qingyue turned to look at Du Xiang: "The temperature has dropped recently and the wind is strong during the day. My cousin should go back early and take good care of yourself."
Du Xiang gritted his teeth as he watched the two people leaving, his face turning blue and white.
"Madam is pretty good to the girl, and she also said that she would help her find a good husband." Xiaoxiang is just a little girl, not old, and doesn't have any deep thoughts.
Seeing that Zhao Qingyue was apologizing and trying to find a good husband and prepare a dowry for Du Xiang, I just felt that she was lucky. This was much better than being the concubine of the Marquis.
Besides, in her opinion, Du Xiang was not willing to be the concubine of the Marquis. It was just that the old lady thought so. Du Xiang was just living under someone else's roof and had no choice but to obey.
Du Xiang didn't reply and just turned around and left. Xiaoxiang was puzzled.
inside the house.
Zhao Qingyue picked up vegetables for Ji Huai and picked up a bowl herself to eat.
Qiulan looked embarrassed at the side. My young lady woke up in a good mood today. She just went to eat when she was full, and now she is eating again. How uncomfortable is it
"You've just eaten, so just eat less. Eat some pastries later, and then eat in the evening. Don't overdo it." came Ji Huai's clear voice.
Zhao Qingyue was not stupid, so she said calmly: "I just want to accompany Mr. Hou. I'm not greedy. I asked the kitchen to make yam and jujube paste cake. I want to eat more when I wake up."
Ji Huai: "Yeah."
She ate slowly, mostly serving him dishes and sitting beside him to serve him.
After the meal, they rinsed their mouths and went into the house. Qiulan closed the door and left.
Ji Huai looked at her on the bed and asked, "You told your cousin that I trained you hard. When did I train you hard?"
Zhao Qingyue didn't know how much he had heard, and she didn't apologize: "Didn't you give me a hard lesson last night? I cried sincerely, and I wasn't coaxing."
Before he finished speaking, Ji Huai's expression changed, and his eyes became unnatural again: "You are really..."
Zhao Qingyue knelt on the bed, leaned forward and untied half of the bed curtains. Her eyes were charming and her voice was soft and soft: "You have trained me. I have also apologized to my cousin, and my cousin has forgiven me. If you I feel like my fault is too serious and I have to train him again, so I can’t say anything.”
Ji Huai: "..."
Zhao Qingyue felt that he was like that gentleman scholar. She sat beside the bed and reached out to hold his hand. Her delicate and delicate cheeks raised: "Why are you so far away from me? I'm not that fox demon, and I can also eat Can’t you?”
"When did I say that to you?" Ji Huai pursed his lips and sat beside the bed in a daze.
She put her arms around his neck, raised her hand, and touched his cheek.
He felt a little teased and frivolous, and immediately frowned. Zhao Qingyue pressed her cheek against his face again: "I heard from Qiulan that Master Hou left at about nine o'clock, and I didn't even see you when I woke up. It's weird."
"I made an appointment with Mr. Chen to discuss something. I saw that you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you up." He answered absentmindedly.
"Are you still busy in the afternoon? Let's get some sleep soon." Zhao Qingyue said this, and when Ji Huai took off his clothes and went to bed, she came over again.
Ji Huai lowered his eyes and looked at her.
Zhao Qingyue leaned close to his ear, her red lips twitched, and her voice was clear and sultry: "I had a dream last night, Lord Marquis, do you want to hear it?"
He raised his eyebrows and looked at her.
With a smile, she continued to say in his ear: "I dreamed about my past life."
Ji Huai knew that she was up to something, but he didn't know what she wanted to do. He continued to look at her and motioned for her to continue.
"In my previous life, I was a vixen, and the Marquis was a scholar who came to Beijing to take the exam. He was still so talented. In the small forest on the way to take the exam, I met the Marquis." She said with a twinkling autumn eye, and she said it with some sincerity. , "I fell in love with Mr. Hou as soon as I saw him, so I followed behind Mr. Hou. Watching Mr. Hou reciting and copying books, I thought this scholar was very interesting."
Ji Huai chuckled: "You are so arrogant, won't you be arrested when you enter the city?"
"I'm a vixen, an enlightened fox." She explained, and then added, "That's not the point."
He asked: "What is that? Is it possible that the scholar fell in love with a fox?"
"The Marquis knows it again." Zhao Qingyue calmed down and then said, "I turned into a human form and pretended to be in trouble to meet the Marquis. The Marquis is kind-hearted. Maybe we have been husband and wife for generations, and we will always meet. , the Marquis rescued me without hesitation and took me to Beijing with him."
"Yeah." Ji Huai didn't express his position, just nodded.
Zhao Qingyue: "During the long journey, Lord Marquis took good care of me, so I pledged myself to him."
"There are different paths for human beings and monsters," he reminded.
She looked embarrassed and said firmly: "How can true love be subject to these constraints? Mr. Hou is determined to marry me. He also said that if I pass the imperial examination in the future, I will live a good life, and I am also infatuated. I must marry the Marquis."
Perhaps these words moved Ji Huai, and a slight smile appeared on his handsome face, acquiescing to her words.
"I was born a fox. I was very lucky to meet Mr. Hou and understand the love in the world." She said, lying on him again, looking at the bright sky outside with a look of lust on her face, "Later, I and I The Marquis gave birth to three little foxes, all of them beautiful."
After she finished speaking, when Ji Huai didn't speak, she raised her head and looked into his deep eyes: "I still saw in my dream that when the Marquis was a scholar, he was the same as he is now."
"What kind of thing?" Ji Huai's voice was slightly hoarse as the embarrassment just now had not dissipated.
"Elegant and reserved, she has never been able to say nice things to coax me." After she finished speaking, she leaned close to his ear again, her voice lowered, with a hint of flattery, "You often tell me, don't show obscenity during the day."
"..." Ji Huai raised his hand and pinched his brows, and smiled a little, "I knew that the previous words were not the point. Fortunately, I listened carefully. You are really brave in broad daylight."
"How can you be so bold in broad daylight? There are so many people during the day, so how can a fox dare to run around? He sleeps during the day and comes out to look for food at night." Zhao Qingyue lay on his shoulder, looking pitifully, "I am not that evil vixen. They went to the scholar just to drain the yang energy, and I also gave birth to three little foxes with the Marquis, and we truly loved each other."
Ji Huai couldn't stand her teasing at all, and his body temperature suddenly rose.
Seeing that his eyes did not meet hers, Zhao Qingyue blushed again and her body became a little stiff. She suppressed the smile on her lips and said slowly: "Master Hou loves me now, no, that scholar loves the vixen." .”
He looked at her: "Who was the one who wanted to have an affair last night?"
"Outdoor?" She pretended not to know, and then said uncertainly, "Is he the young master who doesn't pity the girl?" After saying that, she wanted to clarify the relationship, "But it has nothing to do with me. The Marquis loves me very much, so he must be everywhere. Mind how I feel.”
“…”
"Scholar..." Before she could finish her words, the scholar could no longer hold back. A smile appeared on her lips and she quickly added, "The scholar is gentle, and he is not a young man who doesn't pity the girl!"
"… Um."