CH 9

Despite this Zhou Qing could not outright display her anger. After all, her cousin had just arrived in the capital and shouldn’t have much to do with the Liu family for now. 

Jiao Ru’s heart twisted. She thought her own appearance was already considered good but didn’t expect her cousin – Qing’er – to be so stunning, more dazzling than the blooming rose. The two stood together as if her cousin instantly stepped on her in the mud. This feeling wasn’t pleasant.

But Zhou Liangyu on the side looked much better. Not only was he born handsome, but he also triumphed over the examination. He was a rare young talent. If she could marry him, she wouldn’t have to suffer for the rest of her life.

Noticing the woman’s prying eyes, Zhou Qing was secretly agitated. She didn’t want this cold-hearted and cruel woman to come into contact with her brother, so she smoothly led the people to wander around the courtyard.

It was now summer, the hottest time of the year. Wisps of sweat trickled out from her forehead, causing Jiao Ru to be dizzy from the summer heat. The body was permeating a sour scent, not to mention how foul the smell was.

Zhou Qing, as if she didn’t know, reached out and pulled a bamboo leaf, asking, “Is cousin going to live in the capital from now on?”

Jiao Ru sighed softly, “My parents left me, and I have no family back home, so thanks to my aunt for taking me in, I didn’t have to live on the streets, so I’m afraid I’ll have to bother my cousins.”

“We’re all family. What trouble? If there is anything you don’t like, just let me know.”

Jiao Ru firmly gazed at her as Zhou Qing emphasized in her every word, “Cousin should just come to me. You shouldn’t disturb my brother, after all he is preparing for the autumn exams. If something goes wrong, my parents would definitely be very concerned and I would feel sorry.”

Jiao Ru wasn’t a fool. She naturally heard the meaning beyond her words.

She didn’t expect her mind to be pierced by Zhou Qing. She felt humiliated and was unable to endure it. “What are you talking about? I am not a three- or two-year-old child. Why would I bother my cousin in this circumstance?”

Glancing lightly, Zhou Qing said, “This is for the best.”

The sun was shining like a fire. But Jiao Rou seemed to have fallen into an icy hole and felt a numbing coldness.

She fled away from the Zhou family. Her eyes were slightly red; the tip of her nose was sore, and she couldn’t help but be in tears. She thought she would have a good life when she arrived in the capital. But she hadn’t thought she would meet that bitch Zhou Qing, who was shamelessly pushing her around.

She hated it so much in her heart, but Jiao Ru did not dare to complain to Mother Xi.

After all, Zhou Qing was Mother Xi’s immediate daughter. Mother Xi and her mother were only distant relatives, separated by a layer of a belly. That was a world of difference, completely incomparable.

Since Jiao Ru left, she no longer appeared before the Zhou family for a whole month. And with the help of the calming incense, Zhou Liangyu seemed to have divine assistance when he became earnest with his studies. His state was much better than his previous condition and in her previous life.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing couldn’t help but sigh with relief.

That night the family was sitting at the table, eating their meal. Stewed creamy carp soup was in front of her; a burst of fishy smell slammed into her nose, down to her throat.

Her stomach turned upside down for a while; her petite hands pounded on her chest. She couldn’t help retching.

The whole family was frightened and asked urgently, “Qing’er, where are you uncomfortable?”

Zhou Qing knew her own body very well. She waved her hand breathlessly and drank some water to suppress the nausea.

Mother Xi has given birth to a son and a daughter. She was considered to be someone who was over it. Mother Xi could see that her daughter’s appearance didn’t look sickly. This symptom was precisely similar to a pregnant woman.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Qing’er, are you pregnant?”

The father and son looked at each other, somewhat at a loss for words, but also very surprised.

Taking a brocade handkerchief and pressing the corner of her lips, Zhou Qing spoke, “I am not sure, I’d better ask the doctor to take a look.”

Thinking that he was about to become an uncle, Zhou Liangyu’s face flushed with excitement, and he said, “Yes, yes, your brother will go get the doctor now. By the way, the creamy carp soup is too fishy. I will put it away, so you won’t feel uncomfortable smelling it.”

As he spoke, Zhou Liangyu stood up and didn’t know what was happening. He tripped over the leg of the stool and fell into the bowl of soup.

Father Zhou scolded with a sullen face, “Look at you! How old are you? Still unsteady.”

Zhou Liangyu glanced at his father, looked at his slightly trembling hands, and didn’t retort back at him.

The fish soup was moved away and Zhou Qing felt much more comfortable. Soon the doctor was invited into the house, checked her pulse and said with certainty, “It is indeed a slippery pulse. You are only currently one month pregnant. The pulse is not clear. If someone else came, I’m afraid they wouldn’t notice anything.”

The boulder hanging in her heart was finally released.

When she thought of Zheng’er who starved to death in her previous life, Zhou Qing’s nose felt sour. She resisted the urge to cry and thanked the doctor.

Mother Xi paid the consultation fee and happily exclaimed, “Such a joyous occasion. You must inform son-in-law that their old Luo family has a descendant.”

Zhou Qing pursed her lips and didn’t stop her mother’s idea.

She was pregnant. Sooner or later, the Luo family would know. When to say it didn’t make much difference. Not to mention, with this talisman, Luo Xinyue would have to assess it if she wanted to trouble her in the future.