CH 22

Chapter 22: Mind

Jiao Ru panted for a long time but did not say a complete sentence, her appearance was indeed beautiful. Now her eyes were slightly red, with the moon white dress, but even more pity.

The woman’s eyes were slightly red. And with the moon-white dress on her body, she appeared even more pitiful. Mother Xi discreetly glared at Zhou Qing, unable to understand what happened to her daughter, who had always been gentle. Obviously, Ru’er’s life was miserable, needing to rely on others. She should have taken into account her mood, but she still had to be tactless in her words. Wasn’t this throwing salt on the wounds of others?

Zhou Qing just pretended not to see her mother’s gaze. The corners of her mouth rose, lightly smiling, “Cousin, to accompany my mother is not a bad thing. But the previous promise should not be forgotten, or……”

The words did not finish, but the threatening meaning was extraordinarily strong. Jiao Ru only felt the woman’s eyes were as cold as ice, indifferently staring at her, making the hairs on her body stand up and her heartbeat a lot faster.

Usually, at this time, Zhou Qing would go into the herbal room. She would research ancient books with Father Zhou and try finding some new herbal recipes. But today, Jiao Ru, that woman, took the initiative to come to the door, obviously without good intentions. Moreover, her brother’s nature was pure. In case he was deceived, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhou Qing didn’t want Zhou Liangyu to lose his life because of a cold-hearted and ruthless woman, as she did in her previous life. To protect her family, Zhou Qing didn’t mind being the villain.

Turning around and entering the study, Zhou Liangyu saw his sister’s figure, and a smile appeared on his handsome face, “Did the child trouble you? Have you tasted the tremella soup cooked by Granny Liu?”

Zhou Qing sat on the wooden chair, her small hand patting her flat belly, and said softly, “Brother, your nephew is still small. He won’t toss at all. The tremella soup in the kitchen is especially thick and smooth. I like it very much.”

Zhou Liangyu’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. He had not yet married, and he did not know much about the situation of pregnant women, so he made a joke. However, fortunately, Qing’er was his full-blooded sister. In front of his own family, it wasn’t much to lose face.

After taking a book, Zhou Qing flipped through it a few times, and said with a cold face, “That good cousin has come to the incense shop again. I clearly reminded her before that she should stay away from our house, but she turned a deaf ear towards this and rushed to get close to my mother.”

Zhou Liangyu put down his brush; his eyes were full of disapproval, “She is our relative anyway. We can’t tear off her mask. Qing’er, just pretend you didn’t see it.”

With brows slightly knitted, Zhou Qing clenched her white teeth, and her voice was a bit sharp, “Do you also think I’m not doing the right thing? Jiao Ru obviously has an ulterior motive. How can I not stop her?”

Zhou Liangyu reached out and patted her forehead, explaining, “My sister is so smart, why is she thinking out of the box now? You are pregnant, your energy is already limited, and you want to study herbal recipes; if you put your mind on an insignificant person again, how can your body stand it? I will never meet with Jiao Ru alone.”

The words had come to this point. If Zhou Qing still didn’t understand, she wasn’t much different from a fool. The tears in her eyes disappeared, and although the disgust in her heart remained, she was actually relieved.

As long as her brother had her guard up against Jiao Ru, it would not be so simple to be fooled by her and finally get into a life-threatening lawsuit.

Seeing Qing’er’s emotions having calmed down, Zhou Liangyu was quite relieved and picked up the scroll again, carefully comprehending the sage’s subtle words and meanings.

In the side hall.

Jiao Ru sat across from Mother Xi, taking small sips of tea. Her head slightly lowered, forcing herself not to show her resentment.

Today, she came to the herbal store to see Zhou Liangyu; but she had stayed for an hour without even seeing a corner of the man’s clothes.

The hand holding the teacup trembled gently; the woman’s face was pale, with almost no blood left. Mother Xi already pitied this ill-fated niece. She couldn’t help but take her hand, softly advising, “Qing’er is spoiled by us and is the most straightforward. But, Ru’er must not be bothered with her. Come over more in the future to walk around.”

A thin layer of tears covered the bottom of her eyes. Jiao Ru raised her head, biting her lips lightly, and said, “Auntie, Ru’er is still mourning. How can she go out often? I have always remembered your care and love for Ru’er, and I dare not forget it. But I am a lowly person. I don’t want to make my cousin unhappy.”

Because of Zhou Qing, Mother Xi felt guilty and let out a low sigh, but in her heart, no one was more important than her children. And at this moment, Qing’er was still pregnant, so she must not be angered. Even if there was any misunderstanding between the cousins, it was not too late to explain after giving birth.

Jiao Ru waited for half a day, but Mother Xi did not speak anything about the issue. She became even more upset, but her face showed a timid smile. She respectfully said goodbye to Mother Xi and then left the herbal store.

The woman’s delicate and beautiful face suddenly became hideously distorted. The fierce look was particularly horrible that it made people quiver.

Seeing the surprised eyes of the passerby, Jiao Ru knew that she had lost her way, and hurriedly restrained her expression, returning to her usual softness and pleasantness.

Noon was the busiest time of the day. There were not many pedestrians coming and going on the main street. When she smelled the stench of sweat from the approaching worker, her stomach churned and she was disgusted.

She fell straight backward, but the man was not slow to react and reached out to wrap his arms around the woman’s waist so that Jiao Rou did not fall to the ground.

“Where is the girl going? Why don’t I give you a ride?”

The woman’s face became red, and even her ears were red. She lightly surveyed the man in front of her and found that he was notably handsome, wearing brocade clothes, and a jade pendant of good color was hanging on his waist. At a glance, it was clear that his family background was quite wealthy.

Eyes flickering, Jiao Ru spoke in a low voice: “Sir, this young lady is still in mourning. It is ill-omened. I will no longer bother you.”

As the saying goes, to be pretty and have filial piety, Jiao Ru originally had only six points of appearance. But her plain clothes further highlighted her delicate temperament. She appeared charming and pitiful, like pear flowers whose branches were ravaged by the wind and rain, which could provoke a man’s desire to protect.

As expected, the young master in brocade said, “I’m not afraid of bad luck, so please don’t worry about it.”

Just now, Jiao Ru touched a soft nail in the Zhou family. Knowing that it would be challenging for her to succeed with Zhou Liangyu, she might as well find another way. Thinking of this, she nodded in agreement, not noticing the lewd and evil gaze of the man