CH 31

When Xie Chong was very young, his parents were killed by their enemies. He was taken to the capital by Xie Meng Dong. He ate and lived in the Zhenfu Division, stayed with those Jin Yi Guards all year round, and lived a life licking the blood on the sword’s edge. Over time, his martial arts became increasingly powerful, but the memory of his parents’ appearance became gradually blurry.

Hearing Zhou Qing’s calm and soothing voice at this moment, he remembered in a daze his father teaching him to read and practice words and his mother’s soft words beside them. He had not felt that peaceful and comforting feeling for many years.

Closing his eyes, Xie Chong only felt that his sea marrow – which was surging in pain – slowly calmed down. The tyrannical and cruel killing intent in those black eyes also subsided a lot.

He asked in a hoarse voice, “Miss Zhou has been staying at the Herbal Store recently. Why didn’t she return to the Luo family?”

The words “Mrs. Luo” were not really uttered. Xie Chong had used a different way to address Zhou Qing. He knew that the woman in front of him was focused on blending herbs and would certainly not pay attention to this kind of detail.

As Xie Chong expected, Zhou Qing did not notice the difference. She wiped her hands with a wet handkerchief and said lightly, “The best place in the world is home. My father’s health is poor. Although I cannot help much by staying in the Herbal Store, I can take care of one or two. After some time, it is not too late to return to the Luo family.”

It was said that a married woman who had been staying at her mother’s home was a bit unconventional. However, Xie Chong was not old-fashioned and stern in Confucianism. For this matter, he not only did not object but there was also a trace of pleasure rising from the bottom of his heart.

There was a burst of fragrance wafting from the furnace, which caused the mind to ease and be away from the chaotic world. Xie Chong slightly closed his eyes and sat behind the desk. 

At present, there was no one else in the study, but his back was straight, like a taut bowstring, ready to fire, and his heartstrings were always tense.

Catching a glimpse of the man’s tightly frowning thick brows, Zhou Qing could not help but secretly sigh. The Jin Yi Guards, on the surface, appeared majestic. But in reality, they were the sharpest blade, hurting people and themselves. The pressure was self-evident.

After leaving the Xie Manor, Zhou Qing was thinking of how to relieve Xie Chong’s illness. He was not only the benefactor of the Zhou family but also Zheng’er’s father. Even if she was not prepared to pierce the window paper, she could not ignore his life, watching him suffer from the pain of his illness.

The carriage stopped in front of the Herbal Store. As soon as she got down, she saw a handsome man standing at the door, his face was pale, and his whole body seemed to be as thin as a bone.

Zhou Qing didn’t expect Luo Yu to come to the Herbal Store. She frowned without a trace, with a faint rejection in her eyes. She first thanked the guard, then asked, “Why did Ah Yu come here? Have you found Xinyue?”

The story of Luo Xinyue running away with someone was a big deal, and no one in the neighborhood was not unaware of it. Luo Yu didn’t want to hide it from Zhou Qing. At this moment, he nodded and said, “I took her home. I will take care of her in the future and will never let her fool around again.”

Her soft fingertips rubbed the embroidery of the cuff. Zhou Qing suddenly smiled, almond eyes curving. They were like a clear spring reflecting the moon, dazzling.

“Ah Yu is going to take me back?”

“Our child will soon reach three months. Your baby is safe. Why not return home with me…” Luo Yu’s eyes had a vague hint of panic. They had been married for less than a year but now separated for such a long time. His Qing’er was not only gorgeous and charming but also generous and kind-hearted. For Luo Yu, such a woman was tantamount to the only light in the dark quagmire, causing him to have a monopolistic heart and wishing to hide her and not let anyone covet her.

He knew very well that after he borrowed the person’s seed, the couple could never go back to the past. Once Qing’er decided to leave, he knew he wouldn’t have the courage to ask her to stay.

Zhou Qing hesitated for a long time and suddenly said, “There are still some chores to do in the store. Even if I go back with you, I still have to come to the Herbal Store during the day. Why not wait a few more days? I’ll be busy after this period.”

Looking at the small, white face, Luo Yu nodded.

Light gray dark clouds accumulated in the sky, and fine rain poured with the wind, sprinkling on the man’s shoulders. Soon, the finely stitched cotton robe became drenched.

“Come in first and have a seat. Save the rain from spoiling your body.” After saying that, Zhou Qing quickly stepped into the Herbal Store, and Luo Yu followed closely behind.

Yu Fu was behind the counter to entertain customers. Seeing Luo Yu follow the young lady into the store, his smiling face momentarily disappeared, and could not help but say, “Lord Luo, you are at least a Court Official. You must take good care of Miss Luo lest she makes a mistake and has the pot of shit from others.”

Receiving the hot tea brought by Wu Bo, Luo Yu did not get angry and nodded solemnly, “It’s all my fault. I will never make things difficult for Qing’er in the future.”

Hearing these words, Yu Fu snorted but did not say anything more. Although he was Father Zhou’s disciple, he was not as good as his Senior brother. Some words were too much, and were not good for the young lady to hear.

Zhou Qing held a brocade handkerchief and gently wiped the water stains on her cheeks. Sensing the hot eyes on her body, she could not help but secretly sneer. At this time, in her previous life, the Zhou family’s Herbal Store had fallen. Her father was stimulated by this and lingered on his sickbed. When she lost her innocence, Mother Luo would harshly reproach her everywhere. What was Luo Yu doing at that time? Only the words “watching coldly” could be used to fully describe such a person. Zhou Qing feared that he had no heart at all.

——

Xie Yi drove the carriage back to the Xie Manor and narrated the whole story of what happened in front of the Herbal Store. In the end, he raised his head, looked at the Commander’s gloomy face like the bottom of a pot, and said, “In a few days, Mrs. Luo will return to her husband’s home. When she comes over again, I’m afraid it would be a bit inappropriate.”

How could Xie Chong not realize what Xie Yi was thinking? With his palm holding the embroidered spring knife, he stonily said, “It’s not a problem. Zhou Qing will not leave the Herbal Store.”

“In the end, Miss Zhou is a married woman, pregnant with the Luo family’s blood in her womb. Even if the couple had a disagreement, you cannot use force to seize the other person’s wife. Otherwise, the Court Officials of the Imperial Court would certainly try their best to impeach our North Zhenfu Division if they get the opportunity.” Xie Yi frowned and spoke.

“Don’t talk nonsense. This official only admires Zhou Qing and has no trace of evil thoughts. How can the couple break up?” The mouth said so, but the embroidered spring knife he held in his hand had been unsheathed. Its blade was sharp, and the cold light burst with endless killing intent.

Xie Yi couldn’t help but roll his eyes and secretly said in his heart: You now have a hard mouth. Be careful of the time when your mouth gets beaten. 

Underneath the all-encompassing sky, a woman skilled in herbal blending like Zhou Qing was rare. Moreover, the tranquilizing incense she mixed could relieve the pain of the medullary sea. It was many times better than those mediocre doctors. If she did not marry, Xie Yi could imagine that the threshold of the Zhou family would be swarmed by people seeking marriage. How could you have your turn?