CH 40.2

In the next few days, Liao Qing Qing arranged the matters of the Department of Agricultural Products and took care of the potatoes in her courtyard. At the same time, her luggage was almost packed.

The imperial concubines were envious of her being able to Liao manor for three days, but Emperor Jing Li did not seem too happy.

On the day before she departed, Emperor Jing Li sat and went through the memorials in front of Liao Qing Qing.

From time to time, he glanced at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing had no family in her previous life. She was extremely hungry for family love in her heart. Usually, she did not feel much when watching movies and television shows that showed earth-shattering love. However, once she watched the touching family love, she could cry until she fainted in a cinema. Even when she returned home, she could also sit on her bed and continue to cry.

She longed for family love.

Thus, she treated Empress Dowager wholeheartedly.

Previously, due to the obstruction of Eldest Master Liao, she deliberately distanced herself from Second Master Liao and Ji Shi. Now that Elder Master Liao and Second Master Liao had severed their relationship, she could just go and meet them.

Her entire face was filled with anticipation.

This made Emperor Jing Li a little displeased, and he coughed softly.

Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li did not look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing poured water for Emperor Jing Li and said, “Your Majesty, drink some water to moisten your throat. This imperial concubine heard you coughing.”

“Mm.” Emperor Jing Li said as if he was disinterested, “You’ll be leaving the palace tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

“Be safe on the way.”

“Alright.”

“If you’re not used to staying at the Liao manor, you can come back earlier.”

“It’s only three days.”

“You think it’s too short?”

“???” Why does it feel like the atmosphere around Emperor Jing Li is not right again? Should I answer “short” or “long”? Liao Qing Qing braced herself to reply, “Just right. Just right. Not too short and not too long. Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are wise.”

“Mm. If you are not used to it, you can come back earlier. The head of imperial guards will go with you to the Liao manor. You can just tell the head of imperial guards.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing, feeling complicated.

When they were sleeping in the evening, Emperor Jing Li silently hugged Liao Qing Qing.

""

Liao Qing Qing had been busy for a long time today and soon fell asleep.

The next day when it was just dawn, Emperor Jing Li got up for the morning court, and Liao Qing Qing woke up.

“Why are you awake so early?” Emperor Jing Li asked.

Liao Qing Qing replied in a low, muffled voice, “To return to the Liao manor today.”

“You are so enthusiastic.”

“Mm.”

Emperor Jing Li began to put on his clothes.

Liao Qing Qing also got up.

When Liao Qing Qing was about to depart from Lisheng Pavilion, Liao Qing Qing was about to do the same. Emperor Jing Li stood in front of Liao Qing Qing, took Liao Qing Qing’s hand and said, “I’m going to the morning court. If something happens in Liao manor, you can always have someone deliver a letter to me.”

“Mm. Your Majesty, we will meet again in three days.” Liao Qing Qing said with a smile.

“Why are you smiling? Are you so happy to be separated from me?”

“It’s only three days.”

“Mm. I’m leaving.”

“This imperial concubine respectfully sees off Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li departed from Lisheng Pavilion. After walking for a short while, he couldn’t control himself from turning back and saw Liao Qing Qing getting into a chariot and about to board the carriage. As Liao Qing Qing went further and further away from him, he felt cold for some reason.

I’m a little disappointed.

But it is only for three days.

He turned around and went to the imperial court.

Liao Qing Qing got off the chariot and got on the carriage. She left the palace under the protection of the imperial guards and other people.

Finally, she could sit in the carriage alone.

She casually lifted the carriage’s curtain.

Presently, it was just dawn, and there were already vendors on both sides of the road, wearing rough clothes, and they were busy tending to the items on their stalls.

Liao Qing Qing couldn’t see clearly what it was but felt that everything was novel. It was like living in the twenty-first century, but a little different. She looked back and suddenly realised that many guards had followed her carriage. When she looked forward again, there was a sea of people.

She was startled!

Emperor Jing Li actually sent so many people to follow her out. It’s too ostentatious!

However, since she is already out of the palace, she accepts it.

The sky was getting brighter, and she could no longer lift the curtain all the way up. She gazed out only through the curtain slit, looking at the situation outside.

In a short while, she arrived at the Liao manor.

The first thing that greeted her was the crackling sound of firecrackers, which startled her. She got off the carriage with the help of He Xiang and the others.

“Greetings, Your Highness, Lady Xi of Bright Countenance! Wishing Your Highness to be in great health!”

They shouted in unison. Liao Qing Qing fixed her eyes on them and saw a row of people kneeling at the entrance of the Liao manor. She quickly recognised Second Master Liao, Ji Shi and her younger brother, Liao Qing En, among them.

Although the three were dressed in fancy clothes, Liao Qing Qing could see that their clothes had been washed an unknown number of times.

Probably because she possessed the original owner’s memory, she was somewhat moved when she saw this scene. She hurriedly went forward to help up Second Master Liao and Ji Shi.

“Elder sister!” Liao Qing En called out happily.

Second Master Liao immediately chided, “Don’t be rude.”

Liao Qing En quickly lowered his head and kept quiet.

Liao Qing Qing, however, had fond affections for Liao Qing En, her younger brother. She turned her head to face Ji Shi, whose eyes were already flushed. Liao Qing Qing instantly experienced a kind of blood kinship and gently called out, “Mother.”

Ji Shi’s tears fell instantly. She hastily wiped them with her hand, afraid that she would lose propriety and immediately said, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, quickly head inside.”

Liao Qing Qing entered the Liao manor surrounded by a crowd of people.

Liao manor was originally a small residence with two courtyards. In order to welcome Liao Qing Qing, a small courtyard was built at the back of the residence. The whole house was clean, tidy and simple.

Liao Qing Qing liked it quite a lot.

Liao Qing Qing spoke some formal words with Second Master Liao and Ji Shi according to the etiquette. Then, she entered the small courtyard with Ji Shi and saw Liao Qing En as soon as she turned her head.

Ji Shi turned her head and asked, “What are you here for?”

Liao Qing En said, “I came to talk with my older sister.”

“Why does she need you to accompany her?”

“Mother, I am still young. I can have a chat with Elder sister.”

“Yeah. Mother, you can let him cover over.” Liao Qing Qing said.

Ji Shi didn’t stop them again.

Liao Qing En was only nine years old this year. His memory of his elder sister was a bit blurry. He only knew that his elder sister was very gentle and treated him well. He didn’t expect his elder sister to become so beautiful. He couldn’t help but want to be closer to her.

His elder sister, Liao Qing Qing, had never experienced such a bombardment of affection.

Ji Shi asked her about life in the palace, and Liao Qing En took some fruit for her to eat. They arranged everything she needed to use properly.

Warmth surged through her.

But Emperor Jing Li, who was in the palace, did not feel warm at all.

After the imperial court had adjourned, he went to the imperial study to discuss matters. After it was over, he habitually walked towards Lisheng Pavilion.

Fu Sheng reminded him, “Your Majesty, Lady Xi of Bright Countenance has returned to Liao manor.”

Emperor Jing Li froze for a moment. Then, he felt uncomfortable all over. He went back to Zhengqian Palace, and he didn’t sleep very well during his afternoon nap. During the evening, he lay on the bed in Zhengqian Palace and couldn’t sleep.

His head didn’t hurt anymore.

But it felt that there was something wrong with his heart.

What’s the matter?

He felt that there was something wrong everywhere.

And he still couldn’t sleep.

He came to Lisheng Pavilion and slept on Liao Qing Qing’s bed. After tossing and turning, he fell asleep late at night.

The next day after a busy day, he sat inside Lisheng Pavilion with a gloomy face and called out, “Fu Sheng.”

“This servant is here!” Fu Sheng hurriedly entered the hall.

“Is the weather colder today than yesterday?”

“???” No. Fu Sheng didn’t know what Emperor Jing Li meant and said, “Replying to Your Majesty, it seems to be a bit.”

“I remembered that Lady Xi of Bright Countenance is most afraid of the cold.”

“???” How is it related?

“It’s such a cold day.”

“???” It’s already summer.

“Such a cold day and Lady Xi of Bright Countenance is in Liao manor….” Emperor Jing Li knitted his brows.

Fu Sheng deliberated and suddenly understood. He said a little carefully, “This servant heard that Magistrate Liao is a clean official. He eats the vegetables he grows and wears their own woven cloth. It’s naturally not as comfortable as the palace.”

“That’s right. Lady Xi of Bright Countenance might catch a cold, and it would be bad if she spread it to me.”

“??” Fu Sheng was bewildered.

Emperor Jing Li suddenly stood up and said, “I will send a blanket to Lady Xi of Bright Countenance!”

“???” The corners of Fu Sheng’s mouth twitched in surprise.

Translator’s Note: I have finally finished posting the extra chapters. Thank you very much, lovely readers, for the Kofis once again. Wishing everyone an amazing day!