My wife has a secret

Chapter 18 A belated return

Prefect Xu's eyes flickered a few times, and finally he let out a long sigh, as if he had made some decision.

"Everyone has been released. Tomorrow we will register the refugees here and arrange for their resettlement and management in batches."

The confidant continued to ask: "What about the leader? He just wanted to kidnap Master Xu..."

"He still has some prestige here. Cutting him off will bring hidden dangers. It is better to let him make amends and assist in management... If there are any more mistakes, all offenders will be thrown out of the city."

After explaining the matter, Prefect Xu turned around and got on the sedan chair in the government office.

When the refugees behind heard what the government said, they realized that the prefect was actually considering these homeless and untouchable people and giving them a way out to sustain their lives.

"This is the great Lord!"

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

The refugees, regardless of gender, age, height, weight, all knelt on the ground and bowed to the sedan chair.

Prefect Xu sat in the sedan chair, feeling even more worried.

What kind of misfortune had happened to Xu Qing that he had become so smart?
He was the one who stole the show at the Puyuan Poetry Festival, and he was also the one who offered his political views to me today. Was this kid hiding his abilities before?
If this is true, with the Queen Mother's favor for them, will the world still belong to the Li family?
……

Xu Qing was sent back to the mansion gate, and Hai Dafu was already bending over and waiting in front of the door.

What was different from before was that there were two or three circles of gauze wrapped around his head, and it seemed that he had suffered serious injuries.

"What's wrong with you?"

"It's a minor problem, no problem."

Seeing that Hai Dafu was unwilling to talk more, Xu Qing did not ask any more questions.

His attention was soon drawn elsewhere, because in addition to the carriage that picked him up, there was another luxuriously decorated carriage parked in front of the door.

The body of the carriage is made of new wood and looks extremely clean and tidy.

There were finely woven bead curtains hanging outside the car windows, and several colorful gauze curtains hanging from the roof. It was obvious that this was a young woman's car.

"Master, you are finally back... Didn't the old lady tell you not to go out without permission? Why did you go to the east end of the city again?"

When Prefect Xu was rushing to Baolin Street, he specially sent someone to remind the Xu Mansion, so everyone in the mansion knew that Xu Qing had sneaked out today.

Xu Qing ignored Hai Dafu and walked around the carriage with interest, asking, "Whose carriage is this?"

"Master, this is the car of the Fourth Young Madam. Everyone in Suzhou City knows it."

Xu Qing caught the gauze curtain that was swaying in the wind and saw the peony pattern printed on it. He asked curiously, "The pattern on it is very unique. I think I have seen it several times in the mansion."

Hai Dafu took a look and replied, "This is the family crest of our Xu family. It was chosen by your aunt herself. Only the Xu family of Suzhou can use it in the world."

"Lang Jun."

A string of silver bell-like laughter came from inside the door. The person who came in was wearing a red and yellow smoke-covered gauze skirt and an emerald-colored soft gauze belt on her arm. She was as beautiful and elegant as a fairy descending from heaven.

She had her hair tied up in a Japanese bun, and her delicate and fair face was more beautiful than a flower when she smiled.

"Qin Shuying."

The Fourth Young Lady, who had a curvaceous figure and two pretty faces, walked up to Xu Qing and bowed slightly to him.

Qin Shuying slightly parted her red lips, and every frown and smile on her face was captivating.

"It seems that my husband's memory has not yet recovered, and he still addresses Ying'er in such a strange way."

Xu Qing laughed dryly twice and responded, "It's okay, there's a long way to go."

Qin Shuying didn't understand what he meant, so she said softly, "If you like this car, you can take it. Everything Ying'er has was given by you, and you also bought her life."

"It's not that exaggerated. I'm just curious."

The maid standing behind Qin Shuying interrupted.

"Miss, today's banquet includes the Qinghe Cui family and the Fanyang Lu family. These are both prominent families in the court. We cannot waste any more time."

Xu Qing glanced at the sky and asked, "It's getting dark now. Are you going out for a social event at this time?"

Qin Shuying's face was still as cheerful as ever, and her voice was still as sweet and pleasant as ever.

"Yes, I will not return home tonight... If my husband wants me to sleep with him tonight, Ying'er can go and postpone the banquet now."

"You should go away, that's not what I meant."

"Then I will go first. I wish my husband good health and a good night."

After Qin Shuying nodded and said goodbye, she stepped one foot on the footstool brought down by Cui'er, but was stopped by Xu Qing.

"Oh, I suddenly remembered something... Someone told me that there was a kind of colorful fabric popular among young women before, called colorful clothes and colorful skirts. I heard that the young ladies of wealthy families liked it very much, and almost everyone had one. Do you have such clothes?"

Qin Shuying's figure paused for a moment, then she suddenly turned around and smiled sweetly.

"Why did you suddenly think of this, my husband? I like this kind of beautiful and unique clothes the most. Of course, there are some in the house."

"But in my wardrobe, I have at least ten skirts made of colorful clothes. What style do you want to see?"

Xu Qing blinked and was choked for a moment.

I didn't expect that my wife had so many gorgeous new clothes that a poor family would have to save up for a year to buy. How much did Xu Qing have to favor the fourth wife to allow her to spend money like this?
This kid is such a prodigal!

Seeing that Xu Qing did not answer, Qin Shuying looked at him with her beautiful eyes.

"If you don't mind, I will go to the banquet tonight. When I have time another day, I will change into them one by one for you to see. Is that okay?"

"it is good."

Qin Shuying bowed and saluted, then got into the carriage.

As the carriage moved further away, the pleasant fragrance in the air also dissipated.

……

On top of the intricately carved carriage, there was a burning incense ball that exuded a fragrant aroma.

Qin Shuying sat sideways with her legs crossed. The beautiful hair on her neck was soft, shiny and smooth. The ornaments mixed in her hair shone like stars in the dark night, emitting dazzling lights.

She is so beautiful that she is beyond description.

Before the carriage had gone far, Cui Er could no longer hold back and asked, "Miss, the young master suddenly asked about colorful clothes and colorful clothes. Did you notice something?"

Qin Shuying had a gentle smile on her face and her lips were slightly pursed.

"Let him check if he wants. After waiting for so many years, it's time for the fish to bite the bait."

……

When Xu Qing returned to the yard, Xiaohuan was busy preparing snacks.

Hearing the gate being pushed open, she took a break from her busy schedule and looked outside.

"Master!"

Seeing Xu Qing coming back, Xiaohuan felt sweeter than eating honey.

After Xu Qing sneaked out today, she was worried about his safety the whole day and even forgot to eat lunch.

Now I can finally relax.

"Xiao Huan, who came to the courtyard today?" Xiao Huan stopped the fire on the stove, combed her appearance, walked out and said, "Today, Chief Steward Hai and Ji Xia from the Third Courtyard came. Chief Steward Hai came to see if the young master was here, and Ji Xia came to remind the young master not to forget to return home tomorrow."

Xu Qing then remembered that he had to accompany the third wife, Mrs. Lu, to visit her relatives tomorrow.

Today, Prefect Xu personally gave the order, specifically asking Chief Jiao to thoroughly investigate Chun Shisan Niang's case and raid the gambling house on West Street.

It seems like there's no need for me to get involved over there, right?
"Got it. Then let's pack up tonight and go back with Lu tomorrow."

Xiaohuan was delighted to hear this, because when she returned home tomorrow, she would have to take care of the young master's daily life herself.

"Okay, then what kind of clothes should we prepare for the young master?"

"It's all right. You can do whatever you want."

Xu Qing has always been unwilling to worry about these things, so he went back to his room and lay on the bed, thinking about the various clues he had obtained today.

Fang Xiuyuan has become an important clue to Chun Shisan Niang, and the government is pursuing this clue with all its might.

But he always felt that he had missed some key information.

By the way, if the murderer who bribed the refugees was guessing that he was investigating Fang Xiuyuan and would track him all the way to Baolin Street, then what about Prefect Xu and Captain Shaowu who rushed over after hearing the news?

Both of them brought a lot of people with them, which shows that they were well aware that they would be in danger here.

Who informed them of the news?
"Master, come and eat your favorite osmanthus cake."

Xiaohuan came in with some pastries. After Xu Qing sat down, she told him some interesting things that happened in the mansion today.

"Master, a hornet's nest was found behind the compound today. After Chief Steward Hai went to poke it out, he dropped his hat while running and got stung all over his head."

Xu Qing finally understood why this Chief Steward had gauze tied on his head.

Seeing that he smiled, Xiaohuan told him more interesting stories in the mansion to cheer him up.

After dinner, Xiao Huan helped him take a bath and took the initiative to say, "Master, I can't warm your bed tonight."

Yesterday, Xiaohuan didn't sleep a wink the whole night because of her excitement and anticipation.

If Third Young Lady finds me not in good spirits when I return home tomorrow, I will definitely miss out on important things.

She didn't dare to hope that she would have a legitimate status in the future, and it was good enough for her to be with the young master now.

Xu Qing nodded and said okay.

……

Without Xiaohuan at night, Xu Qing always felt that the bed was not as comfortable.

Fortunately, he got up early the next day when he returned home. Before dawn, he received the news that Lu Wanhe was waiting for him in the carriage.

While changing clothes, Xu Qing curiously asked Xiang Xiaohuan, "Does Lu Wanhe have a deep relationship with his family?"

Although the Third Young Madam was taciturn, Ji Xia would occasionally chat with the maids in the compound and tell a lot about her.

Xiao Huan pursed her lips and replied, "I heard from Third Young Madam's personal maid Ji Xia that Third Young Madam was very favored in the mansion."

"When was it originally?"

"It was roughly the time when Third Young Madam's grandfather was still alive. Third Young Madam was very intelligent when she was young. She showed extraordinary talent from a young age and was very famous throughout Suzhou."

"Oh?"

Although Xu Qing had learned about Lu Wanhe from Manager Hai, he did not expect that this lady would become famous so early.

No wonder he blamed everything that happened at the poetry party on Lu, and none of those talented men from the south of the Yangtze River suspected him.

"Yes, when the Third Young Madam was seven years old, she wrote a five-character quatrain. This poem was widely circulated, and the great scholar who was revered as Master Nie came to teach in person."

Although Xu Qing had never heard of the name of Master Nie, when he thought about the fact that he was respected as a great scholar of the time, he thought that he must have some abilities.

"So powerful?"

As Xiaohuan spoke, her tone changed from admiration to regret.

"However, since the Third Young Madam was twelve years old, her grandfather died unexpectedly. Since then, there has been no official in the Lu family. From what Ji Xia said, the Lu Mansion seemed to have declined overnight, and there are few people visiting."

Xu Qing sighed in his heart.

Isn’t the Xu family today the next Lu family?

Everyone in the mansion was able to gain a foothold in Suzhou thanks to his aunt. If his aunt, this supporter, falls, then his Xu family will be finished.

"And it's not just that. After hearing that Third Young Lady's father had passed away, the relatives of the Lu family came from all over to live in the Lu Mansion, saying that they wanted to re-elect the head of the family and divide up the property in the mansion."

"Lu Wanhe doesn't have any brothers?"

Xiao Huan shook her head. "No, Third Young Madam's mother disappeared a long time ago. In addition, she has been weak and sickly since she was young, so her grandfather has put all his heart on her."

"Good fellow, you're going to eat up the whole family."

Xu Qing touched his nose and felt a little pity for the third branch of the Lu family.

In ancient times, there was a bad habit of eating up the entire family. If there was no male in the family to inherit the family business after a person died, the family would most likely be invaded and the wealth would be stolen by relatives.

Although the prefect was in charge of an entire state and was a fourth-rank official, he was considered a high-ranking official.

But the family business left behind could not withstand a group of people coming to eat and drink for free.

"Ji Xia said that her young lady was kind-hearted and they were too embarrassed to chase away the clan members, so they let those hundred people stay in the mansion and eat up all the family assets... until they had no other options, so they thought of asking our Xu family to fulfill the marriage contract and bring the third young lady to the Xu Mansion."

Xiao Huan lowered her voice and whispered, "I heard that the food for those people in the past two years was provided by our Xu Mansion."

Xu Qing understood the whole story and took a deep breath.

They have supported hundreds of people in vain, if the Lu family doesn’t take action, who will?

I really don't know what Lu Wanhe is thinking. She would rather let her family property be eaten up and be forced to marry someone she doesn't like, than to protect these relatives who are like termites.

"Why does she come back home?"

"This slave doesn't know."

Seeing that Xu Qing looked unhappy, Xiaohuan didn't dare to say anything.

Xu Qing put on the clothes and hair crown prepared by Xiaohuan and came to the door.

The Xu family's motorcade for the return visit was very luxurious. In addition to the bright red wedding car that he and Lu were riding in, there were also trucks with colorful flags flying on them.

The convoy stretched to the street corner, which was enough to imagine how many gifts the Xu family brought.

Xu Qing immediately spotted Ji Xia holding the fox fur coat and asked, "Ji Xia, what are you waiting for?"

"Master, this is the fox fur that the young lady took from your yard a few days ago. I washed it and dried it for a day."

"What? Are you going to give it back to me?"

Ji Xia lowered her head and replied, "Yes, my lady said that this fox fur is very valuable and is a tribute from the palace. I can't take it for myself."

"Okay, I get it, let's drive."

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he took the fox fur and got into the car.

(End of this chapter)