Chapter 199: Encountering a Clear Day Chapter 176: I Mean to Retire

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Shaowei

Liu Qi

Feng Zhu gently stroked her daughter's back, then stroked her daughter's head: "How did your hair get so messy..."

In this world, few mothers could see their daughter's messy hair and resist the urge to comb it.

Even though Shaowei explained in a muffled voice that she usually combed it quite neatly, she was still pressed before the bronze mirror, kneeling obediently, and combed by Mother.

Feng Zhu knelt behind her daughter, holding a comb, first combing through all that overly dense black hair, then carefully tying the hair bun.

She had been skilled at combing hair and makeup since her youth, learning every new style at once, and calculating from then, the last time she had combed a hair bun so carefully was over ten years ago.

After such a long interval, doing this again, the face in the mirror remained youthful and fresh, but it had changed from her to her child.

The scars torn out by over ten years of nightmares could not be completely healed even with a lifetime of effort; the mirror of years that had already shattered could never truly return to wholeness no matter how it was repaired, and she could not help but hate—even though the enemy was dead, this hatred was destined to accompany her for life.

Such intense hatred was destined to make her vent her anger on everything related to Qin Fu; if this child were not Qingniang, she would grit her teeth and cut ties.

But Qingniang was Qingniang; Qingniang was not only her flesh and blood, but also the one who used her small body to lift her up and climb out of Purgatory. Such a deep bond, though it inevitably brought occasional pangs of old pain when experienced in the other, was also destined to make separation impossible.

Love and pain coexisted, but if they were cut off, only boundless pain and regret would remain.

There was too much pain, and too much stubbornness; worldly affairs could no longer have both. To embrace each other for warmth on a rusted blade until one day crushing that old blade underfoot—for Feng Zhu, who harbored hatred in her heart, this was rather a non-avoidance and non-submission to this damnable fate.

Only an unyielding mother could bear an unbroken child. Feng Zhu quickly combed her daughter's hair, and her own heart was combed into a measure of cheerfulness. After finishing the hair bun, tying it into a pair, she looked at the child in the mirror and felt they were born to be a mother and daughter of shared life, and should face this toy-making fate together like this.

Shaowei saw in the mirror that Mother's eyes slowly revealed a determined look, as if new stubborn vitality was climbing out of the mud.

Mother smiled and asked her: "Since you're wearing new clothes and have combed your hair, shall Mother take you out to the market?"

This feeling was extremely novel; Shaowei could not resist in the slightest, nodding like pounding garlic.

"We must first pay respects to the Female Monarch of the household." Feng Zhu asked: "I just don't know if the Female Monarch is available to meet?"

"She's taking a nap; I'll go check." Shaowei immediately got up and ran to find Jiang Fu.

Jiang Fu didn't know when she woke up; when Shaowei tiptoed into her room, she was sitting on the bed stretching.

Shaowei ran over, explaining the general situation while helping her put on clothes, and finally said: "... You must not speak ill of me."

Jiang Fu sighed and corrected: "Then shouldn't you say 'Please ask the master to show mercy, not to take offense with a naughty disciple'?"

Shaowei glared angrily; Jiang Fu narrowed her eyes in a smile, lightly tapping Shaowei's nose: "Just a joke, don't worry. This is your great day as my disciple; as your master, I will certainly not let you lose face and will surely give you full support."

After helping Jiang Fu tidy up and assisting her to kneel on the straw mat, Shaowei stepped back two steps to survey the whole scene, secretly feeling this master was indeed presentable, beneath her snow-white robes as if born with a pair of crystalline immortal bones.

Besides Feng Zhu, Lady Shentu and Marquis Lu also came to meet together.

Current etiquette for conversation mostly involved sitting opposite each other kneeling around a table. Jiang Fu sat behind the table, the three of the Feng family sat before it. After sincere greetings, Lady Shentu, seated in the center, smiled and said: "Though I, an old woman, have not seen the Female Monarch's immortal countenance, sitting opposite like this, it seems as if I have seen her somewhere before."

Jiang Fu smiled: "If Lady Old says so, perhaps there has been some fateful connection."

Lady Shentu smiled and nodded, not inquiring further into the mysterious Female Monarch's origins, then continued: "This time we came to thank the Female Monarch. Young Shaowei has been taken in and taught by the Female Monarch, truly a great fortune. This grace is like re-creation; please accept a bow from our household."

The old lady raised her hand and bowed; Feng Zhu and Marquis Lu also moved to follow. Jiang Fu hastily reached out to support the old lady's arm: "Not allowed, not allowed. The two elders are of noble virtue, and the Young Lady is even more extraordinary. I am currently in a state of physical weakness; if I forcibly accept these three bows, I fear there may be worry of losing my life."

Her words of refusal were especially serious; even with a joking element, how could the opposite party bow again? But after she spoke, she closed her eyes and pressed her forehead, as if dizzy. Feng Zhu saw this and hurriedly leaned in to support her: "Female Monarch, is it perhaps not suitable to sit for long?"

Shaowei clicked her tongue inwardly. She was familiar with Jiang Fu's manner and saw through at a glance that the person was merely pretending, but there was also a measure of intent to take the opportunity to get close and touch her Mother.

Jiang Fu weakly grasped Feng Zhu's arm in return, gazing nearby at the mother of the Heavenly Seeker's style, yet also sincerely said:

"If speaking of thanks, it is I who should thank the Young Lady. I was born with the fate of seeking heavenly secrets; without the Young Lady, there would be no Shaowei, and my fate would surely be in vain."

Jiang Fu's brows and eyes were sincere as she looked at Feng Zhu's face and said: "Though I cannot see through the Young Lady's future fate, the Young Lady is a peerless pearl. Now that the great flood has passed, no matter what wind and rain you encounter later, with your heart and will, you will surely be able to tread danger as if level ground, and find willows dark and flowers bright."

Four eyes met; originally strangers, they had formed such a connection. Feng Zhu was inwardly moved, nodding with lowered head: "Thank you, Female Monarch, for your kind words."

After conversing and thanking again, considering Jiang Fu's physical weakness, Lady Shentu timely proposed to take her leave, saying she would visit again another day.

Shaowei, who was to go to the street with Mother, stood up as they rose and habitually said: "Jiang Fu, I'll go and come back."

Jiang Fu said nothing, only smiled faintly and sighed softly.

Feng Zhu hurriedly said in a low voice to her daughter: "Qingniang, how can you directly call an elder's name? You should call her Master."

Shaowei turned back, her face slightly red: "Master... I'll go and come back!"

Jiang Fu nodded with a face full of kindness: "Mm, good disciple, go quickly."

Shaowei left as if fleeing, following Mother out of the Jiang Zhai and mounting the carriage.

Marquis Lu helped the Lady board the carriage and opened his mouth to have the coachman follow, but halfway through his words, he was interrupted by the Lady: "A daughter taking a daughter to stroll the market—what is an eyesore old martial man like you going along for?"

"I..." Marquis Lu sighed helplessly: "Not that I want to look at that child more; that child speaks far too little. I haven't even had a chance to speak properly, and haven't yet heard a single 'Grandfather'."

Originally, the Lady did not approve of his coming today, saying that just by standing there, his formation and killing intent were too great, and would frighten the child who had no confidence in her heart. After hearing this, he argued by reason—let alone one him, even if ten or eight carriages of his Feng Xi were added, that child with great bearing and courage would not blink an eye.

It was just recognizing the child; if he didn't come, fine, but this child was also a Benefactor. In any case, he had to come.

Marquis Lu, who had forcibly come along, could not now go to stroll the market, and felt some regret. But hearing the Lady say: "Let's go back and prepare the late meal. When they are tired from strolling, it will be just right to return home for a meal."

Marquis Lu, upon hearing these words, finally felt the direction the carriage was traveling had some hopeful flavor.

Meanwhile, Shaowei, sitting in Mother's carriage, was now saying: "Mother, I want to pick up someone to stroll the market together."

Feng Zhu smiled and said "Good."

Thus Shaowei colluded with Yu Si Wu to steal Qingxiang Sister out of the Shen Ci.

Qingxiang still had "companions" in the Capital, so for the time being, Qingxiang, who had captured the Liang Prince with merit, was placed in the Shen Ci to suppress alarm, avoiding exposure of her relationship with Shaowei.

Yu Si Wu, though aware of this relationship, now possessed extreme loyalty and only carried out orders without asking.

At a place with no one, Shaowei pulled Qingxiang to jump onto the carriage. The two women's clothes and skirts flew and rose, like two butterflies flying into the carriage. Shaowei immediately said: "A Jie, this is my Mother!"

Qingxiang, who already understood the situation, knelt and paid respects, calling her Aunt.

Feng Zhu, who no longer loved to smile, always treated her daughter's good friend with a gentle smiling face, and asked about their affairs in Taoxi Township.

Two girls sitting close together spoke of old times, their voices making the colors inside the carriage seem to brighten.

Before getting off the carriage, for the sake of caution, Qingwu changed into the spare clothing kept in the carriage, disguising herself as a Feng family maid; Qingwu whispered to Shaowei that she was quite adept at playing a maid now.

Recently living in the shrine, Qingwu felt very settled at heart whenever she thought this shrine was Shaowei's territory; moreover, thanks to Yu Si Wu's special care, her complexion and energy had recovered well.

Upon entering the market, Qingwu and Shaowei rushed into the crowd together, weaving through streets and shops, buying snacks and picking out jewelry.

The two, who had been in Chang'an for some time now, found everything novel; before this, Shaowei had never had the inclination to stroll the streets. Qingwu had often gone out with Prince Liang, but trembling with fear as a spy, how could that compare to now? Only today did she personally experience what a bustling Chang'an market was.

Qingwu was frugal and dared not buy expensive things; Shaowei wanted to make up for her past straitened experience selling fruit in the prefectures and counties of Taoxi Township — whenever Qingwu looked at something a couple of extra times, she immediately ordered it bought. Qingwu was terrified; she never knew before that her pair of eyes possessed such squandering power.

By the end, Qingwu clung to Shaowei, refusing to let her enter any more shops; they only wandered the streets. Seeing an acrobatic troupe performing sword-swallowing and fire-breathing, the two squeezed forward. Qingwu exclaimed and applauded; Shaowei widened her eyes, pressed her hands to her mouth, and shouted along with the crowd: "Amazing skill!"

Feng Zhu's legs and feet were inconvenient; most of the time she watched from the roadside, or waited inside the carriage, lifting the curtain to smile at those two girlish figures like little fish.

A household servant scouting Chang'an fashions happened upon Shaowei but did not approach to disturb her; after all, doing so would require exchanging pleasantries with the Feng family young ladies, inevitably adding social pressure.

Watching from afar as Shaowei enthusiastically entered the family weapon shop, the servant smiled faintly, but thinking of the journey since entering the capital, felt his nose turn slightly sour. He took a deep breath and sighed inwardly: No one told him before raising a child that being a parent for so long would turn him into this sort of character.

As dusk approached, Shaowei and Qingwu left fully laden and arrived at the Lu Hou Mansion.

Lady Qiao's family was packing luggage onto carriages, preparing to depart Chang'an early tomorrow morning.

Shaowei followed at Mother's side, turning her head to look at Feng Xian and the others' figures; because the light was dim, she could not make out their expressions — instead, scenes from her previous life floated before her eyes.

The circumstances of past and present life were like a dream or illusion, brushing past each other, yet so vastly different.

The people and matters that had shrouded her in a daze like turbid mist in her last life — this time, before they could even clash with her, were about to vanish into the distance.

As if sensing something, Feng Zhu said as she walked: "Qingniang, if you hadn't saved Mother, the truth hidden in this marquis mansion would have been hard to uncover; you saved not just Mother alone."

In the twilight, Shaowei quietly raised her hands, turning her palms over.

Jiang Fu was right; Heaven's secrets don't need one to personally handle everything — these hands of hers could indeed leverage and change a great many things.

Perhaps because both mental strength and courage were unprecedentedly abundant, this time her contemplation brought a tremendous change in her state of mind compared to before.

After finishing the evening meal at the Lu Hou Mansion, Shaowei did not stay the night.

Even though she had acknowledged Mother, she was already a grown child with her own place to stay; moreover, Jiang Fu was still at the Jiang Zhai, and with Jiang Fu in his current condition, how could she be spared from his side? The servant and Xiao Yu surely couldn't get used to her leaving without returning either, fearing they might mistakenly think they were abandoned, even losing sleep all night.

Feng Zhu did not force her daughter; she only took out two cloaks, gave one to Qingwu, and personally fastened the other on her daughter.

After Shaowei left, Shen Tu Furen privately said to the rather disappointed Lu Hou: "A cat recognizes its nest... it's good enough that she's willing to come back and visit and eat; there's no need to rush."

Lu Hou nodded, pondering: "Better to turn around and discuss with that Female Monarch, move the entire Jiang Zhai household over together — wouldn't that be lively and joyful?"

Shaowei, however, did not return directly to the Jiang Zhai; she smoothly sent Qingwu back to the shrine, then did not take a carriage herself, wrapped her cloak tight, and with light, swift steps entered the night, making up for the daytime travel plan.

Shaowei nimbly vaulted into the Sixth Prince's Residence — familiar with the route — without needing to show the short knife Liu Qi had given her; a single "It's me" sufficed to move as if through an empty realm, all the way to Liu Qi's courtyard residence.

Her coming here required no announcement; it was Liu Qi's instruction.

But upon reaching the courtyard residence, she still had to notify him — just a word — and the study door opened. Shaowei entered, removed the cloak covering her wind hood, and when her gaze found Liu Qi, she saw his eyes were already waiting.

He sat cross-legged behind the book desk; because he was recuperating, he wore a lead-white undergarment inside, draped with a wide, dark blue common robe. His hair, however, was tied very neatly, making him look spirited and handsome; his slightly pale face bloomed with a smile under the lamp.

Though only four days had passed since they last met, meeting again at this moment seemed very different from before. Shaowei's mind first flashed to him blocking the flaming rocket arrows, then surfaced his eyes, still preparing to help her escape even while gravely wounded.

Shaowei actually spaced out for an instant; Liu Qi merely smiled without speaking. She recovered and could only speak first: "Liu Qi, how is your injury recovering? I thought you'd be bedridden."

"If I knew you were coming, I'd definitely be lying in bed." Liu Qi half-joking, half-serious, spoke words feigning pitifulness.

Shaowei couldn't be bothered to respond, strode over, and sat cross-legged on the straw mat before his book desk.

Liu Qi looked at her goose-yellow skirt, then at her hair bun, and couldn't help but sincerely praise: "You look very pretty like this today."

Shaowei's reaction was not shyness; she raised her hands to lightly touch the hair bun at her ear, tidied it slightly, the corner of her mouth curling up slightly, and said: "My Mother did my hair for me."

"No wonder." Liu Qi's eyes held a smile, yet he said with incomparable seriousness: "This suits you very well."

Not just outwardly, but an inner-to-outer composure, ease, fullness — transformed into a bearing many times superior to before.

Like a tiger that was originally always dripping wet and bloody — now its wounds have been medicated, its fur scrubbed and groomed fluffy and clean, its bones sturdier, its gait lighter.

Inexplicably, Shaowei understood he was not evaluating her appearance; she lowered the hands that had been fixing her hair bun, looked at Liu Qi, and said: "You also suit me as I am now."

Naturally not meaning wearing skirts, doing up hair, and pinning pearls.

"You also mustn't keep getting injured like this." Shaowei's words rarely went through embellishment, and this time was the same; she said: "But this time it was because of me, so I specially came to thank you — many thanks, Liu—"

"My courtesy name is Situi." Liu Qi suddenly interrupted Shaowei's thanks.

Shaowei paused for a moment, then could only say: "Many thanks, Liu Situi."

Liu Qi silently pressed his lips together, suppressing the smile at his mouth, looked at her, and said seriously: "Shaowei, you and I have been allied for a long time; there has never been a need for thanks."

Suddenly called by name, Shaowei's heart tightened; she only felt it seemed even more different. She wanted to say something, but thinking she had called his courtesy name first, what reason was there to not allow him to call her name?

?? 4400 words~

? (This update time can't be dragged back! Everyone read during the day, read during the day.)