Chapter 24: Afflicted with a Strange Illness (4)

Stretching her waist, Zhuo Qing looked up slightly and was surprised to find that under the courtyard wall beside the lake, three or four adult kapok trees had been planted. They were very beautiful, the tall branches stretching out with vigor, and the fiery red, large flowers were in full bloom. Looking from afar, it was as if clusters of flames were reflecting each other with the emerald green lake water—a beautiful sight. However, why would Lou Xiyan's courtyard be planted with kapok trees?

Zhuo Qing walked over, gently picked up a fallen flower, and fell into deep thought.

Lou Xiwu, who had rushed over early in the morning, saw that she was still in Lou Xiyan's courtyard and shouted: "Qingfeng, why are you still here? I'm telling you, don't think that just because my brother allowed you to stay in Zhaixing Pavilion, you are really the mistress of the Lou family. You are just a concubine, do you remember that?"

Zhuo Qing kept her head lowered, only staring at the flower. Lou Xiwu was puzzled—what was so good about a remnant flower? Walking behind her, Lou Xiwu shouted impatiently: "Hey, are you listening to me?!"

Zhuo Qing ignored her clamor, stroked the thick trunk, and asked: "Have these few kapok trees always been planted in this courtyard?"

"You know this is called kapok?" Lou Xiwu was stunned at first, but soon smiled triumphantly and replied: "I suppose you have some knowledge. We don't have kapok trees in Qiongyue. The kapok seeds were tribute from a small country on the southern border many years ago. The only place in all of Qiongyue with a patch of kapok trees is the Western Empress Dowager's palace. These few were bestowed by the Western Empress Dowager when my brother was appointed Prime Minister."

"Western Empress Dowager? Is there also an Eastern Empress Dowager?" Zhuo Qing asked casually.

"Yes." Speaking of this, Lou Xiwu's head lifted even higher involuntarily: "The Eastern Empress Dowager is my aunt."

"Are Lou Xiyan and the Emperor cousins?" No wonder Lou Xiyan and the Emperor didn't have the relationship of ordinary monarch and subject last night.

Seeing that Zhuo Qing's attitude today wasn't too arrogant, and after last night, she didn't hate her as much anymore. Lou Xiwu nodded with a good mood and replied: "You could say that. Aunt has always been the master of the East Palace, but she has had no children for many years. The Western Empress Dowager, who was the Consort De of the West Palace, was very favored by the Late Emperor and had two sons and one daughter. The Late Emperor had the eldest son adopted by Aunt to raise and established him as the Crown Prince. When we were young, my brother and I often entered the palace, so Brother and the Emperor grew up together, as close as brothers."

Zhuo Qing nodded knowingly and smiled: "Then, bestowing such precious tree species upon Lou Xiyan, the Western Empress Dowager must really like your brother."

Lou Xiwu smiled charmingly and replied: "That is of course. She even wanted to betroth her daughter, Princess Zhaoyang, to my brother."

Gently stroking the petals in her hand, Zhuo Qing frowned slightly. In that case, they weren't enemies, so why send him kapok? Was it unintentional, or...

Zhuo Qing's expression was cold and calm, staring at the remnant flower in her hand again. Lou Xiwu misunderstood that she was worried about her status, stepped forward, and whispered: "However, don't worry. Our Lou family is not the kind of family that is fickle or climbs the social ladder. As long as you serve my brother well, no one will make things difficult for you."

Zhuo Qing came to her senses and couldn't help but give a wry smile. Who Lou Xiyan married had nothing to do with her at all! She was just curious.

Under the kapok trees, the two women had different thoughts. A male voice full of teasing and frivolity suddenly rang out: "Tsk tsk tsk, where did this little beauty come from?"

Zhuo Qing and Lou Xiwu turned back at the same time and saw a man in white beside Jing Sa. Zhuo Qing's face sank immediately—it was the man who feared nothing but chaos in Niu Family Village! Completely ignoring him, Zhuo Qing turned and walked toward the Nine-Turn Bridge beside the lake.

Who knew that Qi Tianyu wouldn't give up and greeted her. Zhuo Qing looked up and looked back at him coldly. Walking closer, Qi Tianyu discovered that there were two deep knife scars on the woman's right cheek, ruining her flawless, jade-like stunning appearance. Looking from afar just now, she was in plain clothes, holding a remnant flower, standing alone and proud, with a compelling temperament. Walking closer, he discovered that there was such a defect on her face.

Ordinary women with ruined faces would use their hair to cover it up or lower their heads to avoid people's sight. She was completely different; her dark hair reaching her knees was neatly braided, without any hair accessories, and her entire face was clearly exposed to people. Especially her eyes—sharp and cold. Looking at her, his heart skipped a beat. This woman was truly interesting; he was even more interested in her. Blocking Zhuo Qing's path, Qi Tianyu raised the smile he considered the most handsome and asked: "So the young lady is an ice beauty; I like it. May I ask the young lady's name?"

Gently raising her hand, the remnant flower in her hand fell to the ground. Zhuo Qing replied coldly: "I hate frivolous men; they are not clean."

Qi Tianyu's smile froze, and Lou Xiwu covered her mouth and laughed softly. When had she ever seen Brother Qi suffer a loss? Seeing his embarrassment, Lou Xiwu kindly replied: "Brother Qi, her name is Qingfeng."

Qingfeng, she is Qingfeng; how could her face become like this?! Qi Tianyu secretly doubted in his heart, but his hand still made a bow, and he smiled: "This humble one greets you, Miss Qing." She didn't like frivolity, so surely she would like a scholar!

"I hate pretentious men even more; it's disgusting."

Qi Tianyu's smile froze on his face, looking worse than crying. Lou Xiwu couldn't help but laugh out loud; Brother Qi's expression was too funny.

Even Jing Sa, who stood to the side coolly without expression, had a trace of a suspected smile on his lips.

Qi Tianyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He hadn't offended her, had he!

"What are you laughing so happily about!" Just as everyone was laughing heartily, Xue Xianxin arrived with a few maids and walked over gracefully.

Qi Tianyu bowed and smiled: "Long time no see; Madam hasn't changed a bit."

Xue Xianxin smiled strangely: "Yo, it's Young Master Qi. No wonder our Xiwu is laughing so happily; truly, a grown daughter cannot be kept at home!" *It would be best if she rolled out of this house early. Her arrogant personality is only suitable for a marketplace family like the Qi family! *

Lou Xiwu's eyes swept nervously over Jing Sa beside her and immediately shouted: "Second Madam, don't talk nonsense!"

Zhuo Qing raised her eyebrows lightly. The little girl wouldn't be having her first love and having her heart set on someone, would she?

Seeing her gnashing her teeth, Xue Xianxin was in an even better mood and deliberately misinterpreted: "She's even shy!"

Seeing Lou Xiwu so anxious that her hands were clenched into fists, Qi Tianyu smoothed things over and smiled: "Madam is joking with me; Xiwu is still young, and I treat her as a good younger sister."

"Good, brother and sister is just right!" Xue Xianxin was also afraid that Lou Xiwu would go crazy like last night, so she walked past them and asked Jing Sa while walking: "Where is Xiyan? He's up, right?"

The medicine carried by the maid behind her was extremely similar to the medicinal juice from last night. Zhuo Qing thought for a moment, stepped forward, and said: "Give the medicine to me."

"Give it to you?" Xue Xianxin turned around, walked around Zhuo Qing, and said sternly: "You really think you are the mistress of this house? What a joke! Last night I didn't want to argue with you because Xiyan was ill; you had better be sensible."

So she was doing this for the title of mistress! Zhuo Qing replied nonchalantly: "I have no interest in the position of mistress, but his medicine is currently under my care."

*No interest! No interest, yet you are pointing fingers here! * Xue Xianxin sneered: "What a big tone! Who gave you the courage to run wild in the Prime Minister's Mansion? Jing Sa, throw her out for me!"

Jing Sa remained silent and unmoved. Just as Xue Xianxin was about to explode, the door of the small building slowly opened, and Lou Xiyan's low, gentle voice sounded: "I gave her the courage."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 25 =====