Continuing down this path, the two of them would fall into a vicious cycle.
Not wanting to waste any more pointless words with Lu Shi, Cai Qing changed the subject. "It's getting late, let's go back."
This place had not been lived in for a long time. Although the furniture and bedding were brand new, she didn't want to stay here. It would need to be thoroughly cleaned before it was habitable.
"Alright, let's go back."
Lu Shi was completely obedient to Cai Qing, acting entirely according to her wishes.
...
"Sister Cai Qing, you finally decided to come back. I thought you weren't coming back tonight!"
The moment Cai Qing opened the door, Chu Qing's sinister words rang out from behind her. Such a sudden remark made Cai Qing shiver violently, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"What are you doing? Hiding behind there and scaring people. Don't you know that scaring people can kill them!"
"I also know a saying: a clear conscience fears no midnight knocks. Sister Cai Qing, have you done something you regret, that's why you're so scared!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? When did I do anything wrong? Don't spout such rubbish. If you continue speaking nonsense..."
"Alright... alright, I won't say any more, Sister Cai Qing. Can you stop always trying to pinch my cheek?"
Seeing Cai Qing's posture, Chu Qing guessed that she was about to pinch her cheek again.
"Who told you to always spout nonsense? If not you, then who should I pinch?"
Chu Qing pouted in dissatisfaction. Besides, she wasn't talking nonsense; she was clearly stating the truth.
Without further argument, Chu Qing took a box from the cabinet and placed it in front of Cai Qing.
"What is the meaning of this? Are you giving it to me?"
Knowing the origin of this box, Cai Qing knew it contained all of Chu Qing's treasures. She usually guarded them jealously, not even allowing anyone to touch them. It was so rare for her to openly place the box in front of her. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was amiss.
That impish girl was always the most cunning. If she wasn't careful, she would fall into her trap. Could she be brewing some mischief again?
"Yes, this is your wedding gift."
She pushed the box towards Cai Qing, readily offering it.
"You're really giving it to me? This is your treasure?"
"Yes, I'm giving it to you. Sister Cai Qing, quickly open it and see if you like it."
At Chu Qing's strong insistence, Cai Qing finally opened the box. Inside were all sorts of gold, silver, jewelry, and trinkets that Chu Qing had saved.
"This won't do. It's not easy for a girl like you to save so much. I can't accept this. You should keep it for your own protection."
"Sister Cai Qing, you've taken care of me so much. I'm truly happy that you've found a good home. This little bit is all my gratitude to you. If you don't accept it, I won't talk to you anymore."
Chu Qing was determined for Cai Qing to accept it and directly shoved the box into Cai Qing's hands.
The kindness was overwhelming. If she refused any further, it would only hurt Chu Qing's feelings. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to accept it. She would just have to give Chu Qing more gifts when she got married.
"Then I'll accept it."
"That's more like it. You should accept it."
Cai Qing looked at the box in her hands with concern. "Since you've given it all to me, what will you use to protect yourself in the future?"
"These are all external possessions. I am alone and only need to serve the young madam. I don't need these things. But Sister Cai Qing, you will need them after you get married, so the more the better."
It was false to say she wasn't touched. A warm current immediately surged into Cai Qing's eyes. "Thank you, Chu Qing."
"Why are we being so formal between ourselves?"
Chu Qing waved her hand dismissively. Sister Cai Qing was really something, always saying such sentimental things, making her feel like crying now.
"By the way, Chu Qing, what about your sisters in Xiliang? How are they doing now? It will be more convenient for me to visit them once I leave the manor."
"They are living very freely now. They have all scattered to the four corners of the earth to live their own little lives. They don't need me to worry about them anymore."
With the help of the young madam, Sister Zhenzhu and the others had successfully left. She heard that Sister Zhenzhu and Sister Cui'er had opened a restaurant in a town not far from the capital, and the business was doing well enough to provide for the few of them.
After being chosen as spies, they had long known that their future days would be an endless darkness, and they couldn't even decide whether they lived or died.
Fortunately, they were lucky enough to meet the young madam. The young madam saved them and gave them a new life. It was truly wonderful that they could all live peacefully now.
"That's good. It's best that everyone is safe."
Cai Qing was also happy for Chu Qing. Now Chu Qing wouldn't have to worry about this matter day and night and could finally rest easy.
"This is good. You don't have to worry anymore. They can all live well. It truly is a wonderful thing."
"Yes, it's good to be able to live well."
Chu Qing's lips held a faint smile, her eyes filled with tenderness. It was all thanks to the young madam's arrangements that they could escape danger so quickly. Without the young madam, she truly didn't know what to do.
...
"What are you looking at? What time is it, and you're still not asleep."
Ling Mohan, who had just returned from bathing, saw Feng Jin leaning over the desk, engrossed in some research. He embraced her from behind.
"Don't move, I'm almost done."
Startled by Ling Mohan's sudden embrace from behind, her hand trembled, and she almost added the wrong dosage. This was about to be a complete failure.
"What are you so busy with? These bottles and jars, what's so good about them?"
She spent all day with these things. He didn't know where Feng Jin got such great patience from. Now she wasn't even paying attention to him. Would she soon ignore their two children too?
Feng Jin rolled her eyes at Ling Mohan and said with great dissatisfaction, "What do you know? I'm trying to earn money to save up for my son to get married."
She already had three children to take care of. If she didn't work harder, relying solely on Ling Mohan, their three children might not even be able to afford wives in the future.
"I'll earn money to support you. You don't need to work so hard."
As a grown man, he couldn't even support his wife and children. Wouldn't that make him seem even more useless?
"Your words... I wouldn't dare to count on them. I wouldn't even know how I starved to death."