Chapter 287 - 286: Stepping Stone
Zhao Family.
Zhao Yuqing knelt in the mourning hall, dressed in mourning clothes, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
She had a three-year agreement with Young General Wei, and truly wanted to leave after the separation, taking half of his fortune, and start anew somewhere else.
Her mother couldn’t fit in the capital and was always ridiculed by others here.
And so was she.
So she wanted to take her mother away with her.
But in just a few days, her mother unexpectedly died of a sudden illness, and everything she had planned seemed to suddenly lose its meaning.
People came and went in the mourning hall.
There were Mr. Zhao’s colleagues and some neighbors with good relations.
After offering incense, everyone would tell Zhao Yuqing to take care of herself.
They even comforted her, saying that since her marriage was granted by the Emperor himself, even a three-year mourning period wouldn’t affect her life’s major event.
Zhao Yuqing couldn’t take in anything, only knowing that she had become a motherless child.
Her father was rising step by step in the capital, with beautiful companions.
And she had nothing left.
Young General Wei never wanted to marry her, and if she wasn’t sensible enough, she could suddenly die of violent death any day.
Now that she had to mourn for three years, the Wei Family must be relieved.
Zhao Yuqing’s eyes were blank, not knowing where her future would lead.
A pair of black men’s boots appeared in her line of sight, with auspicious patterns embroidered in gold thread on them.
The visitor was either rich or noble.
Zhao Yuqing did not look up but numbly kowtowed.
Young General Wei offered incense, then walked over to Zhao Yuqing, "My condolences."
The man’s tone was indifferent.
But Zhao Yuqing heard a hint of relief, she pinched her palm hard to restrain her emotions.
She looked up, "Young General, I have something I want to say to you, may I speak with you privately?"
The man in her sight frowned, unable to hide the irritation in his eyes.
Zhao Yuqing understood his meaning.
Thinking she was using tricks to stabilize their relationship.
The other day when she jumped into the river, Zhao Yuqing knew she was reckless.
But if she hadn’t done that, it might not have been long before the Wei Family canceled the marriage agreement.
After such a scene, everyone knew she was deeply in love with Young General Wei, and willing to risk her life for him.
If it really came to the point of breaking the engagement, she’d still have room to maneuver.
Zhao Yuqing did not like Young General Wei, but it was the best leverage she could grasp.
Now, it seems marriage is hopeless.
She no longer wanted to think about the issues three years later.
As long as Young General Wei helps her find out the cause of her mother’s death, whether they break the engagement or put on a show as a couple for others to see, she would cooperate.
Zhao Yuqing pleaded, "Just half a cup of tea’s time."
Young General Wei’s eyes were probing, not knowing what Zhao Yuqing truly wanted to do.
But the faint and scrutinizing glances made him very uncomfortable.
To finish quickly and leave the Zhao Family, he nodded, "Lead the way."
Zhao Yuqing felt a sudden joy, a glimmer of light flashing in her empty eyes.
She hurried to get up.
But she had been kneeling too long, her legs numb, and fell forward as she stood.
Young General Wei’s face turned dark.
This person wanted to use old tricks again!
He raised his hand to hold Zhao Yuqing’s arm, pulling away to open the distance between them.
Sinisterly said, "Be careful, Miss Zhao, lest you take a fall."
A double meaning.
Zhao Yuqing suddenly felt some regret, that she shouldn’t have used such a disgraceful way to get closer to the Wei Family that day.
But it had happened, regret was useless.
Nodded her head, "Young General, please follow me."
Because her legs were numb, she walked slowly.
Fortunately, the Zhao residence wasn’t large, and they reached the garden soon.
Knowing Young General Wei didn’t have patience, Zhao Yuqing curtsied.
Straightforwardly said, "My mother’s death is strange, I beseech the Young General to help me find out the reason."
"You sought me just for this matter?"
Zhao Yuqing nodded, "My mother and I depended on each other, this matter is very important to me."
"If you have doubts, you should report it to the authorities."
Zhao Yuqing’s eyes filled with bitterness, she had wanted to report it to the authorities the first moment the incident happened.
But her father said she was being reckless, telling her not to cause trouble for the Zhao Family.
Also ordered her not to leave the mansion until the funeral was over.
In the capital, she had no close friends. After thinking it over, the only one who could help her was Young General Wei.
"As long as you help me find out the cause of my mother’s death, whatever you want, I will cooperate."
Young General Wei chuckled, "Do you have the qualifications not to cooperate?"
Zhao Yuqing’s expression did not change, she kneeled straight in front of Young General Wei, "I implore you to help me this once."
Saying this, she knocked her head on the ground heavily.
Young General Wei felt an inexplicable thrill, "Weren’t you good at scheming before, such a small matter, you should be able to handle it yourself, I won’t meddle."
"Young General..."
Zhao Yuqing pleaded, but the man quickly stepped back a few steps.
The look of avoiding her halted the words she wanted to say in her throat.
"You dared to scheme against me, this is your retribution!"
He sneered and curled his lips.
Young General Wei left with a good mood.
The problem that’s troubled him for days finally had a turnaround, as for Zhao Yuqing’s feelings, it had nothing to do with him!
Watching the man’s back, Zhao Yuqing’s tears fell unwittingly.
Did she really do something wrong?
She just couldn’t stand being squeezed out and ridiculed, which was why she wanted to seize the opportunity.
With the granted marriage, she later jumped into the river, this marriage wasn’t something she forced!
As her eyes blurred, Zhao Yuqing thought of several masters of the Duke Mansion.
If she exposed Young General Wei’s plans, would they help her?
As soon as this thought came, Zhao Yuqing rejected it.
She was also an accomplice in this matter, the Xie Family wouldn’t let her go if they found out.
Her gaze fell in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
Young General Wei was right, no one would help her, so she’d have to scheme on her own!
Once the matter was resolved, she’d leave the capital.
Regardless of whether the Wei Family would have trouble.
Anyway, between them, it had been about using each other from start to finish!
There was no interaction between the Zhao Family and the Xie Family.
Therefore, the atmosphere in the Duke Mansion was not affected.
With the imminent departure, the mansion was lively every day.
In no time, it was the Lantern Festival.
Receiving the Glazed Cup sent by Liu Xu, Xie Yunling gifted one of the rabbit lamps to the unborn child.
"It’s his zodiac, once the child is born, Sister Mingzhu you tell him, this was jointly gifted by Mr. Lan, Madam Liu, and me."
The Glazed Cup was magnificent and exquisite, Xie Yunling liked it very much.
If it weren’t her nephew or niece, she wouldn’t have been willing to gift it.
Ji Mingzhu, half-laughing and half-crying, teased, "Are you implying he should recognize relatives from a young age?"
Xie Yunling blushed, "It’s all uncertain yet, don’t tease me."
Ji Mingzhu pinched her face and did not mention Lan Ci again.
"I’ll keep the gift on his behalf, whatever happens in the future, remember to think thrice before acting, and if you encounter trouble, write to us."
Soon parting with Ji Mingzhu made Xie Yunling feel low.
But quickly she perked up again.
"Once the child is born, perhaps I can find time to visit, then we can meet again."