Jiang Residence.
Qi Qingzhu was sitting in the courtyard outside the large kitchen room, washing the dishes. Her hands had become so cold they were almost stiff. She had lost the feeling in her fingers several times and did not react until a plate smashed onto the ground. However, the person in charge did not scold her; it was winter and the dishes would get naturally damaged like this every month. As long as the number of dishes broken in a day did not exceed five, the person-in-charge would turn a blind eye to it.
However, just because the person in charge said nothing, that did not mean that Qi Qingzhu did not feel ashamed about it. She stuck her tongue out in embarrassment, then rubbed her hands clean and warmed them up in her arms before continuing washing the dishes.
She continued till half-past one in the afternoon before the dishes were done.
With that settled, Qi Qingzhu watched the person in charge take care of everything before going up and asking carefully.
“Manager, can I request for a leave after the end of the family banquet tonight?”
“You’re asking for leave again?” Manager Li immediately frowned, her tone unhappy.
Qi Qingzhu lowered his gaze and said rather sheepishly, “I… the last time I went home, I didn’t manage to inform my sister of the matter but instead had to suffer the death of my elder brother. I hurried back and still failed to attend the burial of my eldest brother in the end. So, this time, I want to tell my sister, Qi Qingyao, about that very important matter.”
Manager Li helplessly replied, “What matter is it that is so important for your sister that you have to rush home to inform her?” This was the same excuse she used to get her leave the last time, and now she was using it again?
“This…” Qi Qingzhu moved her lips but no words came out.
“I can’t be bothered. But if you ask for leave during the Chinese New Year holiday, you won’t be receiving your holiday expenses for then.” Manager Li’s tone was quite unkind.
“That’s alright.” Qi Qingzhu shook her head like a rattle.
“So how many days are you asking?” Manager Li asked.
“Would seven days be alright?” Qi Qingzhu pondered for a bit before answering.
“Done.” Manager Li gestured dismissively for her to hurry back and pack her luggage.
Qi Qingzhu cheerfully went to the back room to organize her simple luggage. Today was the third day of the lunar month; it did not matter if she would not be getting any holiday expenses. The only thing she had to do when she returned this time was to steal the two keepsakes from her mother. Then, she would immediately give them to her sister to prevent her sister from confronting her mother when she went back home…
…
The Lu family of the Senluo Chamber of Commerce had a super large mansion and four other smaller houses in Qingzhou City. Their only incredibly luxurious one had been lost to Qi Qingyao. Lu Yan dismissed the servants of that house and brought Dong Jing back to another one. It was relatively small, but secluded and quiet. It also happened to face Qingyang Lake and there were some bamboos planted in the courtyard. There was only one older female servant and one maid who guarded this house all year round.
After sitting beside Qingyang Lake for half an hour, the wind picked up as the sky gradually darkened. Lu Yan turned and went back inside the house. The white cat perched on the wall was not afraid of the cold at all. It tucked itself cozily on the wall, meowing lazily.
Dong Jing followed Lu Yan into the house.
Lu Yan untied and peeled off the white fur coat from his body and carelessly threw it onto the backrest before falling lazily into the soft couch.
A maid brought in cherry tea and Lu Yan took a sip, his expression calm.
Dong Jing was silent for a long time as he stood by the side. He could no longer hold it in.
“Master, why don’t we return to Capital City?”
“Why should we return to Capital City?”
Lu Yan was still savoring the tea calmly, as if the things that happened today did not actually happen.
“There are plenty of rumors about you outside now. Perhaps we won’t have to hear about it if we return to the Capital City, “Dong Jing said somewhat helplessly.