Raising a wife? The mistress of the Hou family divorced and remarried her younger uncle

Chapter 39 Monarch and Minister
Madam Xie beat her chest and stamped her feet, crying loudly and regretting deeply. If she had gone to Beijing to visit Zhaolan more often, she might have noticed the clues earlier and Zhaolan would not have died.

However, the regret has been made and no amount of sadness will help.

After Xie Huai and Mrs. Xie were sad, they asked Su Qingwan what she was going to do and whether she needed help. They felt sorry for Su Qingwan suffering alone in the Lu family and wished they could help pull her out of the quagmire.

Su Qingwan was unwilling to involve them, and said softly, "Uncle, aunt, you have raised my sister for many years, and Xiaowu has not yet repaid your kindness. I will never let you be imprisoned. The road to revenge is long and bloody, and I don't want to disturb your peace. If I succeed one day, I will write a letter back to Jiangnan to report the good news. If I fail, you don't know about it, and this matter has nothing to do with you, and you don't have to be implicated by me."

Xie Huai said solemnly, "Our Xie family has received the kindness of the King of Huainan, and has been loyal to him for generations. We are willing to die for him. The fact that we can raise Zhaolan is also a sign of the trust that the King has placed in us, and we are not afraid of being implicated. The Xie family also has officials in the court to protect them. I will leave the token to you, and you can go to them if you need anything."

Su Qingwan shook her head gently, "If my sister were still alive, I wouldn't want you to get involved. No matter how great the favor is, you have repaid it. My brothers at home are still young, you should also think about them. This journey is full of dangers, I really don't want you to take risks. My nine clans are gone, and my sister is gone. I want to protect the people my sister loves and sleep soundly. I have made up my mind, no need to say more."

Xie Huai and his wife looked at each other, and couldn't help but sigh in their hearts. Their sister and Zhao Lan's personalities were indeed worlds apart. Zhao Lan was decisive and resolute, and looked like a superior who had the final say. She had said it so firmly, and Xie Huai and his wife knew that it was useless to say more, so they could only accept her arrangement.

"Xiao Wu, Zhao Lan is gone. Now you are Zhao Lan, so we will treat you as our own daughter. I know you don't want to implicate us, but if you need us, just tell me." Xie Huai said, "The Xie family is willing to do everything for the King of Huainan."

Su Qingwan was moved and knew their loyalty, so she knelt down and bowed to them to thank them.

She owed the Xie couple a great gift. If her father and mother were still alive in heaven, they would be very grateful to them for raising her sister and loving and caring for her so much.

After a few people chatted in the courtyard, Xie Huai and his wife said goodbye. Lu Shaoqing and Lin invited them to stay for dinner and apologized again and again, but Xie Huai and his wife were unwilling to keep playing along with them.

"No need, we can't afford it." The couple returned to the villa with cold faces.

Lin's face was unfriendly. "How dare the Xie family, a merchant, be so disrespectful to you? You really don't know what you are talking about."

"What do you know! The Xie family business can gain a foothold in the capital, and there must be power behind it, otherwise how dare Xie Huai be so presumptuous." Lu Shaoqing's face was solemn, "Go and persuade the Li family, family harmony brings prosperity, don't make things difficult for the Xie family anymore."

Xie Huai and Mrs. Xie lived in a separate courtyard in Beijing, and Su Qingwan also moved there to stay for a few days to accompany her parents. Mrs. Lin did not stop Su Qingwan from taking Luzhu away. Nanny Li stayed behind to guard Meilan Garden. Su Qingwan knew that Lu Jing would definitely send someone to keep an eye on them, so she put aside everything and accompanied Xie Huai and Mrs. Xie in Beijing for a few days, eating, drinking and having fun, just like a real family of three.

Although Su Qingwan has a cold personality, she treats them with respect and courtesy. Xie Huai and Madam Xie can always see the shadow of Xie Zhaolan in her, which is a kind of comfort.

Su Qingwan also liked listening to Xie Huai and his wife talk about her sister's childhood, and she smiled more often.

Li An watched day and night for several days and reported to Lu Jing one by one, "Master, the three members of the Xie family have been playing in the capital every day and getting along very well. Apart from visiting relatives and friends, there is nothing suspicious. Madam Li said that the eldest young master's wife was pretending, but I don't think so."

Lu Jing was tending to the peony garden and had cut several branches. It was rare for him to have the leisure to tend to the garden. "Why do you think so?"

"I haven't seen the eldest young master's wife smile in this period of time, not even once. But she has been accompanying Xie Huai and his wife on a trip these days, and she always has a smile on her face. She is really happy and very attached to Madam Xie."

"Maybe it's fake." Lu Jing said indifferently. He had already cut more than a dozen peony branches, and he took them to the side to trim them and put them in a vase. Li An said, "How can the comfort and happiness of children with their parents be fake? Madam Li swore that her identity was in doubt. She must be jealous."

Lu Jing seemed to be thinking about something. His elder sister-in-law had never seen the remnants of Huainan during her recovery period, and she also had a deep relationship with the Xie couple. Could it be that he was really overthinking it?

But he always trusted his intuition.

Nanfeng Tower has been repaired and reopened.

Su Qingwan took Xie Huai and Mrs. Xie to dine at Nanfeng Tower. Shopkeeper Hua specially prepared the signature dish of Nanfeng Tower - five-spice medicinal cuisine Duobao duck. The method was complicated and time-consuming, and the supply was limited every day. Shopkeeper Hua brought the waiter to serve the dishes and specially introduced the dishes.

Shopkeeper Hua was a charming and well-mannered woman, who made Xie Huai and his wife smile with praise. When it was time to eat, Lu Zhu took Shopkeeper Hua out of the private room.

Every dish at Nanfeng Tower tastes excellent, and even a glutton like Xie Huai praises it highly.

There was a singing and dancing performance downstairs, with the continuous sound of stringed instruments and orchestras. The dancers had flexible figures and flying ribbons as they danced. It satisfied the taste buds and was a feast for the eyes. It was a great enjoyment in heaven on earth.

Xie Huai couldn't help but say, "It's worthy of being the capital, it's bustling and prosperous, and the wealth is dazzling."

Mrs. Xie also nodded in agreement. Jiangnan is also a wealthy place and there are such luxurious restaurants. But it seems that Kyoto is better. In comparison, the restaurants in Jiangnan lack some flavor.

"If father and mother like, you can stay in Beijing for a few more days." In order to prevent eavesdropping, Su Qingwan also changed her address. "Lu Jing will not let you go back to Jiangnan easily, so just enjoy yourself in Beijing."

Speak of Cao Cao, and here comes Cao Cao.

A team of Jinyiwei rode past on the street, led by none other than Lu Jing. His crimson official robes made him look handsome and majestic under the scorching sun. He seemed to sense a burning gaze from upstairs, so he looked up and saw Su Qingwan sitting by the railing. The private room on the fourth floor was connected to a small balcony, where you could dine in the hot summer. There were cleverly designed rolling blades on the balcony, which swayed gently with human power and wind, sending out breezes. It was cool and you could see the bustling and lively street scene.

Lu Jing rode his horse down the street, his eyes met Su Qingwan's briefly before he looked away and headed towards the palace gate.

"Is that Sanlang of the Lu family?" Xie Huai asked.

Su Qingwan retracted her gaze, "Yes!"

"He is very young, but he holds the position of deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and he is also Liu Jiang's last disciple. He must be a ruthless person who kills people without blinking an eye. You deal with him..." Xie Huai's tone could not hide his worry.

Su Qingwan held the wine glass, took a sip, and said calmly, "It's not certain who is more cruel."

(End of this chapter)