Union

Chapter 89 The Creation of All Things
After watching the execution, Yunying and Qiuning did not immediately return.

Having finally managed to get out of the house, Qiu Ning naturally wanted to wander around.

Although Yunying was distracted and wanted to go back to her room to rest immediately, she couldn't resist Qiuning's enthusiasm.

Qiu Ning kept holding her arm and whispering in her ear. Even if Yun Ying wanted to go back to the manor, Qiu Ning wouldn't let her go.

After the New Year, Qiu Ning had more money in her hands. In addition, there were many people setting up stalls on the street today. Qiu Ning wandered around and looked at things, and in no time she had spent several taels of silver.

She also went to a jewelry store and bought herself two silver hairpins. She said that when she had money in her hand, she always wanted to spend it, but after buying the silver hairpins, it felt like she had spent the money but not really spent it. Anyway, if she needed money, she could sell the hairpins to get more.

After browsing the jewelry store, she went to the fabric shop, where she planned to buy two spring outfits.

Yunying wanted to say, "I have some fabric here, so you don't need to buy any. I'll give you some later."

But then she remembered that those fabrics were gifts from the Second Master, and she couldn't bear to give them to Qiu Ning.

In the end, Yunying didn't say anything, but just accompanied Qiuning for a while.

It wasn't until the morning when they were both hungry that they went to a restaurant for a meal.

As luck would have it, when the two of them returned to the county government office after their meal, they had just gotten off the carriage when they heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching and stopping.

Looking to the side, both Yunying and Qiuning were stunned in place.

Second Master was still wearing the same white brocade robe he had worn that morning, his hair tied up high, and cloud-patterned boots on his feet.

He rode a magnificent steed with glossy black hair. The horse had flowing mane and a slender body. When it ran, it was full of vigor, and when it neighed with its head held high, its muscles burst forth with boundless power.

The horses stopped nearby, and the Second Master and Suiyun dismounted one after the other and walked towards the entrance of the county government office.

Qiu Ning clung tightly to Yun Ying's arm, wishing she could shrink behind Yun Ying. However, she was slightly plump, while Yun Ying was slender and graceful. It was more likely that Qiu Ning would shield Yun Ying, but it was really useless for Yun Ying to shield her.

Qiu Ning muttered anxiously, "It's over, it's over, I'm going to die."

Yunying remained stiff and motionless.

It wasn't until Qiu Ning tugged at her sleeve and made her bow to the Second Master that Yun Ying belatedly lowered her head and curtsied in accordance with the force of the pull.

The second master seemed to stop and glance at them, but then again, he didn't.

When Yunying looked up, she saw that Second Master and Suiyun had already walked far away. Suiyun turned back to look at them once, and after their eyes met, Suiyun nodded slightly, then quickly followed Second Master.

Yunying was still somewhat dazed, but Qiuning jumped up as if she had escaped death.

But it was only for a moment. Soon, Qiu Ning scrutinized Yun Ying and said, "What exactly happened between you and Second Master? Oh dear, Second Master just pretended not to see us. You've really offended him this time, haven't you?"

"Yunying, tell me quickly, what exactly happened? How did you and Second Master get to this point?"

Yunying remained silent, only following Qiu Ning into the mansion in a daze.

Qiu Ning was extremely distressed, as if she were the one who had a conflict with the Second Master.

She had never really taken Yunying and the Second Master's falling out seriously before, after all, she had personally witnessed the tenderness in the Second Master's eyes when he carried her back that day.

If Qiu Ning were to say it, Second Master must have truly fallen for Yun Ying.

Since both parties are in love, they should stay together. Why create conflict and make her, an onlooker, tremble with fear?

Qiu Ning wanted to advise Yun Ying to stop causing trouble, to accept the favor she received, and that it would be best if the Second Master gave her an heir, so that she would be secure for the rest of her life.

However, the two had a complete falling out!

When the second master saw them, he didn't even bother to give them a glance.

"Why? Yunying, tell me, what exactly caused your falling out?"

Yunying remained silent.

Her throat felt choked up, as if a wad of cotton was stuck in it.

After sighing for a while, Qiu Ning asked again, "Yun Ying, do you regret it?"

That short sentence carried the force of a thunderbolt. Yunying seemed struck by lightning, standing rooted to the spot for a long time, unable to move.

Seeing this, Qiu Ning felt even more strongly that there was something serious going on between the two of them.

But Yunying was stubborn and refused to say anything.

Even after returning to the backyard, Qiu Ning was still muttering that Yun Ying would regret it one day.

Yunying didn't know if she would regret it, but she felt empty inside and grew colder.

While Yunying was distracted, Qiu Ning suddenly ran over one day and started shouting through the courtyard gate, "Yunying, hurry up, Second Master wants you to go to the front yard."

Yunying sat by the window, her heartbeat momentarily stopping.

She thought she was hallucinating, but Sui'er quickly led an old woman in.

This old woman was the gatekeeper at the back gate. She was usually the one who relayed messages from the front yard to the back. The old woman greeted Yunying with a smile and said briskly, "Lord Suiyun sent word that you should go to the front yard, young lady, and that you should change into clothes suitable for traveling. Young lady, is Second Master taking you out for a stroll?"

Qiu Ning stood to the side, as if she were the one being taken out for a trip.

She pushed Yunying into the inner room to change her clothes, and whispered a reminder to her, "Second Master has already given you a way out, so you should seize this opportunity and try to appease him this time. Wear this one, this dress is bright and beautiful, you'll look like a fairy in it, and I guarantee Second Master will be immediately captivated. Oh dear, the color of this one you're holding is so pale, don't wear it..."

Yunying suddenly remembered that her second master had said before that he wanted to measure the fields in Yungui County and investigate those who had concealed their taxes.

She guessed why the Second Master wanted to take her out, so naturally she refused to wear those flamboyant clothes. Besides, she had already explained things clearly to the Second Master, so why would she dress up so elaborately? Wouldn't that just make her look foolish?
Yunying said, "Second Master called me out to do something serious, not what you think... It's not appropriate for me to dress so flamboyantly."

Qiu Ning didn't care about whether it was good or bad, serious or not.

In her opinion, even if Yunying and the Second Master got together, it would be a perfectly legitimate matter.

Even if they're asleep, that's still a serious matter.

Haven't you ever heard of the saying that when a man and woman have intercourse, all things are born?
In the end, Yunying couldn't resist Qiu Ning and was forced to put on a light purple embossed brocade narrow-sleeved top that was easy to wear, and a jade blue long skirt with gold willow catkin floral patterns.

The combination of light purple and jade blue adds a touch of gentle elegance and grace, while the faint blush on Yunying's face adds a touch of bright and charming beauty.

Yunying finally put on the lambskin boots before Qiu Ning coaxed her out.

Watching Yunying's figure disappear into the distance, Qiu Ning slumped down on a rock in dejection.

She didn't know why she was acting like a mother hen, rushing to make Yunying and the Second Master reconcile.

Logically speaking, she also had the status to serve the Second Master. Now that Yunying and the Second Master had fallen out, wasn't her opportunity here?
She should seize the opportunity to pounce on him, and ideally pester the Second Master so that he will forget about Yun Ying.

But just thinking about Second Master's cold face terrified Qiu Ning, who dared not take a single step closer.

Thinking back to how intimately the Second Master and Yunying had once embraced, she felt that it was unkind of her to have stolen the Second Master away, and she felt very sorry for Yunying.

Qiu Ning slapped her forehead. "I don't know what I've been thinking about all day long. No wonder I can't get ahead. In the end, it's all because I'm too sentimental."

Overly sentimental Qiu Ning dragged her heavy steps back to her courtyard.

As for Yunying, she led Sui'er out of the backyard and into the front yard.

As Yunying got closer to the front yard, her steps slowed, her anxiety became more pronounced, and even her heartbeat quickened.

She even paused for a moment without realizing it, and it was only when Sui'er urged her that she snapped back to reality and hurried on her way.

The two walked to the front yard and were about to step inside when they bumped into Mo Xue, who was just coming out.

Mo Xue nodded slightly and then said, "Miss, please go straight to the gate. Second Master has already gone out and is waiting for you at the gate."

Yunying responded and, without further hesitation, walked out of the mansion in a few steps.

As expected, upon reaching the gate, there was a carriage and three or five fine horses parked right there.
The Second Master was standing in front of a magnificent black horse, exchanging some instructions with Suiyun. Seeing Yunying and Sui'er emerge, the Second Master stopped talking and looked directly at them.

Yunying didn't dare look in the direction of the Second Master, but she noticed out of the corner of her eye that the Second Master seemed to have glanced in their direction a few times.

She became increasingly nervous, clutching her handkerchief tightly in both hands, almost unable to walk.

Suiyu walked over, patted the carriage, and told her and Sui'er to get on directly.

With Sui'er's help, Yunying quickly boarded the carriage.

The Second Master withdrew his gaze, exchanged a few more words with Suiyun, then mounted his horse and rode straight ahead.

Suiyun didn't follow, but only instructed Suiyu and Leiting, who had also mounted their horses, "Keep up with your master, and hurry on."

The carriage started moving, and Suiyun watched the group walk away before returning to the county government office.

Inside the county government office, Mo Xue was about to leave when she saw Sui Yun enter and asked, "Second Master, have you set off?"

"let's go."

"Second Master is really something, has he really taken a fancy to that Yunying?"

Sui Yun glanced at him and reminded him, "Don't try to guess what your master is thinking."

"Do I even need to guess? It's all obvious. Fine, I won't say anything more. I'll just pretend I'm blind, that I can't see anything, yet I know everything."

Sui Yun hummed in response, his expression remaining unchanged. Seeing this, Mo Xue didn't bother with any more gossip. She simply said hello to him and then hurried off to attend to her own business.

The carriage wasn't moving very fast, but perhaps Yunying was distracted. She had only been lost in thought for a short while when she came back to her senses and saw that the carriage had already reached the city gate.

The constables at the city gate, upon seeing the Second Master, naturally let him pass without hesitation.

After they walked away, they whispered among themselves about what the Second Master was doing with the women.

Don't ask them how they knew the county magistrate was with his female relatives. A few wisps of perfume wafted from the carriage. They wouldn't believe it if you said there wasn't a beautiful woman hiding inside.

(End of this chapter)