If this continued, the two of them would fall into a vicious cycle.
Not wanting to waste any more meaningless words with Lu Shi, Cai Qing directly changed the subject, "It's getting late, let's go back first."
This place had been unoccupied for a long time. Although the furniture and bedding were all new, she didn't want to stay here. It needed to be thoroughly cleaned before it was habitable.
"Okay, let's go back."
Lu Shi was completely obedient to Cai Qing, acting entirely according to her wishes.
...
"Sister Cai Qing, you're finally back? I thought you weren't coming back tonight!"
The moment Cai Qing opened the door, Chu Qing's melancholic voice sounded from behind her. Such a sudden remark made Cai Qing tremble violently, her shoulders giving a slight shiver.
"What are you doing? Hiding behind and scaring people! You know that scaring people to death is a serious offense!"
"I also know a saying: those with a clear conscience don't fear a knock at midnight. Sister Cai Qing, have you done something you regret, that's why you're so scared!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? What have I done wrong? Don't spout rubbish. If you keep talking..."
"Alright... alright, I won't say anything then. Sister Cai Qing, please don't always try to pinch my cheeks."
Seeing Cai Qing's posture, she guessed that she was about to pinch her face again.
"Who told you to talk such nonsense? If I don't pinch your face, whose face will I pinch!"
Chu Qing pouted with displeasure. Besides, she wasn't talking nonsense; she was clearly speaking the truth.
Not continuing the argument, Chu Qing took a box from the cabinet and placed it in front of Cai Qing.
"What do you mean by this? Are you giving it to me?"
Knowing where this box came from, it contained all of Chu Qing's treasures. Usually, she guarded them jealously, not even allowing them to be touched. It was so rare today that she placed the box openly in front of her, the more she thought about it, the more she felt something was amiss.
The mischievous girl was always full of schemes. If she wasn't careful, she would fall into her trap. Could she be plotting something wicked again?
"Yes, this is a wedding gift for you."
Pushing the box towards Cai Qing, she was about to give it away without hesitation.
"You're really giving it to me? This is your treasure?"
"Yes, it's for you. Sister Cai Qing, quickly open it and see if you like it."
At Chu Qing's strong insistence, Cai Qing opened the box. Inside were gold, silver, jewelry, and other ornaments that Chu Qing had saved up.
"This won't do. It's not easy for a girl like you to save so much. I can't accept it. You should keep it for 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 my gratitude. If you don't accept it, I won't talk to you anymore."
Chu Qing insisted that Cai Qing accept it and directly shoved the box into Cai Qing's hands.
The offer was too kind to refuse. If she declined 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 send more gifts when Chu Qing got married.
"Then I'll accept it."
"That's more like it. You must accept it."
Cai Qing looked at the box in her hands with concern, "You've given it all to me, what will you use for protection in the future?"
"These are external possessions. I am alone and only need to serve the young madam. I don't need these riches. But Sister Cai Qing, after getting married, you will need them, so the more the better."
It was hard not to be touched. A warm current surged into Cai Qing's eyes. "Thank you, Chu Qing."
"Why are you being so formal between us?"
Chu Qing waved her hand cheerfully. Sister Cai Qing was really saying such sentimental things, making her want to cry a little now.
"By the way, Chu Qing, your sisters in Xiliang, how are they now? It will be much more convenient for me to go out of the mansion in the future. I can go and see them for you."
"They are living very carefree lives now. They have all dispersed 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 young madam's help, Sister Zhenzhu and the others had left successfully. She heard that Sister Zhenzhu and Sister Cui'er had opened a restaurant in a town not far from the capital, and their business was doing quite well, enough to provide for their basic needs.
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 would live or die.
Fortunately, they were lucky enough to meet the young madam. The young madam saved them and gave them a new life. It was good that they could all live peaceful lives now.
"That's good. As long as everyone is safe, that's the best."
Cai Qing was also happy for Chu Qing. Now Chu Qing no longer had to worry day and night about this matter and could finally rest assured.
"Now it's good. You don't have to worry constantly anymore. They can all live well. It's truly a wonderful thing."
"Yes, it's good to be able to live well."
A faint smile played on Chu Qing's lips, her eyes filled with tenderness. It was all thanks to the young madam's arrangements that they were able to escape danger so quickly. Without the young madam, she really didn't know what to do.
...
"What are you looking at? It's already so late, why aren't you asleep?"
Ling Mo Han, who had just finished his bath, saw Feng Jin leaning over the desk, seemingly researching something. He hugged her from behind.
"Don't move around. I'm almost done."
Being suddenly hugged from behind by Ling Mo Han, she startled and almost added the wrong dosage. Her efforts were about to be in vain.
"What are you busy with again? These bottles and jars, I don't know what's so good about them."
She was always guarding these things. She didn't know where Feng Jin got such great patience from. Now she even ignored him, and the next step would be to ignore their two children too.
Feng Jin rolled her eyes at Ling Mo Han and said with great dissatisfaction, "What do you know? I'm just trying to make money and save up for my son to marry a wife."
With three children to take care of already, if she didn't work harder, relying on Ling Mo Han would probably mean that these three children wouldn't even be able to afford a wife in the future.
"I'll earn money to support you. You don't need to work so hard."
As a man, how could he not be able to support his wife and children? Wouldn't that make him seem even more useless?
"Your words... I don't dare to count on them. I wouldn't even know how I starved to death then."