Chapter 38

“Sister Qin, you’re too polite. I heard Miss Qiu was injured. I wonder if she has recovered now. Since we are as close as sisters, if you need anything, please don’t treat me as an outsider. Elder Sister may not be capable in other things, but I still have enough face to invite an imperial physician for a consultation.” Princess Consort Wei’s expression was gentle, but her eyes carried a probing look.

Qin Chu sneered inwardly. How could she not hear the meaning in her words? She took the opportunity to say, “Thank you for worrying, Sister Chu. Miss Qiu’s body is no longer seriously harmed. Another day, we must visit the prince’s residence to thank you properly. It was all thanks to the supplements you and His Highness Prince Wei sent over.”

“What is Sister Qin saying? As an elder sister, isn’t it only right for me to look after my younger sister? Are you free tomorrow? Let us go accompany Commandery Princess Anguo.”

Princess Consort Wei only believed thirty percent of Qin Chu’s words. As for whether Qiu Jinning had truly liked scarlet clothes before, whether her leg was currently broken, and what connection she had with the demoted Second Prince, the prince’s residence had already sent people in three directions to investigate. News would arrive before long.

Of course, it would be even better if she could meet the person herself and test her directly.

Qin Chu immediately showed a troubled expression. “Sister Chu may not know, but the Qin family wine tavern’s business has been getting worse. Most of our old customers have been snatched away by the Gu family across the street. I had no other choice but to busy myself with this Qin Family Wine Pavilion to make up for some of the losses. Now every part of the business needs people watching over it, and I truly cannot spare the time. Once I finish these few busy days, I will definitely apologize to Sister Chu.”

Being directly refused made Princess Consort Wei frown. She pinched her wine cup and endured her anger.

If the First Prince wanted to accomplish great things, he had to marry the phoenix maiden. Only when the First Prince ascended the throne could she become the empress of the nation.

So she smiled. “Then Elder Sister will not disturb you. In a few days, we will go together. Commandery Princess Anguo has no children, so as juniors, we should visit her more often.”

Qin Chu smiled and nodded, repeatedly agreeing. Of course she had to visit Commandery Princess Anguo’s residence often, but she would go by herself. She would not make a wedding dress for someone else. Moreover, the commandery princess’s wife, Wei Ziwan, clearly did not like Princess Consort Wei. How could Qin Chu repeatedly bring an unpleasant guest there to visit?

Commandery Princess Anguo could be said to stand below only one person ​stolen content​and above ten thousand. Aside from the female emperor, she was the most honored woman in the Baiyue Dynasty. Since there was an opportunity to befriend such a powerful person, for Qin Chu right now, she naturally had to cherish it.

When she had transmigrated here, she had only wanted to live freely and happily. She had not expected that when facing these powerful people, she would only be an egg striking a stone.

It was said that a county magistrate could ruin a household and a prefect could destroy a clan. Local officials could easily hold the lives of ordinary commoners, and even their entire clans, in their hands. If these imperial nobles wanted to do something to her, it would only be even simpler.

Right now, by using the pretense of the phoenix maiden, they could temporarily stabilize these people. But there would always come a day when the truth came to light. There would always be unforeseen changes.

For example, the Second Prince had happened to run into Qiu Jinning when the love gu was flaring up. Even though Qiu Jinning was the true phoenix maiden, had the Second Prince shown even the slightest respect or restraint then?

Compared to ordinary commoners, those who held power were better at kicking others when they were down, better at taking advantage of weakness. And relying on their noble birth, they had no fear of Baiyue’s laws at all.

When Princess Consort Wei was leaving, Qin Chu had Guanzi prepare a chest of sparkling fruit wine and had it carried to the prince’s residence.

Princess Consort Wei had originally looked down on it, but the fruit wine she had tasted earlier was indeed quite good, so she accepted it.

The porcelain bottles were also exquisitely packaged. She could have the First Prince send them into the palace for that person inside to taste.

The female emperor, Zhou Xun, lacked nothing, but what she lacked was genuine filial thoughtfulness from her children. The more it was a small novelty like this, the easier it was to win the female emperor’s favor. Princess Consort Wei understood this well, and this was also why she had always been favored by the First Prince.

A woman with brains, one who could help in important matters, was exactly what the First Prince needed most right now.

Qin Chu watched the people from the prince’s residence leave, then turned and instructed Guanzi, “Return to the residence. No—go to Commandery Princess Anguo’s unauthorized copy residence. Prepare another chest of fruit wine.”

The news that Princess Consort Wei had come to the wine pavilion today had to spread, and it had to be spread widely. In this way, more and more noble guests would come, and the wine pavilion’s reputation would grow louder and louder.

At the commandery princess’s residence, the commandery princess’s wife, Wei Ziwan, happily held Qin Chu’s hand and led her inside.

Qin Chu glanced at the chest of fruit wine that had been carried in. When she came, she had intentionally not brought the small dishes specially offered at the wine pavilion. Now that she saw the commandery princess’s wife, all the plans in her stomach became stuck at her lips.

Aunt Wei treated her too well. She was so warm that she truly treated Qin Chu like family. Qin Chu could not accept such generous affection with peace of mind, so how could she have any other thoughts?

The commandery princess was not there, and Qin Chu relaxed a little. She always felt that Commandery Princess Anguo’s gaze was somewhat deep and unreadable, unlike Aunt Wei, who was so open. Openly close and completely unconcealed.

“I only just heard that you created some kind of fruit wine. The noble ladies of the capital have been passing it from mouth to mouth, all saying the taste is excellent. I was just thinking of going to try it one day, but unexpectedly, you brought it here. What a good child.”

Wei Ziwan patted Qin Chu’s arm, becoming more satisfied the more she looked at her.

Qin Chu introduced the fruit wine flavors and poured some for Wei Ziwan. “Although fruit wine is not very intoxicating, Aunt Wei still should not drink too much.”

Wei Ziwan held the small wine cup and drank one cup in one gulp. “Your Aunt Wei has a great alcohol tolerance. With this little bit of wine flavor, even if I drink all of it, I won’t get drunk. Unfortunately, that old muddlehead is not here. Otherwise, I would let her taste two cups too. This flavor is truly refreshing.”

From her words, there was no intention of leaving a few bottles for Commandery Princess Anguo. She truly seemed to want to drink freely until it was all gone.

There were six fruit wine flavors, two bottles of each. Seeing that she could not persuade Wei Ziwan, Qin Chu accompanied her in drinking some, worried [bailiantales.com]that Wei Ziwan would hurt her spirit if she drank too much.

“As long as Aunt Wei likes it. Later, I’ll have people send a few more chests over. Just treat the Qin Family Wine Pavilion as if it were opened by your own family. When you finish drinking, send someone to let us know. As for this fruit wine, there will be enough.”

“I won’t be polite with you. If you have any difficulties, don’t hide them from Aunt Wei either. Although I am just an ordinary woman, that old muddlehead can still speak a few words in the capital. She can help with anything. If she dares not help, I will divorce her.” Wei Ziwan’s eyes were full of affection.

In truth, Commandery Princess Anguo and Qin Chu were the ones with the closest relationship. This child was the old muddlehead’s only blood relative in this world.

Unfortunately, the previous generation had fought endlessly and met each other on the battlefield, causing this aunt and niece pair to be separated for many years. Fortunately, this child had a kind heart and an upright nature, unlike that mother of hers who could not distinguish right from wrong.

Being looked at by her this way, Qin Chu’s heart was faintly warmed.

After the two ate dinner, Wei Ziwan finally sent Qin Chu off. “Child, come often when you have nothing to do. That old muddlehead is always busy here and there, and I am bored alone in the residence.”

In the cool evening breeze came Qin Chu’s smiling voice. “Mm, I will definitely come more often. Aunt Wei, hurry back. Don’t send me off any farther.”

Guanzi helped her young lady into the carriage. Qin Chu sat by the carriage window, lifted the curtain, and stared outside in a daze.

When they reached the entrance of Hou-Song Street, she had the carriage stop. “Let’s get down and walk.”

From here to the Qin residence would only take about half a quarter of an hour. Qin Chu had drunk wine at the commandery princess’s residence. Although it was fruit wine, she inevitably carried some scent of alcohol.

She wanted to see Qiu Jinning the moment she returned to the residence, but the sky was already late. If she washed up first, it would become even later and inconvenient to disturb her. So Qin Chu thought to walk outside and let the alcohol scent disperse. As bailiantales.comlong as she did not go close to Qiu Jinning, there should be no problem.

Guanzi answered cheerfully, “All right. Miss, walk slowly. This servant will support you.”

Qin Chu did not refuse. She had also drunk quite a bit. Even if the fruit wine’s alcohol content was low, she still felt slightly tipsy.

Master and servant slowly returned to the residence. The moment they entered, they saw Qiu Jinning supporting herself on the wheelchair, slowly walking in the courtyard.

Hearing movement, Qiu Jinning looked toward the courtyard gate. Seeing Guanzi supporting Qin Chu inside, she momentarily forgot that she was relying on the wheelchair for support and subconsciously let go, quickly walking toward Qin Chu and supporting her other arm.

“What happened?” The moment she opened her mouth, Qiu Jinning smelled a faint fruity fragrance mixed with alcohol. The light scent immediately drilled into her heart.

Qin Chu had not expected Qiu Jinning to directly come support her, so she hurriedly dodged slightly. “Nothing. I drank a few cups of fruit wine with the commandery princess’s wife. Does my body still smell of alcohol?”

After asking, she turned her head to look at Qiu Jinning and met a pair of clear eyes, like autumn water, like morning dew.

Their eyes met for an instant. Qiu Jinning pressed her lips together, enduring the stirring in her heart, and released Qin Chu’s arm. “It is fine. Rest early. I will go back as well.”

Her voice tried hard to stay steady, but her footsteps could not hide their panic.

Her hurriedly departing back fell into Qin Chu’s eyes like a spark in the dark night, lighting up her gaze.

“Guanzi, go sort through the storeroom. Sell everything that can be sold and exchange it for more ready silver. In a few days, we’ll take over another shop. The Qin Family Wine Pavilion will open a second branch.”

“Coming right up. This servant will go now.”

Qin Chu added another instruction. “Call Luyao and Nanny Ziyun along. None of you are allowed back within one hour.”

Guanzi froze, then glanced toward the eastern side courtyard and vaguely understood something. “Miss, don’t worry. This servant will definitely watch them and not let them ruin the good moment between you and Miss Qiu.”

Qin Chu’s face immediately heated, and she felt the embarrassment of having her thoughts seen through. “You talk too much. Hurry and go.”

Seeing the two little maids happily linking arms with Nanny Ziyun as they went to the storeroom, Qin Chu walked to Qiu Jinning’s door and gently knocked.

“Qiu Jinning, are you all right? It’s me.”

There was no movement behind the door. Only the wavering candlelight informed the person outside that the owner had not yet gone to sleep.

Qin Chu grew even more worried. “Did smelling the alcohol on me make you uncomfortable? Don’t endure it. Don’t make yourself suffer. I’m here.”

After a moment, there was finally a faint sound of footsteps inside the room, and the door opened from within.

“Qin Chu, I’m fine.” Qiu Jinning leaned against the door, calming her slightly disordered breathing.

This love gu was truly troublesome, and it disturbed the heart.

Qin Chu looked steadily at her for a moment, then directly walked inside. She gently locked the door behind her, turned, pulled Qiu Jinning into her arms, and lowered her head to ask in a low voice, “Why suffer so hard and endure it? I am clearly here.”

Qiu Jinning’s cheeks flushed. Her eyes were still somewhat clear, but they were full of mist, heart-stirring and indescribable.

Seeing this made Qin Chu’s breath pause. At the commandery princess’s residence, a trace of melancholy had been stirred within her, along with a longing for love.

At once, she tightened her embrace and directly met those tempting red lips. The kiss was lingering and forceful, yet carried a trace of careful cherishing.

The person in her arms could not help holding onto her. Her body, which had already been barely supporting itself, immediately became unstable, almost placing all her weight onto Qin Chu.

Qiu Jinning cooperated by slightly raising her head and slowly closing her eyes. Soon, she tasted the peach flavor between the other woman’s lips and teeth, and the faint wine fragrance on the tip of her tongue.

She tasted Qin Chu’s passionate, unbearable deep affection.

Unlike the hesitation and restraint of the past, Qin Chu at this moment gave her a nervous sense of pressure, making her heart rise and fall, stirring inexplicably.

“Qiu Jinning, don’t endure it, all right?” Qin Chu’s voice was hoarse. Today, no one would come knocking at the door. Today, she did not want to retreat anymore.