Xiao Qi, Wait!

Chapter 21: Official Song, a Rogue

Xiao Qi sized up Chen Zi Gong. This person, she didn't like very much. But that pair of eyes still seem pretty magnanimous so he probably isn't a dangerous person. Xiao Qi thought, making a friend also isn't bad. If he gave Official Song money she might also be able to legitimately return to Qian fu.

But last time when Official Song saw him he seemed very displeased! Xiao Qi shook her head, vexed, silently scolding herself that she didn't have good future prospects, why does she always think of that Official Song.

Chen Zi Gong saw Xiao Qi frown for a while, then a while later shook her head and laughed: "What is it? You actually have to use this much thought to consider it?"

Xiao Qi shook her head and finally replied: "You just remember what you said before and it'll be fine. I still have things to do, so I'm leaving first."

Chen Zi Gong also didn't stop her anymore, only saying with a smile: "If Xiao Qi has business then you should go take care of it. We'll definitely have chances to meet again."
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Xiao Qi pouted and waved as she turned around, about to leave but Chen Zi Gong opened his mouth and called her, saying with a smile: "That red horse Xiao Qi took a fancy to, when should I return it to Xiao Qi?"

"You paid the money so it's yours now. I don't want it."

Chen Zi Gong watched Xiao Qi skip away, the smile at the corners of his lips didn't dispel for a long time.

Xiao Qi also didn't stroll anymore. She brought some barbecue, hired a carriage and directly headed to Qian fu.

Xiao Qi jumped off the carriage and happily entered. The manservant at the door that saw her come back also showed a face of delight and hurried to the back to notify Mrs. Mei.

妇人 – "Mrs." in comparison to 夫人 "Madam" they're homophones and pronounced the same way, but 'Mrs' just refers to married woman while 'Madam' has more power. It also may be like different time periods and maybe 'Madam' is used in like high power households? I'm not sure. I'm also assuming that Mei which means beautiful is her name and not part of her title.

Xiao Qi as usual handed the barbecue skewers to another door guarding manservant and said with a smile: "In the future I'll come back to live here, you're not allowed to block me, got it?"

"Hehe, Third Miss coming back is a good thing. If you want to go out at most this little one will follow Third Miss to ensure Third Miss's safety."

Lu Liu humphed: "Xiao Shan Zi's loyalty is sure easy to get. Just that every time we go out, you alone eat more than Miss and I combined. Humph, and in the end isn't it still Miss that pays the bills."

Xiao Shan Zi rubbed his head and laughed, about to give a few phrases of flattery when Mrs. Mei had already rushed over with each step creating wind.

"Xiao Qi, good girl, why did you come back dressed like this?" Mrs. Mei pulled Xiao Qi and looked her over.

Xiao Qi hugged Mrs. Mei's arm and walked in, saying with a smile: "Mom, in the future Xiao Qi will live in the fu to keep you company, ok. Mom doesn't need to be too overjoyed."

Mrs. Mei elegantly lifted her brows, rather reacting with joy, turned around and curiously asked: "Why are you coming back here to live? Did the one surnamed Song bully you?"

"He didn't. He's busy, he said if I was bored I could come home and play."

Mrs. Mei nodded: "Then Xiao Qi can't live on the fu, you better go back."

Xiao Qi listened to this and was a bit hurt. Really, daughters that are married out are like spilt water, even if you want to come back you can't. Xiao Qi miserably hung her head, saying with a sobbing tone: "Why ah? I miss Mom."

Mrs. Mei's eyes turned red, but still rather vehemently patted Xiao Qi's hand, then gave a sigh and pulled her to her chamber.

Mrs. Mei closed the room door before saying in a low voice: "Xiao Qi, husbands must be coaxed. You must coax him soft so that he won't be able to stay away from you and so he also won't think of taking concubines."

Xiao Qi pouted and didn't say a word. Mrs. Mei poked her forehead and continued: "Say why do you think your Dad was willing to only have me as a wife? It wasn't that he didn't want to cheat, but because I served him well both on the bed and off it."

Mrs. Mei seemed to have realized that she said something she shouldn't have. She pinched her handkerchief and patted her nose, her eyes whirled and saw that besides pouting a little Xiao Qi didn't have any other reaction and smiled like she was trying to cover up in an embarrassing situation and said: "Xiao Qi, if you listen to Mom's words you'll always be alright. See, didn't that Wen Ruo Shui leave? Xiao Qi must take advantage of this time to capture Song Liang Zhuo's heart, thoroughly driving away his feelings for that Wen Ruo Shui so that in the future even if you entered the 4th rank high official's family, with your husband's protection, Xiao Qi won't suffer, isn't it so?"

Xiao Qi secretly rolled her eyes: "Whether he takes a concubine doesn't have a single dollar to do with me."

"What are you saying!" Mrs. Mei shot a glare at Xiao Qi, then pulled her hand and gave it a pat, saying gently: "Did Xiao Qi quarrel with him? Husband and wife(fu1qi1) are husband and wife. If there's the husband(fu1) then there will be anger(qi4). Everyone says that husband and wife fight at the bedhead and makeup at the end of the bed. Xiao Qi can't keep holding on to these occasionally quarrels and not let them go, if the number of times increase too much, men will start feeling fed up with it. Women na, rather than seizing a man's shortcoming should pretend not to see those shortcomings. You should flatter him and follow him, occasionally acting spoiled from time to time. If he does something to let you down then in one stroke take hold of a fearsome weakness and make him feel like he owes you......"

Xiao Qi used her hands to cover her ears, angrily saying: "Why is Mom so long-winded? I just wanted to come back and properly play for a few days."

"Mom hasn't finished speaking yet. Mom heard that these few days Song Liang Zhuo has always been eating lunch at the river, Qi er should go over to bring him food. Although Concave Village doesn't have any wealthy families, but we can't guarantee that some witty beauty wouldn't try some methods and take advantage of this opportunity to fill the gap in his heart. Qi er, say, wouldn't that be terrible?"

Mrs. Mei saw that Xiao Qi didn't have even a hint of interest in continuing the conversation. Knowing that this effective strategy to capture a man's heart isn't something that you can teach in a short period of time, she could only give a sigh and ask: "Qi er, why did you guys fight?"

"Who fought?" Xiao Qi was at a loss.

"If you didn't have a fight how could you bear to part with him and come running home? All newlyweds love to stick together."

Xiao Qi pouted and also rather perplexedly knitted her brows. Xiao Qi thought for half the day, then whispered: "Mom, Official Song stroked my hand."

"Hah?" Mrs. Mei clearly didn't catch Xiao Qi's words, her two slender brows delicately frowned.

"Mom, he even washed my feet."

Mrs. Mei's face showed excitement and continuously nodded as she smiled: "As expected, he sure knows how to pamper."

"Mom," Xiao Qi's face turned bitter, whispering for a long time before finally saying: "I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

Xiao Qi shook her head, remembering that when Song Liang Zhuo treated her gently her heartbeat would abruptly speed up and when Song Liang Zhuo was angry her heart would tremble with fear. When Song Liang Zhuo's lip would hook into a smile she would feel uncomfortable from head to toe; when Song Liang Zhuo's brows lifted she would tremble with fear. Song Liang Zhuo even dared to hug her while sleeping, that's right, that's sleeping together.

Xiao Qi could not help but feel like she was about to cry. Xiao Qi drew Mrs. Mei's arm towards her and said: "Mom, I'm scared. I don't want to get married anymore. Mom, let me come home."

When Mrs. Mei heard this she smiled: "What are you scared of? Didn't Xiao Qi say that Song Liang Zhuo pampers you well? Haha, at the start Mom even thought that he wasn't worthy of Xiao Qi, but looking at him now he doesn't seem so bad."

Xiao Qi didn't know how to describe her own perplexity and insecurity and could only hug Mrs. Mei's arm and lightly sway. Mrs. Mei gathered Xiao Qi into her arms and rocked her for a while, then smiled: "Your Dad started preparing to give out porridge again. Haha, this rotten old man, just this bit is good. When you go home tell your husband that if this water ends up too strong to be contained, when time comes and they meet disaster, the Qian family can open a soup kitchen outside the city just like in the past.

Xiao Qi forlornly nodded. Mrs. Mei then said: "Qi er can stay a night, but no matter what you must return tomorrow. Official Song is busy, when he comes back at night Qi er must be more thoughtful and should take the initiative to help him take off his clothes and wash. As someone's wife, you can't keep being as willful as you were in the past."

Mrs. Mei stroked Xiao Qi's cheek and proudly said: "Qi er is so pretty, truly Mom's best heritage."

The corner of Xiao Qi's mouth crooked, but was patted straight again by Mrs. Mei's palm.

In the evening, Mrs. Mei slept with Xiao Qi. But Xiao Qi still wasn't happy with this night. Mrs. Mei endlessly talked about some techniques to entice men that made her uncomfortable. Xiao Qi wanted to mention several times that she had divorce papers, but was also afraid her impulse will harm Song Liang Zhuo's effort in building the dam.

Sigh! Before Xiao Qi fell asleep she gave a heavy sigh as she fumed, this knot that she tied with Song Liang Zhuo was seriously tied too big. Even Old Man Qian and Mrs. Mei who love her the most won't let her come home. It simply was, sigh, simply ah!

Mrs. Mei was very thoughtful, the next day she specially had the kitchen stew tonic and pickled plum soup and filled a jar of it for Xiao Qi. She also packed several sheets of flatbread and had a carriage directly send Xiao Qi to the dam area outside the city. Mrs. Mei, with an ulterior motive, had sent Lu Liu directly back to Song fu.

Not far away from the river you can see a dam about half the height of a person, but it was also not long. Xiao Qi thought, Official Song had already planned for a while, it was just that there weren't enough workers and a limited amount of money which is why he was only able to construct these three hundred or so meters.

Xiao Qi carried the jar and a small cloth bag and got off the carriage. Watching the carriage that Mrs. Mei had given orders to turn around and return, Xiao Qi gave a heavy humph from her nose.

This river was clearly not the same as the one that Song Liang Zhuo had taken Xiao Qi to see, but looking at the river surface that had risen quite a bit, it must be connected with that one. When Xiao Qi passed that area when sitting on the carriage, she saw that river surface had already gotten quite a bit broader.

The jar in her hand was quite heavy, causing Xiao Qi's hands to hurt. Xiao Qi stood closeby looking at the crowd of people coming and going while carrying sandbags and searched for half a day before finding that rod-straight back figure. He was currently speaking to someone next to him and from time to time he pointed to the river and to a distant area.

Xiao Qi stood watching for a while, then saw him crouch and pick up a branch to draw something on the ground.

The day was starting to get a bit windy. Xiao Qi raised her head to look at the cloud that half covered the sun, thinking silently, you better not rain, such a short dam it would be a strange if it would hold back the water.

Xiao Qi's hands started to hurt badly so she simply placed the two jars and the small cloth bag on the floor. She searched for an area of dry grass and sat down.

At another side, a few girls carrying baskets walked here together. Seeing Xiao Qi sitting on the floor they seemed to have been stunned for a moment, then lifted her legs and walked towards the dam area again.

One of them was a rather more glamorous looking woman, she poured a bowl of water and went first to Song Liang Zhuo. Xiao Qi saw Official Song nod to the girl and took several sips from that bowl before handing the bowl back. During that he seem, he seemed to have even smiled for a moment?

Xiao Qi squinted her eyes, then gave a light humph, hugged her knees and plopped her chin on top of them and started to think about her worries.

There was wind blowing, there were clouds to help Xiao Qi block the sun, sitting here like this was rather relaxing. Xiao Qi couldn't help but dip her eyes. When she opened them, in front of her were an additional pair of muddy cloth shoes.

Xiao Qi slightly lifted her head, squinting as she looked towards this person in front of her.

The person was dressed in a green garment, the ends of the turban that hung down were also blue. The sun suddenly come out from behind the dark clouds and Xiao Qi shut her eyes against the piercing light of the sun. That person seamlessly smoothly shifted over to help her block the light, waiting for Xiao Qi's eyes to adjust before moving away.

Something like this, I think? Turban

"Madam, wait for a while. Da ren is currently giving directions regarding some matters, he'll head here soon."

Xiao Qi nodded, then turned her head to look at the person standing at her side. Xiao Qi thought for a moment, then smiled: "You're Advisor Lu!"

Lu Li Cheng saw that she had some doubts asking like this, but her words carried a definite tone. He smiled and nodded: "Yes."

Xiao Qi squinted and sized him up. Seeing that even though he was below Song Liang Zhuo, but his whole body had an upright aura, it could be seen that he was quite an impressive person. Xiao Qi remembered Lu Liu saying so before, that the food she had sent before were all eaten by Advisor Lu and her face started flushing a little red.

Xiao Qi rubbed her cheeks, then said with a smile: "Is Advisor Lu thirsty? I brought pickled plum soup."

Lu Li Cheng nodded, then moved a distance away and sat to Xiao Qi's side. Xiao Qi smiled as she lifted open the bowl covering the jar, poured a bowl and handed it over.

Ice was added into the pickled plum soup. Lu Li Cheng took a sip then pursed his lips. Upon seeing this Xiao Qi hurriedly asked: "What is it? Does it taste bad? I haven't tried it yet either!"

Lu Li Cheng shook his head: "It's really cold."

"Oh, it's tastier when it's cold." The frozen fruits Xiao Qi ate last night popped up in her mind. She said, smiling: "Actually it would be better if fruits were added. After drinking there'd still be things to eat. Haha, if it was that type of sour plum and crisp Chinese olive that'd be the best." After Xiao Qi finished speaking she herself started drooling first. Xiao Qi covered her mouth and swallowed her saliva, looking towards Lu Li Cheng out of the corners of her eyes then lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

Lu Li Cheng gave a smile, then drank the rest and handed the bowl back.

Xiao Qi felt close to him and couldn't help but ask again: "Is Advisor Lu hungry? I also brought stewed chicken. Oh, and I even have thousand layer bread."

Thousand layer bread

Lu Li Cheng laughed in spite of himself. He saw, not far away, that Song Liang Zhuo had already finished dealing with the matters and was walking over, and stood up, smiling: "Madam and da ren can have the meal together. This one will first go to take a look at the dam."
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"Oh!" Xiao Qi pouted and watched as Lu Li Cheng left. Staring at his back, she felt that it seemed more and more familiar. She seems to have talked to him a lot before, it seems, really seems......
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Xiao Qi stared at Lu Li Cheng's back figure and thought really hard. The expression of Song Liang Zhuo who walked to her front became a bit unpleasant to look at.
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Song Liang Zhuo walked over to block her view. Xiao Qi leaned over past Song Liang Zhuo's legs to continue following. Song Liang Zhuo gave an annoyed light humph, stooped down and grabbed her chin, turning her face towards him.
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