Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 204 33

The servants readily agreed, and Qin Jiu said, "Help me change my clothes."

One maid immediately came over to help him take off his coat, while another maid rummaged through the closet and found a dark gray brocade with subtle patterns for him to change into; the coordination was seamless.

Qin Jiu had always been self-reliant on Chongming Island, so he was quite comfortable being served. He was even quite moved: after all these years away, the servants at Jingzhao Manor were still well-trained.

Qin Jiu stepped out of the main house and saw that all the lanterns in the courtyard were lit. Qin Jiu stared at the lanterns for a while, lost in thought: Today's events were too coincidental and too bizarre.

Xue Yunting wanted him to be the gang leader, and he thought there would be some trouble involved. But it happened inexplicably and naturally; was it fate?

Duan Mingzhu said that it was the Second Madam who saved them? Her mother's relationships with everyone were neither close nor distant; she had never heard of any close relationship with the Second Madam. On the contrary, the Second Madam was usually very trusted by the First Madam.

Duan Mingzhu was clearly frightened, and it was likely she was dissatisfied with Liang Qingcheng, but in the end, she spared Liang Qingcheng's life. Was she considering Xue Yunting's feelings or saving face for him? Qin Jiu wasn't quite sure.

Dongshan was colder than Suzhou. The wind from Zhenze blew, causing the lanterns to sway incessantly. Qin Jiu tightened his clothes and walked through the corridor to the hall.

As soon as Qin Jiu stepped across the threshold of the hall, he saw several people in the hall staring at him.

Qin Jiu paused, "What's wrong?"

Nianyao looked him up and down: "Ninth Brother, you really look like the master of a manor in these clothes."

Su Wuming said, "What do you mean by 'looks like'? He is. Ninth Brother, were these clothes custom-made for you? Even when you're not around, the courtyard and clothes are always ready for you. Looking at it this way, Master Jing is quite generous."

Nianyao suddenly realized: "This is Ninth Brother's courtyard? No wonder it's called Shanshanju, it turns out that three times three equals nine."

Qin Jiu walked over slowly and sat down next to Xue Yunting: "This is my mother's courtyard. After I was born, I renamed it Shanshanju."

Mentioning his mother, Qin Jiu's expression darkened. The servants at Jingzhao Manor had changed many times, and he was basically unfamiliar with them. He also had no connection with the manor owner or the concubines. The only person he cared about in the manor was his mother.

Nianyao asked curiously, "Why not call it Jiujiuju?"

Qin Jiu said, "My mother said that I am too noble and I am afraid that I cannot control myself. She only hopes that I am safe, happy and carefree."

Duan Mingzhu suddenly said, "Could it be that instead of 'three times three equals nine,' it's 'mountains are the source'?"

Is it Qin Yuzhu who wants to leave Jingzhao Manor, or Qin Jiu who wants to leave Jingzhao Manor?

Nianyao nodded: "That makes sense."

Qin Jiu subconsciously retorted, "My mother did say that Shanshanju is indeed a homophone for 'three times three equals nine'."

Duan Mingzhu, of course, didn't argue with him: "Ninth Brother, I'm hungry. I heard the kitchen burned down. Will there be anything to eat tonight?"

“There’s a small kitchen in every courtyard. Even if there isn’t, we can’t let our younger sister-in-law go hungry.” Qin Jiu turned to the servants waiting beside him and said, “See if there’s any porridge in the kitchen. Bring it over for the young mistress to have something to eat before we start serving the dishes.”

The servant acknowledged and withdrew. Su Wuming praised, "Ninth Brother, your servants are really good. They've adapted perfectly to the new master."

Qin Jiu suddenly asked, "Yun Ting, is Uncle Adai one of your men?"

Xue Yunting nodded: "Yes."

Qin Jiu sighed, "The servants at the manor are replaced every few years, but Uncle Adai is the only one who's been stuck there all this time. It's true what they say, the most dangerous place is the safest place, and the safest person is the most dangerous person."

For the sake of the manor's safety and to prevent the servants from becoming lazy, Jingzhao basically stopped using them once they reached a certain age. The servants were mostly young and capable, doing their jobs for money, and had little real affection for the manor or its owners.

Ah-Dai was the longest-serving servant at Jingzhao Manor. Who would be wary of a half-idiot who worked hard without complaint and was bullied by everyone?

Duan Mingzhu wasn't feeling well and was dozing off against Xue Yunting. Xue Yunting held her shoulder and said softly, "Why don't you go and rest first? I'll bring you food later."

Duan Mingzhu shook her head and then nodded: "You come with me."

Xue Yunting said "okay" and helped her up to walk outside.

Qin Jiu got up to see them off, but Duan Mingzhu refused: "Brother Jiu, my wife and I have already explored the entire Shanshanju. I'm staying in the first room on the left, so you don't need to see us off."

Qin Jiu didn't insist and sent someone to light lamps for them. Xue Yunting instructed a maid to bring over hot water and also had a maid bring several hot water bottles to put in the quilts.

Xue Yunting took off Duan Mingzhu's shoes and outer skirt, took a towel and carefully washed her feet, helped her sit up on the bed, and pulled the blanket over her, his movements very gentle. Duan Mingzhu looked at him without saying a word.

Xue Yunting felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, so he removed her hairpin and smoothed her hair for her: "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Duan Mingzhu said, "Why are you so good to me?"

Xue Yunting naturally replied, "You are my wife."

Duan Mingzhu said, "What if I weren't your wife?"

Before Xue Yunting could think it through, Duan Mingzhu asked again, "If Lexi were your wife, would you treat her this well? Wash her feet, comb her hair, change her clothes, and never fight back or talk back when she hits or scolds her..."

Xue Yunting frowned slightly as he looked at Duan Mingzhu and emphasized, "You are my wife, she is not."

Duan Mingzhu suddenly leaned over his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist: "Yun Ting, you scared me today."

She felt fear and apprehension that she had never experienced before.

Xue Yunting gently stroked her hair: "Thank you for saving us."

Duan Mingzhu looked up and said, "Isn't it only natural for a mother to save her child's father?"

Xue Yunting said, "You're different?"

Duan Mingzhu said, "How is it different?"

Xue Yunting couldn't explain it clearly, so he could only say, "It's just different."

Duan Mingzhu couldn't help but laugh, nuzzling her head against Xue Yunting's chest, which made Xue Yunting's heart soften.

Duan Mingzhu said, "Yun Ting, I..."

A servant knocked on the door, interrupting Duan Mingzhu: "Young General and Young Madam, the porridge is here."

Xue Yunting brought the porridge over, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and tasted a little: "It's just right, eat up."

Duan Mingzhu took a bite and asked, "Guess what I was about to say?"

Xue Yunting shook his head: "I can't guess."

Duan Mingzhu said, "I like you. I was just about to say I like you."

Xue Yunting's hand stiffened slightly, and the porridge almost spilled. He quickly straightened the spoon and hummed in agreement.

That's it? Duan Mingzhu fell silent. She finished her porridge in silence, slid down to lie down, and pulled the blanket over her head.

Xue Yunting pulled the blanket down: "Take off your coat so you can sleep better."

Duan Mingzhu said, "I won't take it off."

She just said she liked him, and now she's throwing a tantrum? Duan Mingzhu is usually very magnanimous; she didn't even get angry when he went to a brothel. But lately, she's been making a scene several times.

Xue Yunting reached behind her, gently lifted her up, and took off her coat: "Sleep well."

Duan Mingzhu thought Xue Yunting was about to leave, so she blurted out, "You can't leave. You have to stay here and watch me sleep."

Xue Yunting obediently replied, "Okay, you sleep well, I'll watch over you here."

Xue Yunting sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Duan Mingzhu. She had a small face, long eyelashes, and hadn't gained weight during her pregnancy. She still looked like a little girl.

Xue Yunting still remembered that every time he saw Duan Mingzhu at Minghu Lake, he felt that although she was a young girl, she had a kind of detached indifference to life and death, which was special to him.

It's like another version of yourself in the world.