Chapter 65: Chapter 65: I Am Willing to Pledge Myself to You
Mrs. Qiao knew what her mother-in-law meant. "Mother," she answered, "Xiao Wu just went to pick up Jiu Jiu from her lessons. She knows her limits and won’t disturb His Majesty."
The Old Madam was still doubtful and wanted to question her in person.
"Have her come see me."
Mrs. Qiao sounded a bit helpless. "Mother, Xiao Wu went out to the lantern market with her maids."
And it was true; Xiao Wu was not in the manor.
「Half an hour earlier.」
Ji Qingwu had changed into an aquamarine long robe, dressed as a man. She had tied her long hair up high, revealing a smooth forehead and a slender neck.
Wearing a Lan Jade Hairpin, her features were as bright and captivating as the shining moon.
She was already tall, so the masculine attire didn’t look out of place. Instead, it gave her the air of a slender young man.
Jiu Jiu, standing beside her, had been dressed up like an adorable little porcelain doll. She wore a treasure flower short robe, and because the night was growing cool, a brown jacket had been added.
Lan Zhi wore a simple long dress, but at Ji Qingwu’s request, her hair was styled in a married woman’s bun. The three of them standing together looked rather like a young family of three.
Ji Qingwu cleared her throat and lowered her voice. "Madam Zhi, come along with your husband."
Seeing her Fifth Missy dressed like this truly gave one the illusion of looking at a dashing, elegant young master. Lan Zhi’s face flushed with shyness. "Fifth Missy."
Ji Qingwu’s lips curved into a smile as she shook her head. "Not at all, Madam Zhi. You must call me ’husband’."
This already beautiful person had become even more handsome in a different guise and was now deliberately teasing her. Lan Zhi’s face turned beet red.
Ji Qingwu didn’t press her further and suggested, "Then just call me ’Fifth Young Master’."
They walked to the street, where the night market was teeming with an endless stream of visitors. Under the glow of the lanterns, the scenery was picturesque.
Lin’an City truly lived up to its reputation as a place of opulent carriages and bustling prosperity, a city of brilliant lights that never slept.
Ji Qingwu ate her way from one end of the street to the other.
After Lan Zhi’s repeated urging, she finally emerged carrying plates of fragrant, sizzling roasted meat and crystal-like sashimi drizzled with melted butter.
Jiu Jiu clutched a stick of candied haws and some cloud-flake cakes in her hands, a large pinwheel hanging from her chest, WHIRRING in the breeze.
The two of them wore identical smiles of satisfaction, walking out hand in hand, their arms full.
The group struggled for quite a while to squeeze through the crowd and find an empty spot to the side to rest.
Lan Zhi said huffily, "Fifth Young Master, you weren’t even watching the child! You just stood in front of that fruit wine stall, completely frozen in place."
Ji Qingwu rubbed her neck, abashed. "Don’t be angry, Lan Zhi. I won’t wander off again." ’The owner of the fruit wine stall was a really good salesman,’ she thought. ’I couldn’t resist his enthusiastic calls and ended up trying a small cup.’
Lan Zhi took Jiu Jiu’s hand, and they walked toward the riverbank to walk off their meal.
The scenery before them was free from the bustle of the night market.
Since it was the Dragon Boat Festival, the riverbank was adorned with colorful lanterns decorated with mugwort leaves. The myriad lights and the flowing river together reflected the prosperity and splendor of Lin’an City.
The water’s surface glittered under the lamplight. Suddenly, ripples spread across the water in concentric circles.
’Ripples?’
Ji Qingwu’s gaze sharpened. She looked toward the center of the water and, sure enough, saw a slender figure walking toward the middle of the lake.
She handed the things in her hands to Lan Zhi.
Cupping her hands around her mouth to project her voice, she shouted, "Hey! Young lady over there!"
The woman seemed to hear the shout. Her steps faltered, and she stopped in the water.
Seeing this, Ji Qingwu ran toward the lake shore, panting as she tried to persuade her, "Miss, come back! The water is cold! You’ll get sick if you stay in there too long!"
The woman’s head was bowed, her body trembling. She covered her face and began to cry, her sorrowful sobs heartbreaking to anyone who heard them.
Her desire to die tonight hadn’t been that strong; she was just momentarily overwhelmed.
She had asked someone to deliver a letter to arrange a meeting with that man by the lake, but he was heartless and cruel, ignoring her completely.
The poor woman was already with child.
In truth, she had regretted it the moment she stepped into the lake. She couldn’t bear to part with the child in her womb. When she heard someone calling out to her, she realized just how much she wanted to live.
Seeing the woman’s resolve to die waver, Ji Qingwu continued to persuade her earnestly.
"Miss, come over here. No matter how healthy you are, you can’t abuse your body like this. Hurry and come ashore."
In the hazy night, the woman began to follow the sound of the voice, slowly moving toward the bank.
Ji Qingwu reached out a hand to pull her. Once the woman was steady, she let go.
The woman saw that the person before her didn’t take the opportunity to take advantage of her, unlike the sanctimonious hypocrites she usually encountered at Liangxiang Pavilion.
’Upright and warm-hearted. Truly a good person.’
The woman’s palm was ice-cold, but her heart was now warm. The way she looked at Ji Qingwu changed.
Using the light from the lanterns on the bank, she studied Ji Qingwu’s face carefully for a few moments. She found this person to be exceptionally handsome, with features as clear and bright as a scenic landscape.
’It’s just that "his" voice isn’t as deep and resonant as a typical man’s; it’s a bit effeminate. "His" build is a little slight, not very sturdy-looking.’
Just then, Lan Zhi came over with Jiu Jiu and said, "Fifth Young Master, it’s getting late. We should head back."
The little girl was getting sleepy after her full meal, looking so listless it seemed she might pass out at any moment.
Ji Qingwu picked up Jiu Jiu. "Let’s go. Da... Daddy will take you home."
The woman looked at the adorable child in Ji Qingwu’s arms. Seeing how skillfully "he" held the child, she knew "he" must be a good man who knew how to care for children.
’This one in my belly... I have to find a good father for it.’ After pondering for a moment, the woman’s expression slowly became resolute.
"Young Master, this humble girl has no way to repay you for saving my life. If my benefactor does not disdain my humble appearance, I am willing to repay you with my body."
As she spoke, she tried to lean closer.
Ji Qingwu hastily backed away a few steps, reacting quickly by tossing Jiu Jiu to Lan Zhi.
Then, she broke into a run and beat a hasty retreat.
The woman stamped her foot and gave chase. ’She couldn’t let such an outstanding young master get away!’
The moment Ji Qingwu heard the woman call her "Young Master" in that delicate voice, she had a bad feeling.
’Running is the best policy.’
After turning through two or three intersections, she was too exhausted to run anymore and slowly came to a stop.
Before she could even catch her breath, she was about to look back to see if the woman had followed her.
But at the corner, she collided with another person who was also running. She couldn’t dodge in time, and her right shoulder was hit hard.
An arrogant voice rang out.
"Are you blind?! Why don’t you watch where you’re going!"
The girl’s head was covered in pearls and jade. With a slight shake of her head, her hairpins collided, and the crisp JINGLING sound that followed her words confirmed she was the young lady of a wealthy family.
Ji Qingwu’s gaze shifted downward. She looked closely, and the corner of her mouth twitched. ’Talk about enemies being fated to meet.’
It was Princess Qingyun.
Judging by her expression, she hadn’t recognized her yet. Ji Qingwu decided to use the same trick again: turn around and run.
’None of the pastries I ate tonight went to waste.’
Princess Qingyun shouted from behind her, "What are you running for!"
This time, Ji Qingwu hadn’t even taken a few steps before she ran into someone else.
Although this person’s clothes were smooth and soft, their body was as hard as an iron wall. The collision made her head ache.
Ji Qingwu looked up, dazedly staring at the person before her.
And suddenly, she felt even dizzier.
