Chapter 90: No More Ties Hereafter

Chapter 90: No More Ties Hereafter

No matter what ulterior motives each party may harbor, such liaisons can easily form as long as there is mutual consent. This was the case with Liu Biqin and Meng Chengtian. Liu Biqin sought to escape her current predicament and find someone to maintain her lifestyle, like a pampered canary. Meng Chengtian, on the other hand, was smitten at first sight and yearned to possess this beauty. Their desires coincidentally aligned.

After a brief exchange, Liu Biqin bashfully agreed to accompany Meng Chengtian to the capital in search of her relatives. Meng Chengtian was so delighted that he even thought of embracing and showering her with kisses right then and there.

However, Liu Biqin mentioned she needed to bid farewell to the family she was staying with and pack her belongings. Meng Chengtian wanted to accompany her, but she refused on the grounds of maintaining a young lady’s reputation. Reluctantly, Meng Chengtian agreed to wait for her return, choosing to stand guard nearby.

Not far ahead, Xiao Yuming observed the budding relationship between Liu Biqin and Meng Chengtian. Although it served his purpose, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy. He worried about how Xiao Yuchen, who harbored deep feelings for Liu Biqin, would react upon learning of her actions.

Gripping the horsewhip tightly, he lashed out fiercely, causing the horse to bolt in pain. He thought bitterly that for wounding the heart of their marquis’s eldest son, Liu Biqin deserved to die!

Continuing his ride, he encountered Yantai and whispered instructions to return to the Duke’s mansion to retrieve the red fox. With today’s events, the affairs in Xishan were coming to an end.

Meanwhile, Liu Biqin, supported by her maid Hong’er, returned to the cottage. Once inside, she collapsed onto the kang bed and burst into tears. She and Xiao Yuchen had grown up together like childhood sweethearts, and it was he who reached out to pull her from the abyss when she faced her darkest hour.

For so long, she had relied on him, believing their relationship would last a lifetime. Although she couldn't be his official wife, Xiao Yuchen would still shower her with the greatest affection.

Never did she imagine things would come to this pass. Meng Chengtian was far from a gentleman, and in both appearance and demeanor, he paled in comparison to Xiao Yuchen. How could she possibly be content with this turn of events?

But what could her discontent change? Right now, only Meng Chengtian had the power to free her from this cage and end her suffering.

“Miss,” Hong’er spoke softly, trying to console her. “I’ve heard of this Young Master Meng before. He’s the beloved late-born son of the Meng family, doted upon at home. Besides, the Meng family has the Empress Dowager as a backer. If you can win over Young Master Meng, perhaps you could even rescue Madam and Young Master.”

Liu Biqin’s sobs gradually subsided, and eventually, she sat up. Hong’er hurriedly wiped away her tears, urging, “Miss, you should get ready soon. Don’t keep Young Master Meng waiting.”

Taking a deep breath, Liu Biqin walked to the window, sat down in front of a rickety table with a broken leg, and glanced around the spartan room. Any lingering sentimentality vanished. What mattered more than love was living a good life.

“Help me wash up,” she instructed.

“Yes.”

Hong’er promptly went out to fetch hot water and ran into Sister Guan in the kitchen. Considering they had been forcibly sent to this cottage by the Marchioness, Hong’er wondered if Sister Guan and the others would prevent them from leaving. Smiling, she greeted, “Is Sister Guan busy?”

Sister Guan, accompanied by a young maid, was busy steaming buns. The Guan family was not beholden to the Marquis and led a decent life, affording the luxury of having maids.

“Are you here for water, Miss Hong’er?” Sister Guan asked with a smile.

“Yes, our young lady wishes to freshen up,” Hong’er replied.

“Why does she want to freshen up at this hour?” Sister Guan inquired. In truth, she was well aware of every move Liu Biqin and her maid made but chose to feign ignorance.

Hong'er glanced awkwardly at Sister-in-law Guan before leaning in and whispering, "Sister-in-law Guan, if... if my young lady wishes to leave the manor, would the Marquis's household obstruct us?"

Sister-in-law Guan paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "The Marquis's household hasn't mentioned anything, should I have my husband inquire at the Marquis's residence?"

"No need," Hong'er quickly replied. "It's quite a hassle to make a trip to the city, especially in this cold weather."

If they inquired at the Marquis's residence, it might stir up unnecessary trouble.

Sister-in-law Guan agreed, "Alright then."

In truth, she was merely suggesting it as a formality, to show that their family had no involvement in the affairs of the Marquis's household.

Hong'er was a clever girl; she knew it wouldn’t be so easy for the Marquis's household to let them go. Although she hadn't deduced that this ordeal was orchestrated, she roughly understood their stance. As long as they kept their distance from Xiao Yuchen, the Marquis's household didn't care whether they lived or died.

With this realization, Hong'er couldn't help but feel that the Marchioness was incredibly heartless. She had been on such good terms with Madame Liu previously, yet turned her back on her the moment trouble arose.

Lost in thought, Hong'er's expression darkened as she returned with the hot water. Seeing her troubled look, Liu Biqin asked, "What's wrong? Is the manor forbidding us to leave?"

She, too, feared that the manor might detain them.

"No," Hong'er shook her head. "I just think the Marchioness is too self-serving. She was so kind to you before, even mentioning taking you into their home. But she turned her back on you the moment trouble arose."

Hearing this, Liu Biqin's eyes reddened again. "Aren't all people like this? Chen... he probably has his reasons for not visiting me. It's not like the Marquis's household has only one male heir, but there's only one position for the heir apparent."

She suspected that Xiao Yuchen hadn't visited her because the Marchioness had threatened him with the position of the heir apparent.

Hong'er wrung a towel and handed it to Liu Biqin, "It's alright, Miss. From now on, the Marquis and the heir apparent... they have nothing to do with us."

Liu Biqin forced a smile, "Yes, from now on, they have nothing to do with me either."

They spent quite some time applying makeup and packing their belongings. By the time the master and servant left the manor, it was already afternoon. Meng Chengtian had already prepared a luxurious carriage, complete with maids and old servants, waiting not far away.

As the two approached, the two graceful maids hurriedly stepped forward to salute Liu Biqin, while the two old servants took their luggage. Meng Chengtian stood not far away, smiling at Liu Biqin.

On the surface, both parties managed to avoid any discourtesy.

Liu Biqin slightly bowed to Meng Chengtian and then was helped onto the carriage. As the curtain was lifted, a wave of warm, fragrant air rushed out, its comforting warmth in the chilly winter air need not be overstated.

Liu Biqin’s lips curled into a smile as she stepped onto the carriage step, followed by Hong'er. Inside, the carriage was lined with fine brocade, the seats were laid with thick cushions, and the carpet underfoot was soft and plush, revealing its thickness. A charcoal brazier burned in the center, emitting no smoke but a faint fragrance instead.

Inside such a carriage, the master and servant felt as if they had returned to their former lives, confident that their current path was the right one.