Chapter 32.

Chapter 32.

"Tsk tsk, did you upset Madame Xiao again?" Zhao Qingshan, fanning himself, leaned forward to examine his master's hand, clicking his tongue, "What is your fancy, my lord? Madame Xiao is not an ordinary woman. She won’t spare you just because you are Zhou of Youzhou. Why provoke her unnecessarily?"

Zhou Xu's eyes twinkled with amusement, "Anyway, a slap doesn't hurt much." He recalled Madame Xiao's departing figure and popped the lychee she had peeled into his mouth.

Indeed, it tasted sweeter.

Zhou Xu, casually eating the lychees, carelessly put away the registration booklet. He wasn’t wrong – a registration in Langge was indeed much better than in Taiyang.

Knowing Madame Xiao's intention to settle in Taiyang, Zhou Xu felt it was inappropriate. Firstly, for two noble ladies like Madame Xiao and her daughter to be alone without servants, safety couldn't be guaranteed. Secondly, while the local gentry might initially treat them well, troubles would inevitably follow over time, whether from those curious about Madame Xiao, seeking information, or attracted by her beauty. With Madame Xiao's character, she couldn't fend off such people.

Naturally, taking them to Langge was the best option, where he could keep a close watch. Once in Langge, he planned to allocate some well-located property and estates directly to her, along with some servants and tenants from his own holdings. These were Zhou Xu's temporary plans. He knew Madame Xiao didn’t want to rely on him, especially after sensing his intentions, and avoided him as much as possible. However, her fear of the outside world's turmoil made Taiyang her reluctant choice. Zhou Xu realized Madame Xiao didn’t get to decide this matter alone.

"Madame Xiao must be seething right now," Zhou Xu thought, stroking his stubble and smiling to himself.

Zhou Xu never expected that one day he would be planning a woman's future. He had always been indifferent towards women, having never remarried after losing his wife early in life, and without any concubines in his household. He had thought he would continue this way, but then he met Madame Xiao.

In her presence, he felt like a restless young man again, always eager to elicit different expressions from her – whether irritation, embarrassment, or annoyance. Zhou Xu welcomed them all.

"Be careful, or Madame Xiao might grow tired of you," Zhao Qingshan warned, sitting beside him with three intact lychees on the desk. He put away his folding fan and peeled one. The lychees, a delicate fruit rarely seen in the north, were rushed from Xunjiang. To prevent discoloration and flavor loss, they were cut with a part of the branch and chilled with ice, wrapped in blankets, and transported swiftly by boat along the Xunjiang river, arriving fresh in about three days.

"Come, let's go to the yamen and see what Judge Xu has found," Zhou Xu said, straightening his robe and heading out with Zhao Qingshan and the Lei family riders.

Inside the Dou residence.

Xiao Luolan returned to the Apricot Blossom Residence to see her daughter.

"Mother," Xiao Qingxue called out, sitting on a stone bench under the apricot tree as her mother approached.

"Hmm," Xiao Luolan sat beside her daughter, noticing some rectangular wooden boxes and mesh baskets on the stone table.

"Mother, we still haven't gathered everything we need," Xiao Qingxue said. Accustomed to having tools ready during her group activities, she now had to find materials and prepare the tools herself.

"Can I help with anything?" Xiao Luolan asked, eager to assist even though she didn't understand her daughter's process.

"We need a craftsman to make a more exquisite soap mold. These wooden boxes are too rudimentary and large, not aesthetically pleasing at all," Xiao Qingxue explained.

"Then I will ask Lady Dou to lend us a skilled craftsman," Xiao Luolan said.

"Mom, we also need some wood ash and lard," Xiao Qingxue added. "I've asked Fang Yun to get some quicklime. Once she's back, we can use Zhou Zongzhu's kitchen."

Hearing mention of Zhou Zongzhu's kitchen, Xiao Luolan remembered her visit to him. Hesitating, she shared with her daughter, "Qingxue, Zhou Zongzhu has taken care of our household registration, but it's not in Taiyang. He's placed it in Langge."

Xiao Qingxue listened, considering her mother's words and the implications of being registered in Langge.

Zhou Xu, musing that Madame Xiao must be silently fuming, chuckled while stroking his stubble.

He never thought he would one day plan a woman's livelihood. Indifferent to romantic pursuits since becoming a widower early in life, and without concubines, he had resigned himself to solitude until he met Madame Xiao.

In her presence, he felt like a restless young man again, eager to see her display various emotions – anger, embarrassment, or annoyance. He enjoyed every expression.

"Be careful, or you might tire Madame Xiao," warned Zhao Qingshan, sitting nearby with three whole lychees on the desk. Folding up his fan, he also peeled one. The lychees, transported quickly from Xunjiang, were a rare delicacy in the north.

"Let's go to the yamen and see Judge Xu's progress," Zhou Xu said, standing and adjusting his robe, accompanied by Zhao Qingshan and Lei family riders.

Back at the Dou residence.

Xiao Luolan returned to the Apricot Blossom Residence to see her daughter.

"Mother," greeted Xiao Qingxue, sitting under the apricot tree.

"Hmm," replied Xiao Luolan, joining her daughter by the stone table adorned with wooden boxes and mesh baskets.

"Mother, we still haven't gathered all the materials," Xiao Qingxue said, explaining her struggle to find the necessary tools for their project.

"Can I help with anything?" Xiao Luolan offered, eager to assist her daughter.

"We need a craftsman to make a more refined soap mold. These wooden boxes are too basic and large," Xiao Qingxue suggested.

"I'll ask Lady Dou for a skilled craftsman," Xiao Luolan responded.

"Mom, we also need wood ash and lard," Xiao Qingxue continued, planning to use Zhou Zongzhu's kitchen once they had all the ingredients.

Remembering her visit to Zhou Zongzhu, Xiao Luolan hesitated before sharing, "Qingxue, Zhou Zongzhu has secured our household registration, not in Taiyang, but in Langge."

Xiao Qingxue pondered this, weighing the implications of being registered in Langge.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Xiao Luolan, Xiao Qingxue, and Fang Yun returned to the Apricot Blossom Residence, proud of their accomplishment in creating the soap.

Only when they stepped outside did Xiao Luolan realize that night had already fallen.

"Madame Xiao, Miss Xiao," Lady Dou hurried towards them from the garden, accompanied by maids and servants. Her face showed urgency, and she approached them quickly, her ornaments jingling.

"Lady Dou, what's happened?" Xiao Luolan stepped forward, concerned.

Lady Dou grasped Xiao Luolan's hand: "Madame Xiao, the Governor... the Governor has come."

Xiao Luolan was startled, then asked, "What about Zhou Zongzhu?"

"The Jiedushi went to the Taiyang yamen and has not returned yet," Lady Dou replied anxiously. "The Governor sent a visiting card and wanted to enter. We didn't dare to stop him, so we invited the Governor to the main hall."

They were just a minor noble family in Taiyang Prefecture. Facing the Governor, Dou Haitao had neither the courage to openly refuse nor the desire to displease the Jiedushi. In a state of indecision, they decided to consult Madame Xiao first.

"Are the Lei family riders in the mansion?" Xiao Luolan thought of Lei Shan and the others.

"Yes, they are," Lady Dou answered.

"Please send a rider to inform Zhou Zongzhu immediately," Xiao Luolan felt this matter should be brought to Zhou Zongzhu's attention, suspecting the Governor's visit was related to him.

Lady Dou, gripping Xiao Luolan's hand tightly, said, "My husband has already sent a rider to notify him."

"Let's go to the front courtyard together. Don't worry," Xiao Luolan reassured her, feeling Lady Dou's hand turning cold.

"Mother," Xiao Qingxue came forward, "I'll go with you." After instructing Fang Yun to take the mold back to the Apricot Blossom Residence, she joined her mother.

Fang Yun glanced at her mistress.

Xiao Luolan nodded helplessly.

"Lady Dou, did the Governor bring many people?" Xiao Luolan inquired about the situation in the front courtyard.

"No, the Governor came with his third son, Li Sanlang, and about a dozen servants," Lady Dou informed.

Lady Dou led Xiao Luolan and her group along the corridor and through the second gate.

In the central hall, Dou Haitao, trembling with fear, waited nearby after having his servants serve tea. His eldest son had left early with Judge Xu, and the military governor had departed with Qingshan, leaving only a few of Lei's cavalry in the house. He had quietly sent someone to inform the military governor.

Standing in the courtyard, Li Hanzhang gazed at the faint moon in the sky. Hearing footsteps, he looked towards Mrs. Dou and her entourage, his gaze briefly sweeping over Lady Xiao and Little Mistress Xiao. As Mrs. Dou passed, he stepped forward with a slight smile, "Lady Xiao, do you remember me? I am Li Sanlang. I apologize for my previous intrusion."

Mrs. Dou, seeing Lady Xiao and others stopped by Li's servant, hurriedly sent her maid Qiaoxin to bring their household servants. Dou Haitao in the central hall immediately stood up.

Xiao Luolan, puzzled by Li Sanlang's sudden greeting, became wary, "Mr. Li, is there something you need?"

"Lady Xiao, there has been some misunderstanding between my father and the Jiedushi, and I would like to request your help in resolving it," Li Hanzhang earnestly said, bowing slightly, "I, the third son, am grateful for your assistance." He was the epitome of elegance, exuding a refined aura like that of a graceful bamboo.

Xiao Luolan avoided him, "Young Master Li, I'm sorry, I cannot help."

A look of disappointment crossed Li Hanzhang's handsome face as he spoke softly, "Lady Xiao, I hear from your accent that you are from a noble family in Chang'an. Why associate with someone like Zhou Yu, a mere soldier? Are you being coerced? If you wish to escape, you can seek me out."

Before Xiao Luolan could reply, something resembling a jade pendant was pressed into her palm, leaving her startled.

Xiao Qingxue also saw it.

Surrounded by the Li family's servants, no one else could see what Li Hanzhang had passed to her mother.

"Third son, come back," Governor Li called impatiently.

Holding the object, Xiao Luolan felt as if she was grasping a hot potato, wanting to return it to Li Hanzhang, but he had already walked away quickly.

Li Hanzhang sat back in his chair, intently staring at his tea.

Governor Li, sitting in a prominent seat, observed the woman he had only met once before. He remembered her from their meeting with Zhou Xu at the Yellow Crane Tower. Upon closer observation, he found Lady Xiao to possess a beauty that could unsettle any man.

Li Bozhi's gaze grew colder, and he spat out disdainfully, "Seductress!"

Xiao Luolan's face flushed with anger at the unprovoked insult.

"Old fool, say that again if you dare!" Xiao Qingxue stood up, pointing at Governor Li and rebuking him.

"The daughter of a seductress, not worth mentioning," Li Bozhi sneered coldly.

Without hesitation, Xiao Luolan threw the object in her hand, along with a teacup, fiercely at the old man. She stood protectively in front of her daughter, her face cold as ice and eyes blazing with anger, retorted sarcastically, "Governor Li seems to bark at everyone he sees today. Is it because of old age, or did you forget to take your medicine?"

Governor Li was caught off guard by the tea thrown at him, splattering all over. He stood up abruptly, his jade pendant clattering to the ground. His face twisted with rage, he began, "You witch with your venomous words, don't..."

"Who is the old fool cursing at?" Zhou Xu entered the hall from the darkness, whip in hand. Glancing at Governor Li, he commanded, "Chop off two fingers of Li's eldest son in the prison and send them to Li's residence in a brocade box."

"Zhou Xu!" Governor Li roared in anger. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Chop off two more," Zhou Xu ordered indifferently.

Lei Shan immediately went to carry out the command.

Zhou Xu walked forward, pushing Governor Li back into his seat. He tapped Governor Li's face with his whip, his smile ferocious, "Old man, don't push your luck. If I hear those words again, I'll chop your son into pieces and feed him to the dogs. Understood?"

Governor Li slumped into his chair, trembling and unable to speak.