Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Zhou Xu kissed Madame Xiao as if it wasn't enough, still feeling unsatisfied despite already causing a stir.

Xiaoluo Lan got up to hang the bed curtains on the golden hooks, feeling Lord Zhou's clinginess especially in the summer heat. She sweated lightly with every move, and the ivory cool mat on the bed couldn't withstand Lord Zhou's heat.

"Stop kissing," Xiaoluo Lan couldn't help but softly complain.

Zhou Xu carelessly kissed her deeply again, leaving a mark on Lady Xiao's jade shoulder.

Xiao Luolan trembled slightly and turned to look at Leader Zhou.

Zhou Xu's throat moved, unable to take his eyes off.

Xiaoluo Lan's face heated under his gaze.

Zhou Xu pinned Xiaoluo Lan's hands to the bed, preventing her from moving, as he gazed at her obsessively. In the lamplight, she seemed even more stunning, and she belonged to him alone.

Flushed, Xiaoluo Lan finally voiced her concern, "Is it appropriate for me to stay here?"

Zhou Xu, seeing Xiaoluo Lan's flowing dark hair over her voluptuous, ivory body, her lips full and red, her eyes alluring yet shy and gentle, asked with a smile, "What's inappropriate about it?"

Xiaoluo Lan, not wanting to provoke Zhou Zhu, carefully said, "We're not yet married."

If Zhou Zhu truly wanted to be with her, he would investigate their identities, eventually realizing her fabricated background. She worried about how to explain this.

This thought alone unsettled Xiaoluo Lan.

Privately, she wanted to live with her daughter, in a modest house. After days of intimacy, Zhou Zhu seemed not heartless. If he cared for them even minimally, they could survive in Langge.

But why should Zhou Zhu care for them? Xiaoluo Lan, looking at the intimate marks on her arms, felt torn.

"Don't worry, we'll be married soon," Zhou Xu reassured her, gently playing with her long hair, letting it glide through his fingers.

"In just three to five days."

Xiaoluo Lan was left in a state of shock by the news, her mind blank.

"Isn't my lady pleased?" Zhou Xu asked with a kiss on Xiaoluo Lan's fingertips. His narrowed eyes gleamed dangerously, sending shivers down her spine.

"No, it's not that," Xiaoluo Lan stammered, her nose beading with sweat. "It just seems a bit fast."

"The timing is perfect," Zhou Xu reassured her with a smile. "Tomorrow we'll have a family banquet to announce it, send invitations the day after, prepare the bridal chamber, and marry on the fifth day."

"Besides, my lady's maternal grandfather is already at the Zhou residence. It's only fitting he presides over the wedding ceremony."

Xiaoluo Lan, fearing she misheard, looked at Zhou Xu apprehensively. "What grandfather?"

"My lady seems to have a poor memory," Zhou Xu said gently, holding her trembling hand. "Xiao Jing Shu of the Qinghe Xiao family is your maternal grandfather."

"Xiao Gong only had a son and a daughter. His beloved daughter married Wu Shang Jushi, a couple deeply in love. You are their cherished daughter."

"After your parents' demise, Xiao Gong treasured you even more, betrothing you to the legitimate young son of the Chen family."

Zhou Xu smiled slightly as he continued, "Not long after your marriage, you and your husband fell out, leading to a divorce. You took your daughter back to the Xiao family, returning to your maiden name and residing in a secluded temple, away from worldly affairs."

Pale-faced, Xiaoluo Lan stared at Zhou Xu, realizing he had known about their fabricated identity and even created a new one for her. Everything was already arranged...

Although it seemed like good news, Xiaoluo Lan couldn't shake off her fear.

"Once, while out for a walk, my lady and her daughter encountered me," Zhou Xu said, his smile deepening. "I was immediately smitten."

Zhou Xu tenderly kissed Xiaoluo Lan's ear. "Afterward, we formed a bond."

Xiaoluo Lan opened her mouth to ask when all these arrangements had been made but found herself speechless.

Zhou Xu wrapped his outer robe around Xiaoluo Lan, then held her close, comforting her through the robe with his large hand.

It took a while for Xiaoluo Lan to regain her voice, trembling slightly.

"Won't the legitimate young son of the Chen family discover this?" she finally asked.

Zhou Xu kissed her lips gently, "Their entire family has long perished."

Xiao Luolan leaned weakly in the arms of Lord Zhou, her breathing uneven, with cold sweat on her forehead.

"Will the lady visit her maternal grandfather tomorrow?" Zhou Xu arranged Xiao Luolan's hair, "He misses you a lot."

Xiaoluo Lan's thoughts were in disarray, unable to make sense of anything, shaking her head vigorously.

Seeing her shake her head, Zhou Xu didn’t insist: "If not, then let's not meet."

Deep into the night, Xiaoluo Lan curled up in Lord Zhou's arms, half asleep, feeling dizzy and feverish. Lord Zhou's voice was indistinct, amidst the strong scent of medicine and the sound of people moving around.

Struggling to open her eyes, she saw Lord Zhou sitting by the bed, watching her.

Zhou Xu's brows were deeply furrowed, his lips downturned. Xiaoluo Lan gazed at him dazedly, thinking he looked somewhat like the other members of the Zhou family – serious, cold, and intimidating.

Zhou Xu replaced the hot cloth on her forehead with a fresh one, then touched her face, still feverishly red and her lips dry, frowning even more.

He adjusted a soft pillow at the head of the bed, propping her up.

Then, taking a bowl of medicine, he spooned a dose, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to her lips.

"You developed a high fever in the night, so I had the house physician examine you and prepare this medicine."

Feeling she likely had a fever and a sore throat, weak and listless, she drank the medicine with Zhou Xu’s help.

Seeing her frown at the bitterness, Zhou Xu fed her a piece of candied fruit, "Rest a bit more after the medicine."

Xiaoluo Lan looked towards the window, seeing only darkness outside. It must still be deep in the night.

After administering the medicine, Zhou Xu fed her some honey water.

Wrapped in silk quilts, Xiaoluo Lan felt hotter and more lethargic after the medicine: "Thank you."

Hearing her gratitude, Zhou Xu held her feverish hand, "If you think it's too rushed..." He paused, then added, "Shall we get married in ten days instead?"

Xiaoluo Lan looked at him, nodded after a moment, feeling his grip tighten. Then Lord Zhou drew closer.

"I don't care where you came from."

Xiaoluo Lan's eyes widened slightly, her face flushed from the fever, her breath warm.

Zhou Xu kissed Madame Xiao, "Whatever you wish for, Madame, I can provide."

Xiaoluo Lan felt a strange sense of déjà vu hearing those words. Lord Zhou had said something similar when she offered him sour plum soup in Taiyang County. Did he know even then? So early? She felt somewhat dazed.

"As long as Madame becomes my wife," Zhou Xu had only this requirement. He gazed at Madame Xiao, whether she was willing or not, they were destined to marry.

The physician from the residence had just visited and diagnosed her illness as a mild fever brought on by travel fatigue and excessive anxiety.

After observing her for a while and seeing the fever finally subside post-medicine, Zhou Xu climbed into bed and embraced Madame Xiao.

Xiaoluo Lan, in a drowsy state, murmured softly, "I'm sorry, Qingxue and I didn't mean to deceive you."

Zhou Xu paused, then looked down at Madame Xiao in his arms, her eyes closed and lashes wet, and chuckled softly, "It doesn't matter." He was willing to be deceived.

Zhou Xu kissed away her tears, whispering soothing words until her emotions settled, then kissed her again.

After venting, Xiaoluo Lan felt somewhat embarrassed to face Lord Zhou.

Zhou Xu turned her towards him with a smile.

"Sleep now," Zhou Xu gently patted Madame Xiao's back.

The next day dawned.

"Mother, I heard you were sick?" Qingxue hurried into the room, anxiously examining her mother, touching her forehead, "Your head's a bit warm."

"I've already taken medicine this morning; you don't need to worry," Xiaoluo Lan assured her, asking her to sit a bit away on the embroidered stool, "Stay back a bit, so you don't catch it too."

Qingxue sat beside her mother, her eyes filled with worry: "What did the physician say?"

"Just fatigue from the journey. I'll be fine with a few days of rest," Xiaoluo Lan assured her, noticing her daughter wearing a bright goose-yellow dress and smiling, "You look prettier in dresses."

"Did you eat before coming here so early?" Xiaoluo Lan inquired.

"No, I rushed over as soon as I heard you were ill. Lord Zhou's house is really huge," Qingxue replied.

"Then, let's eat here," Xiaoluo Lan suggested, stroking her daughter's hair.

"Okay," Qingxue agreed.

After the meal, Cui Popo came with two maids, Chunhua and Xiahe, each carrying several brocade boxes.

"My lady, the young master and Master Tuoba heard of your illness and sent some medicinal herbs," Cui Popo informed, "I'll have them stored in the pantry."

After Chunhua and Xiahe left.

Xiaoluo Lan turned to Cui Popo, "Do I need to send a return gift?"

Cui Popo chuckled, "My lady, there's no need for that. You're now an elder. Once married, you'll be their nominal mother, the lady of Youzhou, deserving their respect and filial piety."

Hearing this, Qingxue felt a bit uncomfortable.

After speaking, Cui Popo went to the Orchid Garden's pantry to record the items.

Xiaoluo Lan held her daughter's hand, touching her face, "Are you unhappy?"

Qingxue didn't feel too wronged initially, but hearing her mother's gentle inquiry, her grievances surged, her voice thick with emotion as she embraced her mother: "Mom."

"Mom's here," Xiaoluo Lan responded softly, then smiled, "Don't worry, you'll always be the one I love the most."

Qingxue's eyes sparkled with unshed tears at her mother's assurance, and she soon smiled again.

Xiaoluo Lan decided to tell her daughter about how Lord Zhou discovered their real identities and then fabricated a new one for them. She spoke slowly, making sure her daughter understood their current situation.

After hearing the story, Qingxue was shocked: "Lord Zhou just made up an identity for us?" She was full of questions.

"How did he convince that Xiao elder?"

Xiaoluo Lan was also unclear, and feeling tired after her daughter left, she wanted to rest. Cui Popo came in with the maids, again bowing and smiling, "Madame, Xiao Gong has also sent some medicinal herbs upon hearing of your illness."

Xiaoluo Lan was startled upon hearing this. Sitting up, considering her and her daughter's fabricated identities, she hesitated but then asked.

"Maternal grandfather," Xiaoluo Lan struggled to utter the words: "Is my maternal grandfather outside?"

"Xiao Gong is in the outer hall."

Guided by the maids, Xiaoluo Lan proceeded to the outer hall and upon entering, saw an elderly man with kind eyes and white hair. He wore a faded long robe with wide sleeves, a sword at his waist, and had a vigorous spirit and bright eyes. He approached her with a loving, familial tone.

"Lanniang, your grandfather has come to see you."

Had Xiaoluo Lan not met this elder for the first time, she might have believed they were truly related.

"Why are you ill? Let me take your pulse," Xiao Jing Shu touched his white beard and sat down with concern.

"It's just a mild fever," Xiaoluo Lan replied softly, "It'll be fine with a couple of doses of medicine. Thank you for your concern, grandfather."

"I'm relieved to know you're well," Xiao Jing Shu said. "Finding a good partner brings me great comfort."

Xiaoluo Lan, hearing this, looked up at her supposed grandfather and found his expression genuinely filled with a blend of contentment and a tinge of melancholy, like a grandfather fond of his granddaughter.

After exchanging pleasantries, once he left, Xiaoluo Lan sat alone, pondering.

It’s a pity Xiao Gong isn't an actor.