Chapter 124 Chapter 124 (Bonus)

Chapter 124

Noon.

Xu Duan Yi and the others stayed in the small courtyard for lunch.

After the meal, Xu Ping Yi had other matters to attend to and was preparing to leave.

Before leaving, he asked Xu Duan Yi and Xie Qing Yan, "Are you planning to return home or go out for a walk later?"

Xie Qing Yan naturally looked to Xu Duan Yi for her decision.

Xu Duan Yi's gaze swept over her brothers before settling back on her father's face. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Xu Ping Yi had always indulged her every whim.

Why would she need to discuss anything?

Even if what she wanted was unreasonable or excessive, Xu Ping Yi would likely go to great lengths to satisfy her.

Now, he wore an expression that invited her to speak freely.

"I want to bring Zhao Er back to live at our residence for a while," Xu Duan Yi said, looking at her father.

Zhao Er had been wandering since he was nine, and although he had the care of his father and Grandpa Wen, his appearance made it difficult for him to form deep friendships with others.

Now that they had finally reunited,

Xu Duan Yi naturally did not want him to continue living alone and isolated here.

Her words drew the attention of everyone present.

Liu Zhao’s face, which had been somewhat dejected, first lit up with joy, but then his smile gradually faded as he thought of something. He shook his head at her understandingly and said, “No need, Sister Yi. I’m quite comfortable here. It would be inconvenient to stay at the Marquis’s residence.”

If it weren’t for hearing that Uncle Xu was unwell yesterday, he wouldn’t have risked visiting the Marquis’s residence.

“I will be staying here with your cousin for a while. You can stay with us during this time. When you go out, just wear the mask, and no one will recognize you,” Xu Duan Yi said, looking at him.

“But...”

Liu Zhao was clearly very moved, yet he still feared causing them trouble.

“Alright, let’s do as Zhaozhao suggests,” Xu Ping Yi decided.

He said to Liu Zhao, “It wasn’t that I was afraid of any inconvenience when I didn’t let you stay at the Marquis’s residence before. It’s just that I’m usually at the military camp and don’t go back often... This time, you can spend some good days with Zhaozhao and the others.”

Xu Ping Yi felt deep sympathy for his situation.

Not being able to show his true face was already hard enough, and he didn’t know what to do with his life.

Now, such a small request, he naturally couldn’t refuse.

Zhao’er was obedient and considerate, knowing his own position, he wouldn’t expose himself. After returning, he would have Qin Su thoroughly clean the residence and assign a few trusted servants to attend to him, so there was no need to worry about anyone noticing.

With his decision made, the matter was settled.

Liu Zhao was clearly the happiest, his eyes lighting up.

Xu Pingyi left first, while Xu Duanyi and her husband took a short break before saying goodbye to Wenbo, planning to take Liu Zhao out for a walk.

Getting to go with them—

Even though he didn’t know how long he’d get to stay, Liu Zhao was still thrilled.

His past hadn’t darkened his spirit; he was still as bright and cheerful as always, just like his father.

Liu Zhao went inside with Wenbo to pack his things, while Xu Duanyi and Xie Qingya waited for him in the courtyard.

Suddenly, her waist was embraced from behind, and hot breath tickled her ear.

Not sure when Old Wen and Zhao'er would come out, Xu Duanyi flushed slightly. Just as she was about to ask Xie Qingya to let go, she heard his rough whisper.

"Thank you."

The words died on her lips.

Xu Duanyi knew exactly what his gratitude was for.

Her heart melted.

Her hand, resting on Xie Qingya’s, gave his hand a light squeeze in return. "Zhao'er is my brother too."

She left it at that.

Xie Qingya also said nothing more, just nuzzling her neck a little.

When Liu Zhao came out, this is what he saw.

He gasped softly.

Hearing this, Xu Duanyi blushed. Just as she was about to pull away, she saw him turn his back and shout, "I didn’t see anything!"

At his words, her face grew even redder.

She quickly let go of Xie Qingya’s hand but was too embarrassed to call out to him, letting Xie Qingya deal with it.

Xie Qingya tutted in annoyance.

He strode over and placed a hand on Liu Zhao’s head.

At sixteen, Liu Zhao was still growing and thus much shorter than Xie Qingya.

"Kid, why the yelling?" After this grumble, he said nothing more, simply taking the bundle from Wenbo and bidding him farewell. "Alright, Grandpa Wen, we’ll be off now. We’ll bring him back before we return home."

Wenbo nodded in agreement.

As Xie Qingya led Liu Zhao away, he chided him, "Pay attention next time."

He didn’t want Xu Duanyi banning him from touching her just because of his cousin.

That would be a huge loss.

Liu Zhao pouted. "I didn’t mean to! How was I supposed to know you and Sister Yi would—" Recalling what he’d seen, he felt a little excited.

He never knew his cousin acted like this behind closed doors.

He’d assumed his cousin and Sister Yi still carried on as wildly as before, but never expected... Recalling the scene he just witnessed, he felt his cousin had been acting all clingy with Sister Yi.

He couldn’t help but break into a big grin.

Xie Qingya could easily see his foolish expression from above and guessed what he was grinning about. He clicked his tongue again, "Wipe that dumb grin off your face. If my wife distances herself from me because of you, you’re gonna regret it!"

He muttered under his breath.

Liu Xie naturally didn’t want to affect their relationship because of himself, so he immediately raised his hand to cover his mouth, miming that he’d stop.

Seeing this, Xie Qingya’s eyes softened for a moment.

He was happy and grateful.

All those years apart hadn’t put a dent in their bond, nor had it changed his cousin into someone else.

Guess his father-in-law and Wenbo had kept him safe all this time.

That was enough.

Just glad he was okay.

Xie Qingya gave his hair another ruffle before heading back to Xu Duanyi.

Xu Duanyi had been a little flustered earlier, but she wasn’t hiding now. She said hi to Liu Zhao and waved goodbye to Wenbo before the three of them headed out together.

...

Over the next few days,

Liu Zhao stayed with the couple at the marquis’ residence.

Whether they were out shopping, lazing around at home with books or chess, or out riding, Xu Duanyi and Xie Qingya always brought Liu Zhao along.

What bugged Xu Duanyi was—

They were gone all day, and nobody had a clue what they were doing.

But Xu Duanyi didn’t interfere.

They were at her beck and call year-round with barely a break, so if they now had time and the mood to enjoy themselves, she was cool with them blowing off steam.

However, that night—

Xu Duanyi finally learned what they had been doing those past days.

After dinner, Xie Qingya proposed a little evening walk.

Since she’d gotten used to their outings lately, Xu Duanyi naturally agreed. But when she changed clothes and came out, only Xie Qingya stood there—no sign of Liu Zhao.

Blinking, she asked, "Where’s Zhao'er? Isn’t he coming?"

Deadpan, Xie Qingya fed her a line, "Said he’s beat." Yet his eyes stayed locked on Xu Duanyi like he couldn’t look away.

Xu Duanyi felt heat rush to her cheeks, her pulse kicking up.

The dress was prepared for her by Bixi—a flowing red liuxian skirt.

Xu Duanyi had never worn such a bright color except on her wedding day, and she already felt uneasy, especially while being stared at like this.

"...Does it look weird? Should I go change?"

As she spoke, she turned to leave and change her clothes.

But her waist was suddenly encircled by Xie Qingya. With a light pull, she tumbled into his arms.

His warm chest pressed against her.

Xu Duanyi’s heart pounded even harder.

Though their wedding was long past, Xu Duanyi still blushed easily.

Especially with the way Xie Qingya was looking at her tonight...

Somehow, it sent her pulse racing.

"No need. You look gorgeous." If Xu Duanyi had turned around then, she would have seen the dark intensity in his gaze.

But she didn’t, and so, she didn’t notice.

Xie Qingya took a deep breath, calming his impatience, then led Xu Duanyi toward the entrance.

He didn’t call for a carriage.

Instead, he rode on horseback, taking Xu Duanyi away from the marquis’ estate.

Xu Duanyi didn’t know where Xie Qingya was taking her. She didn’t ask during the ride, accustomed to letting him lead and trusting him completely.

Only when they left behind the crowds and bustling streets, the surroundings growing increasingly quiet, did Xu Duanyi start to wonder.

"Are we going outside the city?" she asked Xie Qingya.

“Yeah.”

Xie Qingya only gave a single reply.

Xu Duanyi didn’t press further, content to follow wherever he led.

Until they stopped before a manor nestled between the mountains and river.

The area was wide open, with only rolling hills and a glistening river—yet this manor was aglow with light.

Seeing Xie Qingya dismount and hold out his hand to her, Xu Duanyi remained full of questions.

Though she placed her hand in his and let him help her down, she eyed the manor, puzzled.

"Who lives here?" she whispered to Xie Qingya.

Xie Qingya grinned and said, "You’ll see when we go inside."

A vague answer.

Xu Duanyi grew even more confused but didn't ask further.

As they drew closer, she noticed that the lanterns by the door were adorned with double happiness symbols, and red silk hung high above the door plaque, clearly signaling a celebration.

Yet, as they stepped inside, the place was eerily empty.

Just as Xu Duanyi was surveying the courtyard, she suddenly heard Xie Qingya closing the door behind her.

The sound of the latch locking made her turn around.

At the sight, she was about to voice her question when a wild guess struck her—

She had a hunch whose home this was.

When Xie Qingya approached, he found her staring straight at him, her confusion replaced by astonishment.

"You guessed?"

He walked over and took her hand, asking.

Hearing his words, Xu Duanyi knew she had guessed correctly.

Still, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "When did you prepare this?" They’d been inseparable lately.

But before Xie Qingya could answer, she realized—

No wonder Shiyu and the others had been vanishing all the time. They were clearly in on this.

"They actually listened to you and didn’t tell me." She wasn’t angry, just stunned.

Xie Qingya chuckled at her tone.

Lacing their fingers together, he led her further inside as he explained, "I had to beg. Your maids are fiercely loyal. When I first asked them to keep this from you, they flat-out refused at first."

"I had to plead—telling them this was to recreate your wedding properly, to make up for what you missed, to surprise you—they finally caved."

He got plenty of side-eye from Shiyu over it.

But no point dwelling on that.

"There’s nothing to make up for."

Hearing her words, Xie Qingya lowered his gaze and saw the steady, sincere gaze in her eyes as she watched him.

Her look melted him.

He knew this was just like her—no matter how unfair things got, she’d still face him with a smile, never complaining.

"Then take it as a surprise."

He asked her, "Well? Do you?"

This time, Xu Duanyi didn’t hesitate. Under his gaze, she beamed—

and nodded.

"Yes!"

She squeezed his hand back.

Her smile was radiant, without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing this, Xie Qingya didn't say another word and simply walked with her to the main house.

This residence had originally been arranged for Zhang Ning and Peace, but who knew it would now become their wedding residence?

The way was lit with lanterns, with red silk banners hung overhead.

Though there were no relatives, friends, or wedding music, the starry sky witnessed their union.

Entering the main house, everything you'd expect for a grand wedding was there.

All manner of wedding decorations, the already lit paired phoenix-and-dragon candles, the wedding bed with its crimson curtains and quilts, and even the two wedding wine gourds placed on the table that day—the ones they had never drunk from.

Her eyes fixed on those two gourds tied with red ribbons.

On their wedding night, Xu Duanyi had regretted that she and Xie Qingya had never shared the wedding wine symbolizing their union. She had even assumed they would never have anything to do with it in this lifetime.

But now...

Her eyes shimmered with glistening tears as she looked at Xie Qingya.

Chuckling at her expression, he teased, "Xu Duanyi, why are you crying on such a joyous occasion?" As he spoke, he picked up the two wedding wine gourds, handing one to her and keeping the other for himself.

The room was glowing with candlelight.

Xie Qingya gazed at her, dropping all traces of his earlier playfulness, and said with complete sincerity, "I will make up for everything I owe you."

"I'm sorry for making you wait so long."

"From now on, we'll grow old together—and in the next life, we'll still be together."

Xu Duanyi's eyes reddened again with his words, tears spilling uncontrollably down her cheeks and dropping into the wine, making tiny splashes.

She lifted her face,

letting Xie Qingya wipe away her tears.

Her face was cradled gently in his hands, her lips lightly brushed by his. Then, she heard his soft whisper close to her: "Now, will you share this wedding wine with me?"

Of course, Xu Duanyi was willing.

Without hesitation, she nodded under his gaze.

Xie Qingya smiled at her.

The two gazed into each other's eyes, slowly drinking from their cups, each under the other's watch.

The stars twinkled as candles flickered.

When Xie Qingya looked at her again, Xu Duanyi put down her half-finished cup, grabbed his arm, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.

She wanted them to last forever, to grow old together, and to be together in their next life.