Chapter 70 Even More Extravagant Than Imagined

Chapter 70: More Lavish Than Imagined

Lady Wu sent Nanny Wu to call for her, but Xi Qianyue flatly refused.

She couldn't be bothered to go.

She naturally knew what Lady Wu was thinking—wasn't it just that she'd taken her son's meal money, and now Lady Wu wanted to scold her or take the silver back?

Eight taels of silver was her money, too. If they thought they'd get it back, dream on!

When Lady Wu saw Nanny Wu return empty-handed, she roared furiously: "That wicked woman, so unfilial! Just let me get the chance—the second I do, I'll divorce her on the spot!"

Nanny Wu pondered for a moment: "Madam, this chance needs to be engineered by someone."

Lady Wu's eyes lit up. As long as she could divorce that wicked woman without any cost to herself, she was all for it.

"If we get a hold of the Eldest Young Madam's biggest secret, wouldn't she be putty in your hands?"

"What biggest secret?"

Nanny Wu whispered a few words in her ear, and Lady Wu nodded again and again.

The next day, Xi Qianyue went to Guangju Tower again. The steward personally received her and, as usual, sent someone to get the master.

Yesterday, Miss Xi had suddenly left, and the master's face had been pretty grim.

The steward had thought there was a problem with their deal, but seeing her again today, he finally relaxed.

Qi Chengyun only relaxed when he saw Xi Qianyue's face was as calm as ever.

He couldn't hold it in any longer: "What exactly is your deal with Bai Zhining? What happened?"

"It's just that my husband's got a thing for her, and I don't want her in our house."

Xi Qianyue had cooked up this explanation early in the morning—it was the most reasonable story.

Qi Chengyun's face turned a bit sour: "Sounds like you and your husband get along well, and you don't want him falling for anyone else."

"That's not it. I've already organized some recipes, so we can start our cooperation."

After saying "That's not it," Xi Qianyue didn't explain any further.

Qi Chengyun's heart went up and down, but in the end, he held back and didn't ask more.

The head chef was thrilled to get five recipes at once, excitedly promising to work hard.

"Go and figure them out yourselves. I'll be waiting to taste the food."

Xi Qianyue looked at the silent Qi Chengyun: "Sixth Young Master Qi, if you suddenly ended up in a totally unfamiliar place, would you worry?"

Qi Chengyun smiled: "What's the point of worrying? What matters is how to survive."

Xi Qianyue was a bit surprised. Wouldn't a normal person say "I'd try hard to adapt to the new life"? But for him, it was "how to survive."

"Clearly, you were born into money and privilege. Why would you worry about 'surviving'?"

Qi Chengyun suddenly felt like confiding in her, telling her about the hardships he'd faced since childhood.

His mother was a Noble Consort, the highest rank, but she died early in the palace scheming.

She'd told him again and again—living the life he wanted was most important, surviving was most important, and staying far from that position was most important.

He'd always done just that, never daring to stand out, good at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and loving food, drink, and fun.

After leaving the palace to set up his own household, he often left the capital, wanting only to be a carefree rich slacker.

But his dear third brother still didn't buy it, wanting him to end up like the eldest brother—under house arrest, like the second brother—sick in bed, or even like the fourth brother—dead, or like the fifth brother—timid and submissive.

He found it all pretty meaningless. But after traveling far and wide, he found that meaningless too.

Seeing beautiful sights, eating good food, meeting lots of interesting people, and running into some beauties—yet he still felt lonely.

He suddenly looked deeply at Xi Qianyue. He seemed into her, but why was she already married?

Xi Qianyue looked at him, puzzled: "What's wrong? Did a flower sprout on my face?"

"You... do you ever feel like things are... meaningless?"

"Meaningless? Boring? Of course, life's boring. Ugh! In fact, I get bored even more than you do."

Xi Qianyue let out a long sigh. This ancient life was definitely boring.

She couldn't even binge-watch shows.

Her eyes suddenly lit up: "How about we go see a play?"

She realized she hadn't been to a play since she'd arrived.

The maidservants were anxious—how could the Eldest Young Madam openly go see a play with another man?

Seeing that Qi Chengyun hadn't spoken, Xi Qianyue sighed again: "Not a good idea?"

"I was just thinking—should I bring a troupe to my place, or book out a theater."

Xi Qianyue was startled: "To the point of booking out a whole theater? That's a bit much..."

Qi Chengyun declared loudly: "Book it out. Go, reserve the whole Changyin Theater for me."

Someone outside responded with a "Yes."

Xi Qianyue was stunned: "You're even more lavish than I imagined. What's your deal?"

"A man with money, and a bit of pull. Don't worry."

Qi Chengyun remembered she'd married into the fallen Marquis of Changping's household, and suddenly felt a bit annoyed. He added: "There are plenty of rich and powerful people in this world. You know..."

You got married too early, and we met too late.

Xi Qianyue didn't care: "So what? There are plenty of rich and powerful people, but they've got nothing to do with me. Me, I'll just be an ordinary person with a little money—that's enough to make me happy."

Qi Chengyun smiled: "You're not just 'a little money.' Everyone knows about your fancy dowry."

The two chatted and laughed as they went down the stairs.

"After the play, come back and taste the food. Perfect timing."

Two carriages headed toward the theater, the maidservants all nervous.

Xi Qianyue reassured them: "Don't worry. I'm also planning to get a divorce. This life is just too boring."

The maidservants grew even more alarmed—no wonder the mistress was acting so nonchalant, she’d already decided she wanted a divorce.

They had no clue if a divorce would be good or bad for her. The Yang family was total scum, but after the divorce, she’d probably have an even harder time marrying well...

Was this Sixth Young Master Qi standing in front of them even trustworthy? Had he promised her he’d marry her after the divorce?

The maidservants exchanged glances, all wearing anxious expressions.

Qing Bi finally spoke up: "Mistress, could it be that because you've grown too close to this Sixth Young Master Qi, you now wish to divorce?"

Xi Qianyue stared at them, totally baffled—she’d only met the guy a few times, and now she was supposed to marry him?

She burst into laughter: "What are you all thinking? Can't I just divorce and focus on finding ways to earn more silver?"

"But no matter how much silver you earn, you still won't have a husband or children," Han Xiang said, gathering her courage. "Besides, mistress, you already have so much silver that you can't even spend it all."

Xi Qianyue thought to herself, you have no idea—I can't take those hundred thousand taels of silver with me! I want to earn silver that I can actually take away!

"Don't worry too much, all of you. Just give me a few days to relax and clear my head. As for this Sixth Young Master Qi, rest assured, in my eyes, he's just a friend. Is there anything in the Yang family worth my lingering over?"