Wang Gang did not linger long at Swallow Dock. His gains this time had far exceeded his expectations. He had only meant to pick up some random martial art, but ended up getting the Flame Blade. He had wanted to learn the county magistrate's intentions, but not only had he gotten his answer, he had also gained a clan uncle who was prime minister!
When Madam Wang learned that Wang Gang had come straight from Suzhou City to see her without even going home first, she was both delighted and scolded him for being thoughtless. Then she loaded a boat with gifts for him to take back.
Murong Bo stood on the bank, watching Wang Gang, who looked as though he had come to stock up on goods, his face full of resentment.
Wang Gang pretended not to notice. Only after the little boat set off did he shout to Murong Bo, "You really look like an assassin!" This left Murong Bo utterly bewildered, wondering whether he looked too fierce.
Wang Gang returned to the Wang residence once more. The servants swiftly unloaded the goods from the boat, and before long, the entire household knew he was back.
Waterside Cottage.
Looking haggard, Li Qingluo strolled through the garden with Rui'er, chatting intermittently.
Ever since the last falling-out with Wang Gang, he had never left this place again, usually doing no more than wandering around here.
Several clusters of camellias bloomed beautifully here. She liked them very much, just like those she had seen back in Dali.
Her first meeting with that man had been when the camellias were in bloom. Amid a sea of flowers stretching to the heavens, he had slowly approached in white robes, walking straight into her heart.
But how had what she thought would be a tale of a gifted scholar and a beauty, sustaining one another through hardship, strayed into what it was now?
He had married someone else, and she too had married. She had thought that henceforth they would forget each other in the jianghu, burying this memory deep in her heart.
She would live out her remaining years with the man she had married, their days passionless but peaceful, supporting her husband and raising children. Perhaps one day she would remember that man, but she would merely smile faintly and lapse into a brief daze.
She had pictured it all so nicely!
She had simply never expected her husband to learn of this! And his methods of opposing it had been fierce!
She had tried compromising, but that had brought no good results. Moreover, she had discovered that her husband seemed to be brewing an even fiercer scheme of revenge.
He regarded her as an enemy!
Word of Wang Gang's activities in Suzhou these past few days had reached the Wang residence, and through Rui'er, her ears as well. She had gained a clearer understanding of her husband's character and methods.
She feared that even if her father came, he would not be able to subdue him!
What would the final outcome be?
She did not know, nor did she dare think about it!
But she knew the outcome would certainly be more than she could bear!
She now regretted her original decision beyond measure!
If she had not married Wang Gang, if she had not come to Suzhou, or even if she had never met Duan Zhengchun...
Then none of this would have turned out as it had today!
But who was to blame for all this?
Wang Gang? He was merely defending his dignity as a man!
"Sister, the young master is back!" Just as Li Qingluo was lost in thought, Ping'er came running over, her face alight with joy.
"Mm." Li Qingluo answered with a nasal murmur, then closed her eyes and made her decision!
Let all of this end!
"Help me change! We're going to find him!" After a long while, Li Qingluo opened her eyes, her tone firm.
"Yes!" the two little maids answered jubilantly. They had long hoped their sister would set aside her pride and have a proper talk with the young master.
These two had been married for over half a month, yet had only met two or three times, drawing blades and weapons every time. They had never heard of a married couple like this.
Li Qingluo strode forward, leaving the two maids behind.
Seeing Ping'er's eyes curved with smiles, Rui'er could not resist teasing her. "What are you so happy about? Do you want to become a bedchamber maid? Shall I plead with Sister for you?"
"Ah! Don't talk nonsense!" Ping'er's face flushed crimson, and she hurried after Li Qingluo.
Rui'er smiled and shook her head, then followed them.
Li Qingluo's heart was heavy. She had decided to bring all this to an end looking her most beautiful.
The two little maids knew nothing of this. They assumed she was going to reconcile with the young master, so they put great effort into dressing her up.
Thus, by the time they reached the rear quarters, more than two hours had passed.
"Madam, the young master has gone to the estate," Qingniao answered most respectfully. "Please come inside and wait. I'll send someone to inform him."
Li Qingluo felt somewhat vexed, yet somehow relieved as well. She asked mildly, "When did he leave?"
"About an hour ago, perhaps!" Qingniao answered.
"Ah, honestly, the young master came back only to leave again, without even taking a look around the residence. Anyone who didn't know better would think he only came to bring us treats and playthings!"
Li Qingluo had just been about to leave when she suddenly heard these words from within the rear quarters. Looking up, she saw a somewhat delicate little maid gazing provocatively at her.
For some reason, a ball of fire suddenly rose in Li Qingluo's chest. She looked coldly at the little maid. "Who are you?"
"Sister, her name is Xueyan. She's always the one who loves making snide remarks most!" Rui'er added from beside her.
"Oh my, I had no idea I was in Madam's presence. How rude of me. Please forgive me, Madam!" Xueyan bent her knees in a curtsy, but the smile on her face held not the slightest hint of apology.
"Xueyan, who gave you the nerve to speak like that!" Rui'er flew into a towering rage. What did Xueyan mean by this? She was mocking Sister for being driven out of the rear quarters just after getting married!
Hearing the commotion, Yingge hurried over to plead for her. "Please be lenient with Xueyan, Madam. She truly has never met you. One who does not know is not guilty!"
Li Qingluo's fury surged. How could she fail to hear the meaning that Rui'er had caught?
Probably only Ping'er was still standing there cluelessly. Had she not noticed how everyone else had fallen as silent as cicadas in winter?
But if she lost her temper with Xueyan now, or even punished her, she would needlessly lower her own dignity.
With a swish, Li Qingluo drew her longsword, raised her hand, and hurled it at Xueyan.
"Ah!"
"Madam, don't!"
Amid everyone's cries of alarm, the longsword shot through the courtyard gateway, flying straight toward Xueyan.
"Ah! Help!"
Xueyan was scared witless. She had never imagined her mistress would kill someone over a disagreement, and for a moment, she even forgot to run.
With a swish, Xueyan squeezed her eyes shut, but the pain she expected never came. She cautiously opened her eyes and saw that the sword had brushed past her body and plunged into the ground between her legs, its blade still quivering slightly.
With a loud wail, Xueyan collapsed to the ground and burst into tears. Only then did everyone relax, having nearly believed she really would be killed.
Someone went to help Xueyan up, only to discover that her legs had gone weak and she could not stand no matter what.
"Hmph! I'll spare you this time! If there's a next time, watch out for your little life!" Li Qingluo snorted coldly.
"Hmph! Watch out for your little lives!" Rui'er pulled the longsword out of the ground and berated everyone with her chin held high.
Once Rui'er returned, Li Qingluo swept her gaze over the maids. Only after they all lowered their heads did she say, "Let's go!"
"Where? Are we going back?"
"To find Wang Gang!"
Only after the three figures had gone far away did everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Several could not help recalling what Wang Gang had said that day: "She'll kill you all, one little maid with each stroke of her sword!"
So the young master had not been trying to scare them. He had meant it!