Chapter 54: There Will Be No Other Woman

The strong wind howled as the old man rolled his eyes at Xun Mao in irritation, clearly unwilling to answer his question.

“The court’s matters are none of my business,” the old man grumbled. “If you have nothing to do, you’d better head home early. Don’t wander around aimlessly and risk being mistaken for enemies by the villagers. They might capture you and turn you in for money.”

“Turn us in? Where would they exchange us for money?”

Xun Mao wasn’t fazed by the old man’s attitude and pressed for answers. The old man ignored him and returned to the shade of the trees to cool off.

Qin Zhao stopped Xun Mao. “Don’t ask anymore. There’s an unwritten rule in Qizhou City—if someone spots a suspicious-looking stranger or an outsider of unclear identity, they can be taken to the military camp. If the military confirms the individual is an intruder, they’ll reward the captor or informant with silver.”

Xun Mao mused, “That’s an excellent policy and worth promoting. If every region were governed as efficiently as Qizhou City, spies would have no chance to infiltrate.”

While Xun Mao admired the city’s governance, Qin Zhao and Qi Qige exchanged strange looks.

“What are you staring at me for?” Xun Mao asked curiously.

Qin Zhao suggested, “If there’s nothing else to see, why don’t we head back?” This man had probably seen enough and heard plenty by now.

Surprisingly, Xun Mao agreed readily, following Qin Zhao’s suggestion. The trio bid farewell to the village and walked back toward the city. They parted ways only after reaching Runxiangyuan.

When Qin Zhao returned home, Cao Xi was busy organizing the items Li Feng had sent over.

Having recently made a fortune in the Western Regions, Li Feng had sold his old house to Shui Niu and upgraded to a new two-courtyard residence. He had also sent over a pile of foodstuffs, including raisins and meat floss.

Seeing the neatly arranged gifts, Qin Zhao asked jealously, “Li Feng sent more things?”

“Yes,” Cao Xi replied, still focused on her tasks. “Why are you back so late today?”

Qin Zhao crouched down and pulled Cao Xi into his arms. “I was out with Qi Qige and Xun Mao on Qifeng Mountain.”

“Hey, don’t hold me so tightly! My hands are dirty,” Cao Xi said, raising her arms to avoid dirtying Qin Zhao’s clothes.

Qin Zhao buried his face in her neck and took a deep breath. Then, with a discreet nudge of his foot, he kicked the basket of raisins aside, finally venting some of his inexplicable frustration.

What’s gotten into him? He’s so clingy as soon as he comes home—did someone bully him outside?

“Did someone pick on you?” Cao Xi asked suspiciously.

“The only one who bullies me is you,” Qin Zhao replied, his deep voice murmuring close to her ear.

Cao Xi immediately perked up, ignoring her dirty hands and wrapping her arms around his waist. “I love you so much; how could I possibly bully you?”

Qin Zhao blushed at her straightforward confession. He cast an awkward glance at the raisins and then turned his sulky gaze back to Cao Xi, his thoughts as clear as day.

Ah, so that’s the problem! Cao Xi quickly tried to soothe him. “It’s just some food—nothing more. Don’t overthink it. It’s common courtesy for friends to exchange gifts occasionally.”

Qin Zhao sighed. “I know, but every time he sends something over, I feel like he has ulterior motives!”

Cao Xi stood on tiptoe and planted a light kiss on the corner of Qin Zhao’s lips. “No more unwarranted jealousy. No matter what ulterior motives he might have, my heart is always here with you.”

Qin Zhao’s heart softened, and his ears turned red as he tightened his embrace, making it hard for Cao Xi to breathe. He gazed at her, suppressing the smile tugging at his lips, then swiftly leaned down to kiss the corner of hers.

With a touch of arrogance, he said, “I’ll reluctantly believe you this time.”

Cao Xi lightly patted his arm, wriggling free from his grip, and teased him with a coquettish tone, “What are you suspecting me of? Could it be that you don’t like me at all?”

It was the first time Cao Xi had ever acted coy with him, and Qin Zhao’s heart melted. Flustered, he bent down to kiss her deeply, the sweetness in his heart instantly making him forget all about Li Feng.

When the kiss ended, Qin Zhao’s mind was abuzz with the realization that Cao Xi was plotting against him—not just for his body, but now for his heart. What was he to do? What could he say?

Qin Zhao adored Cao Xi above all else, but he didn’t dare confess it. He feared that if he said it aloud, Cao Xi would stop cherishing him. He knew their relationship had started because of his relentless persistence, and he didn’t dare gamble it all away. If he lost, he’d lose everything.

Though Qin Zhao never verbalized his feelings, his every action made it abundantly clear just how deeply he cared for Cao Xi.

Words were unnecessary—Cao Xi understood that all too well.

The next morning, Cao Xi rubbed his sore waist, dragging his weak legs, and muttered in a hoarse voice, “Youthful vigor really is something else.”

---

Autumn passed, winter arrived, and a new year began. This year brought many significant events, chief among them being Shui Niu’s marriage to Xiao Rui.

The wedding was a simple affair, attended only by a few people from the local temple.

The banquet was held in Shui Niu’s newly purchased courtyard. A lively procession carried the bridal sedan chair from Xiao Rui’s house to Shui Niu’s residence, where Cao Xi helped escort Xiao Rui out of her bridal chamber and into the sedan chair.

Shui Niu couldn’t stop smiling, but his joy was tinged with bittersweet emotions, especially when he looked at Xiao Chuan.

He and Xiao Rui had relied on each other for survival since they were young, the only family each of them had. Watching her get married brought him happiness, but also a pang of heartache.

The wedding proceeded smoothly. Once Xiao Rui was sent to the bridal chamber, Cao Xi—just as he had during his own wedding—brought in a plate of food.

“You must be hungry. Look at the delicious food I brought,” Cao Xi said, balancing a tray in one hand while closing the door with the other.

Seeing that it was Cao Xi, Xiao Rui’s nerves eased. The wedding had left her so anxious that her hands and feet were still trembling.

Sitting at the table, she saw sweet and sour fish, braised ribs with green beans, and perfectly cooked white rice. The aroma immediately whetted her appetite.

Noticing there was only one bowl of rice, she asked curiously, “Aren’t you eating?”

Cao Xi smiled, “I’ll eat later. You go ahead and finish. I’ll come back to collect the plates in a bit.”

Xiao Rui, famished, stuffed her mouth full of food and mumbled, “Alright, you can get busy now.”

---

In the courtyard, a large round table was set, with the entire family seated around it.

Beside Li Feng sat two women. One was someone everyone already knew—Qiu Ju. The other was a woman from the Western Regions, someone the family was meeting for the first time.

This new woman, Ban Nuo, seemed naturally sociable, chatting freely with everyone at the table. Yet, she couldn’t help but sneak glances at Cao Xi now and then, her gaze filled with curiosity and confusion.

“She’s Ban Nuo, someone I brought back from the Western Regions,” Li Feng explained.

Cao Xi raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Meanwhile, Qin Zhao’s heart blossomed with happiness. He no longer saw Li Feng as a rival and instead began attentively serving food to Cao Xi, carefully picking out fish bones and doting on her in every little way.

The endless pampering made Li Feng’s mouth twitch in frustration.

“How childish,” he muttered.

Cao Xi glanced at him. “Brother Li, what did you just say?”

“Nothing. Let’s eat,” Li Feng replied curtly.

Li Feng picked up a piece of braised rib, intending to place it in Cao Xi’s bowl, but Qin Zhao intercepted it midway.

“Brother Li, perhaps you should focus on the two ladies beside you. As for her, she’s got me,” Qin Zhao said with a faint smile.

Cao Xi, too, felt that Li Feng’s gesture was inappropriate, but given the occasion, she chose to suppress her discomfort and let it slide.

Qin Zhao, having successfully intercepted the rib, bit into it triumphantly, raising an eyebrow at Cao Xi in a playful challenge.

Cao Xi: …

Li Feng noticed Cao Xi’s subtle change in expression and realized he had overstepped. He reined in his emotions, silently acknowledging that some things were never meant to be.

Qiu Ju, observing Li Feng’s downcast demeanor, secretly signaled to Ban Nuo with her eyes.

From the brief exchanges between Cao Xi and Li Feng, Ban Nuo deduced that Li Feng harbored one-sided feelings for Cao Xi.

However, she quickly dismissed the notion. Cao Xi was clearly untouchable—her heart was firmly held by the man at her side, though she herself might not fully realize it.

Qiu Ju, seeing that Ban Nuo remained indifferent, cursed her as a fool in her heart, predicting that Li Feng would eventually abandon her.

---

The banquet ended quickly. Xiao Chuan and Zhuang Yong were tasked with clearing the table. Once the cleanup was done, they tactfully left, giving the newlyweds their time alone.

Qin Zhao held Cao Xi’s hand as they walked back together.

“So, Li Feng has taken in two women. Men really do change once they have money,” Qin Zhao remarked with a hint of disdain.

“Jealous?” Cao Xi asked, testing the waters.

“Not at all,” Qin Zhao replied earnestly. “Having you is more than enough for me.”

Cao Xi stopped in her tracks, turning to look at him intently.

“If one day you fall for someone else or consider taking a concubine, you must tell me honestly. We’ll part ways amicably and avoid hurting each other.”

Her words—part ways amicably—echoed in Qin Zhao’s ears, leaving them ringing. His heart sank, aching unbearably.

Qin Zhao tightened his grip on Cao Xi’s hand. “I won’t ever love anyone else, nor will I take a concubine. And you must never think of leaving me.”

“Please, don’t say such things again. I couldn’t bear it.”