Chapter 66: Mrs. Cui Apologizes

The wind howled as Qin Zhao’s carriage swayed its way into Qizhou City.

Governor Cui and his wife, Mrs. Cui, waited at the city gate. The strong wind blew Mrs. Cui’s hair into disarray, and she didn’t dare open her mouth, fearing the sand would fill it.

The soldiers guarding the city and the common folk on the street looked on in surprise. It was unusual for the governor and his wife to be waiting there, standing still until a carriage slowly approached.

Governor Cui grabbed Mrs. Cui and hurried to greet the carriage. Who could it be that even the governor had to come personally to meet them? The common people gathered, curious to find out.

Governor Cui was practically running as he approached the carriage and greeted it, “This must be the carriage of Qin Zhao.”

The crowd gasped. Governor Cui was actually bowing to a top scholar.

The driver steadied the carriage, and Qin Zhao lifted the curtain. He saw Governor Cui and Mrs. Cui, both with dirt on their faces and dry lips.

“Governor Cui?” Qin Zhao asked.

“Ah, it’s really Qin Zhao! I’m sorry, I should be addressing you as Qin Zhidu (Governor) instead,” Governor Cui said, stressing the word “Zhidu” (Governor), as the position of the Governor of Luzhou wasn’t as prestigious as that of the top scholar. His words sounded strange.

Qin Zhao frowned. “Is Governor Cui implying something?”

“Ah, it’s a long story,” Governor Cui sighed. “Who would have thought my wife would go behind my back and force someone to divorce?”

He motioned for Mrs. Cui to step forward. She respectfully greeted Qin Zhao, apologizing for the misunderstanding.

“Please forgive me, Qin Zhidu,” she said.

Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips as he turned to face the gathering crowd.

Qin Zhao called over Cao Xi and helped her out of the carriage. The two of them stood alongside Governor Cui and Mrs. Cui.

Qin Zhao smiled and asked, “Could you repeat that for everyone, Mrs. Cui?”

Cao Xi, inside the carriage, had been listening intently. She suspected that this apology from Mrs. Cui wasn’t entirely sincere.

Mrs. Cui gritted her teeth and, bowing slightly, said, “I sincerely request that Qin Zhidu and Mrs. Qin forgive me.”

The crowd gasped in surprise. The new top scholar wasn’t acting like a common person—he was actually forcing Mrs. Cui to apologize in front of everyone.

“They say it serves her right to be sent to Luzhou,” the crowd murmured.

Qin Zhao ignored the chatter and helped Cao Xi back into the carriage.

“Governor Cui, I have some matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave now,” Qin Zhao said as he instructed the driver to move the carriage.

Governor Cui quickly bowed, “Qin Zhidu, please travel safely.”

…

After returning to their residence, Cao Xi and Qin Zhao were once again surrounded by the familiar jujube trees. The yard looked tidy as usual.

The two of them took a stroll around the yard before heading back inside to tidy up their belongings.

As they stayed there for a couple of days, they soon began preparing dinner. Later in the evening, they went out to a local hotpot shop.

“Waiter, two bowls of spicy hotpot,” Qin Zhao ordered.

The waiter, whom Cao Xi didn’t recognize, had a voice with clear and strong resonance.

Shui Niu, vaguely hearing the voice, thought it sounded like Cao Xi’s. Realizing it was something important, he hurried over to confirm.

“Xijie, is Qin Zhao really here?” Shui Niu asked eagerly.

Shui Niu was very excited, realizing that Qin Zhao, the top scholar, had returned to visit them.

Cao Xi laughed and teased, “Can’t you see he’s here? Is there any doubt?”

“Come in, come in!” Shui Niu called, leading them into the yard. “Xiao Rui, someone’s here!”

Xiao Rui, hearing the commotion, walked out of the storeroom and was startled when she saw who it was.

“Xijie, how come Qin Zhao is here?” Xiao Rui said, running over and trying to hug Cao Xi. But before she could get close, Qin Zhao quickly pulled Cao Xi away.

Seeing that Qin Zhao didn’t seem too pleased, Xiao Rui pouted. “You’re such a troublemaker. You won’t let me hug her?”

Cao Xi laughed and patted Qin Zhao, then explained to Shui Niu and Xiao Rui, “Qin Zhao has been appointed the Governor of Luzhou. We’ll be staying here in Qizhou for a couple of days. After that, I don’t know when we’ll meet again. Let’s enjoy this time together while we can.”

Understanding that Cao Xi was leaving soon, Shui Niu hurriedly asked the waiters to gather the people for a dinner gathering to see off Cao Xi and Qin Zhao.

Li Feng arrived shortly after, his forehead covered in sweat from hurrying. As soon as he entered, he anxiously asked,

“Cao Xi, I heard you’re heading to Luzhou?”

Cao Xi nodded. “Yes, we’re going there.”

“Isn’t that a dangerous place? It’s been in a constant state of turmoil.”

Li Feng’s anxiety was clear. He took a step toward Cao Xi but was stopped by Qin Zhao.

With a sharp look, Qin Zhao indicated that Li Feng had crossed a boundary. Li Feng fell silent and stepped back, looking at Cao Xi, silently seeking answers.

Cao Xi reassured him, “It’s fine. Qin Zhao is the Governor of Luzhou now.”

Li Feng felt as if he had been struck with a chill. It hit him hard.

He had appeared so lifeless, and Qin Zhao couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable at the sight.

Qin Zhao’s eyes narrowed with a hint of irritation. “Li Feng, you ran here so quickly, but didn’t you think of anything else? You’re trying to separate us, aren’t you?”

Li Feng replied, “The Governor is being kind with his humor.”

Seeing the tense atmosphere, others quickly jumped in to ease the situation with some jokes.

Da Yong, with his wife, greeted Cao Xi. “It’s a pity we didn’t marry at the same time. We didn’t catch up.”

The two wives, hearing their husband’s words, felt admiration for the young couple who were so independent and capable. They expressed their admiration for Cao Xi and Qin Zhao’s accomplishments.

Da Yong chuckled humbly. “It’s only because we didn’t have the chance to participate in the same events. We’ve only started learning about life and working for a living.”

Cao Xi smiled, “We’re genuinely happy for you.”

At the same table, the mood shifted when Da Yong and Li Feng, who were once at odds, mentioned marriage plans. They already started preparing for their wedding.

With work on the horizon and no longer worrying about financial struggles, Cao Xi truly felt happy for them.

After a few rounds of drinks and some dishes, Da Yong’s eyes welled up with tears, which he tried to hold back.

Cao Xi said, “Da Yong, Xiao Rui, you’ve been managing the charcoal business for a while. We’re not going to accept any more this month. I’ll just give it as a gift.”

Da Yong quickly protested, “How can we accept this? If you insist, we’ll just eat together as brothers.”

Cao Xi laughed, “Stop being so polite. You’re doing great.”

Then, turning to Li Feng, Cao Xi added, “Let’s stop the hotpot business for now. It’s better to rest this month.”

Li Feng’s eyes filled with tears, but he quickly turned away to wipe them before looking back at her.

“Thank you for everything. Let’s see what we’ll do next.”

Da Yong knew that with Cao Xi and Qin Zhao leaving, there was little hope of them being reunited. But no matter how sad, life didn’t stop just because of sorrow.

As the time to part approached, the atmosphere grew heavy with sadness. However, Cao Xi’s departure couldn’t hold back the inevitable. Life had to continue.

Before leaving, Cao Xi had arranged for an old man to come help. The man was tasked with cleaning and maintaining the yard, ensuring everything stayed in good condition.

With everything in order, Cao Xi and Qin Zhao set off for Luzhou.

---

As the road grew lonelier, the fields turned into slopes, and the irrigation channels became rivers.

Qin Zhao noticed Cao Xi stretching her legs out, pressing her hand to her waist. She seemed to be in pain.

“Are you tired?” he asked.

“A bit,” Cao Xi replied.

Hearing this, Qin Zhao stopped the horse-drawn carriage and tied it to the side. He helped Cao Xi sit on the side of the carriage.

“Rest for a bit, and when we start again, I’ll massage your leg.”

He knelt beside her and gently began pressing on her left leg.

Cao Xi smiled and teased him, “I’m also a little tired in my arms.”

Qin Zhao held back a laugh. “Alright, after your legs, I’ll massage your arms.”

“I’m fine with my shoulders, my waist is the one that’s sore.”

“I’ll press everything. No part left out.”

Cao Xi reached out and gently rubbed his head. “Why are you always like this?”

“My hair’s been messed up by you,” Qin Zhao complained, but he didn’t move his head away.