Blutbefleckter Tod

Kapitel 18

The brushstrokes are very light, and the strokes are elegant.

Lu Ziqi, watching from the side, couldn't help but exclaim, "Beautiful calligraphy!"

Yuan Hao handed him the prescription: "Brother Lu, if you don't mind, I'll present you with a piece of calligraphy or painting another day as a token of my gratitude for borrowing the book. How about that?"

"I couldn't have gotten it."

Just as I was about to leave, I saw Song Xiaohua chasing after a dog that was shaking its head and tail, shaking off the water droplets all over its body, running out of the backyard. Behind it was a laughing child with a clean face, but Song Xiaohua herself still had that mottled cat face that was hard to recognize.

"Yaoyao, Brother Yuan is leaving now."

"ah……"

Song Xiaohua uttered the third monosyllable.

"Sister-in-law, I've troubled you greatly. I'll take my leave now."

Yuan Hao bowed in farewell, and as he lowered his head, he whispered three words to her: "Song, Wu, Que".

Song Xiaohua was struck dumb, and even the ability to utter single syllables seemed to vanish from her mind...

When Lu Ziqi returned after seeing off the guests, he saw Song Xiaohua sitting blankly on the steps of the porch. He smiled slightly and coughed softly, "Yaoyao, go wash your face and tidy up the table. We're going to prepare lunch."

"Oh..." he agreed, but didn't move.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No..." He finally stood up slowly.

"By the way, Brother Yuan just added another ingredient to this prescription. If you go to the pharmacy this afternoon, please get a fresh prescription!"

"Huh?" His pupils dilated instantly.

“You dropped it at the door of the study last night. I picked it up and put it on the desk. Just now, Brother Yuan happened to see it.”

"Oh!" The soul that had been frightened away has returned.

Upon closer inspection, the handwriting was clearly different, and Song Xiaohua finally felt relieved after being anxious for so long.

Yuan Hao must have learned who he was from this recipe. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and didn't give himself away.

In other words, Yuan Hao knew about her relationship with Lu Ziqi, while Lu Ziqi was unaware of her relationship with Yuan Hao...

That's not right. She and Yuan Hao didn't seem to have any relationship at all. They were just chatting, so why was she so nervous?

Author's Note: The prescription I found online actually doesn't contain many medicines; this monster just made it up...

If you're interested, feel free to try making it yourself. Let me know if it tastes good...

P.S.: Wishing all my fellow office workers a happy workday! Haha~

Chapter Twenty-One: A Carefree Departure

After finishing her meal absentmindedly, Lu Ziqi left, and Song Xiaohua immediately put on men's clothing and went out the door, heading straight for their usual spot.

"You've arrived?"

Looking at Yuan Hao's calm and composed face, she suddenly felt an urge to stomp on it and leave a shoe print.

He walked silently to the table and sat down, where a pot of tea and several kinds of pastries were laid out as usual.

"You seem to be in good spirits today. Looks like you don't need the ginseng and chrysanthemum tea. How about some herbal tea instead? It'll calm your nerves and soothe your mind." Yuan Hao said with a smile as he filled her teacup.

"Answer... What? Are you afraid I'll lose my temper and flip the table?"

Why should I be afraid?

Song Xiaohua was speechless.

Yeah, she didn't do anything wrong, so why is she throwing a tantrum?

"I've finished reading the book, here you go."

"So fast?"

"That's right. I've always been one to 'read ten lines at a glance and forget them immediately'!"

He shoved the book onto the table in an annoyed tone and pushed it towards her, only to have it pushed back immediately: "Then read it word by word until you memorize it."

Song Xiaohua was stunned for a moment, then looked up at those curved eyes, but could see nothing.

Yuan Hao then picked up a scroll from the side: "This is the thank-you gift I promised to give to Brother Lu. Please trouble your wife to take it back to him."

The word "sister-in-law" immediately made Song Xiaohua's lips twitch uncontrollably again.

"Go give it to him yourself, I'm not a messenger!"

"I'd like to too, but unfortunately I don't have time." Yuan Hao shrugged helplessly. "I have to leave soon."

"Go? Where to?"

"Continue north."

"Further north? Isn't that... the Liao Dynasty...?"

"Yes. Go see the grasslands and deserts there, and write a travelogue."

"Oh... then... will you pass by here again when you come back?"

Although they only spent two and a half days together, he was, after all, the first friend she officially made after arriving here. Hearing that she had to leave, she couldn't help but feel a little reluctant.

"If you want me to pass by, then I will pass by."

Song Xiaohua was stunned again.

Hints? Teasing?! Blatant seduction?!

But his expression was so serious that it made her seem rather 'filthy'...

"Because... I need to return your book!"

“That makes sense.” Yuan Hao nodded knowingly. “I also happened to borrow a book from Brother Lu, but I left in a hurry and haven’t had a chance to read it yet. Well then, I’ll return it when I pass by on my way back!”

"Okay! It's a deal!"

It's a deal.

They stood up, clapped hands, and made a vow. Just like the day they first met.

I stood by the window as usual, watching her leave. Her slender figure, no longer charging recklessly, seemed somewhat... lonely.

Yes, for myself?

His narrow eyes squinted slightly in the sunset, and his pupils seemed to have a hint of amber color.

Before even seeing her, I already knew who she was. Because the curtains in the fitting room of that clothing shop were absolutely not soundproof.

She heard the shopkeeper respectfully call her "Madam Lu," but when she lifted the curtain and stepped out, she saw a young man.

Although she was not particularly attractive, her clever and lively temperament made her unforgettable at first glance.

Seeing those still red and swollen eyes, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. They must have suffered some injustice.

For some reason, I suddenly had the urge to get closer.

An afternoon passed in the blink of an eye, and I didn't even notice the passage of time while talking to her.

This woman was completely different from anyone she had encountered before.

The next day, he arrived as promised and discovered that she was indeed literate. He could finally rightfully present her with the travelogue, the culmination of his efforts. As expected, she loved it.

On the third day, a faint sense of anticipation grew in her heart. But instead of her, her husband arrived.

Lu Ziqi is the magistrate of this county. In just one year in office, he has achieved remarkable political achievements and enjoys an excellent reputation among the people. In addition, he seems to have some family background, so his future is limitless.

Seeing is believing; indeed, he possesses extraordinary bearing and is no ordinary person.

A chance encounter, a heartfelt conversation, and the pent-up emotions were expressed freely and thoroughly.

This person is worth befriending, both publicly and privately.

On the fourth day, he accompanied Lu Ziqi to his home to retrieve the rare and precious book that had been 'casually' mentioned during their conversation. Unsurprisingly, he saw her there, dressed in women's clothing, her appearance completely altered. Despite her disheveled state, she possessed a genuine and endearing charm.

Lu Ziqi deliberately showed him that prescription, so he went along with it and did a 'good deed'.

Actually, it was just a little prank, just to stand up for her. In this place, who else could make her cry her eyes out?

However, considering how well Lu Ziqi and I get along, I'll just let it go for now!

Moreover, this person is reserved and composed in the face of adversity. He subtly revealed his identity, effortlessly defusing a potentially awkward and embarrassing crisis. He is upright and honest, and his shrewd and worldly dealings are truly rare qualities.