A life of clearness

Chapter 171: Summer
In the summer, Yuxiang Town is always hot and humid due to the abundant water vapor.

Rong Qing walked on the stone road, and the few strands of hair hanging down from her head stuck to her neck, not to mention her inner clothes which were slightly soaked with sweat.

The mottled bluestone slabs were sunken in places, with puddles of water forming in between, which were occasionally rippled by the breeze that carried the scent of flowers.

"It's summer now. I've been here for nearly a year. I've gotten used to this body and it feels like my own." Rong Qing shook her head and smiled bitterly. Following the guidance of the heart-shaped forbidden, she walked through the black tiles and gray walls. The dazzling sunlight flickered in the dense alleys, and the branches and leaves sticking out from the top of the wall were dotted with bright yellow flowers the size of a fingernail.

This was the first time Rong Qing walked out of the Zhou family compound in this illusion.

She herself was also very confused. How could she leave suddenly?
However, since she could get out of Zhou Mansion, Rong Qing didn't hesitate and went straight to find Zhong Xiu following Bai Die's location.

Even though she knew that this illusion was related to Zhong Xiu and she couldn't be in any danger, Rong Qing had been worried and missing Zhong Xiu since the day he left.

Isn't this what it means to like someone?
……

It was with this kind of feeling that Rong Qing saw Zhong Xiu.

The butterfly spread its snow-white wings and landed on the girl's shoulder, nestling beside her loosely hanging braids.

Zhong Xiu was sitting on the doorstep with a small book on her knees. The sudden shadow on the pages made her look up in confusion.

"Sir." She was happy and embarrassed at the same time.

She was happy that Rong Qing, whom she had not seen for a long time, suddenly appeared, but she was embarrassed that what she was looking at now was a picture for those illiterate people to watch for fun.

Zhong Xiu quickly closed the book.

"Why are you here?"

"I came to see you." Rong Qing said softly. "It's been more than a month since the last time we met."

Zhong Xiu blinked and pursed her soft lips.

"A Xiu doesn't miss you, sir?" Rong Qing teased, "Why do you have this expression when you see you, sir?"

"No." Zhong Xiu shook her head quickly. The white butterfly on her shoulder was startled by her sudden movement and flew away.

Since the last incident, Zhong Xiu was beaten and scolded when she returned home. Not only did her parents no longer mention the matter of sending her to school, they also planned to raise her for a few more years and then sell her to a merchant.

However, Zhong Xiu couldn't say anything when he looked at Rong Qing.

Rong Qing saw that Zhong Xiu was silent and had her own thoughts, so she changed the subject and asked her, "Where are your parents?"

The bookstore had several windows closed, so the light was insufficient and the interior looked a little dark.

Changing the topic really made Zhong Xiu relax a lot.

"My father is out. My mother is upstairs." Zhong Xiu responded immediately, shook her braid, and ran upstairs. "I'll go tell her that my husband is here."

Rong Qing smiled and nodded, then stepped over the threshold.

……

The woman in front of him might not be very old, but her skin was rough and her eyes were not as clear as those of a young person. This was Rong Qing's impression when she first saw Zhong Xiu's mother.

"This girl is so ignorant that she doesn't even know how to entertain a gentleman." The woman's tone was quite gentle. She drove Zhong Xiu upstairs and asked Rong Qing to sit down in the inner room of the bookstore. She set out tea sets, dried fruits and other items.

"I don't know why you came here, sir?" Li asked, "But what did that girl do to be unruly?"

"No, no." Rong Qing shook her head. "Please be at ease, Madam. There is nothing wrong with Ah Xiu. She couldn't explain clearly why she was asked to leave the school last time. I should have explained it to her earlier." Rong Qing avoided the main point and told Li about what happened that day. Li's reaction... was just as she expected.

"That girl is also a troublesome person. She has caused trouble for the master."

"The misunderstanding has been resolved." Rong Qing took the tea that Li handed over attentively and took a sip. "A Xiu can go back to the school to audit tomorrow. What do you think, Madam?"

"I will listen to you about family matters." Mrs. Li shook her head. "Sending the girl to school was just your sudden impulse. Now that you are no longer interested, it is not a good idea to bring it up again."

"Is that so..." Rong Qing's expression remained unchanged, but she was extremely surprised and suspicious in her heart.

According to what Zhong Xiu said at the beginning, Li should support her to study. But this reaction... is really not like that.

What exactly is the discrepancy?
Rong Qing's eyes flickered, and she changed her words, "Madam is right. Studying cannot be separated from the support of the elders at home."

Putting down the teacup, Rong Qing smiled softly and said, "Many students in the school have different family assets, but they all have one thing in common, which is the expectations of their elders for their children. Everyone hopes that their children can succeed and bring honor to the family... Even if they can't become a superior person, at least they will have some knowledge so that they won't be looked down upon."

"To be honest, I came here this time for some selfish reasons..."

Rong Qing paused, and when she saw the curiosity on Li's face, she continued, "Although I am not very old, I am a student of Master Guo. When I was studying, I saw guests from various states who came to visit the master to learn the classics. Among them, there were many people who were born with wisdom. But there were only a handful of people who were accepted by the master at a young age. Why? Because in the path of learning, talent is easy, but it is difficult to work hard and afford to work hard."

"I am not as famous as you, Master, who has high expectations for his disciples. I am satisfied if I can teach one or two students. Ah Xiu has only been in the academy for a short time, but I can see that she has a lot of talent in this field. I am not afraid to tell Madam that her talent is among the best in the academy."

Hearing this, Li smiled and said, "Sir, you think too highly of that girl."

"I know Madam cannot believe it for the moment. But it takes time to polish the brilliance of a pearl." Rong Qing said softly, "No one in the world can bear to see a pearl covered in dust, so I came here for my own selfish reasons. Madam, why don't you give Ah Xiu a chance, and give me a chance as well?"

After several conversations, Li couldn't help but be moved. "Sir, can you tell me what this girl's future achievements will be?"

"..." Rong Qing lowered her eyes and said slowly, "She is worthy of being a lady from a noble family."

As the words fell, Li's eyes lit up.

Rong Qing knew that only these words of hers could truly touch the other person's heart.

……

The sun was still shining outside the bookstore, but as soon as I went out, I could feel the fine raindrops sticking to my hair, which after a long time turned into a layer of mist covering my head and shoulders.

"Every time I see you, good things happen." Zhong Xiu happily followed Rong Qing.

Rong Qing smiled, "Is that so..." and it sounded like a sigh.

"Of course." Zhong Xiu nodded. If it weren't for her husband, why would her mother let her go out to play and stay to look after the store?

"Sir, where are we going? What are we going to do?"

Zhong Xiu was circling around Rong Qing, her fluffy braids swinging in front of her chest.

"Well, you grew up here, don't you know?"

Zhong Xiu's eyes widened. I don't know.

Rong Qing led Zhong Xiu to the bridge and waved to a small boat coming from afar on the river.

(End of this chapter)