The candle wick crackled twice.
“Great!” Song Jin eagerly agreed.
Song Jin knew that Xie Qiao was reluctant to go out. She had just been thinking about how to trick him into going to the street, but she never expected her husband to bring it up first!
…It seemed the old coat still bothered him.
“Tomorrow I’ll close my stall early, and we can go to the tailor shop to take a look.” Song Jin felt a bit uneasy and spoke apologetically, “I’m sorry, husband, for making you wear such ill-fitting clothes for so long.”
“It’s fine.” Xie Qiao’s voice was indifferent as he casually turned a page of the book in his hands. He asked nonchalantly, “You mentioned the evildoers who were dealt with today—did they bully you before?”
“It… it was okay,” Song Jin replied softly.
To say she was bullied—she only had her stall smashed and was groped by that lecherous hand. Compared to those who lost their lives, she really was okay.
But just thinking about what would have happened if she had actually been taken away, she still felt a lingering fear.
Thank goodness for that great bodhisattva of the Xie Family…
Oh, right!
Song Jin sat upright on the long bench, winding her long, straight hair around her fingertips a few times.
She hesitated for a moment but finally spoke up, “Husband, since you came from Jingdu, do you happen to know about the Capital Xie Family?”
Upon hearing this, Xie Qiao’s expression remained unchanged as he set the book down.
“Why do you ask?”
Song Jin was clever. If she could find out that the Fan Family’s affairs were related to the Xie Family, would she also guess his identity?
Xie Qiao wasn’t sure for a moment.
But if she guessed, then he would simply tell her.
Xie Qiao’s tone was already cold, and with such a serious question, Song Jin felt a bit nervous.
During this time, she and her husband hadn’t spoken much.
Sometimes she wanted to talk about daily life or things at her stall.
But every time she saw her husband diligently copying books, she felt that talking to him would be a waste of his time.
She thought that if she talked about things in Jingdu, he might be a bit interested?
“Shopkeeper Lu told me that those evildoers were punished because they offended the Xie Family, so I wanted to ask, who is this Xie Family?”
Xie Qiao replied calmly, “The Xie Family is both an aristocratic family and holds a noble title.”
Song Jin exclaimed in surprise, “That sounds really impressive!”
Xie Qiao looked up at her.
The young girl before him blinked, her dewy almond-shaped eyes sparkling in the candlelight, looking very interested.
Xie Qiao gave a faint smile. “Are you very interested in the Xie Family?”
“Mm-hmm,” Song Jin nodded enthusiastically.
She straightened her posture, like a diligent student ready to learn. “This Xie Family is in Jingdu, so far away—can they still manage affairs in Chongzhou?”
Seeing her like this, Xie Qiao suddenly thought of his own student.
If only he could be as obedient as Song Jin, he would have fewer worries.
“The Xie Family has many branches, spread across various regions. As long as the head of the family in Jingdu gives an order, they all must comply. Moreover…” Xie Qiao’s eyes took on a stern edge, “Such people who harm the common folk—not only the Xie Family, but any official in the court who encounters them should deal with them.”
“But the Fan Family has been in Chongzhou for so many years, and many officials have come and gone. Only the Xie Family took care of this matter, so the Xie Family is still the best.” Song Jin wrinkled her nose. “So, did the head of the Xie Family issue the order for the Fan Family to fall so quickly this time?”
Seeing the young girl’s cleverness, Xie Qiao’s eyes held a hint of approval. “Mm.”
"How amazing!" Song Jin couldn't help but clasp her hands together. "The head of the Xie Family truly is a great bodhisattva! Even from so far away, his divine power can reach here!"
A great bodhisattva?
Xie Qiao's brows relaxed slightly, and the corners of his mouth lifted a little.
Yet he still said, "Don't talk nonsense. The head of the Xie Family is merely a mortal—how can he be called a great bodhisattva?"
"He is a great bodhisattva," the girl retorted softly. "He rid Chongzhou of a pest, so to us, he is a great bodhisattva."
What she didn't say was that without this great bodhisattva, who knows what might have happened to her.
She might even have been secretly killed.
Hearing the girl's words, Xie Qiao didn't argue further.
He thought that, no matter what, Song Jin would have to enter Xie Manor in the future. It would be better to take this opportunity to tell her about the Xie Family.
He said, "Would you like to know about the situation within the Xie Family?"
"The family situation?" Song Jin was momentarily confused. "Then will my husband tell me about it?"
She actually knew—those high-ranking, influential families had nothing to do with her in this lifetime.
But since her husband didn't seem impatient, she wanted to coax him into saying more.
That way, it wouldn't feel so cold and distant.
It would feel more like a married couple!
"The Xie Family is an aristocratic clan. The main branch is currently in Jingdu, with an elderly lady over sixty years old at the head. The elderly lady has only one son, Jing'an Hou, who is currently stationed at the border. His wife, Lady Yu, remains in Jingdu. Lady Yu has two sons: the eldest is Taizi Taifu, and the younger went to the border after marrying, joining Jing'an Hou's camp. The remaining stewards and servants number around a hundred. The Xie Family has many collateral branches and relatives spread throughout Jingdu."
Just listening to this, Song Jin felt that Xie Manor was truly enormous.
A single household actually had several hundred people, not to mention all those relatives.
Relatives connected to relatives, relationships layered upon relationships.
No wonder they could manage affairs as far as Chongzhou.
Just hearing about it, Song Jin felt that all this was far too distant from her, and her brows involuntarily furrowed slightly.
She didn't really like such complicated, large families.
The Fan Residence before was already huge, with all sorts of messy affairs, and people being beaten to death within the residence was common.
And that night when she escorted Sister Qinghong back to the Wang Family, that mansion so vast she couldn't see its end—just thinking about it made her afraid.
The Xie Family was too large.
She still preferred simpler relationships.
As for the great bodhisattva of the Xie Family…
He probably didn't even know that with just a slight lift of his finger, he had saved a little girl like her who was almost dragged into a den of demons.
She would just silently give thanks to the great bodhisattva in her heart.
After speaking, Xie Qiao noticed Song Jin's expression.
She rarely frowned; usually, she was all smiles. This kind of expression was uncommon.
He didn't know what he had said wrong. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing. It's just that I originally thought if I ever went to Jingdu in the future, I'd thank the great bodhisattva in person. But now, hearing this, such an important figure isn't someone I can just meet whenever I want," Song Jin decided. "It would be better to find an opportunity to go to a temple and light a lamp to pray for his blessings."
Song Jin nodded. "After all, sincerity is what matters most."
Seeing how earnest Song Jin was, Xie Qiao really wanted to laugh.
He was in a good mood. "Don't worry. He will know of your sincerity."
The two talked for quite a while, but no matter how much Song Jin wanted to keep listening, her eyes could no longer stay open.
She had cried all night yesterday and done a lot of work today. She was truly exhausted and just wanted to sleep now.
She stood up, slowly moved to the bedside and sat down, obediently removed her shoes, crawled into the inner side of the quilt, and lay sideways facing his direction.
"Husband, I'm too tired today, I'll sleep first."
The voice that came was small, still carrying a hint of drowsiness.
Xie Qiao involuntarily smiled gently: "Alright."
Looking at Song Jin curled up into a small ball within the quilt, he turned back and lowered the bed curtain.
Then he heard a sentence—
"Tomorrow I still need to make new pastries for Shopkeeper Lu, must not oversleep!"
Xie Qiao froze.
It was the voice from that night!
But he clearly didn't see Song Jin speaking; she was lying obediently on one side, her expression calm, even almost asleep.
Yet that voice was unmistakably Song Jin's!
Xie Qiao's brows slightly furrowed, a speculation forming in his heart—
Could it be that what he heard was Song Jin's inner thoughts?
The sun gradually grew stronger.
Song Jin was busy at her small stall, packing freshly baked pastries into the steamer basket.
She closed the stove, carrying the food box towards Chunliu Lane.
This box of pastries was specially made for Shopkeeper Lu, no charge.
Taking advantage of going out with her husband today, she could conveniently deliver the pastries to Shopkeeper Lu.
Hiring a courier to deliver them was a bit expensive, she couldn't bear it, so she'd do it herself.
Carrying the food box towards Chunliu Lane, after walking only a few steps, she saw a tall figure approaching from afar.
She stood still in place.
Her heart was struck!
She liked looking at handsome men; since childhood she had seen quite a few, but someone with Xie Qiao's stature and demeanor—she truly had never seen before!
His posture was upright, like bamboo; he wore only a slightly old single-layer garment, not that padded jacket.
He walked step by step towards her, unhurried yet steady, firm and stable, carrying elegance.
Song Jin didn't know that such a demeanor could only be cultivated from a pampered upbringing; she only knew her husband seemed like someone descended from heaven.
So wonderful!
This man was her husband!
Hehe!
The man obviously also saw Song Jin; he walked a few steps over, standing before her.
Song Jin slightly lowered her head, suppressing the excitement in her heart: "Husband, didn't we say I would come back to pick you up?"
Xie Qiao had been here for a while, but he had never gone out before.
"No need." Xie Qiao's voice was faint.
Although he hadn't gone out, that night he struggled with his last breath, groping in this alley, ultimately knocking on Song Jin's door.
This path, he could not forget.
"Mm, alright, then let's go." Song Jin turned and stood beside Xie Qiao.
Her height among girls wasn't considered short, but standing beside Xie Qiao, she felt she became a small ball.
Song Jin originally thought of holding Xie Qiao's hand to walk forward, but Xie Qiao clearly had no such intention.
He walked ahead directly.
Song Jin looked at his hand, could only sigh, followed behind him, and after quickening her steps a bit, barely walked together with him.
Chongzhou city during daytime was still lively.
Because it was far from Jingdu, the folk customs here were simple, the people also didn't have so many schemes, speaking straightforwardly.
Their gazes were the same.
As Xie Qiao just walked onto the street, he could feel the surrounding glances.
Those glances carried no malice, mostly curiosity, occasionally speculation.
He slightly frowned.
Song Jin had long guessed it would be like this.
Actually, not only those common folk; if she saw such a person on the street, she would definitely look a few more times too.
Song Jin lightly tugged Xie Qiao's sleeve: "Husband, don't be angry, they have no malice."
"I understand." Xie Qiao nodded, though his expression remained somewhat troubled.
As a newcomer making his first appearance here, with such an extraordinary appearance, it was only natural that he would become the subject of others' discussions.
Moreover, to avoid exposing his identity, he had specifically asked Song Jin to bring him to this market, a place frequented only by ordinary commoners.
It was a location where the head of Jingdu's Xie Manor would never be seen.
"Alright then."
After all, it was her husband who had asked her to lead him to this market.
By now, the crowd in the market had thinned considerably, yet the situation remained unchanged.
There was nothing Song Jin could do about it.
Unlike Xie Qiao, Song Jin was in good spirits.
The thought of those two aunties earlier calling her husband a burden still made her angry. This time, she wondered what those aunties would say!
The market was small, with only two stalls selling padded jackets.
The people selling clothes here were all ordinary commoners, so the fabric and styles weren't particularly good—they merely ensured warmth.
Song Jin had to admit that even the poorest-quality jacket would look good on Xie Qiao.
But she still wasn't satisfied.
Today, she had brought plenty of money with her, intending to buy her husband a nice garment. Who would have thought he would choose to come here instead?
Song Jin's face tightened with displeasure.
Xie Qiao asked, "What's wrong?"
Song Jin tried to persuade him: "Husband, why don't we go to the shops in the main street? I want to buy you a proper outfit."
"No need." Xie Qiao didn't mind. "It's just a padded jacket. As long as it keeps me warm, that's enough."
He had countless fine robes back in the capital; there was no need to concern himself with such matters now.
Besides, his purpose for today had already been achieved. After this, those who had overestimated themselves and harbored designs on Song Jin would likely retreat.
"Alright then." Unable to sway Xie Qiao, Song Jin could only take out her money and buy a gray padded jacket.
The style was ordinary, but it fit him perfectly.
The two of them purchased a few other items as well. On their way back, they stopped in front of Lu Chen's tavern.
Song Jin paused. "Husband, wait here for a moment. I need to deliver something."
She didn't say whom she was delivering it to, but Xie Qiao had heard her thoughts clearly the night before!
"Mm." Xie Qiao reached out with his long arm and took the brocade box from Song Jin's hands. "I'll deliver it for you."