"The family head asked me to pass along a message—you may go directly to the prefectural office gate to receive him."
When the servant came to relay the message, Lu Youqing had just finished breakfast with Li Nanqiao. Li Nanqiao kept glancing worriedly at her.
Yesterday, Lu Youqing had eaten only a little porridge at noon and hadn't touched dinner at all before running around everywhere. This morning, the Gu household had sent over a very generous breakfast, yet she still found it hard to swallow anything.
It wasn't until she heard those words that the gloom on her face finally eased a little.
"Please convey my thanks to the Gu family head for extending her help," Lu Youqing said.
"The family head said there's no need for thanks. You already know her conditions—she will come to verify in person whether what you said is true," the messenger replied, eyes lowered, voice calm and even.
Li Nanqiao didn't really understand what Lu Youqing had exchanged with the Gu family head. She had been confused listening the night before, but she was certain of one thing now—the master would be released very soon.
She didn't even have time to say anything before hurrying off to hitch the cart. As she drove, she couldn't help exclaiming, "That Gu family head is really incredible—what she said last night was already taken care of first thing this morning!"
"The Gu family's trading house has been established for many years, with shops spread everywhere. Naturally, there must be powerful backing behind it. There's nothing surprising about that," Lu Youqing said calmly as she lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the bustling street outside.
Li Nanqiao stopped the donkey cart in a corner near the yamen.
Lu Youqing lifted the curtain outright and fixed her gaze on the gate, waiting for that familiar figure.
Only now did unease finally rise in her heart. She began to worry—how had he been inside? Had he been hurt?
Before this, she had forced herself to focus on finding a solution, on breaking the deadlock, on dealing with the problem in front of her. She hadn't dared to think about what Qin Ke was enduring.
That was the only way she could stay calm.
She had never realized just how important Qin Ke had become to her—so important that she couldn't even imagine what she would do if she lost him.
"Madam, the master is out!"
Just as Lu Youqing was lost in thought, Li Nanqiao cried out in delight.
At a single glance, Lu Youqing felt her eyes sting. The man who had always been so clean that he practically bathed every day was now covered in mud, bits of straw clinging to him. At his collar were dark, dried bloodstains.
She hurried forward and supported Qin Ke as he limped along, asking softly, "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
Her voice was gentle, laden with worry and concern, her brows knit tightly together.
"I'm fine, Madam—ah—" Qin Ke tried to smile at her, but accidentally tugged at the wound at the corner of his mouth.
"Don't smile," Lu Youqing said softly. She lifted her handkerchief, wanting to wipe his lip, yet hesitated, afraid of hurting him.
Li Nanqiao supported him from the other side and carefully helped him into the cart, muttering curses under her breath. "Those officials are utterly heartless—arresting people without any evidence and beating them like this…"
On the way back, Li Nanqiao deliberately slowed the pace to keep the cart steady.
Once the carriage held only the two of them, Qin Ke finally couldn't hold back anymore and pulled Lu Youqing into his arms.
"I'm filthy. I shouldn't be hugging you like this, but I can't help it. I really want to hold you—just for a bit."
His voice sounded like that of a child who had suffered grievances and come home seeking comfort, on the verge of tears, sniffing quietly to hold them back.
"It's all right," Lu Youqing said, returning the embrace without caring about the dirt or the smell. Her hand gently stroked his back. "You can hold me for as long as you want. We're home now."
She knew he was different from ordinary men—gentle, considerate, and meticulous, yet sometimes timid, so timid that he didn't even dare kill a chicken.
By the time they reached the house, Lei Zhong and Han Qi were already waiting at the gate. Not far away, villagers were trailing behind the cart, sneaking looks out of curiosity.
"Han Qi, hurry and heat some bathwater," Li Nanqiao shouted as soon as she jumped down from the cart. She knew the master valued cleanliness; the first thing he'd want to do upon returning was wash up and change clothes.
Qin Ke released his hold, drawing back his vulnerability and tears. He could be his true self in front of Lu Youqing, but outside, he had to be calm and strong—to steady those beneath him and not let outsiders look down on him.
Putting on a composed expression, he stepped down from the cart, knowing that news of his return would spread through the village in no time.
Because of the heat, bathing didn't require as much hot water as in winter. After Lei Zhong poured in two buckets of hot water, the temperature was just right.
"Go wash up properly first. I've already placed clean clothes beside the tub," Lu Youqing said.
She watched Qin Ke enter the bathing room, but before long Han Qi was chased out.
"Madam, the master says he doesn't need me to attend him," Han Qi reported awkwardly.
Lu Youqing pressed her lips together. In well-off households, masters usually had personal attendants. She had been worried that Qin Ke might have injuries that made things inconvenient, which was why she'd asked Han Qi to help.
She hadn't expected him to be sent out.
His face was already bruised and swollen—what about the injuries she couldn't see?
Lu Youqing rose and stood at the bathing room door. After hesitating for a long moment, she let out a soft breath and pushed the door open.
Steam filled the room. Through the mist, she could only vaguely see his bare back as he sat with his back to her in the tub.
She walked closer, took the cloth hanging by the tub, and gently wiped his shoulders. Only when she drew near did she see clearly—the bruises covering his bare upper body.
"Madam?" Qin Ke, who had been quietly resting with his eyes closed, startled awake. He lifted a hand to rest over her soft fingers on his shoulder and looked up. In her eyes was tenderness and aching concern that could not be hidden.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly.
Qin Ke lowered his head, dejected. "I just suddenly realized that I was still too naïve."
How could Lu Youqing not know?
Yet she had never pointed it out. She liked his naïveté. If she could, she would rather he remain like this forever.
But there were no ifs in this world.
"Don't think about so much for now," she said gently. "After you finish bathing, eat something. I'll have a doctor come take a look at your injuries."
She loosened his hair and scooped warm water to wash his long black hair.
After helping him wash his hair, Lu Youqing left. She had come mainly to check whether he had any serious injuries. After all, they were not truly husband and wife yet—this level of intimacy was already her limit.
Once outside, she sent Lei Zhong to fetch a physician.
Even if they were all external wounds, she wouldn't be at ease without having them examined.
Knowing that Qin Ke probably hadn't eaten properly in prison, Li Nanqiao prepared an especially abundant meal.
"That must've been a lot of trouble for you," Qin Ke said in surprise when he came out and saw the table filled with dishes.
Li Nanqiao, setting down the last plate, waved her hand. "I only cooked a couple of dishes. The one who truly worked hard was Madam—she barely ate these past two days and ran all over the place."
Qin Ke knew Lu Youqing must have gone through great effort to get him released. He looked at her and simply clasped the hand resting on her knee tightly.
"All right," Lu Youqing said with a soft smile as she picked some food for him. "Let's eat first. We can talk about everything else later."
---
Currently at chapter 180 for advance chapters
https:// ko-fi.com/rabi08