Chapter 8, Love in Danger

"Do you think that not providing you with a fan for each dress is a slight against you?" There was an unmistakable danger in Feng Liu's voice

Qingxi immediately realized that she was in trouble, and hurriedly said in a servile manner: "I will go brew a new cup of tea for Brother Tingzhi right away. I learned a bit from my mother a few days ago; Brother, why don't you give my tea-making skills a try?"

At this moment, Qinxu happened to go to the side of the matriarch. When she returned to the Lanxun courtyard, she found the yard eerily silent, with the sound of a falling needle audible, unlike the usual chatter. Feeling puzzled, she noticed Linlang outside the house, trembling as she stood guard. Upon seeing Qinxu return, she hurriedly gestured for her to hide.

Qingxi had never thought that Fengliu would refuse to punish her; she simply knew she was in the wrong and merely wished to be punished. Thus, tears rolled down her cheeks as she bit her lip and remained silent.

Qingxi hurriedly went outside, calling someone in to tidy up the teacups and the kang table, and then brought a new kang table to the main room. After such a commotion, it is likely that Fengliu's anger would subside somewhat

Feng Liu saw the marks she had bitten into her lips, which had already drawn blood. Suppressing his anger, he said, "Alright, stop biting your lips. Be careful not to leave scars that are unsightly."

"Each woman must copy the rules for women one hundred times; no one is allowed to leave the residence until it is completed." Qingxi pouted.

Qingxi opened her mouth and thought to herself, who would dare to ask you for money, such words naturally could not be spoken to Feng Liu

"Bring out the lady's account book for me to see." All the expenses and accounts are recorded therein, so one will naturally understand the situation.

Why didn't you come to ask me for money when you ran out of silver, and insist on doing such a foolish thing? This is what troubles Feng Liu the most.

"You may leave now." Feng Liu waved Lin Lang away, and then frowned as he looked at Qing Xi

Feng Liu had never seen Qing Xi in such a servile manner; she had always been proud and domineering, never lowering her head. He was momentarily taken aback and nodded.

Qingxi looked towards Linglang, only to see that she was also in a state of panic. Such an expression in Fengliu's eyes naturally made him understand. At first, he suspected that the maid had stolen something from Qingxi to sell, but little did he know that Qingxi was also aware of the situation

Feng Liu thought about that account book, and this was indeed the truth. In the past ten days or so, she had not spent any silver, which was a significant restraint compared to her previous habit of spending money every three days.

On this day, Feng Liu returned from the yamen and encountered the first heavy snowfall of the winter. His entire body was covered in snowflakes, which melted into water upon contact with the warmth of others, soaking his clothes and boots. Those attending to him, fearing he might catch a chill, did not wait to go to the four adjoining rooms in the garden and directly assisted Feng Liu to the Lan Xun Courtyard.

Qingxi muttered to herself, "What do you, as a man, understand?" With this thought, she began to argue aloud, "These ten fans each have their own uses. For instance, one of the fans made of Qian Gu sandalwood matches perfectly with my bamboo green light smoke gauze dress. The ivory silk round fan is just right for my rouge red ice silk dress. Each fan is carefully chosen to complement the respective outfit, and I do not match every dress with a fan. Moreover, the tassel on this fan is also quite significant..." Her words were drowned out by Feng Liu's increasingly cold expression.

Qingxi was taken aback, not expecting Feng Liu to still care about this at such a time

Feng Liu summoned Lin Lang and said, "Speak up, why did your master go to become a thing? Was it instigated by you lowly beings?" Feng Liu instinctively felt that it was the servants who were causing trouble; otherwise, how could Qing Xi, with her status, possibly be short of money? Every year, the red envelope he gave her during the New Year was quite generous, not to mention her dowry and monthly allowance, among other things.

Qingxi's face flushed, and she naturally did not dare to argue.

"Look at you, in August you bought only fans, and you bought ten at once. Do you really need that many fans?" Feng Liu's anger seems to have not yet dissipated

However, Qingxi is unable to interpret Fengliu's expression, as he has always maintained a cold demeanor, making it impossible to discern whether he is happy or angry

Feng Liu slammed his palm down on the table with a "bang," causing the teacup on it to shatter in response, and even leaving an imprint of his hand on the surface. Qing Xi, frightened, retreated with a pale face, hardly daring to imagine what the consequences would be if such a blow were to land on her.

This statement undoubtedly provided Qingxi with a way out. Qingxi opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to shift the blame onto Linlang. However, upon reflection, she realized that Linlang was entirely burdened by her own troubles. How could she treat her in such a manner? Feeling a sudden sense of shame, she thought to herself how could she entertain such despicable thoughts, and thus she stammered, "It was I who sent someone to do it."

When Qingxi entered again, she presented the tea to Fengliu, and his complexion indeed improved somewhat. Fengliu took a sip of tea, his brows relaxing a little, "Look at how you spend your money, with such extravagance, no matter how great the family fortune, it cannot withstand it. No wonder when you were in charge of the household, I had to supplement you so much."

"Alright, alright, go grind the ink quickly, so you can finish copying it soon and spare me from being punished again," Qingxi sighed.

Linlang naturally did not dare to conceal anything, and the account book that was hard to look at soon appeared before Feng Liu. The more he flipped through it, the tighter his brows furrowed.

Qingxi could hardly stand under the furious gaze of Fengliu, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She was well aware that her actions were inappropriate, "It is all my fault; I will accept whatever punishment the Duke wishes to impose on Qingxi."

"Madam, has the Duke punished you?" As soon as Linlang saw Feng Liu leave, she immediately ran back to the inner room

Feng Liu glanced at Lin Lang and said, "You all go down; I have something to discuss with the lady."

Linlang cast a worried glance at Qingxi and had no choice but to retreat

Linlang hurriedly said: "I do not dare, I do not dare, it is all because I did not take good care of the lady."

Feng Liu also had the intention to visit Qing Xi, fearing that with the arrival of severe winter, a servant might inadvertently let her catch a cold, as she had always been particularly sensitive to the cold

Neither the master nor the servant had ever experienced such a situation, and there was no prior understanding between them. Qingxi smiled at the little girl and said, "Why is it so quiet today? Did your sister Linlang teach you a lesson yesterday?"

Qingxi quickly shook her head, "No, no, I know I have been spending money recklessly. If it weren't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't have made such a mistake. Once I gather enough money, I plan to redeem it. This month, I haven't spent a single tael of silver carelessly."

"Punishment, do you really think I wouldn't dare?" Feng Liu felt that Qing Xi's words were directed at him, as if she were betting that he would never have the heart to punish her. Despite her grave mistake, he continued to shield her, even personally pleading with Feng Jin on her behalf, and promised to secure an official position for Shang Ruowen's brother, offering countless benefits to the Shang family

Qingxi lowered her head, not daring to look at Feng Liu, only hearing his voice beside her saying: "Do you recognize this thing? Who made it for you?"

Feng Liu also knew that she was afraid of herself. With a frown, she said: "I do not wish to see such a mistake again. You are to copy the women's regulations and the women's rules one hundred times. You are not allowed to leave the residence until you have finished copying. After you have completed it, bring it to me at Si Bing Ju for my review. Furthermore, you are not permitted to spend a single cent before you finish your copying."

As Linlang shook her head repeatedly, Qingxi had already stepped into the room. When she glanced into the inner chamber, she saw Fengliu sitting under the southern window on the kang, and her doubts were resolved; no wonder the courtyard was so quiet.

Qingxi stepped forward and sweetly said, "Brother Tingzhi." As she stood up and looked up, her gaze happened to fall on the ticket on the kang table, and she was greatly shocked

"That was close, that was close," Linlang patted her chest, "I thought the Duke was going to eat someone, I really thought..." But it wasn't really anything, yet I never expected Qingxi to pass through so easily

After sending off Feng Liu, Qing Xi patted her chest and took a long breath before finally calming down

Are you lacking food or clothing to the extent that you must resort to becoming a thing? Do you wish for everyone to know that the wife of the Duke of Qi is so impoverished that she must become a thing?" Feng Liu was greatly enraged