Transmigrated into the Scumbag Ex-Wife of the Prime Minister - Chapter 67

The moonlight was at its zenith, its faint brilliance cast upon the cold ground, reflecting a layer of silver-white sheen.

“Ahem.” Lu Sheng pretended to cough, cleared her throat, and hooked her fingers around Qi Zhenshu’s palm, calling out, “Qi Zhenshu.”

“Hmm?” Qi Zhenshu turned her gaze to her.

“You close your eyes first.” Lu Sheng winked at her, saying mysteriously.

Qi Zhenshu followed her instructions and closed her eyes.

The oil lamp in the study had been blown out. Lu Sheng led Qi Zhenshu to the main hall and placed the oil lamp on the table.

As Lu Sheng stopped walking, after a moment, Qi Zhenshu felt her hand being held by her.

Before Qi Zhenshu could think further, a rustling sound came to her ear, followed by a soft sensation added to her hand.

“Alright, you can open your eyes now.” A pleasant voice carried a hint of nervousness.

Qi Zhenshu slowly opened her eyes. Illuminated by the firelight beside her, she saw a small, red brocade pouch lying in her palm.

The small brocade pouch was sewn from red silk. On one side, the four large characters for “May you pass every exam” were embroidered, and beneath the characters was a surprisingly plump red and white koi fish. The other side featured the pattern for “peace and smooth sailing” with auspicious clouds, and a tassel with a “joy and peace” knot was sewn beneath the silk ribbon.

“I don’t know how to make clothes, so I made you a brocade pouch.” Lu Sheng cleared her throat, her face slightly flushed, and whispered.

The characters on the pouch were embroidered crookedly, and the stitches were somewhat loose. It was clear at a glance that it was not the work of someone skilled in embroidery. The koi fish was especially round, with its tail curled up in a jumping motion, looking charmingly naive and quite amusing.

It was the first time Qi Zhenshu had ever seen a brocade pouch like this.

Seeing her continuously examining the pouch, her expression remaining calm and serene, showing no sign of delight.

Lu Sheng pouted.

Could it be that Qi Zhenshu disliked how ugly she had sewn it?

After carefully examining the pouch, Qi Zhenshu was about to raise her eyes to thank her, but her hand felt empty. The small brocade pouch had already been snatched back by Lu Sheng.

Qi Zhenshu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She looked at Lu Sheng in confusion.

“You’re not allowed to think it’s ugly!” Lu Sheng wrinkled her nose, saying ‘fiercely’.

As she spoke, she wrapped the brocade pouch around Qi Zhenshu’s palace sash, quickly tying a knot to secure it.

Lu Sheng’s movements were extremely fast. Before Qi Zhenshu could react, she felt a tug at her waist. Looking down, she saw the person’s rounded head and reddened ears.

“I spent several days making it. Even if it’s not pretty, you have to wear it. There’s also a peace talisman I got from White Cloud Temple inside.”

Lu Sheng turned the side with “peace and smooth sailing” outwards, glanced at the pouch again, then let go of her hand, biting her lip and saying, “Use this one for now. I’ll make you a new one later.”

“No need.” Qi Zhenshu smoothed the pouch flat, a slight curve at her lips, and said in a tone of quiet joy, “I really like it.”

Lin Family, Binhe County.

The study was brightly lit. Two gorgeously dressed women, Lin Shuqing and Princess Changning, sat on a low couch to one side.

The charcoal fire in the exquisitely carved nanmu stove was burning fiercely. A silver pot with a peony bas-relief carving sat on the fire, and a finely carved auspicious beast stood on the lid of the silver pot.

The water boiled, and white smoke slowly puffed out from the spout. Lin Shuqing first used bamboo tongs to pick up the silver cups on the tea tray, scalded them one by one with hot water, and then added the ground tea powder to brew.

“Try this ancient mountain tea from Lingzhou.” Lin Shuqing placed the teacup on the table in front of Princess Changning. “They say it’s from a five-hundred-year-old tea tree, one gold coin per tael.”

Before even taking a sip, a faint bitterness was smelled. Princess Changning’s eyebrows lifted slightly. She glanced at the dark yellow, thick tea liquor, showing no intention of drinking it.

“I really don’t know why you like to drink this kind of bitter tea.”

Lin Shuqing had a peculiar preference for bitter foods.

Princess Changning had been accustomed to fine dining since childhood, eating only delicacies, and rarely tasting bitter food. She was quite disdainful of it.

“Try it. This time it’s sweet.” Lin Shuqing said with a gentle smile.

Princess Changning raised her eyebrows suspiciously. She picked up the cup and took a small sip.

The initial taste was slightly bitter, but it disappeared instantly. The tea flavor was mellow and full, and the texture was smooth. Once the tea flowed past her tongue, a sweet aftertaste filled her mouth.

“It’s not bad.” Princess Changning lightly swept her delicate brows, deliberately uttering four words.

Even if the bitterness turned sweet, it was still bitter.

Princess Changning put down the teacup and frowned, “Has Wang Haoyong gotten any better?”

The Wang family was implicated in the case of selling military grain in Yunzhou. The entire family was confiscated, and all thirty-three members were imprisoned, with only the eldest grandson, Wang Haoyong, missing.

Wang Haoyong was found by Lin Shuqing’s subordinates last October, but he was already mentally deranged.

“Still mentally unstable.” Lin Shuqing returned the teapot to the stove and glanced out the window.

Princess Changning followed her gaze. Dark clouds obscured the moon, and the sky was dark blue, showing no light.

In less than an hour, there would be a heavy downpour.

She withdrew her gaze and said faintly, “Hand him over to Qingzhu.”

Qingzhu was her personal guard, skilled in medicine and even more so in interrogation methods.

Now that the Wang family had re-emerged, Wang Haoyong could no longer afford to remain ‘mad’.

“Did you have any gains in Qinzhou?” Lin Shuqing nodded and asked.

“Currently, Wei Yuan and Peng Changwei appear to be amicable on the surface, but privately, I’m afraid it’s not so.”

Wei Yuan was the Deputy Commander of the Infantry and Cavalry in Qinzhou Prefecture, and Peng Changwei was his direct superior, the Commander of Qinzhou Prefecture.

Peng Changwei was a former subordinate of the Prince of Yunzhou. Princess Changning suspected that he had been in secret contact with the Prince of Yunzhou for many years, and she had already found evidence that Peng Changwei was inextricably linked to the ongoing investigation into the illegal grain sales.

One was a vassal prince in the northern frontier, and the other was the head of the garrison in the far south. If the two were truly in cahoots, it would be a major hidden danger that could shake the foundation of the Xi Liang Kingdom at any time.

But Peng Changwei was an old fox, acting flawlessly. Princess Changning had no way to proceed, so after careful consideration, she shifted her focus to his Deputy Commander of the Infantry and Cavalry, Wei Yuan.

Princess Changning had disguised herself as Miss Liang and traveled to Qinzhou with a (armed escort agency). The group of masked bandits they encountered outside the city were rescued by Wei Yuan.

However, those masked men were not ordinary bandits. They were originally hired by Wei Yuan to pose as bandits, solely to give Princess Changning a warning.

To let her know that the Qinzhou garrison was fully aware of her movements and that she should not act rashly in Qinzhou.

Wei Yuan was an extremely arrogant person, but it was precisely this show he put on that gave her an idea for a countermeasure.

Lin Shuqing lifted her lips, “It seems you had quite a harvest.”

“When are you returning to Qingzhou?” Princess Changning frowned and asked.

“Wait a little longer.” Lin Shuqing glanced out the window. The dark clouds were growing heavier.

Princess Changning knew that Lin Shuqing came to Binhe County as a means to retreat and then advance, to provoke the second branch of the Lin family into complacency and internecine strife.

Now that the second branch had lost power, it was the perfect opportunity for her to return and reorganize the Lin family, yet she remained in Binhe County.

In an instant, Princess Changning had guessed her intention. She raised her eyebrows and said with interest, “You are certainly patient.”

As her words fell, heavy rain started to pour outside the window. The rain was urgent and dense, as if it would leak through the roof.

Binhe County Dock.

The spring rain had fallen all night yesterday, only gradually stopping in the early morning. The sky was still somewhat gray, adding a touch of melancholy to the people saying goodbye at the dock.

Walking on the gangplank, Qi Zhenshu carried her book box, and Lu Sheng handed her the cloth bundle.

“Water and food are in the outermost layer.” Lu Sheng patted the outside of the bundle, then couldn’t help but instruct again, “There are also some snacks next to it. Just make do with them on the way.”

“When you arrive at Qingzhou, go eat something good first, find an inn to stay in, recharge your spirit, and then look for a house after you’ve finished the academy’s entrance exam.”

“Find a good inn; don’t be stingy with money.”

“I understand.” Qi Zhenshu took the bundle, her head slightly lowered, her eyes gentle as she said to her, “You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Mhm.”

“Mommy, here.” Tangtang handed her the small paper bag in her hand. “Mommy won’t feel dizzy after eating this.”

“This has preserved salted plums in it. You can eat two if you feel uncomfortable sitting.” Lu Sheng said.

The trip to Qingzhou required nearly a day’s boat ride. It would surely be uncomfortable over such a long time, and eating some sweet and sour preserved fruits would help.

Every word from Lu Sheng carried warmth. Qi Zhenshu felt warm all over, and a sense of reluctance rapidly swelled in her heart.

Ignoring the child in her arms, Qi Zhenshu raised her arms and directly pulled the person into her embrace. All the reluctance turned into a single sentence.

“You must take good care of yourself too.”

The sudden hug made Lu Sheng freeze for a moment.

She hadn’t expected someone so reserved and modest to make such an intimate gesture in public.

Lu Sheng naturally wrapped her arms around her waist, leaned her head on her shoulder, took a deep breath, and responded with a muffled voice, “Mhm.”

This scent of soap mixed with ink would not be smelled for quite some time now.

Tangtang, rarely held by both mothers at the same time, happily tilted her small head and nestled into the space between them, rubbing against both their cheeks as she burrowed in.

The atmosphere of farewell was dispelled by the little one’s comical actions. The two smiled at each other and turned their heads in unison to look at her.

A rough male voice interrupted the family’s heartwarming moment.

“Those who haven’t boarded, hurry up! The boat is leaving in a quarter of an hour.”

“I should go.” Qi Zhenshu looked down and said.

“Mhm, be careful on the road, have a smooth journey.” Lu Sheng also lowered her head slightly.

“Mhm.” Qi Zhenshu hugged her again, her voice low, “I’m leaving.”

Lu Sheng slowly released her hands from Qi Zhenshu’s waist. Her fingertips brushed past the corner of the clothes, then curled up with lingering reluctance.

Secretly taking a deep breath to calm the burgeoning emotions in her heart, she hooked her fingers around the last piece of fabric, lifted her brows with a smile, and looked up at her, “When I have a moment, Tangtang and I will come to Qingzhou to see you.”

“Good.” Qi Zhenshu’s eyes brightened slightly.

Lu Sheng let go of her clothes and said with a smile, “Go.”

But just as she was about to turn away, she quickly called her back. Lu Sheng lifted her heel slightly, placed her palm on the back of Qi Zhenshu’s neck, and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

“Smooth journey.”

Qi Zhenshu smiled, squeezed her hand, and then turned to leave.

Lu Sheng’s gaze followed the white figure as she walked across the gangplank and boarded the ship.

Once on the boat, Qi Zhenshu did not head straight into the cabin but instead went to the railing facing the dock.

Seeing that Lu Sheng was still standing in place, she walked a couple of steps toward the stern, waved at the person below, and said with a thick voice, “Go back soon!”

“It’s fine.” Lu Sheng suppressed the choke in her throat, smiled, and said, “We’ll go back when the boat leaves.”

As she spoke, a creaking sound of winding echoed. The heavy iron anchor was slowly lifted, and the ship prepared to set sail.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The white sails dropped simultaneously.

“Duo, duo, duo, rise…”

The loud shouts of the trackers sounded. The sailors pushed the boat away from the shore with long poles.

Lu Sheng’s heart trembled. Tears welled up in her eyes. She smiled and raised her hand, waving at Qi Zhenshu, but her feet involuntarily took two steps forward.

The boat traveled further and further away, and the white figure on the ship became increasingly blurry. The little one suddenly seemed to sense the sorrow of separation and whimpered, “Mommy.”

Lu Sheng quickly suppressed the wetness in her eyes, patted the little one’s back, forced a smile onto her lips, and said in a light voice, “Baby misses Mommy so soon?”

The little one sniffled and softly replied, “Mhm.”

“How about this? After the school holidays in a few days, I’ll take you to Qingzhou to see Mommy, okay?” Lu Sheng poked her little nose and smiled.

“Really?”

The little one’s face instantly cleared up. She began to happily count on her chubby little fingers, “Twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three…”

“Only ten more days until I can see Mommy again.” The little one counted a long string and said happily.

“It’s eight days, honey. February only has twenty-eight days.” Lu Sheng reminded her.

The academy’s rest day is every tenth day, but since February only has twenty-eight days, the rest day would be the twenty-eighth.

The boat carrying Qi Zhenshu was already too far to see. Lu Sheng withdrew her gaze and walked back with the child in her arms.

“Yay!” The little one was delighted. “Only eight more days until I can see Mommy.”

The last time Mommy and A-niang (Maternal Mother) went out together, they were gone for seven or eight days. The little one didn’t think this time was long.

With her daughter’s distraction, Lu Sheng’s mood also improved.

On the boat.

The boat Qi Zhenshu was on was a relatively large passenger-cargo ship. The cargo hold was below the deck, and there were two layers of passenger cabins above the deck. The lower layer of cabins had only seats, while the upper layer had partitioned rooms. The rooms had beds, allowing passengers to rest lying down.

Seats cost fifty wen per person, while the partitioned rooms cost five hundred wen.

The journey from Binhe County to Qingzhou required one day and one night. Lu Sheng was worried about the bumpy ride and specially bought an upper-level room for Qi Zhenshu.

The room had berths, but it was not a single-person room. Qi Zhenshu glanced along the way.

The rooms were not large, each with four beds, distributed in the four corners.

Qi Zhenshu found her room number according to the bamboo slip she held. The door of the room was open.

Her gaze swept over the room, and the person inside the doorway also looked out at that moment. Upon seeing her, a voice exclaimed in surprise, “Xiao Shu?”

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