Time Is Slow - Chapter 26

“Please have a seat, Sister Qingyun.” Qiao Zhao did not rise, but her tone was polite.

Qingyun was slightly surprised and glanced at Qiao Zhao before bowing.

“I wouldn’t dare. I’m here to relay a message from the Old Madam.”

Qiao Zhao remained calm as she listened to Qingyun’s words.

No morning greetings, no attending school. 

So this was essentially a house arrest?

In the current Great Liang Dynasty, the social atmosphere was quite open, and women were not strictly confined to their homes. Even an unmarried girl could go out as long as she informed her elders and brought along a maid or chaperone.

Qiao Zhao had a quiet nature and had little interest in banquets or aimless strolls, but she could not afford to stay locked inside.

If she was confined at home, how could she meet her eldest brother?

“Sister Qingyun, please tell the Old Madam that I understand. I will send her the transcribed Buddhist scriptures once they’re done.”

After Qingyun left, only Qiao Zhao and A’Zhu remained in the room.

She had yet to return to her own quarters, and the maids who used to serve Li Zhao hadn’t shown up.

“A’Zhu, massage my forehead for me.”

“Yes, Miss.” A’Zhu responded and moved behind her.

Qiao Zhao turned her head and asked, “Do you know how?”

She took A’Zhu’s hand and pointed to the center of her brow. “Start from the Yintang acupoint, pressing from top to bottom… Yes, be mindful of the pressure…”

After one full set of movements, Qiao Zhao asked, “Did you remember?”

A’Zhu looked completely lost: “….”

Miss must be joking!

Though the maid was a bit slow (by Qiao Zhao’s own standards), she didn’t lose patience. She took A’Zhu’s hand and demonstrated again.

A’Zhu’s palms were sweating.

“Don’t be nervous. If you don’t know it yet, you can take your time learning. It’s not difficult.”

Hearing the first half of the sentence, A’Zhu felt relieved. But after hearing the last part, she started sweating even more.

Qiao Zhao had no choice but to let it go. 

“Go wash your hands first. I’ll teach you again later.”

A’Zhu, feeling as if she had been pardoned, hurried off to wash up.

Qiao Zhao rubbed her temples with her fingers.

Everything depends on action. This confinement has to be broken.

Then, she thought, I’ll start with transcribing Buddhist scriptures. After all, Buddha’s birthday is approaching.

Before long, A’Zhu returned, only to find that her mistress had fallen asleep.

The young girl leaned against a cushion, her eyes closed. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows, and there was a trace of exhaustion between her brows.

A’Zhu clenched her hands slightly.

Miss must be so tired, yet she was still so patient in teaching me earlier. Why am I so slow to learn?

Determined to master the massage techniques quickly, A’Zhu quietly covered Qiao Zhao with a thin blanket.

The scent of food wafted into the room, followed by Madam He’s cheerful voice. 

“Zhao’er, the meal is ready. Hurry and—”

Madam He paused upon seeing the scene inside.

Qiao Zhao had already opened her eyes.

“The food is ready? I was so hungry I couldn’t sleep.”

Madam He hurried to set the table and personally placed a piece of braised lion’s head meatball into Qiao Zhao’s bowl, speaking gently. 

“Zhao’er, try this. It’s Mama Fang’s specialty.”

Qiao Zhao took a bite.

The meat was tender and rich, its savory taste spreading across her tongue and warming her stomach.

“It’s delicious.”

“As long as you like it! Eat more, you’ve lost so much weight.” Seeing her daughter enjoy the food instead of looking disdainful like before, Madam He finally felt at ease.

“You eat some too, Mother.” Qiao Zhao used the serving chopsticks to place half a meatball into Madam He’s bowl.

Madam He froze for a moment, a sour feeling rising in her chest again.

For the first time in years, mother and daughter shared a warm and peaceful meal together.

Afterward, Qiao Zhao returned to the western side courtyard with A’Zhu.

In the eastern wing of Yahe Courtyard lived the eldest daughter, Li Jiao, the daughter of the first wife of Lord Li Guangwen. She was also the oldest girl in both the Eastern and Western residences, having turned sixteen this year.

The western wing had already been tidied up, with the stone-paved paths swept spotlessly clean. A pomegranate tree in the courtyard had sprouted fresh buds, and a cluster of lush plantain trees flourished by the window.

Three maids rushed forward to welcome her. 

“Miss, you’re back!”

Two of them, rough maids, were named Shiliu (Pomegranate) and Qiu’ou (Autumn Lotus Root), while the only personal maid was Binglu (Ice Green).

Qiao Zhao remembered there should have been another maid named Shuanghong (Frost Red).

Madam He, who had accompanied her, explained, “That wretched maid Shuanghong lost you, so I sent her away.”

“Then let A’Zhu take her place.”

He glanced at A’Zhu, looking somewhat uneasy.

Qiao Zhao knew what she was worried about and pointed at A’Zhu. 

“She was given to me by Doctor Li.”

At that, Madam He had no further objections.

“Thank you, Miss!” A’Zhu bowed to Qiao Zhao. 

As she straightened, her gaze met Binglu’s. Binglu snorted disdainfully and looked away.

“Mother, you should go back and rest.”

“Then you should rest early too. I won’t let anyone come and bother you today,” Madam He said reluctantly before leaving.

Qiao Zhao knew exactly who she was referring to. The children left behind by the first wife, Eldest Miss Li Jiao and Third Young Master Li Hui.

Li Hui had enrolled in the Imperial Academy earlier that year, while the young ladies of the Western Residence attended the girls’ school in the Eastern Residence every day. They hadn’t returned yet.

Now, Qiao Zhao understood why Lord Li Guangwen was so cold towards Madam He.

Li Guangwen had been deeply devoted to his first wife and still had their two outstanding children. Meanwhile, Li Zhao had constantly antagonized her older siblings, and Madam He had always taken her daughter’s side, showing open disdain toward her stepchildren. No wonder her husband was displeased.

It seemed this couple had a terrible relationship, and young Li Zhao had played a major role in worsening it.

After days of travel, Qiao Zhao finally enjoyed a thorough hot bath. As soon as she lay down, she fell into a deep sleep.

As the sky darkened, the sunset painted the heavens in fiery hues. Stepping out of the palace gates, Shao Mingyuan felt a deep weariness settle over him.

A personal guard brought his horse forward. He mounted in silence and rode all the way to Qingque Alley.

The Marquis Jing’am Manor stood in Qingque Alley. Once just an ordinary noble estate among many, it now carried a different weight due to Shao Mingyuan’s presence. Even the glazed roof tiles seemed to gleam greener than those of other residences.

The main gates of the Marquis Jing’an Manor had long been opened. Shao Jingyuan, the heir of Marquis Jing’an, stood on the steps with the household staff. Spotting Shao Mingyuan in the distance, he quickly descended the steps to welcome him.

Shao Mingyuan dismounted as Shao Jingyuan approached.

“Big Brother.”

Shao Jingyuan patted his younger brother’s shoulder. 

“You’re finally back, Second Brother. Father and Mother are waiting inside.”

His gaze flickered to the snow-white cloak draped over Shao Mingyuan’s shoulders, but he said nothing.

Surrounded by the household members, the brothers strode into the residence, heading straight for the main hall.

A middle-aged man stood at the entrance, his figure gaunt and frail.

Shao Mingyuan hastened forward, dropping to one knee. 

“Father, your unworthy son has returned.”

The Marquis Jing’an, whose complexion was unnaturally pale, bent down and personally helped Shao Mingyuan up. He smiled. 

“It’s good that you’re back. Come inside—” Before he could finish his sentence, he was seized by a violent coughing fit.

Worry flickered in Shao Mingyuan’s eyes.

His father had fallen seriously ill years ago while stationed in the north, and despite years of recuperation in the capital, he had never fully recovered. Seeing him now, it was clear the cold illness had worsened.

The group entered the hall.

At a glance, Shao Mingyuan saw Madam Jing’an, Lady Shen, seated calmly in a grand armchair. Despite the commotion, she didn’t even lift an eyelid.

His sister-in-law, Lady Wang, stood beside her.

Shao Mingyuan stepped forward and knelt down, his pristine white cloak spreading like snow across the floor.

“Mother, I’m here to greet you.”

Lady Shen’s gaze swept over his white cloak before she said coldly, “After years of absence, the moment you return, you bring misfortune to my doorstep!”