Chapter 43: Meeting Qing Luan and Qing Yang

  Spring Orchid and Autumn Chrysanthemum's devilish training had left Liu Qingqing completely exhausted. Taking advantage of a break in the practice, Liu Qingqing snuck into the kitchen. During the Plus Festival, the kitchen of the Smoke Flower House was staffed by specially hired chefs from outside, all of whom were top-notch culinary artists. The food was delicious, and the exquisite pastries were particularly enticing.

  Liu Qingqing had two major weaknesses, one was that she could fall asleep at any time when she was tired, even if she was standing up. The other was delicious food, as long as the food was good, she would swallow it even if it was poison. Today's food was not bad, but unfortunately everyone else grabbed more than she did, so she didn't eat her fill. Therefore, after dinner, she made a big sweep and turned several corners into the kitchen.

  On the kitchen table, a shiny roasted goose was placed, she loved to eat roasted goose the most. Everyone remembered that she originally became a substitute bride because of her gluttony for roasted goose, but she didn't change her ways. Seeing food, she would go crazy, sitting there tearing at a duck leg and eating away. It was the chef's habit to play a tune after dinner, he knew it well, and indeed, he bumped into him.

  Just as I was eating, a shrill voice cried out: "Ah, who are you? How did you run into the kitchen? Master, come quickly, there's a thief here!"

  Liu Qingqing was unhappy after hearing this, what's going on? Eating a little duck and becoming a thief? The ancients were not so particular about it, shouldn't they be saying "Have friends come from afar, isn't it a pleasure?" How can you talk about others like that? It's really full of righteousness and morality but doing things that can't be seen by people. Are you allowing yourselves to secretly keep the delicious food and not letting me help eat some?

  A man rushed out of the kitchen and came to Liu Qingqing's side, his speed was so fast that it almost made Liu Qingqing swallow the duck bone, she choked and patted her chest hard before she could finally swallow it down.

  "What's going on? You're making such a big fuss over just eating some of our food?" Liu Qingqing stood up, her face filled with anger as she glared at the newcomer.

  "Green, is that really you?" The man clanged loudly, the iron spoon falling to the ground with a crisp sound.

  Liu Qingqing took a closer look and didn't recognize him. He was a tall and handsome guy who looked somewhat familiar, but she absolutely did not know him.

  "Qingqing, don't you recognize me? I'm your brother, I'm Qingyang!" The strange man grabbed Liu Qingqing's shoulder and shook it, as if it was impossible for Liu Qingqing not to recognize him.

  Liu Qing's brain quickly turned around, but she couldn't think of it.

  Liu Qing shouted towards the kitchen: "Qing Luan, come quickly and see who's here!" His voice was filled with joyful reunion.

  A girl walked over with a bashful expression, her head lowered, "Qingqing, you're here?"

  "Oh, what are you being shy about? We're already a family now. Qingqing won't mind. Qingqing, quickly call her sister-in-law!"

  Liu Qingqing's mind quickly turned, and she suddenly became clear-headed. This was Liu Qinglian, the one who had taken her place as a substitute bride. With a quick change of expression, she adopted a mournful look: "Brother, something's wrong! After I married Hu Zhongren, I developed a mental illness, living in a fantasy world, and no longer recognize any of you."

  "How can you be sure I'm your sister? Maybe I'm your brother?" Qing Yang asked anxiously.

  "It was Hu Zhongren and Yan Yanyu who told me, but I don't recognize you guys anymore." Liu Qingqing continued to sob, "Ge Yang, it's all my fault. If I didn't run away from the marriage and let Qingqing take my place to marry Hu Zhongren, Qingqing wouldn't be like this! Qingqing, scold me! It's all my fault that you're in this state."

  Liu Qingqing secretly delighted in her heart, scared you.

  Liu Qinglian regretted it too late, crying and telling that she shouldn't have listened to her mother's words and let Qingqing replace herself in marrying Hu Zhongren. Qingyang could only comfort her by saying: "Don't blame yourself, you wouldn't necessarily have a good outcome if you went either. Little sister, quickly tell me, how did you get this foolish illness? How can we cure this disease?"

  Liu Qingqing said, "It's hard to say in one word. Brother, bring out the dishes you've prepared, and we'll eat while chatting. Sister-in-law, don't be sad anymore. I only agreed to help you get married because you were marrying my brother. I'm not angry with you at all, so stop crying."

  Liu Qinglian listened and turned sorrow into joy, "Really? Really don't hate me?"

  "Really, as long as you bring out the delicious food and treat me to a big meal, I'll forgive you immediately. What do you think?" said Liu Qingqing with great pleasure.

  Liu Qinglian brought out the dishes and fine wine, and the three of them clinked cups and talked about old times. It turned out that Liu Qinglian had escaped from the Liu family village at night and come to Kyoto with her family member Bai Fu. They secretly entered the Rong Chun building and met Liu Qingyang. The two of them discussed it and knew that Master Liu would definitely chase after them to Kyoto, so they packed up their valuables and came to the country of Hanhai to settle down. They bought a house and obtained a permit, and also took over a store and reopened the restaurant. However, Qinglian was no longer in charge and only helped out in the kitchen, afraid that Master Liu would find out her whereabouts. Until now, she didn't dare to return to Kyoto to visit or even send news to Bai Fu, saying that no news is good news.

  Liu Qingqing smiled after hearing their words, "You two are hiding here enjoying yourselves, while the family is in a mess. Since you left, Master immediately sent people to Kyoto to search for you, but there was no news of you, so he blamed Madame Liu. As a result, Mother Liu has been bedridden with illness for half a year."

  They calculated with their fingers that it had been half a year since they left, and when they heard that their mother was ill, Qing Luan's tears flowed out again, and she cried as she wanted to go home.

  "Don't worry, Master Liu has invited a famous doctor and they're almost recovered. You don't have to rush now. They are all in Kyoto and doing well. A few days ago, Yue Qianshan came to Kyoto and visited them, everything is fine."

  Liu Qingyang said: "Since you mentioned Yue Qianshan, I think there's a big trouble. You and Yue Qianshan are engaged to be married, how could you still agree to marry Hu Zhongren?"

  Liu Qinglian said: "It has never been mentioned before, when did you decide on this engagement?"

  Liu Qingyang said: "This matter is only known to me and my sister, it's that Yue Qianshan and Qingqing are in love with each other and have secretly agreed to marry, so Master and Madam don't know about it."

  "So that's why Yueshan came to Kyoto, it must be for the wedding. Qingqing, how did you handle it?" Liu Qingling asked anxiously.

  "My mind is muddled and confused, nothing makes sense anymore, so I'd better just give up." Liu Qingqing shook her head indifferently and continued to think about the duck's attack.

  "Even if you don't have a foolish illness, it's still like this. You've already married into the Hu family, and one woman can't be betrothed twice. It can only be that Qian Shan marries another noblewoman now. Unfortunately, your feelings with Qian Shan...this matter is still my fault." Liu Qinglian let out a sorrowful sigh and couldn't eat her meal anymore.

  Liu Qingqing said: "I have already been written a divorce letter by Hu Zhongren, and I have nothing to do with him now. Now, Master Liu has probably received the divorce letter and has also taken back all the property deeds. In this way, I have helped him out." Liu Qingqing ate while talking, her behavior was normal, without any hint of sadness, Liu Qingyang and Liu Qingyun thought that their sister had been stimulated too much and was mentally disordered, why did she keep calling Master Liu, but they didn't know that this Liu Qingqing was not the same as that Liu Qingqing, they were two different people.

  Liu Qingqing didn't say that her own foolishness had been cured, but only told them that they could return to their parents' side in Kyoto, and the shops in the capital needed their care. She asked them to hurry back to Kyoto after the Dragon Boat Festival, and not to hide their names and sneak around here anymore.

  Liu Qingyang was very worried about her situation, advising her not to fight for the title of Huakui, but to return with him instead, believing that Old Master Liu would definitely think of a way to redeem her.

  Liu Qingqing smiled and comforted them: "You just watch my performance at the Hairpin Festival, if I can't get the Flower Crown, I'll go back myself."

  Qing Yang said: "I'm not worried that you won't become the top courtesan, I'm afraid that when you do become the top courtesan, you only see the glory of being the top courtesan, you can get the token, you can get the reward, but you don't know the inside story. The women who become the top courtesan often get appointed as princess by the king of Hanhai, as a political transaction, and marry someone he needs to help. Who knows, maybe it's even some old man on his deathbed."

  Liu Qingqing smiled carelessly: "The older the better, I can still catch up with my second bloom." "Qingqing, don't take marriage as a joke, I will definitely stop you from becoming a courtesan."

  Liu Qingqiang snorted, "How am I supposed to care about your business? This young lady has her own plans." Liu Yang saw that she was not listening to his advice and angrily said, "I'll lock you in the kitchen right now, you're not allowed to continue training, let's see how you can still participate in the competition!"

  "Brother, can't you just not be so boring? I promise you, I guarantee I won't be the first place winner, and then I won't have to marry anyone, okay? But I must earn the badge myself, because it's not just for me, Xiaolian is also relying on me. If I don't participate in the Coming of Age Festival competition, Xiaolian will be in danger, do you understand?"

  Liu Qingqing was telling the truth. Lan Ji kept both Xiao Lian and Zhenzhen by her side, with the intention of making herself obey. If she acted unilaterally, the school would definitely get involved, and even Chunlan and Qiujie would be dragged in.

  Liu Qing hesitated for a moment, then said, "In three days, after the Double Seventh Festival is over, we'll leave together. What do you think?"

  "I'm afraid there are too many people and it's drawing attention. I think you should leave as soon as possible. Let's meet in Kyoto as planned."

  "Let's wait and see after the Dragon Boat Festival." said Liu Qingyang with a final nod.

  "What we're doing here today, don't tell anyone else, and don't show that you know me. Remember, I'll be in touch if there's anything. I'm leaving first," said Liu Qingqing before she left the kitchen. She had been gone for quite some time, and being discovered by others would likely affect the escape plan. Liu Qingqing wrapped a few pieces of beef and quickly left the kitchen.

  Liu Qingqing arrived at the Orchid Pavilion, where a group of people were waiting. Upon seeing Liu Qingqing's arrival, Chunlan said with an unhappy tone: "Where have you been? You've kept everyone waiting for so long. It's fine if we can still smoothly elect the Flower Queen, but if not, it'll be a disaster."

  Liu Qingqing couldn't help but feel a surge of doubt in her heart after hearing Qing Yang's advice: they must all know the consequences of taking away the title of Huakui, yet not one of them explicitly stated their intentions; what were they thinking?