Chapter 34 “The Fire in Midnight”
Li Qiqi seemed a little flattered, a concubine did not need to cover her head with a cloth when she got married. At this moment, her beautiful face became more and more dazzling under the candlelight, forming an ironic contrast with the wrinkles at the corner of Dou Qing’e’s eyes.
Li Qiqi was still hesitant while Qin Zhi, who was on the side, spoke first, “It’s rare that my wife Qing’e is so courteous. It seems that worshipping the Buddha for half a month can really purify a soul.”
He called her “my wife Qing’e”. It had been years since he last called her like that. Dou Qing’e forced a bitter smile. She had done so much for the Qin Family and yet Qin Zhi had never praised her for it. Now that she merely gave his new concubine a couple hairpins, he was full of tenderness. This was the man that she wanted so badly to keep to her own.
“Huh, it’s all about her face.” After the tea was finished, naturally Qin Zhi carried Li Qiqi back for the wedding night. At this moment, Concubine Liu, who had been constrained for a long time, couldn’t bear it anymore. She swore towards the wedding room with jubilant decorations, “It’s all because she looks like….”
“Sister Liu,” Concubine Chang suddenly held her and stopped her from speaking. She motioned to Qin Yunuan and Qin Baochuan sitting beside, frowning, “The children are still here, why bother mentioning the old stories again?”
In the night, it was supposed to be a very peaceful time, and when Qin Zhi was about to have a wonderful night with his new concubine.
But just over midnight, a loud noise burst into Qin Yunuan’s ears.
“It’s on fire! The Hai Tang Courtyard is on fire! Someone comes to fight the fire!”
A fire broke out on the night of Qin Zhi’s new wedding. It was unknown whether it was man-made or just an accident. Qin Yunuan quickly sat up and yelled at Ting Xue who’s on her night duty to look after Qin Baochuan. Then she pulled over the coat on the hanger and rushed out of the door.
Qin Yunuan saw nurse Liao had already held Qin Baochuan and took him out of the room, hurrying to her. She asked quickly,” What’s going on here? What’s going on?”
“I don’t know either.” nurse Liao looked at the blistering fire on the east side. It seemed to illuminate the sky.
Maner and Tong also rushed out and put on a warm cloak for Qin Yunuan.
“It’s bad. My father is also at Hai Tang Courtyard.” Qin Yunuan was startled and hurried out her courtyard while carrying her skirt.
“Third Miss, Third Miss, everyone is fighting the fire. It’s too dangerous for you to go.” nurse Liao quickly stopped Qin Yunuan. She did not want her to take the risk.
“It would be a real danger if I don’t go.” Qin Yunuan turned around and said, “The snow is melting recently, and the air is humid. We can’t even light a firewood casually. However, the new courtyard is on fire suddenly. You know what I mean, nurse Liao?”
Nurse Liao halted. She did understand, but she didn’t dare saying it. The fire must be intentional. If it were aimed at Concubine Li, it could be treated as the ladies fighting. However, if it affected Master Qin, it would be the worst crime.
Thinking of the previous dangers happening to herself, Qin Yunuan dared not take the slightest risk anymore. It was not only for herself, but also for Baochuan, and for nurse Liao, Tong and Maner in the yard.
Meanwhile in Hai Tang Courtyard, a huge fire was dancing on the roof tiles, and the sky became blood-red. Qin Yunuan could feel the heat from more than ten feet away. The heat was so real which made her think of the fire in the marriage sedan in her previous life.
For a moment, Qin Yunuan’s heart trembled and she took a few steps back. She was helped by a pair of powerful hands.
“Cousin Su?” Qin Yunuan raised her head. Su Chenghai was like a towering tree in a sea of flowers, steady and calm as always.
They were surrounded by servants carrying buckets of water, trying to put out the fire. It was most likely that Su Chenghai hurried his way here, as he was only wearing a simple white shirt, with a large crane robe on the outside. He frowned when he saw Qin Yunuan wore only a cloak, although dressed tightly on the inside.
“Why did you come out like this?” Su Chenghai flattened his lips and he took off the warm crane robe and put it on for Qin Yunuan. Qin Yunuan was about to refuse subconsciously, while Su Chenghai said irrefutably, “Put it on. If you catch a cold, Concubine Chang would make me find some good medicines for you.”
Qin Yunuan knew that Chang was good to her, but she did not expect that Su Chenghai would talk like this, gently while overbearingly, which made people irresistible. This feeling was terrible. Qin Yunuan tucked her hands into her sleeves, trying to calm herself down.
The fire was almost controlled. It was just that it came so suddenly, and Qin Zhi was in a good mood today having a new concubine, so he made an exception to send the servant girls off. That’s the reason why the fire was only discovered when it had already burnt outside the window.
Qin Zhi and the newly-wed Li Qiqi were resting in the wing-room of Cui Xuan courtyard. The servants went in and out to add charcoal fire and incense burners.
“Alright, alright. Don’t bother anymore, off you go.” Qin Zhi was extremely irritated by the accident.
The leading servant girl’s eyes were flickering, she said, “It was Madam who told us to do so. She said that we should serve you well. Concubine Li is weak, so we must burn enough charcoal to keep her warm. Master likes incense so we need to have the incense burner ready too. Besides, Madam said that she had ordered people to clean up a yard, so that Concubine Li could move in immediately. As for the cause of the fire, she said that she would investigate it with Master when the fire is put out completely.”
After listening to this remark, Qin Zhi was a bit moved. Dou Qing’e’s arrangement was heart-warming and organized, calm and timely. She was in charge of the family for many years after all. Only in a crisis could she reveal such thoughts and courage.
“Tell my wife, I have to bother her with these matters in the future.” Qin Zhi’s words were simple, but the meaning was pretty clear. It wouldn’t be long till Dou Qing’e regains power.
Qin Yunuan, who was outside the door when Qin Zhi said that heard it very clearly. As she looked up, she saw Dou Qing’e dressed in a magnolia and blue double-embroidered satin dress. She had an emerald hairpin on her, looking very decent. Her eyebrows did not twitch because of being grounded for half a month, but became more relaxed than before.
“Mother.” Qin Yunuan greeted her. She heard the words very clearly just now. The dominant Dou Qing’e had turned into a generous hostess. She didn’t believe that Dou Qing’e had really changed. Dou Qing’e was from the Dou family in Hangzhou. They had gained fame from being officials for generations. Dou Qing’e was the third lady from the Dou family. She had been adored since she was a child and was used to conspiracies in the family. No one would believe that she had changed her temper just for Qin Zhi.
Dou Qing’e’s tone was gentle and graceful, as she nodded in return. They entered the room together without further contact.
After greeting, Qin Yunzhuang, who had taken off the veil and revealed her good-looking face ran to Qin Zhi in tears, “Father, it’s so good that you’re not hurt. I was so worried.”
Qin Zhi pulled out a faint smile, “Doctor Chen has already seen it, it’s not a big deal, but for Qiqi….” He turned to look at Li Qiqi who was sitting beside him but found that a hint of surprise flashed in the delicate beauty’s eyes with her hand covering her mouth. Following her sight, Qin Zhi saw Su Chenghai, who was about to enter the house. One of them an eighteen-year-old beauty, the other a young man with a strong spirit. Qin Zhi put his fist over his mouth and coughed dryly, so that the somehow unscrupulous Li Qiqi returned to her mind. “Qiqi, the doctor said you are frightened and need a good rest. Is there anything so important in the room that made you run back for it?”
At this moment, Li Qiqi was only wearing a white lining, and a cloud-geese-patterned daisy dress on the outside. Apparently, she ran out in a panic, that there were burnt marks on her hair and her skirt, and ashes in her nails. Compared to Qin Zhi, who’s still very neat and tidy though haggard, Li Qiqi seemed a bit embarrassed.
“Concubine Li, is there anything important in the house?” Qin Yunuan naturally noticed Li Qiqi’s gaze at Su Chenghai. “If it’s some jewelries, you can tell the servant girls to be more careful. Perhaps they’re not burnt out yet and still in there.”
“Don’t bother.” Li Qiqi rejected Qin Yunuan’s kindness, and her expression slowly faded, “It’s just a piece of clothes that is worthless.”
There were frequent reports from the Hai Tang Courtyard, and the servant girls were all busy adding tea for the masters. Su Chenghai sat next to Qin Yunuan naturally. At this time, Qin Yunuan had already handed Su Chenghai’s crane robe back to him, so as not to cause any misunderstandings. Qin Yunuan, who was wearing thin clothes wobbled a little as the brazier was too far apart, but she had to bear it for a while.
“Here.” Su Chenghai handed the freshly brewed hot tea to Qin Yunuan and brought the tea that Qin Yunuan used to warm her hands to himself, raised it to his mouth, and drank it.
“It’s already cold.” Qin Yunuan murmured, trying to stop him.
Su Chenghai pursed his lips and said, “I like to drink it cold.”
“Master, the Hai Tang Courtyard has been checked. The dormitory has been completely burned down, and the other two auricles can be remedied. In addition,” the old housekeeper who came to deliver the message looked at Li Qiqi and bowed his head, “As for the wedding dress Concubine Li asked me to save, I’m afraid it must have been completely burned. ”
Li Qiqi halted for a second, then waved her hand and said,” Never mind, it’s just a piece of clothes.”
Qin Zhi said quietly, “It’s just a piece of clothes. If you like it, I’ll invite someone from Yuman Embroidery Shop tomorrow to make one for you each in spring, summer, autumn and winter.”
Qin Zhi’s pampering to Li Qiqi had hurt Dou Qing’e’s eyes, but she still maintained a tolerant and generous appearance, and even took over the speech, “How could that be enough? Now sister Li is part of the Qin Family, and she’s so beautiful. If I am to decide, I would make three for her in each season. It happens that there is a satin brought from the regions south of the River by my brother. Unfortunately, the color is too gorgeous and doesn’t suit me really well. If sister Li wears it, she must be looking great.”
Seeing Qin Zhi nodding with satisfaction at Dou Qing’e’s attitude nowadays, Qin Yunuan’s heart tightened even more. If Dou Qing’e was willing to come at her directly, like what she did previously, it’s still fine. However, if Dou Qing’e started to hide her conspiracies behind the surface, like today, she would not be so easy to handle.
During the conversation, people gradually came together. Even Qin Baochuan was carried there by nurse Liao. Since he had slept late because he practiced calligraphy too hard, Qin Baochuan was now lying to nurse Liao and sleeping.
“Last night Baochuan practiced calligraphy till late, so he’s a bit sleepy.” Qin Yunuan explained for Qin Baochuan. However, she knew that in Qin Zhi’s heart, he hated Qin Baochuan more than he appeared to.
But The only people missing in the room were the people in charge of the household, Concubine Liu and Concubine Chang.