Chapter 128: One Day Of Peace
Warm sunlight filtered through the paper windows, painting the quiet chamber in a soft golden glow.
Wang Gege slowly opened her eyes. For a brief moment, she simply stared at the familiar wooden ceiling above her.
"Good morning... Wang Gege..." She muttered softly, greeting only herself. She remained lying there for quite some time, not moving in the slightest.
Yesterday’s events slowly replayed inside her mind one after another.
The main hall... Xie An’an... Xie Rong.
"Forget it." She let out a quiet sigh before raising a hand to cover her eyes.
’Hadn’t I have decided this a long time ago? Live peacefully... Grow old here... And become a proper salted fish.’ She pursed her lips, ’So why am I making my life so complicated?’
She was neither the heroine nor the villain. She had no intention of changing the world, nor did she wish to become the most beloved woman in the Xie Residence.
All she had ever wanted... was an ordinary life.
One where she could wake up naturally every morning...
Eat... Sleep... And quietly enjoy the days passing by.
’That doesn’t sound too difficult, does it?’ Another sigh escaped her lips. ’So why does every single day here feel more exhausting than working overtime in my previous life?’
Just then, the soft clinking of porcelain drifted in from outside the chamber.
"Careful... Place the soup a little further from the edge." Qing’er’s gentle voice could be heard directing the young maids.
"This plate goes here... No, not there. Young Madam prefers it on the left."
"This servant understands."
The quiet exchange was accompanied by the sound of bowls and chopsticks being carefully arranged upon the table.
Wang Gege listened in silence.
A faint smile unconsciously found its way onto her lips. For some reason... Those ordinary sounds carried an inexplicable warmth.
Back in her previous life, mornings had always begun with the shrill ringing of an alarm clock, followed by the frantic rush to get ready before work.
There had never been anyone waiting outside her bedroom, reminding others to be careful because her breakfast might become cold.
She slowly sat up, pulling the blanket over her lap.
"It really does feel different." The words escaped almost unconsciously.
Perhaps, she had unknowingly begun growing accustomed to this place.
Just then, Qing’er’s gentle voice came from beyond the folding screen. "Young Madam? Has Young Madam awakened?"
Wang Gege blinked before replying, "Come in."
The curtain was gently drawn aside.
Qing’er stepped into the inner chamber carrying a copper washbasin filled with warm water.
The two young maids who had been arranging breakfast remained in the outer room, quietly making the final adjustments before withdrawing.
Qing’er placed the washbasin upon its wooden stand before turning toward Wang Gege with a smile.
"This servant has prepared the warm water for Young Madam." She paused briefly before adding, "Breakfast has also been laid out in the outer hall. Would Young Madam like to freshen up first?"
Wang Gege nodded lightly. "I’ll trouble you then."
Qing’er smiled and stepped forward. After helping Wang Gege wash her face and rinse her mouth, she led her to sit before the bronze mirror.
With practiced movements, Qing’er picked up the ivory comb and gently combed through Wang Gege’s silky black hair.
The room was filled only with the rhythmic strokes of the comb.
Neither of them spoke.
Wang Gege quietly watched her reflection in the bronze mirror. After everything that had happened yesterday, this peaceful morning almost felt unreal. "Qing’er."
"This servant is here." Qing’er answered while fixing a few messy strands of hairs on Wang Gege’s head.
Wang Gege tilted her head slightly. "I’ve been wondering... Is there anywhere lively in the capital today?"
Qing’er’s hand paused for the briefest moment before continuing to comb her hair. "The capital is lively every day, Young Madam. May this servant ask what Young Madam wishes to see?"
Wang Gege thought for a moment before smiling sheepishly. "I don’t really have anything specific in mind. I suddenly felt like going outside for a walk."
She looked out through the open window where the morning breeze gently stirred the leaves in the courtyard. "I want to breathe some fresh air... And perhaps look around the city."
Qing’er met Wang Gege’s eyes through the bronze mirror before smiling knowingly. "So... Young Madam is feeling bored?"
Wang Gege let out an embarrassed laugh. "A little."
Qing’er chuckled softly. "If Young Madam merely wishes to take a stroll, the Eastern Market is quite lively this morning. Many merchants arrive early, so there are always interesting things to see."
Wang Gege’s eyes immediately brightened.
"Really?"
"Mm." Qing’er smiled as she continued combing Wang Gege’s hair. "There are food stalls, teahouses, silk merchants, jewelry shops, storytellers, and even street performers on certain days."
Wang Gege unconsciously leaned forward.
"Then..." A hint of excitement appeared in her eyes. "Would it be possible for us to go today?"
"Ah..." Qing’er’s movements gradually slowed before coming to a stop altogether.
She met Wang Gege’s gaze through the bronze mirror, her expression turning slightly hesitant.
"It is possible, Young Madam..." She pressed her lips together for a brief moment before continuing. "However... Very early this morning, Young Master came to this courtyard."
Wang Gege’s smile faltered almost imperceptibly.
"He asked this servant to inform Young Madam... that he would come after breakfast." Qing’er lowered her eyes respectfully. "He said... he still owes Young Madam an explanation regarding Chuntao. He wishes to keep the promise he made yesterday."
The chamber fell silent once more.
Wang Gege quietly looked at her own reflection in the bronze mirror.
For a long while, she said nothing. Only her fingertips unconsciously tightened around the edge of her sleeve.
"Qing’er..." Her voice was unusually soft.
"If I tell you... that I don’t wish to hear about it right now... And... that I don’t wish to meet him either..." She paused before letting out a quiet, helpless laugh. "Would that sound absurd?"
Qing’er’s hands gradually stopped moving. She looked at Wang Gege’s reflection in the bronze mirror.
For a few moments, she saw not the composed Young Madam who had calmly defended herself before the entire Xie family yesterday but merely a young woman who looked exhausted.
Qing’er’s heart softened. "This servant does not think so, Young Madam."
Wang Gege slowly lifted her eyes. "Really?"
Qing’er nodded gently. "Everyone has moments when they wish to be alone." She resumed combing Wang Gege’s hair with slow, careful movements.
"This servant has served Young Madam for some time now. Although Young Madam always smiles... this servant knows Young Madam has been carrying many things in her heart."
Wang Gege lowered her gaze as she felt the surge of emotions coveted her heart.
Qing’er gently set the ivory comb aside before meeting Wang Gege’s eyes through the bronze mirror. "If that is what Young Madam wishes... then this servant will inform the Young Master. After that, this servant shall have the carriage prepared for Young Madam."
A gentle smile slowly appeared on Qing’er’s face.
"This servant has only one wish..." She looked at Wang Gege’s reflection, "That Young Madam may one day find the happiness you truly seek."