The next day, Qingliu did exactly as she had promised. She honestly tidied up the needles and threads and came to explain various stitching techniques to Li Ying without any distractions.
She took out some newly drawn embroidery patterns from her bosom and, looking straight ahead, softly explained one by one the auspicious meanings of each pattern and the difficulties in embroidering them.
If Li Ying hadn't known that Qingliu was an underling of Commissioner Lin, she might really have regarded Qingliu as a kind - hearted and gentle woman.
Li Ying had no intention of exposing Qingliu's tricks. Pretending not to notice, she also put on an appearance of being eager to learn.
One taught without reservation, and the other learned patiently. They spent time like this until it was time for lunch.
A Man was a bit worried. She was keeping a watchful eye on them. Calculating the time, she knew that Lu Xunguang would probably come to find Li Ying for lunch. She was just thinking of issuing an order to drive the guest away.
Before she could show her dissatisfaction, Qingliu got up first with an apologetic look on her face and said softly, "Boss Li is naturally intelligent and dexterous. I'm sure you'll soon master all the stitching techniques you've learned today."
"The time is getting late. The sisters are waiting for me to go back and have lunch together. I won't bother you anymore. Tomorrow morning, I'll bring some different patterns for you to choose from."
Her well - behaved and proper manner was flawless.
A Man, who had prepared a barrage of scolding, now felt as if she had punched a soft cotton ball. She was extremely frustrated.
She sat back beside Li Ying discontentedly and snorted, "She'd better know her place. Don't let me catch her doing anything wrong!"
Li Ying found it amusing to see A Man looking like a little wolf dog with her sharp claws out.
Just as she was about to lovingly stroke A Man's hair, she heard some arguing voices faintly from outside the door.
"Sister, it seems to be Qingliu's crying? And... Brother - in - law Lu?"
A Man frowned and rushed out of the door in a few steps. Li Ying followed closely behind.
Lu Xunguang had a cold look on his face. Qingliu was lying on the ground delicately, with her hair in disarray and her clothes a bit messy.
A mule - train brother smelled of alcohol. His weather - beaten face was as red as sauce, obviously drunk.
"Master Lu, I... I..."
The rough men of the mule - train were not good at words. After drinking some wine, they stammered and couldn't explain themselves.
On the contrary, Qingliu tidied up her clothes, wiped the tears from her frightened face, and forced out a very strained smile.
"Master Lu, don't be angry... It's all my fault, Qingliu. Please don't blame this mule - train brother for my little grievance..."
"I'm just a poor girl. I shouldn't have had unrealistic expectations. Since I was born into a brothel, I shouldn't have expected others to look up to me... I know this mule - train brother was just drunk and couldn't control himself for a moment. It's only human nature..."
Although she was teary - eyed, she was very eloquent. With just a few understated words, the on - looking villagers immediately guessed what had happened.
Among the mule - train men, there were some bachelors. Young and hot - blooded, it was reasonable for them to do something out of line when drunk.
The mule - train man, under Lu Xunguang's cold gaze, sobered up most of the alcohol.
But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out what inappropriate thing he had done. Unable to defend himself, he just paced around anxiously like a headless fly.
Qingliu's attitude was even more submissive. Instead, she timidly pleaded for mercy.
"Master Lu, Boss Li, I'm fine. In the future, I'll be more careful. Please don't damage the harmony between you and the mule - train brothers because of me..."
After leaving this sentence, she covered her face and left in tears.
Her appearance of swallowing her grievances and bearing them for the overall situation even made the mule - train man who was supposed to have "molested" her couldn't help but slap himself hard and scold himself for being a brute.
Lu Xunguang frowned tightly. The incident happened suddenly. He had only seen Qingliu sitting on the ground in disheveled clothes on his way here. He really hadn't seen clearly what had happened, so it was hard for him to judge. He could only sink his face and repeatedly tell the mule - train men and Lu family servants to behave themselves and never act like lechers.
Seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, the villagers left one by one. A Man was fuming. Just thinking of Qingliu made her even more annoyed.
"Sister! I know you want to use this stupid woman, Qingliu, to lure Commissioner Lin into the trap. But if she stays in the village, she will surely cause more trouble! Sister, can't we find another way?"
Li Ying gently rubbed the space between her eyebrows.
She knew very well that what A Man said was reasonable.
But Commissioner Lin was very cautious to protect his official position. He was walking on thin ice and would never easily fall into her trap.
If she exposed Qingliu's disguise at this moment, Commissioner Lin would surely be more on guard.
Just as Li Ying was pondering, she suddenly heard a noisy commotion from outside the door.
"Something's wrong! Someone has jumped into the sea!"
"Go and save them quickly!"
Lu Xunguang, who had been sitting beside Li Ying with a cold face and saying nothing, suddenly jumped up like an arrow off the string. He just hurriedly left a sentence, "A Ying, I'll go and have a look." Then he rushed out of the door without looking back.
The lunch had been full of twists and turns. Li Ying had lost her appetite. So she simply went out with A Man and followed the crowd to the beach where the accident happened.
The wind was strong and the waves were high. From afar, she saw the green figure of Qingliu bobbing up and down in the white waves, drifting with the current. Her life or death was uncertain.
It was high tide, and there were many hidden reefs under the sea. If one was not careful and hit a reef, they would be cut open and it would be extremely dangerous.
Even the experienced old helmsmen in the village couldn't help but gasp and didn't dare to jump into the sea rashly to save the person.
Among the on - lookers, there were also many noble guests from the capital who had come from afar. Seeing Qingliu's delicate figure about to be torn apart and swallowed up in an instant and not knowing the whole story, they immediately started whispering to each other in twos and threes.
Naturally, they criticized the fishermen in the village for being cold - hearted and only caring about money, and even being able to stand by and watch someone drown.
Li Ying frowned. What a good act of feigning self - injury!
Before she could react, there was another exclamation from the crowd.
Without hesitation, Lu Xunguang jumped into the surging waves. His body was like a sharp and agile sword, plunging into the billowing waves!
A wave hit him in the face. His back swayed for a moment, then he chased after the sinking Qingliu and disappeared from sight.
"Xunguang!"
Li Ying couldn't help but let out a startled cry. Her spirit was also greatly shocked.