Chapter 58: Sisters Reunite

  The next morning, Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing packed up their belongings and left the husband-and-wife shop. Just as they were about to leave, they saw the shop owner and his wife, as well as Xiao Liu, bidding each other farewell. It seemed that after spending some time together, the three of them had developed a good relationship, especially with Xiao Liu's exceptional culinary skills and introverted personality, which made the boss and his wife reluctant to let her go. Who wouldn't want such an employee? She didn't speak much, just focused on working, and the dishes she made were comparable to those of a royal chef. This was like having a money tree, and it was hard to bear letting her leave. However, at that time, Xiao Liu had already agreed with them that as long as she got three meals a day, all the money she earned would belong to the shop owner and his wife, but there was one condition: if she wanted to leave, the boss couldn't stop her and had to let her go smoothly. Otherwise, the money she had previously earned would be split 50/50.

  Liu Qingqing looked at the three people's farewell appearance, and nodded to Hu Zhongren, who took out 100 taels of white silver from his bosom. "These silver taels are for you two, our friend Xiao Liu has caused trouble for you here."

  The husband and wife were overjoyed. These silver coins, the two of them had to struggle for several years. The boss's wife quickly grabbed the silver coins.

  "Hu Zhongren said: 'Please go to the market and buy a horse carriage for us, this is the cost of buying the car.' After finishing speaking, he took out another 100 taels of silver."

  The mistress pushed her husband and said, "I'm telling you, dear husband, isn't there a horse carriage in our backyard? Let's just give it to Little Liu."

  Hu Zhongren handed the silver to the boss, and the boss's wife took it with a smile, "How can this be good? Thank you so much, Mr. Gu."

  Liu Qingqing thought to herself, "He's even more greedy than I am, Hu Shao. I let you take the silver, but not this much. You're being too generous, aren't you? Do you think you're Shen Wanshan with a treasure bowl at home?"

  However, she has always been sensible and able to control her mouth. With a smile on her face, she seemed to be very approving of Hu Zhongren's generosity. She said on the side: "Take it quickly, it's rare for us to meet like this. In the future, we will often come to patronize your store."

  The boss's wife, Nono, was about to kowtow to them. They were truly like parents to her. As they spoke, the boss brought over a horse-drawn carriage, and Liu Qingqing and Xiao Liu got on together. Hu Zhongren drove the carriage himself, and the three of them set off once again on their journey to Kyoto.

  Liu Qingqing sat in the carriage, and Xiao Liu felt a bit nervous, her eyes not looking at Liu Qingqing but instead gazing out of the window. Liu Qingqing observed Xiao Liu's state and realized that she was embarrassed because he was a man. In ancient times, people emphasized the separation between men and women, and since Liu Qingqing had disguised herself as a man, it caused Xiao Liu distress. So she said: "Xiao Liu sister, don't be nervous, actually, I'm also a girl, I deceived you, you must forgive me!"

  Xiaoliu was shocked, how could this be said, the carriage was so narrow, Liu Qingqing knelt down in front of him. Xiaoliu quickly said: "This can't be considered deceitful, traveling on rivers and lakes, men's disguises are more convenient, it's understandable, no need to make such a big gesture? Get up quickly and talk." It's worth noting that Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing were riding two precious horses, which had now become carriage-driving horses, and the speed was extremely fast. Liu Qingqing's kneeling was truly sincere, even he himself felt a slight pain in his knees.

  Liu Qingqing said: "I am actually your sister Liu Feiyang, and I have been impersonating you all along. So please forgive me, sister."

  "My sister? Impossible! Although I was only three years old at the time, my brother told me that our parents had a falling out and went their separate ways, so how could there be a sister?"

  Liu Qingqing lied without batting an eyelid, and what's more, she had already rehearsed it once in front of Hu Zhongren, so she was quite familiar with it. So she told Xiao Liu about the whole situation.

  The reason for the conflict between parents is because mom had an affair.

  Including the father who did not know he had this child, the mother raised herself independently.

  Including being trapped in the Liu family, becoming a substitute bride, replacing Xiao Liu to go to the Hu family, and marrying Hu Zhongren. It also includes Yang Liuqing's infatuation and Yue Qianshan's persistence. It tells everything that happened later when they were taken to the country of Hanhai, until the three met at this small inn. Every detail was told to Xiao Liu.

  Finally, she said: "The one driving outside is Hu Shao, but you don't have to worry about him forcing marriage. Because, firstly, he has already cancelled his engagement with the Liu family, and secondly, the person he likes is someone else. So you don't have to worry that Hu Shao will use force on you, just return to Kyoto with us peacefully, and when you see Yue Qianshan, you can be together with him, sharing a love nest and bathing in the river of love."

  Xiaoliu listened to Liu Qingqing's words and said with gratitude: "Sister has done a lot for me, it should be me who apologizes."

  Liu Qingqing said, "It doesn't matter, Mother sent me out to find you, it's for us to be close and love each other, to comfort Father's pain. I believe Father knows our situation and will definitely agree with what I'm doing." Liu Qingqing thought of her grandmother's words, she came to this strange world to find a wonderful love, but what she encountered seemed unrelated to love. Now that she met a sister who looked exactly like herself, she might as well acknowledge it first.

  Hu Zhongren, who was outside the car, also overheard the conversation between the two and was deeply moved. He thought that Liu Qingqing was indeed a reasonable and perceptive person. If he hadn't told Xiao Liu, Xiao Liu's heart would still have been filled with doubts and uncertainty. Now that everything had been revealed, it would be easier for him to interact with others in the capital city.

  Women always have a lot to talk about when they're together, and it's even more so with Qingqing around. So in no time at all, Qingqing and Xiao Liu became fast friends, chatting away like they'd known each other for years. They talked nonstop along the way, their chatter making Hu Zhongren smile and softening his normally stern face.

  Just ahead, we'll arrive at Linhuang Province. Hu Zhongren slowed down the carriage and said to the two Liu Qingqing inside, "Up ahead is Linjing, the capital of Linhuang Province. Both our families have branches here. Would you like to visit the Liu family's store?"

  The two of them exchanged a knowing smile and said in unison, "No need, let's just head straight to the Hu family's branch residence to rest our feet. We don't want to alert anyone else and leak the news of our arrival."

  Hu Zhongren's view was consistent with theirs, so he did not enter from the front door, but directly drove the large cart into the Hu family brocade shop from the back door.

  My servant saw Hu Shao driving his carriage back himself and was very surprised. "Hu Shao, where did this come from? Why isn't anyone following you?"

  "Hush, don't let the news leak out. Let's keep it a secret that I and Madam have arrived. He is my friend, take good care of him. Tomorrow morning we will head to the capital."

  I nodded in response, my eyes still couldn't help but be curious, looking at Xiaoliu, thinking that the young mistress was truly beautiful and elegant, dignified and composed. I bowed deeply and said: "I've spoken to the young mistress before, please follow me to Master Hu's residence." And led Xiaoliu into Master Hu's bedroom.

  Xiaoliang nervously looked at Liu Qingqing, and Liu Qingqing comfortingly smiled at Xiaoliang: "Sister, you can go without worry, I'll come to the bedroom to see you later."

  Koyanagi put his mind at ease and went with cooking together.

  Hu Zhongren brought Liu Qingqing to the storefront in front of him. The servants and apprentices saw Hu Shao and bowed, busy and not surprised. It seems that Hu Shao often comes to the branch store for inspection, and the servants and apprentices are already used to it. Hu Shao checked the accounts with the shopkeeper and instructed him again before returning to the bedroom with Liu Qingqing.

  Xiaoliu sat upright in the bedroom, seeing Liu Qingqing come and suddenly let out a breath of relief, revealing a smile as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "You don't have to be nervous, just like you're at your own home." Hu Shao smiled back at her.

  Liu Qingqing smiled and said, "Yes, just like in my own home." A pair of big eyes blinked curiously, looking at the things in the house, as if curious about everything. Looking around the room, except for its grandeur and luxury, it was filled with antiques and jade artifacts, and the bed in the bedroom was even made of agarwood. Liu Qingqing sniffed her nose, "Hu Shao's life is really corrupt." It's too luxurious. Comparable to a presidential suite now. Everything is equipped.

  Hú Zhōngrén smiled and said, "Do you like it? If you like it, then you can rest on this bed tonight."

  Liu Qingqing said: "Is it okay if we all rest here tonight?"

  Hu Shaodao said: "Whatever you decide, I'm just afraid that Little Willow will find it inconvenient."

  "I'm already feeling inconvenient now. My sister and I need to take a bath, change clothes, eat and sleep. So, please ask Hu Shao to rest elsewhere."

  "Alright, you guys go take a bath and change your clothes first. I'll go check on the food preparation."

  Hu Zhongren nodded at Xiao Liu and Liu Qingqing, then left the house. Liu Qingqing quickly took off her clothes and got into the bathtub prepared by the maid.

  It's so comfortable! These past few days have been exhausting from traveling, and I haven't even had a chance to take a bath or change clothes, my body stinks.

  After a comfortable bath, Liu Qingqing also changed into women's clothing. At this time, Xiao Liu had also finished changing clothes. The two people stood together, facing the mirror, and couldn't help but smile at each other. Having just bathed, the two were unadorned, with their natural qualities on display. Their black hair was softly draped over their shoulders, even the length was almost the same. With rosy cheeks and smooth white skin, they were roughly the same height, standing together like they were carved from the same mold. The creator is indeed wonderful!

  Hu Zhongren arranged for the dishes to be brought in and invited the two to dine. Seeing the two identical beauties standing upright in the bedroom, he didn't dare to judge which one was Liu Qingqing and which one was Xiao Liu.

  One of them couldn't help but burst out laughing: "How's that? Can't recognize me now?" Hu Zhongren realized it was Liu Qingqing. Being lively and active was her trademark, after all.

  The meal was ready, and Hu Zhongren dismissed the servants. Liu Qingqing and Xiao Liu walked out together to eat. At this time, we can see that Liu Qingqing and Hu Zhongren are really kindred spirits. Compared to the relatively quiet Xiao Liu, the eating habits of these two people were truly frightening.

  Plunder everything, grab everything, eat everything. The Three Alls Policy.

  Some people eat until they are full and content, while others are left staring in amazement. The ones who eat until they are full and content are of course Liu Qingqing and Hu Zhongren; their styles are similar, always competing to see who can eat the most, eating until they are stuffed, eating until their stomachs are about to burst, eating for three days without needing to eat again. Those left staring in amazement are Xiaoliu and her sisters; they have always been careful about what they eat, always watching others' expressions before acting, and when attending banquets at the Liu household, they are even more cautious, afraid that others will laugh at them. After receiving attention from Old Master Liu, they finally had a relatively stable life, but they were still afraid of being ridiculed by Old Mistress Liu as uncouth and uneducated wild girls, so they always referred to themselves as maids and never dared to act like young ladies. Therefore, in the past few years at the Liu household, they lived cautiously, yet not as freely as when they were fleeing on their own.

  Is this the demeanor that a noble lady and a rich young master should have? It's as if a hungry ghost who has been starving for a hundred years has been reborn.