delusions in one's mind

As he ran home towards the woodshed, he pushed open the door and his usually calm voice trembled slightly, "Little Hibiscus?"

Fan Lingzhang was tied up against the wall with a thick handkerchief stuffed in his mouth. When he saw Sui Zhixu arrive, he stared wide-eyed, his eyes filled with grievance.

Sui Zhixu went up to take the handkerchief, bent down and untied him.

"Madam, this scoundrel has been arrested on the spot for trespassing in the Prime Minister's residence. The Lord and the family have ordered us to keep a close watch on him." The man at the gate, unable to stop Sui Zhixu, said sheepishly.

"It's nothing, we'll handle it, it's none of your business."

"Yes, yes, then I'll take my leave."

Seeing that the man had disappeared in a flash, only she and Fan Lingzhang remained in the woodshed.

Sui Zhixu lowered her head to untie him without saying a word, as she hadn't yet figured out how to handle her relationship with Fan Lingzhang.

"Ah Ling".

His voice was very soft, but it was still audible. How could someone so close not hear it?

"Hmm." After a few moments of silence, Sui Zhixu finally uttered a sound.

"Has the matter with the Pei family been resolved?"

Sui Zhixu threw the hemp rope aside and said, "The court session will be held tomorrow, and it's basically done."

The matter will only truly end tomorrow after the court hearing confirms the Pei family's innocence and that the Lu family framed them.

"you……"

The two spoke at the same time, their eyes meeting.

Despite his downfall, he was like a lotus emerging from the water, pure and elegant. The wispy hair falling across his forehead, combined with his otherworldly appearance, gave him an ethereal and unapproachable air.

Sui Zhixu brushed away his stray hairs, her voice a little unnatural, "You go first."

"I... I don't know what to say. I've been waiting for you all this July 7th, but you've been busy. I don't know what you've been busy with, or where you are. I can't get in touch with you." Fan Lingzhang lowered his head and leaned lightly on Sui Zhixu's shoulder.

“I’m a little unhappy. I drank too much yesterday and got caught climbing over the wall.”

Sui Zhixu tapped him on the head, his tone serious, "Who told you to climb the wall? You're lucky you didn't get stabbed a few times by the Sui family."

"Hmm." Fan Lingzhang took the opportunity to hug Sui Zhixu, his well-defined knuckles pulling her into his arms, his broad shoulders enveloping her.

His warm breath brushed against her neck, and Fan Lingzhang hummed softly, his voice rising in pitch, returning to the flamboyant and cheerful boss he was when he was doing business.

"It's good that you're back."

The strong scent of jasmine wafted between the two of them. Xu had been avoiding wearing a sachet lately in an effort to calm herself down, and the sudden aroma made her feel as if she were in another world.

Well, there's a saying that's true: take it one step at a time and don't overthink it.

At least things are better now than at the beginning. The edges of memory have become like lotus leaves with roots and stems, a place to rely on.

She now has a home and is no longer a drifting duckweed in this world.

Her surroundings were no longer desolate.

There was a knocking sound behind me.

"Young Master."

Sui Zhixu turned around, "Young Master Puyang?"

She got up from Fan Lingzhang's embrace, stood up to face him, and heard him say with a smile, "The head of the family invites you and this young man who has mistakenly entered the room to come over. The teacher has just returned and is with the head of the family in the main hall."

Through Sui Zhixu's pale yellow shawl, Fan Lingzhang and Puyang Kai looked at each other; the lotus-colored round collar made him look like a lotus in the water.

His raised eyebrows and arrogant demeanor made Puyang Kai frown slightly. He didn't understand where the young master had gotten to know the owner of Yunlai Tower.

This man is even more difficult to deal with than the eccentric Xi ​​Langjun and the simple-minded Chu Langjun; the young master seems to be too lenient with him.

"Let's go." Sui Zhixu pulled Fan Lingzhang up and walked past Puyang Kai at the door.

Cong Lan paced back and forth in the main hall, and Sui He, unable to bear it any longer, told him to sit down properly.

“There’s no room at all, not even a little bit. That bastard actually dared to come to my doorstep. I really gave him too much face. Isn’t Xiao Kai good enough? He’s gentle and considerate, and he knows about the Sui family’s affairs. Isn’t he better than that guy outside?” Cong Lan got angrier and angrier as she spoke, and simply sat down in the chair.

Why is it so hot today?

"Don't worry." Sui He took a sip of tea. "She's still young. She's lived in a Taoist temple all her life and hasn't seen many young men. That's normal."

She remained calm and composed, showing no sign of distress. Cong Lan, on the other hand, sat sullenly in her chair. Her own daughter, Bai Cai, had only been back for a short time, and Fan Lingzhang, who always boasted of his deep love for his deceased wife, was now clinging to A Xu. What good could he possibly be?

"Mother." Sui Zhixu entered the room and walked to Sui He's side.

With a smile, Sui He straightened the shawl that had fallen off Sui Zhixu's clothes and said gently, "It's so hot, why didn't you let Dan Hong hold an umbrella for you?"

Sui Zhixu looked around at her clothes, met Sui He's gentle gaze, and softened her tone a little, "I didn't let Dan Hong follow her, she went to play with Liu Lü by herself."

"Hmm, Dan Hong is efficient but also playful, but with Liu Lü in charge, nothing will go wrong." Sui He glanced at Fan Lingzhang as he entered.

"Master Fan has it tough. He climbed over my wall and didn't get hurt." Sui He's voice was indifferent, without joy or sorrow. There was no contempt from a merchant's status, but rather the indifference of a head of household.

"May the head of the household be at peace, and may the minister be at peace."

"Master, teacher."

Fan Lingzhang and Puyang Kai exchanged greetings, and Cong Lan made a nonchalant utterance.

"It was my rudeness, please forgive me, Master." Fan Lingzhang said with a respectful attitude.

Sui He glanced at it and gently agreed, "Don't get lost again."

Fan Lingzhang remained in the salute posture, his body stiff, and slowly stood at attention.

The bright smile on her face froze. Sui He's attitude was clear: as expected of the head of the family who had been in power for many years, he was a gentle knife that cut to the bone with every stroke.

“Mother, I’ll tell you later.” Sui Zhixu tugged at Sui He’s sleeve.

Seeing this, Sui He smiled and said, "Why are you so nervous? It's late at night, and you're drunk, so it's understandable."

"Ah Xu, go see Fan Langjun off. There are some things to take care of at home when you get back." Sui He sighed slightly and handed Sui Zhixu's hand out.

Cong Lan turned her face away, out of sight, out of mind.

Xu nodded slightly and walked up to Fan Lingzhang, saying, "I'll see you out."

Fan Lingzhang nodded, took her hand, and Cong Lan stood up abruptly, her gaze fixed on their clasped hands.

When Sui Zhixu noticed this, she turned her head and looked at Cong Lan with a puzzled expression. Cong Lan was speechless when she saw this, and after receiving a look from Sui He, she silently sat down again.

She glanced at Cong Lan a few times, then turned around and saw Fan Lingzhang off.

Puyang Kai stood beside Cong Lan, quietly watching Sui Zhixu see him off. Before leaving, the two looked at each other again.

Fan Lingzhang held Sui Zhixu's hand tightly. She felt it was a little tight, but she didn't say anything and let him be.

As she saw him to the door, she said, "I'll be going to court in a few days. You take good care of your restaurant."

She felt that Fan Lingzhang had been neglecting his business lately, completely ignoring his restaurant. He was always clinging to her, and even if he was good at business, he might still end up bankrupt.

“Let’s get down to business.” Sui Zhixu nodded, agreeing with his own statement. “I also need to get down to business.”

"How about the Hu Ji Tavern?" Sui Zhixu still remembered the tavern run by Ye Niangzi, one of Sima Xian's subordinates.

"Don't worry, there will be good news soon." Fan Lingzhang wrapped his large hand around hers, his eyes narrowing with delight.

Suddenly remembering something, Sui Zhixu frowned slightly and said, "Don't take Father and Mother's words to heart. It's a bit complicated. Let's talk about it later."

If only Fan Lingzhang could come up with a good solution for her himself.

She didn't really want to explain how she went from being Aling to Sui Zhixu; she herself didn't know.

Noticing Sui Zhixu's unusual fluctuations, Fan Lingzhang pressed his forehead against hers, saying, "I know, I'm a very generous person, I won't take it to heart."

"You need to be careful," Fan Lingzhang whispered in her ear. "My people at Tianque Tower recently sent a letter. They'll be able to send out a complete message about the tower in a while, which might be useful to you."

Xu Taohua's eyes flashed with surprise; she hadn't expected Fan Lingzhang to be able to plant people in there. She nodded slightly. "Be careful. He... he should know me. But in his memory, you and I don't know each other now. Be careful. He... he's also a bit hard to say."

Fan Lingzhang hugged her one last time, then quickly let go, as if it were his last lingering affection, or as if he couldn't bear to stop, otherwise he would never be able to leave.

"I'm leaving." Fan Lingzhang waved to her, the jade pendant at his waist jingling. He was really noisy from head to toe.

Sui Zhixu paused for two seconds, looked around, and then turned and left.

"Mother, Father."

"He's back. It took so much time to get him there," Cong Lan muttered, her dissatisfaction evident in her words.

What's wrong with him again?

Isn't Father usually only acting strangely in front of Mother?

Sui Zhixu sighed, a faint sound that quickly drifted away with the wind.

How did that charming little grass under the peach tree end up wriggling and baring its fangs over her?

I really don't understand.

Sui He sat down in the chair, a ripple appearing beneath his calm face. "News has come from Jingzhou: your uncle has passed away."

Sui Zhixu asked instinctively, "Who?"

When she came to her senses, she was somewhat dazed; she hadn't heard any news about Suishan for a long time.

The sudden change in her identity made it difficult for her to react quickly. Her first thought was Sima Xian, not Sui Shan, her cousin Sui Chengyu's father.

Sui Shan's death was also partly related to Sui Zhixu. When the people Sui Chengyu had arranged in the Jingzhou Medical Lodge were almost exposed, it was Sui Zhixu who covered it up with Dan Hong.

Although Sui Zhixu didn't understand why Sui Chengyu hated her father and even wanted him dead, it seemed to be an unpleasant past.

Since she didn't say anything, Sui Zhixu naturally wouldn't ask.

As time went by, Sui Zhixu had long forgotten Sui Shan, and the image of his uncle in his memory gradually faded, transforming into the figure of Sima Xian.

“Chengyu and your other two cousins ​​will return to Jingzhou for the funeral, and your aunt and I will also go back.” There was an unyielding sadness in Suihe’s eyes.

Sui Zhixu lowered her eyes. Anyway, she didn't feel anything. Sui Shan had initially prevented her from going home, and later left her with the troublesome Xi Yushao and Xi Yuzhen. She even wished Sui Shan would die sooner.

How long will Mother be gone?

"It will take at least two months to travel from Chang'an to Jingzhou to handle your uncle's funeral and then rush back to Chang'an."

"Perhaps I can still make it in time for Cheng Zhijie and Mingyi's wedding."

Yes, Sui Shan is not as important to her as Xu Mingyi and Cheng Zhijie.

Fortunately, Sui He didn't suspect anything, or rather, she didn't care. Her eyes were filled with sorrow, a kind of sibling affection that Sui Zhixu had never experienced before.

Sui Chengyu learned of this early in the morning. After Sui He and Cong Lan cried and wailed for a while, she pretended to faint. Upon hearing that Sui Zhixu had come to see her, she slowly woke up.

Looking around, she said weakly, "My cousin is here."

Sui Zhixu sat by her bedside. Xiao Xinghua, whose head was drooping, was stroked by her hand, and she comforted her, "There are fellow disciples of Dan Hong in the Medical Clinic. You don't need to worry, they will handle it."

Sui Chengyu lay on the bed, raised her hand, and looked through the gaps in her fingers at the sparse sunlight streaming through the window frame.

"My delusions actually came true one day."

"That's incredible."

Sui Chengyu's heavy sigh fell beside her ear, "He killed my mother."

"What?" Sui Zhixu quickly recalled Sui Chengyu's aunt, "She's not your biological mother."

"Yes, she had a bad fate. She was originally a maidservant by Lady Cui's side, but he took her in as a concubine and I was born."

“Cui Niangzi disliked her and accused her of theft. My mother was not enough to make him disrespect his wife, so he gave her twenty strokes of the cane.”

"Twenty strokes of the cane weren't enough to kill her, but they were enough to give her a high fever. No one treated her, and she just passed away like that. Without a sound, and I was quickly handed over to my aunt."

"Look, such a thin collection of words encapsulates her entire life."

When Xu looked into her eyes, he saw sadness, resentment, and an indescribable sense of self-blame and guilt.

"Perhaps we should also add that it wasn't easy for her to give birth to me."

“She was illiterate and knew nothing about medicine. When Madam Cui gave her tonics, she really thought it was for her own good. Giving birth to me was difficult, and she almost died along with me. She was lucky to survive, but she can no longer have children.”

Knowing that Xu was not good at comforting people, he could only gently pull her into his arms and say, "Let's rest for a while."

“He is the source of all evil. The most hateful person is not Cui Niangzi, but him who took her and then abandoned her at will. He did the same to my aunt. Trapped in a small world until death. Now he is too. At least I protected my aunt.”

Sui Chengyu buried herself in Sui Zhixu's arms. She was not good with words, so she could only comfort her with body language time and time again, and show her her role.

My cousin's wishful thinking came true, but what about her own wishful thinking? Her uncle, Sima Xian.

What lies behind her is an even more illusory reality.

All the unknowns she explores will become the predicaments that hinder the realization of her delusions.

She was glad that she could see the lovely little apricot blossom's wish come true, and at the same time, she had high hopes for herself.