Chapter 44 A Spring Dream "Xue Chan, you're quite the actor, aren't you?"...

Yun Sheng saw the two out and then came back. Cheng Huaizhu let out a breath, got up, and walked around the screen.

The person on the bed was sitting with her head down, reading a book. Her long hair hung down in front of her, and her face was as pale as paper.

Cheng Huaizhu walked to her side and looked down at her.

Xue Chan raised her face, her face only showing a thin layer of color on her lips.

"What's wrong?"

Cheng Huaizhu ignored her and directly reached out and wiped Xue Chan's face. She withdrew her hand, her fingertips covered in a pale pink powder.

"Xue Chan, you're quite the actor." She raised an eyebrow and plopped down on the blanket. "What are you thinking about now?"

Xue Chan's face appeared even paler against the backdrop of the dark blue sky. She smiled and turned a page: "What could I possibly be thinking about? Nothing but fear and worry about illness."

Cheng Huaizhu raised an eyebrow, said nothing, and went to play with the maids in Xue Chan's room.

She glanced at the screen from time to time. Xue Chan on the bed was still sitting upright with her head down, and this time she seemed to be really asleep.

A short while later, a "thud" was heard, indicating that Xue Chan had dropped the book from her hand. This was followed by continuous sobbing, and her breathing became increasingly rapid.

Cheng Huaizhu knew something was wrong and rushed to Xue Chan's bedside, only to find her curled up in a ball. Her brows were furrowed, her face was deathly pale, and large beads of sweat had soaked her entire forehead.

"Qiao Niang!"

She quickly turned Xue Chan's body around, but Xue Chan's head was tucked into her arms, trying to protect herself in this position, and her crying never stopped.

If Xue Chan had burst into tears, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but the fact that she was trying so hard to control herself made the situation much more serious.

The people inside were somewhat at a loss when they saw this scene. Cheng Huaizhu comforted Xue Chan while saying, "Yunsheng, go and have someone brew the medicine. Chutao, pour the water. Yingyue, quickly open all the doors and windows."

Although they were bewildered, they quickly did as instructed.

Cheng Huaizhu struggled to touch Xue Chan's tear-streaked face, shook her with all her might, and called out twice.

"Xue Qiaoniang!"

Xue Chan suddenly opened her eyes, her red and swollen eyes staring intently at the top of the tent, her whole body still trembling.

Cheng Huaizhu wiped her sweat and gently called to her, "Qiao Niang, don't be afraid, it was just a dream."

Dream......

Xue Chan raised her hands, which, apart from the small, scattered wounds, were very clean and white, not covered in blood.

But these hands were once stained with blood.

Xue Chan gasped for breath, her hand falling limply, only to be grasped by another pair of soft, warm hands.

With tears in her eyes, Cheng Huaizhu said, "It's all in the past, Qiaoniang, it's all in the past."

Tears streamed uncontrollably down Xue Chan's cheeks, her voice hoarse as she murmured, "Is it really over?"

“It’s over now,” Cheng Huaizhu said.

There is no past; as long as she has not fulfilled her vow, there is no past.

After washing up, taking her medicine, and lighting some calming incense, Xue Chan managed to fall asleep again, albeit reluctantly.

The next morning, Cheng Huaizhu, carrying Xue Chan's congratulatory gifts and instructions, went to the Marquis of Wu'an's residence for a banquet.

Zheng Tan's birthday was not a grand one, so only a few close ladies and young women were invited. Old Madam Qi specially arranged the banquet at Jihe Pavilion next to the peony garden.

Jiang Ce rearranged the peony garden flowers, adding stacked bluestone railings to create a staggered and aesthetically pleasing arrangement. He also created winding pebble paths through the previously flat peony garden, allowing visitors to appreciate every view.

Every step reveals a new scene; wherever you go, you'll find springtime beauty and fragrant flowers.

Several white cranes are kept at the Jihe Pavilion, strolling leisurely in the flower garden.

Spring is in full bloom, but only the peony is fragrant.

Jiang Ji was more satisfied than Zheng Tan himself. After the inspection that day, he stayed in the garden for a long time, thinking about how to get Jiang Ce to do work for him next time.

Jihe Pavilion had several large, straight-edged flower windows open, and one could see Zheng Tan being forced to drink by several young ladies and wives, including Xiao Yangjun and Fang Youxi, in the peony garden.

Grandma Qi pointed at them and chatted with them, then asked Madam Zhou, "Is Xue girl feeling better?"

Madam Zhou said, "This illness came on rather suddenly, but she has always been somewhat weak, so she is recovering more slowly. She is much better now, and yesterday she was even able to walk around in the garden. However, Qiao Niang felt that she was ill and could not attend the banquet, and she even apologized to the old lady and Madam Zheng."

Grandma Qi said, "If you're sick, you should take good care of yourself and not worry too much."

Madam Zhou nodded: "I will definitely tell her when I get back."

Yu Niangzi sat to the side, smiling faintly.

Zheng Tan's mother, Madam Qin, moved closer to her and greeted her warmly, "It's rare to see you back at the manor. How have you been lately?"

Yu Niangzi: "I am fine, but coming back here, I always think about the people and things from the past, and it is inevitable that I feel a little sad."

Originally, when the late Empress and Lady Fang, the wife of the Marquis of Wu'an, were alive, Lady Yu spent more time in the mansion. The two were sisters-in-law, and Lady Fang was generous and understanding, so they got along well. After the Marquis of Wu'an and the General died on the battlefield one after the other, the two were left to rely on each other, at least having someone to talk to.

Later, Lady Fang and the Empress also passed away in the same year. Although she was not overly saddened, she was still deeply grieved, as another close person had left her.

Madam Qin also sighed and gently comforted him, "The person is gone, but the living must look forward. You still have a child, who is only eighteen years old now and will be getting married soon. You must cheer up."

Madam Yu's smile was slightly bitter. She sighed and, as always, spoke softly, "This marriage..."

Madam Qin lowered her voice and asked her in a tone only the two of them could hear, "Could it be that you have some doubts about this marriage...?"

Madam Yu shook her head: "The Xue family's daughter is quite good, but my second son is not. I'm afraid he'll be wronged."

Madam Qin laughed and said, "Isn't your second son good enough? He is accomplished in both literature and martial arts. At such a young age, he was able to earn military merits in Liangzhou. Not to mention others, even His Majesty says that he is like the general and can inherit his father's achievements."

Lady Yu lowered her eyes.

That's why she was worried.

Seeing her like this, Madam Qin sighed: "Just look at my sixth son. He's already sixteen or seventeen. Getting him to study is like killing him, and he's still like a child, always arguing with his father. He's incredibly naughty. If you don't discipline him for a day, he'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles!"

Madam Yu chuckled softly: "If we're talking about mischievousness, Erlang was even worse when he was little, even His Majesty had to scold him. Your Shaoyu, although he's a bit playful, is still well-behaved."

As Madam Qin spoke, her sigh grew louder, and she waved her fan rapidly.

"I wonder if my sixth son will ever be able to get married in this lifetime, and I wonder which girl will take a liking to him!"

She pretended to wipe away tears: "Sigh, I must have owed him something in my past life to give birth to such a mischievous monkey."

Everyone inside the room burst into laughter.

Laughter from the peony garden drifted into the Jihe Pavilion, and several people looked over.

The young girls were playing together. Cheng Huaizhu stood the tallest, holding a kite in her hand. In the sunlight, she looked like a lively pink butterfly fluttering among the flowers.

Madam Qin nudged Zhou Niangzi: "Is this your maid? I haven't seen her in a while, she's grown quite a bit."

She watched Huaizhu running around in the peony garden, her whole being radiant.

When it was Zhou Niangzi's turn to sigh, she frowned and said, "Alas, she's another troublemaker. She loves to eat and play, which is called lively, but to put it bluntly, she's heartless. Qiao Niang is getting married, and it's her turn too. But I don't know how to get her married off."

Grandma Qi laughed: "Speaking of promising talents, your eldest son is a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations. Even His Majesty has praised his exceptional literary talent, calling him a pillar of the nation. Even Minister Dao has spoken highly of him!"

Madam Qin: "A young lady should be lively and interesting. If you don't like that, you can take her back to be my daughter."

Madam Zhou: "I'd rather keep this girl by my side myself. It's better to worry about her myself than to let someone else worry about her."

Lady Yu: "If that's the case, you still love your own daughter."

When Madam Zhou saw her speak, she smiled first, then seemed to be thinking about something. When it was time to leave the banquet, she hesitated for a while, then called out to Madam Yu, "My Qiao Niang, although she lost her mother at a young age, has been carefully taught poetry, literature, etiquette and music."

Madam Yu smiled gently and said, "I have met Miss Xue before, and I also find her to be gentle and approachable, so Madam Zhou can rest assured."

Zhou Yushu: "Although we haven't known each other for long, I know my wife is a kind and gentle person, so I'm not worried about these things. It's just..."

Lady Yu: "But what?"

Madam Zhou cleared her throat, thought for a moment, and then said, "A while ago, Qiao Niang received a gift from Jiang Erlang and was frightened. I just don't know if Jiang Erlang is...?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu was taken aback, then smiled faintly and said, "I understand. Madam Zhou, please go back without worry."

Madam Zhou smiled and bid her farewell.

After the carriage left the Marquis of Wu'an's residence, Madam Yu went straight to Jiang Ce's courtyard, but he had not yet returned.

Until late at night.

When Jiang Ce returned, he first ran into Zheng Tan, who was taking Jiang Yao for a walk.

Upon seeing him, Zheng Tan immediately stepped forward and said, "Did you know that Miss Xue is ill?"

Jiang Ce: "Huh?"

Zheng Tan sighed and said, "Miss Xue did not attend the banquet today because of illness. At first, I just thought she had a cold. But I heard from Youxi that she is seriously ill and cannot even get out of bed. Miss Cheng even shed tears when she talked about it."

Jiang Ce was stunned, wondering if...

But then he shook his head, thinking it probably wasn't that bad.

When he returned to Xuelu, Madam Yu was sitting in the garden, with Xuetuan lying obediently in her arms.

Jiang Ce obediently stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Mother."

Madam Yu said calmly, "Miss Xue is ill, did you know?"

Jiang Ce stood in front of her and nodded: "Understood."

Madam Yu then asked, "Do you know when she fell ill and why?"

Jiang Ce shrank back, looking somewhat guilty: "I..."

Oh no, it seems he's gone too far.

Yu Niangzi stood up, and Xue Tuan jumped down from her arms.

She looked at Jiang Ce, her tone becoming serious: "She was so frightened after receiving your gift that she is now bedridden."

The boy immediately said, "Don't worry, Mother, I will apologize to her!"

Lady Yu didn't say anything, she just left with her people.

Jiang Ce carried Xue Tuan into the study, where the lights were already on.

He took out the box Xue Chan had given him, removed the parts of the painting that made him ponder, and found that the brushstrokes were delicate, beautiful, and full of charm.

Jiang Ce took out the jade pendant, rested his face in his hand, and lifted it up to examine it under the lamplight. Even now, it remained beautiful, the white jade warm and lustrous. The pendant gently spun, and the little butterfly at its base seemed about to take flight.

Snowball jumped onto the table, stretching out its claws to grab Pei Shou.

He brushed it away: "Sweetie, this is very important, you can't play with it."

The boy placed the sash and the painting on the table, then lay down on his side and gently stroked them back and forth.

I was angry at the time and sent her a snake.

Looking back now, perhaps the painting wasn't actually mocking him? Or maybe he was overthinking things? Perhaps he was making unfounded assumptions about Xue Chan's intentions.

It's just a painting; it won't hurt you.

His actions, however, actually hurt her. He was just angry and wanted to scare her, but he never expected it to get so serious.

She's sick; will she have nightmares at night?

She was so frail then, and now, with only one arm, she must have become even thinner.

Jiang Ce buried his face in his arms in frustration.

He closed his eyes and had a light dream, dreaming of the painting "Loquat and Mountain Bird" on the wall.

The tail of the tadpole woke him up, and Jiang Ce sat up straight and looked out the window.

He suddenly remembered something and didn't want to put it off until tomorrow, so he immediately got up and went outside.

Yu saw him rushing around and asked, "Where are you going? Aren't you going to eat?"

Jiang Ce left the room quickly, leaving only his voice behind.

"I'm leaving the city and won't be back tonight."