Chapter 24 "Zheng, will you marry me?"

Pu Niang hurriedly pulled Lou Yanxu away and cleaned up the broken bowls and porridge on the ground.

Lou Yanxu leaned against the table beside her with drooping eyelids. A wooden box on the table emitted a strong medicinal fragrance. She suddenly opened her eyes and asked, "Why is the Jade Spirit Pill that I sent back ineffective?"

"At first it was effective, but after she started vomiting blood, no medicine worked. The doctor said that the old lady was suffering from a long-standing illness due to something on her mind. I tried to comfort her day and night, but with little effect." With a sorrowful expression, Pu Niang bent over and wiped away her tears.

Seeing this, Lou Yanxu's swollen eyes became even more sore. These precious pills had saved a critically ill person for half a year, but her grandmother's health continued to deteriorate after using them. There must be something extremely important weighing on her mind, and her worries and anxieties would be beyond saving.

“If she’s harboring resentment, her spirits won’t improve first.” She sat down against the table, her mind racing, and she began to sense something amiss. “Think carefully, has anything significant happened recently? Has Grandmother done anything strange?”

Upon hearing this, Pu Niang pondered, "The important thing... If I had to say what's unusual, it would be that the old lady said that the eldest son appeared in her dream that day and went to the grave alone to take a look. The next day, he went to find the coroner, but I don't know what he said."

The coroner Feng examined his elder brother's body, and it was he who made the decision to have him drown himself.

Could it be that Grandmother discovered something suspicious about her brother's death and died of grief? Lou Yan's heart pounded, her brows furrowed, and she slammed her hand on the table, "Come with me to find him!" The group headed towards the coroner's residence.

The courtyard gate was ajar, and no one answered the knocking. So the group forced their way in, but the house was empty, with no one in sight.

"Second Mistress, the person has escaped."

After turning around, I saw that the wardrobe, which was missing half a door, was empty, and there was still half a bowl of chicken feed left in the yard. The owner had only been gone for half a day, so it was hard not to suspect that he had fled in a hurry after the grandmother passed away.

He has something to hide; if we investigate further, we're sure to find something.

Lou Yanxu was filled with sorrow. She spent her money and sent people to search for her. Later, she stayed by her grandmother's side, but she could no longer shed tears. She could only sniffle absently and in a daze.

Yang Laowu from the coffin shop sent someone to bring over the coffin, which had been ordered by his grandmother long ago. Lou Yanxu felt a lump in her throat and her heart ached unbearably.

She knelt before the spirit tablet all night. As dawn broke, she felt dizzy and barely managed to fall to the side. Her head rested on a warm palm, and she struggled to open her dry eyes, only to see Xu Congjing's tired face.

"The carriage broke down halfway, I'm late." He said hoarsely, half-kneeling, so that she could lean against his shoulder and neck.

Exhausted, she nestled against him, her strength failing her, and murmured with her eyes closed, "Brother, Zizheng, brother." After a brief moment of peace, her chest heaved rapidly, and tears welled up in her eyes again, soaking her clothes. She had wanted to tell him about the appointment of the coroner, but this matter might involve Sister Rou, and she didn't want to cause him further pain, so she swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth.

Xu Congjing clasped his hands together, kowtowed, and silently offered wine, finally bowing deeply without rising. A person who was alive and well just a month ago could no longer open his eyes; countless emotions welled up, but he was ultimately speechless with grief.

Lou Yanxu turned her head away, unable to bear to look at the scene any longer.

On the day of the funeral, many people came to pay their respects. It was a pity that Grandmother had devoted her life to maintaining the Lou family, but in the end, not a single son attended her funeral. Clouds obscured the sun, and a cold wind blew. Lou Yanxu carried the memorial tablet and walked at the front of the funeral procession. Everywhere she looked, people were mourning. Her heart was filled with both joy and sorrow. She blinked and wiped away her bitter tears.

Grandmother, many people still remember your kindness.

May your spirit rest in peace.

After the burial, Lou Yanxu remained silent, sweeping and cleaning her grandmother's grave repeatedly before filling it back with the soil she had removed. Perhaps she didn't even know what she was doing; she was simply focused on staying by her grandmother's side.

Xu Congjing stayed at a distance, his heart aching with each passing moment.

As evening approached, she trembled as she prepared to return home, but turned a corner halfway there. He chased after her, asking, "Where are you going?"

"Grandmother has gone looking for my brother. I'm going to tell him to come and pick her up as soon as possible." She was confused and heartbroken, and she hurriedly ran with small steps. Xu Congjing couldn't stop her, so he had to follow.

When he saw the three characters "Lou Yunli" on the tombstone in the distance, he subconsciously looked towards another grave. The tombstone there was overgrown with weeds, completely obscuring Xu Suirou's name. He froze, took a deep breath, and ultimately stopped, not moving forward.

As a light drizzle began to fall, Lou Yanxu walked over, her face pale. Her eyelashes were covered with fine raindrops, her pupils had lost their luster, and her dense sorrow was heartbreaking.

She pleaded, "Brother Zizheng, if I divorce you, will you marry me?"

Xu Congjing knew that she didn't want to go against her father's dying wish and wanted to bring the Lou family into the elite circles. But as he reached out to brush away the raindrops from his long eyelashes, a long wind brushed past his ear, as if Rou'er was calling him. His heart clenched, and he guiltily looked away and pulled her into his arms, only saying, "I'll help you."

Lou Yanxu shook her head with a wry smile, "Some things, I have to earn back myself."

Her tears had dried up. She silently tidied up the household items and went to the black market that night. On her way back, she brought back her sister Rou's folding fan and her brother's handmade wooden box, but she couldn't open the Bagua lock and didn't know what was inside.

Upon returning to the Marquis's residence, she first went to Rongyi Hall to apologize. The situation hadn't yet reached the point of open hostility; if she didn't compromise, she would only face difficulties in the future. However, Madam Zeng seemed preoccupied with many matters and had no time for her, only offering a few words of reprimand before waving her away.

Inside Bibo Pavilion, the warmth of the room seeped from her feet into her limbs and senses. Lou Yanxu huddled against the daybed, listless. Qingrui massaged her shoulders, saying, "My lady, you must take care of yourself. The old lady is surely hoping you'll look forward." She had been detained by Madam Zeng that day and thus unable to accompany her to Suzhou. Upon learning of the old lady's passing, she was so grief-stricken that she nearly fainted.

Lou Yanxu didn't want to bring up the matter again. Hearing the laughter and chatter of servants and maids outside the courtyard, she closed her eyes and casually asked, "Why is the manor so lively today?"

“It’s Prince Cheng sending jewels and antiques again.” Qingrui knew her mistress was heartbroken, so she stopped talking about her. “Sheng San Niangzi didn’t utter a sound of pain when she lost a finger, and she’s indifferent to the treasures she’s received. She’s truly an extraordinary person.”

Lou Yanxu listened silently, looking rather sullen, and was already dozing off. Half an hour later, Qingrui rushed in anxiously with the news, startling Lou Yanxu so much that she almost fell over.

"The matter you asked me to investigate earlier has yielded results. It was Third Madam Sheng who secretly sent someone to exaggerate the affair between you and Minister Xu and told Second Madam that because Minister Xu had people watching her, she staged a robbery in Xiangzhou." Qingrui stomped her feet angrily, then looked at him with a stern face. "As for the matter of the young master being injured, it was... Minister Xu who secretly delivered the message."

Lou Yanxu sat up straight with a pale face, her mind racing through recent events. She hadn't yet figured out Xu Congjing's actions, but she had already grasped Sheng Ling's intentions. Finally, she gave a bitter laugh, "When we returned to the manor, there were still some days until the polo match. She was using me to distract the madam so that she wouldn't be able to attend to her."

"Why... do we have to wait for the polo match?" Qingrui asked, puzzled.

"Look what she got after the polo match!"

Fame, wealth, and most importantly, protection.

From now on, the fate of the Marquis's mansion will depend on the Third Sister. No matter how unwilling Zeng is, she will have to fawn over her. This is what Sheng Ling is planning.

As she pondered this, Lou Yanxu couldn't help but secretly mock herself for meddling in other people's business earlier.

After this reminder, Qingrui also realized what was happening and widened her eyes, "Then...we, along with the Empress Dowager and Prince Cheng, have all been schemed against by her."

Lou Yanxu remained silent, while Wen Qingrui spat and shouted, "That day, the cat ran into Second Mistress's courtyard and was almost chopped up. It was Third Mistress who saved her. I thought she was the best person ever!"

"My lady, how will you live from now on? Recently, the heir was impeached for embezzling disaster relief grain from Suzhou, but Minister Weng protected him. He already had many grievances, and now he suddenly seems to be turning against us, so everyone is saying that Lady Weng is going to marry into the Marquis's mansion." She was furious, tears welling up in her eyes. "This Marquis's mansion is a man-eating mansion; there's never a peaceful life for anyone here. Now, with the powerful and influential Lady Weng coming, how will we live!"

"Of course not," Lou Yanxu replied wearily. Qingrui wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her, "My lady, do you want to..."

The words "divorce" were never uttered, but both understood the other's intentions. However, divorce is incredibly difficult for any woman in the world, and a husband's refusal is something that cannot be avoided no matter what. If they were to make it happen, they needed to plan carefully.

That night, the two tossed and turned until dawn.

The next day, Lou Yanxu wanted to go to Huiju Temple to pray for her grandmother, but the carriage could not move halfway. When she lifted the curtain, she saw that everyone was crowded together, shoulder to shoulder.

Why are there so many people stuck in the traffic ahead?

Qingrui got off the bus, lifted her skirt, and squeezed through. She turned back a moment later. "There's a notice posted up ahead. How strange! In the past, husbands who beat their wives were sentenced to several years in prison for wrongful killing. But in this case, the murderer was sentenced to death because the deceased wife was unable to defend herself."

Lou Yanxu smiled bitterly and sighed, "Nine out of ten marriages in this world end tragically."

A gentle breeze lifted the carriage curtain, and the morning warmth touched her lips, but her smile gradually faded.

He murdered his wife and was imprisoned.

The four words leaped into her mind, suddenly turning into a ball of fire that left her bewildered and panicked.

She was lost in thought in the carriage when she suddenly heard Qingrui's soft voice, "Look, my lady!"

Lou Yanxu looked in the direction of the sound and saw Sheng Yan and a woman chatting and laughing as they entered Yunxiangzhai. The woman touched the red mole on the back of her neck, lowered her head, and smiled shyly. Lou Yanxu glanced at her and keenly sensed the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.

"Who is that woman?" she asked.

Qingrui stared at the red mole in a daze, then suddenly slapped her thigh and whispered in Lou Yanxu's ear.

"This servant has met her!"

"It was Lady Li from the Left Music Bureau. She came looking for Lady Sheng last night. The two of them were acting suspiciously. I caught a glimpse of her from afar when I got up in the middle of the night."

It's Sheng Ling again.

Lou Yanxu pondered to herself. The Zuo Jiaofang was the palace's dance and music institution, and they would definitely perform in front of the palace for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet tomorrow. She wondered what these two were plotting at this time.

Therefore, she might as well join in the fun. Lou Yanxu stared at the two backs, making a plan in her mind. The corners of her mouth gradually opened up, and her eyes flashed with a sharp glint of breaking free from her shackles.

Marriage is a cocoon that binds women, and they can only tear it apart in the most tragic way.

Everything was ready except for the east wind, which was the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet the following day.

The sky was overcast that day, threatening rain. Upon entering the palace gate, one was greeted by magnificent palaces and pavilions, and a winding bridge through the woods. The misty atmosphere made it feel like entering a fairyland. Passing through the flower-lined path, one arrived at Changning Palace.

Lou Yanxu looked up and saw that Zeng Shi in front of her was looking back and forth at the jade pillow in the maid's hand. It was a piece of fine jade that she had specially bought from the black market in Suzhou. It was translucent and delicate in texture.

Madam Zeng intended to present it as a birthday gift to the Empress Dowager. She knew very little about jade and never imagined that this treasure would be a deadly weapon.

Lou Yanxu withdrew her gaze, only to meet Xu Congjing's eyes. She quickly looked away, feeling guilty. If he had known her plan beforehand, he probably wouldn't have agreed.

Before long, the Empress Dowager summoned everyone inside. Officials and their families paid their respects in turn. She followed Sheng Yan to her seat and spotted Lady Li among the dancers.

After the music and meal, the Empress Dowager sent the Emperor and officials elsewhere to discuss matters and drink, leaving only her family members to talk. She smiled and greeted each family member, and the atmosphere at the banquet was harmonious and joyful.

But then a female official hurriedly whispered something in the Empress Dowager's ear. The Empress Dowager's expression changed, and Lou Yanxu's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes.

The eunuch brought in the jade pillow, which was the very one that had been presented by Lady Zeng.

"Who presented this jade pillow?" the Empress Dowager asked.

Zeng had prepared herself well and was confident that she would be rewarded. So she went to the hall with a smug look on her face and said, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, it was this foolish woman who presented this.”

The Empress Dowager glanced at it and said coldly, "Do you know that this is the corpse jade of the previous dynasty?"

Corpse jade is an ancient burial jade, said to ward off evil and disaster. However, since it had been placed in the tomb of a previous dynasty, the current imperial family naturally avoided it.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zeng looked up abruptly, almost swallowed by those deep eyes. She knelt down with a thud and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, please see the truth! I was unaware!"

"It's her! This jade was brought from Suzhou by my daughter-in-law. I originally intended to relieve the Empress Dowager's headache, so I presented it to her. I had no idea beforehand that it was a corpse jade!" In her panic, she didn't care about making a fool of herself in front of outsiders. She raised her hand and pointed to her daughter-in-law. Lou Yanxu dared not delay and quickly knelt down with her.

The Empress Dowager's gaze was so imposing that Lou Yanxu dared not raise her head, her voice trembling as she stammered, "If Aunt Jun says so, then I shall accept it."

The poor thing, who wouldn't want this to be Zeng's way of shifting blame, so they whispered among themselves. Zeng was furious, wishing she could devour Lou Yanxu, "It was you all along!"

However, as Lou Yanxu had predicted, Prince Cheng had previously favored the Marquis's residence because of the Sheng Ling incident, and the Empress Dowager had long been looking for an excuse to suppress her arrogance. Naturally, she would first target the mistress of the house, so she slammed her hand on the table and said firmly, "The Emperor detests the dead things of the previous dynasty the most. How dare this ignorant servant woman present them to him! Drag her away and give her ten strokes of the cane as a warning to others!"

A thunderclap suddenly sounded outside the hall, but it wasn't to plead for Zeng Shi's innocence. Lou Yanxu watched coldly, and it was clear that the heavens were applauding!

The ground was wet, and Zeng's shoes were covered in mud. The instruments of torture were laid out, and she was so frightened that she tried to run away, but was forcibly pressed down to be tortured.

A silver dragon streaked across the sky, and a torrential downpour ensued. Zeng struggled and screamed, her cries sharp and piercing, her flesh a bloody mess.

Past and present overlap, and the person under the cane becomes Zeng. The sounds that enter the ear are like songs, and the sights that appear like crimson paintings. Lou Yanxu closes her eyes, and her long-standing pain is finally released.

All the injustices in this world should be reversed. Zeng, such a despicable person, should have been condemned as a maggot and forced to crawl in the shadows for the rest of her life.

However, Lou Yanxu remained rational. Taking advantage of the fact that everyone's attention was on Zeng Shi, she quietly withdrew after a maid gave her a look.

The two walked along a narrow path to a secluded room. She slipped a bag of copper coins to the man and sent him away. Then she took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Sure enough, she saw Sheng Yan inside, while Lady Li had already been drugged and carried to bed.

Sheng Yan was clearly not expecting anyone else to come here. He was wondering why Li Niangzi had invited him here but had inexplicably fainted when he suddenly saw Lou Yanxu staring blankly.

"What a shameless woman! Daring to have a secret rendezvous at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet!" Lou Yanxu's gaze fell on Lady Li, and she turned to leave, but was stopped by Sheng Yan. "Where are you going?"

"Let me go! I'll make sure everyone knows what a shameless person you, the heir of the Marquis of Chenghua, are!" She broke free from her restraints and retreated step by step, but how could he dare to let this matter be exposed? He hurriedly tried to pull her away, and in the midst of their struggle, he unexpectedly slapped Lou Yanxu across the face.

The next moment, Lou Yanxu took out her hairpin and held it in both hands, saying, "Sheng Yan, I am all alone now, don't go too far."

Sheng Yan never expected her to be so agitated. He tried to restrain her, but she grabbed the hairpin and slashed wildly, nearly scratching his face. In a fit of anger, he forcefully reached out to snatch it away, only to see her smile strangely, turn the hairpin tip towards herself, and plunge it into her abdomen.

Quick, accurate, and ruthless.

Blood dripped to the ground, the stench filling his nostrils, leaving Sheng Yan speechless with astonishment.

A rumble of thunder sounded, and suddenly a young palace maid appeared out of nowhere, screaming in terror, "Murder! Murder!"