Chapter 59: Move like a star or a scorpion (1) Go south.

The carriage jolted as we departed the bustling Eastern Capital. The scenery outside the window shifted from the orderly official roads and familiar farmhouses to lush green hills.

Meng Xuanli leaned against the wall of the carriage, looking at the beautiful scenery, his eyes dull and his face expressionless, like a small white bone hanging alone on a tree.

From childhood to adulthood, she longed to not be abandoned. However, the truth was, she was always abandoned. Whether it was her family or her lover, she was always the one who was abandoned.

When she met Lu Guanque, she didn't know him, but she saved him out of human nature. Later, the late emperor granted her a marriage, allowing her to marry into the Duke's mansion. She had thought it was a way out of the Meng family, but she hadn't expected it to lead her into a deeper quagmire.

Along the way, they got to know each other, fell in love, quarreled, had a cold war, experienced a brief period of tenderness, and then there was naked betrayal...

She wanted to laugh out loud, but her throat was dry and the sound she made seemed very sad, even though it was summer.

Meng Xuanli raised his hand and pressed his forehead, trying his best to put the fog behind him, just as he had forgotten Lu Guanque.

Maybe this cloud will reappear, but she knows that one day, she will get out of it. As for when, maybe tomorrow, maybe next year.

#

The journey to Lingnan wasn't smooth. After several days of travel, the weather wasn't kind, and they encountered torrential rain in Jinling. The river swelled, blocking the official road. With no other options, they had to stop and wait for the rain to subside before continuing their journey.

Jinling, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, was completely different from the Xuzhou and Dongdu that Meng Xuanli was familiar with. The air here was humid and exuded a rich aroma.

She looked up, her eyes falling on the lush green mountains in the distance. The mountains were densely packed with shadows, a hazy and misty quality unique to the south of the Yangtze River.

Fuyao found a relatively clean inn nearby and asked for two rooms on the second floor facing the street.

Meng Xuanli was exhausted both physically and mentally. After paying the deposit, he just wanted to fall on the bed, sleep for a night, and get rid of the fog in his heart.

However, just as she reached the corner of the stairs and was about to push open the door, the door of the guest room next door creaked open.

A pretty woman with slightly messy hair and wearing a water-green dress stuck her head out, as if to call the waiter. Her eyes swept over Meng Xuanli, and when their eyes met, they were both stunned.

"Ms. Meng...Ms. Meng?" the woman called out with a smile on her face, "Why are you here?"

Meng Xuanli paused, stunned. The woman before him was actually Lu Yun, the woman he had met several times in Dongdu and who had later followed Wei Yuan.

Before Meng Xuanli could react, the door behind Lu Yun opened and a man in an indigo brocade robe and with a lazy posture walked out.

If it’s not Wei Yuan, who else could it be?

Wei Yuan glanced at Meng Xuanli, clearly surprised. He blinked, his gaze darting over her attire. A moment later, he said, "Oh, isn't this the Duke's wife? Why are you coming to Jinling alone? That's quite unusual."

Meng Xuanli didn't bother to pay attention to this kind of person. He smiled symbolically and was about to go back to his room.

However, Wei Yuan seemed interested, leaning one hand against the doorframe to block her path. He casually said, "Oh no, I almost forgot. I shouldn't call you the Duke's wife right now. After all, the Duke is remarrying soon, and the new wife is General Zheng's daughter. I heard she's known the Duke since childhood, and she looks..."

It would have been fine if he hadn't mentioned it, but once he did, Meng Xuanli clenched his fist and sneered, "My Lord, your legs don't hurt anymore, do they?"

Wei Yuan knew what she meant, but he didn't get angry. He sneered and said casually, "Speaking of legs, I have to thank the Duke for that beating. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stayed in Jinling for so long, and I wouldn't have met you when I was about to leave."

Meng Xuanli frowned and glared at him, only to find his eyes slightly red and his smile revealing his lust. She glanced at Luyun again, then suddenly realized what was going on. She said awkwardly, "Please move aside, my Lord. I need to rest."

Wei Yuan remained motionless, looking at her through the memory: "I told you long ago that Lu Guanque is a man with a heart as cold as iron, and he is not a good match for you."

"But you didn't believe me and insisted on believing him. Now, what have you gained?"

Lu Yun felt uneasy. She stepped forward and tugged at Wei Yuan's sleeve, whispering, "My Lord, let Madam Meng rest first. She..."

Wei Yuan immediately shook off Lu Yun's hand. Meng Xuanli was surprised and hurried forward to support Lu Yun, asking, "Are you okay?"

Lu Yun shook her head, not daring to look at Meng Xuanli: "Madam Meng, I'm fine."

Meng Xuanli caught a glimpse of the kiss mark on Lu Yun's neck, and suddenly turned his head to look at Wei Yuan from a distance: "What I gained has nothing to do with you, Lord. Instead of wasting time on this, Lord, you should pay more attention to the people around you."

Meng Xuanli was about to sneer, but Luyun grabbed her sleeve and shook her head.

Meng Xuanli thought of Lu Yun's predicament and sighed inwardly, but she didn't say much. She waved to Fu Yao and whispered in her ear, "Take Miss Lu Yun to your room and give her some medicine."

Fuyao nodded and led Luyun away.

Meng Xuanli walked up to Wei Yuan and looked at him intently, "This isn't a convenient place. If you want to talk, could you at least let me open the door?"

Wei Yuan's eyes were fixed on her, sometimes dim and sometimes bright as a mirror. Seeing the warmth in her eyes, he smiled slightly, made way, and stood by the door, continuing to watch her.

Meng Xuanli pulled out her key and inserted it into the lock. Her hand trembled as she tried several times before finally opening the door. She lowered her eyes and remained silent, ready to close the door when she saw the opportunity.

Wei Yuan was quick to block the door with his hand and snorted, "Hey!"

"You don't keep your word? You're not willing to say a word to an old friend? Or, now that you've fallen on hard times, you've lost the courage to even talk to people?"

"How did you become like this? What are you afraid of?"

Meng Xuanli was about to close the door and pinch his hand, but when he heard him say "I'm afraid", he stopped.

She uncovered a corner of her heart, remembering her past fears, which were largely due to Lu Guanque's unintentional actions and expressions, rather than the darkness and lightning. She had later absorbed this fear, but now, without realizing it, it was pointed out by others.

Could it be that she was still afraid of him in her heart? Or that she still couldn't forget him?

Seeing her bewildered, Wei Yuan raised his hand, pushed open the door, and waved in front of her: "Are you crazy? Or stupid?"

Meng Xuanli came back to his senses, his throat was blocked and he was a little flustered: "No...if you have something to say, please say it quickly. I'm very tired after coming all the way here." After that, Meng Xuanli yawned.

Wei Yuan leaned against the door and looked at her from a distance: "How can you be so sleepy? Why not have a drink with me and relax."

Meng Xuanli frowned, thinking that his alcohol tolerance was very average, so he refused, "If you want to drink, please go find someone else. I don't drink."

"It's okay if you don't want to drink. I'll drink it and you watch. How about that?" Wei Yuan knew what she was worried about and added, "Call Lvyun, the three of us will drink together."

Meng Xuanli drank a cup of tea, but his mouth felt dull. Thinking that wine could dispel his sorrow, he replied, "Okay, go call her."

The inn wasn't big, but because it was raining, most of the rooms were empty. They went to a corner on the first floor, where it was relatively quiet. Rain pattered outside the window, and inside, they were the only four people.

Wei Yuan ordered a pot of the famous local Jinlingchun tea and a few side dishes. Lu Yun sat quietly beside him, a look of concern on her face. "The Marquis's leg disease has just healed, so he should drink less."

"It's okay, just a few."

Wei Yuan picked up the wine jug and filled the three cups in front of him. He held one of the cups and said, "Xuan Li, this first cup must be tasted."

Meng Xuanli propped her chin on her hand, her expressionless face as she lifted her glass. The moment her glass clinked with theirs, her gaze fixed on the misty rain. Without hesitation, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The wine burned her throat, temporarily numbing the sorrow in her heart. She frowned, enduring the spiciness, and whispered, "What kind of wine is this? It's... quite delicious."

Wei Yuan's eyes were deep, and he said in a low voice: "This is a famous wine from Jinling. Drinking it will help you sleep well. If you like it, you may drink more."

"Wei Yuan, you asked me what I got..." Her eyes were bright, she poured herself a glass and drank it again.

"Actually, I don't know either." She smiled suddenly, her voice soft. "For so many years, I have been confused and unable to see through anyone."

Wei Yuan seemed to be watching a play and continued to ask: "Can you see through yourself?"

Meng Xuanli obviously couldn't hold his liquor well, and after just two or three drinks he started talking nonsense: "How can I see through myself? My eyes...are in the front, I can't see myself."

After that, she held her face with her hands and said angrily: "Wei Yuan, you should be nicer to Lu Yun in the future... She is sincere to you... Otherwise, you will regret it..."

"Don't let the woman regret, otherwise... you will suffer retribution." Meng Xuanli grabbed the wine jug and drank one glass after another.

Lu Yun had been keeping her head down the entire time. When she heard Meng Xuanli mention her, she bit her lip and quietly raised her eyes. The woman before her had a faint blush on her cheeks, gentle features, and an alluring hue of lips. Even she, a woman, would be stunned by the sight, let alone Wei Yuan beside her.

She glanced at it and found it was true. Wei Yuan lowered his eyes, initially intending to watch the show, but seeing Meng Xuanli drinking like this, his brows furrowed, obviously not expecting her to have so much worry.

The wine jug on the table was soon half empty. An abnormal blush appeared on Meng Xuanli's face and her eyes began to blur, but she still persisted in pouring the wine.

"Enough." Wei Yuan finally couldn't help it and reached out to hold her hand.

Meng Xuanli raised her drunken eyes, their gaze hollow and watery, as if she were looking at someone. In this position, she slowly slumped over the wooden table.

Meng Xuanli rested her forehead against her arm, her whole body curled up like an insecure child. Her shoulders trembled slightly, but she didn't cry out loud, not even sobbing noticeably.

Seeing her like this, Wei Yuan's cynical expression completely faded. His eyes were complicated, and he opened his mouth, wanting to comfort her, but he didn't know what to say.

After an unknown amount of time, Wei Yuan stood up, walked around the table, and came to Meng Xuanli. After hesitating for a moment, he stretched out his hand, wanting to help her up.

Lu Yun had a lump in her throat and bit her lip. She carefully followed Wei Yuan and asked softly, "My Lord, I'll go make the bed for Madam Meng." After that, she turned and left.

Wei Yuan nodded, his gaze falling on Meng Xuanli again. He swallowed, his voice unconsciously lowered: "Xuanli, stop drinking. I'll take you back to your room..."

The rim of the wine glass was cold, but Wei Yuan's hand was hot. Meng Xuanli's movements were weak, but full of resistance: "Get out..."

Her voice was unclear, but it sounded like she was acting coquettishly.

Wei Yuan's hand froze in mid-air. He thought she was scolding him and his face darkened slightly, but when he saw her face, his anger disappeared.

He pulled the corners of his mouth and smiled bitterly: "Even when you're this drunk, you can still curse. Do you really bother me so much?"

Wei Yuan muttered something and was about to reach out again, but before his hand touched her arm, he saw Meng Xuanli suddenly look up and look at him with drunken eyes.

Her cheeks flushed, and her voice was filled with tears: "Lu Guanque...get out...it's me who doesn't want you...it's me who doesn't want you..."

Wei Yuan was completely stunned. It turned out that when she told him to get out, she was not talking to him, but to that person.

What exactly happened between them that made her so sad?

Lu Yun turned back and was about to push the door open when she heard Meng Xuanli sobbing. She subconsciously covered her mouth, her eyes full of shock and pity.

Wei Yuan stood there, watching the comatose Meng Xuanli, then glanced at the extra hand. He suddenly realized that every step he took was behind everyone else. However, thinking of her words, he felt that he might be able to take advantage of the opportunity.

The rain outside the window continued, and the sky was a vague darkness, just like his face, with no sign of the sky clearing up.

#

The next day, Meng Xuanli opened his eyes with difficulty in pain.

Her vision gradually became clear. Under the unfamiliar tent, the air was filled with a faint smell of alcohol and a clear masculine scent.

Meng Xuanli moved and tried to stand up, but she found that her right hand seemed to be wrapped by someone. She lowered her eyes to look at the bed and found that it was Wei Yuan.

Meng Xuanli felt a burning sensation in her palm, as if she had been scalded. She looked at him coldly, and hastily pulled her hand away.

Wei Yuan sat on the ground for half the night, his eyes bloodshot and dark circles beneath his eyes, clearly not having slept well. His hands were empty, and he noticed Meng Xuanli waking up, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Awake?" He stood up slowly and asked with concern, "Do you have a headache? I asked Luyun to make some hangover soup."

Meng Xuanli did not answer his question. He lifted the quilt and sat up, looking at his clothes, but found no trace.

"Luoyun and Fuyao helped you up. I was kind enough to bring you some sobering soup, but you not only knocked it over, but also... held on to my hand." Wei Yuan curled his lips.

Meng Xuanli pressed his temples, his eyes calm as he breathed a sigh of relief. "I lost my composure last night. I'm so sorry, Lord Marquis and Miss Luyun."

Wei Yuan walked to the table, poured a cup of warm water, and handed it to her: "You're welcome, but I didn't expect you to be drunk like this. It's quite scary."

Meng Xuanli took it and said, "Thank you very much."

Wei Yuan sat on the chair with a casual posture, his eyes moving across her face, a scrutiny and a recollection.

The room fell into a subtle silence.

After a long moment, Wei Yuan raised his eyebrows, breaking the silence: "Meng Xuanli, I've actually been watching you the whole time."

Meng Xuanli could sense his gaze on her, but she remained silent and was too lazy to look up.

Wei Yuan's expression was stern. "When we met at Shunhelou that day, I noticed you. Later, I learned that you had married Lu Guanque. Seeing you entangled with him and suffering... I even thought about killing him. So that time, I asked Lu Yun to help you."

Meng Xuanli's fingers tightened slightly: "I'm sorry for what happened that time."

Wei Yuan said slowly, "You've let us down, but I think you've let yourself down even more. You clearly agreed to leave, so why are you still protecting him?"

Meng Xuanli lowered his eyes and looked at the water in his hand: "I don't want to mention him."

"Okay, let's not talk about him. I'll continue."

Wei Yuan nodded. "Later, I heard that you two reconciled. He took the arrow for you, and you forgave him. It seems like you two are doing pretty well."

Wei Yuan's tone became a little vague: "At that time, I was thinking, since you think he is good, since you chose him... then I won't do anything anymore."

He seemed a little disgusted: "But now, I heard that he didn't want to marry you anymore for the so-called power or some bullshit reason."

Meng Xuanli finally showed some emotion and turned her head to look at him: "So?"

Wei Yuan leaned forward slightly, staring into Meng Xuanli's eyes, and said word by word: "He doesn't want you, but I do."

"Meng Xuanli, come back to the Marquis' Mansion with me." His tone was very deep, as if he was swearing an oath, "I will not be like him. I will make you my legal wife and give you the dignity and sincerity you deserve."

These sudden words were like a stone thrown into Meng Xuanli's heart, but unfortunately, they did not cause any ripples.

"My Lord."

She put down the teacup and said in a low voice, "I told you a long time ago that I have no interest, nor the leisure to be anyone's substitute."

Wei Yuan's pupils suddenly shrank, his face darkening: "Substitute? You..."

"Isn't it?" Meng Xuanli interrupted him, his tone still calm. "Isn't it because my face bears some resemblance to your late wife that the Marquis first noticed me?"

Wei Yuan did not deny it immediately. He did notice her because of the similarity, but later, it was not the case.

Meng Xuanli continued, "Besides, I won't stay in Jinling for too long. Once this heavy rain passes and the waterways are clear, I will leave."

Wei Yuan felt inexplicably irritated by her nonchalant expression. He stood up, walked over to the bed, and said condescendingly, "Meng Xuanli, why are you being so self-righteous with me?"

"Do you think you are still in Dongdu? You are just a person with nothing now."

His voice rose and he said sarcastically, "You keep saying you hate him and don't want to mention him, but last night you were drunk and unconscious, holding my hand and shouting whose name all night long?"

"You can't let him go at all in your heart. Why are you acting so hopeless in front of me?"

Meng Xuanli snorted and laughed coldly: "Yes, I did call his name."

"I hate him, resent him, and perhaps... I still have some lingering feelings for him. It's ridiculous and pathetic, isn't it?"

She stared at Wei Yuan with sharp eyes: "But Wei Yuan, what about you?"

"You keep saying you love me and want to be sincere to me." Her voice was like a sharp knife. "What about Lu Yun? She's been by your side for so many years, but what does she mean to you? And what about your deceased wife whom you still miss so much? What about her?"

"Why are you pretending to be so affectionate here?"

This line of questioning accurately pierced the contradictions and hypocrisy that Wei Yuan was most unwilling to face. He opened his mouth, without any reason to refute, because he knew that everything Meng Xuanli said was true.

He had always been free to act on his feelings. His obsession with Meng Xuanli was indeed mixed with his feelings for his late wife at first, but later... later, perhaps he was more attracted to her temperament, stimulated by the feeling of wanting but not being able to get her.

But how much of this love is pure? He himself can't tell.

Seeing Wei Yuan's face turning pale and blue, Meng Xuanli shook his head and said in a gentle tone, "Wei Yuan, forget it."

"Love or hate, these intense things are too tiring for me and no longer important."

She stood up, walked to the window, looked at the rain, and said softly: "Now, I just want to find a quiet place, let go of the past, and then live a good life for myself."

Meng Xuanli looked at him again, her eyes calm and sincere: "You too. Stop clinging to those you can't have, or those you've already lost."

"Cherish the person in front of you, Lu Yun... She is a good girl. I saw her feelings for you when I was at the He family."

After saying this, she pursed her lips and turned to leave: "I'm a little hungry. Let me go see if the hangover soup is ready."

Wei Yuan stood there alone, her words, "Cherish the one in front of you," filling his ears. For the first time in his life, he felt awkward and powerless in front of a woman. His earlier confession seemed a bit ridiculous.

#

Over the next two days, the rain gradually subsided. Meng Xuanli spent most of his time indoors, occasionally going downstairs for meals. When he encountered Wei Yuan and Lu Yun, he simply nodded politely, without further interaction.

Wei Yuan was unusually silent and no longer tried to approach her, but occasionally looked at her from afar with a complicated look.

Lu Yun seemed to have noticed something, and when she saw Meng Xuanli, her eyes were often filled with gratitude.

On the third day, the sky finally cleared up. The long-awaited sunlight shone through the clouds, casting a dazzling golden light on the wet streets.

Meng Xuanli decided to set off immediately. She settled the room bill and walked out of the inn. The innkeeper hurriedly chased her out with a heavy cloth bag in his hand.

"Madam Meng, please stay." The shopkeeper handed the cloth bag to Fuyao and explained, "This was given to you by a guest yesterday. He said it was to give you some money for your journey, as a token of his appreciation."

"The guest didn't leave his name, but only said it was a gift from an old friend. I hope you will accept it."

Meng Xuanli's eyes passed over the bag, then she looked up at the window on the second floor of the inn. She was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly to the innkeeper, "Thank you, innkeeper." Then, she whispered to Fuyao, "Take it."

Meng Xuanli didn't ask further questions, nor did she refuse. These possessions didn't make much difference to her now. Since someone was willing to give them, she'd take them. Perhaps they'd be useful in an emergency later.

On the second floor of the inn, Wei Yuan slowly appeared. He stood there, expressionless, watching Meng Xuanli's carriage drive away.

Lu Yun walked behind him and called softly, "My Lord..."

Wei Yuan didn't turn around and said calmly, "Luyun, pack up your things. It's time for us to return to the capital."

Maybe she was right, and it was time for him to look at the person in front of him.

In the carriage, Fuyao handed the cloth bag to Meng Xuanli: "My lady, this is quite a lot of money."

Meng Xuanli pursed his lips and waved his hand: "From now on, you will take care of the travel expenses."

Fuyao responded, and the sunlight filtered through the gap in the car curtains and fell on Meng Xuanli's face, leaving visible flickering spots of light.

#

A month passed in a flash. The further south they went, the more humid and hot the air became. As they switched between land and water routes, Lingnan was already in sight.

When approaching the territory of Guangzhou Prefecture, there are numerous rivers and dense water networks, and boats become the main means of transportation.

On this day, the boat was sailing on a slightly narrow river. The water surface was a little turbid due to the rain in the past few days, and the boat swayed slightly with the water flow.

Meng Xuanli sat in the cabin, looking at the banana grove passing by outside the window. Suddenly, her throat tightened and a feeling of nausea surged up from her stomach.

She quickly covered her mouth and held it back, her face pale and her movements tired.

"Madam, are you okay?" Fuyao handed over the water bag with concern. "Are you seasick? The waterways in Lingnan are bumpier than in the north."

Meng Xuanli took the water bag, rinsed his mouth, and shook his head slightly: "Maybe, it's a bit stuffy."

After days of traveling, the unfamiliar climate, and the pent-up emotions, it was normal for my body to react. However, the nausea had persisted intermittently for several days.

This is especially noticeable when you wake up in the morning.