Chapter 32 Lychee Wine "I'll ask you one more time, will you marry me?..."

Unexpectedly, Lu Xiuyi agreed so readily. Meng Yanqing was stunned for a moment, and couldn't utter a single word from the basketful of things she had prepared.

"Lord Meng, what's wrong? Was what I said inappropriate?" Lu Xiuyi's deep, resonant voice rang out again.

Upon hearing this, Meng Yanqing's wandering thoughts were immediately pulled back, and he hurriedly lowered his head: "No, no, no, since the general has no objection, when would you like to come and propose marriage?"

Lu Xiuyi smiled faintly: "The day after tomorrow, I will be accompanying Prince Yu to Yuezhou to manage the floods. The matter of betrothal should not be delayed, so let's do it tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Yanqing was taken aback again. Although it was better to do this sooner rather than later, this seemed a bit too fast. However, upon further reflection, he realized that he was to go to Yuezhou the day after tomorrow to manage the floods, and he didn't know how long this matter would be delayed. Indeed, it would be better to do it sooner.

Meng Yanqing readily agreed, and after a few more casual words, he got up to take his leave.

No sooner had Meng Yanqing left than Chu Ze was called in.

Lu Xiuyi leaned back in his chair, gently stroking the filigree and beaded Lingxiao gold hairpin that Meng Yu had dropped. His posture was languid, and a smile played on his lips: "Find someone who knows sign language for me. I want to take him to Yuezhou."

Chu Ze didn't react immediately, and in a moment of confusion, blurted out, "Is the Yuezhou County Magistrate also mute? Why, young master..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp gaze suddenly pierced his eyes, like the tip of a knife, and Chu Ze awkwardly shut his mouth in time.

Lu Xiuyi said quietly, "Since my future wife can't speak, what's wrong with me indulging her a little?"

He wants to learn sign language.

Chu Ze immediately thought of Meng Yu, but he had just heard that the person he was to marry was clearly the fourth daughter of the Meng family, so how could it be Meng Yu again?

Although he had doubts, Chu Ze did not dare to show them and simply replied, "Yes, I will go and find it right away."

***

The sky was a clear, bright blue, with thin clouds hanging in the air, revealing oddly shaped smiling faces, and a faint fragrance of flowers filled the room.

When the news of Lu Xiuyi's impending marriage to Meng Yin reached Qingli Courtyard, Meng Yu was pruning the trumpet creeper flowers that Huai Yin had picked.

Upon hearing this, Meng Yu looked surprised and doubtful, but in just a moment, before she could think about it carefully, her surprise and doubt were instantly dispelled by immense joy.

Seeing that she still had a calm expression, Huaiyin tilted her head and chuckled softly, "I said the other day that Fourth Miss has her heart set on Young Master Lu, and this marriage must have been proposed by her herself. Are you at ease now, Miss?"

Meng Yu suppressed her trembling hands, put down the scissors, and smiled as she raised her hand: "The fragrance of the trumpet creeper is neither too strong nor too weak, just right for the season. Now that Fourth Sister's wish has been fulfilled, we should also give her a good wedding gift. The fragrance of the trumpet creeper is neither too strong nor too weak, just right for the season. Why don't we use it as a model to embroider a pair of mandarin duck pillows for Fourth Sister?"

Huaiyin smiled and said, "Miss, this trumpet creeper is one that you love, but it's not what the Fourth Miss likes. Since it's a gift, it should naturally be something that suits her taste."

Aunt Shen, embroidering a handkerchief, chimed in, "Huaiyin's words are quite right. Fourth Miss likes hibiscus flowers, and hibiscus symbolizes good fortune and happiness, a very auspicious meaning. If Yu'er wants to embroider a pair of mandarin duck pillows for her, why not make the mandarin ducks the main subject and the hibiscus the secondary subject?"

Aunt Shen's suggestion was excellent, so Meng Yu adopted it and immediately instructed Huai Yin to prepare needles and thread. Finally, she remembered something and hurriedly asked, "By the way, has Father said whether an auspicious day has been set?"

"Not yet," Huaiyin rummaged through her drawers. Meng Yu disliked knitting and rarely did needlework; all her needles and thread were now stored away. "I heard that Young Master Lu is coming to propose marriage tomorrow. I guess we'll decide then!"

Meng Yu frowned.

After the initial joy, a strange sense of doubt mixed with a touch of unease slowly crept into my mind.

Recalling the way Lu Xiuyi barged into her room that day, Meng Yu was still terrified, and now she couldn't help but wonder: Was he really going to let her go?

When he asked the emperor for a marriage decree, he could have specified the candidate, so why did he insist on having Meng Yanqing choose the one?

Meng Yanqing's choice to marry Meng Yin was exactly what Meng Yu had expected.

Her father was too good at judging the situation and weighing the pros and cons. Regardless of Lu Xiuyi's current popularity in front of the emperor, as the only legitimate daughter of Princess Minghua, he would never allow her, a concubine's daughter, to leave.

A barrage of chaotic thoughts bombarded Meng Yu's mind, leaving her momentarily disoriented. She quickly shook her head, trying to clear her mind of the jumbled thoughts.

Since I can't come to a conclusion, I might as well just accept it.

Huaiyin rummaged through the bottom of the box and found the sewing box. Mengyu took it and put it aside, then picked up a pen to draw a pattern.

***

Outside Meng Zhangzhou's study, the bamboo groves were deep green, their branches and leaves bent low, drooping beside the open window.

The tall, elegant man at the desk was practicing calligraphy: "All the books on that shelf are newly bought. If Jingyun likes any of them, feel free to pick one."

The person standing next to the bookshelf smiled gently, "Brother Meng has excellent taste; every book I see suits my taste perfectly."

Jingyun is Jiang Xuanli's courtesy name.

Meng Zhangzhou lowered his head and wrote a single character, then smiled and said, "You and I are kindred spirits, and our views must be quite similar as well."

Jiang Xuanli smiled faintly: "That's very true. By the way, I heard the other day that Brother Meng's family received a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, and the other party is the young Marquis Lu from the Marquis of Jiangyang's mansion. I wonder which young lady is the betrothed to?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhangzhou raised his eyes and smiled, "Why are you suddenly concerned about this?"

"Brother Meng's family has been blessed with a marriage arranged by the Emperor. I am happy for Brother Meng and was just asking casually." Jiang Xuanli's gaze remained on the book, his expression unchanged, as if it were truly just a casual question.

Jiang Xuanli had always been averse to women; if even a young lady got too close, he would step back. Since he said so, Meng Zhangzhou naturally had no doubts and continued practicing his calligraphy, casually replying, "It's neither a good thing nor a terrible thing. Father said that the Fourth Miss is lively and a good match for Young Master Lu, so he promised her to him."

"Thud!"

The thick book fell to the floor with a muffled groan.

As Meng Zhangzhou was chatting, he suddenly heard this sound. He looked up and saw that just as Jiang Xuanli was about to pick up the book, his fingertip was suddenly cut by the open page, and bright red blood immediately gushed from his fingertip.

Meng Zhangzhou was startled and immediately went over to take a look. He saw a long cut on the fingertip that was still bleeding. He hurriedly called out, "Arong, Jingyun has been cut. Quickly bring some wound medicine and bandages."

Arong was dozing off on the platform under the eaves when she heard the noise and immediately woke up. She rushed to Meng Zhangzhou's room to get some wound medicine and bandages.

After applying the medicine and wrapping it tightly with a bandage, Jiang Xuanli withdrew his hand, his tone containing a barely perceptible hint of sadness: "I'm fine, it's just a minor injury."

“You said you were fine, but look how pale you are from the pain. These books are all new, and the pages are sharp. You could easily cut your hand if you’re not careful,” Meng Zhangzhou frowned and stuffed the wound medicine into his hand. “Take this medicine back with you. Don’t touch any raw flesh in the meantime. Apply it for two days and it will be fine.”

Jiang Xuanli could not refuse, so he had no choice but to accept it.

***

The morning sun cast a thin layer on the deep green pear leaves. Lu Xiuyi and the official matchmaker arrived early at the Meng family's residence to propose marriage, bringing with them a pair of wild geese, a pair of goats, a pair of sika deer, and six jars of lychee wine.

The goats and sika deer were alright, but the most precious thing was those ten jars of lychee wine. It was the height of summer, and although lychees were plentiful in the southern Yue region, they were extremely rare in the capital due to transportation restrictions. Only officials of the third rank or above could enjoy a small amount as a reward from the emperor.

Now that Lu Xiuyi has come to our door, he has ordered people to bring over six jars of lychee wine. Isn't that astonishing?

Such a grand display was a great honor for Meng Yin.

"I heard from the tea server that when the master and madam saw him, they couldn't stop smiling. All their previous frowns were gone," Huaiyin said after overhearing some gossip. When she came back, she kept chattering. "And the fourth young lady was secretly watching that young Marquis Lu through the screen. Her ears were like ripe peaches. She didn't care what others were saying. She only had eyes for young Marquis Lu."

Meng Yu finished drawing the design, set up the embroidery hoop, and began embroidering the pillowcase.

Upon hearing this, she stopped her needlework, raised her hand and smiled, "Are you envious?"

Huaiyin paused for a moment, as if she had thought of something, then squatted down to be level with Meng Yu, took her hand, and said gently, "Of course, I envy her glory, I envy the ten miles of red bridal procession she will have when she gets married, but I envy even more the girl's dignified and unyielding spirit that does not bow down for wealth and status, and I envy even more the girl's courage and perseverance to escape the den of demons."

Her words were earnest and sincere, making Meng Yu feel somewhat embarrassed.

Just then, Yan'er suddenly announced loudly, "Fourth Miss is here."

Meng Yu glanced out the window and saw Meng Yin leading Zhi Xia in with a radiant smile. She quickly smiled and gestured to Huai Yin, "I received Huai Yin's encouragement."

After saying this, he immediately got up and went out to greet them.

When Meng Yin saw her, she bowed slightly and greeted her sweetly, "Hello, Third Sister."

Everyone in the courtyard stared in astonishment.

Meng Yu glanced at Huai Yin, who understood and smiled slightly as she gestured, "I wonder what important matter Fourth Sister has come all this way for?"

Huaiyin translated it as usual.

Meng Yin tilted her head and pointed to a jar of wine that Zhi Xia was carrying, and said with a smile, "This is lychee wine. The young marquis brought it over specially for me to try. I was thinking that my third sister was not able to taste it in the front hall, so I specially asked my mother to send a jar over for my aunt and third sister to try."

"Thank you for your kindness, Fourth Sister. I will try it today."

Huaiyin hurriedly took the lychee wine from Zhixia and then gestured for Zhimian to come over and move it to the small kitchen for safekeeping.

When Meng Yu made the gesture, she naturally couldn't help but show an envious look. Seeing this, Meng Yin left in a much better mood.

After sending Meng Yin away, Meng Yu went to the small kitchen, opened the jar of wine, and smelled it. It was indeed incredibly fragrant and sweet, making her mouth water. She immediately instructed Yan'er to chop up the roast goose that had been sent from the main kitchen the day before and have it with the wine at dinner.

Although she ate lychees every year in her past life, she never used lychees to make wine. Thinking about it, she really felt that she had missed something wonderful. Now, even eating a lychee has become a luxury, let alone making wine from lychees.

Aunt Shen happened to come in and saw this, and said with a smile, "Yu'er, you've always been a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, so don't drink too much."

Hearing the sound, Meng Yu turned around, raised her hand, and smiled brightly at Aunt Chen: "I understand."

That being said, the lychee wine was indeed sweet and delicious. She couldn't resist at dinner and secretly drank three large cups when Aunt Chen wasn't looking.

Unexpectedly, these three large cups completely intoxicated Meng Yu, and Huaiyin and Zhimian had to work together to move her to the couch.

***

The night was as dark as water, with silver gauze covering the ground. The sounds of croaking rose and fell, and occasionally, a few snores could be heard from inside the house in the Green Pear Courtyard.

squeak!

The unlocked door was gently pushed open, and the night breeze seeped in through the cracks, blowing the curtains that were almost hanging to the ground.

A pair of large hands gently lifted it open.

In the dim candlelight, the person inside had a flushed face from being drunk.

The visitor scrutinized her from head to toe for a moment, until his gaze settled on her full lips, and he couldn't look away.

Desire surged wildly in his heart, and he finally couldn't resist lowering his head to cover those lips he had longed for for so long, frantically seizing her breath and sweetness.

Suddenly, someone covered her mouth. Meng Yu struggled instinctively, but her hands were tied behind her back and pinned above her head. Her legs were also pinned down. She vaguely sensed that something was wrong and gradually woke up from her dream.

The moment I opened my eyes, a face full of passion and desire suddenly came into view.

Meng Yu was startled and struggled desperately.

Lu Xiuyi suddenly opened his eyes, and the instant he left her lips, he immediately covered her mouth tightly, his hawk-like gaze fixed on her, and said in a cold voice, "Don't scream. In the dead of night, you don't want anyone to find me in your room, do you?"

Meng Yu nodded, her face filled with terror.

Lu Xiuyi breathed a sigh of relief. Almost the instant he let go, Meng Yu suddenly sat up from the couch and flung his hand away.

Snap!

The crisp sound of the slap echoed loudly in the quiet of the night. Fortunately, everyone in Qingli Courtyard was fast asleep, and no one heard it.

Meng Yu subconsciously opened her mouth, cursed "You bastard," then wiped her mouth hard, clutched the blanket, and curled up in the corner.

The words fell silent. Meng Yu didn't hear a sound, and then she remembered that she was now mute.

Lu Xiuyi's head turned to the side after being hit by her.

This was the second time she had hit him.

Perhaps because he had just gained the upper hand, he still showed no anger whatsoever.

Lu Xiuyi paused, then suddenly looked up: "Meng Yu, let me ask you one more time, are you willing to marry me?"

Seemingly finding his words unappealing, he chuckled and added, "A sip of lychee wine, is it really worth your craving? If you grant my request, I would do anything to pluck the moon from the sky for you."

Almost the instant he finished speaking, she glared at him, slowly opened her mouth, and uttered the same three words as before, without the slightest hesitation, shattering his last remaining hope completely.

She refused very decisively.