Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Dead Leg, Run Away

Shuyun hadn't been sitting in Hengwu Garden for long when Biluo suddenly arrived and said, "Miss, the eldest master wants you to come over."

Shu Yun felt a little uneasy and asked, "What's going on?"

Biluo said, "The eldest master didn't say anything, he just asked me to invite the young lady over."

She bowed, delivered her message, and left.

Shuyun looked past the window at the quiet courtyard. If he went to look for her at this time, it might not be a good thing.

When Shuyun touched the red rope on her wrist, she couldn't help but think of the look he gave her when he came back, which was as sharp as an eagle.

Shuyun took off the red rope from her wrist, put it under the pillow, and went to Yanfu Residence.

The man stood in front of the window, his eyes fixed on the main road outside the house. When Shuyun saw him, she was stunned at first, then she looked away, quickened her pace, and quickly entered the house.

"Brother." Shuyun bowed to the man standing by the window. Her voice was soft and a little sweet, as if she was holding a mouthful of candy.

Xiao Ye slowly turned around, holding a moon-white medicine bottle in his hand. He walked towards Shu Yun, "Sister, why are you here just now?"

His tone was lazy and casual, as if he was just saying it casually, but Shuyun had a bad feeling in her heart.

"Sit down, sister."

Xiao Ye sat down beside the couch and rubbed the small jar in his hand with his fingertips.

The soft couch was large enough for five people to sit side by side, but after Xiao Ye got off, there was more space on his left than on his right. If Shuyun sat on his left, she would have to go around him.

Helplessly, Shuyun sat down on his right. The space was small, only half an arm's length away from the armrest of the couch, while the man on the other side sat closer.

Xiao Ye stroked the small jar in his hand and looked at her quietly.

Shu Yun smiled and asked, "Brother, why did you come to see me?"

Xiao Ye stretched out his right hand, dangling it in front of her, and said, "I injured the tendons and bones in my wrist while drawing the bow. Please help me apply medicine, sister."

Shu Yun was a little confused. He was an excellent archer and could hit the center of nine out of ten targets. It was not his first time drawing the bow, but it just happened that he injured the muscles in his wrist in such a short while.

Shuyun took the small porcelain jar from his palm, lowered her head to open the lid, and took out some ointment with a silver piece.

She held the man's wrist with one hand and applied the ointment on the silver sheet to the wrist bone with the other hand.

Shuyun was applying medicine, and a piece of her fair wrist was exposed from her sleeve. Except for a pair of clear jade bracelets, there was no other jewelry on her slender wrist.

There is no glaring red rope either.

Xiao Ye stared at a piece of white and slender wrist and said, "Sister, your wrist is slender, and it looks very beautiful with the gold, silver and jade bracelet."

Shuyun lowered her eyes and subconsciously looked at her wrist exposed from her sleeve. She felt inexplicably relieved and was glad that she had taken off the red rope in advance.

She didn't say anything, but lowered her head and quietly applied medicine to him.

Shu Yun raised her eyes to look at the man and said softly, "Brother, the other hand."

She is very well-behaved, like a white rabbit without temper.

But even rabbits can bite when they are anxious. Xiao Ye looked at her, his wrist still in her soft palm, "Only the right hand is injured."

Shu Yun nodded. He did not take back his hand. She hesitated for a while, released the hand that was holding the man's wrist, and lowered her head to organize the medicine jar.

Xiao Ye stood up from the couch and came back with a box in his hand. "Sister, open it and take a look."

He stood in front of Shuyun and handed the box to her. There was a faint smile on his face, and his cold face looked very friendly.

Shu Yun felt an inexplicable chill. Under his gaze, she slowly raised her hand and took the box he handed to her.

A pair of gold bracelets with peony patterns, with peony flowers and vines intertwined, with fine workmanship and glittering colors.

"My sister's delicate hands are most suitable for wearing gold and jade bracelets."

Xiao Ye took out a gold bracelet and stretched out his hand towards her, as if he wanted to put it on her.

The man's tall figure cast a shadow over her, waiting for her response. Shuyun's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she raised her hand that was hanging on her knees and placed it in his palm.

Xiao Ye held Wenruan's hand and put the gold bracelet on her wrist.

The gold bracelet and the jade bracelet collided, making a crisp sound.

Xiao Ye lowered his eyes and looked at the bracelet he was wearing. Every part of her body belonged to him, and no one else could touch it.

===========

Old Madam Cui was so angry about what Wang Huilan had done that she fell ill. After recuperating for a few days, her condition improved, but she was much weaker after what she had experienced.

Among the many grandsons and granddaughters in the mansion, Mrs. Cui is currently only concerned about the affairs of Xiao Ye and Xiao Shuyi. As for the latest happy event in the mansion - Shuyun's marriage, she doesn't care about it and lets the people in the mansion prepare it. As long as Shuyun gets married as scheduled, it's fine.

Mrs. Cui gave up on the matter, and Marquis Anlu was a man who knew nothing about marriage, so it was Aunt Bai who took charge of the preparations for Shuyun's marriage.

It is already early August. Time flies like water when one is busy. By the time the Marquis returns from the autumn hunt with His Majesty, it will be the end of August or the beginning of September. Aunt Bai is so busy that she brought the phoenix crown she had made to Hengwu Garden and asked Shuyun to try it on.

Aunt Bai is meticulous in her work and has experience in marrying off her daughters, so she was quite adept this time.

The maid combed Shuyun's hair into a bun for her wedding.

She had a petite body, a slender neck, and a small face the size of a palm, topped with a glittering phoenix crown. Aunt Bai looked at the lively girl and couldn't help but feel a little dazed. The golden hairpin she was about to pin on her bun did not fall down for a long time.

Shu Yun called her, "Auntie?"

Aunt Bai came back to her senses and pinned the hairpin in her hand into Shuyun's hair. The girl in the mirror had almond eyes and rosy cheeks, eyes like autumn water, and was a rare and peerless beauty. She was not Wang Huilan's daughter, so naturally she did not look like Wang Huilan. She felt a sense of déjà vu.

Shuyun looked at herself in the mirror carefully and found that there was nothing out of place with her rouge and powder.

Puzzled, Shu Yun asked, "Auntie, is my makeup inappropriate today?"

Aunt Bai shook her head. "I haven't seen the young lady for five years. I feel like I've seen her before."

Shuyun turned around and looked up at Aunt Bai.

Aunt Bai was in a trance for a moment, then said, "I remember now. He looks a bit like my late wife's good friend."

Because she had been troubled by nightmares for many years, Aunt Bai had an exceptionally clear memory of her late wife. At first glance, Shuyun looked a bit like the vague person in her memory.

Shu Yun's heart froze slightly. She sent the maid away and asked, "Whose lady is this? Does Auntie still remember her?"

"I remember that lady's surname was Zhou, and she was the wife of Lord Shen, a doctor in the Ministry of Works."

Last name: Shen? What a coincidence.

Shu Yun took Aunt Bai's hand and said, "Aunt has been in the mansion for a long time. Can you tell me more about this Madam Zhou? I remember that the current Langzhong of the Ministry of Works is not named Shen."

"It's not Shen."

Aunt Bai was lost in thought. She turned around and sat down on the couch, recalling the past.

"My late wife was close to Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou's husband, Lord Shen, was a doctor in the Ministry of Works and was responsible for the construction of the Tongtian Tower. Later, the Tongtian Tower collapsed, causing countless casualties. All the evidence pointed to Lord Shen, who had secretly replaced the building materials, causing the collapse. Lord Shen was held accountable, and the Shen family was confiscated. Madam Zhou was pregnant at the time, and she had a miscarriage because of this incident."

Shuyun felt an inexplicable pain in her heart and felt extremely uncomfortable.

"Later, with the strong support of the Prince of Huainan, His Majesty reinvestigated the case and cleared Lord Shen's name. Lord Shen was reinstated, but was demoted to Nanzhou a year later. I don't know what happened after that."

Aunt Bai sighed, feeling sorry for the miscarried child, who should have been born in half a month.

Shuyun felt very depressed.

It is actually related to Tongtian Tower.

If you calculate the time, the Tongtian Tower collapsed sixteen years ago. Many craftsmen died because of this collapse.

Shu Yun asked, "Aunt, was Dad in the capital at that time?"

Aunt Bai nodded. "The Marquis hadn't inherited the title at that time, and he had just returned to the capital a year ago after a victorious battle. Lord Shen and the Marquis were very close friends, and the Marquis was running around for this matter."

Aunt Bai took a sip of tea and reached out to adjust the pearl hairpin in Shuyun's hair.

"I see there are too many hairpins here. It looks a bit messy at first glance. Why not reduce one or two?"

Aunt Bai took off a hairpin from Shuyun's head and nodded with satisfaction.

Aunt Bai sat in Hengwu Garden for a while, and Shuyun felt uneasy after seeing her off.

Shuyun thought about it for a long time. The construction of Tongtian Tower was under the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and the General Administration of Works. Marquis Anlu was a military general and had nothing to do with the Ministry of Works and the General Administration of Works. Why did Liu Bo say that Marquis Anlu killed many craftsmen?

Moreover, after the collapse of Tongtian Tower, Lord Shen was held accountable, and Marquis Anlu was still busy with this matter.

Shuyun has always respected Anlu Hou, who guarded the northern border and was a great hero who repelled Northern Yan and protected the people of the northern border.

Shu Yun firmly believed that he was not the bad guy that Liu Bo said, and there must be a misunderstanding.

…

After the emperor suspended the court meeting for five days, Marquis Anlu resumed the meeting and accompanied the emperor on the autumn hunt this year.

Over here, Marquis Anlu was practicing martial arts in the backyard, holding several hundred kilograms of stones in each hand, lifting and lowering them with ease. He had excellent hearing and heard footsteps coming from afar, which sounded like the footsteps of two women.

A peach-colored graceful figure appeared among the shadows of the trees. Shuyun walked slowly, followed by her personal maid Qiongzhi.

Shuyun came closer, bowed gracefully, and said in a soft voice, "Dad."

Marquis Anlu put down the stone weighing a hundred pounds in his hand. The servant handed him a towel and he took it to wipe his sweat.

Shuyun went to the table nearby, poured a glass of water and handed it over, saying, "Dad, drink some water."

Marquis Anlu threw the handkerchief into the tray held by the servant and took the cup of water handed to him by Shuyun.

The girl was wearing a peach-colored skirt and looked pretty, bright and graceful.

Marquis Anlu asked, "What did Madam teach Yun'er today?"

Shuyun put the empty cup back on the table. Marquis Anlu was already sitting on the stone bench. He adjusted the wristband around his wrist and his eyes fell on her.

Shu Yun said, "The account I made yesterday was correct. Today, Madam took me to the storeroom and looked through some gift lists. I have a clear idea of ​​what's in the storeroom."

Marquis Anlu nodded and asked about her arrival, "Why did you suddenly come to my place?"

Shuyun looked at the majestic face and hesitated.

She didn't say anything. Marquis Anlu looked at her with his sharp eyes, but they were not as cold as before. Shuyun had an indescribable feeling and felt uncomfortable.

Shu Yun lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, and said, "Father, do you still remember the collapse of the Tongtian Tower sixteen years ago? Many innocent craftsmen died in it."

Marquis Anlu frowned, his eyes sharp, "Why did Yun'er suddenly ask this?"

The voice was cold and harsh, and Shuyun's heart trembled like a frightened bird. She mumbled, "My daughter heard that Mr. Liang was involved in the construction of Tongtian Tower. Suddenly, I remembered that Tongtian Tower suddenly collapsed a long time ago. Naturally, I am afraid. This Tongtian Tower has been under construction for more than 20 years, and it is not yet completed. From a distance, it looks like it is already towering into the clouds."

Shu Yun pursed her lips and said shyly, "My daughter is worried about Liang Lang."

Marquis Anlu stared at the girl with her head bowed. Her delicate features and downcast eyebrows revealed a charming and lovely appearance, a striking resemblance to that man.

Is it the Tongtian Tower again?

Her husband also participated in the construction of Tongtian Tower, and so did Yun'er's current fiancé.

Things are so similar.

But he still didn't get it that year.

Marquis Anlu looked at the girl in front of him, feeling melancholy.

It would be better to cancel this marriage.

Feeling that someone was looking at her, Shu Yun raised her eyes slightly, only to see an aggressive gaze, naked and with a hint of covetousness.

Shu Yun's pupils constricted. She was no longer the girl who knew nothing. She had seen this kind of look in Xiao Ye's eyes before.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her head froze in place with a sudden buzzing sound. A terrible guess arose in her mind, and her scalp suddenly became numb, and her hands and feet became cold.

Shu Yun lowered her head in disbelief and said hurriedly, "Dad, I won't ask anymore."

She was so frightened that she even forgot to say goodbye and ran away in fear. Her throat seemed to be gripped by something, making it difficult for her to make a sound. Her legs were weak and she almost fell to one side. Fortunately, Qiongzhi was quick to steady her body.

This place was quite far from Marquis Anlu's residence. Qiongzhi held her hand and asked in surprise, "Why are your hands so cold?!"

Shuyun's heart was beating wildly, her body was shaking uncontrollably, her throat was tight, and every hair on her body stood up in fear.

Shuyun was terrified and returned to Hengwuyuan with a pale face.

Shu Yun was terrified. She wouldn't be wrong. She had seen that look on Xiao Ye many times and knew exactly what it meant.

He is her adoptive father!

Shuyun thought back to the strange things that happened before, and suddenly she had the answer. The more she thought about it, the more scared she became.

She can't stay in the Marquis' Mansion anymore, she wants to leave!

There are still eight days left until the autumn hunt, just get through these eight days and everything will be fine.

Shuyun clenched her trembling hands, trying to calm her frightened emotions.

=========

That day, the autumn rain began to fall in the afternoon, drizzling for half an hour before stopping.

Shuyun sat by the window after her nap, her thoughts drifting far away. Compared to the land route, the water route was smoother. Going south along the canal, once the boat set sail, it would be difficult to catch up.

The maid brought a plate of cakes and placed it on the couch.

Seeing that it was the second-class maid beside her, Shu Yun asked in confusion, "Where is Qiongzhi? Why is she not here?"

The maid said, "Sister Qiongzhi is in the kitchen. She said she noticed that the young lady has had a poor appetite recently. Perhaps the recent meals are not to her liking, so she asked the kitchen to change the dishes."

"I understand." Shuyun sent her away.

It wasn't because the food was not to her liking, it was because she had no appetite to eat.

Shuyun sat on the couch for a while, thinking about how to escape in six days. The money she had included the dividends from Yunshuang Pavilion, which could last her for a few years if she used it frugally.

Shuyun took a piece of cake and just as she put it in her mouth, she suddenly felt that the taste was wrong and spit the cake into her handkerchief.

The pastry is filled with chopped hazelnuts.

Shuyun can't eat hazelnuts, it will cause rashes.

Qiongzhi had been with her for a long time, and she knew exactly what Shuyun could not eat. It was impossible for her to be so careless as to let the pastry with hazelnuts enter her mouth.

Shuyun paused, closed her eyes and ate half a piece of cake.

But in just half a cup of tea, Shuyun felt itchy all over, with small red rashes on her arms and neck, and it was difficult for her to breathe.

Hengwu Garden was in chaos. Qiongzhi was frightened and hurried to call a doctor.

When Marquis Anlu heard this, he came to Hengwu Garden and heard faint sobbing as soon as he stepped into the house.

The doctor had already given Shuyun medicine, and fortunately she was treated in time, so her life was not in danger.

The pink curtains fell, covering the girl on the bed. Marquis Anlu didn't see anyone and asked the doctor anxiously, "How is she?"

The doctor said, "The girl has eaten hazelnuts, and her condition is under control now. But the rash will take several doses of medicine to go away."

Marquis Anlu frowned and scolded Qiongzhi, "Yun'er can't eat hazelnuts. If you can't even remember this, how did you become this personal maid?"

The maids in the room all knelt down, not daring to breathe.

Qiongzhi said, "I'm sorry, but the kitchen doesn't have any hazelnuts."

Qiongzhi looked at the second-class maid who brought the cakes. Marquis Anlu glanced at her fiercely, and the maid suddenly lowered her head even lower.

The atmosphere in the room was solemn. Marquis Anlu walked over with heavy footsteps and a strong aura that made people tremble in their hearts.

"What are you shaking for?" Anlu Hou asked sternly.

The maid was horrified and trembling all over. She knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "My Lord, please spare my life. It was the Third Young Lady who forced me to do this."

Xiao Shuzhen was jealous of Shuyun's wedding attire, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She found the maid in Hengwuyuan and forced her to work for her.

The maid's voice trembled as she confessed everything at once, "The Third Miss threatened the lives of my family and me, and asked me to secretly add hazelnuts to your cakes."

"My Lord, please spare my life. My Lord, please spare my life. I know I was wrong and I will never do it again. Please, my Lord, spare my life."

Marquis Anlu waved his hand and ordered in a cold voice, "Drag him away and beat him to death with clubs."

The servant covered the maid's mouth and dragged her out.

Marquis Anlu sent someone to see the doctor off, then turned to look at the hanging curtains.

After a pause, he walked over.

Footsteps were heard in the room filled with a solemn atmosphere, and the sound was getting closer and closer. Shuyun was frightened. She looked at the figure approaching on the curtains and clutched her handkerchief nervously.

"Dad, don't come over." Shuyun said fearfully, "My daughter has taken medicine and is fine now. Her face is covered with rashes, please don't look at it."

She sobbed softly and sadly.

Marquis Anlu stopped and gave up.

Marquis Anlu looked at Qiongzhi and said, "Serve the young lady well. If anything happens to the young lady again, you will be held responsible."

Qiongzhi nodded repeatedly and stood up to see Marquis Anlu off.

The footsteps disappeared in the house, and Shuyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She has been recuperating at home these days, reducing contact with others. She will be free in six days.

Later, Shuyun learned that Xiao Shuzhen had been sent to a country village by Marquis Anlu to reflect on her mistakes, and was not allowed to return home without his permission.

Xiao Shuzhen is the biological daughter of Marquis Anlu, and she is just an adopted daughter. Which father would make such a big fuss? The more Shuyun thought about it, the more scared she became, and her guess was further confirmed.

Qiongzhi brought the medicine she had cooked herself and served it to Shuyun.

Shuyun didn't like taking medicine, so in order to recover as soon as possible, she pinched her nose and drank it all in one breath.

Fortunately, I didn't eat many hazelnuts. After using the medicine, as long as I don't scratch, my body won't itch, and the rash shows signs of subsiding.

Holding a candied fruit in her mouth, Shuyun tied her veil around her ears.

As it was getting dark, Shu Yun was getting ready to wash up and go to bed when Xiao Ye appeared in her room.

He was on duty in the palace today and had just returned home after finishing his shift without even changing his armor. When he heard about this, he hurried over and walked quickly towards her.

Shu Yun loved beauty, and having a face covered with rashes made her sad. She didn't want Xiao Ye to see her ugly appearance, so she covered her veil and turned away hurriedly, saying in a panic, "Don't come over."

She bit her lip and whispered sadly, "It's ugly."

Xiao Ye stopped and looked at her thin back.

The candlelight was dim, and the man's tall shadow was cast on the ground, falling beside Shuyun.

The room was quiet. Xiao Ye asked gently, "What did the doctor say?"

Shu Yun looked down at his shadow and said, "It's fine now. He just needs to take a few doses of medicine."

Xiao Ye's heart relaxed. "I have an ointment to remove scars and relieve itching. Apply it once every morning and evening."

Shuyun was stunned for a moment, then nodded lightly and asked Qiongzhi to accept it.

Xiao Ye took the medicine jar from Qiongzhi Cong and came to her side. Shu Yun took a look and took it in her hand. It was a small, sky-blue medicine jar. The cold porcelain jar was slightly warm, the temperature of his palm.

Xiao Ye looked at her back for a while, and after a while, he said, "Take good care of yourself these days."

He turned and left. Shuyun looked back, hesitated for a moment, and holding the small medicine jar, she whispered, "Thank you, brother."

Xiao Ye paused, his eyes moved slightly, and he left her bedroom.

Shuyun lowered her eyes and looked at the medicine jar. After a long time, she opened the lid and smelled a faint floral scent amidst the herbal scent.

Smells better than expected.

==========

As the days passed, Shuyun's rash disappeared on the third day, but she didn't want to see anyone, so she stayed in Hengwuyuan.

During this period, Xiao Ye came to visit her after getting off work. Shuyun wore a veil to cover her face. He seemed to have changed his temperament and became very easy to talk to. He did not insist on checking the condition of her rash.

In a blink of an eye, it was the day of autumn hunting, and Xiao Ye came to Hengwu Garden before setting off.

Shuyun was wearing a mili, a long layer of thin silk hanging vertically around her waist, wrapping her thin figure.

Xiao Ye asked, "Sister, do you like rabbits? I'll hunt two little rabbits for you."

Shuyun nodded slightly.

This autumn hunting trip lasted for ten days. Xiao Ye looked at her a few more times before leaving reluctantly.

Marquis Anlu and Xiao Ye both went to Mulan Paddock, Old Madam Cui was recuperating in Shou'an Hall, Xiao Shuyi was learning housekeeping from the nanny and was too busy to spare any time, and Aunt Bai was preparing for her wedding in September and could not take care of Shuyun at the moment.

The next day, the autumn weather was clear and the sun was shining brightly.

Shuyun was dressed elegantly today, wearing a dress with wide sleeves that was not heavy and suitable for walking. She put on her veil and said to Qiongzhi, "I'm going out of the house to do some shopping. You don't have to come with me."

Qiongzhi responded and watched Shuyun leave.

The carriage slowly drove away from the Anlu Marquis Mansion. Shuyun sat alone in the carriage, feeling nervous and excited. She lifted the curtain and took a last look at the prosperous capital.

The carriage stopped at Yunshuang Pavilion. Shuyun stepped onto the horse stool and got out. She told the driver, "There are a lot of people coming and going here. Please stop the carriage at the alley ahead. I'll pick out some rouge and powder and come out."

Shuyun saw the carriage start moving and then entered the Yunshuang Pavilion.

Business in the attic was booming, with people coming and going. Shuyun went up to the second floor, took down the curtains, and waited for people in the private room.

After dealing with the guests, Shuang Niang appeared in the private room. "Yun'er, some girls have been asking why this paper hairpin with flowers hasn't been sold yet. You have such a skillful hand, and many girls are thinking about you."

Shu Yun said: "I haven't had time to do it recently."

Shuang Niang smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. Scarcity makes things valuable."

Shu Yun took a sip of tea and explained her intention, "Shuang Niang, things are busy at the mansion at the beginning of the month, so I will temporarily leave July's dividend with you. You can estimate a number and give me August's dividend as well."

Frost Lady was stunned. She looked at the girl in front of her for a few seconds, gradually realizing that something was wrong. She asked, "Yun'er, what happened?"

Shuyun knew that she could not escape Shuangniang's eyes, but she could not tell anyone else. The fewer people who knew about it, the fewer people would be implicated when people from the mansion came after her.

She looked embarrassed and lied, "I've been a little short of money lately."

When Shuang Niang heard this, she sighed, "I thought it was some big problem. Just wait."

She stood up and left the box. After waiting for a long time, she came back with a box in her arms. "Two months' dividends, plus the paper hairpins I've sold during this period, three hundred taels of silver, is that enough?"

Shu Yun nodded. She still had dividends from previous months in her sleeve, and together with the three hundred taels, it was enough.

Shuyun and Shuangniang reminisced for a while, then said, "I had a rash on my body a while ago, and there are still some marks. It's the peak time for guests at Yunshuang Pavilion right now, so I left through the back door."

Shuang Niang took a closer look. The marks on her face were visible if one looked closely. As a girl who loves beauty, she naturally didn't want others to see her embarrassing side, so Shuang Niang didn't think much about it.

Shuyun put the box into her wide sleeves, said goodbye to Shuangniang, and left Yunshuang Pavilion through the back door. There was a long alley, and she could leave the market through another alley to avoid the coachman's sight.

As they got further away from the market town where Yunshuang Pavilion was located, Shuyun's steps became more brisk, and a happy smile appeared at the corner of her lips under the veil.