Chapter 79 He slowly lowered his tall body until his lips...

*

On both sides outside the villa, horse-drawn carriages from various families were parked.

The coachmen either looked around listlessly or simply dozed off. The servants who weren't with their masters were either daydreaming or chatting idly.

"This is only in recent years, when anyone can enter the manor. I heard it wasn't like this before. You had to submit a letter explaining your identity and background first. If you weren't qualified, you couldn't even think about stepping in."

“The Guo family is getting worse with each generation. If this continues, I’m afraid they won’t even be able to keep the ancestral property they’ve inherited.”

They talked animatedly, their words flowing freely.

These coachmen and servants often traveled outside, and they could roughly judge a person's social status from the style of their carriage and their clothing at a glance.

But there are exceptions.

For example, next to the carriage that was clearly rented, stood a beautiful and well-dressed maid, Qiu Lu.

Avoiding the prying eyes of others, Qiu Lu's gaze wandered and suddenly she saw a familiar person. She immediately walked towards a carriage of superior quality.

"Brother Ma, is it really you?" she asked in surprise, as if remembering something. "Did the young lady also go out today?"

She used to be Xie's head maid, and everyone in the mansion knew her.

Ma Er nodded, without saying anything more.

"That's quite a coincidence," she said, feigning concern. "I hope the eldest young lady and Miss Tang'er don't run into each other, lest it cause more trouble."

“The young lady is reasonable. She won’t offend anyone unless they offend her. If there is any trouble, it is your daughter Tang’er’s fault.”

Instead of arguing, she nodded in deep agreement.

"I was originally the old lady's person, but by some twist of fate I ended up with Miss Tang'er. But my heart still belongs to the old lady, and my indenture is still in her hands. I wonder how she is now? Where is she? I am truly worried about her."

As she spoke, she sighed softly, looking very sad.

A hint of sympathy appeared on Ma Er's honest face as he said to her, "We servants only hope to have a good master so that we can have hope for the future. You are still the old lady's person, so she will definitely not abandon you and will take you back sooner or later."

It sounded like words of comfort, but they were meaningless and not what she wanted to hear.

She was thinking about what else to say when she caught sight of Shen Qinglu and Xia Chan coming out of the villa.

As Ma Er drove to meet her, she followed him.

"Young lady." She looked left and right, as if afraid of being seen. "This servant has something to say."

Shen Qinglu used the carriage as a barrier, gesturing for her to come forward.

She lowered her voice, which trembled, "I overheard the eldest aunt and Miss Tang'er discussing that they were going to find the old lady and try to get her to change her mind and admit that the whole thing about switching children was a lie."

Shen Qinglu was not surprised that Yu Liuzhu would not give up.

If they want to turn the tide, the Xie family is indeed the only option.

“Young lady, from what I heard, it seems they want to use the excuse that my indenture is not in their possession in order to send me back and see the old lady at the same time.”

This is indeed a method, and perhaps the most direct one that Yu Liuzhu could think of.

For a long time, Shen Qinglu remained silent.

Qiu Lu's heart was pounding, and she looked at her with half-open eyelids.

Beneath the veil, vibrant colors peek through, revealing delicate dark eyebrows and eyes like black jade. When she glances at someone unintentionally, it's as if stars suddenly appear, like flowing light and shadow.

Is there anything else?

"...That's all, don't worry, Miss. I will definitely find out as much information as possible and tell you immediately if anything happens." Qiu Lu's heart was pounding, and she felt as if she had been seen through, a chill running through her.

She seemed to believe it, and hummed in agreement.

Just then, someone else came out of the villa. As soon as Qiu Lu saw Yu Liuzhu, she immediately wanted to leave.

Unexpectedly, she grabbed him, startling him so much that his face changed color.

"Young lady..."

"You just said they don't give you your monthly allowance, is that true?" Her dark eyes stared at Qiu Lu, like a bottomless abyss, sending chills down one's spine.

Qiu Lu was terrified, but nodded subconsciously, "...Yes, they won't give me my monthly allowance, saying I'm the old lady's person and that I should ask the old lady for it..."

“Now that you are serving your cousin Tang’er, she should pay your wages this month. Why should you go to your grandmother?” she said, pulling Qiu Lu along as they ran into the group.

Those terrifyingly dark eyes were fixed on Yu Liuzhu, her face expressionless. "Sister Tang'er, you've come at the right time. I'd like to ask, Qiu Lu is your person now, how come you don't give her her monthly allowance and even send her to find her grandmother?"

"Young lady, it has nothing to do with Miss Tang'er, it was this servant who overstepped her bounds..." Qiu Lu's body was trembling, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone.

Those who surrounded Zhuang Lanyi were all completely subservient to her, rejoicing when she rejoiced and hating when she hated.

She used to be at odds with Yu Liuzhu, and those who were on good terms with her naturally ostracized Yu Liuzhu, especially Jiang Xinyue. Jiang Xinyue also had a personal grudge against Yu Liuzhu, namely the verbal marriage agreement between the Shen and Mu families, which had been a source of deep resentment for Jiang Xinyue.

Even though they seem to be on the same side right now, and are facing people they dislike, the opportunistic kicks when they're down are bound to happen.

"Miss Yu, is this your maid? How can you not pay her her monthly salary? Are you short of money and can't even come up with a few taels of silver?"

Anyone could hear the mocking and disdainful tone in his voice.

Yu Liuzhu was filled with resentment. She glanced at Qiu Lu and said, "I know nothing about this."

Qiu Lu quickly explained, "What Miss Tang'er doesn't know is that it was the eldest aunt who...she made the decision."

“Grandma, isn’t that Miss Yu’s biological mother? A few taels of silver isn’t enough to warrant such a fuss.” Jiang Xinyue said with a look of disdain. “People should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation. Miss Yu used to be so glamorous, but now that she has a different mother, she even cuts off the servants’ monthly wages. She’s really shameless.”

When the topic turned to her new biological mother, her displeased gaze fell on Shen Qinglu.

Fake things are annoying, but real things are even more annoying!

“Miss Chen, Miss Yu’s biological mother is not only your adoptive mother, but also your aunt. You have to take care of her affairs, don’t you think?”

"Yes, I didn't say I wouldn't."

"You..." Jiang Xinyue was waiting to seize on Shen Qinglu's words and give her a good beating. She hadn't expected Shen Qinglu's answer, and was momentarily stunned, stammering, "You...how do you plan to manage this?"

“I will inform my grandmother first, and she will make the decision.”

“There’s no need for that.” Yu Liuzhu tightened her grip on her palm. “Tell me where Grandmother is, and I’ll go find her myself.”

"Cousin Tang'er, are you still not willing to let Grandmother go?"

Shen Qinglu's terrified appearance and angry voice successfully piqued everyone's curiosity.

Yu Liuzhu thought to herself, "This is not good."

Before she could react, Shen Qinglu had already taken two steps back, pointing at her, "You initially tried to silence me, almost burning me and my grandmother alive. Later, you tried to force my grandmother to change her story, threatening her in every way. Cousin Tang'er, I won't let you find my grandmother, so give up on that idea!"

If family members aren't really family, then it's better to expose family scandals.

Thinking this, Shen Qinglu covered her face and pretended to be sad. She then turned around and got into the carriage, leaving the speculation and discussion to others.

As the carriage drove further away, she lifted the curtain and looked back. Not surprised to see the various expressions on everyone's faces, she said to Yu Liuzhu, "Cousin Tang'er, don't worry, I keep my word. I will definitely tell Grandmother about Qiu Lu's matter and let her make a decision."

Xia Chan asked, somewhat puzzled, "Miss, are you really going to find the old lady?"

The curtains were drawn, blocking the view from outside.

She lowered her brows, her face full of mockery, and instead of answering, asked, "How did Qiu Lu enter the manor?"

Xia Chan actually knew about this.

Qiu Lu was sold by her own parents to save money for her younger brother's future marriage. Because of her good looks, she was sold several times before finally ending up in the hands of the same matchmaker as Xia Chan.

That matchmaker had many good girls in her hands, and her business was both legitimate and shady. The legitimate girls went to wealthy and powerful families, while the shady ones frequented brothels. Girls who weren't bought by wealthy families ended up in brothels.

When they were brought into the Yu family mansion, they were all chosen and bought by Madam Xie, and they were naturally grateful.

"The old lady once said that she had already made plans for us. She would arrange marriages for us when we got older, and she would never wrong us. At the very least, we would be assigned to some kind of managerial position."

Looking back now, Xia Chan recalls that on the night Xie said those words, Qiu Lu seemed to have not slept at all. She was absent-minded for several days and then began to age in the main courtyard and Liu Fang Xiao Zhu.

“There’s nothing wrong with her wanting to climb higher, but she was wrong to have the intention to harm others. Seeing her like this now makes me very sad.”

"Do you think Yutang sent her to inquire about Grandmother's whereabouts?"

"...What does the young lady mean?" Xia Chan's expression turned complicated as she thought of something. "Could it be that she's plotting against you? To get your indenture!"

*

Outside the villa, Zhuang Lanyi and the others had already left.

Rather than saying that Yu Liuzhu stayed until the end, it's more accurate to say that she was left behind.

She went from being the niece of a general to the daughter of a disgraced official, and now those she used to look down on can laugh at and ridicule her without restraint.

"You used to be praised wherever you went. You should really show those people what kind of person you are! To hide your background, you'd even commit murder and arson. It's terrifying!"

These were the words Jiang Xinyue said before she left.

Zhuang Lanyi's words further humiliated her: "The thought that I once competed with someone like you makes me feel ashamed. You say you can help me? In my opinion, you should mind your own business. You can't even come out with a few taels of silver, so don't embarrass yourself anymore!"

Her expression changed, becoming extremely unpleasant.

Qiu Lu hesitated to approach, keeping a two-step distance, and whispered in her defense, "Young Miss, it's my fault. I wanted to help you, to get the old lady's address from them, but I didn't expect..."

"It's not your fault, you're loyal after all." She cursed the fool inwardly, but she knew she didn't have many people she could rely on, so even if it was a fool, she had to keep him around for now.

“Young lady, if you can trust me, I will do anything willingly. My greatest wish is to stay by your side. I’m just afraid that my indenture is still with the old lady. What if they take advantage of this…” Qiu Lu looked so moved that she was about to cry as she helped her into the rented carriage.

She disliked the smell in the carriage and had to endure it.

After being reborn, she thought her previous life was already difficult enough, but she never expected this life to be even more difficult. The difficulty lay in the fact that she lacked even basic dignity, and in the fact that she had to be careful with even twenty-odd taels of silver.

When the carriage reached the market, she told the driver to stop and ordered Qiu Lu to buy a box of pastries.

The dessert was osmanthus cake, which was also Yu Jingxian's favorite.

The moment Yu Jingxian stepped out of the Tang residence and caught sight of her, he almost turned back.

She saw it clearly, and felt a surge of resentment in her heart, but she pretended not to see it and greeted him with a smile, "Big brother, I bought you your favorite osmanthus cake."

Yu Jingxian didn't take it, and stammered with an unnatural expression, "Tang'er, don't come to me like this in the future. If someone sees us, it won't be good for me... or for you either."

"Big brother, now even you don't want to see me? Did you hear something from someone else? I am Tang'er, your most beloved little sister Tang'er."

"It's not that I don't want to see you, it's just that I'm afraid... Tang'er, there are too many people here, and if any gossip gets out, it will inevitably cause some trouble."

After Yu Jingxian finished speaking, he didn't dare to look her in the eye. He pushed the pastry away and said, "You should go back now. I'll come see you when I have time."

The way he ran away so eagerly was as if he was afraid of getting involved with her.

She was furious and filled with hatred.

Sixteen years of sibling affection were erased simply because she didn't have the blood of the Shen family flowing in her veins. Her beloved older brother, who doted on her the most, was easily swayed by a few words from others, and all sixteen years of sibling affection were wiped away.

"Fine, very well. Since you all don't want me, then don't blame me for not caring about our past relationship!"

She threw the pastry on the ground and then crushed it with her foot.

It was as if the snacks weren't snacks at all, but rather the people she hated most.

"Yu Li, I'd like to see how long you can be so smug."

*

Achoo! Achoo!

As soon as Shen Qinglu got off the carriage, she sneezed twice in a row.

Xia Chan thought she had caught a chill, so she quickly put a cloak on her.

Before the master and servant even reached the main courtyard, they saw Gu Ruxu pointing at several trees in the garden and talking to Xu Mama beside her.

Xu Mama nodded and said, "I will have someone go to the estate later and move over a few pear trees that bore fruit last year."

Those trees have already sprouted buds; they look like crabapple trees.

Shen Qinglu naturally understood Gu Ruxu's intentions and was deeply moved.

Heaven has been so kind to her; whether in her past life or this one, she has relatives who treat her well without expecting anything in return.

When she heard Master Guo say "Why leave blank space?" and that he was the one who sent ink, she was not disappointed, but delighted.

Before she died in her past life, she made one last wish: that her loved ones would live long and healthy lives. Now that the couplet had proven to be just a coincidence, how could she not feel fortunate?

Her slightly red eyes made Gu Ruxu think that she was moved, and he felt that she was kind-hearted and had a clear sense of right and wrong, which made him like her even more.

Without needing to be asked, she proactively informed him of all the arrangements for her trip that day, including the couplets and the jade pendant.

Upon hearing about the couplet, Gu Ruxu sighed with emotion, “In this life, it is rare to find a true friend. Young Master Song Mo must be an excellent one, otherwise Young Master Liu Bai would not have waited for ten years.”

When Gu Ruxu learned that she had encountered Yu Liuzhu and Zhuang Lanyi together, her expression turned cold. "She has caught the eye of those people, and it's really not good to touch her now. But she has done something wicked and will not live long. She has betrayed your mother's love for so many years, and she will get her retribution sooner or later."

Gu Ruxu's words were only hinted at, but she understood them perfectly.

It's simply that the Yu family mother and daughter have already pledged allegiance to Prince Xin, and Prince Xin is keeping an eye on them. It's better for them to remain still for now.

In matters involving the struggle for imperial power, one wrong step could lead to a dead end. Silence is not stillness, but rather a period of dormancy while waiting for the right opportunity.

"Aunt, do you remember what I said last time? When Yutang went to the Marquis's mansion, she left me behind to go find Lord Mu. Why do you think she did that?"

When a wise person speaks, you understand immediately.

Gu Ruxu was first surprised, then pleased. "If you couldn't tell, I would find it strange. You are a clever child, just like me."

Shen Qinglu smiled sweetly, not pointing out her words, "I'm worried that she might also know something, which is why she did that."

"That's possible."

"What if Lord Mu treats her differently? How should we deal with that?"

“Impossible!” Gu Ruxu shook her head. “Lord Mu is no ordinary man. You don’t need to worry about that.”

"What if he's bewitched?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ruxu chuckled and affectionately flicked her nose with her slender finger. "You silly child, you actually know how to be bewitched. Don't worry, if he were really that kind of person, how could he be worthy of our following?"

She pretended to be confused, but what she was thinking was that no one knew that Mu Lao Jiu was a madman.

But under imperial power, there are only two paths: if you don't take this one, then there's the other. Compared to the other dead end, this one might still have a chance of success.

This vast general's mansion, with its towering walls and exquisite buildings, exudes an even more imposing and majestic aura under the sunlight.

When night falls, everything is shrouded in darkness. If one takes a wrong step, one may be plunged into the darkness forever and never see the light of day again.

How could those living there sleep soundly if they foresaw some of the dangers?

It was well past midnight, but she still wasn't sleepy.

In the silence of the room, her thoughts surged like a tide, with people and events from her past and present lives intertwining. Finally, she simply slipped on her shoes, got out of bed, lit a lamp, laid out paper, and then ground ink and picked up her brush.

The candlelight illuminated the white paper under her brush. Each stroke she made seemed to guide her, and at the end of the path, there seemed to be someone she was waiting for, quietly smiling at her.

Before long, the character "慕" (Mu) appeared on the paper. Looking at that character, her turbulent emotions were gradually replaced by warmth, and she slowly calmed down.

Suddenly she smelled a very faint fragrance, and drowsiness suddenly overwhelmed her. As she wondered what was going on, she lost consciousness.

In the stillness of the night, there seemed to be a slight movement, followed by what sounded like a breeze, accompanied by a tall, slender figure approaching.

The newcomer emerged from darkness into light, as if walking from the dawn, accompanied by golden light like bamboo and pine. When those serene eyes saw the character "慕" (mu) on the Xuan paper, suddenly a storm arose, like a mountain collapsing beneath a still lake.

He bent down, picked up the person who was slumped on the table, and carefully placed him back on the bed, supporting his head.

The face in my sight had features completely different from the one in my memory. The two faces kept flashing back and forth, eventually overlapping each other.

When he lightly touched her with his fingertips, it was as if he were peeling off a mask.

“Azhu…”

The girl, lost in a dream, could not hear his restrained calls, nor see the madness in his eyes; her breath as sweet as orchids was completely unaware.

He slowly lowered his tall body until his lips were close to his teeth, then greedily inhaled the captivating fragrance of orchids.