The carriage slowly drove along the bustling streets, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from familiar mansions and alleys to bustling markets and shops.
Zhang Ruowan sat quietly in the carriage, feeling a little excited and nervous.
Chunlin Poetry Society was one of the few places where she could communicate with the outside world and express her feelings after her marriage. She was looking forward to this meeting.
However, the atmosphere in the carriage was not relaxed. The old nanny sat in a corner, her eyes sharp, always paying attention to Zhang Ruowan's every move.
Although she didn't say much, the silent surveillance made Zhang Ruowan feel an invisible pressure. She understood that this was Qi Yongzhou's arrangement, and it was because he didn't trust her and was wary of her.
As the carriage bumped along, Zhang Ruowan's mood gradually became heavy.
She couldn't help but start to reflect on her life in the Qi Mansion. Was it really so unbearable that even her stepson had to be so wary of her?
She remembered the days when she had to put on a smile in front of the servants, and the nights when she endured loneliness and indifference alone, and a wave of sadness welled up in her heart.
The carriage finally arrived at the Chunlin Poetry Society. Zhang Ruowan, along with her maid and nanny, got out of the carriage and looked up, only to see an elegant courtyard.
The courtyard was shaded by green trees and filled with the fragrance of flowers, creating a scene of tranquility and peace. She took a deep breath of the fresh air and immediately felt refreshed.
"Madam, please." The maid reminded softly.
Zhang Ruowan nodded and walked into the gate of Chunlin Poetry Society. She looked around and saw that many people had already gathered in the poetry society.
They were either standing or sitting, reciting poems or composing couplets, or drinking tea and discussing philosophy. Everyone was immersed in his own world, enjoying this rare tranquility and freedom.
However, just as she was about to take a step forward, she suddenly felt a resistance. She looked back and saw the old woman following closely behind her, her eyes scanning the crowd around her vigilantly.
"Mammy, this is the Chunlin Poetry Society," Zhang Ruowan said helplessly, "The people here are all elegant and refined. There won't be any danger."
The old nanny was unmoved and simply said, "Madam, the eldest master has given an order, and I have no choice but to obey. I hope Madam will understand."
Zhang Ruowan sighed, knowing she couldn't convince the old nanny to let down her guard. She turned to the maid and said, "You stay here with nanny. I'll go in by myself."
After saying that, she walked into the gate of the poetry club alone, leaving the maid and the old nanny waiting there. Although she was a little unhappy, she also understood that this was Qi Yongzhou's arrangement and she could not change it.
As Zhang Ruowan entered the private room, she saw Xue Huichun already waiting there. The two of them exchanged greetings, and after their respective seats were seated, Zhang Ruowan took a sip of tea and spoke slowly, "Young Madam, it seems you have some questions about the Liang family?"
Xue Huichun nodded, a look of confusion on her face. "A few days ago, I went to the Fan Mansion to appreciate the flowers and accidentally heard that there was a mad maid in the Liang family's backyard. This matter struck me as quite strange."
Zhang Ruowan frowned slightly when she heard this. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "So the young lady came to see me?"
Xue Huichun sighed, "I know this isn't easy to find out, but I can't help but be curious. The Liang family is a well-known family in Beijing, so how could something like this happen?"
Zhang Ruowan chuckled. "Which of the aristocratic families in Beijing doesn't have some secrets? It's just that some have been revealed, while others are still hidden."
As she spoke, Zhang Ruowan gently unfolded the scroll she brought, and an exquisite painting appeared in front of Xue Huichun.
Xue Huichun gazed at the scroll, which depicted two young girls, hand in hand, enjoying a spring outing. One of the girls, with a delicate face and a lively expression, was instantly recognizable as Zhang Ruowan.
"It's so lifelike and the painting skills are superb!" Xue Huichun exclaimed sincerely.
Zhang Ruowan smiled slightly, with a glint of memories in her eyes, as if the scene in the scroll brought her back to that beautiful time.
"This is a painting that my cousin and I painted together. This is my cousin, Zhang Ruoshu." She pointed to another woman in the painting and introduced her.
Xue Huichun carefully examined Zhang Ruoshu in the painting. Although her appearance wasn't as dazzling as Zhang Ruowan's, she possessed a uniquely gentle temperament. Her complexion was as fair as jade, and a small mole at the corner of her eye added a touch of charm.
Xue Huichun nodded, indicating that she had a good impression of Zhang Ruoshu. However, she couldn't help but wonder why Zhang Ruoshu had shown her this scroll.
"Actually, my cousin is Liang Fushan's wife." Zhang Ruowan said slowly, with a hint of deep meaning in her tone.
Xue Huichun suddenly understood, but her curiosity grew stronger.
"Since Madam Liang is so dignified and beautiful, why does she rarely appear in public? Is it really because she has been frail and sickly since childhood?" she couldn't help but ask.
Zhang Ruowan gently put away the scroll, a faint smile on her lips.
"Back then, my uncle had no intention of letting my cousin get married. It was after the Zhangs returned to her parents' home that they eagerly proposed to betroth my cousin to Liang Fushan. This proposal was severely reprimanded at my uncle's house." She slowly recounted the past.
"Later I learned that it was because your father, Marquis Xingyuan, personally went to the Liang family to propose marriage, which led them to come up with this evil plan." Zhang Ruowan continued.
Xue Huichun's brows furrowed slightly when she heard this, but she immediately shook her head in relief and said softly, "These are just arrangements between the elders and don't really determine anything. Moreover, even though I haven't seen Madam Liang's true appearance through the portrait today, I can still sense her gentleness and virtuousness. She is undoubtedly a perfect match for Liang Fushan."
Zhang Ruowan stared at Xue Huichun, her tone heavy: "If it was just an ordinary marriage, how could I call it a vicious plot?"
Xue Huichun urged anxiously, "Madam Qi, please stop keeping me in suspense and tell me what's going on."
Zhang Ruowan picked up the teacup, took a sip, then slowly put it down and began to tell the heartbreaking past.
"Not long after I finished this painting, one rainy day, my cousin suddenly ran out of the house barefoot. The maids tried to stop her but couldn't. She actually said that the rain in the cold winter was hot, and she laughed and danced, completely losing her usual gentleness and reserve." Zhang Ruowan said, with a trace of pain in her eyes.
"My aunt cried all night after seeing this. She knew that my cousin had become different from a normal person."
When Xue Huichun heard this, her face turned pale. She seemed to have guessed some of the reasons.
Zhang Ruowan continued, "Later, my aunt revealed that a woman from her family had also suffered from this illness. She never married and was locked away in a Buddhist temple for meditation. Over the next few years, her symptoms became increasingly severe. She would even cry out in fear at the sound of birds chirping in the corridor."
Xue Huichun now fully understood what Zhang Ruowan meant by "evil plot".
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