Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Mutual Understanding
Baoyu's servant Mingyan was probably feeling guilty, so he didn't answer properly. He just kept begging for mercy from Wu Tianyue, which made Wu Tianyue very annoyed. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Lan Ye led Daiyu in.
"How did I show off?" Wu Tianyue, hearing Daiyu's words, hurriedly stood up and offered her his seat. "I've been wronged, and I've come to Baoyu to defend me."
Daiyu was bored today and was strolling in the garden. When the little maid from Yihong Courtyard came to her, she was enjoying the scenery and writing poetry on the rocks. She was a little unhappy to be interrupted.
In addition, after Wu Tianyue kept watch that day, she decided that even if the Empress disagreed, she would ask Wu Tianyue what he thought. But Xiangyun came yesterday and the sisters went to entertain the guests, so they had no time to ask him.
I sent people to ask several times today, but Wu Tianyue was not there. Now that he has time but doesn't come to find me, I'm a little afraid that his past behavior didn't have any deep meaning and I misunderstood him.
After hearing what had happened, he was furious that he had been causing such a scene without a care in the world. There were many people in the garden, and there were many gossipers. If word got out, who knew what others would say about him. He was both afraid and angry, and his words were unpleasant to the ear: "Are you trying to show off your power and disturb the peace in the garden?"
Wu Tianyue didn't know what Daiyu was thinking. Seeing that she scolded him as soon as she came, he felt that she was protecting Baoyu and felt very aggrieved: "I am the one who is right."
Daiyu was furious and refused to listen to any explanation. She sneered, "This isn't a courtroom, and you're not a county magistrate. Even if you're right, you can't judge people like this. Or are you the prince of a royal family, and therefore more noble than the rest of us?"
"I didn't." Wu Tianyue realized that he had been impulsive when he entered Qingxi Garden, and his voice softened. "I was so angry that I didn't think about it."
Daiyu glanced at him sideways, then turned to Baoyu and said, "Perhaps Mingyan heard some gossip from someone outside and told you without verifying it. But you also know that the prince is an honest man and would never do such a thing. Besides, I just sent someone to ask the chief official of the Zhongshun Palace. The story of your relationship with Qi Guan was told by someone who served Qi Guan on a daily basis. It has nothing to do with the prince."
Baoyu saw that she was so thoughtful, but she was not thinking about herself, but about Wu Tianyue. He felt a little bitter in his mouth and said in a low voice, "I know it has nothing to do with the prince. Mingyan spread rumors recklessly. Let the prince deal with it."
Wu Tianyue heard Daiyu's concern for him, which showed that in Daiyu's heart, he was innocent. As long as she didn't misunderstand him, he didn't care what others said. So he became happy again and stopped holding on to her. He said generously, "As for his gossip, punish him by making him clear my name in the garden with each of the masters. Then he can't speak for three days and spend two months' salary giving out porridge in the city."
"What grievances have you brought that you want to make known to the world?" Daiyu laughed at his childishness. "Just punish him by being silent and giving him porridge."
As he spoke, he looked at Baoyu, who understood and felt even more sad. He lay on the bed and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."
Mingyan also kowtowed repeatedly to express her gratitude.
"Take good care of yourself, we will come to see you tomorrow." After the matter was resolved, Daiyu ordered Lan Ye and Qingwen, who volunteered to supervise Mingyan, to go and distribute porridge. Then she stood up and said goodbye to Baoyu, and took Wu Tianyue out the door.
As the two walked along the road, Daiyu saw Wu Tianyue staring at their hand and grinning foolishly, and angrily shook him off: "You better restrain yourself and stop acting like a prince. The emperor and the crown prince value their reputation the most. Don't let your foolishness lead you to trouble."
Wu Tianyue knew she was doing this for his own good, so he didn't refute her. He just lowered his head and muttered softly, "How can I be so arrogant in front of you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing, nothing." Wu Tianyue quickly denied it. Suddenly, he saw Baochai coming from the front and hurriedly changed the subject, "Isn't that Miss Xue?"
After hearing this, Daiyu looked up and saw Baochai walking slowly towards her. She vaguely remembered that she had just seen Ying'er in Baoyu's courtyard, and realized that Baochai might also be going to see Baoyu.
Thinking of the saying of "golden marriage" in the mansion, he was about to tease her, but then he recalled his own worries. He sighed softly and said nothing.
Baochai had come over and saw that she was in a low mood. She smiled and asked, "Did the prince offend you? Why are you unhappy again?"
Daiyu curled her lips and said perfunctorily, "It's hot, and a little stuffy."
"Then why don't you go into the courtyard?" It was afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly in the garden. Baochai asked with concern, "You are weak, yet you are standing in the sun. Be careful of heatstroke."
"I just saw Baoyu come out." Daiyu said with a smile, "You go in, I'm leaving."
After saying this, he turned and left without waiting for Baochai to answer.
When Wu Tianyue saw her leave, he quickly said goodbye to Baochai and followed Daiyu.
Daiyu walked with her head down. Wu Tianyue was afraid that she was still angry with him, so he chattered away, "This morning, when I came back from martial arts practice, I saw Miss Xue alone, leaving the garden listlessly. Her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been crying. I didn't expect she would be fine now..."
He was about to say something to Daiyu, urging her to stop dwelling on trivial matters and to be more open-minded like Baochai, but Daiyu suddenly remembered that the rumor about Baoyu being beaten implicated Baochai's brother Xue Pan, and she interrupted him with a sneer, "Perhaps the prince's heroic act today was a saving grace."
"How could I be called a hero saving a beautiful woman?" Seeing Daiyu's anger, Wu Tianyue hurriedly strode to catch up with her quickening pace, and they entered Xiaoxiang Pavilion one after the other. "I was so impulsive today. If it weren't for my sister, I would probably be scolded by my mother right now. Strictly speaking, it should be my sister who saved the hero."
"How shameless!" Daiyu was furious and speechless after hearing this. "Who calls themselves a hero?"
As they spoke, they had already passed through the bamboo forest and arrived in front of the main house. Wu Tianyue was about to speak when he heard Daiyu's parrot on the corridor cry out, "A thief is coming! A thief is coming!"
Nanny Wang came out and chased the parrot away: "I don't know what's wrong with this bird. Please don't be offended, my lord."
When Wu Tianyue saw Daiyu burst out laughing, he no longer had a sullen expression like before. He waved his hand to indicate that everything was fine, and shamelessly followed Daiyu into the house.
Daiyu saw him coming in and hesitating a little. She said with a smile, "Why are you acting like this? Am I some kind of monster?"
Wu Tianyue observed her expression and saw that she was not angry. He became even more uneasy, thinking that Daiyu had abandoned him. He hurriedly said, "I was really wrong today, but I was also afraid that those people in the mansion would spread rumors and spread to you. What if you ignored me?"
"When did I ever ignore you?" Hearing that he was afraid of this, Daiyu felt hopeful again. "But you haven't been coming to see me much lately."
As he spoke, he thought of his own avoidance attitude some time ago, and realized that he was afraid of being treated coldly again, so he didn't dare to come. He couldn't help but feel a little anxious, but Zijuan was waiting beside him, so he was embarrassed to say anything, so he ordered Zijuan: "The tea is cold, go and get some hot water."
Zijuan looked at the steaming tea that had just been poured and stepped back.
For a moment, they were alone in the room. Wu Tianyue wanted to explain why he hadn't been here much lately, but he couldn't say it was because Daiyu was avoiding him, fearing she would overthink things. Just as he was unsure what to do, he heard Daiyu say, "I wasn't thinking clearly these days and treated you harshly."
Wu Tianyue had just heard her complain about not coming over often, and he was a little surprised that she suddenly cared about this. After hearing these words, he was even more puzzled: "Sis, when have you ever been harsh to me?"
Daiyu blushed, wanting to speak but not knowing where to begin. After pondering for a long time, she gritted her teeth and said, "Ever since the night of the Dragon Boat Festival, I have understood my own heart. If you understand, then you can be as you were before. If you don't want to, you can just stay away from me."
Happiness suddenly hit him, and Wu Tianyue was a little confused for a moment. He was stunned for a long time, still unable to believe it, and stammered, "Sister...what do you mean..."
Daiyu saw that he didn't move for a long time, and then hesitated and couldn't speak clearly, as if he was thinking about how to reject her. Her heart felt like being poured with a basin of cold water, and it instantly cooled down. She lowered her eyes and suppressed a choked sob: "I have said everything I need to say. The decision is yours."
Before she could finish her words, Wu Tianyue suddenly rushed in front of her, grabbed her hand and asked her to hit him: "Am I dreaming?"
Daiyu was frightened at first, but then she saw how happy he was, knowing that he was just like her, and her heart leaped with joy. However, she didn't want to lose her composure, so she struggled to pull her hand away, saying angrily, "What are you crazy about?"
Wu Tianyue was afraid that she would feel pain, so he quickly let go of her hand: "I didn't mean to do that, it was just too sudden."
Daiyu glanced at him sideways, and seeing his mouth wide open, laughing non-stop, she couldn't help laughing too: "Fool."
Wu Tianyue squatted in front of her, put his hands on the chair, and said solemnly: "I really take what you said just now, sister. You can't lie to me."
"Have I ever lied to anyone in what I said or did? Just take it seriously." Daiyu poked his forehead and said with a smile.
Wu Tianyue reached out and gently held her fingers. He couldn't suppress the smile on his face. He had a lot to say, but he couldn't say it when it came to his lips.
Daiyu looked at his eyes, which were sparkling with love and happiness. She couldn't help blushing and shyly turned her head away: "Get up quickly. What a shame!"
In the past, Wu Tianyue would eventually compromise with whatever Daiyu said, and now he would do whatever she said. So after hearing this, Wu Tianyue hurriedly got up and sat next to Daiyu, but he was still reluctant to let go of her hand.
Daiyu tried to pull her hand out but couldn't, so she let him hold it.
The two of them sat there holding hands, one looking at the ground, the other looking at people.
"Cough" A cough suddenly sounded outside, and then Zijuan's voice came: "Miss, the tea is here."
Daiyu quickly withdrew her hand. Seeing Wu Tianyue pretending to be wronged again, she glared at him and said silently, "You better restrain yourself."
Wu Tianyue also knew that it was a taboo for the two of them to communicate their feelings in private. If others saw it, their reputation would be ruined. So even though he was reluctant, he still listened to Daiyu obediently.
Zijuan came in with tea and saw that the two men's ears were red, but they were still sitting upright and not making eye contact. She guessed what was going on and felt happy for them, but also worried about Daiyu. She felt mixed emotions and put down the tea and stood aside.
Wu Tianyue had just gotten what he wanted and was in high spirits. However, Zijuan was here and was afraid that Daiyu would be embarrassed no matter what he said or did. So he cleared his throat and said to Daiyu, "I wrote an article today. Sister, please help me see if there is anything that needs to be revised."
Without waiting for Daiyu's reply, she said to Zijuan, "Zijuan, go get some pen and ink."
Zijuan turned her head to look at the complete collection of study treasures on the table under the window. Seeing that Daiyu had no objection, she sighed and resigned herself to going to the storeroom to look for them.
As soon as she left, Wu Tianyue took Daiyu's hand again and was about to speak when she heard Daiyu say, "What did you write? Read it to me first."
"ah?"
Daiyu had subconsciously tried to divert his attention out of shyness, but when she saw him suddenly freeze, she felt like teasing him and asked, "Why? Can't you remember even one article?"
The two had just expressed their feelings to each other, and Wu Tianyue naturally didn't want Daiyu to feel bad about him, so he could only curse himself in his heart for making the wrong excuse while reciting the article.
Daiyu just wanted to tease him at first, but after listening to him, she started to play the role of a strict teacher and analyzed the situation with Wu Tianyue using the method her father taught her.
Although the teacher had corrected the paper in the morning, Daiyu was intelligent and had a different perspective, so she inevitably had many new insights. Wu Tianyue also listened carefully and benefited a lot.
The two of them talked while the other listened, arguing from time to time, and soon it was time for dinner.
Daiyu was just about to ask someone to serve her food when she saw someone from Lady Jia's side coming to ask her to eat with them.
Wu Tianyue was very disappointed after hearing this, but he didn't want to give up, so he stared at Daiyu.
Daiyu couldn't ignore his pleading eyes and asked, "Will you... go with me?"
"Okay." Wu Tianyue was afraid that she would regret it later, so he quickly got up and left.
Although Daiyu disdained worldly rules, she had never done anything as unconventional as today. Seeing him being so open, she was a little afraid of being discovered, so she whispered, "Be careful."
Wu Tianyue nodded repeatedly in agreement, and then the two of them went out together and went to Lady Jia's courtyard.
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The author has something to say: Thanks to the little angel "Waiting for the Flowers to Bloom" and "Zhao Moumou" for irrigating the nutrient solution~
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