Chapter 91. Shall we strike first at Ah Jin, then have another go? ...
Just as Meng Shutai was about to speak again, Yuan Fang narrowed his eyes and said, "I'm not interested."
Is this person really cured? He doubts it.
He rambled on and on, talking like a madman. What did that have to do with Qing Si?
Yuanfang raised an eyebrow, his disdain undisguised. "If you loved your wife so much, how come you lived for seven years after her death?"
He shrugged off Meng Shutai's hand from his shoulder, leaned forward slightly, and said in a light, defiant tone, "Why don't you just die?"
The sharp words slapped Meng Shutai across the face, but he showed little emotion on his face. Instead, the corners of his mouth turned up, and he sighed helplessly. When he looked up again, his eyes were already streaked with tears.
Do you think I like this world?
"If I hadn't known she would come back one day, would I have continued to live like this, enduring daily torture, waiting?"
"It's because she loves this world that I'm clinging to life, dragging this wretched existence on while waiting for her."
Meng Shutai, as if struck by frost, collapsed into a state of madness, utterly lost, helpless, and desolate. Beside his bed sat a bronze beast-shaped incense burner, burning the old incense he had blended for Le Jin, emitting wisps of misty, winding fragrance.
He turned back, stared at the smoke, and smiled knowingly.
He was like the exotic incense burning in the incense burner, the precious inscription ethereal and dreamlike. The scarlet sparks burned his pale skin, trembling slightly, as if breathing, but in reality, it was the last breath of someone on the verge of death.
"My illness is caused by her, and I will never be cured in this lifetime."
"I know she hates me, but it doesn't matter. We can keep hating like this until we're in the King of Hell's place, and then we'll see how much this hatred weighs in the end..."
Meng Shutai poured out his insane obsession with clinging to life even when he was on the verge of despair. Yuan Fang was momentarily stunned, his eyes scanning back and forth across Meng Shutai's sorrowful and distorted face, but he could find no proof that the person in front of him still had any reason.
He took a step back, distancing himself from Meng Shutai.
"What's the use of telling me all this? Qing Si is Qing Si, and your wife is your wife. She is by no means a substitute for anyone, and I will never let go of Qing Si. You can give up on that idea."
Yuanfang lost patience with Meng Shutai and turned to leave.
Meng Shutai quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his way. His bloodshot eyes flashed with danger and pressure: "Xuan Shengzi, don't you understand? Qing Si beside you is my deceased wife. Do you intend to cling to someone else's wife?"
"What do you mean, your wife!"
Yuan Fang's anger finally exploded. She shoved Meng Shutai hard with both hands, sending him crashing into the dressing table.
"madman……"
He strode out, while Meng Shutai, clutching his injured back, glared at Yuan Fang's retreating figure, gritting his teeth with a sinister glint in his eyes: "You thief who stole someone's wife..."
Yuanfang heard it clearly, and felt as if his ear had been bitten by a poisonous insect, causing his heart to skip a beat.
What theft? Who stole it? He rescued Qing Si and took care of it diligently with his own meager salary. He didn't expect it to be rich and luxurious, but every day Qing Si spent with him was filled with joy.
Yuan Fang was furious, his steps landing as if he wanted to crack the stone slabs of the Meng family. But as he got angrier, an indescribable sense of grievance welled up in his heart, making his eyes sting.
Someone wanted to snatch Qing Si away from him and even fabricated a set of high-sounding but crazy lies to turn the tables on him. He had never suffered such a loss in his life!
However, something is strange. Qing Si doesn't like anyone appearing at her bedside in the middle of the night; she says it scares her. Yet Meng Shutai says he once came back to see his wife in the middle of the night. Given his eccentric nature, he must have been terrified at the time. In front of the Meng residence, Qing Si even hid in the carriage, too afraid to go out… These details seem to be intricately connected.
Yuan Fang suddenly panicked, and without thinking, he kicked the corner railing and fell halfway down.
"Hey! Hey!"
Fortunately, Sheng Er and Sheng San were quick and pulled him back from behind, otherwise he would definitely have fallen and gotten scrapes and abrasions.
However, before the three of them could even stand still, Yuan Fang suddenly rushed out and ran wildly, leaving Sheng Er and Sheng San staring at each other in disbelief.
Yuanfang couldn't stand it anymore. He had to go back and ask Qingsi where she came from, what she had done in the past, and what her connection was with the Meng family.
They rushed to the small garden of Qiliyuan in one go. Qingsi was still sitting under the veranda doing something, chatting casually with Shengyi.
She heard footsteps and panting, and looking up at him with a dazed expression from her needlework, a sweet smile blooming on her face the next second.
Why did you rush back? Is something urgent?
Her words were plain and simple, like wisps of smoke rising from a mountain village at sunset.
Yuanfang's chest heaved with each breath, each gasp a labored effort, his exhaustion deepening with each breath. His steps were slow and weary as he approached Qingsi. His lips moved, but he asked instead:
"What are you doing?"
"This sachet is for you. I know you don't like strong fragrances, so I specially chose chrysanthemum. See if you like the smell."
She held up a small, pale golden chrysanthemum to Yuanfang's nose; its bittersweet taste seemed to have the power to cleanse the lungs.
He suddenly smiled.
"I love it. I love everything you make. I'll wear it with me every day."
The girl before me lowered her head gracefully, carefully selecting the flower petals to put into her bag, a picture of serene beauty.
Yuanfang sat down next to her arm, glancing at her delicate eyes and nose, his upper body unconsciously leaning against her.
The girl noticed the strength in her body, pursed her lips and glared at him, then looked away and smiled quietly at the flowers in the bamboo bag.
Yuanfang suddenly melted away along with a corner of his heart.
I won't ask anymore.
I'll never ask again in my life.
The past that Qing Si was unwilling to talk about was naturally unpleasant, so why should he reopen her wounds? Their future lay ahead, just as Qing Si had told him.
It's okay if you don't look back.
——
The birthday celebration of Consort Jing was held at Changping Palace.
Le Jin was pulled out of bed early in the morning and fussed over for a while. Her ordinary dress was changed into a honey-colored brocade jacket and skirt, which shone brightly under the autumn sun, like a hibiscus flower bud about to bloom.
Le Jin loved the new dress and went to the sunlit area under the eaves, staring intently at the fine halo of light emanating from the hem of the dress.
"It's so beautiful."
With a smile, she asked Yuanfang, who had been watching her for a long time, "I have to go to the Empress Dowager Jing's birthday celebration?"
“Go, of course I’ll go.” Yuanfang raised an eyebrow, looking quite smug. “I have plans, but I can’t tell you now.”
Le Jin scoffed softly, pretending not to care, but inwardly she couldn't help but wonder what he had prepared.
On the way to the palace, Yue Jin guessed a series of answers, but Yuan Fang shook his head each time, putting on an air of mystery, "It's a secret."
After entering the imperial palace and passing through several other palaces, they finally took a boat across a wide, calm lake and arrived at the place where they were celebrating the Empress Dowager's birthday.
“Orchids and irises on the bank…” Le Jin read the words on the building plaque, her eyes dazzled by the magnificent splendor before her.
Behind such elegant words was a magnificent, resplendent three-story palace, with water in front and mountains behind, colorful ribbons fluttering, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments and singing and dancing seemed to have fallen from the heavens to the mortal world. Yue Jin listened to the ethereal sounds and had a feeling of not knowing where she was.
Yuanfang saw that Yuejin was stunned, so he took her sleeve and led her into the hall.
"Qing Si, there are many people today, all of them princes and nobles, but you don't need to pay attention to any of them. I will only take you to see one person."
Yuanfang's throat tightened, which was very different from usual.
Le Jin vaguely guessed that the person was unusual, so she lowered her head and kept quiet, only following Yuan Fang's footsteps in her line of sight.
The two went straight up to a small pavilion on the second floor. As soon as the door opened, a faint fragrance wafted out, gentle and pleasant, like the green willows of early spring.
Le Jin looked up at the person seated above her, then took small steps and hid behind Yuan Fang.
Before she could ask quietly, Yuanfang spoke up, "Mother, this is Qing Si."
Le Jin's eyes widened suddenly, her gaze passing over Yuan Fangsui's shoulder and landing on the fairy goddess, where they met eyes directly.
"Good boy, come here and let me see you."
Consort Wen raised her wide sleeves and beckoned to Le Jin. Le Jin's heart jumped, and she felt like she was doomed, as if she had only found out she was taking the exam at the last minute.
Yuanfang's casual arrangement is to meet the parents?!
Good heavens... She can't even get along with her own parents, let alone other people's parents.
Le Jin froze, too stiff to move. Yuan Fang noticed her embarrassment and, without a word, took her hand and led her to her mother's side.
Consort Wen raised her long eyebrows slightly and looked at Le Jin with a smile, as if she were teasing a child.
"Hmm, shy and refined, she is a good match for Fang Sui."
A beautiful, jade-like hand reached out to Le Jin. "Good child, come here."
Le Jin carefully placed her hand on the jade bracelet, and Consort Wen slipped it onto Le Jin's wrist.
The lustrous white jade bracelet swayed on her slender wrist, feeling cool and heavy against her skin.
Le Jin subconsciously took off the bracelet, "It's too valuable, I can't accept it..."
Consort Wen stopped Le Jin's movements with her soft, boneless hands and gently patted the back of Le Jin's hand.
“Good boy, keep it. Fang Sui told me that you two were very good when you were outside the palace. Even the hardest days were made gentle by your mutual love.”
"Fang Sui is not a proper monk or nun. His Majesty and I are thinking that when he reaches a certain age, we should find someone for him to have by his side. Since he is interested in you, and if you are also willing, why not take this opportunity to get married? This way, it won't delay your future plans."
Marriage... Le Jin was so confused by Consort Wen's scheme that she didn't come to her senses for a long time.
To be honest, her previous marriage was terrible, which left Le Jin with some psychological trauma related to such things. Although she had feelings for Yuan Fang, it didn't mean she wanted to be tied to him.
But if she doesn't agree, what status will she have to stay by Yuanfang's side?
There is actually a deeper question behind this: what is Le Jin's identity in the world today?
Doubts and worries piled up like stones on her chest. Le Jin's breathing became increasingly difficult, her face turning ashen and pale as a pool of white paint.
"I...I want to go out for some fresh air."
She struggled for a long time before finally managing to utter those words, then looked at Yuan Fangsui for help.
Seeing her hesitation, Yuanfang felt a pang of disappointment, but seeing that she needed him, he forgot his disappointment and nodded to Le Jin, "Go ahead, do you need anyone else to accompany you so you can find your way back?"
Le Jin shook her head, turned around, curtsied to Consort Wen, and left the small pavilion with her head bowed.
As Consort Wen watched Le Jin's figure disappear from sight, she turned to look at her son, who was gazing reluctantly at the door, and smiled wistfully.
"You don't like any of the many noble ladies in the capital, so you insist on this ordinary little girl?"
"She may seem ordinary to you, but to me she is unparalleled."
"But you love her, while I don't think she cares about you at all..."
Yuanfang smiled calmly and said nothing.
He brought Qing Si here with ulterior motives—regardless of Qing Si's past, he had to make his move first.
She became his wife, so Meng Shutai could not touch her, and he was not a villain who stole someone else's wife.
Yuanfang turned to look at his mother, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Thank you so much, Mother, for your kindness today. I am deeply grateful."
——
As Le Jin descended the stairs, she saw a stage in the center of the hall, where a group of dancers were spinning around to the cheers of the audience.
There are too many people.
Le Jin's frustration did not ease at all. She looked up and saw that the third floor was where musicians performed, and there weren't many guests moving around. There might even be a passage leading to the open-air rooftop.
She climbed against the flow of people, the noise gradually fading as the sounds of music grew louder. Reaching the third floor, Yue Jin glanced around at the musicians playing and quietly searched for a shortcut to the top floor.
Suddenly, as she passed behind a guzheng player, she heard the sound of a string breaking.
"Oh no..."
The musician was immediately on the verge of tears, stamping his feet in frustration as he looked at the broken string.
"Hey, my lady!" he called out to Yue Jin, pleading, "Could you please go to that room over there and fetch me a new string? In this situation, a mistake could be a matter of life and death, so please help me!"
"Okay, okay, don't worry, just tell me where the string is in the room, and I'll go get it right away."
Following the musician's instructions, Le Jin entered a small room not far away and began rummaging through a wall of cabinets.
"No, no..."
A row of cabinets were opened, but none of the items inside were zither strings.
Le Jin frowned. "Strange, there's nothing there..."
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around Le Jin's waist and held her tightly. A broad chest pressed against her back, followed by two arms that wrapped around her as if trying to embed her in their embrace.
"You're unhappy traveling around all by yourself?"
Le Jin felt a sudden shock, turned around, and slapped him across the face.
"Young Master Meng, please have some self-respect!"
A faint red five-finger mark appeared clearly on his cheek. Meng Shutai closed his eyes after being hit, but his hands did not loosen their grip at all.
When she opened her eyes again, a hint of a smile appeared in those breathtakingly beautiful eyes.
She swayed her arm around Le Jin's waist, as if she were being affectionate.
"Ah Jin, can we play one more time?"
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Author's Note: Sorry I'm late, but it's a bit long today! I'll make up for it with something else~ [heart emoji]
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