4. It was like listening to her entire life story.
◎The Story of the Second Sister◎
"Alright, we haven't even asked a few questions yet, and you're already so eager to condemn her." The old lady's voice was low. "It's fine to argue about trivial matters on ordinary days. But the Duke of Jin has come to investigate the case and hasn't found anything yet. Don't let your own family members develop any grudges."
"Mother, I am also worried about the household."
Wei Yijun didn't answer her, but turned her gaze directly to Hua Yao, "When you came back just now, did you run into Duke Jin? Did he tell you why he came?"
"Please enlighten me, Grandmother." She could guess some of it, but it would be easier to ask directly.
"Today on East Street, there was a case involving a mad horse. Were you present?"
Crazy Horse, Silver Needle, Hua Yao could already guess the general idea, "My granddaughter is present."
"They found a silver needle from the Prime Minister's residence on the horse. Someone said they saw you using a silver needle at Linyun Tower before. Is that true?" The old lady's voice was serious.
Hua Yao replied respectfully, "That is indeed true. I had some snacks at Linyun Tower before, and when I left, I encountered government officials arresting people. I was taken hostage by villains, and in a moment of desperation, I used silver needles to save my life."
The old lady looked at her; she was indeed honest, exactly as Duke Jin had said. She just hadn't expected her to have such audacity.
"Alright, I'll just ask you anyway. There's nothing going on at the Prime Minister's residence, and Duke Jin is just making a routine inquiry," the old lady paused and continued, "but you used to dislike leaving the residence, why do you like it now?"
Hua Yao raised her eyes, her gaze meeting the old lady's with gentle tenderness, her tone steady and earnest, "Perhaps it's because I fell into the water last time that I felt so troubled, so I went out for a walk."
“Fortunately, Yao’er is unharmed. She brought a weapon with her when she went out for self-defense. But… those who are sensible know it’s for self-preservation, while those who are ignorant might think that our Prime Minister’s residence has done something against the law,” Fang Wanru said, then, as if realizing something, covered her mouth with a handkerchief. “Oh dear, look at my mouth. I was just worried about you. Yao’er, please don’t resent your aunt.”
These words sounded like expressions of concern, but every single one of them was an attempt to pin the blame of "causing trouble" on Hua Yao.
Hua Yao showed no fear. She raised her eyes and looked at Aunt Fang with clear and sharp eyes. Her tone was calm and even. "Aunt Fang is worried that I will cause trouble for the family. You are very kind."
"The silver needle that pierced the villain at Linyun Tower that day is still on his body, and it was naturally taken away by Duke Jin. The Prime Minister's residence has more than just this one silver needle. If we conclude that it was my doing just because we saw me use it at Linyun Tower, it would be a bit far-fetched."
"If Duke Jin convicts me, would he have let me return when we met in the corridor just now? I'm afraid Yao'er is already being tried in the Ministry of Justice."
Fang Wanru tightened her fingers, but smiled. "Mother, look at this... Yao'er's mouth is getting sharper and sharper. I don't mean to blame Yao'er. I'm just worried about the Hua family."
Hua Yao scoffed, too lazy to expose her. It's the Hua family again. If they were truly after the Hua family, would they resort to such underhanded tactics?
She wasn't sure who was behind her, but now the person had confessed without her even asking.
"Yao'er, don't blame your aunt. She's just a bit outspoken, but she means well," the old lady sighed softly. "Since you have nothing to do these days, you should stay home as much as possible. Just tell the kitchen what kind of snacks you want to eat. If you feel bored, you can come and have a chat with your grandmother."
Hua Yao's eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she finally replied, "Yes, Grandmother." She was using someone else's identity, so it was best to keep a low profile. She would have to find a way home slowly.
"Stay and have dinner with Grandmother today."
"yes."
Normally, meals are served separately at Qingyao Garden. I asked Pianzhu and learned that the second young lady of the Prime Minister's residence had been like this for a long time.
Hua Yao was naturally pleased with this.
This can be considered as fulfilling her wish, reducing contact and trouble.
--
The night rain came suddenly.
The pattering raindrops pattered against every inch of land in Kyoto.
The Duke of Jin's Mansion.
Only one white jade dragon lamp was lit in the room.
When Qin Yan entered the room, he saw a broad and tall figure sitting behind a large sandalwood table.
Cui Xun's arm rested on the armrest of the round-backed chair, its slender and sharp lines outlined by the narrow sleeves.
Between his slender fingers, two silver needles were being slowly rubbed in rhythm with his thoughts.
Qin Yan reported in a low voice, "My lord, the news has only been out for two days, and sure enough, they're fighting like dogs over there." He paused briefly, then continued, "However, this Prime Minister's residence..."
Cui Xun's back remained motionless, and his voice, carried on the sound of rain, was so calm and undisturbed that it was barely audible.
"When bones fall, vicious dogs pounce and devour; there's bound to be some bloodshed."
Just then, the world outside the window suddenly brightened, and a pale white lightning bolt tore through the night, illuminating the study so brightly that even the hair and beard could be seen.
The man's silhouette appeared sinister and utterly menacing under the bright light.
Qin Yan was startled. Before he could think further, the man's voice rang out again, "Prime Minister Hua is a smart man, but unfortunately..." He turned around and placed two silver needles on the large table, "His house is leaking."
Cui Xun looked at the stunned Qin Yan, "Qin Yan, what do you think of this rain?"
"Your subordinate dares not speak presumptuously."
"The sky was clear at noon, but a sudden rainstorm came in the evening. It seems that the weather in Kyoto is about to change." Cui Xun's voice was very low, like the cold wind that swept through the eaves outside the window, chilling to the bone.
"What's changed?" Qin Feng rushed in, shaking his rain-soaked long coat with one hand and holding an oil paper package in the other.
He darted over to the two of them, grinning as he pulled a chicken leg from the oil paper. He handed one of the chicken legs to Cui Xun, saying, "My lord, it's fresh out of the oven, and it smells delicious!"
At the same time, with a flick of his wrist, another chicken leg flew straight toward Qin Yan beside him.
Qin Yan cursed inwardly, but had no choice but to quickly raise his hand and catch it steadily.
Seeing Qin Yan's dazed expression, Qin Feng knew without a doubt that he was cursing him in his heart. "Tch, such a silent devil."
He turned around and found his lord staring at him expressionlessly, making no move to take the food.
"Hehe." He chuckled dryly, quickly pulled back the chicken leg he had offered, wrapped it in oil paper, stuffed it haphazardly into his clothes, and immediately put on a "I'm very serious" expression.
Cui Xun then slowly spoke, "Eat quickly, and then come with me to the Ministry of Justice."
Qin Feng, who had just been grinning, suddenly brightened up. He rubbed his hands together excitedly and said in a loud voice, "No need to wait, let's go now. That guy tricked me last time, and I haven't gotten my revenge yet."
Qin Yan rolled his eyes. What's so glorious about it?
--
The rain started falling as darkness fell, and it hasn't stopped yet.
Pianzhu looked at the night sky, growing impatient, and finally grabbed an umbrella and headed to the front yard.
The main hall's corridor was brightly lit, and faint voices could be heard coming from behind the rain curtain. She dared not approach, but instead huddled by the west corner gate, keeping watch.
Until the curtain was lifted, the pale blue figure finally turned out.
"Miss!" Pianzhu hurried to greet her.
Hua Yao looked up and met Pian Zhu's eyelashes, which were damp with rain. Her eyes were full of anxious anticipation after waiting for so long, and also of relief at seeing her safe and sound.
A touch of bitterness welled up in her eyes. In this unfamiliar time and space, in this vast mansion, there was still someone, truly waiting for "her".
Hua Yao insisted on taking the umbrella handle, her fingertips touching Pian Zhu's icy hand.
“Grandmother left so suddenly,” she explained, then tilted the umbrella slightly toward the bamboo. “Have you had your meal?”
"As usual, Aunt Wang brought the meals, but I have already eaten."
Pianzhu's voice suddenly lowered, "Miss, I was heating water in the small kitchen just now when I overheard two old women whispering, saying that the old lady asked about your past." She looked up, her expression worried in the rain, "Did Aunt Fang gossip again?"
Hua Yao paused slightly, but showed no emotion on her face.
Just now in the main hall, the old lady did ask many questions about the past.
She brushed off all the questions about her childhood illnesses and her deceased mother's belongings by citing lingering health issues from her previous drowning.
However, she knew in her heart that the old lady also had suspicions, but she couldn't see anything different about her. It was just that their personalities were a little different, so she was able to put her mind at ease.
"It's nothing, just a small matter," she said casually.
...
While washing up at night, Hua Yao removed her hairpins in front of the mirror and suddenly put down her comb.
"Pianzhu." Her frozen face was reflected in the bronze mirror, but she turned slightly to look at Pianzhu, who was making the bed for her behind her.
When I was eight years old, did I have a serious illness?
She answered today's questions fluently on the surface, but her answers didn't hold up to scrutiny. If she's asked again next time, she probably won't be able to hide it anymore.
Pianzhu stopped what she was doing. "Why did you suddenly ask about this, young lady?"
Hua Yao didn't answer immediately. She slowly turned her head and continued to part her long hair with a wooden comb, her gaze falling on her face in the mirror.
“My grandmother mentioned it today,” she said softly, as if chatting casually, “that I was seriously ill back then and almost died, but I… can’t quite remember it.”
The sound of rain pattering outside the window.
She gave a helpless smile. "Perhaps I'm delirious from my illness... Pianzhu, would you please tell me about my past?"
Pianzhu had no doubts and assumed that the girl really couldn't remember, so she quickly moved closer.
When Hua Yao saw her coming over, she pulled over a round stool made of rosewood and gestured for her to sit down.
Pianzhu didn't hesitate and sat straight beside the girl. Her voice was tinged with dissatisfaction, "The young lady isn't sick... It's clearly because the eldest young lady insisted on picking that lotus flower in the middle of the pond, but she was too afraid to go into the water herself, so she asked you to go. When you refused, she gave you a push from behind."
"But the young lady immediately started crying and said it was because you were playing and had fallen. Aunt Fang smoothed things over perfectly in front of the old lady, and in the end, she was only told that you 'didn't take good care of her.' Later, the young lady burned for seven or eight days..."
As Hua Yao listened, her eyes gradually lost focus.
Another drowning? Fragmented images flashed rapidly through her mind like a revolving lantern.
It was as if something was connecting them into a line, but before she could grasp anything, she was pulled back to reality by an invisible force.
Pianzhu's voice never stopped, and Huayao poured her a glass of water.
She tilted her head back and drank, continuing, "But the lord dotes on you the most..."
From the incident of falling into the water, she talked about Aunt Fang, the old lady, and then about the father she had never met, to the snacks she loved as a child, and even trivial things like how her summer dress had its sleeve torn one year. Pianzhu was sometimes resentful, and sometimes she was laughing foolishly.
The master and servant's voices mingled softly in the patter of the rain.
When the candle wick was almost gone, Pianzhu reluctantly yawned and went back to her room. "Miss, I'll be going now. You should rest early too." Even her tone was slurred.
The curtain falls.
Hua Yao lay in the darkness, the memories she had heard swirling in her mind. She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the chaotic heartbeat beneath.
Second Miss Hua, where are you now? Have you, like me, gone to a strange time and place, or...?
Please don't let anything happen to you; there are people here who care about you.
Hua Yao was in a state of utter confusion. She tossed and turned countless times before finally propping herself up on her arms and sitting up.
She got up, wearing only a white nightgown, and slowly walked to the window.
She gently pushed open the wooden window, and the night breeze rushed in, brushing against her face.
The sudden night rain dispelled the summer heat, and a hint of coolness was carried in the wind.
Looking at the dark sky in the distance, Hua Yao suddenly thought of the nights in another world. There, skyscrapers and neon lights were everywhere, and it was never dark. This place... this place also has its advantages, it's peaceful.
She recalled Pianzhu's words: even though Hua Er Guniang was only nineteen years old, just like her, she felt as if she had heard her entire life story.
She lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her aunt. Her aunt was gentle and kind on the surface, but cold and ruthless in private.
As her reputation was tarnished inch by inch, her aunt feigned concern and won the heart of a loving mother. In return, she was branded as rebellious and disobedient.
Girls her age found good husbands early on, but she, the legitimate daughter of a prime minister, could be trampled on even by commoners and had to cower in this small courtyard.
Hua Yao blinked her sore eyes. Was she regretting that she hadn't found a good husband? No, she just felt that it was unfair that everyone's fate couldn't be in their own hands.
The rain had stopped sometime earlier, but occasional drops fell from the eaves, hitting the ground and splashing up tiny droplets...
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