Chapter 41: The Wife-Chasing Hell | Double Update Combined...
Lu Jinlan's expression was grave. Lou Yumin dared not hide anything and hurriedly said, "I just saw Lin Cheng on the street. I was just thinking of going up to him and asking if he wanted to come back together when a woman rushed out and pulled him into a secluded alley. I saw the two of them acting suspiciously, so I... so I followed them." Lu Jinlan's eyes were icy cold. "And then?"
"Then I discovered that the woman who was looking for him was the leader of the group that tried to capture him in Vientiane Street last time. However, this time she was extremely respectful to him, unlike last time when they were at each other's throats. The two of them were even chatting and laughing. I was really curious, so I moved closer, and unexpectedly I overheard some... some things I shouldn't have heard."
What did you hear?
Lou Yumin pursed her lips. "I dare not say."
"Speak!" Lu Jinlan sat upright in her chair, already showing signs of impatience.
She leaned down slightly, her cool fingers pinching his chin. "Tell me everything you heard, word for word."
Lou Yumin felt a dull pain in her jaw, and he was forced to raise his head to meet the burning anger in her eyes.
She was like an enraged tiger, her chest heaving with each heavy breath, as if she were about to unleash her claws and pounce.
Lou Yumin's heart trembled. She grasped her hand, knelt half a step, and leaned against her leg, her eyes filled with earnestness. "I'm telling you, you must believe me. I'm not acting out of jealousy, nor would I dare to fabricate anything. I swear on my life, you believe me."
Lu Jinlan coldly withdrew her hand and said indifferently, "I believe you. Speak."
Lou Yumin took a deep breath. "I heard Lin Cheng tell that woman that his family doesn't need to annul the engagement, and that he will go home at the end of the year to fulfill the marriage agreement."
Lu Jinlan frowned. "Are you sure you heard me clearly? Is that what you said?"
Lou Yumin hurriedly said, "I didn't dare get too close. I couldn't hear the rest clearly, but I heard these few sentences very clearly. The woman was very happy and said that her family had already prepared a dowry for him and was just waiting for Lin Cheng to return to complete the wedding. The woman also asked, 'Does Young Madam Lu know?' Lin Cheng said, 'You don't know anything. Tell them not to come looking for you...'"
Lu Jinlan gritted her teeth, a bitter smile appearing on her lips. "Fine, this is how the man I like treats me."
As she said this, she was still clutching the book "Detailed Explanation of Military Strategy" in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
Lou Yumin had never seen her so heartbroken, and her eyes filled with pity. She said urgently, "Don't be sad. Perhaps... perhaps there's some misunderstanding. You treated him well. If he had even a shred of conscience, he wouldn't have abandoned you. Don't be like this. You still have me. You are the renowned Lu Jinlan. You can have any kind of man you want in the future. Why get so angry over someone who has let you down?"
Lu Jinlan suddenly stood up. "I'm going to find him and ask him directly."
Lou Yumin quickly said, "I'll go with you."
"No need, this is between him and me."
"What if he doesn't admit it? I don't want you to think I'm slandering him."
As the two struggled, the book fell to the ground, and a short note tucked inside fell out, bearing Rin's handwriting.
Lu Jinlan was taken aback, clutching the note in her hand. "I know what happened. You didn't slander him, and he won't deny it. You don't need to follow me; this is between him and me."
*
When Lu Jinlan returned to the academy, Sun Lewen ran into her and reminded her, "Lin Cheng just came to your dorm looking for you, but you weren't there. He said he would wait for you at our usual spot."
Lu Jinlan nodded, "Okay, I also need to talk to him about something."
The familiar large bluestone on the back hill.
Rin sat on the rock, recalling the moments they had shared here, a faint, happy smile occasionally appearing on his face.
As a sudden gust of wind swept through the woods, Lin Cheng felt a chill for no apparent reason. He turned around abruptly and saw Lu Jinlan standing steadily not far away, her expression indifferent, as silent and ghostly as a phantom.
Lin Cheng quickly went to greet him and said with a smile, "Why didn't you call me when you came? There's something I want to tell you."
"Really?" Lu Jinlan looked him over. "I also have something to tell you."
Her angry expression finally alerted Lin Cheng to something was wrong. His smile vanished abruptly, and he asked in a low voice, "What is it?"
Lu Jinlan held up the book "Detailed Explanation of Military Strategy" in her hand, and Lin Cheng's expression changed instantly.
“Do you remember? When we first met, I helped you borrow this book. Later, you said you returned it. After the martial arts test, the owner put the book away and never lent it out again. Unfortunately, I passed by Yaju Bookstore last time and borrowed it again. Today, I found a short note written by you in the book.”
Lu Jinlan held up the short note and said coldly, "Please explain what this means. Should I call you Lin Cheng or Young Master Song?"
Lin Cheng gripped the short note with trembling hands, his face filled with boundless sorrow.
There were only five characters on it: Lingzhou, Song Lincheng.
He tried to speak several times, but didn't know where to begin. Seeing Lu Jinlan's increasingly cold gaze, he finally managed to say with difficulty, "I... I didn't know your name back then, I didn't know if I could still find you, so... so I left my name, hoping you could find me."
Lu Jinlan sneered, "Is that all? Since your name is Song Lincheng, why did you tell me it was Lincheng? You come from Lingzhou, and there's a family in Lingzhou with the surname Song that I have some connection with, yet you deliberately hid your surname from me. So, is it what I think?"
Song Lincheng lowered his eyes and confessed, "Three months ago, an aunt surnamed Lu suddenly came to my house. My mother said that Aunt Lu was her close friend, and that Aunt Lu's eldest daughter, Lu Jinlan, was of marriageable age, which was a perfect match for me..."
"She said that although Lu Jinlan was not talented and did not like to study, she was gentle and kind, and with Aunt Lu around, she would definitely treat me well. I have been studying both literature and martial arts since I was a child, and I am determined to marry a heroine. I hate unambitious women the most, so I was unwilling at the time. But the elders on both sides hit it off immediately and did not allow me to object at all."
“My mother said that even if Lu Jinlan had no ambition, as long as I did my best to assist him, with the wealth of the Lu and Song families, the two of us could be the lords of the city and live a worry-free life. She also said that the matter was settled and that we would go to Yunzhou to get engaged in a few days. I refused and ran away to the capital. In the capital, I met a woman who was rare in the world, and from then on, I fell in love at first sight and couldn’t extricate myself…”
Song Lincheng looked at Lu Jinlan with slightly red eyes, "But I didn't know at the time that you were the wife I was originally going to marry. I only knew that you were a candidate from out of town who came to the capital, so I changed my name to Lincheng and worked as a cook in the academy, hoping to have a chance to see you again."
"Thank God, I saw you on the first day of school, and you remembered me. But then someone told me that you are the daughter of Lu Jinzhao, a wealthy merchant from Yunzhou, a talented and romantic woman whose poetry and prose are renowned throughout the capital, and that your name is Lu Jinlan!"
Lu Jinlan nodded slightly. "Alright, even if you didn't know who I was at first, you found out on the first day of school, so why didn't you explain it to me?"
Song Lincheng hurriedly said, "I...I didn't think it through at the time! I don't know what you were thinking, because you also rejected the marriage proposal. I was afraid that if I revealed my identity at the time, you would resist me and distance yourself from me because I am General Song's son. But later we developed feelings for each other, and you treated me so well, I didn't know how to bring it up."
He gripped Lu Jinlan's hand nervously, his brows furrowed with worry. "I'm afraid you'll be angry if I suddenly tell you. I care so much..."
"Of course I'm angry!" Lu Jinlan forcefully shook off his hand, her accusations sharp and each word like a knife: "Have you ever considered my feelings? I've protected you so much, admired you so much, liked you so much. I put myself in your shoes, even afraid that questioning your family background would embarrass you, afraid that you'd think I was weighing the pros and cons, so I didn't say a word. And you? What do you take me for? A clown you can manipulate and deceive at will?"
Song Lincheng panicked and repeatedly denied it, "You are the most important person to me. I never thought of playing with you. I thought you didn't care. You said that no matter what my status was, you would marry me. Have you forgotten?"
With red eyes, Lu Jinlan coldly admitted, "Yes, I did say that, but only on the condition that you didn't lie to me. I thought you were a kind and innocent man, but in the end I found out that I was the one who was truly naive."
"Don't you find it utterly ridiculous that I'm spouting such nonsense in front of your mother's subordinates? It's even more laughable that I actually wrote a letter to my family to insist on resisting the marriage for your sake. Ha, you've made me look like a fool, and you still expect me to keep my promise?"
Upon hearing this, Song Lincheng felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his blood seemingly freezing. He choked back tears and cautiously whispered, "Don't you want me anymore?"
Lu Jinlan turned around, leaving him with a resolute back view, "I can't accept this. You are General Song's only son, and I dare not presume to presume upon you."
Song Lincheng burst into tears. He wanted to hold her with all his might and desperately try to keep her. "Don't say that! Please, don't treat me like this. I know I was wrong, and I'm trying my best to make amends. After the conflict on Wanxiang Street last time, I wrote to Lingzhou to explain the truth. You know, the journey from Shenjing to Lingzhou is long, and it takes time for letters to travel back and forth."
“I just received a reply today. My mother knows it was a misunderstanding, and she is very happy. She knows how capable you are now and is very proud of you. She hopes we can get married as planned, and she will arrange everything, as long as you are willing.”
Lu Jinlan said firmly, "I don't want to! What your mother thinks is none of my business. My marriage is my own decision, and no one can influence me. Neither my mother nor your mother can. Even if the Emperor orders me to marry by imperial decree, I will not agree. I will marry the person I want to marry. No one can force me to marry the person I don't want to marry."
She glanced at Song Lincheng's arms, which were tightly holding her, and said, "Let go, or I'll hurt you."
Song Lincheng was heartbroken. "I won't let go unless you forgive me. Or tell me, what would it take for you to forgive me?"
Lu Jinlan did not answer, pried his hands off, and resolutely left.
Song Lincheng clutched his aching wrist, realizing for the first time how heavy her hand was. In the past, when they occasionally playfully bickered, she had never hurt him. He suddenly understood that before, she truly couldn't bear to hurt him; now, she truly didn't care.
With tears blurring his vision, Song Lincheng watched her figure grow smaller and smaller as her heart sank deeper and deeper into the abyss.
*
In the past few days, everyone has sensed that something is wrong.
The three of them were eating in the cafeteria when Yan Wuxin couldn't help but ask, "What happened between you and Lin Cheng? His eyes are red, and he's lost weight. You see him leaning against the corner all day, staring at you pitifully, but he doesn't dare to go up and talk to you. Did he upset you?"
Lu Jinlan snorted, "His name is Song Lincheng, from Lingzhou. Use your imagination."
Yan Wuxin tilted his head and thought for a moment, "Even if you hate the Song family in Lingzhou, you don't have to include Lin Cheng in that. He's devoted to you, and it has nothing to do with your former mother-in-law."
Lu Jinlan clicked her tongue. "Are you stupid? He is Song Jingxiao's son. Otherwise, why would he hide the fact that his surname is Song?"
Xiang Ruzhen was taken aback. "He's actually the son of General Hu Piao. No wonder he knows military strategy. I knew it. How could an ordinary man possibly understand military texts?"
Lu Jinlan closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. These two friends were really causing trouble.
However, she was too lazy to say anything more. Ever since her falling out with Lin Cheng, she felt like she had a lump in her throat, unable to breathe, making her feel uncomfortable all over. She had no interest or motivation in doing anything.
Manager Ping, having somehow heard rumors, came specifically to plead with Lu Jinlan on his behalf.
“Young Master, please calm down. As the saying goes, even if you don’t care about the monk, you should care about the Buddha. General Song and the old master are old friends. Now his son is all alone with us, which is quite pitiful. Please be magnanimous this once and forgive him.”
Lu Jinlan glanced at her indifferently, "Since you feel sorry for him being all alone here, you should persuade him to go home."
Ping Xiyu was speechless. When she got to the kitchen, she saw Lin Cheng absentmindedly cooking porridge.
“Young Master Song, I just went to the young master to offer some words of advice, but…”
"It's no use, is it?" Song Lincheng said with a wry smile, "I advised you not to interfere a long time ago, because the more you try to persuade me, the more counterproductive it will be."
Ping Xiyu asked, puzzled, "Why?"
"Because she detests having one's background determine everything, but you persuaded her to accept me precisely because of my background. If I weren't surnamed Song and were just an ordinary cook, would you have persuaded her to marry me? Or would you have persuaded her to marry the young master of the Song family?"
Ping Xiyu was speechless for a moment. Only now did she realize that this young master Song was not only exceptionally handsome, but also quite intelligent. No wonder the young master was so fond of him.
Ping Xiyu sighed, "So, given the current situation, what are your plans to do next?"
Song Lincheng shook his head helplessly, "I'm trying to think of a way. I can't think of one right now, but I'll figure it out eventually."
However, things took an unexpected turn.
The news that he was Song Jingxiao's only son spread quickly, and many people were secretly tempted.
A brave busybody went to 106 to inquire about Lu Jinlan's current relationship with Song Lincheng and received reliable information: the two hadn't spoken to each other for at least seven or eight days.
Some people who were even slightly close to Lu Jinlan asked, "I'm from Lingzhou, could I invite Young Master Song to a meal?"
Lu Jinlan replied, "His affairs have nothing to do with me."
As a result, suitors flocked to him, and a stack of name cards was piled up at the cafeteria window, ready to be handed to Song Lincheng.
Song Lincheng didn't even look at it before throwing it all into the stove, burning it completely.
As soon as Yan Wuxin entered the cafeteria, he frowned, choked by the pungent smell. "Where's this smell of burning paper coming from? Who's offering sacrifices to their ancestors in the cafeteria?"
Manager Ping stepped forward with a troubled expression. "Please don't ask. It's all because of those 200,000 troops. Countless people are envious of the Song family's power, but unfortunately, our young master remains unmoved. Alas."
Xiang Ruzhen said, "Jinlan has always acted on her own whims, so please don't try to persuade her anymore. I think she still has feelings for Young Master Song. Once she figures things out herself, she'll be fine."
As the three were talking, they saw a second-year student stop Song Lincheng.
"Young Master Song, may I introduce myself to you?"
Song Lincheng's face darkened, and he said irritably, "No."
The man persisted, saying, "I am also quite learned, and my mother is a military commander. Let's get to know each other; perhaps you'll have more to say to me."
Song Lincheng gave her a cold look. "I only have one word to say to you."
"What?"
"roll."
"You..." The man was furious and said angrily, "No wonder Lu Jinlan..."
Song Lincheng had already left, but when he heard her mention the name 'Lu Jinlan,' he suddenly turned around, and the other person wisely stopped talking.
Song Lincheng gritted his teeth and said, "No wonder what? Tell me, if you have the guts, say it. Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're a woman. If you've got the guts, let's fight."
Who would want to make enemies with the Song family for no reason? The man quickly slipped away.
Song Lincheng wanted to chase after him to argue, but Yan Wuxin quickly stopped him, "Lincheng."
Song Lincheng turned around and saw that Yan Wuxin and Xiang Ruzhen were both there. He couldn't help but look around with a bit of expectation.
Yan Wuxin said, "Jinlan didn't come. We'll bring her some food back later."
Song Lincheng's eyes dimmed instantly, and he nodded helplessly, "Then I'll go prepare some of her favorite foods."
Xiang Ruzhen said, "We have a day off tomorrow, and we're not allowed to talk in the academy. Go home and talk to her."
Song Lincheng said gratefully, "Thank you for informing me."
*
On his day off, Song Lincheng returned to the front hall of the mansion early to wait for Lu Jinlan, which was the only way for her to enter.
Lou Yumin was taken aback when she saw him. "It's only been a few days, how come you've lost so much weight?"
Song Lincheng said in a low voice, "If you can't eat, you'll naturally lose weight."
Qing'er brought over breakfast and advised, "Young Master couldn't possibly be back this early. Young Master Song, don't just stand there. Please sit down and have some. I just finished cooking some porridge."
Song Lincheng shook his head. "I really can't eat."
"Sigh." Lou Yumin sighed, "Actually, you're too thin now, you don't look as good as before."
Song Lincheng didn't believe it: "Isn't it said that the thinner the better? All the men in the capital are trying to find ways to diet."
Lou Yumin said, "But she doesn't like people who are too thin."
A flicker of emotion finally appeared in Song Lincheng's eyes. "Really?"
Lou Yumin kindly said, "She said it herself. Look at me, I never diet. Because she likes men who look slim in clothes but have muscles when they take them off. You need to eat and exercise, and it would be best if you had a thin layer of muscle."
Song Lincheng remained silent for a moment, then took the bowl himself and drank the porridge in large gulps.
Qing'er frowned, "My goodness, be careful, it's hot! You can't possibly gain weight right after eating this, what's the rush?"
As the three were talking, Xi Mo rushed in to report, "Young Master is back!"
The three of them quickly stood up. At this time in the past, Lu Jinlan would sit here with them, eat something and drink tea, chatting and laughing happily.
But today, her gaze bypassed Lin Cheng and she directly grabbed Yu Mian's hand, "Let's go to your room."
Song Lincheng felt a dull pain in his chest. "Jinlan, I..."
Lu Jinlan stopped and said distantly, "Young Master Song, you should go back."
Song Lincheng was taken aback. "Where do you want me to go back to?"
"Go back to Lingzhou, I don't want to see you again."
No one present expected Lu Jinlan to say such heartless words.
Lou Yumin silently followed her into the room. Just as he was about to speak, Lu Jinlan suddenly looked at him and said, "Don't mention anything that bothers me, or I won't stay here anymore. I'll go to Fengchun Tower."
Lou Yumin quickly swallowed her words and instead smiled, "What are you going to Fengchun Tower for? The top scholar and handsome young man of Fengchun Tower is right in front of you."
Lu Jinlan smiled, "You're quite clever; you're getting better and better at talking."
*
Song Lincheng lingered outside Lou Yumin's courtyard. After a while, Lou Yumin came out and said in a low voice, "She's still angry, so I don't dare to say anything. The one who tied the knot must untie it; you'd better figure it out yourself."
Song Lincheng's eyes welled up with tears, and his voice was hoarse as he said, "If I could think of a solution, I wouldn't be standing here like an idiot. Yu Mian, you understand women better than I do. Please help me, tell me what I should do?"
Lou Yumin sighed, "How would I know what to do? You really are something, keeping it from her for so long, how could she not be angry? I've never seen her so angry before. If it were me, I would never dare to make her this angry."
He complained for a while, but seeing Song Lincheng looking dejected, he couldn't bear to continue and only said, "Actually, there are ways. But I'm afraid you won't use the methods I can think of."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Song Lincheng's eyes, "I'm willing to try anything as long as I can get her to forgive me."
Lou Yumin whispered a few words in his ear, "I've told you the way. I'm so selfless. When you become a husband, don't forget the favor I did for you today."
Song Lincheng looked troubled. "This...will this work?"
Lou Yumin: "How will you know if you don't try?"
*
Since moving here, Lu Jinlan has made Xi Mo the housekeeper and Qing'er the head steward, leading a dozen or so young male servants to manage the mansion.
The mansion has six courtyards. Song Lincheng and Lou Yumin live in the east and west courtyards respectively, while Lu Jinlan lives in the largest main courtyard by herself.
She spent almost the entire day with Lou Yumin, and by evening she was ready to return to her own courtyard. Uncharacteristically, Lou Yumin didn't try to stop her. She assumed he knew she was in a bad mood and was avoiding her for peace and quiet.
She returned to her room, and before she even turned on the lights, she keenly sensed a breath that wasn't hers.
She remained calm, thinking to herself: Which thief dared to steal from me? You're just unlucky.
She whirled around, about to make a move, when she suddenly heard a familiar voice say, "It's me!"
Lu Jinlan frowned. Song Lincheng had already closed the door and was embracing her in the darkness.
Lu Jinlan instinctively tried to push him away, but when she reached out, she couldn't touch his clothes. Instead, she felt his firm, muscular body, which made her immediately pull her hand back.
Lu Jinlan was startled. "Why aren't you dressed?"
Song Lincheng made up his mind and said, "Tonight I will become yours. No matter whether you marry me or not in the future, you can't send me away."
He stumbled and pulled Lu Jinlan towards the bed, kissing her without a word.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Lu Jinlan grabbed his hand and pinned him to the bed, rendering him unable to move. "Tell me, who gave you this crazy idea?"
Song Lincheng thought he couldn't betray a kind person, so he said righteously, "I... I thought of it myself."
"Try lying to me again?"
Song Lincheng pursed his lips, unsure of how to begin.
Lu Jinlan sneered: "I know even if you don't say it."
Lu Jinlan hurried to Lou Yumin's courtyard and saw that the light was still on inside. She called out, "Lou Yumin!"
She kicked open the door and saw Lou Yumin kneeling upright at the doorway, skillfully kowtowing to her.
Lu Jinlan found it amusing, "You certainly have a good attitude in admitting your mistake."
Lou Yumin said, "I thought I had come up with a good idea, but when I heard your angry footsteps, I knew I was wrong. Since I'm already wrong, I'll be bold enough to say one more thing: please forgive Young Master Song."
Lu Jinlan said strangely, "I never knew you had such a broad mind before. Is this the time for you to painstakingly compete with him for his favor?"
Lou Yumin confessed, "I still have to fight for him. I dare not lie to you, but deep down I don't want you to forgive him. Because he is better than me in every way. You two can talk about anything. Once you have him, you always think about him more and about me less."
Lu Jinlan asked, puzzled, "Then why are you helping him?"
"Don't you really understand?" Lou Yumin grasped her slightly cool knuckles and gently stroked them. "I'm helping him not for his sake, but for yours. Even though you're the one giving him the cold shoulder, you're not feeling good inside either, are you?"
His melancholy eyes gazed at her with deep affection. Lu Jinlan frowned. "I'm going out for a bit."
Lou Yumin asked in a panic, "Where are you going?"
-----------------------
Author's note: Writing about romance isn't just about talking about feelings. We have bigger plans, and we need to prepare everything before Lu Jinlan does anything big.
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