Chapter 42 Entanglement: "I want to be your little puppy for life."...
Ruan Yangbai's blue-white robe was stained with sticky mud, and the hairpin in her hair was nowhere to be seen. The damp spring breeze teased her long hair, which was scattered in the air, and the cool strands of hair would occasionally wrap around the boy's neck.
The horse passed through the bustling market and arrived at the Lu residence. The Emperor, recognizing Lu Wenjin's great merit, bestowed upon him the title of General of the Valiant Cavalry and rewarded him with a thousand taels of gold and a hundred households. From then on, the Lu family was filled with glory.
Lu Wenjin abandoned the horse, pulled Ruan Yang off the horse and held her in his arms before stepping across the threshold as if no one else was there.
People passing by the stone lion gate couldn't help but stop and watch. Why would the usually sullen General Lu bring back a dirty woman in public today?
Ruan Yang was bewildered in the wind. She hid her head further inside the wind and whispered, "Hey, put me down quickly, this isn't good."
Lu Wenjin had already walked to the backyard. After listening, he lowered his head and looked at Ruan Yang.
It had been a long time since I'd seen her, and she looked much thinner, with a hint of weariness that was hard to hide on her fair face.
It hasn't been long, and Ning Xian has already ruined the person he has carefully nurtured for more than ten years.
Ever since Ruan Yang sent the defense map to Lu Wenjin, he had been extremely anxious, constantly plotting how to rescue her. Fortunately, a few days ago, a spy came to tell him that the young girl had run away on her own, and was even within ten miles of him. He was both surprised and delighted.
He had prepared Ruan Yang's servants, food, clothing, and lodging well in advance, and he dressed up carefully before meeting Ruan Yang today. He wore a sachet that he never wore, wore the most expensive robe, and even covered up the several-inch-long scar on his cheek that had been left not long ago.
He knew that the little girl used to love his face the most.
"We'll be there soon, don't worry."
Lu Wenjin spoke softly, afraid that if he raised his voice, Ruan Yang would misunderstand that he was going to treat her badly.
The girl's dark eyes still had some bloodshot streaks and tear stains, indicating that she had secretly cried under his cloak earlier. Lu Wenjin sighed slightly and said to his attendant, "Go and call the best doctor and the nannies in the manor."
"yes......"
Upon ascending the steps, Ruan Yang noticed a plaque above the bamboo-green painted door bearing the inscription "Ruixuexuan" (瑞雪轩). Vermilion couplets and lanterns were pasted on either side, and the path leading inside was lined with Xiangfei bamboo.
This courtyard is warm in winter and cool in summer, and quiet. It is surrounded by a large pine and cypress grove at the back, and the leaves rustle when the wind blows. There is a small table and a small couch under the eaves, which is perfect for inviting two or three friends to play chess and arrange flowers after a meal.
Seeing that Lu Wenjin was living a much more comfortable and affluent life than before, Ruan Yang couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. This sadness wasn't from grief, but from genuine joy for him.
very nice.
He no longer had to endure hunger and have to be subservient to others.
During the days she spent with Ning Xian, Ruan Yang recalled many things, especially those related to Lu Wenjin. When she was awake during the day, she would reminisce about their past moments. At night, in her dreams, he would still go to great lengths to secretly watch over her and help her beat Ning Xian black and blue in her dreams.
I remember that year she was eight years old. The biggest snowfall in history hit Sichuan and Chongqing. When Ruan Yang returned from the temple to pray for her deceased mother, it was already evening. At that time, snow and sleet were flying everywhere, and every household had their doors and windows closed. There were only passersby hurrying along the road.
The carriage slowly made its way across the snow. All was quiet except for the howling wind. She dozed off by the window, but from the dark alley not far away came the sounds of punches and kicks.
When the robbery beggars ran out, they bumped into the carriage. The Ruan family guards were not to be trifled with, so they immediately arrested the men and sent them to the authorities.
She was timid at the time, huddled in the carriage, too scared to make a sound, only urging the driver to hurry up. The wind was still howling, blowing open a corner of the carriage curtain, and in that instant, she met a pair of eyes even sharper than the winter wind.
The boy lay on the snow, clutching the tattered clothes at his chest, his brow furrowed as if enduring the pain of his broken leg. Gray stains completely covered his face, except for his eyes, which shone with tears.
If we don't take action, they won't live to see tomorrow.
Ruan Yang jumped out of the car and walked warily to the boy. His face was ferocious, and he glared at her with resentment. His white teeth seemed about to bite her.
She opened her umbrella to shield him from the two of them, threw a water bottle and some dry food in front of him, and when he remained unmoved, she took off her fox fur coat and tossed it over him. She then personally fed the little beggar some warming wine...
Returning to reality, Ruan Yang's memory of what happened afterward was somewhat hazy. She only remembered that Lu Wenjin's little face was flushed red from coughing, looking as cute as if she had smeared rouge on a lump of coal.
......
Lifting the glass beaded curtain, Lu Wenjin carried Ruan Yang to the edge of the bed. Seeing that the little girl was a bit reserved, he squatted down, patted the dust off her skirt, looked up at her and smiled, "Now that you're back, treat this place as your own home. Just tell me what you want."
Ruan Yang snapped out of her daze and nodded blankly. She looked around and found that the furnishings in the room were exactly the same as those in her boudoir when she was in the Ruan family.
From large items like tables, chairs, and beds, to small items like the dolls she hangs by her pillow.
Replicating these things is not easy. The Ruan family has always been extravagant, and the tables, chairs and decorations they use are unique. Take the diamond-shaped mirror in front of her dressing table, for example. The openwork butterfly pattern on the edge is lifelike and very intricate to carve. The only person in the entire Central Plains who can make this mirror is Mr. Wu, who lives in seclusion deep in Yishan Mountain.
This person has an eccentric personality, and the things he creates are priceless. Lu Wenjin must have been turned away many times before he was able to get it.
"I'm sorry, I really can't find some of these things."
Seeing that Ruan Yang had her head down and no smile, Lu Wenjin nervously touched the back of his neck and awkwardly smiled, "You... don't like it? If you don't like it, I can find someone to replace it."
“No, that’s not true. I like it very much,” Ruan Yang said hoarsely.
Unknowingly, she had let him down for so many years, and Ruan Yang felt a heavy weight in her heart, but she knew she could never make it up to him.
She has changed her heart and tainted her body, and is no longer worthy of him. Besides, Ning Xian is not dead yet. The closer she gets to Lu Wenjin, the more dangerous it becomes for Lu Wenjin.
She couldn't let her own selfish desires cause Lu Wenjin to lose his life.
The maid outside knocked on the door, and Ruan Yang quickly wiped away the tears in her eyes while Lu Wenjin turned his head away.
The maid put down a basin of hot water and left. Before Ruan Yang could react, the young man in front of her reached out and touched her ankle.
Ruan Yang was startled and immediately pulled her legs back.
Ning Xian's torment day and night caused her to have a stress reaction. This man had many quirks, and his relationship with her was no longer just about physical pleasure, but rather about wanton abuse through sexual intimacy.
Whenever she tried to run, Ning Xian would roughly grab her ankle and pull her back into his arms.
Lu Wenjin awkwardly withdrew her hand, and said with an embarrassed smile, "Sorry, because I used to help you like this, I forgot to ask if you were willing this time..."
Seeing that Ruan Yang didn't respond for a moment, his ears turned red: "Well then, I'll go first. Call me when you need me."
Ruan Yang pressed Lu Wenjin's shoulder and said with a smile, "It's okay, it's just that my ankle injury flared up, that's why I acted that way."
After speaking, Ruan Yang took off her worn-out shoes and socks, soaked her pair of fair and delicate feet in the water, and said with a smile, "If word got out that you were washing a young lady's feet, what would people think of you?"
Lu Wenjin looked up at her and said, "It would be good if word got out, so they could envy us. I'm still planning to keep my promise and continue to be your little puppy for the rest of my life, okay?"
Ruan Yang chuckled: "You are a majestic general, a hero in the hearts of the people who punishes evil and eliminates wickedness, how can you be my little puppy?"
"Why not? As long as you're willing, I don't care what others say."
Seeing that Ruan Yang had lowered her head again, Lu Wenjin couldn't help but move closer to her and say, "Ruan Yang, how about living with me from now on? Let's start over, and you won't suffer anymore."
"Is it okay? I know what you're worried about, but I'm able to protect you now, and I have some money, so I can take good care of you."
Her skirt was soaked through on her thighs. Ruan Yang steadied her heartbeat, took a deep breath, and finally shook her head mercilessly.
"You don't need to say anything more. Our fate ended the night I lost my memory. You should marry a good wife and have children in the future, and never see this heartless man again. After tonight, I will leave."
After speaking, Ruan Yang turned her face away, too ashamed to look at the boy again.
The girl's face was soaked with tears. Lu Wenjin clenched his fists and said, "Okay, then let's calm down for a few days."
He got up and left, then said, "But don't worry, Ruan Yang, you are my rightful wife, with a marriage certificate as proof. I will definitely win your heart back from Ning Xian."
Snatch it back? When she placed her heart with Ning Xian, he trampled it into pieces, and now it's long gone.
Ruan Yang bit the back of her hand, suppressing the urge to run over and hug Lu Wenjin. After a while, she called out to that lonely figure.
"Lu Wenjin".
"Hmm?" He paused, turned his head, and waited for the person behind him to speak.
Ruan Yang stood up and staggered a few steps. She couldn't tell whether she was crying or laughing: "You are a good person. You will definitely be happy for the rest of your life."
Lu Wenjin scoffed upon hearing this and left without hesitation.
A good person? After so many years of friendship, all he deserves is the word "good person" from you, Ruan Yang? Besides, he's been all alone for so many years, what happiness could he possibly have?
......
The spring sunshine outside was just right, and the chirping of the thrushes at the entrance of Ruixuexuan was clear and melodious.
The lacquered door was half-open, and a young girl peeked in furtively from behind it. When she saw Lu Wenjin about to come towards her, she held her breath and hid herself further inside.
After everyone left, the girl asked the guard beside her, "Hey, didn't my brother win the heart of the beauty? Why does he look so unhappy?"
Although the guards outside the door had heard most of what was going on, they dared not utter any nonsense and could only shake their heads.
The girl asked in surprise, "Could it be that my brother forcibly took a girl from me, and the girl refused?"
The guard immediately shook his head: "Young master is not that kind of person, young lady, please don't talk nonsense..."
What is that?
The girl was rubbing her chin, lost in thought, when suddenly, a force pressed down on her shoulder.
She exclaimed softly and turned around; it was a woman who looked to be around fifty years old.
"Mother? It's you...!"
Mother Lu said, "Who else could it be but me? In this Lu family, only my daughter and I dare to come and join in the fun with General Lu."
Lu Yan said, "Mother, why have you become so fond of gossip, and why are you so happy about it..."
Madam Lu smiled broadly: "Of course I'm happy. Just now, Madam Jing came to inquire about marriage, saying she wanted to betroth her daughter to Wenjin. I think the Jing family's daughter is quite nice; she's very well-behaved and cute, just the type your brother likes, so I agreed on his behalf."
After speaking, she said with difficulty, "Who knew your brother would pull this stunt halfway through? Really, he didn't even tell me he had someone he liked..."
Lu Yan said anxiously, "Mother, how could you be so confused? You know perfectly well that my brother only wants that second young lady from the Ruan family."
Recalling the kind and filial daughter who had been so good to her, Lu's mother sighed, "I know, but Miss Ruan is already someone else's wife. It's impossible for her to become a daughter-in-law of the Lu family."
“What’s the use of your brother waiting so devotedly? Yan’er, don’t worry, I remember Miss Ruan’s kindness. If Miss Ruan ever comes back to the Lu family, I will break off the engagement even if it offends people.”
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Author's Note: Xiao Lu: What on earth happened? What kind of seductive tricks did Ning use? Why doesn't he want me anymore? [crying][crying][crying]
Our little Lu was sad again today. After going home, he secretly hid under the covers with his daughter's fox fur coat and cried all night.
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