Jiang Huaiyu pushed open the door and entered. For some reason, her eyelids began to twitch erratically. The scene that came into view made her freeze in place. The once lush bamboo forest and peach trees had disappeared, leaving only jagged wooden stakes standing there, as if telling the story of what had happened not long ago.
Jiang Huaiyu's vision went black, and she almost lost her balance. She clenched her fists tightly, trying to suppress the shock and anger in her heart.
"Deng Shen, what exactly is going on?" Jiang Huaiyu asked coldly, her gaze sharp as she stared directly at the butler, Deng Shen.
Deng Shen lowered his head, looking embarrassed, and stammered, "Miss, this...this...I don't know either, it was like this when I woke up this morning."
"Don't know? How do you manage the household? How could you not know about something so important?" Jiang Huaiyu's voice rose a few decibels, and the disappointment and anger in her eyes became more and more obvious.
Deng Shen looked guilty and quickly explained, "Miss, I really didn't know. I've been busy dealing with family affairs lately and may have neglected to look after the courtyard. I will investigate immediately and give you an explanation."
Jiang Huaiyu snorted coldly and turned to walk towards the south corner of the wall. That place, where plum and crabapple trees once grew, was now only filled with wooden stumps. Her anger grew increasingly difficult to suppress, and tears welled in her eyes.
"Deng Shen, let me tell you, this is not just negligence, it's a betrayal of me!" Jiang Huaiyu's voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.
Deng Shen's heart tightened. He knew Jiang Huaiyu was a gentle person, but at this moment her anger and disappointment had clearly reached their peak. He said in a panic, "Miss, I absolutely did not mean to betray you. I... I will immediately investigate and bring the murderer to justice."
Jiang Huaiyu ignored Deng Shen. She quickly went to the study, picked up a pen and ink, and wrote a letter. Then, she came out of the study and handed the letter to Deng Shen: "Send this to my husband, Bai Yujing, immediately. I want him to know about this."
Deng Shen took the letter and left in a hurry. Jiang Huaiyu stood there, looking at the messy courtyard, her heart filled with grief and confusion. She couldn't understand why anyone would want to destroy her beloved garden.
Not long after, Bai Yujing received a letter from Deng Shen. After reading it, he rushed home. Seeing Jiang Huaiyu standing in the courtyard with vacant eyes, he felt a pang of pain in his heart.
"Huaiyu, I'm sorry, I neglected your feelings." Bai Yujing stepped forward, gently grasped Jiang Huaiyu's shoulder, and said with a tone full of remorse.
Jiang Huaiyu lifted her head, her eyes glistening with tears: "Yujing, do you know? I watched these trees grow up since I was a child; they were like my children. Now, they're all gone..."
Bai Yujing felt a pang of sorrow, remembering how much Jiang Huaiyu valued this garden. He gently embraced Jiang Huaiyu: "Huaiyu, I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation. Don't worry, I will make those who vandalize it pay the price."
With Bai Yujing's comforting words, Jiang Huaiyu's emotions gradually stabilized.
After some investigation, they discovered that a servant from the outer courtyard had deliberately vandalized the garden out of jealousy of Jiang Huaiyu's status. Bai Yujing immediately punished the man.
Jiang Huaiyu hurried towards the room, followed by her maid Xiaoyue, who also walked quickly, afraid that being a step too slow would displease her mistress. The door was gently pushed open, and Jiang Huaiyu went in and immediately sat down on the wicker chair by the window, gently rubbing her temples.
Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Bai Yujing walked in. He had a smile on his face, but there was a hint of anxiety in his eyes. He looked at Jiang Huaiyu and asked softly, "Madam, you must be tired from your journey. How are you feeling?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and said, "Husband, I'm fine, just a little tired. Why... are you so anxious?"
Bai Yujing's expression changed slightly. He walked to Jiang Huaiyu's side, gently took her hand, and said, "Madam, you're back. The bamboo grove in the courtyard... the bamboo grove has been destroyed."
Jiang Huaiyu's eyes turned cold as she looked at Bai Yujing, her tone icy: "Husband, that's a bamboo grove planted by our grandfather. How can we let it be destroyed?"
Bai Yujing's face turned pale. He bowed his head and said in a deep voice, "Madam, I was negligent. I didn't take good care of the family. I... I was wrong."
Jiang Huaiyu was furious. He glared at Bai Yujing and shouted, "Who destroyed our bamboo grove and peach trees? Give me an explanation!"
Bai Yujing frowned, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. He gently grasped Jiang Huaiyu's shoulder and said in as gentle a tone as possible, "Huaiyu, you are angry, but the matter is over. The most important thing for us now is to find a solution."
Jiang Huaiyu's emotions did not calm down. She forcefully shook off Bai Yujing's hand, her eyes glistening with tears: "Solve it? Do you know that those bamboo groves and peach trees are our lifeblood, the result of years of hard work? You think you can just solve it like that?"
Bai Yujing sighed, looking at Jiang Huaiyu with immense pain in his heart, yet unsure how to explain. He slowly said, "Those bamboo groves and peach trees mean a great deal to you. I apologize; I failed to protect our home."
Hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu's anger subsided slightly, but she still couldn't let it go: "Then tell me, who did it?"
Bai Yujing remained silent for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes, and said, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation."
Jiang Huaiyu looked at Bai Yujing, feeling conflicted. Bai Yujing was a man of his word, but he had been busy with court affairs lately, so how could he have had time to investigate this matter?
At this moment, Bai Yujing gently took Jiang Huaiyu's hand and said softly, "Huaiyu, I know you're suffering right now, but please believe me, I will do my best to resolve this. Before that, could you give me a hug? I want to feel your warmth."
Jiang Huaiyu looked at Bai Yujing, her heart filled with conflict. She wanted to refuse, but she didn't want to embarrass Bai Yujing too much. In the end, she nodded and gently hugged Bai Yujing.
In the embrace, Jiang Huaiyu felt Bai Yujing's warmth and determination. She couldn't help but recall the day they first met. Back then, Bai Yujing was a spirited young man who led her through a bamboo forest, picking ripe peaches for her and telling her, "Huaiyu, I want all these peaches to become your smiles."
Thinking of this, Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but burst into tears. She hugged Bai Yujing tightly and sobbed softly.
Bai Yujing gently patted Jiang Huaiyu's back and softly comforted her, "It's alright, Huaiyu, things will always be resolved. We will rebuild the bamboo forest and plant more peach trees, so that they can become a testament to our love."
Bai Yujing sighed deeply, then took Jiang Huaiyu's hand and led her into the house. The room was dimly lit, but Jiang Huaiyu could still clearly see Bai Yujing's haggard face, his eyes filled with worry and exhaustion. He gently shook his head, trying to hide his unease.
"Husband, why do you look so haggard? Did you not do well in the imperial examination?" Jiang Huaiyu asked softly, her eyes full of worry.
Bai Yujing smiled gently, trying to comfort Jiang Huaiyu: "Yu'er, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination. I did not fail in the spring examination. You don't need to worry about me."
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