Chapter 39 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Wu Nianzhen wasn't stupid. Pei Zan had rejected her time and time again, only getting close to Lin Rong. She understood perfectly well that Pei Zan was clearly trying to "remain chaste" for Lin Rong!
From then on, Wu Nianzhen understood that the Pei family she was to marry into had everything she needed—wealth and power—but the harmonious and loving marriage she desired was probably out of reach.
If Wu Nianzhen insists on marrying Pei Zan, she is very likely to live a life of widowhood... Wu Nianzhen does not believe that a man would marry his legal wife without wanting legitimate children. But if Pei Zan really does not play by the rules, then she will become the laughing stock of the entire Luzhou!
Wu Nianzhen rode away on Pearl, her face pale and her heart filled with fear and unease.
Although she was unwilling, shocked, and resentful, to be fair, she did not want to give up Pei Zan.
Pei Zan was the best husband Wu Nianzhen could marry. Even though he was not favored and had no children of his own, she still wanted to marry into the Pei family.
After all, Pei Zan intends to ascend to the top in the future. If he succeeds, Wu Nianzhen will be the Empress, second only to the Emperor!
How could she resist such temptation?
Wu Nianzhen was completely disoriented and panicked.
She suddenly remembered what her mother, Liu, had said last night.
"If this concubine Lin can be of use to you, that's fine. But if not, you must be wary of her giving birth to a son born out of wedlock... A favored son born out of wedlock can sometimes be more dangerous than a legitimate son. If necessary, remember to give her a bowl of medicine to prevent her from having children after you marry into the Pei family. If she tries to gain favor and monopolize Pei Zan's affections, you must not be soft-hearted and must use some means to get rid of her."
“Nianzhen, you must know that men are inherently fickle. She was just a favored woman; once she died, she was gone. He will find a new love and forget her completely. You should serve Governor Pei with utmost care and devotion. In the long run, you will have the opportunity to serve him in bed. You must seize the opportunity to have many children. Only children are the foundation for us women to stand firm in the inner quarters!”
Wu Nianzhen kept her mother's teachings in mind and made her own plans.
If Lin Rong is truly unusable, then in order to secure her position in the Pei family's inner quarters, Wu Nianzhen will have no choice but to ruthlessly eliminate this threat.
Wu Nianzhen sighed and thought to herself: Don't blame her for being ruthless. How can a person live in this world without planning for himself?
-
It was already evening, and the world was bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.
The mountain lake reflects the weeping willows, a few wild gardenias bloom with large flowers and leaves, and white magnolias fall onto the calm, still water, like dazzling river lanterns, drifting towards the turbulent center of the lake.
Lin Rong glanced at it quietly, thinking to herself: If those talented young men and women saw this, they would surely recite a few sentimental poems like "The falling flowers are willing, but the flowing water is heartless."
Lin Rong wasn't one to indulge in affectation; when she saw this early summer scene, all she could think of was the refreshing sweetness of a watermelon soaked in cool water.
Previously, when Lin Rong worked at the Pei residence, her cousins would come to the residence to escape the summer heat every year.
The First Madam was hospitable, and she would always send the kitchen staff to prepare fruits and vegetables and deliver them to the Yingfeng Pavilion for the guests to enjoy.
The young ladies were reserved in their behavior. Even though they liked to eat red-fleshed watermelons, they didn't dare to eat too many. Every time Green Pearl took Lin Rong to bring back a fruit platter, there were always a few slices of watermelon left.
The master's intention was to throw away the melons and fruits, but the servants sometimes had the quick wit to "obey in secret." Green Pearl gathered some food, then pulled Lin Rong to hide by the side gate, and called over Fugui and Chunhua to share the remaining melons and fruits.
Lin Rong had never eaten melon wrapped in shaved ice before; it was incredibly refreshing, thirst-quenching, and delicious.
She took small bites, sucking out every last drop of the sweet juice before slowly swallowing.
Although those days were tough, there was a lot of hope.
Lin Rong counted down the days, saving up the money to redeem herself, thinking of going to the desert with flying sand and the snow-covered northern region that the horse slave Wang Bo had described... She was free, and as long as she broke free of her slave contract, she could travel all over the country.
Thinking about it carefully, life isn't so bad now.
Lin Rong had a perfectly good fruit platter to eat, and the fruits were sweeter and fresher, but she would only take a quick bite each time before putting it down listlessly.
Lin Rong couldn't pinpoint the difference in taste, yet it felt as if everything was different.
Lin Rong glanced at her bare ankles. She always felt as if an invisible chain was hanging on her feet, making her tired and burdened as she moved forward.
She was tightly bound by an iron chain, the other end of which was held in Pei Zan's hand.
About half an hour later, Uncle Feng came to Lin Rong to ask for a horse: "Miss Lin, tonight's banquet has hired boatmen to prepare a boat to go boating on the lake and enjoy the mountain streams and waterfalls. Our master has invited the generals and they have already gone to the boat to discuss matters. Our master asked me to pass on a message to you, Miss: you can go and play with the young ladies without restraint. I will come to fetch you back to your tent at night."
Uncle Feng was experienced and handled things well. He explained the important matters clearly in just a few words and even found a young maid to guide Lin Rong.
When Lin Rong arrived at the boat on the lake, Wu Nianzhen and the others had been waiting on the boat for a long time.
Upon seeing Lin Rong, the group of young ladies surrounding Wu Nianzhen chuckled and teased, "Miss Lin, you're too slow! Everyone's been waiting for you. The boatman said he was short of men and refused to row. We waited and waited, wondering which great deity would be the grand finale, but it turned out to be Miss Lin."
That's an interesting statement. While praising Lin Rong, it actually implies that she's spoiled and arrogant, and doesn't even respect Pei Zan's future wife.
After the white-faced actor finishes his part, the red-faced actor naturally has to step in to smooth things over.
Sure enough, Wu Nianzhen lightly patted her confidante's hand and scolded, "Hurry up and eat some fruit and snacks to shut your mouth. You never have a moment's peace."
After saying that, she pulled Lin Rong onto the boat, smiled and said, "Shuhua is just that kind of impatient person, sister, don't take it to heart."
Lin Rong lowered her eyes and shook her head: "It's nothing."
Having lived in the household for many years, Lin Rong knew that anyone who dared to disrespect her must have been instructed by Wu Nianzhen.
It seems that the First Madam always has a wet nurse by her side, who slaps her and stands up for her.
From then on, Lin Rong also came to understand some things.
It turns out that Wu Nianzhen still minded that Lin Rong was too close to Pei Zan. She pretended to be kind, but in reality, she didn't like Lin Rong.
Sure enough, as soon as Lin Rong boarded the ship, Wu Nianzhen stopped pretending and ignored Lin Rong.
The group of girls huddled together, admiring the distant lake and mountain scenery, as well as the white waterfall cascading down into the lake.
Lin Rong was seeing such a magnificent sight for the first time and almost couldn't move her legs.
As I got closer, the sound of the water was deafening, and the noise around me was so loud that I couldn't even make out a single human voice.
Lin Rong's face was cool and wet, covered with splashed water droplets.
Not wanting her robes to get wet, she instinctively took a step back.
Unexpectedly, there were many young people on the boat admiring the waterfall, and in the pushing and shoving, they bumped into Lin Rong!
thump.
A muffled thud.
Lin Rong was caught off guard and was knocked into the bottomless, cold lake by the crowd!
The sky was dark, the lights at the stern of the boat were sparse, and the waterfall at the foot of the mountain provided some cover, so no one noticed that Lin Rong was drowning!
Lin Rong's robes were soaked with water and sank heavily downwards.
Fortunately, after practicing holding her breath underwater many times, she is no longer as afraid of water as before...
However, the most terrifying thing was that the cruise ship continued to move forward, running over Lin Rong's head and almost pressing her head down towards the center of the lake.
Bubbles rose from Lin Rong's mouth, and her mouth and nose were choked by the lake water.
Her black hair spread out, flailing wildly in the water like dark seaweed.
She initially wanted to save herself, but after hesitating for a while, she thought that sinking into the lake might not be a bad idea.
Lin Rong was in a daze, sometimes floating, sometimes holding her breath... until someone grabbed her slender waist and lifted her onto the boat.
With a loud crash, Lin Rong was thrown back onto the boat.
She hunched over and suddenly coughed up a mouthful of salty, fishy lake water.
Before Lin Rong could thank him, the black-clad figure who had helped her out of the water had already silently stood up.
Hearing the commotion, everyone realized that someone had fallen into the water!
Seeing that things were going badly, the boatman quickly rowed towards the shore.
Wu Nianzhen also came to her senses at this moment. She was so frightened that she was completely at a loss until a pair of cold and dark phoenix eyes looked down at her with unwavering clarity.
It was Pei Zan!
Pei Zan emerged from the water, his robes soaked black, outlining his sharp shoulders and back. Lake water trickled down his angular jawline, seeping into his inner garment drop by drop.
Pei Zan seemed to be suppressing his anger, his arm muscles tense, ready to unleash his power. As he walked forward, his eyes were like frost-covered knives, containing a cold and sharp aura that seemed to pierce the sky.
Wu Nianzhen looked at Pei Zan, who was soaking wet, and was startled.
She couldn't help but take a step back, and glanced again at Lin Rong, who was shivering and curled up in a ball in the distance, and understood.
It was Lin Rong who caused all this trouble!
Lin Rong deliberately pretended to fall into the lake and drown when Pei Zan's boat passed by, attracting people to rescue her. In this way, she could frame Wu Nianzhen, saying that Wu Nianzhen intended to harm her fiancé's concubine, thus giving her the reputation of being "jealous and vicious"!
How utterly hateful!
As Pei Zan approached, Wu Nianzhen's eyes widened, and she hurriedly explained, "I didn't know Lin Daiyu had fallen into the water..."
Biting her lip, Wu Nianzhen apologized dejectedly, "It's my fault for not taking good care of Lin Daiyu..."
Pei Zan was not stupid. He knew that Wu Nianzhen would not dare to kill someone on a crowded cruise ship, but Lin Rong was afraid of water and would not be so reckless as to go to the side of the ship.
It was nothing more than a war of words between women, nothing more than some trivial ridicule and cold treatment.
In the end, it was all because Wu Nianzhen did not provide adequate hospitality.
Pei Zan wasn't one to protect his own, but he absolutely hated having his own things touched by others.
Lin Rong snapped out of her daze, suppressing the itch in her throat, and loudly explained, "Grand Commander, no, it has nothing to do with Miss Wu, I fell into the water on my own..."
But Lin Rong was frail and helpless, her whole body soaked like a bird with broken wings. The more she tried to explain, the more others thought she was a cunning and treacherous woman.
Everyone smiled knowingly, enjoying the rivalry between Lin Rong and Wu Nianzhen over their wives and concubines, while Lin Rong deliberately put on a pitiful and weak appearance to entice the men.
The group whispered among themselves, clicking their tongues in amazement: Whoever keeps such a troublesome concubine is bound to have a troublesome household!
Unfortunately, Lin Rong was narrow-minded and started a fight with Wu Nianzhen before their marriage.
Wu Nianzhen was so angry she wanted to bite him, but she didn't dare say a word in front of Pei Zan.
Only Pei Zan stared at her indifferently and warned in a low voice: "As your legal wife, I will give you some face. Just one thing: the husband is the master, and the ruler is the sky. Keep your hands to yourself and don't overstep your bounds."
After saying that, Pei Zan ignored Wu Nianzhen and instead picked up the dazed Lin Rong in his arms, heading towards a small boat that had come to pick them up and take them ashore.
Although the onlookers did not hear clearly what Pei Zan said to his fiancée, they knew from Wu Nianzhen's dejected look that it must not have been anything good.
Wu Nianzhen stood on the boat, silent for a long time.
She watched Pei Zan's retreating figure, carrying his concubine, her eyes filled with tears, shame, and indignation.
Wu Nianzhen knew that the humiliation she had suffered today would make her unable to hold her head up in front of everyone.
From then on, she understood the brilliance of Lin Rong's methods.
Wu Nianzhen underestimated his opponent and ended up at a disadvantage, suffering greatly and losing his life at the hands of a mere concubine.
This is an utter disgrace!
However, no matter how bad Pei Zan is, he is still a highly coveted prize, and Wu Nianzhen is unwilling to give him up, nor will she give up.
Wu Nianzhen understood. Since Lin Rong wanted to compete with her... such a sycophantic concubine could not be kept!
-
Lin Rong felt cold all over. She curled up in Pei Zan's arms, shivering like a wounded bird.
Fortunately, Uncle Feng received the news and, when Lin Rong was carried back to the military tent by Pei Zan, he had already brought her a hand warmer, a fox fur cloak, and hot water in the tent for her to wash and change clothes. There was also an imperial physician waiting outside to treat her illness.
In early summer, a warm charcoal brazier still burned in the tent. Lin Rong, enveloped in the cozy warmth, spoke with difficulty, "Young Master, this really has nothing to do with Miss Wu. I lost my footing and fell into the water..."
“I know.” Pei Zan took off his wet clothes, revealing his well-defined back muscles. The man’s slender body was soaked in water, and the narrow waist muscles were covered with a layer of soft light, as if they were moistened with a layer of honey-colored oil, looking fierce and terrifying.
"But regardless, she is suspected of mismanagement."
Pei Zan changed into dry clothes, ordered someone to examine Lin Rong's pulse and prepare medicine, and then picked her up and put her into a bathtub with warm water.
Lin Rong suddenly fell into the water, startling her long eyelashes, which trembled.
She held onto the edge of the bucket, raising her almond-shaped eyes, which shimmered with moisture.
The chill on Lin Rong's body dissipated completely, but the Hu robe felt like oil paper covering a cake, sticking to her limbs and making her very uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Pei Zan only glanced at her before extending a few delicate fingers to unbutton her clothes and carefully help Lin Rong undress.
"Raise your hand."
Lin Rong obediently reached out her hands, letting Pei Zan free her from the cumbersome dress and strip her naked.
Lin Rong was naked again, her skin as white as snow and her black hair flowing down her back.
Looking at Lin Rong's blank face, Pei Zan felt a surge of malice for some reason.
He suddenly pinched her fair and tender chin, his fingertips lingering intimately, caressing it back and forth.
Lin Rong trembled as he stroked her, instinctively trying to dodge, but Pei Zan's hand, which was pinching her, followed, as if punishing her for her evasion, suddenly becoming stronger and forcing her to tilt her head back.
Lin Rong was submerged in the water, swallowing her saliva helplessly. She wanted to beg for mercy, but she didn't know what she had done wrong.
Until the string of cool, jade-like prayer beads hit Lin Rong's throat bone. The beads were round and hard, sliding up and down her skin and flesh, bringing with them waves of tantalizing itch.
Before Lin Rong could speak, she heard Pei Zan speak softly, murmuring something.
"Lin Rong, bear me a child. With children to protect you, even if the legal wife enters the mansion, she will not be able to harm you in the slightest."
This was Pei Zan's concession, and also his grace.
Pei Zan knew perfectly well that if Lin Rong were pregnant, regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl, she would be the eldest son of a concubine in the household.
This act was egregious, almost breaking the rules of the entire household... He never imagined that one day he would do something so unwise, making an exception for a mere maid.
Lin Rong's eyes remained fixed, and she did not accept Pei Zan's advances.
She stared in astonishment at the handsome man before her, unsure how to react.
Lin Rong should have been happy and grateful, but her head was buzzing and she felt no joy at all.
Author's Note: I've had a cold recently, so the update is late~ I should still update before midnight tomorrow~
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