Chapter 86
After returning to Beijing, Wei Mingsu moved to Nanqu.
Nanqu is located next to Pingkangfang. Every night when night falls, the sounds of music and instruments fill the air outside the walls, and the carriages of the wealthy young men from the Five Mausoleums come and go in an endless stream.
The Xiao family didn't know why he suddenly moved. Madam Xiao heard from the steward that she had met him several times on the way to Pingkang Lane. She assumed that he, like other scholars, frequented brothels. She sent a servant to call him over and earnestly told him not to go to those places of pleasure. He said that he had no achievements or fame and no savings, so he should focus on his studies.
If it weren't for Madam Xiao's persuasion, Master Xiao wouldn't have accepted Wei Mingsu as a student. Therefore, Madam Xiao was very strict with Wei Mingsu, worried that he would do something that would disgrace the school and cause Master Xiao to be ridiculed.
Wei Mingsu explained, "Madam, please rest assured, I have not been to those places. I have only recently moved to Nanqu."
Madam Xiao was skeptical. She thought that Wei Mingsu's classmates were all from wealthy families, and he would inevitably go to such places when he socialized. Young people are full of vigor and might not remember their elders' advice. She persuaded him a few more times and asked her maid Caihe to escort him out.
The maid blushed deeply and escorted Wei Mingsu all the way to the second gate.
Hearing a whisper of something, Xiao Suniang ran to her mother and said, "Mother, are you planning to marry Caihe to Brother Wei? Brother Wei isn't our servant. He's Father's student, and he might become an official in the future. Mother, you're just setting up a marriage for us."
Madam Xiao had previously mentioned to Xiao Jijiu and his son that she wanted to act as a matchmaker for Wei Mingsu.
Xiao Suniang thought her mother wanted Wei Mingsu to become the Xiao family's son-in-law. She was worried that she would be poor if she married Wei Mingsu, so she secretly saved up some money.
Madam Xiao laughed and said, "You're still young, what do you know! Caihe has served me for so many years, I treat her like my own daughter. She's grown up now, I won't mistreat her. Her dowry will come from my private savings. Although she's a maid in our household and comes from a humble background, she's honest, hardworking, and knows her manners. She'll definitely be a good wife, and she'd be a perfect match for your Brother Wei. His family is dirt poor. If I hadn't seen that he was a reliable person and a scholar, I wouldn't have been willing to marry Caihe to him."
Moreover, Caihe was married into the Xiao family and was completely loyal to Madam Xiao. Since Wei Mingsu married Caihe, he would not become estranged from the Xiao family in the future.
Xiao Suniang was both amused and exasperated, and advised her mother to think it over.
Madam Xiao insisted on being the matchmaker and told Chief Minister Xiao her idea.
Xiao Jijiu said, "Marriage is a major event that can only be decided by elders. He has no father or mother. It is his blessing that you pity him and are willing to arrange his life's major event."
Upon hearing this, Xiao E went to congratulate Wei Mingsu, saying, "Brother Wei, you've reached the age to get married. My mother has chosen a wife for you, her goddaughter Caihe. A wife should be virtuous. Although Caihe was born a maid, she is gentle, virtuous, understanding, and beautiful. What do you think?"
Wei Mingsu was taken aback for a moment, then said, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness and care, but I have not yet established myself and have no plans to start a family. I dare not delay other people's youth."
Xiao E frowned, somewhat displeased, feeling that Wei Mingsu looked down on Caihe, and complained to Xiao Suniang that Wei Mingsu was ungrateful.
Xiao Suniang quietly found Wei Mingsu, who was tidying up the bookshelves for Xiao Jijiu in the study, and asked, "Brother Wei, people your age are either married or engaged. Is it because of San Niang that you don't want to marry Caihe?"
After asking the question, she stared at Wei Mingsu's face.
Wei Mingsu remained expressionless and said, "I grew up in a temple, busy making a living, reading and writing scriptures. I never thought about starting a family."
Xiao Suniang was very disappointed; he was telling the truth.
Undeterred, she asked again, "After you met Third Sister, didn't you ever think about getting married? Not even once?"
Lu Huaying is so beautiful, and she treats Wei Mingsu so well. What's even more remarkable is that she doesn't look down on Wei Mingsu's status. If she were Wei Mingsu, she would have fallen head over heels for Lu Huaying long ago.
Wei Mingsu lowered his head, stuffed a scroll into the bookcase and tied it up, then shook his head.
Xiao Suniang couldn't help but feel angry for Lu Huaying: "Brother Wei, you are so heartless."
Wei Mingsu did not refute himself, but calmly cleaned the bookshelf.
Xiao Suniang sighed, her expression wistful, and said, "I miss Third Sister so much. Third Sister hasn't gone out for so long."
The Lu family is holding a wedding, and Lu Hua
After returning from the villa, Ying never showed her face again. Once she got married and became a lady, she was even less likely to appear in public.
Wei Mingsu thought that he would never be able to see Lu Huaying again.
The following day, he went out of the city to Deer Garden Temple to deliver the month's scriptures.
Before the monk went to collect the money and provisions, he reminded him not to go to the front hall, as there were female relatives of officials coming to burn incense that day.
Wei Mingsu was standing outside the door, gazing absently at a century-old apricot tree by the mountain path, when hurried footsteps sounded from inside the door, and a figure suddenly darted out from behind it.
Amidst the golden fallen leaves, the two locked eyes.
Wei Mingsu gave a bitter smile to himself.
Lu Huaying saw him,
They were stunned.
"Third Sister!"
Shouts and footsteps came from inside the door, and two maids ran out, followed by several guards.
A group of people rushed up in a panic. The maid grabbed Lu Huaying, while the guards quietly dispersed to block the way down the mountain.
"Have you found Third Sister?"
There were more footsteps coming from inside the door, followed by Wang Yu's anxious voice. Her maids escorted her out.
Upon seeing Lu Huaying, Wang Yu's expression softened, and then she noticed Wei Mingsu standing under the wall, staring at him in astonishment.
Lu Huaying knew she must have misunderstood, and said, "Sister-in-law, he didn't come to see me, it has nothing to do with him."
Wang Yu felt a little embarrassed, walked over to Lu Huaying, and quietly advised her to go back.
Lu Huaying said calmly, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'm not going anywhere. You don't need to be nervous. I just wanted to come here to wait for my father's letter."
Wang Yu sighed: "Feifei, your father instructed before leaving the capital that the eldest brother is like a father, and your marriage will be decided by your eldest brother. Your father will not object to this marriage."
Lu Huaying remained silent.
Wang Yu had a maid bring a cloak and draped it over Lu Huaying. She then gestured for the maids to leave and ordered her personal guards to stay and watch over Lu Huaying. She glanced back at Wei Mingsu.
Wei Mingsu had already silently walked to the apricot tree by the roadside, keeping his distance from them.
Wang Yu, with a complicated expression, turned and went inside.
Wei Mingsu stood under the tree for a long time.
Lu Huaying stood not far away for a long time as well.
This time, she didn't tease him or pester him with jokes.
Wei Mingsu didn't look at her, but watched as the withered leaves on the branches were blown off one by one by the autumn wind.
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves echoed down the mountain road, and a rider came galloping in.
Lu Huaying immediately went over.
The guards dismounted and took out a letter.
Lu Huaying took the letter and eagerly opened it.
A moment later, the letter fell from her hand.
She didn't pick up the letter and stood there blankly for a long time.
The guards dared not speak.
The autumn scenery in the mountains is clear and serene, with fallen leaves covering the ground. A few chimes of a bell drift from inside the wall, creating an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere.
Lu Huaying turned around and slowly walked back.
The guard picked up the letter from the ground and followed her, while the other guards also surrounded her.
Only Wei Mingsu remained outside the door.
After a while, the monk came out carrying money and provisions. Wei Mingsu took the money and provisions and went down the mountain to go home.
After that day, he never went into the temple again when he visited Rokuon-ji, but waited at the gate.
He never met Lu Huaying again.
The news that the Lu family was going to marry off their daughter spread like wildfire.
Xiao Suniang wanted to see Lu Huaying, but the Lu family was of high social standing. In the middle of the month, she received Zheng Xiaoniangzi's wedding invitation and knew that Lu Huaying might attend the banquet at the Zheng family. She went to the Zheng family in high spirits, but when she returned home, she sighed and said, "I saw Third Sister at the Zheng family today. No matter where she went, someone followed her closely. She looked very unwell. Sister Zheng told a lot of jokes, but she laughed very reluctantly."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Wei Mingsu, as if blaming him.
Fan Hui sneered and said, "She's getting married soon. No matter how noble her family background is, once she's married, she has to be virtuous and gentle. She can no longer be spoiled, willful, or run around recklessly. Fourth Sister, don't mention Lu San Niang's affairs in front of Wei Mingsu anymore. She has nothing to do with us."
Xiao Suniang's eyes were red, and she said angrily, "Brother Wei, Third Sister is so heartbroken, isn't it all because of you!"
"
Wei Mingsu remained silent.
"Sister Zheng and the others used to laugh at you, and Third Aunt said so many good things about you... You have no conscience!"
Xiao Suniang stormed off.
Fan Hui snorted and walked over to close the door.
Wei Mingsu looked up and gazed out the window.
A leaf drifts slowly down in the golden sunset.
That evening, Xiao Jijiu summoned several students to his study and announced that he would soon be setting off for Xizhou. He was getting old and wanted to take his children and a few students with him so that they could all broaden their horizons.
The selected students were very happy.
Xiao Jijiu told them to prepare their luggage and that they would set off in a few days.
Fan Hui glanced at Wei Mingsu and, noticing he wasn't smiling, asked in a low voice, "Don't you want to go?"
Wei Mingsu shook his head.
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