Chapter 7 My Encounters with Xiao Cong
"Your Highness, would you still like me?"
"On the second day after my wedding to Your Highness, I sent an apology gift to my sister Aqu."
"As the Crown Prince's consort, I still have to bow down to His Highness's concubine who hasn't even entered the household yet."
"Waaaaah."
"I know that Sister Aqu is different in Your Highness's heart."
"I also wish that Your Highness would not have to worry about matters within the household."
"I will faithfully fulfill my duty as a virtuous wife and share Your Highness's burdens."
"To appease Sister Aqu, I sent gifts, sent invitations, and even personally visited her to invite her, hoping that she would not hold a grudge about the past and would get along well with me in the future."
"But Sister Aqu ignores me."
"Today I came to visit Xianbaozhai and happened to hear that Sister Aqu was also here, so I came to ask for a cup of tea."
"I beg my sister Aqu to return to my residence."
“Unexpectedly, my sister Aqu was jealous of me because I was pregnant with His Highness’s child first, and she pushed me away.”
"Waaaaah."
"Your Highness, I have truly tried my best to reconcile with Sister Aqu."
He was jealous and plotted to harm his children.
Each charge is serious.
Xiao Cong sat on the couch drinking tea, while Lin Wan sat on the other side of the couch wiping away tears with a handkerchief.
I knelt on the beautifully patterned cashmere carpet woven by the foreigners.
*
The most luxurious items in Yandi can all be found at Yicheng Xianbaozhai.
I listened indifferently as the servants and maids behind me testified against me.
“This servant swears to heaven that it was the Third Miss who pushed the Crown Prince’s wife.”
This is Lin Wanru's head maid.
"This old servant saw it too! The Third Miss and the Crown Princess have always been at odds. Your Highness, you must stand up for the Crown Princess!"
This is the nanny who serves Lin Wanru.
There were also the timid and fearful servants of Xianbaozhai.
"When I entered to inquire about the Third Miss's matter, I happened to witness the Third Miss attacking the Crown Princess."
And the noble ladies who came with Lin Wanru and were waiting outside.
"Although I didn't see what was happening inside the house, I did hear the Crown Princess inviting the Third Miss to return to the Prince of Yan's residence."
I have no way to defend myself against this.
Because Xiao Cong removed the people who were secretly protecting me and Xiao Zuo, no one around me dared to point their sword at Lin Wanru for me.
I know what to say and do in what situation.
I kowtowed and bowed my head, explaining the misunderstanding and begging for forgiveness, bending my back to the dust.
Lin Wanru warmly helped me up, saying, "Even the tongue and teeth sometimes clash."
"Let bygones be bygones, and let's get along well from now on."
"Let's move back to the mansion as soon as possible. Without my sister, the mansion feels a bit dull."
She plays the role of a generous and virtuous wife.
The matter was started by Lin Wanru, and it was Lin Wanru who brought it to a close in front of Xiao Cong.
Xiao Cong remained a spectator throughout, not uttering a single, boring word.
But the impact of this event on me was phenomenal.
Lin Wanru is building her image and reputation as a virtuous and capable wife.
I was clearly the control group.
In a society where wives and concubines are inherently incompatible, I was ostracized by the social circle of wealthy women in Yicheng.
Even the sales of the new products I was involved in before the Lunar New Year were affected.
If this influence is not contained, it will spread outwards in ripples.
It not only harms Xianbaozhai, but also myself.
I made the decisive choice to withdraw from the board of directors of Xianbaozhai and resign from my position at Xianbaozhai.
In response, Wu Xubai overturned the table, cursed, and plunged into the snow. He then spurred his horse and rode off without looking back to his post in the field.
*
Spring has arrived with its gentle, continuous rain; I turned sixteen this year.
Everyone in Yicheng knows that the Crown Prince of Yan has a stunningly beautiful woman by his side, whom he dotes on immensely.
After leaving Xianbaozhai, I quietly returned home to live a life of leisure and wealth.
I silently searched for every suitable opportunity to leave.
Before the opportunity arises, play the role of a competent pawn in the palm of your hand.
Why am I so well-behaved and quiet?
After Lin Wanru brought the incident of me pushing her to a close, the truth of the matter was revealed to Xiao Cong by me.
My grievances at the time seemed like a joke to him.
He told me, "The Lin family has already entered the family, and I hope you can get along well with them."
"Give her more respect."
He gave me 10% of Xianbaozhai's shares as compensation.
He exclaimed, "Good heavens! With such vast skies and boundless land, Xianbaozhai should be expanding rapidly and flourishing everywhere."
That's the end of it.
I don't know what he said to Lin Wanru.
I don't care.
Anyway, things went as Lin Wanru wanted. I left Xianbaozhai and became the contrasting example of the virtuous and generous Crown Princess.
At that time, I had not yet fully grasped the deeper meaning of his words.
I just felt that his little bit of affection was too cheap.
Until one day I woke up on the couch in the inner chamber of his council chamber.
Hearing their discussion, I learned that the iron mine in Pancheng had provided him with 30,000 elite heavy cavalrymen within a year.
In modern times, the combined charge of 5,000 heavily armored cavalry is equivalent to the breakthrough capability of a modern armored division (approximately 300 tanks).
Through a marriage alliance, he gained six more armored divisions.
How important is military power to him?
Historical issues in the Yan region.
This means the separation of military and political affairs.
This was the central government's policy towards the vassal kings.
The Prince of Yan's military power was weak.
Therefore, it was necessary to form a marriage alliance with the Lin family, who held military power of 100,000 men in the Northwest, to create a complementary relationship.
I know that Xiao Cong has only used the money he earned from Xianbaozhai over the years to do one thing.
To raise personal guards.
That year, Xiao Cong was twenty-one years old. His father, the Prince of Yan, acknowledged that he had surpassed his father and allowed him to take control of the military power in Yan.
Is his insignificant fondness too cheap?
I don't know either.
Because I can't quite figure him out.
Especially in matters of the heart.
He claimed to care, yet he allowed Lin Wanru to ruin my reputation and remained silent about my forced departure from Xianbaozhai.
Even though he says he doesn't care, he'll always drop his pretense and beg for a kiss when no one's around, calling me "my darling" in a soft, seductive way.
The sticky, cloying love was intoxicating and suffocating, yet he restrained himself from touching me unless I gave him the document to take a concubine, only wanting to linger on my lips.
Upon closer examination, he was probably a man who cared about the world, and romantic love was not very important to him.
*
Ever since I learned of the profound thoughts and ambitions Xiao Cong harbored, I changed my attitude towards him.
A bird in the palm of one's hand should both worship and look up to an ambitious lord.
I would offer him a farewell kiss, and gradually, he got used to telling me where he was going.
He wanted me to see him off.
In March, the grass grows and the orioles fly.
I stood on the veranda of the council hall, waiting for the people inside to leave.
Princess Consort Lin Wanru, surrounded by servants and supporting her seven-month pregnant belly, walked towards this side.
I bowed respectfully from afar and left the council chamber.
I don't go near her.
Because I don't want a repeat of the unclear pushing incident that happened at Xianbaozhai last time.
She didn't come near me either.
Because after the incident at Xianbaozhai where she pushed someone, she came to me and boasted about her victory.
Many people saw me covering my face and crying as I went home.
Given the difference in our social status, Xiao Cong's only way of compensating me with gifts meant that I was destined to lose if I faced Lin Wanru head-on.
If she has lost her mind and really uses the child to frame me, the Princess Consort of Yan will definitely take my life.
She harmed me with a messy pushing incident, so I retaliated with a slapping incident that was also unexplained.
“Pregnant women are often short-tempered; it’s because Aqu’s words are unpleasant to hear.”
I spoke calmly to Xiao Cong.
After this incident, I took the initiative to avoid Lin Wanru, and Lin Wanru tacitly stopped getting close to me.
This is the safest way for me.
Today, I had arranged to go for a horse ride with him in the countryside.
This season is perfect for taking jujubes out for a stroll.
It looks like I won't be able to go.
Sure enough, Xiao Zuo walked towards me and bowed to me.
"Important news has arrived from the Northwest, and Your Highness cannot leave."
"If you wish to travel, Third Miss, I will escort you."
Me: "Then I'll trouble you, Guard Zuo, to make the arrangements. Today I'll be taking my parents and second sister out for a stroll."
Xiao Zuo responded.
I stayed away from home for three days with my whole family.
Horse riding, kite flying, barbecue, and offering incense at Buddhist temples.
On the fourth day, Xiao Cong sent someone to summon me back.
Is it possible that his family can only be away from him for a maximum of three days?
I escorted my parents and second sister home, and then went to the Prince of Yan's residence.
Lin Wanru is due to give birth in three months, so I don't have much time left.
I once suspected that Heaven was going to abandon me.
Unexpectedly, the opportunity came unexpectedly.
*
"Honey, I'm going to the Northwest. Are you going to wait for me at home?"
He held me on his lap and watched me draw ugly pictures.
My drawing skills are stiff and soulless; my imitations can only achieve a 50% resemblance, and even upon closer inspection, they only achieve a 10% resemblance.
I kept writing, glancing at the orchid picture he had given me, and then starting to paint my own.
A soft brush is difficult to control; too much pressure results in too much ink, while too little pressure results in too little ink.
"Your Highness doesn't plan to bring Aqu?" I tried hard to control my emotions, not daring to reveal the slightest abnormality.
"I will be staying in Pancheng for a while."
"Then Your Highness, shall we leave someone to protect Aqu?"
Which one do you want?
"Granny Zhao."
Instead of waiting for him to make arrangements for me, I'd rather take the initiative.
"Didn't you dislike her because you thought she was too old, too talkative, and that you didn't like her?"
"They all have drawbacks."
This person stood out because of his age and his preference for uniform.
"Don't wander off. I'm bringing Wu Liu back. If anything happens, have Zhao Mama inform Wu Liu."
"I'll stay home and embroider my wedding dress; I won't go anywhere else."
"I'll take care of things with the Lin family, so you don't need to worry."
I stopped writing, leaned slightly into his arms, turned to the side, my eyelashes half-lowered, looking both reproachful and amused.
"When His Highness went to the Crown Princess's place, did he tell her...?"
I mimicked his tone: "I'll take care of things at the Li family's place. You just focus on your pregnancy."
He chuckled: "No, she's not as sensible as you. You can only give her a warning."
When two people are together, it's a mistake to have a third person involved.
I threw down my pen and got up to leave.
He pulled me into his arms.
My back pressed against his chest.
His voice echoed in my ears: "My dear."
"Wait for me to come back..."
*
I saw him off ten miles outside the city.
I tied the purse I had embroidered myself to his waist, and looked up to carefully trace his facial features with my eyes.
The handsome man has long since shed the childlike appearance he had when we first met.
At first glance, it's hard to discern any emotion.
My gaze shifted downwards, and I quickly tiptoed to plant a kiss on his cheek to hide my guilty conscience.
"Your Highness, Aqu."
He was always well-behaved and polite when he was out.
He patted my head and got up to walk outside.
Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.
Fate brought us together eight years ago, and then pushed us apart eight years later.
He turned his head on horseback, the gentle morning light enveloping him in a thin layer of gold, making him appear even more precious and unapproachable.
The horse tramples the morning dew on the grass, and the man's dashing figure fades into the distance.
I stood there for a long time, gazing in the direction he had gone.
I turned back to the city and rode my horse at full gallop.
Two non-overlapping straight lines run from far apart towards each other, meet at the intersection, and are then destined to go further and further apart.
*
I spent a month laying the groundwork.
She brought her eldest cousin's family to Yicheng, kidnapped Granny Zhao, and sold her to a slave trader, instructing the slave trader to send her back to Yicheng in two months.
On a hazy April morning, my second sister and I pretended to be a couple traveling with our parents to visit relatives. Using fake household registrations, we headed towards the city gate.
The moment I handed over the fake household registration, my left hand, which was hanging down, was already bleeding from my pinching.
The words 'release' sounded like heavenly music.
At this point, I personally tore off the mask of the love game between Xiao Cong and me.
Embark on an adventure with an uncertain outcome.
Along the way, I was anxious and scared, but I never stopped taking steps.
Looking back, one sees the entire path to becoming a concubine.
If we keep moving forward, we might be able to forge a different path.
My feet follow my heart; I simply can't stop.
They didn't dare to stop.
I only truly breathed a sigh of relief the moment I stepped out of Yan.
My mood became more and more relaxed as we got closer to our destination.
When my mother scolds me, I sometimes talk back.
My second sister is the best. She worked hard all the way, cutting grass to feed the donkeys and cooking for the whole family, never complaining about the hardship or fatigue.
She always interrupts when my mother is scolding me.
Our family, amidst all the bickering, was pushed by fate into June, into the city gates of Hezhou.
*
My mother is pregnant and has a good appetite. She keeps nagging me that the pastries I bought aren't enough and that she's hungry.
I told them to be patient and that I would go into town to buy it right away.
For some reason, the city gates of Hezhou City were checking men's and women's identities before entering, and the lines were very long.
There were people carrying poultry lined up in front of us.
The rooster, flapping its wings, had diarrhea, and when Mother saw it, she gagged.
The smell of sweat mixed with dust makes people feel irritable and restless.
Fortunately, the convoy following behind us was made up of luxury cars and fine horses.
My mother moved to the back of the donkey cart so she wouldn't have to look at me with that murderous gaze.
As I approached, I learned that it was the elderly lady of a wealthy family in Hezhou doing charity work.
With saccharin being expensive these days, dragon beard candy made with sugar is a delicacy that ordinary people can't afford.
My second sister went to collect two coins and gave them all to Mother.
Father drove the donkey cart forward.
I followed behind.
There were sounds echoing around.
"Zhou's dragon beard candy is really different; it's not too sweet at all, and it contains sesame seeds and dried fruit!"
"It melts in your mouth, with delicate, silky texture. How wonderful, how wonderful!"
Some people even brought their daughters to queue up for dragon beard candy, intending to take it home for other uses, but the daughters couldn't resist taking a bite.
The girl refused to vomit even after being hit, making a fuss that was quite amusing.
I looked at my mother, wanting to ask her if this dragon beard candy was really that delicious?
But I saw my second sister swallowing her saliva frantically.
There were still sounds echoing around.
"You'll regret missing this for the rest of your life; it's a flavor you can't find anywhere else."
"Yes, you can't even buy them. They also have fruits from other countries in them. I don't know what they're called, but they smell so good."
"Grandma Zhou is a good person, and the things she gives away are also good."
I rushed towards my second sister and raised my hand to cover her mouth.
"Second sister, I'll order something custom-made for you. I guarantee it'll taste better than that old lady's alms-giving stuff!"
"My third sister is also a woman. She went through the city gate first. Give us a piece of dragon beard candy!"
The sounds landed simultaneously.
My second sister chuckled and said to me, "Third sister, the old lady from that wealthy family does good deeds and gives alms. Everyone says that old lady is a good person."
We were surrounded by people from the Zhou family.
Fate, like a dark hand, unexpectedly pushed me into an unfamiliar environment and in front of an unfamiliar man.
*
I could not refuse and was told that the old lady had found a destined person for Master Zhou, so I was brought into the Zhou residence.
I still remember the moment I was forced to shed my disguise and enter Shou'an Hall, the entire Shou'an Hall fell silent instantly.
After asking me questions, the old lady smiled and said I was a lucky person.
After stepping down, I waited to leave.
And then... I couldn't leave.
I was informed that the Zhou family intended to take me into their household as a concubine for Master Zhou.
What a ridiculous joke!
I went to great lengths to escape from Yan, because I didn't want to become someone's concubine!
"I refuse!"
But wealthy and powerful families have their own methods.
In this unfamiliar place, we, being the weaker party, have no human compassion to speak of.
If bribery fails, they resort to threatening death.
"Miss, think about your family. You've already shed blood, and now you'll have to become Third Master's concubine."
I suddenly regretted leaving Yan.
At least, Xiao Cong never harmed my family.
I dare not gamble with my family.
I had no choice but to agree.
Aunt Li breathed a sigh of relief and said many good things about Master Zhou to me. After she had done some ideological work with me, she took me to see the old lady for the second time.
I assessed the situation, concealed my true thoughts, and fooled everyone in the Zhou household for a month. I finally got a chance to leave the Zhou residence and stop the envoy from the capital to accuse the Zhou family of abducting women.
As a result, the complaint ended up reaching the very person in question.
When Zhou Jin brought me back to the manor and I knelt in the courtyard of Jinxiu Hall, I was filled with despair.
I know the true colors of the wealthy and powerful.
Having offended the old lady, and now that the complaint has reached the very person in question, it seems like there's no way out.
Do you regret it?
No regrets.
There was only a deep sense of resentment.
I tried so hard, so incredibly hard, and finally escaped the path of becoming a concubine, only to find myself falling headlong into the arms of another stranger.
Why can't God just favor me even once!
At the same time, I was also very scared.
The first time I met Xiao Cong, he offered me some snacks and poured me tea... He bowed his head to please me.
The first time I saw Zhou Jin, he was in the backyard of the prefectural government office, his eyes indifferent, killing someone with a single blow.
The scorching heat of July makes people sweat profusely.
My heart is as cold as ice.
So Zhou Jin's line, "Since you don't want to be a concubine in my Zhou family, then I won't force you," made me laugh until I cried.
Heaven has finally opened its eyes!
Unfortunately, it was cataract surgery.
*
My emotions, which had been building up for a long time and reaching a breaking point, were released with the words "He doesn't deserve it".
I took a breath, as if I had come back to life.
But it turned out to be just a trick of fate.
None of the Li family, the Wu family, or Xiao Cong were as terrifying as Zhou Jin.
He gripped my chin, looking at me with a stranger, superior, and indifferent eyes, as if he were killing me. He threatened me with my entire family, telling me to watch my teeth.
He insulted me to let me know that he was top-notch and qualified for everything.
I vomited violently, bringing up bile, and tears streamed down my face.
He didn't take my body, giving me the illusion that he was just venting his anger and wasn't lustful.
That's why I went to deliver the ice bowl.
Because I can't accept what Granny Xu said—that I should wait for him in Fanghua Garden and obediently become his concubine.
I must take the initiative and look for opportunities.
Who would have thought this person lacked martial ethics?
He pinned me to the desk and wouldn't stop despite my cries and pleas.
The dress has faded.
He stared blankly for a moment when he turned me over to face him.
I was determined to die, and taking advantage of his momentary lapse in concentration, I broke free from his grasp and slapped him hard across the face.
He raised his indifferent yet lustful eyes to look at me.
I was terrified.
I raised my hand to cover my chest, crying and begging him to let me go.
Amid my pleading, he raised his hand and tore off the sash of his undergarment, revealing his strong and powerful chest.
He leaned in and grabbed my hands, which were scratching and resisting him.
He disregarded my wishes.
Strangers, unfamiliar atmosphere, an unfamiliar yet irresistible force.
When he tried to pester me, I felt utterly desperate.
I was held tightly in his arms.
We can only let him run rampant.
My tears fell in strings and strings.
I grabbed him, I scratched him, and he tied my hands.
My strong and unyielding will gradually crumbled under his not-so-gentle treatment.
His sweat dripped onto me, sizzling and extinguishing the fire in my heart.
I was born and died, and I died and was born again.
So how can I easily forgive him...?
He extinguished my light.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
