Chapter 16 The mandarin duck tiles stained your robe
The clear and gentle voice was tinged with a tone of grievance and crying.
Jiang Yunjin's fingers hung at his sides, his wide, moon-white sleeves cascading down like flowing water. His thin body was stretched stiff, filled with a certain suppressed power.
Her arm was pulled in resistance, and Cui Yiluo hurriedly hugged his tense waist tighter, saying in one go: "I don't want to marry him, cousin, you know, not only because he is old, but also because of my feelings for you-"
"Cui Yiluo." He interrupted without hesitation, and his cold voice came from above: "You are overstepping your bounds."
Cui Yiluo was slightly stunned. This was the first time he called her by her name.
"Then why didn't you push me away?"
After a few moments of silence, his voice rang out: "I will pretend that you never said anything today."
It turned out to be just to preserve her last bit of dignity. The fingers on his waist instantly grasped the strap of his jade pendant, knuckles turning white with the force.
Cui Yiluo bit her lip and suddenly sobbed softly, her moon-white brocade robe instantly stained dark.
The window in the house was open, and for a moment, the only sound was the rustling of the wind blowing through the bamboo forest and the woman's soft sobs.
"Now that you're done crying, go back."
His voice was as thick as snow on a mountain.
Cui Yiluo loosened her arms as if exhausted and took a step back. Several wrinkles immediately appeared on the man's waist and abdomen, and a few irregular blemishes spread across his back. On the smooth, clean, wrinkle-free brocade robe, it was like a crack in a perfect piece of jade.
His back was to her, and she could only catch a glimpse of his clenched jaw in the dark.
Cui Yiluo's voice suddenly sank, as if hope had been extinguished. "Yiluo knows that her status is low and she is not worthy of her cousin."
She pulled something out of her hidden pocket and handed it to Jiang Yunjin from behind. "This is your bracelet. I strung it three times with silk thread. It's very sturdy and won't break. But one bead is missing. Black jade is too precious, so I had to use the red jade I have to complete it. I hope my cousin will forgive me for taking the initiative."
Jiang Yunjin turned sideways and stared at the bracelet with his eyes lowered.
The inky black, translucent black jade was round and plump, lying quietly on her snow-white palm. The red jade looked even more rich and bright like blood, forcefully squeezing into the black and white to fill the gap.
After several breaths, his slender fingertips picked up the red jade, then picked up the entire bracelet and slowly put it on his wrist.
The jade beads collided with each other, making a soft "pop" sound, and the man's powerful wrist was restrained.
"Thank you very much."
Cui Yiluo picked up the brocade box containing the handkerchief that she had placed aside and said in a soft and low voice, "I'm leaving now. From now on... I won't bother you again. I'm sorry for soiling your robe today."
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyes, the sunlight slanted onto his thin chin, and the upper half of his face was dark and unclear.
"Goodbye."
Cui Yiluo turned and left without waiting for his answer.
There was a gentle breeze outside the window, and the sweet fragrance was blown away like clouds and mist in an instant, leaving no trace.
The man standing there had a slight roll of his Adam's apple and a dark look in his eyes.
-
As soon as she walked out of Jixuezhai, Cui Yiluo took out a handkerchief and quickly wiped away the tears on her face. Only the corners of her eyes were a little red, which was not noticeable unless you looked closely.
If someone saw her coming out of Jiang Yunjin's yard with tears on her face and spread the story with exaggeration, Madam Jiang would probably be the first one to come looking for her.
It was all fake anyway. The confessions, the tears, the self-deprecation, the promises—they were all fake.
Jiang Yunjin was a million times more cold-hearted and emotionless than she had imagined. The more than one month she had spent on him was completely wasted.
If he refused to help her after she confessed her feelings today, she would probably have to avoid her in the future. And she and Cheng Feng had completely broken off relations, so Cheng Feng would not let her go.
She had a vague premonition that someone was trying to take her life, but she was too horrified to be certain. Besides, she had no way of fighting against them.
Cui Yiluo tightly grasped the brocade box in her hand. The most important thing at the moment was the approaching marriage.
She was in a desperate situation again, but she would never sit still and wait for death or be slaughtered.
In a few days, the Duke of Zheng's mansion will hold a small banquet, and many young men from aristocratic families will come... Even if they are not from aristocratic families, young men from poor families who are officials in the court will also be welcome.
She had secretly looked for him before and had some contact with him.
Cui Yiluo took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
The news of Cheng Feng's affairs reached Lan Hui's ears in the evening, and Lan Hui rushed over quickly after hearing it.
"Yiluo, how could he treat you like this! Don't worry, your uncle will look for him tomorrow. No matter what, that concubine will never get past you."
Lan Hui felt both distressed and angry.
Although her family background was ordinary and her marriage to Jiang Wen was a high-class marriage, she was at least from a family of scholars, and Cheng Feng's words and deeds were far beyond what she usually heard.
After hearing the report from her confidant, she was in disbelief and furious.
"Forget it, Auntie, maybe this is my fate." Cui Yiluo's eyes were misty and she was about to cry. "Can I still cancel the engagement?"
Lan Hui's expression froze for a moment, and she slowly said, "Yiluo, will you blame me?"
Cui Yiluo's heart sank. Even at this point, her aunt was still unwilling to stand up for her.
But then again, why would her aunt offend the Cheng family and bring shame upon herself for a niece of humble origin? Would she be willing to do that?
She had heard that her mother was beautiful. She first met her aunt when she was five years old. Her aunt came to visit her mother's grave. When Cui Yiluo saw her, she knew the rumors were true.
Her aunt was always intelligent and energetic, but now her eyes were filled with a complex mixture of fatigue and guilt. The flickering candlelight shook Cui Yiluo's mind, then suddenly sobered her up.
The only thoughtful birthday gift she received each year came from her aunt. Considerate of the Cui family's circumstances, her gifts were always luxurious yet practical, not so ostentatious as to arouse envy.
Even the words she mentioned briefly in her letters were always kept in mind by her aunt. After coming to Beijing, she encountered many unexpected events and her aunt was always busy helping her.
Everyone has their own difficulties. Even if she was stuck in the mud, what right did she have to ask others to save her? The only one who could save her was herself.
Cui Yiluo held Lan Hui's hand. Lan Hui's hand was soft and warm, and the warmth was slowly absorbed by her.
"Aunt," her voice was so soft that it floated in the candlelight: "You took me to live with the Jiang family. You must have your own difficulties, right? I have been without a mother since I was a child. Growing up, the only person who made me feel a mother's love was my aunt."
The mist in Cui Yiluo's eyes dissipated, and she said seriously and firmly: "So, aunt, I don't blame you. After we get married, I will move to the capital and be able to fulfill my filial duties in front of you."
Lan Hui's eyes were red, her lips trembling, and she spoke incoherently: "Yiluo, now that things have turned out this way, you've become so sensible. I'd rather you were like Ah Yue... It's all my fault."
She suddenly covered her face with a handkerchief and burst into tears.
Cui Yiluo paused.
Lan Hui's emotions were intense, clearly beyond her normal self. Cui Yiluo wasn't emotionally sensitive, perhaps even apathetic, but even she sensed something was amiss.
Helping her break off the engagement is out of affection, not duty. Would not helping her make Lan Hui feel so guilty that she loses her composure?
Cui Yiluo put her thoughts away, slowly patted Lan Hui's trembling back, and comforted her softly.
After all, Lan Hui had been the second wife of the Jiang family for many years. The Jiang family valued dignity the most. It didn't take long for her to calm down, but she still looked a little distraught.
"Over the years, your aunt has been saving up a dowry for you."
Cui Yiluo was stunned when she learned that Lan Hui had added thirty-six loads of dowry for her.
Although she had income from the shop left by her biological mother, it was certainly not as good as the noble ladies in the capital. Her stepmother only did enough to make things look good for her, so her dowry was only 28 loads.
She guessed that Lan Hui might prepare expensive gifts, but she didn't expect Lan Hui to be so generous as to increase her dowry to sixty-four loads, which was more than some officials' daughters in the capital got married.
It's a pity that she married Cheng Feng.
"But my cousin hasn't married yet, so let's give this dowry to her."
"The Cheng family doesn't know the seriousness of the matter, but Cheng Jiancheng is already old. When he passes away, you will have this dowry and have something to rely on. Your life will be much easier. And if I add to your dowry, they should also understand that the Jiang family is behind you."
The candlelight shone on Lan Hui's face, which showed a kind and calmness that made people feel safe and reliable. Cui Yiluo looked at her aunt in front of her, and her nose suddenly became sour.
"Thank you, auntie."
On the other side of the low-hanging bright moon, the branches and leaves of the forsythia tree were lush, reflecting the candlelight from the adjacent house.
"Young Master."
"Enter."
The cold voice of the past was mixed with a barely perceptible fatigue, and it came through the thick rosewood door, making it sound unclear.
He pushed the door open and walked in, thinking that the young master was busy with official business all night, but the scene in the room surprised him.
On the long desk that was originally filled with official documents, there were now stacks of opened books. They were all the gentlemanly etiquette that Jiang Yunjin had learned over the years. Although they had been read thousands of times, they were still well preserved.
But the key point is that these books have been put into boxes and have not been opened for a long time.
How come they were suddenly taken out tonight and piled up all over the table?
However, his master was not sitting at the table, but was playing chess alone at a small table by the window. He was still wearing the moon-white brocade robe he wore during the day. The moonlight shone on his tall figure, revealing an inexplicable coldness.
Wen Feng knew that although Jiang Yunjin often played chess alone on weekdays, and sometimes the Second Prince would play a few games with him, whenever he was upset, he would only play chess alone.
But he looked calm, just like usual, and didn't look like he was in a bad mood.
"What is it?"
Jiang Yunjin picked up the teacup and took a sip. His wide sleeves fell like flowing water, revealing his strong and thin wrists.
Wen Feng was about to answer, but when he saw the glaring red in the black jade necklace on Jiang Yunjin's wrist, he was completely stunned.
Jiang Yunjin slowly placed the teacup back on the table, and let his wide sleeves fall down to cover his wrists.
Wen Feng suddenly came back to his senses, lowered his head and dared not look again: "Master, it's very late, you should rest first."
"The tea is out, go get some more."
This meant that he was going to play chess alone again. Wen Feng knew that the candles in the study would probably be lit until dawn tonight.
He sighed inwardly. Although the young master was polite and calm, he was extremely stubborn and his decisions were difficult for others to change. He did not try to persuade him again and went forward to take the empty white jade teapot.
"Sir, please let me clean up the books on the table..."
Jiang Yunjin replied instantly: "Don't move."
There was a rare hint of anxiety in his tone.
"yes."
Before leaving the door, Wen Feng suddenly remembered, "Master, we've run out of Silver Pill Grass. Should we send someone to buy more tomorrow?"
There was silence in the room for a moment before the man's low voice was heard: "Forget it."
Wen Feng responded and walked out of the study with the teapot.
The night wind blew in, causing the pages of the book on the desk to flip irregularly, and a crisp rustling sound continued.
Jiang Yunjin turned his head and looked at the table full of etiquette, morality, and gentlemanly conduct. He was very familiar with every word and sentence. They were all taught by his father to him to abide by and remember for the rest of his life.
The cool night air penetrated his chest, but did not relieve the heavy pressure on him in the slightest.
Jiang Yunjin's eyes were dark and stern.
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