Chapter 63: Breaking through the fog, I came out of the car door and saw a familiar man standing with his back to the car...
Behind the door flapping against the wind and snow, Cui Yiluo grasped the window frame. The charcoal basin was burning fiercely, and her back was covered with warmth and gentle kisses. She felt as if she was in a raging fire, but this fire was lit by herself.
"A Luo."
A deep male voice whispered in her ear. She shuddered as she listened, and then a muffled groan sounded in an instant.
She didn't like him calling her like that at all, as it was too intimate. But tonight he did it on purpose, always whispering in her ear and asking her to call him from time to time. He didn't like her calling him husband, as if he was constantly confirming something.
The snow-white skin was stained with crimson, and the little face was lifted up and turned, falling into a long and misty kiss.
Late in the night, when the fourth watch gong sounded, Cui Yiluo declined, saying haltingly, "Aren't you leaving at three quarters past three in the morning?"
It was already midnight, and Cui Yiluo began to regret it. She didn't know why she had grabbed the corner of his clothes at that time, and things got out of control afterwards. Although his cold and resolute face later showed a hint of tenderness under the flickering candlelight, it did not affect the rest.
The deep, dark eyes stared at her intently, as if a turbulent wave was surging in their depths. This feeling made Cui Yiluo feel very strange, and she just wanted to escape, but she was caught and shackled at the bottom.
In the end, Cui Yiluo refused to even lift her hands, but Jiang Yunjin still held her tightly, as if merging into his bones. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, gently kissing it. It was unknown how long it took before he finally carried her into the bathroom.
After coming out of the bathroom, Cui Yiluo quickly fell into a deep sleep.
While she was half asleep, it must have been the hour of Yin. Jiang Yunjin gently pulled out his arms from around her, but Cui Yiluo was still awakened by the warmth. Her long eyelashes blinked slowly, her eyes misty and hazy, as if she was still in a dream.
Leng Bai's handsome face was covered in moonlight, a cold jade color, warm and noble. He lowered his head and gently stroked her slightly swollen lips.
"I'll be back as soon as I finish my business."
-
After Jiang Yunjin left, Cui Yiluo was left alone in Jixuezhai. Jiang Zhaoyue and the other two seemed to fear she would be lonely, so they would occasionally visit her for outings. However, Cui Yiluo reflected on her life and realized that it was not much different from before. She had only spent a short amount of time with Jiang Yunjin to begin with, and now without him to constrain her to follow the rules, she could not only use cakes while checking the account books, but even catch up on some sleep after paying her respects to the old lady.
Without Jiang Yunjin, her life was clearly much easier. Suddenly, there was one less person around, and it made no difference to her at all, Cui Yiluo thought. But thinking about it, he should have arrived in Yunzhou a long time ago. Three days had already passed.
Cui Yiluo was staring at the account book in a daze when she suddenly heard a knock on the door. It was a maid from Yuzhu Courtyard.
"Young Madam, the eldest son has sent a message."
Cui Yiluo was stunned for a moment before asking Lilan to get it.
The envelope was inscribed with "My Wife's Personal Address." Only when she saw the familiar flowing handwriting on the envelope did Cui Yiluo feel a sense of reality.
Why did Jiang Yunjin send her a message? Could it be that there was something in the mansion that needed her attention? If it wasn't related to the affairs of the mansion, he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of sending her a message.
Cui Yiluo reluctantly tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter paper, but there were only eight words on it.
"I have arrived in Yunzhou, everything is fine"
The signature was the day before yesterday.
Cui Yiluo paused. He'd made a special trip to send her just eight simple words. Was he trying to let her know he was safe? Of course, he was always cautious, so sending a letter to the mansion to let her know he was safe wasn't a bad idea. He'd probably also send one to the old lady.
Cui Yiluo sent someone to ask, and indeed found out that the old lady had also received Jiang Yunjin's letter this morning.
After hearing the news, Cui Yiluo slowly folded the letter, stuffed it back into the envelope and set it aside.
It's just an ordinary letter to report safety.
She deliberately avoided thinking about Jiang Yunjin and lived her life in an orderly manner. Occasionally, she would go to see flowers and plays with Jiang Zhaoyue and others. Time passed quickly and more than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early that morning, Cui Yiluo had just gotten up and, through the carved window covered with thick silk, she saw snow falling all over the sky. The last time it snowed was, it seemed, a dozen nights ago.
She stared at the white snow outside the window for a while before changing her clothes and putting on her makeup.
During breakfast, Mrs. Jiang sent someone to come in the snow to urge her to pay her respects early.
"But what's the matter?"
The maidservant in Madam Jiang's courtyard said, "Miss Wang from Gunzhou has arrived and is already sitting in Madam Jiang's courtyard."
The Wang family of Gunzhou was Jiang Yunjin's maternal grandfather's family, so this Miss Wang must be Jiang Yunjin's cousin. Someone from the Wang family had come, but the Jiang residence hadn't received any advance notice, so they must have come in a hurry. And why did the old lady call her over so urgently? What was the matter that made her so anxious to find her?
Cui Yiluo's heart sank.
Old Madam Jiang sent someone to urge her, and Cui Yiluo rushed over in the snow after breakfast.
After entering the hall, I saw Old Madam Jiang sitting at the top, drinking tea leisurely, and at the bottom was a graceful girl with pretty features. Her apricot-colored skirt embroidered with flowers and birds made her look more elegant and graceful. It was obvious that she came from a famous family. She must be the girl from the Wang family mentioned by the maid sent by the old madam.
After Cui Yiluo took off her cloak and handed it to Lilan, she bowed to Madam Jiang and said, "Granddaughter-in-law pays respects to Grandmother."
Madam Jiang hummed indifferently, then smiled at the woman sitting below her and said lovingly, "Aheng, this is your cousin Cui."
Mrs. Jiang's rapid change of expression and the stark difference in her attitude towards the two people even startled Lilan, who was used to dealing with the Yao family.
Wang Yuheng responded, stood up with a smile, and exchanged greetings with Cui Yiluo, "Aheng greets my cousin."
Wang Yuheng's every move exuded the elegance of a noble family, impeccable even in her smile, which was neither flattering nor cold. This showed that she was well-educated and truly came from an aristocratic family.
Cui Yiluo smiled back, "Hello, cousin."
After exchanging greetings, Madam Jiang took another sip of tea, set the cup down, and cleared her throat. Cui Yiluo knew that Madam Jiang was about to get straight to the point, which was why she had hurried her over.
"Yiluo, a while ago, Ah-hang's father, Shenzhi's uncle, contracted a sudden illness and passed away without warning, leaving no time for Ah-hang's marriage." Old Madam Jiang briefly recounted the events, then sighed. "Shenzhi's mother loved her niece, Ah-hang, immensely. Ah-hang's mother passed away early, and now her father has also passed away, leaving them in a rush to bury her. Even the funeral was hastily arranged. Ah-hang was an only child, helpless, and facing such a fate at the age of eighteen was truly pitiful, so I decided to bring Ah-hang here."
Cui Yiluo narrowed her eyes slightly. No wonder she and Jiang Yunjin hadn't received any news before. Otherwise, when Jiang Yunjin's uncle passed away and was seriously ill, he would have sent a message asking them to prepare to go to Gunzhou. Only in the case of an emergency would they wait more than ten days to receive the news.
Although Madam Jiang only said half of her words, her meaning was already obvious.
She had guessed it the moment she entered the room, hadn't she? Cui Yiluo didn't understand why her chest was feeling heavy again. She pinched her palms to make herself look calm.
Madam Jiang seemed very pleased with her attitude. Her originally light smile deepened, and even the wrinkles on her face deepened. She continued, "Aheng's parents are both dead now, and there's no one to decide her marriage. I was worried about leaving her with the rest of the Wang family, so I took the matter into my own hands. Aheng and Shenzhi have had a close relationship since childhood. Shenzhi's mother was thinking about Aheng before she passed away. The Wang and Jiang families are old friends, and they are a perfect match. In my opinion, marrying Aheng to Shenzhi is the most reassuring and appropriate choice."
As expected. Cui Yiluo's fingers loosened in her palm.
There was a strong sound of wind and snow outside the window, and even through the thick curtains in the hall, one could hear the sound of the wind and snow clearly.
After the old lady said this, there was silence in the room for a moment, and everyone's eyes turned to Cui Yiluo.
Cui Yiluo still smiled, "Grandma, our family rules are strict. How can a granddaughter-in-law make the decision on this matter alone?"
"The family rules clearly state that concubines are forbidden. Aheng, with her high family background, beauty, and exceptional talent, is definitely not suitable for being a concubine. Shenzhi certainly wouldn't want to wrong Aheng. Aheng should marry Shenzhi as his equal."
Madam Jiang's tone was smiling, but also oppressive and unquestionable, and she would not tolerate any refusal.
Wang Yuheng, who was sitting opposite, covered her face with a brocade handkerchief with a hint of shyness and said shyly, "Old Madam, you think too highly of me. It is my great fortune to marry my cousin."
As the two of them talked back and forth, they seemed to be about to make a decision. It seemed that they wanted to call Cui Yiluo over, not to discuss it, but just to inform her.
Even the maidservants beside the old lady looked at Cui Yiluo with sympathy and pity, but Cui Yiluo hated others looking at her like that the most.
Cui Yiluo said calmly, "I, your granddaughter-in-law, cannot make the decision on this matter. Why not wait for your husband to return from Yunzhou and make the decision?"
Madam Jiang's smile faded upon hearing this. She looked at Cui Yiluo with some displeasure, as if she disliked her incomprehension. Her voice also grew colder. "Shenzhi will naturally agree. Ah Heng is his cousin, and now she is all alone and helpless. How can he, as her cousin, just stand by and do nothing? Besides, Ah Heng being his co-wife was already a bit of a compromise, but there was nothing he could do about it."
Cui Yiluo couldn't help but sneer in her heart. Madam Jiang was saying that she was not worthy of marrying Jiang Yunjin.
Madam Jiang continued, "The wedding ceremony will be arranged upon Shenzhi's return, but Ah-Heng can stay in Yuzhu Courtyard for the time being. It would be a good thing for the engaged couple to cultivate their relationship. Ah-Heng has been taught to manage the household since she was young. After Shenzhi's aunt passed away, Ah-Heng took over the management of the Wang family. She can manage such a large family business in an orderly manner. Yiluo, after Ah-Heng comes home, you can hand over the management of the main house to her. She has experience and is quick to learn. I think it won't be long before she can take over the entire Jiang family's affairs."
With Wang Yuheng as a role model, people like Cui Yiluo who had never taken care of affairs were like rubble in the eyes of Old Madam Jiang.
Cui Yiluo knew why Madam Jiang was so anxious to arrange for Wang Yuheng to marry her, fearing she would marry someone else. Ultimately, she feared the Jiang family's vast fortune would be ruined in her hands, so she exploited the family rules to force Jiang Yunjin to marry Wang Yuheng as his concubine. With Wang Yuheng married into the family, the Jiang family's fortune, including the main branch's wealth, would no longer be hers to manage.
But now, what can she say, or does she have any right to refuse?
Cui Yiluo replied, "Grandmother has made all the arrangements, so I don't think Yiluo has anything to add."
When Madam Jiang saw Cui Yiluo agreed, the unhappy look on her face faded slightly, and she uttered a long, satisfied hum, "Then you can have someone move Ah Heng's luggage over there. And be more attentive when you arrange a courtyard for Ah Heng, closer to Jixuezhai, so she doesn't have to travel too long."
Everyone in the room looked at Cui Yiluo with both sympathy and contempt. The eldest young master's wife was originally from a humble family, and the eldest master was also lukewarm towards her. Now a cousin came and moved into the yard before getting married. She even had to take care of the affairs of the room. What place would she have in the mansion in the future?
But Cui Yiluo remained calm and nodded calmly, as if she didn't take the matter to heart at all.
The servants couldn't help but feel a little surprised. They felt that the young lady was as calm as ever. However, looking at the old lady's expression, they were a little surprised. The old lady said so many things, but the young lady seemed not to hear the sarcasm in them. Didn't she feel like she was punching cotton?
Before leaving the house, Cui Yiluo looked at Wang Yuheng and said with a normal smile, "Cousin, come with me."
Wang Yuheng bowed and said, "I'll be troubling you from now on, cousin."
Cui Yiluo quickly supported her arm and held her body steady, "No need to be so polite."
The two walked out of Madam Jiang's yard side by side. The snow was still falling outside and was about to get heavier. A layer of snow had accumulated on the road. They walked with one foot deep and one foot shallow. Lilan and Wang Yuheng's personal maids were holding umbrellas on both sides to shield them from the snow.
In the snow, Cui Yiluo heard Wang Yuheng whisper, "When my cousin got married, I was far away in Gunzhou and couldn't make it. I felt regretful for a long time."
The maidservant beside Wang Yuheng immediately comforted her, "Don't be sad, young lady. When your cousin returns to the capital, he will arrange your wedding ceremony as soon as possible. Then you will be able to see your cousin in his wedding dress again."
Cui Yiluo lowered her eyes slightly, staring at the whiteness of the ground. The whiteness hurt her eyes in the bright sunlight, but she said nothing. She couldn't seem to remember the details of Jiang Yunjin's wedding attire. But he never wore such bright colors on a daily basis, and his skin was cool and pale. When he put it on, he was indeed dazzling and full of nobility.
Wang Yuheng shyly glanced at the maid, then turned to Cui Yiluo and asked worriedly, "I hope my cousin-in-law won't mind?"
Cui Yiluo forced a smile and said, "Cousin, you're worrying too much."
Wang Yuheng smiled relaxedly, sighing, "Actually, the last time I saw my cousin was six years ago when he came to Shengjing to mourn my aunt. He was only sixteen then, but already a handsome and graceful man. Back then, I thought, whoever could marry my cousin in the future would be truly blessed. Honestly, when I first heard my cousin's wife was marrying my cousin, I envied her for a long time. I never imagined I'd have the good fortune to serve my cousin now."
Wang Yuheng's voice was a little intermittent in the wind and snow, but it was clear in Cui Yiluo's ears. Cui Yiluo listened indifferently to Wang Yuheng's narration of how much she loved Jiang Yunjin, while looking at the flowers and trees covered with snow passing by.
Walking in the snow, although Cui Yiluo was holding a hand warmer, her palms still felt cold.
The servants in the main house naturally did not dare to neglect Wang Yuheng. Cui Yiluo gave instructions quickly and thoroughly. Not long after, Wang Yuheng moved into Yuzhu Courtyard. The distance from her courtyard to Jixuezhai was less than half an incense stick, making it the closest courtyard to Jixuezhai. The servants all knew that Cui Yiluo had really arranged things according to the old lady's instructions.
Li Lan pushed the door open and walked in. "Miss, Commander Yuan just sent a message saying he found the list of names from the Southern Tour that year. He said that with that list, you should be able to guess most of it."
"Isn't he going south to investigate?" Cui Yiluo remembered Yuan Ling saying this the last time they went to Baoming Temple. Yuan Ling hadn't sent her any messages in the past ten days, so she probably was busy preparing for his trip south.
"Yes, Lord Yuan said in his letter that they would depart in the afternoon, but this list is urgent, so I have to ask you to go and get it yourself. Lord Yuan will be waiting for you at Wanglonggang, the departure point, at 3 p.m."
Wanglonggang is where their southbound team gathers. It seems that Yuan Ling is indeed very busy.
Cui Yiluo looked at the account book, her hands still working on the abacus, the beads clattering against each other. She thought for a moment before saying, "Okay."
After she finished speaking, Lilan remembered something and her expression became indignant again: "Miss, Miss Wang has already made arrangements."
Cui Yiluo happened to see the last page of the account book. She closed it and saw Lilan's unhappy expression. She smiled and said, "Why are you so unhappy? Haven't we seen many of these things before?"
Madam Jiang was the wife of a high-ranking family, very particular about her appearance. What Yao said and did to her was much more rude than what Madam Jiang had done. Cui Yiluo knew that she shouldn't be distracted by these things.
Lilan responded sullenly, but her expression did not improve.
Cui Yiluo placed the key to the accounting office on the pile of account books in front of her and said, "I'll send these to Miss Wang's yard later."
Lilan was horrified: "But Miss Wang hasn't even started yet..."
Cui Yiluo said calmly: "Earlier or later, what difference does it make."
It won’t be hers sooner or later anyway.
Lilan was indignant: "Young lady, are you willing to hand over the accounts you've been in charge of for so long to her?"
She stayed by Cui Yiluo's side. Jiang Yunjin didn't know, and Old Madam Jiang didn't know, but she knew it best. Cui Yiluo had put so much thought and time into the affairs of the first house, managing them so well in just two months. But now, she had so easily handed them over to someone else.
Cui Yiluo looked at the account book without saying a word.
Reason told her that she should not give up the power to be the head of the family that she had already obtained. Wang Yuheng had not yet married into the family, and Jiang Yunjin was far away in Yunzhou. She still had plenty of time to plan for the future. It was just a concubine. Although noble families did not easily take concubines, many men had concubines as concubines.
She had been plotting for so long, she shouldn't have ended up with nothing. But in Jiang Yunjin's eyes, she was just a pawn. After he used her to suppress Xiao Zheng, her status was so embarrassing. For the Jiang family's family business and reputation, and with Wang Yuheng as his cousin from a noble family, Jiang Yunjin naturally wouldn't keep her.
If it were in the past, she would immediately think about how to consolidate her position and how to prevent her power as the head of the family from being taken away, but today, at this moment, she doesn't want to get close to Jiang Yunjin at all.
In half a month, he will be back from Yunzhou. Although Madam Jiang has left the decision of his and Wang Yuheng's wedding ceremony to him, preparations must have been made by now. She thinks that within two months, she will be able to see Wang Yuheng move into Jixuezhai.
She had no interest in such a situation, nor did she want to fight for the power of the family. But she had already married Jiang Yunjin, and she could not escape.
The room fell silent. Lilan saw Cui Yiluo with her eyes downcast and in a daze, and she understood a little, so she stopped complaining.
After a long while, Lilan heard Cui Yiluo say, "Go pack your bags."
"ah?"
Cui Yiluo looked calm, as if she was making a simple decision. "Pack your bags, get the documents, and bring your guards. After we meet Yuan Ling and get the list, we'll go to Qingzhou to visit our relatives."
Li Lan immediately looked puzzled: "Miss, where do we have any relatives in Qingzhou?"
Cui Yiluo said, "Yes, of course we don't have any relatives in Qingzhou. The old lady knows this, and Jiang Yunjin knows it even better. So, this is just an excuse."
It was just that she didn't want to stay in the Jiang Mansion. Old Madam Jiang was even more pleased with her brief absence, and Jiang Yunjin probably didn't mind either. After all, with Wang Yuheng around, it didn't make much difference whether she was there or not.
She also wanted to use this period of time to think clearly about what to do in the future and how to deal with her relationship with Jiang Yunjin. She needed to calm down and think carefully, and make a rational decision. She hated being controlled by her emotions the most. It was clear that what she needed was not illusory love.
Lilan understood immediately, responded and went to prepare.
Cui Yiluo was the only one left in the bedroom. The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier. It seemed that she would not be able to walk for long today.
Cui Yiluo stared at the rice paper on the table. After a few moments, she finally picked up her pen and wrote a letter to Jiang Yunjin telling him that she needed to go to Qingzhou to visit her relatives and that the affairs in the mansion had been arranged.
After finishing writing, she wanted to take out a blank envelope from the drawer, but she first saw the letter Jiang Yunjin had sent a few days ago reporting safety.
Cui Yiluo picked up the letter, opened the envelope and took out the letter paper. The familiar handwriting came into view again, flowing and powerful. After looking at it for a few moments, Cui Yiluo carefully folded the letter paper and put it back into the envelope, then lit it close to the candle.
The flames quickly licked the envelope, devouring the letter along with it. Within a few breaths, most of it was burned, reducing it to ashes.
The window opened a crack at some point, and a biting cold wind blew in, suddenly sweeping away the letter that Cui Yiluo had not yet held tightly.
Cui Yiluo came to her senses and tried to grab it, but she didn't know where the half-burned letter had gone. She looked at it for a while and guessed that it might have been rolled out of the house. Since the letter was half-burned, she couldn't see anything, so she didn't care.
In the afternoon, after Cui Yiluo bid farewell to Madam Jiang, she and Lilan left the house in a carriage.
After she left the house, Old Madam Jiang sent someone to check in Cui Yiluo and Jiang Yunjin's bedrooms.
"Madam, I only found a letter that the young lady left for the eldest son. Would you like to take a look?"
Minggu handed over the letter, the envelope was empty, with nothing written on it.
Madam Jiang came from a wealthy family and disdained to peek at someone's letter. She took a quick look and said calmly, "Keep it. No need to put it back."
"yes."
-
Wanglonggang is a few miles outside Shengjing City. Cui Yiluo happened to be going to Qingzhou, so she didn't think it was a bother.
The carriage left the city smoothly.
Cui Yiluo was sitting in the car when she suddenly heard the sound of hurried horse hooves outside the window. Most people who left Shengjing were on the road, but it was snowing heavily at the moment, and they were still riding their horses so fast. It seemed that they had something urgent to do.
She never cared about other people's affairs, so she didn't take it to heart.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, the sound of horse hooves stopped and the carriage stopped abruptly. Cui Yiluo almost fell off her seat and hurriedly held onto the wall of the carriage.
The car door suddenly opened and Cui Yiluo's heart skipped a beat.
Outside the car door, a familiar man was sitting upright on his horse, his face cold and resolute, his black eyes filled with the surging wind and snow, his whole body was filled with oppressive pressure, and he looked at her coldly without missing a beat.
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The author has something to say: Complete spicy [dog head][yellow heart]
Let me briefly explain the grandmother's motives. She had a very bad impression of A-Luo from the beginning (see Chapter 6 for details). She has always been very skeptical that A-Luo can manage the Jiang family well. She is also very concerned about family status and face. In addition, her cousin has always wanted Wang Yuheng to marry into the family because A-Luo has repeatedly broken the rules and taboos.
Thanks to the babies who irrigated the nutrient solution [heart]
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