Chapter 64: Jade Tower is Empty Ah Luo is now unwilling to lie to me even if it means lying to me...
"Has there been any reply from the palace?"
In the Yunzhou official post station, Wen Feng watched the tall and straight man who had been busy outside for a day. The first thing he did after returning to the official post station was to ask if there were any letters from the government.
Since the letter was sent out that day, it was estimated that it should have reached the mansion and the reply from the mansion would soon arrive. Every day when the young master came back from his official duties, the first question he asked was whether there was a reply.
This was already the sixth day since he had been asking. It was obvious whose reply he was waiting for.
But, let alone a letter, not even a single sentence or word has been received. Wen Feng sighed inwardly and shook his head helplessly. After all these days, there's still no reply, while the other ministers have received not one, but three. After all, Shengjing is so close to Yunzhou. And each letter is bulging, looking like it spans several pages.
Jiang Yunjin closed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "I understand."
Wen Feng consoled him, "Perhaps because the young master didn't specify anything in his letter, the young lady didn't know how to respond. I believe that although the young lady hasn't replied, she will definitely be waiting for the young master to return home."
Go home.
Jiang Yunjin's dark brows softened slightly. By the time he returned home, Yuan Ling had already set out south and wouldn't return to Shengjing until spring, leaving a full three months between them.
A few days later, early in the morning, the ministers who had come to Yunzhou set out to return to the capital. No one had expected that the official business that originally took more than half a month was shortened to less than half a month. Everyone could not help but sigh that Jiang Linggong's work speed was indeed as fast as lightning.
Everyone went to Jiang Yunjin's residence in the official post station, wanting to express their gratitude and set off together, but they were told that Jiang Yunjin had already ridden back to the capital before dawn.
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, and finally realized that he was rushing to report to the emperor. He was indeed the Minister of the Central Secretariat who was devoted to the country and the public.
It only took one day to travel from Yunzhou to Shengjing by galloping. After reporting back from the palace, Jiang Yunjin returned home and arrived at the mansion shortly after noon.
The guards saw someone riding a horse towards them in the wind and snow, and the leader had a tall and handsome figure, and no one in the capital could match him. The guards were a little bit incredulous after they realized what was happening. They had not received the news that the eldest son had returned from Yunzhou in advance, and it had only been half a month since Jiang Yunjin left the mansion, so how could he return so soon?
When the news reached Old Madam Jiang, she had just finished her lunch and taken her medicine and was about to take a nap.
Madam Jiang was surprised and delighted and asked, "Shen Zhi is back so soon?"
Ming Gu hurriedly said, "Now that the eldest young master has returned, you, Old Madam, can leave all matters concerning the wedding ceremony to him. Then Miss Aheng can marry two weeks earlier! Furthermore, since Cui Shi just left, the eldest young master can spend some time alone with Miss Aheng and cultivate their relationship."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Jiang's face became even more delighted, and her smile was so tight that wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were deeply engraved into her skin.
"Madam, the eldest son is here."
Old Madam Jiang was overjoyed and immediately sent someone to bring Jiang Yunjin in.
In just a few moments, a man in a frost-colored cloak could be seen striding into the hall. Although he was covered in dust and did not hold an umbrella in the heavy snow, with fine snow even falling on his eyelashes and a layer of snow covering his shoulders and back, he still looked dignified and handsome.
Jiang Yunjin stood in the corridor, brushed off the snow on his body neatly, and then entered the hall.
"Meet Grandma."
Madam Jiang sighed with satisfaction, "Shenzhi, is everything going well?"
"My grandson has gone to the palace to report to His Majesty."
Old Madam Jiang looked at her grandson who was so talented at such a young age, and felt that the Jiang family would have endless glory in the future. When Wang Yuheng came into the family and gave birth to descendants, there would be even greater hope.
"That's good. Shenzhi, please sit down. Grandmother has something to tell you."
As Madam Jiang was speaking, a maid came out from the tea room behind the hall and respectfully placed a teacup filled with hot tea on the table.
But Jiang Yunjin refused, "Grandma, I have something to do and need to go back to Yuzhuyuan."
A charcoal fire was burning in the room, and he was still wearing his cloak, clearly not planning to stay in the hall any longer, which was why he didn't even bother to take it off. But Old Madam Jiang hadn't expected that Jiang Yunjin would reject her when she spoke, and he rushed back to the courtyard, not wanting to stay any longer.
Madam Jiang's smile faded, her eyelids drooped slightly, and she looked displeased. "Are you in such a hurry to go back and see Cui?"
Before Jiang Yunjin could answer, he heard Madam Jiang continue in a calm voice, "She's already left. She said she was going to Qingzhou to visit relatives."
Jiang Yunjin's brows furrowed instantly: "Qingzhou?"
Madam Jiang nodded slightly without saying anything.
The man standing in the hall paused for a moment, his brows furrowed tightly, and his bright expression darkened. The next moment, he bowed quickly and neatly to Madam Jiang and said, "Grandson, take your leave."
After saying this, he turned around and strode away. His cloak was blown up by the gust of wind caused by his sharp steps, fluttering rapidly in the wind and snow. Not long after, the tall figure disappeared in the corridor.
Ming Gu watched Jiang Yunjin leave, feeling somewhat disappointed, but more puzzled. "Why didn't the old lady tell the eldest master about Miss Aheng just now? Cui Shi was so naive to leave the mansion for Qingzhou. The eldest master must be upset. Wouldn't he have appreciated Miss Aheng's good qualities even more?"
Madam Jiang chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with a sharp glint, her demeanor quite calculated. "Men always love surprises. Don't be fooled by Shenzhi's mature temperament; he's actually just like those men out there. While Cui is certainly quite pretty, she's far inferior to Ah Heng in terms of talent. Shenzhi has loved reciting poetry and composing prose since childhood. With Ah Heng by his side, how could he even have eyes for Cui? Now that his wife has left without saying goodbye, he's returned to the courtyard to see a new, beautiful, gentle, and virtuous cousin. Wouldn't that be more effective than if I told him directly?"
Ming Gu suddenly understood and nodded in praise, saying, "Old Madam, you are the one who has the idea."
Madam Jiang smiled even more deeply: "Shenzhi is back, I don't have to worry about what happens next. Help me to take a nap in the room."
"yes."
On the other side, Wen Feng was waiting outside Madam Jiang's courtyard, but saw his own son striding out of the courtyard and walking towards Yuzhu Courtyard. His cloak fluttered in the wind, and his handsome face was covered with broken snow blown by the wind. His brows were gloomy, and a storm was about to come.
Wen Feng was startled. Just as he was about to ask, he heard Jiang Yunjin's order, with an extremely coercive tone: "Go contact the secret guards following the young lady and find out where she is now."
Wen Feng was stunned and wanted to ask if the young lady shouldn't be in Jixuezhai, but seeing Jiang Yunjin's gloomy face, he couldn't help but guess something. He nodded and was about to send a signal to the secret guard following Cui Yiluo.
Amidst the wind and snow, Jiang Yunjin's extremely low voice was heard again: "Also, where is Yuan Ling today?"
-
"Girl, girl, my cousin is back!"
Wang Yuheng's personal maid was beaming with joy. Wang Yuheng, who was embroidering a purse inside, quickly stood up, surprised and delighted. "Where is he? Where is my cousin? He's back so soon?"
"My cousin has gone to pay his respects to the old lady first. He has already left the old lady's courtyard and is now heading straight to Yuzhu Courtyard!"
Wang Yuheng was overjoyed upon hearing this. The man she loved was so close to her, and she was about to meet him. She was so overwhelmed with joy that she looked at the maid anxiously, "Qingxing, quickly dress up for me. I want to go see my cousin right away!"
"Miss, it's too late! You look pretty good like this already. My cousin will definitely be unable to take his eyes off you when he sees you."
Wang Yuheng was filled with shame and humiliation. She glared at the maidservant in shame and anger and immediately ran out the door.
Her courtyard was very close to Jixuezhai. As she stepped out of the gate, she happened to see the man she had been thinking about walking quickly towards her. The hand holding the handkerchief tightened and she gently cleared her throat. As the man passed by her, Wang Yuheng suppressed her excitement and put on a perfect smile. She said in a sweet voice, "Cousin."
The man walked past without even glancing over. Wang Yuheng was stunned. She hadn't expected him to miss her voice even though they were only ten steps apart. Seeing Jiang Yunjin disappear, she abandoned her ladylike dignity and raised her voice, "Cousin!"
Seeing Jiang Yunjin stop, Wang Yuheng immediately lifted her skirt and chased after him. The maid behind her, holding an umbrella, almost failed to catch up.
Wang Yuheng ran up to Jiang Yunjin, her breath already uneven: "Cousin."
Jiang Yunjin calmly stepped back a few steps to create some distance between them, then greeted Wang Yuheng politely, his brows furrowed slightly as he asked, "Why are you here?"
Wang Yuheng hadn't expected Jiang Yunjin to show any sign of excitement or joy upon seeing her. Instead, he looked at her as if she were a stranger. Her heart immediately sank, but she still said shyly, "Cousin, didn't the old lady tell you? My father died of an acute illness a few days ago..."
"My uncle passed away?"
Wang Yuheng was startled, then heard Jiang Yunjin quickly order his attendants to prepare condolences and send them to Gunzhou according to protocol. Just as the conversation was about to be diverted, Wang Yuheng hurriedly said, "Aheng's parents are both dead, and I have no one to rely on, so I came to Shengjing. This morning, the old lady took pity on my poverty and betrothed me to my cousin as his concubine..."
Wang Yuheng didn't say anything else, but her cheeks flushed and she bit her lip, revealing her girlish shyness. But when she raised her eyes, she met Ling Ran's dark eyes, so cold and piercing that they made people shudder.
Wang Yuheng's shyness suddenly faded, and she murmured, "Cousin..."
The next moment, she received a decisive refusal from the man: "I will not marry you."
Wang Yuheng was suddenly frozen in place by the ice and snow.
Seeing Jiang Yunjin finished speaking, as if he had something urgent to do, and was about to turn around and walk back to Jixuezhai, Wang Yuheng hurriedly struggled and said, "But the old lady has already agreed, and my cousin's wife... Yes, my cousin's wife also agreed!"
Jiang Yunjin paused, then turned his gaze sharply: "You said Yiluo agreed?"
Seeing Jiang Yunjin pause as he turned around, Wang Yuheng felt a surge of joy. In her haste, she ignored the man's darkening eyes and repeatedly affirmed, "Yes! My cousin's wife promised it herself. She just handed me the account books and the keys to the accounting office. She even specially took me to Yuzhu Courtyard and arranged for it to be next to my cousin's living quarters. She thought that you and I..."
"I heard about it!" Wang Yuheng hadn't finished speaking when the man suddenly interrupted her and called to the people around him, "Send someone to help my cousin pack her bags and send them to the old lady's courtyard."
The color drained from Wang Yuheng's face instantly. Her legs gave way, and she nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, the maidservant beside her quickly caught her. She had never expected Jiang Yunjin to be so resolute. "Cousin, but this matter was decided by the old lady!"
Jiang Yunjin looked at her calmly, without a trace of superfluous emotion, and said in a firm voice, "I'm already married and will not marry anyone else. Someone will retrieve the account books and the keys to the accounting office of the first house."
He seemed to be in a hurry to deal with something. After he finished speaking, he turned and left. Wang Yuheng lifted her skirt and wanted to catch up with him. She couldn't believe that Jiang Yunjin didn't give her any leeway, so she rejected him mercilessly, but was stopped by the guard named Wen Feng.
"Miss Wang, please go back."
Wang Yuheng had no choice but to lift her skirt and run to Madam Jiang's yard.
-
Inside Jixuezhai, the man walked quickly, and the aura he exuded was even more oppressive and fierce than before.
The bedroom door was opened, the charcoal brazier in the room was extinguished, and wind and snow blew in through the gaps in the window, making people feel cold.
It was snowing outside and there was not much light inside the house. The man's dark eyes looked at the extremely familiar but empty bedroom with a gloomy expression.
The room was empty, as if even traces of daily life had been wiped out. He pushed aside the embroidered curtain and walked in, only to see that the table was empty, with nothing on it except tea sets and writing brushes and ink.
He thought that her initiative before leaving was somewhat mixed with a change of heart, and he thought that things between them had eased a little.
But she didn't even leave him a letter.
She could even allow him to marry someone else.
Suddenly, he felt a sudden touch under his feet. He moved it aside and found that most of the letter was burned. The remaining letter was stained with black burn marks. Most of the words on the envelope had been burned. Even the word "wife" he wrote was half burned and could not be distinguished.
Wen Feng quickly contacted the secret guard who followed Cui Yiluo. After getting the news, he hurried into the bedroom. Seeing that the bedroom door was wide open, Wen Feng didn't think much about it, so he entered the room and pulled aside the embroidered curtain.
My young master was standing with his back to the outside, his spine erect and tense, yet he gave people an inexplicable feeling of loneliness. When I got closer, I saw that he was holding a letter that was mostly burnt by fire in his hand. His slender fingers turned white with so much force that they were even trembling slightly, as if he wanted to crush the letter into pieces.
Wen Feng gritted his teeth and said, "Young Master..."
Jiang Yunjin put the letter down neatly and said, "Speak."
His voice was as cold as ice, and Wen Feng felt both reluctant and conflicted. "Young Madam... just left the city and headed... to Wanglonggang. Commander Yuan... they're gathering at Wanglonggang today and will depart south after 3 p.m."
The wind and snow suddenly grew stronger, and the window that was ajar was suddenly blown open. The window sash slammed against the wall, making a loud noise like thunder, exploding next to the ears.
Wen Feng was startled, and the next moment, he heard Jiang Yunjin's deep voice order:
"Prepare the horses."
-
Inside the carriage, Cui Yiluo watched in astonishment as Jiang Yunjin dismounted from his horse, strode towards her, and got on the carriage in an instant.
He was tall, and completely blocked out the already dim sunlight in the wind and snow. Cui Yiluo's slender body was covered in his shadow. His face, shrouded in darkness, was as cold as ice, with a terrifying coldness and sharpness. She looked at him, and her heart began to beat rapidly for no reason.
Out of instinct, she subconsciously moved inside, but the carriage she chose today was not spacious and the seat was narrow. As she moved inside, Jiang Yunjin moved closer step by step until he pushed her completely against the wall of the carriage.
With a bang, the carriage door closed, and the interior became even darker.
"How did you..."
Cui Yiluo remembered that before he left, he kissed her lips again and again and told her that he would come back as soon as possible, but she didn't expect that he would return to Shengjing so soon and appear in front of her in just half a month.
A slender finger stroked the side of her face. He came in the wind and snow, and his whole body was exuding coldness. Cui Yiluo trembled all over when he touched her suddenly, and subconsciously pushed him away.
Her hands were easily restrained by his hand. Cui Yiluo felt a chill in her heart and suddenly did not dare to think about why he appeared here, but she understood in her heart the moment she saw him.
"Let me go first!"
In the darkness, the man laughed very softly, with infinite chill.
"A Luo is no longer willing to lie to me."
Cui Yiluo looked up at him in disbelief, "I..."
It was as if he didn't allow her to speak, nor did he want to hear her answer. The next moment, her jaw was pinched. He had never been so irresistible, and he had never used such great force. Cui Yiluo couldn't even speak, and could only look into his dark eyes that were surging with huge waves.
A dark and gloomy face covered her with surging anger, and he seemed to be biting and kissing her lips, making her unable to utter a word and could only make vague whimpers. She couldn't even hide from the crystal tears that overflowed from the corners of her lips. She could only be locked and demanded by him, and she would never dare to escape from him again.
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The author has something to say: [yellow heart][yellow heart][yellow heart]
Sorry for being late
Thanks to the babies who irrigated the nutrient solution [heart]
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