Chapter 15: Cousin Yue Xiechuang, can you help me? ...
"Miss, Cheng Jiancheng is here and is waiting in the hall."
Just one day after returning from Yueshan, Cheng Feng came to his door.
Lilan lowered her voice: "Do we need to make any other preparations?"
Next to the snow-white gardenia, a woman in a long dress embroidered with peony patterns held a pair of small golden scissors in her hand. With a light "click", the white jade flower lost its life in an instant, and the leaves rolled around on the ground and stopped next to the woman's exquisite cloud-head shoes.
The cloud-blue shawl draped over her slender arms accentuated the woman's beautiful face with a hint of coolness.
“No need.”
Cui Yiluo was not surprised that Cheng Feng would come. When Cheng Yi was bitten by a wild beast, he would definitely tell Cheng Feng that it was because he had an appointment with her that he encountered the beast.
She released the beast, but failed to kill the person with a single strike, leaving behind endless trouble. Others might believe her, but how could Cheng Feng not trust his own son? Given Cheng Feng's character, if he couldn't ruin this marriage today, he would never let her go after the wedding and would torture her to death.
If it really comes to this, she can only——
Cui Yiluo didn't think any further and walked towards the flower hall.
The Flower Hall, nestled on the east side of the Jiang residence, was a vibrant riot of red and green, with clusters of bamboo and roses casting vast shadows. A breeze streamed through the spacious corridors, gently swaying the octagonal red sandalwood lanterns with painted flowers and birds hanging from the eaves. A servant had brought a blue and white porcelain ice jar with turquoise patterns into the hall for the guests' visit. Wisps of icy air curled upward, adding a touch of chill to the air.
"Meet the Supervisor."
Cui Yiluo walked over slowly, with a calm expression and tone, as if she was just meeting an ordinary guest.
Cheng Feng had been sitting here for a while, and his already irritable mood became even more agitated, but the moment he saw Cui Yiluo's beautiful face, he couldn't help but stare at her in a daze, as if a spring breeze was blowing.
But the next moment, he noticed the coldness on the beauty's face, and his mind instantly thought of his son who was almost eaten by a beast. He was lying in bed and unable to get up before he went out.
The skin scalded by the tea began to sting. The scalding tea had him recuperating for more than half a month, and he even had blisters for several days. It also injured that area! To this day, he hadn't been able to have sex with the beauty.
This made Cheng Feng feel worse than death.
The corners of Cheng Feng's mouth drooped again, and the wrinkles on his face were stretched to look more like dead tree bark, covering his dry and drooping cheeks.
At first, he didn't quite believe his son's doubts about Cui Yiluo. How could a woman from a small town like Cui Yiluo have such ability and courage? But after his son was injured, he believed it completely and settled all the old grudges!
Cheng Feng snorted coldly. He had lost a lot of weight these days due to illness. His already loose eyelids were even more wrinkled, forming a ferocious triangle shape.
The teacup painted with green mountains and bamboos was placed heavily on the rosewood table, and a crisp thud echoed throughout the hall.
He thought he would see Cui Yiluo panicking or trying to remain calm, but he didn't expect that Cui Yiluo didn't even shake the hairpin hanging on her head, and just looked at him calmly.
"The Supervisor's burns haven't healed yet, so he can't hold the teacup steady. Why don't I call a servant over..."
"Don't!"
Cheng Feng screamed subconsciously, but when he saw Cui Yiluo's calm demeanor, he immediately realized that he had come here to humiliate her, but he was easily exposed by the other party!
It was like a cowhide being punctured by a needle, deflated. Cheng Feng immediately became even more furious, and sneered, "Cui Yiluo, I gave you some face because of the engagement, but I didn't expect you to be so bold."
"I don't understand what the Supervisor means."
"Humph, I know you won't admit it without evidence. But so what? You're going to marry into the Cheng family in the future. Isn't it enough if the Cheng family believes you?"
After saying this, Cheng Fengxin calmed down a lot, as if he had regained control, and his eyes became contemptuous: "I know you have always fantasized about a young man willing to marry you, but don't you think about whether they are willing to make enemies with me for you? After all, beauty cannot compare to power and face. You should understand that only I am willing to marry you as my principal wife. With your family background, you are not even qualified to be their concubine!"
Cui Yiluo's expression turned a little colder.
The Jiang family is the only one among the aristocratic families to have a rule that forbids taking concubines. This is because their ancestors once favored a concubine over their wife, nearly destroying the family fortune and reputation. This is why Cui Yiluo chose Jiang Yunjin. If it were someone else, they might not be willing to marry her as their principal wife.
Seeing Cui Yiluo didn't say anything, Cheng Feng thought he must have touched her sore spot, and couldn't help but feel a little triumphant: "In fact, with your family background, being my principal wife is far from enough."
Cui Yiluo stood in the flower hall, her figure as tall and straight as the green bamboos that leaned against her. She spoke slowly, "The Supervisor has slandered me without any evidence and harbors resentment. Although I come from a humble background, I value self-respect and my integrity. Our marriage is now off. I will inform my aunt and write to my parents in Ningzhou to return the marriage certificate and betrothal gifts."
"Let it go?" Cheng Feng looked as if he had heard something funny, his cloudy eyes full of evil amusement. "Miss Cui is a beauty, and this Supervisor really loves her so much that I can't bear to let her go. If you don't appreciate it, just tell your aunt that as long as this Supervisor insists on marrying you, will your parents cancel the engagement? Even if your aunt has long arms, can she really make a decision over your parents? If she could, why didn't she intervene earlier?"
Cui Yiluo's eyes were gloomy. Cheng Feng was arrogant and confused, but he was not completely mentally ill.
"I, the Supervisor, understand that you'd be lonely marrying far away. So, I've found you another sister. A few days ago, a servant reported that the mistress in the manor is pregnant."
Lilan behind Cui Yiluo's face changed drastically.
Cheng Feng smiled even more proudly, his entire face like a crumpled piece of dry paper, covered with dense wrinkles. "Being a concubine while pregnant is indeed a bit unfair. Besides, she is a decent woman after all. Although she has been living in brothels for a few days, she sells her art but not her body. Her status is not much lower than yours. I plan to formally take her into the mansion, and the date will be half a month before you marry."
Cheng Feng spoke in a relaxed tone, his face showing a look of satisfaction as if he held the power of life and death.
"When she gives birth to a child, there's no need to bring her to you. You're too young to raise her. Then you can make her your concubine. That way, she'll be considered your legitimate son."
This was a blatant humiliation! Who would take in a concubine half a month before marrying their first wife? By then, the entire Grand Capital would have made Cui Yiluo a laughing stock! Lilan wanted to tear Cheng Feng apart right away.
She stared at Cheng Feng intently and said angrily, "The Supervisor married my daughter as his principal wife, how dare you humiliate her like this! You refused to take her into your family in the first place, and now you want to make her your concubine. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others?"
Cheng Feng raised his eyebrows complacently. He would certainly not elevate his concubine to a co-wife. He just wanted to humiliate Cui Yiluo. Seeing Cui Yiluo's maidservant was furious, he guessed that she must feel the same way in her heart, but she was just pretending. Now that the relationship was completely broken, Cheng Feng simply stopped pretending and laughed triumphantly: "What can an outsider do to me? Cui Yiluo, I advise you not to struggle. I can torture you to death with just a flick of my finger. Now you bow your head to me, admit your mistakes, consummate the marriage in advance, serve me well, and after you get married, take the initiative to take your dowry girl as your roommate. Maybe I can consider letting you go."
Lilan was so angry that she was about to rush forward, but Cui Yiluo moved a step to stop her.
"Minister," her eyes were as sharp as cold stars, and the corners of her lips curled up in mockery, "You came all the way here today just to humiliate me? The Imperial College is a place for the study of knowledge and etiquette, for the study of classics and the cultivation of conduct. Instead of busying yourself with cultivating talents for His Majesty, you come to the Jiang family and say these vulgar words. Isn't that rather inappropriate?"
"Or is it that the Supervisor is too old and shouldn't be overworked?"
Cheng Feng was momentarily choked. His old age and the neglect he felt at the Imperial College were his biggest sore spots, and how could Cui Yiluo, a lowly figure, dare to point that out so bluntly? Cheng Feng's face flushed with anger, and he spoke furiously, "I've served at the Imperial College for many years and have never made a mistake. When did a lowly woman like you get to speak up?"
Cui Yiluo laughed with an ambiguous tone.
At this point, breaking off the engagement according to etiquette was completely impossible; Cheng Feng wouldn't let her go. She had no choice but to seek another path. Fortunately, Cui Yiluo was no stranger to this. She had been arrogant since childhood, and had sought many other paths because she couldn't follow the right path.
She was too lazy to listen to Cheng Feng's arrogant and vulgar words, so she raised her hand and asked someone to send the guest away.
"Chief Supervisor, I have something else to do. I'll excuse myself first."
Cheng Feng had no interest in staying any longer and said contemptuously, "The wedding dress will be delivered in the next few days. Get ready to marry me, Miss Cui."
After Cheng Feng left, Li Lan asked anxiously, "What should we do, Miss? Are we really going to..."
Cui Yiluo's half face was hidden in the light and shadow, and the autumn water in her eyes had frozen into ice blades.
"Let's go back to the room first."
Cui Yiluo and Lilan had just walked out of the flower hall when a figure suddenly appeared in the corridor like a ghost. No one knew how long it had been there. Lilan was so scared that she almost screamed, and Cui Yiluo was also trembling.
Wen Feng bowed and said, "Miss Cui, Yuzhuyuan invites you."
Yuzhuyuan is Jiang Yunjin's courtyard.
Why would Jiang Yunjin invite her to his yard?
Cui Yiluo suddenly thought of the blood-stained Lianqiao brocade handkerchief he had tucked into his sleeve. He had said he would wash it and return it to her. She figured he had invited her over today to return the handkerchief.
Jiang Yunjin naturally couldn't return such a private item as a woman's handkerchief to her in public. If someone saw it, wouldn't it ruin his reputation? That's why he sent someone to ask for it in a roundabout way.
Cui Yiluo thought about it for a while, and instantly figured out the cause and effect.
Jiang Yunjin was trying to avoid suspicion, but Cui Yiluo wouldn't do that.
Cui Yiluo smiled kindly and gently: "I'll go back to the courtyard first and then rush over immediately. Please wait for a moment, cousin."
Although Jiang Yunjin treats people indifferently, he has always been humble. His subordinates follow his example and naturally have the same style. When they heard the news, they didn't say anything, but just agreed readily and went back to report.
An incense stick of time had passed since she entered Yuzhu Courtyard. It seemed that there was something else important going on, so a servant she had never seen before came to greet Cui Yiluo.
Yuzhu Courtyard and Huating are both next to a bamboo forest, but the difference is that the bamboos in Yuzhu Courtyard are more prosperous and dense, giving it the charm of "lush forest and bamboo" as described in the book, which is clear, subtle and distant.
But apart from the green bamboo behind the courtyard, there are no flowers planted in the courtyard. It is quiet and peaceful, just like the owner of the courtyard.
Each room was divided into several courtyards, but Jiang Yunjin was the only one living in Yuzhu Courtyard, which was quite spacious. Cui Yiluo walked on the gravel road and passed a small courtyard. Unlike the other courtyards, although no one lived in them, they still had people cleaning and keeping them clean. But this courtyard——
The dark, straight rosewood door was tightly closed, with an iron lock hanging on it. It was covered in dust, as if it had been sealed for a long time. The tall courtyard gate cast a shadow, and a heavy sense of oppression rushed towards me.
Cui Yiluo looked at it a few more times and frowned.
She doesn't like this courtyard.
This dusty courtyard is very close to Jiang Yunjin's living place. Walking along a cobblestone path with green bamboos planted under white walls and black tiles, you will reach Jiang Yunjin's living place. The calligraphy on the plaque is vigorous and neat, and it reads "Jixuezhai".
Cui Yiluo recited it silently in her heart and stepped into the courtyard.
Near the door stood a red sandalwood screen wall, providing a screen that completely blocked out the view from the back rooms. Carved on it were towering peaks and cascading waterfalls, the workmanship so exquisite that they seemed to be vivid before the eyes. Notably, the screen wall was inscribed with inscriptions in neat small regular script, almost filling the entire wall.
Cui Yiluo walked closer and took a quick look. The gentleman worked hard all day and was vigilant at night.
Then I saw another sentence: A gentleman is cautious about what he does not see and fearful of what he does not hear.
Crowded.
The edges of the engraved words were a little blurry, but the ones at the top were exceptionally clear, as if they had been stroked thousands of times by the fingers of an immature child.
Cui Yiluo stared at the screen wall and suddenly felt a little breathless. The screen wall was made of wood, majestic and elegant, yet it weighed a thousand pounds.
Walking around the screen wall, there is no doubt that Jiang Yunjin's courtyard is full of charm and bookish atmosphere, as calm and wise as his temperament, but without any vitality.
The only thing with vitality is a lush tree in front of the house, with luxuriant branches and leaves, so luxuriant that it is out of tune with the entire yard.
It's a forsythia tree.
He also likes Forsythia? Cui Yiluo was a little surprised. Forsythia flowers are bright yellow and full of vitality. No one would think that they have any connection with Jiang Yunjin.
The door of the rosewood-carved landscape house was open, and a man was sitting inside. He was wearing a moon-white brocade robe today, and his hands with distinct finger bones were holding a book, but his eyes were not fixed on the book, but on the tufted floral carpet on the ground. His angular face had a slightly tense jaw and his expression was as calm as water.
Hearing the sound of her approaching, his dark eyes focused again. He closed the book, smoothed it carefully with his slender fingers, and then placed it on the table beside him.
"cousin."
"Um."
Jiang Yunjin stood up and took out a brocade box from the shelf by the window. "I've already had your handkerchief washed."
He paused and said, "You were not in the courtyard when I went there. I don't know if it is something you treasure, so I have to ask you to come over."
Cui Yiluo took it and casually placed it on the table beside her, "My cousin knows that I went to the flower hall."
The tone was not questioning.
"The servants in your courtyard said so."
"Cousin, do you know who I'm going to see?"
Jiang Yunjin glanced at her and replied slowly, "I know."
Cui Yiluo went further: "Then cousin, do you know what we said?"
Cui Yiluo didn't know how long Wen Feng had been outside, how much he had heard, and whether he would tell Jiang Yunjin.
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyelashes, pursed his lips slightly, and said nothing. Cui Yiluo understood his expression.
He turned his back, his tall figure like a towering mountain facing Cui Yiluo, and his tone turned cold: "I have something else to do. Take the handkerchief and go back."
The next moment, the impact from behind made his body sway, and the sweet fragrance of a woman immediately wrapped around him, enveloping him without any resistance.
His waist and abdomen were hugged tightly.
"Cousin, can you help me?"
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"A gentleman works hard all day and is vigilant at night" is from the Book of Changes, Qian Gua.
"A gentleman is cautious about what he does not see and fearful of what he does not hear" is from "The Book of Rites: The Doctrine of the Mean"
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