Chapter 7 She plotted against herself, determined not to be wrongly accused.
Lou Yanxu, her eyelashes stained with tears, called out in a hoarse voice, "Qingrui, give me the sugar cake."
Qingrui didn't dare say anything, but picked up two pieces of sweet cake and handed them over. The sweet cakes were the perfect size, and Lou Yanxu ate them one after another, tears streaming down her face as she tasted them, both salty and sweet.
Qingrui's eyebrows drooped as she gently patted her back to help her catch her breath. She sobbed softly, her chest heaving violently as her nostrils flared, and finally burst into tears.
"Brother Zicheng..."
She buried her head in the embroidered pillow, her knuckles turning white as she gripped it, crying out in anguish, "Brother Zizheng, it hurts so much!"
She had promised her grandmother that she would forget him, but she was wronged for no reason and always longed for him to be by her side.
Lou Yanxu clenched her fists and pounded the bed in desperation. "Brother Zizheng, how can I forget you?"
Qingrui bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
The cold wind whistled against the window, the pale moon hung low in the sky, the crying inside gradually subsided, and Lou Yanxu, exhausted, slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
In the darkness of the night, she caught sight of a figure as tall and straight as a pine tree. Her beloved drew nearer, his face suddenly appearing. She hadn't seen him for so long, and she burst into tears.
"Brother Zizheng... Zizheng." Lou Yanxu couldn't wait for him to get closer. She lifted her skirt and ran to him, nestling in his arms and sobbing, "Brother Zizheng, have you come to get me?"
But the person before her was no longer the considerate and tender person she once was. He was repulsive and spoke coldly, “Wanwan, the four of us have been friends since childhood. The other two have left, and you have married someone else. We need not see each other again in this life. May we each find our own peace.”
"That's not how it is... If you hadn't given me a message, I really... wouldn't have been able to find you... I don't want to get married, I don't want to get married!"
Knowing her heart belonged to him, her father set a three-year mourning period before his death. However, during the three years of mourning, a strange rift developed, and she received no news of him. If she didn't remarry, she would truly be letting her father down in the afterlife. Now, hearing that he has started a family, she is both happy and sad, but the sadness outweighs the joy.
She sobbed intermittently, waving her hands wildly, as if she had accidentally drowned and was struggling desperately.
"My lady...my lady! You're having a nightmare."
Lou Yanxu woke up with a start, covered in cold sweat. Qingrui wiped her face with a handkerchief in one hand and gently patted her shoulder with the other.
She looked dazed, licking her chapped lips, and asked blankly, "What time is it?"
"My wife, sleep peacefully. The clapper just struck at dawn."
She squeezed Qingrui's hand back, staring blankly at the powder stains in the dressing case. Her nose felt blocked, and she could only breathe weakly through her mouth. "What exactly happened between my brother and Sister Rou that year? Why did Brother Zizheng leave without saying goodbye? Why did Father keep it from me alone?"
"The master must have his own unspeakable difficulties. It is no use for you to think too much, madam. I'm afraid that thinking too much will make you sick and add another layer to your illness."
"You know my nature has always been like this. I can't figure out the reasons behind it, nor do I know if it will cause any problems or not. I'm sure I won't be able to get rid of it even when I'm in my coffin." Her eyelids drooped, and her voice was deep.
Qingrui sat up straight in fright, her eyes instantly reddening. "Pah! Pah! Pah! On such a fine day, why are you saying such unlucky things, my lady!"
Lou Yanxu glanced at her weary eyes and let out a long sigh.
Lou Yanxu woke up when it was broad daylight the next day, and felt much better after eating some stomach-soothing porridge.
Qingrui checked Lou Yanxu's forehead temperature and thankfully found no fever. She handed the black walnut box to Lou Yanxu and said, "Madam, the old lady has already set off for Suzhou. Before leaving, she asked someone to send this to her, saying that she is doing well and you don't need to worry. If anything goes wrong, just write to her, and she will definitely support you."
Lou Yanxu recognized the wooden box. Her grandmother had wanted to give it to her before their parting on the day of her return home, but she had refused. Unexpectedly, it was still delivered to her.
She asked Qingrui to put it away, and said in a hoarse voice, "Fortunately, Grandmother has already passed away, and she should not know about what happened yesterday."
Seeing that her eyelids were bulging like goldfish eyes, Qingrui applied a hot towel to her face and remained silent for the length of half an incense stick. Lou Yanxu pulled down the towel and suddenly said, "Grandmother is right. I am not alone and cannot be wronged for no reason."
Qingrui took the handkerchief and looked at her gently. "My lady, you still have a maid."
She grasped Qingrui's hand and forced a smile, "Madam is hosting a banquet at the manor today, let's go and prove her worth!"
She forced herself to sit up, slipped on her shoes, and changed her clothes. Qingrui, who was tidying her clothes, casually asked, "Madam, how did Minister Xu know that you usually eat sweet cakes after taking your medicine?"
Upon closer examination, Lou Yanxu also had her doubts, but there are many coincidences in the world, and one cannot conclude anything based on this alone. So she replied casually, "Perhaps it was just a coincidence."
Qingrui nodded. As she reached for the face powder on the mirror stand, she caught sight of the small, jade-green porcelain bottle that Xu Congjing had brought. She handed it to Lou Yanxu and asked, "Shall we accept this ointment?"
She looked away and said casually, "Keep it. Apply it to me tonight."
Xu Congjing's gift must be something rare and valuable. Once it's given, there's no reason to take it back. However, this man is unfathomable, so it's best to avoid dealing with him. Lou Yanxu thought to herself.
She wore her hair in a single bun and had no makeup on; her face was as white as silk. Her steps were unsteady, as if she were about to fall. Qingrui frowned and helped her up, saying, "My lady, why don't we wait until your injuries have healed before going?"
She shook her head, "It only works when the injury is severe."
In many cases, in the eyes of most people, the weak are always right.
Finally, she asked Qingrui to take the two pieces of gold jewelry to Yanxia Garden.
The concubine, Zhou, lived in Yanxia Garden. Zhou was originally a distant cousin of the Marquis. She was brought into the household by the old lady of the Sheng family. It was thought that she would be promoted to the position of wife after the death of the first wife. However, the old lady also passed away. The Marquis then brought back a concubine, who is now the Marquis's wife, Zeng.
Over the years, the two have seemingly kept to themselves, but in reality, they have been scheming against each other.
Having finished her preparations, Lou Yanxu donned a plain-colored cloak and stepped out gracefully. A flurry of snowflakes fell upon her nose, which she brushed away. Then, she looked up and suddenly saw two figures appear at the Begonia Gate in the distance—a handsome man and a beautiful woman—embracing passionately.
She smiled, released the cats she kept in the courtyard, and then knelt down in front of Rongyi Hall. The north wind blew on her face, and snow fell on her white hair.
With only half a month left since the New Year, the wives and daughters of officials, having been confined to their kang (heated brick bed) for so long, were inevitably feeling unwell. It was quite charming to see the newlyweds and their wives, young men and women, exchanging New Year's greetings, admiring flowers, and drinking tea.
At noon, Zeng invited everyone to have lunch. When they arrived under the moonlight, Zhou slowly approached, holding a hand warmer.
"Madam!" Zhou said loudly, her brows furrowed with worry. "It's not that I'm being nosy, but your daughter-in-law has been kneeling in front of the courtyard gate since early this morning, and we can't persuade her to get up no matter what we do. She was already beaten with ten strokes of the cane yesterday, and if she keeps kneeling like this in this freezing weather, she might die!"
The family members, having already learned of the indiscretions of the new bride of the Marquis of Chenghua's heir, were secretly reprimanding her when they heard what seemed to be more to the story. They immediately began to listen intently. Upon hearing this, Madam Zeng looked embarrassed and secretly glared at Madam Zhou for ruining her plans. However, since everyone wanted to know the inside story and suggested going together to persuade her, she had no choice but to force a smile and head over.
Xu Congjing and his mother, Madam Zhang, came to the end. Madam Zhang stopped, turned her face away, and said, "This is a family matter of the Marquis's mansion. We don't need to get involved."
He patted Zhang's increasingly withered hand, "You've forgotten, your son is also a member of the Marquis's household."
Madam Zhang's gentle face turned slightly pale. She was not very satisfied with this marriage. The Marquis's family was of high social standing, but the young lady was not elegant and dignified enough. However, since her son had finally agreed, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
She left without saying a word, following the group.
Upon arriving at Rongyi Hall, Lou Yanxu's face was deathly pale, and her frail body swayed precariously.
"What are you doing!" A cacophony of voices followed behind, and Zeng Shi, feeling she had lost face, put on a stern face. "With so many family members here, it's as if the Marquis's mansion has mistreated you!"
Upon seeing her appear, Lou Yanxu crawled on her knees through the thick snow to reach her. Her slender fingers tugged at her emerald green silk skirt as she kowtowed twice. "Please, Aunt, investigate thoroughly! I dare not claim to be well-read and knowledgeable, but I have always been cautious and obedient since childhood. I have never dared to utter a word of complaint when my husband stays out all night. How could I possibly do such a thing as having an affair?"
Because of the Lou family's act of taking advantage of the situation, most people felt sorry for the Marquis's family. However, it was not a gentleman's thing to leave his wife alone in an empty room so soon after their marriage. As soon as these words came out, the rumors were reversed, and those who had criticized Lou Yanxu could not help but feel guilty.
Madam Zeng could see right through her, and inwardly cursed her daughter-in-law for being so vulgar and blaspheming about everything in the household. But she forced a smile and said, "I trust you. Get up first. I will decide this matter myself."
Lou Yanxu ignored her words and took out the letters she had been writing, spreading them out in front of Zeng Shi's cloud-patterned shoes. "Look, although I have been writing in Yan style calligraphy since I was a student, I do not add a hook to the last stroke of my nickname 'Wanwan'. All my past letters have been written like this. This letter must be a frame-up against me!"
A young woman picked up a letter from beside her feet and admitted that it was indeed true.
Lou Yanxu's lips were bloodless, her eyes were brimming with tears, and her voice was trembling with sobs, "Aunt Jun is kind and compassionate, can you please give your daughter-in-law justice?"
"You child, why didn't you tell me about this yesterday?" Madam Zeng dared not cry wolf, so she didn't answer and pretended to be concerned. "It's best to find out the truth. You should go back to your room and rest well. Don't aggravate your wound."
Lou Yan and Xu Yi knew they couldn't swallow a tigress whole. Now that they had cleared their names in front of everyone, they thanked Madam Zeng, secretly relieved, and had no intention of getting entangled with her any further.
Xu Congjing supported Madam Zhang, his gentle brows suddenly appearing frosty. When she looked up and met his gaze, she felt slightly embarrassed.
He was a man from out of town, yet he had caught glimpses of her disheveled state time and again, leaving her utterly embarrassed and unable to help but become more and more entangled with her. She felt something was amiss and silently looked away.
Madam Zhang stared blankly, not knowing what to think. Seeing this, the other relatives scratched their heads and looked at each other, finding it quite amusing.
Just then, a scream came from the other side of the Begonia Gate. The young lady of the Weng family lifted her skirt and ran out in a panic, followed closely by the snow-white cat with a sharp cry. Looking over, Sheng Yan also chased after her out the door.
Weng Chuchu ran and fell to the ground, scraping her palms until they bled. When she looked back in horror, the cat saw Lou Yanxu and affectionately pounced on her.
Zeng helped Weng Chuchu up, giving her a disapproving look. "What's wrong with your cat? If you've taken it in, you should take good care of it!"
“Please forgive me, Aunt Jun. This cat has always been kept in my yard and never goes out. I don’t know what happened today. Please punish me.”
What's going on? If the cat isn't going outside, someone must have come in!
Lou Yan looked so pitiful and frail that she was even more endearing. The crowd whispered among themselves, glancing at Sheng Yan in secret. Not returning home at night was already going too far, but to actually bring someone into the house was outrageous!
Weng Chuchu lay half-prostrate on the ground, sobbing softly, utterly helpless. "I did not enter Sister Yanxu's courtyard..."
Regardless of where they went, the fact that the young man and woman were avoiding everyone and living alone was already suspicious, so no one believed them.
Seeing this, Zeng glared at Sheng Yan and scolded him for his careless actions. She had already salvaged his reputation, but one careless mistake ruined everything.
Thinking of this, she was filled with anger but had nowhere to vent it. She then ordered the old maid who was standing by, "Hurry up and go fetch the doctor!"
The guests realized the situation was not right and dispersed.
Madam Zeng glared angrily at Shang Louyan's pale face and said in a harsh voice, "Do you know your mistake?"
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