Chapter 63: No Way to Keep Chun (1) Jealous? Does He Deserve It? ...
Meng Xuanli thought for a moment, convinced it was impossible. After hearing what the woman had said, she had Fuyao investigate further, and the result was the same—Lu Guanque was indeed dead.
Not long after, Fuyao came in with medicine. Seeing Meng Xuanli lying on the bed in a daze, she asked quietly, "What's wrong, my wife? Does it hurt somewhere?" After that, she put the medicine bowl on the small table and held the child in her arms.
Meng Xuanli was gripped by her worry and came to her senses: "It's okay, I just feel a little tired. I feel weak." She picked up the medicine, frowned and drank it.
Fuyao smiled and said, "I forgot to tell my wife that Miss Anxiang closed the medicine shop when she saw that my wife was in confinement. She also said that she would come to take care of my wife in a few days."
The medicine was too bitter, so Meng Xuanli pinched a candied fruit and held it in his mouth: "Luckily, I have you guys by my side, otherwise I really wouldn't be able to handle it all by myself."
"My lady, what are you talking about? Miss Anxiang and I have received your kindness, and we did it voluntarily."
Fuyao sat in a chair nearby and seemed to open up. "Besides, if my wife hadn't chosen me, I probably wouldn't have been able to handle my parents' funeral. I should be grateful to my wife."
Meng Xuanli had never heard Fuyao talk about her family, and suddenly, she thought of that vague father. Did she have a father? It seemed that she did. But now, it seemed that she didn't.
Strangely enough, she seldom thought of her father. The only time was when her cousin Wang came to visit her.
She didn't know if her father was still alive. If he was, he probably wouldn't remember her. After all, from childhood to adulthood, her father was absent, her mother died young, and she only had a grandmother, who later left her.
They have a shallow bond as father and daughter, she thought.
The bitterness on Meng Xuanli's tongue gradually faded. To be honest, she rarely thought about home. It wasn't that she couldn't bring it up, but she didn't know where to start. After being away from home for so long, it seemed that the only connection she had with her family was blood.
But what's the use of blood?
Meng Xuanli looked at Tongtong, thought of her and Lu Guanque, and sighed deeply.
Their father-daughter relationship is also very shallow.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Fuyao looked up curiously and asked, "Madam, you are sighing. Are you missing home?" She didn't know much about Meng Xuanli's past.
Meng Xuanli lowered his eyes and replied thoughtfully, "When I was young, I often missed home, but my family didn't miss me. Gradually, we forgot each other."
"It doesn't matter. You can choose your family, right?" Fuyao looked at her, curved his eyes, and smiled. "Will you choose me, my lady?"
Meng Xuanli's eyes reddened, and he said with a smile, "Why not choose?"
The wind blew, and the two smiled at each other across the spring.
#
A few days later, Meng Xuanli gradually recovered and was able to walk around. Anxiang had something else to do and didn't come today, so Fuyao held Tongtong in her arms under the porch, basking in the sun.
The spring day was pure and gentle, and the grass was slender and delicate, like a small green plum painted on rice paper. Meng Xuanli walked out of the house, breathing in the fresh air, and heard movement coming from next door.
Meng Xuanli walked over to Fuyao and asked casually, "Is there someone coming from next door?"
Fuyao nodded and looked up. "I heard that the family lost money in their business in Dongdu, so they sold the house to a broker. There's movement now, so someone must be looking at the house."
Meng Xuanli nodded immediately: "I was wondering, this family didn't come back during the Chinese New Year this year. So that's how it is." After saying that, she sat on the chair, picked up the porcelain bowl, and fed Tongtong warm water.
Fuyao lowered her eyes and smiled, "Our girl is really well behaved. She doesn't make trouble day or night. She drinks water with her eyes closed. She really knows how to enjoy herself."
Meng Xuanli was amused. He looked at Tongtong for a long moment and said softly, "It's because you took good care of me that I slept soundly these past few nights."
Just after I finished feeding her, there was a knock on the door: "Madam Meng, I'm Liu Lian. I heard you gave birth recently, so I came to see you."
Meng Xuanli frowned, and Fuyao caught her expression and asked, "Madam, is this door still open?"
"Open it. If not, I guess he will stand outside the door for a whole day." Meng Xuanli reached out and hugged Tongtong, motioning Fuyao to open the door.
Fuyao opened the door and saw Liu Lian holding a casserole in his hands. He opened his eyes wide and asked in surprise, "Master Liu, what is this?"
"This is the old hen soup I cooked. I heard it's good for women after giving birth." Liu Lian paused and said gently, "Is your wife awake yet?"
"No, please come in, Mr. Liu." Fu Yao leaned slightly against the door and looked sideways at Liu Lian, feeling that this man was a strange person.
Whether it was windy or rainy, as long as his wife was in trouble, he would wade through the water to help. Even a stone could see his intention. But Fuyao knew in her heart that no matter how good he was, his wife would not agree to him.
Meng Xuanli held the child in her arms and looked up, reacting the same way as Fuyao: "Master Liu, what is this...?"
Liu Lian placed the casserole on the table in front of him, bowed, and carefully filled a bowl with it, handing it to Meng Xuanli: "This is chicken soup, Madam Meng, would you like to try it?"
Meng Xuanli was touched when she smelled the fragrance. "I didn't expect Master Liu would do this. I'm really sorry to bother you."
When Liu Lian saw her holding the child, he placed the bowl on the small table beside her and praised: "This child is really good-looking."
Fuyao came over, sat on the chair, took Tongtong, and said with a smile: "Our girl's name is Qinghe, and Master Liu is knowledgeable. Do you know what it means?"
"Qinghe... April, the sky is clear and the air is fresh." Liu Lian stood with his hands clasped in front of his chest, lowering his gaze. "Madam Meng, is that right?"
"yes."
Meng Xuanli picked up the chicken soup, took a sip, and his eyes sparkled, "Where did Master Liu learn this skill? It tastes better than what Fuyao and I make."
Fuyao looked expectant, her mouth almost watering: "Really? I want to try it later."
After a moment, Meng Xuanli finished drinking and looked at Liu Lian: "Young Master Liu, you are dressed up today, so I guess you are not just here to bring me soup."
Liu Lian nodded, took a half step back, and bowed. "My mother passed away a few months ago, and I should have retired to observe the mourning period. So I came here today... to say goodbye to Madam Meng in advance."
Meng Xuanli understood and said, "I heard there's a school on Luofu Mountain in Guangzhou Prefecture. Is Mr. Liu going there?"
"Exactly."
The sun was shining brightly, and Liu Lian didn't dare look at her. He said solemnly, "After the mourning is over, I will go to Dongdu to take the imperial examination. After I pass..."
"I want to marry you, my lady." His voice suddenly rose. "I will treat Qinghe as my own child. I will treat you well and never let you suffer the slightest injustice."
As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard became eerily quiet, as if a mechanism had been activated, and no one dared to say a word.
Meng Xuanli's heart tightened as she looked out into the courtyard. The sun was blazing, the spring breeze was gentle, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air. Everything seemed beautiful. However, she knew even more clearly that this man was a devoted lover who wouldn't give up until he got married.
Meng Xuanli was silent, looking at Liu Lian for a long moment before smiling and saying, "Young Master Liu said he wants to marry me in the future?" Liu Lian's ears burned when he heard this, and he bowed and replied, "Yes, my love for you is known to all."
Meng Xuanli pondered for a moment, then said, "Master Liu, I promise you, but I have to wait until you pass the exam."
Liu Lian looked up at her in disbelief. On the way here, he hadn't held out any hope. Now that Meng Xuanli agreed, he thought it was a blessing from heaven for his infatuation.
Liu Lian's eyes sparkled, his cheeks flushed, and he was overjoyed: "I... I will definitely study hard!"
Meng Xuanli pursed his lips and said, "There's no time to lose. Master Liu, go back and pack up first, then go to the county school to report your mother's death."
"Yes, I'll go now." Liu Lian smiled, so happy that he couldn't even find the door. He turned around, found the direction, and flew out happily like a butterfly.
The butterflies flew away, the flowers and trees were quiet, just like the yard at this moment, only dead silence remained.
Fuyao held it in for a long time, and finally couldn't help but ask: "Madam, why did you agree to Master Liu?"
"Whether I agree or not is just a matter of words for me. But for him, it could mean a different life."
Meng Xuanli gazed at the locust tree in the courtyard and said calmly, "Young Master Liu is a good man, and good people should be rewarded. If my promise can encourage him and give him a bright future, I am willing to do it."
Fuyao thought so too, and then asked, "Then...if Master Liu knew the truth in the future, would he resent me?"
"From what I know about him, he won't hate me." Meng Xuanli said jokingly, "Or... let's wait until that day."
"Yes, I see that Master Liu is in such a state that he might even come to thank my lady."
Fuyao curled her lips and heard someone moving things next door: "Moving in so soon?"
Meng Xuanli was also a little surprised: "Maybe it's because the price was high and the broker was efficient?"
"I'll go ask around later. If there's a little girl at home, maybe I can play with Tongtong in the future." Fuyao narrowed her eyes.
Meng Xuanli pursed his lips and smiled: "That's right, you can go and ask around."
#
In the evening, Meng Xuanli learned from Fuyao that the person living next door was an old man who came here alone. Some of his family members had died or dispersed, and seeing the beautiful scenery of Lingnan, he decided to spend his old age here.
"Tongtong fell asleep?" Meng Xuanli sat on the chair.
Fuyao nodded, set the dishes and chopsticks in place, and said, "Madam, Miss Anxiang has found a wet nurse and she will be here tomorrow."
Meng Xuanli picked up the chopsticks but hesitated to move: "Didn't you find it before? Why are you looking for it again?"
Fuyao also felt it was strange, but didn't think much about it: "Maybe the previous wet nurse had family problems. I heard that this wet nurse is famous in Guangzhou Prefecture."
"Famous? That should be difficult to hire." Meng Xuanli frowned, thinking that an ordinary wet nurse would be enough.
"No, no, no." Fuyao took a sip of the soup. "Miss Anxiang said that the wet nurse was kind-hearted and had come to our pharmacy to buy medicine before. She recognized you. After hearing about your story, she agreed immediately."
Meng Xuanli hummed, "I see. Then let's clean up a room tonight and let them move in when they arrive tomorrow."
"good."
After they finished their meal, there was a knock on the courtyard door. Meng Xuanli freed her hand and opened the door. Liu Lian was standing outside. She was stunned for a moment: "Mr. Liu, why are you here again?"
Liu Lian took a half step back and bowed. "I have packed my luggage and will leave for Luofu Mountain tomorrow. I have come here to bid a solemn farewell to Madam Meng."
As he spoke, he suddenly knelt down, took out the jade pendant, and presented it with both hands: "This is my family's heirloom jade pendant. I hope Madam Meng will accept it. When I pass the imperial examination, I will come to marry you."
"I hope Madam Meng won't despise me." He slowly raised his face, and the yellowish light reflected on him, like the gold on a marriage certificate.
Meng Xuanli had never seen such a scene before, and hurried to help him, but he refused to get up. He knelt on the ground and insisted that she accept it.
Meng Xuanli's gaze shifted downwards, and as he recalled the original intention of this matter, he reluctantly picked it up, his palm feeling cold. "Consider this jade pendant as something I'll keep for you. In the future... when you achieve success and fame, I'll return it to you."
Liu Lian shook his head, raised his eyes to meet hers, and said without question, "Since you have accepted it, it is yours. When Liu Lian is gone, I hope you will take good care of yourself and Qinghe."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Lian stood up and made a bold move. He stepped forward, reached out and hugged Meng Xuanli into his arms, and whispered, "Wait for me to come back."
Without waiting for Meng Xuanli to refuse, he let go of her and ran into the dusk, smiling broadly and waving his hand as he shouted, "Madam Meng, I will definitely come back to marry you!"
"Madam Meng, you must wait for me!"
Meng Xuanli held the jade pendant and watched his running figure with an extremely complicated expression.
In the past, she had told many lies against her will, and after being exposed, she usually took it in her stride, "So what?" But now, even though it was a white lie, her heart felt heavy, like a butterfly caught in the rain, unable to fly.
Meng Xuanli stood there for a long time. To outsiders, this scene was the loneliness of lovers after parting. She sighed and was about to turn and go back inside when she heard the sound of porcelain shards flying.
Meng Xuanli frowned and looked sideways. Seeing that the door to the next courtyard was closed, he thought that the old man was not agile and accidentally dropped the bowl.
She hadn't greeted the old man next door, but out of concern, she walked over and knocked on the door.
"Who...ah..." The voice was far away, as if it was in the house.
Meng Xuanli listened attentively, and replied in a slightly higher voice, "Old sir, I'm Madam Meng from next door. I just heard a voice. Are you okay?"
"No...it's okay, I accidentally dropped the bowl." His tone was trembling, as if he was trying to suppress something. "Thank you for your concern, Madam Meng...You can go back first."
When Meng Xuanli heard him say this, she felt that he should have someone to serve him, so she took a step back and replied, "Okay, if you have anything, old sir, you can come find me next door." After that, she turned and left.
"Thanks."
The man in the room heard her footsteps gradually fade away, then he loosened his grip on her neck with a trembling hand. He slowly walked into the courtyard, looked at the locust tree next door, and sighed deeply.
Four months ago, after Lu Guanque escaped from Zheng Mansion, he went to see Emperor Xiao Ting with a letter.
Xiao Ting was in the imperial study reviewing memorials when he saw the eunuch, sweating profusely, rushing in. He thought something had happened to the crown prince. When he opened the letter, he froze in his chair, unable to move.
After a long time, Lu Guanque, dressed in black, mixed in with the secret guards, and came to the inner room of the imperial study with a mask on.
Xiao Ting looked at him for a long time, so surprised that he didn't know how to start.
Lu Guanque clasped his hands together and knelt on the ground: "I am Lu Guanque, your humble servant, here to greet Your Majesty." Then, Lu Guanque did not hide anything and told him everything that had happened in the past.
Xiao Ting kept his eyes wide open and his heart pounding throughout the whole process, just like he was listening to an opera.
Finally, his expression was extremely obscure: "You mean, Zheng Wanruo saved you, and you took the opportunity to escape. You suspect that Zheng Wanruo will impulsively kill people like Su He, so you want me to help you conceal your identity and whereabouts?"
"Yes." Lu Guanque's face was pale and his voice was low. "I hope Your Majesty can help me."
"I promised her that I would never lie to her again, and never make her sad again. But in the end, I still followed my own will and pushed her away, causing her pain."
Thinking of Meng Xuanli's last tears and back, Lu Guanque choked up and said, "I have loved her all my life, but I didn't expect that I would still let her down."
"I want to atone for my sins. I want to protect her in the dark for the rest of my life and never let her feel sad again..."
Xiao Ting had never seen Lu Guanque beg so desperately. His throat choked and he sighed, "I am also wrong. If it weren't for me, you, Meng Xuanli, and Zheng Wanruo wouldn't have ended up like this."
"Since you wish to conceal your identity, I will grant you a new identity as you wish. However, for the time being, you must stay in the palace and recover before you go find her."
Xiao Ting knew he would retort, so he continued, "Don't worry. While you're recovering, I'll send secret guards to search for Meng Xuanli's whereabouts. Once we've located him, it won't be too late for you to leave."
"As for Zheng Wanruo, I will find a reason to send her back to her hometown and forbid her from entering the Eastern Capital for the rest of her life."
Lu Guanque lowered his brows and said with difficulty, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I will keep the Duke's Mansion for you. If you come back in the future..." Xiao Ting paused, still hoping that he could stay in Dongdu in the future, "it will still be yours."
"Don't rush to deny it, everything is unknown."
Lu Guanque was silent. He thought, wherever she was, he would follow her.
After leaving Dongdu, Lu Guanque went all the way south. The day he found Meng Xuanli, bandits were causing chaos. He flashed into the courtyard with a mask on and killed them, but heard the sound of a struggle coming from the house.
Only then did he realize that when she left, she was pregnant with his child.
His nose was sore and he wanted to rush in, hold her hand, and tell her that he was there and that he loved her.
But he can't.
He gave her the divorce papers and said those cold and heartless words to her. He hurt her so deeply that he had no right to appear in front of her again.
It was already a blessing from God that he found her, watched her in the dark, and heard her voice. He didn't dare ask for anything else.
However, this evening, when he saw her hugging another man and being reluctant to leave, his previous confession instantly turned into resentment and jealousy.
This feeling tortured his heart, blocked his ears and nose, and pinned him underwater, leaving him almost dead despite his struggles.
How could he tolerate other men approaching her?
Only he can see her, only he can listen to her, and only he can take care of her.
But now, he didn't even have the courage to see her. Every day, he pretended to be an old man, secretly listening to her laughter in this room...
envy?
Does he deserve it?
He doesn't deserve it at all.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: I wrote the outline of the next book today.
The text is as follows:
In order to pay off their debts, the Wen family married Wen Yaoguang to Master Xie Wu.
On the day she entered the mansion, she acted submissive, but her eyes were fixed on another figure—
That was Xie Xuanyu, the third master of the Xie family. He was in a high position and had great power. He was the bright moon in the clouds that the world looked up to and the most respected person in the family.
It was also the existence that she fell in love with at first sight.
To get closer to him, her fingertips "accidentally" slid across his wrist bone, her breath "panicked" brushed across his neck, and her eyes were filled with silent entanglement.
But after repeated attempts, Xie Xuanyu remained indifferent.
Until that night, the Buddhist temple was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.
She pretended to be drunk and fainted in his arms, her fingertips brushing his tense jaw: "Third brother, Xiaowu died in the border. From now on... you will be Yaoyao's husband."
The man paused, but did not move away from her.
She was secretly delighted, and so she became bolder and more presumptuous, wrapping herself around him like a vine.
until--
She learned that he was going to marry a girl from the Wang family and kick her out of the house.
Wen Yaoguang was shocked to realize that all those indulgences and distractions were just his teasing and pity for her.
That night, she took the silver, erased all traces, and disappeared completely.
A few months later, Qiantang River was shrouded in mist and the West Lake was shimmering.
Wen Yaoguang hid his identity, listened to operas and admired flowers, and lived a happy and idle life.
Unexpectedly, before the play on the stage had finished, a familiar figure pressed her against the cabin wall.
Xie Xuanyu held her struggling waist and said in a low voice: "I've been looking for you and have turned Jinling upside down."
"Sister-in-law, where is the Third Master? Have you seen him?" Outside the cabin, the footsteps of a group of people suddenly came.
Wen Yaoguang refused.
Xie Xuanyu said coldly: "Are you scared now?"
"That's all the courage you have," he leaned over, his breath scorching.
"How dare you play tricks on me back then?"
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