Chapter 17 "Take care of yourself, wait for me to come back..."
It's Lunar New Year's Eve again.
The swirling wind and snow stirred the lanterns hanging sparsely in the courtyard, their fragmented light flickering on the snow.
Wen Lingzheng sat by the window, reaching out to grasp a sliver of light, but when she opened her hand again, all she found was emptiness.
Yao Guang took the cloak and walked behind her. "Miss, we should go to Shou Kang Tang now."
Wen Lingzheng didn't say much, but quietly put on her cloak, led Yao Guang outside, and asked at the end, "Is the matter finished?"
"It's done," Yao Guang said, handing the hand warmer to Wen Lingzheng.
Wen Lingzheng then asked, "Didn't A Ning suspect anything?"
Yao Guang shook her head: "My brother said that Miss Pei thought that you were too young and embarrassed to hand the things to the Second Young Master in person."
Wen Lingzheng breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. A Ning is naive, so it's best not to involve her for now."
Since Old Madam Wen is still alive, the Wen family has never divided its property.
As Wen Lingzheng led Yuheng to the moon gate, the sounds of laughter and merriment from inside could already be heard.
Granny Ren, with her sharp eyes, came out to greet Wen Lingzheng as soon as she saw her.
She eagerly took the cloak the young lady had taken off, and said with a smile, "Fourth Miss has finally arrived! The old lady was just talking about you!"
You can't hit someone who's smiling.
Wen Lingzheng smiled in response, "It's a cold and damp snowy night, so please be careful, Granny."
Granny Ren responded and hurriedly went to lift the curtain.
Inside the room, candles were lit one after another, making it very bright.
Wen Jinghao was chatting with Old Madam Wen, praising all the young ladies in the household, making it impossible to discern her true thoughts.
Xiang and her sisters-in-law sat to one side, occasionally chiming in with a few words, their faces beaming with smiles.
As parents, it's really hard to make assumptions about people who boast about their children.
The young men and women of the Wen family led the Lin siblings to sit in another place to grind dates. Wen Lingzheng had no interest in this. After greeting the elders, she sat down next to Xiang Shi.
Just then, the Wen brothers arrived, and the young men and women from each household returned to their original seats.
The Wen family banquet was lively, with the pleasant sound of firecrackers outside the window mixed with the noise.
Wen Tongwen looked troubled, and Wen Tongfu hurriedly got up to offer him wine, but he couldn't stop him.
Under the gaze of Old Madam Wen, Wen Tongwen looked at Wen Jinghao and said, "The Lin family has sent a letter."
The joyful atmosphere froze instantly. Wen Jinghao's smile froze on her face. Lin Wenli held down the anxious Lin Shuyi, and the two siblings pretended to be calm.
"Big brother..." Wen Tongfu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Wen Tongwu observed his nose with his eyes, and his heart with his nose.
Grandma Wen could easily understand Wen Tongwen's implied meaning. She took a sip of warm wine, looked at Wen Tongwen, and replied, "Just tell him that I am ill and that your sister should stay for a couple more days."
Wen Tongwen didn't dare to contradict his mother, Wen Tongfu breathed a sigh of relief, but Wen Tongwu frowned.
Lin Wenli took in the expressions of these people, pursed his lips slightly, and seemed to be thinking about something.
After several rounds of drinks, the banquet ended, and Wen Lingzheng led Yaoguang back to Tu Nan Courtyard.
Yuheng had been waiting in the house for a long time. She had already dismissed the maids and servants in the courtyard. She quickly exchanged clothes with Wen Lingzheng and said softly, "Miss, everything has been taken care of."
Wen Lingzheng nodded slightly, turned around and took out two purses from her makeup box, which were heavy and filled with silver coins.
“After Yaoguang and I leave, you should turn off the light.”
"If anyone comes, just tell them I'm asleep and that we can talk about it tomorrow."
Knowing the matter was important, Yuheng solemnly agreed.
As Wen Lingzheng and Yao Guang's figures disappeared into the night, the lights in Tu Nan Courtyard gradually went out.
The moonlight, bright and clear as water, reflected the snow and illuminated the path ahead.
Wen Lingzheng followed Yao Guang, and the two walked through the winding covered corridors. Yao Guang Yuheng's mother, Granny Zhuang, was already waiting by the side gate.
"It's still snowing! And the girl is frail."
"How can you be so careless? You won't even buy the girl a new dress?"
Granny Zhuang came forward, took Wen Lingzheng's hand with heartache, and handed her the hot water bottle she was holding.
Yao Guang Yu Heng's father died of illness at an early age, and Granny Zhuang refused to remarry, raising her three children alone.
She was a bold and straightforward person who managed the several estates in the suburbs of Beijing that were part of Qi's dowry very well. Except for holidays, she was not often at home.
Yao Guang gave a wry smile, wanting to explain, but knowing her mother's temperament best, she simply kept quiet.
Wen Lingzheng smiled and hugged the hot water bottle to her chest.
"Why is it so delicate?"
"If it's an act, it has to look convincing."
She patted Yaoguang's hand again: "I know that Granny loves me the most, but I can't wrong this girl. There's no one in the whole courtyard more meticulous and considerate than her!"
"The young lady always sides with this girl!" Granny Zhuang smiled helplessly, not bothering to investigate further, and hurriedly welcomed Wen Lingzheng into the courtyard.
The courtyard wasn't large, but it was very clean, and a small plot of land had even been set aside in a corner, though nothing had been planted there yet.
After carefully closing the door, Granny Zhuang walked to Wen Lingzheng's side. "Miss, everyone is inside."
Wen Lingzheng nodded and walked into the inner room.
The snowy night was bitterly cold, but this room was warm as spring.
The Liu family, all dressed in beggar's clothes, were sitting inside the house. Upon seeing Wen Lingzheng, the three of them knelt down in unison, pleading, "Please, Miss Wen, save us."
Wen Lingzheng quickly stepped forward and helped Liu the tailor up. She then had Yaoguang take the little girl aside to play. "Since I invited you here, I certainly won't ignore you."
Her expression turned serious as Wen Lingzheng stared at Liu the tailor: "Have you noticed anything unusual during the time you announced your departure from Shengjing?"
Liu the tailor pondered for a while, and was about to shake his head, but then froze.
She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Fourth Miss, I don't know if that counts as abnormal."
"Several families suddenly moved into the alley where we live not long ago, and they all looked rather unfriendly."
"Only Madam Hu at the end of the alley is a little better, but she's a chatterbox and likes to gossip about family matters. Luckily, I was reminded by the young lady and didn't talk to her about family stuff."
Suddenly, Liu the tailor's sister-in-law, Mrs. Shao, slapped her thigh, as if she had remembered something: "I..."
Seeing Wen Lingzheng looking at her, Madam Shao scratched her head, revealing a hint of apology: "These days when I go to the river to wash clothes, I always run into Madam Hu, who just moved to the end of the alley. After a while, we became familiar with each other..."
Mr. Shao was too embarrassed to continue, but Wen Lingzheng had already guessed most of it.
Once they got to know each other well, he couldn't help but start to feel sorry for himself, and ended up spilling the beans about his family situation.
Liu the tailor gasped, recalling the menacing-looking fellows he had encountered just two days ago before leaving the house.
Fortunately, today happened to be a day for family reunion; fortunately, the children were playing and setting off firecrackers in the streets and alleys, making quite a commotion; fortunately, Wen Lingzheng had arranged for someone to meet them at the alley entrance in advance.
That's how they managed to disguise themselves as beggars and escape during the chaos; otherwise, their whole family would probably have perished there!
Liu the tailor looked at Shao and was furious.
"Sister-in-law! How could you be so naive! You completely ignored what I said!"
"We two are one thing! But how old is Bao'er? How could you do this to her?"
Startled by Liu the tailor's outburst, Mrs. Shao couldn't help but shed tears.
"Baojie is my own flesh and blood!"
"I wish she would live to be a hundred! How could I possibly harm her!"
Wen Lingzheng didn't have time to listen to their argument, and just stared at Mrs. Shao and asked, "Did you say anything else to her?"
Mr. Shaw shook his head violently, denying it repeatedly, "No! Really no!"
Tailor Liu quickly added, "Don't worry, young lady."
"Although I warned my sister-in-law not to talk to strangers easily, I only told her that it was because of what happened to Bao-jie that day and I was afraid of retaliation from the higher-ups! My sister-in-law was unaware of what I discussed with the young lady."
With her brows furrowed, Wen Lingzheng felt only annoyance.
This matter is extremely complex. If it is not handled properly, not only will we expose ourselves too early, but we will also easily arouse the other party's vigilance. It will be difficult to find any evidence later!
Her gaze swept over Liu the tailor and Mrs. Shao: "If there is a next time, I'm afraid even a god couldn't save you."
Suddenly a noise came from outside, and Granny Zhuang led the two into the courtyard.
Yao Guang peeked through the crack in the door and said to Wen Lingzheng, "It's my brother."
Wen Lingzheng nodded and looked at Liu the tailor: "Do you trust me?"
Liu the tailor nodded emphatically.
Wen Lingzheng put on her veil and walked out of the house.
Yao Guang's elder brother is named Le Sheng. He is a very honest and upright person. He is currently working in the outer courtyard, which makes it very convenient for him to go out of the mansion to handle matters.
There was another person standing behind him.
The man was dressed in all black, with a headscarf covering his face, and had a slender and well-proportioned figure.
Seeing Wen Lingzheng come out, Lesheng hurriedly took two steps forward and said, "Miss, this is the Second Young Master's attendant, Xingyun."
The snow was deep and heavy, like a branch full of pear blossoms.
The man stood under the tree with his hands behind his back. Falling snowflakes landed on his shoulders, but he did not brush them away.
His gaze pierced through the layers of night and came toward Wen Lingzheng, calm and composed.
Wen Lingzheng chuckled softly, but didn't expose her.
She walked towards the man step by step, and Granny Zhuang called on Lesheng to stand guard outside the courtyard gate.
"Have you looked at everything?"
The man nodded slightly.
A gentle breeze brushed by, lightly lifting a corner of his face mask.
Beneath the heavy falling snow, his eyes were deep and bright, as pure as the moon in the sky.
"Do you stare at girls like that in the North?"
"Didn't your lord punish you with a few strokes of the military rod?"
Wen Lingzheng couldn't help but laugh at him.
Pei Lin countered, "Why couldn't it be the Marquis who took me to see it?"
"Because he doesn't like it!"
How do you know he doesn't like it?
"I just know."
Wen Lingzheng answered affirmatively, and the cunning look in her eyes distracted Pei Lin's thoughts.
He seemed to see again that little girl with red eyes under the eaves from that year, and he remembered her words—"You can't fool me."
Wen Lingzheng smiled and didn't change the subject.
She waved to Yaoguang, and the Liu family followed her out of the house.
Pulling himself out of his daze, Pei Lin's expression became serious.
The doubts that had lingered for countless days and nights suddenly became tangible. He was indignant but also fearful, afraid that it was all just a mirage.
Baojie was still young, and upon seeing strangers for the first time, she shrank back and hid behind Shao.
Liu the tailor stood in front of the two, taking two steps forward under Pei Lin's piercing gaze, his legs trembling slightly. "Fourth Miss, who is this?"
Wen Lingzheng looked at Pei Lin and replied, "He is the one who can save you."
Pei Lin just withdrew his gaze and looked at Wen Lingzheng, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"So you trust me?"
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you to silence you?"
Wen Lingzheng chuckled softly, pretending to scrutinize him.
"You really are someone who indiscriminately kills innocent people."
"Maybe I just... don't like you that much anymore."
Pei Lin froze, his eyes filled with astonishment. Despite it being the dead of winter, a blush crept onto his ears.
He coughed lightly twice, his eyes drifting outwards, trying to distract himself.
Confirming her suspicions even more, Wen Lingzheng pointed to the courtyard wall: "Don't let them in?"
Pei Lin smiled, snapped his fingers, and a team of well-trained men in black instantly appeared in the courtyard.
Lesheng, who was guarding outside the courtyard, was startled, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He traveled together for a long time without noticing that someone was following him!
Liu the tailor picked up Baojie, his eyes filled with wariness.
"Don't be afraid, we're on the same side." Wen Lingzheng took a purse from Yao Guang's hand and stuffed it into Liu the tailor's hand. "Shengjing is no longer safe. You need to leave as soon as possible. There's not much money inside, just consider it a token of my appreciation."
Clutching the purse, Liu the tailor's eyes glistened with tears. "I have no way to repay your great kindness, young lady."
Wen Lingzheng shook her head and pointed to the purse, "Have you forgotten? My relationship with you is an exchange. I'm giving you the manor in Jiangnan. The token and contract are inside."
Tears turned to laughter, and Liu the tailor's eyes lit up: "Don't worry, young lady."
The carriage carrying Liu the tailor and his family slowly drove out of Yinan Lane.
In the deep darkness of the night, only Wen Lingzheng and Pei Lin remained, gazing at each other.
They always had a unique understanding.
She did not remove her veil.
He did not remove his mask.
She noticed his hand, which he refused to take out from behind his back, and saw through his inexplicable inner turmoil.
Somewhat amused, Wen Lingzheng stretched out her hand, palm facing up.
"How much longer will you hide?"
"You're not going to give it to me?"
Pei Lin tentatively took out the thing hidden behind his back, but his movements were too slow, which annoyed Wen Lingzheng.
She couldn't help but move closer to him and try to grab his unruly hand.
Pei Lin hadn't expected her to do something like this.
Even when facing thousands of troops and mountains of corpses, the young general, who had never retreated a single step, staggered backward and was easily pinned against the wall by the delicate girl.
He braced himself against the wall with one hand, his back straight, frozen in mid-air.
His breathing became disordered, especially when the thin veil of the girl's veil accidentally brushed against the tip of his nose.
His eyes, which had always remained unmoved even in the face of a collapsing mountain, were now filled with panic and helplessness, making Wen Lingzheng want to tease him.
She moved closer to him inch by inch, the brim of her veil almost touching his forehead.
They were so close that she could hear his slowed heartbeat.
Helpless, Pei Lin's fingertips, pressed against the wall, turned bluish-white from the force.
His back gradually closed the distance between himself and the wall until they were completely flush.
—Until he had nowhere left to retreat.
He couldn't help but look down at Wen Lingzheng. The light veil fluttered slightly, and he seemed to see the mischievous smile in her eyes.
Like a victorious fox.
Wen Lingzheng snatched the item from Pei Lin's hand and took two steps back.
In the vast expanse of white snow, the red plum blossoms on the branches are in full bloom, and you can vaguely see specks of white frost, like dewdrops from the morning.
"Is this for me?"
Pei Lin coughed twice, concealing his panic and helplessness as he came to his senses: "The hostage from Da Yue is coming to the capital. The Emperor has asked me to go there in person. I haven't forgotten my promise to accompany you to Lingyuan..."
Wen Lingzheng couldn't help but chuckle as she spoke haltingly.
This guy has such a fun side! How come she never noticed before?
"Go ahead! I'll wait for you to come back."
The moon's shadow danced, reflecting the swirling snow.
The surroundings seemed to be covered in snow, with only the red plum blossom in the girl's hand remaining as the last touch of color in the world.
Pei Lin was stunned for a moment, then, as if possessed, told Wen Lingzheng, "It won't be long, at most half a month."
"I've also erased all traces of the people you sent to the west of the city. Next time, don't do anything so dangerous again."
Pei Lin stared at Wen Lingzheng, raising his hand but only placing it on the top of her veil.
"Take care of yourself and wait for me to come back."
A note from the author:
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I didn't apply for the rankings this week because of word count restrictions. The next update will be during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Thank you for waiting!
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