Chapter 10 Qi Lan
Mingwu's long eyelashes trembled slightly a few times, and finally, with difficulty, she opened a small gap.
The blinding morning light immediately pierced her eyes like needles, forcing her to close them instantly. Her throat felt dry, as if she had swallowed a handful of sand, each swallow causing a burning pain.
"Madam! You're awake?"
Chunnan's voice, trembling with sobs, rang in my ears.
Immediately afterwards, Mingwu felt her sleeve being tightly gripped by a cold, trembling hand.
After a moment, Mingwu slowly opened her eyes.
The familiar bed canopy came into view, its intricate patterns revealing soft outlines in the morning light.
This is her dormitory room after she was discharged from the hospital.
Her limbs felt weak and heavy, and her temples were throbbing as if someone were hammering inside. The vibrations made her dizzy.
"water……"
Her voice was so hoarse that it startled even herself.
Chunnan hurriedly responded, frantically poured a glass of warm water, and carefully helped her half-up.
Mingwu took a small sip from her hand.
The warm water flowed over her burning throat, bringing a refreshing coolness that was like salvation, and gradually clearing her confused thoughts.
Memories of last night flooded back like a tide.
The torrential night rain, the glaring silhouettes on the window paper of the courtyard, Lu Cang's soaked clothes in the pavilion... and more...
My heart suddenly clenched.
Inside the carriage, that kiss tinged with the smell of blood. Lu Yuan's bloodied thumb ground against her lips, his burning tongue almost stealing her breath...
And then what?
My memories end here.
"What... happened to me?"
Mingwu unconsciously touched the cold glass, the glass rubbing painfully against her palm.
Chun Nan's eyes instantly reddened, and her voice was extremely low, trembling with lingering fear.
"Madam fainted in the carriage last night. It was the Prime Minister... who carried you back. Your face was frighteningly pale, your body was ice cold, and we couldn't wake you no matter what we did..."
Fainting?
She has absolutely no recollection of this.
My last memory is of Lu Yuan's bloodshot, almost crazed eyes, and the violent, predatory force of his lips and tongue...
Mingwu stared blankly at the ripples in the glass, her fingertips unconsciously touching her lips.
A dull, throbbing pain still lingered there. I carefully licked it with my tongue, and a faint, metallic taste of blood spread across my taste buds...
I can't tell if it's hers or his.
“The Prime Minister…” she heard her own dry voice.
"The Prime Minister brought you back, settled you in, and then left."
Mingwu's eyelashes trembled violently before drooping, casting two dark shadows on her pale, almost transparent cheeks.
Mingwu, what are you still expecting? She questioned herself fiercely in her heart.
Chunnan spoke with a worried expression.
"Madam, this is your third fainting spell this month. Although you have always been frail, such consecutive fainting spells are still quite alarming..."
She bit her lip.
"Should we ask the imperial physician to take another closer look? Last night, the physician only said it was due to fright, but I still feel..."
"No need."
Mingwu shook her head, her stomach churning at the thought of those dark, bitter medicinal soups.
"Perhaps he got caught in the rain and was frightened..."
Before he could finish speaking, a regular knocking sound came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Granny Qin led several obsequious maids in single file, each carrying an exquisite lacquer box.
"The Prime Minister instructed that some tonics be sent to the Madam."
tonic?
When did Lu Yuan become so considerate?
"Put it down," Mingwu said indifferently, not even bothering to lift her eyelids.
After everyone had left, Chunnan eagerly opened the lacquer box.
Whole, mature ginseng, blood-red donkey-hide gelatin, plump and oily deer antlers... all are valuable blood-nourishing treasures.
"Madam, look!" Chun Nan's eyes lit up. "These are truly excellent tonics. The Prime Minister still cares about you."
-
The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the dark carpet.
Mingwu was taking a nap on the soft couch when she suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps approaching from afar.
"Cousin-in-law! Cousin-in-law!"
Song Yuxuan burst in, her forehead beaded with sweat and her hair at her temples disheveled.
This little princess, who is usually carefree and would treat everything as a blanket, was acting completely out of character at this moment. Her fingers were tightly twisting the silk handkerchief in her hand, and two unnatural blushes appeared on her cheeks.
His eyes flickered uncertainly.
"Cousin-in-law..."
Her voice was so soft it was almost a whisper, with an unusual air of coyness.
"Did you see a piece of paper yesterday? Just... just a piece of paper with... drawing..."
She stammered, unable to utter the rest of her words.
Mingwu understood immediately, knowing she was referring to the portrait of Lu Cang. Seeing Song Yuxuan's embarrassed and anxious appearance, her gloom of the past few days seemed to have lessened somewhat.
She deliberately tilted her head, making a puzzled expression as if she was trying hard to recall but couldn't figure it out.
What kind of paper?
"It's...it's a portrait." Song Yuxuan stamped her feet anxiously, her face flushed red. "Oh dear, sister-in-law, did you see it or not?"
"I saw it." Mingwu stopped teasing her.
Song Yuxuan's eyes suddenly lit up dramatically, like two small flames igniting. She rushed to the soft couch in two quick steps.
"Then...then..."
Her breathing was rapid, her eyes were eager, but she hesitated for a long time before the words seemed to get stuck in her throat. Her face grew redder and redder, like a ripe red apple.
"It fell at the entrance of the courtyard," Mingwu said.
"But did your cousin-in-law find it?" Song Yuxuan asked eagerly, her eyes full of anticipation.
Mingwu slowly shook her head and briefly recounted what had happened at the entrance of Lanyuan yesterday.
Song Yuxuan's mood fluctuated wildly as Ming Wu narrated. After Ming Wu finished speaking, she looked dejected, and her shoulders slumped.
Mingwu's heart softened, and she couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
If she had known this would happen, she should have brought the portrait back then. In Lu Yuan's eyes anyway, the portrait was already "evidence" of her crimes. What difference would it make if she added another charge?
"It's all my fault, back then..."
"No! How can you blame my sister-in-law? It was my own carelessness. I even caused my sister-in-law to be misunderstood by my cousin. I should be the one who has let her down."
Song Yuxuan looked guilty.
"This has nothing to do with the princess."
He doesn't believe her. He never has. Regardless of whether she explains or not.
Song Yuxuan stared blankly at Ming Wu's calm profile.
The sunlight outlined her delicate features.
At first, he approached this cousin-in-law with the intention of watching the drama unfold. Later, seeing Mingwu being neglected, he only felt a little pity for her.
But at this moment, seeing that Mingwu was willing to bear the misunderstanding herself to cover for her, an indescribable feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.
Born into the prestigious Ning Prince's mansion, she grew up surrounded by hypocrisy and backstabbing. On the surface, the sisters were all smiles and affectionate, but behind the scenes, they wished they could trample each other into the mud and devour each other's flesh and blood.
She had never met anyone as pure and innocent as Mingwu, who would rather silently swallow her grievances than involve others.
Unbeknownst to them, that shallow pity had quietly transformed into genuine intimacy.
How could Mingwu be compared to Qi Lan, the so-called "Number One Talented Woman of Lin'an" who only knew how to put on airs and compose poems about the wind and moon?
My cousin... he'll see the good in Mingwu someday.
"Bang!"
The door was flung open, and Chunnan stormed in, her face flushed red. Her chest heaved violently, clearly she had run there.
"Madam, that one in the courtyard...that one..."
She was so angry that she could barely speak, and her finger pointed straight in the direction of the courtyard.
Mingwu frowned: "What happened? Tell me slowly."
"She stole the bird's nest soup that the kitchen prepared for you. It was sent by the Prime Minister this morning; it's the finest golden bird's nest, simmered over low heat for two hours, specially to nourish your body."
"What?!"
Song Yuxuan slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly, making the teacups on the table rattle and spill tea.
Her eyebrows stood on end.
"Someone without even a proper title dares to be so arrogant after just entering the household? Cousin-in-law, you're too kind-hearted and too good-natured. It's only been a few days, and she's already taking advantage of you. This is absolutely unacceptable."
She grew angrier as she spoke, and grabbed Mingwu's wrist with surprising force.
"Let's go! Cousin-in-law, let's go find her right now. I want to see how big her nose is."
She already felt guilty towards Mingwu because of the portrait incident, and now she was even more furious, wishing she could rush to Lanyuan and teach Qi Lan a lesson.
To seek justice for Mingwu.
Before Mingwu could even speak to stop her, Song Yuxuan dragged her outside.
Seeing this, Chunnan immediately straightened her back and followed along, eager to get started.
However, as soon as the three of them reached the corridor outside the courtyard, they were stopped by two stern-faced guards.
"The Prime Minister has ordered that no one is allowed to approach the Lanting Courtyard."
Song Yuxuan stared wide-eyed in disbelief: "My cousin... he actually protects that woman like this? What about Ming Wu, his legal wife?"
Mingwu's steps suddenly stopped in her tracks.
In an instant, it felt as if countless blades had sprung up out of thin air within my lungs. With each breath, the air scraped against those sharp edges, bringing excruciating pain.
The sun shone brightly in the sky, warm and inviting. But she felt a chill that shot from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, freezing her entire body stiff and numb.
Just then, the figure of the old maid from the Prince's mansion who had come looking for Song Yuxuan yesterday appeared from another part of the corridor.
Seeing this, Song Yuxuan immediately ducked down and hid behind Ming Wu.
"Why is she here again? So annoying. Sister-in-law, I'll go now, I'll come find you later."
Before the words were even finished, the person had already darted behind a clump of cypress trees that were half a person's height, and disappeared completely in a few flashes, leaving only the branches and leaves still swaying slightly.
When the old woman approached, she bowed respectfully to Mingwu. Her gaze lingered on Mingwu's slightly pale face for a moment, but she didn't say anything more before hurrying off in another direction.
"Madam, let's go back," Chunnan whispered, trying to persuade her.
Mingwu took a deep breath, about to turn and leave.
The tightly closed vermilion gate of the courtyard creaked open. A maidservant dressed in a blue cotton ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and with her hair in two buns stepped out.
This attire is not that of a servant in the Prime Minister's residence.
The maid's gaze swept over them, then she walked straight to Mingwu and gave a perfunctory curtsy. Her chin was slightly raised, and her tone carried a hint of barely perceptible arrogance.
"This must be the Prime Minister's wife, right? My wife invites you in."
Chunnan suddenly gripped Mingwu's sleeve tightly and said urgently in a low voice.
"Madam, don't go. It was her just now; she's the one who stole your bird's nest."
Mingwu patted Chunnan's hand reassuringly, her gaze calmly meeting the maid's eyes, her voice completely unwavering.
"Since Miss Qi has invited me, there's no harm in going to meet her."
Some things are unavoidable and must eventually be faced.
Stepping into the courtyard, the scene inside was even more luxurious and extravagant than it appeared from the outside.
The courtyard is planted with rare and precious flowers and trees, and the artificial mountain made of Taihu stones is exquisite and translucent, shimmering with a warm luster under the sunlight.
Every scene shows signs of meticulous care.
We turned through a series of winding corridors.
It is a Pixiu carved from a single piece of jade, with warm spring water constantly spitting out from its mouth, and the misty water vapor swirling and spreading.
Amidst the mist, several blue water lilies, blooming out of season, quietly unfurled in a huge white jade basin.
It was extravagant to the extreme, but also extremely quiet.
The entire courtyard was deserted, with not a single person in sight. Only a few small golden bells hanging from the eaves occasionally jingled in the breeze.
In this excessive silence, a chill ran down one's spine for no apparent reason.
"Madam, please wait here for a moment while I go in and inform her."
After saying this, the maid in blue turned and quickly walked towards the main room.
Mingwu stood there, her gaze wandering aimlessly, when suddenly she was captivated by a painting hanging on the wall of the main hall.
It was a painting of red plum blossoms in the snow.
The branches are weighed down by snow, but a few red plum blossoms bloom defiantly in the cold, their beauty breathtaking.
She was very familiar with this painting.
Last winter, she brought him some plum blossom cakes she had made herself to his study, eager to enjoy the snowy scenery with him. Pushing open the door, she found him standing before his desk, writing calligraphy.
On the rice paper is this painting of red plum blossoms, defying snow and frost, their vibrant colors dazzling.
It was then that she realized that this cold-hearted and aloof prime minister, who seemed only interested in power, actually possessed an amazing talent for painting.
She remembered standing beside him, saying many kind words, and softly begging him to give her the painting. She even swallowed her shame and did *that* with him in the study.
He still did not agree.
Unexpectedly, the red plum blossom painting she had longed for but could not obtain was now being seen in this courtyard.
A metallic, sweet taste suddenly welled up in her throat, but she forced it down.
"Madam, the lady of the house requests your presence inside."
The maid's voice interrupted Mingwu's reverie.
She straightened her slender back without making a sound and slowly walked into the inner room, which was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance.
The room was decorated in an extremely elegant and tranquil manner.
A guqin sits on a sandalwood table, with wisps of smoke rising from an incense burner beside it. Behind the desk by the window, with her back to the door, sits a woman dressed in a moon-white brocade dress.
Her black hair cascaded down her back, loosely tied up with only a simple white jade hairpin.
The woman turned her head at the sound.
A beautiful face came into Mingwu's view.
Unlike the dazzling, almost bewitching beauty of Ming, the face before me was exceptionally elegant and refined. Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains, and her eyes were like autumn waves.
Her demeanor was calm and serene, exuding a refined scholarly air, clearly the mark of a well-bred lady from a distinguished family.
However, his overly pale face, almost devoid of any color, gave him a sickly appearance.
"Crunch..."
A series of soft, sluggish sounds as wooden wheels turned broke the silence of the room.
The woman in the moon-white dress gently placed her delicate hand on the armrest of the wheelchair and slowly pushed the wheelchair with some effort.
He emerged from behind the desk.
The moon-white skirt cascaded down like water, covering the wheelchair footrest, swaying silently as she moved.
She raised her calm eyes, her gaze falling directly on Mingwu's face, a faint, enigmatic smile curving her lips.
"You must be quite surprised to see me like this, Madam?"
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