Chapter 13 That night, your brother didn't make things difficult for you, did he...?
The news that Lu Yuan was coming to Li Courtyard for dinner came from the east courtyard that morning. Li Courtyard, which had been like a stagnant pool for several days, was suddenly stirred up and became lively.
"This is the first time the Prime Minister will have dinner in the courtyard, so we must be careful."
Chunnan led several maids, who were busy making arrangements. They were all beaming with joy, and even their steps were light and quick.
Mingwu leaned against the soft couch by the window, holding a book loosely in her hand, but her gaze wandered beyond the words.
She wanted to tell Chunnan not to bother. But when she caught a glimpse of the cautious joy on Chunnan's face, she swallowed the words back.
That's all.
Let her be happy for a moment.
Chunnan pushed open the door and walked up to Mingwu, speaking very softly.
"The Prime Minister will be leaving court in an hour. Madam, shall I help you with your hair and makeup?"
The lady is stunningly beautiful; if she's willing, Chun Nan is certain that even the cold and aloof Prime Minister will eventually be moved. The most important thing right now is to win back the Prime Minister's heart; they absolutely cannot let that woman from Lan Yuan have a chance.
Mingwu suddenly came to her senses.
The sky outside the window was gray and the time was hard to tell.
The newly covered window with soft gauze was open, and a spring breeze carrying the scent of damp earth flowed through the room, stirring a few newly blossoming apricot flowers in a vase on the table.
The pink and white petals trembled and swayed gently, releasing a sweet and delicate fragrance.
They had been married for over half a year, and he had never eaten in her courtyard, nor even visited her courtyard very rarely. She had once thought he was a person of high status and power, and was used to being cautious.
So even the medicinal meals sent to him were carefully prepared and secretly delivered to the kitchen staff so that they could try them before sending them over.
Now, however, he suddenly wants to have dinner.
Yes.
The imperial physician's pulse diagnosis did not yield the results he desired; he found no trace of poison on her body, and his pretext for "punishing her" failed.
Given his controlling and uncompromising nature, how could he possibly give up so easily?
He came here surely to demand an explanation for his beloved.
Mingwu's fingers, which were gripping the book, suddenly tightened, her knuckles turning white.
In the courtyard, the newly sprouted willow branches swayed weakly in the cold spring wind.
The sachet that she had cut into pieces has been quietly tidied up by Chunnan and placed in a wicker basket to the side.
Although it still looks intact, the messy, mottled seams across the brocade clearly tell a different story.
It can never go back to the past.
Just like their relationship.
"No need." Mingwu shook her head, her voice so calm that no emotion could be discerned.
“But Madam…” Chunnan wanted to persuade her again.
Before she could finish speaking, Mingwu suddenly stood up: "It's stuffy in here, I'm going out for a walk to get some fresh air."
Chunnan was taken aback.
She knew that the lady was usually gentle and unassuming, and that she would not hold a grudge even if she was wronged.
But once they become stubborn, nothing can change their mind.
Seeing that Mingwu was about to step out the door wearing only a thin spring dress, Chunnan's heart tightened: "Madam, it's cold outside, please wear another layer."
With that, he turned and went inside to retrieve the light green brocade cloak, then quickly chased after her.
-
Mingwu pulled her clothes tighter around herself and wandered aimlessly along the garden path.
The cold wind of late spring, carrying a damp chill, easily penetrated the thin spring clothes and seeped straight into the bones.
She wasn't really looking for a place to go, but the deliberately created atmosphere of waiting for Lu Yuan in the courtyard always inevitably reminded her of those times when she sat alone, waiting night after night.
Those past events have now transformed into a dense, invisible needle.
It wasn't sharp, but it carried a dull, heavy force, grinding against her already numb heart, a dull, lingering pain.
It was so heavy that she could barely breathe.
The garden paths are winding, and the newly sprouted greenery appears somewhat desolate and forlorn under the leaden sky.
"Second sister-in-law."
Mingwu paused slightly and looked in the direction of the sound.
Lu Cang stood not far away under a blooming peach tree. His brocade robe, as blue as the sky after the rain, accentuated his clear and handsome features.
It stood out starkly against the gloomy sky around it.
He held a newly picked peach blossom in his hand, with a few delicate pink buds adorning the branch, trembling and timid.
"Third Young Master."
Mingwu nodded slightly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness and detachment.
She just wanted to avoid everyone.
Lu Cang seemed oblivious to her aloofness. He took a few steps closer, his gaze falling on her excessively pale face.
His bright smile faded, and a hint of genuine pity flashed in his eyes.
"It looks like it's going to rain. Why is Second Sister-in-law all alone in the garden? And is no one with her?" He paused, softening his tone. "Second Sister-in-law doesn't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"
"It's alright, it's just a bit stuffy inside, so I came out for some fresh air."
Mingwu did not want to say more.
Everything about the Lu family made her feel exhausted.
Lu Cang noticed her avoidance, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes. He looked down at the peach branch in his hand, then looked up at Ming Wu's aloof and lonely profile.
Courtesy told him that it was time to take his leave.
Can……
My feet felt as if they were entangled by invisible vines, and I couldn't move.
After hesitating for a moment, Lu Cang finally couldn't help but lower his voice.
"That night... did your brother... make things difficult for you?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them deeply. They were too abrupt and presumptuous; he shouldn't have said them.
But ever since that rainy night, he has tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He was especially worried when he heard that his brother had stormed out of her courtyard in anger.
I mustered up all my courage to come and find her today.
He couldn't let his own shameful and hopeless thoughts add to her troubles or tarnish her reputation.
Fortunately... fate had mercy on him, and he was allowed to meet her by chance in this peach garden.
The words "that night" suddenly pulled Mingwu back to that rainy night.
Inside the dimly lit carriage, a terrifying madness surged in Lu Yuan's eyes as he roughly smeared his bloodied fingers across her lips. Then, he leaned down, biting her with a destructive intensity, repeatedly and almost predatoryly stealing her breath…
That was the first time he kissed her.
Memories flooded back, and despite the damp chill of early spring, Mingwu suddenly felt a surge of heat rising from the depths of her heart, her cheeks burning, and her breathing becoming slightly rapid.
"Second sister-in-law? What's wrong? Have you caught a cold?"
Seeing the unnatural blush on her cheeks, Lu Cang asked her with concern.
"No...no..."
Mingwu hurriedly raised her hand to cover her burning cheeks, forcing herself to break free from that suffocating memory.
Lu Cang finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded haphazardly, "That's good, that's good..."
I don't know if what he said was good because she didn't catch a cold, or if it was good that he didn't cause her any trouble that rainy night.
The two fell silent for a moment.
The pale, leaden sunlight cast their shadows on the cobblestone path, creating a fleeting, almost illusory tranquility.
A breeze blows, and the peach trees by the roadside sway gently, their pink petals fluttering down like a pink rain.
Mingwu composed herself and was about to say goodbye when Lu Cang's voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of cautious consideration.
"I heard about what happened yesterday."
Seeing her look up, he continued, his voice even softer, "Miss Qi Lan's illness... it doesn't seem to be getting much better, and relapses are common. Second sister-in-law, you don't need to worry too much." He paused, then met her gaze sincerely, "I believe you."
Mingwu paused slightly, her fingers suddenly clenching tightly inside her sleeve.
A complete stranger could trust her, but her husband…
How ironic.
A faint smile touched the corners of her lips: "Thank you." The sense of distance faded somewhat.
Seeing her smile, Lu Cang felt a little relieved and smiled as well.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally handed over the peach branch that was in full bloom.
"There is still a chill in the spring air in the garden, but these peach blossoms are blooming so beautifully... If you don't mind, Second Sister-in-law, you can take them to admire or put them in a vase."
Mingwu loved peach blossoms, but she heard from the old lady at the Plum Garden that proper young ladies from respectable families should prefer the winter plum blossoms that bloom alone in the cold, or the lotus that rises from the mud unsullied, or the orchids and chrysanthemums that are elegant and serene.
It shouldn't be the alluring and restless peach blossoms.
Therefore, after arriving at the Prime Minister's residence, Mingwu never revealed this fondness. She rarely even visited the peach grove.
After a moment of hesitation, Mingwu finally reached out and took it, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against the delicate and soft petals, a touch of coolness seeping in.
"It looks great, thank you, Third Young Master."
The beautiful woman lowered her eyes, her slender fingers gently caressing the flower branches. Her tranquil and gentle profile captivated Lu Cang for a moment. Also mesmerized by this beautiful scene was a dark-clad figure standing behind a rockery not far away.
But after a moment of confusion, his dark eyes were filled with an unyielding, deep darkness.
His lips tightened into a cold, hard line, and the chill emanating from him almost froze the air.
A moment later, he suddenly turned around, his black robes billowing as he moved, sweeping sharply across a flower branch that stretched out to the side.
A crisp "snap" sounded.
The flower branch snapped in response, and the petals fell in panic.
Xu Ming gazed at Ming Wu, who remained oblivious, and then at Lu Yuan's departing figure, which seemed to be enveloped in a cold wind and snowstorm. He sighed deeply.
He quickly followed.
Mingwu was completely unaware of what was happening behind the artificial hill. She glanced at the sky, which was already getting dark, and was about to bid farewell to Lu Cang.
Suddenly she heard Chunnan calling her: "Madam".
Turning around, I saw Chunnan and Song Yuxuan walking hurriedly from a distance.
"Madam, what brings you here? This servant...this servant thought it was you..."
Chunnan ran up to Mingwu, her eyes slightly red, as if she had just been crying.
She quickly wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, then deftly draped the light green brocade cloak draped over her left arm and carefully fastened it over Mingwu.
The peach orchard wasn't far from the courtyard, but it was located in a more secluded area. Furthermore, the old lady disliked peach blossoms, so apart from the gardener who tended the orchard, very few people came.
She assumed that the lady had gone to the front yard to greet the prime minister as usual, so she went straight there to look for her. But after searching for a long time, even after the prime minister had returned from court, she still hadn't seen the lady.
Chunnan was so anxious that tears streamed down her face.
Mingwu patted Chunnan's hand reassuringly: "I was just taking a walk, I'm fine, don't worry."
Song Yuxuan was walking ahead of Chun Nan when she saw Lu Cang standing next to Ming Wu from afar. Her face lit up with joy, and her steps became lighter.
Then, upon noticing Lu Cang's focused gaze on Ming Wu, her face paled, and her steps involuntarily slowed.
He then fell behind Chunnan.
"Sister-in-law." She called out to Ming Wu, her gaze falling on Lu Cang, her hands nervously twisting her handkerchief in front of her abdomen, "Third cousin."
Lu Cang's gaze swept over Song Yuxuan, and he nodded slightly.
"cousin."
The two words conveyed a sense of stiffness and alienation.
He turned to Mingwu and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now." With that, he bowed to Mingwu and turned to leave.
Song Yuxuan stared intently at Lu Cang's departing figure until it disappeared behind the artificial hill. Only then did she reluctantly turn her gaze away.
"Sister-in-law, what are you doing here with my third cousin?" Her voice was filled with undisguised concern.
Mingwu could naturally tell what Song Yuxuan wanted to ask.
Even the most cheerful woman becomes sensitive and thoughtful when she meets the one she loves.
She explained calmly, "I just happened to run into the Third Young Master when I got here. We exchanged a few words and then you arrived."
Upon hearing this, and seeing Ming Wu's open and honest expression, Song Yuxuan realized that she had been overthinking things.
She smiled and affectionately took Mingwu's arm, winking mischievously, "I heard that my second cousin is coming to my cousin's house for dinner tonight."
Mingwu looked at Chunnan beside her, and Chunnan shook her head, indicating that she did not say it.
Song Yuxuan said, "It's all over the Prime Minister's residence. I heard about it as soon as I entered the residence."
Mingwu frowned slightly.
“Sister-in-law, don’t even think about it,” Song Yuxuan said confidently. “This matter must have been deliberately stirred up by someone, and I think it was Qi Lan’s doing. I’ve seen this kind of back-house scheming a lot in the Prince’s mansion.”
Chunnan looked puzzled: "Then what is she trying to do? Is she admitting defeat and submitting to the Madam's orders from now on?"
While she was in the Ming family mansion, what she saw most often was the mistress, Madam Lin, and her concubines shouting at each other, fighting, and pulling each other's hair. The loser would voluntarily give up their seat.
Let's fight again in the next round.
Song Yuxuan pouted: "What do you mean by admitting defeat and giving in? Qi Lan is cunning; she's definitely up to something. As for her purpose in doing this... cough cough, this princess can't figure it out for the moment."
She's seen a lot, but she's straightforward. She often only sees the surface of the intricate schemes and power struggles within the inner quarters, not the underlying truth.
"However, there's a saying, 'To catch a thief, first catch the king.' If my cousin-in-law can seize this opportunity to win over my second cousin's heart, then no matter what Qi Lan does, it will all be in vain."
Chunnan couldn't help but whisper, "Although I don't know many characters, Your Highness, isn't using this idiom a bit...?"
Song Yuxuan waved her hand dismissively: "Oh, who cares, as long as that's the meaning."
In front of Mingwu, the two of them came up with all sorts of ways for Mingwu to win over Lu Yuan's heart when he came to dine with them that night.
Mingwu was too lazy to stop them anymore and simply quickened her pace, leaving the two far behind.
As it was getting late, Song Yuxuan only escorted Mingwu to the gate of the courtyard before leaving in a hurry. Before leaving, she made sure to give her several instructions in her ear.
She was told she absolutely had to seize this opportunity to win Lu Yuan back.
The night was as dark as ink, pressing heavily over the courtyard.
Chunnan carefully pushed the door out of the inner room, gently closed it, and asked the maid in the corridor in a low voice.
"Has the Prime Minister not arrived yet?"
The little maid silently shook her head.
Lanterns hung in the courtyard, swaying uncertainly in the night breeze, their dim yellow glow resembling flickering will-o'-the-wisps.
Mingwu came out from the inner room: "Let's set out the meal."
“But Madam, the Prime Minister has not yet arrived…” Chunnan said anxiously.
At this moment, a maidservant rushed in: "Madam, news has come from the East Courtyard that the Prime Minister... the Prime Minister has gone to the Lan Courtyard and will not be coming."
The room fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the rustling sound of the night wind blowing against the window paper.
Mingwu's face turned deathly pale, and her thin body swayed.
After hearing Song Yuxuan's words, she also considered taking this opportunity to win his heart back. Not for love, but to solidify her position as the Prime Minister's wife.
But now it seems that her idea was extremely ridiculous.
-
As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, all was silent.
Only the copper bells on the eaves of the courtyard jingled softly in the wind, making the night seem even darker and more deathly silent.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A sudden, urgent, and violent knocking on the door shattered the tranquility of the night, striking the heart like a heavy hammer blow.
Mingwu had just changed into her nightgown, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, when the door was suddenly flung open with great force!
Granny Qin burst in, bringing with her a chill that instantly filled the room with cold air.
The candlelight was blown wildly, casting huge, grotesque, and distorted shadows on the wall.
"Madam! Quickly! Come with me to the East Courtyard!"
Granny Qin's voice was sharp and urgent, carrying an unquestionable command.
Before she could finish speaking, her rough, hard hands gripped Mingwu's slender wrist like iron clamps, the force so great that it instantly left glaring red marks on her fair and delicate skin.
"Granny!"
Mingwu cried out in pain, and was pulled staggering towards the door. She was only wearing one embroidered shoe, while the other shoe was left awkwardly on the threshold.
The carriages parked in the courtyard had their curtains drawn low, and in the dim light, they resembled a lurking, ferocious beast with its jaws wide open.
She was roughly shoved into the carriage, and the jade hairpin in her hair clattered loudly against the cold carriage shaft, breaking in two.
The carriage sped away like an arrow, the violent jolting making Mingwu's internal organs churn, almost causing her to vomit her heart and lungs.
After what seemed like an eternity, the car finally came to a stop.
The curtain was roughly pulled back, revealing the imposing and imposing gatehouse of the East Courtyard. Stone beasts crouching on the eaves cast menacing shadows in the pale moonlight.
It looked as if it was about to devour someone at any moment.
"Madam, please come inside quickly."
Almost simultaneously, Mingwu felt a powerful force strike her from behind, and she staggered as she was pushed into a dimly lit secret room.
The door behind him slammed shut with a loud bang.
"Get out! I don't need women."
A hoarse, piercing roar suddenly erupted from the inner room. The sound was filled with suppressed pain, like the frenzied howl of a dying beast.
It's Lu Yuan!
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