Chapter 63: They meet again and her nightmare comes.
After Qin Yan and the others left, Shen Changfeng rested for two days before preparing to depart. He picked up his bag and found it had become much heavier. He opened it and found an extra bag of silver, several new clothes, shoes, and socks. Digging deeper, he found a small copper pot, a salt shaker, gold wound medicine, sulfur powder, and other essential items for a long journey. It was easy to guess who had secretly prepared these for him.
Shen Changfeng laughed, his eyes glancing at a dark shadow behind him. He paused and said, "Why aren't you coming out yet?"
A boy of about sixteen or seventeen walked out from behind the haystack and scratched his head. "It seems I need to improve my stalking skills."
Shen Changfeng said to him, "I don't have any wages for you anymore."
He jumped on the horse and walked a short distance. He found that the tail was still behind him. Shen Changfeng pulled the reins, turned around and raised his eyebrows.
Qingsong clenched his fist and said seriously, "I have it."
Shen Changfeng was stunned for a moment before he realized that he was answering what he had just said. He whipped his horse and scolded him with a smile, "Get out!"
Qingsong anticipated his move and laughed loudly, urging the horse to leap forward first.
If Chen Yue was Shen Changfeng's trusted subordinate, then Qingsong, who was about the same age, was more like his playmate. He had been with Shen Changfeng since childhood, his primary duties consisting of running errands, delivering messages, and fetching water. His greatest hardship came from being enslaved by the Su sisters.
Qingsong asked: "Where are we going?"
Shen Changfeng said: "Looking for someone."
Qingsong asked again: "Who are you looking for?"
Shen Changfeng touched the soft little head in the saddlebag: "The child's mother."
Qingsong: "My God! Is the young lady pregnant? Is my husband going to be a father again? Is there anything wrong this time?"
Shen Changfeng: “…”
Qingsong whispered, "My dear, do you know that Doctor Liang, who treated the princess, is dead?"
Shen Changfeng: "You followed me because you were afraid of death, right?"
Qingsong: "No, absolutely not..."
The two horses galloped away, raising clouds of dust on the road, while the sound of firecrackers continued to rise and fall behind them.
Lin Meizhu's eyelids twitched, her heart pounding. The sound of firecrackers was still ringing, and for a moment, she thought it was still the Lu family home in Nanjing a year ago.
After getting the divorce letter, she did not go south immediately. Lu Fei'er saw that she was in a low mood and was worried about her, so she asked her to make a long journey. At that time, Lu Fei'er was going back to her parents' home to celebrate her mother's birthday, so she invited Lin Meiju to go with her to relax.
It happened that Lin Youan's grandmother sent someone to invite them, so Lin Meizhu escorted the two siblings to Nanjing.
The Lu family was straightforward and cheerful, and their care for Lin Meizhu was meticulous. In fact, Lin Meizhu had actually stayed with the Lu family longer than with the Wang family. They were all considerate of Lin Meizhu's feelings and tacitly agreed not to mention anything related to the Shen family.
One day, everyone was chatting in the porch. Lin Meiju came suddenly and heard some words behind the gauze cupboard.
"There's been a big commotion at the West Mountain Hunting Ground... This isn't over yet!"
She froze there, her tongue stiff with shock, and a thousand thoughts flashed through her mind.
She couldn't help but admire herself back then. How could she have been so bold? This was the royal land! How dare she take the initiative to sell it! Cold sweat dripped down her back, and she swallowed softly, thinking: But at the time, she also felt that Shen Changfeng was in a high position and had great power. Even if the salt merchant found out something was amiss, he would have to suffer in silence. What's more, the salt merchant was not a good person to begin with. He bullied men and women, and raped young girls. At the time, she just thought she was doing justice for the people. Who could have thought that Shen Changfeng would suddenly fall from power? This matter spread so far. Did someone report it? Was the palace implicated? Would anyone find out about her?
She would feel guilty for months if she scolded a dog wrongly, let alone deliberately framing someone. If someone really suffered an unexpected disaster because of her momentary bravado or self-righteousness, she would probably never forgive herself for the rest of her life.
Another person said: "He lived in a shady inn...his hands and feet were broken. The white horse banged on the door like a human, begging for help. Alas...the body was never found!"
Several sighs of "Amitabha" were heard from the room.
Lin Meizhu suddenly thought of the Jade Lion Zhaoye. It was incredibly human, able to call for help. Could it be it? She pricked up her ears, hoping the person inside would continue talking. The gossiping women noticed her, saw her face pale, her lips bloodless, and the handkerchief in her hand twisted to pieces. How could they dare to say anything more? They quickly changed the subject.
It was also from that day that Lin Meiju became always restless and could not sleep well. Coincidentally, Lu Qingyan also came back to the Lu family to visit his grandmother, and he happened to bring some calming incense given by a friend. She was lucky enough to get a share, and was able to sleep well for an hour or so at night.
Before leaving the capital, Lin Meizhu had redeemed Qing'er and let her go home. Now she regretted it. She wanted to find out what was happening in the capital, but she had no idea where to start. She didn't want to bother Chuqi with these matters. He had official duties to attend to, including having his name removed from the government register, going to the Song and Li family ancestral halls to verify and enter the genealogy, and finally going to the family to comfort the ancestors. He was busy like a spinning top, unable to stand still. At least until spring came, Chuqi would have time to come to Hubei to talk.
Besides, if she asked Chuqi, she was afraid that he would think too much.
When she was most anxious, she even wanted to ask Lu Qingyan. He was a good man, not as aloof and arrogant as the young masters of aristocratic families. Talking with him was like a spring breeze. But every time the words came to her lips, she found it difficult to speak. After all, they were just nodding acquaintances, so she had to stammer and change the subject. Lu Qingyan probably didn't see through her awkwardness, because he always smiled and continued talking as she said.
The news she'd gathered included claims that Shen Changfeng had fled, that he'd been executed for renting out his hunting grounds, that he'd been holed up in the palace, afraid to leave, and that he'd been torn to pieces by his enemies. In short, the rumors were all over the place. Fortunately, the others didn't seem to be implicated. Knowing this, she felt a little more at ease.
The annoying sound of firecrackers finally died down. Lin Meizhu coughed twice, her hands and legs felt sore and weak that she was too lazy to move even if she wanted to get a glass of water. After an unknown amount of time, a cool breeze blew the curtains. Lin Meizhu shivered slightly, remembering that she needed to drink some water. She half-propped herself up drowsily and groped for the cup beside the couch.
The wooden latch of the west window had been loosened at some point, and the wind was now blowing silently in, pushing the carved window sash open to a gap as wide as a knuckle. The evening breeze, carrying the dampness of the night dew, made the two windows open and close. Listening carefully, I could hear a slow "tap", not like a collision, but more like someone knocking on the window with their knuckles.
Lin Meiju narrowed her eyes slightly and turned her gaze back, catching a glimpse of the hem of the official's hat chair swaying in the wind.
There was a muffled sound of thunder, and a storm was coming.
During the Qingming and Grain Rain seasons, mice are frozen to death. This late spring cold snap is no joke. Hadn't I caught a fever the other day because I wasn't paying attention? Lin Meizhu silently wrapped herself in the quilt, preparing to sleep. Suddenly, she felt the official chair creak, as soft as a sigh, barely perceptible.
Lin Meiju suddenly realized something and slowly opened her eyes again.
She never puts clothes on chairs. Who entered her room?
Lin Meiju heard her own heartbeat, muffled and like the sound of a drum, beating down heavily again and again, slowly accelerating, and showing signs of bursting out of her chest. She subconsciously held her breath, and with trembling eyelashes, she looked over again according to her memory. The official hat chair diagonally opposite was empty.
She half-raised herself and, through the thin white bamboo curtains and the weak light seeping in from the window, took in the table, chairs, small couch, and a few screens on the other side. They were exactly the same as before she went to bed. There were no unfamiliar clothes, and no one was around.
She let go of her elbows, feeling exhausted. Nothing was happening; she was just scaring herself. She slowly exhaled and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, realizing that just from doing these few movements, she was already sweating profusely.
She silently pulled the corners of her mouth, laughing at herself for being suspicious, but when she turned around, she found someone standing at the end of the bed, watching her quietly!
Her already uneasy heart immediately jumped to her throat, and Lin Meiju broke out in a cold sweat.
The sound of the door frames and windows shaking suddenly intensified. Amid the clanging sounds, the bed curtains were blown wildly, and the black shadows falling on the curtains stretched and became distorted, like a heavenly dog devouring the sun, crushing the already weak light inch by inch and swallowing it into its stomach.
In the fierce wind, the black hem of the robe was baring its fangs and claws, like a monster crawling out from deep underground with its wings spread.
With a rumble, purple-red lightning streaked across the sky. The fleeting light allowed her to clearly see the sea and river cliffs on the hem of her clothes. Stunned, she raised her gaze, meeting a pair of black eyes tinged with crimson. Those eyes were a deep, dark color, filled with overwhelming rage and hatred, as well as a strange paranoia and possessive madness that made her feel as if he was about to open his bloody maw and swallow her whole. She was so frightened she couldn't speak. She instinctively opened her mouth to cry for help, but her throat was blocked and unable to utter a sound. In an instant, her hands were pinned firmly to the bed, and then a pair of cold hands touched the side of her face, their fingertips icy with the night rain, making her hair stand on end.
"Madam, how can you sleep peacefully? Don't you see how much blood I have shed? Don't you know who is responsible for my fate?"
"You and I were once husband and wife, yet you are so heartless and cruel. You want to kill me without mercy. Do you think I will let you go?"
Lin Meiju wanted to argue, but seeing that he was still so domineering and overbearing, she felt desperate and powerless, and turned her face away with gritted teeth.
"What on earth am I inferior to that man?"
"Why can't you see how good I am to you? No, it's not your fault, don't cry... You must have been deceived by others. I'm going to kill them all."
"You still love me, don't you?"
Lin Meizhu sobbed, and he forced her to turn her face back, "Speak, open your eyes, look at me."
Seeing her silence and no response, the man grew even more furious. His mountain-like body toppled over again, and the hand across Yue Xiong tightened its grip, as if sinking it into her flesh and blood. He gripped her neck tightly, wishing he could break her tender throat. Then, he loosened his grip and gently stroked her back, kissing away the tears from her face. He whispered to her, his words tender yet heart-wrenching: "You are mine in life and my wife in death. Whether in this life or the next, we will cling to each other until death, and we will never be apart..."
The last wisp of air in her chest was consumed. Lin Meizhu inhaled sharply, waking from a nightmare. Lying on the bed, gasping for air, she realized the weight on her body hadn't been reduced. Her heartbeat raced. Her gaze slowly shifted downwards, and she saw a large black mass lying on her chest. The tension in her body finally relaxed, and every limb felt as if the strength had been drained from them. She relaxed again and again. "Xianchan, how many times have I told you, you can't sleep in my bed?"
"I was almost scared to death by you."
Lin Meiju's complaints were low and hoarse, and she twitched her ears and meowed.
She moved the pillow that was pressing on her left arm and weakly pushed the culprit that almost suffocated her to the side of the bed.
The cicada raised its long tail and brushed it against her chin to express its dissatisfaction. It jumped off the bed with a thud, leaving behind a pool of rain and a sturdy back.
Lin Meizhu lifted the curtain and realized it wasn't night outside. It was just dusk and rainy, and she'd been so drowsy she'd forgotten the time. She called out twice in a hoarse voice, "Xiao Man? Xiao Man?"
There was only the sound of sparse rain outside, and no one responded.
Lin Meiju sighed inwardly, wondering where this naughty girl had gone to play again.
Xiaoman was Aunt Zhang's youngest daughter. Due to a high fever she suffered as a child and was not promptly treated, the thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl had the mental capacity of an eight- or nine-year-old. Before leaving the capital, Aunt Zhang, who worked at the royal palace, approached Lin Meizhu, hoping to return to her hometown in Hubei with her. Lin Meizhu, already in need of a cook, offered her a contract.
Seeing that it was getting dark and Lin Meiju didn't see Chen Huisheng coming back, she took some mint cream and applied it on her sunscreen. She forced herself to change her clothes, tied her hair into a simple bun, and hurried out.
A new batch of medicinal materials had arrived recently. Lin Meiju had thought that she would go out to check and receive them today since she was feeling better. However, Chen Huisheng got up early in the morning and sent her back to lie down. She knew his temper. If she stopped him, he would say that he despised her because she was old and useless. Fortunately, the amount was not large, so she let him do as he pleased.
When they reached the Chuihua Gate, they suddenly heard voices coming from the front of the house. Lin Meiju's mind moved slightly and she quickened her pace, but she gradually became suspicious. Chen Huisheng was riding a donkey, so how could there be the sound of horse hooves?
A man walked out from behind the screen wall. He was not tall, with gray hair and a slightly hunched back, but his eyes were bright.
Lin Meizhu pointed outside and asked, "Who's here?" But her voice was hoarse and hard to hear. Chen Huisheng knew what she was asking by looking at her gestures. He leaned the shiny rattan stick against the side and took off his raincoat as he said, "It was raining heavily just now. Luckily, I met two young men who helped me move the goods into the warehouse... I asked and found out they rented a house next door. A neighbor is worse than a distant relative, so I thought I'd invite them over for a meal."
Lin Meizhu nodded and heard Chen Huisheng say with a smile, "I thought I'd come in and let you know. One of them is tall and imposing, with scars on his face. He's a bit scary. Don't let them bump into you."
"I can understand their official language, but they can't understand me. To me, it sounds like they're speaking the Beijing accent. They've just arrived here..."
A young man with a Beijing accent, tall, injured, or just arrived here? And he wants to live next door to them?!
Chen Huisheng was still talking, completely unaware that Lin Meiju's expression had begun to become extremely unnatural.
"Young men these days are truly remarkable. Even with injuries, they still bravely march long distances. I felt his bones," Chen Huisheng whispered. "I heard his followers call him 'General Flag'; he must be from the garrison! With the bandits running rampant lately, it feels a lot more reassuring to have him near us."
I can’t feel at ease, I can’t feel at ease! I can’t feel at ease at all!
Lin Meiju had a premonition, and this premonition made her start to tremble.
"Where's Xiaoman? Tell her to tell her mother to cook more food! I'll bring her in, don't neglect her."
Lin Meizhu grabbed Chen Huisheng's sleeve and said anxiously, "Don't let him in! Don't let him in!"
Chen Huisheng misunderstood: "Oh? You're going to greet them? That's fine, then I'll go find Aunt Zhang and make some tea while I'm at it."
Lin Meizhu was so anxious she was about to cry. She pulled his hand to write to him, but then she heard slow, deep footsteps coming from the front yard. Panic suddenly washed over her. As the footsteps approached, her heart sank, and her body stiffened. When she saw the person's face clearly, her vision went dark and she almost fainted.
She no longer had to worry about nightmares caused by guilt;
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