Chapter 103 He wholeheartedly told her his feelings and did not mention the rumors
Su Ying stopped Du Heng. She was afraid that if he said one more word, she would no longer be able to harden her heart.
Yesterday, Yuan Song had mentioned the Shangshu's daughter to her, but Su Ying hadn't taken it to heart. She knew Du Heng wasn't the kind of person who would resort to any means necessary to advance his career. If he had been so focused on his career, he wouldn't have chosen to miss the imperial examinations and observe three years of mourning for his father, staying indoors.
While a three-year mourning period is a customary practice, few truly adhere to it. Such an incident occurred at Su Ying's maternal grandfather's academy. There was a man there who lacked talent but was a diligent student. Seeing his tireless work, his grandfather made an exception and accepted him. The man didn't qualify for the imperial examination until he was thirty-six. However, his father died the year before the spring examination. According to etiquette, he would have had to wait another five years before taking the exam. Finally, he pleaded, "I cannot disobey my mother's orders," and took the exam. While this was against etiquette, it was understandable that he was "following my mother's orders," and it didn't provoke much criticism.
Therefore, although Su Ying kept her distance from Du Heng from the moment she entered the Du Mansion, she always knew that he valued virtue and filial piety, and was a man of affection and righteousness.
But it was precisely because she knew what kind of person he was that she said those words in the library that day.
She knew that Du Heng would not ignore Jinniang, who had been disfigured for him. She didn't want to wait until her love was deep and regretless, only to be forced to retreat by reality. By then, even if she was truly shattered, it would be too late.
But now, Du Heng completely ignored it and was unwilling to fulfill even this little bit of decency. He just put his feelings on the table and spoke bluntly. How could she bear it?
"Cousin, you just said that reputation is very important to a woman. I will just pretend I didn't hear those words. Please don't say them again."
At this moment, Qingquan called out from outside: "Master, Qingyun is here to invite Master Yuan on the orders of the Second Madam!"
Du Heng seemed to be about to speak, but was interrupted by Su Ying. She just called out "Qingyun" and called someone in.
Du Heng had no choice but to step back a few steps, watching Su Ying instruct Qingyun to move the box under her feet, and then hurried away.
Su Ying naturally wouldn't tell her aunt about the dispute between Yuan Song and Du Heng. She simply pointed at the box Qingyun was still holding and said, "Yuan Song came to give me something. He put it down and left."
Su Ying wanted to avoid the topic because she didn't want her aunt to ask her any more questions and expose her true identity. Just as she was thinking about how to change the subject, she noticed that her aunt looked tired, so she asked, "Aunt, are you tired?"
Su Ying had been in the side courtyard these days, and Rong had already asked the servants to keep quiet, so Su Ying didn't know that a little beggar was making trouble outside the mansion this morning.
Rong Shi naturally tried to comfort her mother-in-law in front of her. But when she was alone, who could comfort her? Rong Shi finally couldn't help herself and told her niece everything she had learned in the past few days, along with her suspicions.
Rong's face was filled with sorrow. She said, "The Spring Examination is approaching, and Heng'er should be concentrating on preparing for it, but this incident has frightened me."
Su Ying naturally understood what her aunt was afraid of. This was not a prank that could be dismissed by little beggars messing around on the street.
Before the Great Zhou imperial examinations, the Ministry of Rites, the Supervisory Office, and the Ministry of Personnel would jointly conduct preliminary investigations. If anyone was accused of "immoral behavior" or "improper conduct," a thorough investigation would be conducted. If the results of the Spring Examinations were not announced by the time the exams began, the candidate would not be allowed to take the exam. Even if they were ultimately found to have been wrongly accused, they would have no choice but to endure the humiliation and wait another three years.
Rong held Su Ying's hand and said worriedly, "After much thought, I realize that the only one who would benefit from this is Jinniang, but I can't say this carelessly. I can see that Jinniang has feelings for Heng'er. If she really did it, and Heng'er is in trouble, what good would it do her? Besides, Jinniang came to the capital alone and rarely leaves her house. How could she have the opportunity to meet those people?"
"Heng'er has always been calm and composed. He said in front of your grandmother that he had a clear mind, and he wanted to reassure us. But I always feel that he might be like me, just not wanting to worry your grandmother, so he's holding it in." Rong Shi became more and more worried as she spoke. As if she suddenly remembered something, she patted Su Ying's hand and said, "No, I have to go talk to Heng'er."
Su Ying quickly stopped her aunt and said softly, "Aunt, since my cousin said he has a plan in mind, then he must have a plan."
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered the frustrated and sad look on his face when he stopped her just now. He had only been sincere in telling her his feelings, but he hadn't said a word about the rumors.
Su Ying's heart ached, and she advised, "Aunt, weren't those little beggars causing trouble just this morning? Arrangements have been made outside the mansion, so let's wait and see what happens. You absolutely must not panic at this moment, and you must not place your worries on your cousin."
Rong nodded: "Yes, yes, you are right. I can't disturb Brother Heng'er's mind at this time."
At that moment, Qingyun had just returned from returning to the side courtyard after returning from the box. Stewards and maids were also arriving to report matters. Su Ying, realizing it was inconvenient to remain, bowed to her aunt and took her leave. But just as she left the side hall, she saw Biyu, Jinniang's newly assigned maid, approaching with a bouquet of camellias.
Su Ying knew that the most common tree in the Du Mansion's garden was plum. Plum blossoms are delicate, and a single species would undermine the plum's solitary beauty. Therefore, they planted camellias in prominent spots in the garden. Camellias, with their large, vibrant blossoms, complement the plum blossoms, further accentuating their aloofness and purity, earning them a special place among plum lovers.
This bunch of bright red camellias was naturally picked from the garden, but how could a newly assigned personal maid like Biyu go alone without her master's permission? She must have been under Jinniang's orders. But just now, after hearing what her aunt had said, Jinniang had clearly been crying and begging to go home, yet why had she suddenly regained interest, actually thinking of such a vibrant camellia? It was truly joyful.
So, Su Ying stopped leaving the main courtyard, turned around and walked towards Jinniang's room.
Biyu seemed to be in a good mood. Su Ying followed her a few steps, watching her brisk steps and occasionally lowering her head to smell the red flowers.
It is said that a maid is a mirror of her master. If the master is good, the maid will be good too. If the master suffers, how can the maid smile?
Su Ying's desire to test the waters became stronger and stronger.
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