Chapter 68
The candlelight was dim, and the hot breath blurred the mirror, adding a touch of hazy charm.
Zhu Yun lifted one of her legs, changing her position to bend her knee and step on the table, then grasped the girl's wrist bone, making her support herself on both sides of the bronze mirror.
In this way, it can be completely exposed to the view.
Luo Yan paced back and forth in the corridor outside the study.
Not far away were Zhu Yun's attendants. Having spent several days in the palace, she could already recognize these people as eunuchs and guards.
They let her wander around them, and those people acted as if they didn't see her at all.
After a long while, there was finally movement in the study.
The first person to emerge was Luo's father, who personally opened the door and led the way. After him came…
Luo Yan turned around and hid behind a pillar.
Or, it's better to just hide. Pretend you don't know anything, and if summoned, claim illness. You can hide for as long as you can, even for a lifetime.
The footsteps approached from afar, the one at the front steady and composed.
Luo Yan thought to herself, this must not be Luo Shicheng. He has three layers of swimming rings around his waist, and he has to pant for three steps after walking four.
The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Good, good. We'll talk about it next time.
Suddenly someone said, "Miss Luo has been waiting here for half an hour."
"Miss Luo? Where are you?"
Luo Shicheng ran over, panting, "My daughter Yanru... has prepared tea in the garden..."
Zhu Yun immediately called to his attendant, "Lord Fuluo, go and rest."
As Luo Shicheng was led away, the air fell silent.
Luo Yan's heart soared.
She immediately regretted it. She shouldn't have waited for Zhu Yun here. She should have pretended to be sick for the rest of her life and never left the house!
No one asked her why she was hiding behind the pillars, nor did anyone call her out or ask her what she wanted to say.
Only one familiar footstep sounded, slowly approaching.
Luo Yan couldn't bear this torture any longer and turned around to appear: "Zhu Yun, could we speak in private for a moment?"
Zhu Yun looked around and found that it was a quiet place where they could have private conversations. There were people all around, and they were all far apart.
I wonder where else I could "borrow a step" from.
Luo Yan led the way, and Zhu Yun followed when she heard him.
She should have led the way like Luo Shicheng, but now she didn't even dare to turn her head, only daring to listen to the voices to make sure that Zhu Yun hadn't fallen behind.
A moment later, the noisy garden... and a small pavilion not far away.
Standing here, you can see Luo Yanru reciting poetry in the garden, and Shuanghuan with a mischievous look on her face.
Luo Yan felt slightly relieved.
But it was only a slight glance, a fleeting moment when she looked up and met Zhu Yun's eyes, and Luo Yan felt flustered and her hands trembled. She wanted to turn around and run away.
After much mental preparation, Luo Yan said, "I have something to report to you."
Zhu Yun suddenly asked, "Why aren't you wearing the earrings I bestowed upon you?"
Just one sentence made Luo Yan's heart pound again: "This humble woman... does not have pierced ears."
Zhu Yun chuckled: "Golden earrings dangle gracefully, a narrow robe hangs from the riverbank, and she leans against the water, smiling as she beckons distant guests. All women in the world love beauty, so Lady Feng should give it a try too."
Luo Yan's fingers were almost tearing her sleeves: "The pearl is too precious. I cannot accept such a gift without having done so much. I wish to return it to..."
Zhu Yun interrupted her: "Madam Feng won the game against me. This is a reward. Please accept it without worry."
But she doesn't know how to play chess at all!
From playing chess to placing pieces, every move is not in one's own hands; one is being forcibly pushed along.
Luo Yan didn't know what to say.
No matter what you say, the other party always seems to have a reason to refute you, so nothing you say will make a difference.
Luo Yan racked her brains but couldn't come up with a convincing argument.
After a moment's thought, she knelt down before Zhu Yun: "Zhu Yun, these earrings are too heavy. Just holding them makes me feel like I can't lift my arms. If I were to wear them, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to stand up."
Zhu Yun's voice was somewhat cold: "Madam Feng, have you ever read the laws of the Great Zhao Dynasty? You cannot refuse a gift bestowed by the emperor. If you don't know, you can write to Editor Feng and ask him. He is skilled in writing and will surely be able to answer your question. Remember to also ask him what constitutes the crime of deceiving the emperor."
Luo Yan knelt on the ground and saw Zhu Yun's robes sway with his steps, revealing his brocade boots that crisscrossed as he walked.
Zhu Yun paused for a moment, then said calmly, "If Madam Feng really doesn't like those earrings, I'm not one to force anyone. You can throw them away or destroy them as you see fit; there's no need to report back."
Upon hearing him mention Feng Mengshu, Luo Yan felt a chill run down her spine and knelt on the ground in a daze.
Did she cause trouble for Feng Mengshu again? The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is the Buddha Bathing Festival.
The Feng family's carriage struggled through the market. Looking down from the carriage curtain, all you could see were heads crammed together, people everywhere.
After finally squeezing through the bustling city, Luo Yan couldn't help but admire the wisdom and prowess of Feng's mother: the temple was bustling with worshippers on Buddha's Birthday, so visiting Dao Yun at this time was naturally a piece of cake.
The entire Daoyun embassy only received the Feng family, and the occasion was extremely solemn.
Not only did the Lord of Yun personally receive them, but after having a long chat with Madam Feng, he also led them on a tour of Yun.
Luo Yan used to go to Buddhist temples with Feng's mother often, but this was her first time visiting Dao Yun.
"Princess Yuwei, the elder sister of Emperor Gaozu, entered the Daoist path at the age of twenty and once practiced under the tutelage of Benyun. In the same year, Benyun collapsed due to a rainstorm, and was later rebuilt by imperial decree of Emperor Gaozu, hence the name Yuwei Yun. The believers also called Benyun Princess Yun."
Yunzhu looked at Luo Yan and explained with a smile.
Luo Yan smiled politely in response.
Yun asked her, "What does the believer think of me, Yun?"
Luo Yan subconsciously looked at Feng's mother, who said, "Don't be nervous, just do what you feel is right. Say whatever you want."
"Guiyun has an otherworldly air about him, and is extraordinary and refined. Very good."
Although I don't know why I suddenly asked for her opinion, it's probably the right thing to do to say something nice.
In the past, when Luo Yan visited Buddhist temples, she had never seen the places where the monks ate and slept; women were not allowed to enter the monks' quarters.
This Dao Yun was different; everyone from the master to the sweepers was a woman. Therefore, the master led them through the entire place, from the sleeping alchemy room and dining hall to the bathing bath.
They were quite enthusiastic.
So he added, "Your Highness is wise and insightful."
Princess Yun smiled and nodded. Madam Feng shooed her out, saying, "I have some Taoist magic to discuss with Princess Yun. You go and wait outside."
Luo Yan then led A-Zhi away.
When I went out, I encountered a group of Taoist nuns, dressed in drab gray robes.
Luo Yan was about to greet them when she saw several people give her an inscrutable look before walking past as if they hadn't seen them at all.
Ah Zhi whispered, "My lady, the Taoist nuns don't even have a smile on their faces."
Not only that, their gazes just now were also strange. They seemed to be chuckling, looking like...schadenfreude?
Feng's mother and Yunzhu were talking under the shade of a tree.
"I heard that Guiyun has also..."
Before Madam Feng could finish speaking, Prince Yun already understood.
"some."
Yunzhu pointed to a well not far away, where several Taoist nuns were drawing water to wash clothes. She moved her finger and gently touched the one where clothes were being hung out to dry.
"That woman, surnamed Li, was sent here in the sixth year of the Chaoqing era. She was only sixteen when she arrived, engaged, and of marriageable age. One night, her door wasn't properly locked, and a passing bandit sneaked in..."
Yunzhu lowered his voice, covering his mouth to say the last few words: "You've dirtied yourself."
Mother Feng quickly closed her eyes and began chanting sutras.
It is now the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Emperor Chaoqing, and Daoist Li has lived peacefully in Yunli for twenty years.
Lord Yun sighed, "Now that I am wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao, I can be said to have cleansed myself of all impurities."
A quarter of an hour later, the Prince personally escorted Madam Feng to the carriage and said to Luo Yan, "Madam Feng, we shall meet again someday."
This Lord Yun is being far too enthusiastic towards me, Luo Yan smiled politely.
After leaving Daoyun, the carriage continued its journey.
For several years, Feng's mother had been a devout Buddhist, and on such an important day, she would definitely go and join in the fun, bringing back a bowl of holy water from Qingyun Temple.
Zhu Yun is Feng Mengshu's boss's boss. If Feng Mengshu angers Zhu Yun, what will happen to her career?
Li Chaoen jogged over and beckoned to the two eunuchs on either side to help Luo Yan up: "Madam Feng, the ground is cold, get up quickly."
Luo Yan slowly came to her senses.
Seeing Li Chaoen's smiling face, she recalled his distorted and unjust manner in front of Qingyun Temple, yet he was still so kind and approachable.
Luo Yan immediately got goosebumps and kept her distance from him.
Li Chaoen didn't force him and stood guard at a distance.
Luo Yan got up from the ground and saw Luo Yanru still reciting poetry in the garden. However, as time went on, her voice became less clear and gradually lowered, and her body became restless, probably looking for Zhu Yun.
The girl who was chatting animatedly with Feng Mengshu just a few days ago has suddenly started longing for Zhu Yun.
Luo Yan returned to the Feng family in a daze.
As soon as she returned to her dormitory, she searched high and low for the brocade box. It wasn't until A-Zhi noticed her unusual mood and asked her about it that Luo Yan remembered that A-Zhi had packed it.
So they found out where it was and went to dig it up from under the tree.
They dug for a long time but couldn't find it. Ah Zhi was certain that it was right under there, but perhaps she forgot about it that day and buried it too deep.
Fortunately, after searching for another 15 minutes, we finally found it.
Luo Yan thought, the book, the earrings, and even the box—she couldn't keep any of them.
But she didn't know where to send it.
After thinking it over, Luo Yan realized that only Feng Mengshu could answer her question, so she decided to write a letter to Feng Mengshu!
It will take five days for the letter to reach Tuoze, and another five days for a reply. What will Feng Mengshu's reaction be when he sees the letter five days later?
Would he be surprised, or as frightened as she was? He might even be angry… but whatever the case, he would definitely reply to her. Because she had told him he absolutely had to write back.
March ended, and April arrived.
Luo Yan stayed at home, and no more strange carriages from the palace stopped at the Feng residence.
That evening, still no reply came from Feng Mengshu, so Luo Yan was called over by Feng's mother.
After a long period of cold war, Feng's mother's attitude towards her remained unchanged: "Yanniang, Erlang is on official business in Tuozhe, facing many dangers. I forgot to remind you, you are not allowed to write to him and disturb his concentration."
Luo Yan said, "...I understand."
Mother Feng's expression softened: "On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the Buddha's Birthday, you will come with me to Yuwei Daoyun."
Luo Yan naturally agreed.
After Luo Yan left, Madam Feng took out two letters hidden in her sleeve. One letter was from Tuo Ze: "...Yan Niang, please endure in the palace for two more days, you will be able to return home soon..."
No one knows a child better than their mother. Madam Feng understood Feng Mengshu's unspoken meaning: how dare he act impulsively for Yan Niang's sake, defying the imperial family! Had he forgotten how his eldest son died?
Besides the letters, there was also a thick stack of copied pages, all of which were the things Luo Yan was punished to copy when she made mistakes.
Mrs. Feng coldly burned the letter.
The other letter, intercepted from home, was from Luo Yan. Feng's mother glanced at it, then lit it with a candle and burned it to ashes along with the others.
Yuwei Daoyun... the only solution is to send her to Daoyun. This is the most suitable method I can think of after thinking about it for several days.
May Buddha bless her; she did it all for the Feng family.
Ah-Lu cleaned up the ashes and stood silently to the side. She watched as Madam Feng closed her eyes and began chanting scriptures again.
Zhu Yun led Luo Yan into the next room, held her on his lap, and said in a gentle voice, "We met Bai Yiyi halfway through. Cui Wuyang seemed to know her well. The two of them were pulling and tugging at each other, so I suggested that we split up."
"Where's the list?"
He took a thin booklet out of his sleeve: "Can I rest assured now?"
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