Chapter 11 "Is he my lover?"
Yin Yuan arrived a few days after the house was tidied up.
He came several times, sometimes with guards, sometimes in official robes, and each time with so-called gifts—gold and silver hairpins, rouge and face powder, silk and satin, or seasonal flowers.
Holding the flowers, Leng Cuizhu thought to herself that the days were getting colder and colder, and she should go and buy more charcoal.
Why didn't Yin Yuan send some charcoal? He wouldn't. She knew he would only send her useless things that could decorate her and make her more beautiful.
After all, in this courtyard, the only thing of use to him was Leng Cuizhu.
"Thank you, sir. You have a very... refined taste."
She placed the pink orchid in her hand on the table and sat by the door peeling cabbage.
A moment later, she heard a soft cough and turned to see Yin Yuan still sitting at the table.
He came to see her today wearing his official robes, the sleeves damp with morning dew, and the deep-colored robe at the collar was the one she had made for him before, embroidered with tender green bamboo leaves.
"Is my lord leaving?"
She got up and took the cloak that was drying on the rack: "Let me escort you to the gate, sir."
The man paused slightly: "No."
"...I'm not leaving."
“Oh,” she nodded, hanging the cloak back on the rack. “If my lord is thirsty, please pour him some tea.”
The tea on the table had just been boiled, and steam rose from the spout of the teapot in wisps, like white snakes spiraling upwards.
The pot's walls were scalding hot, a sight the cold, green candle seemed to know.
She just didn't expect that Yin Yuan would actually get burned.
After taking only a few steps, the teapot fell to the ground, splashing tea everywhere.
Yin Yuan remained seated, looking at the red mark on the back of his hand.
"Oh dear, how could you be so careless, my lord?"
She sighed and picked up the shards of porcelain from the ground. This was the only teapot in the house; if it broke, she'd have to buy a new one.
To be honest, Leng Cuizhu didn't want Yin Yuan to see her, nor did she need him to. Firstly, she was disappointed in him, and secondly, she was afraid that he would run into Leng Zhen, who was returning from gathering herbs, and something might actually happen between them.
That day by the lake, she saw the two embracing each other from afar, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
The dodder refused to tell her what happened before she reached the shore, saying it was for her own good.
This kindness, however, kept her tossing and turning all night, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw the two of them embracing.
Leng Zhen had been submerged in the water for so long and still couldn't swim, so her abdominal cavity must have been filled with a lot of water when she was pulled ashore.
...Was it Yin Yuan who saved him?
She dared not think about how she was saved.
After cleaning up the broken pieces on the ground, Yin Yuan remained seated, his hands blistered from the burns, staring down at them.
Do nothing.
"My lord, you've been burned."
"Um."
She inexplicably glimpsed a hint of infatuation in his empty eyes.
"...You're injured."
“Lingniang,” he said, “I’m injured.”
He raised his hand, which was soaked and scalded red.
“…Then let me apply some medicine for you, my lord.”
She turned and went to the inner hall to find the ointment. When she returned with the medicine, Yin Yuan was still sitting.
A chair was placed next to him, and Leng Cuizhu sat down and scooped out a piece of ointment the size of a fingernail.
She took his hand, placed it in the crook of her knee, and bent down to apply the medicine to him.
"Where is Leng Zhen?"
She suddenly stopped.
"...Zhenzhen went up the mountain to gather herbs."
The man seemed to be sighing.
"There are clinics in the county town. Let him work there in a few days so he can earn some money for himself."
"I was wrong that day. I shouldn't have been so harsh on him. I will come to see him more often in the future."
"oh……"
Leng Cuizhu nodded awkwardly.
When has Yin Yuan ever cared for Leng Zhen like this before?
She used to want harmony between father and son, but neither of them wanted it. Now, things have changed. It turns out it wasn't that they didn't want harmony, but rather that they didn't want to be father and son; they wanted to be husband and wife.
That's disgusting.
Leng Zhen returned carrying her medicine basket and happened to pass under the eaves. She saw her mother with that man again and frowned, asking, "...Why are you two together?"
Yin Yuan: "We've been together these past few days, so you just happened to be home early today and saw us."
“Oh,” Leng Zhen scoffed, “How leisurely. I thought Father was busy with official duties all day long.”
“My mother spends time with me every day. Last night, she even watched the stars and admired the moon with me. She didn’t even tell me that my father comes every day. My father does too.”
Whether you tell her or not, I will listen to your mother.
Leng Cuizhu sat to one side with her head down, a constant buzzing in her ears, her heart heavy with frustration.
Isn't she a bit redundant to be here?
Yin Yuan was still chatting back and forth with Leng Zhen when she quietly told him that she was leaving, but he seemed not to hear her.
She couldn't wait any longer and tried to get up, but he grabbed her hand, leaving the remaining ointment on her fingertips and smearing it on the man's hand.
"Alright, I'll leave later and won't stay to have dinner with you, so as not to cause your mother any trouble."
"Difficult?"
Leng Zhen paused for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Yes, it's naturally difficult with you here." He adjusted his shoulder strap, slung his medicine basket over his shoulder, and left.
Leng Cuizhu couldn't fully understand the meaning behind their words, but she roughly understood that they were subtly mocking her for being intolerant.
"My lord, I still have vegetables to choose, I'll be going now."
Yin Yuan flicked his sleeve: "Let's go."
Despite saying that, he didn't loosen his grip on her hand at all; in fact, he tightened it even more.
"..."
Leng Cuizhu stopped and said with pursed lips, "My lord, Zhenzhen is eighteen years old this year, and it's time for her to get married."
"In this world, you are the only one I can trust," she said softly, leaning on his shoulder. "My lord, you must find some good girls for our children to meet."
"How about we hire a matchmaker this month? Zhenzhen can get married when spring comes."
The man lowered his head and pondered for a long time without responding.
His rosy hands rested on Leng Cuizhu's waist, and he lowered his head to gently inhale the fragrance of her hair.
Leng Cuizhu's neck ached from leaning against him, so she glared at him.
"What does my lord think?"
Yin Yuan stared into her eyes, scanning them several times.
After a long while, he finally hummed in agreement.
The following day, Yin Yuan sent a matchmaker to the residence to discuss the matter with Leng Cuizhu.
Leng Cuizhu had no idea about these things; she was just listening to the matchmaker introduce some suitable girls.
"The only daughter of the blacksmith Wang in the east of the county is quite good. She is seventeen this year, and she knows a bit about music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She is also pretty."
"Ah..." she forced a smile, "Then I probably wouldn't be good enough for you, would I?"
“My son is not talented, he only knows a few words, and he has a bad temper. Perhaps he will not be able to have a good conversation with Miss Wang.”
"Moreover, Miss Wang... comes from a respectable family. Her parents must love her very much and hope that she will marry into a respectable family."
The matchmaker chuckled and said, "Oh, my lady, I understand."
"Here's what I'll do. I'll go back and ask around to see if there are any adopted or illegitimate daughters who are legally married. I'll also ask around for widows!"
The matchmaker, wringing her handkerchief, went out and happened to run into Leng Zhen, who was returning from gathering herbs. The two sized each other up.
"Mom, whose relative is this?"
He placed the medicine basket on the table leg and sat down opposite Leng Cuizhu.
The medicine basket was filled with unknown herbs, but Leng Cuizhu couldn't find anything unusual in it.
The day before yesterday, Dodder came to her to complain that Leng Zhen had brought back strange things, but it seems that what Dodder said was not true.
"The matchmaker your father hired is here to introduce you to a girl."
"...Why introduce a girl?"
"Getting married."
Leng Zhen choked on her tea, her eyes widening: "What?"
He was furious and nodded repeatedly, "Fine...fine." He gripped the teacup in his hand as if he wanted to crush it, his fingertips turning white and throbbing with pain.
Is she really that impatient?
Didn't we agree to live a good life together?
Why do I have to try so hard to get rid of him now?
She once clearly and firmly said she wanted to leave that man, but now she's playing the harem card.
And what about him? Was he a joke? Was he someone who was dispensable?
Why not let him die? Why insist on keeping him alive? And even let him get married... Why does she want him to get married? Does she really want to see him repeat her mistakes?
Marriage is the most terrifying thing.
Leng Zhen felt nauseous whenever she thought about how her birth was due to her mother and father's passionate lovemaking at night.
A few days later, the matchmaker introduced Leng Cuizhu to the adopted daughter of Doctor Li. The girl was over twenty years old and still unmarried, and official matchmakers were flocking to her door.
Leng Cuizhu met with Miss Li first. Miss Li was lively and had her own opinions on things. The two agreed to go boating on Qingluo Lake on a sunny day.
Leng Zhen didn't refuse and cooperated with her throughout the process, which put her at ease. On a sunny day, she took Leng Zhen to Qingluo Lake to meet Miss Li.
The two young people were on the same boat. She and the matchmaker stayed in the waterside pavilion on the shore, gazing at the scenery on the boat.
"They seem to get along well," the matchmaker chuckled. "Don't worry, my lady."
"good……"
Leng Cuizhu sat in the sun, the dazzling sunlight shining on her face, her fair cheeks radiant, her beauty captivating and enchanting.
The rooster nestled at the hem of her skirt, dozing off.
"Sigh, host... it's no use doing this. Before you can straighten him out, he'll be bent."
"Just you wait and see, he definitely won't end up with that girl. The chances of them becoming best friends are higher than the chances of them becoming husband and wife. His submissive character can't be changed. In a few days, you'll definitely be doing missions with me obediently."
Leng Cuizhu raised her leg and kicked the chicken's rear end, sending it flying to the side.
She was naturally nervous, and the dodder kept chattering away. She should have brought Eun along instead of softening her heart when she saw the dodder crying.
"Granny, I'm going for a stroll."
Qingluo Lake is the largest lake in the county, and it is also the only lake that does not freeze in winter, so the banks are lined with vendors.
Winter days are rarely sunny, so there are naturally more people out and about than usual. Leng Cuizhu followed the crowd aimlessly.
A little while later, it started to snow in the sun, and snowflakes landed on her forehead.
Afraid of ruining her makeup and not having brought an umbrella, and unwilling to spend money to buy one from a vendor, she raised her hand to shield her head and looked for shelter from the snow.
She was walking against the flow of people when someone bumped into her shoulder, causing her to stumble a few steps before her wrist was grabbed.
Turning around, she saw a man wearing a veiled hat leaning towards her in the surging crowd, protecting her in front of him.
The veil fluttered, revealing a strand of white hair at the side of her neck.
Her wrist felt as if it had been burned by a blazing wildfire, and the heat made her cheeks flush red. She quickly withdrew her hand and tucked it into her sleeve.
What brings you here?
"It's snowing."
Eun tilted his oil-paper umbrella to shield her from the wind and snow.
"Did you take it from home?"
"Yes."
Did you lock the door before you left?
"It's locked."
Relieved, Leng Cuizhu shared an umbrella with him and walked side by side.
Leng Cuizhu: "You still remember what I said?"
She once told Eun that his silver hair was very conspicuous, and when he walked on the street, he was either mistaken for a god and worshipped, or he was arrested as a monster, so he had to cover his hair up completely when he went out.
"Remember."
There were children selling malt candy on the street. Leng Cuizhu remembered that Leng Zhen liked to eat it, so she bought one. After twisting it, she took two pieces of malt candy and handed one to the person next to her.
"Try this, they all love it."
"Okay, thank you."
He took the candy stick: "Doesn't Madam like it?"
"Ah, I've never eaten this before."
She had only ever bought maltose, but never actually eaten it; she always bought it for Leng Zhen.
"I don't like eating sweets."
"You don't like it?" Leng Cuizhu took the candy he handed back, blinking. "But Leng Zhen can't finish two of them..."
"Why don't you try some, madam?"
"If you don't try it now, the sugar will freeze solid and won't taste good anymore."
After pondering for a while, Leng Cuizhu finally took a bite of the maltose in her hand.
She doesn't usually like sweets, and the taste of maltose doesn't appeal to her either.
But she felt inexplicably satisfied, as if a huge rock that had been weighing on her heart had finally been lifted.
So this is what maltose tastes like.
She had been buying candy for many years, and finally found out.
She and Eun strolled along the lake for a while, then returned to the pavilion, where the matchmaker was dozing off at the table, snoring loudly.
The rooster huddled under the table and fell asleep without a word.
The small boat on the lake rocked incessantly, splashing water everywhere.
Leng Cuizhu looked closely and saw that the two people on the boat were fighting fiercely, from the bow to the stern. One of them kicked the other into the lake.
"...Wasn't that Zhenzhen who fell into the water?"
“Yes.” Ewan said as he closed his umbrella. “I remember you said he can’t swim.”
Will he drown?
"Possibly."
Her light blue clothes were somewhat worn, and her face inevitably showed signs of fatigue.
This thin, desolate woman, who suffered daily from thirst and dryness, rarely smiled; I don't know why.
It's like honey melting in your mouth.
Unexpectedly, Leng Zhen climbed ashore alone from the water.
Water gushed from his body onto the ground, leaving watermarks wherever he went, before he strode into the waterside pavilion.
“Mother,” he brushed the wet hair from his forehead back, “who is he?”
Leng Cuizhu froze, turned to look at him, then glanced back at the person beside her.
Eun was equally surprised; her veil trembled slightly, and the white gauze fluttered.
He whispered a reminder: "Just passing by."
Leng Cuizhu's heart pounded: "A passerby, he just happened to be passing by."
"Is he your lover?"
Leng Zhen bent down and twisted the hem of her clothes.
"……What did you say?"
"yes."
Eun nodded, and the curtains draped down as she gently told her, "He asked if we came here to row boats."
A note from the author:
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