Chapter 73: Just now he was my brother, now he is Lord Lu Yun Yangcha...
Yun Yang realized that he had reached the limit of his tolerance. She allowed herself to indulge in his tenderness but was unwilling to take responsibility, which angered him.
She closed her eyes, no longer resisting, lying on the soft pillow, watching him indifferently, looking at his wet eyes, looking at his tense expression, revealing a faint smile, looking at him from his arms, uttering two words, "Brother-in-law?"
Xue Yu stopped and thought of Yun Yang in the past.
She was so well-behaved and cute back then. She was never like she is now, cold and delicate, and she would never laugh and ridicule him.
She must be disgusted with him, disgusted at why he couldn't just be her brother-in-law. They were the closest of friends, and this hard-earned friendship should be maintained. She would still respect, admire, and rely on him, instead of being like now, as if they were separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, and she was caught in a dilemma.
Xue Yu's eyes gradually turned cold, and he stood up. The girl's body was soft and delicate in the messy bed, buried in the crimson quilt, but her eyes were stubborn, and they just flashed into his eyes.
He stared at her and asked, "How important is your sister to you?"
His question came so suddenly that Yun Yang was stunned, but she still answered, "No one is more important than her."
Xue Yu took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her watery lips. Then he closed his eyes and said calmly, "I understand."
He lifted his long hair that was scattered on his chest and walked slowly to the window. He pulled a prescription from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "Dr. Liao's prescription. Take it on time and you will be free from menstrual pain."
"Okay." Yun Yang said.
After Xue Yu left, Yun Yang lay on the bed. The curtains slid down to separate herself from the surrounding area, forming a small space. She pulled up the quilt, curled up her slender figure, and couldn't fall asleep for a long time. Although she was completely sober, her mind was in a mess.
Why did he suddenly ask about his sister and ask such a strange question?
Of course her sister is important to her, but she is her only relative in this world.
Yun Yang missed the sleep he used to have. He could basically fall asleep as soon as he touched the pillow, but now he always has trouble falling asleep.
Xue Yu still stood in the yard, staring at the dark window, his eyes fluctuating. After a long time, like a flame extinguished by rain, he was filled with endless dejection.
Rong Er waited on the side and whispered, "It's late, sir, please go back. The girl can go to bed after her drunken madness."
"How has she been eating and drinking these days?" Xue Yu asked coldly.
"It's a full table, and we can use one or two." Rong'er said, "They are all prepared by the kitchen in accordance with the master's instructions, and they are the dishes that the young lady likes."
"Keep doing it. If it doesn't suit her taste, change her table."
"yes."
"Keep an eye on her."
*
Just before the Chinese New Year, news came that Lu Jie had been released.
It was snowing heavily. After hearing Rong'er's detailed report, Yun Yang's face was expressionless. He was not as happy as he had imagined, and his eyes were empty.
After a while, he opened his lifeless eyes and said, "It's good that he's released. It's good that he's not convicted... Where is he now?"
The green plum blossoms were in full bloom, reflecting the white snow, which was indescribably pleasing to the eyes. As Yun Yang was thinking, he suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Xue Yu for a long time.
"After Lord Lu was released from prison, he and Madam Lu came to express their gratitude. Madam Lu also brought a lot of betrothal gifts and asked to marry the girl." Rong'er said.
Yun Yang seemed confused and asked, "Marry me?"
"Well, Lord Lu said that he was able to see the light of day again, all thanks to your secret mediation and your efforts. He delayed your marriage and damaged your reputation, and you were obsessed with Lord Lu. Now that the Lu family is proposing marriage, isn't it natural..."
Yun Yang was stunned for a moment and nodded silently.
"Don't worry, young lady. Those harsh words in the past have now become beautiful stories. They say that your love for Lord Lu is as strong as gold, and that you stood up and never left the Lu family in times of crisis. They all look up to you as an example for wives of noble families." Rong'er observed her expression and said carefully, "Young lady, do you... want to get married?"
Yun Yang looked at the maids sweeping the snow in the yard outside the window. The snow fell silently and was swept away before it hit the ground. It was almost mid-winter. After the new year, another year would pass and she would be seventeen years old.
After a while, she asked, "Did he agree?"
Rong'er: "Master agreed..."
"That's great. Someone has to marry me, right?" Yun Yang lowered his eyes, holding the purple gold hand warmer in his hand, and looked up at the clear sky. "The dust has settled."
Afterwards, the curfew was lifted and Yun Yang could enter and leave the Xue Mansion freely, but for some reason, she lost her spirit and was unwilling to move. She just locked herself up in the Jinxiang Pavilion and told others that she was a girl waiting to be married and wanted to hide her shame.
Occasionally, they would run into Xue Yu. Yun Yang bowed and expressed his gratitude, and then both of them had nothing to say.
When others saw that the two of them had gone from being able to talk about anything to becoming more and more distant, they just thought that the girl had grown up and felt embarrassed, and since she was engaged, it was normal for her to be estranged from her brother-in-law.
Old Madam Xue sent many boxes and placed them all in front of Yun Yang. There were boxes full of silks and satins and boxes full of jewels. When the boxes were opened, they made Yun Yang's face turn pale.
The Fourth Lady also sent many gifts, but nothing as exquisite and unique as the Hetian jade headpiece. Smiling, she took her hand and talked a lot, not expecting such a close relationship. She was filled with emotion when she mentioned the time when Lu Jie was imprisoned. She noticed that Yun Yang's previously beautiful and bright eyes had become lost for some reason, often dazed, and she didn't know what she was thinking.
When Lu Jie arrived, Yun Yang was admiring the snow under the corridor of Jinxiang Pavilion. A colorful brocade fox fur covered her knees. Hot tea, snacks, and a chessboard were warmed on the low table beside her. The warm sun shone on her. Her long black hair fell to her waist like satin. She was half leaning back in the chair, covering her face with a notebook.
A pair of thin and slender hands opened the notebook.
Lu Jie watched as the joy in the eyes of the woman in front of him faded after she saw him, and was replaced by embarrassment and surprise.
There was not the slightest shyness of a bride-to-be seeing her lover.
His expression turned grim in the dazzling snow.
"Master Lu?" Yun Yang sat up, his fox fur coat accidentally falling to the ground. "Why are you here?"
Lu Jie remained silent, bent down to pick up the fox fur on the ground, and covered her legs again.
"Lord Lu looks much better than the last time I saw him. Is everything going well? Has he been reinstated?" Yun Yang asked.
Lu Jie: "I haven't been reinstated yet, so I won't be going to Lucheng. I've accepted a new position at the Ministry of Rites."
Yun Yang nodded. She didn't know the hierarchy of the court before, but after coming to the Xue family, she learned a little bit about it. For someone like Lu Jie who didn't belong to any party in the court and came from a poor family, entering the Ministry of Rites meant that he was recognized by the emperor as a promising talent, which was the best destination for him.
Even if he cannot join the cabinet, he will usually receive some light but important tasks, which are not dangerous and will not implicate anyone.
She hopes that his life will be peaceful and smooth and that he can live a good life.
"I came to your house to ask for your hand in marriage, but Master Xue said that Miss Yun was not feeling well and could not see guests," Lu Jie said, looking up at her. "Miss, do you not want to get married?"
She was stunned for a moment, then smiled faintly. "No, Lord Lu misunderstood. I worked so hard for Lord Lu, and because of that, I lost my marriage to the Zhang family. Everyone would think Lord Lu and I were a perfect match, wouldn't they? Furthermore, I've always been worried about Lord Lu being isolated and helpless in the court. Now, being able to marry into the Xue family and share our interests is a great opportunity to strengthen our ties."
Lu Jie frowned, sitting in the armchair in front of her, leaning forward slightly, staring at Yun Yang with a serious expression, "Miss Yun, I'm very happy to see this marriage happen. But what about you? Tell me, do you want to marry me? Do you really have any feelings for me other than repaying a favor?"
Yun Yang lowered his eyebrows, took a piece of candied fruit and put it in his mouth, then handed the plate to him, "It's quite sweet, try it."
Lu Jie looked at her with his dark eyes, but he didn't answer. He said firmly, "You don't want to marry me. If you don't want to marry me, then don't marry me."
Yun Yang was stunned.
His eyelashes drooped as he pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to her. "This is the letter of withdrawal I wrote. The responsibility lies entirely with me, and I'll handle the explanation. You don't have to worry about it."
"Miss Yun once said she wanted to see just how vast the Dazhao territory truly is, and that she wanted to travel the world. Does that mean it doesn't count anymore? Why should she be trapped in the harem?"
The layer of frosting covering the candied fruit in Yunyang's mouth faded away, leaving only a bitter and boring taste in his mouth.
He didn't care whether the dissolution of the marriage would affect his future and reputation, nor did he care about the help the Xue family could bring him. He only cared about her true thoughts.
Yun Yang took the letter and opened it. His handwriting was different from Xue Yu's, revealing a rugged sharpness and strength.
As expected, what was written in the letter took away all her responsibilities and took it all on himself.
Yun Yang looked at his slender and thin hands. There was a protruding bone on the palm of her hand and a small tooth mark. She looked for a while and saw a light blue robe sleeve floating faintly behind the screen wall.
Her brows relaxed, and she raised her head and smiled at Lu Jie. Her voice was clear and melodious, and her tone was full of joy and trust. "Brother Lu, you're overthinking it. I agree."
"Ever since my brother saved my life in Youzhou, I've been thinking about him all these years. When I learned that my brother-in-law had arranged a marriage for us, I was overjoyed. I felt dizzy for many days, as if I were dreaming. My long-cherished wish has finally come true. But time is passing too slowly. I wish my brother would take me out of the house sooner."
Lu Jie remained silent, his brows still dark, only his tense shoulders relaxed silently. The girl's words were like a hot spring in a rock, gurgling through his desolate and cold heart, bringing flowers to life wherever it went, and suddenly his heart was filled with vitality.
"I want to give Madam Lu something. We parted so hastily a while ago. When Madam Lu learned you'd done me a favor, she didn't blame me and treated me like her own daughter. What would Madam Lu like? She should have no shortage of silks and satins. I'll go to Miaoyuan Temple tomorrow to get a peace charm, okay?" She counted on her fair fingers. "Or should I send someone to buy some Youzhou specialties? Wouldn't a Youzhou gift be too cheap?"
He leaned over, his sweet breath spreading. He looked at her thick, flowing hair and said simply, "No need to give her anything. She only wants you."
Then he promised, "I will come and marry you as soon as possible."
Although the two of them were engaged, they were still unmarried couple after all. Lu Jie came here today with the intention of breaking off the engagement. Now that he was worrying for no reason, there was no reason for him to stay any longer.
He wanted to avoid suspicion and didn't want her to be talked about.
Unexpectedly, just as he was about to leave, she grabbed his sleeve, a little anxiously, "Brother, look, these books I'm reading are so boring, and there doesn't seem to be anything worth reading in the storybooks. Or what should I read? For example, I'm not very good at household affairs. What should I learn to ensure the stability of the harem in the future?"
Lu Jie turned around, sat down again, and said seriously, "Whether it's the Book of Songs, Strategic Essays, or the Classics of Famous Confucianists, as long as it's beneficial to you and has meaning, it's worth reading. Let me see what Miss Yun is reading now..."
Yun Yang caught a glimpse of the person behind the screen and saw that they seemed to have left. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly snatched the notebook from the low table and hugged it in his arms. He said awkwardly, "It's nothing. It's all unworthy of being in a formal setting..."
A serious person like Lu Jie, who studied hard with all her heart to serve the king, must have read those obscure books that made her dizzy and difficult to understand. As for the erotic and bizarre storybooks in her arms, it would be better if she did not show them to others!
Lu Jie didn't force it, and his voice was much softer than before. "It's getting late, so I'll take my leave first... Miss Yun, if you have anything to do, or if you want to see me... please send someone to find my servant."
Yun Yang said seriously, "I understand. Then I won't see you off, Master Lu."
Lu Jie turned around, a trace of confusion and disappointment flashed across his face.
He was just my brother just now, why did he become Lord Lu now?
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The author has something to say: No more tomorrow
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