Chapter 74: It would be nice to die with him. The New Year is coming soon, and...
The New Year is coming soon, and there will be a wedding in the mansion, so the housekeeper has bought more red gauze than in previous festivals. Anyway, it will be used when Miss Yun gets married.
The whole palace was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns, and the atmosphere was filled with festivity. Even the branches of the flowering trees were hung with red lanterns the size of persimmons. The screen in the main hall was also replaced. It had white and plump tortoise shell figures wearing bellybands, which looked very cute. This was a wish for a large family.
The Fourth Lady has been coming to Jinxiang Pavilion often to hang out with Yunyang recently. The corridors in Yunyang's yard are all tied with red gauze. Facing the morning sun, the whole yard is dyed with a light red. When the wind blows, the yard rises and falls like hazy floating waves.
"Don't worry, Yangyang. You played a big role in Lu Jie's release. If you marry him, his family will definitely treat you well." The Fourth Lady chatted with her. Seeing her slightly frowning, she felt an indescribable sadness. She said earnestly, "Everyone is a little nervous before getting married. I was too. Just marry him. Lu Jie is a caring man. He has reviewed every one of your betrothal gifts and the boxes he sent. Don't worry."
The Fourth Lady had seen the items in those boxes and could not imagine that her serious-looking nephew would buy rouge and powder for little girls, as well as some small gadgets for the boudoir.
"Fourth Madam, I have a favor to ask of you," Yun Yang said. "The Xue family is taking on my mother's family's responsibilities, but I'm not without family in this world. I'd like to ask Fourth Madam to help me think of a solution. Please inform my sister and see if she can return to the capital."
"Your sister?" The Fourth Madam was stunned. "I haven't seen her in all these years. Didn't Lingjun help you contact her in the past?"
Yun Yang said: "My brother-in-law is very busy with government affairs, and I am getting married soon. I don't want to argue with him about this matter..."
The fourth lady roughly understood that the girl was old enough and was trying to avoid suspicion, so she immediately took on the task and said, "It's easy. I'll send someone to Mount Jiuyi to deliver the letter."
The little girl really changes every day. These days, she has become much calmer and her hair has changed from a loose bun to a smooth and elegant hairstyle. She has a slender waist and a full chest. Even when wearing bulky winter clothes, it is difficult to hide her graceful figure.
His gestures and movements were much more steady, but the heroic look in his eyes had faded, and he was always filled with a hint of sadness, and his eyes were so moving that they made people feel pity for him.
The Fourth Lady thought that after the New Year, Yun Yang would be seventeen years old and a grown-up girl. Time passed so quickly that she was filled with emotion.
As the two were talking, a maid came over and said, "The eldest son and the fourth master are going to Shuzhou on official business. The fourth master asked Madam to prepare some luggage for him."
Both of them were very surprised. They didn't expect that they would be given an assignment outside Beijing so close to the end of the year.
The road to Shuzhou is long, and it takes half a month to go back and forth. I wonder if I can make it to the reunion dinner?
Outside Xue Mansion.
The old lady asked the cook to quickly prepare some delicious food for her to take away. The noodles were as thin as silver threads, rolled into a ball, and had a light sweet taste.
Xue Yu took the food box. Old Madam Xue hesitated to speak, wanting to dissuade him, but she knew it was futile.
The fourth lady gave a few more instructions, saying that Shuzhou was damp and cold, especially in winter when there was no sunlight.
"Big brother, go ahead and come back soon." Xue Jin said, "We'll be waiting for you to come back for the New Year."
Xue Yu smiled faintly, "Okay."
Mounting on a tall horse, he couldn't help but look back and glanced around. His grandmother was standing in silence, some of his sisters had already put on new clothes for the New Year, and his aunts had different expressions.
I didn't see Yun Yang in the crowd. Even though I had expected it, I still felt a little disappointed.
Seeing this, the Fourth Madam waved her hand and said, "Ms. Yun is shy and can't come out to see you off. She's fine. Leave her to me for the next few days. I will take good care of her."
Xue Yu nodded, turned and left.
He hadn't seen her for a long time. He knew he shouldn't see her again, and there would be nothing to say if they did meet. Isn't the current situation the best? She can marry her lover, and he can be her brother-in-law, restrain himself and return to the proper rites, without feeling guilty.
He went to Shuzhou for two reasons: one was official business, and the other was to look for Yun Jia's whereabouts.
Regardless of whether Yun Yang was intentional or not, it was his negligence that caused Yun Jia to be like a drifting duckweed. He should find Yun Jia back.
The royal family of the previous dynasty resided in Shuzhou. When the Great Zhao Dynasty was first established, Emperor Gaozu, ruling the country, merely changed their surnames as a sign of benevolence. Many years have passed, and the world has changed, and they have become no different from ordinary gentry and nobles. Now, seeing the emperor's decline, they are unable to sit still again. According to secret reports from the East Factory, they have allied with former subordinates of the previous dynasty, and have gathered a group of people from unknown sources to start a rebellion.
The East Factory wanted to investigate. Xue Yu owed the East Factory a favor for helping Lu Jie get rid of the crime. The East Factory officials sent out many thousand households. Xue Yu also wanted to secretly investigate Yun Jia's whereabouts, so they went to Shuzhou together.
All the way to Shuzhou, the situation on the road became more and more grim. When he arrived outside Shuzhou City, he realized that the situation was far more serious than he had imagined.
Outside the city, smoke filled the air and corpses were scattered all over the ground. The head of the garrison leader was hung outside the city.
The East Depot operatives and Xue Yu had already changed into civilian clothes at the Changting near Shuzhou, abandoned their horses, and infiltrated the city disguised as civilians. After much investigation, they learned that the remnants of the previous dynasty had directly occupied Shuzhou, sealed the city gates, and isolated all news. They would soon block the official roads and waterways. Even the news that reached the capital was leaked by the garrison commander at the risk of his life. It was unclear whether the information was severely delayed or whether the remnants of the previous dynasty were acting too quickly.
Xue Yu looked up at the dried-up head on the city wall. This garrison leader had once drank and chatted with him, and was warm and sincere. Unexpectedly, he ended up like this. For a moment, he was filled with grief and anger, and his eyes were as cold as ice.
In such a short time, they captured Shuzhou City and controlled the Shu garrison. It was obvious what they wanted.
These people are not unprepared.
In the capital of Shangjing, Luodu, there was still peace and prosperity, but people were unaware that the land of Shu was shrouded in dark clouds and the people were complaining.
The New Year was approaching, and Xue Yu had not returned yet. It was as if a thick dark cloud was hanging over the whole house, and it was filled with gloom and misery.
There were all kinds of rumors going around in the capital, which made people tremble with fear.
It had snowed earlier, but the sky had just cleared up, high and blue. Yun Yang was waiting under the porch when a sudden gust of wind blew, sweeping the snowflakes from the eaves in all directions.
She quickly turned her head and turned her back to protect the medicine cup in her arms. However, as she tilted her head, the medicine in the cup accidentally spilled onto the bluestone floor tiles. The splashed medicine stains Yun Yang's skirt, leaving a dark spot.
The maid in Old Madam Xue's room came over and held out her hand, saying, "Have you burned your hand, young lady?"
Old Madam Xue has been feeling unwell since the beginning of winter. She has taken several prescriptions but to no avail. Decocting the medicine is a laborious task and requires someone to be constantly by her side to control the heat. Sometimes the intense heat hits people's faces and makes their eyes hurt.
Yun Yang volunteered to boil medicine for the old lady. The medicine was prepared on time, but the old lady was still asleep from her nap, so he had to wait outside.
After spilling a little, Yun Yang's fair hand turned red. He tucked the back of his hand into his sleeve and said, "It's okay. I'll go make another one."
A cough was heard from inside, and a figure was vaguely seen.
"The old lady is awake," the nanny said. "Miss Yun, please come with me. It wasn't much spilled, so it's nothing serious."
When Old Madam Xue looked at Yun Yang's face, she thought of Xue Yu who had not returned yet. Before leaving, Xue Yu said that he was going to Shuzhou to look for Yun Jia.
When a person is not feeling well, he will feel an indescribable melancholy. If she had agreed to their request directly, her grandson would not have gone to Shuzhou and would not have been imprisoned.
The old lady lowered her eyelids and drank mouthfuls of the warm and bitter medicine, which was so sour and bitter that it was unbearable.
"Old Madam, try some candied fruit to get rid of the bitterness," Yun Yang said, opening the brocade box he had prepared earlier. "Eat one. It won't affect the medicine. I've asked the doctor."
The old lady took it and found it sweet in her mouth, washing away a lot of the bitterness. After sighing slowly, her eyes fell on the red back of the woman's hand in front of her.
"There are all kinds of rumors in the capital, Yun girl, don't panic. After this year, your marriage will not be delayed. From now on, let the servants do things like decocting and delivering medicine. After all, you are a lady in the mansion, no different from Jin girl and the others. Don't do these rough jobs."
Yun Yang paused and said, "I'm not in a hurry. My sister is not at home, and I should show my filial piety to the old lady. Old lady, please rest assured. My brother-in-law is naturally a lucky man. I will wait for him to come back before getting married."
"Shuzhou...ah, now that all land and sea routes are closed, Shuzhou's terrain is easy to defend but difficult to attack. The court hasn't issued any orders, which makes us so anxious!" The old lady put down the medicine bowl and turned her eyes to the letter on the table. "Lingjun's father sent someone to deliver a letter saying that he will be returning home soon. His return is like a backbone."
Yun Yang said some words to comfort the old lady, then bowed and walked out.
The nanny came forward and said, "My lady, you've been very tired. Will you stay for lunch at noon?"
Yun Yang nodded, her face expressionless, no emotion visible, she lifted her skirt and walked out of the courtyard.
When she arrived at the stable, she no longer needed anyone's permission to leave the Xue Mansion. Sometimes she would ride a horse out of the city for a few laps. When the groom saw her coming, he naturally led out the chestnut horse he usually rode for her.
Yun Yang mounted his horse expressionlessly and left Xue's residence without saying a word. He continued to gallop straight towards the city gate.
At first, when Xue Yu went to Shuzhou, she thought that his departure would ease the awkward relationship between the two. Gradually, she felt that this was not the case.
Xue Yu was a civil official, and officials from the capital were not allowed to be sent out to other places. So why would he go to the distant Shuzhou on official business so close to the New Year? And he even asked Fourth Master Xue to go with him.
There are so many things that don't make sense.
So, when news of the riot and the closure of the city in Shuzhou spread to Shangjing in bits and pieces, she decided to go to Shu to find him.
The imperial court did not take any action, Shuzhou City fell, and the two sides were in a stalemate. Who knew how long this stalemate would last?
If the remnants of the previous dynasty declared themselves king in Shu, Xue Yu and those men from the East Factory would undoubtedly be detained.
She had received favors from the Xue family, and her longing for Xue Yu grew even more. When she saw that Old Madam Xue no longer had the radiance of the past and had tears on her face, the Xue family did not understand that she was the one who felt the most guilty.
So Yun Yang secretly decided that she would find Xue Yu and bring him back safely.
Or, if I die with him, the conflict with his identity ethics will no longer exist, and it will be over once and for all, without me having to suffer every day.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com