Chapter 54: Yun Yang was tired of eating delicious food and didn’t know what happened next…
Yun Yang didn't know how she fell asleep. Xue Yu kept talking about trivial matters in her ear, which made her sleepy.
All she could think about was how she had coveted her brother-in-law. She was so frightened that she fell into a deep sleep.
When he woke up, it was already bright outside. Yun Yang felt vaguely that what happened last night was just a dream, and a confused look appeared on his face.
My brother-in-law is gentle, polite, calm and measured. He would never be as moody as he was last night, nor would he say inexplicable things and not care.
"Miss, the Zhang family sent an invitation. Mr. Zhang invites you to have a chat at Fanyue Tower." Rong'er said.
"Where is Fangyue?" Yun Yang realized that someone was missing.
"Young lady, Fangyue left a letter yesterday and returned home," Rong'er said, handing Yunyang two letters. "Young lady, please take a look."
One letter was from the Zhang family, and you could tell what it contained without even reading it.
Yun Yang opened Fang Yue's letter. The words in the letter were simple, saying that his mother was seriously ill and he had to go to take care of her.
"Does Fangyue have parents?" Yun Yang frowned and sat down on the dressing stool. "When the eunuch brought her here, didn't he say that the stall owner wasn't her father?"
"Perhaps she does have a mother," Rong'er said. "She has a name and surname, and it doesn't seem like she lost her father at a young age."
As they were talking, Rong'er had already dressed Yunyang skillfully. The sun was shining brightly, the flowers were blooming in all colors, and the fragrance was wafting through the air. The capital city was filled with the spirit of spring, making it a perfect place for young men and women to meet and talk.
When he reached the gate, someone called him. Yun Yang turned around and saw Xue Yu in a dark blue shirt.
He always likes elegance and rarely wears such bright colors, which seems to enhance his already handsome appearance. His spring clothes are light and thin, outlining his tall and neat figure. His eyes are clear and he stands under the blossoming trees with a faint smile, making him look like he can emit radiance.
Yun Yang's gaze fell on the light red on his cheek, which was obviously a little red and swollen.
It turns out that last night was not an illusion... She did kick him, and kicked him in the face, causing his nose to bleed.
"Yangyang is going out?" The handsome young man with injuries on his face said with a faint smile.
"...Yeah." Yun Yang said, "Brother-in-law, good morning."
Xue Yu is now well-dressed and gentle as jade.
He was completely different from the man who appeared in her tent last night with his clothes half-open, kicked by her until his face was covered in blood, but he still put his face in her palm without a care, looking angry and coquettish.
"It's getting late. Did you sleep well last night?" Xue Yu walked over very naturally, glanced at the carriage waiting outside the door, and then returned his gaze to her. "Yangyang looks very beautiful today. Are you going to keep your appointment with Master Zhang?"
"Yes, yes." Yun Yang said, "Master Zhang sent a visiting card early this morning."
"Mr. Zhang, you are so thoughtful." Xue Yu nodded and smiled. "I haven't finished practicing calligraphy from yesterday. Let's go after we finish practicing."
"Ah?" Yun Yang.
"Yeah. Remember I told you that hard work makes perfect, while play makes waste?" Xue Yu said, "If you don't practice for a day, your hands will become useless."
"...This doesn't seem to be about practicing calligraphy?" Yun Yang wanted to struggle. It was not that she was in a hurry to see Master Zhang, but mainly because she didn't know why she was afraid to be alone with him now.
"Yi refers to practicing calligraphy. Yangyang must not have been listening carefully." Xue Yu said slowly, tapping her head with the rib of his folding fan. "Brother-in-law will explain it to you again later."
"Oh, by the way, brother-in-law, are you taking a day off today?" Yun Yang frowned and searched his mind for famous sayings that could counter this. "There's a saying that goes, 'Learning without play is like toiling away without gain.' Resting to nourish the body and mind is the only way to advance in learning..."
"Who said that? You've forgotten your brother-in-law's words, but you remember others' words clearly." Xue Yu's tone was steady and he smiled lightly, "You deserve to be punished."
"...I'll go with you, can't I write it?" Yun Yang was defeated.
When we arrived at Fanyue Tower, it was already noon, and Master Zhang had been waiting in the private room for a long time.
Yun Yang took his seat and looked up at Master Zhang with a guilty conscience. He looked calm and composed, still with that solemn and dignified demeanor. He couldn't help but sigh at how stable his emotions were...
Zhang Qian sat down facing her, leaning against the back of his chair. His dark eyes showed no emotion. He extended his hand in a gesture of invitation, "Miss Yun, please sit down."
Yun Yang sat down as he was told, and spoke sincerely, "I was delayed today by something. I'm sorry to have kept Master Zhang waiting for so long."
Zhang Qian moved the teacup on the table and poured tea from the pot. "That's fine. I should have made an appointment with Miss Yun the day before."
He handed the teacup to her. Yun Yang took it and found it was not hot. The water was just the right temperature.
"I wonder if Miss Yun has read that Buddhist scripture?" Zhang Qian spoke calmly, his dark eyes looking at her.
Yun Yang had the illusion of engaging in a discussion, and racked his brain to spout off some Buddhist sayings. He began to find himself laughing as he spoke, and with a sigh, he admitted, "Master Zhang, to be honest, I'm a layman. I haven't had time to see the world yet. It's too early to talk about my understanding of this world or my anticipation for the afterlife. Your sincerity in hand-copying the Buddhist scriptures is truly admirable."
"Miss Yun, you're being too modest," Zhang Qian said, his expression changing slightly before he finally spoke frankly. "As you can see, I've been devoted to Buddhism and Taoism since I was young, and I have no attachment to this world, let alone marriage. But my family is full of loyal and brave people, and this legacy has reached my generation, so I can no longer be so willful about my own life. I heard that you also have some requests for your husband's family. How about this: I'll accompany you back to Youzhou to reclaim your inheritance, and you and I can be just a couple in name only. How about that?"
Yun Yang slowly swallowed the last sip of tea. Zhang Qian leaned in slightly, staring at her intently. "What do you think, Miss Yun?"
"Master Zhang." Yun Yang pursed her lips cautiously, took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of her lips. She leaned back, putting some distance between them and him. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. Zhang would never lie or tease you." Zhang Qian looked at her steadily, his handsome face expressionless, as if he was talking about something ordinary. "You have something to ask for, and I have something to ask for too. Isn't that perfect? Don't worry, marrying into the Zhang family will not only bring you luxury, but also ensure you have no one to restrain you. You can do whatever you want. After the matter in Youzhou is settled, if you want to divorce, you only need to wait for a while. When everyone in the capital has forgotten our marriage, you can then proceed."
Xue Yu's words suddenly popped up in Yun Yang's mind: "Marriage is no joke."
But after the initial surprise faded, I thought about it carefully and realized that what Mr. Zhang said made sense.
She had already seen many noblemen in the capital, but finding one who shared her feelings was incredibly difficult. Not only had she failed to find one, but if she continued like this, her reputation would likely be tarnished. Besides, she had already troubled the Fourth Madam so much. The Old Madam had found the Zhang family for her, so she couldn't afford to offend the Old Madam.
"Miss, do you have any concerns? What's wrong with the Zhang family?" Zhang Qian asked again.
Yes, there is nothing wrong with the Zhang family. They have made great contributions, and the emperor will definitely not make things difficult for them.
The Zhang family will no longer have to ask the Xue family for help, and she will no longer have to flatter her brother-in-law and beg for help.
In other words, he couldn't give her any sincerity.
Yun Yang looked at Zhang Qian's indifferent face. He was no longer like a real person, as he was no longer full of emotions. What was the use of such a person's sincerity?
What she needs to do now is to control her heart. With the marriage with the Zhang family, everything can be put on the agenda, and she can leave the Xue family and leave... Xue Yu as soon as possible.
"Okay. It's a deal." Yun Yang said.
Zhang Qian's face finally showed an expression, the expected indifference. He took the handkerchief handed to him by the servant and wiped his hands. "Young lady, you are so generous. If so, it would be bad for you to go back empty-handed. Come with me for a walk. Is there anything you like? I will buy it for you as a gift."
Yun Yang smiled, "Okay."
Since it has been made clear that the relationship is one of mutual needs, then it is clear that he wants to buy things for her and spend money on her, isn't it just to make up for the false relationship later?
Who has a grudge against silver and good things? What can't she accept?
After coming to the Xue Mansion, although she received a monthly allowance of silver, she did not dare to use it and kept it all. The silver given by her parents had been spent long ago. She did not look at anything new these days for fear of wanting to buy it again.
Yun Yang diligently took Zhang Qian to several perfume shops, silk shops, and jewelry shops, but Zhang Qian didn't even blink, as if the silver notes were just paper.
But Yun Yang couldn't bring himself to go on a shopping spree.
After all, there is a bottom line. I feel embarrassed to spend his money, even if he will be my husband in the future.
Yun Yang thought gloomily that it was not easy to be a lazy person... She didn't expect that she would stick to such a high moral bottom line. It must be that her parents educated her so well!
At dusk, the Zhang family's carriage stopped at the gate of the Xue family's house. Yun Yang got off the carriage and said goodbye to Master Zhang with a smile.
"Today's meal is all vegetarian. Does Miss Yun like it?" Zhang Qian asked. "If Miss Yun doesn't like it, you can eat separately from me in the future."
"Eating too much meat and fish will make you sick, so it's good to eat vegetarian food occasionally," Yun Yang said. "Besides, those wild rabbits, chickens, ducks, and geese in the mountains are also lives, aren't they? By following Master Zhang and eating vegetarian food, you can also accumulate merit."
Yun Yang has this problem. If the other person is polite, she is used to following what others say to avoid embarrassing the other person and making herself feel out of place.
Zhang Qian smiled faintly, "Miss Yun is just accommodating me."
Yun Yang had been walking around the streets all day, and her legs were sore. She didn't feel like exchanging compliments with him anymore, so she lowered her eyes and said, "Master Zhang, it's getting late. Let's make an appointment another day."
Zhang Qian didn't argue, nodded, and got into the carriage.
Rong'er saw Yun Yang limping back, sitting on the couch, rubbing her calf, looking relaxed and tired. She quickly walked over and squatted in front of Yun Yang, reaching out to pinch her leg under her skirt, "Miss, are you tired? How come you are so tired after going out with Master Zhang?"
Yun Yang sighed. When she asked, he didn't know how to tell her that he had taken Zhang Qian shopping, but in every store he was hesitating between buying a lot and not buying anything.
"I just walked too much and I'm tired." Yun Yang said, feeling his legs heavy. He pushed Rong'er away and collapsed on the bed. "I'm tired. I'll rest for a while. You can go down."
"Miss, you haven't washed yet. Let me help you wash. Just follow me." Rong'er said softly, "Miss, what do you think of Master Zhang?"
Yun Yang pulled himself up and weakly pointed at the pile of brocade boxes and bundles on the edge of the table. "Look, this is the gift he gave me. Zhang Qian lives up to his name. He's humble, generous, and comes from a high-class family. I think he's a good guy."
These words seemed to be meant to convince himself, but after he finished speaking, he felt even more upset. He lay down with a frown on his face, and caught a glimpse of a handkerchief at the bottom of the bed. The bloodstains on the handkerchief had turned black.
The handkerchief... was used to wipe Xue Yu's face last night. The warm touch and his heavy and unsteady breathing were like leeches on her tarsus, lingering and making her even more upset.
"That's good. Miss, now that I have found a place to stay, I feel relieved. Miss, are there any personal belongings in here? Or are they tokens of love given by Master Zhang? I will help you sort them out and put the rest of your things in order..." Rong'er said.
Before she could finish her words, she saw her young master lying on the bed, tearing a piece of silk handkerchief with a slightly annoyed look on his face, muttering something, "Anyone who disturbs my heart shall be punished with death! What on earth do you want to do?"
Rong'er frowned in surprise. She had followed Yun Yang for almost two years, and she had only seen him being so reckless and cute when he first came into the mansion. After that, he gradually became calmer... Yun Yang was a very good-tempered person and had never lost his temper with anyone. Why was he angry over a handkerchief now and was even rubbing it with a sound of "ah ah ah".
He wanted to throw it away, but then he sighed heavily and put it back into his sleeve.
"Rong'er, I'm tired and don't want to move at all. I leave it to you." Yun Yang waved to Rong'er, his eyes as blank as a ghost.
After washing up, Yun Yang tossed and turned, racking her brains, unable to figure out when she'd developed these evil thoughts towards Xue Yu. She couldn't figure out if she was just lured by his beauty, or if she was truly attracted to him. She wasn't known for her determination, but she certainly wasn't going to harbor such incestuous thoughts towards her brother-in-law, was she?!
I simply stopped thinking about it, and only fell asleep in the second half of the night when the night watchman rang out.
Unexpectedly, before I fell asleep, I heard a cold and pleasant voice, "Can't sleep?"
Xue Yu's eyes were deep and solemn under the moonlight. Half of his sleeve with a bamboo pattern peeked out from behind the half-open window. He said calmly, "Since you couldn't sleep, I came to see you. Did Yangyang eat too much vegetarian food during the day?"
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The author has something to say: The phrase "Diligence leads to success, while play leads to failure" comes from Han Yu's "Explanation of Advancement in Learning"
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