Chapter 40 Am I a jackal, a tiger, or a leopard? A few days later, Yun Yang...
In the following days, Yun Yang was unwilling to see Xue Yu.
Xue Yu felt that she was deliberately treating him coldly, which was not a pleasant feeling.
He always liked to take the initiative and didn't want to be estranged from her in such an unclear way. After thinking it over again and again, he asked someone to force open the gate of Jinxiang Pavilion.
Dusk was falling. Yun Yang had already changed into thin underwear and was lying on the couch, lost in thought. When she saw him coming, she glanced at him lightly, picked up the notebook beside her, and turned her back to him.
Xue Yu asked, "What's wrong with you? Why have you been avoiding me these past few days?"
Yun Yang said calmly, "Brother-in-law must be tired from the busy work these days. Go and rest early and don't waste your time here with me."
"..." After being ordered to leave, Xue Yu's expression froze. He gritted his teeth and said slowly, "What's going on? Talk to my brother-in-law. Is Song Fanghe bothering you again? Or do you hold a grudge against my brother-in-law because I didn't help him?"
Yun Yang sneered, "Neither of them. Brother-in-law, stop blaming others and look for the reasons within yourself."
Xue Yu was stunned. Her words made it very clear. The reason why she treated him so coldly was because of that night at Xue's house in Wenquan Mountain!
"Yun Yang." He took a deep breath and said carefully, "That night I..."
Yun Yang interrupted, "Brother-in-law, there's no need to say more! What else is there to say? Didn't you make it very clear that night? Not only did you say it, you did it, and you did it very skillfully!"
Without waiting for Xue Yu to say anything, Yun Yang suddenly stood up, put on her beaded soft shoes, and walked into the inner room while shouting at him, "It's getting late, I won't keep my brother-in-law here."
"Yun Yang, listen to me." Xue Yu called out, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know where to start.
Should he explain? Explain that he didn't have that kind of feeling for her?
He feels guilty.
His shameful thoughts about her had long since grown stronger, taking over his mind and overcoming the shame brought on by his disregard for human ethics.
If you don't explain, will you keep pestering her and insist on being with her?
But isn't her attitude a clear rejection?
"Brother-in-law won't leave?" Yun Yang said, "Then I'll leave. It's not the first time my brother-in-law has taken over my place anyway."
After saying that, she really came out from the inner room again, without even looking at him. Still wearing a thin undergarment, she lifted the soft curtain and walked into the cold wind.
Rong'er and Fangyue, who were guarding outside the door, saw Yun Yang rushing out angrily without even taking off his clothes. They hurriedly went in to look for his robe. When they opened the door, they saw Xue Yu standing there with a very cold face. They were so scared that they didn't dare to look up. They took the robe and chased after him out.
What's going on? Weren't they very close before? How did it end up like this?!
Yun Yang walked fast and briskly, not knowing where she was going. In short, she just didn't want to be in the same room with him anymore!
This hypocrite actually had an affair with another woman!
She is so incompetent that she didn't even keep an eye on him for her sister even when she lived in Xue's house!
Rong'er and Fangyue couldn't keep up with Yunyang's pace. Rong'er chased after him with a lantern, while Fangyue hugged her robe and shouted, "Miss, Miss, it's cold outside! You will catch a cold. Wait for us!"
Seeing that the distance between her and Yun Yang was getting farther and farther, the candlelight in the yard was dim, and the figure was about to disappear, Fang Yue suddenly felt her hand lighten, and saw a young man walking behind her, snatched the brocade robe from her hand, and walked quickly towards the second girl.
Yun Yang was just trying to identify the direction when his arm suddenly tightened. The next moment, he was pulled into a warm embrace and his whole body crashed into his strong chest.
The familiar cold fragrance hit Yun Yang's nose, and she was tempted for a moment, but it was only a moment, then she pushed him away and turned to leave, when she suddenly heard him cry out in pain.
"...What's wrong with you?" Yun Yang turned around and saw Xue Yu squatting down with one hand covering his chest and the other holding her brocade robe.
Did I use too much force? Did I hurt him?
The two kicks she gave him earlier didn't seem to have much effect, yet he was still limping...
Yun Yang was a little flustered, and quickly turned around and squatted in front of him, wanting to reach out to help him. The moment her fingertips touched Xue Yu's shoulder, her wrist tightened. Before she could see what was happening, she was wrapped tightly in the robe by this man, and then he picked her up and carried her on his shoulders.
"What are you doing! Let me go!" Yun Yang shouted angrily. He tried to kick him with his legs, but he held him firmly. "Xue Yu! Xue Lingjun! You old thief, let me go!"
Xue Yu: "No. You ran out in this cold weather just to avoid me? Am I some kind of jackal or beast?"
Yun Yang didn't say anything, but struggled violently. During the struggle, she realized how strong he was. He held her so tightly that she couldn't move at all.
"Don't move." Xue Yujun's face was tense. He said, "I'll take you back and then I'll leave."
*
A few days later, the fourth lady was tending flowers and grass in her room when she heard light footsteps coming from the yard. The soft curtain was lifted, revealing a beautiful face.
"Yunyang?" The Fourth Madam smiled. "Come here quickly. I said I'd come find you when I had time. You've been busy these past few days packing up the things I brought back from the house on the mountain."
The soft and dense afternoon light shone obliquely on the girl who smiled before speaking. As she walked, the rings on her jewelry and hairpins clashed against each other, making a crisp sound.
"How could I let Madam come to find me? I was rude. I should have come to see Madam earlier." Yun Yang said.
Yun Yang explained to the Fourth Madam that his relationship with Song Fanghe was over, but he did not elaborate on the reason. The Fourth Madam probably guessed it, and she couldn't help sighing with her beautiful eyebrows pressed against her eyes.
It's a pity. The young man seems to be somewhat sincere, but with such a thing happening at home, he can't get involved no matter what. How can you clean up the mess before you even get married?
"In that case, I'll find a few better ones." The Fourth Lady said, "Or should Lingjun take care of your marriage?"
Yun Yang smiled and said, "No need, Fourth Madam. My brother-in-law is very busy with government affairs. It would take forever for him to remember me."
A gentle spring breeze streamed in through the cracks in the window, playing with light and shadow, making the girl's beautiful face as white as snow. The Fourth Lady saw her brows relaxed, her expression open, as if she had truly let go of her relationship with Young Master Song, without the slightest lingering attachment...
"Okay, leave your matter to me." The Fourth Lady said gently, "I wonder if you are interested in a merchant family?"
Yun Yang curled his lips into a smile, rolled up his sleeves and filled the teapot for the Fourth Madam. "As long as the other person has a clean family background and is willing to return to Youzhou with me, it's all fine."
The fourth lady's eyes fell on her exposed snow-white wrist. Her slender jade fingers were full of flesh and bones, and her nails were neatly trimmed. The fingertips were a clear light pink. When she picked and twisted it, the tea foam spread out beautifully.
At some point, this little girl who was once wild and unruly learned the skill of brewing and pouring tea, and she looked just like a lady from a noble family.
The Fourth Lady was increasingly satisfied with Yun Yang. "If you don't have high standards for family background, I'll definitely pick a better one for you this time."
In the days that followed, Yun Yang spent his days reading, writing, practicing shooting, burning incense and making tea. In his spare time, he also started to learn needlework, and actually found some leisure and enjoyment in it.
Xue Yu would occasionally meet Yun Yang in the mansion. Seeing her relaxed yet cold and distant expression, he didn't want to rush over to greet her. The two of them just drifted apart, as if the previous warmth and intimacy had never happened.
The Fourth Lady was efficient and soon a geomancer came to the house, accompanied by a handsome young man. This man was a salt merchant from Jiangdu, and his business was big. By his generation, his business had encompassed money houses, pharmacies, escort agencies, as well as timber and stone materials. In short, he was engaged in legitimate business.
The Fourth Lady thought that since the merchant was wealthy, he would certainly not covet the Yun family's private property. This man was looking for a lady from a scholarly family just to enhance his own family background.
Yun Yang was the daughter of an official and had a close relationship with the Xue family.
Isn't this just like falling asleep and hitting the pillow?
The businessman, Master Chen, met with Yun Yang on the pretext of doing feng shui calculations for the mansion.
Mr. Chen does not have the gangster airs and money-grubbing habits of ordinary businessmen; he is quite elegant.
The two of them strolled by the Qing Lake, with the Fourth Lady following not far away. At first glance, the boy had a tall and noble figure, and the girl was slender and beautiful. While they were talking, the boy would lean forward slightly to listen. The warm sunlight fell on the two of them, and the occasional breeze blew, bringing with it the vitality of spring. They were truly a talented man and a beautiful woman.
In spring, all things come back to life, including snakes, insects, rats and ants. When walking across the stone bridge, a flying insect flew by. Yun Yang covered her heart and screamed in surprise. Then Young Master Chen took the lead and stood in front of her.
Not far away in Fushan Pavilion, a large desk was placed next to the window, and the words on the rice paper came to an abrupt stop. The black and white strokes outlined a bit of arrogance and violentness.
The Boshan stove spewed out wisps of green smoke. The young man put down his pen and glanced coldly at the two people by the Qing Lake. His long black eyelashes covered his deep eyes, and a sarcastic sneer appeared at the corner of his lips.
Wasn't she the one who had a leprosy in each hand?
You're so scared by a tiny flying insect. When did you learn to act so pretentiously in front of others?
Xue Yu said, "Xiqing, come here."
A few days later, the Fourth Madam came to Jinxiangyuan to look for Yunyang. She looked troubled, pursed her lips, and said anxiously, "Yangyang, that Master Chen said that the elders in his family don't agree with him going to Youzhou with you. Let's forget about this marriage. Hey, tell me, why did you say this after we met? Really..."
Yun Yang was stunned for a moment, then smiled faintly and said, "It's okay, it's okay. Maybe she just doesn't like me. It's better to say it now than after we get to know each other better."
The Fourth Lady asked softly, "Should I look for you again? Don't worry, this matter needs to be done slowly. You need to find someone who suits your taste."
Yun Yang: "I'll leave it to you, Madam Four."
*
After this earthquake, the emperor returned to court, but the atmosphere in the court became strange, completely different from the calm and steady atmosphere when the crown prince was regent. A rumor came from somewhere that the crown prince was appointed in accordance with the order of seniority and was against the will of heaven, which caused the wrath of heaven.
The Eastern Palace is in a tense atmosphere. In order to break the deadlock, the Crown Prince has to marry the Crown Princess in advance. With the help of the Crown Princess's family, the position of the Crown Prince can be more stable.
However, the corruption of the Song family was exposed with the earthquake. The ups and downs of small people were insignificant in this chaotic situation, and no one knew who had lent a hand and granted the Song family a grace period to raise money to fill the deficit, so that the entire family could be lightly sentenced to exile to Lingnan.
Xue Yu was very busy traveling back and forth between the Eastern Palace and the Imperial Palace, but he was always thinking about Yun Yang in his heart.
I wonder if she has calmed down.
But every time he returned home, it was already too late and the door of her Jinxiang Pavilion was closed. He could only learn about her daily joys and sorrows from Siqing's stories.
Since the Eastern Palace was unstable, he had to make plans for the Crown Prince, and he had to attend social engagements that he had easily turned down in the past.
The reason why he accepted his colleague's invitation was actually because he had a selfish motive, which was that he couldn't allow himself to indulge in abnormal feelings for Yun Yang. He wondered if everyone needed a partner when they reached a certain age. Food, sex and nature are all part of human nature, so could he be no exception?
Tianfu Tower is a famous den of brothel in Shangjing. It is a place with fine wine and delicious food, and is visited by beauties of all shapes and sizes. All the beauties behave in an elegant manner and are very good at reciting poems and composing essays. The prostitutes are raised like ladies, which is why this place is so popular among literati and scholars.
Of course, there are also ministers in the court.
Xue Yu looked at the gorgeous scene in front of him, suppressed the discomfort in his heart, and sat down.
His colleagues were all surprised that the usually upright and elegant Master Xue would "go along with them." They all spoke warmly and invited him to a drink. After a round of toasts, a woman with a flower ornament between her eyebrows and a fragrant green dress came towards him...
The women in brothels value money, but when they are all rich and powerful, handsome men are more popular.
The strong fragrance rushed into his lungs, and Xue Yu frowned even more tightly. The moment the woman sat on his lap, Xue Yu could no longer bear it. With a cold face, he stood up and left.
Everyone looked at each other, all puzzled.
After leaving Tianfu Tower, the eunuch came forward, hunched over. He looked behind the handsome young man, but couldn't see any sign of Hua Niang. It was still early, and anyone who came out so early usually had someone to take with them...
The eunuch raised his eyes and met the young man's cold eyes, and immediately swallowed the words in his mouth.
The night in early spring was chilly. Xue Yu took a deep breath of the air outside and felt much more comfortable.
"Second Miss?" Chang Sui beside Xue Yu asked in surprise.
Xue Yu followed Chang Sui's gaze and saw Yun Yang standing beside his carriage. He didn't know how long he had been standing there. His little face had turned pale from the cold and he stared at him blankly.
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