After seeing her mother and sister off, Hualan changed into a half-worn peach-colored silk padded jacket and sat on the kang by the window, leaning against the pillow and sewing. Not long after, the curtains rustled, and Yuan Wenshao stepped into the room. He walked quickly to the kang and smiled at his wife, "Why are you up again? Why don't you lie down and rest?"
"You've been lying down for most of the day. What will happen if you lie down again?" Hua Lan gave him a coquettish look, then put down the sewing basket, got off the kang to help her husband undress, and handed his outer robe and cloak to the maid beside him. Yuan Wenshao changed into his casual clothes before helping Hua Lan sit back on the kang.
Yuan Wenshao picked up a cup of fresh tea from the table on the kang and took a sip slowly. He was just over thirty years old and had a short mustache. His face was originally square, and this made him look even more stable and dignified, like a man in his late forties. Hualan glanced at her husband and missed the handsome young man she had when they first got married.
"My mother-in-law and sister are gone?"
"Has Gu Erlang left?"
After the maid left, the couple unexpectedly spoke at the same time. After a moment of silence, Yuan Wenshao and Hua Lan looked at each other and laughed together. After laughing for a while, Hua Lan deliberately sighed and said, "They say they are a thief couple, a thief couple. Today I know what it feels like!"
Yuan Wenshao also laughed and said, "Who says it's not true! It's really nice to have a wife as a partner!"
"Who is your accomplice!" Hua Lan's cheeks were flushed, and she laughed sweetly and hit her husband. Yuan Wenshao took her fist with a smile. The couple laughed and joked for a while before sitting up and talking.
"What do you think of today's events?" Yuan Wenshao said softly, hugging his wife.
Hualan remembered the maid's report and watched from afar. Although she couldn't hear what they were saying, she could guess from their expressions that at first the two of them were talking politely, but then, someone said something that made Minglan so angry that she ran away crying. Hualan pondered for a moment and said, "This marriage can't be avoided."
"Oh? Are you sure?" Yuan Wenshao asked.
Hua Lan nodded firmly and said simply, "Things have come to this point. If this marriage doesn't go through, none of us will be embarrassed."
Yuan Wenshao had always known Hua Lan's ability, so he heaved a long sigh. Seeing this, Hua Lan's expression darkened and she said with a guilty look, "It's all my family's fault. A good marriage turned out like this, and you have to bear the consequences."
Yuan Wenshao laughed and waved his hands, comforting his wife, "What does this have to do with you? It's just that the elders didn't finish their discussion at the moment."
Hua Lan placed her delicate white hands on her husband's chest, deliberately widening her eyes with a helpless and pitiful look as she whispered, "My father is a scholar. Those who write about morality are very stubborn. Ever since my fourth sister married into the Liang family, he's always felt sorry for the husband from the Wen family, so he's been thinking of promising my fifth sister to him as a way to make amends. But my mother thinks it's better for you, my eldest brother-in-law, to bring the marriage along. And my sixth sister was raised by my grandmother since she was a child, so her marriage has always been decided by her. And now, with the three of them getting together, everyone has their own opinions, and that's what's really messed things up!"
Of course the truth is not like this, but Hualan can only cover it up like this.
Yuan Wenshao held Hualan's hand, his expression gentle as he smiled, "Your father-in-law is a scholar, so it's natural for him to value his word. Your mother-in-law is a mother, so it's natural for her to love her children. The old lady is even more kindhearted, so it's understandable that she was momentarily confused. Everyone has their reasons, so why should you feel bad?"
Hua Lan still frowned, and said worriedly, "I'm afraid that General Gu will be upset, and we might not become in-laws, but enemies instead."
"I don't think so." Yuan Wenshao let go of Hualan, took the teacup and took another sip. His brows relaxed and he smiled. "I was a little worried, but... haha, today it seems that there is no danger. When Gu Erlang left, I saw that he was in a very good mood. He repeatedly urged me to act quickly. It would be best if we could have the engagement ceremony within the year and arrange the marriage at the beginning of the year."
Hua Lan was slightly surprised: "Really?!"
Yuan Wenshao nodded slowly with tea in his mouth.
Hua Lan let go of her worries, patted her husband lightly, and said with a smile: "What did I say? My sixth sister is very beautiful, a first-class talent. If Gu Erlang saw her, he would definitely be satisfied with this marriage! You were still worried at that time!"
Yuan Wenshao smiled and said, "Yes, yes, yes—it's all thanks to my wife's meticulous planning."
Hualan also laughed a few times, but she was still unsure whether Mrs. Sheng would agree.
…
That night, Old Mrs. Sheng heard an incredible story.
She sat on the kang in a daze, Minglan kneeling below her, sobbing softly. The old lady's head swelled as she listened: "You said... we just arrived in the capital, and you already knew him?" Thinking of this, she couldn't help but curse: "Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
Minglan's face was red from crying: "I, I'm afraid that grandma will scold me again... I'm also afraid that grandma will worry about Minglan..."
At that time, she had just been severely punished by the old lady for venting her anger for Yanran. After much persuasion, the matter was put behind her. But Gu Tingye jumped out to cause trouble again. How could she dare to tell the old lady for fear of being scolded again? Besides, how could she know at that time that Gu Tingye would be implicated again and again in the future!
It's like a child who did something wrong. The adults finally forgave her, but her mistake caused new consequences. Naturally, she didn't dare to bring it up, and then the secret kept snowballed.
The old lady couldn't help but sigh and said, "Why are you so confused?"
In fact, Minglan was not confused. She concealed it very well and no one ever discovered her relationship with Gu Tingye.
The old lady was overwhelmed with thoughts, and felt sorry for Minglan. She couldn't help but pull the girl up from the ground, hugged her to her side, and patted her gently, sighing, "...I can't blame you. Who knew that Gu was so scheming!"
Minglan's nose was red from crying, and she nodded repeatedly. It wasn't that our army was too incompetent, but that the Communist army was too cunning. They actually launched a sneak attack?!
The old lady slowly leaned back and slightly closed her eyes. The only sound in the room was Minglan's intermittent sobbing. In the purple copper stove with longevity patterns on the floor, there was a slight crackling sound of charcoal burning.
Minglan slowly wiped the tears from her face. Seeing that the old lady remained silent for a long time, she went up to her and gently pulled her sleeve and shook it: "...Grandma...what should we do now?"
The old lady opened her eyes, glanced at Minglan's face, and asked softly, "Mingya, what did you think when Gu Tingye told you everything?"
Minglan's face was slightly embarrassed. This time, she was determined to tell the truth. Blushing slightly, she said, "...At first, I was secretly pleased that someone was so intent on targeting me. Then, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I wanted to slap him in the face... Then, I started to worry. This guy is so... powerful. What should I do?"
To be honest, having a strong husband often has both advantages and disadvantages. When he points his gun outward, the world is at peace. But when he points his gun inward, there will probably be rivers of blood.
The old lady nodded repeatedly as she spoke, her thoughts genuine. But after nodding, she seemed to want to close her eyes and rest. Minglan hurriedly shook her arm and asked repeatedly, "Grandma, please speak. What are you thinking?"
The old lady suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze like lightning, and said in a cold voice: "Go call your father and tell him that you agree to the marriage!"
Minglan was surprised and confused: "Just... like this?" What a straightforward surrender.
"What else can we do?" The old lady's expression was fierce, but there was a hint of self-mockery on the corner of her mouth. She sneered a few times, "They have been scheming for so long, with deep scheming, step by step, and have forced us all the way to the door. What else can we do now?! If we tell others, they will say that the Sheng family has taken advantage of us! Well, let's just do as they wish."
Minglan felt guilty, twisting her fingers around the hem of her clothes, not daring to speak. The old lady paused, then chuckled softly, "That's good! It's better to have someone plotting against you than to be ungrateful after getting something for nothing!"
Minglan looked up in surprise. She understood who the old lady was referring to and tentatively asked uneasily, "Then...should I go and talk to He...?"
"What's there to say?!" the old lady glared at him and scolded, "I'll go and talk about this, you don't have to show up! With the exception of my sister, you'd better not see anyone else from the He family anymore! ... Humph! Now they can go and help their relatives freely. No one can stop them from being good people now! Are you really obsessed with the He family? Now let everyone know that the girls of the Sheng family will never have trouble finding a husband. There are plenty of people who want them!"
Minglan swallowed her saliva and looked at the old lady's proud and fierce look. After a slight surprise, she understood: the old lady was actually a very proud person in her bones. Maybe... she had long been impatient with the series of situations in the He family, but was just forcing herself to endure it.
The old lady calmed down a bit, took a deep breath, and leaned back on the cushions. She said calmly, "First, let's settle the matter between Rulan and the Wen family, and then let the man surnamed Gu make the final decision. Tell Madam to start arranging the wedding. This time, I want a generous dowry for you, and no one can argue with me! ... Humph! It's just about living, so you should be more clear-headed. Don't let anyone else get hurt, and make yourself comfortable!"
Minglan remained silent. After instructing Cuiping to fetch Shenghong, she quietly returned to Mucangzhai. She sat blankly at her desk for a moment, then suddenly stood up and told Danju to open the inkstone and grind the ink. Minglan unfolded a large sheet of snow-white rice paper, picked up a large brush, dipped it in ink, and with a few swishes, she wrote with all her might. The ink flowed freely, and the brush flew like a dragon, writing in cursive script: "It's rare to be confused!"
"Good!" Xiao Tao clapped her hands vigorously. "You wrote really well, girl! ... Uh, girl, what does it mean?"
Minglan put down her brush and said calmly, "That is to say, you stole the almond candies that Danju hid. I will pretend that I didn't see it."
Then, Minglan waved her sleeves and walked into the house leisurely, leaving Xiaotao and Danju behind. One was dumbfounded and wanted to run away, while the other was rolling up her sleeves and sharpening her knife.
Extra: A Report on the Journey of Wanting to Marry a Swindler
She probably doesn't realize how many strange things there are about her.
At a banquet at the Marquis of Xiangyang's mansion, she was gentle, courteous, and polite, chatting with a group of distinguished ladies with a soft smile on her face. Suddenly, a bee buzzed along a branch that had reached into the hall. The girls screamed in fear, waving their handkerchiefs and huddling together. She watched with interest at first, then suddenly noticed the panic of the girl next to her. She quickly followed suit, throwing herself into the group, uttering a soft cry of fear and patting her chest in terror.
I narrowed my eyes—she was pretending.
In fact, there are girls who are not afraid of bees. They stand calmly aside or hide quietly behind others. Only she pretends to be so. She seems to be afraid of being different and always tries hard to be the same as everyone else.
After the show started, I followed her secretly, hoping to find a secret place to ask her a few questions. However, as I followed her, I saw a great show. My cousin's beloved son, the glory of the Duke of Qi's Mansion, the dream lover of so many ladies in the capital, the Second Young Master Qi, was holding her tightly and telling her about his lovesickness.
A handsome young man with a jade-like face, a face full of admiration and love, and a mouth full of sweet words. Nine out of ten girls probably can't resist him and blush to tell each other their heartfelt feelings; the remaining one will probably put on a stern face and pretend to be angry.
But she had neither. Her first and only reaction was to fear that Qi Heng would implicate herself. She threatened and begged, repeatedly and strictly ordering Qi Heng not to leak anything. Heng'er left in despair.
She always seemed to have great concerns, like a vigilant little squirrel, always on guard against possible threats around her.
Later I found out that she was a concubine's daughter.
I suddenly appeared and asked about Mannia; she was startled, then answered truthfully.
It should be said that her behavior was very decent, her words were clear, and her answers were precise. She was not at all shy and timid like other girls in the boudoir. This was completely different from her cowardice and selfishness when she met Qi Heng just now. She not only saved the situation for the eldest daughter of the Yu family, but also calmed my anger.
She seems to be a courageous woman.
That was also the first time I felt that there was something wrong with Man Niang.
The next time I saw her was in the back garden of Guangji Temple. She threw a piece of mud on her sister, hard and accurately, with her hands on her hips, full of momentum. I was muffled behind the wall, shocked and laughing; the days of depression caused by the dispute between Yanhong and Manniang were swept away; unfortunately, before I could laugh for a quarter of an hour, she got angry with me and left.
This little girl had a bad mouth, and later, everything she said was proven true one by one.
Not long after, I left my hometown. Then, my father passed away and Yanhong died suddenly. I didn't want to listen to Man Niang's crying and explanations anymore, so I wandered alone in the north and south. I got to know many people, including peddlers, heroes, and unlucky and neglected nobles. I was bullied and despised. I learned what it means to be fickle and indifferent to human nature and the cruelty of the world. I was thrown to the ground hard, but I had to hold up my spine and stand up.
I sent the first silver I earned with my own hands to Man Niang in the capital. I made the mistake myself and I have to make up for it myself.
I will feed them and won't let them starve or freeze, but I will never see her again. After seeing her character and her calculations, I felt a chill on my back. When she took the children everywhere to look for me and beg for mercy, I felt even more frightened and alert.
The young man from the underworld grew old, and when he woke up in his dreams at midnight, he often thought of the little girl throwing mud.
There was a riot in Kyoto, turning everything upside down. I went to the capital in advance to gather information for the Eighth Prince. Unexpectedly, I met Yuan Wenshao. He was a good man. Not only did he not look down on me because of my shabby clothes, he also invited me to attend his son's full moon banquet.
An idea came to my mind. Isn’t Yuan Wenshao’s wife also a daughter of the Sheng family?
I waited for a long time in the courtyard at the intersection of the road leading to the banquet hall. When I turned around, I saw her. Suddenly, the flowers bloomed and fell, and the little girl throwing mud turned into a beautiful and bright girl. The whole courtyard was full of spring colors. Under the crabapple tree, the brightness of spring seemed to be overshadowed by her. I looked at her for a long time before I spoke.
I nodded secretly. Qi Heng was a very perceptive guy. He saw the signs early on.
She obviously didn't want to say anything more to me, so she just went along with whatever I said.
When I mentioned my deceased father, her face was filled with sorrow, and she sincerely advised me to mourn in silence; when I expressed my apologies to Lord Yu and my willingness to make compensation, she acted very understanding and admiring; when I expressed my willingness to help her in any emergency, her big eyes were clearly filled with disbelief, but she put on an expression of gratitude, and she was almost clapping her hands in approval.
I'm so angry.
Finally, I pretended to be an elder and scolded her a few words. In her surprised look, I left with dignity and composure.
Qi Heng was right, she was a smooth-talking little liar! I came to this conclusion quickly. ...Then, I couldn't help but turn around and secretly glance at her again; these days, most liars are pretty.
Later, the swindler encountered pirates.
I pulled her out of the water. She was shivering from the cold, gasping for breath, and looking around frantically with her little head turned. Then, among the people on the boat, she recognized me at a glance and smiled like a flower. I suddenly felt my heart soften.
The lake shone and the water gurgled, the night was dark and windy, and only her eyes were as bright as stars. I thought, I will never see such beautiful eyes again in my life.
…Then, she asked me to save her maids, and I sighed and closed my eyes.
I knew that this little liar wouldn't be nice to people for no reason. She must have something to ask for when she called me so warmly. I glared at her fiercely, but couldn't help curling up the corners of my lips. I felt that I was sick. I was so happy to be ordered around by others.
I finally managed to rescue her servants, but before I could even report my accomplishment, I heard her badmouthing me through the door. I'd been tricked by the Peng family, and she actually said it was "excusable"?! Then, she even suggested I marry Man Niang?! I firmly stated that Man Niang was no longer viable, and she even gave me a mocking look?!
That wasn't the end of it. Then, she smugly declared me, "Deep down, I'm a perfectly well-behaved person!" I've always been well-behaved; I haven't even touched a hair of hers! And after what happened with Man Niang, I'll never get close to a woman again.
I really want to strangle her to death!
But her neck is really beautiful, like the candied lotus roots from Jiangnan that I ate when I was a child, so moist and sweet. I suddenly felt my lips were a little dry... Please stop pinching it.
I was distracted and this liar actually guessed that Yanhong's death was not simple. Well, these days, most liars are still very smart. Although her guess was not right, it was not far off.
Very good, Gu Tingye, you are going backwards as you grow older; I left with two harsh words and stormed out again.
Then, she went south to Jinling and I went north to the capital.
In a rural house in the southern suburbs of Beijing, I washed off the dust and tiredness of half a year and lay down on the bed. The elderly Nanny Chang held a hot water bottle to heat my bedding. I lay on the kang and listened to her nagging, her soft Southern Jiangsu accent, and her nagging concern. I seemed to have returned to my childhood, when my mother had not yet passed away.
"...Brother, look how tired you are. Business is not easy outside, so you should stop running around. Nanny has some money here. You can buy some land and live a stable life." Nanny Chang looked distressed. She always thought I was doing business outside.
I said, "I will be able to make a decision after this deal is over." If I hadn't died in the battle.
Nanny Chang's dry face showed indignation: "It's all the fault of those black-hearted people! The grandson of the Haining Bai family actually has to go out and earn this hard-earned money! Back then, our Bai family had so much money that it could be used to fill mountains and seas, but now..."
Every time Madam Chang would ramble on about the good times of the Bai family in Haining, I had grown numb to it and simply said, "It's okay. I can earn the money myself and I'll get back what's mine."
Nanny Chang stared at me blankly and sighed, "You have the same temper as the eldest girl, fierce and stubborn, you keep all the sufferings to yourself and swallow them with all your might. If she had been willing to endure it back then, she might not have..."
"Mammy, stop talking." I interrupted her solemnly.
Nanny Chang sighed slightly, then said softly, "When my brother settles down, he should get married quickly and have more children so that I can burn incense and announce the good news to the eldest lady."
I smiled and said, "Don't I already have two babies?"
Nanny Chang immediately frowned: "What's that? You have to marry a proper wife. That woman doesn't count."
I suddenly stood up and asked in confusion, "Mammy, you didn't like Manniang from the beginning. Why is that?"
At that time, Man Niang was pitiful from head to toe and did nothing wrong. She was also respectful and polite to Nanny Chang, often crying before she spoke. But Nanny Chang just didn't like her at all. After I left home, she even moved to avoid Man Niang's harassment and questioning.
Nanny Chang said with a serious face, "That woman is a disaster, the reincarnation of a spider spirit! If you get entangled with her, your life will be ruined. Fortunately, my brother finally understands now! It's not too late!"
I pressed on, "There has to be an explanation."
Nanny Chang fumed for a long time before she said, "That old woman doesn't understand any profound principles, and she's not very articulate. But she has a pair of eyes. If she were a good person, she wouldn't have instigated you to do such foolish things. Look at you, nothing good has ever happened to you since you got entangled with her! Now you've left the Marquis' Mansion and are wandering around. It's all her fault!"
I was silent. Although Nanny Chang had not read much, she was very good at judging people.
Nanny Chang continued, "My dear, when you marry this time, you can't let that woman do whatever she wants. She's from an opera family and knows how to sing, recite, act, and fight. Don't let your new wife get upset! That woman is very scheming. When she saw you leave, she immediately threw Rong Jie'er into the Marquis' Mansion, but kept Chang Ge'er by her side, and searched the world for you! She can be so cruel, yet so humble. No ordinary woman can match her!"
I said grimly, "How can I allow her to do this again?"
Nanny Chang happily stood up and helped me fold the clothes on the table. After a while, she finally figured out something, turned around, and gently asked, "Brother, could it be that... you have someone in your heart?"
I turned my head away and pretended to be fast asleep. Nanny Chang had no choice but to leave.
I lay quietly within the bed curtains, my body exhausted but my mind throbbing with activity. I resolved to enumerate her faults: first, she was a liar, two-faced, hypocritical, and a master of pretense; second, she had dared to challenge pirates on the river, a truly reckless display of courage; and third, she was a concubine's daughter, while I intended to marry a legitimate daughter.
Most importantly, she is so blind that she dares to look down on me...
Well, how can I marry her? That requires careful calculation.
I started thinking about it with great energy, but unexpectedly my thoughts had gone astray.
Volume 4: Only when I feel indifferent do I realize that flowers are more beautiful, and my heart is drawn to the crabapple blossoms.
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