Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Lu Changji, quickly carry Shu'er out...
Within three or five days, news spread from the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion that the third grandmother was bedridden. The mansion invited doctors to take care of her and held rituals, with a huge fanfare.
Aunt Hu loved her daughter-in-law very much. In order to make her happy, she held banquets in the Marquis' Mansion every now and then. Third Mistress liked Kunqu Opera, so Aunt Hu invited a Kunqu Opera troupe to stay in the Marquis' Mansion of Xinyang. The garden was filled with the sounds of humming and stringed instruments all day long.
As the fire in Bihua Tower raged, Aunt Hu looked miserable and sad, far from being as dignified as she appeared.
Agarwood was burning in the house, and its heavy fragrance filled the air, making the house even darker and gloomier.
Aunt Hu frowned. "Zhao's eldest sister-in-law has come to our house several times to make a scene. She's threatening that if you don't return the management to Zhao, she'll have the censor impeach your father for favoring his concubine over his wife."
Aunt Hu rubbed her brows and continued, "The Zhao family has many disciples. If this really gets to the court, your father won't be able to handle it. I gave up Lingshuang to obtain this stewardship, and I absolutely cannot let the Zhao family take it away."
While Hu Lingshuang was certainly important, she was ultimately not as significant as the vast estate of the Marquis's Mansion. Lu Changfeng no longer held his anger. He sat up straight and asked sternly, "What do you intend to do, my aunt?"
Aunt Hu crushed the cake in her hand into crumbs and said grimly, "Get rid of Zhao. Only when Zhao is dead can I feel at ease."
Two days later, the Marquis of Xinyang went to the Taoist temple to practice Taoism, but Aunt Hu did not go with him. She wrote a letter inviting people to come to the mansion to watch a play. The Bihua Tower was bustling with people, but the Yanxi Hall and Xinchun Garden were very deserted.
Zhu'er touched the table in the hall and, as expected, got her hands covered in dirt.
She grumbled, "Mrs. Hu is going too far. She's holding banquets every day. The high cost of banquets gives her a good excuse to cut back on our food, clothing, and daily expenses."
The food and clothing are passable, but she should never have transferred all the servants in our yard to Bihua Tower to do menial work.
Look at our house, and then look at our yard. It hasn't been cleaned in who knows how many days. It's so dirty that there's no place to put your feet."
Zhu Er frowned and continued, "I heard that Yan Xitang is even worse than our place. Madam is at least the mistress of the family. Why doesn't the Marquis do anything about it and allow Concubine Hu to humiliate Madam?"
Jiang Shu chuckled: "The more frequently the banquets are held, the more people will know that Third Madam is ill. Before long, Third Madam will naturally 'die', and the Marquis will be able to hold his beautiful lady in his arms with full justification.
Everything Aunt Hu does is for the Marquis's benefit, so how could he possibly control her?"
After Jiang Shu gave her some pointers, Zhu'er finally understood the reason. She curled her lips and said in disgust, "So are we just going to sit there and wait for death, letting Aunt Hu bully us?"
Jiang Shu didn't comment, took out a silver ingot from the box and handed it to Zhu'er: "I don't have anything else, but I am not short of money. I have a lot of silver in my hand, and I can't let Aunt Hu hold me hostage.
Take this money, make two sets of clothes you like, and then go to the Banquet Hall to order a table of good food and have the errand boy deliver it. Let's have a good meal together today."
Zhu'er hadn't eaten meat for several days. When she heard that there was going to be a banquet, her eyes lit up with joy.
Not only are the dishes at Yanbinlou delicious, but the food is also served very quickly. A table of food was delivered to Xinchunyuan in about half an hour.
Jiang Shu and Zhu Er smiled at each other, picked up their chopsticks and ate heartily. The meal had been so long that Jiang Shu accidentally ate too much, and Zhu Er also ate until she was full.
Jiang Shu had the habit of digesting food after meals, but because Aunt Hu hosted a banquet, the mansion was bustling with people coming and going, leaving her with no quiet place.
Zhu Er said to Jiang Shu, "In such a huge Xinyang Marquis Mansion, we can't even find a place to take a walk. It's really frustrating."
Jiang Shu tapped her on the head and said, "Let's go to Bihua Tower. We can take a rest there, listen to a famous actor sing Kunqu opera, and have a couple of cups of tea."
Zhu'er thought Jiang Shu's idea was brilliant. Since Hu Lan had invited famous actors to her house, why didn't they go and watch it? She couldn't let herself be wronged just because she was angry with Hu Lan.
The master and servant hit it off immediately and slowly walked to the Bihua Tower.
It was evening, and the guests had gradually dispersed, but the actors on stage continued to sing, recite, and fight, refusing to relax for a moment. The troupe had its own rules; even if there were no one in the audience, they had to finish the whole show.
Jiang Shu and Zhu'er sat in the audience, eating melon seeds while watching the show. Kunqu Opera does have a unique charm, and the singers are also beautifully dressed.
Especially the one who played Du Shiniang. Not only was she beautiful, but she also had a graceful figure, as graceful as a willow, and as soft as if she had no bones. Her singing voice was clear and melodious, and the lingering sound was unmistakable.
After the song was finished, Zhu'er clapped her hands with joy. She took off her silver bracelet and threw it onto the stage to add color to Du Shiniang's performance.
The actor dressed as Du Shiniang smiled at Zhu'er with pursed lips, showing his unique charm.
After the play, the master and servant walked back along the corridor. Zhu'er said, "Du Shiniang is really stupid. She was a famous courtesan in the capital, talented, beautiful, and rich. When she found out that Li Jia wanted to sell her, she just took the money and left quietly, didn't she?
Why did she sink the treasure into the water and then drown herself? How could a man as ungrateful as Li Jia be worth sacrificing her life for?
Isn't it true? Jiang Shu couldn't understand why. If she had as much money as Du Shiniang and was free, she would definitely enjoy herself. She could sleep until she woke up naturally, go shopping whenever she wanted, and hire a young and strong man to serve her if she wanted a man. It was like a life of paradise.
Why are you so pessimistic?
Jiang Shu and Zhu'er looked at each other, and finally came to the conclusion that the reason why Du Shiniang committed suicide by jumping into the river must be because the person who wrote this story was a man.
Men never want to see women having an easy time.
When they reached the Bishui Bridge, they saw a woman in white sitting by the bridge, feeding the fish. When they got closer, they realized it was Hu Lingshuang.
After not seeing her for a few days, Hu Lingshuang seemed like a different person. She wore no makeup and simple clothes. The coquettish aura on her body had disappeared, and she showed a cool and clear temperament like the bright moon.
A hint of surprise flashed across Jiang Shu's eyes, and she whispered, "Auntie Shuang!"
The rules in the Xinyang Marquis's Mansion are very strict. After the affair between Hu Lingshuang and the Xinyang Marquis was exposed, although the servants did not dare to say much, when facing Hu Lingshuang, the contempt in their eyes was real.
On the other hand, although there was surprise in Jiang Shu's eyes, she did not look down on Hu Lingshuang at all.
Hu Lingshuang hadn't been looked at directly in the eyes for a long time. She was stunned for a moment, then nodded at Jiang Shu in response.
After all, the two of them had a grudge. After saying hello to Hu Lingshuang, Jiang Shu walked along the Bishui Bridge. When they reached the bridgehead, Hu Lingshuang suddenly said, "Hurry up and take a look at Yanxi Hall!"
Jiang Shu stopped and looked back at Hu Lingshuang.
Hu Lingshuang said urgently, "Hurry up, it will be too late if you are late."
Yanxi Hall, Yanxi Hall...
As if she had thought of something, Jiang Shu quickly ran towards Yanxi Hall.
Jiang Shu and Hu Lingshuang had always been at odds. Liuli didn't know why Hu Lingshuang wanted to help Jiang Shu, so she lowered her voice and asked, "You and Second Madam have always had a grudge against each other. Why are you helping me today?"
Hu Lingshuang said gently, "The Marquis holds me in his heart. If my aunt kills the Marquis' wife, I'll be the next one to be killed. I've been stuck in this quagmire for so many years, and it took a lot of effort to get out. I have to survive so that I can enjoy my future life."
Liuli had some idea of what was going on, but she didn't say anything more.
Jiang Shu ran towards Yanxi Hall. When she was half a mile away, she smelled a burning smell and vaguely saw thick smoke rising above Yanxi Hall.
Jiang Shu was horrified and her steps became faster.
When they reached the gate of Yanxi Hall, they saw a raging fire in the courtyard. As night fell, the red flames were very eye-catching, but the guards at the gate turned a blind eye to them.
Jiang Shu didn't even pause as she rushed into the courtyard. The guard stretched out his long arm and stopped her: "Madam has ordered that no guests will be seen today. No one is allowed to enter the courtyard."
What Madam? It's clearly Aunt Hu who's causing all this trouble. She's so bold as to want to burn Zhao to death.
"Help, there's a fire, come quickly." Jiang Shu shouted at the top of her voice.
Unfortunately, the servants who came and went obeyed Hu Lan's orders, and no one dared to stop and start a fire. Now, apart from Zhao's maid, no one else was willing to rescue Zhao.
Zhao had a lot of dowry, with more than a dozen concubines alone. Yanxitang was originally supported by Zhao's concubines, but today, Aunt Hu found an excuse to send Zhao's concubines to Bihua Tower to do odd jobs, which allowed Aunt Hu's people to take advantage of the opportunity.
Jiang Shu turned to look at Zhu'er and said urgently, "Zhu'er, go to Bihua Tower and call back the mistress's chambermaid."
Zhu Er cried out "Ah" and ran towards Bihua Tower like flying. But a quarter of an hour later, she rushed back to Yanxi Hall and said breathlessly, "Miss, the mistress's companion has been taken to Bihua Tower by the Third Master.
The Third Master stood guard at the door with a large knife, threatening to fight anyone who dared to disobey him. His posture made it clear that he was ready to fight to the death. No one in the Madam's chambers moved, and they huddled in the yard like quails.
Lu Lin was not at home, Hu Lan took control of Yanxi Hall, and Lu Changfeng confined Zhao's companion in Bihua Tower. It was obvious that Hu Lan and her son had made preparations for both sides and wanted to burn Zhao alive.
Zhao was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She had defended Jiang Shu many times. There were not many people who helped Jiang Shu, and Zhao was one of them. Jiang Shu couldn't just watch her get burned to death.
Jiang Shu looked around and found that there was not even a sharp weapon in such a big place. Fortunately, Yan Xitang was next to the public kitchen. Jiang Shu strode into the kitchen and rushed to the door of Yan Xitang with a boning knife.
She put the kitchen knife to the guard's neck and said in a deep voice, "Get out of the way quickly, or I will make sure you come alive but leave dead."
The guard glanced at Jiang Shu, only to see that she was slender and delicate, like a willow in the wind. How could a weak woman like her, who couldn't even tie a chicken, kill someone?
The guard thought Jiang Shu was bluffing and said frivolously, "I am guarding Yanxi Hall under the orders of Aunt Hu. I cannot neglect my duty."
As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Shu's bare hands holding the knife handle: "Second Madam's hands are as tender as catkins, they should be playing the piano and painting, how can you..."
"Ah!" Before he finished speaking, he felt a sharp pain in his neck, and then saw blood dripping from his neck to his chest, gurgling down.
Jiang Shu had lived for eighteen years and had never killed even a chicken, let alone a person. Her body was shaking like a sieve, her teeth were chattering, but her voice was very calm.
She pointed at the bleeding guard and shouted, "If you dare to stop me again, you will end up like him."
Jiang Shu is the wife of the prince of Xinyang Marquis's Mansion, and is pregnant with the prince's posthumous child. She dares to attack the guards, but the guards dare not hurt her at all.
Seeing her reckless attitude, the guard was afraid that her life would be harmed, so he quickly turned sideways and let Jiang Shu rush into the yard.
The fire grew bigger and bigger, and the thick smoke made it difficult for people to breathe. Zhao covered her mouth and nose with a wet towel, and holding a carving knife, she carved Hu Lan's name on a concentric gold lock stroke by stroke.
The Zhao family is not one of those ignorant people. After learning that she was burned to death, they will definitely come to investigate. By then, the name on the golden lock will be used to clear her name.
Zhao smiled bitterly, thinking that she, Zhao Yunzhang, had lived a glorious and powerful life and had never bowed her head in front of her husband. She never thought that at the end of her life, she would be killed by a concubine.
It's so sad and so ridiculous.
A burning rocket shot into the room from the middle of the window frame and landed directly on the eight-immortal table, which also caught fire. Then the carpet and the gauze curtains...
Zhao looked at the raging flames, turned over and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting for death to come.
The fire grew bigger and bigger, and the thick smoke choked her so much that she couldn't even open her eyes. Suddenly, she heard the sound of iron clashing outside the door, one, then two...
With a "bang", the door was kicked open and Jiang Shu entered the room with a kitchen knife. The copper lock that she had cut off was lying on the ground, being devoured by the flames bit by bit.
"Mother, get up quickly and go!" There were sparks on the corners of Jiang Shu's clothes, Bai Jie's cheeks were also dark, but her eyes were as bright as stars.
She flashed to Zhao's side like a ray of light, held Zhao's hand, pulled Zhao up from the bed, and ran out of the house with Zhao.
When the two ran to the eaves, the beams of the house suddenly collapsed, and a wooden rafter hit Jiang Shu's shoulder heavily. Jiang Shu staggered and fell to the ground.
"Shu'er!" Zhao shouted and hurriedly bent down to help Jiang Shu. Only then did she realize that not only her shoulders, but also Jiang Shu's knees were burned by the flames. Even with Zhao's support, she couldn't stand up.
The fire spread to the eaves, and the wooden rafters on the roof fell down one after another. Sparks touched the dress and the dress also caught fire.
Her right leg was painful and numb, with no feeling at all. Jiang Shu knew she couldn't walk. Zhao Shi was not a bad person, and she trusted her.
She said to Zhao in a gentle voice, "My aunt is timid and cowardly, and my third sister is young and helpless, so I entrust them to mother! Mother, you must take good care of them.
As for Ye Qian, the Hanlin Academy scholar, we were once engaged, and I have let him down. If he encounters any difficulties, please help me, mother."
After saying this, Jiang Shu pushed Zhao and said, "Mother, please leave quickly. If only one of us can leave, it's better. We can't all die here."
What concubine, what Ye Qian, Zhao's mind was in a mess and she had no idea what Jiang Shu was talking about.
Zhao glanced at Jiang Shu and strode into the yard.
Looking at Zhao's figure, Jiang Shu couldn't tell what she felt. She was a little disappointed, but also felt it was natural. She ran into the sea of fire to rescue Zhao, but the premise of rescuing Zhao was that she thought both she and Zhao could escape safely.
If she had anticipated that she would die, she would never have risked her life to save Zhao.
Human nature is so cold and indifferent, why should she be so demanding of others? In the end, people have to rely on themselves. If you are useless yourself, why should you pin your hopes on others?
She smiled bitterly, raised her head, and stared at the spreading fire in a daze.
"Shu'er!" When Jiang Shu was about to despair, Zhao's voice suddenly sounded in her ears.
Turning around, she saw Zhao wearing a middle shirt and holding a wet outer shirt standing behind her.
Zhao put the coat on Jiang Shu and said, "I soaked this coat in a water tank. It will be more comfortable for you to wear."
Zhao's return and departure sent gentle ripples through Jiang Shu's heart. The ripples spread out in circles, warming her body and soul.
She smiled widely and said, "Why are you back again? Please leave quickly."
Zhao didn't say anything. She hugged Jiang Shu, pressed Jiang Shu's head to her chest, and used her body to shield Jiang Shu from the smoke.
Zhao's body was trembling a little, but she firmly blocked the flames for Jiang Shu. Jiang Shu hesitated for a moment, then reached out to hug Zhao's waist, with her cheek pressed tightly against Zhao's body.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stopped talking and just hugged each other, as if they had someone to keep them company, and the fire was not as hot as before.
Aunt Hu's people did not dare to attack Zhao and Jiang Shu, but they guarded Yanxi Hall like an iron barrel.
No one could come in to save them, and they couldn't get out.
"Mother!" Jiang Shu called softly, put her hand on her belly, and whispered, "There is one thing I lied to you about."
Zhao lowered her head and gently adjusted Jiang Shu's hair. "My mother lied to me, the Marquis lied to me, Hu Lan lied to me too. There are so many people who lied to me, but you are the only one who risked your life to save me."
"No matter what you've lied to me about, I will forgive you."
The flames illuminated the sky, scorching the heavens and melting the earth. The fire licked its tongue, and it seemed that it could swallow the two people in the flames at any time.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stopped talking. They hugged each other tightly, listened to each other's heartbeats, and relied on each other.
Suddenly, there was a sound of weapons clashing outside the door, and the door was kicked open. Jiang Shu looked towards the door and saw Lu Changji stepping into the courtyard facing the raging fire.
His face was cold and gloomy, his eyes were bloodshot and bloodthirsty.
"Xue Ji!" Zhao cried with joy. "Shu'er is seriously injured and can't move. You should quickly carry her out."
Lu Changji nodded, strode to Jiang Shu, put one arm around Jiang Shu's waist, hooked the other hand around her knees, lifted her up into the air, and carried her out of the sea of fire.
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