Chapter 49 A World Apart Her brother, from the very beginning, showed no...
The carriage wheels creaked gently on the return journey. Inside, Madam Shi's eyes and brows were filled with smiles, and even her son's perpetually cold face seemed more pleasing to the eye. She stroked her newly acquired jade-inlaid gold hairpin and couldn't help but ask, "Su'er, how was today? Is Miss Meng as I said, beautiful inside and out, truly a rare and perfect match?"
Jian Su closed his eyes to rest, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, seemingly ignoring everything.
Madam Shi wasn't annoyed, and continued to ramble on, "It's rare that you've finally come to your senses, even knowing about a place like the Linlang Pavilion. I hadn't even thought of it myself; my son is truly thoughtful. As for Miss Meng today..."
She spoke eloquently, praising Meng Lingyao's attire and demeanor, and then discussing how the two families were a good match. Only her clear voice remained in the carriage, like a bird chirping on a spring branch.
After a long while, Madam Shi finally sensed something was wrong. She stopped talking, her brows furrowing slightly. "Su'er? Your mother is asking you a question. What is the situation with Miss Meng?"
Jian Su slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as cold as a deep pool of water. "Mother, there is no possibility between me and Miss Meng. You don't need to worry about it anymore."
"What?" Madam Shi's smile froze instantly. "How could it suddenly be impossible? You two weren't..." She was eager to find some clues.
“Mother,” Jian Su interrupted her, “this matter ends here. I will no longer cooperate with this arrangement.”
Madam Shi grew anxious, her voice rising, "Su'er! What do you mean by this? What's wrong with Miss Meng? That young lady..."
Seeing her son remain silent, Madam Shi resorted to her old trick, taking out a handkerchief and lightly wiping the corner of her eye. "What sins have I committed..."
Her voice choked with emotion, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Other people's sons all get married and start their careers early, but you're so stubborn! At your age, I still have to worry myself sick over your marriage..."
This tactic usually worked every time, but today Jian Su was unusually resolute. He abruptly stood up, just as the carriage reached a street corner and hadn't yet come to a complete stop. He yanked open the carriage door, his movements swift and decisive, tossing out without turning back, "Son has official business to attend to, Mother, please proceed with caution!"
Before the words were even finished, the person had already jumped off the carriage, and the dark figure quickly disappeared into the bustling crowd.
"Su'er! Jian Su! You stop right there!" Madam Shi's furious cries were drowned out by the clamor of the street. Leaning against the carriage wall, she stared in the direction her son had disappeared, her face turning pale, before finally letting out a heavy sigh and a heart full of helplessness.
Meanwhile, after leaving Linlang Pavilion, Meng Lingyao stood on the street, pondering for a moment. Although going to Juxiang Tower was just an excuse to appease her mother, since she was already out, she might as well go and see how things were going.
The afternoon sun was just right as she strolled slowly towards Juxianglou with Songlan and Cangdian. From afar, the sounds of hammers and chisels rose and fell, along with the shouts of those carrying timber. Upon closer inspection, the entire shop was cordoned off, dust swirling around, and bustling with activity.
Manager Qian was directing the craftsmen in the courtyard when he spotted Meng Lingyao and hurried over. "Miss, what brings you here? Quickly, don't get too close. It's very dusty, don't get your clothes dirty." As he spoke, he waved to the craftsmen behind him to be quiet.
Meng Lingyao didn't press the matter, observing from a distance. Her earlier comment to her mother that "there's sawdust and dust everywhere" was just an excuse, but seeing it today, it truly was the case. She couldn't help but smile. "Manager Qian, at this rate, how long will it take to finish?"
Shopkeeper Qian wiped his sweat, but his tone was confident, "Miss, don't be fooled by how messy it looks now. Actually, all the major items have been put away. In another three to five days, after cleaning, it will look brand new."
Meng Lingyao nodded. "Very good. After the Dragon Boat Festival, many people in the capital will probably inquire about Juxianglou. You need to prepare in advance."
Upon hearing this, Manager Qian immediately understood that the young lady of the house already had a plan in mind, and said solemnly, "Don't worry, young lady, I will definitely take care of everything." "Yes, the preparations must be done quickly," Meng Lingyao added, "If it drags on for too long, people's hearts will easily scatter, and even the best momentum will be difficult to maintain."
"Yes, yes, Miss, you've thought this through!" Manager Qian readily agreed, then remembered something, "By the way, some of the samples of the tableware you ordered have arrived. Would you please come and take a look?"
Meng Lingyao became interested. "Where?"
Manager Qian led her around to the side courtyard, where rows of various bottles, boxes, jars, and cups gleamed in the sunlight on a long table. There were small porcelain bottles as round as pearls, elegant lacquer boxes, crystal-clear glass bottles, and intricately carved ivory boxes... each piece was exquisite and delightful.
Meng Lingyao examined each item carefully, tapping lightly with her fingertips, and quickly selected a few that suited her best. "Order more of these. This glass bottle is quite nice; it can hold perfume. This little jade box is perfect for holding rouge..."
Shopkeeper Qian noted them down one by one, but a hint of hesitation appeared on his face. "Miss, although I know some people in the capital, I am truly grateful for Miss Zhou's help in finding such a complete collection of exquisite utensils. These are all Zhou family properties... Miss Zhou seems to know what you are going to do and has made special arrangements for you."
Meng Lingyao gently traced the glass bottle she had chosen with her fingertips, remained silent for a moment, and then said softly, "I understand."
After leaving Juxianglou, she instructed Songlan, "Send a letter to Miss Zhou, saying that I would like to invite her for tea and conversation."
Zhou Xiwen replied quickly, saying that her villa had excellent tea, so there was no need to go outside.
Meng Lingyao did not insist and went to her villa as agreed.
Zhou Xiwen was still waiting in that exquisite waterside pavilion, dressed in a light purple dress, with a calm demeanor. The fatigue and anxiety from a month ago were no longer visible between her brows; instead, there was a sense of unhurried control, like the calm surface of water after a storm.
Without needing to ask further, Meng Lingyao could tell that after her father and brothers were imprisoned, she had weathered the most difficult period and successfully taken the helm of the Zhou family.
"I wanted to find some peace and quiet, but I've gotten so used to it that I can't bear to go back to that cramped old house," Zhou Xiwen said with a smile as he stood up to greet him.
Meng Lingyao looked around. Although the courtyard was not large, every plant and tree showed the craftsmanship. The pavilions and waterside terraces were arranged in a well-organized manner. "It is indeed rare to find a quiet place in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Sister looks much better than last time."
“Yes,” Zhou Xiwen took a sip of tea, his gaze fixed on the swaying bamboo shadows in the distance, “The dust has settled, and my heart is at peace.”
As the two were chatting, footsteps approached. The newcomer carried a tea tray, his steps steady. He wore a simple blue long robe, had elegant features, and a quiet and gentle demeanor. He walked to the pavilion, quickly glanced at the person sitting opposite Zhou Xiwen, then bowed slightly, respectfully offering the tea and snacks with fluid movements, without the slightest affectation.
Zhou Xiwen looked up at him, her tone indifferent, "What are you doing here?"
The man lowered his head and said in a gentle voice, "Hearing that distinguished guests have arrived, I have come to offer some tea and refreshments."
"Since you know they are distinguished guests, you should know your place."
The man's face showed just the right amount of sadness, and he responded softly, "Yes." He then bowed and took his leave, his steps still steady.
Meng Lingyao watched the departing figure quietly, raised an eyebrow and smiled, "No wonder you're so happy you don't want to go back to your homeland."
Zhou Xiwen, his expression calm, took a sip of tea and said languidly, "I was exhausted the other day, so I had to find a way to make myself feel better. Now, no one in the Zhou family can stop me. I can do whatever I want, let alone support one person, or even the entire household."
Meng Lingyao chuckled, "Indeed, you're in charge now."
“Finding a suitable husband is too troublesome,” Zhou Xiwen said leisurely. “I also have to be wary of others scheming to take my things. It would be more reassuring to find someone I can control.”
Meng Lingyao nodded in deep agreement, "Sister is right."
A mischievous glint flashed in Zhou Xiwen's eyes, "What about Ling Yao?"
Meng Lingyao feigned ignorance, "What?"
"Is it General Zhao or Lord Pei?" Zhou Xiwen blinked. "Has Lingyao made her choice?"
Meng Lingyao frowned, "Does it have to be just the two of them? There are countless talented people in the capital..."
Zhou Xiwen laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Good! Now that you say that, I feel relieved!"
Meng Lingyao joked, "My business hasn't even taken off yet, but the Zhou family has already given me a lot of help. If this continues, I'm afraid that in a few years, I might actually be able to fulfill my sister's joke on the Shangsi Festival and enjoy the 'blessing of having two wives'."
“It was just a small favor,” Zhou Xiwen said, her smile deepening, seemingly both sincere and insincere. “Since you’ve said that, I really should lend you a hand.”
The two looked at each other and smiled.
After chatting for a while, Meng Lingyao got up to take her leave. Zhou Xiwen saw her to the courtyard gate, then paused slightly, his smile fading and replaced by a complex and indescribable melancholy.
“Lingyao,” she said, her voice lower, “a few days ago… I went to the prison to see my father and brothers.”
Meng Lingyao paused, then looked up at her.
Zhou Xiwen's gaze drifted into the void, as if piercing through the exquisite courtyard before her and reaching the depths of that dark, damp cage. Her voice carried a barely perceptible unease.
"I have never seen them in such a disheveled state since I can remember."
My father was always tall and imposing, a master strategist, as if there was no problem in the world he couldn't solve. My elder brother, though cynical and irresponsible, always managed to manipulate the business world with ease…
Before her eyes appeared two completely different faces from those in the dungeon. Her father's always meticulously combed sideburns were disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, and his face filled only with murky fear and despair. Her brother's usual fine clothes were now tattered and soiled, and his once spirited face was filled with resentment and madness. The two mountains that had once supported her world collapsed with a crash in that small, dark space, revealing the vulnerable mire beneath.
Zhou Xiwen's voice was very soft, as if he were stating a fact that had nothing to do with him, but deep in his eyes, there was the desolation left after the huge wave. "At that moment, I truly understood that they were not indestructible, but just... mortals who could be afraid and fall down."
She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her vision was clear, tinged with a chilling coldness. "I've investigated the Lantern Festival boat scare. It was my good brother's doing. To cover up their smuggled salt ships, he used my boat as a diversion, deliberately creating chaos to fish in troubled waters! If it weren't for the person he bribed still remembering a sliver of past kindness... I'm afraid I wouldn't be here talking to you today."
She paused, her voice growing colder, "And this matter must have been approved by my father. He completely disregarded the fact that I, his daughter, am on this ship."
Meng Lingyao was shocked; she never expected that such cold-heartedness was hidden behind the thrilling incident that day.
Zhou Xiwen composed himself, looked at Meng Lingyao with sincere eyes, and said, "Lingyao, I want to thank you. I haven't been able to find a suitable opportunity to contact Lord Pei, and if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made up my mind to report him..."
Thinking of the token that had caused trouble, Meng Lingyao bit her lip. Pei Xu hadn't asked her for it back afterward, and she had forgotten about it and hadn't returned it to him.
She shook her head. "Sister, you're exaggerating. You have the wisdom to endure and bide your time, and the courage to make tough decisions. Even without me, you will eventually find a way to break this deadlock."
Zhou Xiwen smiled, said nothing more, and watched her leave.
As he watched Meng Lingyao's figure disappear through the gate of the villa, Zhou Xiwen's mind flashed back to his brother's狰狞扭扭 (zhengning niu, meaning ferocious and twisted) face in the dungeon, and... to the crimson figure standing beside him, always calm and collected, as if everything was under control. One was a trapped beast in a desperate situation, hysterical; the other was a player controlling the game, composed and unhurried.
The difference is like heaven and earth.
Her brother had no chance of winning from the very beginning.
-
As evening fell, as soon as Meng Lingyao returned home, a servant from her maternal grandfather's house rushed over to deliver a message, saying that her younger cousin had recently acquired a clever-beaked parrot that could utter many witty remarks, and that she was invited to come and enjoy it to pass the time.
Songlan muttered curiously, "Strange, the servant who came to deliver the message looks like one of the young master's trusted men..."
Upon hearing this, Meng Lingyao smiled slightly but remained silent.
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Author's Note: The main focus is on a sweet and romantic love story; intrigue and scheming are just embellishments, hehe [shy]
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