Chapter 5 Twin Flowers You and your sister look very alike
Pear Blossom Lane was just an ordinary lane, inhabited by a few dozen familiar, ordinary families.
There are countless alleyways like this in Wu County.
The Shen family had lived here for generations, making a living by making tofu. They were far from wealthy, but their life was peaceful and stable. In this generation, they had a son and a daughter, four years apart. The children looked alike and were both pretty and lovely. The couple cherished them dearly.
The older sister is healthy, sensible, and filial, and has always stayed by her parents' side. The younger son has been weak since childhood, so the couple followed the advice of their elders and sent him to a temple in the mountains to become a lay disciple, so that he could learn some skills and improve his health.
On that market day, before the morning mist had even dissipated, a queue had already formed in front of Shen's tofu stall. Sixteen-year-old Shen Yuniang wiped her sweat, a small mole on her left cheek smeared with soy milk foam. "Two coins a piece, fresh out of the pot and still tender."
The blue satin boots stopped in front of the stall. The young master of the Lu family of Wu County tapped the wooden board lightly with his folding fan, his gaze lingering on Shen Yuniang's face. "The tofu you make, young lady, is whiter and more tender than pear blossoms."
Young Master Lu was handsome and talented, and quickly won the heart of the beauty. The Shen couple knew that there was a huge gap in their family backgrounds and did not want to agree, but their daughter was devoted to Young Master Lu and was willing to be his concubine, so they had no choice but to acquiesce.
They had hoped their daughter would find happiness, but months later they received news of her death, dismissed with the casual remark, "She accidentally fell into a well." The elderly couple couldn't accept it. They went to inquire, but were not even allowed inside the Lu family compound; they were beaten half to death by the guards and succumbed to their injuries a few days later. The Lu family's official explanation was that the couple died of grief over their beloved daughter's passing and were hastily buried.
Several lives were lost as easily as pear blossoms falling. Young Master Lu casually brushed away the petals and went to the capital to take the imperial examination with ease, eventually becoming the top scholar.
When Shen's youngest son returned home from the mountain, he found only overgrown weeds, the setting sun, and his family destroyed.
The old neighbors shook their heads, remaining silent.
Only the old woman selling steamed buns grabbed his sleeve, explained the situation in a few words, and finally pleaded, "Hurry up and leave, before the Lu family finds out..."
"After all, the Lu family is all-powerful in Wu County."
Jian Su gripped his teacup tightly. "Such disregard for human life is just the most common occurrence. The Lu family has annexed more than a thousand acres of fertile land from the people, yet they are unwilling to even feed them a full meal. Last year, the weather was favorable, clearly a bumper year, yet a group of tenant farmers in Wu County starved to death."
Pei Xu lowered his eyes as he flipped through the documents, his raven-white eyelashes casting a dark shadow, his thin lips slightly pursed, making him appear even more aloof. He read quickly, paying attention to every single stroke.
The victim's signed confession, records of land title changes, and the yin-yang ledger...
This book is filled with the sins of the Lu family.
“These people, sigh—” Yue Meng sighed, picked up the teapot, and poured some tea for everyone at the table. “You’ve had a tough time on this trip.” His eyes swept over Jian Su a few times before he suddenly said, “The feng shui of Jiangnan is truly nurturing.”
This pretty boy, after running around for over a month, not only hasn't aged, but his face has become even whiter. Then I looked at the other one on the table, and wow, just looking at him made me feel ashamed.
He looked at his face in the tea; it was round and rough, like a naan bread sold by a foreigner in the West Market.
As she was lost in thought, Pei Xu's voice came from beside her, "Is Shen Xiaoshan still at the Meng residence?"
“Exactly.” Yue Meng sat up straight. “According to the master’s instructions, he was deliberately left to wander around outside. This was to force the Lu family to speed up their actions and expose their true colors. In the past few days, many people have been coming and going from the Lu family’s residence. They have almost turned the beggar’s den in the city upside down. But no matter how clever the eldest young master of the Lu family is, he probably would never have imagined that Shen Xiaoshan is now in the residence of his beloved.”
Everything is ready, except for the right opportunity to set off a fire and burn away the century-old veil of pretense of the Lu family.
With this matter settled, the Dali Temple will have accomplished another great feat, and they'll receive a generous reward to celebrate the New Year.
Yue Meng was so engrossed in his thoughts that he almost burst out laughing.
A gust of cold wind suddenly blew open the window, swirling snowflakes in. Yue Meng shivered from the cold and was about to close the window when he looked up and met Pei Xu's eyes, and was momentarily stunned.
Just as he was about to say something, Pei Xu averted his gaze, his voice indifferent.
"A woman values her reputation above all else; she should refrain from making careless remarks."
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At this time of year, wealthy and powerful families in the capital would hold banquets whenever it snowed. Meng Lingyao received invitations almost every day, but she wouldn't attend every single one.
She had a complete book of aristocratic family relationships printed in her mind, and could accurately identify worthwhile banquets from different posts.
Of course you have to choose; otherwise, wouldn't it be better to stay at home in the dead of winter?
On this day, an invitation arrived from the Marquis of Weiyong's residence, extending to all the powerful and influential people in the capital for the old lady's sixtieth birthday celebration. The moment Meng Lingyao saw the invitation, a clear line quickly flashed before her eyes—the Marquis of Weiyong's branch family was related to the Lu family by marriage, and Lu Heming would definitely attend.
The opportunity has arrived.
"Miss, your clothes are all ready." Songlan brought over several winter clothes with two maids. They were all made by Meng Lingyao a couple of years ago. They were made of fine fabric and had ordinary styles, specifically for her to wear when visiting the estate in the suburbs of Beijing.
"These are all too small, why did you ask me to turn them out again?" Songlan asked, puzzled.
Meng Lingyao gestured to indicate the size of the garment, "You'll know once you call Shen Xiaoshan here."
Songlan went out to find Shen Xiaoshan with a head full of questions.
Ever since learning about the Shen family's situation, Songlan felt a special affection for him. Before going to find him, she even made a special trip to the kitchen and brought back a few steamed buns.
When they arrived at the side courtyard, Shen Xiaoshan was sparring with Cang Dian. Cang Dian had learned a few moves from the guards in the mansion when he was young, but he was quickly defeated by Shen Xiaoshan.
"Good lad, you look thin but you're quite strong." No wonder you were able to walk all the way from Wu County to the capital.
Cang Dian rubbed his aching wrist, not uttering the rest of his sentence. It would be too hurtful to talk about someone else's sad story.
"Shen Xiaoshan, Miss wants to see you."
Shen Xiaoshan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, but quickly and obediently agreed.
The two quickly arrived at Meng Lingyao's courtyard.
As they approached the door, Shen Xiaoshan slowed his pace and asked softly, "Miss Meng, what do you need me for?"
Meng Lingyao scrutinized him carefully.
The thirteen-year-old boy had endured a life of hardship and displacement. He was thin and still quite small, about the same size as Songlan behind him.
She said calmly, "I have a way to verify what you said."
The people sent to investigate Wu County had not yet returned, and she had no way to verify Shen Xiaoshan's one-sided account. Based on her previous dream, she believed most of it, but to be on the safe side, she still wanted to see the other party's reaction.
“I remember you said that you and your sister look very alike.”
Meng Lingyao gestured for him to sit down, then personally took out some rouge and face powder, dipped her fingertips in the powder, and gently dabbed it on Shen Xiaoshan's face.
Her movements were extremely delicate, her eyebrows gently arched, her eyes lowered, and her lips painted a light and natural color. Shen Xiaoshan had never been stared at so intently before. She felt the warmth of her fingertips, subconsciously held her breath, and her ear tips turned almost blood red.
"Don't move." Meng Lingyao pinched his chin and gently brushed the mole on his cheek to make it more noticeable.
The figure in the mirror gradually changed, with softer eyebrows and a more delicate profile, truly resembling the spirit of Yu Niang.
Shen Xiaoshan stared blankly at himself in the mirror, his eyes suddenly reddening.
Meng Lingyao brushed the remaining powder off her hands. "Do you know how to put on your clothes? Do you want Songlan to help you?"
"Yes, I will wear it." Shen Xiaoshan hurriedly stood up, his voice terribly dry. "Thank you, Miss Meng."
"It's too early to thank me now."
Shen Xiaoshan took the clothes to the inner room, and a moment later, she came out awkwardly. If you ignored her awkward posture, she looked like a pretty girl of sixteen or seventeen.
Songlan covered her mouth, suppressing the gasp that was about to escape her throat.
Meng Lingyao looked her up and down for a while and said, "Wear these clothes for the next few days and get used to them as soon as possible. Pay attention to Songlan's usual behavior."
"Remember, stick close to me then." Meng Lingyao patted his shoulder, her tone gentle but firm. "If anyone asks you a question, just keep your head down and don't answer."
Her resolute voice carried a calming power, and Shen Xiaoshan's anxious heart felt as if it had been lifted up and placed on the ground.
"Yes, I understand."
On the day of the old lady's birthday, the Marquis of Weiyong's mansion was brightly decorated and filled with guests. At the entrance, a lifelike snow lion was sculpted from the snow, decorated with golden bells and colorful silk ribbons, looking majestic and extraordinary.
When Shen Xiaoshan followed Meng Lingyao out of the car, he couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, and almost stepped on her skirt.
Song Lan reacted quickly and steadied Shen Xiaoshan, who steadied himself immediately. "I'm sorry..."
Meng Lingyao nodded casually, not taking it to heart; after all, she was still just a child.
"Miss Meng has arrived?" A slightly mocking female voice rang out from the side. Meng Lingyao turned her head and saw that it was Zhao Ruxuan, the young lady of the Marquis of Wuxing's mansion, who was looking at Shen Xiaoshan behind her with a half-smile. "Is this the newly acquired maid? Why does she look so clumsy?"
Before Meng Lingyao could speak, Lin Yunshu quickly took Zhao Ruxuan's hand. "Ruxuan, you mustn't be so rude." She said apologetically, "Ruxuan is always straightforward and doesn't mean anything by it. Lingyao, please don't take it to heart."
"Of course not." Meng Lingyao smiled slightly. "The roads are slippery in the snow, so please watch your step."
Zhao Ruxuan was about to say something when Lin Yunshu stopped her, saying, "Today is the old lady's birthday, let's hurry in and offer our congratulations. Ruxuan's gift is so thoughtful, the old lady will surely like it."
Zhao Ruxuan immediately burst into laughter, "Wasn't it you who helped me choose? You're so clever. If you ask me, among all the young ladies in the capital, you're the best." She glanced casually in Meng Lingyao's direction, her voice almost inaudible, "I don't know what my brother sees in her, he's so far away, yet he still thinks about her..."
A minor quarrel was nothing more than a minor incident for Meng Lingyao. On the other hand, Chen Xiaoshan kept his eyes fixed on the path beneath his feet and did not make a single wrong step.
Meng Lingyao only brought Songlan to the Songhe Hall where the old lady lived, to offer her birthday wishes with proper etiquette, and presented a prepared birthday gift—a Hetian jade ruyi, which was neither ostentatious nor lacking in dignity.
The old lady was in high spirits and chatted with the young ladies who came to offer their birthday wishes for a while before saying, "Several new green plum trees have appeared in the garden. The young gentlemen who came earlier have all gone to admire the flowers. You should go and take a look too."
As veterans of two dynasties, the Marquis of Weiyong's family held a prestigious position, bestowed with the title of hereditary succession by the late emperor. On the occasion of the old lady's birthday, all the prominent families in the capital came, including the younger generation of each family who were of age.
This is a rare opportunity to openly and legitimately see eligible men.
Before coming, Madam Zhong instructed that although Zhou Yizhi was good, merchants' families were still prone to criticism, so she should take a closer look and not be afraid to be picky.
The ladies approached with measured steps, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness spreading between them.
Meng Lingyao's heart beat slightly faster; she was equally nervous, yet secretly excited.
But it wasn't to find a suitable husband. (Author's note:)
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The book "Dongjing Menghualu" records that "although there are no festivals in this month, wealthy and noble families would hold banquets when it snowed, sculpt snow lions, and decorate snow lanterns to entertain relatives and friends."
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