Chapter 61 Pearls in Pairs: There are two kinds of perfect matches in this world.
As the sunlight began to slant down the narrow alley, dust began to rise and fall.
Zhao Xu's urgent explanation reached Meng Lingyao's ears, but her expression remained calm, and her heart was not stirred much. Looking at his haggard figure, a distant image flashed through her mind.
It was as if... in her dream she had heard him mention returning to the northern frontier to make a name for himself.
In her dream, she didn't feel there was anything wrong with it. A man's ambition lies in all directions, and it is only right to make achievements while he is young.
But that's not how the dream ended.
In the fragmented image, one could vaguely make out Madam Cui's dignified, smiling face, as if she were speaking to her. Her tone was kind and considerate, and her reasons were impeccable.
The frontier is dangerous, and weapons are merciless... As a mother, she was unwilling, and even more unwilling, to let her new bride stay alone in her empty room, sitting idly in front of her mother-in-law all day long.
In short, everything is reasonable.
In the end, he did stay in the capital. He took a position at the military camp on the outskirts of the capital and became a colleague of her older cousin, Zhong Dingye.
The vague impression in the dream was like a drop of cold water, making Meng Lingyao shiver.
A man who can't even decide his own future and whereabouts, his so-called deep affection is nothing but a mirage; how can one entrust their life to him?
“Miss Meng,” Zhao Xu saw that she looked distracted and thought she was worried about something, so he hurriedly promised, “Are you worried that if I go to the northern frontier again, you will have to stay alone in the house? I don’t have to go to the northern frontier! I will find a way to decline and stay in the capital... to keep you company.”
His voice grew softer and softer, almost pleading, as if he could immediately abandon all his manly ambitions if she simply nodded.
It's another promise that's easily changed.
Meng Lingyao's annoyance grew stronger, almost overflowing. Disheartened, she didn't even bother to refute, and simply said coldly, "General Zhao, I have guests to entertain, so please excuse me."
She turned to leave.
"etc!"
Zhao Xu finally couldn't help but ask in a hoarse voice, "You said we're not suitable... what about him? Pei Shaoqing... did you accept his marriage proposal?"
A surge of resentment and struggle almost burst forth from his very core, yet a last glimmer of hope lingered in his eyes.
Meng Lingyao paused slightly, turned around and glanced at him indifferently, "This is a private matter. General Zhao need not trouble himself."
After speaking, she didn't look back, but pushed open the door and went straight in, completely shutting out the distraught figure behind her.
The setting sun cast its light on his standing figure, as if covering him with a layer of ash.
Inside the private room on the second floor of Juxianglou, a subtle fragrance lingers, and the aroma of tea is serene and elegant.
The small rosewood table in front of Xie Chengyu was filled with all sorts of bottles and jars: rouge, lip balm, face powder, and several exquisitely crafted perfume balms.
Hearing the beaded curtain rustle slightly, she looked up and glanced at Meng Lingyao's face. A smile appeared on her lips. "Today I was hoping to find out indirectly where this much-talked-about topic has ended up?"
"As for now... judging from your expression, there's no need to ask anymore."
Meng Lingyao sat down opposite her, incense smoke curling from the burner on the table. She did not object, but simply added a few incense pellets to the burner to refresh herself.
Xie Chengyu's smile deepened. "If you ask me, there are two kinds of good matches in this world. One is like green leaves supporting a flower, where the difference in their heights is immediately apparent. The other is like pearls in pairs, their brilliance complementing each other, a perfect match made in heaven. I have always believed that the latter is the kind that can be nourished for a long time and enhance each other's brilliance."
She put down the incense box and said, "More importantly, the Princess is of noble status and resides in the Princess's residence. The Pei family is peaceful and quiet, with no mistress to serve."
She herself had worked under the mistress of the house, so she knew all too well the hardships involved. She was overjoyed that her friend didn't have to suffer like that.
Meng Lingyao remained noncommittal to the pearl metaphor, picked up a bit of bright red lipstick with her finger and spread it on the back of her hand, and slightly raised the corners of her lips, "Well... he's barely worthy of me."
Xie Chengyu chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Exactly."
She then pointed to a row of rouge and perfumes and two boxes of face cream on the table, "These are all nice, I'll take them all. Only one thing—"
After a moment's thought, he said, "Speaking of incense, I have a problem that's neither too big nor too small."
"Please speak," Meng Lingyao said, raising her eyes.
“As the weather gets hotter, you know I’m particularly prone to attracting mosquitoes.” She frowned slightly. “Ordinary insect repellent sachets work quite well, but the scent is really unpleasant—a pungent, medicinal smell that gives me a headache. On the other hand, pleasant-smelling sachets aren’t very effective at repelling mosquitoes, and the insects still come to bite. It’s really hard to have both. Do you… have a recipe that’s both insect-repelling and pleasant?”
Several ancient formulas flashed through Meng Lingyao's mind. She put down the lip rouge box, pondered for a moment, and said, "There isn't a suitable one right now. I need to go back and consider it, and try it out. I will do my best for you."
"Then this young lady thanks you very much." Xie Chengyu curled two fingers and gave Meng Lingyao a deep bow on the table.
“I must thank you for your excellent suggestion.” Meng Lingyao’s eyes lit up. “If this incense sells well, I will buy all the incense for Miss Xie for the rest of her life.”
She hadn't even thought of this before; it was a good business opportunity. Most young ladies from noble families have delicate skin, which is fine in their daily lives as they use mugwort for protection. However, in the summer, there are always elegant gatherings, summer banquets, and lotus appreciation parties, all of which are places where vegetation is lush, and mosquitoes are the most bothersome.
There are probably quite a few people who share Xie Chengyu's concerns. "Then I'll wait and see," Xie Chengyu said with a clapping hand. "Once you've made this kind of incense, the ladies and wives in the capital will definitely be scrambling to buy it."
Thank you for your kind words.
In the Xuanji Hall of the palace, Lin Yunshu had just finished bathing. Her personal maid carefully draped a light blue gauze robe over her, her movements extremely gentle.
She twitched her nostrils slightly, sniffed the cool fragrance in the air, and scoffed, "This Bamboo Dew is nothing special. Let's switch to Ambergris instead."
The palace maid hesitated for a moment, "But Your Highness, His Majesty just said that the fragrance is refreshing and quite pleasant..."
Lin Yunshu's expression darkened slightly, and after a moment she waved her hand, "Fine, let's leave it at that."
Seeing her displeasure, the palace maid quickly changed the subject, "I have found out what Your Highness asked me to investigate. The villa has been thoroughly investigated... It was Consort Jing who made the suggestion to the Empress."
Lin Yunshu scoffed, "She really is meticulous and eager to help with everything."
“There is one more thing,” the palace maid said, her face showing even more hesitation, her voice barely audible. “That little palace maid… has truly vanished without a trace. Ever since she was publicly reprimanded by Miss Zhao that day, the steward sent her to serve dishes in the outer hall, and no one has seen her since… We have searched everywhere, but there has been no trace of her.”
Consort Lin's eyes turned cold, and she muttered under her breath, "Fool."
It's unclear whether they're referring to the missing palace maid, the useless servant in front of them, or... Miss Zhao.
The palace maid quickly reassured her, "Your Highness, please don't be angry! Think about it carefully, there's nothing deadly in that wine, just a few fruit crumbs... It's just that Miss Meng is naturally unable to handle such things. Besides, that cup of wine didn't actually end up in her mouth. Even if we investigate, it has nothing to do with us!"
Lin Yunshu's eyes flickered, but eventually returned to calm as she slowly nodded.
She was well aware of the consequences. If she had really poisoned someone, wouldn't that give them a handle to use against her if the matter came to light?
She only remembered that the spoiled Miss Meng had a slight allergy to mulberries when she overheard Meng Lingyao and Xie Chengyu chatting, and that her face would break out in rashes as soon as she ate them.
Ice Soul Brew is made from a variety of fruits.
Even if the incident comes to light, she can simply claim ignorance—it's just ordinary fruit wine, who knew Miss Meng couldn't even touch it?
Absolutely foolproof.
However, the disappearance of that little palace maid left a lingering doubt in her mind.
The palace maid summoned the matron from the outer room to comb the noble lady's hair. Seeing the heavy atmosphere in the room, she wanted to lighten the mood, so she approached the dressing table and, while combing the noble lady's hair, said with a smile, "Have you heard that something truly strange has happened in the capital recently...?"
"Oh?" Lin Yunshu looked at her through the diamond-shaped mirror and asked casually.
"The Pei family and the Marquis of Wuxing's family actually came to propose marriage to the Meng family at the same time, asking to marry Miss Meng. One is the Pei family, and the other is General Zhao. Both of them are outstanding individuals. Miss Meng is really lucky, as both families are vying for her!" The nanny said with great enthusiasm.
The palace maid standing nearby, a trusted servant who had served Lin Yunshu since childhood, changed her expression slightly upon hearing this and sternly rebuked, "Shut up! How dare you gossip in front of your master!"
Lin Yunshu suddenly laughed.
"Is that so?" She picked up a gold and kingfisher feather hairpin, compared it to her reflection in the mirror, and said in a light, slightly disdainful voice, "She... she is quite fortunate."
But this good fortune was no longer worth mentioning in her eyes.
From the moment she stepped into this majestic palace, she transcended the mundane world.
Zhao Xu was merely a subject; how could he be worthy of her?
As for Meng Lingyao... for now she still needs to be mindful of her status, but once she rises to a high position, crushing her will be as easy as snapping her fingers.
Perhaps, by then, she won't even bother to look at her.
The most important thing is still the women in the palace.
Consort Jing had no children, yet she enjoyed the Empress's deep trust.
Consort Rou appears gentle and compliant, but she is actually quite scheming. Her third son has now found a good marriage partner and is in the spotlight.
As for Consort De, she seems reckless and impulsive, but she comes from a noble family and has a second prince who is now the eldest son...
Their faces flashed one by one in the mirror.
Lin Yunshu's eyes held apprehension, but even more so, a burning desire.
Another day of grand court sessions has come to an end.
After speaking with the emperor, Xie Gui returned to his official residence and sent someone to summon Zhao Xu.
He stood tall and straight like a crane on the stone steps. His purple robe and jade belt accentuated his slender waist, and as his cloak billowed in the evening breeze, a dark and ancient longsword was faintly visible hanging at his waist.
Xie Gui's gaze swept over Zhao Xu, who was kneeling on one knee, and his brows furrowed slightly. "I sent you back to the capital to help you relax, but why do you look so haggard?"
"This humble general..." Zhao Xu lowered his head, "I have been tossing and turning at night recently, and I have failed the general's high expectations."
Xie Gui knew he must have some worries, but he didn't delve into it. He gestured for the man to stand up and softened his voice, "It's normal for a young man to encounter frost and snow when he's full of youthful vigor."
He slowly rolled up his sleeves. “There is something important I need to discuss with you right now. Although there is no war in the northern frontier for the time being, the border fortresses cannot be left unguarded. I intend to send you there for a few more years to gain experience and make some real contributions in that harsh and cold place, so that the soldiers in the army will be more convinced of your abilities.”
"This humble general is willing to go!" Zhao Xu answered very quickly and without hesitation.
"No rush." Xie Gui glanced at him. "This trip will last for several years. Think it over carefully. You should also discuss it with your elders."
Zhao Xu was about to speak again when Xie Gui raised his hand, and he immediately fell silent.
"yes."
Zhao Xu bowed and took his leave. Just as he left the government office, he saw two figures walking side by side from a short distance away.
It was Pei Xu and Meng Yan.
The two men's sleeves almost brushed against each other as they chatted and laughed, as if they were old friends going on an outing together.
Upon reaching the entrance of the Imperial Academy, Pei Xu bowed slightly in greeting. Meng Yan patted his forearm and turned to enter.
Pei Xu straightened up, turned his gaze, and bumped right into Zhao Xu.
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Author's Note: Let's have some intense competition tomorrow! [Noob]
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