Chapter 19 The Dead General Returns 1
The day after his wedding, the General of the Cavalry received an imperial edict ordering him to immediately depart for the frontier to defend against the enemy, as the border war was escalating. Before leaving, he promised his wife that she would be his only wife for the rest of his life, and that he would treat her with the utmost kindness upon his return.
Six months later, news of his death arrived.
The mother-in-law viewed the original owner of the body as an enemy and blamed her daughter-in-law for causing the death of her only son.
Therefore, he continued to nag and torment this daughter-in-law in the days that followed.
The original owner thought that her mother-in-law was indeed shocked by her husband's death and had health problems. She took meticulous care of her every day without ever slacking off. She managed the general's mansion in an orderly manner and even saved her mother-in-law's life, which made her mother-in-law change her opinion of her.
Just when she thought life would continue like this...
Three years later, General Cheng, who had been dead for three years, returned with a woman and two children.
The woman's name was Bai Rong'er. She saved Cheng Shaowu after his accident and was his savior.
After Cheng Shaowu entered the palace to meet the emperor, he immediately requested an imperial decree to make Bai Rong'er his secondary wife.
In the days that followed, the original owner was constantly framed and plotted against by Bai Rong'er, and died in the backyard of the General's Mansion in less than two years.
At this moment, everyone in the mansion was standing at the main gate to see Cheng Shaowu off.
Ning Yan: Damn it, I'm late. If I had come a day earlier, no, even half an hour earlier, I could have done something to Cheng Shaowu.
Cheng Shaowu took one last look at his elderly mother, who was reluctant to part with him, and then, without a trace of regret, rode away with his entourage.
After seeing Cheng Shaowu off, Ning Yan returned to her own courtyard and lay down on the couch.
In their previous life, the two shared a bed but had no children; this time, that won't be possible.
Didn't the woman surnamed Cheng say that no matter who gave birth to them, everyone should call her "mother" and consider them her children?
Then she has to give him a son. No matter who the father is, the child has to call him "Daddy" because he is his child.
Three days later, Ning Yan greeted the old lady, "Mother, I've heard that Fahua Temple is very popular, so I'd like to go there for seven days to pray for my husband. Would you like to come with me?"
Madam Cheng was initially somewhat tempted, but upon hearing that her daughter-in-law wanted to pray for seven days, she immediately gave up the idea. Seven days without meat was simply unbearable for a human being, and she would never go.
"I won't go. The house can't be without someone in charge. You go by yourself, but take a few maids and guards with you. Go safely and come back safely."
Ning Yan bowed and said, "Yes, Mother."
The next morning, Ning Yan went to Fahua Temple with her maids and eight guards.
Don't think she doesn't know that the old lady asked her to bring more people to monitor her, but does she care?
In this world, it is extremely difficult to achieve success and fame, but it is extremely easy to do bad things.
It's just stealing someone, isn't it?
There were many worshippers at Fahua Temple, so she had seven days to choose her target. All she had to do was sleep with him on the last night.
Xiangluan had already booked the rooms yesterday, and when they arrived at the temple, the young novice monks led them directly to the rooms.
After settling her things, Ning Yan followed the young novice monk to the front to chant sutras with the master.
He would sit for two hours, have a vegetarian meal at noon, rest for an hour, and then continue meditating and chanting scriptures for another two hours.
Finally, night fell.
The temple was still quite crowded at night, with many candidates who were traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations staying there.
During the day, Xiangluan and the others had already secretly inquired about everyone in the temple. Their first choice was someone who was good-looking, because their young mistress had said that it wasn't enough for her to be good-looking; the man also had to be good-looking.
Secondly, one must be intelligent, that is, knowledgeable. If one possesses both of these qualities, then one must consider character. If one's character is flawed, no matter how good-looking or talented one is, it won't work.
So when Ning Yan finished her vegetarian meal and returned to her temporary room that evening, Xiang Luan presented her with a list of seven names.
After changing her clothes, Ning Yan left the courtyard with four maids.
There is a mountain spring behind Fahua Temple. Although it is still a bit cold at this time, it is not too cold. The scholars set up tables and chairs by the bamboo forest by the spring, brewed a pot of tea, and discussed their studies.
Most of the people listed on the incense paper list are here.
As Ning Yan approached, she looked at all the scholars present and suddenly noticed that someone not far away was doing the same thing as her.
She glanced at where the other person was.
The leader, wearing a black cloak embroidered with gold patterns, had a handsome face and bright eyes, exuding an extremely powerful aura that immediately stunned Ning Yan.
With this young master around, all those other candidates pale in comparison.
Ning Yan always only wanted the best.
Chao Xiangluan turned to Chao Shou.
"Go and keep an eye on that young master, and see which room he's staying in."
Xiangluan nodded in agreement.
The original owner was the only young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Even the servants in the mansion were skilled in martial arts. So how could the maidservant beside the only young master of the mansion be an ordinary maidservant? Even the original owner was proficient in martial arts.
Just three years ago, in a major battle with the northern desert, both the Duke of Zhenguo and his wife died on the battlefield.
Otherwise, even if Cheng Shaowu had eighteen times the courage, he wouldn't dare to bully the original owner to the point of suicide.
Having made her decision, Ning Yan naturally wouldn't stay any longer. She turned around and left the hiding place, intending to return to their lodgings with her maid.
Not long after they left, they unexpectedly encountered the young master and his servant again.
The two were only two meters apart. By the light of the lantern, Ning Yan looked him up and down again. "Young master, you look familiar to me. May I ask your name?"
Yuan Jingchen raised an eyebrow slightly. This way of striking up a conversation seemed a bit half-hearted, but who could blame him when this young woman was so pretty? It wouldn't hurt to tell her.
"My surname is Yuan."
Ning Yan raised an eyebrow: "Perhaps I'm mistaken. I don't remember knowing anyone with the surname Yuan."
What can I say about the person before me?
Most students stay at the temple because they arrive late and can't book a good inn, or because they are short of money and come to the temple for lodging. Of course, they have to pay for their food and drink every day, but it is much cheaper than staying in an inn.
After passing the exam, you must also donate some money to the temple for incense oil.
But the person in front of me wore a cloak that would cost a fortune to make, and the jade pendant at his waist was also extremely valuable. He shouldn't be here.
Qian Fu, who was serving Yuan Jingchen: ...It's really hard to put into words.
Ning Yan nodded to the other party, and then left with her maid.
Yuan Jingchen was left alone with his servant, watching her retreating figure in silence.
After Ning Yan returned to her room and finished washing up, Xiang Luan came back and said, "Miss, that young master and his party are staying in the Kuzhu Courtyard."
However, he was accompanied by eight guards and one attendant, making it difficult to approach him.
Ning Yan smiled and said, "Then let him come out on his own." I won't go to the mountain, so let the mountain come to me.
The next day at midnight, Ning Yan couldn't sleep, so she took her zither to a pavilion not far from the room and played a piece called "Ambush from Ten Sides".
(End of this chapter)
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