Chapter 102 Hints
On August 17th, a torrential autumn rain fell, and the chill seeped into every corner of Lin'an City with the raindrops.
Dense raindrops pounded on the green tiles of Zhaoyutang, converging into streams that cascaded down the eaves, weaving a misty, cold rain curtain.
In the afternoon, due to the heavy rain, few people came to see the doctor, and the clinic was unusually quiet.
Meng Yutong was carefully sorting and mixing herbal teas at the counter, while Bai Zhi was absentmindedly sweeping around with a feather duster.
“Miss, do you still remember the play ‘The Broken Mirror’ that Yunzhou mentioned a few days ago?” Bai Zhi approached the counter, her duster unconsciously swishing across the surface.
Meng Yutong didn't look up, her hands continuing their work: "Hmm, but is it the story of that couple who separated for some reason, then reunited, and went through many twists and turns, their feelings changing?"
"That's it!" Bai Zhi perked up when she saw that she remembered, and started talking non-stop. "It's really strange! The last act of 'The Broken Mirror' was sung earlier, and I felt sorry for the woman who heartlessly refused the man's request for reconciliation. But yesterday, when I went out to buy some things, I passed by Zhang the Blind's book stall and heard him telling the last act again. The ending was completely different!"
"Oh?" Meng Yutong responded casually, showing little interest. "How did you change it?"
"It was changed to the man pleading and trying his best to win the woman back, which finally moved her. The two reconciled, got married, and grew old together!"
Bai Zhi became more and more excited as she spoke, "By the way, miss, I ran into Yunzhou at the bookstall yesterday! I asked him if he was slacking off by coming out to listen to the storytelling, but he stammered and didn't dare to admit it. He even lied and said that Physician Ji had specially asked him to come and listen, and that he had to go back and relay the story word for word afterward! Tell me, isn't that a ridiculous lie?"
Meng Yutong's fingers, which were holding the medicinal herbs, paused slightly. A very faint sense of unease passed through her mind, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why.
For some reason, she felt that Yunzhou might not have lied. Perhaps it really was Ji Yun who had sent him to hear this adapted ending. The last time the two of them had inadvertently passed by Zhang the Blind's bookstall, he seemed quite interested in the play.
The man she knew and imagined was now completely different from the aloof and self-possessed person she remembered.
This kind of thing seems like something he would do.
The rain outside the window showed no signs of stopping; in fact, it intensified. Rainwater cascaded down from the eaves, forming a vast, white curtain of water.
Looking at the torrential rain outside the door, Meng Yutong felt the worry that had just been stirred up by the ending of the play sink back down heavily.
The idea of a fake marriage is good, but where can one find a suitable candidate? Who would be willing to use marriage as a bargaining chip just to help her out of her current predicament?
That's really asking too much of people.
Seeing her young mistress gazing blankly at the rain, her brows slightly furrowed, Bai Zhi knew that she was worried about the impending marriage.
However, in her opinion, the girl really didn't need to be too anxious.
Because while she was "shopping" last night, she also managed to accomplish several important tasks.
They were all following the old lady's instructions, and "inadvertently" revealed to the candidates the girl's current predicament of urgently needing to find a husband and get married, especially the urgency of the matter being decided within the next two days.
She recalled that when she discussed this matter with Liu Sijun yesterday, the usually cheerful young master became unusually flustered and immediately summoned Cui Da and Mei San to discuss going into the city to purchase a gift for their visit.
If it weren't for the late hour and the fact that most shops had already closed, he probably would have rushed out right then and there. He also solemnly assured Bai Zhi that he would personally go to Zhaoyutang today to ask Meng Yutong's opinion, and if she was willing, he would go to her door to propose marriage.
She then went to the Qingfeng Teahouse next door. He Haochuan was also shocked when he heard about this.
Following the old lady's instructions, Bai Zhi made the young lady's situation even more dire, stating bluntly that the young lady had offended a noble person in the palace, and if she had no one to rely on, her future would be ruined, and she would be at the mercy of others.
As expected, Young Master He was of pure heart. Upon hearing this, he was not worried about being implicated. Instead, he solemnly went to discuss the matter with Shopkeeper He, presumably to consider the marriage proposal.
As for the other one... Bai Zhi frowned, but the old lady specifically instructed that there was no need to inform her.
Although Bai Zhi found it strange, she dared not disobey.
Yesterday, when she happened to meet Yunzhou in the west of the city, he asked her what was going on in such a hurry. She only vaguely replied that she was going out of the city to find Liu Shaozhang to do some business.
Yunzhou offered to see her off, but she quickly found an excuse to refuse.
If Physician Ji finds out that she "hinted" at everyone but missed him, what would happen?
But... with the rain still pouring down and it getting late, why haven't those two made a move yet? Could it be... that they've backed out and changed their minds?
Thinking of this, Bai Zhi's initial smugness was instantly replaced by worry, and she didn't even notice when the feather duster in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud".
“Bai Zhi,” Meng Yutong’s cool voice rang out, tinged with a hint of inquiry, “you seem distracted today, is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Bai Zhi snapped back to reality, hurriedly picked up the duster, and chuckled awkwardly to cover it up, saying, "No, no, it's nothing. You're overthinking it, Miss! I... I was just thinking about what to make for you tonight to ward off the chill!"
Although Meng Yutong noticed something was off about Bai Zhi's expression, she didn't bother to investigate further. As the two were chatting idly, a commotion came from outside the clinic.
A capable-looking old woman dressed in palace attire entered the clinic holding an umbrella, followed by two obsequious palace maids.
The old woman was dressed impeccably, the fabric was smooth and crisp, and the cuffs and hem were embroidered with delicate patterns. She exuded the air of someone who served a noble lady in the palace.
Her face was fair, and her eyes were exceptionally sharp, giving the impression that she had everything under control as she scanned the room.
Upon seeing the newcomer, both Meng Yutong and Bai Zhi's expressions turned serious.
"Where is Meng Shi of Zhaoyutang?" The old woman's voice wasn't loud, but it carried the distinctive tone of someone from the palace, and it entered the ears clearly.
Meng Yutong's heart sank suddenly, and that ominous premonition became clear.
She stepped forward and calmly replied, "I am Meng Yutong. May I ask who you are...?"
Upon hearing her reply, the old woman immediately put on a friendly smile and stepped forward, warmly supporting Meng Yutong's arm: "Greetings, Miss Meng. We are here on the orders of Her Majesty the Dowager Consort. Her Majesty heard that Princess Jingfu was poisoned recently, and it was thanks to your cleverness and skill in developing the antidote that she was saved. Her Majesty was very pleased and praised your kindness and skill."
"It just so happens that a small banquet is being held in the palace today, and Her Majesty remembered you, Miss. She specially ordered me to come and invite you to the palace for a gathering, so that she can give you her thanks in person. I'm sure you won't refuse such a favor, will you?"
Her words were polite, and her smile was warm, but her eyes held an unquestionable air, and her words repeatedly mentioned "the Empress Dowager's grace" and "personal praise," leaving no room for refusal.
Bai Zhi listened from the side, her eyes wide and her heart pounding like a drum.
How could it have happened so quickly! The girl's marriage is still undecided! She was so anxious that her palms were sweating.
Meng Yutong's fingertips curled slightly within her sleeve, but her face still held a polite smile. Meeting the seemingly gentle but actually oppressive gaze of the old woman, she calmly replied, "I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness. I will certainly keep my appointment on time."
"That's good then." The old woman's smile deepened, her gaze sweeping over Meng Yutong's plain dress. Her tone carried a hint of advice, but also an air of urgency. "It's still early, Miss. Please prepare yourself. The palace is not like the outside world; there are many rules. You need to dress up carefully to avoid being impolite and to prevent disgracing the Empress Dowager."
After saying that, she didn't wait for Meng Yutong to reply. She just gave the maid behind her a look, then led her people away. Her demeanor was decisive and she didn't take this small clinic seriously.
As soon as the person left, Bai Zhi rushed to Meng Yutong's side and said anxiously, "Miss, what should we do! How could it be so fast! Yesterday... Yesterday I went out of the city to find Young Master Liu as instructed by the old lady. He said in person that he would definitely come to ask your opinion today. If you agree, he will immediately go and arrange the marriage proposal!"
“And Young Master He, I went to see him too. He… he wasn’t afraid of being implicated. He went to discuss it with Master He right away. Logically, we should have heard back by now! But now… how can we wait in this situation? I… I’ll go to Qingfeng Teahouse to find Young Master He right now…”
She panicked and became incoherent, no longer caring about hiding anything, and confessed everything about how the old lady had asked her to pass on a message in private.
"You went to see those two yesterday?" Meng Yutong asked to confirm.
Bai Zhi nodded repeatedly, almost crying with anxiety: "They must be making preparations! Miss, how about... you try to delay your departure? Or should I go to the teahouse right now to urge them?"
Meng Yutong closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her eyes were calm and clear, as if the tension she had felt just moments before was merely an illusion.
She grasped Bai Zhi's cold hand, her voice low yet unusually steady: "It's too late."
She quickly instructed, "Go find Grandmother right now and ask her to prepare a marriage certificate for me as soon as possible. It should be between me and Liu Sijun. My uncle and aunt are far away in Qinzhou, and he is all alone in Lin'an, so it will be easier to draft the marriage certificate. Besides, he will eventually return to Qinzhou. If we establish our relationship here, we can find a reason to dissolve the engagement when he leaves, which will not affect his reputation in the future."
"I'll pack up here and go straight to the palace. As for you, once Grandmother has prepared all the documents, take one copy with you and head immediately to Princess Gyeongbok's residence. Ask the people there to find a way to get the marriage certificate into the palace as soon as possible and into Princess Gyeongbok's hands."
Bai Zhi nodded vigorously, "Yes, Miss! I've got it!" She didn't dare to delay for a moment, grabbed an oil-paper umbrella from the corner of the wall, and rushed into the vast rain.
Meng Yutong stood alone in the hall, the sound of rain pattering outside the window mirroring the turmoil in her heart.
Grandmother's prediction was correct; the Empress Dowager's sudden summons was definitely not just for a simple meal.
It's not uncommon for nobles to casually bestow marriages during palace banquets, when they're in high spirits and enjoying themselves. Since the Dowager Consort is hosting the banquet under the guise of rewarding Princess Jingfu for her treatment, Princess Jingfu will undoubtedly be present.
If the Dowager Empress were to forcefully arrange the marriage, Jingfu might speak up in her defense, but ultimately it would be difficult to openly defy her. However, if he was already engaged, it would be much more legitimate for Princess Jingfu to intervene on his behalf.
Her thoughts became crystal clear. She needed a marriage certificate in hand, even if it was crudely formatted and incomplete, she had to produce this proof of their existing marriage at the crucial moment.
Otherwise, today, the palace gates would be easy to enter but difficult to leave.
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