Chapter 85 Wild Geese in Flight
A few "ee-yah" sounds came from the sky. Ruan Bi looked up and saw a flock of geese flying by. They moved quickly, passing overhead and disappearing as tiny black dots. The blue sky remained unchanged, and the white clouds continued to drift aimlessly, gathering and dispersing without a care. Reflecting on her brief past life and her fleeting present, compared to the endless river of time, she was nothing more than a fleeting shadow of geese across the blue sky, and a sense of desolation welled up in her heart.
"What are you looking at, young lady?"
Ruan Bi woke up with a start, looking in the direction of the sound. Yun Ying, smiling, walked through the osmanthus tree. Ruan Bi quickly wiped her eyes and asked, "What are you doing here, Sister Yun Ying?"
"I just went to the waterside pavilion and heard Xiuzhi say that you and Master Ziying are in the Osmanthus Garden..." Yunying said as she approached, and when she saw that her eyes were wet, she paused in surprise, and then asked, "Are you crying, Miss?"
“Just now, a flock of wild geese flew south, their cries were so mournful. I suddenly remembered what the Book of Songs said: ‘Wild geese fly, their cries are mournful. The wise man says I am toiling. The foolish man says I am arrogant.’” Ruan Bi pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes and said, “I’m a little sad. I didn’t realize my eyes were wet. I’m sorry that Sister Yunying saw this.”
Yunying, who served in the Prince of Jin's study, was naturally literate and understood the meaning of the poem: "Wild geese fly high, their cries mournful; the wise understand my hardship, while the foolish think I am boasting." After thinking for a moment, she said, "Miss, there's no need to be sad. While there are many fools, there are also many wise men. For example, didn't you weep because you heard the wild geese's lament? Of course, there are others who understand why you are crying." As she spoke, she took a letter from her bosom and handed it to him, saying, "His Highness just sent this to you, asking me to give it to you immediately."
Sunlight shone on the envelope, making it appear as white as a feather. Ruan Bi hesitated before reaching out to take it, but instead of opening it, she looked thoughtfully at Yun Ying and asked, "Sister Yun Ying, how old were you when you started following Prince Jin?"
“When I was eleven, the prince had just arrived in Xingping City, and I began to serve him. I have been serving him for seven years.”
"Where are you originally from?"
“I’m from Xingping,” Yunying said, her eyes dim. “My hometown is Lujia Village outside Xingping City. The Northern Rong people used to raid and kill people in our village all year round. When I was nine years old, my father went out to herd sheep and never came back. I heard from the villagers that he had been killed by the Northern Rong. My mother and I fled to Xingping City and made a living by washing clothes for others. Later, my mother also died, and I sold myself into slavery. Fortunately, I met the prince. He buried my mother for me and even had someone teach me to read and write.”
Ruan Bi was surprised by her tragic past and felt a little embarrassed. "Sister Yunying, I only asked casually, I didn't expect to bring up such a sad story for you."
Yunying shook her head and said, "Miss, there's no need to blame yourself. This matter happened a long time ago, and I've already forgotten about it."
The atmosphere was somewhat somber, and the two faced each other in silence.
After a moment, Ruan Bi asked, "You've followed the prince for seven years, do you know... about his... past..." She hesitated, then stopped.
Yunying was puzzled at first, but then suddenly realized and said, "Does the young lady want to ask me about the prince's past?"
Ruan Bi remained silent for a moment, then nodded. She guessed that Yun Ying wouldn't tell her, but since Yun Ying had even reported her new pomegranate-colored skirt to Prince Jin, her question would surely reach Prince Jin's ears as well.
Sure enough, Yunying said, "The Prince's past should naturally be told to you, Miss. How could I presume to do so? However, there is something I can tell you." She paused, then smiled and said, "The Prince is fond of cleanliness and tidiness, and the furnishings in his study are always impeccably arranged. Originally, there was only one piece of calligraphy by Emperor Xuanzong hanging on the wall of the study. Later, another piece was added, which reads, 'One should not adjust one's shoes in a melon patch, nor straighten one's hat under a plum tree.' Whenever the Prince is tired from reading, he will look up at this calligraphy and smile. At that time, I didn't know you, Miss, and I was very puzzled. Who wrote this calligraphy? And why is the content so strange? Later, I heard from Youde that it was you who wrote it. At that time, I was very curious about your character, personality, and talent. Unexpectedly, not long after, the Prince sent me to the Ruan family. You may not know, Miss, but the Prince never allows other maids to touch his study; only I can tidy it up. A few days ago, I heard from Youde that now the Prince himself tidies up the study."
Ruan Bi listened silently, then lowered her eyes, unable to help but marvel. She had always seen Yun Ying as serious and taciturn, seemingly not very bright, but she was surprisingly insightful, able to discern her emotional state from her expression and a few words. Her words were simply meant to show that the Prince of Jin valued her highly.
"Miss, please read the Prince's letter first. If anything comes up, please come find me again." With that, Yunying gave a slight bow, turned and walked into the Osmanthus Grove, disappearing behind the trees in a moment.
Ruan Bi opened the letter and read it carefully. The letter was short; the gist was that he had just met with Master Ziying, which was somewhat unexpected, but it didn't matter, he would make his own decision. At the end, it read: "Last night I dreamt I returned to Yuxu Temple, the moonlight as white as snow, and you wept in my arms. My heart ached terribly, beyond words. I only wish that in this life, I will never see another tear from you."
I only wish that in this life, I will never see a single tear from you again.
Tears welled up in Ruan Bi's eyes again. She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, took a deep breath in the sunlight, and when she opened her eyes again, all the confusion, melancholy, loss, and desolation had disappeared—since she had chosen this path, even if it was full of thorns and fire, she would forge ahead.
"Girl, girl." Xiuzhi's voice drifted on the wind.
Ruan Bi stood up and responded.
Xiuzhi walked over and said, "Miss, the county magistrate of Jingyi County is going back and asked me to come find you."
Looking at the sky, the sun was shining brightly. Ruan Bi asked in surprise, "Did you go back so early?"
"I heard that Young Master Gu injured his ankle and wanted to go back."
Ruan Bi's expression changed instantly. "How did you get injured?"
"I don't know." Xiuzhi's gaze fell behind her, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, why is half of that artificial hill collapsed?"
Ruan Bi turned her gaze to the artificial hill, where a few spots of crimson blood stood out starkly among the rubble. "Let's go, Xiuzhi."
When they reached the waterside pavilion, all the young ladies were gone, and only a few maids were tidying up. Ruan Bi and Xiu Zhi walked towards the hanging flower gate, but halfway there, the fourth young lady returned and stopped them, saying, "There's no need to go, Princess Jingyi has already left."
Ruan Bi hesitated before asking, "Then... how badly is Young Master Gu injured?"
"It doesn't seem serious; he just pricked his ankle and it's bleeding. Grandmother and Mother wanted to have a doctor take a look, but he insisted on going back to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion." Seeing the concern on her face, the Fourth Miss leaned closer to her ear and said with a smile, "Are you worried, little sister?"
"What...am I worried about?"
The fourth sister rolled her eyes at her and said, "Does my sister really think I don't know? Princess Huiwen specially invited you to the manor as a guest, and this time Princess Jingyi's visit was also at your invitation. Just now, Young Master Gu was on the other side of the river, and his eyes were only on you. Anyone with a brain would have guessed it."
Ruan Bi felt embarrassed and didn't know what to say, so she simply remained silent.
"Although he has a reputation for being a troublemaker, he really does have a dignified and imposing presence. My sister is so lucky." The fourth sister said, gently nudging Ruan Bi with her shoulder and chuckling.
Ruan Bibai glanced at her and said, "Sister, you should take better care of yourself."
"Isn't that none of your business?" the fourth sister said with a sly smile. "I really don't understand how you have so many wicked ideas in your little head? The Encounter with the Immortal in the Maple Forest, I'm so embarrassed." Although she said she was embarrassed, there was a hint of pride between her brows. She was still very proud of her appearance.
Ruan Bi said jokingly, "Then sister should be so embarrassed that she dies soon, and become an immortal as soon as possible. That would be the real story of meeting an immortal in the Maple Forest."
The fourth sister pretended to be annoyed and pushed her.
"By the way, sister, didn't the Lu family say they were coming to propose marriage this month? Why haven't we heard anything?" Ruan Bi asked, puzzled. The Fourth Miss hadn't asked her for help with this matter, so she hadn't gotten involved.
The fourth sister leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Although I don't have as many tricks up my sleeve as you, I do have an uncle. I can get him to bribe a few people and say a few words of gossip to that young master of the Lu family."
She remembered that her uncle's family lived in Zhenzhou, which was quite close to eastern Zhejiang. Ruan Bi gave her a thumbs up, and the fourth young lady smiled. As they spoke, they returned to Liaoyuan Garden, and the two went back to their respective rooms.
Ruan Bi entered the east wing and had just brewed a cup of tea when Han Xing called out loudly from the outer room: "Someone from the old lady's room has come and asks you to come over, young lady."
Surprised, she quickly tidied herself up in front of the mirror. When she arrived at Chunhui Hall, she saw the First Madam there, talking intimately with the Old Madam. Upon seeing Ruan Bi, the Old Madam beckoned and said, "Fifth girl, come sit next to me."
The First Madam's eyes suddenly flickered.
Ruan Bi then walked over to the old lady's bedside and sat down, watching her flickering gaze.
The old lady took her hand and asked, "Fifth girl, did you run into Young Master Gu in the back garden just now?"
Ruan Bi shook her head without hesitation.
The First Madam stared intently at her, asking suspiciously, "I heard from Jiaxuan that he went to find Master Ziying, but Master Ziying was with you just now. Didn't you see him?"
Ruan Bi shook her head again.
The old lady said, "He injured his ankle for no reason, and he wouldn't let us call a doctor. He insisted on going back to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion to be treated. He's clearly angry. Fifth daughter, if you know what happened, tell me quickly."
Ruan Bi forced herself to say, "I really didn't meet him."
Just now, the First Madam and the Old Madam had discussed it privately, and they both suspected that Ruan Bi had angered Gu Xiaobai, which was why he refused to be treated at the Ruan residence. Hearing her speak so firmly, they exchanged a skeptical glance. After a moment, the Old Madam said, "Perhaps he didn't know our backyard well and wandered around, accidentally injuring himself. He felt embarrassed to trouble us, so he went back to his own home to be treated."
The First Madam said, "But in this way, we have been far too impolite. Although it was not a formal visit and he barged in on his own, he was still injured in our residence."
"This is as we just discussed. Tomorrow, you should take Fifth Sister to visit the Duke of Dingguo's mansion."
Ruan Bi's head buzzed. Did she really have to see Gu Xiaobai again? This was truly torturous.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
