Chapter Ninety-Seven: Withered Grass and White Frost
The cold winter rain fell for several days. The bleak north wind blew for several more days, and the world completely changed color. Just as dawn was breaking, Qiulan helped the Fourth Miss get dressed, then casually reached into the blankets and frowned, saying, "Why is it so cold?"
The fourth sister slipped on her shoes and went to the dressing table. She tied her hair up, looked at herself in the mirror, and said, "It's getting colder. I woke up several times last night because I was so cold. Remember to add a blanket tonight."
As Qiulan folded the quilt, she said, "Why didn't you say so last night? The quilt was already sewn up and it's just sitting in the trunk."
"Everyone's asleep. It's too much trouble to get up and get the blankets," the fourth sister said listlessly. She stood up and walked to the window, pushing the carved wooden window halfway open. A gust of cold wind brushed against her face like a thin blade. She shivered and peeked out. The withered grass in the yard was covered with a layer of white frost. "So it frosted last night. No wonder it's so cold."
"In a few days it will be Minor Snow, and it will only get colder day by day from now on." Qiulan came over and pushed the Fourth Miss aside. She closed the window and said, "Miss, don't stand in the wind, lest you catch a cold like the Fifth Miss and the Old Madam."
The fourth sister said lazily, "It's better to be sick, so I don't have to worry about it anymore."
Qiulan glared at her reproachfully and said, "What nonsense are you talking about, young lady? Who would want to be sick?"
The fourth young lady lowered her head and looked down, her fingers absentmindedly scratching at the window frame, producing a screeching sound. Qiulan frowned, took her hand and looked at it, saying, "Look, you've shaved your nails." She took out scissors from her dressing case and trimmed the shaved nails. Seeing that she was still absent-minded, she asked in surprise, "What's wrong with you today, young lady? You're already throwing a tantrum this early in the morning."
The fourth sister was feeling depressed. Seeing that she was nagging and meddling in other people's business, she became even more annoyed. She withdrew her hand and said, "It's stuffy in the room. I'm going to take a walk in the garden. Don't follow me." After saying that, she went over, took the cloak off the clothes rack, and went outside.
Qiulan opened her mouth, wanting to say that it was too windy outside and it was better not to go. After thinking about it, she decided against it. She chased after Qiulan to the door and said loudly, "Miss, don't go near the Third Master's courtyard. Qiuyan said yesterday that the carpenters and bricklayers are peeping over the wall." The Third Master's wedding was at the beginning of next month, and the Fragrant Wood Pavilion needed to be repainted and its walls re-walled, and they had hired outside craftsmen. Therefore, the First Madam had decided that everyone in the courtyard should move to the empty courtyard next door, and a side gate had been reopened for the craftsmen's convenience. Most of the craftsmen were honest and dutiful, working diligently and not daring to look around or say a word. However, there were two or three frivolous and lecherous ones who kept their eyes wandering while they worked.
The fourth sister gave a faint "hmm" and slowly walked towards the courtyard gate.
Passing by the east wing, I heard Ju Zi whisper inside, "Has the young lady not woken up yet?"
Hanxing said, "Sister Dongxue didn't ask us to bring water in, so she probably hasn't woken up yet."
Ju Zi asked in bewilderment, "Doctor Xu said that the young lady is fine, so why is she still so sleepy every day?" After a pause, she lowered her voice and said, "Han Xing, do you think it's possible that something was aggravated when the young lady went to the palace?"
Han Xing was startled and said, "Are you courting death? How dare you say such a thing? If someone hears this, I'll skin you alive."
The voices inside the room turned into a low argument. Fourth Miss listened intently; it seemed that Ju Zi was still unconvinced, believing that Ruan Bi had been contaminated by some unclean spirit when she entered the palace and that some paper money should be burned to send it away. However, Han Xing advised her not to act rashly, lest someone find fault with her. After all, the Old Madam and Fifth Miss were both ill, and the First Madam was in charge. Hadn't she seen how many faults the First Madam had found with Fourth Miss yesterday?
The fourth sister's nose stung with tears, and she hurried away. Reaching the courtyard gate, she found it still tightly shut, the lock still on. She patted the door of the gatehouse next door, and an impatient voice came from inside, cursing, "Who is it? Making such a fuss so early in the morning, can't a person get a good night's sleep..."
"It's me."
The cursing inside stopped abruptly, followed by rustling sounds. A quarter of an hour later, the wooden door opened, and Granny Tang emerged, pulling up her trousers, smiling. "Oh, it's Fourth Miss! I didn't recognize you earlier, please forgive me. Isn't the Old Madam still ill and has suspended her morning and evening greetings? What brings you out so early, Miss?"
"Just taking a stroll," the fourth sister said, but in her heart she wondered, "If Ruan Bi came, would she also dawdle like this?"
Seeing her indifferent expression, Granny Tang didn't bother to flatter her any further. She took the key from her belt, unlocked the brass lock, and pulled the bolt. The Fourth Sister eagerly went outside, taking a deep breath; the air was crisp and fresh. It was still early, and the servants in the back garden hadn't started their work yet; the garden was deserted, save for the sounds of hammering and banging coming from the Fragrant Wood Pavilion. She took a slightly longer route and sat by the pond.
The wind was strong today, rippling the water's surface and reflecting the gray sky, making the entire pond appear gray, gloomy, and oppressive. The willows on the bank had all lost their leaves, leaving them bare, devoid of their spring and summer grace. When the willow branches danced in the wind, they resembled thousands of whipping whips, menacing and menacing.
The fourth sister sighed, picked up a pebble from the bank, and threw it into the pond. With a splash, water sprayed everywhere, and ripples spread out. A few fallen leaves floating on the water moved with the ripples, adrift, without support, without direction, without a home.
As she watched, her nose slowly began to sting with tears. Suddenly, she heard someone call her name: "Fourth Sister." Turning around in surprise, she saw Ruan Chi walking towards her, parting the willow branches that swayed in the wind. He wore a thin, dark blue brocade robe, the hem fluttering in the breeze. Nearly three months of recuperation had taken its toll. He looked a little heavier than when he first returned to the capital, and his skin wasn't as dark as before. At first glance, he possessed a certain dashing and debonair air about him, reminiscent of a young master from a prominent family in the capital.
The fourth sister sniffed, stood up, and curtsied. "Greetings, Third Uncle."
"In this cold weather, why are you sitting by the water without your maid?" Ruan Chi asked, looking her over as he approached.
She wore a simple silver-red crepe jacket, a dark green skirt with gold floral patterns, and a white floral cloak. Her hair was jet black, styled into two buns, adorned only with a single red gold and red agate beaded flower. Her lips were naturally red, her eyebrows naturally dark, and her eyes were large and bright. Her cheeks, perhaps from being exposed to the cold wind, had a sickly red tinge, which added to her delicate beauty.
I couldn't help but recall two days ago, when I was riding and shooting with the emperor in the training ground, he suddenly reined in his horse and asked, "Is your fourth daughter really as beautiful as the legend says?"
He had never actually paid attention to the low-key and quiet Miss Ruan before, but at that moment, after only a slight hesitation, he said, "Yes, she is indeed as beautiful as a flower." After looking at her carefully, he felt that such an answer was not accurate; she was indeed a flower—the most beautiful crabapple blossom.
"Just taking a stroll." The fourth sister noticed him staring at her intently, his eyes gleaming with a hint of fervor, and felt both confused and awkward. "Third Uncle, I need to pay my respects to Mother, so I'll take my leave now."
"etc."
Ruan Chi called her over and walked to her side, looking at the shimmering water. He carefully considered his words before speaking, "Fourth daughter, I was chatting with Mr. Ji a few days ago, and I heard that Jia Yao is exceptionally intelligent, able to read ten lines at a glance and recite them fluently. Although he is only eleven years old, he has already basically finished reading the scriptures, which is quite remarkable."
Mentioning her younger brother, the fourth daughter couldn't help but smile. "That's thanks to Mr. Ji's excellent teaching."
Ruan Chi shook his head in disapproval and said, "Mr. Ji is an old scholar, and he is learned enough, but unfortunately he doesn't know how to be flexible. He himself feels that he has nothing left to teach the family. If we could invite another great scholar to carefully cultivate him, it wouldn't be difficult for the family to wear flowers at the Qionglin Banquet in the future."
"I've heard that it's difficult to invite great scholars..."
“That’s natural. Ordinary people are chosen by their students. Great scholars are chosen by their students. Those with less talent might not be accepted.” Ruan Chi noticed that the Fourth Sister’s bright eyes dimmed slightly, and continued, “I know a great scholar who was originally a Hanlin scholar. He’s from the northwest frontier. I saved his grandson’s life, and he owes me a favor. I thought it would be perfect to invite him to teach my family.”
There's no such thing as a free lunch, and Ruan Chi isn't the kind of uncle who cares for his niece for no reason. He has ulterior motives, and the Fourth Miss knows it all too well. She just doesn't know who he wants to talk to about her. After thinking for a moment, she said vaguely, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Third Uncle."
Ruan Chi was slightly taken aback, unsure whether she was naive and mistaking him for a caring uncle, or feigning ignorance. He then heard her sigh softly and say, "It's freezing cold outside. I wonder how Aunt Lin is doing at the Red Leaf Nunnery?"
Understanding the unspoken meaning behind the song, Ruan Chi said, "Fourth Sister, I'm going to the Imperial Guard's camp outside the city today. I'll take this opportunity to visit Aunt Lin for you, how about it?"
"Thank you very much, Third Uncle. I will remember your kindness and repay you many times over in the future." After a pause, the Fourth Miss added, "It's getting late, and I need to go and pay my respects to my mother. I'll take my leave now." Without waiting for Ruan Chi's reply, she turned and left.
Her words sounded grand but were ultimately meaningless. Ruan Chi watched her retreating figure, his brows furrowing slightly. Was the Fourth Miss as shrewd as the Fifth Miss? He couldn't help but recall how, two days earlier, the Emperor had exclaimed after hearing his reply, "It seems the Ruan family of Jingxi is indeed a place blessed with outstanding people and resources, having produced both the Fifth Miss and the Fourth Miss."
The fourth young lady walked a long way in one breath, and only after turning back and seeing that Ruan Chi had already left did she finally exhale, her chest heaving with a heavy breath. After paying her respects to the First Madam, she went straight back to Liaoyuan Garden. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she smelled a strong medicinal fragrance. Seeing Xiuzhi standing at the door of the east wing emptying the dregs of medicine, she went over and asked, "Has Fifth Sister woken up yet?"
Xiuzhi said, "I just woke up."
"I'll go see her," the fourth sister said, lifting the curtain to enter the inner room. She saw Ruan Bi leaning against the headboard, her face pale and her expression listless.
Upon seeing her, Ruan Bi smiled and said, "Quick, Fourth Sister, open the window for me. Xiuzhi is trying to suffocate me."
Xiuzhi, who followed her in, cried out in grievance, "Heaven and earth bear witness, young lady, it was Physician Xu who said you can't be exposed to the wind."
The fourth sister chimed in, "Yes, fifth sister, let's wait until we're fully recovered before opening the window."
"I'm all better now, I just want to sleep," Ruan Bi said, letting out another long yawn.
The Fourth Sister saw that she had just gotten up and was starting to feel sleepy again. She wondered if she had really been exorcised by evil spirits.
Ruan Bi rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked, "Fourth Sister, how is Grandmother?"
“I went to see her yesterday at noon. She still had a slight fever and a bad cough.”
Ruan Bi nodded, then couldn't help but yawn again, tears welling up in her eyes. "Fourth sister, I can't go on like this, I need to sleep a little longer." With that, she slid deeper into the covers.
The fourth sister was both amused and exasperated. She pulled her aside and said, "Good sister, you can't sleep anymore! You've been sleeping for six days already. If you keep sleeping like this, things will get really bad. Do you know? Mother and Aunt have been arguing non-stop. And, Sister Manhua is back, heavily pregnant, probably four or five months along. She says she's my eldest brother's child. When Censor He, who was arranging the marriage with my eldest brother, heard about it, he immediately sent someone to retrieve the betrothal gifts... If you keep sleeping like this, you won't even know when the sky is falling."
Ruan Bi smiled and thought to herself, "What does it matter to me if the sky falls?"
1
Just then, Baozhen's voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Is Fifth Miss awake?"
"Stay awake." Xiuzhi hurriedly lifted the curtain and went out. She came back a moment later and said, "Miss, Sister Baozhen said that Princess Huiwen's residence sent someone over just now. She said that around noon, the princess will bring Princess Jingyi to visit you. The First Madam wants you to prepare yourself so that you don't fall asleep again."
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