green plum
Afternoon
Two bushels of green plums, salted for half a day to remove astringency, then dried, are mixed with glutinous rice, white yeast, licorice root, and poria cocos slices...
Mei Sheng lowered her eyes to calm herself, sorting out the recurring memories in her dream until she knew the recipe for plum wine by heart. Suddenly, she felt a cool sensation burst forth from her chest.
She pulled out the plum blossom jade pendant tied with a red thread, her brows furrowing. Was it the pendant that had caused her dizziness last night?
Could it be that last night's dream was also caused by it? But why last night?
Mei Sheng held the jade pendant and pondered for a long time, but could not find a solution. He had no choice but to give up and looked around.
Her eyes were drawn to the sandalwood bedposts carved with butterflies and flowers, and the soft, brocade curtains embroidered with magpies hanging down, obscuring her view of the outside world.
She had just propped herself up to sit up when a sharp pain shot through her right hand, causing her to gasp. In a single glance, her face changed drastically. Her plain clothes covered her body, and the outer robe from yesterday was nowhere to be seen.
So, who brought her here?
Mei Sheng had doubts in her heart, but after thinking about it carefully, she couldn't be sure. So she lifted the curtain and hung it on the silver curtain hook.
The moment she landed, before she could even call out, the gold tassel bells hanging from the bedside swayed and jingled. Just then, a woman's soft, tentative voice came from outside: "Madam?"
Mei Sheng's hand paused slightly, and after a few moments she called her in.
A pretty maid opened the door first. After entering the room, she and the other maids carefully placed down the exquisite jade plates and the pot of tea in their hands.
Mei Sheng looked around the room, observing everything. Her old clothes were neatly placed on the small wooden table by the bed. When she touched the piece of silk cloth, she felt a little relieved.
A pretty maidservant moved quickly to her side, bowed with a smile, and greeted her: "Madam, would you like some snacks? I have specially prepared some nourishing bird's nest soup, which is suitable for Madam to recuperate."
Seeing Mei Sheng touching the old robe, her eyes flickered slightly, and she explained softly, "Without Madam's orders, we servants dare not move it without permission."
Mei Sheng thanked her, then turned her gaze to the maid, her heart filled with doubt: "Where is this? Who are you? And what is this lady's intention?"
As she spoke, Mei Sheng was not idle. She opened her old robe to change into it, but unfortunately, the robe was not only torn, but also dirty and smelly, so she could not wear it.
Caiyu was stunned. Did this mean that the girl in front of her was not the lady of the manor?
A barrage of questions left Caiyu stunned. After thinking it over carefully, she began to explain: "My name is Caiyu. This used to be the residence of a wealthy merchant named Xu, and I used to be his maid. Later, Xu's family fell into poverty, and the house was bought by a gentleman. Last night, the gentleman brought his wife back to the mansion, and I... I only just realized my mistake."
At this point, Caiyu opened her round eyes, her brows and eyes sparkling with joy, and mustered her courage to ask, "Aren't you the lady of the house, Miss?"
"No, do you know that person's name?"
"This servant did not know, last night was the first time Your Excellency had ever visited this house."
At this point, Caiyu blushed slightly, but couldn't contain her joy: "Who knew that you, sir, would be so handsome and elegant..."
As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to realize what she had said, a look of panic flashing in her eyes. She hurriedly waved her hands, "Miss, I didn't mean to..."
"Um."
Mei Sheng interrupted her, not caring what the maid was thinking. However, since she was so beautiful, it inexplicably reminded her of the man from last night, who must have been quite handsome as well.
It seems highly likely that the masked man brought her back, and this place is probably his residence.
The thought of having to interact with the Pei family again made her feel extremely annoyed. She didn't even eat the snacks on the table in the room, and just grabbed an outer garment and put it on.
Behind her, Caiyu's lips parted slightly, and she asked in confusion, "Miss, you..."
Mei Sheng, clutching her small bundle, mustered her spirits and pushed open the door. As soon as the door opened, a sudden burst of bright light pierced her eyes, forcing her to close them tightly.
When Mei Sheng looked up again, her hands holding the bundle trembled, her eyelashes fluttered for a long time, and she involuntarily took a few steps back, her mind immediately tense.
The man at the door was extremely tall, standing with his hands behind his back in front of the house, blocking out the strong light. His face was hidden in the shadows, making him appear even more handsome, with eyes as bright as stars, as deep and imposing as a mountain. Few dared to look him in the eye.
It seems that once the mask was removed, his appearance was indeed as she had imagined—truly handsome.
His expression was unreadable, his phoenix eyes slightly lowered as he looked down at her, his tone both gentle and dangerous: "Where are we going?"
Mei Sheng pursed her lips and cursed inwardly, thinking to herself, "What does it matter to you where I go?"
Her face, however, showed only surprise. She stepped back behind the door and timidly asked, "May I ask who you are, young master?"
She looked at him with a puzzled expression, her eyes as soft and delicate as water, like the tips of lotus flowers, waiting to be picked.
Seeing this, Pei Jue's eyes darkened slightly, and after stepping over the threshold, he uttered, "Get out."
After hearing this, Mei Sheng subconsciously took a step forward, but before she could leave the house, the man pulled her back.
Caiyu responded and went out, closing the door behind her, a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Once the door was closed, the room, which had been spacious just moments before, now felt cramped and even somewhat suffocating.
"I saved you, and you're in such a hurry to leave without even saying goodbye?" Pei Jue sat down as if nothing had happened, his fingers twitching slightly as a gesture.
Mei Sheng could only clutch her bundle tightly, holding the teapot as she poured him a cup of tea. Hearing this, she was slightly surprised and deeply moved: "Was it you, young master, who saved me last night? I have no way to repay your kindness; in my next life, I will be your ox or your horse..."
A soft laugh interrupted Mei Sheng's words, and for some reason, she felt a sense of unease.
"I don't need to come to the next life. Right now, I have a troublesome matter. Would you be willing to help me, young lady? By the way, what is your name?"
Seeing this, Mei Sheng was speechless and choked with emotion. Just like last night, he was being unreasonable.
But having already spoken, she looked ashamed: "My daughter Qingrou, your affairs are my affairs. I don't know... what has troubled you, young master, but I am powerless and afraid I can't help much."
She paused for a moment, then decided not to reveal her real name and made one up on the spot.
Pei Jue lowered his eyes, swirled the teacup in his hand, and said in a calm tone, "In three months, if you help me get rid of an arranged marriage, I will not only let you leave, but also give you a travel permit to go south. How about it?"
This statement is quite obvious, implying that he is the masked man from last night and that he knows she has lost her travel permit and other travel items.
The woman's knowing look just now clearly indicated that she recognized him, and Pei Jue had no intention of playing any tricks on her.
"If you are unwilling, that is fine. My servant is still searching for your family in Yanjing. He will send word in a short while. I hope you will wait a little while, Miss Qingrou."
Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng felt a chill run down her spine, her heart pounding with fear. Could it be that he knew everything? Yes, she never had any family in Yanjing City; everything was a lie she made up last night to escape. Who knew...
She counted on her fingers, biting her lip, deep in thought. This wasn't a plea for help; it was clearly a threat.
Pei Jue gazed at the woman, who remained silent. He glanced at her and his eyes inadvertently fell on Mei Sheng's waist. This time, her clothes were form-fitting enough to accentuate her slender waist, which could be easily grasped with a large hand.
His throat tightened slightly. He gulped down a glass of ice-cold tea and coughed lightly to remind him, "Have you thought it through?"
The woman in front of him had her eyes lowered, but her back was straight. Her identity seemed completely different from what he had guessed. Pei Jue couldn't help but hesitate. Was she really a woman who had escaped from a brothel?
This morning, Han Zhou sent him the results of his investigation. There were several people in Yanjing who were looking for the girl, but none of them matched the description.
There were indeed signs of people being searched in lowly places like brothels, and the faces of those searched were somewhat similar.
Moreover, she showed no panic at all when she was alone in a room with a strange man. She seemed weak and shy, but it was actually a disguise.
He couldn't help but think to himself that such uninhibited interaction with men was only possible among aristocratic families or brothels.
Thinking about it this way, the strange thoughts in his heart faded away.
Mei Sheng pondered, caught in a dilemma, while Pei Jue didn't urge her, and the room grew even quieter.
"Pei Jue, you..."
Qingyao, dressed in red as usual, suddenly pushed open the door. Upon seeing the scene inside, even the usually talkative Qingyao fell silent and slammed the door shut.
A few moments later, he opened the door again, glanced at it briefly, and then closed it again.
When the door was opened for the third time, Pei Jue finally ran out of patience and threw the teacup in his hand precisely at the person: "Get out."
Qingyao reluctantly accepted the teacup, then looked around at the two people in the room, a hint of joy in her eyes: "Alright."
After saying that, he closed the door and hid behind it to eavesdrop.
Before Pei Jue could reprimand her, the woman suddenly spoke up, her voice soft and gentle: "Alright, I hope you will remember to give me a travel permit three months from now."
Without a travel permit, she cannot leave the city. Last time, she managed to leave the city with the Crown Princess and her entourage, but what about next time? If she is caught any time, she will be beaten eighty times and will not survive.
Seeing this, Pei Jue smiled knowingly, thinking to himself that she was indeed no different from that ordinary woman, and for a moment, he felt displeased.
Pei Jue nodded casually, his expression cold: "Follow me."
Mei Sheng let out a soft breath, lost in thought. Although she was surprised that he was Pei Jue, an old rumor from Yanjing reassured her.
Pei Jue has been deeply in love with the Crown Princess for a long time, and he has remained unmarried for so many years because of her. Even his concubine, who is highly favored, has some connection with the Crown Princess, which shows how deep and unwavering Pei Jue's affection is.
She would pretend to agree first, and then find a chance to slip away.
Mei Sheng was filled with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow. She was happy that she had the opportunity to leave and wouldn't have to go through the trouble of searching for counterfeit goods on the black market. She was worried that she might run into a swindler and get caught at the city gate, which would be a huge loss.
Tragically, having barely escaped the wolf's den, he found himself in the tiger's den, and there was also the fact that he bore a resemblance to the Crown Princess.
Fortunately, she knows a little about makeup; it's time for her to pick it up and learn again.
But this man is so unpredictable, can she trust him?
Never mind, let's just wait and see.
—
Anhetang
At that moment, Mei Sheng clenched her fists, her heart clenching, and stared intently at a corner until her eyes were dry: "Qing Rou is the master's maid, so naturally she obeys the master's every command."
You really can't believe it!
Mei Sheng smiled bitterly to herself; she needed to make a new plan.
The master, Pei Zhonghe, clapped his hands vigorously and laughed wildly. He hadn't finished chewing the fatty meat in his mouth, and his hands were also a bit greasy. He licked his lips and said, "Then why don't you come over here to your master and be more observant and pour me some wine?"
Seeing this, Pei Jue put down his chopsticks.
Before he could speak, the usually kind Old Madam Pei rubbed her forehead and scolded angrily, "Zhonghe, you're over forty years old, how can you still be fighting with your son for someone? Tell me, what have you done all these years... Have you not gotten over what happened back then?"
After saying this, Master Pei's face darkened, he cursed twice, and then turned and left.
Seeing her eldest son's ruthlessness, Old Mrs. Pei's breathing quickened, and in the blink of an eye, chaos erupted inside the house.
The maidservant beside her hurriedly took out a medicine bottle from the next room and flashed it over Old Madam Pei's nose and mouth.
Grandma Pei gently patted her chest and slowly recovered. Then she pulled Pei Jue, who was standing close to her, and said slowly, "Don't worry, your father's word doesn't count in this family."
"He's had this problem for years, so don't blame him, cough cough."
Pei Jue instructed Han Zhou to summon Imperial Physician Ling from the palace, and comforted her, saying, "Grandmother, please do not worry. Your grandson knows what to do."
The meal ended hastily. When Pei Jue left, his grandmother asked him to take some peaches with him, saying that he had loved them since he was a child.
Pei Jue shook his head: "My grandson no longer likes that taste."
"Is there anything you'd like to eat? Tell the kitchen to buy it tomorrow."
"Green plum."
His gaze fell on the woman, whose emotions were both bittersweet and palpable. She seemed less fake than she had been at noon and the night before.
Pei Jue smiled slightly: "Although it's bittersweet, it leaves a lingering aftertaste."
But where can we find fresh plums at the end of summer?
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