outer room
The Cao family mansion has a spacious main hall with a large painting of the Grand Canal hanging in the center. On both sides are wooden couplets that read "May your house be filled with wealth and prosperity." Below is a long, narrow table with upturned ends, on which is placed a large blue and white porcelain vase.
The old lady Cao, who was over sixty years old, was dressed in a sapphire blue brocade long coat with gold patterns, and wore a headband with broken jade and jadeite. Her hair was neatly combed and shiny. She sat upright in a grand chair next to a table with upturned corners, holding a sandalwood cane with a crane's head in both hands.
Ever since Mei Sheng was forcibly brought here, she stood quietly below, showing no emotion, letting the dignified old lady look her up and down.
"So you are Huaiyuan's mistress who lives outside?" Old Madam Cao's eyes were sharp and her words were blunt. She must have found out beforehand before asking this question. Although it was just a question, her words were definitely full of implications.
As soon as he finished speaking, Mei Sheng's brows relaxed slightly.
Huaiyuan was Pei Jue's courtesy name, a fact she had known since their time in Yanjing. It seemed that this man's act of taking her away in the street, without the slightest hint of yielding, was indeed related to Pei Jue.
She couldn't help but feel resentful, for she had been implicated by him once again.
Upon seeing this, Mei Sheng looked surprised, but her eyes held a hint of joy. She replied softly, "Is that how you replied, sir? May I ask who the old lady is?"
These words were cleverly chosen. After hearing them, Old Madam Cao was speechless for a moment. After a while, her tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and she asked, "Why have you been living in the same courtyard for so many days?"
The several domineering old women standing beside Old Man Cao stepped forward after the old lady finished asking her question, staring at her menacingly as if interrogating a criminal, which made her feel disgusted.
Mei Sheng had already figured out how to respond, so she wasn't flustered. The old lady was incredibly intimidating, and she could only focus on dealing with her. As for who had leaked her information, there was no need to say more; even if she regretted it later, it would be too late.
"My daughter was rescued by you, sir, half a month ago. Thanks to your compassion, I was given a place to stay." She didn't know how much the old woman knew, so she spoke half-truthfully. If she could use the old woman's help to leave this place, that would be great.
At this point, Old Madam Cao's face instantly turned furious: "You're probably just making excuses. Huaiyuan has always been a man of integrity. I've inquired about you, and you're just an orphan. I'm afraid I've sold you out and you're just making things up here!"
The atmosphere inside the hall took a sharp turn for the worse.
Seeing this, Mei Sheng took a step back, and in an instant seemed to understand something. Her eyes flashed with light: "Is the old lady an elder of the master? Although I have this intention, the master has always disagreed with taking me as a concubine. Would the old lady be willing to help me this once?"
As she said this, Mei Sheng was heartbroken and lowered her head to wipe away her tears. She then hurriedly went forward to tug at the old lady's clothes.
Even a mistress...
The people in the hall were all stunned when they heard this. After the old woman realized what was happening, she hurriedly stepped forward to stop her.
Seeing this, Old Mrs. Cao looked sullen. She didn't even want to give this shameless and lowly woman a second glance. Sure enough, without parents to teach her, she had no manners.
There are no women in this world who would be so eager to become a mistress. If there are, they are all filthy and rotten people. Old Mrs. Cao spat. Even if she was decent-looking, she would not let her handsome grandson take such a person as a concubine.
Mei Sheng's movements were awkward and comical, as if she had grasped at a straw, and she said, "The master also said that he will part ways with my daughter tomorrow. Madam, please help my daughter, I am willing to..."
"Shut up!"
When Old Mrs. Cao looked at the comical woman below, she immediately sobered up. How could she have believed such nonsense?
Now, Old Madam Cao was annoyed. She originally wanted to bring that shameless mistress over and punish her properly, but who knew she was someone who was begging to come to her door but no one wanted her!
Mei Sheng obediently shut up; she didn't want to be their slave in her next life. Luckily, she hadn't finished speaking.
As soon as Old Madam Cao got up, before anyone could drive the woman away, a voice came from afar: "You say you're interested in my nephew, even willing to be his concubine? Ha, otherwise I'll help you and have Huaiyuan take you as his concubine."
The woman approaching from afar had a graceful figure, adorned in fine silks and jewels, and wore glamorous makeup. Her words revealed a compassionate heart, though this compassion was a compliment from the man beside her.
The man was thin, with a fair complexion and handsome features. He held an oil-paper umbrella and earnestly shone it on the person who came, showing great care and consideration.
As Cao Rongniang passed by Mei Sheng, she casually tossed down a ruby butterfly hairpin, her tone ambiguous: "This little trinket is for you."
"My nephew is getting on in years, Mother, why don't we grant her wish? Besides, this little girl is quite pretty and has a cheerful appearance."
The old lady's brow furrowed into a single line as she scolded, "Nonsense! What is Huaiyuan's status? And what is hers?" But these words came from her beloved daughter, so she could only gently rebuke her and glare at the white-bearded man beside her.
"Someone, throw her out."
"Mother, maybe they're just in love. Why are you so concerned? Look at Huaiyuan all these years, has he ever taken in any woman in his courtyard?" After saying that, he whispered something to Old Madam Cao.
Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng felt that things were going to get really bad.
Sure enough, Old Mrs. Cao's gaze was almost tangible, as if it could pierce through Mei Sheng's outer shell and see into her heart.
Mei Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and she said timidly, "Madam, I am willing, but it seems that you have someone you love, I...I..."
"No need to say, it must be his excuse..." Cao Rongniang lifted the chin of the handsome man beside her and smiled slyly. Then she beckoned to a few people and called out, "Why haven't you taken him out yet and treated him well?"
Grandma Cao said nothing more and let her daughter make a fuss.
As soon as she finished speaking, the two old women approached and "invited" Mei Sheng out. Mei Sheng truly experienced the feeling of being caught in a dilemma, her head throbbing badly, and she could only be dragged out of the house by the old women.
The man was also waved away and sent to wait at the door. Only the two of them remained in the main room. Old Mrs. Cao said angrily, "Why did you keep her at home and treat her so well?"
Cao Rongniang smiled, not making it clear, and glanced outside, her expression meaningful: "Doesn't Mother want to get closer to Huaiyuan?"
"Just wait."
This nephew came to the city where his maternal grandmother lived, but stayed outside and didn't return. He only made a small effort to come back for a reunion during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It seems that he still harbored resentment from the past.
On the other side, Mei Sheng was led to a small house. As soon as she entered the house, Mei Sheng was almost blinded by the light.
Nearby is a huge huanghuali canopy bed, with auspicious patterns inlaid with gold and jade carved along the eaves, and the curtains are made of Suzhou embroidered silk. Even the antique shelves against the west wall display rare jade artifacts and some exquisite small treasures.
Mei Sheng thought to herself, this kind of ostentatious and luxurious style is in line with the taste of this mansion. When she first entered the mansion, she felt as if she had entered a rich mansion. She couldn't help but feel dazed. Is this still the mansion that was flooded?
"Where is this?" she asked the maids who had just entered the room, puzzled. Although her current situation was unfamiliar and uncertain, she was relieved to see that the two maids had not done anything to her for the time being.
It seems they're trying to lure Pei Jue here?
The maids carrying the red lacquered wooden trays, like the old woman, seemed to have lost their voices, their faces solemn, focusing only on doing their work and saying nothing else.
Several maids left behind a set of new clothes, a bath, and soap, and then asked Mei Sheng if she wanted anyone to stay and serve her. Upon receiving Mei Sheng's reply, they did not hesitate and left, closing the door behind them.
Mei Sheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, staring intently at the fragrant bath.
Seeing that there was no sound from inside for a long time, the maid knocked on the door and reminded her, "Miss, don't wait until the water gets cold."
Seeing this, Mei Sheng had no choice but to bite the bullet and end the embarrassing bath as quickly as possible. As soon as she entered the house, the people outside, as if eavesdropping through the door, immediately rushed in to clean up the mess.
Fortunately, after the maid placed a few items on the rosewood table, she withdrew again, and the surroundings became quiet, unlike the feeling of being spied on earlier.
Perhaps because it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, there were not only sweets, cakes, and tea on the table, but also a large, round mooncake.
The mood that had been soured at the start of the night had long since dissipated. Now that her nerves were a little relaxed, Mei Sheng, who hadn't eaten much dinner, suddenly felt a pang of hunger.
Mei Sheng lightly covered her forehead, hurriedly opened the tea box, poured a cup, and the tea was fragrant and delicious. It was perfect with the pastries.
The room was clean and refreshing, and so were the people inside. Although there were constraints, they were still able to enjoy themselves. Since Mei Sheng couldn't find any books in the room, she went to the small couch to lean against and propped up a small corner of the window.
Look at the full moon that I haven't finished seeing tonight.
After a while, a crisp sound came from the mahogany door as it was pushed and pulled. Mei Sheng didn't turn her head, still engrossed in a bite of cake, a sip of tea, and a sip of the moon.
"What are you laughing at?"
A familiar voice appeared; sure enough, it was Pei Jue.
As soon as Pei Jue pushed open the door, he saw no one. Only when he turned his view did he realize that the woman was in a corner, with most of her body hidden by a screen.
Upon closer inspection, Mei Sheng was seen wearing a dark blue silk dress with her hair down, her long hair falling behind her, slightly damp, indicating that she had recently taken a bath.
With just a glimpse of her back, Pei Jue could no longer take his eyes off her. The rare crimson dress made her skin look like jade, radiant and beautiful.
"Laughing at the moon."
Seeing that she was unharmed, Pei Jue decided to tease her: "What's so funny? Do you want to go to the moon?"
With a large hand, all the wet hair was gathered into his grasp.
He had just raised his other hand when he paused for a moment, then reached for the headscarf hanging to the side and wiped his slightly damp hair.
Mei Sheng sensed the movement behind her but ignored him, saying, "You don't understand."
Upon hearing this, her gaze lingered, as if she had a thousand words to say, and that elusive feeling welled up in Pei Jue's heart again.
He turned Mei Sheng around so that he could clearly see the surprise in her eyes and the furrowed brows on her face before he felt at ease.
Pei Jue laughed and said, "Is there anything I don't understand?"
"Oh, I laugh. The moon is so big, how many years would it take to get up there?"
Pei Jue then smiled and said loudly, "I haven't seen you drink, so how come you're drunk?"
Mei Sheng shook her head, and seeing that the man was still babbling on and on, she couldn't help but cover his mouth: "You're so noisy."
Pei Jue's initial surprise quickly faded; Mei'er would never speak to him in such a tone.
So, who is she thinking of right now?
He thought to himself, "So that's how it is." He wondered why they didn't enjoy their life of wealth and luxury, but instead wanted to escape.
"who I am?"
Mei Sheng looked at her friend and asked her blankly, "Who is she?" She couldn't help but laugh. She tugged at her cheek and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Did you not do well on the exam? Are you in a bad mood?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Jue's body stiffened. At this moment, he didn't know whether to blame the woman for being so audacious as to pinch him, or whether his anger was rising and confirming his guess!
"Examination?" Pei Jue suddenly realized that the autumn examination had just ended and her beloved was actually a candidate in the imperial examination?
After a long pause, Pei Jue remained expressionless, pulled the woman into his arms, and asked her, "Who is he?"
After he finished speaking, Mei Sheng was taken aback, glared at him, chuckled softly, and remained silent. Instead, she reached out to touch her friend's forehead: "Are you silly? How would I know who he is?"
Pei Jue froze at that look, then chuckled in exasperation before leaning close to her ear and asking, "Is it a man or a woman?"
To everyone's surprise, Mei Sheng's eyes were slightly open, and she looked sleepy, almost falling asleep. Only when Pei Jue bit her white spot did she whimper in pain, "What are you doing?"
Is he a man or a woman?
Mei Sheng thought to herself, "Don't I know you like men?"
"M-M!"
After saying this, Mei Sheng leaned against the wooden window and fell into a deep sleep, leaving only the man with an inscrutable expression, unable to laugh anymore.
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