57 Unworthy
◎No crying, no quarreling, like a lost soul◎
Wei Ziyan was thinking about something when she was suddenly stopped by Yuhuan. She was stunned for a moment before she reacted.
"Of course, Cousin Yuhuan can come anytime she wants." He then invited the old lady, "Grandmother, if you're interested, why not come too?"
Mrs. Yan suggested, "It's still early, son. Why don't you go when the sun is at its highest? It won't be cold when you sit outside."
So, they decided to take a walk in the afternoon. After Wei Ziyan returned, she hurriedly asked Leng Xiangping'er to prepare some tea and snacks, and set up chairs in the middle of the courtyard in advance.
I didn't dare to sleep in during my nap. I took a short nap and then got up to prepare to welcome my grandmother and her entourage.
Xu Ji was waiting outside the courtyard gate. When he saw the arrival, he immediately ran back to report. Wei Ziyan and Qiu Luo went outside to greet them respectfully. Madam Yan and Yuhuan supported the old lady on either side as they entered the courtyard.
The sun was shining brightly, covering most of the yard. The flowers were in full bloom, flourishing and thriving, a real treat for the eyes.
"I was the one who named the name 'Fuxitang'." The old lady was stunned and recalled the past.
"Back then, there was nothing in this yard except these two bare date trees. Now it's in such a state that I can't even recognize it. There are more flowers here than in the garden outside!"
Yuhuan was also stunned. She had never seen such lush vegetation in that small courtyard before. She couldn't help but exclaim, "It's really beautiful. My cousin's wife really knows how to grow flowers."
"I just like it, I can't say I really understand it." Wei Ziyan said modestly, and asked them to sit down and rest, and have some tea and snacks.
Thinking that my grandmother was used to strong tea, I specially brewed a cup of "Lushan Cloud Mist", which has a mellow taste and a subtle fragrance like orchid. The old lady took a sip and was very satisfied, saying it was a good tea.
Yuhuan half-jokingly said, "My eldest cousin's wife not only knows how to grow flowers, but she is also well versed in the art of tea. Sitting in such a nice place, basking in the sun and sipping good tea, I really envy her."
The old lady smiled and said, "If you like it, ask your eldest cousin to take you in for a few days."
These casual words made Wei Ziyan's heart skip a beat. She and Yuhuan were not familiar with each other yet, and it would be awkward for her to stay and stare at each other.
"Grandma, I'm joking!" Yuhuan glanced at her with a smile, "I still prefer living with you."
Seeing the old lady being coaxed into happiness, Wei Ziyan breathed a sigh of relief and felt a little puzzled: Is this cousin Yuhuan introverted and quiet?
A gentle breeze blew by, spreading the sweet fragrance of osmanthus all over the yard, penetrating into the lungs and refreshing the heart.
Mrs. Yan continued her previous conversation about a "great place": "Zi Yan suggested to me earlier that we gather here on the night of the 16th for a family reunion to enjoy the moon."
"Okay!" The old lady responded happily, then suddenly realized, "Sixteen? Isn't Mid-Autumn Festival the fifteenth?"
"Mother forgot that His Majesty invites all the ministers to the palace for a banquet every fifteenth day of the lunar year."
"Oh, yes!" the old lady said with a smile, "Then invite both my parents-in-law and I to come and have a reunion together."
Hearing that her grandmother remembered her parents, Wei Ziyan was happy: "You haven't seen my parents for many years."
"Yeah, are they okay?"
"Thank you for your concern, Grandma. Everything is fine."
"I really didn't expect that..."
The old lady couldn't help but think of the past, and old people always sighed when they recalled the past. She said with emotion: "I originally thought that your marriage with Qi Zheng would be difficult to succeed, but I didn't expect that after all the ups and downs, you would eventually become a family."
"Grandma, what do you mean?" Yuhuan was the only one here who didn't know about the past, so she couldn't help but ask curiously.
"It's all in the past, let's not talk about it." Madam Yan said briefly, "Mother, you don't know, Qi Zheng is completely different from before. These flowers all over the yard are all brought by that boy to please his wife."
The old lady was really surprised when she heard this.
Such a huge project required a lot of effort, not just a bowl of soup on the table. She was very surprised: "I've never seen him care so much about Wei girl before."
Madam Yan laughed angrily, "He used to be a blockhead."
The old lady started laughing, while Wei Ziyan cursed in her heart: "He's still so stupid now!" But even though she cursed, she didn't even notice that the corners of her lips were slightly raised.
The three people had different knowing smiles on their faces, but Yuhuan was the only one who seemed confused and forced herself to smile.
She got up early today, had a short nap, and spent the whole afternoon with the old man. At night, Wei Ziyan felt tired faster than usual and went to bed early.
Yan Qizhen came back after dark and tiptoed to the inner bedroom. Wei Ziyan was already sleeping soundly.
Now she occupied the bed to herself, lying in the middle, her arms folded carelessly to her left and right. Her long hair was no longer neatly tucked behind her head, but now spread out haphazardly around the pillow, covering half of her face.
The strand of hair on the wing of the nose trembled with the rhythm of the breathing.
Yan Qizheng carefully extended two fingers and gently brushed away the strand of hair. He held his breath and observed for a moment, making sure he hadn't woken her. Then he gently brushed the rest of the hair away from her face...
The capital was drier and colder than her hometown, so Madam Yan had already ordered thick cloaks for the old lady and Yuhuan. Made of sable fur and deerskin, with gold-embellished patterns, they looked both elegant and noble.
The old lady's dress was a solemn navy blue, embroidered with pine and cypress trees. Yuhuan's dress was a vibrant golden pink, embroidered with floral and bird designs, a brilliant sight. She couldn't let it go, and wore it whenever she moved around the mansion.
That day, Aunt Hui hosted a banquet in Fufang Garden to welcome the old lady.
After a satisfying meal and a few drinks, Yan Qifeng felt bored and urged his sister to go swinging. Aunt Hui, remembering the old lady's instructions, told them to take Yuhuan with them. Wei Ziyan and Yan Qikuan didn't want to stay any longer, so they left Fufang Garden together.
Wei Ziyan had a few drinks, and her son wanted to go back for a nap, but Yuhuan graciously took his arm and said, "Cousin, I'm not familiar with them yet. Can you stay with me for a while?"
Her eyes were sweet and her tone was pitiful, making it hard to refuse her.
Wei Ziyan agreed to stay. While Yan Qifeng coaxed his sister to play on the swing, she accompanied Yuhuan to watch the fish by the pond.
The pond had been cleaned, and the red carp in the water were clearly visible. Yan Qikuan went to find some fish food, and the three of them squatted by the pond to feed the fish.
Seeing the fun over there, Yan Qifeng got itchy and called his sister over to feed the fish. Wei Ziyan was pulled by Yuhuan to play on the swing. The two of them took turns, one sitting and the other pushing.
After playing for a while, Wei Ziyan took off her cloak and put it aside. Yuhuan also took off hers and put them together.
Wei Ziyan's dress was peacock blue, with a pattern of a peacock with its tail spread out, the embroidery exquisite and lifelike. The brocade used was translucent and clearly of the finest material.
"This cape of my eldest cousin's wife is really beautiful. Is it a gift from my eldest cousin?"
"No, this is what my mother made for me before I got married."
"Oh..." Yuhuan was very envious. "I heard that my cousin's wife is the only daughter in the family and has been pampered since she was a child. No wonder she always uses the best."
Wei Ziyan smiled softly, then turned her gaze towards the three people feeding the fish by the pond. She said leisurely, "I envy others for having brothers and sisters to grow up with."
Yuhuan also looked in that direction.
"I only envy my eldest cousin's wife. She is loved by her parents at home and by her husband after marriage. If Yuhuan could have even a fraction of my eldest cousin's wife's blessings, she would be satisfied."
The childish words made it difficult for Wei Ziyan to continue. She turned around and looked at this unfamiliar cousin: "Grandmother and mother love you very much. They will definitely find a good marriage for you."
Yuhuan pursed her lips shyly and begged boldly, "Cousin, can you lend me your cloak to try on? Maybe I can share in your good fortune."
Wei Ziyan hadn't expected her to be so familiar. She was surprised for a moment, but she reluctantly agreed. It was just a cloak, and arguing with her would make her seem petty.
"My cousin's wife is so nice!"
Yuhuan happily put on the peacock cloak, and then put on her own gold-powder flower and bird dress, saying sweetly: "My cousin looks good in pink too!"
Wei Ziyan couldn't argue with her anymore, so she obeyed and let her pull her back onto the swing, swinging slowly. However, she felt sleepy and half-closed her eyes to rest.
"My cousin is here."
Suddenly, she was awakened by an excited voice. As soon as she opened her eyes, Yuhuan pulled her down from the swing and hurriedly trotted towards the direction where the three people were feeding the fish.
She didn't see Yan Qizhen at all, and didn't know what happened. Yuhuan suddenly screamed and fell into the pond.
At the critical moment, Yuhuan let go of her hand, and she subconsciously tried to grab her to prevent her from falling...
“Plop—”
“Plop—”
With two consecutive sounds, two people fell into the pond one after another, scaring the three people who were squatting not far away feeding the fish into being dumbfounded.
"Help! Someone fell into the water!" Yan Qizhu was the first to react and stood up and shouted loudly.
"Someone come—"
When he shouted the second time, Yan Qizhen and Xu Ji came running over, and Yan Qizhu paused.
"Brother! Sister-in-law and Yuhuan fell into the water!"
Before she could finish her words, Yan Qizhen jumped into the pond and swam towards Wei Ziyan.
The water in the pond was actually only chest-deep, but the two women were not good swimmers, and they were so frightened after accidentally falling in that they just thrashed around in the water.
The water in the pool was icy cold. Yan Qi was paddling anxiously towards the familiar cloak floating on the water. Within two breaths, he grabbed the panicked wrist of the person in the water and swam back with the person kicking the water.
Yan Qizhu and others helped from above and pulled Yuhuan, who was rescued by the eldest brother, ashore.
"Brother, sister-in-law is still in the water."
Qi Zhu's words startled Yan Qi Zheng, who quickly wiped his eyes and turned to look at the other person in the water. Who was standing there if not Wei Zi Yan?
Yan Qizhen dived into the water and swam towards her quickly.
"Zi Yan..."
Wei Ziyan stared blankly at the person approaching, seemingly too frightened to react. Yan Qizheng didn't dare delay and quickly brought the person ashore.
"Go find Doctor He!" After saying this to Xu Ji, Yan Qizheng picked up the trembling Wei Ziyan and quickly went to Fuxi Hall.
At this time, many people had gathered around the pond. The old lady, Madam Yan and others in Fufang Garden also rushed over after hearing the news. They were all worried about the scene before them.
The old lady took off her cloak and wrapped it around the soaked Yuhuan. Madam Yan asked two maids to help Yuhuan up, one on each side, and carry her back to the courtyard.
Concubine Hui and Concubine Ru took their children home. Yan Qizhu thought something was wrong and ran to Fuxi Hall halfway, where she saw a bustling scene.
Yan Qizhen changed his clothes and came out, asking her what happened.
When he came back from outside, he heard Xu Ji say that the young lady was having a banquet at Fufang Garden, so he brought Xu Ji with him. He didn't expect this to happen.
"I don't know." Yan Qizhu's heart was still beating fast. "My younger brother, my second brother and I were feeding the fish nearby. We didn't see how my eldest sister-in-law and cousin Yuhuan fell in. It was so sudden..."
Yan Qizheng asked again: "Then why did they both change their cloaks?"
Yan Qizhu still shook his head.
"Is sister-in-law okay?"
Yuhuan was still crying after being rescued, but her sister-in-law didn't make a sound, her eyes were dull, and it seemed like something was wrong with her. That's why she ran over.
Yan Qizhen was even more worried than Qizhu at this time.
In the past, when she was startled by a horse, she would throw herself into his arms and cry. After escaping from the knife, she also hugged him and cried non-stop. But this time - she didn't cry or make a fuss, as if she had lost her soul, ignoring him and Leng Xiang Qiuluo at all...
"Young Master, it's done." Ping'er ran out to report.
Yan Qi was busy asking his sister to go back first, then turned back to the house, went to the bathroom and carried Wei Ziyan, who had been soaking in hot water, to the bed.
Qiu Luo knelt at the head of the bed, twisting her hair with a dry towel. Du Juan brought some brewed ginger tea. Yan Qizheng stepped forward, helping Wei Ziyan sit up with one hand and feeding her ginger tea with a spoon with the other.
Unexpectedly, before she could even take a sip, she started coughing violently as if she was choking. She coughed until she felt like vomiting, her face flushed red, her eyes filled with tears, and it made him feel uncomfortable.
"But what's wrong?"
Wei Ziyan remained silent, closing her eyes listlessly as she lay down. Yan Qizheng reached out and felt her forehead, which was slightly warm. Just as he was worried that Xu Ji hadn't sent for the doctor yet, he finally arrived.
The doctor took the patient's pulse, asked about the condition, and confirmed that he had caught a cold.
"Your Madam is already weak, and after this fright, I'm afraid she's frightened. I'll prescribe two more tranquilizers, which will surely take effect after a few days."
After thanking the doctor, Yan Qizhen asked Xu Ji to go get the medicine while he stayed by the bed.
"How is Zi Yan?"
Not long after, Leng Xiang brought Madam Yan in, and seeing Wei Ziyan sleeping on the bed, she asked him.
Yan Qizheng relayed the doctor's words, and Madam Yan sighed with pity: "Poor child, this child is suffering again."
His mother came over at this time, and she must have already understood what happened. Hearing this, Yan Qizheng looked up at his mother: "What happened?"
"Alas..." Mrs. Yan sighed again.
"Yuhuan said she was swinging with Ziyan when she saw you from afar and wanted to take Ziyan with her to find you. As they were passing a pond, she slipped and fell in. Ziyan tried to hold her back, but ended up falling in as well."
Seeing her son remain silent, Madam Yan continued, "Yuhuan feels very guilty for causing trouble for Ziyan. She's been clamoring to come over and apologize, but your grandmother wouldn't let her. After all, the girl was terrified and is still trembling with fear."
"I understand..." Yan Qizheng's gaze fell back on the bed.
At this moment, he is the one who blames himself the most.
Zi Yan has always been afraid of the cold, and she had just recovered from a serious injury, so her body was already weak, but he didn't rescue her immediately! He actually didn't recognize her...
Is she ignoring me because she is disappointed in him?
Yan Qizheng barely dared to close his eyes that night. As soon as he closed his eyes, the image of her looking at him from the water would appear before him, filled with sorrow and despair...
"Miss, you're awake."
Following this soft cry, Wei Ziyan's vision slowly opened, and Qiu Luo's bitter gourd-like face came into view.
"water……"
"Oh, I'll get some water."
Wei Ziyan closed her eyes again until Qiu Luo quickly brought some water. She supported herself on her hands and climbed to her feet, drinking from the tea bowl Qiu Luo handed her.
The moment the warm tea flowed down her throat, the sudden discomfort made her gag. She spat out all the water onto the quilt, still unable to stop dry heaving.
"Miss...what's wrong with you?"
Qiuluo burst into tears and hurriedly massaged her back, calling out for Aunt Lengxiang. Lengxiang and Dujuan came in upon hearing the noise and hurriedly asked Dujuan to fetch new bedding.
"Madam, are you feeling sick in your stomach? Leng Xiang, please send for a doctor right away."
Wei Ziyan waved her hands weakly.
She didn't feel uncomfortable in her stomach, but in her heart.
At first she was terrified, thinking she was drowning, and she thrashed about wildly, choking on the water several times. Fortunately, an idea suddenly struck her, and she remembered that a few days ago, a servant was cleaning the pond here, and someone had gone into the water to pull out some dead roots, and was standing in the water.
So she quickly untied the straps of her cloak and tried to reach the bottom with her feet. Sure enough, she stepped on the bottom of the pool. Just as she was feeling happy, she turned around and saw Yan Qi swimming hurriedly to rescue Yuhuan...
He grabbed Yuhuan and swam quickly with her to the pool wall, carrying her up without even looking at her...
"I was too impatient just now... bring more water." Wei Ziyan lowered her eyes, not wanting to think about it anymore.
Leng Xiang brought another bowl of tea. This time, she suppressed the urge to vomit and slowly drank two sips. Finally, she felt better and leaned weakly against the head of the bed.
"How long have I slept?"
"The young lady has been sleeping since she came back yesterday... 3:15 PM." Leng Xiang glanced at the hourglass.
No wonder I was hungry.
"I want to eat."
"Okay..." Hearing this, Qiu Luo happily wiped away her tears. "I'll get it right away."
It was said that the small kitchen had been preparing light meals as instructed by the eldest son, and before long, a table full of dishes was laid out before Wei Ziyan. Each portion was small, but the emphasis was on variety.
"The eldest master was worried that the young lady might not have a good appetite, so he prepared a few different flavors. The young lady can just pick what she wants to eat, and the kitchen can always add more."
Wei Ziyan listened to Leng Xiang silently and said to her calmly, "Qiuluo will take care of us here, so go and get busy."
"yes."
Leng Xiang left immediately, and Wei Ziyan picked up the porridge and began to eat it slowly. Qiu Luo picked up some food for her with chopsticks, but she didn't even jump, and ate it all.
Seeing this, Qiu Luo finally felt relieved. Before, she couldn't even feed water or medicine, which worried her to death!
"Miss, you can take the medicine after you eat. You will feel better soon after taking the medicine."
"Yeah." Wei Ziyan responded softly and swallowed the porridge in her mouth. "Qiuluo, why are you calling me Miss again?"
"My son-in-law is not worthy!" Qiu Luo gets angry when he is mentioned.
Now everyone in the mansion knows that the eldest son rescued the young lady yesterday. Fortunately, the pond is not deep. If she had fallen into the river, how could the young lady have survived until he came back to rescue her?
He is the young lady's husband, but it was not the young lady who was nervous at the critical moment. How could such a son-in-law be worthy of being the young lady's wife?
Qiu Luo was filled with resentment, but he didn't dare voice his complaints out loud and upset the young lady. However, at this very moment, the young lady came uninvited.
"My cousin heard that the young lady had woken up, so she came here to apologize to her."
Leng Xiang came in to pass on the message, and Qiu Luo said angrily, "No! The young lady is still sick and won't see anyone!"
Qiu Luo’s words naturally didn’t count, Leng Xiang looked at the young lady.
"Well," Wei Ziyan said without even raising her eyelids, "that's all."
In the courtyard, Madam Yan was talking to the old lady. Seeing Yuhuan coming back with red eyes, she hurriedly asked her what was wrong.
"My cousin's wife didn't let me in."
"Why?" Mrs. Yan was surprised.
"My eldest cousin's wife said she's still sick and won't see anyone." Yuhuan sat down next to the old lady, her lips curled downwards: "Grandma, aunt, my eldest cousin's wife is probably mad at me and is saying this because she doesn't want to see me?"
The old lady hadn't seen the girl from the Wei family for more than two years. She was unsure about her current temper and looked at Madam Yan with a questioning look.
"This was an accident. Zi Yan has always been sensible and shouldn't have happened."
"But aunt..." Yuhuan hesitated to speak, as if she found it difficult to start.
The old lady said, "Just say whatever you want to say."
Yuhuan bit her lip and said softly with her head down, "It's being said in the mansion now that my eldest cousin saved Yuhuan first without caring about my eldest cousin's wife. I'm afraid my eldest cousin's wife will be... unhappy when she hears it..."
Mrs. Yan remained silent after hearing this, and the old lady nodded when she saw this.
"It's not impossible. You'll definitely mind it." The old lady patted Yuhuan's hand comfortingly. "Don't apologize yet. Let's talk about it in a few days."
"Yeah." Yuhuan responded, but the gloomy look on her face remained.
"Still can't get over it?"
When the old lady asked this, Yuhuan suddenly stood up and knelt down: "Grandma, Yuhuan is unfilial and wants to go home tomorrow."
"What's the purpose?" The old lady and Madam Yan were both shocked. "Are you going back just because of this?"
"No, it's just that Yuhuan is too embarrassed to stay here any longer." As she spoke, she burst into tears.
"What happened?" the old lady was anxious.
"I, I also heard them say... say..." Yuhuan burst into tears, "They said I seduced my eldest cousin... My eldest cousin has always been very good to my eldest cousin's wife, and after just a few days of my arrival..."
"She also said that her cousin had already felt my body thoroughly..."
"What nonsense!" Madam Yan was so angry that she couldn't sit still. "Whoever is gossiping told your aunt about it. I will stand up for you."
Yuhuan shook her head repeatedly.
"I don't know... I just happened to pass by and heard it. I was so scared that I didn't dare to stay. Qing'er also heard it. Auntie, you can ask her..."
Qing'er was her maid, and had been following her all the time.
What else are you asking?
The old lady had heard the gossip in the mansion, but she had never heard such malicious speculation. A good young girl was being talked about like this, her reputation was ruined for no reason!
"How outrageous! How outrageous!" The old lady kept slamming the table, and Yuhuan quickly held her hand.
"Grandma, don't get yourself sick from being angry."
He was crying as he spoke, and the old lady felt even more distressed.
Over the years, her daughter had been with her, closer than her own granddaughter, and was her most beloved grandchild. She had brought her to Beijing to choose a marriage for her, but her innocence had been ruined before it even began. How could she marry into a good family?
"Huan'er," the old lady had an idea in mind, "Grandma is asking you, do you like your eldest cousin?"
Yuhuan stopped crying and shook her head in shock: "Yuhuan dare not have any illusions about my cousin."
"Mother—" Mrs. Yan was also shocked when she heard this.
The old lady waved her hand at her, her words uttered with great emphasis: "Qi Zheng actually hugged Yu Huan's soaking wet body in front of so many people!"
After saying that, he held Yuhuan's hands with both hands.
"If you are willing, Grandmother will make the decision for you and let Qi Zheng raise you as his equal wife."
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