Chapter 22 Three-in-One: "She's timid? I don't think so..."
The moment the guess was confirmed, the man with his back to the twilight was holding a teacup. The veins on the back of his hand suddenly bulged, and his knuckles turned slightly white from the excessive force, as if he was suppressing a huge rage.
He had considered this possibility before, but deep down he still held onto a sliver of hope that she still had some genuine feelings for him, even if it was only half a bit.
But now, even the name she gave him is fake. The first time he ever gave his heart was trampled underfoot like mud. How ridiculous!
What else could he expect from her?
"According to the report from the secret guards, the young lady is the third daughter of Meng Yanqing, the Junior Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. Because she cannot speak and is timid, she is not favored at home." Chu Ze continued to report the information handed over by the secret guards, despite the pressure pressing on his chest.
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Xiuyi gave a cold laugh, his eyes reflecting the residue at the bottom of the glass. His deep, mellow voice seemed to be permeated with frost: "She's timid? I don't think so. It's more like she's a cunning, treacherous, ungrateful liar."
Once he returns to the capital, he is determined to grind her into tea dregs.
Make her wish she were dead.
Chu Ze stood to the side with his head down, not daring to utter a single word for a long time.
With nowhere to vent his anger, Lu Xiuyi rubbed the cup hard, oblivious to the fact that his fingertips were burned red. Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, he looked up and asked, "If we ride at full speed, how many days' journey is it to the capital?"
He couldn't wait to see her.
Upon hearing this, Chu Ze made a rough estimate in his mind, "If we only rest briefly at night, we will have about five more days."
"Very good. Give the order that we will set off at dawn tomorrow. Also, keep the big gift for Lu Jiayan safe. Once we return to the capital, I want to present it to him immediately to avoid any unforeseen complications."
"yes."
***
As that gentle yet profound voice faded, a man in a black brocade robe appeared in the center of the lotus pond, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.
The man stood tall and elegant, exuding a noble air, like a snow-covered bamboo. His peach blossom eyes seemed to smile, yet not quite, and the radiant afterglow of the setting sun kissed his profile. He was truly a man of spirit as clear as autumn water and bones as pure as jade. Just by standing there, he possessed an aura of profound stillness and imposing presence, drawing all eyes to the banquet.
Needless to say, Meng Yu knew that this person must be the famous Qin Mu Sui.
Madam Ji rose to greet him, her brows furrowed with worry: "Didn't you just send someone to tell me you were going to the academy to visit the teacher? Why did you suddenly rush back?"
Qin Musui raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Since you are busy, I have returned."
Madam Ji smiled brightly and quickly ordered, "Someone, set up a table below me for the world..."
“Mother, there’s no need for that,” Qin Musui stopped her in time, pointing to the table opposite Meng Yu, “Just have them put the table there.”
Meng Yu: "..."
Either way, it's just a table, and Meng Yu really couldn't see any difference between placing it below Ji Shi and placing it opposite her.
Unable to persuade him otherwise, Ji could only nod in agreement with a helpless expression.
After arranging the seats, Qin Musui pulled someone from behind and introduced him to Madam Ji: "Mother, this is Mr. Jiang Xuanli, the teacher's newly accepted student, who has come to the capital to participate in this year's imperial examination."
It was only then that Meng Yu noticed the person next to Qin Musui. He was dressed in plain clothes, with elegant features. Although he did not have the noble and aloof air of Qin Musui, he had a unique scholarly air about him.
Jiang Xuanli lowered his head slightly and greeted Lady Ji.
After meeting Jiang Xuanli, Madam Ji hurriedly beckoned Meng Shuang to come forward.
Meng Yu didn't hear exactly what they said, because before she could react, Ning Sui had already sat down beside her, glanced at the lotus flowers in the pond, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and when she opened her eyes, she smiled and said, "The air here is only somewhat better in this corner."
She paused, then turned to Meng Yu with a smile and asked, "May I ask which family you are from, young lady? You certainly know how to choose your seat."
Her voice was like a clear mountain spring, refreshing and cold, like striking jade, yet it also contained a touch of inappropriate tenderness.
Meng Yu paused slightly.
Because of the clothes she was wearing, it was inconvenient to carry a notebook. Moreover, in this kind of situation, Meng Yu was certain that she would not have a place to speak, so she put the notebook on the carriage.
Seeing Ning Sui ask this question, he glanced around the table for a moment, then poured some tea onto the lid of the cup, moistened his fingertips with a few droplets of water, and slowly spread it across the table: "My daughter is the illegitimate daughter of Secretary Meng, and her maiden name is 'Yu'. May I ask how you should address me, young lady?"
Realizing that Meng Yu was speechless and looked slightly embarrassed, Ning Sui paused for a moment, then said brightly, "My name is Ning Sui. Have you heard a joke before, young lady?"
Her tone changed so quickly that Meng Yu didn't react for a moment and just stared at her with wide eyes.
Seeing this, Ning Sui said to herself, "Once upon a time, there was a group of women chatting under the shade of a tree. They didn't feel hungry even though they hadn't eaten all day. Do you know why, young lady?"
Meng Yu pondered for a while, then shook her head.
"Because they were drinking water and chatting, talking nonsense, they didn't even have time to eat anything," Ning Sui revealed the answer, laughed twice, then realized that her laughter was a bit too loud and quickly suppressed it.
That joke of hers was really lame.
Meng Yu smiled slightly, feeling a greater sense of goodwill and less distance from the thoughtful girl before her. She lowered her head and wrote on the table: "These are all common occurrences, I'm used to them, but I still want to thank Miss Ning for her comfort."
Ning Sui waved her hand dismissively, as if she were an old friend: "I hit it off with you right away, young lady. You can call me by my real name. I'm used to it in the army, and it feels awkward to always call me 'young lady'."
Meng Yu smiled and wrote: "Miss Ning's personality suits me just as well. In that case, how about I call myself Asui? The elders in my family all call me Yu'er."
Ning Sui's eyes were as bright as day, and upon hearing this, she immediately agreed with Meng Yu.
***
When Qin Musui arrived, everyone exchanged pleasantries, but no one knew what Qin Musui said. When Meng Yu looked up again, she saw Meng Shuang sitting back in her original seat with a slightly sullen face, her expression no longer showing the joy she had just shown.
Qin Musui walked towards them with a teacup in hand. Meng Yu thought he wanted to come over for a chat and was about to get up to greet him when Ning Sui grabbed her arm and looked at the man with a cold eye, sneering, "This man is hypocritical and cunning. Yu'er doesn't need to drink tea with him."
Her words were laced with hostility. Meng Yu was bewildered and looked at Ning Sui, about to ask a question, but Qin Mu Sui showed no anger. Instead, she smiled gently and said, "I was merely expressing my opinion in court. If I have offended Miss Ning, then I apologize to you."
Ning Sui smiled coolly: "If the young master really wants to apologize, he might as well go to the emperor and say a few good words for me in my campaign against Northern Liang."
The person before me possessed an air of elegance and nobility, seemingly very easy to talk to, yet the smile in his eyes did not reach his heart. He uttered two simple yet forceful words that left no room for refusal: "No."
Ning Sui saw right through him and snorted coldly, "Then don't say such high-sounding words in front of me."
Qin Musui sighed: "Ning Sui, I'm doing this for your own good. Beiliang is a barbarian land. The people of Beiliang eat raw meat and drink blood, and live among beasts. Why do you, a young lady, insist on going to Beiliang? Although Daqi is rich and powerful today, its territory is vast and there are still many places that need to be pacified. For example, the bandits in Longzhou are rampant and urgently need the court to send people to quell them. If you want to show your skills, you can ask His Majesty for permission to lead troops to Longzhou tomorrow. I will not stop you."
Ning Sui smirked, dismissing his words: "In the end, you just think I'm a woman and that I'm not up to the responsibility of recovering our territory, or that I'll embarrass you in Beiliang."
Upon hearing her words, Qin Musui froze, then lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly, asking in a low voice, "Is that how you see me?"
Ning Sui leaned back in her chair, tilted her head back in the brilliant afterglow, and smiled coldly and distantly: "Isn't that right, Young Master Qin?"
The smile on her face deeply stung Qin Musui. After a long pause, he spoke with great difficulty: "Do you know that face is the most useless thing to me?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Sui still couldn't resist tearing his heart out and piercing his bones: "Whether the item is useful or not is entirely up to Young Master Qin, isn't it?"
She tilted her head slightly, calmly meeting the gaze of the displeased Madam Ji, and then said, "Since you've come all this way, I don't want to upset my brother. Young Master Qin, you should sit back down and not make a scene in front of me."
Qin Musui looked at her deeply, and as if thinking of something, a trace of imperceptible pain appeared in his usually cold eyes. He simply said, "Ning Sui, you will know in the future that I am truly doing this for your own good."
After saying that, he didn't press the matter further and turned around to sit back down opposite him.
***
Having watched the play in a daze, even the slow-witted Meng Yu could tell that the two were in love but the goddess had no dreams.
Everyone seemed to sense that Madam Ji was in a bad mood, and as the banquet drew to a close, they stopped chatting and laughing, exchanged pleasantries, and then left by carriage.
On the contrary, Ning Sui, who had come reluctantly, unexpectedly met Meng Yu and warmly invited her to her carriage when she left, wanting to take her back to her residence.
Although Meng Yu was extremely reluctant to ride with Meng Shuang and Meng Yin, she politely declined with a smile to avoid unnecessary trouble and considering that their routes back to the mansion were in opposite directions. Ning Sui was reluctant to part with her and could only invite her to meet again at Xunmanlou the next day.
As dusk settled and the brilliant afterglow spilled onto the road home, Meng Yu looked out through the blind and saw colorful rays of light winding to the horizon, like a colorful ink painting.
Meeting Ning Sui on this trip made Meng Yu feel that the journey was truly worthwhile.
"That Miss Ning is not only the younger sister of General Zhenbei, but she has also made great contributions on the battlefield and was personally appointed by the Emperor as General Yunning, a fourth-rank official. Her family background is illustrious. Third sister, don't think you, a mute born out of wedlock, can reach her." The carriage slowly drove on the road. After a long silence, Meng Yin finally couldn't help but mock Meng Yu.
Meng Yu smiled and nodded, not taking her words to heart at all.
Seeing that Meng Yu did not refute, but only nodded obediently, Meng Yin had nowhere to vent his anger, so he glared at her and continued to berate her, trying to arouse her desire to resist: "When others embarrassed Third Sister, it was to give Third Sister face, understand? Third Sister, don't be so presumptuous as to try to curry favor with them, lest you embarrass our Meng family."
Despite her profuse talk, Meng Yu remained naive, nodding and smiling from time to time.
Meng Yin punched cotton, his face flushed red, and he angrily turned his face away, unwilling to say anything more.
In the past, Meng Shuang would have gently and smilingly stopped Meng Yin after she said so much. But today, she only stared at Meng Yu after Meng Yin shut her mouth and said with a smile, "I see that Third Sister is chatting happily with Miss Ning. I suppose you two must get along very well."
Meng Shuang's words were loaded with meaning. Her beautiful face was adorned with a smile, but it was merely a forced one, and her eyes were filled with coldness.
If she nodded, wouldn't that make her feel that she was too prominent and too flamboyant? But if she denied it outright, wouldn't that be too obvious that she was trying to fool her?
Meng Yu was not afraid at all, but on the surface she still had to pretend to be timid. She took out her notebook with a frightened expression and wrote: "Second sister is joking. Miss Ning is too proud to look up to me. She only sat at the same table with me because there were no seats available and she didn't want to trouble Madam Qin. Besides, she saw that the lotus flowers were blooming very beautifully, so she did the honor of talking to me for a few more minutes."
Meng Shuang glanced at her, her furrowed brows slowly relaxing as she smiled faintly: "Why should Third Sister belittle herself? Even dressed so simply, you can still attract the Prince's attention."
This statement is an even deeper pitfall.
Meng Yu turned pale with fright and hurriedly picked up her pen to write: "Second sister's words have shocked me. Young Master Qin is handsome and elegant, how could my humble appearance possibly catch his eye? Besides, didn't you see it, Second sister? Young Master Qin was talking to Miss Ning the whole time and didn't pay any attention to me."
Meng Shuang smiled slightly, seemingly pleased with her reaction, and said slowly, "Sister is joking, Third Sister, there's no need to be nervous."
How can I not be nervous?
Meng Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Qin Musui's gaze never fell on her. If his gaze had actually lingered on her even a little, she and Aunt Shen would never have known how they died.
She had no desire to tie her life to a man.
As they were talking, the carriage slowly came to a stop at the back door.
Meng Yu turned to the side, letting Meng Shuang and Meng Yin leave first, before slowly walking back to Qingli Courtyard.
As soon as she arrived at the door, Aunt Shen heard the voice and hurriedly came out of her room to greet her. She carefully looked Meng Yu up and down and saw that she was exactly the same as when she left, not even a single hair had changed. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing that she seemed to have finally put her mind at ease and even let out a heavy sigh, Meng Yu couldn't help but smile and raised her hand: "Don't worry, Auntie. It's just a lotus banquet. In front of everyone, they certainly won't do anything to me."
Meng Yu didn't plan to ask Aunt Shen about her throat, because she knew without guessing that Yuan Shi was definitely involved.
Moreover, since they were currently under Yuan's surveillance, she did not want to cause any trouble and invite unnecessary problems.
Instead, Aunt Shen sighed silently as she thought about the past.
This wasn't the first time Meng Yu had been embarrassed in front of everyone. When she was seven, a female teacher came to the manor. On her first day of school, Meng Yin tripped her and caused her to fall into the pond. Although it was springtime, the weather was still a bit chilly. She had to lie on the bed for half a month to fully recover. By the time she returned to school, most of her lessons had already been completed.
The female teacher was originally an opportunist, and seeing Meng Yu's behavior, she became even less attentive to her. Later, she had no choice but to find an excuse to bring Meng Yu back to her home and raise her herself. Fortunately, Meng Yu learned quickly and was willing to study hard, and soon she had mastered most of the lessons.
Bringing her wandering thoughts back, Aunt Shen looked at her daughter, who had grown into an even more beautiful young woman, and said with a gentle smile, "It's good that you're alright. Have you eaten your fill at the Marquis's residence?"
Before Meng Yu could even make a gesture, Huai Yin couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing Aunt Chen's words: "Aunt, please stop talking. The young lady barely said a few words, yet she ate all the dishes that were served up."
Following Huaiyin's words, Meng Yu pointed to her bulging belly and smiled in agreement.
As dusk settled, the moonlight peeked out from behind the thick clouds, casting a silvery veil across the ground.
The two talked for a while in the courtyard before Aunt Shen led Meng Yu into the house. However, just as they crossed the threshold, Meng Yu was not paying attention and tripped, almost hitting her head on the ground.
Aunt Shen was startled and helped Meng Yu sit down at the coffee table. Huai Yin also quickly squatted down and took off her shoes and socks. Seeing that her toes were not injured, she was relieved.
Meng Yu smiled and gestured, "I'm fine, you don't need to worry."
As soon as I started speaking, my left eyelid suddenly twitched violently.
Startled, Meng Yu pretended to tickle and gently pressed her eyelids down, but her eyelids twitched even more violently, like a raging flood rushing towards her, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't press them down.
These misfortunes came unexpectedly, and a face that seemed to be covered in ink flashed through Meng Yu's mind.
That face was cold, gloomy, and violent, as if it would tear her apart and devour her at any moment.
An overwhelming fear, like a leech, suddenly struck Meng Yu, making her tremble and turn as white as paper.
She glanced at Aunt Chen and Huaiyin, afraid they would notice something amiss, and quickly said she was a little tired today and wanted to rest early. Without waiting for them to speak, she fled to take a bath.
Watching Meng Yu flee out of the room as if her life depended on it, Aunt Shen and Huaiyin looked at each other, completely bewildered.
As the warm water submerged her head, a heavy pressure and a feeling of suffocation enveloped her. Suddenly, Meng Yu leaped out of the water, wiped the water droplets from her face, and gasped for breath.
The twitching sensation in her eyelids finally stopped, and she regained a little peace of mind.
No, that's impossible. How could Lu Xiuyi possibly find her?
Given his temperament, if he could find her, the threshold of the Meng family would probably be trampled down by iron cavalry by now. How could she possibly bathe in peace here?
Thinking of that face that had haunted her for months, Meng Yu felt a chill creep up from her feet to her entire body. She shook her head violently and exhaled heavily, her wildly beating heart gradually returning to normal.
After comforting himself in this way, Meng Yu got up, dressed, went back to his room to read for a while, and then turned off the light to rest.
***
Dark, swirling clouds drifted past the bright moon, and the rooftops in the distance seemed to be sprinkled with layers of silver frost. A man with a sword at his waist stood on the hilltop, staring at the flickering lights, his eyes filled with a deep, unsettling gaze.
Chu Ze rolled over on the ground, which made his back ache, and his drowsy state vanished instantly. As he looked up, he vaguely saw Lu Xiuyi standing on a high place with his back to everyone. Out of curiosity, he yawned and got up. Seeing Lu Xiuyi gazing at the dazzling lights in front of him, he said, "If you wish to enter the city, young master, I will immediately send a message by carrier pigeon and order the city gates to be opened."
They had traveled for five days and only arrived at the city gate after the curfew today, by which time it was too late to enter the city.
Lu Xiuyi declined calmly: "No need. Doing so would only alert her. What would happen to her then?"
Lu Xiuyi changed the subject too quickly; Chu Ze had just woken up, and his mind was still in a daze. He paused for a moment before realizing what was happening, and asked blankly, "Is Young Master referring to Miss Meng or the Marquis?"
They were watching two people.
One is Lu Huaiyuan, the father of their young master.
One was the woman who deceived his young master, namely Miss Meng, who was a master liar.
Lu Xiuyi didn't speak, only his heavy aura pressed down.
Chu Ze immediately snapped out of his daze. As long as the Marquis didn't enter the palace, they wouldn't care even if he fell into a latrine. So, besides Lu Huaiyuan, the person he was asking about was Miss Meng.
But he had clearly asked about Miss Meng's recent situation just that evening.
Despite his doubts, Chu Ze repeated what he had said during the day: "The latest news that came in the evening was that the young lady was at the same table as the second young lady of the Ning family at the lotus banquet. Although Young Master Qin came over, he only spoke to the young lady and did not pay any attention to the young lady. After the lotus banquet, the young lady and her sisters boarded a carriage and went straight home. She did not go anywhere else during that time."
Upon hearing Chu Ze's reply, Lu Xiuyi's composed expression softened slightly.
Fortunately, Qin Musui was devoted to Ning Sui, otherwise he would have really worried that Meng Yu's heart would be captured by him after this banquet.
***
The next day.
The sky turned a pale white several times, and then several golden rays broke through the magnificent sunrise, piercing straight through the window and flowing into the fragrant room.
Meng Yu got up early, and after washing up, she sat in front of the mirror, letting Huai Yin do her hair and makeup so she could go to Ci'an Hall and Zhenhua Studio to pay her respects.
Strangely enough, she was a little restless just before falling asleep last night, but unexpectedly, she had no dreams all night and felt refreshed and relaxed when she woke up.
At this moment, Lu Xiuyi's face flashed through her mind again. Meng Yu was no longer afraid as she had been the night before. After finishing her makeup, she and Aunt Shen went to pay their respects at Ci'an Hall, where they happened to run into Meng Zhangzhou coming out.
The visitor stood respectfully with his head bowed, clasped his hands in greeting to Aunt Chen, and said, "Aunt Chen, how are you?"
Aunt Shen nodded and went in first.
Meng Yu raised her eyebrows slightly: "Big brother, why did you come so early today to pay your respects to Grandmother?"
In this vast Meng mansion, besides Aunt Shen and Huaiyin, only Meng Zhangzhou was willing to chat with her. Similarly, only the three of them could understand her sign language.
Meng Zhangzhou stood with his hands behind his back and smiled gently, "The teacher had to give a lecture in the afternoon, so he got up early and naturally came over early. It's a fine day today, and even my fourth sister, who is usually lazy, came over early to pay her respects."
Meng Yu was slightly surprised, looking around: "Fourth Sister is here too? Where is she?"
“Third sister doesn’t need to see,” Meng Zhangzhou said with a smile. “She’s tired of the breakfasts at the manor and has made an appointment to go to Xunmanlou. Speaking of which, there are many fun and delicious things to do in the capital. Sister has been back for so long, she can go out for a walk occasionally. Staying cooped up in the house all the time is making her feel bored.”
Meng Yu smiled and said, "Big brother, don't worry. You know I love reading. How could I possibly get bored?"
He had watched his younger sister grow up since she was a child. Perhaps because she couldn't speak, she was introverted and timid. Whenever the siblings sat together, she would always sit quietly in the corner, never saying a word or taking a step. She didn't seem to have any typical girlish hobbies, except for her love of books.
“I have a new row of books in my study, including travelogues and history books that you like. If you don’t have enough to read, you can send someone to my place to get some more.”
Meng Yu was overjoyed: "If that's what you say, big brother, then I won't stand on ceremony."
She raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression much richer than usual. Meng Zhangzhou couldn't help but reach out and gently flick her forehead, saying affectionately, "I'm your older brother, don't be so polite."
Meng Yu smiled gently and chatted with him for a few more minutes. Seeing that it was getting late, the two parted ways.
***
Meanwhile, Lu Xiuyi led over a hundred iron cavalrymen to the outskirts of the capital city, where they happened to encounter a curfew. They rested outside the city for the night, and the next day, when the city gates were wide open, they prepared to enter the city.
Lu Xiuyi ordered the Right Vice Envoy to lead the hundred-odd iron cavalry back to camp first, while he and Chu Ze rode into the palace.
Although it was early, the streets were already bustling. To avoid accidentally injuring civilians, Lu Xiuyi had to slow down. Just as he arrived at Xiazhen Pavilion, he suddenly saw two women wearing veils walk out from inside. He stumbled, let out a scream, and fell straight to the ground.
Without thinking much, Lu Xiuyi instinctively used the saddle to propel himself forward, wrapping his arms around the woman's waist. Only after they were both firmly on the ground did he release her, saying, "Please stand still, young lady."
As soon as she finished speaking, the woman seemed to snap out of her daze. She quickly took two steps back from Lu Xiuyi, slightly curtsied, and bowed her head in greeting: "Thank you for saving me, young master. May I ask your honorable name and where you live? I would like to repay you in the future."
There are still people in the capital who don't know Lu Xiuyi?
Lu Xiuyi was slightly surprised, but did not want to delve into it. He simply said in a low voice, "It was nothing, Miss, you don't need to take it to heart."
Having said that, without waiting for her reply, he immediately mounted his horse and galloped away.
The horse's hooves stirred up a gentle breeze, lifting the woman's veil. She stared blankly as the rider rode away, her heart seemingly rippling with emotion.
The person behind her snapped out of their daze and rushed forward to check on her: "A-Yin, are you alright?"
Meng Yin shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the direction Lu Xiuyi had left in: "Yaoyao, do you know who that person is?"
She saw that he was dressed in extraordinary clothes, had a handsome appearance, and exuded the spirited demeanor of a young general. At their first meeting, he stirred her heart.
Seeing that she seemed to be interested, Song Yao couldn't help but worry. She frowned and said with disgust, "A-Yin, you've only been in the capital for a short time. You don't know him. He is the famous Prince Lu, Lu Xiuyi. He is an arrogant and extravagant person. He is all show and no substance. You must not be fooled by his appearance."
Even after Lu Xiuyi's figure disappeared around the corner, Meng Yin still couldn't bear to look away, murmuring, "But he just saved me. If what you say is true, that he's all show and no substance, why would he have come to my rescue?"
Song Yao raised an eyebrow, unconvinced: "He also said it was just a small thing, especially on the street. He must be trying to gain some good reputation by doing this. Don't let him win you over."
As those last few words settled in her heart, Meng Yin suddenly snapped back to reality, a blush instantly spreading to the tips of her ears. She quickly looked away, straightened her veil, and even her voice became coquettish: "Yao Yao, what are you saying? We've only met once, how could I possibly like him? And no matter what kind of person he is, he did save me just now."
Song Yao tilted her head and looked at her, teasingly saying, "I never said you liked him. I was just reminding you not to get attached to someone like him."
Meng Yin paused for a moment, then, after thinking about Song Yao's words, realized that she had dug a pit for him to fall into. He was immediately annoyed, stomped his feet lightly, and chuckled as he went over to tickle her.
Song Yao ran a few steps, then laughed and ran back to the carriage. Meng Yin chased after her, and the two played and joked in the carriage for a while before heading back home.
***
After leaving Ci'an Hall, Meng Yu and Aunt Shen went to Zhenhua Zhai to pay their respects. After exchanging pleasantries with Madam Yuan, the mother and daughter prepared to return to Qingli Courtyard for breakfast.
As we walked through the covered walkway and were about to turn the corner, a slightly angry voice faintly came from ahead: "You mean well, but I'm not so destitute as to be reduced to this. Take this money back, and never do such a thing again, or we won't even be friends anymore."
"I was wrong this time. I thought that buying all the vegetables for your mother would relieve your worries, but I didn't consider your feelings. I apologize to you." Another apologetic voice rang out immediately.
This seems to be... Meng Zhangzhou's voice.
Meng Yu quickly stopped, raised her hand and placed it on the back of Aunt Shen's hand, gently pressing it down to signal her not to go forward.
The man sighed: “What does it matter whether I care about my reputation or not? Although I am short of money, I can write letters and copy books for others and still make sure I have three meals a day. The main thing you are doing is giving my mother a false impression of prosperity. She will only bring back more and more vegetables to sell in the future. How long can you help her? I would rather work harder myself and take on more letters than let her work too hard.”
"Since you are so filial, I should respect that."
A moment after he finished speaking, light footsteps sounded and then faded into the distance.
Meng Yu then walked around the corner and saw Meng Zhangzhou and another person heading towards the study. The figures seemed familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before.
"I never imagined that young master Jiang, who seems so dull, is such a filial son." Huaiyin behind him suddenly spoke up, as if with a sigh.
Meng Yu was taken aback, then gestured: "You recognize him?"
“Your memory is terrible, young lady,” Huaiyin said with a smile. “We just saw him at the lotus banquet at the Chengyi Marquis’s residence yesterday! Isn’t he the Jiang Xuanli that Young Master Qin brought over? I heard he’s Mr. Lu’s new disciple.”
Meng Yu thought about it carefully, and the figure in the back did indeed match the person in her memory. She asked in surprise, "I remember he was going to participate in this year's imperial examination. How could he still find time to copy letters for others?"
Aunt Shen explained with a sigh, "Filial piety is the most important virtue. It's not surprising that he felt sorry for his mother working too hard, so he took time out of his study time to receive letters."
Meng Yu admired his gentlemanly approach to wealth, which involved acquiring it ethically. After all, living in the extravagant capital city, it was commendable that he could maintain his original aspirations and not be swayed by riches.
"What does Yu'er think of this person?" Aunt Shen suddenly asked while we were pondering.
Meng Yu was startled: "What do you mean by that, Aunt?"
Aunt Shen smiled and analyzed carefully: "Look at how this person returned the silver to Zhou-ge'er, not coveting extra wealth. This shows that he is filial but not blindly so. Mr. Lu of Luhang Academy is famous far and wide, and he is very arrogant. Apart from Prince Qin and Zhou-ge'er, he has never taken in anyone else. This shows that he is very talented and has a limitless future. Moreover, Zhou-ge'er always chooses friends based on their character. Since he brought this person back to the mansion, his character is trustworthy."
Aunt Shen's words were like a wake-up call.
She and Aunt Shen traveled thousands of miles to the capital just to find a good marriage and get away from the Meng family.
Meng Yu was delighted to have found such a good candidate, but then she suddenly thought of something else. She felt that Jiang Xuanli was an excellent candidate for her future husband, but given his extensive knowledge, he might already have a girl he liked.
Choosing a husband is not like buying and selling goods; it concerns her lifelong happiness. She cannot make a hasty judgment based on just one meeting. If she makes a wrong step, it will be like falling into an abyss. If Jiang Xuanli is just a bit dull, that's fine. But what if he is just trying to play the long game, pretending to be a virtuous person who doesn't associate with playboys, while in reality he is a treacherous and cunning villain? Wouldn't her life be ruined?
Meng Yu suppressed the joy that was surging in her heart and calmly gestured: "Aunt, we only have a partial understanding of him now, and we cannot easily draw conclusions about what kind of person he really is."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Shen pondered for a moment and felt that Meng Yu's words made sense, so she nodded and said, "Yu'er is right. After all, this is a lifelong matter and we can't make a decision lightly. Otherwise, shall we send someone to inquire and observe for a while longer?"
Meng Yu thought this was feasible, so he agreed. The next day, he asked Huaiyin to find an excuse to buy rouge, and after consulting with Steward Lin, he went out to inquire.
It was nearly noon when Huaiyin returned home leisurely. As soon as she got back, she couldn't stop smiling: "Miss, that Young Master Jiang is truly a good choice for a husband. Not only is there not a single woman with whom he has any ambiguous relationship, but he also firmly rejects any girl who tries to get close to him, never taking advantage of anyone. Although I am short of money, I am generous in helping him out when I meet someone whose household is in dire straits. The neighbors all speak highly of him."
Aunt Shen was very satisfied: "In that case, Jiang Xuanli is indeed a kind person."
Huaiyin added, "Besides, he usually either goes to Luhang Academy, or stays at home writing and copying letters for others, or he looks after Jiang's mother's stall. Apart from that, he hardly goes anywhere else."
Meng Yu paused slightly as she swished the teacup, then put it down and gestured in confusion: "Where would you almost never go? That means you would go to other places."
“They occasionally visit the Marquis of Chengyi’s residence, as well as our own,” Huaiyin paused for a moment, then explained, “However, Young Master Jiang, the eldest young master, and Young Master Qin are all students of Master Lu, so it’s only natural that they have dealings with each other!”
Her explanation was quite appropriate, so Meng Yu didn't press further and even developed a bit of goodwill towards Jiang Xuanli.
As soon as he finished speaking, the three people in the room each pondered their own thoughts.
When Aunt Shen saw Jiang Xuanli return the silver to Meng Zhangzhou, she had already developed a favorable impression of him. Now, hearing Huaiyin's words, she was even more satisfied with him. Huaiyin had been by Meng Yu's side since childhood. Although she was a maid, she was as close to Meng Yu as a sister. Now that she saw that Huaiyin had found a good match for a husband, she was naturally happy for her.
After a long silence, Meng Yu gestured to Huai Yin again: "Have you found out where Jiang's mother's stall is?"
"Of course I've found out. Why do you ask that, young lady?"
Meng Yu smiled and said, "Since he doesn't have a girl he likes, I should take the initiative. If I don't create some chance encounters, how can I expect him to come to my father's door to propose marriage?"
As her hand fell, both Huaiyin and Aunt Shen were stunned for a moment: "Wouldn't it be... for the young lady to take the initiative..."
Huaiyin didn't say the rest.
Meng Yu naturally understood what she wanted to say. In this era, a woman's marriage was traditionally arranged by her parents and matchmakers. Since she had a candidate, it was appropriate for Aunt Shen to first consult with the mistress, and then for the mistress and her father to discuss it. Taking a wrong step could bring about many troubles.
Even if Meng Yanqing agreed to inquire with Jiang Xuanli, it would still carry the intention of using his official power to intimidate and abuse his authority. If Jiang Xuanli refused, given Meng Yanqing's temperament, he would surely hold a grudge if a poor scholar were to be offended. If he were to use this as an excuse to hinder Jiang Xuanli's path to the imperial examinations, she would truly regret it too late. Besides, no matter how good she felt she was, her appearance might not even meet his aesthetic standards.
Therefore, after careful consideration, she decided to take the initiative and cultivate a good relationship with him. If he was interested, he would naturally come to propose marriage. If he was not interested, she would not force it.
Although Meng Yu did not explain in detail, Aunt Shen and Huaiyin thought about it for a moment and felt that she must have her reasons for doing so, so they did not ask any further questions. They waited to find out when Jiang Xuanli would be looking after the stall for Jiang's mother before leaving the mansion.
***
After rescuing Meng Yin, Lu Xiuyi and Chu Ze rushed towards the palace without stopping. However, as soon as they rode onto the palace road, they saw Lu Huaiyuan waiting for them not far away.
Without even turning his head, he coldly rode his horse past Lu Huaiyuan.
"Ayi, Aunt Zhuang misses you very much. Are you really not going back to see her first?"
A cold shout suddenly came from behind, and Lu Xiuyi's hand, which was tightly gripping the reins, suddenly stopped. The horse's hooves rose high and came to a halt.
He turned around, his eyes seemingly filled with frost: "Mother Zhuang is not in the capital."
Lu Huaiyuan was very satisfied with his reaction, his thin face full of undisguised calculation: "I know, she is in Tongzhou, I had someone invite her back. After all, she is the princess's wet nurse and raised you. Now that she is old and has no relatives by her side, it is only right to bring her back to the manor to live out her old age."
Hearing the threat in his words, Lu Xiuyi's hand gripping the reins bulged with veins, suppressing his surging anger, his eyes wide with fury: "Lu Huaiyuan, you are despicable."
Lu Huaiyuan stood with his hands behind his back. Despite being evaluated in this way by his own son, he showed no anger on his face. Instead, he smiled faintly and said, "Well? Do you want to go back to the manor first?"
Lu Xiuyi loosened his grip on the reins slightly.
Chu Ze frowned and subconsciously reminded him, "Young Master, this may be our only chance to bring them down."
The sky was a clear, deep blue, cicadas chirped noisily, and golden light bathed the long palace path. The air seemed to be filled with the moisture from the grass and trees, and everything appeared calm and peaceful.
However, Lu Xiuyi's deep voice pierced through all obstacles and struck Chu Ze's heart heavily: "When a person dies, everything is gone. All their dog lives combined are no match for Zhuang Mama alone."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ze stared blankly as Lu Xiuyi rode back, feeling a lump in his throat.
He knew he had chosen the right person to follow.
***
Lu Huaiyuan brought Zhuang Mama back from Tongzhou because he had already received news that Lu Xiuyi had found the account books used to bribe the heads of households in Longtang. By carefully unraveling the clues, he would surely be able to find Lu Jiayan.
He was surrounded by spies, so he had no choice but to resort to this drastic measure.
As soon as the three entered the mansion, the heavy, dark red door slammed shut, cutting off all outside noise. Lu Huaiyuan then put away his smile and reached out to Lu Xiuyi: "Give me the account book."
A plume of smoke rose from the burning charcoal brazier beside him, disappearing into the void. Lu Xiuyi remained unfazed, his thin lips moving slightly as he said, "I want to see Mother Zhuang."
Lu Huaiyuan's gaze was sharp. After a moment's pause, he raised his hands and clapped a few times.
At the end of the corridor, two servants escorted Granny Zhuang out, her mouth covered with a white cloth.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Madam Zhuang immediately burst into tears. Even as she was being led forward, she shook her head vigorously, signaling Lu Xiuyi not to yield.
Seeing his beloved mother, whom he had raised and regarded as family, being treated so badly by those arrogant servants, Lu Xiuyi suppressed his surging anger and glared at Lu Huaiyuan through gritted teeth: "Release Mother Zhuang."
Lu Huaiyuan stretched out his hand, repeating what he had just said: "Hand over the ledger."
Lu Xiuyi gave a slight, cool smile: "Do you think your watchdogs can stop me?"
Lu Huaiyuan withdrew his hand and uttered a vicious scheme: "I knew you wouldn't hand over the ledger easily, so I had someone give her some good stuff. If you don't hand it over, I'll make her pay with her life."
“You…” Chu Ze was so angry that he wanted to draw his sword.
Lu Xiuyi reached out to stop Chu Ze, his face as dark as ink, and slowly took out an account book from his chest and threw it over.
Lu Huaiyuan caught it, examined it carefully, and after confirming that it was the original, he tossed it into the charcoal basin and then raised his hand behind him.
The yellowed paper collided with the flames, instantly igniting a raging fire that reflected Lu Huaiyuan's ghostly gaze.
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