Chapter 63: Loose stone powder is truly difficult to control.
Deng's mother hurriedly led people to deliver the message.
Having no other choice, Meng Shuang straightened her clothes, opened the door, and followed Deng Mama to Yuan's room.
Sitting in the main seat, Madam Yuan closed her eyes and rested her brow on her hand. She didn't open them even when she heard the noise, but said coldly, "Now that girl Yu Yan is more effective than your mother. It seems I can't control you anymore."
Meng Shuang knelt down with a thud and said solemnly, "Mother, it was you who initially allowed me to get close to Lu Jiayan. If I hadn't listened to you, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"You mean the responsibility lies entirely with me?" Madam Yuan opened her eyes, released her grip, and looked at her incredulously.
Meng Shuang straightened her back, her expression calm and composed: "You know that's not what I meant. Mother, I've watched you manage the household since I was little, and you've always been meticulous in planning everything. But why did you fail in the marriage between me and my fourth sister? It's because you couldn't predict our hearts. No matter how much you schemed behind the scenes, what could you do? Our hearts were not in our control, and we couldn't even control them."
As she finished speaking, her tone carried an uncontrollable sadness.
As if she couldn't believe these words could come from Meng Shuang's mouth, Madam Yuan stared at her for a long while.
For a long, long time, until she was certain of the helplessness and sorrow in her eyes, she stood up slowly in disbelief, clutching the handkerchief in her hand, tears welling up in her eyes: "Could it be, could it be that Yin'er's fate hasn't awakened you? Mother told her long ago that love is something you must never do. When dealing with men, you can just play the part well, even sacrificing the chastity that women in the world defend is nothing, but you must never give your heart away. But now, now you, you..."
Madam Yuan was disappointed in her, but seeing the regret on her face and tears in her eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say anything more. She just slumped weakly in her chair.
It's really hard to control.
How could she not know?
After a long silence, Madam Yuan, supporting her aching and throbbing head, called out, "Mother Deng."
Deng's mother was waiting outside the door, and she quickly came in when she heard the noise.
"Take the second young lady back to her room. Do not let her out without my orders."
"yes."
Deng's mother bowed slightly and gestured for Meng Shuang to leave. Meng Shuang did not resist, stood up, and turned to leave.
Madam Yuan added, “Your father will be back in a couple of days. Take advantage of these few days to keep your heart in check. When he returns, I will arrange another marriage for you.”
These words struck Meng Shuang like a thunderbolt. She turned around abruptly, looking at Yuan Shi in disbelief. Seeing that Yuan Shi's expression remained unchanged, she realized that what she said was true. After a moment's pause, she said, word by word, "I... will... not... marry."
Madam Yuan lowered her hand from under her brow and stared coldly at her: "It's not up to you, Madam Deng. What are you standing there for? Take the second young lady back."
Mother Deng looked embarrassed. After replying, she was about to pull Meng Shuang when Meng Shuang suddenly flicked her sleeve and said coldly, "No need to pull me, I can walk by myself."
As soon as they entered the room, Aunt Deng locked the door. Meng Shuang didn't resist, but Yu Yan panicked and hurriedly banged on the door: "Aunt Deng, the young lady isn't a prisoner, why are you locking her up?"
"This is Madam's order, Yuyan. You stay inside and keep the Second Miss company. Food will be delivered regularly. If anything happens, you must report it immediately," Madam Deng warned in a cool voice, leaning against the door. "Don't make any more foolish mistakes and cover up the Second Miss's stupid actions."
After saying that, Deng's mother turned and left, ignoring Yu Yan who was banging on the door and shouting at the top of her lungs.
"Stop filming," came Meng Shuang's calm voice from behind. Yu Yan turned around and saw her sitting on the edge of the bed with her chin resting on her knees. "They won't let us out until Father comes back to arrange my marriage."
"Then what should we do?"
Meng Shuang frowned and pondered for a moment, then quickly looked up: "Where's Yunyan? Is she trapped?"
Yu Yan shook her head: "There shouldn't be."
"Come here."
Yu Yan leaned down, and Meng Shuang whispered a few words in her ear. She was instantly terrified and her face changed. She quickly took two steps back and knelt down: "No, this is too dangerous. This servant cannot agree to your request, Miss."
Meng Shuang sighed softly, stood up and helped her up: "Yu Yan, you've been by my side since you were little. If we're talking about age, you're two months older than me, so I should call you 'elder sister'."
Yu Yan lowered her head slightly: "Please don't say that, Miss. I can't accept that."
“What is there to be ashamed of? You’ve been by my side longer than anyone else, and you’ve taken such good care of me all these years. Even if I were to call you ‘sister,’ you would be more than capable of it,” Meng Shuang said with a slight smile.
Yu Yan looked up and saw that her expression was sincere, not feigned. She was also somewhat moved, her brows furrowing slightly, and she hesitated, "But Miss, this matter is too dangerous. This servant... this servant should..."
"Yu Yan," before she could finish speaking, Meng Shuang took her hand and said softly, "Since I was old enough to understand, whatever my mother said was right. Even my marriage was arranged according to whichever man she thought was good. My heart has never beat so intensely for anyone as it does today. So Yu Yan, I want to try, to try to make it work. If I can marry him, I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life."
Meng Shuang spoke softly and earnestly, her eyes filled with tears. Yu Yan had been by her side since childhood, and had never seen her like this before.
Therefore, she disregarded all etiquette and replied with tears in her eyes, "Miss treats Yuyan like a sister, and in all these years, Miss has never asked me for anything. Now that you have asked, Yuyan will do her best to help."
With tears in her eyes, Meng Shuang thanked her several times.
***
The croaking of frogs gradually rose, and darkness slowly descended.
In the dead of night, three warbling cries came from the side room of Zhenhuazhai. A moment later, with a creak, a door in the lower room opened, and a dark figure emerged and quickly disappeared into the night.
"Tap tap..."
Two soft knocks sounded on the door, and then a figure approached.
"Sister Yuyan, is there something urgent that you need to see me so late?"
Yu Yan leaned against the door and whispered a few words.
Yunyan, standing outside the door, turned pale with fright and frowned, saying, "This is too dangerous! What if someone dies?"
"Don't worry, the girl will be back on time. Just do as I say, no need to say more. I will take full responsibility for anything that happens."
There was no response from outside the door for a long time, so Yu Yan said anxiously, "Don't you know how the young lady and I have always treated you? Now that the young lady is imprisoned and trapped here, are you unwilling to help with even this small matter? Besides, I said that the young lady will definitely return on time and will never cause any death."
Remembering how kind Meng Shuang and Yu Yan had always been to her, Yun Yan hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and said, "Alright, Sister Yu Yan, please wait. I'll go buy it tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon, Hua Mian will deliver desserts to the Second Miss. Hua Mian is simple-minded and doesn't have many thoughts. If you want to do something, do it then!"
"Of course I know that."
***
The next day.
Yunyan bought what they wanted and slipped it through the crack in the door: "Sister Yuyan, this medicine will only last for an hour at most. You must tell the young lady to come back quickly. It's a matter of life and death, so don't miss the appointed time."
As she spoke, Yunyan lowered her voice, suppressing her anxiety, and looked around with a look of panic.
Yu Yan quickly took the small package: "I understand, I'll tell you to be careful, you should go back quickly so you don't get discovered."
Yunyan hurriedly agreed and left.
Yu Yan turned to hand the item to Meng Shuang, but as soon as it touched her hand, she flinched and stammered, "Miss, do you really want to do this?"
Meng Shuang glanced at her indifferently, then took the things and put them away: "Of course I want them. Besides, I only want to ask him one question. I will be back within an hour, so don't worry."
Yu Yan could only suppress her unease and nod.
During the midday break, Hua Mian unlocked the door and, as usual, delivered the desserts to Meng Shuang's room. Just as she turned to leave, Meng Shuang suddenly asked, "Hua Mian, how long have you been serving in the manor?"
Hua Mian stopped and turned around: "Miss, I entered the manor at the age of seven and came to the capital from Xuzhou with my master and mistress. It has been eight years since then."
Meng Shuang nodded, took a sip, and put the teacup down: "There aren't many people in our manor with such long service as you. You've worked diligently in the manor all these years. Even if you haven't made any great contributions, you've certainly put in a lot of hard work."
Her sudden praise caught Hua Mian off guard, so she quickly curtsied and said, "You flatter me, Miss. I am unworthy of such praise."
Meng Shuang quickly got up and helped her up, smiling gently: "You deserve it. I remember one year, I caught a cold after being caught in the rain and was bedridden. It was you and Yu Yan who took turns taking care of me. If it weren't for your meticulous care, how could I have recovered so quickly?"
As she was speaking, she turned around and handed the dessert that Hua Mian had brought to her: "Your complexion is sallow, which must be due to overwork. I don't have much of an appetite today, so I'll give you this bowl of peach gum soup, which is nourishing and good for your complexion."
Not knowing what Meng Shuang intended, Hua Mian knelt down with a thud: "This was specially ordered by Madam to be made for Miss. This servant dares not. Moreover, if we are talking about taking care of Miss, Sister Yu Yan has made the greatest contribution. If Miss wants to reward someone, she should reward Sister Yu Yan."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yan hurriedly stepped forward and helped Meng Shuang up, smiling slightly as she said, "If we're talking about the merit of taking care of you, Miss, I naturally have more than you. However, I've been serving you personally for many years, and thanks to you, I've tasted a little bit of all sorts of good things. You're different; you serve outside, and you might not even get a bowl of something this good to eat in a whole year. It's rare for you to be in such good health today, Miss, so why are you refusing?"
Upon hearing Yu Yan's words, Hua Mian looked up at the two women and saw that their eyes were full of smiles, without any pretense. She then smiled and took the bowl from Meng Shuang's hand, and curtsied, saying, "Yes, thank you, Miss."
"Just one thing, there are too many people and too much gossip outside," Yu Yan added. "If you take it out to eat, others might see it and become unhappy. You can finish eating here before you go out."
Hua Mian sat down with a smile: "Sister Yu Yan is so thoughtful."
Before she could finish a bowl of peach gum soup, she felt dizzy and her legs went weak when she stood up.
Hua Mian then realized what was happening and looked at Meng Shuang in disbelief: "Aunt, Miss, what did you give me to eat?"
Meng Shuang sat in front of her dressing table, fiddling with the rouge on her face. Hearing this, she glanced at her lightly through the mirror and said, "It's nothing, just a little bit of stone powder. I'll be back at the manor within an hour to give you the antidote. You don't need to worry."
The powdered stone is colorless and odorless. If a person drinks it and does not take the antidote within an hour, they will bleed from all seven orifices and die.
Seemingly not expecting the usually virtuous second daughter to do such a thing, Hua Mian was both shocked and terrified. A chill ran through her body, making her tremble all over.
Author's Note: Due to feeling unwell, I will be unable to maintain daily updates for some time and will most likely only be able to update every other day. However, please rest assured that the VIP chapters will not have any cuts or omissions. Thank you to all the readers who have supported me!
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