0019 Horizontal Branches (II)
Liang Xing, Liang Zhiyan's servant, was squatting outside the peach grove counting ants to pass the time.
He saw Shu Fu emerge from the woods from afar and thought that his husband must have won over the second young lady. So he happily prepared to go find Liang Zhiyan to ask for a lucky charm.
When he arrived at the stone pavilion, he found that things were not quite as he had imagined.
Liang Zhiyan sat dejectedly on the stone bench, the jade-like young man now exuding an indescribable air of despondency and sorrow.
"Oh my sir," Liang Xing, a loud and boisterous person, rushed over immediately upon seeing Liang Zhiyan's appearance. "Why are you looking so gloomy? Is Miss Shu still holding a grudge against you?"
Liang Zhiyan lifted his eyelids and glanced at him: "I said something wrong in front of Afu just now, and I'm afraid she's still angry with me."
Liang Zhiyan briefly recounted what had just happened.
Upon hearing this, Liang Xing also felt resentful towards Shu Fu's spoiled and willful temper.
Although her husband was at fault, hadn't he already apologized to her in person? What else does she want?
As her personal servant, he was well aware of the deep affection his beloved had shown her over the years.
Despite being a spoiled legitimate daughter, she was never as gentle and sensible as the Third Miss Shu.
Liang Xing touched the silver ingot in his clothes and remembered the things Shu Yin had instructed his maid to do. He mentioned Shu Yin to Liang Zhiyan, intentionally or unintentionally.
"Miss Shu is beautiful, but she is a bit too stubborn. The young master treats her with all his heart, and even if Miss Shu the third enters the manor in the future, he will not take away her favor. Why bother to hold this matter against the young master?"
As Liang Xing spoke, he glanced at Liang Zhiyan's expression. Seeing that he did not object to Na Shuyin's entry into the mansion, he knew how to reply to Shuyin.
He was heartbroken that his beloved couldn't have him, and suddenly an idea came to him. He glanced around, then leaned close to Liang Zhiyan's ear and whispered, "Why bother with this, my lord? If you really miss Miss Shu, why not do what you did with Miss Shu last time and pull some strings a little..."
Liang Zhiyan was exceptionally intelligent, and he immediately understood the implication of Liang Xing's words.
He was startled and kicked Liang Xing in the knee: "Shut up! Who gave you permission to have such thoughts about her? If I hear such words again, you can forget about your job."
Liang Xing rubbed his knees, feeling wronged, and stepped aside, no longer daring to say another word.
...
Shu Fu returned to Xiangji Temple from the back mountain, where she encountered A Jian and A Lai, who were anxiously looking for her.
When A-Jian saw that she had returned safely, she was overjoyed and began to sob.
Alai was startled. Seeing that Shufu had taken out a handkerchief to wipe Ajian's tears first, he silently withdrew his outstretched hand.
A-Jian burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably, "Thank goodness you are safe and sound, otherwise I would have been ashamed for the rest of my life."
So she really isn't suited to be the young lady's personal maid. Ever since Ah Xing left the young lady's side, one unpleasant thing after another has happened: sprained ankle and being targeted by bad people.
Shu Fu patiently waited for A Jian to calm down, during which time her eyes fell on A Lai, who was hanging his head and remaining silent.
"I told you to invite Mother over, but it's just the two of you who came instead."
It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because once the topic came up, A-Jian was filled with resentment: "I finally found the abbot's room, but I was stopped outside by that old woman Li, who said that the madam was listening to meditation and no one was allowed to disturb her. I was afraid that you wouldn't be able to wait, so I called A-Lai and we came together to find you."
The person listening to Zen with Luo was probably Madam Liang.
Shu Fu felt a chill in her heart. No wonder her mother suddenly felt like coming to burn incense, and couldn't even wait for her leg to recover for a few more days. No wonder there were so many temples outside Chang'an, yet they just happened to choose the one where Liang Zhiyan was!
Her mother probably still hopes that she can reconcile with Liang Zhiyan, but doesn't she already know what Liang Zhiyan has done? Why would she still marry her off to such a hypocritical man?
Shu Fu suppressed a lump in her throat and pretended nothing was wrong as she returned to the room where they had been resting.
Shu Wei was drinking tea when she saw Shu Fu return. She greeted her with a slight smile, "Ah Fu, you're back from admiring the flowers? I knew you were still hungry, so I left you some food."
Upon hearing this, Shufu nodded her thanks, then sat down silently and ate a few bites of vegetarian food without tasting it.
It wasn't until midday that Luo finished her meditation session for the day and left Xiangji Temple with Madam Liang.
At the foot of Chongnan Mountain, the Shu family was about to board their carriage and leave.
After Shu Yin got into the carriage, Shu Fu, who was following behind her, paused and suddenly turned around to walk towards Luo's carriage.
"I haven't spoken to my mother in a long time. Would you like to ride with me in a little while?"
Madam Luo was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "If Afu isn't afraid of catching a cold from her mother, then just come up here."
Luo's words were meant as a joke to drive Shu Fu away, but Shu Fu seemed not to understand and got into Luo's car on her own.
Seeing this, Luo didn't dare to send her away again, so she let her sit.
The carriage rolled on, and Shufu opened the window, lay down on the windowsill, and gently closed her eyes.
The sky was like a jar of sparks, the carriage gradually moved away, the rosy clouds flowed, and lines of light licked at the remaining bluish-green sky.
Watching from the side, Luo felt a strange sense of pride rise within her.
This is her daughter. She is so beautiful. If it weren't for her pretty face, how could Liang Zhiyan be so devoted to her?
Luo was lost in thought for a moment, but Shu Fu opened her eyes and looked at Luo, saying softly, "Mother, did you have a pleasant day at Xiangji Temple?"
“Master Changxin’s Buddhist teachings are profound, and he has unique insights into everything he does. Listening to his words is better than studying at home for a hundred days. I have some understanding of Zen and Buddhism, but I can’t say whether I’m happy or not.” Madam Luo came back to her senses and replied with a smile.
“But Mother, I am not happy at all while I am in Xiangji Temple. Although the people are nice, the scenery is beautiful, and everything is good there, I cannot find any sense of freedom.”
Upon hearing this, Luo felt a pang of anxiety and quickly asked, "Did something happen at the temple?"
Shu Fu paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's nothing, I'm just feeling a little sleepy."
Upon hearing this, Luo smiled and let the girl rest her head on her lap.
Shufu did as she was told, letting her mother gently pat her back and coax her to sleep.
Luo thought to herself that Liang Zhiyan probably hadn't managed to appease her daughter, and she was somewhat annoyed by his incompetence. At the same time, she was relieved that Shu Fu seemed unaware that the trip to Xiangji Temple was something she had conspired with the Liang family to arrange.
Therefore, the most important thing right now is not to arouse Shu Fu's suspicion, while at the same time, to make another connection with Liang Zhiyan.
Madam Luo said softly, "Since Xiangji Temple is not interesting, I will choose another day to take you sisters on a trip. You can decide whether to go boating or go for a spring outing."
Shu Fu guessed Luo's intention, and a wave of confusion and grievance washed over her.
The girl, resting her head on the beautiful woman's lap, gave a muffled reply, but tears welled up in her eyes and fell into her clothes, staining that small area with a dark color.
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