Unfortunately, Zheng Heyi tossed and turned all night, unable to fall asleep.
The night outside the window was as dark as ink, with only the occasional chirping of insects adding to the profound silence of Yunhuang Temple, making it seem like a lonely island on the riverbank. Listening to her own breathing, she felt her thoughts were a tangled mess.
It's a tangled mess, impossible to unravel.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Zheng Yu arrived again, carrying a food box with a cheerful smile on his face.
He pushed open the door, his voice full of excitement: "Heyi, look what delicious food I brought you!" The food box was opened, and Zheng Yu presented it like a treasure. Heyi saw that it was full of exquisite breakfast items.
There were snow-white steamed buns, golden fried dough sticks, and a dish of pickles, all emitting an enticing aroma. This was completely different from the food delivered from Yunhuang Temple, where the food was so bland and unpalatable.
It was obvious that Zheng Yu must have gone to a nearby farmhouse to buy it. He Yi looked at all the delicious food and was indeed a little hungry, but then she had a thought and remembered Jiang Shu next door.
She then gently reminded him, "Brother, the county princess probably hasn't had breakfast yet either. Don't keep worrying about me, send her some too."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yu smiled slightly, "I knew you cared about them. Heyi, don't worry, I already thought of that. I already had the monks in the temple deliver food to the county princess and Yunyu."
next door.
Inside the room, Jiang Shu and Yun Yu sat facing each other. On the table was a bowl of red bean porridge, its color quite vibrant, and a dish of pickled vegetables beside it. The red bean porridge looked rather bland, and the pickled vegetables were of unknown origin.
Jiang Shu was, after all, a lady from a respectable family, and such a thing left her speechless. How could she possibly eat it?
Yunyu frowned slightly, looking at the food in front of her, finding it hard to swallow. Seeing her young mistress like this, and recalling how close Zheng Heyi and Zheng Yu had been yesterday, Yunyu felt a little resentful and took the opportunity to whisper some veiled resentment in Jiang Shu's ear.
Yunyu said in a low voice, "Princess, look at Zheng Heyi, relying on Young Master Zheng..." She went on and on about Zheng Heyi's bad points, her words full of jealousy and dissatisfaction.
To everyone's surprise, Jiang Shu's face darkened upon hearing this, and she sternly rebuked, "Yunyu! Stop talking nonsense! What business is it of ours? Mind your own business, and if you're going to care, mind your own!"
Jiang Shu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of authority without anger, immediately silencing Yun Yu and preventing her from speaking further. Just as Jiang Shu finished speaking, a soft knock came from the door, followed by Zheng Heyi's voice.
"Princess, I've brought you some food." Jiang Shu got up and opened the door, where she saw He Yi standing with a food box in her hand, containing the breakfast that Zheng Yu had just brought.
She politely declined, saying, "Heyi, thank you for your kindness, but I'm already preparing to go down the mountain. I've been away from home for many days, and I'm afraid my family will worry about me. If you need anything after you go back, just come and find me."
Before leaving, Jiang Shu looked at He Yi and, remembering Zheng Yu's feelings for her, couldn't help but remind her, "He Yi, Young Master Zheng..."
Upon hearing this, He Yi hurriedly waved her hand, trying to distance herself from the relationship between the two, and quickly said, "Sister Jiang, please don't misunderstand. Zheng Yu and I are just like brother and sister. I would much rather see him with you."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shu smiled, a hint of helplessness in her expression, and slowly said, "He doesn't like me, and I don't really like him either."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, He Yi's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, and for a moment she was at a loss for words.
[You're the female lead, and Young Master Zheng is your official partner. How can you say you don't like him?]
[What's wrong, Miss Jiang? Does she really not like Young Master Zheng?]
[The villainous female supporting character's expression is absolutely priceless!]
It seems things aren't that simple...
Seeing that Jiang Shu had already made up her mind, He Yi didn't say anything more, and could only remind her, "Sister, please be careful on the road."
Jiang Shu nodded in acknowledgment and then left with Yunyu. Heyi returned to the house, looked at the breakfast on the table, and felt a mix of emotions.
She ate a few bites haphazardly, then couldn't eat anymore. A short while later, Zheng Yu came over and offered to take her down the mountain. The two packed their things and walked down the mountain together.
Throughout the journey, He Yi was in a state of turmoil, her mind constantly replaying Jiang Shu's words and all the kindness Zheng Yu had shown her. She felt she couldn't continue like this; she had to make things clear with Zheng Yu and ask him not to come looking for her so often, lest it cause even greater misunderstandings and add to her own troubles.
The two had only reached halfway up the mountain when they saw a group of people suddenly emerge from a secluded ravine. These people looked fierce and menacing, carrying knives, spears, and clubs, and they blocked their path menacingly.
The bandit leader, a burly man with a face full of scars, roared, "This mountain is mine, these trees are mine! If you want to pass, leave your toll! And leave that woman here too, she'll be my wife!"
This man was none other than the notorious bandit leader of the area, known as "Grasshopper." Although he was a complete brute, he was highly skilled in martial arts and familiar with the terrain. For many years, the imperial court's efforts to suppress bandits had failed to bring him down.
Seeing this, Zheng Yu quickly shielded He Yi behind him.
He shouted angrily, "You audacious bandits! Let us leave in broad daylight, or I'll make you regret it!"
Grasshopper chuckled and pointed at Zheng Yu, "Good lad, if you know what's good for you, get out of here right now, or my knife won't discriminate!"
Zheng Yu was not about to give in. He looked at Cao Shangfei, then at He Yi behind him, and in his desperation, he blurted out, "She...she's a jinx! Whoever marries her will be doomed. If you take her back, your mountain stronghold will be in trouble in less than three days!"
What's wrong with the male lead? How could he say that about He Yi?
[Oh dear, what kind of quick thinking is this? Or does Zheng Yu really think that way?]
Would that reckless man, Grasshopper, believe that?
My little Heyi must be so heartbroken to hear this.
Upon hearing Zheng Yu's words, He Yi was struck dumb, her face turning deathly pale. She stared at Zheng Yu in disbelief, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.
Cao Shangfei was taken aback by Zheng Yu's words, and then looked at Zheng Heyi suspiciously.
"Hey! You say she's a jinx? Do you have any proof? I bet you two, alone together near Erlong Mountain, aren't up to any good. You two, are you trying to fool me?"
Zheng Yu composed himself and said in a forced calm tone, "Of course there is evidence! Look at her appearance, her eyes are dull and her face is pale, she clearly has the face of someone who will bring misfortune to her husband and family."
Then, with a pitiful expression, she muttered, "I was bewitched by her before, which led me into a lot of trouble and almost cost me my life. If you don't believe me, take her back and try it; I guarantee you'll regret it!"
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