Chapter 33 Anger and Delusion: Once a thought arises, anger and delusion are difficult to control.
After An Chisu finished packing, she bid farewell to Yu Sheng and also to the past of Zui Chun Fang. After saying goodbye to everyone, she traveled to an inn on the outskirts of the capital.
As soon as she pushed open the door, a cold dagger was pressed against her neck.
She was being held hostage, but she showed no fear whatsoever; instead, she chuckled lightly.
"You've arrived?"
Qu Xianshang's voice sounded from behind, tinged with a touch of obsessive tenderness: "Yes, I'll help you fulfill your promise. Didn't you say you'd share a bed in life and a cell in death? You didn't keep the former, but now, surely you can, right?"
"If you have any last words, just say them all. No one will listen anyway."
“To die in your hands is more than I could ask for.” An Chisu simply closed her eyes and remained motionless.
"You're putting on that submissive, saintly act again! Do you really think I wouldn't dare?"
An Chisu slowly opened her eyes, her tone calm and even: "If you dared, you wouldn't be saying all this nonsense."
Enraged by her words, Qu Xianshang thrust his wrist forward, pushing the dagger deeper into her neck, causing bright red blood to seep out immediately. But as soon as the blade touched her warm skin, he couldn't bear it any longer, and his hand trembled slightly as he stopped.
She hated her own weakness, hated how this woman had repeatedly controlled her, and finally, she abruptly turned the blade, intending to stab herself in the heart. An Chisu reacted quickly, her right hand grabbing the sharp blade, blood instantly staining her palm, but she paid no heed.
“An Chisu, stop pretending in front of me. We grew up together. I worked my ass off doing embroidery to get you out of your home, but you insisted on going back with feigned compassion. And what happened? Did they appreciate your kindness? They still sold you to Zuichunfang.” Thinking of the past, she choked up, unable to speak. “And then? You became the most beautiful courtesan, and my embroidery workshop began to show results. Who was it that paid a fortune to book you every night? It was me! But how did you treat me?”
"You offered yourself up to curry favor with the rich! If you were truly so vain, we could have cut ties completely, but you're so kind to everyone else! You protected Yu Sheng, how many customers did you shield her from? And how you took such good care of the young ladies in your embroidery workshop? Do you know why I, Hua Manzhu, never take any work from Zui Chun Fang? It's because of you! The thought that all the clothes I made before were given to you makes me feel disgusted!"
An Chisu listened quietly to her finish speaking, offering no explanation, but simply reaching out to gently hug her and saying "I'm sorry." Qu Xianshang's anger seemed to be extinguished by these apologies; all her grievances and rage instantly turned into tears. She buried her face in An Chisu's arms, finally sobbing uncontrollably.
A bright moon hangs high in the sky, illuminating not only this pair of lovers who are filled with resentment and infatuation.
It is now early December, the beginning of winter.
Winter embroidery work often involves large and complex items such as brocade quilts and cloaks. Su Jinxiu, who was newly in charge of Huayun Pavilion, had to recruit embroiderers and enforce regulations. She was so busy with paperwork that she forgot to reply to Wen Shiqin's two letters.
Having finally found a moment of leisure today, Linlang retrieved the letter delivered by the escort agency. Su Jinxiu opened it while sipping hot tea, and as expected, the letter was filled with sharp words, every sentence a condemnation of her.
To my elder sister:
The seventh letter was sent ten days ago. Bianjing is 800 li from Jiangzhou; a fast horse can travel there in five days, and a slow boat should arrive in ten days.
But my dear sister, it's been almost half a month, and you haven't sent me even a single feather.
Xie Hongying said that perhaps you were too busy and had forgotten, but last night I counted the letters you sent, and there were only three in total. The first letter mentioned that you had learned how to make braised beef brisket, the second letter depicted two little people holding hands, and the third letter said that you would be living in Huayun Pavilion.
Is the floor heating in Huayun Pavilion warmer than at home? Does the flower wine the embroiderers hand you smell better than the wine I brew? Or has someone brought you pastries again?
Don't forget the guarantee you signed for me.
There's a martial arts training ground behind Bailudong Mountain. I went there every day at dawn, and every shot hit the bullseye. I also won first place in the martial arts competition, and the instructor gave me a dagger. I carved a character on the scabbard. Can you guess what it was?
When I get back, I'll use this knife to gouge out the eyes of everyone who covets my sister, then lock you in the house so you can only look at me day and night.
If you don't reply, I'll run back from Bailudong, even if my legs are broken by the teacher, even if I never pass the imperial examinations in my life, I will still go back to see you.
Do you really not want me anymore?
Wen Shiqin.
After reading the letter, Su Jinxiu broke out in a cold sweat.
This is hardly a family letter; it's more like a petition presented to the highest judge, a grievance that would make anyone naive think she's committed some heinous crime.
It's both infuriating and hilarious.
She didn't even bother to sip her hot tea before immediately picking up her pen to reply. Knowing that ordinary words wouldn't quell her anger, she deliberately used a nauseatingly affectionate address.
To my esteemed father:
Because winter has arrived recently, there has been a surge in orders for custom-made winter heaters, all of which are time-consuming jobs. In the midst of the busyness, I forgot to reply to the email.
Your martial arts skills have actually improved? By the way, can you practice martial arts at Bailudong? Huayun Pavilion is warm and luxurious, and it's quite comfortable to live in, but nothing compares to your home.
There's no wine or flowers, no osmanthus cakes from others, and I'm not saying I don't want you. Don't overthink it, just focus on your studies.
Winter is approaching, so please make sure you use the knee pads and other warm clothing I made for you, and don't catch a cold.
On the thirtieth day of the month, not a single night is without longing for you.
Sister.
At the end, she painted a young boy with his hair in tufts, dressed in an official robe, with the small character "钦" written beside him, depicting him as a top scholar who had just passed the imperial examination.
The river was long and the road was long. The letter was eventually delivered to Wen Shiqin. When he saw the first four characters, his fingers suddenly tightened and the wolf-hair brush in his hand broke.
"Hey, what are you looking at?"
Xie Hongying peeked out at the sound, but was grabbed by the face and pressed back down.
On the thirtieth day of the month, not a single night is without longing for you...
No, this month clearly has thirty-one days. Oh well, from now on, every month he will have one more day of longing than this poem describes.
The top scholar on that paper was drawn so ugly, he looked just like a fat fish with a round head.
Despite thinking this to herself, her fingertips were incredibly gentle as she carefully folded the letter, first pressing it between the pages of a book, then realizing it wasn't right, she simply stuffed it into the sleeve pocket close to her body.
After this experience, Su Jinxiu dared not delay his reply any longer. The original agreement of one letter every six days was long forgotten, and she began to reply immediately as soon as his letter arrived, which meant she was replying to one letter every three days.
Then came the first snow of the Taihang Mountains, accompanied by the chilling winds.
A melancholy man sits by his window, a flurry of petals falling, bringing a chill.
Inside Huayun Pavilion, however, there was a warm and cozy atmosphere.
After several heavy snowfalls, the embroiderers faced a bitterly cold journey home, so Su Jinxiu simply let them stay overnight in the pavilion, closing the door to guests, since she already had plenty of work to do before the New Year.
She instructed the embroiderers to choose their own rooms and settle down, and during the day they would gather in the hall around the stove to work. Su Jinxiu also taught them how to make a novel "hot pot," and the aroma of the spicy beef tallow broth filled the room as soon as it was served.
Outside, the snow was raging and the wind was howling, but inside, a group of young women, having finished their chores, were chatting, laughing, eating, and drinking around a steaming hot pot, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
The new embroiderers were all kind and gentle. Su Jinxiu always judged people by their character first and their embroidery skills second, so they all got along very well. Su Jinxiu was sweating profusely from eating, and the spicy beef tallow hot pot made her cherry lips turn red. She quickly took a sip of tea to calm herself down before discussing important matters with them.
“Yesterday I went to Nianci Hall in the south of the city and saw two girls who had reached the age of marriage. The hall could no longer support them and was about to send them away. But they had no skills, so how would they survive after leaving? I thought, why don’t we do business while taking in children from poor families as apprentices? After they have learned the skills, they can leave as they please. In this way, we can do good deeds and also ensure that the art of embroidery is passed down.”
Linlang was engrossed in eating slices of meat dipped in oil sauce when she heard this and frowned: "I'm afraid this is inappropriate. Each embroidery workshop has its own unique skills, and the traditional rule is to pass them on to insiders only."
Su Jinxiu put down her teacup, her tone firm: "It is precisely because of this isolation that the various embroidery workshops have become stagnant, their skills lagging far behind those of the imperial court. When things are impoverished, one must change; change leads to progress; progress leads to longevity. Only by spreading the art of embroidery, allowing more people to learn and improve upon it, can we truly promote and develop it, instead of gradually declining within a small circle. If we are always thinking about guarding against each other, we will never reach the true peak."
So everyone ate and laughed while discussing the details, and soon settled the matter, agreeing to officially open the embroidery school and recruit apprentices in the spring of the following year.
Outside Huayun Pavilion, the path was covered in snow, but a spacious carriage broke through the ice and came. A sturdy young servant jumped down from the carriage and knocked on the door.
The wind and snow were fierce, and the doors of the pavilion were all tightly bolted. He called for a long time before Su Jinxiu finally came to answer the door, wearing a fur cloak.
Her gaze swept over the magnificent steed and luxurious carriage outside the door, she exchanged a glance with Mingshan, and then silently boarded the car.
Inside the carriage, Lan Shexiang was no longer the same as before. She wore light makeup and was delicate and graceful. She was dressed in a blue lotus-patterned jacket and skirt, with a black fox fur cloak over it. Her hair was adorned with a kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin and a small string of pearls. She held a hand warmer tightly in her hand. Since being recognized by her family, she had been dressed in the manner of a noble lady.
Before Su Jinxiu could speak, Lan Shexiang's eyes reddened and her voice trembled.
"Qiaoniang, ... my wedding date has been moved up."
Su Jinxiu understood. Although she had returned to her ancestral home and won her parents' affection, this arranged marriage was ultimately unavoidable. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "You still haven't met the son of the Minister of Agriculture?"
Lan Shexiang shook her head: "The matchmaker who brought us together said that it's not advisable to meet before the wedding date."
“What kind of logic is that?” Su Jinxiu frowned. “What’s wrong with meeting him? How can we know what he’s like if we don’t meet him? Let’s go now. If he’s reasonable, we might be able to persuade him to break off the engagement.”
"Can...can it work?" Lan Shexiang's eyes were full of uncertainty.
“Ask yourself,” Su Jinxiu gazed at her, “is your determination for the one you love enough to support you in resisting this arranged marriage? If it is, then give it a try. If you really feel that meeting before the wedding is unlucky, I will go and meet him for you.”
Lan Shexiang pondered for a moment, then lifted the carriage curtain. She intended to give Mingshan some instructions, but saw him still standing foolishly in the wind and snow, covered in snow. She frowned: "Mingshan, are you stupid? Get on the horse quickly, at least the horse can protect you from some wind and snow."
After saying that, she handed the hand warmer over again, but Mingshan refused to take it no matter what. Helpless, Lan Shexiang had no choice but to take the hand warmer back.
"Mingshan, go to the Ye residence."
Mingshan responded, mounted his horse, and drove towards the Ye family's residence at the Sinong Temple.
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