Chapter 31 Chapter 31 He picked her up by the waist and said, "Follow my brother..."
In broad daylight, Shu Yun was unwilling to go to Yan Fu Residence, and she and Xiao Ye were in a stalemate on the main road. "What are you talking about with Yun'er?"
When the deep and mellow voice of Marquis Anlu came, Shuyun's eyelids jumped, her heart trembled with fear, and her mind went blank. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw that her father had stopped at some point and was staring at the two of them.
Marquis Anlu walked towards this side, wearing shining armor, with a powerful aura and sharp eyes. He was a murderous military general with swords and iron horses, just like a big tiger strolling in the mountains.
"Sister, you are not feeling well." Xiao Ye moved his steps and stood in front of Shu Yun, blocking Marquis Anlu's gaze on her.
Shu Yun nodded guiltily behind Xiao Ye, her palms sweating from nervousness.
Marquis Anlu looked at Xiao Ye with sharp eyes and asked in a deep voice, "Why are you blocking your sister?"
Xiao Ye didn't leave. Instead, Shu Yun tugged at his sleeve, poked her head out from behind him, and said, "The sun was a bit glaring just now. I asked big brother to help block the sun for me."
Shu Yun smiled guiltily, revealing a small dimple. "Daddy, why did you suddenly turn around? Did you forget something?"
Marquis Anlu had always been fond of Shuyun, and his suspicions gradually subsided. "It's okay."
He turned around and was about to leave when a trace of doubt flashed through his mind. He asked Shuyun, "Why are you leaving with your brother? Go back to Quhe Hall."
Shu Yun pursed her lips, her nose a little sour, and replied: "Qu He Tang has been returned to the third young lady, and Yun Er is now living in Heng Wu Yuan."
She tried to hide her emotions, but Marquis Anlu could still see the grievance and frustration on her face. He frowned, looked annoyed, and put his hands on his hips.
Why did you move to Xiao Ye's place?
He sent a letter back home. Shuyun was still the daughter of the Marquis's Mansion, his daughter. Her food, clothing and other expenses were the same as before. How could things have become like this?
Is it Wang Huilan?
With a sigh of relief, Marquis Anlu turned and left.
When Marquis Anlu arrived at Shou'an Hall to meet his mother, his youngest daughter, Xiao Shuyi, was by his side. Compared to two years ago, she had grown considerably, her features becoming more charming, her posture more dignified, like a newly blossoming lotus, pure and graceful.
Mrs. Cui hadn't seen her son for two years. Her kind face was filled with smiles. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
When the mother and son meet, they always have endless things to talk about. It was also here that Anlu Hou learned that Shuyun had been removed from the Xiao family tree and moved to Hengwuyuan. Some time ago, she was engaged to a doctor from the Water Department, and the wedding date was September 17th.
Marquis Anlu's face darkened, like a passing dark cloud. Old Madam Cui said, "The Xiao family's bloodline cannot be disturbed. Although Yun's name has been removed from the family tree, she is still a daughter of our Marquis' Mansion. As for this marriage..."
Madam Cui sighed and said, "I also know that the husband you chose for Yun was Shao Jiu, but after this incident, the Zheng family has already arranged a marriage with the Wei family's daughter. I've met Liang Meng, the doctor from the Water Department. He has a handsome face and is gentle and elegant. Most importantly, Yun likes him, so I decided to agree to this marriage."
Madam Cui said, "The Zheng family will marry their daughter-in-law, and our Marquis's family will marry our daughter. The marriage must be arranged before the Zheng family."
Marquis Anlu was unhappy. How could his daughter's marriage be so hasty? If the Zheng family didn't marry, there were plenty of other families.
But the Marquis' Mansion had already received the Liang family's letter of engagement and gift letter, and the news of Shuyun's marriage had already spread.
After coming out of Shou'an Hall, Marquis Anlu went back to change his armor.
Wang Huilan helped her husband get dressed, straightening his robes behind him. She said, "Our daughter has grown up and still hasn't met the Marquis. Last evening, she heard that the Marquis had returned early, and she was so nervous she couldn't sleep."
Marquis Anlu said calmly, "I just met her. She is graceful and polite. You wouldn't have guessed she was from the countryside."
Wang Huilan was delighted to hear her daughter being praised. She bent down to tie her sash and said, "Zhen'er is outside. I'll ask Madam to call her in."
"No need, I'll go to Hengwu Garden first."
The smile on Wang Huilan's lips froze. Marquis Anlu straightened his sleeves and walked out of the house.
====
Hengwu Garden.
On the beauty couch, Shuyun took off her embroidered shoes and leaned sideways on the pillow. The discomfort in her waist was relieved and she felt much more comfortable.
Tuantuan was lying on the ground, stretching its neck to look at her. A piece of white cat paw was resting on the edge of the couch. It suddenly jumped onto the couch and burrowed into her arms.
The furry kitten curled up in her arms. Shuyun touched the kitten and felt its soft fur.
Tuantuan was quiet in her arms for only a short while before he started to make a fuss and tried to grab the tassels around Shuyun's waist.
Shuyun asked Qiongzhi to bring the cat toy. Tuantuan heard the bell ringing and quickly looked over. The small stick had a silver bell dangling from it, and two colorful ribbons wrapped around it fluttered in front of Tuantuan's eyes as she waved her arm.
The cat's amber eyes stared at the fluttering ribbons. Tuantuan waited for the right moment to catch the ribbons above his head, but every time he was about to catch them, Shuyun raised her elbow slightly and he missed.
Shuyun was playing with Tuantuan on the beauty bed, her feet in white silk stockings were faintly visible under her skirt, her figure was slim and graceful, her skin was soft and delicate, and she had become very pretty and charming.
Shuyun was having fun when she suddenly saw someone standing at the door. Her father had changed into casual clothes and was standing at the door looking at her.
Shuyun hurriedly got up, got off the bed in her slippers, and hid her small feet back into her embroidered shoes.
"Father." Shuyun bowed and saluted.
Marquis Anlu entered the room and glanced at the furnishings. He found them quite nice. He saw a calico cat at Shuyun's feet and said, "I got a new cat."
"Call me Tuantuan, Tuantuan means round and round." Shuyun picked up the kitten with a smile on her face.
Marquis Anlu looked at her smiling face, his gaze lingering for a long time.
Shuyun felt inexplicably strange. She avoided her father's gaze and bent down to put the cat down.
Marquis Anlu turned around and sat down on the chair. "Dad has been away for a while. Has anyone in the mansion given you any trouble with the transfer?"
Shuyun was happy that her father did not dislike her because of that incident. The family was in harmony at the moment, which was the best situation. She wanted to spend the two months before her marriage in peace.
"No, did you listen to the gossip?" Shuyun shook her head and said with a smile, "Father, please don't believe it. My daughter has not been wronged in the mansion, and the sisters get along well with each other."
Shuyun went to wash her hands and poured a cup of tea for Marquis Anlu, "Daddy, please have some."
Marquis Anlu took the tea, took a sip, looked at his daughter carefully with calm eyes, and concentrated slightly.
Marquis Anlu asked some trivial questions again, and Shuyun answered them one by one.
After sitting in the room for a while, Marquis Anlu left and Shuyun stood up to see him off.
Looking at the majestic figure, Shuyun pursed her lips. She didn't know if it was because she hadn't seen her father for two years, but she felt that her father was a little strange today.
A dinner was held in the palace to celebrate the army's triumphant return. At dusk, Marquis Anlu and Xiao Ye went to the palace for the banquet.
After the victory in the war, Emperor Wucheng took back the military power of Marquis Anlu at a palace banquet.
The banquet was filled with cheers. Xiao Ye remembered that it was the same when he returned victorious that year. Even Emperor Wucheng praised him, saying that he was better than his teacher and far better than Marquis Anlu.
But unfortunately, that year he was ambushed during the battle, was seriously injured, and almost lost his life.
He lost the chance to go to the battlefield.
Xiao Ye looked dimly at the much-admired Marquis Anlu, a slight sneer squeezed out from between his teeth. He lowered his eyes to pour the wine, hatred and cruelty flashing in his eyes.
========
As the night deepened, the lights in the house were dim, and calming incense was burning on the table, with green smoke rising.
After taking a bath, Shuyun applied perfume on the couch and came out of the bathroom. The candlelight reflected her beautiful and graceful figure. She sat down in front of the dressing table and wiped the wet ends of her hair with a towel.
She combed her hair, stood up and was about to go back to bed to rest, when suddenly footsteps were heard outside the quiet room.
The next moment, the dormitory door was pushed open and Xiao Ye appeared at the door.
The candlelight was dim, illuminating the man's deep facial features. His figure was lonely and melancholy. Xiao Ye strode towards her, bringing a gust of wind with him, and his clothes fluttered.
It was not the first time that he broke into the boudoir. Shuyun was frightened and could not help but step back. The man stretched out his long arm, grabbed her slender waist, and pulled her over. Shuyun bumped into his firm chest.
The fragrance filled his arms, and Xiao Ye hugged her tightly, as if he had found the only comfort.
The strong and powerful arms were like a solid wall. Shuyun couldn't break free and felt anxious. He had been drinking, so his strength seemed to be greater than usual.
"Don't move, let your brother hug you."
Xiao Ye spoke in a low voice, placed his palm on the back of her head, and held her tightly in his arms.
Shuyun curled her fingers, slowly lowered her raised arm, and stopped pushing.
It was a happy thing that he went to the palace for a banquet today, but Shuyun felt that he was not happy, and even seemed a little lonely and sad.
Circles of dim candlelight illuminated the hugging figures, and the petite body was like a little bird in the man's broad arms.
The room was quiet, breathing shallowly.
Each other's heartbeats were clearly audible.
Shu Yun gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered in his arms, "Brother, I don't like the smell of alcohol."
The voice was soft, echoing in his chest. Xiao Ye slowly opened his eyes, lowered his eyes to look at the girl in his arms, and hummed softly.
Xiao Ye: "Next time I come to see my sister, I won't drink."
The room was quiet again.
Xiao Ye drank a few more cups, but he was not drunk. However, the emotions pent up in his heart made him feel uncomfortable. The moment he left the palace banquet, he wanted to see her.
Just seeing her is enough.
Xiao Ye's arms gradually closed around her, as if they were inseparable.
Shu Yun stood in his arms for a long time before softly calling out, "Brother?"
Xiao Ye didn't respond. Shu Yun pursed her lips, frowned, and slowly raised her head from his arms. The man closed his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, as if... he fell asleep drunk?
"elder brother?"
"Brother Ye?"
Shuyun called him twice, but the man still did not respond. The weight of his body almost leaned towards her, and he was about to lose his balance.
Shuyun subconsciously raised her hands to hug him and steady his body.
Shuyun was a little worried, as he seemed to have really fallen asleep.
Looking at the wide soft couch, Shuyun hesitated for a long, long time. Finally, she took him to the couch and placed him on it.
He was half lying on the couch, and as if he knew what was going on, he kicked off his feet, took off his black brocade boots, raised his legs and put them on the couch to sleep.
Shuyun stood beside the couch, frowning, wondering in her heart, is he really asleep?
Her couch was a little small, and the man was tall, so he could only lie down by bending his legs a little.
Xiao Ye faced her, lying on his side with his legs slightly curled up.
This is the first time I see him so obedient.
Shuyun was at a loss, so she went to the bathroom to get a basin of hot water, took a towel and sat beside the couch to wipe his face.
The candlelight was dim, and the man had handsome features, thick eyebrows, a high nose, and a mouth...
Shuyun didn't like it and kept kissing and biting it.
Holding the wet handkerchief between her fingers, Shu Yun carefully wiped his face. Suddenly, her wrist was grasped and she was pulled hard. Shu Yun was brought down and pressed against the man's chest.
She was startled and for a moment she didn't know whether the thumping heartbeat was her own or the one right next to her ear.
The man didn't wake up, his big hand still holding her wrist. Shuyun was lying on him beside the couch. She saw the figure outlined on the wall out of the corner of her eye, and her heart froze.
No matter what, she couldn't continue to be entangled with him.
But Shuyun couldn't break up with him right now. As long as she married out of the Marquis' Mansion, everything would be fine.
Shu Yun did not move, letting him hold her hand, sitting on the edge of the couch, leaning over his chest.
=======
For several days in a row, officials from the court came to the mansion to send greeting cards to congratulate Marquis Anlu on his triumphant return.
Marquis Anlu disliked these social engagements. When he went to the military camp, Wang Huilan seemed to be attracted by the flattery. In one day, she met many noble ladies and acted like the wife of a marquis.
Apart from Shuyun who was already engaged, there were two unengaged girls left in the mansion, and the matchmakers were almost trampling down the threshold of the mansion.
Wang Huilan was very selective and determined to find a husband for her daughter Xiao Shuzhen with a good family background and good looks, a family better than the Zheng family.
In the rockery pavilion, Xiao Ye stood by the railing, his slender eyes slightly narrowed, looking towards the bustling western courtyard.
Biluo reported from behind him, "Many ladies have sent visiting cards to Madam these past two days. Jingfang Garden is even busier than during Chinese New Year."
A cold smile appeared on Xiao Ye's tense face, and he said in a deep voice: "The higher you climb, the more satisfying it will be to fall down."
"What's the latest situation at Hengwuyuan?" Xiao Ye asked.
Biluo knew that what she said would definitely make the young master angry. She paused and said, "Miss Yun is preparing things for her wedding in the house and occasionally making paper flowers."
Xiao Ye's face was covered with dark clouds, as if a storm was coming.
She couldn't wait to get married.
-
On this day, the eunuchs from the palace came to the marquis's mansion, and the emperor rewarded them with gold, silver, jewelry, silk and satin.
Marquis Anlu never cared about these things. He asked the housekeeper to count them and put them into the warehouse, leaving some for Wang Huilan to distribute to the girls in the mansion as usual.
Emperor Wucheng rewarded three pieces of brocade. Brocade is light, soft, bright in color, and as beautiful as the clouds in the sky. It is said that "every inch of brocade is worth its weight in gold".
These three pieces of brocade naturally belonged to Wang Huilan and Old Lady Cui, and as for the remaining ones, Wang Huilan planned to leave them to Xiao Shuzhen.
Marquis Anlu had already left, but he turned back to look at the three pieces of brightly colored brocade that were being carried to the warehouse.
Marquis Anlu ordered: "Send two horses to Hengwu Garden for Yun'er. Send the rest to Shou'an Hall for the old lady."
Wang Huilan was displeased, "Why did you give Yun'er two pieces of brocade?"
"Yun'er is getting married, so just consider this as an addition to your dowry."
Marquis Anlu glanced at her with a cold and sharp gaze that would not tolerate any reconciliation.
He turned away and told the butler to send the list to the study later.
Wang Huilan was indignant and watched helplessly as the servants took the Yunjin away and headed towards Hengwuyuan.
She took a deep breath and suppressed the sadness in her eyes.
In the afternoon, Wang Huilan appeared outside the study with a bowl of lotus seed and lily soup.
She knocked on the door and got permission from Marquis Anlu before entering the study.
The Marquis of Anlu stood beside the antique display case, rolled up the portrait in his hand, and placed it back on the shelf. Wang Huilan recognized the scroll; it depicted a woman.
The woman was somewhat similar to Shuyun and was a married woman.
He has been coveting his friend's wife for a long time. How disgusting!
That year, Wang Huilan's sister gave birth, and she went to the Marquis' Mansion to visit her little nephew. Her sister wanted to talk to her, so Wang Huilan stayed in the Marquis' Mansion for a few days.
The brother-in-law took care of her sister meticulously. He was handsome and powerful. Wang Huilan saw how affectionate they were and developed feelings for him.
Wang Huilan suppressed this despicable feeling, but when she accidentally saw her sister and brother-in-law being intimate that night, she actually fantasized about doing the same with her brother-in-law, and cuddling with him in bed, even just once.
Later, the disgust hidden in his heart could no longer be suppressed. Wang Huilan frequently appeared in front of her brother-in-law, but no matter how she tried to seduce him, her brother-in-law remained unmoved. He even secretly punished her and sent her back to the Wang family.
Wang Huilan was unwilling to accept this until she discovered her brother-in-law's secret that day.
The brother-in-law coveted the woman who was on good terms with his sister. The woman and her husband were very loving and their children were about the same age as Xiao Ye.
Wang Huilan wanted to be with her brother-in-law so much that she learned the woman's behavior and changed her makeup to look somewhat like the woman.
She lived like someone else, which was what her brother-in-law liked.
Later, Wang Huilan got what she wanted and secretly had an affair with her brother-in-law. She became pregnant with her brother-in-law's child, and the affair was exposed. However, what happened next was not as she wished. Her father was angry that she had brought disgrace upon the family and disowned her. The Xiao family also disowned her.
Wang Huilan was raised outside and her daughter was switched with another. Shuyun's similar face reminded her of her unbearable past all the time.
Wang Huilan knew clearly how she got the position of Marquis' wife. She had blood on her hands to get the title of second wife.
"Why are you in the study?" Marquis Anlu sat by the desk and asked in a deep voice when he saw the person standing by the antique shelf.
Wang Huilan collected her thoughts, smiled, and brought the tray over. She placed the bowl of soup on the table and said softly, "It's hot in autumn, so I made a bowl of lotus seed and lily soup for the Marquis to moisten his lungs and relieve dryness."
Marquis Anlu picked it up, took a sip, and indicated that he had finished eating and she could leave.
Wang Huilan did not leave, but stood beside the desk and said, "I have a favor to ask of you."
Marquis Anlu put down the soup bowl and motioned for her to speak.
Wang Huilan said, "Yun'er is about to get married. As a daughter-in-law, she will inevitably serve her parents-in-law. Yun'er has always been cherished and loved by the Marquis, but now that she has come to the Liang family, the situation is different. I want to personally teach Yun'er the rules."
Worried about being rejected by the Marquis of Anlu, Wang Huilan said, "Women's affairs are too complicated for a man like you to understand."
Marquis Anlu thought about it and realized that he looked down on Liang Meng, but he couldn't resist his daughter's love for him.
With him around, even if the Liang family had the courage of a leopard, they would not dare to treat Shuyun harshly.
But you still have to learn the rules.
Marquis Anlu said, "Just learn it casually."
Wang Huilan smiled and said, "Yes, I can't bear to see Yun'er suffer."
"I won't disturb you anymore, sir." Wang Huilan put away the tray and left the study, the hypocritical smile on her face disappeared in an instant.
======
The next day, Marquis Anlu was not at home because he was attending court, and Xiao Ye was on duty. During breakfast, Wang Huilan sent Nanny Wu to Hengwu Garden to call Shuyun over.
"Teach me the rules?" Shuyun was surprised. Her mother hadn't looked for her for a long time.
Nanny Wu said, "After the young lady gets married, she will be the daughter-in-law of the Liang family. She will need to learn some rules and regulations. Madam will follow the Marquis' instructions and personally teach the young lady the rules and regulations."
Shuyun put down her bowl of porridge and followed Nanny Wu to Jingfang Garden.
Shuyun looked up at the person sitting above her and greeted her, "Mother."
Wang Huilan nodded and said succinctly, "Since you're here, let's get started."
The maids and the old woman placed breakfast on the table, and Wang Huilan sat down. "As a daughter-in-law, when your mother-in-law is eating, you should set the dishes beside her. You can only eat after she finishes eating."
When Shuyun was in Shou'an Hall, she saw A'niang serving meals to the old lady. When Aunt Fang came to Jingfangyuan to pay her respects, she would also serve dishes to A'niang.
Shuyun walked to the table and served Wang Huilan the food.
As soon as a piece of braised beef was placed in the bowl, Wang Huilan said, "I don't want to eat this this morning. I'll order more."
Shuyun took out the beef and picked up a shrimp.
This time, Wang Huilan didn't let her take the food away. She lowered her head to eat the food and asked her to serve the porridge.
After serving the porridge, Wang Huilan complained that it was too hot.
After much trouble, Wang Huilan had almost finished her breakfast, which took her most of an hour.
Shuyun hurriedly followed Nanny Wu over. She had only eaten half a bowl of porridge in the morning, and now she smelled the fragrance of the rice and felt hungry.
She sat down to serve herself some porridge, and Wang Huilan called her up, "Come over to me. Sometimes you wait by your mother-in-law's side, often standing there all day."
Nanny Wu received the order and took the food away.
Shuyun watched the maids take away the food. She went to stand beside Wang Huilan hungry. At noon, she served the dishes and waited until Wang Huilan had finished eating before she ate.
Shuyun stood there for the entire day and returned to Hengwuyuan in the evening.
She sat on the couch rubbing her sore legs, and her stomach felt a little uncomfortable. Counting the days, she knew her period was coming soon.
"No, my waist and shoulders are sore. Please rub them for me." Shuyun took a pillow and lay on the couch, letting Qiongzhi rub her waist.
Qiongzhi felt distressed. The lady was not teaching the girl the rules, she was clearly torturing her.
Qiongzhi rubbed her waist beside the couch and said, "Why don't we talk to the Marquis about it?"
Shuyun shook her head and said, "I don't want to cause trouble. I see that my mother serves my grandmother in the same way, but my grandmother doesn't want to see my mother, so my mother doesn't go to Shou'an Hall often."
She advised herself countless times to spend these two months peacefully in the Marquis' Mansion.
Shuyun put her hand on her shoulder and said, "Your shoulder is sore, give it a massage."
Qiongzhi moved her hands to a new position, controlling the strength to pinch and pound her shoulders.
Steady footsteps suddenly sounded. Shuyun looked up and saw Xiao Ye walking into the room as if no one was around.
Xiao Ye looked at Qiongzhi and ordered, "Get out."
He was already walking towards the couch. Shuyun was uneasy and hurriedly sat up from the couch and said to Qiongzhi, "Go out."
Qiongzhi looked at her worriedly, lowered her head, left the house and stood guard outside.
Shuyun stood up, and Xiao Ye pulled her back to sit on her couch. He placed his hand on her waist, his fingertips gently, and asked, "Is it still sore?"
Shu Yun was stunned and a little surprised. How did he know?
Xiao Ye said: "Follow me out of the house tomorrow, and don't go to Jingfang Garden."
As soon as he came back, he heard Biluo talk about what happened today. Wang Huilan vented her anger by teaching the rules.
"No, I want to go."
Shuyun shook her head. She was more afraid of staying with Xiao Ye than going to Jingfangyuan.
Xiao Ye pursed his thin lips and rubbed her waist without saying a word.
It rained heavily at night, and the temperature dropped sharply the next day. Large dark clouds hung in the sky, and the sky was gloomy. I don’t know when the next heavy rain will come.
Shuyun went to Jingfangyuan and served dishes beside Wang Huilan during the meal.
After breakfast, Wang Huilan taught her how to serve tea.
Shuyun knelt on the ground. Nanny Wu brought a tray. She stretched out her hands to take the tea, but she didn't expect the tea to be too hot. She was caught off guard and her fingers subconsciously retracted as soon as they touched the teacup.
The teacup was knocked over and the scalding hot tea flowed all over the tray.
Wang Huilan frowned, "When serving tea to your parents-in-law, no matter how hot the cup is, you have to hold it and not let go."
Wang Huilan said, "Let's not learn other rules today. Go kneel outside."
Nanny Wu helped Shuyun up and said, "Young lady, please come in."
Shuyun knelt outside the house. There were no maids or servants working in the yard. It was quiet all around, with only the sound of the wind howling.
The dark clouds in the distance drew closer, and the sky and the earth grew darker.
Shuyun felt a dull pain in her stomach and was kneeling on the ground in great discomfort, moving her aching knees from time to time.
A light rain started to fall from the sky, and a cold wind was blowing. Shuyun shivered, and suddenly she felt a sharp tearing sensation in her stomach. The pain made her tremble, and her face turned as pale as paper.
She slowly sat down on the ground, curled up holding her stomach, dense cold sweat oozing from her forehead. She closed her eyes uncomfortably, her consciousness gradually weakened, and her mind was in a mess.
Suddenly, a warm hand rested on her waist and gently lifted her up. Shuyun opened her eyes weakly, and the man's gloomy and cold profile came into view.
He said gently, "Go back with my brother."
A low, mellow voice brushed past her ears, and Shuyun was embraced in a warm embrace, feeling inexplicably at ease.
Wang Huilan came out of the house. Xiao Ye held the weak girl in his arms and looked at her with a sharp and sinister gaze, like a sharp knife, cutting her thousands of times.
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