Chapter 19 The wedding attire has been prepared for the groom…
Yu Tan breathed softly, murmuring, "Brother, a person should have a sense of humanity..."
They shouldn't have come over and said those pointless things.
Yu He'an sighed deeply, retreated to his desk, picked up the book but couldn't concentrate on reading it anymore.
*
When Yu Tan woke up, it was already completely dark. She rubbed her eyes, as if she had returned to the days when she would sneak into the study to take a nap in the afternoon.
This time, she and Yu He'an did not separate for five years because of their argument.
The study was dark, with no lights on, except for the scarlet glow of the charcoal stove.
She rubbed her cheeks; she had slept for a whole day and night and had actually fallen asleep again.
She called out softly, "Brother."
No one answered her; only the occasional tinkling of wind chimes could be heard.
She got up and left the study, and saw Yu He'an standing on the veranda, occasionally fiddling with the wind chimes, lost in thought, her ear tips suspiciously red.
Could it be that it's turned red from the cold?
"Brother."
Yu He'an turned his head: "You're awake."
"Brother, why aren't you reading today? Did I disturb you?"
“No,” Yu He’an immediately retorted. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. Scholarly matters can never be rushed. I came out to think about a passage I didn’t understand while reading today…”
“Even my brother can’t figure it out.” She couldn’t understand it even more. Yu Tan lowered her head and said, “Then let’s go to the Imperial Academy another day and see if we can meet the great Confucian scholar Kong Ren and hear his insights.”
"Think about it some more and you'll understand."
Seeing Yu He'an's appearance, she was indeed in big trouble. However, she had never been good at reading and studying, so she could not help by staying here. She could only say goodbye to Yu He'an and take Lanxin back to her courtyard.
*
The next morning.
When Yu Tan awoke from her nightmare, it was just before dawn. She dressed and went to He Xiang Courtyard.
As Granny Chang was directing the maids to pack the things onto the carriage, Old Madam Song instructed Granny Liu, the housekeeper, to have Yu Tan review the accounts of the Marquis's residence for the past few months.
It seems they intend to use this trip to properly train her.
Yu Tan waited in the outer room for about half an hour before Old Madam Song finished washing up and came to the outer hall. She was wearing an indigo blue jacket and skirt, paired with a sapphire hair crown, looking very noble. She was carrying a small hand warmer and said with a smile, "It seems that I have learned my lesson from scolding you yesterday. You have arrived so early today."
Yu Tan warmly took Old Madam Song's arm and said coquettishly, "Grandmother."
Granny Chang said, "Madam, you've been waiting here for almost half an hour. You've really put in a lot of effort."
Madam Song patted her arm: "It's a good thing I've spoiled you all this time."
After Yu Tan finished breakfast with Old Madam Song, he saw her off as she left the courtyard and got into the carriage. Yu He'an was also waiting outside the courtyard.
Yu He'an stood under the eaves and said, "Grandmother."
Madam Song smiled and said, "He'an is here too. This trip will take several months. Of all the people in the Marquis's mansion, you two are the ones I worry about the most."
Yu He'an helped Old Madam Song walk a short distance, saying, "Grandmother, don't worry, I will take good care of Yao Yao."
Madam Song smiled and said, "Alright."
Yu Tan whispered, "I don't need anyone to take care of me."
Madam Song patted Yu Tan's hand and winked at her: "Yao Yao, remember what I said."
"Mmm." Yu Tan responded softly, glancing at Yu He'an, who raised an eyebrow at her slightly.
Madam Song brought two large carriages of goods on this long journey. Chu Minglang arrived around noon and gently explained the travel plans to Madam Song.
Chu Minglang is gentle and considerate, and he thinks about everything, big and small.
Madam Song was extremely pleased with Chu Minglang and kept winking at Yu Tan.
Yu Tan was speechless with frustration and could only pretend that she didn't understand.
This departure would mean she wouldn't see Chu Minglang for at least three months, which would save her a lot of trouble, and she was overjoyed.
"Grandmother, please be careful on your journey. Remember to write to me when you arrive." Yu Tan helped Old Madam Song into the carriage.
Madam Song laughed heartily, "The letter hasn't been sent back yet, but I'll probably be back by now, no more than three months."
Chu Minglang smiled and said, "If Sister Yu is still worried, you can come along. It's not too late to change your mind now. Lingnan is warm in winter, a good place to get through the cold winter."
“I have made up my mind. I will stay in Bianjing.” Yu Tan shook her head, took a step back, and curtsied to Chu Minglang. “I will trouble you, Young Master Chu, to take care of my grandmother along the way.”
Yu He'an clasped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Thank you for your trouble, Minglang."
"Of course, of course. Brother He'an, Sister Yu, please don't be so polite with me. Come to Lingnan again when you have the chance." Chu Minglang smiled and waved goodbye before mounting his horse.
Chu Minglang lowered his eyelashes and looked at Yu Tan. He wanted Yu Tan to change her address and to get closer to him, but he also knew that this matter could not be rushed. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future. He would just have to wait until he returned in three months.
"Let's go back." Old Madam Song opened the car window and waved.
Yu Tan stood there seeing Madam Song off as the carriage rolled along the official road, gradually shrinking until it disappeared from sight.
Yu Tan wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, and Yu He'an glanced at her, "Why are you going out again?"
Yu Tan looked at Yu He'an, recalling her collaboration with Zhao Qin a few days ago. Just how much had Yu He'an been manipulating behind the scenes? Her fingertips curled up, and she decided to bring things to the forefront.
"Brother, about Ji Yushang..."
Ji Yushang came from a merchant family, was morally flawed, and had an ordinary appearance, at most being described as handsome. Yu He'an frowned, staring at her in confusion, wondering why Yu Tan was entangled with him. "Do you still have any feelings for Ji Yushang?"
Yu He'an's voice was cold and clear, like a chilly spring in a high mountain.
Yu Tan shook her head vigorously: "No, no, no, brother, I don't want to have anything to do with him at all."
"What's wrong?"
Yu Tan inexplicably felt that Yu He'an's attitude had softened considerably. "Haven't I been learning how to do business lately?"
Yu He'an insisted, "Even if you're doing business, don't get involved with Ji Yushang."
She took small steps to Yu He'an's side, leaned close to him and whispered, "Brother, I was just about to ask you, was it you who did the recent suppression of Ji Yushang?"
Yu He'an lowered her eyelids, her raven feathers fluttered, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned. The small red mole under her lips looked just like a blooming datura, making her already beautiful face even more alluring.
While traveling and studying, he happened to rest in a teahouse and overheard wandering knights talking about Bianjing. They began by discussing the prosperity of Bianjing, and then suddenly the topic turned to beautiful women, which naturally sparked a variety of opinions.
A black-robed swordsman wearing a bamboo hat slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "I disagree with anyone who says they are the most beautiful woman in the world. I have seen truly stunning beauties."
The crowd clamored, "Then who do you think it is?"
Changming had already gone to see the excitement. They lived in Bianjing and knew most of the beauties mentioned by the Jianghu travelers; they were all ladies from noble families.
"Yu Tan of the Marquis of Bianjing's mansion, though arrogant in nature, is undoubtedly the most beautiful woman in the world."
The crowd either agreed with Yu Tan before or questioned her, until the black-robed swordsman produced a portrait of Yu Tan.
A beautiful young woman lies drunk amidst a hundred flowers, her eyes sweeping across the water, her stunning beauty eclipsing all the blossoms. Though it is merely a portrait, it makes one's heart tremble.
The crowd fell silent for a moment, and everyone stopped questioning.
"The Jade Lotus is a rare sight, truly a beauty."
After joining in the fun, Changming returned to Yuhe'an's side and said smugly, "My lord, that portrait didn't capture even a fraction of my wife's beauty. If they actually saw her, they would understand... what it means to be the most beautiful woman in the world."
Before Changming could finish speaking, he received a cold look from Yuhe'an and the order to beat him up and destroy the painting.
“Brother.” Yu Tan tugged at Yu He’an’s sleeve.
I suddenly remembered this incident.
Yu He'an coldly said, "Since he dares to be so audacious, he should be punished. What's ten strokes of the cane? Does he really think the Marquis's mansion is easy to bully? As long as we spread some rumors, there will be plenty of people to suppress him. Why do I need to take action myself?"
Yu Tan's lips curled up. Two months ago, she thought Yu He'an was aloof, unapproachable, and rigidly polite. Now, it seems that he is still the same extremely protective older brother.
"Brother."
"Um?"
“Zhao Qin contacted me a few days ago. She wants to take over Ji Yushang’s business line and is trying to cooperate with me indirectly.”
"Are you really planning to do business?" Yu He'an's gaze fell on Yu Tan, who had originally thought Yu Tan was just dabbling in small-scale ventures.
Yu Tan nodded: "Mm."
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Yu He'an said, "Then do it. Zhao Qin's reputation in Bianjing is acceptable, but we still need to be cautious."
"Brother, I understand." Yu Tan led Lan Xin and Hui Xin out of the mansion and took a carriage to Zhao Qin's residence to discuss matters concerning the caravan.
As they boarded the carriage, Changming stood beside it, sword in hand, and said, "My lady."
This means Changming has been left behind again. Yu Tan watched Yu He'an's departing figure and chuckled softly, "Changming, do you really know martial arts?"
Changming paused in his action of holding the sword. The sword is the gentleman among weapons. Young masters from noble families often wear swords to banquets in order to appear cultured. It turns out that Yu Tan thought he was just pretending to carry a sword.
Changming whispered, "My swordsmanship was personally taught to me by my master. Although I am not as good as him, I am not as bad as you say, madam..."
“Brother also knows martial arts…” I saw Yu He’an learning to hunt when we were young, but I haven’t seen him go since. In the two months we’ve spent together, I haven’t seen him practice swordsmanship or bow drawing.
Yu Tan shrank back into the carriage. Her impression of martial artists was still that of the Thousand Bull Guards, with their wasp waists and mantis legs, carrying Tang-style swords at their waists, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.
Thinking back to Yu He'an's appearance, she was tall and slender, and didn't seem quite like him.
Changming sat on the carriage frame, straightened his back, and said proudly, "Of course, when I was traveling with my husband, we were kidnapped by bandits in Cangzhou and taken to a mountain stronghold. My husband and I fought against dozens of bandits."
"My dear wife, you don't know, the bandit leader has taken a liking to my husband. They've even prepared wedding clothes for him, and he almost became... the bandit's husband."
Yu Tan and Lan Xin were amused and burst into laughter. It was hard to imagine that Yu He'an would ever be at a disadvantage.
She had originally thought that studying abroad would involve listening to great scholars debate and lecture on classics in various prefectures, but she never expected it to be so interesting.
She remembered Yu He'an's promise to take her out to play, and her heart warmed. She wished Yu He'an would finish the imperial examination immediately.
Lan Xin laughed and said, "This female bandit is simply delusional. If she knew the identity of her husband, she definitely wouldn't dare to mention marriage again."
Changming said smugly, "It is certainly fitting for a young master to be paired with a princess."
Yu Tan propped her head up and began to think seriously. As far as she knew, the plot had not mentioned Yu He'an's in-laws, only that he had a smooth imperial examination and a successful official career.
However, if Yu He'an's wife is from a prestigious family, she is probably the eldest daughter of a noble family.
"Of course it's a good match." Yu Tan's smile faded, and she turned her gaze away.
In less than a quarter of an hour, they arrived at Zhao Qin's residence.
Yu Tan stepped off the carriage on a low stool. Zhao Qin was wearing a dark purple jacket and skirt, with a snow-white fox fur scarf, and her hair was styled in an exaggerated flying cloud bun with seven or eight gold hairpins. She looked extremely noble.
Standing beside her was a man half a head taller than her, with a pale face and a gloomy complexion. He wore a gray-blue short jacket and matching trousers, and exaggerated silver ornaments on his chest, waist, and wrists.
This was probably the Miao people Zhao Qin had mentioned, and her pace quickened.
Wu Niang is saved.
Even if she is kicked out of the Marquis's mansion in the future, she will not be alone.
A note from the author:
Thanks to the [Lop-eared Rabbit Head] Jade Salt Pomelo [Lop-eared Rabbit Head] who was just lazing around on the roadside for the nutrient solution, I'm so happy! [Fireworks]
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