Chapter 24 She wasn't rotten to the core. ...
Once she was able to stand steadily, Yu He'an released her hand and took a step back, turning his back to her.
Yu Tan hurriedly tried to grab him, but pulled her hand back the moment she reached out.
But she didn't know how to explain to Yu He'an, nor did she know whether Yu He'an had actually seen Wu Niang's appearance. She covered her lips and only let out a few barely concealed coughs, "Brother."
Yu He'an took a step forward, squatted down, and saw that Yu Tan hadn't moved for a while, so he turned his face to the side.
"Come up."
“Brother.” Yu Tan was clinging to Yu He’an’s back. As she stood up, she was afraid of falling, so she grabbed Yu He’an’s shoulders.
Her slender arms wrapped around her neck, the back of her hand brushing against her Adam's apple. The soft cartilage beneath her skin twitched, and she hurriedly moved her hand down.
She slowly pressed her face against Yu He'an's back, just like when she was a child and wanted him to carry her when she was lazy.
"I won't fall." Yu He'an had done this action countless times when he was a child, but doing it now just felt a little too intimate.
She could feel the muscles beneath her tensing, and whispered, "Is this inappropriate?"
Yu He'an's voice was hoarse: "Then go down and walk?"
Her feet hurt so much, she didn't want to get up and walk.
Yu Tan fell silent, lying on Yu He'an's back for a long time without saying a word. His back was broader and stronger than when he was a child, and he would support the entire Marquis's mansion in the future.
Yu He'an carried her steadily, saying, "Yu Tan, when you were young, you didn't finish your lessons and lied to your teacher. When your lessons fell into the water, your teacher slapped your hand."
When she was a child, she lied and her palms were swollen from being hit by her teacher. Her eyes were also swollen from crying. Yu He'an had to go and buy her candy. Yu Tan kept her head down and didn't say anything. She didn't know why Yu He'an brought this up.
Do you remember what the Master said to you back then?
She pursed her lips; of course she remembered.
The Master said, “Yu Tan, this ruler is not to punish you for not doing your homework, but to punish you for lying. In this life, character is the foundation. If even the foundation is crooked, then this person is rotten to the core.”
"If Yu Tan confesses on her own today, I will not punish you."
She bit her lower lip: "Brother, what do you mean?"
Once she resolves those problems, she will confess to Yu He'an.
It won't be long, it really won't be long.
She wasn't rotten to the core.
Yu He'an didn't reply, and silently carried her back to the Marquis's residence.
The residents of Xiaguang Lane were mostly merchants and travelers. The gates of their wealthy mansions were adorned with glass lanterns, creating a gentle glow. Yu He'an carried her slowly through Xiaguang Lane.
Her mind was in turmoil, and she was afraid that Yu He'an would discover the secret, so she could only tilt her head and count the glass lanterns in front of each mansion.
Yu He'an sighed deeply: "Yaoyao, what would you have done if I hadn't left the manor and hadn't found you?"
"I don't know..." Yu Tan lowered her head, thinking that if the dagger she brought was sharpened, she could kill Ji Yushang on the spot. She would definitely win. Next time, she would remember to prepare a sharpened weapon.
"Only those who can protect themselves can save others. What if there are people in Ji Yushang's backyard?"
Does this mean Yu He'an is choosing to believe her?
What was the meaning of his mention of the Master just now?
She pursed her lips; she couldn't understand.
One lie requires ten thousand lies to cover it up.
She could only continue along with Yu He'an's words, "I know, but she cried so miserably, I thought she was a maid coerced by Ji Yushang like me..."
“Even if Ji Yushang used those paintings to coerce you, you shouldn’t have come alone.”
She was very pragmatic and immediately admitted her mistake: "Brother, it was my fault. I won't do it again. I was so angry at the time... I didn't think things through..."
“You are the lady of the Marquis’s mansion. If you want to do it, just give the order. Why do you have to do it yourself?”
Unfortunately, she couldn't turn to anyone for help with this, and could only quietly bury the matter in Yu He'an's shoulder.
Yu He'an carried her to the back alley of the Marquis's mansion. At the three-way intersection, if you walk further ahead, you will reach Xinghua Alley. She remembered the candy that had fallen to the ground.
"Brother, did you go out today to buy me candied fruit?"
"Mmm," Yu He'an replied softly, her lips pressed tightly against her skin, she could feel the slight tremor caused by the sound.
Yu Tan lay there sullenly and said, "I've always wanted to eat it, but I haven't been able to."
Yu He'an said irritably, "Whose fault is this?"
"It's my fault." If only she were really Yu He'an's sister. "Brother, if I make an even bigger mistake in the future, will you still tolerate me?"
This was the second time she had asked Yu He'an; she wanted a definite answer.
The wind howled in my ears, and snowflakes fell from the sky.
Yu He'an remained silent, while Yu Tan roughly knew the answer.
Yu He'an's indulgence has its limits. Minor misbehavior is tolerable, but if it really goes against etiquette and rules, he may not necessarily take her side.
She was a little sad, but also a little unwilling.
She has been Yu He'an's younger sister for sixteen years, doesn't Yu He'an have even the slightest affection for her?
"Brother, if I do something wrong, will you hate me in the future? Will you abandon me?" She buried her face in Yu He'an's shoulder, her cheek rubbing against his white robe, her nose filled with the comforting scent of cedar. Her voice grew softer and softer, her confidence waning.
"Won't."
These two words settled in her heart, like a stabilizing force pressing down on her soul.
Even though she understood the premise of Yu He'an's indulgence... she still felt comfortable.
"Brother, it's snowing."
Snowflakes fell softly, slowly accumulating in Yu He'an's hair. The snowflakes melted into tiny water droplets, which trickled down her slender neck and into her clothes.
As if possessed, she reached out to stop the sliding water droplets, but her fingertips touched warm skin, which startled her so much that she quickly withdrew her hand.
A cold fingertip touched her neck, like a snowflake falling. Yu He'an paused. "Are you cold?"
Yu Tan shook her head, her hand slipped from Yu He'an's shoulder, and she swayed. Yu He'an then supported her lower back.
"Don't move."
The back alley of the Marquis's mansion was quiet. Changming went back to the mansion first to fetch a doctor, leaving only the two of them walking in the empty alley. It was so quiet that she could almost hear Yu He'an's heartbeat as she lay on his back.
When she was little, she always thought this back alley was too long and that it would take a long time to find Xinghua Alley to buy candied fruit. Now, however, she thinks this alley is too short. It turns out that when Yuhe'an carries her on his back, it only takes half a quarter of an hour to see the back gate of the Marquis's mansion.
“Brother, the New Year is just over half a month away, and your birthday is coming soon too. It’s been five years since we’ve celebrated the New Year together.”
Yu He'an paused, lifted her up a bit, and sighed, "It's been so long, why has it been so long?"
Snowflakes fell, and a chill crept into her neck, causing her to press herself even closer.
She recounted, "I went to Yuyang for two years, and not long after I returned, you left the manor to study abroad."
Yu He'an asked curiously, "Is Yuyang fun?"
“Brother, didn’t you go there when you were little? It’s quieter than Bianjing.” No one took her out to play, and there was no candy from Xinghua Lane.
Madam Song and a group of relatives wanted to raise her to be a proper young lady, but unfortunately she was not skilled enough in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and she forgot the virtues and precepts of women from day to day. She was only good at needlework.
"I don't remember."
Yu Tan smiled and said, "Brother, is there any birthday gift you want? I've made a lot of money in business, so don't be shy with me."
This was probably the last birthday she could spend with Yu He'an, and she wanted to prepare a special, very precious gift so that he would remember receiving such a gift on his future birthdays.
Incidentally, I also think of her younger sister, who isn't as unruly or terrible as I thought.
"There's nothing I particularly want."
"Ah..." Yu Tan was extremely disappointed. "Think about it again... Brother..."
"Who's the one giving the gift who's in a rush? There's still more than two weeks left, isn't there?"
They arrived at the back gate of the Marquis's residence. Yu He'an stepped through the back gate steadily. Yu He'an carried her back to Lanfang Courtyard and placed her on a soft couch. The doctor, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately came up to examine her injuries.
"My wife is alright. Her arm was dislocated due to the violent pulling. I'll put it back in place first. Don't move your right hand for the next few days. If it dislocates again, it could easily become a habitual dislocation..."
Her shoulder was a little sore and swollen. When she looked up, she saw Yu He'an standing next to the doctor, staring at her expressionlessly. She forced back the tears that had just welled up in her eyes from the pain.
The doctor squatted down to examine the injury on her ankle. He gently pinched it, which made her gasp in pain. She turned her head left and right, and then her movements returned to normal.
"My right arm was dislocated for too long, so the joint swelled up naturally. My ankle is fine. With some medicine and rest, it will heal in less than ten days, and I can still have a peaceful New Year."
The doctor left some medicine for convenience and then took his leave. Changming followed him to get the medicine.
Qiaoxin, standing behind Yutan, said with concern, "My lady, how did you end up like this after just one trip out?"
Yu Tan looked up at Yu He'an. She hadn't asked about Ji Yushang's fate yet, but judging from Yu He'an's character, he was probably given a severe beating and handed over to the authorities for punishment.
Yu Tan said smugly, "It's alright, my brother avenged me."
Qiaoxin stared at Yu He'an with a puzzled look on her face. He nodded and was about to turn and leave when Yu Tan quickly grabbed Yu He'an's sleeve.
She hadn't slept well for three days in a row, and she wanted to get a good night's sleep. She had managed to get through the previous month, but after tasting the sweetness of sleep, these three days were incredibly difficult.
She wanted Yu He'an to stay with her so she could sleep all night. She had already come up with an excuse: she would say that Ji Yushang's behavior during the day had frightened her.
But those glassy eyes held a shallow affection, and the gaze shifted from her face to her hand clutching her sleeve.
After a moment, she raised the corners of her mouth and put on a polite smile, "Brother, can I still come to the study to read tomorrow? Just like before...is that alright?"
Yu He'an turned slightly to the side, looking down at her. "You sprained your ankle. Do you want to be a cripple for the rest of your life?"
The thought of having to walk with crutches and limping around in the future made her shake her head violently.
"Which book would you like to read? I'll have Changming deliver it to you tomorrow."
She loosened Yu He'an's sleeve, leaving a wrinkled mark at the cuff, making the once-smooth sleeve disheveled. She tried to smooth it out, but the sleeve slipped through her fingers.
"I'd also trouble Changming to bring over the copy of 'Miscellaneous Records of Liangzhou' on the small table, as well as the account book I brought with me. I won't be able to go there for quite some time..."
"Hmm." Yu He'an turned and left Lanfang Courtyard.
"My lady, shall we have our meal first?" Changming will need a while to fetch the medicine, and it's already well past dinner time.
Yu Tan shook her head. She couldn't be at ease with Yu He'an and the doctor present. She would take off her cloak after they left.
The belts of the jacket and inner garment were torn, and the clothes were loose and baggy. The collar of the jacket was soaked with snow water.
"My lady!" Qiaoxin exclaimed in shock, her eyes wide. Anyone with eyes could see what had happened. "Ji Yushang truly deserves to die."
Yu Tan affirmed, "It's alright now. My brother will definitely uphold justice for me. Ji Yushang will certainly be severely punished."
The room was warm and cozy with the underfloor heating on. She took off her jacket and sat down by the heater to warm herself. "I'll prepare a bucket of hot water first, and wash myself thoroughly to get rid of any bad luck."
"Yes." Two second-class maids received the order and brought the wooden basin in less than a quarter of an hour, placing it behind the screen in the inner room.
"My wife, you are still injured."
Yu Tan frowned, unable to bear the discomfort any longer. In the end, she had no choice but to wipe herself down, change into a smoky purple dress, and put on a light-colored blouse. With the makeup removed, the fatigue was revealed in the corners of her eyes and brows.
Yu Tan sat at the small table, holding the ginger soup with little interest. She took a small sip; it was spicy and stimulating. "Qiao Xin, send a bowl to my brother."
"Yes." Huixin replied. The wind and snow outside had subsided, and she carried the food box and delivered the ginger soup over.
After drinking the ginger soup, Yu Tan also drank a bowl of cough medicine. She waited for a long time on the chaise lounge in the outer room, but Lan Xin did not return. Instead, Hui Xin, who had gone to deliver the ginger soup, returned.
"Brother, didn't I ask you to bring my account books back?" Yu Tan rubbed her head, feeling tired and her head ached, but she couldn't fall asleep.
Huixin shook her head: "When I brought the ginger soup in just now, my lord was still studying by lamplight and didn't mention the account book."
“It’s dark and the roads are slippery. Brother must know it’s inconvenient for you to carry it. He’ll have Changming deliver it tomorrow.”
Yu Tan turned to look through the remaining accounts and calculated with Hui Xin that they had made a profit of nearly three thousand taels in the past two months of business. The third watch gong sounded.
Yu Tan had decided what birthday gift to give Yu He'an. She got off the chaise lounge, limped to the small table, and clumsily sketched a rough outline on the Xuan paper with her left hand holding a brush.
"I'll send it to Ruyi Pavilion tomorrow. I want to finish it before the end of the year." Yu Tan lowered her head and blew on the Xuan paper to make the ink dry faster.
"Yes." Huixin goes out of the mansion every day to manage her business. She carefully puts away the Xuan paper and will send it to Ruyi Pavilion tomorrow.
Yu Tan sat in front of the dressing table, resting her chin on her hand as she pulled out a small drawer for jewelry. Amidst the water-red and bright blue hues, a roll of moon-white hair ribbon caught her eye.
That was her first year back in Bianjing from Yuyang, and also Yuhe'an's first year studying abroad.
Her needlework skills earned her praise from many elders in Yuyang, and she couldn't wait to share it with Yuhe'an.
She embroidered a hairband herself. She originally thought that even if Yu He'an went away to study, he would come back for the New Year. This was the sixteenth birthday gift she prepared for him.
Yu He'an didn't return, so the hairband naturally couldn't be sent out.
Yu Tan took out the hairband and looked at it. At the end of the hairband, she embroidered an orchid on each side, symbolizing that a gentleman is like an orchid.
Her needlework skills were still too immature back then. She wanted to embroider a new one that would perfectly match the magnificent crown she had just worn.
Qiaoxin removed her hair bun behind her, letting down her long black hair, and combed it with a peach wood comb. "This was embroidered by you two years ago, and I've never seen you use it before. Moon white is a color you don't usually use."
"My lady." Lanxin entered the house with her hair covered in frost and snow, and shook off the snow in a corner before coming forward.
"My lady, I'll go to the outer room to keep watch." Qiaoxin smiled faintly and retreated to the outer room.
Yu Tan asked worriedly, "How is it?"
Lanxin stood behind Yutan and whispered, "In the afternoon, I went to find Zhao Qin and took Zhao Qin and Yue Langjun to the Ji residence. I saw Changming guarding the main gate from afar and wondered if we could go through the side gate to enter the residence. Just then, I heard the voices of Madam and Wuniang."
Afterwards, the maid found Zhao Qin an inn and removed the Gu worm from Wu Niang's body. She was fine now, but needed nourishment. Yue Langjun believed that she could live for another thirty years without any problem.
"Tonghua Lane is no longer safe. I will temporarily settle Wuniang in an inn."
"Well done." With Wu Niang's matter resolved, she felt much relieved. "Go down and change your clothes quickly. The snow is too heavy today, so don't catch a cold."
"Wu Niang said she would leave once she recovered, and that there would be a time when they would meet again."
"No, she can't leave."
Wu Niang is gone and won't come back; she'll be all alone then.
"But... my wife, keeping her around is ultimately a nuisance... besides, many people have seen Wu Niang's appearance."
If my husband finds out next time, it will be hard to explain…
"I understand, I'll think about it carefully."
Yu He'an was anxious to see her injured, and she must have become suspicious because she mentioned the Master. However, she managed to divert her attention because she needed to hide Wu Niang.
A belated drowsiness finally crept in, and Yu Tan gently closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
*
The following morning, the blizzard stopped, and the sky was a clear, bright blue.
Yu Tan leaned on the soft couch, her eyelashes half-closed, looking listless. She wore only light makeup, which couldn't hide the dark circles under her eyes and the pale color of her lips.
The beauty had a touch of illness in her, making her appear even more delicate.
Lanxin left the mansion early in the morning to take care of Wuniang.
There was a knock at the door, and she couldn't immediately recall who would come at this time.
She moved the ledger away from her face, revealing her tall, imposing shadow on the doorframe, which was quite imposing, while the plot prompts echoed in her ears.
Ji Yushang stood dejectedly in front of Yu Tan's door. He had prepared a portrait to express his love, but Yu Tan seemed to dislike it and threw a huge tantrum.
In reality, the Marquis's family intended for Yu Tan and Chu Minglang to be married.
He came early today specifically to apologize, and if Yu Tan only wanted to maintain that ambiguous relationship, he was willing to compromise.
Yu Tan shrank back in fear.
Why is Ji Yushang here?
Didn't my brother send him to the authorities for punishment?
Did he only burn those paintings? How did he get in through the people in the mansion?
Yu Tan was extremely flustered. Where were Qiao Xin and Lan Xin?
Her knife.
Where should she run to?
Author's Note: Thank you to the user "半鸳纸" (Half-Yuan Paper) who was "sitting on the sidelines like a salted fish" and "washed garlic" for the nutrient solution [starry eyes]
[Lop-eared rabbit head]
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