Unmarried - 9
"Yun Yixia...is she bringing misfortune to her family?"
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Yunkang was at a loss for words.
"General, we investigated the source of the rumors and found that they did indeed originate from the palace, but they did not mention fate, only that two old women had died."
Ma De shook his head. Who is so unethical as to ruin a woman's reputation?
“General, we investigated the rumors circulating outside the palace, and found that they were written by Jiang Xiumei, the matriarch of the Yun family.”
Liang Qiu was secretly delighted. With such rumors circulating about Yun San Niang, the Empress Dowager would surely make the Emperor withdraw the marriage decree, and he would still have a chance to win the beauty's heart.
"Uncle Ma, can you do me a favor?"
Zhao Yunkang walked to Ma De's side and whispered the plan, while Liang Qiu, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but twitch his lips.
The young lady was being smeared, and his general was planning to tarnish his own reputation... They're just forcing a couple together!
Within three days, rumors about Prince Kang began to circulate in Xijing City.
It is said that he not only had no heir, but also caused the death of his wife... The former Princess Kang was cursed to death!
The people of Xijing went from sympathizing with Prince Kang to sympathizing with Yun San Niang, and then to saying, "Both of them are destined for greatness, they're a perfect match!"
When Yun Yixia heard the news while embroidering her wedding dress, the silver needle accidentally pricked her fingertip, causing a small red mark to appear. She put her finger in her mouth and tasted a faint metallic flavor.
"My wife, shall we continue?"
Bai Wei couldn't bear to see her wife so upset, and wanted to add fuel to the fire, hoping to get the royal family to call off the engagement.
"Too much of a good thing is bad!"
Yun Yixia closed her eyes. If the cost of this game were to increase further, and the royal family became aware of it, it wouldn't be as simple as just sending two maids!
"My lady, Yun Yihua is back."
Bai Wei looked at her wife with heartache. Since they couldn't change the situation, they might as well find some fun to distract themselves.
This is the lesson my wife taught them.
"Oh?" Yun Yixia curled the corners of her lips. "I want the whole story!"
"promise!"
The master and servant exchanged a smile, like lively badgers in a melon patch, quietly moving about without missing a single detail.
The main room of the Yun residence is located in the backyard.
"mother……"
As soon as Yun Yihua entered the door, she rushed into Jiang Xiumei's arms, tears streaming down her face before she could even speak.
"Fourth Sister, what's wrong?"
Jiang Xiumei glanced at Zhao Dahua, who immediately understood and chased away the bystanders to provide a private space for the mother and daughter to talk.
"Mother, I want a divorce!"
"I can't live with the Qian family anymore!"
“Those two old geezers in the Qian family are completely unreasonable… Qian Zhiping has not spent a night in my room since the day he lifted the veil… We still haven’t consummated our marriage.”
“The Qian family lets that lowly concubine control the household affairs, and I, as the legal wife, have to depend on her and live off the monthly allowance she gives me like charity.”
"Mother, in the Qian family... I'm not even as well off as a lowly concubine!"
Yun Yihua leaned on her mother's shoulder, tears soaking Jiang Xiumei's clothes, crying her heart out.
Jiang Xiumei was furious upon hearing this. She patted Si Niang's back to comfort her, while pondering how to persuade Yun Wenyao to stand up for her daughter.
"mother!"
Yun Yihua suddenly raised her head, her slanted eyes filled with resentment and jealousy.
"I heard that the Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon Yun Yixia and Prince Kang?"
"Yes!" Jiang Xiumei's face darkened. "The wedding is next month... She got off easy!"
"Why should I!"
Yun Yihua's voice suddenly became shrill, and her sickly face was twisted and deformed by jealousy and hatred.
"How did Yun Yixia manage to rise to such a high position?"
"But I'm going to suffer humiliation and torment in the Qian family... I refuse to accept this! I'm not reconciled!"
"Mother! Please help me!"
"Prince Kang has never met Yun Yixia, we... we've switched the prince with a cat!"
"I will marry into the royal family in her place!"
"Once I become the Princess Consort of Kang, what official positions my father and second brother want to become will just be a matter of a word from the Prince."
Yun Yihua suddenly grabbed Jiang Xiumei's hand, her nails digging into the back of her hand, frantically begging her mother for help.
Jiang Xiumei was terrified by Si Niang's audacious idea and instinctively covered her mouth.
"Fourth Sister, you've gone mad! This is a crime of deceiving the emperor! It's punishable by the execution of your entire family!"
"I don't care!" Yun Yihua said, seemingly insane. "I'd rather die in the Prince's mansion than go back to the Qian family."
Mother, can you bear to watch your daughter be burned alive in the fire pit?
Please help me…
"You bastard!!!"
A thunderous roar exploded at the doorway.
The door was kicked open, and Yun Wenyao stood in the doorway with a livid face, clearly having heard everything outside.
He returned early today, intending to discuss the details of Yun Yixia's marriage with Jiang Xiumei, but unexpectedly heard such outrageous words.
Jiang Xiumei and Yun Yihua trembled with fright, their faces turning deathly pale.
"master……"
"father……"
"Do you want my entire Yun family, dozens of people, to be buried with you?!"
Yun Wenyao rushed in, first glaring fiercely at Jiang Xiumei.
"You've spoiled your daughter rotten!"
His gaze then turned to Yun Yihua, and he wished he could devour her alive.
"You wicked creature! You shameless bastard!"
Yun Wenyao was so angry that he trembled all over. He raised his hand and slapped Yun Yihua hard across the face.
Yun Yihua was knocked to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, and her ears were ringing.
"Father! I was forced into this situation! The Qian family is no place for a human being!"
"Shut up!"
Yun Wenyao didn't want to listen at all. Fear made him lose his mind, and he kicked Yun Yihua hard in the shin.
"Crack!" A sickeningly clear sound of bone breaking rang out.
"ah!!!"
Yun Yihua let out a shrill scream as excruciating pain instantly swept through her body. Cold sweat poured down her back, and she curled up on the ground.
"Sir! She is your daughter!"
Jiang Xiumei screamed and rushed over, hugging Si Niang tightly, glaring angrily at Yun Wenyao.
"Daughter? I don't have a daughter who would want to kill my whole family!"
Yun Wenyao's chest heaved violently as he pointed at Yun Yihua, who was groaning in pain on the ground, and called for help.
"Someone come here!"
Lock this wretched child in the woodshed in the backyard!
No one is allowed to let her out without my order, nor are they allowed to call a doctor for her!
The official announcement should be that Fourth Sister accidentally fell and broke her leg, and needs to rest at home!
"Master! Fourth Mistress still has a high fever, and her leg is broken... You can't do this!"
Jiang Xiumei cried her heart out, but Yun Wenyao's eyes remained cold and unwavering.
"If we let her ruin the royal wedding and anger the imperial family, we will all die!"
Should we let her reflect on her mistakes alone, or make the entire Yun family pay with their lives...? Foolish woman, is there even a choice?
Yun Wenyao glanced at Yun Yihua's unnaturally bent legs and her pained, contorted face, still feeling unsatisfied, and wanted to vent his fear and anger by taking action.
He met Jiang Xiumei's fierce, wolf-like gaze and withdrew his raised foot.
"You should have someone keep an eye on Fourth Sister!"
If anything goes wrong before the wedding next month, I'll kill you first!
Yun Wenyao gave the order, and the steward dared not neglect it.
He summoned two burly women, who, ignoring Yun Yihua's cries and struggles, dragged her out.
Jiang Xiumei collapsed to the ground, watching as Si Niang was dragged away, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yun Wenyao closed his eyes wearily and rubbed his throbbing temples.
The royal marriage is the Yun family's only chance to advance further, and no mishaps are allowed!
As night deepened, Jiang Xiumei suppressed her sobs in the main courtyard, arranging for someone to fetch a doctor for Fourth Sister and to bring bedding, hot water, and the like.
Yun Yihua was thrown into the woodshed by two old women. Tormented by pain and high fever, her consciousness gradually became blurred.
In the darkness, she could almost see Yun Yixia, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, stepping into the palace in all her glory.
The old women keeping watch outside the door whispered among themselves about "why Fourth Mistress was locked in the woodshed by the master" and "Third Mistress's wedding is next month."
Endless resentment, like vines, tightly entwined Yun Yihua's jealous and unwilling heart...
"Is the master still unwilling to see me?"
Zhao Zhuyu stared longingly at Granny Rong, whose broad back was turned to her, and she shook her head impatiently.
"Where is Third Sister!" she cried, feeling increasingly aggrieved. "Why hasn't she come to see me yet?"
"Aunt Zhao, everyone in the Yun household is busy with the Third Young Lady's wedding preparations and really can't find the time to come see you!"
Granny Rong touched the spot on her left hand where the little finger was missing and sighed silently.
Since that accidental head injury, Aunt Zhao has lost her senses and thinks about seeing the master every day. If she can't get what she wants, she wants to see the third mistress.
She'd be better off being crazy!
"Last time I asked you to pass a message to the master, asking if I could attend Third Sister's wedding... what did they say?"
Zhao Zhuyu's eyes were full of hope. Granny Rong glanced back at her, and even though she didn't say anything, her meaning was direct and sarcastic.
The light in her eyes slowly faded, and she heard the unhurried, chilling voice of Third Sister in her ears.
"Aunt Zhao, do you know the saying, 'If betrothed, she becomes a wife; if she elopes, she becomes a concubine'?"
yes!
Why should a concubine be allowed to participate in a royal wedding?
"Granny Rong, what did the master say to you?"
Zhao Zhuyu's voice was ethereal, as if it were floating in the clouds. Her whole being seemed to have been drained of life in an instant, and her pale face was filled with gloom.
"Aunt Zhao, why must you... Alas!" Granny Rong sighed, "Master said... you shouldn't have such wishful thinking!"
"Ha!" Zhao Zhuyu sneered, "Wishful thinking...so that's all...wishful thinking..."
She mustered up so much courage to elope with him, only to have her sincere heart wasted, and now she's ended up like this.
They deserved it!
As dusk settled, the last embers of the setting sun slowly faded through the carved window lattices.
A white candle burned in the room. Granny Rong helped Zhao Zhuyu lie down, then yawned and went out to lie down on the bed in the outer room and fell fast asleep.
Hearing the familiar snoring, Zhao Zhuyu opened her eyes, got up, and walked towards the sandalwood box.
The box contained neatly folded dresses she loved in her youth, their vibrant green and golden hues once making her face appear as beautiful as a lotus.
She groped under her clothes and pulled out a white silk ribbon. In the candlelight, it was as white as snow and flowed down between her thin fingers.
This was something she prepared for herself before leaving home to become a nun.
"If Yun Wenyao betrays me... I will hang myself in front of his door dressed in red!"
Zhao Zhuyu muttered the resolute vows she made in her youth, but now, looking back on every step she took, she realized how cowardly, incompetent, and terribly wrong she had been.
Walking under the beam, she stood on a round stool, white silk wrapped around the beam and hanging down. She smoothed out a wrinkle in the silk and tied a knot.
Zhao Zhuyu looked towards the doorway, her vision blurred by tears, a glimmer of longing shining through her despair.
The candle flame popped and sparked, pulling her back from her reverie. She slowly lowered her head into the white silk, and the touch of the cool silk to her neck sent a shiver down her spine.
As Zhao Zhuyu's heels left the round stool, a feeling of suffocation instantly overwhelmed her. Her body instinctively struggled, but her legs were powerless to move in the air.
Suddenly I regretted it!
She opened her mouth as if to cry for help, even if she was going to die, she wanted to at least leave a few words... at least change into a nice dress... to die with some dignity...
Zhao Zhuyu's consciousness gradually faded, and Granny Rong's snoring grew fainter and fainter until it could no longer be heard at all.
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