Unmarried - 5
The carriage successfully delivered Yun Yixia home. Jiang Xiumei saw her obediently come over to pay her respects, nodded in satisfaction, and waved for everyone to leave.
The third son's personality was already formed, so there was no need to worry about him. What troubled Jiang Xiumei was something else entirely.
The fourth daughter refused to return home after three invitations!
The Qian family sent someone to say that Yun Yihua was sick in bed and unable to return.
Jiang Xiumei, maintaining the airs of "Madam Shangguan," was unwilling to visit in person, so she sent Zhao Dahua with tonics to the Qian family to visit her fourth daughter and give her fourth son-in-law a warning.
The news Zhao Dahua brought back made Jiang Xiumei restless and unable to eat or sleep.
"Madam, Fourth Miss said that she and her husband did not consummate their marriage on their wedding night; he went directly to his concubine's room to spend the night."
The next day, when the tea ceremony was held, Fourth Sister asked her parents-in-law for advice.
But they made excuses and refused to send the concubine out.
After some inquiries, it was discovered that the concubine was the cousin of the Qian family's son-in-law, whom he had raised since childhood, and was now pregnant...
After Zhao Dahua finished speaking, she lowered her head. Even without looking at the lady, she knew what her expression would be.
"The Qian family has gone too far!"
Jiang Xiumei slammed her hand on the table with a loud crash, shattering the teacup, but she had no better solution.
She arranged the marriage for her third son!
She arranged for the fourth son to marry into the family!
How can I explain this to the master?
How can we let him make the decision?
Jiang Xiumei was so worried that she couldn't eat or sleep well every day, after finishing the preparations for the fifth son's flower viewing banquet.
She began to think about how to avoid the old man and make the Qian family "leave the mother and keep the son"?
Yun Yixia came out of the main courtyard and strolled leisurely towards the backyard, listening to Bai Wei talk about the fourth brother's recent situation.
When you're going to eat melon seeds, you have to eat them all!
On the first day after Yun Yihua married into the Qian family, her husband lifted her veil, turned around and left, going directly to his concubine's room to spend the night.
The next day, Yun Yihua went to her parents-in-law to reason with them. They didn't serve tea or greet her, and she even tried to set rules for the old couple in order to get the whole family to stand against her.
The third day...the fourth day...
When Yun Yihua learned that the concubine was now in charge of the household and that the Qian family mother-in-law had no intention of giving her the power to manage the household, she was so angry that she took to her bed.
"Bai Wei, Lao Wu pinched my back so hard today!"
Yun Yixia returned to her room, took off her clothes, and a hideous bruise was clearly visible on her slender waist.
"Tell me, how about the older sister paying for the younger sister's debts?"
"Okay!" Bai Wei asked in a low voice, "Should we leave her alive, or..."
"Killing is bad!"
"promise!"
Bai Wei gently applied medicine to Yun Yixia, and in her conversation, she foreshadowed Yun Yixia's future tragic and repressed fate.
The courtyard is simple, but its charm lies in its tranquility.
Yun Yixia lay on the rocking chair watching the white clouds drift across the blue sky, her skirt rising and falling like summer flowers in the wind, soft and delicate.
To those who were gathering information, it became "Third Sister was bullied and heartbroken!"
The scout quickly left the Yun residence, changed his clothes at a clothing store, and headed straight for the Hundred Flowers Palace.
The flower-viewing banquet was held in an open pavilion by the water, where melodious music played, dancers swayed their sleeves, and everyone toasted each other.
Zhao Yunkang was playing with a lychee between his fingers when a scout dressed as a personal guard sat behind him and whispered something.
The women opposite him, some shy and timid, others fiery and direct, never took their eyes off him.
Zhao Yunkang sat at the head of the left, with a face that blended gentleness and sharpness, delicate features, a clear and square jawline, and a soft yet stern demeanor.
Her sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards her temples, and her beautiful eyes combined the narrow, aloofness of phoenix eyes with the passionate allure of peach blossom eyes, with the corners of her eyes slightly upturned, outlining a noble and aloof temperament.
He has a high nose bridge, distinct lips, and naturally upturned corners of his lips, giving him a gentle and warm smile even when he's not smiling.
He exudes a cool and aloof youthful charm, while also possessing the resilience honed by the harsh winds and sands of the North.
Zhao Yun Kang needed no elaborate robes or golden crown; his simple, plain robes exuded royal majesty.
The ladies of the Western Capital often heard people say that Prince Kang was fierce and brave in battle, and they thought he was even more savage and cruel than the northern barbarians.
Unexpectedly, upon seeing the King of Kang in person today, she was struck by his handsome appearance and dignified bearing, and her heart fluttered, making her eager to try her luck.
"Women love handsome men!"
Liang Qiu sat in the lower seat of the general, his gaze sweeping over the woman opposite him, but his ears were perked up, listening to the scout's report on Yun San Niang.
Tsk tsk tsk~
What a pitiful little thing that's been bullied so much!
Given the Yun family's background and status, it's impossible for the Empress Dowager to agree to the Prince marrying Yun San Niang as his principal wife.
To take her as a concubine... The Kang Prince's mansion has no women. The general doesn't even want to marry a princess, let alone take another concubine back.
After the Empress Dowager arranged a second wife for the general, Liang Qiu planned to propose marriage to the Yun family.
He loved Yun San Niang's snow-white skin!
The Liang family was small; he had no parents and no children.
He's the only one in the Liang family, and his house and backyard are clean. Yun San Niang will definitely be more comfortable living here than at her parents' home.
He and she... were truly a match made in heaven!
Liang Qiu's thoughts grew increasingly idyllic as he fanned himself with his folding fan, his gaze inadvertently sweeping towards the last seat at the banquet.
Eek~~~
Sisters... how come Yun Wu Niang is so ugly?
Yun Yidan sat at the very end of the banquet, while the noble ladies in front of her huddled together, laughing and chatting idly.
Earlier, when she went over to offer a toast, they looked her up and down, sneered and ignored her, some even mocking her for "overestimating herself" and "lacking self-awareness!"
Yun Yidan's smile grew increasingly stiff under the noblewoman's gaze. Her fingers, holding the wine glass, trembled slightly. She held her breath, bowed, and took her leave.
The ladies' laughter was not loud, but it pierced her fragile self-esteem like sharp arrows.
They were just born into a good family, what's so great about them?
Yun Yidan gripped her silver chopsticks and fiercely poked at the lotus seed paste cake in front of her, instantly mashing the soft cake into a pulp, venting the boiling jealousy and anger in her heart.
"Yun Wu Niang, are the banquet pastries not to your liking?"
A noblewoman who disliked Yun Yidan spoke up, her voice carrying a powerful impact that instantly drew everyone's attention to the mashed pastries on her table.
Music and dance filled the air, laughter and conversation flowed freely, and toasts were exchanged... but all came to an abrupt halt as malicious gazes, like poisoned needles, pierced from all directions.
"No...no!"
Yun Yidan wished she could disappear into the ground. She dared not raise her head, her shoulders were hunched inward, and her head was as if she wanted to bury it in her chest, like a hen sleeping with its head hidden under its wings.
"Clatter~"
A very light, very slow thud came from the direction of the throne as a cup or saucer fell onto the table.
The sound wasn't loud, but it couldn't be ignored.
"Today's banquet is mainly for appreciating the crabapple blossoms, so let's not let unimportant people spoil everyone's enjoyment!"
The Empress Dowager's voice was calm and gentle, devoid of sorrow or joy, yet it sent a chill down one's spine.
"promise!"
A chorus of "Yes!" echoed around her. Yun Yidan almost shrank under the table, her face burning red, and she dared not look up at anyone.
Yun Wenyao sat opposite him, fuming with rage. The mocking gazes of the surrounding officials felt like sharp swords piercing his chest. He was both embarrassed and angry.
The fifth son went to curry favor with the noble lady, overestimating his abilities and daring to show disrespect.
He wanted to attract the Empress Dowager's attention, successfully marry off his daughter, and become the prince's father-in-law... but not in this way!
The Begonia Banquet didn't gradually end until the afternoon. Yun Wenyao waited until the first fifth-rank official resigned before he dared to leave the Hundred Flowers Palace with his fifth son.
Yun Yidan slumped inside the carriage, regretting taking away the third son's spot.
She bit her fingers, racking her brains to shift the blame for today's events onto the third brother, hoping to absolve herself of all responsibility.
The carriage drove through the bustling city and stopped in front of the Yun residence.
When Jiang Xiumei heard the message from her nanny, she came out with a smile to greet the father and daughter.
"Mother!"
Yun Yidan, her face pale, rushed to her mother's side and hid behind her, not daring to look at her father's gloomy face.
"What happened?"
Before seeing Lao Wu off, Jiang Xiumei instructed her to observe the banquet without saying anything, which should have prevented any problems.
"Let's talk in the room!"
Yun Wenyao didn't want his servants to laugh at him, so he hurried back to the main courtyard.
Not long after the family of three entered the main courtyard, the sounds of smashing porcelain and Yun Yidan wailing could be heard.
"It's good to have some excitement!"
After hearing the whole story of how the fifth brother got into trouble, Yun Yixia thought it was a pretty good bedtime story and prepared to take a bath and go to bed.
"Third Sister! Third Sister!"
A loud knocking sounded on the courtyard gate. Bai Wei got up to open it and found that the person who came in was Granny Rong, who took care of Aunt Zhao.
"Old woman Rong, what business do you have with my wife?"
“Aunt Zhao… slipped and fell while taking a bath, hitting her head… Granny Zhao was guarding the entrance to the main courtyard and wouldn’t let her in, so I… had no choice but to come to find Third Sister.”
Granny Rong ran out breathlessly. She quickly bandaged Aunt Zhao's wounds and then ran out to find her master to fetch a doctor.
"I'll go take a look!"
Yun Yixia walked quickly towards Zhao Zhuyu's courtyard, and Bai Wei made a hand gesture into the shadows before quickly following her.
The courtyard where the mad aunt lived was no better than that of her unloved daughter.
Jiang Xiumei kept Zhao Zhuyu around simply to use her as a "flag" to establish her authority and deter the other concubines from "rebelling."
They entered the simple courtyard and went straight to the bedroom behind the screen.
Zhao Zhuyu leaned against the pillow, a few strands of sweat-dampened hair sticking to her pale cheeks, her forehead wrapped in a white cloth, and a striking red faintly visible on the back of her head.
"Third...Third Mother?"
"Aunt Zhao, are you awake?"
Granny Rong stared in astonishment. Aunt Zhao was only lucid once a year... and even then, it only lasted for a few moments.
Does a head injury really heal a person?
"Um!"
Zhao Zhuyu stared intently at Yun Yixia and waved for Granny Rong to leave.
Bai Wei poured hot tea for the two of them and went out to wait for the doctor to come for the consultation.
"you……"
Looking at the eyebrows and eyes in front of him that were eight parts similar to his own, Zhao Zhuyu was at a loss for words.
Having barely seen her daughter while conscious, the strong blood bond allowed Zhao Zhuyu to recognize San Niang at first glance: "This is her daughter!"
"How are you feeling right now?" Yun Yixia asked from a distance. "Dizzy? Headache? Nausea? Vomiting?"
Looking at the woman lying on the bed like a dodder vine, I really can't imagine why she agreed to elope with Yun Wenyao in the first place. Wouldn't it have been better to stay at home and let the elders find her a husband?
"I'm perfectly fine!"
Zhao Zhuyu tried to sit up, but collapsed weakly. She could only beckon to her daughter, hoping she would sit by the bedside.
She wanted to see her daughter properly!
"My lady, the doctor is here!"
"Come in!"
Bai Wei called out from outside and only brought the doctor and female physician into the bedroom after receiving permission.
Zhao Zhuyu's hopeful eyes dimmed instantly as she stared intently at Yun Yixia, wanting to etch her daughter's image into her heart so that she could go and hug her the next time she woke up.
"My lady, please come out with me for a moment!"
The doctor looked around and his gaze settled on Yun Yixia. He then asked her to come outside to talk.
"Can't you just say it here...?"
Zhao Zhuyu felt nauseous and the female doctor immediately stepped forward to catch it with a spittoon. When she looked up again, her daughter was no longer in the room.
Her daughter isn't close to her!
That's right!
Who would be close to a madman?
“My lady, my aunt’s pulse is straight and long, like pressing a zither string, and the pulse is as thin as a thread. It is a thin zither pulse.”
The injury is to the head, and the situation is complex. We need to pay close attention to the patient's condition afterward.
"I can prescribe some herbal decoction to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. As for whether it can cure the condition... my wife, you'd better be prepared!"
Thank you!
The doctor prescribed medicine, and Bai Wei arranged for someone to prepare and brew it, while the female doctor stayed behind to take care of Aunt Zhao.
"Third Sister, do you resent me?"
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