Chapter 16 The Mandarin Duck Tiles Soiled Your Robe
Her clear, gentle voice was tinged with a sob of grievance.
Jiang Yunjin's fingers hung at his sides, his wide, moon-white sleeves cascading down like flowing water, his lean body stiff and taut, brimming with a kind of suppressed power.
"Cui Yiluo." He interrupted without hesitation, his cold voice coming from above: "You have overstepped your bounds."
Cui Yiluo was slightly taken aback; this was the first time he had called her by her name directly.
"Then why didn't you push me away?"
After a few moments of silence, his voice rang out: "I will take your words today as if you never said them."
It turned out that it was just to preserve her last bit of dignity. The fingers on his waist and abdomen instantly gripped the strap of his jade pendant, her knuckles turning white from the force.
Cui Yiluo bit her lip and suddenly began to sob softly, her moon-white brocade robe instantly becoming stained dark.
The window was open inside, and for a moment, all that could be heard was the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the bamboo forest and the woman's soft sobs.
"Go back now that you've finished crying."
His voice was as hoarse and sullen as snow on a high mountain.
Cui Yiluo loosened her arms as if all her strength had left her, and took a step back. Several wrinkles were immediately left on the man's waist and abdomen, and a few irregular stains spread across his back. On the smooth and clean brocade robe without a single wrinkle, it looked as if a flawless piece of jade had suddenly been cracked.
He had his back to her, and she could only catch a glimpse of his tense jawline in the shadows.
Cui Yiluo's voice suddenly turned somber, as if her hope had been extinguished, "Yiluo knows that her status is lowly and she is not worthy of her cousin."
She took out an item from her hidden pocket and handed it to Jiang Yunjin from behind her back. "This is your bracelet. I strung it with silk thread three times, making it very strong and unlikely to break. However, one bead is missing. Black jade is too precious and rare, so I had to use the red jade I had to make up for it. I hope my cousin will forgive me for taking the liberty of making this decision."
Jiang Yunjin turned to the side, staring down at the bracelet.
The jet-black, translucent jade was round and full, lying quietly in her snow-white palm. The red jade appeared even more intense, like blood, forcefully squeezing into the black and white, filling in the gap.
After a few breaths, her slender fingertips picked up the red jade, and together with the entire bracelet, slowly slipped it onto her wrist.
The jade beads collided with a soft "snap," and the man's powerful wrist was restrained.
Thank you.
Cui Yiluo picked up the brocade box containing the handkerchief that she had just placed aside, and said in a soft, low voice, "I'm leaving. In the future... I won't bother my cousin anymore. I'm sorry for getting your robe dirty today."
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyes, and the sunlight slanted onto his thin chin, making the upper half of his face indistinct.
"Farewell."
Cui Yiluo turned and left without waiting for his reply.
A gentle breeze blew in through the window, and the sweet fragrance was instantly dispersed like mist, leaving not a trace.
The man standing there swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, his eyes filled with a dark, unsettling look.
-
As soon as she stepped out of Jixue Studio, Cui Yiluo took out a handkerchief and quickly wiped away the tear stains on her face. Only the corners of her eyes were a little red, which was not noticeable unless you looked closely.
If someone saw her coming out of Jiang Yunjin's courtyard with tears streaming down her face, and then exaggerated the story, Old Madam Jiang would probably be the first to come looking for her.
It was all fake anyway. The confessions, the tears, the self-deprecation, the promises—it was all fake.
Jiang Yunjin was a thousand times more cold-hearted and indifferent than she had imagined. The more than a month she had spent on him was completely wasted.
If he refuses to help her after she confesses her feelings today, she'll probably have to avoid him in the future. And since she's completely broken ties with Cheng Feng, he won't let her off the hook either.
There were people who repeatedly tried to kill her; she had a vague premonition, but she was too horrified to be sure. Besides, she had no way to fight them.
Cui Yiluo gripped the brocade box tightly in her hand; the most important thing right now was the impending wedding.
She was in dire straits again. But she refused to sit idly by and let herself be slaughtered.
In a few days, the Duke of Zheng's mansion will hold a small banquet, and many young men from prominent families will come... Even if they are not from prominent families, it is not impossible for them to be from humble backgrounds who are officials in the court.
She had already secretly scouted him out and made some initial contact with him.
Cui Yiluo took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
News of Cheng Feng's affair reached Lan Hui's ears that evening, and Lan Hui rushed over upon hearing it.
“Yi Luo, how could he treat you like this! Don’t worry, your uncle will come looking for him tomorrow. No matter what, that mistress must not get past you.”
Lan Hui felt both heartbroken and furious.
Although she came from an ordinary family and marrying Jiang Wen was a marriage of the highest social standing, she was still from a scholarly family. Cheng Feng's words and actions far exceeded what she had heard before.
After hearing the report from her confidant, she was utterly incredulous and furious.
"So be it, Aunt, perhaps this is my fate," Cui Yiluo said, her eyes welling up with tears, on the verge of sobbing. "Can I really just break off the engagement?"
Lan Hui paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Yi Luo, will you resent me?"
Cui Yiluo's heart sank. Even at this point, her aunt was still unwilling to stand up for her.
But then again, why would her aunt offend the Cheng family and lose face for the sake of her niece who came from a humble background? Would she herself have done the same?
She had heard that her mother was beautiful. She first met her aunt when she was five years old. Her aunt came to sweep her mother's grave. After seeing her, Cui Yiluo knew that the rumors were true.
Her aunt was always virtuous and radiant, but at this moment her eyes were filled with complex weariness and guilt. The flickering candlelight shook Cui Yiluo's mind, then suddenly brought her back to her senses.
The only thoughtful birthday gift she received each year came from her aunt. Her aunt considerately took into account the Cui family's circumstances, always sending gifts that were luxurious yet practical, and not overly ostentatious to avoid arousing jealousy.
Her aunt always remembered the things she mentioned in her letters. After arriving in Beijing, unexpected events occurred frequently, and her aunt was always busy taking care of her.
Everyone has their own difficulties. Even if she's stuck in the mud, what right does she have to ask others to save her? The only one who can save her is herself.
Cui Yiluo held Lan Hui's hand; Lan Hui's hand was soft and warm, and the warmth was slowly drawn in.
“Aunt,” her voice was so soft it floated in the candlelight, “you must have your own difficulties in bringing me to live with the Jiang family, right? I’ve never had a mother since I was little, and the only person who has ever made me feel maternal love is my aunt.”
The tears in Cui Yiluo's eyes disappeared, and she said earnestly and firmly, "So Aunt, I don't blame you. After I get married, I will move to the capital so that I can still be filial to you."
Lan Hui's eyes were red, and her lips trembled as she spoke incoherently: "Yi Luo, in this state of affairs, you've become so sensible. Your aunt would rather you were like A Yue... It's all your aunt's fault."
She suddenly covered her face with a handkerchief and burst into tears.
Cui Yiluo paused.
Lan Hui's emotions came on fiercely, clearly beyond what was expected. Cui Yiluo was not particularly sensitive to emotions, even somewhat indifferent, but even she sensed something was amiss at this moment.
Helping her break off the engagement was out of kindness, not an obligation. Would not helping her make Lan Hui feel so guilty that she lost her composure?
Cui Yiluo gathered her thoughts, gently patted Lan Hui's trembling back, and softly comforted her.
Lan Hui had been the second wife of the Jiang family for many years, and the Jiang family valued appearances the most. She calmed down in no time, but she still looked somewhat lost and dejected.
"Your aunt has been saving up your dowry all these years."
Cui Yiluo was stunned when she learned that Lan Hui had added thirty-six loads of dowry to her dowry.
Although she had income from the shop left by her birth mother, it was far from enough to compare with the noble ladies of the capital. Her stepmother only needed to put on a show, so her dowry consisted of only twenty-eight loads.
She guessed that Lan Hui might prepare valuable gifts, but she didn't expect Lan Hui to be so generous as to add sixty-four loads of dowry to her, which was more than some daughters of officials in the capital when they got married.
Unfortunately, she married Cheng Feng.
"But my cousin is not married yet, so let's give these dowries to her."
“The Cheng family may not know the importance of this, but Supervisor Cheng is getting old. After he passes away, you will have this dowry to rely on, and your life will be much easier. Moreover, by adding to your dowry, they should understand that you have the Jiang family behind you.”
The candlelight shone on Lan Hui's face, revealing a kind and steadfast kindness that made one feel at ease. Cui Yiluo looked at her aunt in front of her, and a sudden pang of sadness welled up in her eyes.
"Thank you, Aunt."
On the other side of the low-hanging moon, the lush branches and leaves of the forsythia tree reflected the candlelight from the house next door.
"Young master."
"Enter."
The once cool voice, now tinged with a barely perceptible weariness, drifted through the thick sandalwood door, making it difficult to hear clearly.
Hearing the news, he pushed open the door and entered. He thought the young master was busy with official business late into the night, but the scene inside the room surprised him.
On the long desk, which was originally filled with official documents, there were now stacks of open books, all of which contained the gentlemanly etiquette that Jiang Yunjin had learned over the years. Although they had been read hundreds of times, they were well preserved.
But the key point is that these scrolls have all been stored in boxes and haven't been opened for a long time.
Why were they suddenly taken out tonight and piled up on the table?
However, his master was not at the table, but was playing chess alone at a small table by the window. He was still wearing the same moon-white brocade robe he wore during the day, and the moonlight shining on his tall figure revealed an inexplicable coldness.
Wen Feng knew that although Jiang Yunjin often played chess alone on ordinary days, and sometimes the Second Prince would play a few games with him, whenever he was troubled, all he could do was play chess alone.
But he looked calm and composed, just like any other day, and didn't seem to be in a bad mood.
"What is it?"
Jiang Yunjin picked up the teacup and took a sip. His wide sleeves flowed down like water, revealing his strong and slender wrists.
Wen Feng was about to answer when he was completely stunned when he saw the glaring red mark in the black jade bracelet on Jiang Yunjin's wrist.
Jiang Yunjin slowly placed the teacup back on the table, his wide sleeves falling down to cover his wrists.
Wen Feng suddenly snapped back to reality, lowered his head, and dared not look any further: "Young master, it's very late, you should rest now."
"The tea is finished, go and get some more."
This means they want to play the game again, and Wen Feng knows that the study will probably be burning candles until dawn tonight.
He sighed inwardly. Although the young master was polite and composed, he was exceptionally stubborn, and once he made a decision, no one could change it. He didn't try to persuade him further and went to take the empty white jade teapot.
"Young master, would you like me to tidy up the books on that table?"
Jiang Yunjin replied instantly, "Don't move."
There was a rare hint of urgency in his tone.
"yes."
As they stepped outside, Wen Feng suddenly remembered, "Young Master, we've run out of Silver Elixir Grass. Should we send someone to buy some more tomorrow?"
There was a moment of silence in the room before a man's low voice came through: "Never mind."
Hearing this, he responded and took the teapot out of the study.
A night breeze blew in, causing the pages of the book on the table to turn erratically, making a crisp rustling sound.
Jiang Yunjin turned his gaze to the table full of etiquette and morality, the uprightness of a gentleman, every word and phrase was extremely familiar to him, all of which his father had repeatedly instructed him to keep in mind and remember for a lifetime.
The cool night air seeped into his chest, but did nothing to ease the heavy burden on his body.
Jiang Yunjin's eyes were dark and his expression was stern.
A note from the author:
A-Luo can't really be out of ideas [shrug] The copywriting is almost here [heart]
Please add to your favorites and leave a comment [shrug]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
