Chapter 58 What kind of person is she, born cold-hearted?
*
The words "divorce" struck Yu Zhiheng like a sudden clap of thunder in a clear sky, freezing him in place, his body unable to move, his mind a complete blank.
He was momentarily distracted as he looked at Shen Linlang in front of him.
They had been married for twenty-one years, their relationship harmonious and loving. Even now, with their children grown up, he could still see the youthful affection in her eyes. But this woman, now pointing a sword at him and devoid of her former gentleness and grace, seemed nothing like his wife.
"Linlang, after so many years of marriage, I have been faithful to you. Just because of these few letters, you want to divorce me?"
The word "faith" brought Yu Liuzhu back from her terror.
She slowly stepped forward and took the letters from Yu Zhiheng's hand. She had read both the letters written by Xie Shi and Yu Qingxue. Every word of them took the blame upon themselves and said that they had always regarded Fang Shi as their own daughter, and that if Fang Shi was willing, they could adopt her as their goddaughter.
The other one wrote about how difficult her life had been over the years, and how much she cherished their friendship. When talking about the past, it was all about sisterly affection.
The two letters were not altered in any way; the problem lies in the third letter, which is Fang's reply.
In her reply, Fang first stated that Xie knew she was in love with Yu Zhiheng and had inquired about Yu Zhiheng's wishes; they both understood each other implicitly and were simply waiting for Yu Zhiheng to succeed. She wanted to be Xie's daughter-in-law, not Xie's adopted daughter.
Secondly, in response to Yu Qingxue's statement about sisterly affection, it is indeed very good, and Yu Qingxue often calls her sister-in-law when they play around in private.
Thirdly, she expressed her feelings, saying that she remembered Yu Zhiheng's parting words when he went to the capital, and that she had never married.
"Grandmother, you're confused! How could you write a letter at a time like this?" She held the letter tightly, her knuckles turning white. "Who did you have deliver this letter? Where is that person? And this reply, was it really written by that Miss Fang?"
Xie realized what had happened and her heart tightened. "I was so confused. Qiu Lu... Qiu Lu hasn't come back!"
Yu Liuzhu's gaze was subtly fixed on Shen Qinglu. "I heard that Sister Ali instructed all the gatekeepers not to let anyone from Jingxin Courtyard leave. How did Qiulu manage to send the letter out? And why is Miss Fang's reply here as well?"
“I was afraid your mother would cause another problem, so I didn’t let her and Qin Mama go out. As for the others…” At this point, Shen Qinglu glanced at Xie Shi without any emotion, “I didn’t stop them at all.”
"That autumn dew..."
Gu Ruxu slammed her hand on the table, silencing Yu Liuzhu, "I'm the one who sent people to stop them, and I intercepted the letter too. Men, go and bring that Fang woman here!"
As Yu Liuzhu felt her heart grow cold under her icy gaze.
The people from the General's Mansion acted extremely quickly, almost lightning fast.
When Fang was brought there, although her face was pale from being jostled on horseback, her eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation when she saw that both of Shen Yu's families were there.
Unable to control his infatuated gaze, he immediately fixed it on Yu Zhiheng.
"Miss Fang, we invited you here for no other reason than to ask if this letter was written by you yourself?"
As soon as Gu Ruxu asked the question, Xu Mama immediately took the letter from Yu Liuzhu's hand and showed it to Fang Shi.
Fang glanced at it, then lowered her head. Instead of feeling guilty or afraid, she seemed to feel a little shy. "I wrote it. Every word I said is true. There is not a single falsehood."
As she thought about the words the messenger had conveyed, her heart pounded even harder, and her blush deepened.
On the contrary, Shen Linlang seemed unable to feel her own heartbeat, her face pale. "What did you say in your letter, about your parting words?"
"Linlang!" Yu Zhiheng's face also turned pale. "I have never said anything inappropriate to her. I swear to God!"
“Brother Yu…” Fang said anxiously, “You said I’m a good girl, but all you did was tell me to wait for you, right?”
"When I said you were a good girl, I was advising you not to waste your energy on me. How could you have such a misunderstanding?"
"Am I misunderstanding?" The blush on Fang's face faded, and the infatuation in her eyes was slowly replaced by determination. She bit her lip, clearly struggling internally. Her gaze was somewhat unsettled, anxiously searching for support.
Shen Qinglu nodded almost imperceptibly at her, and she instantly remembered the words Xia Chan had relayed: "You have never married, your youth has faded, and these past twenty-one years have passed, withered and flourishing plants and trees. How many more years do you have left to waste? Are you willing to accept that?"
How could she accept this!
“Brother Yu, you know my feelings. I often visit your home. Even if you don’t mention your mother and sister, everyone in the neighborhood knows about us.”
Later, you passed the imperial examination with flying colors and were chosen as a son-in-law by the General's mansion. When the news reached Pingyang, I cried for three days and three nights straight, refusing to eat or drink. Your mother and sister came to see me, saying that the General's mansion was very powerful and that you were forced into this situation by force. I didn't want to put you in a difficult position, but you said it was a misunderstanding on my part?
All those years of devoted waiting, pestering his father year after year, day after day, finally leading to a trip to Beijing to see him, only to be met with misunderstanding?
"At that time, I was focused on my studies and had no time to attend to family matters. As for my marriage to my wife, it was not due to any coercion or oppression; it was entirely my own choice..."
"Alright! Stop talking." Shen Linlang interrupted Yu Zhiheng. "Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, it's no longer important."
“Linlang…”
Gu Ruxu gave Xu Mama a wink, and Xu Mama immediately took Fang Shi away.
Of course, Fang didn't want to leave just like that. When she passed by Shen Qinglu, she saw Shen Qinglu nod slightly to her, and her heart felt as if someone had put her at ease.
"Say nothing more, let's get a divorce." Shen Linlang's voice was tinged with weariness, as if it were the weariness after the glitz and glamour, or the despondency brought on by disappointment.
Once she and Yu Zhiheng divorce, everyone connected to Yu Zhiheng, except for her children, will be expelled from the mansion.
Madam Xie slumped her shoulders in sorrow, signifying her resignation to this fate. Yu Qingxue's eyes darted around, and she suddenly felt that this outcome might not be such a bad thing after all.
Yu Liuzhu, however, did not want to lose so easily.
"Grandmother, this was all your conspiracy, wasn't it?"
Everyone was startled and looked in the direction of the sound.
She threw the letter at Xie, saying, "You think my father was forced to marry my mother by power back then? You've actually hated my mother all these years. The whole 'switching children' thing is just your side of the story! When one plan failed, you came up with another, using that girl as a pretext to drive a wedge between my parents. You clearly wanted to break them up!"
Ms. Xie was shocked and somewhat bewildered.
"Tang'er..."
"Don't call me that. I look more like my father than my aunt, though I do resemble her a bit. And my sister Ali looks almost exactly like my aunt. How could you make up such a lie!"
Yu Liuzhu's eyes were full of tears, and she said with grief and indignation, "You hate my mother and want to hurt her. Your real goal is to make her divorce my father. Now that your scheme has succeeded, are you satisfied?"
Yu Zhiheng murmured, "Mother, is that how it is?"
If that's the case, then it has absolutely nothing to do with him.
"Grandmother, tell Father that you did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Faced with Yu Liuzhu's guidance and hints, Xie hesitated.
If she takes all the blame, then the fault will fall entirely on her, and her daughter-in-law will surely forgive her son, thus preventing the family from falling apart.
Her lips moved, and she was struggling internally.
Shen Qinglu seemed to be looking at her, yet also at something else entirely. Her dark eyes were calm and utterly still, without the slightest ripple. That stagnant silence was like a lifeless despair, empty and wooden.
This child...
She was startled, but suddenly Shen Qinglu's eyes lit up, and she softly called out, "Grandmother."
This scene made her feel as if she had returned to the day of the Awakening of Insects.
If she had told the whole story after hearing the word "grandmother," could she have made amends?
Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Yu Liuzhu secretly resented her, resenting that she was not clear-headed when she should be and not confused when she should be confused. No wonder she could give birth to a fool like Yu Qingxue.
Left with no other choice, she turned to look at Shen Linlang, "Mother, look closely, between me and Ali, who looks more like Aunt? You clearly had a dream about me before you gave birth to me, how could I not be..."
“No!” Shen Linlang shook her head. “You’re not.”
Why not?
Yu Liuzhu couldn't understand this point.
She could never have imagined that Shen Linlang's dream was actually Shen Qinglu's past life.
As Shen Linlang's sister-in-law, and a very close sister-in-law at that, Gu Ruxu knew about the dream Shen Linlang had about her pregnancy. Although she didn't know why her sister-in-law was so certain, for Gu Ruxu, the matter was basically over.
"Linlang, everything is clear now. Whether you want a divorce or to continue the relationship, think it through carefully."
Shen Kunyao frowned. He felt that things were not over yet. He was about to say something when he received a look from his wife and finally said nothing more.
Gu Ruxu stood up, looked around at everyone, and finally looked at Shen Qinglu, "It's very chaotic here. You should go stay with your aunt for a few days. Once your mother has sorted things out in the mansion, you can come back."
Shen Qinglu knew perfectly well her good intentions and obediently agreed.
As she approached, she whispered, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate. This is a decision your mother must make herself."
"I understand, thank you very much, Aunt."
Just before leaving, Shen Qinglu suddenly turned back, her eyes brimming with tears, but she smiled at Shen Linlang and said, "Mother, I'll be waiting for you to come and get me."
*
Ruianju.
Qiu Lu waited for an unknown amount of time in the house that had been burned down and left unrepaired.
As time passed, her initial excitement and anticipation turned into anxiety and unease. Her patience was almost exhausted, and she couldn't help but peek outside.
No one was passing by outside. She hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked out, dodging people as she went. Suddenly, she heard people talking not far away, so she quickly hid to listen.
One of them said, "This matter is probably quite serious; the general even brought his sword when he came to our door."
Another person chimed in, "The general dotes on his wife the most. Since she has suffered such an injustice, the general will surely seek justice for her. But I wonder why he brought the eldest daughter to the general's mansion?"
She was preoccupied with her future and became extremely anxious when she heard that Shen Qinglu was leaving.
They hurried along, stopping to ask two questions along the way, and finally caught up with Shen Qinglu before she left the mansion.
Some things can't be brought into the open. No matter how anxious she was, she still knew her limits and only said that she and Xia Chan were like sisters and she really couldn't bear to part with her.
A glint flashed in Gu Ruxu's eyes, and she deliberately took a few more steps forward.
Autumn Dew seemed to be talking to Summer Cicada, but it was all implied: "You're just leaving like this, what am I supposed to do? Do you still stand by what you promised me?"
"I need your help with today's matter. I know you'll have a hard time explaining this to the old lady. Just say you were knocked unconscious on your way back and the letter was gone when you woke up. That will clear your name."
"I..." How could Qiu Lu be satisfied with such an answer? "Even if the old lady believes me, she will never use me again. Good Xia Chan, we grew up together. I really want to work with you again so that we can take care of each other."
Xia Chan feigned distress and avoided her attempt to take her hand, saying, "We've known each other for many years and should know each other best, but after all this time, I've found that's not the case."
Upon hearing this, she felt a sudden pang of panic. "Xia Chan, what do you mean by this?"
Those slightly uneasy eyes looked at Shen Qinglu, "Young lady, Xia Chan and I are like sisters, and I really can't bear to part with her. I really want to go with her."
Shen Qinglu smiled slightly, "I still remember when Xia Chan suddenly had an upset stomach, and you filled in for her for a day, almost getting covered in magnolia fragrance. If I keep you by my side, I'm worried that you might make a mistake again someday."
Qiu Lu dared not laugh at what she said with a smile; in fact, she felt like crying.
"Young lady..."
“The eldest young lady knows everything you’ve done.” Xia Chan sighed and continued, “The eldest young lady is very clear about right and wrong and is willing to give you a chance. Now that you’ve made amends, we’re even.”
The settlement was settled in one sentence. For Qiu Lu, it was a wasted effort, but also a narrow escape.
Shen Qinglu caught up with Gu Ruxu, feeling somewhat ashamed, "I haven't been thorough enough in my actions, and I'm so grateful for your understanding, Aunt."
"For someone your age to have such shrewdness is truly remarkable." Gu Ruxu said, her expression suddenly darkening. "The Fang family certainly has some tricks up their sleeves. They've managed to get on the good side of the capital and even have that person take action for them. Their motives are probably not simple."
“Aunt, Ali is dull-witted. I’m afraid he might cause you trouble in the future, so please give him some pointers.”
Gu Ruxu liked her straightforward personality very much, so he explained to her that the Fang family's trip to the capital was because Fang's father had made contact with the Xingyi Earl's Mansion.
The power behind the Xingyi Earl's Mansion is the Xin Prince's Mansion.
When the Demon King murdered his brothers, besides the Sage, two princes were lucky enough to survive, one of whom was Prince Xin.
Prince Xin had one leg crippled by the Demon King, thus losing his chance to ascend the throne, but he had a large number of offspring. Everyone in the court and the public knew that if no prince was born in the palace, the person on the dragon throne in the future would surely be Prince Xin's son.
Over the years, countless people have tried to curry favor with the Prince Xin's mansion. However, the Prince Xin's mansion has high standards, and ordinary people cannot get close to it. They can only settle for second best and get involved with the Princess Xin's family.
The Xingyi Earl's Mansion was the in-laws of the brothers of the Princess Consort of Xin.
"As soon as the rumor was released, I heard about it immediately and sent people to suppress it, but to no avail. So I suspect that someone was acting on behalf of the Fang family."
No one knows the rumors better than Shen Qinglu.
She began to have some doubts. How could a transaction of only twenty taels of silver have such an effect?
"Aunt, have we gotten ourselves into some trouble?"
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it. With the Fang family's meager wealth, even if they manage to climb up to a powerful figure, that person might not take them seriously."
"I will definitely be more careful in the future." Shen Qinglu's words were not just empty talk. "I don't want to break up my mother and father; I just want my mother to know the truth..."
“I know you’re a kind-hearted child.” Gu Ruxu felt more and more that she was like herself, and couldn’t help but favor her. “Your mother will understand.”
"Then I'll just leave like this, she..."
"Don't worry, I will send someone to deliver a message to Commander Mu. There are some things that are not suitable to say to close relatives, but to friends."
Gu Ruxu comes from a very high social standing and married very well. She is extremely intolerant of any flaws and rarely finds anyone worthy of her attention. However, once she sets her sights on someone, she will treat them with utmost kindness and consideration.
Upon arriving at the General's Mansion, Shen Qinglu was settled in a courtyard that was clearly newly furnished. The courtyard had no plaque, and all the furnishings and items were exquisite and of the highest quality.
“After you came to check the place last time, I had someone clean up this yard. From now on, this will be your yard, and you can name it.”
She felt a slight stirring in her heart, but didn't show it on her face. First, she expressed her gratitude to Gu Ruxu. As for the naming of the courtyard, she said she would think about it carefully.
Gu Ruxu repeatedly agreed, her eyes filled with undisguised affection.
When Yu Liuzhu was young, she came to the General's Mansion with Shen Linlang and lived in the courtyard that Shen Linlang had lived in before she got married. Later, when she was older, Gu Ruxu also rearranged a courtyard and handed over the naming rights as she does today.
Yu Liuzhu, however, did not like the new courtyard and casually said, "Then let's call it Tang Courtyard."
Although it's about naming a courtyard, the feeling it evokes is naturally different depending on whether you put your heart into it or not.
Of course, the Tang Courtyard is no longer in the mansion; there is only an unused courtyard with its plaque removed.
As the mistress of the household, Gu Ruxu naturally had many things to handle, so she entrusted the task of accompanying Shen Qinglu to Shen Changting. Shen Changting straightened his small frame and patted his chest, promising that he would definitely complete the task well.
As soon as Gu Ruxu left, he quickly took out his newly improved hidden arrow and asked Shen Qinglu to try it out again.
Shen Qinglu was very satisfied after trying it. The improved sleeve arrow was not only lighter and easier to conceal, but also more accurate than the previous one.
Shen Changting said with regret, "The Divine Strategist is still the most capable. With just a casual pointer from him, I can benefit greatly. It's a pity that my father repeatedly told me not to bother him unless necessary, and even more so not to be presumptuous in front of him."
Although he didn't understand, he knew his father's advice must be reasonable.
Shen Qinglu recalled Shen Kunyao's attitude towards Mu Han, which fueled her suspicions even more.
Who exactly is this Mu Lao Jiu?
*
The bamboo forest was quiet and secluded. The fallen leaves on the ground were piled up in countless layers. One layer was not yet rotten before another was added. Underneath the layers of leaves, the bamboo shoots were eager to sprout.
The bamboo grove at Da Xuan Kong Temple always sprouts new green leaves earlier each year, and at this time of year, bamboo shoots are already breaking through the soil and being carefully nurtured.
After watering and fertilizing, a bamboo fence was built around it.
Year after year, Yang Zhen watched it for a full ten years.
He did not step forward to help, but stood aside and reported the news he had received.
"...The Yu family is in complete chaos. The servants are all saying that Madam Yu wants to divorce Lord Yu. Miss Ali has been taken back to the General's Mansion by Madam Shen. No one should know that she is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, and no one should know that it was the Lord who helped her."
"So now you can see clearly what kind of person she is?" Mu Hanshi had finished his work and straightened up, his posture as graceful as a bamboo shoot, exuding a cool and elegant aura.
Having been by his side for many years, Yang Zhen knew that he disliked hearing lies, but he also knew that his feelings for that girl, Ali, were special. After considering the matter carefully, he replied, "She is shrewd, meticulous, and naturally cold-hearted, not bound by family ties. If she were a man, she would surely achieve great things."
In addition to the fresh scent of bamboo leaves, the air was filled with the pervasive aroma of incense and candles from the temple.
He emerged from the forest, like a solitary snow pine atop an extremely cold peak, its icy roots shaken by the fierce winds rising from the valley floor, shedding its snowy coat.
Thousands of clouds reflected in his eyes, constantly churning and changing, sometimes piling up into flowers, sometimes scattering like smoke.
"Do you think it's possible that she has another side, such as being a kind-hearted person who would give up her own life to avoid putting her loved ones in danger?"
Yang Zhen had no answer to this question.
It's not that there's no answer, but rather that the answer is obvious.
"My lord, if you have any doubts, perhaps you could have Miss Ali compose the first line of the couplet?"
A moment of silence.
After a long silence, Mu Hanshi said calmly, "No need."
The clouds in his eyes slowly stopped churning and then gradually faded away.
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