Chapter 76 The scheming man, Mu Hanshi, kept clinging to her, as if he were...
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The chicken soup was simmered for a long time, allowing the chicken's umami flavor to fully infuse the broth. Mixed with the flavors of the medicinal herbs, it was fresh with a hint of bitterness, yet had a sweet aftertaste.
Mu Wei took a bite and immediately began praising it highly.
"I heard that the child made the soup himself; he really put his heart into it."
Sitting opposite him was Mu Lin.
Mu Lin silently drank the soup, tasting its flavor and also sensing the complex emotions he felt.
When a young man first falls in love, he meets a girl who matches his heart. From the initial misunderstanding to the disparity in their backgrounds, and then to the twists and turns in their identities, the constant ups and downs keep one's heart in turmoil.
Originally, she thought that the incident involving the real and fake Yu family girls would bring a glimmer of hope, but she was met with her mother's opposition. Then, the Shen family ran into trouble, and her father also stopped supporting her.
Even though they understand the logic and the bigger picture, because they are too young, they still can't get over the hurdle in their hearts. Even if they have already complied with their parents' wishes, they still refuse to accept the reality.
"That child is quite good; you can't tell at all that she used to be mentally challenged. Her appearance is naturally excellent, and her personality is unlike her mother's, but rather somewhat like your aunt from the Shen family. She will surely be a capable person in managing the household in the future," Mu Wei said with a sigh, feeling a bit of regret.
Mu Lin's heart was in turmoil, and he subconsciously asked, "The Shen family may not necessarily suffer any more trouble. Father, you also think she is a girl. Why worry about something that may not happen?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Wei didn't answer but instead asked, "Do you know why I married your mother?"
"It is a mutual affection between the two."
Everyone in the capital knows that the Mu family doesn't care about social status or family background when choosing a daughter-in-law. Jiang Yingshui was able to enter the family because Mu Wei himself took a liking to her, not because Ning Shi made the decision.
And Mu Lin, as their son, naturally knew this as well.
Mu Wei smiled slightly, "It can be said that your mother was affectionate and I was willing, but there were other reasons as well. At that time, the struggle for the crown prince was fierce, and there were countless open and covert struggles in the court. My marriage was being watched by others, and I was either going to become someone else's bargaining chip or indirectly become someone else's pawn. If I made the wrong choice, I would inevitably fall into someone else's scheme."
I don't want to be coerced or used by others, forced to do things against my conscience. Compared to those clandestine schemes, marrying a merchant's daughter is much easier and simpler; at least a businessman's calculations are all out in the open, saving me the trouble. Of course, your mother is a good girl, and I like her very much.”
When he was being betrothed, almost all the major powerful families in the capital had taken sides, and the struggle among the princes was the most intense. The Mu family, however, remained loyal and did not want to get involved in the conflicts, so they had to be cautious.
Even when two people are mutually in love, they still weigh the pros and cons.
“Ah Lin, you are still young. You may not know that many people in this world may never know what true affection is in their entire lives. What you think is infatuation may just be because you get along well for a while, or you may be infatuated with the other person’s appearance.”
"I..." Mu Lin hesitated for a moment. The reason he agreed to the marriage was because of their long talk that night, and he was indeed amazed by her beauty. "But only with her, my feelings for her are different from those for other girls."
"This may not be true affection. Even if you are, does that child feel the same way about you?"
"..."
After a long while, Mu Lin slowly shook his head.
If it weren't for this, he might have persisted to the end.
"In the end, the deeper you fall into unrequited love, the more painful it becomes. It's better to extricate yourself early. Even if two people truly love each other, sometimes they can't stay together forever." Mu Wei sighed and patted his shoulder. "Have some soup, it's good."
The soup is good; Shen Qinglu knows that better than anyone.
She used to be in poor health, and her family wouldn't let her do almost anything, let alone cook. But she wanted to please others and show off, so of course she couldn't really do nothing.
She learned how to make this soup from the housekeeper, and it's also her brother's favorite soup.
Focusing on one thing for so many years, even a simple thing, can be perfected; even a soup can be cooked to the best flavor.
Unless something that shouldn't have been added was added...
As she was leaving the Divine Martial Camp, she turned back to look at the watchtower.
Apart from the lookout guards, there was no one else on it.
"Girl, let's hurry up and go," Xia Chan whispered a reminder.
Shen Qinglu nodded and quickened her pace.
Just as the master and servant were about to board the carriage, they were suddenly stopped by someone.
"Miss Chen."
For Shen Qinglu, this was an unfamiliar voice, from Yang Zhen.
When she turned around and saw Mu Hanshi next to Yang Zhen, she felt inexplicably guilty, but she didn't show it on her face and pretended to be surprised.
Yang Zhen said apologetically, "It's really unfortunate. Our horses seem to have eaten something they shouldn't have, and they probably won't be able to pull the carriage today. My young master is not feeling well. Miss Shen, could you give us a ride back to the Marquis's residence?"
Is that really such a coincidence?
Her heart skipped a beat; she felt that Yang Zhen's words were implied, as if she were hinting at something.
On the way to the General's Mansion, we won't pass by the Marquis's Mansion, but we will pass through the alleys across from each other. It's somewhat convenient, but not entirely inconvenient either.
She noticed that Mu Hanshi's expression seemed a little off, and secretly wondered if the effects of the mango powder had kicked in.
She had Xia Chan get the mango powder; it wasn't in anyone else's soup, except for the bowl she sent to Mu Hanshi.
"If you're in a hurry, I'll have the driver take you first."
“There’s no need for that trouble.” Mu Hanshi’s voice was weak, even lighter than snowflakes, like mist about to dissipate in the wind. “If Miss Chen doesn’t mind, we can squeeze in.”
She minds!
Shen Qinglu seemed oblivious to his discomfort and continued to act magnanimous, saying, "It's alright, we don't have anything else to do anyway. If you need it urgently, we'll give it to you first."
Ma Er was quick-witted; upon hearing this, he immediately stopped the carriage in front of Mu Hanshi.
Mu Hanshi nodded and said, "Then thank you very much, Miss Chen."
Shen Qinglu felt a little relieved upon hearing this.
Unexpectedly, as Mu Hanshi was about to get into the carriage, he suddenly swayed and half-fell onto her, while still tightly grabbing her arm.
So tight, so tight that the knuckles turned white, like jade shoots about to break.
The two were so close that they could smell each other's scent.
Mu Hanshi's breath was filled with the delicate fragrance of orchids, a scent unlike the familiar smell of disinfectant she remembered.
The smell of disinfectant masked the unpleasant odor that had developed due to her deteriorating health, but it couldn't mask the sensitive heart of the young girl.
The pale, thin, and sickly girl opened her big eyes and asked him, "Brother, do I smell strange?"
His A'Zhu...
Everything is different now.
Yang Zhen acted swiftly, quickly coming over to help her young master.
"Miss Chen, could you please help my young master into the carriage?"
This request...
Shen Qinglu wanted to refuse, but when she turned her head, she saw that Mu Hanshi's face was frighteningly pale. Her heart skipped a beat, fearing that something might have happened, and she was focused on getting this person away as soon as possible.
She and Yang Zhen helped the person onto the carriage, one on each side.
Just as she was about to get down, she realized that her skirt was trapped under Mu Hanshi. Mu Hanshi's eyes were closed, and he looked like he was enduring pain.
“Miss Chen, my young master is probably not feeling well. If it’s urgent, you should come along.”
She tried several times, but to no avail.
Left with no other choice, I had to agree.
As the carriage was about to leave, the person with their eyes closed seemed to be jolted, letting out an uncomfortable groan as they grabbed her arm and leaned against her.
She glanced sideways at the handsome face so close to hers, his eyebrows like distant mountains in ink painting, his eyelashes extremely long, his nose high and straight, and the fine beads of sweat on it.
"Lord Mu, Lord Mu, what's wrong?"
Yang Zhen looked anxious, touched her master's forehead with the back of her hand, and exclaimed, "Oh no, he has a fever."
If it didn't concern her, Shen Qinglu could simply ignore it.
However, since she had already tampered with the equipment, she naturally didn't want anything serious to happen, so she quickly suggested, "Otherwise, let's go to the clinic."
“No.” Yang Zhen refused outright, then immediately explained, “Miss Shen, you don’t know this, but my master had a serious illness when he was young, and he barely escaped with his life. His body is different from others, and other doctors don’t know the details. If they use the wrong medicine, it could make things worse.”
"I see," she murmured, instructing Ma Er to hurry up.
Upon receiving the order, Ma Er drove the carriage at breakneck speed.
From beginning to end, Mu Hanshi held onto her tightly, as if afraid she would run away.
Indeed, that is exactly the case.
She felt the force gripping her arm, like an invisible chain that she couldn't break free from or escape, tightly imprisoning her.
Could it be that this person suspected there was something wrong with the soup, so even while sick, he didn't forget to hold her accountable as the culprit?
If that's the case, they might escape for a while, but not forever.
Thinking of this, she abandoned her plan to leave and instead helped the man into the Marquis's residence with Yang Zhen.
Upon hearing the news, Madam Ning arrived, her expression changing drastically. She immediately sent someone to fetch a doctor and ordered a sedan chair to be prepared to send the person back to the courtyard behind the bamboo grove as quickly as possible.
This was her first time entering the courtyard, and it felt as if she had stepped into the depths of a dense forest.
Quiet, peaceful, like a secluded paradise.
The person was placed in the inner room, so she couldn't go in with them and could only wait in the outer room.
The doctor arrived quickly and, after examining the patient, frowned and said, "It seems you ate something bad. May I ask what you ate today, young master?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglu preemptively said, "Madam, this is the first time I've cooked. I made some chicken soup and sent it to my second brother. My uncle and Lord Mu also drank some."
Upon hearing this, Ning frowned and looked at Yang Zhen questioningly.
Before Yang Zhen could answer, the person with tightly closed eyes opened them with difficulty and said weakly, "It has nothing to do with Miss Shen. I didn't drink the soup she sent."
So you didn't drink it.
Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglu felt a sense of relief and thought to herself that this would save her the trouble of presenting facts and proving herself.
The inner and outer rooms were completely separated, so she couldn't see what was happening inside and could only wait quietly.
The room was filled with the refreshing scent of bamboo, a pleasant aroma that calmed the mind and soothed the spirit. She glanced up and her gaze settled on the bamboo grove painting in the center, and she slowly approached. From afar, it appeared as an ink painting, but up close, it seemed to possess subtle colors, with dark blue and dark green intermingling. The closer she got, the more inexplicably powerful it became.
In a daze, she felt as if she had returned to her past life.
At that time, she was in poor health, and if anything went wrong, such as catching a cold or getting tired, she would definitely have a fit. Whenever she was taken to the hospital, her family members would probably be waiting outside like this.
After an unknown amount of time, the doctor had prescribed medicine, and Ning Shi escorted them out.
After instructing the servants to fetch and prepare the medicine, Ning noticed that her face was pale and she looked quite frightened. "Were you terribly frightened?"
She nodded blankly, looking somewhat bewildered.
Ning thought she was genuinely frightened and comforted her, "Back then, during that plague, Xiao Jiu's parents were all killed. He survived by the skin of his teeth but was left with a chronic illness. He's been taking care of himself all these years, not daring to make the slightest mistake. Fortunately, this time it was just an upset stomach, and he's out of danger. Thanks to you today, I'll have someone send you home."
She shook her head. "Madam, I'd better wait until Lord Mu is feeling better before I leave, otherwise I'll have a better answer if my uncle asks."
Of course, she wasn't doing it for Shen Kunyao, but rather to make sure everyone was completely alright before leaving.
Ning did not immediately agree or refuse. She seemed to be thinking, but in fact, she kept glancing at the inner room out of the corner of her eye. After a long while, she said, "Alright."
She thanked him and said to the person inside the room, "Lord Mu, please rest well. I'll wait outside for you to finish your medicine before I leave."
Ning Shi saw this as a sign that she was polite and knew her place.
The daylight was still bright, the bamboo grove was serene and quiet, and the fragrance of bamboo filled the air, making it a truly elegant and pleasant place.
Once Ning Shi left, seeing that no one was around, she led Xia Chan around to the back of the courtyard. There was also a bamboo grove behind it, which partially surrounded the courtyard. Amidst the green bamboo leaves, fallen leaves had accumulated for countless years, and bamboo shoots could be seen sprouting from the soil everywhere.
The back window overlooking the bamboo grove was half-open, and one could vaguely hear people talking inside.
"Young Master clearly drank all the soup that Miss Chen brought, so why do you say you didn't drink a drop?"
This is Yang Zhen's voice.
Shen Qinglu held her breath and pressed her ear against the wall.
"It must have been her first time cooking, so she didn't handle some things quite right. How can I blame her?" Mu Hanshi's voice was clearly tinged with restraint, but then suddenly became urgent. "Quick... quick, help me over there."
After a flurry of hurried footsteps, there was silence inside.
Shen Qinglu thought that they must have gone to the latrine.
She gave Xia Chan a wink, and the two of them quietly slipped away.
After a while, someone poked their head out from behind the half-open window.
Yang Zhen looked around but didn't see anyone. She said, "My lord, they've already left."
Mu Hanshi leaned against the headboard, gazing at the bamboo forest outside the window. The bamboo forest swayed in his eyes like shadows, resembling a monster rolling beneath a deep lake, with a clear shape, yet no one knew its true nature.
"Do you think she believes it?" he asked Yang Zhen, his face still pale, but showing no sign of weakness.
Yang Zhen frowned, conflicted. "If it were anyone else, I would believe it. But if it's Miss Ali, I can't guess."
“I think she probably doesn’t believe it,” he said, a smile appearing in his eyes, like a clearly shaped monster suddenly leaping out of the water.
He was right.
Shen Qinglu didn't believe it!
Judging others by one's own standards is subjective; different people will see things differently. A "green tea" person is more likely to see through another "green tea" person.
"Miss, Lord Mu is protecting you so much; he clearly treats you differently," Xia Chan whispered.
Shen Qinglu gazed at the bamboo forest bursting with new life, her dark pupils seeming to hold a mocking smile. "He was right about one thing: he and I might actually be the same kind of people."
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