Chapter 8. Uncle Nine's aloof and cold demeanor made one feel as if they were in the dead of winter. ...
*
Liufang Xiaozhu.
The house was built by the water because Yu Liuzhu's destiny lacked water.
Parents love their children dearly, planning far ahead for them and attending to their every need, from clothing and food to shelter and transportation. Of the three siblings in the Yu family, she was the most favored and lived in the best courtyard.
Inside the white jade incense burner carved with crabapple blossoms, the finest agarwood burned, its fragrance fresh, delicate, and extremely pleasant. The antique display shelves, embroidered screens, and beaded curtains were all arranged with exquisite beauty and refined elegance.
After dismissing all the servants, only she and her daughter Shen Linlang remained in the room.
“Mother, you saw it too, didn’t you? Mu Lin’s clothes today are exactly the same as in my dream. I really can’t deceive myself any longer and think that it was just a dream.”
No one will know that was her past life.
Now that she has a second chance at life, she will never repeat the painful experience. She will stay away from those who hurt her, and she will repay those who cared for and loved her in this lifetime.
For example, my aunt, or that person...
As for Mu Lin, she will never remarry!
"The marriage can be postponed for a while." Shen Linlang sighed. "Even if the marriage is not officially arranged, if we go to the Marquis's mansion to cancel the marriage without a reason, it will inevitably affect the relationship between the two families. Tang'er, don't worry, your mother will handle it properly for you. I will not let you suffer any grievances or be gossiped about."
"Mother!" Yu Liuzhu nestled closer, but there was always a barrier between them.
Even if she could start over, there are still some things she can't let go of.
She lowered her eyelids, concealing the complex emotions in her eyes.
Shen Linlang, unable to see her, assumed she was just being affectionate with him as usual, and lovingly embraced her, her handsome face filled with tenderness.
After a moment, thinking of Shen Qinglu, he frowned slightly, "Your aunt used to keep a close eye on your sister Ali, I wonder why she appeared today?"
“Mother, Auntie definitely didn’t have any other intentions. It must be because Dujuan wasn’t here, and Xiachan didn’t know Ali’s personality, so she didn’t want her to sneak out.”
Shen Linlang frowned even more deeply.
Over the years, due to her deliberate guidance, her children have not been very close to their sister-in-law. Why would her daughter suddenly trust her sister-in-law so much?
My sister-in-law does seem sensible and understanding now, but she wasn't always like this. Because of her outstanding looks, she was very arrogant and had extremely high standards when it came to marriage.
She had a past connection with the Marquis's family and had once taken her sister-in-law to visit the Marquis's residence. Unexpectedly, her sister-in-law took a liking to the then-marquis's heir, Mu Wei, who was Mu Lin's father. She went to great lengths to arrange this and even asked her to act as a go-between.
With a family of such high social standing as the Marquis's mansion, how could she possibly ask for a favor?
Moreover, she was good friends with Mu Wei's elder sister, Mu Miaohua, and knew that although Mu Wei was not officially engaged, he already had someone he liked, so she couldn't bring herself to bring it up.
Because of her refusal, the two women, aunt and sister-in-law, had some disagreements, and their relationship became somewhat delicate.
"Your aunt does seem well-behaved now, but she wasn't always like this..."
"Mother." Yu Liuzhu became displeased. She had eyes and feelings. She had lived two lives. Didn't she know who was truly good to her?
“My aunt has suffered so much over the years, hasn’t that been enough? I’ve heard people say that when my aunt married into the Su family, it was entirely out of necessity, and it was all for the sake of our Yu family. She has put the greater good first and endured so much humiliation, why can’t we trust her?”
"Who told you these things?"
Shen Linlang's expression changed.
Back then, for some unknown reason, rumors suddenly spread that the second prince wanted to take his sister-in-law as a concubine. The mother-in-law was extremely anxious and hastily arranged a marriage for her sister-in-law, sending her to the Su family.
After the Su family's misfortune, she issued an order that no one in the entire household was allowed to discuss the matter. She set an example by never uttering a single word about it, not even in front of her children.
Yu Liuzhu only learned about these old stories later, of course.
"Mother, I overheard someone mentioning it outside."
Shen Linlang believed this explanation, but she was still shaken. "Tang'er, back then, the Demon King poisoned the late Crown Prince and harmed the other princes. He committed too many evils that aroused the wrath of both gods and men. Anyone who was associated with him met a bad end. The Su family is an accomplice with irrefutable evidence. They were found to have pledged allegiance to the Demon King. If others knew that she was forced to marry into the Su family back then, they would surely think that we had some unspeakable secret with the Su family. Who knows what they would think of our Yu family?"
Yu Liuzhu understood these implications.
The image of Shen Qinglu, whose face was even more outstanding than her own, involuntarily surfaced in her mind, making her feel increasingly displeased. "Auntie is a girl from our Yu family, and she bleeds our Yu family blood. She can be completely absolved of any connection with the Su family. Only Sister Ali... If it weren't for her, Auntie wouldn't have suffered so much, and our Yu family wouldn't have to live in fear."
The sharpness of his tone startled Shen Linlang. "Tang'er, you..."
"Mother, I just... I just feel sorry for Aunt." Yu Liuzhu realized she had lost her composure and explained softly.
"My innocent child, my foolish child, tugs at my heartstrings the most," Shen Linlang sighed, filled with emotion.
She didn't notice the hint of resentment in Yu Liuzhu's gaze as she looked at her.
*
At the entrance of the Marquis's residence, Yu Jingliang was still trying to persuade Mu Lin.
"We haven't seen each other for three years, and I have so much to tell you. Can't you stay at my house for one night like you did three years ago, and we can talk by candlelight?"
Three years ago, before Mu Lin went to the border, he came to the Marquis's residence to play. He was forced to stay overnight, and the two talked about everything under the sun until dawn.
That experience was so exciting and wonderful, and so memorable that he cherished it for three years and looked forward to it for three years.
However, Mu Lin was preoccupied with his own thoughts and didn't want to stay even a moment longer, let alone just one night. If he weren't afraid that Yu Jingliang would notice something, he would have left long ago.
“I have returned to the capital and will be working here from now on. We are both serving in the Shenwu Camp, so there will be plenty of opportunities to get to know each other in private in the future. Why rush things? I haven’t been home for three years, and my elders still have a lot to tell me. It’s not too late for us to get together when I have some free time.”
Yu Jingliang thought about it and agreed, then grinned.
He was recommended by his uncle Shen Kunyao a year ago and entered the Shenwu Camp after passing the martial arts test. Mu Lin, on the other hand, was directly transferred to the Shenwu Palace due to his military merits at the border. Now the two are colleagues.
The friendships formed in youth, based on shared interests, are the most precious of all.
"Alright, we'll have plenty of time in the future." He patted Mu Lin's shoulder hard, thinking to himself that they would be brothers-in-law in the future, and this kid would definitely stay at their Yu family's house often. At that time, they would have plenty of opportunities to chat all night long.
Thinking of this, Chao Mulin winked and made faces.
"Ah Lin, don't worry, if you and Tang'er have any conflicts in the future, I will definitely stand by your side!"
Upon hearing this, Mu Lin couldn't recall Yu Liuzhu's appearance for a moment. Instead, his mind was filled with another face as beautiful as a spring peach and those large, dark eyes.
He was conflicted and didn't know how to reconcile his feelings, so he could only vaguely say goodbye to Yu Jingliang.
Leaving Chongde Lane, passing through the entire Xiang City, and then winding through three more lanes, you will reach the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion.
The Marquis of Yongyi's mansion holds a prominent position, and its location is certainly not bad. If it is not the center of the entire Donglin region, it is a prestigious place with excellent feng shui.
Stone lions guard the gate, along with soldiers. The high walls stand tall and solemn, conveying a profound sense of history and grandeur even to passersby.
The main courtyard showcases the Mu family's century-long glory, with a plaque inscribed with the four characters "Loyalty, Courage, and Resoluteness".
He reached the door and heard his grandmother and mother laughing and talking, but his steps faltered as if weighed down by a thousand pounds, and he hesitated to go any further.
After a long while, he turned and left.
Passing through a garden with its varied scenery, and then through a bamboo grove, a quiet courtyard suddenly appears before you. All around is silent, as if no one lives there.
As he stepped inside, a thin, middle-aged man who looked like a steward appeared out of nowhere and said to him, "Young Master, please wait a moment. I will go and inform Ninth Master."
Half an hour later, the steward came out and gestured for him to enter, "Young Master, please."
Mu Lin straightened his clothes before entering the house.
The room was quiet and serene.
The zither stand is located beneath the west window, while a tea table is set up by the east window. A painting of a bamboo forest hangs on the central wall. The ink is applied in varying shades, with dark and light inks intermingling. If you look closely, you can vaguely see the dark ink tinged with blue, while the light ink hides a hint of green.
He heard barely audible footsteps approaching, and immediately straightened his expression, looking at the person who was lifting the curtain.
The newcomer appeared to be in his early twenties, with a handsome and slender build. He wore a snow-white robe underneath a blue cloak.
The moment it appeared, it was like seeing a pine forest covered in winter snow, too cold and desolate. Or like a high waterfall encountering dry water, the trickling stream revealing a sense of frailty.
That aloof and detached aura made one feel as if they were in the dead of winter, filled with a sense of bewilderment, yet it also gave rise to boundless admiration.
He quickly bowed respectfully.
"Ninth Uncle".
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