Chapter 4 Arrival in Beijing for Maintenance
Even though Zhu Xuanning didn't want the compensation, Mei Jiashan still brought out all the treasures. However, Ruyu guessed Zhu Xuanning's meaning and dissuaded Mei Jiashan from his idea.
"Miss Zhu is probably not able to protect those items. Young master, why don't you pick out some silk and have the embroiderer make some nice clothes for her? Also, have Po Mo secretly keep some money for Miss Zhu. That way, Miss Zhu will have something to rely on."
Mei Jiashan suddenly realized what was going on and rewarded Ruyu with three months' wages. Following Ruyu's instructions, he carefully selected from the silks he had brought.
He was overwhelmed by the choices, feeling that every color suited Zhu Xuanning perfectly. In the end, he simply asked Ruyu to make a garment from each piece of fabric, so that Zhu Xuanning could wear a different one every day.
The eight embroiderers on the boat immediately took the silk and started working overtime to finish the job.
Before the large ship docked at the port, a garment was finally finished.
Ruyu was very thoughtful. She first ordered the embroiderer to finish a frost-colored cloisonné lily water satin dress. It looked simple and understated, but if the sunlight shone on it, the small lilies embroidered on the dress would shimmer with a light glow, as beautiful as water satin woven by moonlight.
When the clothes were delivered to Zhu Xuanning, she fell in love with them at first glance.
"I really like it. Please thank my cousin for me," Zhu Xuanning said softly, a happy smile on her face.
"She really said that?" Mei Jiashan's expression softened upon hearing Ruyu's reply.
That "cousin" from her melted his heart; he wished he could hear her call him that in person.
"yes."
Mei Jiashan was even happier and generously rewarded the recipient.
Ruyu suppressed a smile, accepted the reward money, and withdrew.
In the afternoon, as the large ship was about to dock, Mei Jiashan left his room early.
"Greetings, cousin." Zhu Xuanning curtsied, her eyelashes lowered, and her snow-white neck gleamed with a delicate, jade-like luster in the sunlight.
Mei Jiashan's ears turned red, and she dared not look again: "Cousin, there's no need for such formalities."
He quickly lowered his gaze, but his eyes met Zhu Xuanning's when she inadvertently looked up.
Mei Jiashan had already restrained himself, but his burning gaze still startled Zhu Xuanning, causing her to take a step back.
Just then, the large ship docked, and the ship rocked slightly. Zhu Xuanning, who was leaning backward, lost her balance.
Zhu Xuanning opened her mouth in alarm.
“Cousin.” Mei Jiashan reached out and immediately grabbed her hand.
This time, Zhu Xuanning's lips, tinged with a little lip rouge, brushed against Mei Jiashan's bobbing Adam's apple.
In that instant, Mei Jiashan felt as if she had been electrocuted, and Zhu Xuanning stared wide-eyed in shock, somewhat frozen in place.
She swore that she was faking her unsteadiness; but that close contact just now was truly an accident.
Mei Jiashan released her, and his question broke the awkward silence: "Didn't you say you liked it? Why aren't you wearing that dress?"
His face flushed, he half-clenched his fist and pressed it to his lips to hide the corners of his mouth that couldn't help but turn up, and asked slowly in a low voice.
Zhu Xuanning took a step back: "It's precisely because I like it that I can't bear to wear it."
Finally, she looked up and said, "I've never seen such beautiful clothes before. Thank you, cousin."
Her jade-like eyes sparkled with starlight, her hibiscus-like face flushed with rosy hues, and the young girl smiled with joy. Mei Jiashan was so dizzy that he forgot to breathe.
He finally understood what the story of "lighting the beacon fires to amuse the feudal lords" meant.
"Miss, it's time for the young master to disembark."
The maid behind whispered a reminder.
The servants of the Mei family in Kyoto had already craned their necks to look from afar.
In the biting cold wind, the servants of the Zhu family waited respectfully beside a carriage, while a maidservant glanced at the dock from time to time, paying close attention to what was happening there.
The cold wind fluttered the Mei family flag, and then a large ship slowly came to rest at the dock.
The maid's eyes lit up, and she immediately exclaimed joyfully, "Miss! Young Master has arrived!"
"Really!" came a cheerful and surprised voice from inside the carriage.
A slender hand lifted the carriage curtain, and the first person to emerge was a young girl adorned with pearl-inlaid silver hairpins.
Her expression was calm as she reached out to help the person inside.
"Miss, slow down." The maid's composed demeanor almost crumbled. Fortunately, Mama Hua wasn't there, otherwise she would have been scolded for her poor manners.
"Oh, I'm so happy! I've been waiting for so many days, my bones are about to give way, but my cousin is finally here!" The girl looked up with a bright face, full of energy.
She jumped off the carriage, one hand holding a hot water bottle and the other clinging to Yeon-joo's palm.
"Here, give this to me!" Zhu Baoyue shoved the hot water bottle into her hand, ignoring the cold winter wind, and lifted the hem of her skirt embroidered with gold butterflies as she ran forward like a beautiful lark.
"Cousin!" The girl's lively and clear voice rang out loudly at the dock.
The bright smile on her face vanished the moment she saw the woman standing next to Mei Jiashan.
"Who is she! The skinny girl you brought from Jiangnan?" Zhu Baoyue immediately became unhappy, pointing at Zhu Xuanning and angrily questioning her.
My cousin never brings any women when he comes to Kyoto. What kind of weak vixen is this? She's stolen my cousin's attention. She's just like that shameless mistress of Qingyun's family. She's disgusting.
Mei Jiashan got angry, and when he glanced ahead, the servants who had followed Zhu Baoyue immediately knelt down.
Good heavens! Miss has lost her mind, daring to utter such words. These people will be punished by Mama Hua again when they return to the manor.
Mei Jiashan's outburst was clearly unexpected by Zhu Baoyue, who turned pale with fright.
When Zhu Baoyue thought about how her cousin, whom she had been waiting for day and night, not only didn't answer her question but also scolded her harshly, tears welled up in her eyes.
She retorted stubbornly, "I'm your cousin, how can our years of friendship be less than this woman's!"
Besides, even if I said something wrong, couldn't you have spoken properly? Couldn't you have introduced her properly? What right did you have to yell at me in front of so many people?!
When Zhu Baoyue argues with someone, she can always find several reasons to justify it.
Mei Jiashan's cold expression froze for a moment, and his anger subsided somewhat.
He was so angry that he forgot his cousin was a girl and that he needed to save face for her in front of so many people.
Mei Jiashan was about to apologize and have Zhu Baoyue apologize to Zhu Xuanning as well.
But he felt his fur robe being tugged by a small force.
"Cousin, what is a 'skinny horse'?" a soft voice asked gently.
Mei Jiashan glanced over and saw that Zhu Xuanning was also pale. The few signs of vitality she had managed to regain in the past few days had vanished, leaving only a sense of unease, anxiety, and fear.
Although she gently tugged at Mei Jiashan's fur robe, her fingers gripped it tightly.
Mei Jiashan's anger, which had subsided, surged up again, and his brows furrowed tightly.
If he had spared her from scolding her out of consideration for his cousin Zhu, then who would have spared A-Ning's consideration?
High-ranking families have always been known for their sycophancy and condescension. In the vast capital city, Ah Ning can only rely on him.
Only when he acted tougher would these servants realize that Aning wasn't all alone and without a background!
“I won’t argue with you. I will relay what you just said to my aunt and uncle so that the elders will know how you spoke to your cousin today.” Mei Jiashan said with a cold face.
Zhu Baoyue was stunned for a moment, and then the tears that had been welling up in her eyes fell down with a patter.
"Mei Jiashan!" She was both scared and angry, and burst into tears, calling out his full name.
Mei Jiashan walked past Zhu Baoyue without looking to the side.
Zhu Xuanning loosened her grip on his fur robe, hesitated for a moment, but was gently urged forward by Po Mo.
As she passed Zhu Baoyue, she glanced at her again out of the corner of her eye.
"Don't worry, I'll explain everything." Noticing that Zhu Xuanning had slowed down and hesitated before looking at Zhu Baoyue, Mei Jiashan paused. He glanced at the crying Zhu Baoyue, his expression indifferent, but his tone gentle and firm.
Zhu Baoyue, who had thought Mei Jiashan would stop and apologize, had a fleeting glimmer of light in her eyes upon hearing this, but it vanished instantly. She became even angrier and cried even harder, but dared not utter another insulting word.
Zhu Xuanning didn't respond; her expression became even more timid, but her heart was cold.
Looking at Zhu Xuanning's timid expression, Mei Jiashan felt extremely distressed and blamed the entire Zhu family.
That's incredibly disrespectful! When Zhu Baoyue came to pick him up, he didn't mention A Ning at all!
Zhu Baoyue boarded the carriage in tears. The Zhu family hadn't prepared a carriage for Zhu Xuanning; she was supposed to ride in the carriage with Zhu Baoyue.
However, Mei Jiashan directly had Zhu Xuanning get into the carriage prepared by the Mei family. Under the strange gazes of the servants, Mei Jiashan took the driver's seat and drove the carriage himself.
It attracted many curious glances along the way.
As soon as the servants of the Zhu family saw Mei Jiashan get into the carriage, they quickly ran back to the Zhu family from the dock and whispered to Mama Hua, who was waiting in the cold wind.
Madam Hua's face darkened, and she immediately turned around and sternly instructed, "That young lady is riding in the young master's carriage. You all better watch yourselves and don't cause any more trouble!"
Mei Jiashan drove his car to a stop in front of the Zhu residence. As soon as Madam Hua saw Mei Jiashan, a warm and just-right smile appeared on her face: "Madam has been looking forward to this for so long in the capital. We are so glad to have you here."
As Madam Hua spoke, the servants of the Zhu family bowed to Mei Jiashan.
"Thank you for your concern, Auntie." Mei Jiashan smiled politely and leaped off her horse.
He turned to the carriage and called out gently, "Cousin, we've arrived at the Zhu residence. You may get off now."
Such a gentle tone made the smile on Hua's mother's face freeze for a moment.
She was merely a distant relative of the master's family, only five degrees of kinship. If the master's family hadn't lost all their relatives, how could this country girl have come to the capital to enjoy a life of luxury, and even managed to get on the good side of the young master's family?
This enormous Zhu Mansion in Kyoto was all acquired by the Qin family!
As soon as Mei Jiashan finished speaking, a hand pushed open the car door, and a beautiful woman emerged from the carriage. The woman wore a vermilion hairpin adorned with jade, and her clothes were bright and fresh, as tender and beautiful as a new scallion.
She really is a glamorous woman.
Hua's mother disliked this cousin extremely at first sight.
"Girl, be careful." Po Mo stepped out of the car and lifted the misty curtain with his other hand.
Just as she was about to speak and lead the servants of the Zhu family to pay their respects, Mama Hua stopped, her gaze sweeping over Mei Jiashan before falling back on the carriage, her heart filled with undisguised shock.
It turned out to be just a maid!
At this moment, the frost-colored skirt slowly emerged from inside the carriage, and on the skirt, silver-embroidered lilies reflected the sunlight, shimmering with a watery brilliance.
Hua's mother was stunned by the dress, and then a slender figure squeezed into her line of sight.
The girl had misty eyes, snow-white skin, and a face like jade. When she frowned, her brows resembled pear blossoms dripping with dew. Her delicate beauty possessed a natural charm.
Hua's mother only glanced at it, but she subconsciously lowered her voice.
"Greetings, Miss Zhu." She immediately bowed, and the servants of the Zhu household also woke up and bowed in unison.
Madam Hua had mixed feelings, but at this moment she had to admit that this man who was able to get close to the young master did indeed have some advantages.
Zhu Xuanning's hand, which was placed in the ink-splashed palm, suddenly froze. Then her eyelashes trembled, and she looked at Mei Jiashan in a flustered manner.
Mei Jiashan smiled gently, as if to encourage her.
At this moment, Zhu Xuanning took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in her chest, and adopted the most appropriate demeanor possible, suppressing her trembling voice: "No need for formalities."
After the ceremony, Madam Hua inquired about his well-being. Mei Jiashan gave Madam Zhu some face and listened patiently for a while, until he caught a glimpse of Zhu Baoyue's carriage in the distance, at which point he lost his patience.
"We're all tired from the journey, so we won't wait for Cousin Zhu any longer. Please understand, Madam Hua. Let's go, Cousin Zhu." Mei Jiashan smiled gently. The difference in their relationship—one was a cousin, the other a Cousin Zhu—was obvious.
Hua's mother's smile froze; she knew she couldn't delay any longer, so she could only agree and watch Mei Jiashan leave.
"Ah Ning, you will encounter many such occasions in the future. Don't be afraid, don't be stage-frightened."
Mei Jiashan deliberately slowed his pace and whispered instructions to Zhu Xuanning.
Zhu Xuanning nodded obediently. Mei Jiashan raised her hand, then held back, placing it to her lips to hide her earlier action. She turned her face away, her ears slightly red, and whispered, "You should see your aunt first, and then go back to rest after a little longer."
Yixinju.
It's a very simple and elegant name for the courtyard, unlike the name of the lady of the house, but rather like the name of a study.
Zhu Xuanning voiced her idea.
"That's what I said at the time, but the name has a meaning. The name of the courtyard is taken from the nicknames of my aunt and uncle. Put together, Yixin means 'one heart'. The name of the courtyard was chosen by my aunt, and the nicknames were suggested by my uncle."
Regardless of what her aunt was really like, the relationship between the two was something Mei Jiashan admired.
"The two were deeply in love, and my aunt was the only one in my uncle's backyard."
Mei Jiashan sighed, unaware of Zhu Xuanning's increasingly cold gaze.
"Lord Zhu and Madam Zhu are truly a match made in heaven," Zhu Xuanning exclaimed with a smile.
What kind of despicable man is this, who, after climbing up the social ladder, doesn't wholeheartedly fawn over the rich girl?
As the two spoke in hushed tones, they entered Yixin Residence. Upon the maid's report, Madam Zhu met the two.
"Jiashan has arrived." The room was heated by an underfloor heating system and filled with the smell of medicine. Madam Zhu was separated from them by a jeweled green curtain.
Mei Jiashan bowed, and Zhu Xuanning also bowed.
"Auntie".
"Madam Zhu."
Through the green curtain, Madam Zhu could vaguely see Zhu Xuanning's figure.
Although her demeanor was not standard, her figure was graceful and charming. Although her face could not be seen, her voice was like a nightingale singing in a valley.
It's understandable that Bao Yue stumbled because of her.
Madam Zhu's mind raced, but only a moment had passed: "Get up, all of you."
She smiled and then beckoned two children forward.
It wasn't until Zhu Xuanning's appearance was revealed to her that Madam Zhu realized the servant's description of her appearance was not an exaggeration.
She first apologized on behalf of Zhu Baoyue: "I have heard about what happened earlier. I haven't been feeling well lately and have neglected to manage the servants, which is why those wicked people with dirty intentions wanted to torment you; they even corrupted your sisters and made them disrespect you."
I've already had her given a good beating, and your cousin knows she was wrong, but she's too shy to come out and apologize to you.
Madam Zhu completely absolved Zhu Baoyue of any wrongdoing. What could the young lady have done wrong? The only ones at fault were the servants.
Zhu Xuanning understood. Thinking of Madam Fu and the discomfort she had suffered from seasickness over the past few days, she felt resentment in her heart, but she did not show it on her face: "It's alright, Madam Zhu."
She didn't say whether she forgave or not, only replied that it was okay, and even her way of addressing her was distant.
He's not a clay figure; he has quite a temper.
In front of outsiders, Madam Zhu had to keep smiling. She tugged at Zhu Xuanning's hand and changed the subject: "You child, you are so beautiful. I took a liking to you at first sight. My naughty son would be turned into a clay figure if he stood next to you."
The atmosphere gradually warmed up. Just as Madam Zhu finished her joke, a young maidservant covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "No wonder our young master calls her 'cousin' so affectionately, even the young lady has to take a backseat and call her 'cousin Zhu.'"
The veiled meaning in those words, a combination of praise and criticism, caused Mei Jiashan's gaze to cool slightly, and she gave the little maid a disapproving look.
The young maid seemed oblivious to Mei Jiashan's anger, simply blinking innocently. The older maid beside her immediately pulled her aside, her expression turning serious as she said, "Oh dear, please stop talking. Young Master is getting embarrassed."
You idiot! Don't you dare try to sow discord between Miss and Young Master. They grew up together; you can't possibly stir things up with just a few words.
Zhu Baoyue lived in Jiangnan for several years during her childhood and only returned to Beijing when she was nine years old.
Because of some kinship among the younger generation, the Mei family and the Zhu family maintained a lukewarm relationship.
The little maid seemed startled and immediately slapped her mouth lightly: "I misspoke, young master, please don't be angry and don't stoop to the level of a stupid maid like me."
The maids made veiled insults, laughing and joking, paying no attention to the other person being talked about.
Amidst the laughter and chatter, Zhu Xuanning tightly gripped the hand hidden in her sleeve, looking at Mei Jiashan as if she couldn't understand, and smiled with her lips pursed.
Even so, we need to give her a warning, both overtly and covertly, to recognize her own identity and not to sow discord between Zhu Baoyue and Mei Jiashan.
She really hated such blatant sarcasm and mockery.
"Nonsense! This is getting more and more absurd!" Madam Zhu scolded, and the maids finally quieted down.
After scolding the maid, she soon put on a gentle and kind demeanor again: "Quickly pour tea for the young lady and young master."
"This tea is milk tea that your uncle brought back from his trade trips on the frontier. It's currently very popular in the capital. It's made by slowly brewing the finest fresh milk and Meiling Zhengshan Xiaozhong tea," Madam Zhu said with a smile.
After asking the two of them about their preferences, the maidservants scooped up different amounts of powdered sugar and poured them into their cups and bowls.
Zhu Xuanning liked the milk tea after taking a sip, but since she was a guest, she only took a few small sips to moisten her throat before stopping.
While chatting with Mei Jiashan about everyday matters and inquiring about the Mei family's recent situation, Madam Zhu kept a close eye on Zhu Xuanning's subtle actions.
When the incense in the room had burned down to half its last stub, Madam Zhu finally stopped talking.
She seemed to only then remember Zhu Xuanning's existence, and looked apologetic: "Look at me, I haven't seen Jiashan for a long time, and I've been talking too much. I've even neglected you."
"What are you saying? Xuan Ning lost both her parents at a young age, but I feel that your casual conversation with my cousin makes me feel at home." Zhu Xuan Ning said, raising her handkerchief to wipe her slightly reddened eyes.
"Cousin, you don't need to be sad anymore. We are all your family."
Madam Zhu felt annoyed. Seeing that Zhu Xuanning only frowned, her cousin rushed to fawn over her. Her already uncomfortable body felt even worse, and she didn't even want Zhu Xuanning to sit on the cold bench anymore.
She instructed a maid to present a gift, then casually offered a few words of comfort to Zhu Xuanning before sending her back.
As soon as Zhu Xuanning left, Zhu Baoyue walked out with red eyes and choked back tears.
As soon as she came out, Mei Jiashan's face turned cold.
Mei Jiashan still remembered the scene of the servants neglecting Xuan Ning earlier. He felt sorry for her, but he was still rational and knew he couldn't say it directly. Since his aunt was indulgent and unwilling to discipline her, he would find someone who could control her!
"Aunt, I'll go see if Uncle has finished his business at the yamen." He wasn't even willing to give Zhu Baoyue a perfunctory reply, and turned and left.
A note from the author:
It's been added. [Pity][Pity]
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