Chapter 5 Clash of Hatred
Zhu Baoyue, who was about to bow with sobs, froze. In her grievance, she smashed everything in sight and threw herself into Madam Zhu's arms, crying, "Mother! How could my cousin treat me like this! I clearly listened to you and came out to apologize to him!"
Zhu Baoyue broke Madam Zhu's heart with her tears. The mistress of Yixin Residence and the servants were in a flurry of activity trying to comfort the only young lady of the Zhu family. Only when Zhu Baoyue cried herself to sleep did Madam Zhu have a chance to catch her breath.
After taking a few pills and recovering, she felt extremely disgusted with Zhu Xuanning, who had caused a rift between the two siblings as soon as she arrived.
"You little brat, I was willing to give her a chance to rise in the world and help her get close to the Mei family because she's surnamed Zhu. But she shouldn't have let my darling and Jiashan have a falling out!" Madam Zhu smashed the sky-blue white porcelain cup with a "crack," and a whole bunch of maids immediately knelt down in the room.
Her personal maid helped her catch her breath. Madam Zhu sneered and pointed at the little maid who had prepared tea for Zhu Xuanning, saying, "That poor girl loves milk tea. Go serve her. I'll make sure she has the life to rise to the top but not the fortune to enjoy it."
She wouldn't ruin someone's face; after all, she agreed to let the master bring the person over, partly to exchange the person for benefits.
But no one in the world can maintain their good looks forever. She wanted to see if this woman who made a living off her looks could still hold a man's heart after she ruined her health, was unable to have children, and aged and lost her beauty!
The Zhu family didn't deliberately send her to some remote corner; instead, they gave her a proper and decent courtyard.
She was a housewife who cared a lot about appearances.
Zhu Xuanning made this assessment.
Po Mo arrived at the courtyard early and lit the silver charcoal he had brought from the Mei family's carriage, along with some incense to calm his mind.
"Miss." Upon seeing Zhu Xuanning return, Po Mo immediately went to greet her.
Mei Jiashan had already given Po Mo's indenture to Zhu Xuanning. Po Mo was loyal to her and knew a lot. Because she came from the Mei family, the servants in the manor would still give her some face.
"If Lord Zhu returns, Sister Pomo must let me know." After traveling by boat and carriage, and dealing with Madam Zhu, Zhu Xuanning looked somewhat tired.
After she finished speaking, she lay down on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Today, Zhu Yuli left the yamen early. Mei Jiashan had just arrived at Yixin Residence when Zhu Yuli arrived at the mansion.
He returned to his study, where the coachman, who had accompanied Zhu Xuanning on her bumpy journey, discreetly entered to report.
She imitated everything perfectly, down to the smallest detail, even mimicking Fu's mother's complaints and Zhu Xuanning's tone.
When Zhu Yuli heard Fu's mother insulting Zhu Xuanning, he paused in his tea-sipping motion; when he heard that Fu's mother had drowned after getting drunk, Zhu Yuli blew on his tea.
He listened calmly to Zhu Xuanning's behavior throughout the journey, until he heard about the Mei family boy's obsequious behavior, at which point Zhu Yuli's gaze softened.
At this moment, Mei Jiashan arrived.
The moment the servant reported it, a gentle smile appeared on Zhu Yuli's face.
“Uncle,” Mei Jiashan greeted.
"Please sit down." The servant in the study brought Mei Jiashan the salty tea he often drank, and the two chatted about many things they had seen and heard.
"Thank you for taking care of my poor cousin along the way," Zhu Yuli said, mentioning Zhu Xuanning before Mei Jiashan could speak.
Zhu Yuli sipped his tea, the raised lid obscuring his gaze.
Mei Jiashan paused, her voice softening: "Uncle, you flatter me. She is a member of the Zhu family and also my cousin."
Mei Jiashan maintained proper etiquette, but his tone when mentioning Zhu Xuanning had already revealed his true feelings.
Zhu Yuli remained calm: "I've heard about Bao Yue's matter. I'll reprimand her later and have your aunt teach her manners. Don't take it to heart. She's still young, and your aunt and I have spoiled her."
“Uncle, you’re too kind. Baoyue is a bit spoiled, but as she gets older, she really needs to rein in her temper.” Mei Jiashan maintained his composure, but Zhu Yuli, who had been immersed in officialdom for many years, had already noticed the change in his tone.
This is a completely different attitude from when Zhu Xuanning is mentioned.
His daughter is indeed quite shrewd.
Zhu Yuli's gaze was meaningful, but he did not show it. He followed Mei Jiashan's words for a few moments, and then changed the topic to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion.
“I originally wanted to ask Baoyue and Xiyue to take you out for a stroll, but your nephew is about to turn one month old, so I can only let your cousin stay at the mansion for a few days.”
After Zhu Yuli finished speaking, Mei Jiashan chimed in: "My cousin has just arrived in the capital. How can we leave her alone in the mansion? It's just a matter of asking my sister for another invitation. It's no big deal."
Mei Jiashan frowned slightly, clearly not pleased with Zhu Yuli's arrangements.
The Zhu family doesn't value Aning, but he does. He will have his elder sister bring Aning into the circle of noble ladies in the capital.
Zhu Yuli stared at him for a while, until Mei Jiashan's face gradually turned red, before Zhu Yuli smiled and looked away.
After finding out Zhu Xuanning's position in Mei Jiashan's heart, Zhu Yuli tested his studies several times.
Only after Mei Jiashan could no longer catch it did Zhu Yuli finally let him leave, satisfied.
The night lights and splashed ink awakened Zhu Xuanning.
At the family banquet, Zhu Xuanning finally met the person she had hated a thousand times over in her heart.
Zhu Yuli sat beside Madam Zhu. Zhu Xuanning looked away, lowered her eyes, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Uncle."
Her tone was very flat.
Zhu Yuli glanced at the indignant Zhu Baoyue and sighed inwardly.
"Get up. Today's family banquet is to welcome you and Jiashan back from your journey. There's no need for formalities. Just relax and make yourself at home," Zhu Yuli replied calmly.
His attitude pleased Madam Zhu.
"Let's begin the meal," Zhu Yuli said, and then the servants filed in carrying the dishes.
After dinner, Zhu Yuli got up and called out Zhu Baoyue's name.
Zhu Baoyue shrank back in fear, and Madam Zhu gently comforted her.
"Come here too," Zhu Yuli said calmly as he passed by Zhu Xuanning.
Upon entering the study, Zhu Yuli sat down. He merely glanced at Zhu Baoyue, who was bowing her head like a quail, and said with an air of authority without anger, "Apologize to your sister."
Zhu Yuli's single sentence was more effective than a hundred sweet words from Madam Zhu.
She held back her tears and said, "I'm sorry, sister, Baoyue was wrong."
"Didn't you eat enough?" Zhu Yuli asked again.
Zhu Baoyue's eyes welled up with even more tears. She took a breath and cried out, "I'm sorry, sister! Baoyue was wrong!"
The booming voice made Zhu Yuli's hand move slightly.
He looked at Zhu Xuanning.
Zhu Xuanning understood: "It's alright."
Zhu Yuli frowned, not quite satisfied with how Zhu Xuanning accepted the apology, but said nothing.
"Where did you go wrong?" Zhu Yuli asked.
"I shouldn't have been instigated by the servants, I shouldn't have said anything impolite, I shouldn't have had conflicts with my older siblings, and I shouldn't have acted impulsively." Zhu Baoyue sobbed as she listed her mistakes.
"It's good that you've realized your mistake. Since you've done something improper because you're not at peace, then study the rules properly and stay home for a few days. Copy some books on the Heart Sutra and Morality and Etiquette to reflect on your actions."
Zhu Baoyue dared not refute, and after choking back tears, she agreed and left the study in tears.
The study fell silent for a moment.
Zhu Yuli remained silent, and Zhu Xuanning also remained silent.
After a moment of silence, Zhu Yuli broke it first: "How have you been these past years?"
A thousand words flashed through Zhu Xuanning's mind. When she raised her head, a single tear rolled down her jade-like face and landed on Zhu Yuli's heart with a "plop".
She said nothing, yet it was as if she had said everything.
Zhu Yuli stroked the rim of the teacup, no longer looking at her.
This reaction was unexpected yet reasonable; she was a very clever girl, like him, who knew how to use her strengths to appear weak.
Unfortunately, he was her father, and he had already exhausted this trick years ago.
"Next time you use this trick, pay attention to your facial expression. It's too tense, your eyebrows are furrowed too tightly, and your fingertips are clenched like sparrow claws. It's full of flaws," Zhu Yuli commented calmly.
Zhu Xuanning had considered many possible reactions from Zhu Yuli, but these words were completely unexpected.
She remained silent for a moment, her delicate, fragile demeanor shattered by a cold laugh. Zhu Xuanning wiped away her tears, her indifferent tone suppressing her surging hatred.
"You're really amazing. No wonder you were able to climb from a son-in-law to such a position."
Zhu Xuanning's sarcasm had no effect on Zhu Yuli; he had heard all sorts of harsh words when he was down on his luck.
"If I hadn't reached such a high position, how could you sit before me dressed in such fine silks and satins, mocking me?" Zhu Yuli casually lifted the lid of his cup.
“Indeed.” Zhu Xuanning nodded, tilted her head and smiled, and asked, “Then I should thank you. You made me suffer for more than ten years and then let me enjoy this wealth and honor. Lord Zhu.”
Zhu Yuli could easily detect the hatred beneath the sarcasm: "You really should thank me. Without me, you wouldn't exist."
Zhu Yuli sat high above, his gaze icy, and then changed the subject: "You are more like me than your two younger siblings."
Skilled at disguising himself, patient yet vengeful, his timid face concealing a surging ambition, much like him back then.
I know you hate me, but I don't care.
If you want to ask me if I regret abandoning my wife and children, then I'll answer you first: I never regret it; if you want me to regret it, then ascend to a high position and then come and ask me to repent.”
When Zhu Xuanning came out of the study, her back was soaked with sweat, and a strong taste of blood emanated from her tightly clenched lips. Her bright eyes were darker than the night in the Zhu mansion.
She returned to her room, told Po Mo to leave, and then locked herself in. Zhu Xuanning angrily threw out the tattered rag doll hidden inside and stabbed it hard with a needle, her eyes, darker than the night, filled with madness.
She repeated the name Zhu Yuli over and over again.
You despicable man, once I rise to a high position, I will make you kneel before my mother's grave like a dog, kowtowing and repenting, day after day.
Zhu Baoyue was placed under house arrest, while Mei Jiashan was busy entertaining friends.
Madam Zhu hired a governess to give her a rough lesson in etiquette for noble ladies. She studied very hard, but the governess mocked her for being stupid and clumsy. After the governess left, another governess with graceful manners became her etiquette instructor.
Madam Zhu thought she was an ignorant country girl, but she and her mother had been to such places many times, and Zhu Xuanning could tell at a glance.
This is a mother who raises skinny horses.
However, Zhu Xuanning did not make a scene immediately. Instead, she respectfully became an apprentice and learned seduction techniques for a few days. When her mother was amazed by her talent, Zhu Xuanning revealed the matter to Zhu Yuli.
Zhu Xuanning's way of complaining was skillful. She didn't say a word, but when she met Zhu Yuli, she bowed and "inadvertently" showed the "charm" she had cultivated in the past few days.
Zhu Yuli stared at the ink-splashed figure blocking his way and Zhu Xuanning bowing, a storm brewing in his gentle eyes.
"If any of you reveal even a fraction of what happened today, you will die, understand?" Zhu Yuli's attendants dared not utter a sound. After saying this, Zhu Yuli strode towards Yixin Residence.
Zhu Yuli, who had always played the role of a good husband, lost his temper for the first time in front of Madam Zhu and smashed a teacup.
That night, Zhu Yuli stayed in the study; the next day, the governess was dismissed.
Zhu Xuanning finally had a complete break and was able to enjoy a few days of life as a wealthy family.
The ninth day of the second lunar month was the day when students took the imperial examination. She counted the days and told Madam Zhu that she wanted to go to the temple to burn incense and pray to Buddha.
Madam Zhu was furious when she saw Zhuan Xuanning, but when she thought of Zhu Yuli, she forced herself to suppress her desire to make things difficult for her. She even deliberately arranged the best carriage to give Zhu Xuanning a grand display.
"Wait." Madam Zhu called out to Zhu Xuanning, who was about to leave, and had her maid hand her a bag of silver pastries.
"Your allowance is paid from your uncle's private account. This is what your aunt gave you as a treat," Madam Zhu said casually, though she still harbored some resentment.
From the moment Zhu Yuli was about to take Zhu Xuanning in, he told her that the money for raising his niece would be paid through his private account. This made it impossible for her to cut back on the money from this poor family, so she could only focus on their upbringing and manners.
She originally thought that Zhu Xuanning, whom she had raised to be a beautiful and charming woman, would not object to being given to her noble husband. However, she misjudged Zhu Yuli's intentions and angered him for the first time.
After that, Madam Zhu became somewhat hesitant to act freely.
"Thank you, Auntie." Zhu Xuanning's graceful demeanor was evident as she bowed, which only made Madam Zhu dislike her more. Out of sight, out of mind, she sent her away.
"What did Miss wish for?" Po Mo asked curiously.
Zhu Xuanning knelt devoutly on the prayer mat, bowing gracefully, surrounded by pilgrims coming and going.
She rose, her palms splattered with ink, and lit incense herself. Her dark eyelashes were slightly lowered, and the wisps of incense smoke partially obscured her stunningly beautiful face.
The young man in the plain blue gauze robe, separated from the worshippers, immediately fell upon her, his gaze fixed on her in a daze.
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