Chapter 36 Phoenix Perches on the Wutong Tree (Part 5) Jia's energy is limited; how could she possibly pretend...
With the wedding date set, the process was simplified. After all, the core of this marriage was Cao Cao's control and reinstatement of the Imperial Secretariat, Guo Jia's efforts to resolve the misunderstanding, and Qingwu's compromise with fate.
Nobody cares about those formalities; they just want to end this farce.
Perhaps only Deng Jie stubbornly cared for Qingwu's shallow self-esteem and dignity, arranging for her to "legitimately" leave the "family."
So, before dawn, Qingwu was quietly brought to the Guo residence. Deng Jie settled her in and took care of her until the afternoon before leading her into the bedroom to do her makeup.
Although Guo Jia felt a little awkward, Deng Jie insisted on doing so, so he had no choice but to comply. However, before her marriage, he hid in his study and even deliberately avoided them during meals.
Qingwu sat on the edge of the bed of the "Chancellor" she had longed for, dressed in the gorgeous clothes that Deng Jie had made for her, and accepted Li's help to do her hair and makeup, and put on auspicious hairpins.
The mirror reflected her radiant face in her finery, but it couldn't conceal the lingering absurdity and helplessness deep in her eyes.
This is the place she once longed for day and night, a place she even wanted to squeeze into when she fell ill.
She once thought this would be her little bedroom, her final resting place.
But now, she sits inside as she wished, wearing a wedding dress that symbolizes marriage, not to marry the man who owns the room, but to begin her journey to say goodbye to the past and move on to another stranger.
“Sister…” Deng Jie looked at Qingwu, who was dressed in bright red, and for some reason felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
She took a lacquered wooden box from the dressing table and opened it. Inside was a three-pronged jade pendant, a set of jade pendants strung together with jade beads and agate tubes. It was dazzling and exquisite.
"It's just a small token of my appreciation... consider it a wedding gift." Deng Jie said as he put the mismatched jade ornament on the girl who didn't even have a dowry, thinking that at least she would have an extra piece of jewelry to wear.
Qingwu looked up at the pity in Deng Jie's eyes, her throat tightened, and she sincerely called out, "Sister..."
Outside, the long, solemn sound of the evening drum pierced the twilight.
Deng Jie helped Qingwu up by the arm and led her slowly out of the bedroom, across the front yard, and onto the carriage.
This time, Qingwu's turning back showed more lingering affection for Deng Jie than for the house, and a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
Deng Jie could only gently stroke the back of her hand and say in a hoarse voice, "Go..."
Only after the carriage departed did Ayu Huai Niang, who was hiding in the side room, peek out from the gate to see it off.
"Ugh, what a mess this is..."
"This is good news!" Guo Jia darted out from behind the two, startling Huai Niang so much that she covered her mouth.
Deng Jie glanced at him unhappily and deliberately walked around Guo Jia into the building.
Although the inner quarters of the school administration were bustling, Qingwu only went through the motions before being sent to her cold boudoir.
The red candles flickered, illuminating the empty room.
Lu Hong didn't keep her waiting long. He pushed the door open and came in, his face still serious, but his eyes seemed to soften a little under the soft light.
He walked up to Qingwu and handed her a red cloth bag.
Qingwu's heart stirred slightly, and with a hint of a new bride's hope, she carefully untied the red veil.
She had expected some kind of gift, but when she opened it, she found a smooth bamboo slip with characters she recognized—it was Cao Cao's own handwriting.
"Qingwu was promoted to be a special attendant in the study of the Minister of Works' office, in charge of managing and organizing documents, and would enter the office for ten days every month."
I hope you will be diligent and conscientious in your duties.
The few lines of text were like ice water poured over my head.
What "special service in the study" and "ten days a month"? It turns out she was actually a spy planted next to her husband?! This so-called "promotion" was just to give her a legitimate opportunity to report to Cao Cao alone.
Qingwu's hand trembled, and the bamboo slips almost fell, but Lu Hong caught them with quick reflexes.
But when her gaze met Lu Hong's, her eyes were filled with unbelievable despair.
She had already convinced herself that she would adapt to the role of "school affairs wife" and try her best to fulfill the responsibilities and obligations of a wife, but she never expected that she would have to accept this guarding task from the very first night of her marriage.
Lu Hong gently placed the bamboo slips on the table beside him and knelt down in front of Qingwu. “Your order, Lord Ming, has a profound meaning. I, Hong, leave the decision entirely to you, Minister of Works.”
Qingwu's tears fell like pearls from a broken string. Affection is an illusion, marriage is an illusion, and now even this stability will likely become an illusion as well.
"Don't worry, Hong Wen has a clear conscience."
Lu Hong clenched his fist and placed his rough, large hand on her slender limb. "I don't guard against you, nor against Lord Ming. If Lord Ming wants to know anything, just report it truthfully."
This... doesn't affect the two of us.
Hong will treat the girl well, just as he promised the chief priest and his wife.
This clumsy attempt at comfort was like a faint ray of light, offering Qingwu a glimmer of salvation in her despair.
"I don't mind you," "The two of us"...
On this wedding night shrouded in power and absurdity, honesty was the only thing she could grasp that had warmth.
Overwhelmed by helplessness, she abandoned all restraint and threw herself into Lu Hong's arms.
The red candles burned quietly as the figures of the two embracing slowly disappeared into the bed.
Qingwu hadn't even warmed up to her position as "the wife of the school affairs officer" before she had to return to the Sikong Mansion to perform her duties the next day.
Although she was newly promoted to the position of "special attendant in the study," which was close to Cao Cao's position, the awkward scene of "the lady becoming a maid" became a new topic of conversation in the backyard of the Sikong Mansion.
Those who had been jealous or mocked her for "climbing the social ladder" now had an outlet for their anger.
"Oh, isn't this Mrs. Lu? Hmm, should I still call her Mrs. Deng?"
"What Madam Deng? The real Madam Deng is the 'Lady of the Chancellor,' while this 'Lady Lu' is the 'Lady of the School Director.'"
"Sigh, if only I'd known earlier that crying could bring you a wife, I would have given it a try. At least I'd be a 'legal wife'!"
"Whose wife is here on duty?"
"It's just that they didn't manage to climb the social ladder, and ended up getting a bargain by chance!"
These foul words entered Qingwu's ears without any attempt to hide them. Even her former friend who had stopped Deng Jie for her was no longer willing to get close to her due to the immense public pressure, and would avoid her with averted eyes whenever he saw her.
Qingwu once again fell into deep self-doubt and loneliness.
This dignity gained through marriage is like a silk robe, bright and beautiful, yet as thin as a wing, nakedly exposing her unbearable state to others. Instead of bringing warmth, it makes her feel even more lost and helpless in the cold wind.
Lu Hong was only honest with her, but he couldn't perceive the loneliness in her heart. He simply assumed it was because he was clumsy and not happy enough for her, and he was busy restarting the investigation into Dong Cheng and others, so he didn't ask any more questions.
However, amidst this cold gaze and whispered chatter, only one person remained steadfast.
Deng Jie's attitude towards her never changed because of her change of status, nor did he distance himself from her because of rumors.
When Deng Jie heard from Du Shi about the recent developments in the inner courtyard, she always calculated the day Qing Wu went to the Sikong Mansion to treat Cao Chong or to help Du Shi with her pregnancy. Then, at a corner of a corridor, she would "casually" go in and out with her.
The appearance of Deng Jie was like an invisible barrier.
She didn't need to say much; she simply walked side by side with Qingwu, gently chatting with her about her recent experiences. The mockery that had been directed at her from the corner, ready to be uttered, vanished without a trace.
This timely act of kindness became the only source of warmth in Qingwu's married life.
Deng Jie gradually became someone she could confide in and rely on.
In her eyes, Deng Jie was no longer the "Master of the Imperial Academy" whom she secretly hoped to surpass, nor was he a pretentious good person, but a true friend who could empathize with her, share her burdens, and comfort her.
This friendship is also nurtured through daily interactions.
When Qingwu wasn't on duty, Deng Jie would invite her to sit at his house for a while. Sometimes they would pound medicine together under the eaves, sometimes they would brew tea together, or they would pull Huai Niang aside to discuss snacks.
If Deng Jie was going to the Xiangfang Flower Field, she would also take Qing Wu along to relax, helping her identify herbs and make perfume powder. The two would then be as relaxed and comfortable as ordinary close friends.
Deng Jie didn't just give blindly. Knowing that Qing Wu came from the embroidery workshop, her embroidery skills must be superb, so she begged her to teach her some techniques.
Qingwu then realized that although Deng Jie was skilled in incense and medicine, his skill in embroidery and painting was pitifully rudimentary. He regained his confidence and taught him everything he knew.
With Qingwu's patient guidance, Deng Jie was finally able to sew a cloud-patterned brocade pouch on the embroidery frame in a respectable manner.
Deng Jie proudly presented the gift to Guo Jia, saying, "Now I've finally fulfilled my promise!"
Guo Jia was naturally delighted to receive it, and compared it to the ugly cat on the wall. "Jia still prefers this unfinished orange cat more..."
This displeased Deng Jie, who wanted to take it back. Guo Jia hurriedly put it in his pocket and apologized repeatedly.
“You’re good in every other way,” Deng Jie sighed softly, with a hint of gentle reproach, “but your heart is a little narrow.”
Guo Jia nonchalantly pulled her to a seat and snuggled closer to her, asking, "What's the meaning of this?"
Deng Jie put one hand on his shoulder and the other on his chest, saying, "It's right here... there aren't enough people here."
Aside from those you consider absolutely crucial and indispensable, everyone else is probably no different from weeds in your eyes…
Guo Jia chuckled and pulled her close, saying, "The world is vast, and people's hearts are full of complexities. My energy is limited; how can I possibly contain so many?"
It is already beyond my strength to contain your grand ambitions and your well-being and happiness.
"Keeping you two happy is Jia's greatest achievement; how could I have the time or energy to care about others?"
Deng Jie sighed heavily, "The result of your inaction is that something like Qingwu happened."
An unintentional act so easily changed someone's life... This isn't fair to her.
"Where in this world is there any talk of 'fairness'... However,"
Seeing that Deng Jie was still bothered by the matter, and feeling that she had done so much, Guo Jia looked ashamed and apologized sincerely, "It was indeed Jia's oversight in this matter, and it's all thanks to Shuo Yi for covering for me..."
As he spoke, he resorted to his usual coquettish tricks, attempting to get away with it.
Seeing his clingy and persistent manner, Deng Jie loosened his guard a little. "I know your heart, but the number of people you truly care about is very small."
She counted on her fingers: "Mr. Wenruo, Mr. Cao, me..." She paused, her voice becoming even gentler, "and...my brother."
Guo Jia suddenly stopped moving, his body stiffened slightly, and he rested his face on her shoulder to avoid the indescribable complex expression on her face.
"Yes..." he responded softly, his eyes fixed on the herb garden behind Deng Jie, his right hand reaching into his left sleeve pocket and stuffing the bamboo slips inside deeper.
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