Chapter 14 Was it you who exposed yourself?
Three days later.
The Hundred Flowers Banquet at the Zhongshu Ling Mansion arrived as scheduled. Lu Tingwan, dressed as a man, entered the Gongsun Mansion with Luo Yunchu.
Last night, Gongsun Xue also sent an invitation to Yansheng Hall, but Lu Tingwan was going to go anyway, but she couldn't go as the second wife of the Cheng family, so she simply sent a message saying that she was not feeling well and could not keep the appointment.
Gongsun Xue did not really invite him, but because of her status as the mistress, she had to observe the necessary courtesies.
The back garden of Gongsun Mansion is situated by the lake, where pink and white lotus petals bloom one after another amidst the rippling blue waves. A verdant curtain of green gauze has long been erected along the corridors among the flowers, floating gently in the wind like smoke and mist, making visitors who come to admire the flowers feel as if they have entered a fairyland of lotus sea.
There were banquet tables set up under the corridor and in the garden. The tables were made of Xiangfei bamboo and covered with plain brocade. On the desks were celadon vases with freshly picked lotus pods in them, emitting a faint fragrance.
The Zhongshu Ling Mansion was decorated with carved railings and jade bricks. The maids were dressed in light blue silk skirts and held silver plates filled with lotus seed soup and lotus flower cakes. They walked lightly as if they were walking on lotus flowers.
The musicians hid among the flowers, and the sounds of stringed instruments seemed to be there and not there. Suddenly, a breeze blew by, the lotus fragrance became stronger, and the music gradually rose, like pearls falling on a jade plate.
During the banquet, the ladies gently waved their fans and smiled sweetly, but their beauty was not even a fraction as beautiful as the lotus flowers in the pond.
When Lu Tingwan entered the garden, he could not help but sigh in admiration at the beautiful scenery, but he was also wary, fearing that he would run into the Lu family.
After the guests are seated, they can move around freely at the banquet and enjoy the flowers, while koi fish can sometimes be seen playing in the pond.
Gongsun Xue led Cheng Xianzhi to toast with her father. Luo Yunchu and Lu Tingwan were businessmen. Compared with court officials, their status was insignificant, so few of them would take the initiative to approach and chat with her.
Lu Tingwan had important things on her mind and had no intention of appreciating the flowers. She was also afraid of running into her sister, so she could only hide in a corner and wait for her chance.
Across the waterside pavilion, the man and woman talking with the Minister of the Central Secretariat in the distance must be her newlywed husband Cheng Xianzhi and his wife Gongsun Xue. Just looking at their backs, they are just as the rumors say, a match made in heaven.
She stared at it in a trance, feeling envious. She thought it would be nice to have a loving father and a considerate husband.
Lu Mingqian only saw herself as a ladder for his promotion and a chess piece for the empress dowager to dispatch and manipulate. She had to deal with the empress dowager and her father, and had to stay away from the mansion every day.
There are many injustices in the world, but Lu Tingwan does not admit it and will not blame others. She cannot choose her own birth, but she can do what she wants through her own efforts. One day, she will fly out of the high walls and return to her hometown in the south.
Luo Yunchu woke her up from her reverie. He pushed her with his arm and said, "Now is the perfect time. Why are you hiding here and peeking instead of going out to socialize?"
Lu Tingwan's eyes flickered as he dodged, "No, it would be too abrupt for me to go out like this."
Luo Yunchu ignored her and said hello to the doctor from the Ministry of Revenue in the distance before going over.
Lu Tingwan looked at the people at the banquet, but still couldn't find an opportunity. All the guests at the flower-viewing banquet at the Zhongshu Ling Mansion were from prominent families, and she didn't know any of them.
The sounds of the zither and the flute started again. Lu Tingwan felt a little dejected and went to the rockery behind the pond, hoping to find a quiet place. As he walked deeper into the pond, the sounds from behind the rockery gradually came in. When he listened carefully, he found them familiar.
Isn't this her elder sister's voice?
How could Lu Tingwu be here? After a while, the man's voice followed closely.
"At the beginning, Pushe Lu followed my aunt's wishes and asked you to marry Cheng Xianzhi as a concubine. It was of no avail for me to ask my aunt for help. Fortunately, Pushe Lu took a risky move and came up with this plan. He brought Lu Tingwan back from Jiangling and performed another trick of self-torture. Otherwise, the second wife of the Cheng family who is ignored by everyone would be you, my Awu." The man's voice was low, but Lu Tingwan heard it clearly.
The person who spoke was Jiang Yanli, the second son of the current Duke Jiang Haiyi.
Jiang Yanli chose the literary path. Unlike his elder brother Jiang Qingsheng and his father who fought on the battlefield, Jiang Haiyi fought all over the country and became famous. The second son Jiang Yanli was raised in Kyoto and is now in the Hanlin Academy. His future is bright.
With the support of his aunt, the Empress Dowager, it would not be difficult for him to have a smooth career in the future.
Besides, he treated Lu Tingwu sincerely. If she married him and became Cheng Xianzhi's concubine, she would rather marry Jiang Yanli.
Lu Tingwu pressed her fingertips to his lips and interrupted, "Yanli, let's not talk about the past anymore. I was invited to the Zhongshu Ling Mansion today. Cheng Pushe and the eldest lady were a pair. Fortunately, Ah Wan was willing to marry in his place, otherwise I would be the one being left out in the Cheng Mansion right now."
"It's just that I thought I could see Ah Wan today, but I didn't expect her to come to the flower viewing party."
Lu Tingwu felt guilty, but he was not guilty of an unforgivable crime. It was only natural for him to do what was right for him.
"When my father returns from the battle, I will ask him to propose marriage to the Lu family." Jiang Yanli put his arm around her shoulders and leaned her against his chest.
Lu Tingwan listened silently behind the rocks. So that was the case. She had expected what happened in the yard that night with Liu's mother and daughter. Being a substitute bride was not her idea. If there was another way out, Lu Tingwan would not take the risk and agree to be a substitute bride.
But after hearing the truth from other people, I found it so ridiculous.
Now that things have come to this, she does not blame Lu Tingwu. It is understandable that people should do things for themselves.
After waiting for a while, Jiang Yanli left from another place. Lu Tingwu smoothed her hair, adjusted her appearance, and returned to her former dignity.
Just as he was about to walk out of the rockery, rocks fell and shattered. Lu Tingwan slipped and fell straight into the woods, startling Lu Tingwu who was about to leave.
Lu Tingwu looked in the direction of the voice, fearing that the private meeting just now would be known to others. He took a deep breath secretly, and after making sure, he went in the direction of the voice.
When she got closer, she saw a man dressed as a man, holding Lu Tingwan's face and giving her an unnatural smile, which was uglier than crying.
Then she was seen touching her waist which was hurt from the fall and trying to stand up.
"Awan?" Lu Tingwu almost didn't dare to recognize him. "You, why are you dressed like this?"
Although she had doubts in her heart, she still went to help him, "Gongsun Xue said you were sick, why are you..."
"Sister." Lu Tingwan stood up with great difficulty. Lu Tingwu brushed the dirt off her body and wiped the stains on her cheeks with a handkerchief.
Lu Tingwu finally realized what was happening. "You were here for a long time just now? What did you hear?"
Lu Tingwan asked nonchalantly, "Sister, is that the man you're interested in? You didn't marry Cheng Xianzhi because of him, right?"
"Awan, you..." Lu Tingwu was sure she had heard everything, "I..."
The sound of banquet music drifted in from afar, and the laughter of officials and their wives gradually faded away. Lu Tingwan, with a look of ignorance and coquettishness, said heartlessly, "When I saw you, you were already hugging each other. If he really cared about me, why didn't he come to propose marriage? Why did he force me to meet him in a place like this? I saw it today. If it were someone else, my reputation would be ruined even if I jumped into this lotus lake."
"Ah Wan, can you please not tell anyone else about this?" Lu Tingwu said gently. "Also, you still haven't answered my question about why I showed up at the Gongsun Mansion dressed like this?"
Lu Tingwan leaned against the rocks and stared at Lu Tingwu for a long time. Lu Tingwu felt frightened.
Suddenly, she raised her eyes slightly, with a hint of girlish playfulness, and clung back to Lu Tingwu, acting coquettishly: "Sister, don't tell anyone about my visit to Gongsun Mansion today, and I won't tell my family about your secret meeting with Second Young Master Jiang, okay?"
Lu Tingwu had no choice at this time. Regardless of what she meant, reputation was the lifeline of a woman. If the secret dealings between her and Jiang Yanli were to be leaked out, her reputation would be damaged and her father would also blame her.
"Well," Lu Tingwu was still worried, "First, tell me why you are here?"
Lu Tingwan simply told her the truth, and took advantage of Lu Tingwu to present the customized box from Zhichunli to the official's wife. This time it was obtained without any effort. Lu Tingwu took advantage of her soft heart, and Lu Tingwan also took advantage of her identity, which was not too much.
Her eyes rolled, her gaze wary, and then she gradually revealed her grievance, almost on the verge of tears. "Ah Wan entered the Cheng residence and became Cheng Xianzhi's concubine. He sleeps in Gongsun Xue's room every day. We've been married for almost three months, and Ah Wan has never seen her husband. He even sent a message telling me not to set foot in the First Lady's courtyard. He's always on guard against me. Ah Wan's life is worse than that of a servant in the Prime Minister's residence."
Hearing this, Lu Tingwu felt guilty again and said uncomfortably, "Then, why didn't you return to the Lu family to find us? Did he imprison you? Did he mistreat you? Or?"
Seeing that her thoughts were becoming more and more exaggerated, Lu Tingwan stopped in time, "No, that's not the case, sister, I want to tell you something serious."
At this point, she lowered her voice and whispered to Lu Tingwu the details of how she had opened a shop without telling anyone in the Cheng residence, and why she came to the flower viewing banquet.
Lu Tingwu was horrified and covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and she didn't make a sound for a long time.
Cheng Xianzhi is such a cautious person, but she can still do business quietly under his nose. It can be seen that this sister is extraordinary.
Cheng Xianzhi didn't keep a close eye on her, figuring the Queen Mother wouldn't be so eager to activate this chess move. He hadn't anticipated Lu Tingwan's disobedience. Lu Tingwan was well aware of this, and having divined Cheng Xianzhi's psychology, she dared to boldly plan to go out and do business.
"Sister?" Lu Tingwan shook her.
"The rejuvenating cream that has recently become famous in Kyoto was made by you?" Lu Tingwu couldn't believe it. She also had a bottle of rejuvenating cream, and it was very expensive.
Lu Tingwan nodded and smiled awkwardly, "Sister, please help Ah Wan. This banquet is really important to me. If you like it, Ah Wan will send a few bottles to the mansion later. This rejuvenating cream will make your skin smoother. If my brother-in-law sees it, he will be unable to take his eyes off it."
"Ah Wan," Lu Tingwu's cheeks flushed, and he leaned against her, "What do you want me to do?"
After not seeing each other for more than two months, Lu Tingwu couldn't believe it. She was alone in Kyoto, without relying on her husband's or her own family, and was doing business outside without telling anyone.
Lu Tingwan gave Lu Tingwu a general idea of the plan, and she understood.
Behind the distant rockery, the person who had been watching for a long time put away his folding fan and gave an intriguing smile. His voice was full of intention. "The second wife of Cheng Pushe's family, the daughter of Lu Pushe, is Jiang Yanli, the shopkeeper of Zhichunli? Interesting."
The banquet changed another song, and the two returned to the table. Lu Tingwu blended into the conversation and laughter of several officials' wives.
One of them was the daughter of the Minister of Rites. She praised the lotus in the pond highly and said that Gongsun Xue had married her ideal husband and that they lived in perfect harmony and love. She felt sorry for Lu Tingwu, but was also glad that she had not married him and had become an unfavored concubine, leading to a difficult life.
Although this wasn't directed at her, it was directed at Lu Tingwan. She said, "Cheng Pushe and his wife are in love with each other, and he is also a student of the Minister of the Central Secretariat. My sister doesn't ask for a respectful relationship with her husband, but she does ask for a stable life. Even if she is a concubine of the Cheng family, she is still a member of the Cheng family. Cheng Pushe has a bright future and is highly regarded by Your Majesty. I heard that the Queen Mother has entrusted him with an important task. It is only a matter of time before he becomes a prime minister."
"Then Cheng Pushe is so good, why doesn't Miss Lu marry him? Why does she give him to her sister who has returned from the countryside?"
Lu Tingwu's words were about to be interrupted, but he remembered the important matter and took them back. He changed the subject with a normal expression, "This is the Zhongshu Ling Mansion. It's probably inappropriate to talk about Cheng Pushe and his wife like this."
"I heard there's a rejuvenating cream that's all the rage in Kyoto these days, and it's very effective. Have you ladies heard of it?"
One of them was quite interested when he heard this, "But is it the rejuvenating cream in Zhichun?"
The young ladies from the other official families also came over. Some of them had heard a little about it, some had never heard of it, and some had already used it for some time.
Lu Tingwu took out a few jars from his sleeve slowly. The jars were not big. He held two jars in each hand and held them in front of everyone.
The daughter of the Minister of Rites, who knew about the Rejuvenating Cream, was dazzled. "This is really the Rejuvenating Cream from Zhichun. My mother gave me a can. I heard that Rejuvenating Cream is rare and limited every day. How did you get so much?"
Lu Tingwu said calmly, "I have a good friend who is an old acquaintance of the owner of Zhichunli. He sent me a few bottles to try, but I don't need so much by myself. If you sisters don't mind, you can take them."
Everyone looked at each other, all wanting it but too embarrassed to be the first to ask for it. Lu Tingwu simply stuffed it into their hands and said, "If you sisters find it useful, tell me later."
"Sister Lu, you are so generous! I have been begging for this bottle of rejuvenating cream for a long time. I used one bottle before, but it is hard to find it again. If you use it at night, your skin will be hydrated when you put on makeup the next day."
Lu Tingwan, who was not in the mood to appreciate the flowers from a distance, kept glancing over here and saw Lu Tingwu winking at her.
This is half done.
"Is this the purpose of your coming to the flower viewing banquet?" Luo Yunchu's voice drowned out her, and he tapped her head lightly with his folding fan.
Lu Tingwan turned around and almost bumped into his arms. She staggered a few steps and was about to fall into the pool. Luo Yunchu was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He put the folding fan against her waist, put his long arms around her back, and brought her back into his arms.
After a moment's silence, the two of them suddenly realized that they were being rude and quickly let go.
"You, where did you go just now?" Lu Tingwan's face turned red, she was so nervous that she stuttered.
Luo Yunchu was the same, and was mostly silent. "I met a few friends."
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