Chapter 21 Calculation and Truth
Meeting Liu Rumei's incredulous gaze, Sheng Huai'an couldn't help but feel regret.
His eyes were tired, and he softened his voice, saying, "Sister-in-law, I was so upset by Mother's words today that I couldn't help but lose my temper with you. I'm sorry."
"No need." Liu Rumei quickly covered his lips and said with heartache, "You study hard, and you still have to spread ice for me in this hot weather. I was just sad that I couldn't help you and that's why I couldn't help but cry."
So that's how it is.
Sheng Huai'an took the initiative to ask, "When you and Mother went to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion today, was there a restricted area..."
"Did Mother tell you this?" Liu Rumei said gently. "Don't worry, Ye Mingzhu didn't check the markings on the forbidden area in public. I erased them when I got back. If anyone asks about it later, I'll just say it was a misunderstanding. Anyway, without evidence, it's just a little injustice."
Sheng Huai'an's eyes showed even more tenderness.
He initially thought that the Hetian jade pendant was a perfect match for his ethereal sister-in-law, so he brought it to her for her to admire. He never expected that Ye Mingzhu would go so far.
Compared to the grumbling Jia Shi, his sister-in-law's gentleness captivated him.
He held Liu Rumei's hand and kissed it, and sincerely exclaimed, "My sister-in-law still loves me the most."
"If I don't love you, who will I love?" Liu Rumei nestled against him, scolding him playfully, "Your brother is gone. From the day you barged into my room, you've been all I have."
Her delicate appearance stirred a fire within Sheng Huai'an, and he gazed intently at her.
"Don't be so presumptuous..." Liu Rumei shyly avoided his gaze, got up and pulled him to the bedside, "You've been exhausted these past few days, how about your sister-in-law massages your head?"
"Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law." Sheng Huai'an suppressed his inner turmoil and went along with her wishes.
His sister-in-law was always reserved, and he didn't want to scare her.
Besides, he was really tired.
Resting his head on Liu Rumei's lap, Sheng Huai'an found a comfortable position and closed his eyes.
Feeling the gentle pressure from Liu Rumei's hands, he unknowingly fell asleep.
He didn't know how much time had passed when Liu Rumei gently woke him up. He felt that most of the fatigue in his body had dissipated, and his mood had also improved a lot. He exhaled a breath of stale air.
He glanced at the time and saw that it was already late 9 PM, so he immediately got up.
Liu Rumei asked reluctantly, "Why are you in such a hurry? Aren't you afraid someone will see you tonight?"
As he straightened his robes, Sheng Huai'an smiled and said, "I haven't studied all day, and I'm feeling uneasy. I'll have to study hard for a few hours tonight to make up for it."
Liu Rumei looked at him with heartache: "Huai'an, you've worked hard."
Sheng Huai'an laughed and held her hand, saying, "What's so hard about it? Only when I obtain official rank and become an official in the court will I have the confidence to bring up the matter of inheriting two branches of the family with the clan, and make you my rightful wife! It's just a pity that the old lady dotes on that sickly Sheng Yunche more. If I could inherit the title, I would have a better chance."
"Mmm." Liu Rumei looked at him tenderly. "I believe you. I'll wait for you."
Sheng Huai'an didn't delay any longer and turned to leave.
After he left for a while, Liu Rumei walked to a wardrobe in the inner room, opened the door and said to the person inside, "Come out, he's gone."
Liu Pinliang stepped out of the wardrobe and asked anxiously, "Second sister, why didn't you mention my matter to brother-in-law? Ye Mingzhu saw me. What if she tells the Qin family about me and they make things difficult for me?"
"Why are you calling me brother-in-law?" Liu Rumei glared at him.
Liu Pinliang smiled ingratiatingly: "Sheng Huai'an said he wants to inherit both branches of the family line. It's only a matter of time before he becomes my brother-in-law."
Liu Rumei chuckled: "The rule of inheriting two branches of the family does not allow a younger brother to marry his elder brother's wife, as it is against ethics. Besides, I have Hao'er under my care, and the clan would certainly not agree to it."
"Then why are you still with him..."
"Go back first." Liu Rumei interrupted him. "I know what you're talking about. You didn't actually encounter Miss Qin. You can easily say that you were too anxious to save her and didn't hear Ye Mingzhu's cries. Even if the Qin family investigates, they can only find out about Wang Jing's problem, which has nothing to do with you."
"real?"
“Really.” After saying that, Liu Rumei thought of the humiliation she had suffered during the day, and suddenly added, “Or, I have another plan.”
"What?"
“I’ll give you the silver. You go and spread the word that you saved Qin Xuefei, that Ye Mingzhu stole your credit, and that the Qin family, in order to protect Qin Xuefei’s reputation, denies it and even speaks up for her.”
"This...this is forcing the Qin family to marry Qin Xuefei to me?" Liu Pinliang was quite tempted, but also afraid. "Is it feasible?"
"Why not?" Liu Rumei said, "As long as the rumors continue, Qin Xuefei will never find a good match. If this matter reaches the Emperor's ears, it might even affect Grand Secretary Qin. The Qin family will definitely want you as their son-in-law for the sake of their reputation. Once you marry Qin Xuefei, how you treat her will be entirely up to you."
As a result, Ye Mingzhu, who "stole credit for others' work," naturally didn't fare well, and even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash away her bad reputation.
Ye Mingzhu's reputation is ruined, so naturally her words are not credible.
No one will mention Hetian jade anymore.
"Thank you, Second Sister." Liu Pinliang's eyes lit up. "I'll do as you say!"
"No need to thank me. Just remember me as your second sister when you become successful in the future." Liu Rumei smiled gently, her demeanor graceful and serene.
"I will never forget!" Liu Pinliang raised his right hand and swore to the heavens, "In my heart, you are the most important person to me."
"..."
After watching Liu Pinliang leave through the secret passage behind the wardrobe, having solved another problem, Liu Rumei sat on the edge of the bed and began to ponder her own affairs.
For some reason, she had noticed a change in Sheng Huai'an's attitude towards her lately. He was no longer as gentle and considerate as before, and even seemed somewhat impatient.
Perhaps next time she shouldn't keep him in suspense and should give him some sweet treats.
...
On the third day of the Lotus Banquet, Ye Mingzhu met Madam Qin and Qin Xuefei.
As Madam Qin had predicted, the gifts she sent were all heavy gold items, as if nothing else could express her gratitude.
The gift Qin Xuefei personally selected was a sharp dagger inlaid with gold and jade gems, which she told Ye Mingzhu to use for self-defense and to sell for money if necessary.
However, Madam Qin looked very worried.
Ye Mingzhu and Princess Ronghua exchanged a glance, and roughly understood why Madam Qin was troubled... It was mostly because of the rumors of the past two days, and she was worried about Qin Xuefei's marriage.
Because the rumors also involved Ye Mingzhu, Ye Mingzhu originally wanted to discuss it with the Qin family. Fortunately, Madam Qin arrived, so there was no need to schedule another time.
Madam Qin and Princess Ronghua were talking in the hall, while Ye Mingzhu invited Qin Xuefei to the flower hall for tea.
As soon as she sat down, Qin Xuefei said, "Sister Mingzhu, I want to go to the frontier to join the army!"
"What?!" Ye Mingzhu exclaimed in surprise.
Seeing her flustered state, Qin Xuefei chuckled and playfully asked, "Sister Mingzhu, were you scared by me?"
Ye Mingzhu nodded helplessly.
Qin Xuefei laughed and said, "I've loved wielding sticks and spears since I was a child. I can't learn the chastity and gentleness that a girl should have. I've always wanted to fight on the battlefield like a man. Now that this has happened, I'm so annoyed that this bold idea came to me."
"Are you worried about your reputation being damaged, which would be detrimental to your marriage?" Ye Mingzhu advised. "If that's the case, I believe that Grand Secretary Qin will definitely uphold justice for you and clear your name. We have evidence, so it won't be difficult for us to do it."
"Yes, but not entirely," Qin Xuefei said. "Sister Mingzhu, there's something I haven't told anyone, but I don't know why I really want to confide in you."
"What's wrong?" Ye Mingzhu asked with concern.
Qin Xuefei said, "Actually, while I was unconscious, I was trapped in a nightmare, repeatedly dreaming of the same few scenes."
"I dreamt that I fell into the water and was rescued by Liu Pinliang, and then we got married. After the marriage, I discovered his true colors and wanted to divorce him. He even signed the divorce papers, but then secretly drugged me..."
“I was poisoned and suffocated to death, but he told everyone that I died from a miscarriage and depression. He even used me as an excuse to take several concubines who looked like me, thus gaining a reputation for being devoted to his deceased wife.”
"Although reality is different from nightmares, and the person who saved me was you, not him, I don't know why there are still rumors going around. It seems like there is some unseen force forcing me to marry him. I'm so annoyed."
“My father can clear my name, but so what? I’ll still marry a stranger, still be confined to my mansion, still have to hope that man’s conscience will make my life better, and still have to scheme against the concubines…”
"Sister Mingzhu, I don't want to!"
"Going to the frontier to join the army is a life-or-death situation, and it's not convenient for a woman, but I'm willing!"
After hearing Qin Xuefei's words, Ye Mingzhu remained outwardly calm, but her heart was in turmoil.
...It turns out that Qin Xuefei was drugged by Liu Pinliang, which led to her "death from depression"!
It's disgusting that Liu Pinliang pretended to be so infatuated and even found a stand-in!
The storybooks she read didn't mention this at all. Was it because Liu Pinliang was the male lead, and his image couldn't be damaged, so all information that was unfavorable to him was hidden?
Qin Xuefei is truly fortunate to be able to understand these things through her dreams.
Thinking of this, she asked Qin Xuefei with concern, "When are you planning to leave? Have you told your parents?"
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