marriage
The banquet by the lake has ended.
The young ladies in the pavilion fell silent upon seeing the scene in the lake. When they saw that the person had been rescued, they all exclaimed how fortunate it was that no one had died. They didn't dare to say anything more and then filed away from the place.
The young men on the grass, mindful of appearances, refrained from gossiping in public. Only the nosy ones quietly inquired about whose daughter had fallen into the water while rowing a boat.
As the group of young gentlemen left the lakeside and whispered among themselves in the woods, they suddenly saw one of them stop and turn around to ask, "Is the girl rowing the boat Master Lu's daughter?"
“That’s right.” One of them raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Bai Xuan, you dull bookworm, you haven’t fallen for worldly desires, have you?”
Song Baixuan frowned slightly and said, "Just a little curious."
"Don't be so greedy just because she's pretty. She's a future princess. If it weren't for this incident today, we wouldn't even have had a chance to meet her."
“We have no chance. Bai Xuan is a student that Master Lu favors.”
"That won't help either."
Song Baixuan ignored them and continued walking out of the mansion.
The image of the pale purple figure he saw in the lake, her slender waist bent down, kneeling beside the bamboo raft to save people, kept flashing through his mind.
That night, he grabbed her arm and pinned her tightly against the wall.
Unfortunately, I accidentally let her go.
*
Mu Qingshang was unaware that he had been recognized. When he returned to the Lu residence with Lu Tongxue, he saw her crying as she went back to her room and refused to come out again, so he immediately went to find the Third Madam.
Upon hearing the whole story, the third wife nearly fainted.
Helping her to sit on the chaise lounge, Mu Qing was still indignant. "That Ji Shucai is really wicked. Even if she didn't want Tong to marry into her family, she shouldn't have devised such a vicious scheme."
The third wife calmed her breathing, looked up at her, and said, "Silly child, she was probably targeting you."
Mu Qing couldn't help but wonder, "Targeting me? But I haven't offended her."
Seeing that she was completely unaware, the Third Madam said, "I only have a suspicion; you don't need to worry about it."
I had heard that Madam Ji had taken her daughter to the Prince's Mansion to pay respects to Princess Duanjing on several occasions. Later, Princess Duanjing also revealed that someone had asked about the young prince's choice of a concubine. Madam Ji had already guessed what was going on, but seeing that the young prince was not the kind of person who would change his affections frequently, she did not take it to heart.
When looking for a spouse for Lu Tongxue, he hesitated to consider the Ji family, simply because the Ji family had too many members and complicated relationships.
Now, having been tricked, with her daughter and niece almost getting involved, it's hard to say whether regret or resentment will outweigh the other.
Most importantly, Lu Tongxue was staying here, her marriage was not arranged, and she even fell into the water in public and was rescued by a man. This was truly a terrible sin.
The third wife asked, "Who is that young man who saved Tongxue?"
"After he rescued Tong, he left without saying anything." Mu Qing thought for a moment, "The servants of the Ji family seem to call him Cousin."
The third wife's brows relaxed. "Then perhaps we can discuss marriage."
Mu Qing looked doubtful.
Thinking of Lu Tongxue being rescued, he immediately slapped the man and yelled at him, "Who told you to jump into the water to save me? My sister Qing could have pulled me out!"
Mu Qing couldn't imagine how the two of them would discuss marriage.
However, the burly, dark-skinned young man had thick eyebrows and big eyes. He wasn't angry or complaining after being slapped, and he obediently helped them ashore. If he had a decent social standing, he might be considered a good match.
After considering it for a moment, she told the Third Madam about all the minor details she had noticed.
At this moment, the burly, dark-skinned young man was in Ji Tongzhi's study, standing in front of the rosewood desk, recounting what he had seen.
Ji Tongzhi sat in the armchair inside the desk, listened for a while, then frowned and said, "Han'er, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"
"I'm sure. I only rowed the bamboo raft to rescue her after I saw the maid in green jump off the boat."
"Okay, you go back first, and while you're at it, call those three outside in for me."
The burly, dark-skinned young man turned and went out. He saw the three people standing by the flower bed in the courtyard and said, "Uncle wants you to come in."
Ji Shuzhen was chatting and laughing with her older siblings when she saw him. She glared at him angrily, blocked his way, and said, "Yue Han, what were you saying in there?"
Yue Han kept his eyes straight ahead and said, "I told you what I saw and heard."
Ji Shuzhen became even angrier, "Mind your own business, like a dog chasing a mouse..."
Ji Shucai pulled her away, saying, "Zhen'er, Father is waiting inside."
Seeing Yue Han leave in silence, Ji Wenjie tapped his folding fan against his palm and asked, "What kind of mess have you two made?"
Ji Shucai glanced at him and said, "Second brother, stop pretending. You've known our plans from the beginning."
Upon entering the study, Ji Tongzhi looked at the three siblings with a worried expression and asked them to take turns recounting the events of the day.
As the second son, Ji Wenjie was the first to speak.
“I don’t want to get married yet, but my family insists on arranging a marriage for me. It was quite a coincidence that I went to see my fifth sister that day and overheard her and my sixth sister discussing how to deal with Miss Lu. I thought this was an opportunity. If Miss Lu is smart, I can marry her. If not, then it’s good to cancel the marriage.”
He shrugged and said to Ji Tongzhi in a nonchalant manner, "Dad, I didn't do anything."
"You haven't done a single good thing!"
Ji Tongzhi grabbed a book from the table and slammed it down on him.
Ji Wenjie dodged to the side and stepped aside. "Fifth Sister, it's your turn to speak."
Ji Shucai rolled her eyes at him. "Didn't Father just ask Yue Han? Whatever he says goes."
Ji Tongzhi was so angry that his beard trembled. "Cai'er, I've always thought of you as the most sensible person in the family. How could you be so reckless? Do you know how much trouble this will cause?"
"There was no evidence left over from this matter, and we have no grounds to argue with the Lu family when they come knocking." Ji Shucai said calmly, "Father's term in Weizhou will soon come to an end. When the young prince returns to Weizhou, we will move to another place with Father, and there will be no trouble."
Ji Tongzhi frowned. "Lu Xun currently holds no official position, but it wouldn't be difficult for him to return to the court. Although he is an upright man, it's quite possible that he would suppress his father's position as Tongzhi for the rest of his life for the sake of his daughter."
Ji Shucai said softly, "Even without anyone suppressing him, Father has already reached the end of his career as a sub-prefect."
"You unfilial daughter!" Ji Tongzhi grabbed another book, his hands trembling, but in the end he couldn't bring himself to throw it.
Ji Shucai stepped aside. "Zhen'er, it's your turn to speak."
Seeing that her older siblings had angered their father but had no consequences, Ji Shuzhen became reckless.
“Father, although we planned to make the Lu sisters fall into the water together and then have them rescued by some vulgar and lowly servants, which would be a disgrace, now one of them is perfectly fine, and the other was rescued by Yue Han. If the Lu family comes to hold us accountable, we can just compensate Yue Han. Didn't you say he has a bright future? The Lu family probably won't feel like they've lost out.”
Thinking about how Lu Tongxue slapped Yue Han hard as soon as she was rescued, Ji Shuzhen felt a little amused. She wanted to see how frustrated Yue Han would feel if he knew that meddling in other people's business would mean marrying a wife who would hit him.
Seeing her watching the show with a look of disappointment, Ji Tongzhi said with a hint of exasperation, "Yue Han is destined to be an outstanding person. If you miss him, you may never find such a good husband again."
Ji Shuzhen bit her lip and said, "If he is a dragon among men, then so am I!"
Ji Tongzhi was so angry that he fainted.
*
When Lu Xier left the Ji residence, it was nearly 3 PM.
When the Second Young Master Ji arrived, he was called away before he could say more than a few words because Master Ji had returned to the mansion. Before leaving, he promised to meet again next time.
Previously, Lu Xier would not have agreed.
But Miss Lu and the Third Madam look so alike that she can no longer believe the story of her origins told to her by Aunt Man.
If she were just an orphan, she would naturally try her best to cultivate relationships and make a living.
Aunt Man had nothing to say about this, only saying that they could make two preparations.
The two returned to Wutong Lane, feeling somewhat dejected, when they heard a knock on the courtyard gate. It was Lu Jiu, the painter from next door, who came.
Lu Jiu seemed to be wearing a new outfit. The bright light blue robe made him look very refreshing, and his hair was combed neatly. Compared to his unkempt appearance during the previous two meetings, he was completely different.
“Miss Lu, this is a painting I made of the Wei River during the Shangsi Festival.”
He walked into the courtyard with a scroll in his hand and saw Lu Xier standing on the stone steps. He couldn't wait to go over and unroll the painting.
This wasn't the first time Lu Xier had encountered such an enthusiastic man. She remained calm and quietly looked at the painting he had unfolded.
The painting depicts a scene of drifting mist, with the wide Wei River seemingly flowing. Willows sway along the banks, and the people walking around are mostly ordinary folk, dressed in cloth shoes and straw hats, carrying loads and pushing carts, helping the old and leading the young. The brushstrokes are exquisite, and the scenes are lively, vivid, and full of charm.
Lu Xier was so engrossed in watching that she didn't speak for a long time before saying, "It's truly the work of a master."
Lu Jiu's face lit up with joy, and he said, "Since Miss Lu appreciates it, I will give this painting to you."
Lu Xi'er shook her head and said, "Young Master Lu, you have already sent us many things, and we feel bad that we have not reciprocated enough. We cannot accept any more. Besides, this painting of yours is worth a thousand pieces of gold, so I cannot accept it."
“Miss Lu, there’s no need for a reward.” Lu Jiu lowered his eyes, seemingly feeling a bit presumptuous. “Whenever I hear your music, I feel relaxed and at ease. My shoulders and back, which have been aching from painting for so long, also feel relieved. I’m just bringing you this as a token of my gratitude.”
Perhaps because of his good looks, or perhaps because of his superb painting skills, Lu Xier no longer felt annoyed when she couldn't refuse him as before.
She lowered her eyes and said, "Young Master Lu, I wear a veil not because I have any heavenly beauty, but because I am afraid that if people see my face, they will look down on my zither."
Lu Jiu stared at her blankly. "Miss Lu, although I make a living by painting, I am not deceived by my eyes. I can distinguish between what I see with my eyes and what I see with my heart. I have always listened to your music with my heart."
He spoke without hesitation, as if revealing his innermost thoughts.
Lu Xier was stunned.
Just then, there was another knock on the courtyard gate. When Aunt Man opened the gate, she heard Aunt Fang, who lived in the same Wutong Lane, shout: "Is the painter Lu here? A group of people have come to the entrance of the lane, carrying a sedan chair. They've made quite a show of it. They say they're from the Zhen family and have come to invite the painter Lu to be their guest."
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