Chapter 10: Uncontrollable
As Meng Qing walked away from Chenghui Hall in the darkness, her delicate face was cold and indifferent. Her cold expression, reflected in the dappled shadows of the trees, looked particularly frightening. She was in a terrible mood because she had to make an extra trip before dark.
Fu Yan'an had drunk a few too many cups with his colleagues outside today. When he returned to Chenghui Hall, he did not see Qing'er looking for him. Feeling the effects of the alcohol, he thought that Qing'er was really stubborn. Taking advantage of his drunkenness, he went to Biqiong Garden to look for her.
He knew perfectly well that if Qing'er truly left the Marquis's mansion, there would be no possibility for the two of them again. But if he had stopped his sister from restoring her status as a free person, given her strong-willed nature, she would have definitely broken off all ties with him, with no turning back.
But without his protection, her beauty would likely lead her to become a concubine of the powerful and wealthy in this world.
That day at the Grand Princess's residence, she disguised herself as her younger sister and danced "The Goddess of the Luo River Flying to Heaven." He saw it clearly. Those young men in the pavilion thought she was Fu Jingyu, and their eyes even dared to linger on her, as if they wanted to devour her alive. If they had known it was her, how could they have tolerated it?
The two met unexpectedly under the eaves.
Seeing that he was unsteady on his feet and clearly drunk, Meng Qingci stopped ten steps away. Holding the belt she had embroidered for him herself, she did not bow properly as usual, but just looked at him quietly and indifferently, her eyes as cold as ice, devoid of any emotion.
Fu Yan'an knew that his younger sister had always been a sensible and understanding girl. Today, when he paid his respects to his mother, Madam Lin, he deliberately showed off his old belt. Fu Jingyu would definitely understand what he meant. This was a little trick that the siblings knew each other without words.
He had been busy with official duties lately, and she insisted on staying at Biqiong Garden, so he hadn't been able to see her often for a long time, and his longing for her had only intensified. When he saw her, the icy coldness in his eyes suddenly broke, and the chilling aura around him vanished, instantly transforming him back into his gentle and refined self, with a warm smile on his lips like a spring breeze.
He hurriedly took a few steps closer and saw the icy coldness in Qing'er's eyes, which extinguished his burning passion. He instantly sobered up halfway and suddenly regretted not taking a bath before coming to find her, as she was extremely clean.
"It's for me, isn't it?" Fu Yan'an pretended not to notice and approached her as usual. In the moonlight, his eyes were deep and gentle. He reached out and took the exquisitely embroidered belt. His voice was tinged with sadness: "Thank you for your trouble. It's just a pity that after you left the manor, I will never have such good fortune again."
Meng Qingci didn't want to break ties with the Marquis's family, so she just sneered inwardly and watched him act as if the embroiderer and his maid were all dead.
The siblings Fu Yan'an and Fu Jingyu are quite different. One never asks for anything and never refuses, while the other uses the maidservants as a convenient way to do favors.
She thought that no matter how long she lived here, she would never be able to integrate into the local values. The longer she stayed, the more she resented this pervasive male chauvinism, the hierarchy between husband and wife, and the hierarchy between siblings.
Especially for a servant like her from a wealthy and powerful family, she was required to work at any time, but she didn't have a fixed workload.
Fu Yan'an, a young master, even thought that having her embroider an exquisite belt, which he would wear every day, was part of their flirting and a way to enhance their relationship.
Meng Qingci would spend half a month embroidering an intricate belt. She served her master during the day and stayed up late by lamplight, cursing Fu Yan'an as she embroidered: She really thanked him, thanked his whole family.
A pair of clear, bright eyes seemed to see through the baseness deep in his heart. Fu Yan'an felt a surge of shame and anger, but he still coaxed her patiently: "Tell me what you want. From childhood to adulthood, have I ever failed you in any way? Are you still angry with me because of what happened a few days ago?"
He wanted her to be angry, which meant that she still had a place for him in her heart, which was better than her current indifferent and heartless attitude towards him.
It's all talk and no action. Would the proud young master of the Fu family, as proud as a white lotus in the mountains, be so obedient to a maid for no reason? Over the years, it's hard to say who has been taming whom. He's just trying to use his affection to control her.
She admitted that Fu Yan'an had some genuine feelings for her when she was young, but now, he was more like a master who wanted to control and enslave her.
Unfortunately, Fu Yan'an never dreamed that she was a mature soul at heart, not a beast kept in a confined courtyard. In the past, many people groveled and fawned over her, just to win a smile from her. She herself could spend lavishly. Men's extravagant spending and sweet words were barren and desolate to her. Fu Yan'an's methods had absolutely no effect on her.
"Hey, how could I hold a grudge against you when you've always treated me so well?" Meng Qingci suppressed her annoyance and subtly avoided his approach, trying to brush him off as always: "It's just because Jinping is sad. A few days ago, she came to me to draw a pattern, wanting to make you a pair of shoes. Now she's probably hiding somewhere, heartbroken and crying."
Fu Yan'an heard that she didn't seem angry with him, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He affectionately lifted her hair and tucked it behind her ear, his fingertips casually tracing her delicate earlobe: "Silly girl, Jinping is getting old and has her own place to go. You are so concerned about others, why don't you think about yourself?"
Meng Qingci thought to herself: I have a lot of plans, but I can't tell you any of them. Who knows if you'll do something desperate?
Meng Qingci was three parts sorrow and seven parts doubt: "I don't know which family she married. She never suffered in Chenghui Hall. I don't know if she can get used to it after leaving. You are so cruel. How can you bear to let her go?"
Fu Yan'an knew that Qing'er was somewhat infatuated and soft-hearted, and that she must be thinking of how good Jinping had always been to her, making it hard for her to get up. But he didn't want to hear her mention Jinping. If it weren't for Jinping's own actions, Qing'er, knowing his deep affection, would have already given in to him.
Fu Yan'an knew very well what Qing'er liked about him, and he had always hidden it well in front of her. But now he suddenly didn't want to pretend anymore. He took a step forward, trapping her between the pillar and his arm, gripping her shoulder with one hand. His clear voice was slightly hoarse: "According to the rules of the manor, maids must be married off after the age of sixteen. You know that. Considering the years she has served me, I have already done my best to betroth her to a wealthy merchant."
Meng Qingci struggled but couldn't break free from his restraints. She lowered her eyes and asked calmly, "Should I make her live a life of mistress and servant as a second wife?"
"Who told you? Did Zi Fu tell you?" A hint of panic flashed through Fu Yan'an's mind, but it was common for masters to send servants to each other as favors. Besides, although the merchant was a few years older, he was not some old geezer, and the merchant was well-off.
Instead of punishing Jinping for her mistakes and reselling her, he gave her a good home, so he didn't mistreat her.
“I also grew up in the Marquis’s mansion and often went out with the young lady. Do I need anyone to tell me? You can guess it already.” Meng Qingci sneered sarcastically. Just because Jinping took it upon herself to say something against his wishes, he treated her like an object to do a favor. She felt a chill run down her spine.
At that moment, Fu Yan'an seemed to sense her panic and helplessness. His fingertips trembled slightly, and his tone was somewhat hurt: "You are different from her. I would not treat you like that. How could you think of me like that? You can't think of me like that."
Meng Qingci thought to herself: I am already of good status, so of course you can't do anything to me, but she despised his arrogant and disdainful behavior towards others.
When she looked up again, her eyes were timid and her voice was soft: "Of course I know you treat me well. I'm just sad for Jinping. I also know that you have done your best to plan for her future, so how could I blame you?"
Beneath his palm was her slender arm. She was as soft and delicate as water, so soft that one could neither loosen one's grip nor tighten one's. The urge to be forceful dissipated in the sight of her dependent gaze: "So what are your plans? You're of marriageable age now."
"This matter must be discussed after I leave the manor." Meng Qingci continued to deceive him, sighing helplessly, her words implying: "Every cloud has a silver lining. The young lady twisted her ankle at the Grand Princess's manor, and will no longer be able to dance such difficult dances as 'The Goddess of the Luo River Flying to Heaven'."
She had no reason to stay any longer, and given what had happened today, she didn't want to wait until Fu Jingyu got married before leaving. She planned to find an opportunity to say goodbye to Fu Jingyu. Judging from her words, Fu Yan'an would probably help her subtly persuade Fu Jingyu to agree readily.
Looking at Qing'er's enchanting face under the moonlight, Fu Yan'an found it hard to suppress his desire for intimacy. He lowered his head, wanting to get closer to the girl he had been longing for.
Fu Heng: "What are you doing so late at night?"
Meng Qingci was worried about not being able to get away when she heard this dignified and cold voice break through the darkness of the corridor, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Fu Yan'an remained calm and released Meng Qingci with a slight regret for such a good opportunity. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and greeted her as "Third Uncle."
"Good morning, Third Master. The eldest young lady asked me to deliver some things to the eldest young master. I'll be heading back now." Meng Qingci briefly explained the situation and then took her leave.
Fu Yan'an watched Qing'er's departing figure, then felt a hand clench behind him. He lowered his eyes, lost in thought.
Seeing his absent-minded appearance, Fu Heng frowned: "You are now favored by His Majesty, but you cannot be complacent. You have ignored what I said the other day. Are you going to become like those spoiled brats and act recklessly?"
Fu Yan'an came to his senses: "I have never thought of it that way, but I will not hide it from you, Uncle. Qing'er and I have been friends since childhood, and I will always protect her for life."
A strange light flashed in Fu Heng's eyes: "It's late. You've been drinking, so don't stay out in the wind. Go home now."
Fu Yan'an bid farewell to Fu Heng, who then turned and quickly entered the bamboo grove behind Wuheng Mountain House.
Meng Qingci was almost running back to Biqiong Garden when she suddenly heard a cold sneer from behind: "What, I helped you out of a predicament, and you're not even willing to thank me? Who do you take me for?"
Meng Qingci was suddenly grabbed by the arm and turned around, bumping into Fu Heng's broad chest. She hissed in pain and raised her hand to rub it.
Fu Heng bent down to look: "Does it hurt?"
"This servant has not encountered any difficulties. I think Third Master has misunderstood." Meng Qingci did not want to admit it. Thinking of that day, not only was her lip rouge smudged, but her lower lip was also slightly chapped, which made her uneasy.
However, considering his cold and stern demeanor just now, which showed his extreme aversion to romantic love and entanglement, I realized that I was just being overly suspicious and overthinking things.
Fu Heng chuckled. He had just returned from outside and happened to run into this pair of 'wild lovers'.
She was quite capable, managing to outwit his shrewd nephew. The woman was cunning and alluring, and he should have been annoyed by her, but for some reason, as he listened to her playing tricks on Fu Yan'an, he actually found it somewhat amusing.
However, he was not a simpleton like Fu Yan'an who could be led by the nose by her: "Too cunning, you even dare to deceive me. Your embroidery skills for my nephew are exquisite, but when it comes to me, do you think your good skills are not worthy of me?"
Meng Qingci knew she couldn't keep fooling him, so she replied sincerely, "Of course it's worthy. I was just not good enough before, and I was afraid that my poor skills would make you lose face in public. Since you've taken a liking to me, it's my good fortune. I'll finish making it and send it to you in three days."
Fu Heng: "Does your forehead still hurt?"
Meng Qingci pondered: Luckily, she had the foresight to make an extra belt. She was about to leave the manor, so she didn't have time for this. Besides, repaying Fu Heng's favor was a good deal.
Not quite understanding at first, she looked up at him and asked in confusion, "What?"
Fu Heng was looking at her with his slender eyes, his dark eyes filled with moonlight, so bright it was startling. Her heart tightened.
"Does it still hurt?" Fu Heng asked again, gently placing his hand on her forehead and rubbing it lightly a couple of times. Then, he leaned down and, as if coaxing a child, blew on her forehead.
Meng Qingci: ......
Fu Heng: "Don't forget your promise, good child. Go home soon."
As Meng Qingci watched his departing figure, her heart sank: Good child? She must not have overinterpreted it; she really did treat her like a child, right?
A note from the author:
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In the next chapter, the male protagonist completely understands the female protagonist's temperament.
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The author is rather naive at heart; when encouraged, he writes with great passion.
Ugh, talking about this is so embarrassing.
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