by Ning er
Wang mama was currently a bundle of nerves. Being stared at by Yun Qian Meng’s knife-like gaze, she felt like she was being attacked on both sides. But, unable to come up with any plans, she could only tearfully kneel before Yun Qian Meng and cry out, “da xiaojie, you must seek justice for our xiaojie! This time something like this happened, you also bear some responsiblity as the older sister! Our xiaojie is pure, don’t know who could be so malicious to scheme against her!”
Yun Qian Meng saw that Wang mama still wanted to drag her under the water at this juncture, and no longer maintained her courtesy. Dropping her smile, she looked straight at her feigned pitifulness with austerity, then spoke clearly and carefully, “Why is mama showing such a pitiful appearance here? When we return to the capital, everything will be judged by father! Captain Liu is one of father’s people, father will trust his words! After this, you should properly take care of ermei, if anything else happens, count how many lives you have to compensate with!”
These words caused Wang mama to sit paralyzed on the floor, while Yun Ruo Xue’s shivering became even more intense. Yun Qian Meng didn’t take another look at this pair of master and servant, and left the room with steady steps……
Chapter 39: Eldest miss's trap within a trap | Chu Wang Fei
At the moment, Wang mama was too busy to care about other things, allowing the few yatou to change the sheets on the bed, while she helped Yun Ruo Xue back into the room. But Yun Ruo Xue grabbed both her arms with mysterious strength, shouting wildly, “mama… mama… I didn’t… I don’t know anything……”
Wang mama endured the pain on her arms, and gently consoled, “er xiaojie, nubi also knows. nubi knows that you are being wronged. But what happened tonight was seen by all the servants, there’s no use even if we shout to the heavens at the moment! But don’t you worry, nubi will definitely, before we reach Su city, dispose of that Zhang Ming. By then, even if we’ve returned to the xiangfu, da xiaojie also can’t do anything to us! What’s more, right now, there is a little shaoye in furen’s belly, who dares to make a move against us?”
Yun Ruo Xue listened tearfully to her analysis and gradually stopped shivering, but still continued sobbing. After all, she was an unmarried well-bred young miss; even if this incident was the result of another’s scheme, when this matter gets spread out; don’t talk about marrying to princes and nobles in the future, she was afraid that her daddy would strike her name off the genealogy books!
Furthermore, Yun Ruo Xue had received her fill of love and pampering from the moment she was born, living a life of luxury in the boudoir. But if because of tonight’s event, she was to be reduced to a commoner, this was to her, an even worse fate than death; what more to mention the mockery and ridicule she would receive from other noble young misses then!
After coaxing Yun Ruo Xue to bed with great difficulty, Wang mama didn’t dare to leave her side again. Holding Yun Ruo Xue’s hand, she leaned on the headboard and replayed tonights events in her head!
She had earlier informed Zhao Ming about the eldest miss’s room, and had sent a yatou to keep watch from a hidden place in the aisle. When the yatou had screamed about the rapist, she was guarding right outside the second miss’s room. After the second miss had dashed out, she had properly closed the door to her room, and didn’t see anyone on the bed then!
But how, in the blink of an eye, did that properly closed door become wide open? And the person that was supposed to appear in the eldest miss’s bed, was unexpectedly lying down unclothed in the second miss’s sheets!
The more Wang mama thought over it, the more she felt apprehensive. Especially, at this hour, Yun Qian Meng and Yun Yan were both fully clothed; she was afraid that this time, she had fallen for Yun Qian Meng’s trap within a trap!
The only thing she could do now is to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. Zhao Ming must not continue to exist, otherwise if xiangye puts the punishment rod to use, that Zhao Ming will confess about furen’s plan!
At that time, even if xiangye still doted on furen everyday, this matter of endangering the di young miss, even xiangye would not be able to look away!
This time, the eldest miss had really been a step ahead of them. She had likely anticipated that furen would take action on the journey from the start. First she pulled the second miss along, then waited for the opportunity to push everything onto the second miss’s body. This vicious thinking, unexpectedly came from the hands of a fifteen-year-old girl, causing Wang mama to feel cold sweat on her back. Without sleeping for the entire night, she stood up and looked at the hazy light outside. From her bosom, she fished out a bag of powder and poured it into a teacup, then carried it to walk out of the room……
In another room, Yun Qian Meng and the others had a good sleep. As daybreak shone through the cotton curtains into the room while carrying some warmth, everyone’s feelings naturally improved!
Mu Chun somewhat panicked, carried the breakfast and entered, “xiaojie, Captain Liu just came to report. He, he said that the lecher from last night unexpectedly escaped!”
Mi mama was carefully cleaning Yun Qian Meng’s hands with a warm handkerchief. When she heard Mu Chun’s words, her heart momentarily tightened. She raised her eyes to look at Yun Qian Meng, saw that she was unperturbed, and steadied her own mind. Seeing that Mu Chun was making much fuss about nothing, she couldn’t help but reproach, “You are xiaojie’s personal maid, how can you forget your propriety at any encounter?”
At Mi mama’s reminder, Mu Chun’s face reddened. Pushing down the nervousness in her heart, she carefully put down the breakfast, then gently said, “xiaojie, if that lecher comes back again, what should we do?”
When Yun Qian Meng saw that Mu Chun was sincerely concerned about her, her slightly pursed lips faintly perked up and exhibited a dull yet cheerful smile. Receiving the porridge bowl that was arranged by Mi mama, she used a spoon to stir the steaming hot White Fungus porridge, and lightly said, “No need to worry! After last night’s event, Captain Liu will definitely tighten the security. Besides, the coming resting spots are our own villas, we can be more at ease!”
However, Yun Qian Meng didn’t tell them that this series of events were exactly as she had told her jiumu. Hence, the things that were to follow, Yun Qian Meng knew like the back of her palm!
But she was still puzzled by one thing. That day, she had only hoped her jiumu would be able to send guards from Fu Guo gongfu to help her. But the one that appeared before her yesterday, was her da biaoge Qu Chang Qing!
Even though Yun Qian Meng and Qu Chang Qing had never really interacted, her da biaoge was was a strict and staid person; at a young age, he had already risen to the position of assistant minister in the military, absolutely not the kind of person that liked meddling in other people’s business. But this time, why did he come to wade the dirty waters of the xiangfu?
“xiaojie, the porridge will get cold. We still need to hurry on with the journey, in case anyone else gets any rotten ideas!” Mi mama saw that Yun Qian Meng was only staring at the porridge in her bowl, but hadn’t taken even a mouthful, also worried about the earlier events, and only spoke to remind her/
Hearing this, Yun Qian Meng faintly nodded, then simply ate a small bowl of porridge and two pieces of corn cake, then got up to leave the room.
Yun Yan had already brought her servants to wait outside the door. Seeing Yun Qian Meng come out, she hurriedly bowed, “Yan’er greets jiejie!”
“We sisters need not be so polite!” Yun Qian Meng had a smile on the corner of her lips while Yun Yan had personally come forth to support her, carefully helping her down the stairs!
Last nights events had caused Yun Yan to truly realize, dajie Yun Qian Meng was really her lucky star!
If Yun Qian Meng didn’t give her a heads up last night, she was afraid that the person who would be selfishly accused would be herself! By then, even if she had ten mouths, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name!
Thinking back on how last night
, Yun Ruo Xue, who was always bossy and domineering, had become speechless, Yun Yan felt cold sweat on her back, and couldn’t help but let our a deep breath, feeling even more admiration towards Yun Qian Meng!
When everyone had already boarded their carriages, Yun Ruo Xue just drowsily started to get up. Only even after she had sat on the bed for a long time, she didn’t see Wang mama who was on the stool come over to serve her. Thinking back to last night’s disgrace, Yun Ruo Xue grabbed a pillow and threw it towards Wang mama, “What are you dreaming about, can’t you see that I’ve gotten up?”
Wang mama had been staring entranced at the cup on the table, and had not been paying attention the situation around her. Her face was directly struck by the pillow, but she didn’t dare to raise her temper, only pushed down the worry in her heart and helped Yun Ruo Xue to freshen up and eat breakfast!
Yun Ruo Xue also didn’t have much of an appetite, carelessly ate some pastries, and picked up the teacup nearby, but had it quickly snatched away by Wang mama. “Wang mama, what are you doing?”
Seeing that Wang mama’s expression was not right, Yun Ruo Xue lost her temper and pointed at her nose to scold, “Even you dare to oppose me head-on! You don’t want to live anymore?”
Wang mama quivered from head to toe, and finally clearly saw the situation before her. She hurriedly apologized, “xiaojie, don’t be angry. This tea is cold, drinking it is not good for the body. nubi will pour you a new cup!”
As she spoke, Wang mama turned and poured the tea into a bonsai by the window, then took out a clean teacup, poured a cup of hot tea and passed it into Yun Ruo Xue’s hands!
By the time Yun Ruo Xue stepped out of her room to continue on the journey, two hours had passed. While Yun Qian Meng and Yun Yan didn’t voice out any complaints, the servants who had to wait outside could only feel angry but not say anything!
Chapter 40: Paying Respects to Grandmother | Chu Wang Fei
婶娘 shenniang – aunt; father’s brother’s wife
After what happened last night, Yun Ruo Xue hated Yun Qian Meng to the bone. Hatefully glaring at the foremost carriage, she led Wang mama and her servants onto the middle carriage.
Captain Liu waited until all the young misses had boarded their carriages before finally signaling with his hand, waving for them to set off!
Throughout the journey, the sights were bright and beautiful, the scenery enchanting; lacking the bustling and contrained feelings of the capital. Even if only sitting in a carriage, one could still feel the great freedom of nature!
Without Yun Ruo Xue in the carriage, Yun Qian Meng and Yun Yan got along happily. Particularly, Yun Yan who usually seemed delicate and feeble, after spending time together with Yun Qian Meng, actually seemed fairly lively. On top of that, she never did have the opportunity to leave the xiangfu, and was thus even more curious towards the outside world than even a modern person like Yun Qian Meng. All the way, faint laughter sounded from within the carriage, lifting up the moods of the guards outside!
However, in the other carriage, Yun Ruo Xue only felt like she was covered in haze. Especially when she recalled the disgrace she had suffered last night, with the laughter floating into her ears at this moment, she tightly gritted her teeth in hatred, while the handkerchief pinched by her hands had already lost its shape!
“xiaojie, why should you get angry for those people that have nobody to raise them? Please pay attention to your body, otherwise furen’s heart will feel pain!” Wang mama did not get a wink of sleep last night. Both her eyes were currently bloody, and her complexion had become a waxen yellow. But because of Yun Ruo Xue’s impulsive temper, she didn’t dare to even take a nap, and could only patiently advise her, “xiaojie, when we reach Su city, you must put your best foot forward when facing the old madam!”
Yun Ruo Xue creased her eyebrows after hearing this. She then retorted to Wang mama in a bad mood, “Really don’t know what mom is thinking, in order to plot against Yun Qian Meng, she actually insisted on bringing that old fart back to the xiangfu! The result? I get all the bad luck, while Yun Qian Meng and Yun Yan, those two sluts, are just fine! mama, what’s the matter with you? Is it because you’re old, that you can’t even handle something like this properly?”
Finishing, Yun Ruo Xue felt like the resentment she was choking back had finally been released. Her expression slightly improved, but she wasn’t in the mood to pay any more attention to Wang mama, and lifted the curtains on her own to look at the scenery outside……
Wang mama who was scolded by her almost couldn’t breathe. Her body momentarily leaned against the cushions in exhaustion, her eyes that were looking at Yun Ruo Xue filled with disappointment!
This kind of second miss, how could she even compete with the eldest miss?
Just their abilities to prevent their expressions from showing on their faces were already ten thousand miles apart. In less than a day, she had almost pissed to death the people on her side, only afraid that things will get even more troublesome when they reached Su city!
For the following days, the journeying party stopped to rest at Yun Qian Meng’s mother’s villas. Yuan Qing Zhou wanted to lodge with them, but Captain Liu had sent him away with the excuse that it was inconvenient!
By the fifth day, the group had entered the vicinity of Su city. After another four to six hours, the carriage passed through the clean and quiet bazaar and Captain Liu who rode in the lead saw the board inscribed with ‘Yun fu’
Captain Liu immediately turned his horse around, then had it trot before Yun Qian Meng’s carriage, before reporting through the curtains, “da xiaojie, we’ve arrived at Yun fu!”
“Okay!” Since they had entered Su city, Yun Qian Meng no longer casually lifted the curtains. When she heard Captain Liu’s report, she only quietly replied.
At the moment, Yun fu had already received the news a few days ago. Everyone had kept watch on the time, having opened the main entrance as soon as the carriages had entered Su city. The main wife of the second line in the family, Li shi had led the servants to wait at the gates since early in the morning!
When the carriages stopped, Yun Qian Meng and the others let the yatou help them off the carriages. Mi mama, near her ear, quietly informed her of the identities of the people before her. Yun Qian Meng only took the lead to step forward and, bowing before Li shi could open her mouth, respectfully said, “Qian Meng greets shenniang!”
Li shi had a delicate and pretty face, but her smiling eyes were faintly carrying prestige. It was clear that she was usually competent and shrewd, otherwise old madam Yun wouldn’t have given her the right to manage the household!
Yun Yan, following closely behind, saw this and followed Yun Qian Meng to bow. Only Yun Ruo Xue kept up her xiangfu’s young miss attitude, slightly bending towards Li shi, then put on an ugly expression and stood behind Yun Qian Meng without saying a word!
As this happened, Li shi looked closely, and mostly understood. She only gently helped Yun Qian Meng and Yun Yan up, then courteously said, “da xiaojie, san xiaojie, stop being so polite. The journey must have been hard, the old madam has been concerned for days!”
Yun Qian Meng smilingly said, “It’s shenniang who is too polite! We’re all one family, shenniang should just call us Meng’er, Xue’er and Yan’er!”
Li shi nodded with satisfaction, then brought them towards the old madam’s main house……
Yun fu was not as big as the xiangfu, but wherever one goes, there were pavilions and kiosks, rock gardens and water canopies, the winding corridors were extraordinarily exquisite, exhibiting in all respects the imposing style of a rich family. Even Yun Ruo Xue who self-proclaimed to be experienced and knowledgeable couldn’t help but be stunned!
Li shi maintained idle gossip with Yun Qian Meng throughout the walk, and also paid attention to the three young misses’ expressions. She only saw that the second miss’s eyes changed from disdain to envy; the third miss Yun Yan was cute and obedient from start to finish; while th
e eldest miss Yun Qian Meng had a penetrating gaze, always carrying a light smile on her face, her ability to keep her composure made even Li shi sit up and take notice!
While chatting, everyone had arrived before the old madam’s place. After the mama went in to report, Li shi brought the three sisters into the warm room!
Yun Qian Meng turned her eyes to look, and only saw an old woman wearing a beige sable-fur lined jacket and a deep red cloud-patterned long skirt on the main seat. Beside her, there were two young men and a young girl who had yet to reach marriageable age. It wasn’t hard to see that they were Li shi’s children!
On the floor before the old madam, there were already three cushions. The three sisters immediately kneeled on top of them, then respectfully kowtowed to the old madam three times, then said in unison, “sunnü greets zumu. Wishing zumu great prosperity!”
But the old madam’s expression was rather cold. She only faintly nodded, then blandly said, “It’s been tough on you, you can all rise!”
Yun Qian Meng didn’t pay attention to the old madam’s cold indifference, and maintained her smile. But Yun Ruo Xue had always been the pearl in the palm since she was little, when had she ever been treated this way? Thinking again about the bitter experiences she had encountered because of this old madam before her, her heart was filled with resentment, the difficult smile on her face was torn off, and her expression became dreadfully gloomy!
And Yun Qian Meng at this moment, took an embroidered box from Mi mama’s hands, then personally presented it to the old madam while gently saying, “zumu, this is the hundred-year-old snow ginseng father had prepared for you. Hope that zumu would be promised longevity after consuming it!”
The old madam had lived for so long, what manner of good things has she not seen before? Only, as the saying goes, ‘don’t hit a smiling person in public’. On top of that, seeing that the snow ginseng was really a rare treasure found only once every hundred years, the coldness in her face lessened, as she allowed the mama beside her to receive the item. However, her words were still unpleasant, “I also know why you’ve come. But I’m already an old woman, really don’t feel like being tossed from side to side. Just go back yourselves after resting here for a few days!”