In the early morning of late autumn, the gentle breeze has brought a bit of coolness, and the rising sun looks like it is about to rise. Because it has not yet blinded the light, it looks very round and powerful.
The dim light outlines two figures dancing and standing in the courtyard of the west wing of the Cheng Mansion.
Ruan Yuyi was wearing a floral dress with white makeup. The wide sleeves unfolded and folded under her control. The dress seemed to be hugging her, calmly forging this body into a warm and soft one.
Mu Xiang, who was standing by the side, hugged the young lady's robe and stared worriedly at her feet that were in direct contact with the bluestone. She pursed her lips and said hesitantly, "Miss, it's so cold today that it's best to put on your shoes."
Put it on first."
Mu Xiang is used to calling her Miss, but Ruan Yuyi has already married a new widow and has been observing the festival for a year. She is no longer a young girl who has not left the court, and she still can't change her words. Ruan Yuyi is also used to hearing her call her like this.
"The soles of the shoes are hard and get in the way."
His father died young, his brother died in the war, and the Ruan family was in dire straits. When she heard that her eldest cousin, a distant relative of the Cheng family, had won the top prize in high school, her mother hid her attachment and brought Ruan Yuyi to pay her a visit.
The eldest cousin was also looking forward to it, and he immediately made eye contact with her. The elders on both sides had their own thoughts, and soon arranged the marriage for them.
It was supposed to be a good night together, but unexpectedly, the eldest cousin, who was a guest of King Yu, was called by the host's family to do something. As soon as he left, he never came back, leaving her who had just walked in, and the two of them didn't even have time to consummate their marriage.
The young man who came back to report the situation burst into tears. The young master's carriage fell off a cliff. After searching for it, he could not find the body. The water below was very fast, and it was most likely that he was swept away.
When my aunt lost her son, she was probably so grieved that her temperament changed drastically, and her treatment of Ruan Yuyi was far less cordial than before.
It is pitiful to say that Mr. Cheng could only find a small official position in Beijing. The Cheng family relied on the eldest son in high school to gain some status. After this time, the only direct lineage left in the family was a stupid second son whose mother
Mrs. Cheng and Zhu went through countless families for this idiot, but no girl from any family was willing to accept this marriage.
Cheng Zhu naturally set her sights on this helpless niece.
Wu's folk customs are open, and there has been a tradition of widows remarrying since ancient times. What's more, there are many people who imitate other people and follow their brother-in-law. Those who observe the festival like Ruan Yuyi are really rare.
During her one year as a widow, she followed the rules and her reputation of being pure and innocent spread among the neighbors.
I thought that my aunt would take pity on me because of my cleverness, so that she could live happily in Cheng Mansion through missing Da Lang, but I didn't want my aunt to let her be the wife of that stupid second cousin.
How could Ruan Yuyi agree? On the face of it, she couldn't resist, but privately she had quietly started to plan a way out for herself.
Thinking of this, she stopped and was about to stand up, but her eyes suddenly went dark. She swayed and put her fingertips on her forehead.
Mu Xiang hurriedly came forward, took out the robe and put it on her, and supported the shaky person.
"This man has passed away, so why do you, Miss, practice this dance so hard every day, instead of hurting yourself?"
Ruan Yuyi had recovered a lot. She put down her hands, gathered her robe, and showed a light smile, "It has nothing to do with the eldest son. This is what my mother taught me. If I don't practice or talk about it for a day, I will become lazy every day.
, then it’s time to forget about it. Don’t worry, I just got up too fast and didn’t notice it for a moment.”
Mu Xiang came closer now and could clearly see the tears in her eyes.
Ruan Yuyi was born with a beautiful face, apricot face and peach cheeks, eyes filled with water, and everything she looked at looked affectionate. The dancer's posture was excellent, her back straight, and she only had to stand there, and others would know that this color was not human, not even human.
Dare to look for a long time.
Mu Xiang lowered her eyes and lowered her eyebrows, knowing exactly who this dance was for. The young lady was alone in Beijing, and she was the only one she brought with her from the Ruan family, so she could only pretend to be strong, but she didn't know what she said "forgetting".
Tell who will listen.
At this moment, she was complaining that she was quick to talk, exposed the young lady's thoughts, and made people sad in vain.
"It's getting late, let's go and pay our respects to our aunt first."
"Yes." Mu Xiang leaned over and put on her embroidered shoes, straightened her clothes, and then the two of them walked out of the courtyard.
The sun has come out more, and the light is tinged with warmth.
Somehow, on the usually quiet path, there are busy maids and boys coming and going, either holding things or hanging up red silk on high stools. The glazed lamps have also been taken down and replaced with red lanterns.
.
The candlelight in the lampshade danced with great joy, and through the cage cloth, only a deeper red tone was revealed, which made Ruan Yuyi's heart skip a beat.
What kind of happy event is going on in the mansion, such a battle?
She felt uneasy and quickened her pace.
"Muxiang, did Mu Ling say when he would be back?"
She was not willing to be married to her second cousin, and had to spend her whole life in the Cheng family as a servant. Therefore, she naturally wanted to find someone who could give her aunt some rest.
Mu Ling went to inquire about someone.
Mu Xiang looked at the sky outside the wall and said, "My servant asked her to come back soon after lunch, so as not to get hungry."
Ruan Yuyi nodded.
Go around the bare pear tree and turn the curve in front, and you will soon reach Cheng Zhu's residence.
But in front, I saw a tall and fat man, squatting next to the muddy ground where hibiscus was planted, holding a dead branch with a few rough fingers and poking into the soil.
Ruan Yuyi slowed down her pace, walked to his side, and softened her voice, as if talking to a five-year-old child, "Second cousin, what are you doing here."
The irony of this idiot is that he was born in a difficult situation. A high fever burned out his brain when he was young. Since then, his intelligence has stayed at the level of a five- or six-year-old. Now that he is so old, he can still do nothing.
Someone needs to guard it.
On weekdays, Zhu would let him stay by her side to avoid bumping into him, but why did he come here today?
"Sister Yi'er!" Cheng Rui heard the voice, and a big smile immediately appeared on his mournful face, "I want to dig a hole for the ants to make a home here, but look, it's so deep."
"But there seem to be rocks underneath -" He frowned again, and the flesh on his face made his facial features a bit crowded.
Ruan Yuyi bent down in response, took a look, and then asked, "Why didn't my second cousin go with my aunt today?"
"Mom, she said there are guests, and she asked me not to cause trouble there." His voice sounded a little aggrieved.
After hearing this, she couldn't help but frown, with suspicion in her eyes.
It's strange, my aunt has always loved and cared for this second son. When Da Lang was alive in the past, there were more distinguished guests than now, and she never kicked the second son out.
"Miss, this guest is not a matchmaker, right?" Mu Xiang was also concerned about the arrangements in the house.
Ruan Yuyi's heart sank, and she ordered the boy on the side to take care of the second young master, and then took Mu Xiang and went straight to Cheng Zhu's residence.
Compared with the busyness in other places, there was not a single servant in this courtyard. Ruan Yuyi lifted her skirt and went up a few steps. She was about to push open the half-open door when she heard conversations coming from inside.
Her hand paused——
"I'm so lucky to be back. It's all thanks to Her Royal Highness the Princess. If it weren't for you..." my aunt's voice trembled and she was choked with sobs.
A woman with a clear voice smiled and said, "Actually, Xingqiu's injury was healed two months ago. I have kept him a little longer for my own selfish reasons. In two days, I will ask the emperor to grant us a marriage, madam."
If you are willing, you can make preparations earlier and stay at my palace for a while."
Catching the name "Xingqiu", Ruan Yuyi's breath froze outside the door, her thoughts were chaotic, and she couldn't figure out the meaning of this woman's words for a while.
The room seemed quiet for a while before a familiar male voice rang out.
"Zhaorong is pregnant for the first time, and the first three months are extremely important. Naturally, I have to accompany her."
"Very good, very good. I immediately asked people to clean up Yi'er's room in the west wing and give it to Your Highness. The light there is better and it is warmer in winter.
"You two are so close, I can feel free to marry Yi'er to your brother." There was a crisp sound of the porcelain being lightly clinked.
What does it mean?
Ruan Yuyi's body seemed to be out of control, and she pushed the door open in a chaotic manner.
Mu Xiang was also in disbelief. She did not dare to say anything, but silently supported the young lady's hand, while Mu Xiang's forearm was wet from the other's grip.