Chapter Fifty-Five: An Unexpected Visitor

Update Time: 2013-06-24

As soon as Qiao Zhi left, Lian Yue pulled Yao Yao to sit down at the table. Though she knew Yao Yao's escape from Phoenix Ridge had certainly been aided behind the scenes by her second brother, her curiosity about the process remained undiminished.

It must be said, everyone present harbored an unusual interest in the affairs between Chu Chen and Yao Yao. Zi Zhu even ran back to her room, brewed another pot of tea, brought several plates of pastries and fruit, then stood motionless behind Lian Yue, utterly absorbed.

Even if no one had asked, Yao Yao was eager to recount her own bitter history; now that someone wanted to listen, she was all the more spirited in her storytelling.

Undoubtedly, Yao Yao’s experiences this time were remarkably rich. It took her two days just to find a way out of Phoenix Ridge. She first took advantage of Meng Chuchen’s absence—he was seeing Lian Yue off—to disguise herself as a servant and administer a sleeping drug. After much effort, she escaped, but hadn’t gone far before Meng Chuchen returned and caught her red-handed, dragging her back in disgrace.

The second attempt, she grew wiser and set her sights on Joyful Pill, but unfortunately, was discovered by Elder Meng Lan. Not only did she fail to obtain the medicine, but was caught in the act and thoroughly scolded by Meng Chuchen, who confined her to his room.

The most absurd event was when Yao Yao, in a panic, gave Meng Chuchen a sedative, but accidentally used Nightfall Powder instead—a genuine aphrodisiac. Though not the strongest, its effects were undeniable.

According to Yao Yao’s own description, she anxiously awaited Meng Chuchen to collapse, but the longer she waited, the redder his eyes became and the heavier his breathing grew. Only then did she realize something was wrong; a quick turn of her mind revealed her mistake.

The medicine she carried had all been filched from Elder Meng Lan—an assortment of everything, including poisons. In her panic, she ignored Meng Chuchen’s predatory gaze and dumped all the medicine packets onto the table, confirming her error. She hadn’t brought any antidote; Elder Meng Lan had some, but Yao Yao dared not ask, for if the elder knew she had drugged Meng Chuchen, her life would surely be forfeit.

After a long struggle, she decided to detoxify him herself—but the problem was she didn’t know how. However, she figured Meng Chuchen would know, so she timidly voiced her idea. All she got was a furious scolding, followed by Meng Chuchen storming out and slamming the door. Yao Yao stared blankly at the swinging door for a long time, then seized the opportunity to escape.

Lian Yue and the others listened wide-eyed, their expressions shifting from red to pale to green—utterly marvelous.

At last, even the tea at hand seemed dangerous, lest they accidentally spit it out laughing. In their hearts, they elevated Yao Yao’s eccentricity to a whole new level—what talent, truly! At the same time, they felt sympathy and admiration for Meng Chuchen. Lian Yue even wickedly wondered why her eldest brother hadn’t seized the chance to claim Yao Yao for himself—though, of course, that was a thought she kept to herself.

Meng Chuchen’s decision to let Yao Yao leave now made sense; keeping her by his side would be torment for both. He had sent someone to secretly protect her, and as for the incident at the brothel, it seemed to have been a mere accident.

Yao Yao’s story wasn’t long, but her talkative nature stretched it out; by the time she finished, the sun had vanished, and the sky was shrouded in darkness. The cricket chorus from the lotus pond deepened the night’s hue.

Now that Yao Yao was here—and would soon be their future second sister-in-law—though having her around promised laughter and chaos, it was not without benefits; at least carriage rides would never be boring.

With the story concluded, Yao Yao, having eaten only breakfast and drunk her fill of tea at Cuiwei Pavilion plus a dozen pastries from the table, declared herself famished.

Zi Zhu, clutching her stomach, went to the kitchen. Soon, the house was filled with the aroma of a lavish meal, and Yao Yao proved her hunger by devouring most of the dishes laid out.

Satisfied, Yao Yao let out a burp, sparking laughter throughout the room. Yet just then, someone arrived to spoil the mood.

“Young master, miss, Lady Qin is at the door requesting to see Miss Lan,” announced Yue Zheng.

Lian Yue paused, realizing Yue Zheng meant Li Jingru. If she could deduce it, so could Lan Shui and Yue Lingjun. Lan Shui, aside from a slight surprise, betrayed nothing else, but Lian Yue clearly sensed her stiffness.

Li Jingru had acted swiftly; Lan Shui had only just decided to see Qin Che, and Li Jingru, as if foreseeing, had come to the residence. Lian Yue’s delicate brows knitted in displeasure; she plainly disliked this visitor.

“She’s alone?” Yue Lingjun asked.

“Only Lady Qin and her maid,” Yue Zheng replied, clearly aware of the underlying tension.

Lian Yue and Yue Lingjun looked to Lan Shui. If she was unwilling to meet, the siblings had a thousand reasons to send the unwelcome guest away. Yao Yao, sated, watched Lan Shui with curiosity, sensing drama was about to unfold.

Lan Shui met their gazes, offered a helpless smile, and rose to address Yue Zheng politely, “Please, steward Yue, lead me there.”

Lian Yue, hearing she truly intended to meet Li Jingru, grew anxious. How could she let soft-hearted Sister Lan face such a scheming woman alone? She grabbed Lan Shui’s sleeve, saying, “If you don’t wish to see her, just find any excuse to send her away. Aunt will say nothing. Besides, it’s already dark—she certainly comes with ill intent.”

Yue Lingjun shared the sentiment, though Lan Shui’s attitude towards him had softened a bit; if he interfered now, he feared it might annoy her again, so he remained silent. In his heart, he resolved to accompany her, whether she met Li Jingru or not.

As for Yao Yao—she was nothing but curious.

Their concern warmed Lan Shui’s heart, but some meetings were inevitable; some truths had to be faced and clarified.

Lan Shui cast Lian Yue a reassuring look. “There are things I need to ask her directly.”

Seeing this, Lian Yue relented, though she still clung to Lan Shui’s sleeve. “Then we’ll go with you.”

Lan Shui nodded. Yao Yao, excited, grabbed their other sleeves and urged, “What are we waiting for? Let’s go!” earning a warning look from Lian Yue, who quickly suppressed her excitement and followed decorously.

On the way, Lian Yue briefly explained the situation to Yao Yao, whose excitement gave way to anger. Though she had only been with Lan Shui for three years, Yao Yao already regarded her as an elder sister; bullying Lan Shui was bullying her, and she would never stand idly by.

Immediately, the two heads huddled together, whispering for a while. Then Lian Yue whispered something to Zi Zhu, who twitched her mouth and left.

They made no effort to conceal their actions. Yue Lingjun and Lan Shui noticed but said nothing.

Crossing the threshold of the reception hall, Lian Yue saw Li Jingru, lavishly dressed, standing at the center, facing the door.

She wore a rainbow-hued, delicately embroidered gauze robe—brilliant colors, light and soft. The enormous hem trailed on the floor, swirling like drifting clouds as she moved. A silken sash was tied at her waist, her hair adorned with three pairs of jade hairpins, each ending in strings of pearls—the jade was blue as a summer lake, the pearls gleaming with moonlit luster from the southern seas. Even someone as modest as Li Jingru was lent an air of noble elegance by such attire.

Lian Yue raised her brows; when she saw Li Jingru earlier that day, she had been very simply dressed. The purpose of this ostentation was self-evident.

While Lian Yue and the others sized her up, Li Jingru’s gaze was already fixed on Lan Shui, quietly scrutinizing her. Lan Shui, as usual, wore her signature blue dress adorned with scattered flower motifs, her hair in a cloud bun with a silver hairpin studded with amethyst. Her whole presence radiated serene elegance; her calm bearing alone outshone all.

Lan Shui’s understated grace made Li Jingru’s deliberate display seem garish. Li Jingru felt a pang of defeat—as if, no matter how much Lan Shui neglected her appearance, simply standing there shattered all Li Jingru’s pride and confidence. No! She had won before; she must cling to that victory, even if it cost her everything. That was why she stood here today.

Li Jingru’s face wore her usual delicate vulnerability; she smiled gently and called, “Miss Lan!” Clearly, she remembered the lesson at the Yue residence.

“I wonder what brings Miss Li here. Please, let’s sit and talk,” Lan Shui said naturally, leading Lian Yue and the others to their seats, while the maid poured tea.

Li Jingru was momentarily stunned. She had always known Lan Shui was only the adopted daughter of the Yue family head, so she never thought herself inferior in status—Lan Shui was just a bit luckier, taken in by the family as a child. In truth, Li Jingru believed Lan Shui was less worthy than herself.

Yet the behavior of Lian Yue, Yue Lingjun, and everyone else crushed that confidence.

Earlier, Lian Yue had instructed Steward Yue to defer to Lan Shui in all things; Lan Shui’s wishes were as good as hers and Yue Lingjun’s. From entrance to now, the group had spoken little, all waiting on Lan Shui’s lead. Of course, in the Yue family’s main house in Lingyang City, such instructions were unnecessary.

Li Jingru suppressed her disappointment and spoke sweetly, “When Miss Yue visited my mother this afternoon, I happened to be there and heard Miss Lan was in Heluo. I came specially to apologize!” With that, she dropped to her knees on the marble floor.

Her action startled everyone; Lan Shui, helpless, rose to help her up. “What are you doing? If you have something to say, please sit.”

Li Jingru, having knelt, was determined to play her role to the hilt and refused to rise. She seized Lan Shui’s hand and, tearful, said, “Sister Lan, everything was my fault. I’ve regretted it every day for years, always wanting to confess and beg your forgiveness, but I was afraid you would never pardon me. Today, hearing you were here, I finally summoned the courage. Sister Lan, please forgive me.”

Lian Yue sat quietly, watching the scene unfold. After Qiao Zhi’s advice that afternoon, she was not foolish enough to believe Li Jingru’s sincerity. Besides, if she truly sought forgiveness, why dress so extravagantly?

In contrast to Lian Yue’s composure, Yao Yao was restless, her curiosity overflowing as she glanced repeatedly at the door.

Lan Shui listened to her sobs with a self-mocking smile, pulled her hand free, and replied with calm indifference, “So, you admit everything that happened back then was your design?”