She went to the next room and saw Xing'er and Zhenyan huddled together on the bed, making a ruckus. She coughed loudly. Xing'er jumped up in fright and ran out, bending over. Zhenyi stood up and saw Zhenshu glaring at her angrily. She turned around and smiled, "Second sister, please forgive me this time."
Zhenshu pulled her to sit down next to her before asking, "How are your older sisters doing these days?"
Zhenyi pursed her lips and lowered her head, saying, "No."
Zhenshu asked, "Why is it not good?"
Zhenyi remained silent, her head bowed.
Zhenshu said, “It’s because we don’t respect ourselves. My eldest sister got pregnant before she was married and now she’s hiding away alone with her child. I don’t respect myself either, so I’m infamous now. Zhenxiu is even less self-respecting; she’s now working as a mistress for someone else and doesn’t even dare to come back to mourn her father when he died.”
☆、98|Chapter 98
Seeing that Zhenyi was about to cry, Zhenshu lowered her voice and said, "Now that you're all left, if you don't cherish yourself, then the girls of this family will truly become a laughing stock."
Zhenyi slipped to the ground, knelt down, and cried, "Second sister, I will never dare to do it again."
Zhenshu helped her sit up before saying, "You can no longer be so close to Xing'er. You must wait until you are married before you can be intimate with him, understand?"
Zhenyi nodded, wiping away her tears. Zhenshu took her hand and comforted her, saying, "I will leave this shop to you. You and Xing'er should live well. Father left you many paintings and calligraphy, enough for you to use for many years. But he is still young and you are still young. He needs to focus on learning the craft, and you must protect yourself and not let him get away with it easily, understand?"
Zhenyi whispered, "I understand."
Zhenyi left, and Zhenshu sat on the dry bed board with her eyes closed, half asleep. Suddenly, Du Yu's shameless face flashed into her mind, and she felt a surge of irritation. She kicked the foot of the bed a few times and sat up abruptly. She took off her hairpin, shook her hair, and wanted to shout, but she managed to hold back.
If Du Yu were truly a farmhand, it would be understandable if he had died long ago in the Wuling Mountains. But now that he has rushed out like this, if I don't make things clear to him, he'll probably find his way here sooner or later. He has a loud voice and a clear tone, and he acts recklessly. If he shouts until the whole neighborhood knows, it might be alright for others, but what if Yu Yichen finds out?
She had promised him she would never marry. If he knew she had been married before, and to Du Yu no less, he would probably feel bad, not because of her past, but because of Du Yu himself. He was good in every way—strong, tall, and sunny—while Yu Yichen was the complete opposite: gloomy, thin, and lacking something.
He wasn't afraid of her knowing her past; she had already been honest about it. But she didn't want him to know that she was someone like Du Yu. Ultimately, she still felt sorry for the humility and desolation in his heart.
Thinking of this, Zhenshu got up, quickly tied up her hair, fastened her vest, went downstairs to tell Zhao He, and then hurried towards the Yingtian Prefecture government office. When she arrived at the government office, the same constables from before were still there and did not stop her.
Zhenshu stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, is there anyone here named Du Yu?"
Everyone knows that the Grand General of Liangzhou has been assigned to patrol the streets here. The yamen runner said, "He just went inside."
Zhenshu asked, "Where inside is it?"
Huang Zijing suddenly appeared out of nowhere and walked over, saying, "Young lady, let me take you there."
Zhenshu curtsied and thanked him, then went into the courtyard with him. They stood in front of a neatly arranged communal room and said, "He must be tired from all that commotion. He's probably lying in the inner room now. Would you like to come in, young lady?"
Zhen Shu said, "No need, Your Majesty can simply summon him."
Huang Zijing went inside and whispered something, and Du Yuteng suddenly jumped out. Seeing Zhenshu standing at the door, he grinned and said, "Wife!"
Seeing that Huang Zijing was eavesdropping inside the house, Zhenshu walked away to an open space and said, "I was tricked into coming here today. I never wanted to be that prefect's concubine."
Du Yu nodded repeatedly, saying, "I know, I know."
Seeing that he seemed to have calmed down a bit, Zhenshu said softly again, "Do you know how important a woman's reputation and honor are?"
Du Yu nodded repeatedly, bowed his head, and said, "I'm sorry."
Zhenshu quickly waved her hand and said, "You don't need to say those things anymore. I'm getting married soon, and I don't want you to bring up the old stories and make them known to the world."
Du Yu had been listening attentively, but when she mentioned getting married, he abruptly looked up and asked, "Who are you going to marry?"
Zhenshu stepped back and said, "You don't need to know this. I also know you're getting married soon. Don't bring up the past anymore, and I won't either. Let's just quietly put it aside, okay?"
Du Yu didn't hear her words clearly; all that echoed in his mind was her earlier statement: "I'm getting married."
He still asked, "Whom do you want to marry?"
Zhen Shu said, “He’s just an ordinary person, you don’t even know him. But I love him very much. Actually, we’ve been married for a long time, you understand? That is to say, we have been married for a long time… but because my father has just passed away, we haven’t officially tied the knot yet.”
Zhen Shu spoke with utmost sincerity, and fearing that Du Yu might not understand, she gestured with her fingers to show her two hands, saying, "Do you understand? We've done everything we should. You know I'm not a woman who would remain chaste. If I were truly chaste, I wouldn't be with you..."
After speaking, seeing him standing there blankly with slumped shoulders and a hunched back, he didn't say anything more, but cupped his hands and said, "So I'm begging you."
She had just turned around when Du Yu asked, "Are you the granddaughter of Song Gongzheng? The daughter of Song Anrong from the second branch of the family?"
Zhenshu nodded and said, "That's right."
He was such a blockhead. He racked his brains, but he should have realized from the beginning that coming from the capital meant she should have some kind of marriage connection with the city. But she was too capable, like a real peasant woman, doing everything so well that he completely believed she was just an ordinary peasant girl.
Du Yu pounded his fist against his palm, and seeing that Zhen Shu was about to leave again, he hurriedly asked, "Then can you tell me your maiden name?"
Zhen Shu said, "Song Zhen Shu."
It turned out she was Song Zhenshu. Dou Mingluan had also said that Song Zhenshu was different from other women. Not only did she rescue Dou Wu's youngest daughter when the Bei Shun Marquis's mansion was besieged, but she also persuaded Dou Mingluan to write to him, asking him to return and apologize. He had never given other women a second glance, and he would never have imagined that this Song Zhenshu would be his wife.
But she knew; she might have overheard him talking about his outrageous deeds in the capital that night, and knew that she was Du Yu. For three full years—four years—she lived in the capital, knowing who he was and being there, yet remaining indifferent and uncaring. Thinking of this, Du Yu felt a mix of emotions. Seeing that Zhen Shu had already walked away, he chased after her and blocked her path, asking, "Did you persuade Dou Mingluan to write me that letter? Why?"
Zhen Shu said, "For no reason."
Du Yu didn't believe it, but couldn't figure it out. Seeing Zhen Shu about to leave, he still blocked her way and asked, "You knew I was here all along, didn't you? That day at the Xu residence, you were the one who delivered the painting in the inner room. Later at Dou Wu's residence, you left as soon as I arrived. You knew I was coming and that's why you hid from me, didn't you?"
Zhenshu met his gaze, looked up and said seriously, "Yes, I don't want to see you. Don't you understand? I'm getting married and I've found someone who loves me very much. I came here to tell you that I don't want you to publicize what happened in the past."
Du Yu felt as if he were being struck by lightning, his mind a complete mess. His wife was still alive, but she was about to be intimate with someone else, yet he was still observing mourning for her. He stood there stunned for a long time before finally sorting out the tangled thoughts in his mind, and then asked again, "Are you blaming me for lying to you, and that's why you don't want me anymore?"
Zhenshu said, "It has nothing to do with this. It's all in the past, you understand? It's all in the past."
Du Yu said, "How could that be? We've already paid our respects to heaven and earth and consummated our marriage. As long as you're alive, you're my wife. How could you marry someone else?"
Zhenshu said, "But you're about to get married now, and if Dou Mingluan knew about the past, she wouldn't feel comfortable. I'm also getting married soon, and I don't want you to make this public. Wouldn't it be better if we protected each other's reputation?"
Du Yu shook his head and said, "No, if my wife were still alive, why would I want to marry again?"
Seeing that he was becoming increasingly difficult to reason with, Zhenshu stomped her foot in anger and said, "You are a complete liar, and I have never married you. If you dare to bring this up again, I'll fight you to the death!"
After saying that, he glared at Du Yu and turned to leave.
Du Yu stood there for a while, then beckoned Huang Zijing over and asked, "Do you know about Song's Mounting Shop?"
Huang Zijing said, "I know."
He then asked, "Do you know Song Zhenshu?"
Huang Zijing suddenly realized and said, "So it's her! It's all over the capital that Song Zhenshu, the young lady from Song's Mounting Shop, is going to marry Inspector Yu."
His information was outdated; he only knew he was going to get married, but didn't know the marriage hadn't happened yet, which is why he said that.
Du Yu was stunned for a long time before shouting, "She's going to marry that eunuch?"
Huang Zijing nodded and said, "I had heard about this news before, but I didn't know what Song Zhenshu looked like. It's a pity to see him today."
He chased after her in a few steps, and seeing that Zhenshu hadn't gone far, he stepped forward and blocked her way, asking, "Are you going to marry Yu Yichen?"
Zhenshu heard his voice was very loud, and after looking around to make sure no one was there, she said, "No, you must have misheard. It was someone else."
Du Yu then asked, "Then who exactly is it?"
Zhen Shu said, "Anyway, you don't know anyone here, so don't ask any more questions. Just go."
Du Yu said, "No. As long as you are not married, you are my wife. Even if you are married, I have the ability to take you back."
Zhen Shu's only fear was that he would shout it out and make it known to everyone. At this moment, she was so angry that she couldn't help but stomp on his foot and say, "If you want to kill me, then go ahead and shout it out. It would be better if the whole world knew."
After saying that, he left. Du Yu saw that Huang Zijing had also followed, so he pulled him and said, "Come on, let's go take a look at Song's mounting shop in the East Market."
They bought two sesame cakes along the way and ate them. When they arrived at the East Market, they found out about Song's mounting shop and squatted down against the wall opposite the shop like beggars, peering inside. Du Yu saw Zhenshu writing something inside the shop with her head down and nodded in praise, "My wife is really capable."
Huang Zijing said, "Boss, you must have mistaken her for someone else. She doesn't seem like the type to be your wife."
Du Yu glared at Huang Zijing and chuckled, "What do you know? She's a kind-hearted girl with a chivalrous spirit, but she hates being lied to the most. I lied to her back then, so it's only right that I was punished by her. As long as she's alive, even if she beats me and scolds me every day and treats me like a dog, I'll still be happy to see her."
After the shock of the morning, he gradually recovered and became happy, truly beaming with joy, drooling and laughing like a dog.
Huang Zijing also saw Zhenshu. Seeing Zhenshu looking outside, he quickly waved his hand. It would have been better if he hadn't waved, because as soon as he waved, Zhenshu saw Du Yu squatting by the wall outside the door. She stood up abruptly as if she had stepped on a snake, glared at Du Yu fiercely for a long time, and then, seeing him smiling like a rogue, turned and went into the inner room.
Du Yu was originally a patrolman in charge of the Imperial Street and the area around the palace. After seeing Zhen Shu, he stopped going anywhere else and only stood guard in front of Song's mounting shop on East Street every day. Dressed in a casual robe and carrying a knife, he and Huang Zijing stood on either side of the wall opposite the door. Except for the occasional meal, they would stand there all day long.
Although Zhao He worked in the back room, he would occasionally come to the shop. After a few visits, he saw the two patrolmen standing outside the door and asked Zhenshu, "Why are these two patrolmen standing here instead of leaving?"
Zhen Shu was annoyed by Du Yu's entanglement and said sullenly, "I don't know either. What's the point of patrolling this back street? Uncle Zhao, you should go out and ask them to leave."
☆、99|Chapter 99
Zhao He stepped out, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked, "Why have you two officers been standing in front of my shop?"
Although Du Yu was pleased, he dared not make it public. After all, as Zhen Shu had said, a woman's reputation was very important. If he were to go around shouting that Zhen Shu was his wife, it would damage Zhen Shu's reputation. Moreover, he had met Zhao before and knew that he had some martial arts skills, so he dared not provoke him. He returned the greeting and said, "We are just patrolling the streets. Please don't take offense, sir."
Seeing that although this man had a smirking face, he didn't seem like a random person and clearly possessed some skill, Zhao He decided against a direct confrontation and instead cupped his hands and said, "Please!"
Du Yu, forced into a corner, had no choice but to slowly walk forward. Suddenly, he took two steps back, then cupped his hands and asked, "Uncle, is your second daughter betrothed yet?"
Zhao He looked him up and down, thinking to himself that he was just a lecherous man who had taken a fancy to Zhen Shu. However, he was clearly an upright man, unlike Yu Yichen, who was disabled. If he was of good character and had a respectable background, he would be a good husband for Zhen Shu. Thinking of this, he replied, "Not yet."
Du Yu was overjoyed and said, "I knew it! I don't look like it. What do you think of me, sir?"
Zhao He looked him up and down before saying, “Officer, if you really care, you shouldn’t be standing here all the time. You should know that even if you are enthusiastic, she has to be willing. If you stay here all day, you will only annoy her. In my opinion, it would be better for you to go home and tell your parents, and invite a respected person to propose marriage in person. That would be the proper thing to do.”
As she spoke, she pushed Du Yu. Du Yu couldn't stay there any longer. He turned his head and saw Zhen Shu standing on the door with her arms crossed, coldly watching him. He quickly waved to her.
Zhenshu returned to her seat behind the counter. When she saw Zhao He come in, she came over and apologized, "Uncle Zhao, I'm sorry."
Zhao He waved his hand and said, "If you're opening a shop here as the manager, you should be prepared for this. They're just young people who admire young women, there's nothing to be ashamed of."
Zhen Shu thought to herself that things weren't that simple. She had oversimplified the matter, assuming that Du Yu would give up once she exposed him. After all, she had heard about their upcoming marriage at Zhenyu's residence, so she assumed he wouldn't bother her anymore. But now, seeing him like this, he seemed like a persistent leech, impossible to get rid of.
Du Yu is the complete opposite of Yu Yichen. When Yu Yichen wants to achieve something, he treats it as a task to be accomplished, slowly guiding her into it until she realizes it herself. But Du Yu is different. Once he wants something, he won't listen to anyone's explanation or even glance at anything else; he focuses solely on that one thing.
For example, back in the Wuling Mountains, when he wanted to trick Zhenshu into bed, he pretended to be dead and insane to achieve his goal. He didn't think about what would happen if the girl couldn't marry him and her reputation was ruined, or what would happen to her if he was arrested by Liu Zhang. All he could think about was going to bed with her.
Zhen Shu can deal with Yu Yichen because he is rational, calm, and clear-headed. But she can't deal with Du Yu because once he sets his mind on something, he is determined not to change his mind.
She waited patiently until the two patrolmen left, and seeing that it was getting dark, she went out for a walk to get some fresh air. There she saw Du Yu, who had just left the battlefield, standing at the corner of the main street. Seeing her come out, he hurried over and called out with a smile, "Wife!"
Seeing Zhenshu raise her eyebrows and glare at him, he quickly changed his address and called her "Miss Zhenshu".
Zhenshu ignored him and walked straight ahead. She left the East Market and turned into a secluded spot. Turning back, she saw Du Yu still following behind. She asked, "Du Yu, what exactly do you want to do? What do you want me to do? Can you tell me?"
Seeing that her expression was not good, Du Yu knew that she was still angry with him, so he did not dare to get too close and stood at a distance and said, "My wife, I have thought it through. Tomorrow I will ask someone to propose marriage. We will bow to heaven and earth again and have a grand wedding. I will carry the bridal sedan chair to welcome you. How about it?"
Zhenshu said, "No, I can't marry you. If there's anything else you want me to do, I'll do it for you. But we can't get married because I don't love you."
Only now did Du Yu understand what true, overwhelming sorrow was. When he learned of her death, he had gone mad, weeping and screaming. After returning to Liangzhou, he couldn't sleep for six months; at night, when he closed his eyes, he saw her crying, her laughing, her turning to kiss his lips. But those were all expressions of her love for him, her care for him, her tears and laughter for him. Now, she coldly and distantly kept him at arm's length, her expression suggesting she didn't want to see him, wishing he would disappear from her sight immediately.