The woman placed the sweet white porcelain stew she was carrying on the table and interrupted her with a puzzled look: "What's going on? Who said they were going to marry you off haphazardly?" As she spoke, a look of sudden realization flashed across her face, and she stamped her foot and laughed, "You've grown up over the years, but I haven't changed much. Even if he didn't say anything, wouldn't you recognize me?"
Chapter List 115|7
Chapter 114:
Wu Shuang looked her over again. (80)
She had delicate features, fair skin, and bright, star-like eyes.
They do look somewhat familiar, but I just can't quite place them right now.
"Let me remind you, the year your younger brother had his third-day celebration, I went to add water to the basin, and you even complimented me on my good looks."
Fortunately, Wushuang wasn't a real child back then, and after hearing her words, she remembered: "Sister Mingzhu?" She was somewhat incredulous.
“That’s me,” Ye Mingzhu said, pulling Wushuang toward the square table. “Let’s sit down and talk properly.”
Wushuang didn't have that much patience and couldn't wait to ask, "Sister Mingzhu, what are you doing here?"
The story of Ye Mingzhu being kidnapped by the Sea Dragon King Ren Jiuxiao was widely circulated back then, and the Ye family had no choice but to choose another daughter to marry into the family with whom they were originally engaged. As for Ye Mingzhu herself, some say she committed suicide because of this, while others say she was secretly sent back to her hometown in Shanxi and hastily married off.
Wushuang didn't know which ending was better, and she sighed for a while because of it.
Another pressing question, concerning herself: "Did you send someone to bring me here?"
"The story of the first matter is a long one, let's talk about it another day." Ye Mingzhu said unhurriedly, "As for the second matter, I live in a small fishing village, so my information is not very good. I didn't know you were in trouble. It was Prince Ying who sent a letter to Brother Ren, asking him to help bring you here to avoid trouble for the time being."
Chu Yao?
Wu Shuang stammered, unable to speak for a moment.
He was willing to ask friends for help privately and owe them favors, which meant he hadn't given up on her.
The anxiety and grievances that had been building up for days vanished instantly, and a heavy weight settled back into my heart. My mind finally started working again, and I could think about other things.
"Brother Ren? Is he the one who drove the carriage and brought me here?" Wushuang asked, but as soon as the words left her mouth, a sudden thought flashed through her mind, "He is Ren Jiuxiao?"
Ye Mingzhu nodded with a smile.
After arriving in Fujian, Wushuang learned from her father's casual conversation that Chu Yao had somehow persuaded the Sea Dragon King Ren Jiuxiao to conditionally submit to the imperial court. Among the navy her father was in charge of, there were more than 300 men from Ren Jiuxiao's pirate army.
Of course, this was only less than one-tenth of the Ren family's pirate force. Two other groups of over three hundred men each were integrated into the Zhejiang and Shandong armies, respectively. As for what Ren Jiuxiao and his remaining subordinates had been doing, his father said he didn't know either; probably only the Emperor and Chu Yao were aware of it.
"Sister Mingzhu, how come you're with him?" Even though he knew Chu Yao and his father, and had a close relationship with Chu Yao, he was still a thief after all. How could a young woman associate with him? "Are you married? Where is your husband?"
In her moment of passion, Wushuang spoke, only then realizing that she and Ye Mingzhu had only met a few times and had a very shallow relationship. Such a question was slightly inappropriate and could easily be considered as intruding on someone's privacy.
Fortunately, Ye Mingzhu was easygoing. Although she frowned slightly, she didn't show any annoyance. Instead, she downplayed the issue, saying, "I don't have much to do these days. I just like to read medical books to pass the time. I heard there are some rare herbs in the mountains around Mocheng, so I came here to try my luck and hopefully broaden my horizons. Brother Ren is kind-hearted. I'm unfamiliar with this place and have been bullied, so he brought a few brothers to take care of me." As she spoke, she pointed to the half-open window, "Do you see that tiled house diagonally across the street? Brother Ren and his friends live there. They usually cook for themselves and don't bother each other. It's just that I occasionally have to trouble his younger brothers to help me buy some things in town. They all say they don't charge a delivery fee, but I really don't. Every time I buy something, I give them an extra 10% as a small amount, as a tea fee."
Ye Mingzhu talked on and on, and Wushuang roughly understood the meaning: she was expressing that she and Ren Jiuxiao were completely innocent.
Having been impolite just now, Wushuang nodded vigorously and said, "In that case, Brother Ren is truly a man of great loyalty and a rare good friend. Sister Mingzhu is also sensible; even the best of friends must be clear about money matters."
Seeing that she understood what she meant, Ye Mingzhu smiled slightly and gently changed the subject: "You've been traveling a long way, and the clothes you were wearing got dirty, so I took them to wash and gave you one of my clothes to change into. I hope you don't mind."
"Since I've already put it on, it's too late to complain now," Wushuang shook her head and said, "This dress is very elegant, I like it."
“In that case, I’ll make you a new set when I have time. You can wear it to Prince Ying when he comes to pick you up.” Before Wushuang could even feel shy, Ye Mingzhu changed the subject again. “Oh, by the way, I heard from Brother Ren that you got caught in the rain, so I washed all the clothes you brought with you from that bundle. The silver notes and jewelry you wrapped in the clothes are all intact. I’ve kept them here.” As she spoke, she opened a drawer under the table, took out a mahogany box, and handed it to her. “Check it carefully to see if anything is missing.”
"No need, I trust you." These words were spoken sincerely. Ye Mingzhu was also a girl from a prestigious family. She had seen all kinds of things. How could she possibly be greedy for her little bit of money?
Wushuang, true to her word, put the mahogany box back in its original place and said playfully, "Sister Mingzhu, since I'm going to stay here anyway, I can borrow this drawer to store my things."
"Of course, no problem. I was thinking of giving you half of the wardrobe too." Ye Mingzhu gestured with her chin toward the corner to the right of the door. "My place isn't big, just this one room. We'll have to squeeze into one bed, so please don't mind." It felt especially good to be trusted, and she unconsciously added a touch of warmth to her words.
"I wouldn't mind," Wushuang laughed. "I remember when we were little, Sister Mingzhu smelled so good. What kind of incense was it? Do you still use it now?" She leaned closer to Ye Mingzhu, trying to smell it. The fragrance was still there, but it wasn't the scent she remembered. "Sister Mingzhu, did you change your perfume?"
"It's not fragrant at all. I deal with herbs all day long, so I smell like medicine." Ye Mingzhu pushed the sweet white porcelain stew pot over. "Brother Ren was afraid you wouldn't trust him and would resist on the way, so he chose the worst option of keeping you unconscious. I was worried that the sleeping drug would stay in your body and be bad for you, so I specially stewed a medicinal meal. Eat it for half a month to clear out the toxins."
When it comes to food, Wushuang is the happiest. After thanking him, she hurriedly lifted the lid of the bowl, grabbed a spoon, and began to taste.
After taking a few bites, she suddenly remembered that Ye Mingzhu had mentioned this place was Mo City. She had been to Mo City before; it was quite a distance from the capital.
"Sister Mingzhu, what day of the eighth month is it today?" Wushuang lifted her little face from the stew pot.
"The fifth day," Ye Mingzhu replied.
Wushuang counted on her fingers. The day she escaped from the family temple was the second day of the eighth lunar month. She had actually slept for three days in a row. No wonder her whole body was stiff and sore. No wonder Ye Mingzhu thought she needed to take medicinal food to regulate her body...
"Alright, you eat first. I'll go outside and collect the herbs, and lock the doors and windows so we can go to bed early."
Looking at Ye Mingzhu's slender back, Wushuang thought with a touch of frustration: She's been sleeping for three days straight, how could she possibly fall asleep again...
However, having finally put down the heavy burden on her heart, Wushuang not only fell asleep quickly, but slept exceptionally soundly.
From then on, Wushuang settled down here in peace.
Ye Mingzhu not only researched herbs herself, but also provided free medical care to the villagers. Wushuang, having nothing else to do, often followed her around, keeping her busy and happy. She no longer had much time to be sentimental, and her days were peaceful yet interesting.
However, a storm is brewing in the capital.
Chapter Index 116 | 7.115
Chapter 115:
The day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chu Ye rushed back to the capital from Henan. (txt download 80)
After paying his respects to Emperor Deqing at the palace and reporting on the various matters that had occurred in the disaster area over the past few months, he rushed to the Marquis of Runan's residence to bring his wife and children, whom he had not seen for several months, back to his own royal residence.