Enterrement fantôme

Chapitre 9

"I was talking about Prince Suning. What's wrong?"

"Prince Suning? What's his name? Did he come to the manor to propose marriage?" Ling'er asked a string of questions in a hurry, which aroused Ningyue's curiosity.

"His name is Zhu Chengyu! I heard he didn't come to the manor to propose marriage in person; Lord Shang came on his behalf. In the entire court, besides him, who else has such influence to command Lord Shang? What's wrong?"

Upon hearing the name "Zhu Chengyu," Ling'er's body convulsed. When would this nemesis finally give her some peace?

"You mean the name of the Prince of Suning is Zhu Chengyu, right?" Ling'er asked slowly, word by word, afraid that Ningyue might have misheard.

"Yes! What's wrong?" Ningyue was even more puzzled. When did Ling'er become interested in such things?

How old is he?

"How old is he? I heard he's only a year or two older than your older brother! What, do you know him?" Ningyue asked with a smile.

"No! How could I possibly know him!" Ling'er said irritably.

Ningyue gazed at the moon outside the window and murmured, "I can't care about anything else now. Anyway, I'm going to follow Dingchenlin. If Father doesn't allow it, I'll run away and never come back!"

Ling'er knew Ningyue was telling the truth and wanted to offer her some advice, but she didn't know what to say, so she remained silent. She turned over, ignoring Ningyue, and silently pondered her own thoughts.

Ningyue's words reminded Ling'er of her conversation with Zhu Chengyu at Yiqing Xiaozhu. At that time, Ling'er said, "If you really want to marry me, you should openly and honestly come to our mansion to propose!" Zhu Chengyu replied, "Why didn't I go? That old man surnamed Nan disagreed! He said you already have someone else!" It seems he did indeed come to the mansion to propose, but was rejected by his wife.

Madam is right, Ling'er and Ningyue are indeed already married!

Ling'er recalled her first meeting with Zhu Chengyu outside Ruyi Tower last year. He was completely drunk, couldn't pay the bill, and even started hitting people. At the time, he kept saying he was a prince, and everyone present thought he was crazy. Could he be telling the truth?

Not necessarily! Ling'er immediately concluded that there are many people with the same name, so how could she be sure it was him? Even if it were him, so what? Ultimately, it has nothing to do with her!

However, Ling'er also had some doubts about Zhu Chengyu's identity: At first, Ling'er speculated that Zhu Chengyu was just an idle young master in the capital, and he knew a certain amount about her affairs. Even if it was because of Master Nan Hongtian's reputation, Zhu Chengyu would not dare to entangle her rashly. After all, the common people cannot fight against the officials.

But what has he done? First, he behaved inappropriately by the tranquil lake, then he impersonated a villain and imprisoned himself. He called Master Nan "that old fellow surnamed Nan," and given his audacity, he's clearly no ordinary person. Either he has a powerful backer, or he himself is that backer. Thinking about it this way, and considering the opinions of others, this rogue is very likely the infamous Prince Suning!

I wonder how he is now? How badly is he injured? Please, please don't die! If he dies, won't I be in legal trouble? Thinking of this, Ling'er couldn't help but shudder. All she could do now was pray to heaven for his safety. As long as he lived, the Southern Mansion would be safe, and so would Ling'er.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [25]: Think about it carefully, how ridiculous this is. He tried to stab him twice in one day, but then he was afraid he would die at night! And look at his character, it would be hard for anyone to associate him with the words "royal relatives"? Zhu Chengyu never mentioned who he was in front of Ling'er, probably because he was afraid of bringing shame to the royal family. He was quite self-aware in this respect!

Suddenly, Ling'er thought of something else! Zhu Chengyu's marriage proposal failed, so he started pestering her. Little did he know that he actually wanted Ningyue, not her. He must have messed things up between her and Ningyue.

But, whether it's Ling'er or Ningyue, the outcome would be the same no matter who he meets—neither of them would marry him! At least, that's what Ling'er is certain of.

Four

Zhu Chengyu lay on the bed, staring blankly upwards. He hadn't lost consciousness since being stabbed, but he'd never truly regained it either. He knew nothing of when the doctor came and went, when everyone was in a panic, and when Shang Minglun was directing the others in and out of the room. He didn't care.

The stab Ling'er gave him wasn't deep, and he didn't feel much pain. However, a strange feeling lingered in his heart. He wanted to understand what it was, but dared not delve deeper, fearing it would vanish, or that the answer he found would bring him unhappiness. So he refused to think, refused to understand, refused everything.

The room was quiet, and Shang Minglun instructed that no one should disturb his rest.

The door opened, and Zhu Chengyu knew from the footsteps that Shang Minglun had arrived.

"Cousin, are you feeling better?" Shang Minglun asked with concern as he walked to the bedside.

"I won't die!" Zhu Chengyu replied casually.

"You scared me half to death." Shang Minglun was still shaken. "The doctor said you're fine, the cut isn't deep, you'll be fine after a few days of rest. What would you like to eat? I'll have the servants bring it up!"

Zhu Chengyu felt very tired, so tired that he didn't even want to speak. He waved his hand and quietly instructed, "Don't tell anyone, including the Emperor!"

“I understand! Cousin, I…” Shang Minglun hesitated.

Zhu Chengyu glared at him. "What?"

Shang Minglun looked apologetic. "I'm sorry!"

"We're brothers, don't be so sentimental. When have I ever blamed you?" Zhu Chengyu said nonchalantly.

“You don’t blame me, you’re so magnanimous. It’s all my fault for coming up with such a terrible idea. I just didn’t expect you to like Miss Ling so much. At first, I just thought…” “What?” Zhu Chengyu was thunderstruck. He interrupted Shang Minglun and shouted, “Don’t mention her! If you mention her again, I’ll get angry!”

“Cousin,” Shang Minglun said after a moment’s thought, “just as you said, we’re good brothers! I see everything that’s going on between you two, but you’re too caught up in it to understand! I can’t just watch you suffer!”

"Don't mention it again! It's because you couldn't bear to see me 'suffer' that I got stabbed!" Zhu Chengyu spat and cursed, "That wretched girl!"

"I just didn't expect it," Shang Minglun couldn't help but chuckle, "that you could have moments of emotion too!"

"Who said that?" Zhu Chengyu asked angrily, then suddenly stammered, "I admit it, I like her!"

"More than that!" Shang Minglun said with a rather profound tone, "Cousin! Cousin! Let me, an outsider, enlighten you! I ask you, who are you?"

"Zhu Chengyu?" he lazily called out his name.

"And who is Zhu Chengyu?" Zhu Chengyu asked, puzzled. "It's me! What are you trying to say?"

"Alright, I'm not going to beat around the bush anymore! Let's get down to business," Shang Minglun said seriously. "Do you know who you are? In your own words: Zhu Chengyu, the Grand General, bestowed the title of 'Prince of Suning' by the late Emperor, commanding the three armies, galloping across the battlefield, taking the head of a general as easily as taking something out of a bag! Yet that day at Jingxin Lake, you let a little girl easily push you into the lake. You couldn't even hold down a little girl, who can believe that?"

Zhu Chengyu remained silent, his expression extremely strange.

"We've known each other for years, do you think I don't know what kind of person you are?" Shang Minglun said aggressively. "Now that she's stabbed you, you're not only not pursuing the matter but you're even letting her go. When did you change your mind? I don't believe you're such an easy person to talk to."

Just then, a servant brought in two cups of tea. Shang Minglun picked up the teacup from the table, lifted the lid, and a fragrant aroma wafted out. It was Zhu Chengyu's favorite Biluochun tea. The pale green tea contained tiny, deep green tea leaves, like tiny beads covered in fine down, and a sip made one's mouth water.

In the capital, obtaining this tea wasn't difficult, as long as one could afford it. However, such freshness was rare. The Empress Dowager knew Zhu Chengyu's particular fondness for this tea and specially reserved it for him. Shang Minglun had to admit that being with Zhu Chengyu had brought him considerable benefits.

"I've said everything I needed to say. I won't bother you anymore." Shang Minglun finished speaking and was about to leave when he stopped at the door.

"This is your private matter, and as your brother, I shouldn't interfere too much. If you really like her, go find her. It's not easy for someone to catch your eye! Think about it carefully!"

After Shang Minglun left, Zhu Chengyu pressed a pillow against his chest and suddenly felt very uncomfortable there.

In truth, Zhu Chengyu and Ling'er had only met three times. Not counting the first time, in the latter two encounters, Zhu Chengyu had to admit he hadn't gained the upper hand in the slightest, let alone won. Previously, he had always been invincible in matters of the heart, but now it seemed like a prophecy had come true! His initial vows hadn't vanished with the setbacks; instead, they had intensified with time. Zhu Chengyu no longer wanted to deny his affection for her. She was so cunning, sharp, and captivatingly intelligent. She had repeatedly thwarted his arrogance. Far from harboring resentment, he felt an increasing urge to get closer.

Zhu Chengyu couldn't understand what kind of heart lay beneath Ling'er's frail appearance. But one thing was certain: this heart was precious and rare. Perhaps, without even realizing it, he had already been deeply attracted to it.

He wanted her heart, but she wouldn't give it to him. So he pressured her, until she had nowhere to retreat, and she chose suicide rather than submit to him! She saw him as a viper. Fine! The more she acted this way, the more he would relentlessly pursue her. Was this conquest? Zhu Chengyu asked himself, and he knew it wasn't, because his heart had already been conquered by her!

A few days later, Master Nan and his wife returned as scheduled. Upon seeing Sun Chenlin, they were filled with emotion once again.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [26]: Madam Nan strongly approved of Ningyue's marriage to Sun Chenlin. Because Sun Chenlin had to rush to the south to do business, and it was unknown when he would return. Ningyue also did not want to be separated from her Chenlin again, so Madam Nan decided to let them get married as soon as possible.

Because the wedding was arranged hastily, the Nan family didn't notify anyone to attend the ceremony. The master, after all, still doted on Ningyue; though he didn't say anything, he inwardly complained that Ningyue's wedding was too simple. Fortunately, Ningyue didn't care about anything; she was overjoyed. Why would she care about such things? Although Ling'er felt reluctant, she knew this was Ningyue's long-cherished wish, and she should be happy for her.

This is the nature of women: at home, they obey their fathers; after marriage, they obey their husbands. Once a woman becomes a wife, she must follow her husband wherever he goes. Wherever her husband goes, that is her home. If her husband abandons her, she becomes a pitiful woman with no home.

After Ningyue left, the Madam instructed Ling'er to focus entirely on managing the business, while Steward Xu was busy with another matter at home—Nan Bin was getting married. Nan Bin was the eldest grandson of the Nan family, so his marriage naturally couldn't be taken lightly. The groom was the son of a high-ranking official, and his in-laws were the Prime Minister; naturally, there were many people sending gifts. During the day, Ling'er was busy with the business, and at night she had to help Steward Xu tally up the congratulatory gifts. With Nan Bin's marriage, her own wedding day was drawing ever closer.

The weather was getting warmer, and Ling'er was a little tired after a busy day. There were still many accounts to check, and it looked like another tough battle was coming tonight. Lately, she had been staying up late, often not sleeping until the third watch and getting up again before dawn. Her youthful energy was starting to wane, but that was fine, as it kept her from thinking about anything else, and of course, from remembering Zhu Chengyu, who had once made her unhappy.

Now, Ling'er finally knows that he is not dead, but she doesn't care who he is.

The moon, crystalline and indifferent, hung in the sky, seemingly observing all things on earth. A few wisps of pale clouds slowly drifted past the moon, seemingly interrupted yet lingering. They tried to obscure the moonlight, but had no good way to do so, and in the end, the moon still shone through.

Ling'er bathed and washed her hair. Her hair was very long, and to make it dry faster, she didn't comb it, but let it hang freely in the courtyard to air dry. Seeing that her hair wouldn't dry quickly, Ling'er simply had Ximei move all the account books to the stone table in the courtyard, light a lamp, and cover it with a glass shade. It seemed even Guan Yu, studying the *Spring and Autumn Annals* by lamplight, couldn't have done it this way!

After Ningyue left, Ling'er lived alone in Wangyue Residence. The maids were all asleep, and Wangyue Residence was unusually quiet.

Picking up her pen, Ling'er began checking the never-ending accounts. Suddenly, she noticed that one ledger seemed to be missing. She searched carefully but couldn't find it. Perhaps Ximei had carelessly left one out. Ling'er then went back to her room to look for it.

A moment later, Ling'er found the ledger inside the house and flipped through it as she walked. Just as she was about to sit down at the stone table, she unexpectedly noticed a shiny object on it. Ling'er looked closely and realized it was the hairpin that Zhu Chengyu had been holding onto.

Ling'er was taken aback and picked up the hairpin. Looking at it more closely, it was indeed hers. Ling'er frowned and sighed, staring at the hairpin in her hand, a surge of emotion welling up inside her.

Ling'er knew it was him. If he was here, why was he hiding and refusing to come out? Her eyes widened in bewilderment, and she couldn't help but shout, "Zhu Chengyu, come out! Zhu Chengyu, come out! Come out here!" But the courtyard remained silent, desolate and utterly still.

A sudden tremor in her heart made her involuntarily look towards the direction of the moon gate. A man in white stood there like a god, his white robes fluttering in the breeze and bathed in moonlight.

Ling'er didn't need to see his face to know it was Zhu Chengyu. What was he doing here? Was he here for revenge? Ling'er was terrified and at a loss, but her face still showed her usual stubbornness and coldness.

Zhu Chengyu walked over and came to Ling'er's side. He wanted to see her face clearly, and also let her see him clearly.

"I heard you're getting married?" Zhu Chengyu asked slowly, his tone devoid of any warmth.

"Yes!" Ling'er asked provocatively, "Did you come here specifically to congratulate me?"

Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and stared intently at her face.

"Don't marry him!" Zhu Chengyu said. Whom was he referring to? Sun Chenlin? Nan Bin? And by what right did he give her this order?

"Why should I? Let me go!" Ling'er tried to shake him off.

Zhu Chengyu didn't let Ling'er succeed. Instead, as she turned around, he grabbed her slender waist from behind and pulled her into his arms. He pressed his chin tightly against the back of her neck, making it impossible for her to lift her head, while his face was buried in her hair, inhaling its refreshing fragrance.

Ling'er struggled futilely in his arms, trying to break free of his restraints. Zhu Chengyu pressed his strong, firm hands down on Ling'er's restless hands, tightening his embrace. Zhu Chengyu pressed his face tightly against Ling'er's cheek, panting heavily as he suppressed his anger, saying, "You're not allowed to like anyone else! You're not allowed to like anyone else!" His tone was like that of a tyrannical despot.

"You're being rude!" Ling'er shouted.

"Believe it or not, I'll deflower you right now?"

"You dare!" Ling'er shuddered, her face a mixture of shock and anger, but she knew perfectly well in her heart that he dared!

"I wouldn't dare?" he retorted with a cold laugh, turning her body around. His eyes were still bright, still piercing, still burning with an intense heat, and he stared at Ling'er without blinking.

"You're so smart, you can't possibly not know who I am, right? What wouldn't I dare to do?"

Ling'er glared back at him fearlessly, pushing against his chest with all her might, but when she touched his thunderous heartbeat, her hand trembled, only making him hold her even tighter. Zhu Chengyu's heavy breathing hit Ling'er's face, making her heart pound even faster.

I will hate you!

"You've hated me for a long time, so it doesn't matter if you hate me a little more!" Zhu Chengyu wrapped one arm around Ling'er's neck and held her hands firmly with the other, imprisoning her entirely within his grasp. Then he pressed his lips to her small, watery red cherry lips.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [27]: Zhu Chengyu had just touched Ling'er's lips when he felt a tremor and spasm coming from her body. He was overjoyed and wanted to explore further.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on his lips, followed by something sweet and salty that seemed to enter his mouth. He quickly pulled away from her lips, his grip loosening, and the person in his arms slipped away like an eel. Ling'er bit him! This girl actually bit him!

Ling'er took five large steps back in agitation, a wave of heat rushing into her eyes. She struggled to control her emotions, trembling as she clutched her chest and choked out, "You can't humiliate me like this!"

Zhu Chengyu touched his injured lip, and was first stunned, then the anger in his eyes was replaced by dejection and disappointment.

Ling'er's actions this time were much milder than last time, but Zhu Chengyu felt that this injury was even more painful than the knife wound to his chest.

"What kind of woman can't you have? Why bother clinging to me?" Ling'er asked sadly.

Zhu Chengyu gazed at her solemnly and sincerely for a long time before he said with emotion, "Ling'er, I love you!" This was the first time Zhu Chengyu had expressed his love for her. In the past, he had always pestered her to agree to marriage, and had never mentioned the question of whether he loved her or not.

"Don't talk to me about love, you don't even know what 'love' means!"

"How could I not understand?" Zhu Chengyu said in a rough voice, "Love is about tolerance, tenderness, and selfless devotion!"

Ling'er couldn't help but retort loudly: "Wrong! Love is selfish, domineering, and endlessly possessive!"

Zhu Chengyu's heart skipped a beat. He frowned and looked at the woman in front of him with a puzzled expression. Her answers always surprised him.

Her relentless rejection dealt Zhu Chengyu another heavy blow. He didn't want to admit defeat, but reality was suffocating him, making him unable to lift his head. What he couldn't bear most was Ling'er's lack of love for him, and he knew in his heart that the woman he admired had no feelings for him whatsoever, let alone "love." His absurd and sweet dream had to end!