Although he was beaten, he dared not speak out, because Du Yu's father was a military governor who held military power.
He mentally cursed Du Yu's ancestors for eight generations, and then mentally fantasized about Du Yu's stepmother, Madam Yang, and Du Yu's young wife. Only then did he smile warmly and respectfully see Du Yu off at the door, and hurriedly asked, "Will you stay at the government office again tonight?"
Du Yu looked up at the sky and saw that it was a clear and fine day. He wondered if Zhen Shu had left the city yet. He was anxious but dared not fail to report to the Censorate. He replied casually, "I'll see."
Prefect Wang hurriedly replied, "Then I will continue to prepare for the Inspector these next few days, is that alright?"
Du Yu ignored him and strode out of Yingtian Prefecture, heading towards the Censorate.
When he arrived at the Censorate, he saw his own official residence, which was quite grand and bright. He then looked at Yu Yichen's official residence again. The interior was still covered with thick velvet carpets, and everything was bright and shiny. There were also thick velvet cushions on the chairs. He cursed in his heart, "This eunuch knows how to enjoy himself. I don't know how he bewitched my wife. When he comes, I will interrogate him properly."
He had no interest in drinking the tea brought by the official, and stood by the window, gripping his sword hilt and waiting expectantly for Yu Yichen.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that Yu Yichen's sedan chair slowly entered the gates of the Inspectorate. He clenched his fists repeatedly before leaving his office and waiting at Yu Yichen's door. He saw Yu Yichen, now dressed in official robes and wearing a purple fish-shaped pouch, approaching slowly. Yu Yichen was tall and slender, with gentle, jade-like features, truly the image of a refined young gentleman. He himself, having hastily gotten up early and not even shaved, looking like a rough-looking ruffian with thick eyebrows and a coarse beard, felt even more ashamed. He bowed and greeted him, "Good morning, Inspector."
Yu Yichen glanced at Du Yu and nodded slightly. He went inside and sat down behind the desk before asking, "Where is everyone else?"
The civil officials from the Inspectorate rushed in and stood up, reporting official business to Yu Yichen.
Du Yu ignored all that, his eyes still lingering on Yu Yichen. His skin was so smooth, without a single beard, even more delicate than a woman's. Of course, he was a eunuch, so he shouldn't have a beard. He held his teacup without lifting it, one hand on the large table, two fingers flipping through official documents, his brows furrowed in deep concentration. Du Yu secretly glanced at his own hands—rough, dark, and grime-covered—then looked at Yu Yichen's slender, soft fingers, and secretly vowed to himself that once he returned to Yingtian Prefecture, he would fetch water and thoroughly wash himself clean.
Chapter 101
As he was lost in thought, Yu Yichen asked, "Is there anything else, Deputy Inspector?"
Du Yu looked around and saw that everyone else had left. He went to the opposite side, picked up a chair, sat down, and said with a smile, "Inspector, are you getting younger and younger these days?"
Yu Yichen stared at Du Yu with a cold expression and half-closed eyes. He had been staring at him so openly and blatantly in the palace yesterday, and today was no different. Yu Yichen, unsure of his intentions, nodded slightly and asked, "So?"
Du Yu moved his chair in front of Yu Yichen's large desk. Seeing Yu Yichen lean back in disgust, Du Yu felt embarrassed and asked with a forced smile, "How come you're still so well-preserved, Inspector..."
He pointed to his face and said, "My skin is too smooth."
Yu Yichen frowned, thinking to himself that Du Yu was known for his fondness for women when he was young. He had sent countless erotic pictures to Prince Ping, Li Xucheng, which led to Consort Rong catching him and giving him a beating. At home, he was also imprisoned for killing someone because of a maid he had slept with. He shouldn't be a homosexual. Could it be that he changed his ways after going back to Liangzhou?
His face immediately turned cold as he asked in a chilling voice, "So?"
Du Yu still chuckled awkwardly and said, "This humble official just wanted to know how the Inspector maintains his skin, which is so youthful and delicate."
Yu Yichen sneered inwardly, tilting his head back, lowering his eyes, and saying in a shrill voice, "I am a eunuch; castration is the only way to preserve my youth. If the deputy inspector also wants to preserve his youth forever, he might as well cut off those two ounces of soft flesh as well, and I guarantee it..."
Du Yu jumped up in fright and waved his hand, saying, "Forget it, I'll just apply some lard ointment when I get back, that should be enough."
As the two were talking, suddenly a yamen runner from Yingtian Prefecture rushed into Du Yu's office next door, shouting, "Boss! Boss!"
Du Yu quickly stood up, bowed to Yu Yichen, and came out to ask, "What is it?"
The constable was sent by Huang Zijing to inform him. Seeing Du Yu come out of the Inspector's office, he grabbed his sleeve and exclaimed, "Miss Song is really trying to escape. She has already left the East Market in her carriage."
Upon hearing the name Miss Song, Du Yu feared that Yu Yichen inside might overhear and become suspicious, so he tried to cover the bailiff's mouth, but it was too late. He could only push him away, saying, "I understand, you should leave now."
As the constable walked out, he still shouted, "She got into the carriage with many bundles; she must really be trying to escape."
Du Yu was anxious, afraid that Yu Yichen would hear him, yet he dared not leave his office without permission. He was so worried that he scratched his head and cheeks. After a long while, he finally made up his mind, entered Yu Yichen's office, and bowed, saying, "Inspector, I have some private matters to attend to. May I leave first?"
Yu Yichen had just overheard the constable mention Miss Song and the East Market, and his suspicions had already fallen on Zhenshu. He had some doubts that the Miss Song the constable spoke of might be Zhenshu, and with a heart pounding in his chest, he looked at Du Yu and asked, word by word, "What is it?"
Du Yu had heard rumors that Song Zhenshu was insisting on marrying Yu Yichen, but he didn't know if Yu Yichen was also eager to marry Zhenshu. After all, if he wanted to find someone from the palace to vent his desires, the palace maids would probably fight tooth and nail for him, not just Zhenshu. Hesitant at this moment, he impulsively lied, "My wife went back to her parents' home in a huff, and I'm going to go and bring her back."
Yu Yichen knew he was a liar, and he also knew that he had been married in Liangzhou but his wife had died. A few days ago, he was discussing marriage with Miss Dou from the disgraced Marquis of Beishun's mansion. However, he did not expose him and waved his hand, saying, "Go."
Du Yu felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He went out, took off his official hat and threw it in the public room, then ran downstairs in a frenzy.
Yu Yichen called Mei Xun in and asked, "How has Du Yu been doing these days patrolling the streets of Yingtian Prefecture?"
Mei Xun said, "He was originally patrolling the Imperial Street, but he recently requested to be transferred to the East Market. However, he has not been patrolling the streets properly and has been standing in front of Song's mounting shop all day long."
It turned out he was the one pestering Zhenshu. Yu Yichen angrily said, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Mei Xun lowered his head and said, "This subordinate thought that Your Excellency had already broken off all contact with Miss Song..."
Yu Yichen slammed his hand on the table and said, "Who said that?"
He got up, took off his official clothes, pulled out a royal blue robe from the closet to change into, took off his sword, strode out the door, and waved: "Take a few men with you and go to Liu Family Village."
If Zhenshu leaves the city, she must be heading to Liu Family Village.
Zhenshu left the city, lifted the curtain to look back and saw no one following her, and breathed a sigh of relief. Because Song Anrong was missing from the mounting shop, Zhao He could not leave now either, so this time she only went out with a new apprentice named Huang'er, and even the coachman was hired.
Zhenyuan gave birth to her child in July of the previous year. After Song Anrong passed away, and with the mounting shop business so busy, she hadn't been able to visit Zhenyuan and her child in Liujiazhuang. Because she had heard Su Shi and Zhenyi talk about how beautiful Zhenyuan's youngest daughter, Xi'er, was, she had always wanted to see her for herself. Besides, she had been suffocated by Du Yu's constant pestering, so she packed some clean clothes and decided to stay in Liujiazhuang for a while, so that Xiu'er could be free from her control and properly manage the shop, gradually allowing them to become independent.
As Zhenshu traveled along the canal after leaving the city, she recalled the time when Zhenyuan was heavily pregnant. It was early spring, and the willow branches were sprouting tender buds. She and Yu Yichen had ridden along this road together. Now, the branches and leaves were flourishing once again. The marriage she had so desperately sought had ultimately come to nothing, and even her father had died with regret. She couldn't help but feel pain and remorse for not being able to go back to the past.
Just as he was lost in thought, he heard someone calling out from afar, "Song Zhenshu!"
Huang'er lifted the curtain from under the carriage and said, "Manager, someone is calling you from behind."
Zhenshu recognized the voice as Du Yu's and was both angry and annoyed. She pulled the curtain and said, "Hurry up and don't stop."
The coachman cracked his whip and rode on, but Du Yu, riding alone, was much faster. He caught up and shouted from his horse, "Miss Zhenshu, where are you going?"
Zhenshu suddenly flung open the curtains, glaring angrily at Du Yu, and said, "Can't you just let me have some peace and quiet?"
Du Yu dismounted and led the carriage slowly. Seeing that his wife was still lovely despite her coquettishness, he smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Where do you want to go, my wife? I'll accompany you."
Zhenshu loudly told the driver to stop the carriage, then jumped down and led Du Yu to the canal. Pointing to the canal, she asked, "Is the water deep?"
Du Yu said, "Deep, very deep."
Zhen Shu said, "If you continue to follow me, I will jump off this cliff and drown in it."
Du Yu stared blankly at the river, unable to believe his eyes. Zhen Shu had already turned back to the carriage and said to the driver, "Thank you for your hard work, old man. Let's go."
The carriage slowly drove away. Du Yu watched it go, then squatted down and sighed. Huang Zijing, who was behind him, caught up and asked, "Boss, how is it? Has Miss Song left?"
Du Yu sighed and said, "She said if I keep following her like this, she'll jump into the canal."
Huang Zijing also squatted down and said, "If I were a girl, and a man were to pester me like this, I'm afraid I would jump into the canal too."
Du Yu stood up, shaded the sun with his hand, and gazed into the distance for a long time before saying to Huang Zijing, "You go back to the capital first. I will still follow from a distance. I am really worried about an old coachman and a half-grown boy going on a long trip with her."
As the two were talking, Yu Yichen arrived with his entourage, riding a tall horse. Yu Yichen reined in his horse and asked, "Haven't you caught up with the Deputy Inspector's wife yet?"
Du Yu also mounted his horse and cupped his hands, saying, "This humble official was just about to go after them."
Yu Yichen smiled, pointed with his riding whip, and said, "Please!"
Du Yu replied with a "please," and seeing that Yu Yichen had changed into a round-necked robe that made his handsome face look even more striking, he felt both angry and resentful. He fiercely cracked his whip, whipping his thin, long-haired old horse, raising a cloud of dust as it galloped away.
After he had run far away, Yu Yichen spat out a single word through gritted teeth: "Chase him!"
After passing the bustling market and walking another two miles or so, you reach Liu Family Village. Seeing the dirt road leading to the village, Zhenshu felt a surge of excitement. However, since the carriage was too spacious and inconvenient to navigate narrow alleys, she jumped off first and headed towards Liu Wensi's house. The courtyard was still as clean and spacious as it had been a year ago. Zhenshu called out loudly, "Big sister!" as she entered the inner courtyard, where she saw Liu Wensi helping her little daughter, who had long, drooling gaiters, learn to walk. She went over, picked up the little girl, kissed her cheek, and asked, "Are you Xi'er?"
Xiao Xi'er saw that the woman was unfamiliar, but after all, Zhen Shu and her mother were sisters, and children have a special affection for their relatives. She lowered her head and answered in a childish voice, "Yes."
Zhenshu exclaimed in surprise, "Incredible! He can explain things so clearly after only ten months?"
Liu Wensi said, "Xi'er is very smart; she can pronounce two words clearly."
Xi'er was startled by Zhen Shu's enthusiasm and reached out her arms, crying, "Daddy, hug me!"
Liu Wensi reached out and hugged Zhenshu, pointing to her and saying, "This is your second aunt, she loves you the most. Ask her to hug you again?"
Zhenshu reached out her hand and waited, but Xi'er turned around and clung to Liu Wensi's shoulder, refusing to turn back.
Hearing the commotion outside, Zhenyuan came out and was both surprised and delighted to see Zhenshu. She pulled her aside and asked, "Why didn't you write a letter and come here?"
Zhenshu noticed that she was much thinner than she was at last year's funeral, and looked radiant. She also noticed that Liu Wensi was holding her child and looked like the head of the family. She thought to herself that if these two were to become husband and wife, it would be a truly wonderful match. She hoped that Zhang Rui would die in the Yingtian Prefecture prison and never come out again.
After everyone settled down in the west room for lunch, Zhenshu played with little Xi'er for a while, then gently coaxed her to sleep. She and Zhenyuan then had a private conversation. Unaware that Du Yu had followed them from afar, he went to the outer courtyard while Zhenyuan was also napping and asked Huang'er, "Are there any suspicious people lurking outside?"
Huang'er said, "There really is one, it keeps peeking through the door."
Zhenshu immediately recognized Du Yu. She looked around as she left the courtyard and saw Du Yu squatting against the wall, half-asleep, with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. She let out a long sigh, feeling that this scoundrel was driving her crazy. She wanted to kick him, but then she thought he looked like a sore and would dirty her feet.
Just as she was about to enter the courtyard, she heard Du Yu call out, "Song Zhenshu."
Before she could speak, he asked again, "Will you return to the capital?"
Zhen Shu said, "I don't know."
Du Yu asked, "Are you trying to avoid me?"
Zhen Shu nodded emphatically and said, "Yes."
Du Yu felt a sudden pang of desolation and lowered his head to ask, "Am I really that annoying?"
Zhen Shu nodded again: "Yes."
Du Yu let out a long sigh, his heart filled with sorrow, and dragged his sword back the way he came, heading out of Liu Family Village.
Zhenshu entered the courtyard and tidied up the main room to make her own bedroom. She then helped Liu Mama in the kitchen to prepare the various pickled goods and pastries she had brought. She personally cooked egg custard for Xi'er, intending to feed her when she woke up. She was skilled at starting fires and made sure the fire burned brightly. Seeing that the stove was always struggling to ignite and was prone to backdrafts, she personally moved a pot and thoroughly cleaned the entire stove area. Instantly, the fire blazed from top to bottom and vice versa, and the entire stove area was filled with the whooshing sound of air.
With nothing to do, Mrs. Liu stood at the door and sighed with a smile, "Young lady, you are truly a very capable person."
Zhen Shu said, "It's a pity that I'm quick with my hands, but I'm not meticulous in my work, and I don't know how to do needlework."
Mother Liu said, "When God creates a person, there are good and bad qualities. If you have everything, how can others live?"
Zhenshu smiled and shook her head. She lifted the lid of the pot and saw a small bowl of tender, yellow egg custard. She picked it up, sprinkled some salt on it, and licked it. It was indeed delicious. So she took it to the west room to wake Xi'er up and blew on it to warm it up before feeding it to her. Zhenyuan sat on the kang and laughed, "Taking care of children is something you're born with. I can't even feed her a single bite of food."
Zhenshu asked, "Who usually feeds Xi'er?"
Xi'er pointed her little finger to the door and said, "My dad!"
☆、102|Chapter 102
Zhenyuan didn't mind her calling her that, and looked out the window, saying, "If it weren't for Brother Liu, this child wouldn't even have a father."
Zhenshu's heart skipped a beat, and she casually said, "Why don't you just marry Brother Liu?"
Zhenyuan said, "His father, Liu Zhang, came before and said the same thing, that Xi'er was his child. Liu Zhang was quite happy and gave Xi'er a lot of money to keep her safe, but I was too shameless."
Zhenshu couldn't help but praise, "Brother Liu is such a good man, you might as well just become his wife."
Zhenyuan groaned, "What should we do about Zhang Rui? I'm not afraid of his death or him remarrying, I'm just afraid of him causing trouble."
After pondering for a while, Zhenshu opened her mouth to coax Xi'er and fed her another spoonful of egg custard before saying, "I'll think of a way to help you with this."
That evening, Liu Wensi came over to have dinner with them again. After putting Xi'er to sleep, she chatted with Zhenyuan and Zhenshu for a while before going to bed next door. Zhenyuan and Zhenshu sat on the kang (heated brick bed) together, and only then did she ask some private questions: "Has Zhenxiu come by?"