Ju Mu'er laughed heartily as she listened to Anan and Old Man Ju excitedly discussing what kind of carriage to prepare, what luggage to bring, how to arrange the itinerary, and where to stay. Even Xiao Zhu was excited, constantly offering suggestions from the side.
In the afternoon, Ju Mu'er said she wanted to take a nap. Xiao Zhu dozed off, went to Ju Mu'er's room and saw that she was sleeping soundly, so she didn't dare to disturb her. Instead, she ran to the front hall to help Old Man Ju.
Hearing that there was no more movement in the courtyard, Ju Mu'er quietly got up, went out through the back door, and followed the rope that had been tied up to guide her to the small river in the back woods.
She often came to this river. When she was little, she and her father would catch fish in this river, and then bring them home for her mother to cook delicious braised fish. She didn't like learning needlework, so when her mother wanted her to do some needlework, she would run away and climb up a tree to hide. The view of the river and the opposite bank from the tree was especially beautiful.
Ju Mu'er sat on a large rock under the tree, thinking about the past, and yawned. It was really tiring not to have a good nap.
Just as she was dozing off, she heard Lin Yueyao calling her. Ju Mu'er woke up with a start and sat up straight.
Seeing her like this, Lin Yueyao covered her mouth and laughed, "I'm sorry, I frightened Madam."
Ju Mu'er smiled awkwardly: "It's my fault, I always oversleep."
After exchanging a few casual words, Lin Yueyao sat down next to Ju Mu'er and said, "I told my wife the other day that I always felt like someone was watching me. So I asked her not to contact me for the time being. Later I found out that it was one of Yi Bai's drinking buddies. He wanted to tell me something, but he didn't dare to come to me, so he kept hanging around Xichun Hall."
What does he want to tell you?
Lin Yueyao sighed deeply: "I've always believed that Yi Bai didn't accidentally fall into the water and drown because he hadn't been drinking when he left my place that day. But that drinking buddy of mine told me that when Yi Bai came out that day, he dragged Yi Bai to drink with him. The two of them walked along the riverbank, completely drunk, and he saw Yi Bai fall into the water with his own eyes. But he was so confused that he didn't dare to save him or call for help because he owed Yi Bai a lot of money for drinks. He was having a string of bad luck at that time, and he was afraid that people would think that he deliberately pushed Yi Bai into the water. So he ran away."
Ju Mu'er lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Lin Yueyao continued, "He said that when he sobered up the next day, he was filled with regret, but since it had already happened, he dared not make a fuss. The government ruled that Yi Bai had drowned while drunk, which was an accident, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Later, in order to avoid his debts, he fled to another place. However, he always felt guilty about Yi Bai's death and struggled for two years before finally coming to tell me the truth."
Ju Mu'er asked softly, "Do you believe him?"
Lin Yueyao shook her head, her voice a little hoarse: "I don't want to believe it. But I know he often drinks with Yibai. He can recall what Yibai wore that day, the tune Yibai played with me, and what he said. Because when they were drinking together, Yibai talked to him about these things. If Yibai was murdered after leaving me, why would he be talking about these things with someone?"
"So what he said must be true?"
"Madam," Lin Yueyao said, somewhat at a loss, "I was so focused on seeking justice for Yi Bai. For the past two years, I haven't been able to sleep at night, constantly thinking about this matter. But I never expected that the final outcome would be like this. Suddenly, I don't know what to do next."
Ju Mu'er nodded: "I can understand how Miss Yueyao feels."
Lin Yueyao added, "I've been troubling you, Madam, with finding clues for the past two years, but I never expected it to end like this. I'm so sorry, Madam."
"Where? I've also benefited a lot in the past two years."
"I heard from the guests in the building that the musical score is indeed a martial arts manual. Right now, people in the martial arts world are fighting over it. It is said that someone has seen the score."
"I see. So the real culprit took the sheet music away, but pretended to burn it, making everyone think the sheet music was lost?"
Lin Yueyao said, "I'm not sure about the specific details, I've just heard it's like this."
"The information in this building is really well-informed."
"We have all kinds of customers. After a few drinks, they'll say anything. They're really insightful."
Ju Mu'er was silent for a moment, then said, "Is it because Brother Yibai's cause of death is clear and your worries are relieved that you've decided to go home?"
“Madam is indeed wise. When Yibai was alive, I had already considered leaving my profession to live with him. However, he was a free spirit, and although he treated me well, he might not have had the heart to settle down with me. So I hesitated for a long time, and I never expected that before I could express my feelings, we would be separated forever. Now that I hear that his death was like this, I don’t know how I will live in the future. I was already tired of this life of selling smiles, and I only endured it until today because of Yibai. The day I heard all this, I didn’t sleep a wink all night. I really couldn’t stay there for even a day. Later, the nanny said that a gentleman wanted to redeem me, so I decided that I would escape. From now on, I will only be myself and will never be anyone’s subordinate or imprisoned.”
"So what are your plans?"
“I have no relatives left. Saying I’m going back to my hometown is just a lie to them. I haven’t figured out what to do yet. I’ve been hiding for so long, and I’m afraid they’ll catch me. But I really have nowhere to go. No matter what, I have to come and tell Madam first. I’m so grateful to Madam for these past two years. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have been able to hold on.”
“Young lady, there is a small wooden cabin not far from my home, where I used to practice my zither in peace. Although it is simple, it can be used for hiding. Now that Xichun Hall has reported to the authorities, they are searching for you everywhere. Why don’t you stay there for a few days and wait until things calm down before making further plans?”
Lin Yueyao was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked her, saying, "I am truly grateful to have been taken in by you, Madam."
"No need to thank me, it's just that the place is simple and you'll have to make do. But it's well hidden, no one knows about it, so it's a good place to hide."
Lin Yueyao thanked Ju Mu'er profusely, and Ju Mu'er led her along the thick rope to a small wooden house.
The two pushed open the door and went inside. There was only a bed, a small table, and a small cabinet with some sheet music inside.
"There are sheet music here too." Lin Yueyao was surprised and went over to take a look.
"Nobody knows this place, so I keep some of my good sheet music that I don't want to lend to outsiders here. I always sleep a lot, and when I get tired of playing the piano, I just fall asleep, so there's a bed and bedding here. It's just been unused for a long time, so you can take it out and air it in the air later. Nobody knows about this house except my parents. After I got married, my father stopped coming. You can stay here without worry, nobody knows you're here."
Lin Yueyao happily explored the room, but Ju Mu'er said she couldn't stay away for too long and had to go back first.
That evening, Ju Mu'er seemed preoccupied. Long Er asked her what was wrong, and she said that her father was going on a long journey. Long Er laughed at her, but then told her that he had closed a big deal and would also be going on a long trip in a couple of days.
Ju Mu'er's intimate moments with Long Er that night were particularly passionate, much to Long Er's delight.
People say that separation fosters affection, but he hasn't even started to separate yet, and his feelings for her are already growing stronger. It seems he'll have to say goodbye to her from time to time.
On the tenth day of the sixth lunar month, Old Man Ju, accompanied by his assistant Anan and carrying the memorial tablet of Mu'er's mother, set off in a large carriage given to him by his son-in-law, Second Master Long, to begin his wine tasting journey.
The next day, Long Er also mounted his horse and set off on a long journey with his guards and attendants.
That day, Ju Mu'er locked herself in her room and played the zither all day. At night, she lay alone, her pillow soaked with tears.
The author has something to say: The mystery is slowly being solved, so please be patient.
The first divorce is coming soon.
70. Using cunning to secretly sow the seeds of disaster
Ding Yanshan had lived for eighteen years, and for the first time, she felt that life was very bleak.
As the most favored second young lady of the Minister's mansion, she had always gotten whatever she wanted since childhood, and her life couldn't be more satisfying. Even when she encountered the setback of Long Er, the dangerous situation of being kidnapped, and the rumors that she was no longer chaste, she could still hold her head high with pride.
She is the second young lady of the Ding family; her name is Ding Yanshan.
She knew her capture by the robbers was no simple matter; she had considered everyone around her. Her father's concubine, the steward of the manor, the retainers her father kept, and even her brother-in-law, Yun Qingxian…
After much thought, she concluded that the only person who could mobilize manpower, track her movements, keep it a secret from everyone, and not care too much about her life or death was her brother-in-law, Yun Qingxian.
In her eyes, Yun Qingxian was the kind of person who would try to climb the social ladder by marrying into wealth. The way he looked at his sister was the same way his father looked at his mother—perhaps a little gentler, but equally calm.
Ding Yanshan found it to be a terrifying calmness. It was completely different from the way her sister looked at Yun Qingxian; she could see love and dependence in her sister's eyes, but Yun Qingxian's eyes held none of that. She couldn't understand why her sister could deceive herself into believing she was happy.
Ding Yanshan stayed at her sister's house for half a month. She wanted to find a flaw in Yun Qingxian's actions; she wanted to find evidence that he had ordered the kidnappers to abduct her. But after half a month, she hadn't found any useful clues. Instead, the two sisters spent these two weeks together, as if they had returned to the time before Ding Yanxiang got married, and their sisterly bond grew even stronger.
Ding Yanshan saw her sister's feelings for Yun Qingxian and felt that her sister was hiding something from her. Whenever she showed dissatisfaction with Yun Qingxian, her sister would hesitate to speak.
That day, Ding Yanxiang had a heart-to-heart talk with her younger sister, Ding Yanshan, and persuaded her to go home and live there.
"But I want to live with my sister. Just let me stay a few more days. I don't want to see the faces of those aunts at home anymore. My mother is always nagging, and I can't talk to her about my feelings. Only my sister is good to me. I don't want to go back."
Ding Yanxiang stroked her head and said softly, "Silly girl, your parents love you the most. They must be so sad if you think like this. It's not right for an unmarried girl like you to always stay at your brother-in-law's house. It's not good for your parents' reputation either. I noticed you were in a bad mood the other day, but I didn't know how to comfort you. But this can't go on. I went back to my parents' house a couple of days ago, and my mother was very unhappy."
"Anyway, I don't want to go back. I want to live with my sister."
Ding Yanxiang sighed, "Shan'er, I'm also happy to be with you, but what about our parents? If you don't think about them, think about your sister too. You know, our parents have always spoiled you. You came to stay with me and don't want to go back. They must think I instigated you. When I went home, Mother didn't see you and already gave me a hard time." She hesitated for a moment, as if swallowing her words, and didn't continue.
Ding Yanshan lowered her head, knowing in her heart that her mother must have said something unpleasant. From childhood to adulthood, her parents had indeed spoiled her more, and she was so focused on finding out who had harmed her that she hadn't considered her sister's position.
Ding Yanxiang added, "How about this? If you feel lonely at home, I'll go back with you for a few days. I'll come back when you're in a better mood."
Ding Yanshan looked up in surprise. Her unmarried daughter going to stay at her brother-in-law's house would attract gossip, and her married sister going back to her parents' home would attract even more gossip. Her sister's actions for her were truly touching.
Ding Yanshan dared not be willful any longer and nodded in agreement.
Back home, Ding Yanshan was listless. She was still preoccupied with finding out who was behind her kidnapping, but half a month had passed and she hadn't found a single clue about Yun Qingxian. Going back to her sister's house now would probably be difficult, and seeing Ding Yanxiang's deep affection for Yun Qingxian, she didn't dare to reveal her feelings to her sister.
On the other hand, Ding Yanshan had another worry. What if she found some evidence? How would she tell her beloved older sister about it?
Ding Yanshan wandered aimlessly around the mansion, lost in thought. Her sister was going home tomorrow, and she suddenly didn't know how to face her. She felt resentful but unable to express it, and her heart was filled with unbearable frustration.
As she was strolling, she caught sight of two men dressed as guards walking towards the backyard. Ding Yanshan ignored them and continued walking, but after a few steps, she suddenly stopped.
The figures and faces of those two people flashed through my mind; they seemed familiar, as if I had seen them before.
Ding Yanshan was suddenly startled.
I remember now, it was that mysterious man posing as a constable!
Ding Yanshan quickly turned around. But the two people had already disappeared from sight.
Ding Yanshan ran a few steps, but was afraid of being discovered. She was nervous and careful. She chased after them for a while and finally saw the two figures. Ding Yanshan quickly hid behind the bushes and concealed herself.
There was no one in the backyard, and the two people were completely unsuspecting. They walked and talked as they went, and Ding Yanshan's heart was pounding. She cautiously took a few steps closer and heard their voices.
"Where should we go? The money the adults gave us won't last long."
"Anyway, we have to leave the capital. The master said we can come back once things calm down, and I believe it won't be long. You should go to brothels less often; this money should be enough."
“I’m not at ease. He’s willing to risk his daughter, so do you really think he’ll let us, these lowly soldiers, come and go as we please? He can let us kill others, so of course he can let others kill us too.”
"Shh, don't do anything stupid. Just listen to me and don't cause trouble, and everything will be fine. Let's get out of here first."
The two quickly left through the back gate of the Ding residence as they talked. Ding Yanshan's legs went weak, her heart pounded like a drum, and she leaned against a tree, unable to move.
It was her father! It was actually her father!
Ding Yanshan couldn't believe it; even hearing it with her own ears, she still couldn't believe it.
She couldn't stand any longer and squatted down, covering her face with her hands, trying to suppress her emotions. The bandit leader had said that the Ding family had used him and then abandoned him, so he wanted to get revenge. The Ding family—such an obvious excuse, yet she hadn't considered her father at all.
But why did he have to do this to her? Ding Yanshan's eyes welled up with tears. Even if he was going to do something bad, why did he have to involve his own daughter? She was his biological daughter!
Tears fell, dripping onto the muddy ground. The image of her father calling her a fool, saying she was useless, flashed through her mind. He had said his daughters were useless, that he despised them.
Ding Yanshan burst into tears.
Unfortunately, he only had two daughters. He had promised his mother that he wouldn't allow his concubines to have children, and he couldn't afford to offend his mother's family, so he could only have two daughters. She thought her father loved them, but reality was so cruel. He was probably already dissatisfied with his daughters, and they were only used as tools for him to climb the social ladder.
He once wanted to marry his sister to a fifty-year-old general as a second wife. Later, the general lost power, and Yun Qingxian appeared. He felt that this young man was more useful than the general who had lost power, so Yun Qingxian eventually became her brother-in-law.
Her father wanted her to get involved with Long Er, believing that with the Long family's wealth and power, she could gain control of half the national treasury. Unfortunately, she messed it up. Long Er rejected her and married someone else.
Ding Yanshan grew increasingly distressed; things seemed to be as they appeared. Her father had taken out his grudge against Long Er on her, which was why he had kidnapped Ju Mu'er, intending to make Long Er regret his actions. However, Long Er clearly suspected the Ding family, so he had also kidnapped his own daughter to prove his innocence.
That's why the robbers died in prison, and that's why some people dared to impersonate constables. Behind the scenes was the Minister of Justice, with numerous subordinates, immense power, and the ability to command influence.
Ding Yanshan was heartbroken. She had been foolishly worried about finding evidence against Yun Qingxian and not knowing how to tell her sister. Now she discovered that everything was her father's doing, which caught her off guard and left her at a loss.
What can she do? Who can she talk to? Who can she trust?
Long Er's trip took more than half a month.
During this period, Ju Mu'er seemed like a different person. She abandoned her usual quiet and home-loving lifestyle and began to go out frequently.
She wandered around every day, buying many unnecessary and unwanted items: clothes, shoes, pendants, trinkets, face powder, hairpins, all kinds of food, all sorts of trinkets... and even books.
They spent money lavishly, but the things they bought were of little use and remained untouched in their boxes.
Xiao Zhu was a little flustered. While accompanying Ju Mu'er shopping, she tried her best to persuade Ju Mu'er to stop her from spending lavishly. Ju Mu'er had no money on her, so Xiao Zhu lied and said she didn't have enough, thinking that would stop her from buying more. But Ju Mu'er was neither anxious nor annoyed, and told the shopkeeper that she would pay at the Long residence. The shopkeeper happily packed up the goods and brought them over, not worried at all that the Second Madam Long couldn't afford to pay.
The accountant at the Long residence has been sweating bullets these past few days doing the accounting, and he really doesn't know how he'll explain things to the Second Master when he returns.
But the Second Master hadn't given any prior instructions to withhold money from the Madam, so the accountant dared not refuse to pay the bills for those trinkets. However, the Second Master hadn't said the Madam could spend money as she pleased either, so the accountant was very anxious. What if, what if he really didn't allow her to spend it?
The sheer amount of money she spent wasn't the most astonishing thing about Ju Mu'er. With Long Er gone, she had nothing to do and started frequently visiting her parents' home. Granny Yu asked Xiao Zhu, "Since your husband is out traveling, what does the Second Madam do when she goes back to her parents' home?"