“By the way… that…”
Zhao Wenrong hesitated for a moment. Instead, Shen Ying spoke for him. “You want to ask about that man surnamed Zheng just now?”
Zhao Wenrong nodded repeatedly. “I knew you heard it, but when I came out earlier, I did not see any trace of him. He…”
“Not long after you went in, he left on his own.” Liu Qingyan said.
Zhao Wenrong blinked, then nodded in understanding.
Shen Ying asked, “Did Miss Yushu ask you to check on him?”
“No, not at all.” Zhao Wenrong scratched his head awkwardly. “It was just me…”
Zhao Wenrong did not suspect Lin Yushu. She had clearly already forgotten Zheng Mosheng, and seeing him again elicited no particular reaction.
Yet a man’s instinctive wariness towards a potential rival was natural. As soon as he came out to toast, he subconsciously looked for the other’s whereabouts.
Liu Qingyan smiled. “Perhaps because Miss Lin did not pay him much attention, he seemed disappointed and left.”
Zhao Wenrong nodded repeatedly, showing comprehension.
“But he…”
Shen Ying had only said half when her eyes suddenly flashed. She stopped speaking.
“There is another one?”
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan naturally sensed the same thing. Liu Qingyan’s expression turned unsightly. She frowned. “They have gone to the rear courtyard.”
“The rear courtyard?”
Zhao Wenrong started in surprise. The rear courtyard was none other than the location of his and Lin Yushu’s bridal chamber.
He instinctively headed back. Several unaware guests tried to approach, but felt an inexplicable force gently push them aside. They watched Zhao Wenrong pass hurriedly and enter the rear courtyard.
Lu Zheng and the others exchanged glances, then followed.
…
In the rear courtyard, Zheng Mosheng and the senior brother who had urged him to meet Lin Yushu again climbed over the wall.
Compared to Zheng Mosheng, his senior brother’s face was paler, but his eyes shone like stars. He was handsome, with an appealing appearance.
“Senior brother, this does not seem right…” Zheng Mosheng still hesitated.
“What is wrong with it?” Qu Huan curled his lip and chuckled. “Since she promised to marry you in future, how can she casually go back on it? Remember Master’s teachings: in all dealings, one must keep one’s word as if it weighed a thousand jin.”
Zheng Mosheng pulled a bitter face. “That was just childish joking from when we did not know better.”
“Then you took it seriously for six or seven years?” Qu Huan raised a brow. “At least ask her clearly. If she still remembers her promise, we can simply take her away.”
“Ah, this…”
“Perhaps she only married because she could not wait for you?” Qu Huan said. “Perhaps just now she simply did not dare leave with you on the spot? After all, she does not know your abilities.”
Zheng Mosheng’s eyes flickered. His breathing grew heavy. Clearly, he was swayed.
The two entered the rear courtyard, moving silently. They soon reached the main bedroom.
Two maidservants stood at the door, ready to attend Lin Yushu’s needs. Suddenly, they felt their bodies go limp. Their vision darkened, and they slowly collapsed to the ground, falling into deep sleep.
Zheng Mosheng licked his lips, ceased the spell, then rubbed his hands nervously. Gathering his courage, he stepped forward and pushed open the bedroom door.
…
“Why has Husband returned so soon? Is there something you need?”
Lin Yushu sat on the bed, thinking Zhao Wenrong had come back. She looked up hurriedly, only to see Zheng Mosheng and another man enter.
“Brother Zheng…” Lin Yushu froze. She rose quickly, starting to address him, but stopped after two words. Her eyes darted, and panic filled her heart.
Zheng Mosheng could not possibly have entered with the Zhao family’s permission. Her gaze shifted, and she saw the two fainted maidservants at the door.
What does he intend?
What had Zheng Mosheng experienced in these years?
Holding back her pounding heart, Lin Yushu asked, “May I ask why Brother Zheng has come?”
Zheng Mosheng opened his mouth, took a deep breath, then said emotionally, “Yushu, do you still remember the days we spent together before?”
Lin Yushu was momentarily bewildered. “The days before?”
The Lin and Zheng families had been neighbours, both prominent households in Tonglin County, so they got along well. The customs in Dajing were far more open than those after the rise of Neo-Confucianism in China, so as children around ten years old, Lin Yushu and Zheng Mosheng had played together often.
But the Zheng family had suddenly moved away seven or eight years ago.
Lin Yushu instinctively recalled the time when the Zhengs were still neighbours. Something seemed to come to mind, and her expression changed.
Zheng Mosheng’s eyes brightened. “You remember, do you not? Back then, when many friends played together, we were always a pair. You promised me you would marry me when we grew up.”
Lin Yushu could not help feeling both amused and exasperated. She had not expected Zheng Mosheng to still remember such things…
Well, she remembered them too. After all, she had been old enough to form memories. The issue was that no one took such matters seriously. They held even less weight than verbal childhood betrothals arranged by elders.
But Lin Yushu was a clever girl. Zheng Mosheng was one thing, but the senior brother behind him looked at her with highly improper eyes. Add the fainted maidservants at the door, and she dared not act rashly. She simply said to Zheng Mosheng, “Brother Zheng, we were young then. It was mere playful talk. Moreover, after your family moved away, there was no further contact. Now your sister is married and has no fate with Brother Zheng.”
Before Zheng Mosheng could speak, Lin Yushu continued, “Brother Zheng is of excellent character, values trust, and keeps promises. It is your sister who lacks the fortune and is unworthy of Brother Zheng. I believe Brother Zheng will surely find a girl who knows and loves you in future. If Brother Zheng marries, please do inform your sister. I will certainly visit with my husband to offer blessings.”
“Ah, this…” Zheng Mosheng was momentarily speechless.
“Brother Zheng, the Zhao residence is after all a prominent household in Yizhou. There are many servants and guards. Someone may come at any time. Your sister would be fine, but Brother Zheng must be careful. Why not let your sister see the two of you out quickly?” Lin Yushu said, feigning concern.
“No need for that.” Zheng Mosheng waved a hand. “Mere mortals pose no threat to me.”
Lin Yushu’s pupils contracted.
“I…” Zheng Mosheng opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing. He sighed, cupped his hands haphazardly. “I overthought it. Alas, I will go. By the way, I do not live in Yizhou. I only passed through Tonglin County a couple of days ago… Never mind, it is nothing…”
Without waiting for Lin Yushu to reply, Zheng Mosheng turned and left.
Watching him exit the bedroom, speed up, and easily vault over the wall, Lin Yushu could not help breathing a sigh of relief. Then she saw the young man following Zheng Mosheng glance back at her covertly just as he leapt the wall.
That single glance sent a chill rising from the soles of her feet.
