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Ban Lu Qin Jun - Chapter 7
“Is he wearing a little bit warmer clothes now? Is his coughing getting better or not?”
Yi Yun Zhai’s questions all filled with worry. He wanted them to not only going to Zuo Zhen Yu’s stall to buy Spring Festival couplets, but he also wanted them to pay attention whether he was wearing warm clothes or not, his health getting better or not.
While he was listening to the servant’s answer, Xi Ning by the side was collecting the paintings which were brought back by the servants.
What a nuisance! Now these paintings are already piling up in the whole room! Young Master from the beginning didn’t want these Spring Festival couplets and paintings, hence he didn’t even spare a glance, only for the sake of helping Zuo Zhen Yu to pa.s.s through his difficulty, but still, Young Master’s concern seemingly had surpa.s.sed the boundary of a benefactor.
If he heard that Zuo Zhen Yu today was not coughing so bad or had worn a layer more of clothing, he would be happy and gleeful, if he heard that the Cousin Young Master with weird illness’ health today was not so good, he would be worried.
Each and every one of these, in his view as his personal attendant, he really felt that his Young Master was again like those days when he got confused by a ghost.
Xi Ning put in order these things. Even though he was somewhat literate, but if he was asked to thoroughly recognize the verse of a poetry, he still couldn’t do it. However, he really felt that Zuo Zhen Yu’s calligraphy was really good.
Zuo Zhen Yu’s style of writing was tidy and beautiful, the people who could write such beautiful calligraphy, in his memory there were only several people. Looks like this Cousin Young Master with weird illness was not someone who didn’t have ink in his stomach*. His writing, at first glance, was really alike with the writing of Miss Lan Xun at that time. Xi Ning couldn’t help but look at it like an idiot.
(t/n : * not someone who didn’t have ink in their stomach : this line is literally translated, the meaning is : he is somewhat of a scholar.)
Xiao Hong’r was coming in with a thumping noise. Seeing Xi Ning was tidying the papers, she conveniently inclined her head to have a look. Didn’t know why recently Yi Yun Zhai loved to collect these, piling up to every s.p.a.ce of the room.
She couldn’t understand the painting so might as well not look at it. Just went to Yi Yun Zhai, pulling his sleeve acted like a spoiled child : “Yun Zhai, today let’s go out to play, okay? The New Year is almost here, let’s go to the market to buy something to make the New Year more lively, alright?”
Yi Yun Zhai nearly brushed away her hand, if not resisting this impulse, he had pushed her away since earlier.
He found it harder and harder to be together with Xiao Hong’r. To the extent that the past beautiful memories when he was together with Xiao Lan Xun, also couldn’t generate the slightest bit of favorable impression towards Xiao Hong’r.
Every time he saw her, he would become more and more impatient. Her similarity to Xiao Lan Xun’s voice and the very image of Xiao Lan Xun’s face, indeed made him unable to feel the slightest bit of the former Xiao Lan Xun’s gentleness and unrivalled beauty disposition.
Being together with Xiao Hong’r for a long time already, he found out that she was spoiled, reckless, unreasonable and unruly. When speaking, she always liked to instigate dispute, saying things that would hurt other’s feelings. Caused him to not help but ask himself, in the first place, why he could love her? These three painful years waiting in anxiety, could it be only for marrying this kind of woman?
Or was it because that time he was still in the prime of youth, completely lacked the intelligence to judge one’s quality?
And also, those beautiful memories, everything was merely his own imagination?
“My father had a.s.signed me to meet the merchants in this area. I am about to go out.” He told a lie, because he absolutely didn’t want to be together with her.
Unexpectedly Xiao Hong’r’s face flushed pink. Utterly happy she jumped, “Then, your father’s letter has arrived. Ought to mention about the marriage matter, right?”
Yi Yun Zhai still hadn’t received the letter from Master Yi, he himself was also very puzzled why his father still hadn’t sent someone to deliver the reply letter.
He indifferently said : “This is what my father told me before I left home. Before, I spent the days accompanying you only having fun, have hindered many of the business. These days I need to manage the business properly. Lan Xun, you and your sister just go together to play!”
Xiao Hong’r pouted her mouth, but it wouldn’t be good to be impudent, could only unwillingly ask: “Then your father, when will he actually reply to the letter?”
“Should be within these several days!” He just answered with whatever came to his mind.
Xiao Hong’r accepted what he said as the truth: “As soon as your father’s reply letter come within these days, we can already get married? Yun Zhai, I really look forward to get married to you. I wish that the days come faster, the faster the better.”
Yi Yun Zhai upon thinking about getting married with the person before him, didn’t know why, chillness crawled up to his body, he actually felt the unwillingness in every possible way.
He didn’t want to think much about it, forced himself to nod his head. When she had gone out, Xi Ning couldn’t restrain himself from asking.
“Young Master, Why did you lie to Miss Lan Xun? We actually don’t have to pay a visit to anybody!”
“I want to go to the prefecture capital.”
“Go to prefecture capital for what?” Xi Ning frowned, couldn’t help but ask. Although he knew what the answer might be.
Yi Yun Zhai didn’t want to answer. Couldn’t do anything about the response, Xi Ning might as well follow him proceeding to the prefecture capital.
☆☆☆
Arriving in the prefecture capital, not for strolling in the bustling street, also not for listening to the songs, rather it was to check on that ailing Zuo Zhen Yu, whether he was getting by just fine or not.
Now he had got money, he wasn’t staying in that broken temple anymore, he stayed in a little rented cabin. His figure was thin, as if thin to the point only remained one breath lingering on in a steadily worsening condition.
Xi Ning though he detested him, but yet still couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. He thought to himself, if he still didn’t go to check his illness, most probably he wouldn’t be able to get through this year. Meanwhile, Yi Yun Zhai’s whole body was severely shaking.
He knew that Zuo Zhen Yu was having a rough time, yet he had no way to see him face to face. After all, he all along believed that it was him who chased him out from Xiao’s house in the first place. Besides, they two had committed that kind of thing, seeing each other would only be awkward to the utmost.
“Young Master, let’s go back! Let’s go to ask the best doctor in this prefecture capital to check on his illness. Just say that the Master who bought his paintings heard the rumor about his health condition being not well, so he specially hired him to check, how about it?”
Yi Yun Zhai nodded. Asked his other servant to get the doctor to check on his illness, then absentmindedly returned to Xiao’s residence.
☆☆☆
Sitting in his room, Yi Yun Zhai was thinking, Zuo Zhen Yu’s such thin posture, could he pull it through this year’s winter or not?
A knocking sound on the door. Xi Ning went to open the door. It was Xiao Hua’r who came to visit.
Xi Ning treated her with politeness : “Miss Hua’r, is there any matter with Young Master?”
Xiao Hua’r’s face was teary, the right cheek was still red, it seemed like she was slapped by someone.
That slap was granted by the prepared to be Yi family’s Young Mistress, Xiao Hong’r. They two quarreling because of Yi Yun Zhai was not the first time.
But this time, Xiao Hong’r displayed the high arrogance while saying the reply letter from Master Yi was about to arrive. She soon would marry into Yi’s family. Not at all being considerate towards Xiao Hua’r, she went so far as to raise her hand to slap her on the face.
Xiao Hua’r was both angry and hateful, not resigned to the humiliation, furthermore, she loathed that high and mighty att.i.tude of Xiao Hong’r, it was like she would never be like her for all her life.
She didn’t believe that she absolutely couldn’t defeat Xiao Hong’r! Xiao Hong’r only her face looks like Xiao Lan Xun, in other things, she wouldn’t be able to compare to her. She wouldn’t give Yi Yun Zhai to Xiao Hong’r.
As soon as Xiao Hua’r came in, she went directly to Yi Yun Zhai, softly said to him : “Big Brother Yi, there is something I want to tell you.”
Her cautious manner, had caused Yi Yun Zhai to raise up the interest to listen, resolutely s.h.i.+fted his thoughts from Zuo Zhen Yu to Xiao Hua’r.
“What is it? Hua’r?”
“As a matter of fact, Hong’r is absolutely not Xiao Lan Xun! Xiao Lan Xun attended the school for more than a year, but Hong’r since childhood until adulthood all along lived in this place, had never gone out. She is lazy, over confident over her beauty, to the extent even one character she also doesn’t know. Big Brother Yi, you can set a topic to test her, she certainly even one 大* character also cannot write.”
(t/n : *大, this character is read as Da, means big. What Xiao Hua’r meant to say is, this is such a simple character in Chinese, yet, for the illiterate Xiao Hong’r, even this simple character she couldn’t write. That’s why I leave the character as the original rather than translating it. XD )
Yi Yun Zhai hearing this, he was stunned. Xi Ning’s whole body was stiffened.
“No wonder…… No wonder I couldn’t raise any intimate feeling towards her. So she is actually not Xiao Lan Xun.” Yi Yun Zhai said with a terrifying blank expression.
“That’s right! The real Xiao Lan Xun is another person.” Xiao Hua’r’s intention to raise a point had been said, she hurriedly went out.
She knew, a little while more, there would be a storm. And she would stand firmly in this storm without swaying!
Xi Ning was the first to angrily roar : “Young Master, if we got deceived, that hair pin was in the Xiao family’s hand, it proved that they know the real Miss Lan Xun whereabouts! They actually dare to a.s.sume her name and take her place, extremely shameless!”
Not needing to marry Xiao Hong’r had made the big lump of stone in Yi Yun Zhai’s heart finally be lifted. But in place of that, a stream of anger was surging up violently in his heart.
The Xiao Family actually dared to fool him, this sort of thing, how could he tolerate it?
And also, the real Xiao Lan Xun ought to be suffering from all kinds of misery, that’s why she could agree to hand over her belongings to the Xiao family. Otherwise, how could she let such important belongings be taken away from her?
“Let’s go to the hall. Invite Master Xiao to the hall!”
Yi Yun Zhai stood up all of a sudden. The expression on his face in a split second turned to a grim and unfeeling expression.
He treated the Xiao family with courtesy and respect. He never expected them to go as far as to deceive him. They really regarded him as someone that was easily taken advantage of? This matter he absolutely had to make a thorough investigation until all was clear.
☆☆☆
In the hall, the Xiao Family still didn’t know what had happened, they only knew that Yi Yun Zhai suddenly gathered them in the hall.
“Yun Zhai ah, is there a problem?” Xiao Daye carefully asked.
He felt that Yi Yun Zhai’s face was unlike in the past, and also, the longer he stayed in the Xiao’s house, it seemed like towards the marriage matter, he was getting more and more indifferent. It shouldn’t be that he wanted to cancel the marriage, right?
Yi Yun Zhai smilingly said : “Father-in-Law, since my father’s birthday is about to come, thus I want to ask Lan Xun to draw a painting of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, in addition, put on some verse to congratulate him. I ask you all to gather, because I want you all to take a look at Lan Xun’s skill in painting. Her writing and painting can be rated as first grade!”
Xiao Daye’s expression had a huge change. Xiao Hong’r could or couldn’t write, there was no one who knew better than him as her father. It seemed like in Yi Yun Zhai’s heart, the doubt had risen.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hong’r’s face was even paler.
Yi Yun Zhai signaled Xi Ning, “Get the brush and ink, I want to hang this painting of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea on the wall of the my family’s main hall, to let everyone know that I have such a pure hearted, the best of the best among all women to be my wife.”
Xiao Hong’r didn’t dare to lift the brush, but she reacted in the utmost speed to protest coquettishly : “Yun Zhai, this kind of petty matter, just ask another person to do, why should I do it myself?”
Xi Ning widened his eyes to glare at her, completely lacked the former respectful manner, “If you are Miss Lan Xun, please just begin to write.”
“What do you mean? d.a.m.ned slave, you speak like this towards your master, is it proper? It will be a wonder if I don’t ask Yun Zhai to drive you out!” Xiao Hong’r flew into rage from shame, suddenly she scolded Xi Ning.
Xi Ning also wasn’t the least bit afraid of her, glowered at her. His mind was always on his Young Master’s side, never on her side: If she was the fake Miss Lan Xun, his att.i.tude towards her would be even more disrespectful!
“If you are really Miss Lan Xun, why is it that even a word of a verse you couldn’t write down? Miss Lan Xun loved to play qin, I have never heard you play qin, most probably you also can’t play qin. You are absolutely not Miss Lan Xun!”
“You……You are a slave, but you’re actually this fierce towards me! Yun Zhai, you see him, does he still regard me as the future Young Mistress?”
She didn’t beat the cane, instead, cried loudly to cause havoc.
Right at this moment, Xiao Hua’r slowly from the inner room walked out. She took the brush and wrote two lines “Happiness as boundless as the eastern seas, Live as long as the Zhongnan Mountains”*. Upon seeing this, Xiao Hong’r stopped her cry right away. She was stunned while looking at her elder sister.
(t/n : *福如东海、寿比南山 : literally translated as : Happiness as boundless as the Eastern Seas, Live as long as the Zhongnan Mountains. These two lines simply mean: may you live a long life and be immensely happy as long as you live. These two lines are a common birthday greeting for an elderly.)
“I am the real Xiao Lan Xun. Merely because my appearance already not the same as that time, father said Xiao Hong’r is more alike with my appearance at that time, so he wanted Xiao Hong’r to be married to you. Although I dote on my sister, yet, in the end, I still can’t give up my feeling for you. Yun Zhai, hope you can forgive me for deceiving you.”
Hearing Xiao Hua’r performing a play of her own, even saying about the likeliness, actually saying that she was the impersonator, she was the genuine one, Xiao Hong’r’s pretty face was already angry to the point of black.
Xiao Hong’r quickly shouted from the top of her lungs: “You are talking nonsense! You are absolutely not Xiao Lan Xun, I am the real Xiao Lan Xun!”
The corner of Xiao Hua’r mouth showing a sinister smile, “Then why don’t you write a character for us to see! Xiao Lan Xun attended school, why even a character also couldn’t write?”
“I can write. Who said I cannot write?”
She s.n.a.t.c.hed the brush on Xiao Hua’r’s hand, on the paper randomly scribble disorderly cross, more obvious that she indeed didn’t know even a character. Absolutely impossible to be Xiao Lan Xun.
“You write this kind of undecipherable handwriting, only a ghost could understand!” Xiao Hua’r spoke out to ridicule, stepped forward, in a hurry wanted to throw herself into Yi Yun Zhai’s bosom, “Yun Zhai, these past three years, my facial features though had changed a bit, but I am still the Lan Xun who wholeheartedly loved you.”
Yi Yun Zhai looked with cold eyes this scene of enormous farce. This moment, he already didn’t believe whatever words from the Xiao family. He coldly asked: “Then, let me ask you, What is Lan Xun’s most favorite flower?”
It was easy to figure out what a girl’s favorite flower! Xiao Hong’r promptly answered : “Peony.”
The decisive opportunity was s.n.a.t.c.hed by Xiao Hong’r, Xiao Hua’r angrily shouted: “Yun Zhai is asking me not asking you! Of course peony.”
Yi Yun Zhai clenched his fists. These two women were certainly not his most beloved Xiao Lan Xun, or else, it would be unlikely to even this simple question they also could answer it wrongly.
“Then what is her most favorite color of rouge?”
“Of course the color that is popular now, then it will be the favorite.” Xiao Hua’r this time answered immediately, to avoid getting the answer s.n.a.t.c.hed by Xiao Hong’r again.
Yi Yun Zhai’s pair of fists not only being clenched tightly, it was to the point of slightly trembling.
The rage in Yi Yun Zhai’s heart now swirling up like the whirlwind. These people simply defiled his treasured feelings towards Xiao Lan Xun
“Then, let me ask you again, why did Lan Xun leave me? What had happened that night?” With his cold voice he asked the two of them.
It was easy, what could make Xiao Lan Xun leave without saying goodbye, definitely because of the lover’s quarrel. Xiao Hong’r this time was the first to answer : “Because we had a quarrel, in the impulse caused by anger I just left.”
Xiao Hua’r also nodded her head : “That’s right! That day we had a little dispute, that’s why I left you.”
Xi Ning by the side, upon hearing this, unceasingly shook his head. Even though he was not Yi Yun Zhai, he also knew the answer for these matters.
Xiao Lan Xun ardently loved the plum blossom, because plum blossom bloomed in the winter, unshakeable in the cold emitting fragrance, to make one admire it, she was not like the present women, she didn’t put on rogue, didn’t put on powder, always had a natural face.
What had happened in that very last night, it was because Yi Yun Zhai suffered from his enemy’s poison, that poison was very peculiar, absolutely unable to be rescued. They with much difficulty sought the help from a famous doctor who had lived in seclusion. That famous doctor said the only way was to transfer the poison into another person’s body, so that the poison could be dissolved. That’s why Xiao Lan Xun sacrificed herself to detoxify it. Afterwards, disappeared without a trace.
“Where is Lan Xun?” Yi Yun Zhai stood up, went to Xiao Daye, the inraged low voice was like a storm was about to come.
Xiao Daye got scared by him until his whole body was trembling. Pointing at his two daughters : “Both of them are Lan Xun. Whomever one you like, you can choose whomever!”
Yi Yun Zhai slammed the table in a rage.
It had come to this crucial time, Xiao Daye still said this impudent remark, it made his rage flare up even higher. He absolutely must investigate to understand thoroughly, otherwise, he definitely would not be willing to take things lying down.
“They are not Lan Xun! Tell me where is Xiao Lan Xun? You have her hair pin, you surely know where she is! If you don’t say it, I will report you for deceiving the Yi family’s wealth, murder Xiao Lan Xun for her property, I want to see, which official doesn’t want to accept this case? Even though they didn’t accept, I still can force you all to break apart and scatter, let you all know my Yi family’s method of doing something.”
Xiao Daye was frightened by his raged face to the point his whole body was shaking.
The matter already came to this, to still hide the truth would be useless. It seemed like he could only tell him the truth, so that he could avoid the calamity.
However, he didn’t know where Zuo Zhen Yu go to, even more, if he because of the illness died out there, letting Yi Yun Zhai know that they, the Xiao family, had chased him out, harmed the him who was a helpless orphan, died because of the illness, is equal to have indirectly killed Xiao Lan Xun, at that time, he would be the same couldn’t guarantee his life, then what if……
Might as well say half the truth and half falsehood. Self-defense was his one and only scheme.
“Young Master Yi please spare our life! This hair pin was picked up by me*! That was for a girl whose face looked very much alike as my daughter held it in her hand before her death. I have seen that portrait, then I guessed that she probably was Xiao Lan Xun, so I buried her, took away her hair pin, intending to have my daughter a.s.sume her name and take her place, for the sake of my daughter’s good marriage. Not at all murdered Xiao Lan Xun for her property.” Xiao Daye just said whatever came into his mind. Only hoping that these words could hide the truth from Yi Yun Zhai.
(t/n : * 小人, this literally mean a small mean, but this is also used by a man of low social status when speaking to his betters, in this case, Xiao Daye all of a sudden humbled himself in front of Yi Yun Zhai, thus he used this Xiaoren to refer to himself. LOL… too intimidated by Yun Zhai it seems. XD )
Yi Yun Zhai didn’t want to believe, “You said she had died? Then where did you bury her?”
Xiao Daye simply talked randomly: “I buried her somewhere in the ridge of a hill, already couldn’t find her corpse. But the Heaven as my witness, I definitely didn’t murder Xiao Lan Xun for her money. I am ready to go to the temple and take an oath that I absolutely never committed such an immoral action!”
He only chased away Zuo Zhen Yu, truly didn’t commit such murdering for money deed. He still didn’t have such great nerve, also couldn’t do it! Xiao Daye secretly thought to himself.
Seeing his whole face coward and weak expression, Yi Yun Zhai also could figure out that Xiao Daye wouldn’t be able to commit that murdering for money crime. Looked like he picked up the hair pin was the truth. Then Xiao Lan Xun had died of illness long ago.
When Yi Yun Zhai was off in another world, from a distant, his home’s servant suddenly returned. Xi Ning received the letter from the servant, and gave it to Yi Yun Zhai.
Yi Yun Zhai actually didn’t want to read the letter, because the marriage matter already had no necessity to be discussed any further. This letter from his house also it was not necessary for it to be read anymore.
Yet he still ripped open the letter, attentively read.
My son Yun Zhai :
Father for these several days over and over again considered, as a matter of fact, I don’t know how I should write this letter.
This letter is indeed hard to write, therefore I changed it numerous times. If I said that the marriage matter is a fraud, you certainly won’t believe it. But please let father recount in detail from the beginning.
Three years ago, you suffered from a weird poison, then transferred the poison to Xiao Lan Xun’s body. However, Xiao Lan Xun didn’t know that the poison was potent. The next day she left without saying goodbye. From here onwards, you longed for her day and night, no thought for tea or rice*.
(t/n : *No thought for tea or rice (id) : to have no appet.i.te.)
That poison was a sinister* poison. If pa.s.sed on to a female, if not dissolved the poison within a month, very likely had been withered since long ago. I couldn’t stand seeing you in despair, for this reason, I didn’t say anything regarding this matter. Only wished that you would give up on Xiao Lan Xun soon.
(t/n : * 阴 (yin) : this also can mean the feminine or the
negative principle in nature (the opposite of Yang in YinYang.))
Even if Xiao Lan Xun at this moment is still alive, that poison was strong, perhaps her face has changed beyond recognition since long ago. No longer the Xiao Lan Xun you knew. What’s more, the famous doctor who saved you that day, in secret had told me that this kind of sinister poison, if it was in a body of a male, could still drag on for several years, but if it was on a body of female, very likely since long ago she would be beyond help.
I don’t want you to be deceived. Even more unwilling for you to regret it after getting married. After considering it over and over again, I then decided to tell you the truth, hope you can understand your father’s meaning.
Just come home to the Capital! That person must not be your beloved Xiao Lan Xun.
Because Xiao Lan Xun had pa.s.sed away since long ago. Didn’t know in what place she was buried. The famous doctor’s medical skill was brilliant. What he had said was unlikely to be wrong. Hope you can sort out your sadness. Please come home!
Your Father.
Finished reading the letter, and adding what Xiao Daye had said, Yi Yun Zhai’s hot tears in an instant started gus.h.i.+ng out.
His persistent expectation to see Xiao Lan Xun again at this moment thoroughly vanished into thin air. Actually his father since the beginning had known that she had pa.s.sed away. Only that he was unwilling to say it out, to cause his heart to grieve like it was being twisted.
But having waited for almost four years, all of his expectations came to nothing. At this moment just told him that his Xiao Lan Xun had pa.s.sed away, how should he accept this kind of anguish and heartbreaking reality?
“Is he wearing a little bit warmer clothes now? Is his coughing getting better or not?”
Yi Yun Zhai’s questions all filled with worry. He wanted them to not only going to Zuo Zhen Yu’s stall to buy Spring Festival couplets, but he also wanted them to pay attention whether he was wearing warm clothes or not, his health getting better or not.
While he was listening to the servant’s answer, Xi Ning by the side was collecting the paintings which were brought back by the servants.
What a nuisance! Now these paintings are already piling up in the whole room! Young Master from the beginning didn’t want these Spring Festival couplets and paintings, hence he didn’t even spare a glance, only for the sake of helping Zuo Zhen Yu to pa.s.s through his difficulty, but still, Young Master’s concern seemingly had surpa.s.sed the boundary of a benefactor.
If he heard that Zuo Zhen Yu today was not coughing so bad or had worn a layer more of clothing, he would be happy and gleeful, if he heard that the Cousin Young Master with weird illness’ health today was not so good, he would be worried.
Each and every one of these, in his view as his personal attendant, he really felt that his Young Master was again like those days when he got confused by a ghost.
Xi Ning put in order these things. Even though he was somewhat literate, but if he was asked to thoroughly recognize the verse of a poetry, he still couldn’t do it. However, he really felt that Zuo Zhen Yu’s calligraphy was really good.
Zuo Zhen Yu’s style of writing was tidy and beautiful, the people who could write such beautiful calligraphy, in his memory there were only several people. Looks like this Cousin Young Master with weird illness was not someone who didn’t have ink in his stomach*. His writing, at first glance, was really alike with the writing of Miss Lan Xun at that time. Xi Ning couldn’t help but look at it like an idiot.
(t/n : * not someone who didn’t have ink in their stomach : this line is literally translated, the meaning is : he is somewhat of a scholar.)
Xiao Hong’r was coming in with a thumping noise. Seeing Xi Ning was tidying the papers, she conveniently inclined her head to have a look. Didn’t know why recently Yi Yun Zhai loved to collect these, piling up to every s.p.a.ce of the room.
She couldn’t understand the painting so might as well not look at it. Just went to Yi Yun Zhai, pulling his sleeve acted like a spoiled child : “Yun Zhai, today let’s go out to play, okay? The New Year is almost here, let’s go to the market to buy something to make the New Year more lively, alright?”
Yi Yun Zhai nearly brushed away her hand, if not resisting this impulse, he had pushed her away since earlier.
He found it harder and harder to be together with Xiao Hong’r. To the extent that the past beautiful memories when he was together with Xiao Lan Xun, also couldn’t generate the slightest bit of favorable impression towards Xiao Hong’r.
Every time he saw her, he would become more and more impatient. Her similarity to Xiao Lan Xun’s voice and the very image of Xiao Lan Xun’s face, indeed made him unable to feel the slightest bit of the former Xiao Lan Xun’s gentleness and unrivalled beauty disposition.
Being together with Xiao Hong’r for a long time already, he found out that she was spoiled, reckless, unreasonable and unruly. When speaking, she always liked to instigate dispute, saying things that would hurt other’s feelings. Caused him to not help but ask himself, in the first place, why he could love her? These three painful years waiting in anxiety, could it be only for marrying this kind of woman?
Or was it because that time he was still in the prime of youth, completely lacked the intelligence to judge one’s quality?
And also, those beautiful memories, everything was merely his own imagination?
“My father had a.s.signed me to meet the merchants in this area. I am about to go out.” He told a lie, because he absolutely didn’t want to be together with her.
Unexpectedly Xiao Hong’r’s face flushed pink. Utterly happy she jumped, “Then, your father’s letter has arrived. Ought to mention about the marriage matter, right?”
Yi Yun Zhai still hadn’t received the letter from Master Yi, he himself was also very puzzled why his father still hadn’t sent someone to deliver the reply letter.
He indifferently said : “This is what my father told me before I left home. Before, I spent the days accompanying you only having fun, have hindered many of the business. These days I need to manage the business properly. Lan Xun, you and your sister just go together to play!”
Xiao Hong’r pouted her mouth, but it wouldn’t be good to be impudent, could only unwillingly ask: “Then your father, when will he actually reply to the letter?”
“Should be within these several days!” He just answered with whatever came to his mind.
Xiao Hong’r accepted what he said as the truth: “As soon as your father’s reply letter come within these days, we can already get married? Yun Zhai, I really look forward to get married to you. I wish that the days come faster, the faster the better.”
Yi Yun Zhai upon thinking about getting married with the person before him, didn’t know why, chillness crawled up to his body, he actually felt the unwillingness in every possible way.
He didn’t want to think much about it, forced himself to nod his head. When she had gone out, Xi Ning couldn’t restrain himself from asking.
“Young Master, Why did you lie to Miss Lan Xun? We actually don’t have to pay a visit to anybody!”
“I want to go to the prefecture capital.”
“Go to prefecture capital for what?” Xi Ning frowned, couldn’t help but ask. Although he knew what the answer might be.
Yi Yun Zhai didn’t want to answer. Couldn’t do anything about the response, Xi Ning might as well follow him proceeding to the prefecture capital.
☆☆☆
Arriving in the prefecture capital, not for strolling in the bustling street, also not for listening to the songs, rather it was to check on that ailing Zuo Zhen Yu, whether he was getting by just fine or not.
Now he had got money, he wasn’t staying in that broken temple anymore, he stayed in a little rented cabin. His figure was thin, as if thin to the point only remained one breath lingering on in a steadily worsening condition.
Xi Ning though he detested him, but yet still couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. He thought to himself, if he still didn’t go to check his illness, most probably he wouldn’t be able to get through this year. Meanwhile, Yi Yun Zhai’s whole body was severely shaking.
He knew that Zuo Zhen Yu was having a rough time, yet he had no way to see him face to face. After all, he all along believed that it was him who chased him out from Xiao’s house in the first place. Besides, they two had committed that kind of thing, seeing each other would only be awkward to the utmost.
“Young Master, let’s go back! Let’s go to ask the best doctor in this prefecture capital to check on his illness. Just say that the Master who bought his paintings heard the rumor about his health condition being not well, so he specially hired him to check, how about it?”
Yi Yun Zhai nodded. Asked his other servant to get the doctor to check on his illness, then absentmindedly returned to Xiao’s residence.
☆☆☆
Sitting in his room, Yi Yun Zhai was thinking, Zuo Zhen Yu’s such thin posture, could he pull it through this year’s winter or not?
A knocking sound on the door. Xi Ning went to open the door. It was Xiao Hua’r who came to visit.
Xi Ning treated her with politeness : “Miss Hua’r, is there any matter with Young Master?”
Xiao Hua’r’s face was teary, the right cheek was still red, it seemed like she was slapped by someone.
That slap was granted by the prepared to be Yi family’s Young Mistress, Xiao Hong’r. They two quarreling because of Yi Yun Zhai was not the first time.
But this time, Xiao Hong’r displayed the high arrogance while saying the reply letter from Master Yi was about to arrive. She soon would marry into Yi’s family. Not at all being considerate towards Xiao Hua’r, she went so far as to raise her hand to slap her on the face.
Xiao Hua’r was both angry and hateful, not resigned to the humiliation, furthermore, she loathed that high and mighty att.i.tude of Xiao Hong’r, it was like she would never be like her for all her life.
She didn’t believe that she absolutely couldn’t defeat Xiao Hong’r! Xiao Hong’r only her face looks like Xiao Lan Xun, in other things, she wouldn’t be able to compare to her. She wouldn’t give Yi Yun Zhai to Xiao Hong’r.
As soon as Xiao Hua’r came in, she went directly to Yi Yun Zhai, softly said to him : “Big Brother Yi, there is something I want to tell you.”
Her cautious manner, had caused Yi Yun Zhai to raise up the interest to listen, resolutely s.h.i.+fted his thoughts from Zuo Zhen Yu to Xiao Hua’r.
“What is it? Hua’r?”
“As a matter of fact, Hong’r is absolutely not Xiao Lan Xun! Xiao Lan Xun attended the school for more than a year, but Hong’r since childhood until adulthood all along lived in this place, had never gone out. She is lazy, over confident over her beauty, to the extent even one character she also doesn’t know. Big Brother Yi, you can set a topic to test her, she certainly even one 大* character also cannot write.”
(t/n : *大, this character is read as Da, means big. What Xiao Hua’r meant to say is, this is such a simple character in Chinese, yet, for the illiterate Xiao Hong’r, even this simple character she couldn’t write. That’s why I leave the character as the original rather than translating it. XD )
Yi Yun Zhai hearing this, he was stunned. Xi Ning’s whole body was stiffened.
“No wonder…… No wonder I couldn’t raise any intimate feeling towards her. So she is actually not Xiao Lan Xun.” Yi Yun Zhai said with a terrifying blank expression.
“That’s right! The real Xiao Lan Xun is another person.” Xiao Hua’r’s intention to raise a point had been said, she hurriedly went out.
She knew, a little while more, there would be a storm. And she would stand firmly in this storm without swaying!
Xi Ning was the first to angrily roar : “Young Master, if we got deceived, that hair pin was in the Xiao family’s hand, it proved that they know the real Miss Lan Xun whereabouts! They actually dare to a.s.sume her name and take her place, extremely shameless!”
Not needing to marry Xiao Hong’r had made the big lump of stone in Yi Yun Zhai’s heart finally be lifted. But in place of that, a stream of anger was surging up violently in his heart.
The Xiao Family actually dared to fool him, this sort of thing, how could he tolerate it?
And also, the real Xiao Lan Xun ought to be suffering from all kinds of misery, that’s why she could agree to hand over her belongings to the Xiao family. Otherwise, how could she let such important belongings be taken away from her?
“Let’s go to the hall. Invite Master Xiao to the hall!”
Yi Yun Zhai stood up all of a sudden. The expression on his face in a split second turned to a grim and unfeeling expression.
He treated the Xiao family with courtesy and respect. He never expected them to go as far as to deceive him. They really regarded him as someone that was easily taken advantage of? This matter he absolutely had to make a thorough investigation until all was clear.
☆☆☆
In the hall, the Xiao Family still didn’t know what had happened, they only knew that Yi Yun Zhai suddenly gathered them in the hall.
“Yun Zhai ah, is there a problem?” Xiao Daye carefully asked.
He felt that Yi Yun Zhai’s face was unlike in the past, and also, the longer he stayed in the Xiao’s house, it seemed like towards the marriage matter, he was getting more and more indifferent. It shouldn’t be that he wanted to cancel the marriage, right?
Yi Yun Zhai smilingly said : “Father-in-Law, since my father’s birthday is about to come, thus I want to ask Lan Xun to draw a painting of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, in addition, put on some verse to congratulate him. I ask you all to gather, because I want you all to take a look at Lan Xun’s skill in painting. Her writing and painting can be rated as first grade!”
Xiao Daye’s expression had a huge change. Xiao Hong’r could or couldn’t write, there was no one who knew better than him as her father. It seemed like in Yi Yun Zhai’s heart, the doubt had risen.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hong’r’s face was even paler.
Yi Yun Zhai signaled Xi Ning, “Get the brush and ink, I want to hang this painting of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea on the wall of the my family’s main hall, to let everyone know that I have such a pure hearted, the best of the best among all women to be my wife.”
Xiao Hong’r didn’t dare to lift the brush, but she reacted in the utmost speed to protest coquettishly : “Yun Zhai, this kind of petty matter, just ask another person to do, why should I do it myself?”
Xi Ning widened his eyes to glare at her, completely lacked the former respectful manner, “If you are Miss Lan Xun, please just begin to write.”
“What do you mean? d.a.m.ned slave, you speak like this towards your master, is it proper? It will be a wonder if I don’t ask Yun Zhai to drive you out!” Xiao Hong’r flew into rage from shame, suddenly she scolded Xi Ning.
Xi Ning also wasn’t the least bit afraid of her, glowered at her. His mind was always on his Young Master’s side, never on her side: If she was the fake Miss Lan Xun, his att.i.tude towards her would be even more disrespectful!
“If you are really Miss Lan Xun, why is it that even a word of a verse you couldn’t write down? Miss Lan Xun loved to play qin, I have never heard you play qin, most probably you also can’t play qin. You are absolutely not Miss Lan Xun!”
“You……You are a slave, but you’re actually this fierce towards me! Yun Zhai, you see him, does he still regard me as the future Young Mistress?”
She didn’t beat the cane, instead, cried loudly to cause havoc.
Right at this moment, Xiao Hua’r slowly from the inner room walked out. She took the brush and wrote two lines “Happiness as boundless as the eastern seas, Live as long as the Zhongnan Mountains”*. Upon seeing this, Xiao Hong’r stopped her cry right away. She was stunned while looking at her elder sister.
(t/n : *福如东海、寿比南山 : literally translated as : Happiness as boundless as the Eastern Seas, Live as long as the Zhongnan Mountains. These two lines simply mean: may you live a long life and be immensely happy as long as you live. These two lines are a common birthday greeting for an elderly.)
“I am the real Xiao Lan Xun. Merely because my appearance already not the same as that time, father said Xiao Hong’r is more alike with my appearance at that time, so he wanted Xiao Hong’r to be married to you. Although I dote on my sister, yet, in the end, I still can’t give up my feeling for you. Yun Zhai, hope you can forgive me for deceiving you.”
Hearing Xiao Hua’r performing a play of her own, even saying about the likeliness, actually saying that she was the impersonator, she was the genuine one, Xiao Hong’r’s pretty face was already angry to the point of black.
Xiao Hong’r quickly shouted from the top of her lungs: “You are talking nonsense! You are absolutely not Xiao Lan Xun, I am the real Xiao Lan Xun!”
The corner of Xiao Hua’r mouth showing a sinister smile, “Then why don’t you write a character for us to see! Xiao Lan Xun attended school, why even a character also couldn’t write?”
“I can write. Who said I cannot write?”
She s.n.a.t.c.hed the brush on Xiao Hua’r’s hand, on the paper randomly scribble disorderly cross, more obvious that she indeed didn’t know even a character. Absolutely impossible to be Xiao Lan Xun.
“You write this kind of undecipherable handwriting, only a ghost could understand!” Xiao Hua’r spoke out to ridicule, stepped forward, in a hurry wanted to throw herself into Yi Yun Zhai’s bosom, “Yun Zhai, these past three years, my facial features though had changed a bit, but I am still the Lan Xun who wholeheartedly loved you.”
Yi Yun Zhai looked with cold eyes this scene of enormous farce. This moment, he already didn’t believe whatever words from the Xiao family. He coldly asked: “Then, let me ask you, What is Lan Xun’s most favorite flower?”
It was easy to figure out what a girl’s favorite flower! Xiao Hong’r promptly answered : “Peony.”
The decisive opportunity was s.n.a.t.c.hed by Xiao Hong’r, Xiao Hua’r angrily shouted: “Yun Zhai is asking me not asking you! Of course peony.”
Yi Yun Zhai clenched his fists. These two women were certainly not his most beloved Xiao Lan Xun, or else, it would be unlikely to even this simple question they also could answer it wrongly.
“Then what is her most favorite color of rouge?”
“Of course the color that is popular now, then it will be the favorite.” Xiao Hua’r this time answered immediately, to avoid getting the answer s.n.a.t.c.hed by Xiao Hong’r again.
Yi Yun Zhai’s pair of fists not only being clenched tightly, it was to the point of slightly trembling.
The rage in Yi Yun Zhai’s heart now swirling up like the whirlwind. These people simply defiled his treasured feelings towards Xiao Lan Xun
“Then, let me ask you again, why did Lan Xun leave me? What had happened that night?” With his cold voice he asked the two of them.
It was easy, what could make Xiao Lan Xun leave without saying goodbye, definitely because of the lover’s quarrel. Xiao Hong’r this time was the first to answer : “Because we had a quarrel, in the impulse caused by anger I just left.”
Xiao Hua’r also nodded her head : “That’s right! That day we had a little dispute, that’s why I left you.”
Xi Ning by the side, upon hearing this, unceasingly shook his head. Even though he was not Yi Yun Zhai, he also knew the answer for these matters.
Xiao Lan Xun ardently loved the plum blossom, because plum blossom bloomed in the winter, unshakeable in the cold emitting fragrance, to make one admire it, she was not like the present women, she didn’t put on rogue, didn’t put on powder, always had a natural face.
What had happened in that very last night, it was because Yi Yun Zhai suffered from his enemy’s poison, that poison was very peculiar, absolutely unable to be rescued. They with much difficulty sought the help from a famous doctor who had lived in seclusion. That famous doctor said the only way was to transfer the poison into another person’s body, so that the poison could be dissolved. That’s why Xiao Lan Xun sacrificed herself to detoxify it. Afterwards, disappeared without a trace.
“Where is Lan Xun?” Yi Yun Zhai stood up, went to Xiao Daye, the inraged low voice was like a storm was about to come.
Xiao Daye got scared by him until his whole body was trembling. Pointing at his two daughters : “Both of them are Lan Xun. Whomever one you like, you can choose whomever!”
Yi Yun Zhai slammed the table in a rage.
It had come to this crucial time, Xiao Daye still said this impudent remark, it made his rage flare up even higher. He absolutely must investigate to understand thoroughly, otherwise, he definitely would not be willing to take things lying down.
“They are not Lan Xun! Tell me where is Xiao Lan Xun? You have her hair pin, you surely know where she is! If you don’t say it, I will report you for deceiving the Yi family’s wealth, murder Xiao Lan Xun for her property, I want to see, which official doesn’t want to accept this case? Even though they didn’t accept, I still can force you all to break apart and scatter, let you all know my Yi family’s method of doing something.”
Xiao Daye was frightened by his raged face to the point his whole body was shaking.
The matter already came to this, to still hide the truth would be useless. It seemed like he could only tell him the truth, so that he could avoid the calamity.
However, he didn’t know where Zuo Zhen Yu go to, even more, if he because of the illness died out there, letting Yi Yun Zhai know that they, the Xiao family, had chased him out, harmed the him who was a helpless orphan, died because of the illness, is equal to have indirectly killed Xiao Lan Xun, at that time, he would be the same couldn’t guarantee his life, then what if……
Might as well say half the truth and half falsehood. Self-defense was his one and only scheme.
“Young Master Yi please spare our life! This hair pin was picked up by me*! That was for a girl whose face looked very much alike as my daughter held it in her hand before her death. I have seen that portrait, then I guessed that she probably was Xiao Lan Xun, so I buried her, took away her hair pin, intending to have my daughter a.s.sume her name and take her place, for the sake of my daughter’s good marriage. Not at all murdered Xiao Lan Xun for her property.” Xiao Daye just said whatever came into his mind. Only hoping that these words could hide the truth from Yi Yun Zhai.
(t/n : * 小人, this literally mean a small mean, but this is also used by a man of low social status when speaking to his betters, in this case, Xiao Daye all of a sudden humbled himself in front of Yi Yun Zhai, thus he used this Xiaoren to refer to himself. LOL… too intimidated by Yun Zhai it seems. XD )
Yi Yun Zhai didn’t want to believe, “You said she had died? Then where did you bury her?”
Xiao Daye simply talked randomly: “I buried her somewhere in the ridge of a hill, already couldn’t find her corpse. But the Heaven as my witness, I definitely didn’t murder Xiao Lan Xun for her money. I am ready to go to the temple and take an oath that I absolutely never committed such an immoral action!”
He only chased away Zuo Zhen Yu, truly didn’t commit such murdering for money deed. He still didn’t have such great nerve, also couldn’t do it! Xiao Daye secretly thought to himself.
Seeing his whole face coward and weak expression, Yi Yun Zhai also could figure out that Xiao Daye wouldn’t be able to commit that murdering for money crime. Looked like he picked up the hair pin was the truth. Then Xiao Lan Xun had died of illness long ago.
When Yi Yun Zhai was off in another world, from a distant, his home’s servant suddenly returned. Xi Ning received the letter from the servant, and gave it to Yi Yun Zhai.
Yi Yun Zhai actually didn’t want to read the letter, because the marriage matter already had no necessity to be discussed any further. This letter from his house also it was not necessary for it to be read anymore.
Yet he still ripped open the letter, attentively read.
My son Yun Zhai :
Father for these several days over and over again considered, as a matter of fact, I don’t know how I should write this letter.
This letter is indeed hard to write, therefore I changed it numerous times. If I said that the marriage matter is a fraud, you certainly won’t believe it. But please let father recount in detail from the beginning.
Three years ago, you suffered from a weird poison, then transferred the poison to Xiao Lan Xun’s body. However, Xiao Lan Xun didn’t know that the poison was potent. The next day she left without saying goodbye. From here onwards, you longed for her day and night, no thought for tea or rice*.
(t/n : *No thought for tea or rice (id) : to have no appet.i.te.)
That poison was a sinister* poison. If pa.s.sed on to a female, if not dissolved the poison within a month, very likely had been withered since long ago. I couldn’t stand seeing you in despair, for this reason, I didn’t say anything regarding this matter. Only wished that you would give up on Xiao Lan Xun soon.
(t/n : * 阴 (yin) : this also can mean the feminine or the
negative principle in nature (the opposite of Yang in YinYang.))
Even if Xiao Lan Xun at this moment is still alive, that poison was strong, perhaps her face has changed beyond recognition since long ago. No longer the Xiao Lan Xun you knew. What’s more, the famous doctor who saved you that day, in secret had told me that this kind of sinister poison, if it was in a body of a male, could still drag on for several years, but if it was on a body of female, very likely since long ago she would be beyond help.
I don’t want you to be deceived. Even more unwilling for you to regret it after getting married. After considering it over and over again, I then decided to tell you the truth, hope you can understand your father’s meaning.
Just come home to the Capital! That person must not be your beloved Xiao Lan Xun.
Because Xiao Lan Xun had pa.s.sed away since long ago. Didn’t know in what place she was buried. The famous doctor’s medical skill was brilliant. What he had said was unlikely to be wrong. Hope you can sort out your sadness. Please come home!
Your Father.
Finished reading the letter, and adding what Xiao Daye had said, Yi Yun Zhai’s hot tears in an instant started gus.h.i.+ng out.
His persistent expectation to see Xiao Lan Xun again at this moment thoroughly vanished into thin air. Actually his father since the beginning had known that she had pa.s.sed away. Only that he was unwilling to say it out, to cause his heart to grieve like it was being twisted.
But having waited for almost four years, all of his expectations came to nothing. At this moment just told him that his Xiao Lan Xun had pa.s.sed away, how should he accept this kind of anguish and heartbreaking reality?
