Zuier lifted the sedan curtain, and Yan Ruoxu straightened her back, looking straight at Luyuan Zhe, who was standing under the dim yellow light.
He placed his hands behind him and walked slowly to Yan Ruoxu. His features were more sharply chiseled in the light, and his sword-like eyebrows twitched slightly as he revealed a restrained smile to Yan Ruoxu, "Grand Princess, Luyuan has been waiting here for some time."
Yan Ruoxu, for some reason, was struck by a moment of fascination when she looked at the face in front of her. Luyuan Zhe and Luyuan Han were completely different brothers.
Luyuan Han didn't mention his past life with her, only others' evaluations of him, which were always described as gentle and prudent, and that he handled things appropriately.
As for Luyuan Zhe in front of her? Yan Ruoxu frowned. From the moment she got closer to this person, she could feel a strong sense of aggression. This man was too intelligent, and his gaze was too piercing, as if he could see through the hearts of people at a glance.
Yan Ruoxu smiled gently and said to Lu Yuanchi, "Master Lu, have you thought it over?"
Playing with the paper fan in his hand, Lu Yuanchi leaned closer to Yan Ruoxu and, deliberately lowering his voice, asked, "I'm curious. The princess and I are strangers, why do you believe in me like this?"
"Because I know that Master Lu is open-minded and full of enthusiasm, and he must not want to see loyal ministers unjustly accused," Yan Ruoxu said calmly and unhurriedly.
Apparently, it was very rare for Lu Yuanchi to hear someone praise him like this. He chuckled twice, took a step back, and bowed to Yan Ruoxu, saying, "The princess trusts me, but you haven't asked if I trust the princess."
"Then how could you believe me?" Yan Ruoxu knew that this guy wasn't easy to persuade.
Lu Yuanchi reached out and lowered the curtains of the sedan, saying in a deep voice as he acted, "Three days later, I will invite the princess for a detailed discussion. I will first probe the situation."
Yan Ruoxu lowered her gaze. "Today is already the nineteenth of June. Master Lu, you should make your decision early."
Then the sedan set off again, hurriedly heading towards the direction of the imperial city, gradually disappearing into the vast night.
Lu Yuanchi stood still, watching the sedan go away, and couldn't help but say in admiration, "This princess is really quite interesting."
Yan Ruoxu slept particularly soundly that night, without any dreams. When she woke up, it was already broad daylight.
She lifted a corner of the cool silk coverlet, her eyes slightly misty from just waking up, and sat sideways on the bed.
Returning to her life after the age of sixteen, for the first time she was not awakened in the middle of the night by nightmares.
The past had been deeply imprinted on her, like a shadow following another. It was fine to have someone by her side during the day, but in the quiet, lonely nights, those nightmare-like memories would emerge, tormenting her relentlessly.
Time and time again, she saw her loved ones leaving her in her dreams. She even saw her bloodied younger brother, Yan Zhe, with blood-red eyes, crying out to her, "Sister, take me home, okay? Sister! I'm in pain!"
Turning around, the heavily scarred Lu Yuanhan appeared before her, looking at the weeping Yan Ruoxu with disgust, saying harshly, "I regret marrying you."
Ah! Only with a piercing scream could Yan Ruoxu break free from these day-to-day nightmares.
But yesterday she actually slept so peacefully. Did this mean that she had emerged from those shadows and was truly ready to move forward?
Yan Ruoxu rubbed her eyes and told herself that it was good like this. This time she would definitely not let the past repeat itself.
Then she leaned over and lifted the tassel curtain, calling for Zui Er.
At this hour, Yan Ruoxu usually would have already risen, so it was strange that Zui Er was not seen today. Another servant, Su Xin, who came to attend to Yan Ruoxu in her place.
"Where's Zui Er?" Yan Ruoxu asked while Su Xin did her hair.
Su Xin paused in her hairdressing and hesitantly said, "Zui Er is arguing with someone at the door."
Yan Ruoxu thought that it was not surprising at all. Zui Er's temper was such that she would not only argue, but even get physical with people.
"With whom is she arguing?" Yan Ruoxu stood up, picked up a jade hairpin from the dressing table, and started tying up her smooth black hair. She was about to go to the door to see what was happening.
Su Xin, with an anxious look, caught up to Yan Ruoxu's pace. "Princess, don't go. Zui Er is arguing with Madam Song outside the door."
Upon hearing this, Yan Ruoxu hesitated. "What's going on?"
"Early this morning, the county princess was waiting at the door to see you. Zui Er told them that you wouldn't see any visitors today, but they refused to leave. Then Madam Song insulted Zui Er, and the two of them started arguing," Su Xin reported, then after a fierce mental struggle, continued, "The county princess said she would request the Crown Prince's son's wife from the Rong Mansion to mediate and accused Zui Er of insubordination, and now they are outside causing a scene."
Yan Ruoxu was taken aback. "Why didn't you report this earlier?"
As she said this, she hurried towards the front gate of the mansion. Zui Er was immature, and it seemed that Yan Yushan had taken advantage of her hot temper and deliberately caused trouble early in the morning, so that when the elders intervened, she could seize the opportunity to reverse what had happened the night before, and maybe even try to shift the blame onto Yan Ruoxu.
"Princess, you haven't finished preparing yourself!" Su Xin hastily caught up, but Yan Ruoxu disappeared like a gust of wind from her sight.
Zui Er had always disliked Yan Yushan, and she sneered at the county princess who looked red-eyed and sobbing, and told her to go back where she came from.
Madam Song saw this and trembled with anger. "Back to where you came from? Is this something a humble maidservant like you should say to your mistress?" With a high raised right hand, she was about to slap Zui Er's face.
As Yan Ruoxu stepped out of the gate, she happened to witness this scene. Her expression turned cold. "Madam Song, why are you causing a commotion in front of my residence so early in the morning?"
"Sister Ruoxu," before she could finish speaking, Yan Yushan interjected. She had already cried so much that she knelt at Yan Ruoxu's feet and reached out, pulling the hem of Yan Ruoxu's clothes, tearfully pleading, "It's all my fault. Sister, please don't be angry. Considering that we've been together as sisters for many years, please forgive me this once. Yushan sincerely admits her mistake."
This tearful pleading was indeed very moving. Even though Yan Ruoxu had made up her mind, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
Yan Yushan had a pitiable background and no one to rely on in the palace. Over the years, it was only by relying on her friendship with Yan Ruoxu that she had gained some favor within the clan. They also had some good memories from the old days.
"You can get up," Yan Yushan said, avoiding her gaze, "Go back to your chamber quickly. Isn't it embarrassing to make such a fuss with so many people watching?"
The news of the disturbance at the princess's residence had spread in the palace. Everyone knew that the eldest princess and Yan Yushan had an extraordinary bond, even closer than real sisters. Now watching the two of them tugging at each other at the doors of the residence, it aroused immense curiosity. Some stood nearby watching the spectacle, and a few daring ones were whispering quietly.
Yan Ruoxu was a bit helpless. "I already know what you did, you're a smart person; you should have guessed already. There's no need to make things difficult, go quickly."
"Sister Ruoxu, please forgive me this once," Yan Yushan still refused to give up. She looked up with tear-filled eyes, appearing pitiful and helpless. She knew in her heart that the two of them couldn't go back to how they were before, but what could she do? If she left Yan Ruoxu, she would be rejected by everyone as a despised and illegitimate daughter.
Why do some people get to be born pure and clean, while she had to compromise and live a difficult life? Why?
The author has something to say:
Lu Yuanchi: Honey, can I have a hug? Finally, we've spoken to each other!
Yan Ruoxu: Cold face, um...
Lu Yuanhan: Why? Am I not worthy of having a name in the movie with three people?
Yan Yushan: Can a supporting character have a voice?