“Master, you have worked hard all day, yet you still came to see Cheng’er. I feel truly ashamed for troubling you,” Peng Xue said softly.
She was dressed in a plain white robe, with a sheer silk outer garment draped over it, revealing her slender, graceful figure in a tantalizing, half-hidden way.
As soon as Cao Jianfeng stepped into the room, he paused for a moment, clearly struck by the sight. His gaze lingered only briefly, but it was long enough for the observant Aunt Peng to catch it.
“How is Cheng’er’s condition?” Cao Jianfeng asked as he sat down.
Peng Xue immediately ordered servants to bring tea.
“His external injuries are very severe. I cannot imagine who would do such a thing to him, or what grudge they could possibly hold to beat him so badly. It all began because he had a minor argument and quarrel with Yun’er. He was upset, and that is why he went out drinking and got into this trouble.”
The moment Cao Jianfeng heard that Cao Lingyun was involved, he looked up sharply. “What does this have to do with Yun’er?”
“Oh, it was nothing serious just a small disagreement between brother and sister. Cheng’er did not take it to heart, yet somehow he ended up drinking and getting hurt.”
“But why would a young man like him barge into a young lady’s private chambers? That is improper,” Cao Jianfeng said sternly.
Aunt Peng remained calm and unhurried. She stood up and refilled his teacup before answering.
“It is only because I have been confined to these quarters these days, and Linglan has been stuck inside with me. A few days ago, Lingyun mentioned making some new clothes for Lan’er. Since Lan’er could not leave this courtyard, Lingyun offered to take her measurements and arrange everything. She even sent over some fruits and small amounts of silver as gifts. I do not know exactly how it happened, but somehow they ended up arguing.”
“A man entering a young lady’s quarters is improper and damages her reputation.”
“I know. Cheng’er already realizes his mistake. He sent gifts to apologize, but Yun’er refused to accept them. I fear she may still be angry. I plan to speak to her personally as soon as my confinement is lifted. We are one family; we must not let things drift apart or grow distant.”
“It is good that he understands. Tell him to behave himself, rest well, and prepare for the Spring Examination. If he fails again this time… ah…”
Cao Jianfeng sighed deeply. Truly, with a son like this, he did not know whether it was a blessing or a curse.
“Master, Cheng’er is so much like you. These past few days, he has been studying late into the night. As his mother, it breaks my heart to see him work so hard, but he insists. He says that since you care for us so deeply, he must do his part to contribute to the family.”
“It is good that he understands his duty. I know how hard you and your two children have worked and endured all these years.”
Hearing the sympathy and affection in his words, Peng Xue stood up, looking deeply moved and grateful.
“Master, without your kindness and protection all these years, we three would never have the good life we enjoy today. You are my savior, my benefactor.”
“I remember every act of care and kindness you have shown us, both in public and within these walls. I could never repay you enough in this lifetime. Even in my next life, if I find you again, I will serve you and repay your kindness a thousand times over.”
She fell to her knees, her face full of grievance and tenderness.
“Stand up quickly,” Cao Jianfeng said, hurrying to help her rise. His face showed nothing but concern. Her knees were already red and swollen, looking as though she had been kneeling for hours, not just a few moments.
“Get up now. You are not in good health; you must not kneel so easily or often. Cheng’er is already injured. If you wear yourself out as well, how will you manage? What would become of you and your children then?”
Cao Jianfeng looked at her with deep affection. Seeing her so delicate and frail, he could not help but reach out and hold her hand gently.
“Thank you for your concern, Master. To be with you in this life is a blessing I earned through good deeds in my past life. I see it is getting late. Why not stay here tonight? Your study is damp and cold; it would not be good for your old injury to flare up again.”
Cao Jianfeng stayed the night in Aunt Peng’s quarters. By the next morning, news of this had spread throughout the entire household.
“Mother.”
Lingyun came every day to pay her respects. In her past life, she had never valued or cherished the time spent with her mother. Now, she truly wanted to enjoy and savor every moment they had together.
“Mother, what is wrong?”
As soon as she entered, she saw Liu Ruoyan sitting to one side, weeping behind her handkerchief.
“Mother, please tell me what has happened?”
No matter how many times she asked, her mother would not speak. Lingyun turned her gaze toward her mother’s maid. After a long moment of silence, the maid finally spoke.
“Last night, the Master was supposed to be staying in our courtyard. But Aunt Peng sent word saying that Young Master Cheng’s injuries had suddenly worsened and begged the Master to come and see him. So he went with the messenger and never returned.”
The maid glanced at Liu Ruoyan, who began to cry even harder, her heart overflowing with grief and hurt.
“Mother, why do you grieve so? A man’s affection is the most fleeting and elusive thing in this world like the moon reflected in water, or flowers seen in a mirror, beautiful but unreal. If you stop thinking about him, let him come and go as he pleases, and do not let him matter so much, you will not be sad or hurt anymore.”
At her words, Liu Ruoyan lifted her head. For a moment, she felt a strange coldness in Lingyun so distant and detached, almost as if she were a different person entirely.
“Yun’er, you are still too young to understand these things. You must not speak of your father like that, nor view the bond between husband and wife in such a way. Thinking like that will only lead to trouble and pain in the end.”
Lingyun did not argue or continue the subject. She simply took a plate of fruit from the maid and placed it gently before her mother.
“Mother, please eat something. Your body is your own. If you fall ill or suffer, no one else will feel that pain for you. In the end, it is only you who will bear the sorrow.”
“And do not worry this is not the first time such things have happened,” Liu Ruoyan said with resignation.
Lingyun fell silent, at a loss for words.
Perhaps she truly could not save everyone in this world. She could only save herself.
But when it came to her mother, she could not bear to watch her suffer the same fate as in her past life. If that happened, then her own rebirth and second chance would be completely meaningless.
“Yun’er, I only wish for you and your sister to be happy and live well. As for what happens between your father and me… please do not concern yourself with it.”
This clear, direct refusal left Lingyun unsure of what to say or do. She had never imagined that one day, her mother would choose to walk a different path from her all because of her father.
“Mother… have you ever thought of leaving him? Do you not see that this abyss, this cage you are trapped in, was built entirely by him? If not for him, none of this pain or suffering would exist. Others have left such lives behind and found freedom. So why… why can you not do the same?”
“Child! What nonsense are you speaking?”
Liu Ruoyan, always gentle and soft-spoken, suddenly spoke sharply and sternly.
The maids beside her had never seen their mistress like this. They rushed to her side and urged her to sit down.
“Madam, please calm yourself! Your health is fragile you must not let anger or distress harm you!” A maid knelt beside her, gently rubbing her chest to help her breathe.
Liu Ruoyan trembled with anger. She could not believe Lingyun would ever say such things. In her heart, Lingyun had always been an obedient, well-behaved daughter.
But after everything that had happened these past few days, she could feel that Lingyun had changed.
“Mother, I understand you are not ready to talk about this now. We can discuss it slowly, another time. I will take my leave now.”
Lingyun stood up. Liu Ruoyan made no move to stop her or ask her to stay. She walked straight out of the room.
“Miss, Madam seemed very unhappy with what you said earlier,” Bao Yan said, sounding worried. “She was truly angry.”
“I know. I understand she cannot accept this all at once. We will take it one step at a time… slowly.”