The rain stung my face as it lashed across the stone steps.
Caicui took a half-step forward with her lantern, the bright light shining directly onto Gu Moli's face. The oily smoke, mixed with the rain, gave off a burnt smell that went straight to his throat.
"Second Young Master!"
She raised her eyelids high, her whites glaring at Gu Moli's half-wet blue cotton jacket.
"The old lady's family just sent someone to inquire, saying that your legs can't withstand the cold, and repeatedly warned you not to let any unclean ghosts or wandering spirits bring bad luck and offend the respectable people in our household!"
Mei Zhongjun had just had someone lift the wheelchair onto the stone steps, and the slight ache in his bones hadn't subsided yet. He was just figuring out how to lead the person to the west side of the courtyard when he was suddenly blocked by this shrill voice, and his face immediately fell.
He slapped the rosewood armrest hard.
"Get out of here! Our honored guest is someone who has fallen on hard times and is seeking lodging."
Besides.
Whom do I bring in? Do you think you, a lowly servant, have the right to tell me what to do? This is outrageous!
At that very moment.
"Hey, second cousin, how old are you? Still arguing with a little maid who serves tea and water outside the door."
A soft, gentle voice drifted out from under the door.
At the corner of the corridor, a young woman wearing a white fox fur cloak slowly emerged.
She wore a red plum blossom in her hair, carried a cloisonné enamel hand warmer in her arms, and took very light, quick steps. Her white silk skirt swayed gently, without a speck of mud or water on it.
It was Lu Xuerou, a distant cousin who was staying at the Marquis's residence.
When Mei Zhongjun saw her, he shrank back, and his arrogance inexplicably diminished.
This woman was his secret lover; if the old lady hadn't disliked her impoverished background, she would have been brought into his room long ago.
Lu Xuerou stopped by the door, her gaze going straight past the wheelchair and landing on Gu Moli's face.
The moment she saw that face clearly, Lu Xuerou scratched a white mark on the copper surface of the hand warmer with her fingernail, and even the curve of her lips froze by half an inch.
"You blind servant, what's the meaning of shining a lamp at the guests?"
Lu Xuerou gave a light rebuke, turned to Mei Zhongjun and smiled, displaying utmost consideration and thoughtfulness.
"My cousin is the same. The Marquis's mansion has its own rules, and it's not easy for outsiders to move around in the inner courtyard."
Since this young lady is down on her luck and seeking lodging, what kind of logic is it to stuff her into the warm room?
If word got out, the reputation of this perfectly good young woman would be completely ruined.
In my opinion, we should have someone sweep and clean the back of Fallen Plum Studio; it's secluded and quiet there, perfect for a guest."
Mei Zhongjun's molars are sore from being worn down.
The Fallen Plum Studio in the back garden is an abandoned courtyard that has been uninhabited for several years. It is shady and dark, and at night, a cold wind howls through it.
This woman is clearly jealous; she's tormenting me to death.
Oh, these women are so petty.
He's not someone who can help me do anything big!
He moved his lips, about to retort, but Gu Moli, who was at the bottom of the table, spoke first.
She took small, quick steps, shrinking half a body length behind Qingwu, her head bowed low, revealing a slender, pale nape of her neck, even her voice was damp with moisture.
"This humble servant thanks the Second Young Master... and this young lady."
"As I am in mourning, I am unworthy to enter the main hall of your grand household. To have even a secluded corner to shelter me from the wind and rain is already a great blessing. I would never dare to cause any trouble for your household."
He took two steps back, lowering himself as low as mud and water, choking back Mei Zhongjun's next words.
Mei Zhongjun awkwardly withdrew his hand, which had been hanging in mid-air, and clutched the fox fur coat on his knee, swallowing hard.
"Alright, alright! My cousin is right. Let's go to Fallen Plum Studio then. Tomorrow at noon, I'll have someone send some food over to see you!"
Gu Moli remained silent, with Qingwu holding her hand, and followed the old woman leading the way past the screen wall.
As she turned the corner and avoided eye contact, a very slight smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, which she quickly smoothed out.
The night was so deep it seemed impossible to break through.
When the two dilapidated wooden doors of Fallen Plum Studio were pushed open, rust from the hinges fluttered down.
The room was as cold as an icebox, making people wrinkle their noses from the cold.
The tables and chairs were missing legs and corners, and the tabletops were covered with a layer of greasy stains that couldn't be wiped off.
"Oh, Princess, I'm so sorry to have troubled you. I really don't know why you came here."
"What's there to complain about? This environment is almost the same as a temple."
From now on, you are not allowed to call me princess. Walls have ears. Just call me wife.
Then, just listen to my instructions and don't worry about anything else.
Gu Moli looked around the room, but her heart was filled with worry for Gu Moran.
Just then, the wooden gate creaked open with a dull thud.
Caicui squeezed in carrying a black and red tray, chin held high, and casually slammed the plate onto the greasy wooden table.
"Our young lady is kind-hearted. Knowing that it's cold here, she was afraid that the young lady, who is frail, would catch a chill, so she specially gave me her old white fox fur shawl."
Girl, you must remember this kindness.
Gu Moli leaned against the edge of the hardwood couch, not even lifting her eyelids.
Qingwu walked forward expressionlessly and casually grabbed the corner of the tray.
"Put it down, and thank Miss Biao on behalf of my wife."
Caicui chuckled, turned and left the courtyard, the broken wooden door slamming shut with a loud bang.
The sound of footsteps faded into the distance on the wet, muddy path.
"Look closely, can a weasel pay New Year's greetings to a chicken?"
Gu Moli rolled her eyes as she stared at the white fox fur shawl.
Upon hearing this...
Qingwu slammed the door bolt shut, picked up the fox fur shawl, and brought it to her nose to sniff it gently.
A moment later, his gaze darkened.
She abruptly pulled out the silver needle hidden in her wristband, made a small incision along the collar, and scraped the needle tip deep into the lining twice.
When it was pulled out, a very faint layer of pink particles adhered to the originally bright needle tip.
Qingwu pinched the end of the needle, her fingernails digging into her flesh.
"It's Touch-Me-Not Frost, some dirty stuff from the Southern Frontier. If it gets on your skin and gets hot, it won't last even half an hour; your whole face will start to itch and hurt unbearably..."
That woman is ruthless.
Gu Moli lowered her eyes to look at the needle tip, without even lifting her eyelids, and slowly pulled a white silk handkerchief from her sleeve, spreading it out on the oil stains on the table.
"Oh, so you're planning to get me into trouble, huh? Haha. Fine."
"Scrape it clean, don't miss a single penny."
His voice was as cold as a pebble falling into an icy lake.
Qingwu moved swiftly and decisively, using a needle to remove all the red powder from the dark lining, carefully gathering it into a paper packet the size of a broad bean, and presenting it with both hands.
Gu Moli held the paper package between two fingers and turned it over in the candlelight.
The petty squabbles and jealousies among the women in these secluded mansions are crude and laughable compared to the brutal methods used in the imperial palace.
" Qingwu."
"Yes, sir."
"Have you figured out how the guards in this mansion move around?"
Qingwu touched the short blade at her waist. "Just a few watchdogs, whose tongue does Master want?"
"Oh dear, why are you still so impatient? Seeing blood is no fun."
Gu Moli placed the paper package back on the oil table.
"Find out which boudoir that young lady lives in. Before dawn, put this whole package into her washcloth. Hehe, I want to see a good show too."
Gu Moli turned her face to the side, the candlelight casting a long, slanted shadow on the wall.
Since someone's eager to offer their face as a stepping stone, she doesn't mind peeling off a layer of skin along the way...