23 Disturbed Heart

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The garden's scenery was uneven, winding through turns and hidden paths that disappeared from sight. The figures of a girl in peach pink and another in green gradually receded. A young man in blue stepped out from his hiding place and stood for a long time where they had been, lost in thought. Only when the wind rose again did he leave the garden.

Inside the flower hall of the Marquis’s residence, the guests had already departed. Madam Ning and Jiang Yingshui, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, were talking quietly. They had just finished listening to a maid’s report and exchanged thoughtful glances.

Jiang Yingshui sighed, “Ninth Uncle favors Alin greatly. When Alin pleaded with him, he couldn’t refuse and arranged for us to meet her. Now that we have, it’s clear she’s still not fully aware—she can even get lost wandering in a garden…”

“Grandmother, Mother,” Mu Lin lifted the curtain and entered solemnly. “Miss Ali didn’t lose her way on her own. Miss Yu had to leave for something and told her to wait. When she waited too long, she went looking for Miss Yu and accidentally took a wrong turn.”

“What could Tang’er be doing at the Marquis’s residence?” Madame Ning frowned and glanced at the maid.

The maid shook her head, indicating she didn’t know.

Jiang Yingshui frowned as well, looking at her son helplessly. “Years ago, the Demon King harmed his siblings and nearly endangered His Majesty, who hates him deeply. The Su family are his followers. Though that child bears the Yu name, her blood is that of the Su family. She barely clings to life. If she truly marries into the Marquis’s family and draws the emperor’s attention, what will become of the Mu family?”

“Ninth Uncle…” Mu Lin began.

“Alin, your Ninth Uncle cares for you, but you must be sensible and not put him in a difficult position. You met her only briefly; you saw her once when you went to the Yu residence and mistook her for Tang’er. But you have met Tang’er—how can you turn away from that?”

Madam Ning nodded repeatedly as she listened.

“Our family doesn’t care much about status when arranging marriages, but we do value character and a clean family background. That child is mentally impaired and the daughter of a traitor—she meets neither condition. She’s not a suitable match.”

It was true that the Mu family didn’t weigh status heavily since Jiang Yingshui came from a merchant background.

Jiang Yingshui regarded her with respect and gratitude, then looked at her son, feeling quite troubled. “Alin, if you truly don’t fancy Tang’er, there’s no need to make such a fuss. Since no engagement has been made, just let it go.”

“I…” Mu Lin’s voice lowered. “I really don’t care for Miss Yu.”

Madam Ning’s frown deepened.

“I think Tang’er is indeed a fine girl—well-educated, sensible, and mature, well taught by her mother. Alin, don’t you want to reconsider?”

Mu Lin shook his head firmly, uttered some apologies for the trouble, then left in bad spirits.

Passing through the garden and around the bamboo grove, the sound of a zither approached, from distant and gentle to suddenly loud and high-pitched, like a rushing stream entering a valley, twisting and surging, rolling and roaring, striking the heart with force.

He hesitated, unwilling to disturb.

Suddenly, the music stopped abruptly.

After a short while, the door opened from inside, and the steward invited him in.

His eyes immediately caught the person standing before the bamboo painting—clad in pure white, so serene and calm, as if the music he had just heard was a mere illusion.

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Mu Hanshi stood with his back to him, not turning around.

“Today I saw Miss Yu’s family; you two truly are a match made by heaven and earth.”

“Ninth Uncle!” Mu Lin was stunned to hear such words. “I have no feelings for Miss Yu. She is Yu Jingliang’s sister; I only view her as a sister…”

“Sister?” Mu Hanshi turned around, his aura suddenly chilling. “You’ve never truly understood her or spent time with her. How can you say you see her only as a sister?”

Mu Lin had never seen him reveal such emotion before and was stunned for a long while. “Ninth Uncle, I… I know my own heart…”

“You do not!” His eyes dropped like the coming winter snow. “Sometimes people cling too tightly to their original intentions and deceive themselves. Alin, you and she may be fated in a past life. You must cherish and value this, and not let irrelevant people or matters cloud your judgment.”

“Ninth Uncle, Miss Ali risked her life to shield me from an arrow—you saw it with your own eyes. She is not irrelevant; she…”

“Alin, remember, until your verbal engagement with Miss Yu is officially broken, other women mean nothing to you. As for that Yu Li, she is the daughter of the Demon King’s faction, bringing nothing but harm to the Mu family. Do not provoke her further.”

A cold breeze swept in through the half-open window, chilling to the bone and seeping into the marrow, cooling the young man’s most fervent blood and feelings.

After a long moment, Mu Lin replied softly, “Your nephew understands.”

He left dejectedly, like a young pine bent under frost and snow—already grown but still somewhat tender, unable to withstand the sudden harsh blizzard.

“The master has always valued the heir greatly, and had wanted to fulfill his wishes. Why change his mind now?” The steward approached, draping a cloak over Mu Hanshi’s shoulders.

The dark blue cloak complemented the snow-white robe perfectly.

Mu Hanshi adjusted the collar. “It’s rare that he likes someone; I originally wanted to support him. But after seeing Miss Yu today, I feel his affection may not be so important after all.”

The steward was surprised. “The master holds Miss Yu in such high regard? She must truly be extraordinary.”

“Some people have no special qualities; just their existence is your salvation.” Mu Hanshi’s cold gaze lifted and fixed on the bamboo painting. “Perhaps she simply suits my taste.”

* * *

Inside Rui’an Residence, the atmosphere was heavy.

Madam Xie sat upright, glaring at Qiu Lu kneeling on the ground.

Qiu Lu’s eyes were swollen; she lowered her head, sobbing, “I deserve to die. I thought to go out as a guest and applied some newly bought lily flower perfume on myself. Unexpectedly, my hand slipped and spilled it all over. I didn’t realize it would offend Madam Marquis’s taboo…”

As she spoke, she furtively glanced at Shen Qinglu.

Shen Qinglu appeared utterly oblivious, as if she had no idea what was being said.

“Old Madam, it’s all my fault; please punish me.” She bent forward, quietly weeping but inwardly breathing a long sigh of relief.

The sharpness in Madam Xie’s eyes faded, finally turning to a sigh. “Stand up. In the end, this isn’t really your fault.”

How could a servant know the master’s secret taboos when even the master herself was unaware?

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Shen Linlang frowned, her face tinged with guilt. “I have known her for years and didn’t know she couldn’t bear the scent of lilies. This is my oversight.”

“Mother, this isn’t your fault. Madam Mu has kept it very secret. Not a whisper has leaked out over all these years, showing how deep her scheming is.” Yu Liuzhu seemed to comfort her but was really venting her own bitterness.

The subtle tension between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was completely torn open after Mu Lin’s cold neglect. She could never forget how Jiang Yingshui feigned concern in public but treated her with icy disdain in private, her words as sharp as knives, cutting to the bone.

She was told she was unworthy of using the Marquis’s belongings, unworthy of warming herself by the coal stove, unworthy of good food, unworthy of occupying the position of the Marquis’s heir’s wife. Her pride and dignity were trampled mercilessly underfoot.

“The one who has always intended this match is Old Madam Mu. Madam Mu probably never wanted it at all…”

Outside, Yu Qingxue’s voice was heard asking permission to enter. She lifted the curtain and walked in worriedly toward Shen Qinglu. “Was today’s visit to the Marquis’s residence smooth? Did Ali cause any trouble?”

Shen Qinglu ignored her completely.

She was furious and resentful, especially upon seeing Yu Liuzhu’s attire, which made her own pale by comparison, turning anger into hatred.

“Mother, has Tang’er’s marriage been arranged?”

Madam Xie and Shen Linlang’s faces darkened simultaneously.

Throughout today’s meeting, neither Madam Ning nor Jiang Yingshui had once mentioned marriage—not a single word.

Several times Madam Xie almost steered the conversation toward betrothal talks, but Madam Ning seemed not to understand, and Jiang Yingshui said something rather meaningful instead.

She said, “Alin was away for three years. I truly felt uneasy in my heart. Now that he’s back, I want to take care of him personally for a few years to make up for lost time.”

A mother wishing to care for her son sounded reasonable, but in truth, it implied she wanted to delay his marriage for a few years.

Madam Xie knew her daughter’s thoughts best and could only shake her head helplessly when meeting Yu Qingxue’s hopeful gaze. “Neither Old Madam Mu nor Madam Mu mentioned it.”

Yu Qingxue’s eyes changed, anger and dissatisfaction mixing, but she suppressed it to comfort Shen Linlang. “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. You’ve always been close to the Marquis’s family. What’s agreed upon won’t change.”

Shen Linlang was resigned.

Her daughter suddenly refused to marry, and the Marquis family’s intentions were clearly shifting. This match might…

She couldn’t fathom the Marquis family’s purpose in meeting Shen Qinglu. Looking at her seemingly clueless yet exceptionally beautiful face, she felt both suspicion and pity.

“Tang’er’s matter, I’m clear about it. Ali is also of age. If there’s a suitable family, I will help watch out and properly marry her off.”

“I won’t marry!” Shen Qinglu suddenly spoke, murmuring half-understood words. “I can only be a concubine.”

“Ali! What did you say?” Madam Xie was shocked, suddenly realizing the child didn’t know what a concubine was. Someone must have told her something.

Shen Qinglu nodded emphatically, pointing at the now pale-faced Yu Liuzhu, “She said it.”