Jiang Yin gazed steadily at the woman's snow-white complexion, his big hand trembling imperceptibly as a wisp of mist welled up in his eyes. "Yes, growing old together, with a house full of children and grandchildren."
"Why are you crying again?"
"I'm not crying, just feeling sentimental."
"What is there to be sentimental about? We still have a very, very long second half of our lives ahead of us."
"Is that so?" Jiang Yin's gaze fell on the woman's exquisite and transcendent features, his eyes distant for a moment.
This hard-won peace made his eyes redden once more.
That night, Jiang Yin still could not have his way and sleep with her in the same bed.
She allowed him to come into her room and sleep on the low couch by her window.
Outside the window the winter wind was biting cold, but inside it was as warm as spring. On the canopy bed her sleeping form was revealed, and he couldn't sleep no matter how he lay on the couch. He got up from the couch, went to the bedside, and just stood there staring at her tranquil sleeping face.
Letting himself lean against the edge of the bed, he hugged his legs tightly, eyes closed, greedily listening to Gu Ying's shallow breathing.
...
The day she sensed something was wrong, Gu Ying had just woken from her afternoon nap.
She was still lying in bed, absentmindedly caressing her belly.
Outside, she could vaguely hear a woman berating the servants.
"What is she, that she deserves my brother?"
"Haitang, kneel down for me, if I tell you to kneel then kneel!"
"I'm the future mistress of Hidden Fragrance Courtyard, aren't you afraid of offending me if you keep favoring her, Gu Ying? In the future I'll sell you off!"
"Miss, the slave didn't, the slave has always been Miss Gu's person... Master Jiang also told this slave to only wholeheartedly serve Miss Gu, these plum cakes are what the young miss wanted to eat, if she wakes up and can't eat them, how will I explain?"
"You cheap slave! What makes her deserving of eating these cakes? That despicable, filthy woman who doesn't know how many men have slept with her doesn't deserve them, give them to me!"
"Don't-"
Hearing this, Gu Ying sat up in bed, her little face pale.
She had always kept her distance from Jiang Ling'er, but she hadn't expected her to be so aggressive and spout such nonsense, let alone come make trouble. What's more, when had she ever been with other men? She couldn't possibly swallow this insult to her reputation.
"Jiang Ling'er, come out here."
Gu Ying walked into the small kitchen in three to five steps, shielding Haitang's head, and kicked the enraged Jiang Ling'er into the wall with one foot.
Jiang Ling'er's body slammed against the corner of the wall in an undignified manner, and a piercing pain shot through her back. "Gu Ying, you dare hit me!"
"What, I'm your sister-in-law, I'm not allowed to hit you?"
Jiang Ling'er gave a mocking laugh, struggling to get up from the ground, the corner of her mouth bleeding. "What sister-in-law are you to me!"
Gu Ying comforted Haitang while feeling puzzled. Hmm, when did her martial arts get so good?
Seeing Gu Ying ignore her, Jiang Ling'er became even more angry with shame and rushed at her to grab her hair.
Gu Ying's eyes narrowed slightly, in a flash, it was another kick.
This time Jiang Ling'er fell to the ground, the pain making her eyes and nose twisted and contorted.
Haitang was so frightened her face turned white, and she pulled Gu Ying away, "Miss, let's not bother with her. She's Madam Jiang's adopted daughter, not Master Jiang's real sister. She dreams every day of becoming Master Jiang's wife, delusionally fantasizing about a toad lusting after a swan. Miss, don't pay any attention to her."
Gu Ying allowed herself to be pulled towards the main room, looking back at Jiang Ling'er who was still cursing.
Jiang Yin had gone out recently to take care of some business, he said he would be busy for four or five days before coming back.
Jiang Ling'er and Madam Jiang lived in the courtyard next to Gu Ying's. Originally there was little interaction between the three.
She only needed to live with Jiang Yin, there was no need to wait upon her mother-in-law and little sister-in-law.
It was just that her little sister-in-law's attitude towards her was very strange. Ever since she met her once at Jiang Yin's birthday banquet, Jiang Ling'er had always looked at her belly with a mocking gaze.
Later on, whenever Jiang Yin was not home, Jiang Ling'er would come to her courtyard.
The two of them never had much to say to each other. Jiang Ling'er would only mock and ridicule her. After some time, Gu Ying felt this little sister-in-law had gone too far.
"When Jiang Yin comes back, I'll tell him about Jiang Ling'er's behavior."
No matter what, she didn't want to live together with this little sister-in-law Jiang Ling'er. If they were to marry, Jiang Ling'er must be dealt with first.
"Haitang, how is your face, does it hurt?"
Once in the main room, Gu Ying closed the door and the curses outside became fainter.
Haitang shook her head, her eyes red with grievance. "This slave is fine, as long as the young miss is unharmed."
Haitang truly wished her well. When Gu Ying first woke up in Hidden Fragrance Courtyard, she had felt very lost, even Jiang Yin was unable to give her a sense of security, but as long as Haitang was there, she could feel at ease.
Gu Ying sat next to the little maid, using a handkerchief wrapped around some snow to rub her red and swollen cheek, smiling as she looked at her, "Your face is all red, it looks quite pretty, luckily it's not disfigured. Our Haitang is still beautiful."
Haitang gave a snort of laughter, knowing her young miss was trying to cheer her up, "Miss, it's this slave's fault for being unable to protect you."
Gu Ying said, "Don't say that, you've been great. You serve me every day, even more thoughtfully than Rouge."
Haitang felt a twinge in her heart, and for some reason, her heart felt empty, as if she had lost a very important memory.
She raised her glistening eyes and suddenly spoke up, "Miss, where is Rouge?"
Gu Ying was also puzzled, "That's right, where is Rouge?"
The mistress and servant fell into a bizarre silence, seeing incomprehension in each other's eyes.
After a short while, they both laughed again. "When Jiang Yin comes back, I'll ask again whether that maid's illness is better, perhaps she is being lazy and doesn't want to come over."
"That makes sense, Rouge is still a playful child after all."
After dinner, as usual Gu Ying prepared to bathe and sleep.
On the table was a bowl of pitch-black bitter medicine that Haitang had prepared for her.
This medicine was so bitter that ever since she started taking it regularly to treat her headaches, she had forced herself to drink it on time.
But these last couple days she was tormented daily by Jiang Ling'er's curses and couldn't get the medicine down anymore.
Yet remembering what Jiang Yin had told her before leaving, "Ah Ying, your health is too poor, drink the medicine properly so you can conceive our child, okay?"
She obediently picked up the medicine bowl again, shuddering as she touched the icy porcelain.
Outside, large fluffy snowflakes were steadily falling on Peach Blossom Town, blanketing it in layers of snow.
As night deepened, shards of silvery white snowlight spilled through the window lattice, looking extremely beautiful.
Jiang Ling'er was always insinuating that she was not chaste and had been involved with other men.
Today she had said again that she had slept with someone... Where there's smoke, there's fire. Why would she say such things?
Also, how did she come to Peach Blossom Town in the first place, and why weren't her family members coming to look for her?
How much of what Jiang Yin told her was true, and how much false?
Gu Ying's thoughts stirred slightly, and an unfamiliar memory suddenly surfaced in her mind.
Jiang Yin gazed steadily at the woman's snow-white complexion, his big hand trembling imperceptibly as a wisp of mist welled up in his eyes. "Yes, growing old together, with a house full of children and grandchildren."
"Why are you crying again?"
"I'm not crying, just feeling sentimental."
"What is there to be sentimental about? We still have a very, very long second half of our lives ahead of us."
"Is that so?" Jiang Yin's gaze fell on the woman's exquisite and transcendent features, his eyes distant for a moment.
This hard-won peace made his eyes redden once more.
That night, Jiang Yin still could not have his way and sleep with her in the same bed.
She allowed him to come into her room and sleep on the low couch by her window.
Outside the window the winter wind was biting cold, but inside it was as warm as spring. On the canopy bed her sleeping form was revealed, and he couldn't sleep no matter how he lay on the couch. He got up from the couch, went to the bedside, and just stood there staring at her tranquil sleeping face.
Letting himself lean against the edge of the bed, he hugged his legs tightly, eyes closed, greedily listening to Gu Ying's shallow breathing.
...
The day she sensed something was wrong, Gu Ying had just woken from her afternoon nap.
She was still lying in bed, absentmindedly caressing her belly.
Outside, she could vaguely hear a woman berating the servants.
"What is she, that she deserves my brother?"
"Haitang, kneel down for me, if I tell you to kneel then kneel!"
"I'm the future mistress of Hidden Fragrance Courtyard, aren't you afraid of offending me if you keep favoring her, Gu Ying? In the future I'll sell you off!"
"Miss, the slave didn't, the slave has always been Miss Gu's person... Master Jiang also told this slave to only wholeheartedly serve Miss Gu, these plum cakes are what the young miss wanted to eat, if she wakes up and can't eat them, how will I explain?"
"You cheap slave! What makes her deserving of eating these cakes? That despicable, filthy woman who doesn't know how many men have slept with her doesn't deserve them, give them to me!"
"Don't-"
Hearing this, Gu Ying sat up in bed, her little face pale.
She had always kept her distance from Jiang Ling'er, but she hadn't expected her to be so aggressive and spout such nonsense, let alone come make trouble. What's more, when had she ever been with other men? She couldn't possibly swallow this insult to her reputation.
"Jiang Ling'er, come out here."
Gu Ying walked into the small kitchen in three to five steps, shielding Haitang's head, and kicked the enraged Jiang Ling'er into the wall with one foot.
Jiang Ling'er's body slammed against the corner of the wall in an undignified manner, and a piercing pain shot through her back. "Gu Ying, you dare hit me!"
"What, I'm your sister-in-law, I'm not allowed to hit you?"
Jiang Ling'er gave a mocking laugh, struggling to get up from the ground, the corner of her mouth bleeding. "What sister-in-law are you to me!"
Gu Ying comforted Haitang while feeling puzzled. Hmm, when did her martial arts get so good?
Seeing Gu Ying ignore her, Jiang Ling'er became even more angry with shame and rushed at her to grab her hair.
Gu Ying's eyes narrowed slightly, in a flash, it was another kick.
This time Jiang Ling'er fell to the ground, the pain making her eyes and nose twisted and contorted.
Haitang was so frightened her face turned white, and she pulled Gu Ying away, "Miss, let's not bother with her. She's Madam Jiang's adopted daughter, not Master Jiang's real sister. She dreams every day of becoming Master Jiang's wife, delusionally fantasizing about a toad lusting after a swan. Miss, don't pay any attention to her."
Gu Ying allowed herself to be pulled towards the main room, looking back at Jiang Ling'er who was still cursing.
Jiang Yin had gone out recently to take care of some business, he said he would be busy for four or five days before coming back.
Jiang Ling'er and Madam Jiang lived in the courtyard next to Gu Ying's. Originally there was little interaction between the three.
She only needed to live with Jiang Yin, there was no need to wait upon her mother-in-law and little sister-in-law.
It was just that her little sister-in-law's attitude towards her was very strange. Ever since she met her once at Jiang Yin's birthday banquet, Jiang Ling'er had always looked at her belly with a mocking gaze.
Later on, whenever Jiang Yin was not home, Jiang Ling'er would come to her courtyard.
The two of them never had much to say to each other. Jiang Ling'er would only mock and ridicule her. After some time, Gu Ying felt this little sister-in-law had gone too far.
"When Jiang Yin comes back, I'll tell him about Jiang Ling'er's behavior."
No matter what, she didn't want to live together with this little sister-in-law Jiang Ling'er. If they were to marry, Jiang Ling'er must be dealt with first.
"Haitang, how is your face, does it hurt?"
Once in the main room, Gu Ying closed the door and the curses outside became fainter.
Haitang shook her head, her eyes red with grievance. "This slave is fine, as long as the young miss is unharmed."
Haitang truly wished her well. When Gu Ying first woke up in Hidden Fragrance Courtyard, she had felt very lost, even Jiang Yin was unable to give her a sense of security, but as long as Haitang was there, she could feel at ease.
Gu Ying sat next to the little maid, using a handkerchief wrapped around some snow to rub her red and swollen cheek, smiling as she looked at her, "Your face is all red, it looks quite pretty, luckily it's not disfigured. Our Haitang is still beautiful."
Haitang gave a snort of laughter, knowing her young miss was trying to cheer her up, "Miss, it's this slave's fault for being unable to protect you."
Gu Ying said, "Don't say that, you've been great. You serve me every day, even more thoughtfully than Rouge."
Haitang felt a twinge in her heart, and for some reason, her heart felt empty, as if she had lost a very important memory.
She raised her glistening eyes and suddenly spoke up, "Miss, where is Rouge?"
Gu Ying was also puzzled, "That's right, where is Rouge?"
The mistress and servant fell into a bizarre silence, seeing incomprehension in each other's eyes.
After a short while, they both laughed again. "When Jiang Yin comes back, I'll ask again whether that maid's illness is better, perhaps she is being lazy and doesn't want to come over."
"That makes sense, Rouge is still a playful child after all."
After dinner, as usual Gu Ying prepared to bathe and sleep.
On the table was a bowl of pitch-black bitter medicine that Haitang had prepared for her.
This medicine was so bitter that ever since she started taking it regularly to treat her headaches, she had forced herself to drink it on time.
But these last couple days she was tormented daily by Jiang Ling'er's curses and couldn't get the medicine down anymore.
Yet remembering what Jiang Yin had told her before leaving, "Ah Ying, your health is too poor, drink the medicine properly so you can conceive our child, okay?"
She obediently picked up the medicine bowl again, shuddering as she touched the icy porcelain.
Outside, large fluffy snowflakes were steadily falling on Peach Blossom Town, blanketing it in layers of snow.
As night deepened, shards of silvery white snowlight spilled through the window lattice, looking extremely beautiful.
Jiang Ling'er was always insinuating that she was not chaste and had been involved with other men.
Today she had said again that she had slept with someone... Where there's smoke, there's fire. Why would she say such things?
Also, how did she come to Peach Blossom Town in the first place, and why weren't her family members coming to look for her?
How much of what Jiang Yin told her was true, and how much false?
Gu Ying's thoughts stirred slightly, and an unfamiliar memory suddenly surfaced in her mind.
