Perfect Match – CH 008

Chapter 8

After the birthday banquet, Teng Yue went out of town.

His spies, planted near the bandit stronghold, began reporting back to him.

The bandits that Teng Yue suspected of repeatedly stealing weapons and supplies were currently resting and recuperating in this stronghold. However, in the past few days, only the bandit leader and his wife had been present; the second-in-command, the leader’s younger brother, was not there.

The spies reported, “The second-in-command seems to have been assigned a different task. He took a few bandit brothers, saying he was going out to pull off a heist, but we do not know where they are going or what they are doing.”

Since the group was incomplete, there was no rush to act.

Teng Yue ordered his men to continue monitoring. “It seems this band of bandits is not planning to leave anytime soon, so continue scouting. Also, keep an eye on what the second-in-command is up to and who he’s connecting with outside.”

This band of bandits had been roaming Shaanxi Province for seven or eight years. They had previously robbed and plundered, and the government had repeatedly tried to capture them without success. Now that they dared to target soldiers, they could no longer be allowed to remain.

Teng Yue remained remarkably calm, ordering his men to continue monitoring, planning to wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival in a couple of days before making their move.

*

In Xi’an Prefecture, at the Yang Mansion.

Yang Youling returned to her courtyard and smashed all the dishes and bowls she usually used. Ai Liu knelt amidst the broken porcelain shards, trembling.

“I only asked you to listen to a few words. What grudge do you hold against me to cause such a scene? You’ve completely disgraced me!”

Ai Liu, kneeling among the porcelain shards, cut her knees but dared not rise, her voice trembling.

“Please forgive me, young lady! I did not expect that someone would suddenly appear behind me as soon as I arrived at the pleasure boat, staring straight at me. I panicked and lost my grip…”

She was referring to Deng Ruyun.

Yang Youling knew that Deng Ruyun’s presence was not without reason. “Why was she there? Was she…was she trying to follow you and find something on me?!”

Upon hearing this, Ai Liu quickly replied, “She arrived as soon as I stood still, without even a maidservant with her!”

What respectable lady did not have a maidservant? Only someone intending to do something bad would deliberately send all the maidservants away!

Yang Youling’s heart trembled, and she almost tore the handkerchief in her hand.

It must be because she had said a few words about that country girl being lowly and unworthy of Cousin Teng at the Teng family’s flower banquet a few days ago, and this girl had overheard her and was now looking for an opportunity to retaliate.

Thinking this, Yang Youling forgot about Ai Liu for a moment.

Dongxun came to comfort her, offering a bowl of tea to calm her down. Yang Youling did not speak but accepted the tea.

Seeing that her mistress had stopped being angry after accepting the tea, Ai Liu thought she had finally gotten through this ordeal. Since her mother’s death, all the old women had bullied her; she had spent all her money bribing them to even get into her young mistress’s courtyard.

However, at that moment, someone suddenly arrived—it was from Second Madam Yang’s courtyard.

“Miss, Second Madam Yang says that Ai Liu has tarnished your reputation and must be punished; otherwise, the damage to your reputation cannot be repaired.”

If Yang Youling had previously blamed Deng Ruyun for the incident, Second Madam Yang’s reminder made her realize the truth.

Only by severely punishing Ai Liu and letting outsiders know would she appear to be a person of principle, not frivolous.

Thinking this through, she immediately called out, “I do not want Ai Liu anymore; take her outside!”

As soon as she finished speaking, an old woman came into the room in response, and someone said something…

“Ai Liu is of marriageable age, and the lame stableman on the estate is still unmarried. Why do you not marry Ai Liu to him, young lady? Once she’s married, she will know how to behave!”

Ai Liu trembled at these words, but Yang Youling only glanced at her with disgust.

“Very well, that’s fine too.”

Ai Liu’s face turned deathly pale. “Miss, Miss! I know I was wrong; I will not do it again! Please, Miss, do not marry me off! I will even do laundry in the backyard. Please, Miss, do not send me off to marry off!”

Her cries were piercing. Dongxun could not help but step forward and plead for her, “Miss, how about just kicking her out of our courtyard?”

Yang Youling sneered, “How can I restore my reputation if I do not punish her severely?”

As she spoke, she had an old woman cover Ai Liu’s mouth. “Do not let her scream anymore; I do not want to hear it again!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the old women grabbed Ai Liu on either side, and someone else covered her mouth. The courtyard was now silent except for the sounds of her struggle, which quickly disappeared outside the gate.

The old women who had grabbed Ai Liu were the same people who had a grudge against her mother. Seeing Ai Liu’s predicament, they practically burst out laughing. “You are finished this time. Even if your mother came back to life, she could not save you. You will be a cripple’s wife for the rest of your life!”

As she spoke, she tied her to the cart heading to the estate.

The rope nearly broke her. Ai Liu struggled, but the light in her eyes faded.

*

The Teng Mansion.

The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Unusually, Teng Yue was home for the festival this year, much to the delight of Old Madam Lin. She had large red lanterns hung everywhere and colorful decorations displayed.

Naturally, she was not angry with her youngest daughter. She exempted her from school for the next few days and ordered a set of red coral jewelry from the silversmith, sending it over so she could wear it during the evening’s moon worship, chrysanthemum viewing, and crab feast, paired with a peach-red dress embroidered with butterflies that she had just made this autumn.

Deng Ruyun, however, was quite busy. Because Teng Yue was home, she had more responsibilities. She always had to make it seem to Teng Yue that she, as his wife, was gradually taking over the household management so as not to arouse his suspicion.

But Linglang fell ill, developing a fever early that morning.

Deng Ruyun could not be by her side all the time, so she could only manage the household affairs and prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet that evening, while secretly going to the side courtyard to touch Linglang’s head when no one was looking.

The little one was sick and listless, her bright eyes filled with tears. She pouted and whispered, “Auntie,” her feverish little head burying itself in her arms.

Deng Ruyun felt terribly sorry for her, but how could she have the time to hold her all the time? She finally managed to coax her into taking her medicine and falling asleep, only to realize that the sun was already setting, and she had not even eaten anything all day.

Xiuniang asked if she wanted the kitchen to prepare a couple of hot dishes, but Deng Ruyun just said no, ate some snacks, drank a cup of hot tea, and unexpectedly fell asleep at the table.

When Teng Yue entered the room, he found her asleep, one hand supporting her chin.

Her mother was elderly, and her younger sister was still young; she had been handling all the arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival these past two days.

Teng Yue looked at her quietly for a moment, his gaze softening slightly, and then quietly called to a maid.

“Give Madam a blanket.”

… …

That evening, after taking her medicine, Linglang finally felt a little better, and Xiuniang brought her some mooncakes.

But the courtyard was quiet and dim, while the Teng Mansion outside was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Even the servants’ children, having received permission from Old Madam Lin, had run out to play in the garden with lanterns.

The sounds of laughter and play drifted over the courtyard wall, attracting the attention of the little girl in the courtyard, who strained their ears to listen.

When Deng Ruyun came to visit her, she saw her constantly listening outside, filled with curiosity and hope.

She could not help but ask, “Does Linglang want to go play too?”

She asked, and the little girl immediately withdrew her gaze from peeking outside, shaking her head repeatedly.

“Auntie, Linglang is not going.”

She added softly. “That’s someone else’s house outside. Linglang stays in Auntie’s courtyard.”

These were originally Deng Ruyun’s words to her, but hearing them again now, Deng Ruyun felt a pang of sadness.

Linglang was so young, at the age when she loved to play.

But she was not a proper mistress of this household, not Teng Yue’s proper wife. How could she casually bring her family to others?

She affectionately kissed her niece’s little head, and then, taking advantage of a spare moment, got her a lantern shaped like a rabbit gazing at the moon.

The little girl’s eyes lit up when she saw the lantern, and she carried it back and forth in the courtyard.

Deng Ruyun felt somewhat relieved and left, asking Xiuniang to look after her.

The family banquet was held at Canglang Pavilion.

Tonight, on this beautiful night, Teng Xiao finally gave her brother some face and sat down at the family banquet table.

However, she wore neither the brand-new red coral headdress that Old Madam Lin had made for her nor the peach-colored embroidered butterfly-sleeved dress that had been prepared for her.

Instead, she wore several small silver hairpins shaped like knives and swords and a simple, moon-white, narrow-sleeved dress embroidered with bamboo leaves. She looked as neat and bright as a wandering swordsman under the moonlight.

Her figure resembled her brother Teng Yue, equally tall, but much more slender for a young girl. Her eyebrows were high and arched, her eyes bright as lamps, and she moved with a swift, graceful gait.

Teng Yue saw his sister and nodded to her gently.

Old Madam Lin, however, frowned, looking at her daughter’s attire, which was completely different from what she had expected, her face full of dismay.

Nanny Wei, trying to smooth things over, said, “Young Lady, you’ve finally arrived! The old lady has been talking about you,” and gestured for a maid to lead her to the table. “Have a cup of chrysanthemum tea first, then the banquet will begin.”

As she spoke, Nanny Wei gave Old Madam Lin a look, implying that since the young lady had come, mother and daughter should not fuss over such trivial matters.

Old Madam Lin disapproved of her daughter’s attire, but family reunions were rare, so she could only swallow her anger and let it go.

Deng Ruyun brought Teng Xiao a plate of tea and snacks.

Teng Xiao immediately said, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Deng Ruyun smiled at her, leaving Teng Yue to talk to Teng Xiao, and went to give instructions on serving the dishes. Soon the banquet began, and Old Madam Lin called to her, “You’ve been busy for a while; please sit down.”

Old Madam Lin would rather exchange a few polite words with her than engage in conversation with her daughter. Teng Xiao was the same, only speaking to Teng Yue, not even glancing at her mother.

At the round table, everyone was talking to themselves, which was rather amusing.

But when she turned to pour wine for Teng Yue, she accidentally stepped on the hem of his robe. Deng Ruyun quickly took a step back but bumped into the maid behind her, causing her to stumble.

Before she could regain her balance, the man suddenly reached out and caught her, steadying her.

However, his hand, reaching out instinctively, unfortunately landed on her waist.

A chill from the night air clung to her as she moved, while his palm was large and warm.

The fleeting exchange of warmth and cold made the sudden contact feel amplified.

Deng Ruyun’s waist stiffened slightly before she whispered her thanks, “Thank you, General.”

The man seemed to realize that holding her waist like that was inappropriate.

He hummed in acknowledgment and withdrew his hand.

The faint fragrance of chrysanthemums carried on the breeze gently dispelled the slight tension between them.

Old Madam Lin was talking to Nanny Wei about something else and did not notice. Deng Ruyun, however, did not want to linger, so she quickly poured him some wine and went to the other side of the table.

… …

The meal went fairly well. Later that evening, after returning to Liumingxuan and washing up, Teng Yue, unusually, spoke to her seriously for a few moments.

He said that after the Mid-Autumn Festival, he should probably go back.

While tidying the bed, Deng Ruyun casually asked, “Is the General’s leave over?”

He nodded. He had never told her about his official duties before, but perhaps because he had drunk a little today, he became a bit more talkative, bringing up the Huang family.

“Actually, he’s nearing sixty.”

Deng Ruyun knew who he meant; he was Huang Xiqing, the son of the Old Madam Huang and the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

He said, “Things seem stable now, but there are powerful figures in the capital who hold absolute power. I’ve heard his life is not easy. As long as the Old Madam remains healthy, perhaps she can help him get back on his feet in the capital.”

If the Old Madam Huang were to pass away, Huang Xiqing would have to return to his hometown to observe three years of mourning. After three years, he would truly be sixty. Whether he could still serve in the court in his old age was another matter entirely.

This was precisely why the entire Huang family regarded the Old Madam Huang as their most precious treasure. Huang Xiqing’s involvement extended far beyond his own family; it also affected many civil and military officials who stood by him and opposed the powerful eunuch in court.

Although Deng Ruyun was unfamiliar with court affairs, she understood what he meant.

She replied, “At the birthday banquet, I saw that the Old Madam was still in good health and showed no signs of illness.”

Teng Yue said, “The Old Madam has spent half her life practicing vegetarianism and chanting Buddhist scriptures. She is a very kind and compassionate person. She is even reluctant to punish servants for their mistakes, always saying that the lives of servants are also lives and should all be treated well from beginning to end.”

Hearing this, Deng Ruyun felt a greater respect for Old Madam Huang.

Teng Yue did not say much; he was not a talkative person. He only spoke a few more words about family matters and then stopped.

After the lights were turned off, the Mid-Autumn Festival full moon shone brightly on the bedside table by the window. Deng Ruyun was feeling somewhat sleepy, but then the man’s hand fell on her.

He seemed unusually patient today, or perhaps Deng Ruyun had also drunk a little; a warm, moist atmosphere quickly filled the canopy bed.

The canopy bed creaked and swayed. Her waist went weak, and he seemed to notice, reaching out to pull her closer.

The moment their hands touched, both seemed momentarily stunned, the scene at the family banquet that evening inexplicably overlapping with the warm, moist atmosphere within the canopy bed.

Deng Ruyun’s lower back stiffened again, but the man did not let go, his palms burning as he held her waist.

Moonlight streamed through the trailing gauze curtains. Deng Ruyun was a little tipsy, sweat beading on her forehead.

He, too, was somewhat intoxicated, and his movements became increasingly vigorous. Deng Ruyun’s mouth was dry, but her body grew even more damp. She could not quite remember when he finished or when she fell asleep.

*

Before dawn, people began to arrive at the city gates, waiting for them to open.

People stood half-asleep beneath the gates, while others gathered along the moat, chatting about this year’s harvest.

Suddenly, someone pointed into the river and cried out, “There’s someone floating here!”

Everyone looked, and there floated a woman’s corpse in the moat.

The people queuing to enter the city instantly snapped awake, some peering closely in the newly bright light.

“That attire? Looks like a maid from some noble household…”

As they spoke, everyone looked down at the woman’s waist, and sure enough, a waist tag floated in the water, clearly engraved with two characters: Yang Mansion.