Perfect Match – CH 022

Chapter 22

In Canglang Pavilion, Nanny Wei discreetly left.

But before leaving, Old Madam Lin specifically called her over.

“Why are you more concerned about the affairs of Liumingxuan than your own? Deng Ruyun is as clear-headed as a mirror; as long as she understands things, nothing else matters. Why do you need to keep reminding her?”

Nanny Wei truly had not expected Deng Ruyun to be so perceptive, immediately grasping the key point. However, since Deng Ruyun was willing to leave, voluntarily separating herself from the Second Master, she did not say anything more.

But the Old Madam asked another question.

“Why are you more concerned about this matter than I am?”

This question was difficult to answer.

Nanny Wei broke out in a cold sweat; she could only say,

“It’s because Deng Ruyun is too clever. I thought that if a clever girl wanted to use this opportunity to win over the Second Master, would it not be easy? So I could not help but worry excessively.”

Even as she said this, Old Madam Lin still glanced at her twice.

She did not ask any further questions, only saying, “It’s precisely because she’s intelligent and sensible that she will not act as you described. You’re busy, so spend more time with Xia’er when you have free time. Otherwise, she will get bored being locked up at home all day… Mind your own business.”

Nanny Wei had not heard the old lady speak to her like this in many years, so she did not dare say anything more. She wiped the sweat from her brow, bowed, and took her leave.

*

Teng Yue met the people from Ningxia and received several letters from his colleagues. He called Tong Meng over to help him settle the people in.

Teng Yue returned to Liumingxuan, but as soon as he stepped inside, he felt everyone in the courtyard bustling about. He had a strange premonition when he saw her emerge from the room.

She had changed into a light autumn-colored jacket, slightly thicker than before, as if she were about to go out.

Before he could speak, she approached him and said, “The General is back. However, my grandmother was not feeling well earlier, so I’m afraid I will have to disappoint you today and take her home.”

As she spoke, although her eyes were on him, her gaze seemed to wander slightly.

The man froze in the courtyard, staring intently at her face.

“And Yunniang? Are you going to personally take your grandmother and the others home?” She had already changed her clothes, clearly ready to leave, but he had to remind her, “Your injury has not healed yet…”

However, after he said this, she replied, “The General is right. My injuries need some more time to heal. My grandmother and Aunt Juan were really worried, so I told the Old Madam I’d go with them to stay there for a while before returning.”

She finished speaking and added, “The Old Madam has already agreed.”

The light in the courtyard was dim and stagnant. Teng Yue had not expected that she would not only send her family away, but she herself would also leave, even going to Canglang Pavilion to tell his mother.

Canglang Pavilion was not close to Liumingxuan, and she most likely had not sent Xiuniang but had gone herself.

Did her injuries not hurt from such a long journey? Or did she endure the pain, determined to leave?

A gust of wind swept through the room. He looked at the person in front of him; her back was straight, but her gaze was fixed elsewhere, the wind unable to stir the emotions on her face.

He thought of her previous actions.

Their marriage was considered extremely mismatched by the world. Everyone thought her entire family had climbed the social ladder by marrying into the Teng family, and she truly could not support them all at the moment. After bringing her family to Xi’an, they could only temporarily stay in his mother’s dowry house.

Yet she never asked him for money to support her family. She accepted whatever the Teng family gave her and never asked for anything they did not offer.

Linglang, a four-year-old girl who barely ate a few bites of food, was brought to the house because her child was sick, but she was not truly introduced to the Teng family, only letting her stay in the back room.

If he had not witnessed her meeting with her family today, she certainly would not have brought them into the mansion…

Of course, she still had to send them away now, and she herself would go with them.

She was not a greedy person; on the contrary, she was a person with her own temper and integrity.

Teng Yue suddenly remembered something that had been put aside for a long time.

He went to fight on the border on the third day after their marriage, and the matter of returning to her parents’ home had been put on hold. He had thought about it once when he returned this time, mentioning that he did not have time this time and would find another time to accompany her.

At that time, she had replied, “General, it’s not too late to talk about it when you have time.”

He thought she was just dull then, but did not have any demands on him, or perhaps she did not have much desire to return to her own family. Now it seemed that it was probably not as he thought at all.

The poor did not accept charity.

With his attitude, she had no intention of introducing him to her family…

The man suddenly fell silent.

The wind was strong in the courtyard, and he wanted to lead her to a sheltered place to talk, but she seemed to think it was unnecessary, yet she still followed him.

She said, “I’m so sorry to have troubled the General.”

She said that, but Teng Yue detected a subtle lightness and joy in her voice.

His heart inexplicably ached.

“Alright,” he said, respecting her temperament and integrity.

He said it was alright, “but I’d like to stay with you for a while.”

He gently reminded her, “We have not done our homecoming yet.”

When he mentioned homecoming, she paused, her eyes widening in surprise.

She had truly put this matter behind her long ago.

She said, “But General, the homecoming requires choosing an auspicious day. Let’s skip it this time.”

She still refused.

Teng Yue, however, directly summoned a servant: “Which day is an auspicious day recently?”

“Second Master, the day after tomorrow.”

Deng Ruyun did not know what he was planning, only hearing him ask her, “Then may I go the day after tomorrow?”

Deng Ruyun wanted to avoid him; why would she let him go with her?

“General, you jest. That small courtyard is full; even if you went, you probably would not have a proper place to stay.”

But he said, “Then I will stay in the front room of the gatehouse.”

After saying that, he looked at her and added in a low voice, “Setting up a tent in the courtyard is fine too.”

These words were so shocking that the servant quickly retreated.

Deng Ruyun also turned her head in surprise, finally meeting his gaze.

She saw that his gaze was firm; he was not joking or being stubborn.

She hesitated for a moment, confused, but the man said, “Then I will tell them that I will send Yunniang over today, and I will formally visit the day after tomorrow, on an auspicious day.”

Deng Ruyun had not told him anything. She saw him already turn around to instruct people to prepare the return gifts.

Deng Ruyun panicked inexplicably and followed his steps. “General, you’re busy with many matters; let’s not waste any more time.”

He did not turn around, only instructing the servant, “I’m not in a hurry.”

“Then, no matter what, we cannot let the General stay in the tent. It’s better for the General to stay at home.”

The man only replied, “It’s alright, I’m used to staying in the tent.”

As he spoke, he suddenly said softly, “Does Yunniang not want me to stay in the tent? If Yunniang does not mind, I can stay with you.”

Was he joking?

But his words made Deng Ruyun stumble.

But before she could fall, the man immediately turned around, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, and grabbed her waist, pulling her into his arms.

Deng Ruyun instinctively reached out to resist his chest, but in the pull and push, a flower hairpin slipped from her hair.

He caught it steadily in his hand.

The servants in the courtyard all left. She seemed to hear Linglang’s voice, but the child was immediately pulled away by Xiuniang.

This was not right.

Subconsciously, she pressed her hand against his chest harder.

But he acted as if he did not notice, simply holding her close, lowering his gaze to place the gold and silver hairpin back into her hair.

His breath was deep and heavy, uniquely his. Deng Ruyun let out a long breath after he left, but then secretly shook her head.

Why could this man not be normal?

But he was so busy, he probably would not stay for more than a few days.

Whatever.

*

That evening, Deng Ruyun went to the residence in the east of the city. The whole family gathered there. Linglang ran and jumped happily in the courtyard. Aunt Juan called Xiuniang to prepare a table full of food, while her grandmother swayed happily in the rocking chair in the courtyard.

When dinner was ready, the sun had set, and the stars in the sky were exceptionally bright.

Since she “married” into the Teng family, she had never eaten with her family like this before. Aunt Juan kept piling food into her bowl, constantly telling her to replenish this and that, adding, “I’ve inquired about several large pharmacies in Xi’an Prefecture; Aunt Juan will go buy you some good medicine.”

Deng Ruyun laughed uncontrollably. “It seems you do not trust my skills. Can I not make medicine myself? Do you think I have to buy other people’s expensive pills?”

Aunt Juan replied that it was different, “Our Yunniang’s skills are also good, but those large pharmacies use better ingredients that we cannot match.”

This was true. Deng Ruyun was short of money and could only use inexpensive herbs for her medicine. Inexpensive herbs were not necessarily bad, but expensive herbs naturally had their reasons for being expensive.

Thinking of this, she naturally remembered that she had not been able to make medicine for quite some time due to her injury.

She had finally found a pharmacy willing to sell their prepared medicines, but now, unable to make large quantities, this matter would likely be delayed.

To be honest, it was because they were not familiar with each other. If there were a reliable pharmacy to whom she could entrust her goods, what did it matter if things were a little rushed or slow?

Deng Ruyun was thinking about this, even considering that it was much more convenient here than at the Teng family’s mansion. She thought she might take advantage of Teng Yue’s absence and go to the city tomorrow, perhaps finding some connections.

But before she even left, Madam Zhou from the village in Tongguan County and her cousin, Deputy Inspector Sun, unexpectedly arrived at her door.

The cousins had come to visit Deng Ruyun, but upon arriving at the Teng Mansion, they learned that Madam Teng had returned to her parents’ home. Since their trip to Xi’an Prefecture was already difficult, they simply came to the small courtyard in the east of the city.

The cousins had brought half a cartload of tonics, so much that Deng Ruyun felt embarrassed.

She was indeed somewhat embarrassed. Ever since she understood that the bandits were after her, she felt that her previous seeking refuge at Madam Zhou’s house had actually dragged them into being targeted by the bandits as well. Fortunately, no one had been killed or injured, so she felt somewhat at ease.

Now, Madam Zhou had brought so many gifts to visit her, and she truly felt uncomfortable.

Unexpectedly, Madam Zhou said, “Madam, you do not know, I had my fortune told before. It said that having twins was a good thing, but a calamity lay ahead. I did not take it seriously at the time. But a few days ago, I saw the fortune teller again, and he said that I had already overcome this calamity, thanks to the help of a benefactor.”

She excitedly grabbed Deng Ruyun’s hand. “Now I realize Madam is the benefactor who helped me overcome this calamity!”

Deng Ruyun almost choked.

She strongly suspected that the Taoist priest had also heard about the bandits raiding the estate and was using this opportunity to make up for his previous prediction, and she had become Madam Zhou’s “benefactor.”

Deng Ruyun repeatedly said she did not deserve it, but Deputy Inspector Sun also thanked her.

Deputy Inspector Sun’s given name was “Li.”

Sun Li then gave Deng Ruyun a proper bow, his gaze falling on the hem of her skirt. “Thanks to your wise counsel, Madam, I have been instrumental in assisting General Teng in suppressing the bandits and have been promoted to Inspector.”

This was truly joyous news, and Deng Ruyun quickly congratulated him.

However, Sun Li still dared not look her in the eye, his gaze only lingering on the hem of her skirt.

“Madam is indeed a benefactor to my cousin and me. This small gift is but a token of our respect.”

But as he spoke, he noticed that Madam Teng had lost a considerable amount of weight due to her injuries, and her clothes were noticeably loose.

And so, it had only been a short time, yet instead of staying at the Teng family home to recuperate, she had been sent back to her parents’ home.

Her family lived in the Teng family’s courtyard. Given their difficult circumstances and reliance on the Teng family’s assistance, it was no wonder they had been sent out of Xi’an so lightly, forced to become self-reliant.

There were also many herbs drying in the courtyard. Remembering that she knew how to make sleeping potions, Sun Li could not help but remark on it.

“Does Madam still make and sell medicine regularly?”

Even after marriage, did she still rely on selling medicine to supplement her family’s income?

But after he finished speaking, seeing the lady hesitate, he realized he might have offended her and quickly added, “What I mean is, I have a small pharmacy in Xi’an Prefecture. It’s not very well-regarded by medicine experts, and I struggle to get good medicine, so business is poor. If Madam does not mind, I would be extremely grateful if you could put your prepared medicines on my shelf!”

Deng Ruyun hesitated. She had not sold medicine under the name of the Teng family’s lady before, and now that Inspector Sun had pointed it out directly, she was not sure how to answer.

But after hearing Sun Li’s explanation, she immediately understood his meaning.

Madam Zhou chimed in, “My cousin is just worried that Madam’s excellent skills will go to waste. If Madam is willing, we can just earn some money for cosmetics privately, without letting others know.”

The cousins had already noticed Deng Ruyun’s predicament back in Tongguan County. Now, seeing them discreetly helping her find a solution, Deng Ruyun’s heart warmed.

She was worried about how to reliably sell her homemade medicines, and Inspector Sun had just presented her with this opportunity. She had no reason to refuse.

She immediately said to Sun Li, “As long as Inspector Sun does not mind, I certainly will not refuse.”

As she spoke, her bright eyes, like the sun breaking through the clouds, shone as she looked at him, as radiant as the rising sun.

Inspector Sun’s heart skipped a beat, but he dared not look again and quickly turned away.

He said his pharmacy was actually quite small, inherited from his deceased grandmother, and located in an inconspicuous alley in Xi’an Prefecture.

He wanted to add that if the madam liked it, he could spend a lot of money to renovate and expand it, but that was too rash. He hesitated for a moment, then swallowed the words…

*

East of Xi’an, at the Changle Gate.

The midday sun was like a furnace, the intense heat scorching the pedestrians outside the gate. The slowly advancing procession resembled lamb in an oven, sweat pouring down their faces like hot oil.

Too many people were entering the city at midday, forcing pedestrians outside the gate to remove their heavy outer garments or loosen their coats to cool off.

Everyone hoped to walk quickly, pass through Changle Gate, and enter the city into East Street, where there were plenty of places to eat, drink, and have fun, and they would not have to endure the scorching sun.

But one man sat sideways on a small, gray-and-white donkey, legs crossed, fanning himself. His simple clothes suggested he was not wealthy, but his leisurely manner of entering the city did not indicate a life of hardship. He was probably someone who never knew where his next meal would come from.

He was half-asleep, fanning himself listlessly. His servant, also fanning himself with a leaf, asked a question.

“Sixth Master… no, Sixth Brother, how about we exchange some silver notes on East Street after we get into the city? Otherwise, we will not even have enough for a cup of tea. We are dirt poor.”

Hearing this, Sixth Brother finally straightened up. Beneath his large palm-leaf fan, his gentle eyebrows were visible, his eyes holding a smile yet also a lazy air.

He raised his chin and glanced towards the city gate, saying he was not afraid.

“Once we get to the city, we will find a pharmacy. I will work as a resident physician for a few days, and then we will have some money!”

He said there were so many pharmacies in Xi’an Prefecture. “Even if the big ones do not recognize us, we can always find small ones. We will just pick one of those small pharmacies in the alleys.”

After saying this, he crossed his legs on the donkey and idly fanned himself.