Perfect Match – CH 036

Chapter 36

Her entire body was covered in his scent, permeated from her heels to her hair, but her flushed face and sparkling eyes made her gaze unsteady.

The man laughed, then simply wrapped her in his undergarment and carried her off the bed to clean her.

Teng Yue looked down into his arms and saw her nestled against him with her eyes closed, unusually docile like a sleeping cat.

It seemed only at times like this would she not lie.

He cleaned her, but when his hand moved to a certain spot, she suddenly opened her eyes, looking at him warily and startled.

Seeing her like this, Teng Yue could only coax her softly, “Just a quick wipe, then go back to sleep. That’s enough for today, alright?”

How could Deng Ruyun refuse? Everyone’s energy was limited. She was so busy during the day, and she still had work to do at night; where would she find the energy?

But clearly, some people, or perhaps ghosts, had far more energy than she did. Hearing him say this, she could only quickly nod in agreement.

Back in the canopy bed, she wrapped herself in the blanket and fell asleep.

Teng Yue drank a cup of tea and returned to the bedside. Looking down, he found his wife already asleep.

He chuckled inwardly and pulled her back into his arms. She did not wake, but he peered at her a few more times in the thin moonlight filtering through the window.

What was wrong with her? Why did she instinctively try to lie to him?

The moonlight was soft, filtering through the gauze curtains, leaving only a faint glow.

Teng Yue looked down at the person in his arms, puzzled.

But the dim light illuminated the tip of her nose, like a firefly quietly resting on it.

Teng Yue could not help but lower his head, his warm lips gently pecking at the tip of her nose.

But as soon as he kissed her so lightly, her nose tickled, and she sniffled, burying her head in the quilt.

She was so sleepy, yet she instinctively resisted his kisses, just like instinctively lying. But upon reflection, he realized they had never shared the most common kiss between husband and wife.

This made Teng Yue ponder again.

The moonlight, flowing gently, lulled him to sleep. Her long breaths drew him in, and Teng Yue, suppressing his growing drowsiness, fell asleep with her.

… …

The next morning, Teng Yue went to his martial arts practice early and returned to find his wife awake but sitting listlessly on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

He took a robe and draped it over her shoulders. Seeing her slow movements, he simply helped her put it on, but his fingertips inadvertently brushed her neck, and she flinched again.

Teng Yue could not help but chuckle helplessly. “What can I do in the daytime?”

His voice was low in her ear.

Deng Ruyun bit her lip, not replying.

He was a living ghost; who knew what he could do?

She did not need his help to dress; she quickly put on her clothes herself, pulling herself together.

He stopped teasing her, ordering someone to prepare the meal and sending someone to Chengfeng Garden to have Teng Xiao bring Linglang over for breakfast.

He gave the instructions from the corridor, while Deng Ruyun glanced silently towards the corridor from her room.

He probably just liked teasing her.

*

At breakfast, Teng Yue noticed his wife’s listlessness and simply brought Linglang to his side to care for her.

But Linglang did not need to be fed by her uncle; the little girl ate quite well, even picking up a piece of food for her aunt, who seemed listless.

“Auntie, eat more.”

Deng Ruyun: “…”

Teng Yue found it amusing but told Teng Xiao about hiring a tutor for the family.

“Mother wrote that although she will be back soon, your studies can not be neglected. Since you and Linglang both need to study, we should hire a tutor for the household. Would you like to attend classes at different times than Linglang or go together and have the tutor teach you separately?”

Teng Xiao found studying with other girls in other families tedious, but at home, she had to attend with Linglang. However, Linglang was only just learning to read, while Teng Xiao was already at the age of memorizing texts and writing essays, so the tutor would inevitably be busy teaching two students simultaneously.

This was quite common; most families hired tutors who taught multiple students of different ages.

Thinking this over, Teng Yue turned to Deng Ruyun.

“Yunniang, why not go study with her too? It will be easier to access the books at home later.”

Deng Ruyun had just arrived at the Teng family and was already labeled illiterate by Nanny Wei. She did not care, but would it not be good to use this opportunity to openly discuss her usual study of medical books and pharmacopoeias?

Deng Ruyun looked up at Teng Yue. The man was looking down, his eyes filled with a gentle, smiling gaze.

Deng Ruyun only glanced at him briefly before turning her head away.

“Alright,” she replied.

Teng Xiao was overjoyed to hear that she had another person to accompany her in her studies.

“Now Mother will not have anything to criticize me for, right? My sister-in-law, Linglang, and I are all studying together.”

As she spoke, she called to Teng Yue, “When you write back to Mother, be sure to tell her about this, so she can be at ease and stay in Wutai Mountain for a few more months.”

Teng Yue was speechless at his younger sister’s behavior.

“Mother has her own plans. Why should I trouble her? Winter is here, and the New Year is not far away. Even if Mother stays a little longer, she will return before the New Year.”

There were less than two months left until the New Year.

*

A couple of days later, Teng Yue hired an elderly gentleman with gray hair to teach at his home.

He immediately enrolled his wife, sister, and niece in school, and even he himself could not resist sitting in on the lessons outside the school on their first day.

His sister was not a good student. When the teacher asked her to review her lessons, she would secretly draw pictures hidden in her books—unsurprisingly, mechanical weapons.

Linglang, however, was the complete opposite. Now, the teacher was testing her on writing large characters from memory, and the little girl sat ramrod straight, writing each stroke with utmost care.

As for his wife, she was clearly well-versed in literature. Sitting at her desk, her thoughts had long since wandered off.

Teng Yue stood slightly behind and to the side of her window; if she had turned her head even slightly, she would have seen him. But she was intently staring at the bamboo grove diagonally in front of her.

Teng Yue wanted to knock on her window to calm her down, but fearing he might frighten her, he quietly turned and left with a smile.

However, Xiuniang witnessed this scene from the school gate not far away.

She dared not mention to the young lady again that the general had feelings for her. But seeing the general’s actions day by day, she felt her guess was not wrong.

But was the general’s affection just a passing fancy, or had it truly taken root in his heart, as the young lady’s had for him?

No one knew.

*

Days flew by, rushing into the cold winter months before the year’s end.

Because the year-end was approaching, Teng Yue was busy at the yamen. Deng Ruyun attended a few classes with Linglang and Teng Xiao every few days, but most of the time, when Teng Yue was away, she focused on making and selling medicine.

These past two days, Teng Yue had gone to the local garrison and was not home, so Deng Ruyun took some time to go to Cixin Hall. Aunt Juan had left early to collect the newly purchased medicinal herbs. It was too cold; Deng Ruyun and Xiuniang’s disguised clothes could not withstand the winter chill, so they went to a clothing store first to buy two thick men’s coats.

Unexpectedly, just as they reached the alley leading to the clothing store, they ran into someone.

There was a brightly decorated silk shop there; only the poor who could not afford tailors bought ready-made clothes there, while those coming and going were all wealthy people from Xi’an Prefecture.

Just then, two women stepped down from a carriage. As they turned, their eyes met those of Deng Ruyun.

The elderly noblewoman was none other than Yang Youling’s mother, Second Madam Yang, and beside her was a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to her.

The woman paused slightly upon seeing Deng Ruyun, as if recognizing her, and seemed intent on speaking to her.

However, before she could move, she was stopped by Second Madam Yang.

Second Madam Yang glanced at Deng Ruyun out of the corner of her eye, then called to the woman beside her, “Today, I am taking you to carefully select some new fabrics from Jiangnan. Let’s not waste time on unimportant people.”

Having said this, she pulled the woman directly to the prestigious silk shop.

Upon hearing this, Deng Ruyun understood the woman’s identity.

That must be Yang Youling’s elder sister, Second Madam Yang’s eldest daughter, the eldest young lady of the Yang family, Yang Youyun, who had married into the Prince Qin’s Mansion.

But in the short time that followed, Second Madam Yang had already led her eldest daughter, Yang Youyun, into the silk shop.

Deng Ruyun could not afford any new fabrics from Jiangnan, and she had no interest in associating with the Yang family. She and Xiuniang simply wandered into a nearby alley and bought two sets of men’s cotton-padded clothes from a small tailor shop. After changing, they went to Cixin Hall.

However, the physician who loved riding his donkey, Physician Fu, was not there. Deng Ruyun exchanged a few words with Shopkeeper Qin, while Aunt Juan pulled a small cart of medicinal herbs past at the next intersection.

Seeing that there was nothing else going on at Cixin Hall, Deng Ruyun and Xiuniang headed towards the intersection.

Aunt Juan immediately saw Deng Ruyun and Xiuniang, her face beaming with joy. She quickly showed them the cart of medicinal herbs behind her.

She held out a handful of patchouli to Deng Ruyun, saying, “Look, Yunniang, this patchouli is quite decent, is it not? And it’s 30% cheaper than at the pharmacy!”

Deng Ruyun glanced at it, noting that the patchouli was neatly and evenly cut and of good quality. “It looks like high-quality herbs from a large pharmacy.”

Aunt Juan smiled at this, agreeing immediately, and then whispered in her ear, “It’s herbs from a large pharmacy! You know Yanchun Hall in Xi’an Prefecture, right? I bought this batch of medicine through their purchasing department. They bought it for me under their name. The price is low, and the quality is good. We are finally using good stuff. Do not tell anyone else.”

As she spoke, she showed Deng Ruyun the patchouli again. “I bought two large bags of this patchouli alone; it will last us a while.”

When she mentioned Yanchun Hall, Deng Ruyun’s eyelid twitched inexplicably.

The last time she heard this name was when it had been used to deceive Deng Yaocheng and his wife, the two swindlers who claimed to be purchasing agents for Yanchun Hall.

So, Aunt Juan bought her medicine from Yanchun Hall’s purchasing agents this time, too?

At first, she was only slightly suspicious, but when she heard Aunt Juan mention two large bags of patchouli on the cart, her suspicion instantly intensified.

“Patchouli smells so strong, but I cannot smell anything in these two large bags of patchouli that Aunt Juan bought.”

Deng Ruyun’s question startled Aunt Juan.

The two women, along with Xiuniang, quickly pushed the cart of herbs aside and opened the three large boxes. None of the boxes contained the strong smell of patchouli; only a mixed, unpleasant medicinal odor lingered.

Deng Ruyun directly pulled out one of the bags that appeared to contain herbs and opened it.

“There’s some patchouli scent here.”

But when she opened the bag, she saw only a layer of dried patchouli on the surface, and underneath, it was all worthless firewood.

Xiuniang could not help but exclaim, “Aunt Juan has been cheated! Is this the herb worth one hundred taels? Did Aunt Juan pay?”

She had the herbs in her hands; how could she not have paid?

That was a full one hundred taels. Aunt Juan’s mind went blank.

Just now, she had hurriedly received this cart of herbs at the deserted alleyway. The purchasing agent from Yanchun Hall looked around furtively, afraid of being discovered making a secret transaction.

Aunt Juan then saw this man take a handful of patchouli from the bag and give it to her, saying it was of this quality. “If you think it’s good, let’s finish the transaction quickly, before anyone notices. I cannot stay here.”

He repeatedly urged Aunt Juan, as if he were truly secretly buying and selling herbs, afraid of being discovered. Aunt Juan, caught up in his urging, saw that the bundle of patchouli he pulled out looked quite presentable. Without looking closer, she gave him all one hundred taels and left with the herbs.

Upon seeing the patchouli surrounded by worthless firewood, Aunt Juan nearly collapsed.

“Damn it, he’s a swindler! Did someone from Yanchun Hall cheat us? I am going to find them!”

Deng Ruyun grabbed her arm. “If this person is a swindler, how could he possibly be a purchasing agent for Yanchun Hall?”

Just like the two black market swindlers who cheated Deng Yaocheng and his wife before, they were all using Yanchun Hall as a front.

She directly asked Aunt Juan, “Aunt Juan, where did you trade with that person just now? How long has it been?”

Aunt Juan said about fifteen minutes. “If he were a swindler, he would have vanished long ago.”

Deng Ruyun frowned, but she still decided to go back and check.

She asked Xiuniang to watch the things, and she and Aunt Juan hurriedly headed back.

When they returned to the alley where they had traded, the person was indeed long gone. Aunt Juan was furious, but Deng Ruyun was still unwilling to give up. She led Aunt Juan around the nearby streets and alleys a couple more times.

Just as the two were about to give up after wandering around for about fifteen minutes, Aunt Juan suddenly pointed to a tea stall not far ahead.

She pointed directly to a middle-aged man in a brown cotton coat. “That’s him!”

Deng Ruyun glanced over and was about to step forward.

However, the man was extremely wary. Before Deng Ruyun could take a step, he immediately stood up, turned, and darted into the nearby maze of alleyways.

Deng Ruyun had initially intended to stall him first, but she had not expected him to be so vigilant.

That was a hundred taels of silver! She could not worry about anything else for the moment and chased after him.

The man was not slow, but a house was being moved into in the alley, creating a commotion that blocked most of the way.

The man was immediately stopped, with only Deng Ruyun keeping close behind.

Deng Ruyun immediately shouted, “Thief! Catch the thief!”

Among the group of movers, someone immediately tried to grab the thief for her, but he slipped away like an eel.

In a panic, Deng Ruyun could only give chase.

However, at that moment, the man suddenly flicked a silver needle from his sleeve, aiming straight for Deng Ruyun’s face.

In that instant, the cold light of the needle pierced Deng Ruyun’s eyes.

She was utterly astonished.

But the next instant, her wrist was tightly gripped, and she was pulled aside.

Deng Ruyun stumbled backward, falling against someone’s chest.

She could not help but look back, only to see that behind her was Physician Fu, the donkey-riding physician who had lost the bet to her.

The man pulled her back just in time, narrowly missing the silver needle, which shot into a nearby tree trunk. Deng Ruyun paused, then saw Physician Fu turn and glance at the silver needle.

“Why does it look like there’s poison on the silver needle?”

Deng Ruyun also noticed the unusual color of the needle. Looking up, she heard the man behind her ask with a surprised laugh.

“What kind of formidable thief have you offended?”

Ordinary petty thieves would not have the ability to shoot silver needles with hidden weapons, let alone poisoned ones.

Deng Ruyun had initially thought it was just a petty thief trying to swindle money, but who knew it would be so skilled?

“I…I do not know.”

She became increasingly dazed, and just then, Aunt Juan called urgently from behind.

“Yunniang? Yunniang!”

Aunt Juan called her, and the voice was so clear that Deng Ruyun instinctively responded.

But after she responded, she saw the person behind her laugh.

A smile welled up in the man’s eyes beneath his long eyebrows. He looked down at her closely and softly asked her name.

“Yunniang?”

Deng Ruyun had not only lost a hundred taels of silver today but also her identity as a man.

She pursed her lips without responding, only then realizing that he had been holding her wrist the entire time.

She quickly pulled her hand away from his.

The man then looked away from her face and glanced at her wrist, noticing that it was slightly red from his hasty grip.

He smiled apologetically and said to her,

“I am sorry; I made Master Liang’s wrist red.”

Deng Ruyun was already annoyed at losing both money and face. But this physician, who had saved her and now clearly recognized her identity, still called her Master Liang.

Deng Ruyun was not ungrateful. Although she secretly thought the man was a swindler, she still thanked him.

“It’s nothing; thank you so much, Physician Fu.”

She thanked him, but Bai Chunfu waved his hand repeatedly, saying it was not necessary. Aunt Juan arrived at this moment.

Seeing that the thief had escaped, Aunt Juan looked extremely distressed. “It’s all my fault! How could I be so greedy and fall for his trick!”

Deng Ruyun was at a loss. Xi’an Prefecture was so vast; the thief had vanished into the crowd like a clay ox sinking into the sea. Where could she possibly find him?

However, at this moment, Physician Fu suddenly spoke up.

“I actually saw this man just now, having tea with two other people at that tea stall. They seemed to be saying something they could not reveal.”

He said the other two seemed very respectful towards this man, “and they even seemed to want to invite him to stay at their place.”

Deng Ruyun’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

“Physician Fu, did you hear where those two live?”

She asked and saw the man cross his arms, deep in thought, as if trying to recall something from a long time ago.

He had clearly overheard the three people talking not long ago; Deng Ruyun suspected he was deliberately making her wait while he thought.

But what could she do? She could only wait.

Bai Chunfu noticed a slight change in her expression and knew she had seen through his deliberate act.

She was truly clever. He looked down at her eyes; even with her deliberately yellowed face, her clear, bright eyes could not be hidden.

He wanted to know who she was and why she was disguised as a man to sell medicine for money, but clearly, she would not tell him.

He could only tell her the answer.

“It’s Louyu Lane. I heard those two say they lived in Louyu Lane.”

Deng Ruyun immediately understood.

The thief who cheated Aunt Juan today was probably the leader of those two black market thieves from before. They both used the guise of purchasing from Yanchun Hall, but he was much more skilled than those two swindlers; he even carried concealed weapons.

Just as Deng Ruyun thought this, she heard someone beside her say,

“Master Liang, you should not rashly chase after him anymore. That thief is probably no ordinary thief. If you really want to get your lost money back, it’s best to get clues and hand them over to the authorities.”

Deng Ruyun nodded upon hearing this.

He was right.

She could not help but look up at this man again. He smiled as she looked him over, the beauty mark on his eyelid beneath his gentle brows making his features even more tender.

Deng Ruyun inwardly scoffed. She did not think he was a gentle or reliable person, but he seemed alright at doing things.

*

By the roadside near the Teng Mansion.

Teng Yue returned home from outside the city. Before he even entered his house, he received a message from his deputy, Tong Meng, saying that the leader of the black market thief who traded military supplies with the bandits of Baifeng Mountain, whom they had been tracking, had finally shown up in Xi’an Prefecture.

However, Tong Meng had not yet confirmed the man’s exact whereabouts, but since he had appeared in Xi’an Prefecture, it meant that Teng Yue was not far from catching him.

Teng Yue said, “Good. Tell Tong Meng to keep a close eye on this thief and confirm his whereabouts as soon as possible.”

After giving these instructions, he was about to go home when he unexpectedly encountered his wife by the roadside.

Deng Ruyun had also just returned from outside.

Teng Yue walked straight towards her, but after only one glance at her, his gaze fixed on her wrist.

“Why is Yunniang’s wrist red?”