Perfect Match – CH 044

Chapter 44

The Zheng family was a prominent local clan in Xi’an Prefecture. The previous General Zheng had served as a first-rank military commander in the Five Armies Commandery in the capital. Even though he had passed away, the Zheng family was prosperous, and they had established themselves in the military thanks to his influence.

Unfortunately, no one in this generation achieved outstanding military merit and was given an important position. The most capable member of the family was comparable only to Teng Yue. Even so, the Zheng family firmly held its position among the top families in Xi’an Prefecture.

Old Madam Lin had known the head of the Zheng family for many years, and their relationship deepened after moving to Xi’an Prefecture. When Teng Xiao was studying, Old Madam Lin did not hire a tutor for her at home but instead sent her to the Zheng family’s school.

The Zheng family was large, and the school was spacious, housing not only the Zheng family’s young ladies but also female relatives from other families. Old Madam Lin hoped her daughter could make friends with several noble ladies of similar status among her classmates, which would be invaluable connections in the future.

Unfortunately, Teng Xiao did not get along with most of these girls, and the thought of going to the Zheng family’s school gave her a headache.

However, the Zheng family was where she had studied before, and today, despite her reluctance, she came to the Zheng family’s celebratory event. However, when she arrived at the Zheng family’s gate, she encountered several young girls who had studied with her. Two of these girls were on good terms with Teng Xiao and waved to her repeatedly.

Teng Xiao hesitated, but Deng Ruyun had someone wrap a cloak around her. “Go and play with them,” she said.

Anyway, Deng Ruyun probably would not recognize most of these young ladies and wives, so it was better to let Teng Xiao socialize with them herself.

She patted Teng Xiao, urging her to go over. She heard a young girl ask, “Teng Xiao, who were you talking to just now?”

Teng Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Who else could it be? My sister-in-law, of course!”

The young ladies, hearing this, suddenly realized. “Oh, it’s the General’s wife! How come we have not seen her at any of the banquets?”

Teng Xiao chuckled. “That’s because my sister-in-law, like me, prefers to stay at home…”

The young ladies, laughing and talking, headed towards the Zheng family garden.

Deng Ruyun thought to herself that Teng Xiao’s excuse was good, but the reasons she had not attended many banquets were twofold: firstly, when Old Madam Lin was home, she did not need to show her face at non-important banquets; secondly, when Old Madam Lin was not home, she did not even recognize the people from these prestigious families, and they were not specifically inviting her, so she naturally did not need to go.

If it were not for the close relationship between the Zheng and Teng families, Deng Ruyun would not have wanted to come today either.

Just as she was about to steel herself and walk inside, Teng Yue slipped away from the crowd on the other side and quickly walked up to her.

With so many people at the wedding banquet, the male and female guests had their own areas, and Teng Yue could not possibly stay with Deng Ruyun. He had come over now to give her some instructions before she went in.

“Today, the Zheng family is large and diverse, so the master may not be able to attend to everyone. Find a warm place to chat with some familiar ladies you’ve met before, or you can ask Sister Xiao’er to keep you company. Do not wander around the courtyard for too long; the snow has just melted, and it’s very cold. Do not catch a cold.”

He gave her a long speech in one breath. Before Deng Ruyun could reply, she saw Kong Hui secretly searching for Teng Yue. Teng Yue’s figure was obscured by carriages and horses, so he had not seen him. Deng Ruyun heard him exclaim in surprise.

“Huh? Where is he? Was he not just here?”

Deng Ruyun reminded Teng Yue, “General Kong is looking for him.”

Teng Yue also heard Kong Hui’s words, but did not have time to respond, only speaking to his wife.

“If anything happens, just send someone to find me. I am in the garden, just a path away from you.”

Deng Ruyun was astonished by his concern; most people would be surprised, but how could she explain it to Old Madam Lin?

Could he not just be normal?

She was troubled but helpless. Hearing Kong Hui’s footsteps approaching, she quickly said, “I understand. General, do not worry. It’s getting late; I will go now.”

Having complied with him, she managed to leave.

As she walked further in, she thought of Teng Yue and could not help but feel melancholic. He always had a stubborn streak, not outwardly apparent but truly revealed when you approached him.

After he overheard her avoiding him that day, he kept pressing her for the reason. She initially said she was afraid of him, which he largely believed. But then he discovered she had borrowed money from that Young Master Bai to buy a shop. All these messy things were intertwined, a complete mess.

Although he had his suspicions, he did not insist she confirm it, but like that night, he clung to her tightly, as if she would vanish without a trace if he were not careful.

Deng Ruyun had not left the house for the past few days, but she still could not find peace. What else could she do? Deng Ruyun did not know.

The Zheng family estate was large, divided into three sections but housing five households. According to Teng Xiao, the school they attended was only built in recent years after the Zheng family bought a three-courtyard house from the Lin family, expanding their mansion. Otherwise, they could only study in Madam Zheng’s dowry mansion.

The Zheng family servants were indeed busy. After leading Deng Ruyun in, they hurried to the front door to greet the other guests.

Deng Ruyun had Qingxuan with her. Qingxuan had accompanied the Zheng family several times with Old Madam Lin and was quite familiar with them. But they had not walked far when Teng Xiao came approaching angrily.

Deng Ruyun noticed that Teng Xiao’s pale white pleated skirt was stained with mud and quickly went to ask what had happened.

Teng Xiao looked annoyed. “I do not understand why some people like to wear so many strands of beads and show them off. The string broke, the beads scattered all over the floor, and I slipped and fell.”

She added that she was not the only one who had slipped. “All the young ladies went to change their skirts.”

Listening to her, Deng Ruyun could almost picture the embarrassing scene: a noble lady from a prestigious family, covered in mud from a spilled beaded skirt in half-melted snow.

She chuckled inwardly but was too embarrassed to laugh aloud, so she simply called to Qingxuan, “Go and help the girl change her clothes.”

Teng Xiao was still grumbling angrily, “That’s why I do not like being classmates with them. If you are going to study, study. Why do you have to show off like this…”

Qingxuan quickly led the sulking Teng Xiao away.

No sooner had they left than Deng Ruyun noticed another girl with dirty clothes rushing to change.

Not wanting to get her dress wet and look disheveled, she deliberately chose to walk on a dry path, only to find herself blocked by snow.

Meanwhile, on a side path, behind two plum trees in full bloom, several people were standing and talking.

Deng Ruyun could not see their faces clearly, but she heard an old woman who looked like a matron looking up and speaking to a young woman in a lake-blue brocade dress.

“What are you doing here, Madam? There’s not a soul in sight. Do you think you can befriend those two plum trees? You should go where there are more people. Although their rank is lower than yours, their husbands, fathers, and brothers all hold real power in the court. If you befriend them, the son-in-law will find you useful and visit your room more often. Would that not make things easier with a child?”

After the old woman finished speaking, another maid chimed in, “And besides, Madam always wears these lake-blue and bronze-green clothes, so plain and unappealing. What man would like to see such colors? You should wear the bright red of the principal wife, or at least a yellow shirt and purple skirt—something bright and cheerful would be much more pleasing to the eye…”

A nanny and a maidservant began to “instruct” the young lady, but she patiently stood under the plum tree listening, saying, “You’ve been talking for quite a while now. Why not have a maidservant run over and bring some tea to soothe your throats?”

As soon as she said this, the nanny and maidservant replied, “We’ve been saying all this just to cheer you up, have we not?”

“Yes, Madam, if you do not cheer up, what good will all our talking do?”

Speaking this, the two women simply grabbed her from either side and headed towards the noisy area.

After they left the plum tree and walked to the other side, Deng Ruyun finally saw the lady’s face clearly.

She recognized her; she had seen her in front of the silk shop on the street.

It was Yang Youyun, the eldest daughter of Second Madam Yang, the eldest young lady of the Yang family, who had married into the Prince Qin’s Mansion.

This eldest young lady of the Yang family was married to Zhu Tingguang, the third son of the old Prince Qin, the Prince of Yanshan, and a general who protected the state. It seemed she had simply married an ordinary member of the royal family, but the eldest son of the Prince of Yanshan had died young, and the second son had a disgraced reputation within the royal family. It was not impossible for the third son, General Zhu Tingguang, to surpass his infamous second brother and inherit the title of the Prince of Yanshan.

Once Zhu Tingguang inherited the title, Yang Youyun would become the princess.

Clearly, Second Madam Yang had her eye on this; even as a remarriage, she had arranged for her eldest daughter to marry into the family, hoping to gamble on future wealth and status.

However, Deng Ruyun noticed that Teng Yue’s eldest cousin looked listless, almost being escorted by attendants into the crowd.

Deng Ruyun did not want to get involved in the Yang family’s affairs, but the wind was strong under the plum tree, so she did not linger, intending to find a sheltered spot to stand.

But she had not gone far when she bumped into a group of ladies.

Deng Ruyun recognized several of them; they were all ladies on good terms with Old Madam Lin. She quickly bowed respectfully.

However, the ladies did not immediately recognize her unfamiliar face. Deng Ruyun was slightly embarrassed and was about to introduce herself when Second Madam Yang walked over.

“Oh, do you not recognize her?” she chuckled. “Is this not the new concubine of my nephew Teng Yue?”

The ladies on good terms with Old Madam Lin all realized who she was, but two others gave Deng Ruyun a strange, unfamiliar look.

Second Madam Yang had not said Deng Ruyun was Teng Yue’s wife, nor that she was a member of the Teng family; instead, she had ambiguously referred to her as “the new concubine.” Anyone who did not know better would have assumed she was Teng Yue’s newly acquired concubine.

She could not say anything more profound, only making that ambiguous remark.

Sure enough, someone behind her muttered something under their breath.

“Why did General Teng bring his concubine to the banquet?”

The words were quickly covered by someone.

But Second Madam Yang was overjoyed.

Last time at the flower market, not only was she swindled out of her money by a thief disguised as a sorceress, but she also ran into that wretched girl, Madam Deng. She said a few words to her, and Madam Deng dared to talk back, leaving Madam Yang with persistent chest pain.

Her cousin, Old Madam Lin, thought this girl was an honest person, but it turned out she was ambitious and might even be after Teng Yue.

She deliberately said those words, thinking that there would be many people present today. If Madam Deng talked back again, everyone would hear and see. Her cousin valued her reputation for social interaction above all else. Once her cousin returned from Wutai Mountain, would she not immediately kick her out?

Second Madam Yang, who had been suffering from chest pain for so many days, finally had her chance.

She had set this trap, waiting for Deng Ruyun to snap and take advantage of it.

But Deng Ruyun was not angry at all. She was not Teng Yue’s wife anyway, so what did it matter if she was a concubine or a maidservant?

At this moment, Deng Ruyun saw Madam Yang blinking, looking at her expectantly, and immediately understood Madam Yang’s thoughts.

She chuckled inwardly, showing neither anger nor explanation, but simply bowed to the ladies and said, “The Old Madam will be back in a couple of days. After the New Year, she will certainly invite all of you, ladies, to her home for tea.”

The ladies were on good terms with Old Madam Lin and were naturally only interested in her news. Deng Ruyun told them exactly what they wanted to know, and the ladies nodded in agreement.

Deng Ruyun took her leave without saying a word more.

But Deng Ruyun deliberately brushed past Madam Yang, giving her a definite look.

She saw that Madam Yang’s eyes widened slightly. Seeing that she neither got angry nor explained but instead recounted Old Madam Lin’s itinerary, which drew nods from the other ladies, Madam Yang looked disappointed and surprised. She felt as if something had pressed against her chest again and quickly rubbed it.

Deng Ruyun suddenly found it amusing. Madam Yang had set a trap for her, and she herself had fallen into it, even feeling a sharp pain in her chest from anger. What was going on?

But she did not want to get entangled with her. After what had just happened, she simply followed Yang Youyun’s example and found a quiet place to be alone.

She did not know anyone here, nor did she want to know anyone. Of course, given her status, no one wanted to know her either.

She looked around for a while and saw a wicker chair behind a clump of trees where the yellow leaves had not all fallen. Underneath the clump, there seemed to be a rabbit huddled in the withered grass. Deng Ruyun thought this was a good spot and walked over.

*

On the other side of the garden, Teng Yue absentmindedly sipped his tea.

Kong Hui told him to find time to visit Shen Yanxing, saying that the cold weather was causing Shen Yanxing’s old injuries to flare up, and he probably would not recover well. Teng Yue nodded in agreement. He then mentioned that Xue Dengguan’s family could not find evidence of Teng Yue’s shooting, and the local government would not handle the case, yet the Xue family was determined to take revenge and had gone to the capital to find someone. Teng Yue only responded with a soft “hmm.”

Kong Hui could not help but say, “What’s the use of just responding? They’ve already gone to the capital to find someone.”

At this, he noticed Teng Yue pause in his tea-drinking gesture and glance in his direction.

“Let them go. Do you think I can stop them?”

Although he said this, Kong Hui was unwilling to listen, frowning as he stared at Teng Yue.

He had originally planned for Teng Yue to be transferred back to Xi’an to keep him company so they could eat meat together, drink wine together, and discuss how to get through this turbulent time. But to his surprise, he could not get Teng Yue to come, no matter how many times he asked. Why was it so difficult to invite him for a drink?

He seemed to go straight home after finishing his official duties and never came out again. Thinking of Teng Yue’s mysterious wife, Kong Hui suddenly suggested, “Sitting here is so boring; let’s walk over there.”

He pointed to a path separated from the women by only a row of trees. Sure enough, Teng Yue nodded, put down his teacup, and stood up from his chair.

Kong Hui: “…”

So he really was thinking about his wife here?

He was even more curious about what this Madam Teng looked like, so he followed Teng Yue to the path separated from the women by only a row of trees.

However, the two walked back and forth along the path without seeing anyone.

Most of the ladies were gathered in a few groups, though there were many people.

Seeing Teng Yue’s furrowed brow, Kong Hui asked, “Could your mistress be warming herself by the fire in one of your rooms?”

Just then, Teng Xiao happened to walk nearby, and Teng Yue immediately called his sister over.

“Where’s your sister-in-law?”

As he spoke, he noticed Qingxuan, who had been with Deng Ruyun, was now with Teng Xiao and could not help but ask.

“Were you not with Madam?”

The two quickly explained what had happened while changing clothes. Qingxuan immediately pointed to the side, “Madam was over there.”

But several young girls were chatting and laughing there, and she was nowhere to be seen.

The Zheng family’s garden was enormous; even with the men’s section, the women’s section could easily become confusing.

Teng Yue immediately ordered Teng Xiao and Qingxuan, “Go find her!”

The two hurried off.

Kong Hui secretly observed Teng Yue’s expression, wanting to tease him a bit.

“Could your wife really be lost in the Zheng family? If she cannot even let go of these snacks, she might as well tie them to her waist!”

But before he could finish speaking, he heard several women approaching from the other side of the road, just a tree away.

The woman at the head of the group was none other than Second Madam Yang. She did not see them and kept clutching her chest.

Her eldest daughter said, “Mother, why are you gossiping? It makes you seem disrespectful.”

Second Madam Yang snorted, “I do despise her. What kind of uncouth country bumpkin is that Madam Deng? Does she think that just because she’s joined our ranks, she’s equal to us? She’s even here at this celebratory banquet on behalf of your aunt. I want to see which of the ladies and young women here today is willing to lower herself to associate with her!”

With that, Second Madam Yang angrily turned and left.

But Yang Youyun suddenly felt someone looking at her. She turned her head and was startled.

“Cousin?!”

She saw Teng Yue and also the man standing behind the tree, his face pale and uncertain.

Teng Yue froze.

He knew his aunt from the Yang family did not get along with her, but he had not expected her to be bullied like this at someone else’s celebratory banquet.

He only heard Yang Youyun hurriedly explain, “My mother was confused just now; I am going to persuade her not to talk nonsense!”

What difference did it make whether she said it or not?

“So where is she?”

No one here welcomed her; no one was willing to “lower themselves” to associate with her, so where was she now?

In this vast garden, was she really without a place to stay because of her lowly status?

Teng Yue’s heart trembled, and he asked Yang Youyun, “Have you seen her?”

But Yang Youyun shook her head. “I have not seen my cousin-in-law…”

No, no one had seen her.

Teng Yue’s heart sank.

He suddenly understood why she did not want him, yet was close to Bai Chunfu, who was disguised as an ordinary person.

Was it because, in her eyes, those ordinary people living in the streets and alleys would not look down on her, would not bully her like this, and would not single her out even though everyone else had brought invitations to the banquet?

Thinking this, Teng Yue suddenly started walking up the artificial hill.

As soon as he reached it, Kong Hui also came to his senses.

“Yes, yes, from the top of the Zheng family’s artificial hill, you can see all the corners of the garden clearly!”

Teng Yue quickly climbed to the top of the artificial hill and carefully looked down into the bushes. Kong Hui followed him, but before he could see anything, Teng Yue’s gaze suddenly fixed behind a patch of withered yellow bushes.

He saw someone behind those withered bushes, bent over, chasing a rabbit on the ground covered with dry grass.

There was no one else there, only her intently chasing the rabbit.

Teng Yue’s gaze froze. She watched as the woman caught the rabbit, flipped it over, and applied some herbs—something she’d just acquired—to its legs. She tore a long strip from her embroidered handkerchief, bound the herbs tightly around it, and then slapped the rabbit’s forehead, seemingly saying with a smile, “Let’s go!”

The rabbit immediately jumped off her and disappeared into the withered bushes.

Teng Yue’s nose stung with tears.

Kong Hui blinked. “That’s…the one?”

Teng Yue slowly nodded. “It’s her, my wife. She’s a pharmacist.”

She even helped treat the rabbits in other people’s gardens with herbs.

But what about herself? These people hurt her; how could she heal herself with medicine?

Teng Yue quickly descended the artificial hill. Yang Youyun had already searched the vicinity for him without success. Teng Yue pointed directly to a clump of withered trees.

“She’s there. Bring her over.”

*

Deng Ruyun had healed the injured rabbit from the Zheng family. With the rabbit gone, she sat bored behind the withered trees.

But the Zheng family’s celebratory banquet was still a long way off. She did not intend to chat with these unfamiliar people. She wanted to take a nap, but as soon as she closed her eyes, she felt a cold wind blowing into her collar and sleeves.

Deng Ruyun instantly became alert, quickly standing up, afraid to sleep any longer. She thought about finding Qingxuan or Teng Xiao, but once out of the clumps, she could not remember which path she had come from.

As she struggled to recall, someone hurried over.

“Cousin-in-law!”

It was Yang Youyun.

Deng Ruyun did not dare accept the compliment and quickly stepped back. “Madam, is there anything I can help you with?”

Yang Youyun was the wife of a General of the State; her rank as a member of the imperial family was always much higher than that of ordinary officials.

Yang Youyun, however, was completely unpretentious. She had a face similar to her mother and sister, but Deng Ruyun noticed that she seemed somewhat pale and weak, her face devoid of any harshness, instead gentle and approachable.

At this moment, she quickly explained her purpose, saying that Teng Yue was looking for her.

Deng Ruyun was slightly surprised and quickly followed her. However, when they reached the intersection, the nanny and maid who had “guided” Yang Youyun earlier came over. Seeing Yang Youyun with her, they immediately tried to pull her away.

Yang Youyun had no choice but to point out the way to Deng Ruyun, but before leaving, she suddenly bowed to Deng Ruyun.

“I am sorry; my mother and sister were quite rude to my cousin-in-law. They were unruly, and their eyes were only fixed on those in luxurious clothes. Unfortunately, I could not persuade them, so I can only apologize on their behalf.”

After she finished speaking, she bowed to Deng Ruyun again and was then pulled away by the nanny and maid.

Deng Ruyun paused, looking in the direction Yang Youyun had left.

She walked a short distance in the direction Yang Youyun had pointed, wondering why Teng Yue was looking for her, when her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

He pulled her through the bushes, across the fallen leaves, and directly into the men’s garden.

Deng Ruyun felt dizzy from his pull.

Teng Yue, however, touched her cold hand and took off his cloak.

Kong Hui watched silently as Teng Yue, his eyes lowered, draped the cloak over his wife.

His wife waved her hands repeatedly. “I’ve already put on my cloak. General, you do not need to give me one.”

Kong Hui was slightly taken aback. Why was this Madam Teng still calling her husband “General”?

Although he was not married yet, his fiancée, her cousin, called him by his easy-going childhood nickname…

But Madam Teng insisted, “General, you really do not need to give me one.”

She refused. Teng Yue paused, stared at her intently for a few moments, and could only retract the cloak, but took her hand instead.

Kong Hui heard Teng Yue finally speak to her, his voice low and hoarse.

“Then let me warm your hands, alright?”

It was clearly to warm her hands, but it sounded like Teng Yue was making a request.

Kong Hui was completely stunned.

But she shook her head and thanked him, speaking kindly to Teng Yue.

“It’s not appropriate for me to stay with the General; I should go back quickly…”

Although she spoke gently, Kong Hui noticed that Teng Yue was looking at her, his eyes seemingly reddening.

This time, he did not let her leave, grabbing her hand tightly.

“Yunniang, let’s go home.”

*

Teng Yue was determined to leave, and no one could stop him.

Kong Hui helped him find an excuse at the banquet, saying that Old Madam Lin had returned and they needed to go greet her.

Of course, Old Madam Lin had not arrived in Xi’an yet, but Teng Yue took Deng Ruyun and Teng Xiao home ahead of time.

Teng Xiao had no objections whatsoever; she was overjoyed and even wanted to visit Linglang at Liumingxuan, but Teng Yue saw this and shooed her away, only pulling Deng Ruyun back to their room in the courtyard.

Deng Ruyun vaguely sensed something was wrong, wondering what he was up to now.

Back in their room, he said nothing, only instructing Xiuniang to brew tea. He watched her drink three cups of hot tea, then placed a hot water bottle filled with hot water in her hand.

Deng Ruyun wanted to tell him that she was not cold anymore.

But this time, he spoke first.

“Yunniang, our marriage is still new, and the future is long. Let’s get to know each other slowly, alright?”

He now understood that she was quite uncomfortable with all of this, and in this world ruled by the Chief Eunuch, everyone only looked up to those above them.

Her background was truly humble; those people looked down on her and bullied her, yet she possessed a strong will and a stubborn temperament, which made her feel uneasy in this chaotic world.

Teng Yue felt a pang of pain in his heart at the thought of her alone, hiding in a deserted pile of withered grass.

But he dared not press her any further. He simply reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.

He pulled her into his arms, kissing her hair.

“Yunniang, we have a long life ahead of us. Let’s take it slow and do it properly, alright?”

Deng Ruyun paused slightly.

Feeling his thunderous heartbeat against her chest, she knew she could not go back to the past, but if he could treat her “slowly and properly,” would that not be exactly what she wanted?

To be honest, she had just taken over the shop, and her family was struggling financially. Her contract with Old Madam Lin was showing signs of breaking down, and she felt embarrassed to take any more money. If she left the Teng family immediately, not only would Teng Yue be unwilling and cause trouble, but she herself would also be unable to support the entire family.

Deng Ruyun could only hope for a little more time.

But she never expected that the person giving her that time would be Teng Yue…

His embrace was hot. For a moment, she wanted to hug him back, but her hands froze. She could only clench her fists and squeeze the hem of his clothes.

“Alright.”

Thank you, General Teng…

She replied. Hearing her “Alright,” Teng Yue could not help but smile.

However, he suddenly thought of something else and looked down into her eyes, saying,

“What I meant was, Yunniang is only good to me.”

Deng Ruyun: “…”

Could she possibly be good to that Sixth Master Bai? He’s the son of the Grand Princess; she even doubted whether she could afford to have him practice medicine for her anymore.

But she could not bring herself to mention these things now. She simply nodded to him at his request.

“I understand.”

But Teng Yue was clearly not satisfied with this “I understand” response. However, he had already decided to take things slowly with her and could not force her to change her story. He could only remain silent for a while.

Over the next two days, the remaining snow melted away, leaving a clear and refreshing atmosphere.

Another day passed, and Deng Ruyun sent people to wait outside Xi’an city early in the morning.

Around noon, the area in front of the Teng family Mansion became lively.

After being away from home for more than two months, Old Madam Lin had finally returned.