Perfect Match – CH 062

Chapter 62 [Long Chapter]

“She’s awake! She’s awake!”

Everyone rushed forward. Yang Youyun was still somewhat dazed, her eyes half-open, but Bai Chunfu took her pulse and let out a long sigh.

“She’s alright.”

Some in the room wept with joy, while others choked with sobs. Deng Ruyun sniffled and stepped forward to speak to Bai Chunfu.

“Your medical skills are truly amazing!”

As she spoke, she did not forget to thank the physician who had been summoned in the middle of the night, “And you too.”

The physician waved his hand repeatedly, saying he had only assisted Physician Bai.

Seeing her praising and thanking him again, Bai Chunfu could not help but smile, looking into her eyes.

“If you think it’s good, then it’s good.”

He had previously studied medicine at the Imperial Medical Bureau solely to defy his mother, the Grand Princess, who wanted him to pass the imperial examinations, hoping to stir up some waves in that stagnant life. As for the true purpose of studying medicine, he had never really thought about it.

His master often said he had some talent for medicine, but unfortunately, his initial motivation was impure.

Others experienced great joy in saving lives, but for him, even the greatest joy was diminished by his impure initial motivation.

For Bai Chunfu, even this small amount of joy was enough to make him feel that he still had some use in life.

But now, she heard Deng Ruyun constantly praising him, and everyone in the room thanking him profusely.

“Sixth Young Master Bai’s medical skills are superb! He snatched that person back from the brink of death!”

“Benevolent heart and skillful hands, Sixth Young Master Bai deserves our praise.”

“You are truly amazing! If you had not come last night, I do not know what I would have done…”

The joy that had just recently sprouted blossomed suddenly.

Bai Chunfu looked at everyone, finally settling on the first person who had come forward to praise him, noticing the tears of emotion still welling in her eyes.

He spoke slowly, “It was you who gave me the opportunity to save someone who should not have left.”

Today, for the first time, he clearly felt how precious it was to have medical skills after so many years of study.

But before Deng Ruyun could say anything more, someone appeared beside her.

“Thank you so much, Sixth Young Master Bai, for saving my cousin, and thank you to this physician as well.”

Teng Yue stepped forward and changed the subject. “I wonder how my eldest cousin should take her medicine next.”

Awakening her was only the first step. Hearing this, Bai Chunfu had to stop thinking. He consulted with another physician and prescribed two doses of medicine to be given to the patient daily.

Bai Chunfu then looked at Yang Youyun. “She still needs to rest carefully. Her body cannot withstand any more agitation.”

Second Madam Yang repeatedly agreed, “I know, I will not agitate her anymore, I will not agitate her anymore…”

But her not agitating her did not mean others would easily let Yang Youyun off the hook.

Everyone had stayed up all night, the first half filled with the tension of battle, the second half with intense concentration, and now they were all exhausted.

Shen Yanxing had breakfast prepared.

However, just as everyone finished breakfast, the gatekeeper of the Shen Mansion suddenly rushed over with a message.

“People from the Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion have arrived, requesting to see the Second Madam.”

The Second Madam Yang stiffened upon hearing this.

“They’ve found their way here so early?”

Teng Yue was not surprised. Neither the Yang Mansion nor the Teng family had made any moves; it was easy to guess where they were.

But Zhu Tingguang’s very early arrival suggested he intended to strike first.

“Since you are here, let’s see you.”

In the front hall of the Shen Mansion.

Second Madam Yang, accompanied by Hongye, entered and immediately saw Consort Qian and her son, Zhu Tingguang.

Thinking of her daughter’s brush with death the previous night, all because of these two, she was filled with rage.

“You’ve come here again? What are you doing here? My eldest daughter is not dead! She’s alive! She cannot die!”

Consort Qian breathed a small sigh of relief upon hearing that her daughter-in-law was alive. If she had died in front of the Yang family, Second Madam Yang might have acted impulsively and ruined everything.

But since her daughter was alive, it did not matter. Seeing that Second Madam Yang had completely lost her former obsequious demeanor, she frowned slightly.

However, Zhu Tingguang did not care about any of this. He already despised this mother-in-law, and now he coldly snorted.

“What does her life or death have to do with me? Your intrusion into the Prince’s Mansion at night is a disrespect to the imperial family; it’s treason! Madam Yang, you should first consider whether your own family has any chance of survival.”

His voice was stern, and Madam Yang was startled by the word “treason,” her face turning pale.

Her expression changed, and Consort Qian secretly sneered, thinking to herself, “She really is a paper tiger.”

She then spoke seriously.

“In-laws, we are related by marriage. There’s no need to make a scene in the government or the imperial court. Since your daughter is unharmed, why not settle this matter? We can pretend nothing happened. She remains the principal wife of our Prince’s Mansion, and your Yang family will remain related by marriage. What do you say?”

These words stunned Madam Yang.

“But you intended to kill her, and you are just going to pretend nothing happened?!”

Her mind went blank for a moment at Consort Qian’s nonchalant words. Consort Qian, realizing she was in the wrong, softened her tone slightly.

She said it was a misunderstanding: “She miscarried first, and the Prince’s Mansion immediately summoned a physician to examine her, but she continued to hemorrhage, and the physician could not treat her. How can you blame others?”

She insisted that a physician had indeed been summoned, and that anyone who did not believe her could go and ask the physician.

She spoke with absolute certainty, implying that she was not afraid even if the matter was taken to the Imperial Clan Court.

However, Hongye spat at the mother and child.

“You murderous devils! That physician clearly said that if he could not cure her, he could call another physician specializing in reproductive health issues. But what did you do? You did not call a single person. When the young lady’s medicine ran out, you refused to refill it. You even put all the Yang family’s people under surveillance, forbidding them from moving around except for food, and forbidding us from reporting to the Yang family. What is this if not murder?!”

Hearing Hongye recount the situation, Madam Yang’s heart ached as if it were being squeezed.

How could they treat her daughter so cruelly?

However, Zhu Tingguang said, “If you do not want to give her away, then I will divorce her. I did not want this betrothal-aborted woman for a long time. You can stay at home. I will not bother pursuing today’s matter. From now on, the Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion and your Yang family will have nothing to do with each other.”

He no longer wanted her; he directly proposed divorce.

Her daughter was alive and well. However, not only was she nearly killed by them, but she was also to be divorced and made a despised, abandoned woman.

Thinking this, Madam Yang exploded: “How could you be so heartless?!”

She almost attacked the mother and son. But Zhu Tingguang glared at her.

“Who’s the heartless one here? The Prince’s Mansion provides for her, and she still keeps in touch with the Shen family? This time, she even hid in the Shen family’s mansion. Has this slut been having an affair with Shen Yanxing all along? Divorced? She should be drowned!”

He directly slandered her, leaving Madam Yang speechless.

“You are spouting nonsense! They have not seen each other for years!”

But Zhu Tingguang did not want to say anything more. He pulled a letter of divorce from his sleeve and threw it at Madam Yang’s feet.

“I do not care what happened to that wretched woman, but she’s filthy, and I will not keep her anymore. Let her get out!”

Consort Qian had not expected her son to have even written a letter of divorce. Her original intention was to take her back, smooth things over, and let it go. Yang Youyun had suffered a great injustice; locked up in the inner palace, she probably would not live more than a few years. Why risk a falling out with the Yang family?

But when she looked at her son, she received an impatient look from him.

What did he mean? Did he want to get rid of Yang’s young lady quickly and then marry the Chief Eunuch’s niece?

No one knew about this for the time being, so Consort Qian did not say anything more.

But under the pressure of the Prince of Yanshan’s mother and son, Madam Yang, unsure how to defend her daughter any further, felt her legs go weak.

If it were a lower-class family, they would not dare bully the Yang family’s child like this. However, this was a royal family’s mansion. Even if she did not want her daughter to be divorced, she might not win if she went to war.

Madam Yang’s legs went weak, filled with remorse.

The only thing she could do was refuse the letter of divorce, but what could she do?!

At that moment, someone stepped in from outside.

He spoke coldly.

“We must keep the person, but we will absolutely not accept this letter of divorce.”

Everyone looked at him.

It was Teng Yue.

Upon hearing Teng Yue’s words, Zhu Tingguang abruptly stood up.

“Teng Yue, you broke into the Prince’s Mansion at night, and I did not pursue your crime, yet you dare to step forward yourself?”

Teng Yue sneered.

“You can also accuse me of breaking into the palace at night, but do you have any evidence? If there is no evidence, then you are slandering a court official. I wonder if it is I who wants to rebel or Your Highness?”

His words infuriated Zhu Tingguang. He had not managed to capture Teng Yue’s men, and empty words could only intimidate a woman like Madam Yang, but he was powerless against a third-rank military officer leading troops in battle.

He looked at them with resentment and could only say,

“Then what do I have to do with you today regarding divorcing my wife? If you do not want me to divorce her, fine,” he smiled sinisterly, “then take her back to me, and I will take good care of her. Are you willing?”

He squinted at Teng Yue and Madam Yang. “What? You will not let me divorce my wife, and you are even blocking her from returning with me? With your behavior, if I take you to the authorities, do you think you will have a legitimate claim?”

Once a woman married into his Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion, she became a member of the Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion. Even her maternal family could not interfere too much.

Not to mention, he was a member of the imperial family and a prince; it was obvious who the authorities would side with.

Madam Yang became agitated, and Teng Yue looked at Zhu Tingguang with disgust.

“You want to kill your wife, and you are asking me if you are in the right?”

“Then you should produce evidence to prove that my Prince’s Mansion harmed her, not just the one-sided story of the Yang family servants.”

Zhu Tingguang felt he had the aunt and nephew firmly in his grasp after saying this. What could they possibly say?

Unexpectedly, at this moment, someone suddenly spoke from outside the door.

“I can testify.”

The newcomer, dressed in a silver brocade robe, strolled in, his sleeves exuding a faint medicinal fragrance.

Zhu Tingguang and Consort Qian stared at him, both stunned.

“Sixth Young Master Bai?”

Bai Chunfu smiled. He said the woman was the one he had rescued. “I can tell what the patient’s condition was like before and whether she received timely treatment after the onset of her illness. Whether you two want to take this to the yamen or the Imperial Clan Court, I can testify.”

He added, “Besides, I am not a member of the Yang family and have almost no relation to them. Surely I can serve as a witness?”

While the Yang family, of such a high social standing, could be easily suppressed by the Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion, Bai Chunfu was the legitimate son of the Grand Princess Ningfeng. Born and raised in the capital, because he was close in age to the Emperor, he had even served in the palace as a child. Although he was not a member of the Zhu imperial clan, his connections within the palace far surpassed those of these princes and nobles.

Zhu Tingguang and his mother, who had bullied others with their power, were now being suppressed by those around them.

Both mother and son looked grim. Zhu Tingguang could not help but ask,

“This is a matter for Prince Qin; does Sixth Young Master Bai really want to get involved?”

Bai Chunfu’s expression remained unchanged, his long eyebrows still gentle. “I am merely a physician, only wishing to truthfully describe the patient’s condition.”

His few words had rendered the mother and son speechless.

Teng Yue seized the opportunity to speak, directly stating the matter.

“Do not even think about divorcing^{(Xiu Qi)} your wife, and you cannot take her back to cause harm.”

He said.

“You only have one path: a mutual consent divorce^{(He Li)}.”

A mutual consent divorce.

Zhu Tingguang’s face twitched upon hearing these two words.

A lowly woman, and he had to swallow his pride and divorce her? How could he maintain his standing in the imperial clan after this?

Consort Qian, seeing Teng Yue and Bai Chunfu, already knew that she and her son would gain nothing today.

Although a divorce would be unpleasant for her son, it would at least quell the trouble, expel Yang Youyun, and allow him to remarry.

She was tempted, and Zhu Tingguang knew that this compromise was not entirely without its advantages.

However, the thought that his prestigious Prince’s Mansion had failed to control the small Yang family, ending in a mutual consent divorce, felt like a slap in the face.

Not to mention, Teng Yue had barged into his mansion without any consequences, making his face burn even more.

Zhu Tingguang glared at them fiercely. At that moment, Shen Xiu entered and handed the divorce papers to Teng Yue.

Teng Yue snorted and tossed the divorce papers beside Zhu Tingguang.

“Sign it. From this day forward, the Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion and the Yang family’s young lady will have no further connection.”

Consort Qian had already acknowledged it, but Zhu Tingguang refused to.

However, the evidence and power were laid bare before him. No matter how proud he was, he had no choice but to bow his head.

After several attempts, he finally signed the divorce papers…

As the matter was settled, and Zhu Tingguang and his mother stormed off, the Shen family courtyard erupted in cheers.

Madam Yang collapsed to the ground, covering her face and weeping, unable to discern whether it was relief, liberation, or deep regret.

It was over. Finally, it was over.

At the cost of her child’s near-death experience, this marriage to a prestigious family she had so desperately sought to marry into had finally ended.

She had Hongye pull her to her feet and stumbled towards her daughter’s room.

She collapsed beside the bed, embracing her daughter, tears streaming down her face. Yang Youyun, finally under the influence of the medicine, regained a moment of clarity. “Mother… Where is this? I… I am not dead?”

Upon hearing this, Second Madam Yang burst into tears again. “You are not dead; you are not dead! My child, you’ve survived!”

Yang Youyun’s brow furrowed in shock, but as she turned her head slightly, she saw someone who had only appeared in her dreams all these years.

“Xing… Brother Xing…”

“Ah Yun, it’s me!”

He immediately stepped forward and took her hand.

But the moment the warmth and strength of his palm reached her, Yang Youyun fearfully tried to pull her hand back.

“Ah Yun, what’s wrong?”

Yang Youyun closed her eyes, not daring to look at him, and only said in a hoarse voice.

“I am sorry, I am sorry. Brother Xing, I’ve let you down; I have no face to see you again…”

Shen Yanxing felt as if his heart had been cut by a knife upon hearing these words.

“No, no, Ah Yun, you did not let me down. It was because so many people spoke up for the Shen family that I survived. You married into the Prince’s Mansion to save my life; did you think I did not know that?”

He said, taking her hand and gently pressing it against his face.

“To save me, you almost lost your own life… I am so sorry…”

Shen Yanxing’s eyes reddened, and tears suddenly fell from Yang Youyun’s eyes, landing softly on the pillow.

Madam Yang, in a daze, covered her face; she was the one who truly could not face anyone.

But then, Shen Yanxing suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Madam Yang.

“Aunt, can you give me another chance? Whatever I have, I will give Ah Yun tenfold. If I only have this life left, it was her efforts to save me, and I will never let her suffer the slightest injustice.”

His voice was hoarse. “Please, can you leave Ah Yun with me?”

Even the grandest mansions and the richest homes could not compare to such a sincere heart.

What could Madam Yang say? She could only nod, nod repeatedly.

“Yes, yes…”

As soon as the words left her lips, Shen Yanxing bowed deeply.

“Thank you for your kindness!”

The next moment, he could not help but pull Yang Youyun into his arms.

The girl, just regaining consciousness, had not quite understood anything yet. It was Shen Yanxing who kissed her cheek and whispered to her,

“You’ve already divorced that irrelevant person. When you are feeling better, we will choose the best day to get married!”

Divorced, she could once again marry her Brother Xing according to their previous marriage agreement.

Yang Youyun leaned on Shen Yanxing’s shoulder, hot tears streaming down her face.

Deng Ruyun also shed tears. Standing at the door, she kept wiping away her unstoppable tears, her voice choked with sobs.

“Why is it raining inside?”

Bai Chunfu felt a pang of tenderness upon hearing this. He took out a handkerchief and handed it to her, only to see someone already wiping her tears with their sleeve.

“How silly, how could it rain inside?” Teng Yue’s eyes also welled up slightly.

“Then, could it be that I am crying?” she whispered.

But everyone inside and outside the room heard this, and some could not help but laugh through their sobs.

Teng Yue then spoke.

“Because today’s success is all thanks to you.”

“Ah?” Deng Ruyun did not deserve such credit.

But Bai Chunfu, unusually, agreed with Teng Yue and looked at her.

“Indeed, without you, we would not be standing here.”

Second Madam Yang walked over and took Deng Ruyun’s hand.

“Yes, yes, yes, I am such a useless mother. If it were not for you discovering Yun’er’s situation, Yun’er probably would not have survived last night.”

Hongye agreed, even wanting to kowtow to Deng Ruyun.

Deng Ruyun quickly helped her up, but she said, “Madam, you risked your life, repeatedly entering and leaving the Prince’s Mansion to save people. This great kindness is something I will never forget!”

Hearing this, Deng Ruyun glanced guiltily at Teng Yue. He indeed pursed his lips and looked at her. Deng Ruyun thought to herself, begging Hongye not to mention the details of her intrusion into the Prince’s Mansion. Fortunately, Hongye did not say anything more, and Teng Yue did not say anything more in front of everyone, only squeezing her hand under his sleeve.

Yang Youyun finally understood who had saved her and also wanted to get out of bed to bow to Deng Ruyun.

Deng Ruyun quickly stepped forward to stop her. “You need to rest; you cannot move around!”

However, Shen Yanxing, on her behalf and for himself, stepped forward and bowed deeply to Deng Ruyun.

“My life and Ah Yun’s life were both saved by Madam. From now on, whatever Madam needs, I, Shen Yanxing, will go through fire and water without hesitation!”

As he spoke, Shen Xiu also stepped forward.

“I am the same as my brother!”

Everyone gathered around her; everyone looked at her. In their eyes, Deng Ruyun seemed to see a sky full of stars on a summer night, all shining for her.

She was stunned, feeling that she was not as good as they said.

Actually, at first, standing under the high walls of the Prince’s Mansion, she had considered backing out…

But now, her face was getting hot, and she repeatedly said she could not accept.

“To be honest, I just wanted to ask Second Madam for some money.”

The words left her lips, and a pause ensued, followed by involuntary laughter.

A row of yellow sparrows perched on the eaves was startled by the laughter, fluttering their wings, and the spring breeze rustled the green branches in the courtyard.

Second Madam Yang could not help but pat her hand. “You really are a little devil…”

Teng Yue simply laughed and suggested.

“Today is an auspicious day; why do we not set off some loud firecrackers to wash away all the filth? From now on, this house and its inhabitants will only have joyous days.”

Everyone agreed, especially Shen Xiu.

“This house was originally for Brother and Sister Yun’s wedding. I bought a lot of firecrackers back then, and they are all stored in the back. I do not know if they are still usable.”

As he spoke, he gestured for people to go to the backyard to bring out the firecrackers.

Deng Ruyun then realized that this mansion was originally their intended wedding mansion.

After two or three years of unexpected delays, everything had finally returned to square one.

To be able to return to square one like this was already a blessing from heaven…

Shen Xiu and his guards brought over all the firecrackers and tested one, and it was still as loud as ever.

Shen Xiu was overjoyed, distributing the firecrackers he had bought to everyone, saying, “I should buy more; let them go off for three days and three nights!”

He lit the firecracker at his feet, then ran to Bai Chunfu’s side and lit the firecracker Sixth Young Master Bai was carrying.

Teng Yue shoved a string of firecrackers into Deng Ruyun’s hand. “Are you scared?”

Deng Ruyun was about to say she was a little scared—who knew if these old firecrackers were reliable?

But Teng Yue answered his own question: “You dared to sneak into the Prince’s Mansion several times; these firecrackers are nothing to Yunniang.”

Deng Ruyun: “…”

How did he remember?

But he had already pulled her from behind, holding her hand, and lit the firecrackers on the bamboo pole.

Her firecrackers crackled and popped, exploding together with the ones Bai Chunfu was holding. The latter saw Teng Yue standing behind her, holding her hand as he lit the firecrackers; his eyes narrowed slightly, but when she looked at him with a startled smile, he smiled back at her.

The firecrackers startled all the birds in the courtyard.

The Shen family courtyard was like a New Year’s celebration. Everyone gathered there, and on an ordinary day, they managed to exude joy even from the cracks in the ground and the corners of the walls.

Firecrackers flashed and exploded in the courtyard, their sounds mingling and creating a cacophony. Even Yang Youyun, held by Shen Yanxing, could not help but look out the window.

They were still thanking Deng Ruyun, but her ears were nearly deafened by the continuous, deafening cannon fire.

Fortunately, Teng Yue covered her ears, and Deng Ruyun finally found some peace and quiet.

Looking at the bustling crowd and sounds filling the courtyard, she felt a strange sense of disorientation.

Just a year ago, it seemed, was when she had just arrived in Xi’an from Jinzhou.

Apart from Teng Yue, she did not know a single person here.

Back then, as she entered the vast Xi’an city by carriage, looking up at the towering city walls, she felt a strange sense of dread as she stood alone beneath them, leading her entire family.

At that time, she never imagined that in just one year, she would be surrounded by so many people.

And they were here today, seemingly gathered here because of her…

But looking at the people around her, she still felt a sense of unreality.

It felt like a dream, like being inside a tiny, fragile bubble.

The firecrackers were deafening, their explosions making everyone’s ears tingle. Whether it was an illusion or not, the feeling at that moment was undeniable.

A firecracker in Hongye’s hand accidentally flew under Shen Xiu’s robe. Unfazed, Shen Xiu even dared to step on it, only to have his foot cramped from the blast. He hopped around in the courtyard, clutching his foot, the laughter of the crowd drowning out the firecracker’s noise.

In the chaos, a firecracker also flew to Deng Ruyun’s feet.

Deng Ruyun dared not step on it, but Teng Yue kicked it to Bai Chunfu’s feet.

Bai Chunfu was startled. Unable to kick the firecracker back to Deng Ruyun, he quickly dodged, but a piece of firecracker debris punctured his boot. He frowned slightly and glared at Teng Yue.

Deng Ruyun heard Teng Yue laugh behind her. Just as she was about to turn around and glance at him, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

He whispered in her ear, “He’s no good either. He glanced at you eight times while setting off a firework…”

After all the fireworks had exploded, the courtyard was filled with smoke and fire, but everyone’s face was beaming with smiles.

Shen Yanxing looked at the smoke and dust filling the courtyard and shook his head with a smile, “If you did not know better, you’d think this place had turned into an artillery camp.”

But with all this commotion, it was getting late. The Shen family did not have many servants, and they could not possibly prepare a proper banquet. Shen Yanxing called to Shen Xiu, “Go outside and book two tables. Everyone’s here, and the fireworks have been set off, so why not have a feast?”

Teng Yue, who had set aside his official duties to rush back, was always extremely busy and hesitated for a moment.

But seeing everyone so happy, he did not want to dampen their spirits.

Just as he was about to agree, the gatekeeper arrived with some men.

Everyone looked over, and there came Old Madam Lin, followed by a young lady, the fourth young lady of the Zhang family.

The sudden appearance of the two caused an inexplicable silence in the courtyard.

Old Madam Lin had received news this morning that the Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion in Xi’an had been robbed last night, causing quite a commotion. She immediately sensed something was wrong and sent people to inquire with the Yang and Teng families, but received no response. After some thought, she decided to come to Shen Yanxing’s Mansion.

Zhang Zhenhui, who had followed her back to the city from the Great Ci’en Temple, naturally came along as well.

Old Madam Lin was initially surprised to see everyone present and the courtyard filled with joy. Seeing that everyone was unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone bowed to her, and Second Madam Yang stepped forward to recount the events of the previous day.

“…Yun’er was almost, almost killed by them! They even wanted to divorce her or take her back to continue torturing her!”

Old Madam Lin was stunned. “How could they do such a thing?”

Young Lady Zhang and Nanny Dong were also unaware of the situation and remained silent for a moment.

But Old Madam Lin asked a crucial question, “Why would they do such a thing? What benefit would killing Yun’er bring them? Is their Prince’s Mansion in such a hurry to remarry?”

Her question was very important, but Madam Yang had not heard anything about Zhu Tingguang remarrying. Only Hongye had vaguely heard a sentence: “It seems there is such a plan, but who he will marry is unknown.”

Everyone seemed thoughtful.

Zhang Zhenhui kept her eyes downcast, showing no extra expression or saying anything. Nanny Dong glanced at her quickly, then changed the subject.

“How could we possibly fathom the thoughts of wicked people? It’s truly a joyous occasion that the eldest cousin has finally overcome her hardships; I wonder how she is doing now?”

Her words steered the conversation towards Yang Youyun.

Old Madam Lin and Zhang Zhenhui entered the room first to check on Yang Youyun. They saw that she had indeed recovered, but her once beautiful face was now sunken and devoid of color.

Old Madam Lin could not help but grasp her hand with heartache.

“How could they bear to torment you like this?”

Yang Youyun, overjoyed by today’s celebration, did not want to remember the past. Instead, she comforted Old Madam Lin and then noticed her cousin constantly wiping away tears with a handkerchief.

“Cousin, you just arrived from the capital and encountered all this, but do not worry, I am alright now.”

Zhang Zhenhui wiped her eyes and nodded.

“What could I possibly have to worry about? I am just saddened by my cousin’s circumstances, but as long as she’s alright, I am at ease.”

Yang Youyun’s strength gave out after only a few words. Bai Chunfu suggested she rest in bed.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Lin immediately left with Zhang Zhenhui.

In the courtyard, the smoke from fireworks fires had not yet dissipated. Deng Ruyun quietly stepped aside from Teng Yue’s side and stood with Hongye.

She glanced at Old Madam Lin and Fourth Young Lady Zhang, then quickly looked away.

Teng Yue was discussing with Shen Xiu about ordering food at the restaurant and had not noticed much. Seeing his mother come out, he said, “Mother’s here too! That’s perfect! My cousin has just escaped death; we should celebrate. Since everyone’s here, let’s have a ‘welcome feast’ for her right here in the courtyard.”

Madam Lin had no objections, but noticing Zhang Zhenhui standing beside her, she hesitated for a moment and said to her son, “This young lady is the Yang family’s cousin of the Yongchang Marquis’s family, a young lady from the Zhang family.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhenhui stepped forward and bowed to Teng Yue, then greeted Shen Yanxing and the others. She was also surprised to see the Sixth Young Master of the Bai family, but since Bai Chunfu was currently taking Yang Youyun’s pulse, she did not disturb him and only looked at Teng Yue.

Old Madam Lin also looked at Teng Yue, while Madam Yang frowned slightly, glancing at Deng Ruyun with a worried expression.

Deng Ruyun had already retreated to the edge of the courtyard, to a secluded spot, and turned away with Hongye to the other side.

However, Teng Yue, upon hearing his mother’s introduction, showed no further reaction, only a slight nod, without even glancing at Young Lady Zhang. He suddenly turned around, only to find that Deng Ruyun was not beside him but had instead walked away.

“Where did Yunniang go?”

This question silenced the courtyard.

Deng Ruyun instinctively felt all eyes turn to her.

“I…I went with Hongye to make some tea.”

Given her status, how could she stay in this courtyard any longer?

Unexpectedly, Teng Yue walked over.

He told Hongye to find someone else, while he went to her side and softly spoke to her.

“You are the hero of today. This banquet is for my eldest cousin, and also for you, Yunniang. It should be held in the courtyard.”

Although he spoke to her as usual, Deng Ruyun felt the gazes from the courtyard growing hot.

Especially the gaze of the fourth young lady of the Zhang family.

Deng Ruyun felt inexplicably embarrassed, unsure how to speak, when Teng Yue suddenly took her hand.

“What’s wrong, Yunniang? Are you feeling unwell?”

He said, pulling her into his arms and feeling the temperature of her forehead.

His actions were as intimate as they were in private.

But now, they were in front of the old lady and his future wife.

Deng Ruyun saw her nanny, standing in the corridor, frowning, while the old lady looked at the Zhang family girl beside her.

The Zhang family girl looked dejected and simply turned away.

Deng Ruyun felt as if she had intruded on someone else’s possession; in other words, she felt as if she had taken over someone else’s husband.

She quickly pulled away from Teng Yue’s embrace. Teng Yue raised an eyebrow in surprise, and she had to say something.

“I stayed up all night last night, and my head is a little fuzzy.”

Teng Yue clearly saw that she had been fine just now, and he had not let go of her hand.

Deng Ruyun was embarrassed and speechless. It was Madam Yang who quickly came over and called to Teng Yue, “She ran around for too long yesterday and is indeed tired.”

She added that everyone was tired too, saying, “Let’s postpone the banquet another day.”

She came to Deng Ruyun’s rescue, but Teng Yue was still somewhat suspicious.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, someone else came to the door—it was Kong Hui.

Kong Hui was not just there for what happened in the city last night; he entered and directly called to Teng Yue.

“There’s a commotion in the garrison over the land reclamation issue. The commanders cannot control it and have all come to me looking for you. You need to go there immediately!”

Teng Yue had been running around for the past few days because of this matter and had finally managed to find some free time, only to have it escalate into a commotion.

Teng Yue frowned deeply; it seemed the banquet was off.

But he asked Deng Ruyun again, “Are you really unwell?”

Deng Ruyun nodded her head again.

The man could only release her hand, but then said, “Then go back and rest well. I have to go over there.”

He, too, had been on the move, staying up all night, and now he had to rush to the garrison where the incident had occurred.

Deng Ruyun wanted to tell him to be careful, but with Old Madam Lin and Young Lady Zhang present, those two words were simply not something she, as his contract wife, should utter.

Kong Hui greeted everyone and urged Teng Yue to leave quickly on horseback.

After he left, Bai Chunfu left Yang Youling a prescription, saying he would come to see her again in a couple of days, and also prepared to leave.

The people dispersed from the once lively courtyard, the wind carrying away the last trace of noise and smoke.

Seeing Zhang Zhenhui’s reddened eyes and Deng Ruyun hiding in the corner, Old Madam Lin said, “Then I will be going too.”

Second Madam Yang followed closely behind. Deng Ruyun gently shook her head, not needing anyone to see her off, and left the Shen Mansion on foot.

Bai Chunfu asked her if she wanted to go to the Bai Mansion with him. “Why do you look so pale? Did something happen?”

Deng Ruyun sighed inwardly. It was not that something had happened to her; she had ruined everyone else’s plans.

She had no intention of going to the Bai Mansion. She thanked Bai Chunfu, not needing him to see her off or send a carriage, and walked towards the Teng Mansion from the other side.

In the end, she still needed to explain everything she could to Old Madam Lin.

Walking alone on the bustling street, the scene of so many people gathering because of her seemed like a fragile bubble in a dream, bursting easily with a snap.

She was alone now. The crowds surged and flowed through the ancient city streets. She was like a lone fish that had accidentally swum out from a small pond, initially overjoyed to find herself in such a vast, ever-flowing river—a place no small fish could withstand.

No matter how large the waves or how wide the river, she would eventually have to return to her own little pond and leave this place.

She slowly walked back against the tide of people. The current tossed her from side to side, but she gradually regained her footing and walked on the path she was meant to walk.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the number of pedestrians around her thinned out; she was not far from the Teng Mansion.

Just then, a carriage caught up from behind. Deng Ruyun turned around and saw the carriage stop beside her. It was Old Madam Lin.

She had thought that things would only settle down back at the Teng Mansion, but now it seemed that they might be resolved right here in this carriage.

She got into the carriage; besides the old lady, there was no one else inside.

Old Madam Lin watched the girl walk back and personally poured her a cup of tea.

Deng Ruyun hesitated to let her pour tea, waving her hands repeatedly, but the old lady insisted.

“What’s the point of formalities now? Have some tea first.”

Deng Ruyun then accepted the tea.

Old Madam Lin saw that she was covered in dust, having spent a day and a night running around for someone she barely knew, without even having time to brush off the dust. She could not help but say, “If it were not for you, Yun’er would be dead.”

Deng Ruyun shook her head. “It’s because the eldest young lady is lucky. I was just passing by to help. It’s just a pity that I still delayed the General and the Teng family.”

The Teng family had already clashed with the Prince Enhua’s Mansion, and now they were on the verge of a falling out with the Prince of Yanshan’s Mansion.

She spoke the truth, and Old Madam Lin took a deep breath and exhaled.

“But it’s not your fault; you’ve done very well.”

The only thing to blame was fate. For some reason, Teng Yue had become completely devoted to this wife who had entered into the family with a contract. Even though Deng Ruyun was avoiding him, he still eagerly went back to her.

Not to mention, just now, Teng Yue’s undisguised concern for her was clearly seen by everyone.

The Fourth Young Lady Zhang’s eyes immediately reddened.

Old Madam Lin had not expected her son to have such a confused and infatuated heart. But when she turned to comfort the young lady, she heard the Zhang family’s young lady say, “Since my mother passed away, Old Madam has been the kindest person to me. I always thought you could truly be my mother, but now it seems we are destined to be apart.”

The young lady lowered her head, and tears fell.

“I am unfortunate to not have a mother like you, but I would rather destroy ten temples than break up one marriage. Since the general and that young lady are so close, I should not interfere any further.”

She continued, “I know you fear persecution from your family’s old enemies. I am but a humble person, but I will try my best to speak on behalf of the Teng family to my uncle, though I do not know how effective it will be.”

Old Madam Lin felt a heavy weight in her heart.

If things really came to that, how much influence could a niece’s words have? But a marriage between the two families was different.

Although the Yongchang Marquis’s men had been promoted by the powerful eunuch, it had long since declined in the military. Her uncle, the Marquis, did not hold real military power. If the Teng family and the Zhang family married, the Yongchang Marquis would surely favor Teng Yue. If Shi Zeyou then tried to sabotage things again, the Yongchang Marquis would do his utmost to protect him.

The difference between this marriage and not marrying was enormous.

Everything had been arranged, proceeding step by step as she had anticipated. Who would have thought that things would go wrong with Teng Yue?

Why did he like Yunniang so much?

That child was very good, but…

Old Madam Lin remained silent for a long time, then slowly looked at Deng Ruyun.

Deng Ruyun understood the situation the moment Old Madam Lin looked at her.

Old Madam Lin spoke slowly.

“You’ve been with the Teng family for less than a year, and I’ve seen everything you’ve done for them. Thank you very much.”

Deng Ruyun could not accept such thanks. The most important thing she had done for the Teng family was her contract with the Old Madam, but she had completely messed up this crucial contract. She silently shook her head.

But Old Madam Lin continued, “You have indeed done very well, but…” Her tone shifted. “But the Teng family has its own difficulties, and Teng Yue has his own path to walk.”

The carriage creaked and groaned along the blue-brick street, the bustling street scene rushing past.

She had to give the Zhang family girl an explanation. And of the two girls, she could only choose one to be Teng Yue’s wife. The choice was self-evident.

Old Madam Lin spoke slowly; though with some difficulty, she finally said it.

“Yunniang, you should go.”

She could only choose the fourth young lady of the Zhang family for Teng Yue.

Teng Yue and Yunniang were ultimately not a suitable couple.

At that moment, all the noise outside vanished from the carriage, leaving only this sentence, clear and distinct, echoing within.

Old Madam Lin looked at Deng Ruyun, seeing her head slightly lowered, her emotions hidden behind fluttering eyelashes. She seemed to pause for a moment, but did not say a single extra word.

She only gave a soft reply.

“Alright.”