Perfect Match – CH 087

Chapter 87

The man stood in the room, having waited for her for an unknown amount of time.

Now he spoke, his words resonating deep in her ears. Deng Ruyun’s heart pounded with panic, and she could barely breathe.

Teng Yue…how could he be here?

Deng Ruyun stared at the man before her in disbelief, the groceries she had just bought falling to the ground with a thud.

He came; he really did. His wounds, both deep and shallow, seemed to have healed considerably, but he looked incredibly thin… But how could he be here? She had left Xi’an Prefecture, had not even stopped in Tongguan County, and had already reached this remote mountain area. How could he be here? No, no, he should not be here.

Deng Ruyun swayed stiffly, but in the next instant, she turned to leave.

Teng Yue, seeing her stunned and dazed, was about to say something more when he saw her turn and walk away.

She turned and walked out, her steps quickening, almost running in her panic.

“Yunniang? Yunniang!”

Her panicked escape gripped Teng Yue’s heart. He panicked, too, and hurried after her.

In just two steps, he caught her and pulled her into his arms in the corridor.

His chest and arms were like an impenetrable wall, trapping her between the railing and him. Their hearts pounded simultaneously.

Teng Yue held her tightly, preventing her escape. He lowered his head, his face close to hers, and asked in a hoarse voice,

“Where are you going? Where are you going?!”

He was going crazy. He had searched everywhere for her, but she had only wandered further away. Now, even seeing him, she wanted to leave!

He asked, but Deng Ruyun could not answer. Only as he drew closer, as his breath brushed against her ear, did her heart race.

In the chaos of the struggle, she saw not only him but also the entire inn—Guard Tang, Deputy General Tong, and his other personal guards—surrounding the inn.

From the moment she returned to the inn, she had nowhere to hide.

Originally, she thought staying in Shaanxi was not safe enough, and she had planned to take her family to a more distant place after the epidemic ended.

But he appeared right in front of her.

The man half-embraced, half-held her in his arms, his grip tightening.

His voice was hoarse as he asked. Deng Ruyun dared not look at him, nor did she know how to answer. She could only avoid his gaze, trying to understand the sudden situation.

The rapid pounding of her heart echoed in Teng Yue’s ears. Seeing her panicked state, his heart ached unbearably, but he dared not force her. He could only hold her tightly, saying only, “Shall we go back to the room and talk?”

Deng Ruyun finally looked up.

She had nowhere to hide; perhaps this was the only way.

Inside the room, the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms wafted in on the breeze from under the window.

Perhaps it was the fragrance of the flowers that eased Deng Ruyun’s panic slightly, but before she could figure out how to begin, he spoke first.

He held her hand tightly, refusing to let go.

“I already know about the contract. Shen Xiu told me, and Mother has admitted it.”

Upon hearing this, Deng Ruyun’s eyes widened.

So he knew everything.

The man’s breathing became slightly heavier as he stared intently at her.

However, hearing that he knew about the contract, Deng Ruyun gradually calmed down.

He seemed afraid she would run away again, his grip on her hand tightening, but in the current situation, running away would be pointless.

She tried to pull her hand away, but could not. She could only look into his deep, unfathomable eyes, then look away and whisper.

“In that case, General, you should know that I am merely a temporary wife you married into the family, someone you signed a contract with and paid to enter. Now that the contract is over, I should leave.”

However, before she could finish speaking, he immediately added, “But this so-called contract you signed with Mother was wrong from the start. It was wrong from beginning to end.”

His words were urgent and sharp, leaving Deng Ruyun momentarily speechless.

Perhaps the contract was indeed wrong from the beginning; she should not have married him in the first place.

But he seemed to have heard her fleeting thoughts and suddenly spoke.

“It’s not that Yunniang should not have married me, but that we should not have been together because of a contract. I should have married you openly and honestly. Perhaps we should have been engaged back when we were both in Jinzhou, and we should have been together much earlier!”

Back in Jinzhou?

Deng Ruyun’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Teng Yue and saw him lower his head and take a short arrow from beside his sword.

That short arrow, like countless others that Deng Ruyun had treasured, was so familiar to her.

Back when he accompanied her back to her hometown of Jinzhou, he discovered that basket of arrows, and she had hurriedly hidden them in a panic.

But now, she saw one of the arrows, washed by the long river of time; it had flown from his fingers to her side, hidden under her pillow, remained in her home, and finally returned to his hand.

She saw the man holding this short arrow, caressing the name carved by the young man, and repeatedly touched by the girl experiencing her first love. She heard him, as if crossing mountains and rivers of painful years, trekking across streams, returning to the place where they had first met, to find the girl who had secretly loved him from behind!

“Yunniang, for so many years I’ve kept you waiting in the same place. Now I’ve finally found you and returned to your side. Are you going to let me lose you again forever?”

He said no, not even for a moment.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, his large, warm palms cradling her neck. He lowered his head and gently nuzzled her ear, just like that day in prison when she clung to him, comforting him from the pain of the medicine.

“Yunniang, I am sorry. Mother and I are so sorry. You can be angry, hit me, scold me, anything, just do not go so far away again, making it impossible for me to find you.”

These past few days, he could not find her anywhere. He finally found her in Tongguan County, only to discover she had already left and hidden herself deep in these mountains.

Fortunately, heaven had eyes. The Wu family, whom he had rescued, had been settled near these mountains. He heard someone buying medicine in the county town—buying so much to take back—and immediately knew it must be her. He rushed over and finally stopped her at the inn before she left.

Teng Yue held her tightly, refusing to let go.

Deng Ruyun was also in his arms, her tears soaking his clothes. She tried to wipe away the tears, but they would not stop.

This was, after all, the boy she had loved so deeply for so many years.

But he was gone, gone forever. It was not that she did not want him, but that she simply could not afford him. His recent achievements might lead to him being ennobled as a marquis or earl, his future limitless.

She, on the other hand, was just an ordinary pharmacist. When he got into trouble in Ningxia, she could not help him in the slightest, only watching him being arrested and tortured. When she went to plead for him, she dared not speak when asked about her surname and background, relying solely on her impulsiveness to beg for his help.

If only he had a wife of Meng Zhao’s background, he would not have been as helpless as she was then.

And he had many more roads to travel ahead, roads that had nothing to do with her. They said husband and wife help each other, but what could she do to help him?

Deng Ruyun did not know what to do.

“General, let’s just forget about it. How can an unsuitable marriage last?”

But as soon as she said this, she pushed him away with both hands, and Teng Yue became anxious.

“Why give up?! Does Yunniang also think we are not a good match?”

He roughly guessed what she was thinking and stared straight at her.

“Have you forgotten me? From the very beginning, when you met me, I was just a minor officer in Jinzhou, a lowly Baihu Commander, was I not? I’ve just gotten lucky these past few years and risen through the ranks faster. How am I any different from you?”

She wanted to say something more, but he would not listen. He just stared at her, holding her tightly. It was as though if he loosened his grip even slightly, she would disappear before his eyes. He simply could not bear it.

However, Deng Ruyun’s thoughts were even more unsettled. What should they do? She could not figure it out for the moment.

Just then, she faintly heard Qin Bang returning downstairs with his men carrying medicinal herbs.

Deng Ruyun’s gaze swept across the scene below the window, and she could not help but say,

“I… I want to go back.”

She meant to go back on her own. But the man said directly.

“Then I will go with you!”

Everything Deng Ruyun had planned had been disrupted by his appearance, and now her mind was in complete chaos.

She still wanted to leave on her own, at least to have some time back home to think things through calmly. She said, “It’s inconvenient.”

“Why is it inconvenient?” Teng Yue asked anxiously. “I do not need Aunt Juan to cook for me; I can do everything myself.”

That was not it. Deng Ruyun shook her head again.

But his voice was low and hoarse. He nuzzled her face, gently rubbing against her like a homeless, sick animal, desperately begging for her pity.

“Yunniang, I have no home anymore. Today I just want to go home with you; is that alright?”

*

Deng Ruyun could not possibly shake him off, so inexplicably, she could only take him and his group of guards back with her.

The mountain village was only so big. Their arrival, with their imposing figures, filled the village entrance, attracting a large crowd of locals.

Deng Ruyun did not know how to explain, so she turned and pursed her lips, heading home.

The village chief and elders wanted to say a few more words to Teng Yue, but the man, seeing his wife turn and walk away, quickly followed, saying he would formally greet everyone later.

Deng Ruyun’s residence was considered one of the larger houses in the village. As she entered, others followed her inside.

In the courtyard, Xiuniang was using her limited literacy to instruct Changxing to record the patient’s condition. Linglang was combing Dafu’s tail with a small comb. Aunt Juan carried a basket of medicinal herbs past under the eaves, while the old grandmother sat under the eaves, watching Linglang and Dafu chuckle.

Everyone was naturally happy to see Deng Ruyun return, but upon seeing her furrowed brow and the people following behind, they were all surprised.

Changxing paused, Xiuniang raised an eyebrow, Linglang stared wide-eyed at the tall man at the door, Dafu hesitantly barked, Aunt Juan simply put down the basket, and even the old grandmother blinked, looking towards Teng Yue.

Were they, like Yunniang, also surprised by his return?

Deng Ruyun did not know how to explain and only sighed softly.

Teng Yue walked in, ashamed, under everyone’s gaze.

Xiuniang muttered softly, “Just arrived…” but was immediately silenced by her mistress’s glance.

Teng Yue, however, did not hide it. “I am late.”

Xiuniang did not reply, pulling Changxing aside.

Teng Yue stepped forward to greet Aunt Juan. Aunt Juan instinctively wanted to ask him, as she always did, “Has the General eaten?” but the words caught in her throat.

“General, you’ve come here. I wonder if the Old Madam knows?”

Even Deng Ruyun was somewhat surprised by Aunt Juan’s question.

Teng Yue understood Aunt Juan’s meaning. He stated directly, “Mother has already told me about the contract. My mother, aunt, and sister all helped in the search for Yunniang.”

His words were sincere, and Aunt Juan finally looked at him seriously but did not say anything more, only giving a soft “Mmm.”

Teng Yue understood her meaning. Clarifying the contract was only the first step; whether Yunniang would still want him was up to her.

Dafu wagged its tail and circled to his feet, while Linglang looked up at him.

Perhaps having learned manners from her studies, the little one, though still somewhat unfriendly, respectfully bowed to Teng Yue.

After bowing, she was about to address him.

Teng Yue leaned forward, speaking before she could speak.

“Linglang, do not call me someone else’s uncle.”

He now understood why she used to call him “someone else’s uncle”—Yunniang must have taught her that.

He turned to look at Yunniang, who turned and went back into her room.

Linglang, however, did not call him “someone else’s uncle,” but simply “General.”

“…”

Teng Yue was speechless for a moment, then patted her head, then Dafu’s head, and walked to her maternal grandmother.

He gave her grandmother a proper bow.

Everyone else’s attitude towards him changed, but her grandmother remained smiling, her eyes narrowed.

“Little General.”

Teng Yue paused slightly.

His grandmother had always called him “Little General,” and he considered that he was not exactly a teenager; perhaps she still considered him “young” in her eyes.

But now that she had called him that again, a thought flashed through his mind.

But then, her grandmother looked at him kindly, even with a hint of satisfaction, and spoke.

“Little Yunniang’s Little General.”

The moment the words left her lips, Teng Yue was utterly speechless.

So, her grandmother had always called him “Little General” because she had long recognized him as the very Little Yunniang’s beloved Little General!

He was Little Yunniang’s Little General, and he had never understood the meaning behind it…

How could he have missed such a glaring indication?

Teng Yue’s eyes welled up with tears. After greeting her grandmother, he followed Deng Ruyun into the house.

But she emerged from the house, watching the darkening sky and the gathering, heavy clouds. She hesitated for a moment, then said, “There are not many houses to stay in in this village, and many people here have contracted the seasonal plague. Staying at other people’s houses is not suitable. General, with so many people, you should go down the mountain and find another place to stay.”

She still wanted him to leave, but Teng Yue would never leave.

“If there’s no place to stay, we can camp outside the village.”

Even if she did not want him, he would not leave, even if he had to sleep in a tent outside her door.

Deng Ruyun frowned and paused. “But it rains in the mountains at night.”

“That’s alright. What have we soldiers not seen? We can stay anywhere for the night.” He was not afraid.

He refused to leave, his gaze fixed on her.

Deng Ruyun was already too busy with pharmaceutical research and trials. The epidemic was spreading rapidly, and she and Bai Chunfu had agreed to develop a specific medicine to combat this year’s epidemic. How could she have time to figure out anything else?

But even though she did not say it, he seemed to have guessed.

He whispered to her.

“If Yunniang has not thought it through, take your time. It can take a long time, three or five years. Do not rush to answer me.”

He feared she would push him away again if he spoke directly, refusing him no matter what, and only said, “Right now, I just want to help you with something.”

He spoke softly, as if Deng Ruyun would be bullying him if she said anything harsh.

However, since he had said that, Deng Ruyun breathed a sigh of relief. She said she still had to go see the patients, sighed, and left.

*

Teng Yue’s group did not actually need to set up camp outside the town. The village chief was an old friend of Shopkeeper Qin and naturally knew the general’s identity, though he had not mentioned it to others. Before nightfall and rain, he found a courtyard for Teng Yue’s personal guards to stay in.

The guards had been following Teng Yue for many days and were exhausted. Some had even developed symptoms of the epidemic. Deng Ruyun went to see two soldiers with slightly more severe symptoms. It was not appropriate to send them away any longer, so she could only let them rest with the locals, distribute medicine, and include them in the list of cases to be observed.

However, some of Teng Yue’s personal guards had contracted the disease, and even Tang Zuo showed some early symptoms.

Deng Ruyun emerged from the courtyard where they were staying and could not help but look at Teng Yue.

“You…”

He had been traveling for over a month, and his injuries had not fully healed. Could he have also caught the disease?

Before she could finish speaking, the man interrupted.

“I am fine. I am very healthy, you know that. Do not worry about me, Yunniang.”

She was no longer his wife, nor his legal wife, so there was indeed no need for her to worry. But these words sounded strange. Seeing that he seemed to be in good spirits and did not appear to be ill, she pursed her lips and did not ask any more questions, walking away from the other side.

Seeing that she did not want to talk to him, Teng Yue did not say anything more, simply following her quietly back to the Deng family’s courtyard.

Grandmother and the others were already asleep. Xiuniang fetched water for Deng Ruyun to wash up and brought it to her room. Seeing the general follow her back like a shadow, she muttered something, frowned, glanced at him, and left.

Unexpectedly, it started raining as soon as Xiuniang left. This narrow courtyard had no veranda whatsoever, only short eaves that barely sheltered the area in front of the door.

Deng Ruyun was naturally dry inside, but she noticed the person standing outside her door, who would not dare enter without her permission.

He stood under the eaves, his shoulders already damp. He shook off the rain and glanced at the dark, cloud-covered night sky, but showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he surveyed the somewhat old courtyard and asked Deng Ruyun a question.

“Is it leaking in Yunniang’s room? If it is, I will go to the roof and cover it with a few tiles. It looks like it will rain more tonight.”

He asked, glancing over the roofs of her grandmother’s and Aunt Juan’s rooms as he spoke, his shoulders almost soaked through.

Deng Ruyun did not want to say much, but seeing the increasingly dense rain outside the eaves, she had no choice but to speak.

“Come inside first.”

At these words, the man, who had been facing away from her, paused slightly, then turned around, his eyes blinking, reflecting the candlelight in her room.

“Really?”

The question seemed to have another meaning, so Deng Ruyun could only add.

“To avoid the rain.”

But even just avoiding the rain made his eyes shine brightly. He brushed the raindrops off his clothes, as if afraid of wetting her room, and only then did he step inside.

The small courtyard room was narrow; his tall figure seemed to occupy most of it as he entered.

Deng Ruyun stood by the desk, looking at him, and coincidentally, he looked at her as well.

As their eyes met, the already narrow room seemed to shrink even further.

Under the pattering rain, their breath seemed to mingle.

But then, Deng Ruyun looked away.

*

At the Teng Mansion in Xi’an City.

Old Madam Lin, upon hearing the news from Teng Yue’s personal guards, who had returned on horseback, that they had found Yunniang, stood up.

But upon hearing that Deng Ruyun had gone to hide in a deep mountain, she felt a mix of emotions.

The contract was ultimately made between her and Yunniang. Now that Teng Yue had found her, given Yunniang’s personality, she might have reservations about returning with him. Since it was she who made the decision, she should naturally explain it clearly to Yunniang; perhaps then Teng would have a better chance.

Thinking of this, she ordered preparations to be made. She would go to the mountains the next morning as soon as the city gates opened.

At least this would resolve Yunniang’s worries. As for Yunniang’s future, that would be up to her.