latelenovela Chapter 211: It is difficult to be together due to the bondage of worldly affairs.
Chapter 211: It is difficult to be together due to the bondage of worldly affairs.
The day after my cousin's visit was the master's birthday party. The family wanted to have some fun, so they decided to hold Xiu Jin's welcoming party together.
The dim yellow candlelight swayed in the wind, casting mottled shadows on the carved beams and painted buildings of the house.
In the central courtyard hall, a long sandalwood table was filled with delicacies.
The old landlord sat in the main seat. His eyes were invisible when he smiled, and the wrinkles on his face turned into deep gullies under the candlelight.
The guests who came to celebrate the birthday were all family members, including the first wife, the second wife and the third wife, as well as the young masters and young ladies they raised.
Most children from wealthy families mature precociously. They are gently pushed and shoved by their mothers, and they all run out to present gifts and make jokes.
The cousin walked lightly with lotus steps, holding in her hand a carefully prepared gift, which was a picture of pine and crane longevity that she had painted herself. Although the brushstrokes were a little immature, they also revealed a spirit of elegance.
She walked up to the old man, bowed slightly, and said, "Uncle, may you be like this pine and crane, blessed with longevity, health and happiness, and live long and well."
The tone is clear and melodious, like the singing of a nightingale.
The master was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He quickly ordered someone to take the gift and took the cousin's hand and said, "Good girl, it's so thoughtful."
Xiu Jin stood up and her eyes inadvertently swept to the third wife beside her. This sight made her slightly stunned.
The third wife was wearing a rose-red velvet cheongsam and had fashionable curly hair, and her eyes and eyebrows exuded a sense of beauty and charm.
The cousin was secretly surprised that the third wife looked almost the same age as herself.
She couldn't help but think of the various rumors she had heard about the Third Wife in the past, and her mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.
But he still maintained a decent smile on his face, but the smile never reached his eyes.
Amid the laughter of the crowd, Xiu Jin quietly found a corner and sat down, playing with a handkerchief in her hands, but her eyes drifted towards the third wife from time to time.
A maidservant hurried by carrying a wine jug and accidentally tripped over the threshold.
Along with the panicked cry for mercy, the wine spilled on the ground, wetting an area of the floor, which looked like a pool of dark red blood.
Before the master could lose his temper, there was a slight commotion at the door, and everyone's attention was drawn over.
A young man in a neat suit strode in. He was the third young master Tang Nian'an, who had studied abroad and served in the army, and the youngest son of the eldest concubine.
He has a slender figure and walks with the sharp steps that are unique to soldiers, but his experience of studying abroad has also added a bit of the free and unrestrained Western charm.
His hair was combed back neatly, revealing a smooth and full forehead, his sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, and he had a confident and hearty smile on his face.
The smile arrives before the person arrives.
The third young master walked straight to the center of the birthday hall, and under the gaze of everyone, he gracefully performed a standard birthday greeting to the old birthday star.
Tang Nian'an behaved gracefully, causing the guests around him to nod in praise.
After sitting down, I chatted and laughed with a table of peers about interesting things happening outside.
Looking around, his eyes were unconsciously attracted by an elegant figure.
She sat quietly by the side, like a lily emitting a faint fragrance.
Her face is delicate, her skin is whiter than snow, and her eyes are like a pool of autumn water, full of affection.
A few strands of hair fell on her fair neck, adding a touch of beauty.
The moment their eyes met, the Third Young Master was stunned, with a hint of surprise and excitement in his eyes.
This was not acting. The actor who played the Third Young Master was simply told at short notice that the female lead had been replaced, but he had no idea that the new actress would be so beautiful and graceful.
It perfectly fits the image of his cousin.
The third young master in the play was just like him. He had never seen such a gentle and graceful woman from the south of the Yangtze River, which made his heart beat faster involuntarily.
The cousin was keenly aware of his gaze which seemed real. She lowered her eyelids, but could not help but secretly look up again, and glanced at him from the corner where no one else could see.
The Third Young Master came back to his senses and pinched his thigh under the table. Thinking of the glance just now, he couldn't help but laugh: "I have never seen this sister before. I should not forget how beautiful she is."
"This is your younger sister Xiu Jin who came from Jiangnan. You should call her cousin." The elder sister joked.
Xiu Jin stood up and spoke in a soft Wu dialect, without any shyness of an unmarried young lady: "Cousin, I have heard of your name for a long time. Today I see that you are as handsome as my mother said."
Although it was clearly just a simple polite remark, the Third Young Master could not suppress the ever-increasing smile on his face, and drank bowl after bowl of the soup as if it were wine.
After the banquet, the eldest wife called Xiu Jin over and spoke to her in private. Seeing that it was getting late, she was about to send someone to escort the cousin back to her room.
"Mother, please let me come. This is the first time I've met a sister who I get along so well with. The party was so rushed that I didn't have time to catch up..."
Tang Nian'an stood in front of the door and waved his hands, as if he would not leave unless his mother agreed.
Seeing Xiu Jin, the Third Young Master showed a surprised smile: "Cousin, we meet again. Let me take you there. I happen to live next door." The room next door to the next door.
The eldest concubine still believed in the character of her youngest son. Although Nian An had a cheerful personality, he was the same to everyone and didn't get closer to anyone. Now he was so attentive...
She suddenly realized something, her eyes lingered on the two of them meaningfully, she smiled mischievously, and waved her hand: "Go ahead, go ahead. If anything happens to Miss Cousin, come back and see how I'll deal with you!"
"I know, I know--"
The corridor leading to the backyard has blue-gray square bricks underfoot.
On both sides of the corridor, vermilion pillars stand upright. If you just raise your head slightly, you can see the wooden beams and carved and painted buildings.
"I heard that my cousin is from Jiangnan?" The third young master's eyes were burning, and it was unclear whether he was longing for the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan or looking at the beauty through the scenery.
"Yes, we are the best in walnut carving, seal carving and silk reeling. If there is a chance in the future, Xiu Jin will definitely invite the Third Young Master to Jiangnan for a good trip."
The cousin was waving a sandalwood fan and smiling brightly, and her lively nature was exposed when she was alone.
"Xiu Jin...what a nice name..." Tang Nian'an murmured softly.
Then he came closer and shouted in dissatisfaction: "Cousin, why are you so distant now? Just call me cousin or Brother Nian'an."
The cousin just smiled and said nothing.
The dinner started at around seven or eight o'clock, and now it was completely dark outside.
There were few people here. The maids and servants were all cleaning up the hall in the middle courtyard. The evening breeze was blowing gently, and their footsteps made a tapping sound on the blue bricks. It was quiet and leisurely.
The top of the corridor was paved with green tiles. Listening to the third young master's introduction, Xiu Jin could imagine the raindrops sliding down the eaves and dripping along the hanging tiles.
Looking out from between the pillars, on one side are the houses scattered in an orderly manner in the central courtyard, and the lattices on the doors and windows cast light and shadows under the sunlight.
On the other side is a corner of the garden, with a few flower shadows poking out from the branches.
Walking slowly along the corridor, there is a stone bench every few steps. At the corners of the corridor, there are several red lanterns hanging.
At the hour of Xu, it is already time to go to bed in rural areas and some small towns, but the wealthy landlords have just finished their dinner parties.
The streets outside the wall were empty, with only lanterns and candles flickering.
Xiu Jin noticed that there was a wing room in front. The area was particularly dark and there were no lanterns hanging on the pillars.
From a distance, the flowers and plants are much more lush than anywhere else.
There is nothing wrong with this. It is normal for wealthy families to have many houses and not be fully occupied.
But the dark shadow with its back to her caught her attention.
The cousin leaned over to look and saw what seemed to be a woman with a graceful figure, low-pile hair, and a dark green cheongsam that was clearly visible even in the dark night.
The woman's shoulders shook and she seemed to be crying. They were not far apart, about fifty meters.
Xiu Jin happened to pass by and was standing on the arch bridge in the garden. Next to her was the Third Young Master, who was talking incessantly about which concubine had raised a fat koi in the pond.
Xiu Jin was curious and was about to go over to find out what was going on, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed by Tang Nian'an.
She turned around in confusion, but before she could ask, she saw the Third Young Master hastily loosen his hand, seeming a little embarrassed. The dim lantern could not reveal whether he was blushing or not.
"Don't go there. It has been abandoned for a long time. Usually only some servants who were punished live there. It's too unsafe for you to go there alone."
"Isn't it you, cousin?" The cousin giggled and pointed at the figure that slowly crouched down and curled up, a little worried: "Was she also punished?"
She doesn't look like a servant, does she? Could she be a young lady who has been wronged?
A stone fell from the third young master's hand into the lake, splashing water with a splash, scaring the fat carp so much that it wagged its tail.
This sudden movement made Xiu Jin subconsciously turn her head to look at him, but Tang Nian'an said strangely: "Where is the person?"
"Then...huh?"
When I turned around again, there was no one there, as if all that was an illusion.
"Strange, I just saw a woman standing there, and then she squatted down..."
"That should be the maid who does the laundry, right?" The third young master scratched his head. He went abroad to study since he was a child, and joined the army after growing up. He spent very little time at home.
"Do you want to go over and take a look?" The third young master held a lamp and stood in front of Xiu Jin.
The cousin nodded. It was so late, and she came here crying alone. If something happened, it might involve a life.
The two walked cautiously towards the source of light, the dim light swaying in the night.
They turned into the side of the garden where no one had been to for a long time. The surroundings were so quiet that it was a little eerie, and only the sound of their footsteps echoed on the stone road.
The walls of the wing rooms were covered with mottled moss. In the garden, an ancient well stood silently. The stone at the well mouth had deep marks worn by ropes, and the water in the well was so deep that the bottom could not be seen.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and the flame of the lamp flickered a few times. The third young master looked around but didn't see anyone.
But this place is too remote, and the evening wind is a bit cold. He took off his coat and wrapped it around Xiu Jin, hugging her worriedly:
"There really is no one here. They must have noticed that we have left. Let's go back quickly. It's too cold here. Be careful not to catch a cold."
During this process, he accidentally touched Xiu Jin's fingertips, and he pulled them back suddenly as if they were burned.
The cousin took in all of the Third Young Master's reactions and smiled.
I am clearly from Jiangnan, so why is this third young master who studied abroad more reserved and shy than me?
After sending the person to the door of the wing room, Tang Nian'an breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the maid Cui'er who came to pick him up. He turned around reluctantly and was about to leave.
"Wait a moment!"
The cousin took a step forward and touched the collar with one hand: "Cousin, your coat..."
But Tang Nian'an suddenly started to jog, looking back as he ran: "I'll come get it next time, next time!"
The laughter in the voice could not be concealed and spread far away.
Xiu Jin watched the Third Young Master walk away, feeling the warmth of her coat, she curled her lips and scolded with a smile: "There will be a next time, you scoundrel!"
Cui'er lowered her head and stepped forward to take the coat: "Miss, Cui'er will help you wash it."
"Forget it. This kind of dress usually can't be washed. I'll do it myself."
"Yes--"
A long creaking sound pierced the long night, and a candlelight lit up in the room. Xiu Jin carefully folded her coat and put it in the mezzanine of the closet.
After washing up, he lay on the bed and watched Cui'er extinguish the candles in the room and walk away from the side of the room with a small lamp.
It was not until the slanted shadow of the head disappeared from the paper window that Xiu Jin felt sleepy.
In the last moment before she lost consciousness, she seemed to see a vague figure appear behind the window and stand there quietly.
The cousin felt that she had entered a very strange state. She was obviously very sleepy, her eyelids were closed, her whole body was relaxed, but her consciousness was still active.
It is hard to tell whether she is asleep or dreaming, or not asleep at all.
She clearly heard a singing voice coming from outside the door, and it was getting closer and closer to her.
At first, the sound was as thin as a thread, carrying a hint of coolness, and penetrated into people's hearts.
The pitch is a little off, containing endless sorrow and loneliness.
As time went on, the woman's singing became more and more crazy, but she seemed to be suppressed by something, trampling on her own voice.
Xiu Jin didn't hear the noise of the doors and windows being opened, but the sound was getting closer and closer...
In the end, it was like something was singing in her ear.
"The courtyard is deep... as deep as an abyss, and the emotions... disturb the heartstrings."
Xiu Jin's consciousness began to sink, her hands and feet felt cold, and the thing was still approaching.
"When we met in front of the hall, our eyes lingered, but I was...bound to death. Under the moon, we made a promise, and I thought of it in my heart, with tears falling...I couldn't sleep at night."
In the dream, a woman with an exquisite bun was sitting by the well. The moonlight made her face look pale, and only her rosy lips could be seen.
She untied and combed her hair, combed and untied it, lowered her head and sang: "The world is bound, it is difficult to be together, love becomes sorrow, hatred is endless... endless..."
As the woman continued to sing, the cousin's situation became worse and worse, as if she had been put headfirst into a narrow well, with the cold well water covering her mouth and nose.
The sound of the woman crying and laughing became unclear under the influence of water.
My body seemed to be pressed down by well water from all directions, and my limbs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and I couldn't move at all.
No matter how hard I tried to lift my arms or move my legs, I couldn't.
This feeling of powerlessness made her panic, especially when she was conscious.
At the same time, breathing becomes extremely difficult, and every inhalation and exhalation requires tremendous effort.
Xiu Jin could clearly sense the dim light in the room, but her mouth seemed to be glued shut, and she could only make faint, unclear sounds in her throat.