Chapter 111

On the road back to the capital, the black-lacquered flat-roofed carriage wasn’t hindered. It entered the capital after it was driven past the outside moat.

It was still early in the day, so Wei Luo and Liang Yu Rong didn’t directly head back to their homes. They decided to stroll around the capital and take the opportunity to buy a few things.

Liang Yu Rong had recently heard about a candied fruit store in the southern part of the city called Ba Bao Xuan. The store also had specialty fruit candy. Not only did they have apricots, plums, and melon, they also had the rarely seen olives, begonias, and pears. These flavors were sweet and sour with a rich fruit taste. Liang Yu Rong had eaten the candy from here a few days ago and had been frequently thinking about it since then. Today, she finally had free time. No matter what, she had to bring Wei Luo along and go buy some of the candy to bring home.

Wei Luo agreed to go with her since she wasn’t busy either.

The carriage brought the three people to Ba Bao Xuan. As expected, it was a place with many customers. There was a long line of people waiting outside that extended to the other side of the street. Most of the people buying the candied fruit were young women. The young ladies from noble houses didn’t need to show to their faces. They had their servant girls waiting in line for them.

Seeing so many people, Wei Luo’s enthusiasm faded. Troubled, she furrowed her eyebrows and said, “How long will we have to wait…”

Liang Yu Rong held her hand and wasn’t the slightest bit worried. In high spirits, she led her away from the crowd and walked towards the store’s entrance. “This store is owned by my older sister-in-law’s family. If you come here to buy candy with me, there’s no reason for you to wait in line.”

Liang Yu Rong’s sister-in-law was Marquis Lu Yang’s second daughter, Wei Shuang.

Wei Shuang was seventeen years old this years. She was sensible with a gentle and agreeable temperament. She was the perfect match for Liang Yu. After they were married, they were a lovey-dovey couple that seemed to be stuck together by glue.Wei Shuang was already two months pregnant.

Wei Shuang’s family had owned stores in the capital for over ten years. Ba Bao Xuan was one of them. So whenever Liang Yu Rong came to this place, she received treatment that couldn’t be enjoyed by others.

The two of them entered the store and saw a girl selecting things at the front table. She was wearing a robe decorated with a light pink rose pattern.

Seeing Liang Yu Rong, the storekeeper hurriedly gestured for a shop assistant to help that girl while he personally came forward and said, “Miss, you came. What type of candied fruit would you like to try this visit?”

Liang Yu Rong looked around. There were various types of candied fruit displayed in the decoratively carved cedar cabinets. Each one looked very delicious. She had a difficult time deciding, so she pointed at every variety. In total, she pointed at eight varieties of candied fruit. “Wrap up two portions of those types… And that winter melon, wrap up two portions of that too.”

Candied winter melon was the store’s best selling item. As soon as one batch was finished, it would be swept away into the bags of customers. It was probably because not only was it sweet and sour, it also had a delicious crispness. It was sweet without being greasy. And the most important thing was that it wasn’t fattening. It would also help with constipation and improve one’s appearance by nourishing the skin. It was extremely popular with girls.

The storekeeper showed a slightly distressed expression. He looked at the girl next to them and said, “There were only two portions of candied winter melon left. That girl has already requested it…”

Hearing this, Liang Yu Rong and Wei Luo looked at that girl.

When their gazes landed on that girl’s body, the atmosphere immediately cooled.

This person was Wei Zheng!

In only a month, she had lost so much weight that she didn’t look presentable. There were dark circles around her sunken eyes and her complexion looked horrible. Her eyes were muddy and Her lips were pale. If Wei Luo hadn’t grown up with her, she wouldn’t be able to recognize her. In the past, she had the appearance of a lovely, cute girl. Now, she looked more like a ghost than a human… No wonder she didn’t go to the palace banquet. If she had gone like this, who knows how many people she would have scared?

Wei Zheng had also seen them. She hurriedly turned her head away to avoid their line of sight.

Liang Yu Rong opened and closed her mouth. She seemed to have been frightened by Wei Zheng’s appearance. A long time later, she said, “Then, we don’t want it. Give…”

Give it to her.

Her appearance was too frightening. Liang Yu Rong wasn’t able to continue speaking the rest of her sentence.

Wei Zheng suddenly turned around to fiercely glare at her for a moment. Then, without even taking the candied fruit she had recently ordered, she turned around and left the store.

Her servant girl picked up the candied fruit they had already brought and hurriedly followed after her.

Wei Luo and Liang Yu Rong looked at each other in dismay. Liang Yu Rong incredulously asked, “How did Wei Zheng become like that? Did someone make a voodoo doll and curse her?”

Wei Luo blinked to indicate that she didn’t know the answer either.

——–

Outside Ba Bao Xuan, there was a gorgeously decorated carriage parked at the entrance.

Jiang Miao Lang was sitting inside the carriage and looking at the figure that had left. She didn’t let go of the dark green window curtain embroidered with golden peonies until that person was far away. She lowered her eyes and didn’t say a word.

That girl had looked very similar to Du-shi. She looked like she was about the same age as Wei Luo. The carriage she was riding in also had Duke Ying’s residence’s symbol. She was probably a young lady from Duke Ying’s residence.

Wei Kun… Did he marry Du Yue Ying in the end? Was that girl the daughter he had with Du Yue Ying?

Jiang Miao Lan thought about what had happened back then. Her eyes gradually dimmed and revealed the chilliness of autumn. Very quickly, she curved her lips into a self-depreciating smile. She had already been gone for so long and had changed so much herself. What right did she have to expect that Wei Kun would remain the same? Besides, when she had left that year, didn’t she already know what had happened between him and Du Yue Ying?

Wei Kun’s marriage to Du Yue Ying was within her expectations.

Seeing that her expression didn’t look right, the servant girl next to her called out in Wu Rong’s language, “Madam?”

Jiang Miao Lang suddenly returned to her senses. She pursed her lips, faintly smiled, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The servant girl pointed at Ba Bao Xuan, “Did you want to buy something from there? Do you want this servant to leave the carriage and wait in line?” From the servant girl’s perspective, she had rushed her from Ci Temple without even pausing to worship Buddha and stopped in front of this candied fruit store. She should probably really want to buy something from here. But, she had continued to sit in the carriage without moving. Her actions were very hard to comprehend.

Jiang Miao Lan tilted her head. From a small crack between the window and the curtain, she saw that Wei Luo and Liang Yu Rong had walked out of the store. She considered for a moment, then she said, “No, follow the carriage in front of us.”

After they came out of Ba Bao Xuan, Liang Yu Rong went back with Wei Luo to Duke Ying’s residence.

Seeing that Liang Yu Rong didn’t intend to go home, Wei Luo felt confused and asked, “Didn’t you say you wanted to go home?”

Carrying two bags of candied fruit, Liang Yu Rong pursed her lips and awkwardly laughed. With an expression as if her actions were completely normal, she said, “I bought candied fruit for older brother Wei Chang Ying. I’ll go home after I deliver them to him.”

Why was she delivering candied fruit to him? Didn’t she only recently send him pastries? When would she stop? Would this be never ending? Wei Luo felt endless regret. She shouldn’t have softened her heart and agreed to deliver those bags of pastries and candy. Great, now that their fate had started, it wouldn’t be easy to break them apart.

Wei Luo asked her, “Why do you want to give presents to older cousin Chang Yin?”

She said, “When we recently met in the courtyard, I said that I was going to Ba Bao Xuan to buy candied fruit and asked in the passing if he liked them too. He said that he liked them, so I wanted to buy some for him too…”

Wei Luo had a headache. She really didn’t know what she should say to Liang Yu Rong. She stretched her hand out and made an effort by saying, “I’ll deliver this to older cousin for you.”

Liang Yu Rong immediately hid the bags of candy behind her and shook her head like a rattle-drum. “I still have words I want to say to older brother Chang Yin.”

Wei Luo looked at her and was silent for a long time.

She couldn’t let them continue like this. The situation had already escaped her control and was slowly heading towards the ending in her previous life. Wei Luo didn’t want Liang Yu Rong to experience that pain again. After considering for while, she decided to have a honest conversation with her. Wei Luo had Chang Hong return to his room first, then she pulled Liang Yu Rong towards a quiet corner that was hidden behind a large rock. Completely serious, she asked, “Yu Rong, do you like my older cousin?”

Liang Yu Rong froze for a moment. She didn’t expect that Wei Luo would be so blunt about asking her this question. Her white jade-like face quickly turned red. “I…”

She stammered for a long time. Without any confidence, she refuted, “It’s not like that.”

But, who would believe her? A discerning person would be able to see the truth in a single glance.

If she didn’t like him, why would she do her best to treat Wei Chang Yin well? Why did she think about him even when she was buying candied fruit?

Wei Luo suddenly felt anxious. This foolish girl had truly failed to live up to expectations! She had given away her heart after only interacting with Wei Chang Yin a few times. Did she not think about her future? In a moment of desperation, Wei Luo blurted out, “Yu Rong, you can’t like my older cousin.”

Liang Yu Rong froze for a moment and subconsciously asked, “Why not?”

Wei Luo looked at her and in serious tone, she said, “Do you really not know why? My older cousin’s leg is injured. He won’t be able to walk for the rest of his life. If you marry him, you’ll have to care of him for the rest of his life. Even if this does not trouble you, will your parents agree? Will the two of you have a happy ending?”

Wei Luo’s words were slightly harsh, but she was only worried about her. She only said these words for her sake. Just as she expected, Liang Yu Rong’s eyes became red. The normally carefree young girl was actually feeling helpless. A long time later, she finally opened her mouth to say, “I don’t think older brother Chang Yin is troublesome. I can take care of him for a lifetime…” She pressed her lips together. With a confused expression in her eyes, she continued, “Ah Luo, I don’t know if I like him. Every time I see older brother Chang Yin, my heart hurts. He’s such an elegant and refined person. He should be living a happier life. Do you remember how older brother Chang Yin looked when he was going through his recurring leg pain last time? I felt bad for him just looking at him, but he was actually able to smile.” Then, she lowered her head and repeated, “I feel so sorry for him.”

So, it was because of this reason…

Wei Luo face-palmed. She hadn’t expected that she would shoot herself in the foot. Originally, she had wanted to Liang Yu Rong to take a step back after seeing that difficult scene Instead, it had only made Liang Yu Rong feel sympathetic.

This was probably predestined fate. No matter what Wei Luo did, what was meant to happen would still happen.

Wei Luo thought for a moment, then she said, “But your parents won’t agree.”

Marquis Ping Yuan and his wife cherished Liang Yu Rong. No one would be willing to marry their daughter to a cripple. Liang Yu Rong also understood this point. She opened her mouth and tried to mumble something. In the end, she didn’t say anything. She raised her head and beseechingly looked at Wei Luo, “Then, at least, let me see older brother Chang Yin one last time. Let me give him this bag of candied fruit. Okay?”

Remembering Liang Yu Rong’s tragic ending in her past life, Wei Luo couldn’t bear to say no. She nodded her head and said, “Okay, just see him one last time.”

Previously, Wei Luo had felt defensive towards Liang Yu Rong. She was afraid that Liang Yu Rong would fall for Wei Chang Yin. Now, she could no longer stop this. Since she already liked him, Wei Luo could only think of ways to help them. She couldn’t let them make the same mistake in this lifetime. If she could find a way for them to marry, that would be the best.

But, did Wei Chang Yin like Liang Yu Rong? In her previous life, he didn’t see Liang Yu Rong even at the very end. What type of feelings did he have towards her?

Wei Luo still had to carefully consider this matter.

At Banyan Tree Courtyard, after Liang Yu Rong left, Wei Luo arrived at the entrance to Wei Chang Yin’s room.

Inside the room, Wei Chang Yin was sitting behind a decoratively carved red sandalwood table. There were two packages of candied fruit in front of him. One was winter melon flavor. The other was begonia flavor. His gaze was slightly lowered. His long fingers were placed on the beech wheelchair. Who knows what he was thinking about?

Wei Luo had been standing outside the room for a while, but he actually didn’t notice.

He didn’t look up until Wei Luo knocked on the door. He smiled and said, “Ah Luo, you’re here.

“Older cousin.” Wei Luo used to rarely come to Banyan Tree Courtyard. Because of Liang Yu Rong, she had come here many times recently. She looked at the candied fruit on the table and asked a question that she already knew the answer, “Did Liang Yu Rong give this to older cousin? Have you tasted them yet? The taste is pretty good.”

Wei Chang Yin lifted his right hand and pushed the candied winter melon towards her. He smiled and said, “I recently tried it. If you like it, you can take all of it.”

Wei Luo hurriedly waved her hand and refused, “Yu Rong gave you this. If I took all of it, she would definitely be mad. Older cousin Chang Yin, it would be better if you keep them to eat.”

Thinking of Liang Yu Rong’s smiling face when she recently delivered the candied fruit, Wei Chang Yin couldn’t resist curving the corner of his mouth.

Wei Luo thought about the reason why she had come here, sat down on the sandalwood kaiguan stool across from him, and supported her cheeks in her hands. After hesitating for a long time, she finally couldn’t resist asking, “Older cousin Chang Yin, how would you describe Yu Rong?”

Her words were slightly abrupt. Wei Chang Yin furrowed his eyebrows and didn’t reply.

“Yu Rong has been a warm-hearted and kind person since she was a child. She’s a very wonderful girl. Older cousin Chang Yin, even if I don’t say those words, you can see that for yourself.” Wei Luo didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point. “But, she also has a one-track mind. She won’t turn around until she’s hit a wall. Because she’s too close to older cousin Chang Yin, it’s inevitable that she would have feelings. She’s like a sister to me, so I have to consider her needs. Older cousin Chang Yin, if you don’t have any feelings towards her, don’t have any further contact with her.”

Wei Chang Yin couldn’t help clenching his hand around the wheelchair. His eyes darkened and his emotions weren’t clear anymore. He always had a calm appearance, but there was suddenly anxiety in his eyes. He was silent for a long time. He didn’t know how to reply to Wei Luo’s words.

He had already known for a long time that with his body, he couldn’t marry anyone. If he married someone, he would only be ruining her. Because of this reason, he had sealed off his emotions and suppressed his desires. He had never felt anything towards another person. But, he didn’t expect that a young girl would one day violently collide into him and enter his life despite everything. She treated him fondly and considerately. He knew that she only did this out of sympathy, but emotions still stirred upwards from the bottom of his heart.

Wei Chang Yin couldn’t help wanting to move closer to her and draw out more warmth from her.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten that he was a cripple and couldn’t give anyone happiness.

After being silent for a long time, he finally said, “Okay, I won’t see her in the future.”

Wei Luo’s intention wasn’t for him to retreat. She wanted to incite him into action. After thinking for a moment, she continued speaking, “If older cousin Chang Ying likes Yu Rong, wouldn’t it be fine if you did your best to fight for her? You wouldn’t be burdening her. If two people who mutually love each other marry, it’s only normally for them to support each other. If you’re worried about burdening her, then why can’t you do your best to cure your leg injury?”

Wei Chang Yin looked at her. He didn’t expect that she would change the direction of her words so quickly.

Wei Luo slowly started to speak, “When we went to Qian Temple, didn’t that abbot say that your leg injury could be healed? You just need to find the doctor called Fu Xing Yun…”

Wei Chang Yin smiled and said, “I’ve already ordered people to look for him. They still haven’t found him yet.”

Blocked off by his words, Wei Luo couldn’t continue speaking.

She had already said everything that she could. As she was leaving, she tried one more desperate tactic by saying, “Yu Rong’s parents are currently discussing her marriage. If older cousin Chang Yin doesn’t figure things out soon, there will no longer be anyone to bring you candied fruit in the future.” Then, she looked at the candied winter melon on the table for a moment before turning around and leaving the room.

Wei Chang Yin sat in the wheelchair and watched her walk far away. Tired, his body slowly leaned back until he touched the back of the beech wheelchair. He slowly closed his eyes.

——–

A gorgeously decorated carriage was parked at the small alleyway across from Duke Ying’s residence’s entrance.

Jiang Miao Lan was wearing a moon white cloak embroidered with magnolia flowers and lined with fox fur. She looked at this familiar residence and thought of her memories of this place. All sorts of feelings welled up in her heart. She had once lived here for a few years and had given birth to a cute pair of fraternal twins. At the time when she had decided to leave, she never thought there would be a day when she would return.

Now, she had only seen her two children for a moment and couldn’t resist coming back here again.

Almost fifteen years had passed. Her Ah Luo and Chang Hong had grown up. Back then, when she had given birth to them while suffering great hardship, they were so small and seemed as if they would break with a single touch. Now, Ah Luo had grown up to be a young woman and Chang Hong had grown to be a young man… They had probably forgotten about the mother that had given birth to them.

Standing outside the carriage, Jiang Miao Lan looked for a while. In the end, she turned around and said to the servant girl, “Let’s go back to the inn.”

The servant girl didn’t understand her intentions. They had gone to so many places. Was it really just to stand outside an entrance to look? Although she was very curious, she didn’t ask further.

The servant girl lifted up the curtain. Just as she was about to ask Jiang Miao Lan to enter the carriage, she saw a person hurriedly walking out of Duke Ying’s residence.

Wei Kun was wearing an ink-colored robe embroidered with golden thread. He had heard a servant say there was a person outside the entrance that looked very similar to Jiang Miao Lan. He immediately stopped what he was doing. Without even taking the time to put on his shoes, he hurriedly rushed outside.

Standing at the entrance, Wei Kun looked at the woman entering the gorgeously decorated carriage. His heart suddenly started pounding. He was afraid that his eyesight was wrong. He was scared that if he blinked she would disappear again.

Jiang Miao Lan also saw him. Shortly after, she turned around, leaned over, and entered the carriage.

The carriage didn’t wait for him. The driver raised his whip to start their journey back.

Wei Kun finally returned to his sense. Disregarding his dignity, he hurriedly ran over. At this moment, he didn’t care about his status or reputation. He only wanted to stop her. He had to stop her! He finally caught up to the carriage and not caring about anything else, he stood in front of the horse and shouted, “Stop!”

The driver was afraid of hitting him. He hurriedly grabbed the reins and stopped the horse. He asked in discontentment, “Do you no longer want to live?

Wei Kun didn’t even look at him. His gaze was fixed on the tightly closed curtains. His eyes were pleading and his mouth was trembling. “Don’t go… Please, don’t go. Let me see you.”