Chapter Four: All About the Bi Luo Chun of West Lake
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Madam Bai stood silently, her eyes fixed on Zhao Shuangshuang, who clung tightly to Lin Yuanzhi’s neck. Compared to herself—the legitimate wife—Zhao Shuangshuang looked more like Lin Yuanzhi’s new bride.
Especially after Zhao Shuangshuang winced in pain, Lin Yuanzhi’s indifferent expression instantly shifted to one of urgent concern. He pushed Madam Bai aside and rushed toward the mansion, shouting, “Where is the household doctor? Are they all dead?!”
Madam Bai’s face visibly paled. It was Lin Zhaozhao’s quick reflexes that steadied Madam Bai, allowing her to take a deep breath and, with a strained tone, block his path, saying, “Husband, weren’t you out managing the flood? And Zhao… what’s going on here?”
Lin Yuanzhi was stopped, his voice tinged with frustration, “I was on my way back from flood control when I happened to meet my cousin. We decided to travel together. When we stopped at a village due to heavy rain, I went out at night to inspect and unexpectedly encountered a mudslide. If not for my cousin pushing me away and risking herself…”
“In any case, she’s my lifesaver and already injured enough. The priority is to treat her first. Step aside!”
His righteous tone finally eased Madam Bai’s tension, though a pang of guilt gnawed at her. She had not been there to care for her husband when he was hurt, and now Zhao Shuangshuang had risked herself for him, yet she was still blocking their way to get help. That was truly unforgivable!
Lin Zhaozhao sneered inwardly.
“Pfft, ‘step aside’? I think that mudslide must have scrambled your brains! The little vixen is injured, and surely any maid or servant could have carried her back. Why must the marquis himself do the princess carry?”
“Isn’t this ancient times? Even if the customs of the Great Yong Dynasty are more liberal now, do you not realize what it means for an unmarried woman to be held by a man in public?”
Indeed!
Madam Bai frowned. She was grateful that Zhao Shuangshuang had saved her husband, but a married man and an unmarried woman in such close contact, in full view of everyone, was a slap to her face as the lawful wife. How could she feel at ease?
“Besides, if the little vixen is pitiful, what about my mother? She has cared for her children, been filial to her mother-in-law, and kept the empty house for three months without a single complaint. Yet here you are, playing the damsel saving the hero. What’s next? Marrying him as repayment? Scoundrel!”
Lin Yuanzhi was speechless.
What nonsense was this?!
His cousin had been injured saving him, plagued by nightmares for days, and they had to hurry their journey. Zhao Shuangshuang’s carriage was crude and uncomfortable. Being such a delicate girl, he had no choice but to share the carriage with her, and before disembarking, when she felt dizzy and nauseous, as a man in an emergency, he acted accordingly… There was no intention of marrying her!
Zhaozhao’s filthy thoughts made it seem as if he were some lecherous father, as if he had some improper relationship with Zhao Shuangshuang!
Feeling inexplicably embarrassed, Lin Yuanzhi shouted behind him,
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“What are you staring at? Hurry and take Miss Zhao to Frost Moon Pavilion to see a doctor for a pulse check and medicine!”
“No, Brother Yuanzhi, I’m scared…” Zhao Shuangshuang’s shoulders trembled as she clung tightly to Lin Yuanzhi, like a frightened little white rabbit with red eyes.
Madam Bai frowned, ready to say something, but suddenly a cheerful voice interrupted, teasing,
“Madam, what are you afraid of? Are you scared of freeloading at the Marquis of Qingyuan’s mansion, or afraid of losing your man’s ‘tender embrace’?”
Madam?
Zhao Shuangshuang was stunned—she was only twenty-one!
Moreover, Lin Zhaozhao was usually awkward and unlikeable, so why was she so sharp-tongued today?
Zhao Shuangshuang was momentarily speechless and pressed even closer to Lin Yuanzhi, feeling wronged, “I’m not…”
Lin Zhaozhao snapped, “Oh, you’re not scared? I thought so! You came here to beg for a living, and we weren’t even embarrassed to be afraid of you, so what do you have to fear?”
Zhao Shuangshuang: “?!”
Is she crazy? How could Lin Zhaozhao dare humiliate her like this!
“Wahhh,” Zhao Shuangshuang covered her face, “Marquis, look at Fifth Miss!”
“Marquis, look at Fifth Miss! Why are you clinging like that? Your chest is practically pressed against my father!”
“It’s all West Lake’s Bi Luo Chun tea—who couldn’t see your little scheme? You just want my father to carry you into the house, to flaunt your dominance and claim my mother’s dowry, right?!”
“I’m telling you, as long as I, Lin Zhaozhao, live a single day, that will never happen!”
Madam Bai was speechless.
Such a dutiful daughter.
Though perhaps her choice of words calling her “mother” was a little too intense.
No, she would have to teach her daughter properly later; if one day she accidentally let her true feelings slip out, it would be difficult to find a good husband!
Lin Qingci was speechless.
Looks like Lin Zhaozhao still held back a little when scolding me!
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Lin Yuanzhi was also speechless.
What nonsense about life and death!
Still, this was not the place to make a scene and invite ridicule or spread rumors of Zhaozhao’s sharp tongue and jealousy. So Madam Bai said,
“Since Miss Zhao is unwell, as the Marquis said, take her back to Frost Moon Pavilion to see the doctor!”
As soon as she spoke, servants stepped forward, placing Zhao Shuangshuang into a sedan chair and carrying her inside.
Lin Yuanzhi had wanted to personally follow to check on his cousin’s condition, but glancing at Madam Bai’s expression, he reluctantly gave up.
After all, he was dusty and smelly from the journey and needed to freshen up and eat.
Unexpectedly, midway through the meal, he looked up to see Madam Bai sitting beside him, her eyes red and filled with grievance.
Lin Yuanzhi was speechless.
He and Madam Bai had been young spouses once, full of passion, but after years of marriage—one year of sweetness, three years of quarrels, seven years of itching, nine years of hardship—their love faded into affection. Touching his wife’s hand felt as natural as touching his own.
Yet he never intended to take a concubine. Seeing his wife so upset and hurt by her wild thoughts only made him more irritated.
“I’ve already told you: my cousin and I are innocent. Carrying her was just a temporary measure! But look at how unreasonable you are! Especially Zhaozhao! Making things difficult for her outside the mansion, showing no understanding! I’ve been exhausted dealing with flood control, and this is how you support your husband and educate your children? What kind of example is that if it spreads?”
“If you have time to imagine wild things, you’d better teach Zhaozhao properly. If my cousin weren’t kind and pure, I would have had her kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and nights!”
“Or maybe it’s your brain that’s fried!”
“The oldest handsome guy with a pig’s brain, and yet so pure and kind! Believe me, in three counts, Zhao Shuangshuang will trick you under the guise of feeling unwell and lead you to Frost Moon Pavilion for a springtime revelry!”
“Witness the miracle, everyone, don’t blink!”
“Three, two, one—maid, go!”
No sooner had Lin Zhaozhao’s inner voice ended than a young maid’s anxious voice rang out from outside the courtyard,
“Master, something’s wrong! Miss Zhao is feeling unwell. Please come quickly and see her!”