A few days later, in the middle of the night, Fu Lu asked quietly outside: "Miss, are you asleep?"
Xie Miao turned over and responded vaguely: "En? Not yet."
Fu Lu said: "This slave can't sleep either."
Xie Miao's consciousness slowly returned. Knowing the reason for her abnormality, she suggested: "Come sleep with me?"
The sound of rustling clothes was heard, and Fu Lu entered the inner room softly. She turned off the lights and laid down on the outer side.
"Miss." In the darkness, her eyes widened and she stared blankly at the ceiling, "This slave can't sleep."
Xie Miao laid on her side on the pillow, " En, are you scared?"
Fu Lu's hands tightly grasped the quilt, "... en."
She had been suffering from insomnia for several nights. As soon as she closed her eyes, a mess of dirty and mixed colours appeared in her mind. The red is the flames engulfing the curtains, the navy blue is the panic of the Young Master, the apricot is the suppressed cry of the Young Lady, the dark brown and tassel are the screams of the uncle and his wife...
A hand reached over the thin quilt and accurately covered the back of her hand.
"Don't be afraid." In the silent night, Xie Miao's voice was soft and hazy, "Fu Lu, I'm here."
Fu Lu suddenly burst into tears.
She was sold into the Xie family by her parents when she was seven years old, and she and Lan Xia became the Young Lady's personal maids at the same time. She is older than Miss and Lan Xia, has always been steady and meticulous, and claims to be the most mature of the three. Although Lan Xia is loyal to the Young Lady, she always spoke unabashedly, so she followed behind and nagged her repeatedly. The Young Lady was orphaned due to the loss of her father. She was precocious and sensible, and always tolerated it when her relatives made things difficult for her. She would silently accompany the Young Lady when she was sad, giving her as much comfort as she could.
That night four years ago, Lan Xia went out to visit relatives. She was careless for a moment and was pushed out. When she came back, the courtyard was in a panic. The Young Lady huddled into a small ball and hid in a corner. Her eyes reflected fire, sorrow, and fear. Aside from that, there was sobbing and weeping.
For a long time after that, the Young Lady would always be awakened by nightmares while sleeping; trembling and whimpering while hugging the quilt. She felt distressed and blamed herself, but all she could do was hug the Young Lady and tell her that she would always be with her.
In that terrible memory, the only solace was the Second Lady's letter. The Second Lady said that her newly married husband was very kind to her. Although her stepdaughter was ignorant and naughty, fortunately, her stepson understood the general situation and took into account the overall situation well. Not only did he not reject her as a new mother, he was very respectful to her and helped her integrate into Cui Mansion...
For the Young Lady, the Second Young Master at that time was like a ray of light, shining into her dark life. She longed for the Second Young Master as if she was longing for light.
But everything has changed.
The Young Lady no longer chases the Second Young Master, and is no longer afraid of the past. The once weak and helpless little girl has gradually grown into an independent and persevering older girl. The Young Lady no longer needed her comforting embrace, but she was the one who shuddered and feared when she thought about the storm that Young Master Cousin might cause. What if Young Master Cousin made false remarks, talked nonsense, and slandered the Young Lady's innocence... What would everyone in the Cui Mansion, and the Second Young Master do if they listen to Young Master Cousin's words... What is to be done if the Young Lady's future is ruined...
"Miss." She choked and asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
Xie Miao said: "Not afraid."
"Are you really not afraid?"
Xie Miao smiled silently, "En, I'm really not afraid."
She has lived two lives. She has had a marriage that appeared to be harmonious but, in fact, was of two hearts. She witnessed the destruction of a family that had been officials for generations, and she experienced the life and death of being chased and killed.
In the twenty-five years of her previous life, before the age of twenty, she was still immature, would be afraid, panicked, and would place her hopes on others. But in the days that followed, she gradually realized that the so-called courage should not be obtained from others, but should be cultivated from within.
Only by breaking out of the cocoon can we redeem ourselves.
She is no longer afraid of Meng Yuantang. He is just one of the thousands of scum in the world. Fear is the nutrient that breeds his malice. Only by resisting firmly and fearlessly can she tear apart his hypocritical mask and crush his despicable and greedy desires.
She took Fu Lu into her arms and said softly: "Fu Lu, believe me. He is not as omnipotent as you think, and we are far stronger than we think."
Outside the window, the dawn breaks through the shackles of darkness, becoming a wonderful prelude before dawn. All pain will eventually turn into courage, becoming a lamp in the night, a tower in the deep sea, and a star board during a long voyage.
Have faith that if you keep going, you will find a way out.
*
The next day, Xie Miao was uncharacteristically dressed up and went out with only Fu Lu.
According to the trajectory of her previous life, Meng Yuantang would squat at the gate of Cui Mansion for several days. When he saw Wang Da driving out, he followed them all the way to the Xiangfen Shop.
Later, he pretended to be a customer and "encountered" her by chance in the shop. Many years later, she saw him unexpectedly. After panicking, her only reaction was to run away.
Escape from his sight, escape back to Cui Mansion, escape to her aunt!
Unexpectedly, Meng Yuantang would shamelessly go to the Cui Mansion and ask to see Madam Xie, claiming that he was doing business in the capital and visiting Xie Miao. However, Madam Xie did not know the secret of that year and actually let him stay in the Cui Mansion as a guest.
Meng Yuantang knew that Xie Miao did not dare to tell of the past events, so he used this as a lever to blackmail Xie Miao at every turn to satisfy his various demands.
Meng Yuantang does not seek sex this time, only money.
Three years ago, he was led into a ditch by a bad friend. He became addicted to gambling and buying lottery tickets, and soon ruined all the Meng family's property. Then, he suddenly remembered that Xie Miao's aunt married into an official family in the capital. Presumably, Xie Miao must have followed suit, a rising tide lifts all boats...
He went to the capital after all the troubles and easily found out that the family into which Xie Miao's aunt married was the leading official family in the capital!
Very good.
He was overjoyed and daring. He used the past to manipulate Xie Miao under the nose of Madam Xie. And Xie Miao – was only sixteen years old in the previous life. She dreamt of marrying Cui Muli, and dreamt of integrating into the Cui Mansion. She had no choice and chose to compromise.
Looking back on the past, Xie Miao wanted to say two words to herself: How stupid.
Stupid because she was led by Meng Yuantang, stupid because she was afraid that her innocence would be slandered, stupid because she retreated again and again, and was threatened for several years.
In this life, Xie Miao has no intention of avoiding the meeting with Meng Yuantang. However, she has already foreseen the future and will firmly take the initiative. The person who should be afraid is Meng Yuantang.
"Miss." Fu Lu lowered the curtain and said nervously: "There is indeed a carriage following behind. Do you think it is possible? Could it be him?"
Xie Miao actually had the time to peel an orange. The fresh aroma of the orange peel spread, making people feel refreshed.
"It's him."
Fu Lu clenched her hands into fists and placed them on her knees. She said stiffly: "Later, we will lead him to -"
"Lead him to an uninhabited alley. While I'm talking to him, you and Wang Da ask someone to knock him out from behind. Tie him up, and put him in the carriage. Take him to an abandoned house in the southern suburbs."
Fu Lu took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I will bring someone to knock him out. I will definitely knock him out."
Xie Miao tasted a piece of orange, and swallowed it gently. She gave half of it to her without changing her expression, "Here, eat a piece of orange to calm down the shock."
Fu Lu took it obediently and stuffed two pieces into her mouth absentmindedly. The next moment, her face was as wrinkled as an eighty-year-old woman——
Okay, sour oranges! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Seeing her success and that she tasted the sourness, Xie Miao just showed a painful expression. She licked her teeth and said: "Now, we are master and servant who share the pain, and share the blessings."
After all the fuss, Fu Lu's mood actually eased.
When the carriage arrived at the fragrant powder shop, Xie Miao was helped to the ground by Fu Lu. She specifically held on to the golden hairpin near her temples. In a carriage not far away, someone lifted the curtain and peeked, and was almost blinded by her wealth.
Xie Miao and Fu Lu entered the fragrant powder shop, and the fragrant aroma hit their faces. She waved her purple bamboo orchid fan and walked around the shop leisurely.
Fu Lu would give some advice from time to time, while Xie Miao was half-heartedly choosing rouge and gouache when her left shoulder was suddenly tapped.
She frowned displeased and looked at the person who came, "Who——"
The person who came was a young man in his early twenties, with a handsome face in a tan robe. If one looks carefully, one can see that his appearance is somewhat similar to Xie Miao.
"Little A-Miao." Meng Yuantang smiled lightly, cupped his hands and said, "We haven't seen each other for a long time. Do you still remember Elder Brother?"
In an instant, Xie Miao looked at him in panic as if her tongue had been snatched away by a bird. The expression of Fu Lu next to her was exactly the same as hers. They were all speechless and their hands and feet were numb.
The young man was very satisfied with their reaction. He waved his folding fan in a pretentious manner, leaned over and said: "Back then, little A-Miao left a letter and left without saying goodbye. Elder brother was very worried. So, I have come to the capital to look for you."
Xie Miao suddenly woke up and quickly covered the lower half of her face with a fan, revealing only a pair of sparkling eyes, "You——"
"Shh." The young man raised his index finger and touched his lips lightly, "Don't talk yet."
He looked at her up and down with wanton eyes.
The girl has a beautiful posture and appearance. The face is delicate and elegant. She wears an autumn-coloured embroidered begonia-style shirt and skirt, which is exquisite and beautiful. She wears a crystal clear jade bracelet on her white wrist, and her thin earrings are decorated with gold rings with pearls. The hair is decorated with a half-lotus inlaid with green tourmaline and a golden tassel, and the tassels are shaking back and forth in shock.
Meng Yuantang's eyes flashed with greed, and he said with a smile: "Tsk, tsk, tsk, this outfit can't be bought without a thousand taels of silver, right? It seems that little A-Miao is living a very comfortable life with Aunt Xie in the Cui Mansion."
Xie Miao squeezed the handle of the fan tightly, her voice trembling with anxiety, "You, you, what do you want to do?"
Meng Yuantang slowly approached her, "What do you think? Little A-Miao, I came all the way to the capital to find you, because I want to relive -"
Fu Lu stepped in the middle and cursed in a low voice: "Meng Yuantang, you are shameless!"
"Oh?" Meng Yuantang looked around and asked with a smile: "Do you want me to reminisce about the old days with you here? After all, we are brother and sister and spent a good time together."
"Shut up!" Xie Miao closed her eyes and forced herself to calm down, "I'll talk to you outside."
After saying that, not daring to look at him, she turned around and trotted out the door. When Fu Lu saw this, she glared at him fiercely and hurriedly caught up, "Miss, please wait for this slave!"
Meng Yuantang put his hands behind his back and followed them in a good mood.
Xie Miao ran to the alley next door, facing the wall and can't help but shrug her shoulders lightly.
Seeing how scared she was, Meng Yuantang felt even more proud.
"Fu Lu, please step back. I, I have something to say to him." Xie Miao said with a soft cry.
Fu Lu reluctantly retreated to the entrance of the alley. Seeing this, Meng Yuantang stepped forward anxiously and pretended to say: "Little A-Miao, you don't need to be afraid. Brother is just here to visit you."
Xie Miao rubbed her red eyes with her sleeves. She tilted her head and said, "Meng Yuantang, stop being pretentious and just tell me, what do you want?"
Meng Yuantang shook his wide sleeves and raised the top of his boots to show Xie Miao how he was dressed, "Look, Cousin. Compared to the jewels and treasures all over your body, Brother is really shabby."
Xie Miao was stunned for a moment, then came back to her senses and asked in disbelief: "I gave the Meng family so much money in the past, and now you, you want money again?"
Meng Yuantang said: "Little A-Miao, you are wrong. In the past, you had good food and drink in the Meng family, so it was natural for you to help the Meng family. Now your cousin is short of money, and as a cousin, it is even more obligatory for you to provide help in times of need. "
Xie Miao frowned and said stubbornly: "What if I don't want to?"
Meng Yuantang snorted from his nose and said with a frivolous smile: "Little A-Miao, the Cui family is a prominent official in the capital, and the family tradition is very strict. You are the cousin of the second branch via the Madam. If people know that you have misbehaved, and seduced men at such a young age..."
Xie Miao interrupted him angrily, "I didn't, it was obviously you - it was you -"
Meng Yuantang touched his chin and calmly said: "Who cares what the truth is? As long as I publicize that you took the initiative to seduce me and ruin your reputation, you will be a street rat and everyone will yell at you. After all, I know about that small thing under your collarbone——"
Seeing the drastic change in Xie Miao's face, Meng Yuantang stopped and coaxed: "Little A-Miao, Elder Brother only want money, and I have no intention of making things difficult for you."
Xie Miao held onto the wall with one hand and bit her lip sadly, but out of the corner of her eye she saw Fu Lu making a gesture towards her.
The goons are in place.
Xie Miao pretended to be shaken, "Meng Yuantang, can you keep your word?"
Meng Yuantang vowed firmly, "A gentleman's words is his bond."
...You are a scoundrel gentleman.
Xie Miao sneered in her heart, hesitation on her face, deliberately stalling for time, "No, you, please let me think about it again."
Shadows were swaying at the entrance of the alley, and just as the thugs were about to rush in, Fu Lu's deliberately high-pitched voice suddenly sounded outside.
"Third Miss, Miss Su, what a coincidence. You are also here to buy things?"