Chapter 8 She Remembered This Account
A sneer appeared on Jiang Yingying's lips, and she even broke her long nails accidentally.
The so-called pampering is ultimately nothing but an illusion.
The noise outside became increasingly louder, and even the old camphor tree in the yard was rustling in its branches and leaves.
Jiang Yingying gradually calmed down her emotions and used all her strength to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
My mother’s teachings echoed in my ears: men can be passionate but also fickle, so instead of trying hard to please their hearts, it is better to hold on to their bodies, wealth and power.
"Qingyue." Jiang Yingying called softly to the maid beside her.
The maid shrank back, fearing her master's outburst, and raised her head timidly: "Miss, what do you want?"
Jiang Yingying pressed the pain in her chest, her fingertips trembling slightly as she pointed in the direction of the table: "Bring me some needle and thread."
The maid was confused and didn't dare to say anything: "Miss, what are you going to do..."
"Just get it." Jiang Yingying's tone left no room for doubt.
Although the maid didn't understand what was going on, she still did as she was told and quickly brought the sewing box.
That night, although the obscene sounds outside the window made Jiang Yingying angry, her body and heart ached, she still held the needle and thread stubbornly, sewing and embroidering, stitch by stitch, with all her heart and soul...
After a sleepless night, she personally completed a belt customized for men. The belt was deep black and embroidered with blood-stained orchids, which was sad, beautiful and resolute.
At dawn.
After indulging himself, Zheng Chengyan felt all his tiredness disappear. He pushed open Jiang Yingying's door with a bright look and walked in cautiously.
Jiang Yingying leaned weakly on the bed, her pale face looking even more miserable and pitiful.
Facing Zheng Chengyan, she did not blame him, but only bowed her head slightly and bowed gently: "Second Master."
Zheng Chengyan looked at the person in front of him, and an inexplicable sense of guilt surged in his heart. He hurried forward and hugged her in his arms: "I'm sorry that you were wronged last night. Don't worry, when Wanyu's matter is settled, I will make you my principal wife."
Jiang Yingying gently touched his lips, stopping him from making further promises: "Second Master, there's no need to coax me. I know that as a concubine, it's harder than climbing to the sky to turn over a new leaf, but I don't mind. As long as I can be with you, I don't care whether I'm a concubine or a wife. It's enough for you to have me in your heart."
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest and started coughing uncontrollably. Her frail figure seemed like it would be crushed by the pain at any moment.
Zheng Chengyan's heart was moved. He hugged her tightly and kissed her on the forehead, feeling distressed: "Ying'er, I am sorry for you..."
Jiang Yingying slowly pulled out the belt that took her a whole night to sew from behind her back and handed it to Zheng Chengyan: "I saw your belt was worn out a few days ago, and I couldn't sleep last night, so I thought of making a new one for you."
Zheng Chengyan took it, looked at it carefully, and noticed the blood-colored flower on the belt, which made him feel even more guilty.
He stroked the belt carefully, feeling moved beyond words.
However, a woman's laughter suddenly came from outside the door, interrupting the warmth in the room: "Oh, the Second Master disappeared early in the morning. It turned out that he ran to Sister Jiang's place. It was so hard for me to find him."
Jiang Yingying felt unhappy and looked up. The person who came was Liu'er, who had spent the night with Zheng Chengyan last night.
Liu Er was wearing a light gauze, her graceful figure looming. She walked towards Zheng Chengyan lightly and gently put her arms around his neck: "Second Master, you were in such a hurry that you took Liu Er's things away."
"What is that?" Zheng Chengyan was puzzled.
Liu'er's slender fingers slowly reached into Zheng Chengyan's clothes, and she pulled out a bright red bellyband in front of Jiang Yingying without any hesitation: "Look, this is it, I finally found it!"
She was holding a red bellyband, her cheeks were rosy, her skin was fair, and her charming appearance caught the attention of everyone around her and completely angered Jiang Yingying.
This time, the cough was no longer caused by physical discomfort, but came from the anger and shame in my heart.
In her own territory, in her own bed, there was such a shameless woman who dared to be so arrogant and presumptuous in front of her.
Jiang Yingying didn't dare reveal any emotion and could only use increasingly violent coughing as a cover.
Her shoulders trembled slightly due to coughing and her face gradually turned pale.
Zheng Chengyan saw this scene, frowning, and impatiently pushed away Liu'er who was reluctant to leave, and said in a commanding tone: "Since you have found it, leave immediately!"
Although Liu Er was unwilling, she still looked back and said something meaningful before she turned around and left: "Second Master, don't forget tonight..."
However, before she could finish her words, Jiang Yingying was interrupted by a violent cough again.
She made note of this account and would settle it one day.
Zheng Chengyan had no time to stay here for too long. He just said a few words of comfort and turned away anxiously. His steps were hurried, and it was obvious that there were more urgent matters waiting for him to deal with.
As soon as his figure disappeared outside the door, Liu'er immediately stood in front of Jiang Yingying's door with her chest out and her hands on her hips.
"I thought he was some great noble, but he turned out to be just a frail paper beauty. He puts on an unattainable appearance and thinks he is extraordinary, but in fact he looks down on us servants. He doesn't even look at himself to see how he got into this noble family!"
"After all, she is just like us, a lowly person who relied on her looks to get to the top! On the night of the Second Young Master's wedding, that sound could be heard clearly even in the corners of the Bamboo Garden."
"She is dreaming that she can secure the position of the Young Lady of the Marquis of Changping's Mansion by relying on the baby in her belly. If that were true, then those girls in the capital who are even slightly pretty would probably rush to squeeze through the gate of the Marquis of Changping's Mansion!"
Liu'er has a straightforward personality and has followed Zheng Chengyan since she was a child. In the second house, except for Su Wanyu, she dares not openly confront her. Everyone else has tasted her sharp tongue.
In the writings of literati and poets in the past, Jiang Yingying was described as a lotus hermit who was untainted by the dust, holy and flawless, and she was very proud of it.
At this moment, Liu'er's sarcasm was like a sharp knife, piercing into her proud heart and scraping her arrogant self-esteem.
Jiang Yingying gritted her teeth and endured the pain. She wanted to stand up and refute, but the severe pain in her chest made it difficult for her to move. All that was left was a bitter smile on the corner of her mouth, which seemed extremely ironic.
Liu'er cursed to her heart's content, then walked back to her room triumphantly. With a bang, the door slammed shut.
Jiang Yingying's days of depression were like a flood that broke through the dam. Seeing that there was no one around, she waved her arms wildly and swept the teacup off the table.
She gritted her teeth and said, "You naughty slave, let's ride on the donkey and watch the opera - we'll see!"
The news of this incident soon reached Su Wanyu's ears.
On the surface, she seemed calm, but in fact she was quietly fanning the flames, intending to take advantage of this opportunity to plan a more important layout.
"When will the wet nurse come back?" Su Wanyu asked Yun Yi.
Half a month ago, my father took his servants to Chuanzhou to worship his ancestors. He was originally scheduled to return to Beijing in a few months, but when my wet nurse heard that Zheng Chengyan had taken a concubine, she decided to return home early.