Chapter 18 Fighting for favor
He had been spoiled since he was a child and had never been treated coldly like this. This incident left an indelible scar in his heart, and even Jiang Yingying didn't want to see it.
Returning here tonight, I suddenly felt uneasy.
When Zheng Chengyan stepped into Su Wanyu's courtyard, what was supposed to be a field of snow-white pear blossoms was now replaced by a lush osmanthus tree.
He stretched out his hand and touched the green tips of the leaves, but unexpectedly his fingers were cut by the sharp edges of the leaves.
He remembered very clearly that this pear orchard was specially planted by Su Wanyu because he said he liked white pears.
Just because of his careless words, she spared no expense and planted the entire yard with pear trees before the pear blossoms bloomed, just to make him smile.
Unfortunately, he always missed the pear blossoms blooming year after year.
The irritability brewed in his chest and eventually turned into a flame of anger, driving him to stride into the inner room, wanting to ask her why she removed all the pear trees.
However, when he approached the door and looked through the half-open window, he saw Su Wanyu sitting by the window, concentrating on embroidering something.
Under the moonlight, she was wearing light blue gauze with a light purple chest-length skirt underneath. The hem of her skirt was inlaid with pearls collected by the Su family during the Age of Navigation.
She wore a silver crown carved with a peony pattern on her head, with slender silver hairpins hanging on both sides and a light blue flower on her forehead.
Su Wanyu seemed to be surrounded by a silver halo, breathtakingly beautiful.
Especially the exposed neck, which is delicate and slender, with the clavicle line clearly visible, which makes people imagine a lot.
Zheng Chengyan stood there unconsciously, his throat moving slightly, his inner anxiety and desire becoming stronger and stronger, and his body actually felt a little hot.
Su Wanyu was concentrating on the golden osmanthus embroidery in her hands. She felt the change in the atmosphere around her, slowly raised her head, and unexpectedly met Zheng Chengyan's infatuated gaze.
"The Second Young Master is visiting you so late at night, what's the important matter?" She put down the needle and thread in her hands, her voice was soft, but there was a sense of alienation that could not be ignored.
Zheng Chengyan stared blankly at her cold eyes, feeling a mixture of shame and anger, and for a moment he even forgot the purpose of this trip.
"I...it's late at night, the road is too dark, I...I took the wrong road!"
He hesitated for a moment, then staggered back a few steps, turned around and rushed into the osmanthus forest behind him, fleeing in panic.
Yun Yi, who came in to serve tea, witnessed this scene and was puzzled: "Miss, what happened to the son-in-law? Why did he come suddenly and leave in a hurry?"
Su Wanyu's eyes turned slightly, and she had some thoughts in her mind: "I guess he was planning something bad again, and when I saw him, he felt guilty, so he was in a panic."
Yun Yi's face suddenly showed anxiety: "Miss, is the son-in-law going to harm you again?"
Su Wanyu's sharp eyes penetrated through the layers of night and were fixed on Zheng Chengyan's gradually disappearing figure.
"Don't worry, all he can do is just create a few ripples."
In fact, when Zheng Chengyan just stepped into this seemingly deserted courtyard, dozens of guards were already hiding around.
These masters were all selected by Su Wanyu herself at great expense and hired from martial arts families from all over the country, simply because she was wary and worried that the Zheng family would resort to extreme measures when they were left with no other options.
Beside her, the personal maid Yun Yi patted her chest gently.
Ever since the young lady decided not to interfere in family affairs, she has been living in fear.
Fortunately, Siqi and the wet nurse were by her side, giving her some comfort and support.
At the same time, Siqi brought news from the outside world.
"Miss, I heard that Jiang Yingying is trying her best to please the old lady today."
Hearing this, Su Wanyu put down the embroidery frame in her hand and stood up gracefully: "It seems that her injuries have improved a lot. It's time for her to take action."
She waved gently at Siqi, motioning her to come closer.
Siqi moved lightly and leaned forward, and the young lady's instructions rang in her ears.
After hearing this, Siqi nodded heavily.
At this moment, Zheng Chengyan had fled hastily from Su Wanyu's courtyard, and unknowingly, he was standing in front of Yaxuan courtyard where Jiang Yingying lived.
The dim light shining through the gap seemed to tempt him, but he hesitated.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, a familiar voice sounded behind him: "Second Young Master."
Tao Xing's voice was gentle and a little sad.
Zheng Chengyan turned around and saw Tao Xing in front of him wearing a lotus pink plain dress. The color made her figure look more graceful and pitiful.
She has a similar face to Jiang Yingying, but there is a hint of coldness and arrogance between her brows.
"It's cold at night, Second Young Master, please come in quickly." Tao Xing gently pulled Zheng Chengyan, who looked a little embarrassed.
She carefully brushed away the dust for him and thoughtfully handed him a cup of warm tea, her eyes full of concern.
Tao Xing is different from Liu'er. She has had feelings for Zheng Chengyan since childhood and is willing to accompany him through all the ups and downs.
In the gentle harbor created by Tao Xing, Zheng Chengyan gradually relieved his fatigue and decided to spend the night here.
He gently embraced her soft waist and slowly walked to the bed, but in his heart, the lonely and mysterious figure of Su Wanyu in the moonlight inadvertently emerged, and that image was unforgettable.
On the other side, Jiang Yingying was waiting anxiously in the Yaxuan courtyard, looking forward to Zheng Chengyan's arrival.
Today, she went to the old lady's place to serve her, hoping that she could talk to Zheng Chengyan when he returned, and perhaps get some comfort and money, but until late at night, there was still no sign of him.
She anxiously asked Qingyue, the maid beside her: "Second Young Master, did you go to Liu'er again?"
Qingyue shook her head, "The Second Young Master went to the Second Young Madam's place today."
"What?!" Jiang Yingying staggered a few steps and almost couldn't stand.
Qingyue quickly stepped forward to steady her, her eyes full of worry: "Aunt Jiang, please be careful."
Jiang Yingying barely stood still, a fierce look flashed in her eyes: "So, he is going to sleep with the Second Young Madam tonight?"
In the past, she was able to remain calm when facing the jealousy of other concubines, but Su Wanyu's threat was completely different. Once she gained favor, her future days would probably be even more difficult.
Without waiting for Qingyue's response, Jiang Yingying's eyes fell on a pair of scissors on the table.
She grabbed the scissors and cut a wound on her left hand without hesitation. Blood gushed out and the pain made her grit her teeth. But she still endured the pain and ordered Qingyue: "Quick, go tell the second young master that I was accidentally cut by the scissors and ask him to come over immediately!"
Qingyue witnessed this scene, panicked, her cheeks flushed, and she rushed out of the room in a hurry.
Seeing Qingyue's hurry, the other maids came forward to ask. Qingyue could only respond with brief and hurried words and then hurried away.
Liu Er in the room sneered when she heard this, full of sarcasm: "Oh, your hand is injured but you don't go to the doctor, but call the Second Master. Could it be that the Second Master has become a miracle doctor who can cure all diseases?"
Qingyue's face flushed and she didn't know how to respond for a moment. She hurriedly glanced around and caught a glimpse of Jiang Yingying who was anxiously waiting in the room. In the end, she stopped arguing with Liu'er, turned around, quickened her pace and continued walking.