"Sister Zhaoji, this..."
Before Lu Yu could even speak, Cai Zhaoji's words were not a suggestion, but a command.
"You won't even listen to your sister now?"
Cai Zhaoji stood directly opposite Lu Yu, her clear eyes gazing intently at him.
At this moment...
She no longer seemed like the frail, talented woman, but rather possessed the aura of a strong, capable leader.
In front of Lu Yu, she had never appeared so delicate!
"I..."
Lu Yu had barely uttered a single word when Cai Zhaoji spoke again.
"Sister Da Qiao, go and tell Xiao Qiao now that tonight she will attend to Brother Yu. If Brother Yu dares to bully her, just you watch, your sister will beat him up!"
Uh...
Hearing this, Lu Yu finally understood. Sister Zhaoji was determined to help Xiao Qiao. While that was fine, Lu Yu felt the situation was unfolding strangely!
Sister Zhaoji seemed to be getting along exceptionally well with Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao!
If this was the case, wouldn't he be completely at their mercy, firmly in their grasp?
"Yes, Da Qiao will listen to Sister Zhaoji..."
With Da Qiao's soft reply, she gracefully moved away to inform Xiao Qiao.
Cai Zhaoji was silent for a moment before reminding him, "Brother Yu, no bullying Xiao Qiao tonight, do you hear me?"
"I hear you." Lu Yu could only spread his hands helplessly. What else could he do?
Just let it be.
Speaking of which, having neglected Xiao Qiao for two days, she probably realized something, right?
...
The moon was high in the sky, bright and gentle, its soft moonlight casting a serene and peaceful atmosphere over the night.
The moonlight fell upon the plaque of this courtyard, casting dappled shadows and illuminating the three characters "Small Bridge Flowing Water" on the plaque with exceptional clarity.
Younger sister Xiao Qiao was the small bridge, and elder sister Da Qiao was by the water. Under the moonlight, this was a proper courtyard, and very proper "water"...
However, at this moment...
Under the sparse candlelight, two figures could be seen within the "Small Bridge Flowing Water" pavilion.
One figure was seated on the bed, seemingly meditating with closed eyes.
This was Lu Yu. He had many matters to ponder: tomorrow's campaign to Wancheng, how to deploy his forces?
Three days later, upon reaching the walls of Wancheng, how to strategize against Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu?
How to handle Zhang Xiu's legendary aunt, Lady Zou?
And... upon his return, when Sister Zhaoji presided over the Yue Dan Ping, how to smoothly conclude his plans without alarming her?
These were all questions...
Therefore, even with a slender, peerlessly beautiful figure standing beside him, it did not distract him in the slightest. Lu Yu remained focused.
And who else could be the figure beside him but Xiao Qiao?
Her face, adorned with a captivating smile, and her pair of misty, almond-shaped beautiful eyes seemed to be constantly seducing the man...
Her willow-like waist swayed, radiating an innate allure!
However, she was like a child who had made a mistake, lowering her head, remaining silent... or rather, afraid to speak.
Only waiting for her husband to speak first...
Her eyelashes subtly lifted, she just wanted to know if her husband's anger had subsided tonight.
Finally...
Lu Yu spoke. "What, are you planning to stand by the bedside all night?"
He put down the "Spring and Autumn Annals" he was holding. It seemed that at some point, reading the "Spring and Autumn Annals" under the moonlight had become a rather sophisticated and trendy pastime.
Of course...
It wasn't good for the eyes.
"I... I don't know!" Startled by the question, even the usually forthright Xiao Qiao's speech became hesitant. "Husband... are you... going to sleep?"
"You're asking me? Are you ready?" Lu Yu smiled slightly, with a hint of teasing in his voice.
But that single sentence caused Xiao Qiao's face to flush crimson.
"Husband, I..."
"Do you know why I haven't seen you these past two days?" Lu Yu asked, his tone becoming more serious.
"I know, Sister Da Qiao told me." Xiao Qiao blinked her eyes repeatedly. "But... but I'm not convinced."
Yo...
Lu Yu raised his eyebrows slightly.
As expected, Xiao Qiao was much fiercer and more spirited than Da Qiao. This could be inferred from many proper and improper occasions.
Before Lu Yu could speak...
Xiao Qiao continued.
"If Husband says I was wrong, Xiao Qiao admits it. But... Husband can't just ignore Xiao Qiao, right? Even a guilty person deserves a chance to atone!"
"That's not necessarily true." Lu Yu waved his hand. "It depends on whether your mistake is big or small. It also depends on who you offended, whether they are important or not."
As this sentence left his lips, Lu Yu thought of Consort Dong...
Indeed, her conflict with Xiao Qiao had ended with her apology, and Lu Yu was not unreasonable. He could overlook or forgive this matter. However... the Dong family's collusion with the Emperor to issue the "Imperial Robe Edict" was another story entirely.
As for the latter? Where could one find a chance for atonement?
Of course...
Xiao Qiao naturally wouldn't grasp this deeper meaning. Seeing her pouting lips and the way she feigned helplessness, Lu Yu decided not to tease her any longer. It was time to get down to business.
"Ahem..." He coughed lightly and said meaningfully, "Never mind, your mistake isn't a major one. Just remember it in the future. Bow to heaven, earth, and parents, but don't randomly bow to outsiders. As for Consort Dong, she's not worthy. Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiao nodded.
Seeing her obedient demeanor, Lu Yu continued, "Didn't you just say you wanted a chance to atone? So, the question is, how do you plan to atone now?"
"I..." Xiao Qiao hesitated, unsure how to express herself, her face flushing again.
At this moment, her guilt was immense, so intense that it felt as if guilt had completely filled her. Lu Yu could naturally sense her sincerity.
Phew...
The red candle was extinguished, and naturally, a night of passion ensued, filled with lingering desires!
...
Small Bridge Flowing Water!
Outside the gate of this courtyard, beneath the plaque.
"Phew..."
A beautiful figure let out a long sigh.
It seemed...
Only after witnessing the red candle in the pavilion finally extinguish did the heavy stone in her heart finally settle.
This figure was Cai Zhaoji. She was afraid that Brother Yu and Xiao Qiao would argue again, so she stayed outside the courtyard, truly worrying herself sick for her younger brother!
Speaking of which, Cai Zhaoji knew her brother's temperament best; he was incredibly stubborn.
And as for Xiao Qiao's nature, based on their recent interactions, she was quite forthright. If the two of them truly clashed, who knew what sparks would fly? One hoped they wouldn't set the house ablaze.
Beside Cai Zhaoji, Da Qiao also patted her chest. Only when she heard faint sounds did she feel her heart calm down a bit. After all, her husband had forgiven Xiao Qiao.
She was relieved.
"Alright, you go and rest now..."
Cai Zhaoji instructed Da Qiao...
One thinking of her brother, the other thinking of her sister, being an elder sister in the Situ mansion was no easy task!
"Then what about you, Sister? Aren't you going to rest?" Da Qiao gave a final glance at the "Small Bridge Flowing Water" pavilion before turning her eyes back to Cai Zhaoji.
"I have something to do." Cai Zhaoji murmured softly, her gaze directed towards a more secluded courtyard deeper within the Situ mansion.
That place had no name, nor a plaque.
But...
The person residing within was not simple.
"Something to do?" Da Qiao was quite puzzled.
"Sister is going to meet Brother Yu's... concubine!" Cai Zhaoji did not hide it from Da Qiao, replying gracefully.
Oh...
Da Qiao then recalled.
This time, with the army's triumphant return, two women had accompanied her husband back to the mansion: one was Diao Chan, and the other was her two-year-old daughter, Ling Ju.
It seemed that ever since Diao Chan entered the Situ mansion, she had never left her courtyard, nor had Sister Zhaoji actively sought contact with her.
Da Qiao's eyes blinked.
"Sister Zhaoji, shall I accompany you?"
Actually, Da Qiao was curious. Everyone said Diao Chan was of celestial beauty, capable of making the moon shy. What did such a legendary woman look like? Da Qiao was extremely curious.
Phew...
Cai Zhaoji let out another soft sigh and nodded. "That's fine. Since we are all in the Situ mansion, how can we not interact? You may accompany me!"
With that said, the two women gracefully turned and slowly walked towards the deeper courtyard within the Situ mansion.
The moonlight was at its zenith. As the red candle in "Small Bridge Flowing Water" was extinguished, the entire Situ mansion became utterly silent, save for the chirping of insects and the intoxicating murmurs!
...
...
"Wah, wah..."
As Ling Ju's cries gradually subsided.
Before long, the two-year-old Ling Ju had drifted off to sleep.
It seemed that this Situ mansion, this new residence, made the little girl feel somewhat unfamiliar, especially at night, when she was quite fussy.
After lulling Ling Ju to sleep, a maid carried her away...
Diao Chan sat alone by the window, gazing blankly at the moon. The moon today was not shy because of her; instead, it shone even more brilliantly white, fully illuminating Diao Chan's exquisite face.
Phew...
She let out a faint sigh. Diao Chan felt that while the Situ mansion was far from the battles of the battlefield, and there was no need for hardship or displacement, it was good. However, there was one thing... it was a good mansion, a good residence, but it was so boring, and life was too plain.
Speaking of which, it was her own fault...
Diao Chan was not a sociable woman. Although she knew that the "mistress" of the mansion's back courtyard was Cai Yan, Cai Zhaoji, as a newcomer, she should have paid her respects. However... in the end, due to the strangeness of the unfamiliar mansion, unfamiliar people, and unfamiliar customs, she ended up not daring to.
"Alas..."
Whenever she thought of this, Diao Chan couldn't help but sigh. She gracefully sat before an ancient zither. Under the moonlight, feeling unbearable loneliness, she began to strum the strings.
To express her feelings...
Just then, a maid entered and whispered something in Diao Chan's ear. Diao Chan's eyes lit up, and she hastily stood up, not bothering to finish the melody, calling out repeatedly.
"I'll go right away..."
She looked around for a bronze mirror, seemingly intending to groom herself for a more formal appearance. However... in her haste and flustered state, she couldn't find a bronze mirror anywhere!
She had no choice but to rise and move towards the door.
Diao Chan arrived in the courtyard and anxiously searched left and right. Cai Zhaoji and Da Qiao emerged from behind some flowers and trees, both wearing hoods and cloaks.
Upon seeing Diao Chan, both women unthinkingly removed their hoods and gazed at her.
A pale yellow dress, a face like a painting, indescribably beautiful...
Seeing Cai Zhaoji, Diao Chan hastily bowed, lowering her head slightly. Only half of her face was visible, but even that half conveyed four words to the heart – captivating and soul-stirring!
That's right, Diao Chan's beauty... was such that whether it was men or women, anyone who caught a glimpse of her could never forget it, and the more they thought about it, the more they lost themselves!
Not only Cai Zhaoji, but Da Qiao was also surprised.
She came from Lujiang. The south has always produced beautiful women. Throughout her life, what kind of beauties had she not seen?
But...
Even in Diao Chan's every gesture, the way she raised her sleeve to cover half of her jade cheek, the way she bowed, there was a hundred-fold charm that made the women of Jiangnan seem dull in comparison.
No wonder she was beautiful enough to make the moon shy. At this moment... even she, Da Qiao, felt shy, even suffocated. It was simply too soul-stirring!
Of course...
While Diao Chan's beauty astonished Cai Zhaoji and Da Qiao, their beauty also astonished Diao Chan.
Cai Zhaoji and Da Qiao shared a similar style: pure and elegant, like flower fairies in the mountains, detached from worldly affairs.
Phew...
Diao Chan let out a soft sigh, her heart filled with contemplation.
She had long heard that the handsome Lu's mansion harbored beauties of incomparable allure. Seeing them today, she knew the rumors were true.
...
Cai Zhaoji and Da Qiao's astonished gazes met Diao Chan's sincere eyes...
At such close proximity, within a breath's distance... the air seemed to tremble slightly.
"Miss Cai Yan, I never thought... you... you would come in person?" Diao Chan suddenly bowed to Cai Zhaoji, who hastily helped her up.
She couldn't help but hold Diao Chan's hand, her tone trembling slightly due to this stunning beauty.
"It is I who have not taken proper care of you. It has been three days, and this is the first time I have come to see Miss Diao Chan."
Diao Chan replied gracefully, "Not at all. It is clearly Diao Chan who has been impolite. It has been three days, and I have not yet paid my respects to Miss Cai Yan."
Very harmonious.
The atmosphere here... was exceptionally harmonious.
"I haven't introduced you to Miss Diao Chan yet." Cai Yan pointed to Da Qiao. "This is Sister Da Qiao, a wife of my brother."
Upon saying this, Cai Yan did not forget to turn to Da Qiao and introduce her. "This is your husband's concubine – Miss Diao Chan. You must show her proper courtesy."
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao both knew of Lu Yu taking Lü Lingqi. Such an act was very common at that time.
It was like an unwritten rule.
A victorious general would often seize all the property of the defeated, and women were merely one type of spoil of war.
Only...
At present, the famously known Lü Lingqi had not yet been seen. However, this legendary concubine of her husband, because she was too beautiful, too enchanting, stirred Da Qiao's heart deeply.
"I have long heard of Miss Diao Chan's 'moon-hiding' beauty. Da Qiao pays her respects."
"Not at all, Miss Da Qiao." Diao Chan returned the bow. "People say there are two Qiaos in Lujiang, and Zhen Mi of Hebei is charming. If we talk about celestial beauty, and that which topples nations and cities, who in the world can compare to the two sisters Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao?"
Sister...
It seemed the seniority was a bit mixed up!
However, none of that mattered. No one in the entire Situ mansion would truly consider Diao Chan as Lu Yu's concubine; she was merely another elder sister!
Phew...
Cai Zhaoji let out a soft sigh, muttering to herself, Brother Yu, Brother Yu, you truly don't let go of any beautiful woman in the world.
Although she thought this, Cai Zhaoji was actually quite happy. At least, this showed that her younger brother was very popular!
She used to worry that her brother wouldn't be able to find a beautiful wife.
"Miss Diao Chan, are you living well here? Are you accustomed to it?" Cai Zhaoji asked with concern... "Why is there such deep loneliness in your eyes?"
This...
Diao Chan offered a forced smile. "After all, it's my first time here. The prosperity of Xudu city and the tranquility of the Situ mansion are vastly different from where I lived before. Perhaps... it will take some time to adapt."
"Miss Diao Chan, if you feel bored, you can come and talk to me more, or talk to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao."
Cai Zhaoji suggested, "Since we have entered the Situ mansion, regardless of your past identity, Miss Diao Chan, from now on, we are all family. We can all chat with Miss Diao Chan about poetry and literature, or play the qin, to temporarily relieve your loneliness, and also our own."
As she said this, Cai Zhaoji seemed to recall something.
Yes, from the conversation between her brother and Da Qiao just now, she knew... that Brother Yu was planning to sneak off to campaign again... and who knew how long it would be before he returned?
The women in this Situ mansion? Weren't they all lonely?
With this thought, Cai Zhaoji added, "Miss Diao Chan, there is a saying that I believe is very well put: the loneliness of people always has some common ground!"
Upon hearing this... Diao Chan nodded softly.
She parted her red lips...
"As a woman, my destiny in life has never been my own to control. Ever since my adoptive father knelt before me, my joys and sorrows have been beyond my concern."
"Now, to be alive is already a blessing. I am grateful to young master Lu. Now... to be able to meet Miss Cai Yan and Miss Da Qiao in this Situ mansion is also a testament to heaven's kindness. However... Miss Cai Yan is a talented woman of her time, a leader in the eyes of the world. You must set aside these past grievances, achieve something, for yourself, and for your brother!"
Diao Chan's words were filled with deep meaning...
Even within this residence, she had heard that Miss Zhaoji would be presiding over the Yue Dan Ping next month, and this was all thanks to young master Lu's recommendation.
With such a brother, even if she were a woman, why worry about not achieving greatness?
Envy...
In Diao Chan's eyes, there was a hint of admiration for Cai Zhaoji.
As if noticing the slight moisture in Diao Chan's eyes, Cai Zhaoji took her hand.
"Miss Diao Chan, the piece you were just playing was 'Gong Wu Du He,' wasn't it? The melody is powerful and explosive. Even from outside the courtyard, I was stunned by its soaring and intense rhythm. Could Miss Diao Chan teach me how to play this piece?"
This was an active attempt to foster closeness...
Of course, it wasn't entirely so. Cai Zhaoji was skilled in the qin, but not in playing powerful, intense melodies. This piece, "Gong Wu Du He," could absolutely not be understood without a life full of ups and downs.
Precisely, Diao Chan's life was the epitome of "ups and downs." Who else could possibly capture such soaring, intense rhythms besides her?
And so...
In the distant courtyard "Small Bridge Flowing Water," the atmosphere went from powerful to gentle murmurs, then gradually to silence, and finally to absolute tranquility!
However, this adjacent pavilion was the complete opposite.
Cai Zhaoji and Diao Chan were like kindred spirits, meeting as if they had known each other for a long time. As the qin music played, they spent the night singing in praise!
...
...