Chapter 90: The Sung Lyrics

Chapter 90: The Sung Lyrics

Fu Jiaze felt he had drunk a bit too much; otherwise, how could he have heard such words?

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. When he opened them again, he still saw Lin Yingxue's clear, earnest, and glassy almond eyes.

She was serious.

For a moment, Fu Jiaze even thought his wife might be jealous, considering he had almost been engaged to Lin Baozhen.

But Lin Baozhen was unreliable, and his wife was a thousand times better than her. Why would Lin Yingxue be jealous of Lin Baozhen?

"Even light plum wine can occasionally go to one's head," Fu Jiaze said tactfully.

Lin Yingxue couldn't help but laugh, saying helplessly, "Do you think I'm drunk? I'm not."

Regarding the matter of Lin Baozhen, she had kept it in her heart for a long time. Now, she spoke softly, "I'll tell you about Lin Baozhen in detail."

"Alright."

Starting from that afternoon when they copied Buddhist scriptures, Lin Yingxue began to recount the story.

Perhaps because so many things had happened recently, the incident, which had occurred less than a year ago, seemed like a lifetime ago now.

Fu Jiaze's expression was initially relaxed, but gradually became solemn, then relaxed again.

When he heard about Yan Ji's death, he was almost at a loss whether to cry or laugh, and he couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

"So, if you had entered the inner chambers, you might have prevented Young Master Yan's death, but she stubbornly refused to let you in, allowing him to be kidnapped, leading to this outcome?"

"Yes," Lin Yingxue nodded.

Lin Yingxue had seen the child Yan Ji and found his death both pitiful and sad. However, thinking of the old lady of the Yongning Marquis' household, who must have felt pain every time she saw Yan Ji after learning of his true parentage, made her realize what a tangled mess it all was. If only Yan Ji had never been born.

Fu Jiaze thought that for someone not very intelligent, even with a premonitory dream, they would still make the wrong choice.

Did the old lady of the Yongning Marquis' household merely kill Yan Ji, or did she also tamper with He Lanting to prevent her from conceiving?

Concubine Chen had been in the palace for some time, and her monthly cycle was regular, yet she had never conceived. It seemed the old lady had indeed done something.

From this, it could be deduced that Lin Baozhen had inadvertently sealed the future of Concubine Chen's lineage. And Concubine Chen herself was unaware of this. Whenever this came to light, the entire Weiwu Marquis Mansion would face dire consequences.

His uncle Fu Bin was currently in a difficult situation, subtly being undermined by Chen Pan, who was Xie Yuan's man. If the matter of Yan Ji's death were brought up again, it would certainly ruin all of Chen Pan's efforts.

Fu Jiaze decided to inform his uncle of this before leaving the capital.

He had been concerned about his uncle's situation, and this unexpected revelation would bring his uncle peace for many years. By then, he might already be back in the capital, able to offer further support.

With his uncle's hidden worries resolved, Fu Jiaze's brows relaxed.

"I have bad luck, but my only strength is a somewhat sharp mind," Fu Jiaze sighed. "Your elder sister is the opposite of me. I used to envy her good fortune, but now I'd rather have a sharp mind than good fortune. Otherwise, even the greatest opportunities might be missed."

Despite the seriousness of the topic, Lin Yingxue couldn't help but laugh at Fu Jiaze's words.

If it were her, she would also prefer a sharp mind over good fortune.

Who would want to marry into the Weiwu Marquis Mansion like Lin Baozhen?

Lin Yingxue had secretly compared Wei Wuhou and Fu Jiaze in her heart, and she felt her husband was the clear winner.

Seeing Lin Yingxue smile, Fu Jiaze's lips also curved into a gentle smile.

The night sky was veiled with clouds, and the moonlight filtered through, casting a thin layer of mist over the two of them.

Under such moonlight, Fu Jiaze's voice became even softer.

"Regarding Tongwu County, I think it's like this: if I had barely passed the autumn examination, I would have been just a seventh-rank county magistrate in Tongwu County. But now, as the top scholar, the merger of the three counties means a different position than in that dream."

Lin Yingxue agreed, but the new Tongwu County included the former Tongwu County, so perhaps her elder sister's dream would still come true.

Thinking of this, her palms grew cold with sweat, and she began to worry again.

Feeling his wife's unease, Fu Jiaze covered her hand completely, gently caressing her smooth skin.

The moonlight was like water, and his voice was even gentler than the moonlight.

"It's not just this difference. In that premonitory dream, many people didn't know my uncle was Fu Bin, so they dared to act against me. Now, my status is different. My uncle is the Ninth Thousand Years, my teacher is the Deputy Minister of Revenue, and I am the top scholar. Anyone who wants to act against me will have to think twice. Perhaps there won't be any fatal crisis at all."

The sound of hooves echoed, and a carriage could be seen approaching from the end of the road. Fu Jiaze said, "But don't worry. Even so, I'll be cautious in Tongwu County. I'll take guards wherever I go, and I'll carry my sword with me."

Lin Yingxue nodded and whispered, "Always keep your safety in mind."

Fu Jiaze pinched Lin Yingxue's cheek lightly, more of a caress than a pinch.

His thumb felt the smoothness and coolness of her skin, slightly chilled by the night breeze.

"You've helped me understand some things."

"What things?"

Fu Jiaze: "I always found your elder sister's gaze strange, but today I finally understand."

Lin Baozhen relied on those dreams to pity him, but what was there to pity?

Fu Jiaze even thought that once the matter of Yan Ji came to light, Lin Baozhen might find herself in trouble.

"Her dreams are chaotic, and the turning point is going to Tongwu County. She doesn't know what happens afterward, so we shouldn't dwell on it," Fu Jiaze said. "We can't be afraid of everything; otherwise, we won't accomplish anything."

Carefully thinking about it, Heaven had already greatly reversed his fate by sending Lin Yingxue to him. If he continued to be entangled in the illusory dreams of Lin Baozhen, that would truly be a waste of himself.

Fu Jiaze embraced Lin Yingxue into his arms.

Lin Yingxue was initially somewhat resistant, but because he held her so tightly, she also clutched his shirt.

The strong and rhythmic heartbeat of the other person gradually relaxed Lin Yingxue's heart, which had been tightly knotted.

Her chin rested on his broad shoulder, which was her support, "You must take good care of yourself."

Fu Jiaze responded with a nod, saying, "I managed to survive even after being stabbed in the left chest. Now, with my lady's help, Jinyuan will surely live longer in this world. My lady should also stay by my side and bear more children. How about we perform the rites of Zhou Gong tonight?"

Lin Yingxue couldn't help but bite his ear, not too hard, and then wriggled out of his embrace, "Nonsense, let's go back."

The carriage, as if understanding the situation, stopped at a distance without coming closer.

Fu Jiaze caught up with Lin Yingxue in a few steps and said with a smile, "Yes, we'll have children later. Now, even with the rites of Zhou Gong, there won't be any children."

Lin Yingxue covered her ears and quickly climbed into the carriage, while Fu Jiaze followed half a step behind.

Fu Jiaze glanced at the scene inside the carriage.

Lin Yingxue was sitting tightly next to the maid Feiyuan, who always liked to worry and now seemed concerned whether the two were having a disagreement.

With the maid present, Fu Jiaze couldn't kiss his wife, but he didn't let go of her hand, glancing at Feiyuan subconsciously.

Feiyuan sighed in relief and quickly turned to look outside the carriage.

Lin Yingxue allowed her husband to hold her hand until they got off the carriage.

After drinking and returning home, Fu Heng knew his son had been drinking and directly instructed the gatekeeper not to disturb the couple, telling them to go straight to their room.

Thus, the two bathed and changed clothes.

These actions were done quickly, and the warm, damp bodies soon embraced each other.

Fu Jiaze nuzzled against his wife's neck and called softly, "My lady."

Lin Yingxue felt her neck tickle from his hair and couldn't help but shrink her neck, "Why do you suddenly call me that?"

Usually, Fu Jiaze called her Yingxue.

Fu Jiaze called her this way because he inappropriately thought of what his wife had said: in Lin Baozhen's premonitory dream, his wife became Xie Jingzhi's concubine.

A fire burned in his heart, making Fu Jiaze bite her ear.

Lin Yingxue let out a low cry.

Fu Jiaze regretted his action and began to lick gently.

Even in bed, such intimate ear licking was rare, almost as intimate as a kiss.

Her breathing quickened, and the hands that had been pushing against his chest softened.

Originally, Fu Jiaze had no desire, but now the flames rose. He moved down her neck, and Lin Yingxue's breathing grew more rapid. When the curtains were drawn, Lin Yingxue realized Fu Jiaze hadn't answered her question and why he suddenly bit her.

The air was filled with warmth and fragrance, the room brimming with spring.

/

The next day, Lin Yingxue's waist felt sore. Seeing her husband beside her, she was momentarily dazed before remembering that the imperial decree had been issued, and he still had some time before taking office.

Last night, with their hair half-dry, they had intertwined, inevitably causing tangles. Fu Jiaze was extremely patient, carefully combing through her silky long hair.

Lin Yingxue thought of the questions she hadn't asked yesterday, "Why did you suddenly call me 'my lady' and bite me?"

Fu Jiaze didn't want to mention Xie Jingzhi, after all, it was just a bizarre dream of someone else.

"Wasn't last night nice enough?"

His fingers rubbed her delicate earlobe, then moved slightly downward, making Lin Yingxue hesitate to continue asking and sit up, saying, "We agreed to go shopping, let's leave early."

She was afraid of daytime indiscretion.

They had performed the rites of Zhou Gong a few times during the day, even once in the study.

Fu Jiaze's eyes sparkled, "Last time we went to the market, we encountered the Empress and her entourage. I'll spend these days accompanying you well."

This time, Fu Jiaze kept his word, walking with Lin Yingxue through every street and alley.

On the fifth night, when Fu Jiaze tried to take her out again, Lin Yingxue waved her hand, "My waist has already thickened, I can't eat anymore."

Fu Heng laughed, "Your waist is already slender enough; I think it's a bit too thin. A little plumper would be just right."

Fu Wanan nodded, "Exactly, exactly."

Fu Jiaze smiled, "Tonight, the Jin Ling pleasure boats will interest you. There will be some food, and you might enjoy trying it."

Every March, Jin Ling hosts a grand event to select a flower queen. After the selection, the new flower queen does not sell herself but performs music, sings, or dances with previous flower queens on the pleasure boats, acting only as entertainers.

There is no prostitution on these boats, and the women do not engage in any deceptive practices. They remain entertainers until the age of twenty-five, after which they can leave the pleasure district if they can afford the redemption fee.

The Jin Ling pleasure boats have existed for many years, and many retired entertainers have been redeemed and become concubines, giving the boats a good reputation. At some point, married women were also allowed to board the boats with their husbands.

However, unmarried young girls are not permitted to board to avoid any mishaps.

Lin Yingxue was immediately interested and went with Fu Jiaze to the canal dock.

Several pleasure boats were already moored, arranged like an arrow, with the largest one in the center.

These boats, lit with lanterns, were the brightest spots in the night.

The gift ticket in Fu Jiaze's hand was given by Scholar Mo. After Lin Yingxue boarded the boat, she noticed that many people were looking at her.

Although women were allowed to board the boat, the few who did each year always drew attention.

Lin Yingxue initially felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing only men around her, but she soon relaxed when she saw an elderly merchant's wife with one eye missing.

Fu Jiaze had been observing Lin Yingxue's expression and said with a smile, "Don't worry. Although there are fewer women each year, there are always some. At least this elderly merchant's wife will be here, which is why I brought you along."

Besides the one-eyed elderly merchant's wife, two young women arrived later, both accompanied by their husbands. Upon seeing Lin Yingxue and Fu Jiaze, they first looked amazed and then smiled warmly.

Soon, the performance began. The first piece was the "Feather Dress Dance," where the dancers, draped in flowing silk, moved with alluring grace. The second piece was a guqin melody, followed by a guzheng performance. The final piece was performed by this year's Jin Ling flower queen, who held a pipa and sang a song called "Picking Fragrant Flowers."

The woman playing the pipa held it in her arms, her fingers plucking the strings like pearls falling on a jade plate. The sound of the pipa was melodious, but even more enchanting was her voice.

"Red, tender hands, yellow vine wine... letters hard to entrust. No, no, no."

Many of those present were literati, and as soon as the new song began, whispers of discussion arose.

"I heard before that this is a new song, the lyrics written just a few days ago by someone from our capital city."

"They say it was originally meant to be an old song, but old is never better than new. The lyrics are truly well-written. We are fortunate to hear them tonight for the first time."

"Do you know who wrote it?"

Lin Yingxue was also curious about who had written the lyrics. She soon found out the answer.

"The former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, now the Grand Master of the Court of Diplomatic Reception—Lin Yi."