Chapter 6: Has An An Discovered Something?…

Chapter 6: Has An An Discovered Something?...

Cheng Yian's return to her maiden home brought the most joy to the grandmother.

"Mother is grinning from ear to ear," said a tall woman with a slightly plump figure, smiling as she handed tea to the grandmother.

The third mistress had gone to the kitchen to oversee the luncheon, leaving Second Mistress Miao Shi, Cheng Yian's stepmother, to attend to the grandmother here.

At fifty-five, the grandmother should have been enjoying her golden years. However, due to the early death of her husband and the incompetence of her sons, she had to manage the household alone, which had left her face full of wrinkles. Today, however, she finally smiled broadly, holding onto Cheng Yian's hand and not letting go.

"It feels like ages since you got married just two days ago," she said.

When Cheng Yian was born, her grandfather had already passed away, and the grandmother was left alone. After Xia Shi passed away, the grandmother took Cheng Yian into her own room to raise her. For seventeen years, the grandmother and granddaughter had depended on each other, inseparable.

The grandmother's words brought tears to Cheng Yian's eyes. For the grandmother, it was just a couple of days, but for Cheng Yian, it had been five years apart, a separation of life and death.

She wept softly, leaning on the grandmother's arm.

Sitting below Cheng Yian was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, who, seeing the two so intimate, pouted slightly, partly out of jealousy and partly out of resentment.

"Second sister is grandmother's darling; the three of us combined can't compare to her alone," she said.

The speaker, with a pair of phoenix eyes that were quite charming, was Cheng Yian's stepsister, the third miss of the house, Cheng Yiqian.

Her words struck a chord with the other two girls.

The eldest master had a pair of twin sons and an unmarried eldest daughter, the eldest miss, who was only a year older than Cheng Yian, named Cheng Yiqing, also raised under the grandmother's care. She had both parents and held the title of the eldest daughter, and was also very beautiful, theoretically more favored by matchmakers than Cheng Yian.

She sat silently drinking tea at the lower left.

The remaining one was the daughter of the third master, the fourth miss Cheng Yimei, who was notoriously naive, often oblivious to the ways of the world, but the grandmother's special affection for Cheng Yian was evident.

Seeing this, Miao Shi chided her daughter with a glance.

"Your sister is married now; she will be part of another family, and it will be hard for her to come back a few times a year. Today is her homecoming; you should be happy for her, not jealous."

It sounded like she was defending Cheng Yian, but in reality, she was subtly hinting that Cheng Yian should not come back to her maiden home often.

Hearing this, Cheng Yiqian's phoenix eyes sparkled, and she said to Miao Shi,

"Mother, since sister won't be coming home often, can I have her courtyard?"

As soon as these words fell, the room fell silent.

Miao Shi glanced at the grandmother, seeing her face darken, she gave her daughter a few meaningful looks and then fell silent.

The grandmother's favoritism towards Cheng Yian was such that she gave her the most picturesque courtyard in the estate.

Originally, both the first mistress and Miao Shi were dissatisfied. The first mistress thought it should be given to her daughter, the eldest miss Cheng Yiqing, while Second Mistress Miao Shi thought it should be given to her daughter Cheng Yiqian. The third mistress thought, since you two can't agree, why not give it to her daughter Cheng Yimei?

The grandmother's explanation was, "An An has no mother to love her; I have to favor her a bit more."

This explanation was not very convincing, leading the first mistress to believe that Cheng Yian had stolen her daughter's spotlight. On such a festive day as the return visit, she also feigned illness and did not show up.

Since Cheng Mingyu had assigned the marriage to the fourth branch, according to seniority, it should have been the eldest miss Cheng Yiqing who got married. But because of the grandmother's favoritism towards Cheng Yian, the good marriage fell on her, an orphan. The first mistress was so resentful that she gritted her teeth. If she hadn't thought this marriage was a sure thing, she wouldn't have rejected several other good matches, leaving her daughter still unmarried and ridiculed.

The grandmother looked at her daughters-in-law and granddaughters full of complaints below and couldn't help but shake her head.

They all resented her for being biased, unaware that this marriage was destined to be Cheng Yian's from the very beginning.

She did this with all her might and mind, striving for the future of the entire fourth branch.

The old lady didn’t bother to explain and simply declared,

"An An is married nearby, so she should come back often during festivals."

The implication was that the courtyard should be reserved for her.

The east chamber fell silent instantly, and the once joyous homecoming banquet lost its charm.

After the luncheon, Cheng Yian coaxed the old lady to take a nap and then returned to her private chamber.

Exiting from the corner gate of the old lady's courtyard, she followed a stone path eastward, crossing a winding stone bridge. Her gaze followed a small stream at her feet, where peonies covered the ground and autumn chrysanthemums bloomed like rosy clouds. The winding path led to a wide platform by the water, lush with flowers and trees, creating a splendid scene. Further back, through a passageway, lay the main courtyard.

Cheng Yian stood on the stone bridge for a long time, her gaze fixed on the entrance of the passageway, silent.

How did she end up divorcing Lu Xusheng in her past life?

It was all thanks to her stepmother and stepsister.

A year after her marriage, one day the old lady suddenly fell seriously ill. No one knew what the old lady had said in her confusion, but some unfavorable rumors spread. Miao Shi then went mad, causing a scene, and soon after, trouble arose.

A sachet she had embroidered in the past was found in Fan Yulin's study, and a love poem written by Fan Yulin was discovered in her private chamber.

When Cheng Yian heard about this in the Lu family, she shook with rage.

Her sachet had clearly been kept by the maid in her chamber's box, so how could it have ended up with Fan Yulin? She had never received any poems from Fan Yulin.

Later, it was proven that this was the work of her stepmother and stepsister.

The maid who looked after the house had not followed her after the marriage and, living under the stepmother's rule, was easily bribed.

The matter wasn’t complicated, but its impact was devastating.

Soon, rumors spread throughout the capital, claiming that she and Fan Yulin had been in love, and that Lu Xusheng had intervened, ruining their good match.

Such matters, spread like wildfire, based on rumors and speculation, only grew darker the more one tried to explain.

All the blame was directed at Cheng Yian.

Her mother-in-law Wang Shi refused to listen to her explanations, scolding her for being indiscreet and shaming the Lu family, intending to force her to divorce so that she could remarry her own daughter to Lu Xusheng.

At that time, Cheng Yian had just suffered a miscarriage and was heartbroken. Overwhelmed by her mother-in-law's pressure and concerned about the reputation of the Cheng and Lu families, she proposed a divorce to Lu Xusheng. Lu Xusheng agreed without hesitation and successfully persuaded the emperor to annul the marriage.

Thus, she returned to the Cheng family.

But her stepmother's intentions did not stop there. She claimed that Cheng Yian had stolen the marriage that rightfully belonged to Cheng Yiqian and insisted on marrying her own daughter to Lu Xusheng. She even pressed the old lady's hand to write a letter of continuation for the marriage. The old lady was so angered that she lost her voice. Fortunately, the matter alarmed the main branch, and Cheng Mingyu, the eldest son of the main branch, rushed back from out of town. After understanding the situation, he decisively sent Miao Shi and Cheng Yiqian back to their hometown, placing them under house arrest. He publicly explained the matter, and the so-called letter of continuation never left the Cheng residence.

However, Cheng Yian's reputation had already been tarnished, and the Cheng family's reputation was damaged. What could be done?

Fan Yulin took the opportunity to propose marriage. The old lady and the main branch discussed it and decided to publicly announce her death to preserve her reputation, while secretly agreeing to Fan Yulin's proposal and allowing the couple to live in Yizhou.

From then on, she never returned to the capital, even when the old lady passed away. Only Cheng Yiyan sent her monthly allowances to ease her longing.

Now, reborn and back in this very mansion, her first priority was to destroy it completely, leaving no room for others to frame her.

Having been reborn, why should she be cautious and hesitant? She would go all out and burn everything to the ground.

The incense and lamp oil were ready, as was Rulan. Cheng Yian planned to use the pretext of an afternoon nap to “accidentally” set fire to the boudoir.

Cheng Yian sent away the two maids who were originally stationed here and led Rulan into the inner chamber. Everything was in place, and Cheng Yian, holding a flint, emerged from the inner room, lifting the curtain.

A tall, slender figure stood in the center of the hall.

Lu Xusheng looked around, sniffed lightly, then frowned, "What are you doing?"

Cheng Yian was startled and quickly hid what she held behind her back, retorting,

"Why haven't you gone back yet?"

They had agreed beforehand that Lu Xusheng would leave after lunch.

Lu Xusheng stared directly into her eyes, those almond-shaped eyes clear like two pools of water, rippling with unease. Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, she averted her eyes.

He suddenly realized that Cheng Yian was very kind and innocent.

She wouldn't scheme against others, and she felt guilty when doing something wrong.

Feeling her resolve weakening for a moment, she stiffened her neck and glared at him again,

"Go back first!"

Her cheeks flushed as if touched by a cloud of red.

So adorable.

Why hadn't he protected her better in his previous life?

Lu Xusheng extended his broad palm,

"Give it to me."

Cheng Yian was stunned.

Who was Lu Xusheng? Years of warfare had given him a natural sensitivity to danger. Connecting it with events from their past life, he guessed what Cheng Yian was about to do. His eyes glanced behind her,

"Hand over the tinderbox."

Cheng Yian slowly took out the tinderbox, eyeing him suspiciously, "What are you going to do!"

Lu Xusheng snatched the tinderbox and smiled, "Foolish girl, it's better if I shoulder the blame for this."

If his wife wanted to remove the obstacles from their previous separation, how could he not stoke the fire?

Cheng Yian let out a sigh.

Indeed, if she were to start this fire, it might stir up a lot of trouble. Her grandmother, father, and stepmother would all blame her. But if it were Lu Xusheng, even if the Cheng family was displeased, they wouldn't dare to complain openly.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you with this."

Lu Xusheng tilted his chin outward, "Go outside, don't let the smoke get to you."

Faced with such consideration from Lu Xusheng, Cheng Yian was quite unused to such attention, her face flushed as she left with Ru Lan.

The mistress and servant walked to the broad terrace, Cheng Yian glanced back at the embellished building, a bit worried about Lu Xusheng.

Originally, Cheng Yian thought that after Lu Xusheng's rebirth, the two of them would have some estrangement since they "knew each other inside out." However, she now realizes that rebirth has its advantages. Look, he charges into battle, leaving her with nothing to worry about.

Since the grandmother was still resting, Cheng Yian had nowhere to go and decided to wait nearby.

On the way, Ru Lan muttered, "Miss, burning it is good. If it's burned, the third miss won't be able to set her sights on it anymore."

Though the little maid said this, her face was filled with distress.

Cheng Yian chuckled, knowing Ru Lan had misunderstood, and gently rubbed her forehead without saying anything.

Setting fire to the grain storage was a routine for Lu Xusheng. Not only would he burn it, but he would do so silently, ensuring the enemy wouldn't notice until it was too late.

Cheng Yian waited in the flower hall for a long time without any sign of activity. By the time chaos erupted in the residence, the fire was already out of control.

Lu Xusheng's fire was executed with precision. It completely burned Cheng Yian's old belongings without affecting the other courtyards.

Thick smoke filled the air above the fourth household of the Cheng residence, and the flames were intense. The servants used the nearby stream to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading. Two maids guarding the house escaped just in time and knelt outside the stone bridge, sobbing loudly.

All the masters of the residence rushed over.

The eldest master, worried about Cheng Yian and Lu Xusheng being inside, hastily commanded the servants to check on them and sent people to search for the couple everywhere.

The sleeping matriarch was awakened. Upon hearing that Cheng Yian's boudoir had been burned, she was so anxious that her blood rushed to her head. She first asked if there were any casualties. Upon learning that Cheng Yian and her husband were not in the room, she sighed in relief, then angrily slapped the bed,

"Someone, bring the third girl here!"

"This is outrageous, outrageous!"

Who else would burn Cheng Yian's courtyard but the foolish Cheng Yiqian?

Poor Miao Shi and Cheng Yiqian were still lamenting the loss of their house when they were tied up and brought to the main hall by the female servants.

The matriarch didn't even bother to ask for details and immediately scolded the mother and daughter. Miao Shi even received a few strikes from the matriarch's cane, causing her to whimper in pain and grievance, "Mother, it really wasn't me, it really wasn't me. I wouldn't dare to burn it. No matter how foolish I am, I wouldn't do such a self-destructive thing..."

The matriarch slumped back in her armchair, breathless.

They had no idea... how serious the consequences of burning this courtyard would be... It wasn't just a boudoir.

The matriarch was heartbroken.

Soon, the masters and mistresses of the residence all rushed to the main hall, their faces covered in soot. A disaster on the day of the return visit was inauspicious.

Someone told the matriarch, "The fire is nearly out. Only the shell of the building remains. Miss An's old belongings are probably all gone..."

Someone else said, "It's fine if the things are burned, as long as no one is hurt."

Another person, filled with anger, said, "Bring the maids who were guarding the house and find out who did this!"

The one who said this was the eldest master. Before he could finish his sentence, Lu Xusheng strolled in nonchalantly from the hallway, covered in dust and looking remorseful,

"I apologize to the matriarch, masters, and mistresses. It was my fault. I accidentally spilled lamp oil during my noon nap, causing this disaster..."

Upon hearing that Lu Xusheng was in the embroidered tower, the eldest master and others were terrified and surrounded him, examining him from head to toe,

"Son-in-law, are you hurt?"

As long as he wasn't hurt, it was a blessing. Who could blame Lu Xusheng for his mistake?

Not only that, but the eldest master and others were also frightened and tried their best to appease him with smiles.

Before leaving, the old lady called Cheng Yian to her side and scolded her,

"An An, how could you leave your husband alone in the courtyard?"

Cheng Yian explained, "I thought it had been a long time since I made osmanthus cakes for you, so I went to the kitchen, leaving my husband resting in the courtyard. Who knew that the dry autumn weather would lead to such an incident..."

Cheng Yian also pretended to be frightened, wiping the corners of her eyes.

The once joyous homecoming banquet ended in disappointment.

The fire alarmed the main branch, and after Lu Xusheng and his wife returned, the steward of the main branch came to inquire, saying they wanted to find out the cause.

The old lady, of course, would not allow outsiders to interfere in her family affairs, using her son-in-law's accident as an excuse to fend them off. The burning of the daughter's boudoir felt like a declaration of severing ties with the family—a terrible omen. The old lady felt increasingly uneasy, secretly ordering someone to investigate, and news came at night.

There were traces of scented oil in the four corners of the room.

Clearly, it was done on purpose.

Who would be foolish enough to harm their own daughter and son-in-law in their own estate?

The old lady first thought of her son, Cheng Mingyou.

Only he had the motive...

The old lady summoned him to her room overnight.

Cheng Mingyou knelt on the ground, crying out in grievance,

"I may not like them, but I wouldn't harm their lives. One is the heir to the Duke's estate, a second-rank official in the Military Governor's Office, and the other is the wife of the Duke's heir. If I dared to kill them, wouldn't the entire fourth branch of the Cheng family be buried with them? I'm not that foolish."

"As for that girl, if I really wanted to harm her, I would have strangled her long ago. Why wait until today!"

His reasoning made perfect sense.

After much thought, there was only one last possibility.

It was done by Cheng Yian and Lu Xusheng.

This thought sent a chill down the old lady's spine, and she hastily dismissed all the servants, keeping only her trusted servant.

The old servant helped her into the inner room to rest.

The old lady sat on the soft couch, her eyes sharp as she looked at the servant,

"If it really was Cheng Yian, why would she do this?"

The servant said cryptically, "I just sent someone to interrogate the two maids who were left behind. They both said that after Ru Lan entered the courtyard today, she acted suspiciously, not allowing them to serve inside..."

This sealed the suspicion.

The old lady trembled all over, "Do you think she knew something and deliberately burned that embroidery building to show a clean break with the Cheng family?"

Seeing the old lady's terrified face, the servant knelt at her knees, holding her cold hands tightly,

"No, only you and I in the entire fourth branch know about it. I could never betray you. Besides, when the young lady left, there was nothing unusual. She was raised by you, and her nature is the most simple and kind. Any changes would be written on her face. If she really knew, how could she hide it from your eyes..."

The old lady closed her eyes deeply.