Chapter 24 She Developed a Desire to Cross the Line…

Chapter 24

She entertained thoughts of transgression...

Though she had mentally prepared herself for such a possibility, when Pang Shi actually spoke those words, Zhu Yinluan’s heart still leaped into her throat.

She felt wronged. She knew she shouldn’t show any emotion at this critical moment, especially with outsiders present. Yet, unable to suppress it, she couldn’t help but raise her head to look at Pang Shi.

Her mother-in-law. Pang Shi’s words didn’t seem like a joke—her expression was arrogant and disdainful, so condescending.

Just because of Wei Ruzuo’s inexplicable mood yesterday, when he left abruptly in anger, Pang Shi had summoned her early this morning without bothering to ask for an explanation, placing all the blame squarely on her shoulders.

Not only did she scold her in front of her elder sister, but she even threatened to throw her out of the house?

She couldn’t help but feel ill-treated. Beneath her flowing sleeves, her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles aching as a lump formed in her throat, followed swiftly by anger.

She had been married into the Wei family for years, had done so much for them—did Pang Shi not know? Back then, for the sake of the family—

But if she were to explain herself, Zhu Yinluan didn’t even know what to say.

Hearing this, seeing Zhu Yinluan’s pale, frightened face, Zhu Chentan felt secretly pleased.

Yet on the surface, she pretended to soothe Pang Shi. “Madam, please don’t be angry. My younger sister is still quite young and inexperienced. When she lived at home, she rarely went out due to her delicate constitution, so she’s naturally lacking in worldly experience. Please be lenient with her.”

Zhu Yinluan couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Even Yun Mama, standing behind Pang Shi, frowned.

Zhu Chentan’s words seemed to speak in her defense, but in reality, they implied agreement with the false accusations Pang Shi had pinned on her—even subtly reinforcing her shortcomings in Pang Shi’s eyes.

How utterly pointless.

Zhu Yinluan didn’t know what to say either. Even if she explained, Pang Shi wouldn’t listen. She was about to lower her head when Pang Shi pressed on relentlessly, “Look at you—not a single word to say?”

Forcing down her exhaustion, she replied, “It’s all my fault, Mother.”

She knew Pang Shi didn’t want explanations—she just wanted to vent. Let her scold as she pleased. The best course was to show a submissive attitude.

If she argued, Pang Shi might pounce on any mistake and berate her even more harshly.

“You really are useless…”

What Zhu Yinluan hadn’t expected was that Pang Shi’s anger this time was fiercer than ever before.

Perhaps because Wei Ruzuo’s promotion had emboldened her, leaving her with no more restraint.

A full half-hour passed before Pang Shi finally stopped.

She didn’t even let her have breakfast, ordering her to contemplate her faults in solitude.

Yun Mama couldn’t help but risk speaking up, “The young mistress hasn’t been well lately. If she goes hungry, what then? Besides, there might be some misunderstanding between her and the young master—”

“What harm is missing a meal or two?” Pang Shi was adamant. “She needs to learn her lesson! If she can’t help Ruzuo, at least she shouldn’t be a burden to him!”

When Yun Mama tried to speak further, Pang Shi silenced her with a wave of her hand.

Zhu Yinluan gave Yun Mama a grateful glance, gesturing for her to stop.

She rose obediently and left.

In the rear courtyard of the Wei residence was a small family shrine, where Pang Shi used to chant sutras on the first and fifteenth of each month.

It was tiny, hidden away in a secluded corner, slightly chilly.

Zhu Yinluan walked slowly, alone, while Ming Ya beside her couldn’t hold back her tears.

Hearing the quiet weeping, Zhu Yinluan turned to ask why she was crying.

“This servant just finds your life so hard, young mistress. I couldn’t help it.”

“Right now, the young master has only been promoted. Though it’s good, he’s not yet in a position of great power. If things are already so difficult for you, what will happen in the future?”

With no one to stand up for her, she could only endure the scolding and beatings.

“The eldest young lady is making trouble step by step. Don’t you have any other way?” Ming Ya wanted her to seek a way out.

Zhu Yinluan didn’t answer. She walked on with her head bowed.

Soon, they reached the family shrine. Ming Ya lit the candles while Zhu Yinluan lit incense sticks and knelt beside the Buddha statue. Closing her eyes, she tried to suppress the resentment and anger in her heart.

Ming Ya was right. With her elder sister stirring trouble, no support from her birth family, Pang Shi’s dislike, and her husband’s displeasure… she had to prepare for the worst.

At this thought, Zhu Yinluan opened her eyes and looked at the compassionate, gentle countenance of the Bodhisattva.

“…”

Zhu Yinluan spent the entire day in the family shrine, she ate nothing all day, her knees bruised and swollen from kneeling.

Ming Ya and Jiao Hui helped her back.

Ming Ya, soft-hearted, wept bitterly, while Jiao Hui’s expression was solemn.

Wei Ruzuo didn’t return today. After his promotion, he was busier than ever, occupied with dealing with official business.

Zhu Chentan had sent her some ointment. But what Zhu Yinluan hadn’t expected was that Fang Zhongyue would personally bring medicine as well.

And what medicine it was! Fang Zhongyue claimed it was from the Marquis Shen’s household. Previously, when her mother had been unwell, the Shen family’s matron, moved by her devotion and considering her age, had specially bestowed it—even saying it was medicine from the imperial palace with excellent effects. She urged Zhu Yinluan to be sure to use it.

Zhu Yinluan looked closely at Fang Zhongyue’s face. “If it’s this precious, why give it to me?”

Even the ointment from her elder sister wasn’t as good as this.

Fang Zhongyue said, “The young mistress has always treated me kindly. This is but a small token of gratitude.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yinluan smiled faintly but remained silent.

Uncertain of her thoughts, Fang Zhongyue, recalling her instructions, added a few more words of persuasion…

Seeing the swollen, bruised state of Zhu Yinluan’s knees, she stepped forward to apply the ointment herself.

She bowed deeply, opened the ointment jar, and knelt humbly before Zhu Yinluan.

But Ming Ya blocked her path. “What are you doing?!”

“You shouldn't come so close to our young mistress!”

“Zhongyue only wishes to help the young mistress.”

Ming Ya, protective, snapped, “Just leave the medicine here. Why must you get so close?”

Zhu Yinluan observed Fang Zhongyue from behind Ming Ya, seeing no sign of calculation on her face. She sighed lightly and told Ming Ya to mind her manners.

"Miss, one must always be wary of others. Who knows what her over-eagerness is truly for?"

Though Jiao Hui also tried to stop her, she remained silent, her resistance not as forceful as usual.

Preoccupied, Zhu Yinluan didn’t notice these details.

She asked Fang Zhongyue to speak plainly. "Though I hold the position of the rightful young madam, you know well that my influence in this household is fading. There’s little use in sucking up to me—it might even earn you Mother-in-law’s anger."

Her implication was clear: she still didn’t believe Fang Zhongyue had brought such fine medicine merely to repay past kindness.

"You once said your family was struggling. If you have such valuable medicine, why not sell it for money?" A palace-made ointment could fetch dozens of taels at an apothecary.

Fang Zhongyue hesitated before speaking. "Since you’ve put it so bluntly, I won’t hide the truth."

"You are kind-hearted, but your elder sister... can't tolerate others."

"If she were to enter this household, I fear I’d be driven out. So I wish to help you—and, of course, myself."

"This ointment is my sincerity."

Lord Zhu was right—her wariness ran deep.

After a while, Zhu Yinluan seemed convinced and had Ming Ya move away.

Fang Zhongyue approached to apply the medicine, with Zhu Yinluan watching her closely.

Sensing her scrutiny, Fang Zhongyue voluntarily shared what Wei Ruzuo had said to her the day before.

Zhu Yinluan only gave an indifferent "Hmm."

After Fang Zhongyue left, Yun Mama brought her some food, claiming it was Pang Shi’s idea.

A slap then a sugar cube.

Though she felt nothing inside, Zhu Yinluan played her part well, not wasting Yun Mama’s efforts, and gracefully took the offered "way out."

"Please convey my gratitude to Mother for her kindness. After reflecting today, I’ve realized my faults and will take this as a lesson—to serve my husband dutifully and honor Mother with filial piety."

"Good." Yun Mama told her to get some rest and even brought her medicine.

Upon returning, Yun Mama spun Zhu Yinluan’s words favorably to Pang Shi.

Pang Shi felt somewhat mollified. "Hmph. She's being sensible at least."

"Young Madam has always been quick to understand and obey your wishes," Yun Mama praised.

Pang Shi scoffed. "What good is that? Can she bear children or help Ruzuo secure the Minister’s position?"

Yun Mama added tactfully, "Young Madam is, after all, Lord Zhu’s daughter. Surely she’ll aid the eldest young master’s advancement."

"A mere daughter born of a concubine. All these years, the Zhu family’s support was due to Zhu Chentan’s influence and the old friendship between our houses. What does she have to do with it?"

"The Zhu family’s eldest young lady and the Luo family’s affairs won’t stay hidden forever. If she were to become entangled with our young master, wouldn’t that offend the Luo family? Besides, she’s already promised to another—aren’t you concerned about the Zhu family’s eldest daughter’s reputation?"

"Ruzuo’s current position outranks Luo Xuan’s!"

At this, Pang Shi retorted, "What do you know? Precisely because she’s already promised to another and would have difficulty remarrying, if she enters our Wei family, the Zhu family would surely appreciate our magnanimity and pull out all stops to help Ruzuo."

Pang Shi’s had it all figured out, leaving Yun Mama no room to argue. She shut her mouth awkwardly.

Before retiring, Ming Ya told Zhu Yinluan she shouldn't trust Fang Zhongyue, while Jiao Hui argued otherwise. The two maids argued back and forth.

Lulled by their voices, Zhu Yinluan fell into a shallow sleep.

She dreamed.

Of a man—intimate with her, kissing her, comforting her, telling her not to cry, admitting it was all his fault.

His low, tender voice lingered in her ears, strangely familiar yet unplaceable.

Was it truly a dream?

For the first time, Zhu Yinluan wondered—she almost wished it weren’t. She wanted desperately to know who the man in her dream was.

But she never found out, for the night’s wind and rain grew too loud, waking her abruptly.

Listening to the storm outside, she wondered—why had such thoughts even crossed her mind?

Could it be that the hardships of the Wei household had put rebellious thoughts in her head...?