Chapter 25 Qu Lieshan “So you accompanied Miss Jin to the temple…”

Chapter 25: Qu Lieshan

"So, you're here to accompany Miss Jin in offering incense..."

Two days later, early in the morning, Master Zhou arrived at the embroidery loft to collect some pieces for framing. The embroiderers seized the opportunity to corner him with questions: "You're the most informed person we know; there's nothing you don't know. Why did Rong Rong offend Marquis Shen? And why isn't Han Zhen going to the Duke Guo's mansion anymore? Did she also offend Miss Jin?"

Du Yan quickly interjected in defense: "Han Zhen has the kindest nature; she never even speaks harshly. How could she possibly offend a noble?"

Everyone agreed. Master Zhou added, "Why Han Zhen isn't going to the Duke Guo's mansion is likely her own decision, but I do know that Rong Rong indeed offended Marquis Shen—and not just him, but also Liang Shaoqing!"

"Heavens!" Exclamations of surprise rippled through the group, and everyone started asking questions at once.

Master Zhou explained, "It's because Rong Rong rejected Liang Shaoqing for Marquis Shen's sake. She was trying to curry favor with the Marquis, but considering the status of the Liang and Shen families, how could they let a mere embroiderer damage their harmony? That's why Marquis Shen dismissed Rong Rong. You could say she tried to steal a chicken and ended up losing the rice."

Everyone found his explanation plausible, and some couldn't help but sneer, "So Rong Rong tried to act high and mighty, only to be humiliated."

"I think Rong Rong relied too much on her looks. She used to be favored by the Marquis and thought she was special, but who would have thought..."

"Exactly! She should have known her place. Looks are the least important thing to nobles."

Du Yan felt a surge of vindication: "She thought she was hot stuff, but they didn't give her a second thought. She's just too scheming."

Just then, Ren Hanzhen walked over, in a good mood: "What are you all talking about?"

"About why Rong Rong offended the Marquis."

Ren Hanzhen smiled faintly: "Is that so?" The shock and blow she had felt upon learning that Jin Tangsong wasn’t marrying Shen Jichen, coupled with her resentment and jealousy toward Yue Rongrong for working at the Marquis's estate, had all completely vanished.

While they were chatting animatedly, Yue Rongrong had already left the city. A prison stood in the suburbs, surrounded by mountains on three sides like an impregnable fortress, with strict security on all sides. Yue Rongrong stood respectfully outside the prison, her heart anxious. After waiting for a while, she finally saw the burly man Wang Xiong approaching. Yue Rongrong quickly produced the prepared ten portions of "Worry-Free Silver" and handed it to him.

Wang Xiong weighed the pouch in his hand, a rough smile spreading across his face: "I'll take you in."

Yue Rongrong took a deep breath, curtsied, and followed him into the prison, instantly enveloped by darkness. Today was a visiting day.

As they walked, Wang Xiong remarked, "You've got guts, Miss Yue. The people locked up here are all heinous criminals. Even their own families don't dare or care to visit. Only you show up."

Yue Rongrong replied, "Qu Lieshan is not a heinous criminal."

Wang Xiong smiled dismissively and pointed ahead: "Go on. Remember the time."

She was already familiar with the place and headed straight for that particular cell.

Likely having heard her footsteps, Qu Lieshan was already waiting at the bars. The moment he saw her, his bronzed face lit up: "Rong Rong!"

"Brother Qu!" Rong Rong's eyes welled up as she gripped the prison bars. Qu Lieshan excitedly took her hands, scrutinizing her from head to toe, his brow furrowing tightly.

"You've lost weight."

Yue Rongrong withdrew her hand to touch her face and grinned: "The fashion in the capital lately is to be slender. A little thinner looks better."

Qu Lieshan, a tough man showing tenderness, said, "You look beautiful no matter what."

Yue Rongrong smiled warmly but worriedly asked, "Are you okay? They haven't forced you into death matches, have they?"

Qu Lieshan frowned unhappily: "As long as you bring silver every ten days, they naturally won't send me. But I don't want you wasting your money. You should save more and leave the capital. With my martial arts skills, I might not die here. I... I don't want you staying in the capital."

Yue Rongrong understood his underlying meaning and smiled with downcast eyes. Suddenly, the sound of dragging footsteps echoed. She turned to look but was abruptly plunged into darkness—Qu Lieshan had reached out to cover her eyes.

"Don't look."

But Yue Rongrong had already caught a glimpse. Even if she hadn't, the heavy smell of blood would have told her. She turned her face away, knowing that what had just been dragged past was a prisoner freshly brought back from the mines.

Although this prison was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, some noble youths colluded with officials here to use prisoners for gambling. Under the guise of daily quarry work, they selected prisoners to fight one-on-one. They targeted these prisoners because most were condemned or serving life sentences, fierce even before imprisonment. The more violently they fought, the more excited the nobles and officials became.

Just as one was dragged away, they heard a guard spit: "Another one dead."

Then the sound of dragging echoed again. Yue Rongrong, fearful but resolute, said to Qu Lieshan, "The capital is fine. Don't worry about me."

This ten-day "Worry-Free Silver" was the guarantee that Qu Lieshan wouldn't be chosen.

Qu Lieshan looked at her gravely: "You know what I mean. Have you... seen him?"

Yue Rongrong hid her guilt, looked up, and smiled brightly: "No. Someone of his status—how could I ever meet him?"

Qu Lieshan breathed a sigh of relief: "Right." Then he added earnestly and gently, "Rong Rong, I don't want you blaming yourself. Everything I do for you, I do willingly. I just hope you won't be stubborn anymore. Don't keep getting entangled with Shen Jichen. He'll ruin you."

Though he said this, Yue Rongrong only felt more guilty. If not for her, he wouldn't be locked up here... After a long moment, she smiled cheerfully: "Okay, Brother Qu, don't worry. I won't. Oh, I heard prisoners here can still be released. With good behavior, they can reduce their sentences step by step. Brother Qu, I believe you can get out."

Qu Lieshan showed little enthusiasm or joy at these words, smiling faintly without responding.

＊＊

On her way back to the city, Yue Rongrong was still calculating how to secure the next ten portions of "Worry-Free Silver." Her monthly salary from Brocade Embroidery Loft was far from enough, and since the shopkeeper saw she’d been rejected by the Marquis's estate, he recently hadn’t allowed her to take embroidery work from other mansions.

To make matters worse, Zhen Xi rubbed salt in her wound: "Rong Rong, since you've been free lately, why don't we go to Ten-Thousand Buddha Temple tomorrow to offer incense and pray? The Imperial Exams start the day after tomorrow." She had already set her heart on Li Suian and spoke of such matters of affection naturally.

Yue Rongrong felt stung again but couldn’t resist Zhong Yu also persuading her. Before Zhen Xi shook her until she felt dizzy, she hastily agreed: "Fine. Since we're going to pray for success, I might as well get a talisman for Wei Hui too."

Zhen Xi smiled with implication: "Rong Rong, you're not being honest. Hiding your feelings from us."

Yue Rongrong waved her hand righteously: "Hey, I'm open and honest. It has nothing to do with romance." If not for accompanying Zhen Xi, she wouldn't have thought to make a special trip.

Zhen Xi didn't believe her, thinking she was too shy to admit it. Although Wei Hui was two years younger than Rong Rong, he was a talented youth. If he passed the exams, wouldn't that be double happiness?

Early the next morning, the three got ready and set out. Before leaving, Zhen Xi bought many offerings to show piety. Zhong Yu glanced at Yue Rongrong, and they tacitly understood each other. Since Zhen Xi’s illness, they had never mentioned Young Master Luo again.

Ten-Thousand Buddha Temple was built on the mountainside. The three held hands and followed the crowd up the mountain. The moment they arrived, Yue Rongrong, without caring about her image, plopped onto a stone under a locust tree, breathing heavily from exhaustion.

"Next time I'm not coming..." Yue Rongrong gasped, immediately earning Zhen Xi’s torture—pinching her arm. Zhong Yu didn't spare her either, pinching her other side. She winced in pain, tears welling.

Zhong Yu said sternly: "Don't talk nonsense in front of Buddha!"

"We're not even at Buddha's door yet," Yue Rongrong muttered pitifully, only to be pinched again by Zhong Yu. She dared not complain. Suddenly, her right arm was grabbed fiercely—Zhen Xi’s nails digging into her tender flesh. She cried out in pain, frantically slapping Zhen Xi’s hand.

But Zhen Xi was even more excited, eyes shining, ignoring the pain as she whispered excitedly: "The Marquis! The Marquis! It's actually the Marquis!"

Yue Rongrong’s pained expression froze, her body stiffening, not daring to move. Zhong Yu also followed Zhen Xi’s gaze, her eyes lighting up. Sure enough, she spotted Shen Jichen standing out in the crowd—dressed in luxurious brocade, like a white crane among clouds, yet cold and aloof, making others keep their distance. The bustling crowd instinctively made way for him. Shen Jichen looked straight ahead, only Miss Jin walking by his side, looking perfectly matched.

"So he's accompanying Miss Jin to offer incense," Zhong Yu sighed softly. "I never thought the Marquis, who seems so proud and cold, would accompany a lady to pray."

Zhen Xi was utterly envious: "Miss Jin is so lucky..."

Yue Rongrong took a deep breath, still keeping her head down and eyes lowered, saying stiffly, "Are we going to pray or not?"

Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu snapped back to reality. The three hurriedly went another way. After all, Shen Jichen was too elevated and remote for them; a glance was enough.