Chapter 8: Ninth Uncle
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The Fragrant Cottage.
The house was built by the water because the Jade Flow family’s fate lacked water.
Parents love their children deeply and plan thoughtfully for their future, taking great care in every aspect of their lives—clothing, food, shelter, and travel. Among the three siblings in the Jade family, she was the most favored and lived in the best courtyard.
In a white jade incense burner carved with begonia flowers, the finest agarwood incense smoldered, emitting a fresh and elegant fragrance. Antique shelves, embroidered folding screens, and beaded curtains were all arranged beautifully yet tastefully.
After dismissing all the servants, only she and her mother, Shen Linlang, remained in the room.
“Mother, you’ve seen it too, haven’t you? Mu Lin’s outfit today is exactly the same as in my dream. I simply cannot keep deceiving myself into thinking it was just a dream.”
No one would know that was from her previous life.
Now, reborn, she would never walk the path of sorrow again. She would distance herself from those who hurt her, and repay those who cared for and loved her in this life.
For example, her aunt, and that person...
As for Mu Lin, she would never marry him under any circumstances!
“The matter of marriage can be postponed,” Shen Linlang sighed. “Even if the match isn’t yet certain, to abruptly call off talks with the Marquis’s family would inevitably affect the relationship between our two houses. Tang’er, rest assured, I will handle it properly. I won’t let you suffer any injustice, nor be the subject of gossip.”
“Mother!” Jade Liuzhu leaned against her, yet a barrier lingered in her heart.
Even with a fresh start, some things she still could not let go.
She lowered her eyelids, hiding the complex emotions beneath.
Shen Linlang, seeing only her usual coquettish demeanor, affectionately embraced her, her face full of tenderness despite its usual vigor.
After a moment, she thought of Shen Qinglu and furrowed her brow slightly. “Your aunt used to keep a close watch over your sister Ali. I wonder why she appeared today?”
“Mother, Aunt has no other intention. It’s just that Dujuan is away, and Xia Chan doesn’t understand Ali’s nature, so she didn’t want her to sneak out.”
Shen Linlang’s frown deepened.
In recent years, with her deliberate guidance, her children had grown distant from the young aunt. Why would her daughter suddenly trust her so much?
Though the young aunt now seemed well-behaved and sensible, she had not always been so. Once proud and tall, her striking beauty made her haughty, and she looked down on marriage prospects.
She had ties with the Marquis’s household and had once taken the young aunt there as a guest. Unexpectedly, the young aunt immediately took a liking to the Marquis’s heir, Mu Wei, Mu Lin’s father, causing much trouble and even involving her in matchmaking efforts.
The Marquis family was of such noble status that she could barely speak on the matter.
Moreover, she was friends with Mu Wei’s elder sister Mu Miaohua and knew that although Mu Wei was not officially betrothed, he already had a beloved, making it impossible to broach the subject.
Because of her refusal, the relationship between aunt and sister-in-law became somewhat strained and delicate.
“Your aunt seems compliant now, but she wasn’t like this before...”
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“Mother.” Jade Liuzhu’s displeasure surfaced. She had eyes and feelings; after living two lives, how could she not know who truly cared for her?
“Aunt has suffered so much these years—isn’t that enough? I heard that when she married into the Su family, it was out of desperation and all for the Jade family’s sake. She sacrificed and endured humiliation for the greater good. Why can’t we trust her?”
“Who told you this?” Shen Linlang’s expression darkened.
Years ago, rumors spread that the Second Prince wanted to take the young aunt as a concubine. Her grandmother, frantic, hastily arranged her marriage to the Su family.
After the Su family’s downfall, she ordered the entire household not to speak of it. She set an example, never mentioning a word even before her children.
These old stories Jade Liuzhu only learned later.
“Mother, I overheard others mention it outside.”
Shen Linlang believed this explanation but remained uneasy. “Tang’er, when the Demon King poisoned the late Crown Prince and harmed the other princes, committing countless atrocities, anyone connected to him met a grim fate. The Su family was a proven faction, found with tokens of allegiance to the Demon King. If others knew your aunt was forced to marry into the Su family, they would suspect our Jade family harbored unspeakable secrets and misjudge us.”
Jade Liuzhu understood the gravity of these stakes.
Her mind involuntarily pictured Shen Qinglu’s face, even more outstanding than her own, fueling her resentment. “Aunt is our Jade family’s blood, entirely separate from the Su family. Only Ali... without her, Aunt wouldn’t have suffered so much, and our family wouldn’t live in fear.”
Her sharp tone alarmed Shen Linlang. “Tang’er, you…”
“Mother, I just… I’m worried about Aunt.” Jade Liuzhu knew she was out of line and lowered her voice.
“Young and foolish, but always the one who worries her mother most,” Shen Linlang sighed deeply.
She didn’t notice the faint grievance lingering in Jade Liuzhu’s gaze.
*
At the Marquis’s estate gate, Jade Jingliang was still persuading Mu Lin.
“It’s been three years since we last met. I have so much to tell you. Can’t you stay a night like you did three years ago? We can talk by candlelight.”
Three years ago, before Mu Lin departed for the frontier, he had been forced by Jade Jingliang to stay overnight at the Marquis’s estate. They talked freely until dawn—a memory so vivid and passionate that Jade Jingliang had longed for it ever since.
But Mu Lin’s heart was heavy; he didn’t want to stay even a moment longer. Had he not feared Jade Jingliang noticing, he would have left immediately.
“I’ve returned to the capital and will be stationed here from now on, serving in the Divine Martial Camp like you. We’ll have plenty of chances to meet privately. No need to rush. I haven’t been home for three years, and many matters await me. When I have free time, we can meet again.”
Jade Jingliang smiled, realizing the wisdom in that.
He had joined the Divine Martial Camp a year ago through the recommendation of his uncle Shen Kunyao and passing the martial exams. Mu Lin, due to his military merits at the frontier, was directly transferred to Divine Martial Palace. Now they were colleagues.
Youthful friendship and shared ideals were precious.
“All right, we have plenty of time ahead.” He clapped Mu Lin on the shoulder, thinking that as future relatives, Mu Lin would often visit their Jade family, giving them many chances to talk through the night.
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Thinking this, he winked at Mu Lin.
“Ali Lin, don’t worry. If you and Tang’er have a dispute, I’ll stand by your side!”
Upon hearing this, Mu Lin momentarily forgot Jade Liuzhu’s face, his mind filled instead with another—a dazzling beauty like a spring peach, with large, dark eyes.
He felt conflicted, unsure how to reconcile his feelings, and vaguely bid farewell to Jade Jingliang.
Leaving Chongde Alley, passing through the entire elephant market, then turning down three alleys, was the Yongyi Marquis’s estate.
The estate’s noble status was evident. Located in the heart of Donglin, it was a place of great prestige and excellent feng shui.
Stone lions guarded the gate, with soldiers posted at the entrance. Towering walls stood solemn and imposing, impressing all passersby with the deep heritage within.
The main courtyard displayed the Mu family’s century-old glory, with a plaque inscribed with the words “Loyalty, Courage, Valor, and Resolution.”
Upon reaching the gate, Mu Lin heard laughter from his grandmother and mother but hesitated, his steps heavy, delaying his entry.
After some time, he turned and left.
Passing through a picturesque garden and a bamboo grove, he came upon a quiet little courtyard. The silence made it seem uninhabited.
As he stepped inside, a slender, middle-aged man who appeared to be the steward emerged and said, “Young master, please wait. I will inform Ninth Lord.”
After about fifteen minutes, the steward returned, gesturing politely, “Young master, please come in.”
Mu Lin straightened his collar and entered.
Inside, the room was elegant and serene.
A zither stand sat beneath the west window, while a tea seat occupied the east window. On the central wall hung a painting of a bamboo grove. Ink washed in shades of dark and light, with hints of blue within the darkest strokes and green hidden in the lightest.
Soft footsteps approached. Mu Lin immediately composed himself and looked toward the person drawing back the curtain.
The newcomer appeared just over twenty, tall and graceful, wearing a white robe as pure as snow beneath a green cloak.
At first glance, he resembled a winter pine forest—cold and desolate. Like a high waterfall reduced to a trickle, he seemed frail and delicate.
His aloof demeanor made one feel the chill of midwinter, yet amidst the vast emptiness, he inspired boundless admiration.
Mu Lin bowed respectfully.
“Ninth Uncle.”