Chapter 704: Bean-Sized Tears [Thank You! Again! 41k Words Owed]

"Giddyap!"

"Ha!"

"Clatter-clatter-clatter-clatter~"

On the polo field, the crisp cries of riders like Chai Zhengzheng and Gu Tingyi, along with the thunder of hooves, echoed intermittently.

Moments later,

"Good shot!"

The ladies and young misses near the nearby tents cheered joyfully.

Inside the Yu family's tent,

Yu Yanhong looked at Yu Yanran, who sat beside her weeping, with clear disdain and said: "Big sister, when did you start courting Second Master Gu?"

Yu Yanran, tear-blurred, snapped her head up, eyes wide with disbelief: "Third sister! You—you're saying what?"

Yu Yanhong sneered: "Our Yu family is a scholarly lineage, a pure clan. As the eldest daughter, you keep meddling in base merchant affairs!"

"First it's ear muffs, then cotton pillows! I swear, you're ruining our family's reputation!"

Gu Shi, the Yu family's matriarch seated above, cast a sidelong glance at Yu Yanran and said: "Yanran, your sister speaks coarsely, but her point is sound."

A tear the size of a bean rolled down Yu Yanran's cheek; she looked at Gu Shi and shook her head: "Mother, no—I haven't disgraced the Yu name."

"You say you haven't? And who believes you?" Yu Yanhong shot back, glaring.

Before Yu Yanran could speak, Yu Yanhong continued, voice tinged with bitter envy: "Second Master Gu just raised his brow and tilted his chin at you! Who knows—maybe you caught his eye when you went out in public?"

"And listen to the mocking whispers around us! Still say you haven't disgraced us? How can you repay your grandparents' love for you like this?"

Yu Yanran bowed her head, heart aching bitterly; she didn't reach for her handkerchief, but used her sleeve to wipe her tears—yet hot tears kept pouring from her eyes, no matter how hard she wiped.

As she cried, sobs broke through: "I—I—I haven't disgraced the Yu family!"

"Pfft~" Yu Yanhong rolled her eyes at Yu Yanran: "All you know how to do is cry."

Gu Shi's expression was one of disgust: "Yanran, stop crying! Others see you like this—they'll think I, your stepmother, am mistreating you!"

"Enough! When we return home, I'll tell your grandfather and grandmother: Yanran, you're done showing your face in public. Stay in your courtyard and rest. As for your estates and shops—those ear muffs and pillows—I'll manage them for you."

"Once this scandal fades and people forget, your father and I will find you a good match."

As Gu Shi spoke,

Yu Yanhong, watching Yu Yanran's bowed head, wore a sneer, silently mouthing "good match~" before letting out a cold snort.

"Your mother acts with the best intentions! Yanran, don't you agree?" Gu Shi asked.

Yu Yanran kept her head down, silent, only sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing Yu Yanran offer no resistance, no reply, only cry, Yu Yanhong grew more irritated and hateful, wanting to scold her.

So Yu Yanhong snapped: "Hey! Big sister, Mother's asking you! Is this how a daughter treats her stepmother? Did your grandparents never teach you manners?"

Yu Yanran, head bowed, wiped her eyes with her sleeve—as if she had stopped crying.

Looking at Yu Yanran's sleeves, embroidered with delicate orchids and now soaked through, Yu Yanhong sneered: "As your elder sister, I'm even willing to speak plainly to you! When Xu Wu Lang invents something new, you rush to copy it!"

"He's busy studying hard at home and school, or fighting on the northwest battlefield for glory—he never crosses paths with you."

"Otherwise, you'd surely crawl up to him, groveling for attention! Your name might drag his reputation into the mud!"

Gu Shi said nothing,

but the old maid beside her, with a wart on her lip, chimed in: "Third Miss speaks true."

"Plink. Plink."

Two bean-sized tears, catching the sunlight outside the tent, fell again onto the trembling, soaked orchid-embroidered sleeve.

Why did the sleeve tremble so?

Perhaps because the hand beneath it shook.

"Whoosh!"

Yu Yanran rose, head still bowed.

"So, are you defying your stepmother?" Gu Shi sneered.

Yu Yanran shook her head, voice trembling: "No—I'm going to freshen up."

With a curt bow, she walked toward the back of the tent.

Her personal maid, chest heaving, followed close behind.

Before leaving the tent, the maid shot a furious glare at the others inside.

Outside the tent,

the maid looked down at Yu Yanran's sleeve, her eyes filled with pity as she whispered beside her: "Miss, let's go home."

Inside the Yongchang Marquis's tent,

the atmosphere differed from outside—quiet, still.

"Sigh."

Gu Tingye sighed, frowning.

Qi Heng and Liang Han exchanged a glance, then said nothing—only picked up fresh cherries from the table and ate them.

Glancing at Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye licked his lips and asked: "Jing Ge, you said you appealed to the Empress—when did you do that?"

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath: "Just as we went to pay our respects."

"Oh!" Gu Tingye nodded. "How did you plead?"

Seeing Xu Zaijing's gaze, Gu Tingye looked away, feigning innocence: "I didn't hear—I'm just asking."

He picked up a green apricot from the tray and popped it into his mouth.

"Ssshh."

The sourness twisted his face; he spat out the apricot and shoved two cherries into his mouth.

"Tch."

He spat the cherry pits onto the table.

"Madam Chang has arrived."

A Liang family maid announced at the tent entrance.

Gu Tingye sat up straight, turning toward the entrance.

Madam Chang, dressed neatly, entered the tent, bowed to Xu Zaijing and the others, then smiled: "Young masters, my lady requests Second Master's return to the tent."

As she spoke, Madam Chang gave Gu Tingye a look that said: "Good luck."

Gu Tingye swallowed his fruit, gazing earnestly at Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge! Wu Lang! You haven't seen my mother in ages—why not come with me?"

Xu Zaijing paused, then nodded: "All right."

Madam Chang smiled faintly and withdrew from the tent.

"Keep watching the match," Xu Zaijing said, rising with Gu Tingye to leave the tent.

Outside the tent,

the sunlight was blinding.

Xu Zaijing raised a hand to shield his eyes, then turned his head: "Second Master, now do you know how I appealed to the Empress?"

Gu Tingye, having just experienced it firsthand, nodded vigorously: "Jing Ge, I understand!"

"Hmm."

Xu Zaijing nodded, and the two walked side by side toward the Gu family tent.

Passing the Xu family tent, they saw Xu Zhang and Hua Lan standing outside; both bowed and greeted them.

Xu Zaijing was about to walk on, but Gu Tingye lingered at the Xu tent, "properly" asking how long they'd been there and whether their journey had been smooth.

Watching Gu Tingye stall, Xu Zaijing could only shake his head and stand there with him.

"Sister-in-law Hua Lan, I heard Wu Lang say your three sisters are learning polo—perhaps they'll show their skill on this field someday."

Hua Lan smiled and nodded: "Good. When I return to the Sheng family, I'll tell Grandmother."

"Cough."

Madam Chang cleared her throat gently, urging them.

Xu Zhang smiled and shook his head: "Second Master, you'd better go."

Hua Lan added: "The Empress's lady-in-waiting just left the Gu family tent."

"Oh!"

Gu Tingye glanced sharply at Xu Zaijing, bowed to Xu Zhang and Hua Lan, then stepped toward the Gu family tent.

"My lady, Second Master and Wu Lang have arrived."

Madam Chang announced at the tent entrance.

Xu Zaijing turned his head, glancing at Gu Tingye, who hesitated behind him, and whispered: "Second Master, where's the courage you showed when you raised your brow at that girl?"

Ignoring Gu Tingye, Xu Zaijing smiled and stepped into the Gu family tent.

Gu Tingye watched his back: "I—"

Inside the tent, Xu Zaijing bowed deeply and smiled: "Auntie, greetings. Will you take to the field today, Auntie? Sister?"

Bai Shi and Ping Mei exchanged a glance, then smiled at Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge, it's been ages since you called me 'auntie.'"

Xu Zaijing smiled shyly.

"Sit," Bai Shi said, gesturing.

"Yes."

Xu Zaijing replied with a smile, sat on the chair, and nodded to Qing Zhi as she served him tea.

Qing Zhi understood the meaning behind his smile; her cheeks flushed as she bowed slightly, then stepped beside Ping Mei.

Gu Tingye entered the tent at that moment, bowing with a fawning smile: "Mother, Sister-in-law."

Bai Shi's smile vanished; she looked at Gu Tingye and said coldly: "Gu Tingye, you've grown quite the prodigy! Daring to flirt with the eldest granddaughter of the Grand Tutor in broad daylight!"

"Mother, I didn't—"

Before Gu Tingye could finish, Bai Shi waved her hand: "I'll tell your father about this. Go home and wait for your family punishment!"

Gu Tingye's face turned pale with fear: "Ah?! Mother, don't tell Father! I won't dare again—I beg you, spare me!"

As he spoke, Gu Tingye turned to Xu Zaijing beside him, his eyes filled with desperate pleading.

Xu Zaijing helplessly set down his teacup and smiled at Bai Shi: "Auntie, just now I saw a lady-in-waiting from the Empress's retinue pass by—did she come to our tent?"

Bai Shi gave a slight nod, then glared at Gu Tingye again.

Watching Gu Tingye hang his head in shame, Bai Shi said: "Just now, when you were on the field and Er Lang acted recklessly and humiliated Miss Yu, that lady-in-waiting came over!"

"The lady-in-waiting said: 'Youth admires parents, and when one knows beauty, one admires the young.' Your actions are merely natural."

"Since both are unmarried youths, if our family has intentions, the Empress would be delighted to personally arrange this happy match."

Hearing this, Gu Tingye lifted his head hopefully and asked Bai Shi: "Mother, what did you say?"

Bai Shi gave Gu Tingye a disgusted look: "Of course I smiled and agreed!"

Xu Zaijing felt a weight lift from his chest and said: "Auntie, Miss Yu's background has been quite tragic."

Bai Shi took a deep breath and exchanged a glance with Ping Mei, then spoke solemnly: "Yes, Yanran's story, your mother told me."

Xu Zaijing blinked, hesitated, then asked: "Auntie, did Mother also tell you about what happened on the road to Xiangzhou years ago?"

Bai Shi and Ping Mei both nodded.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Good. Then I won't repeat it."

Gu Tingye, beside them, looked curiously between his mother and sister-in-law, then glanced at Xu Zaijing.

He scratched his temple in agitation, clearly desperate to uncover the secret.

Bai Shi glanced at her son, then turned to Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge, my own mother—Yanran's maternal grandmother—died early too. When she passed, I was about the same age as Miss Yanran was when she lost her mother."

Xu Zaijing nodded solemnly: "Auntie, please accept my condolences."

Ping Mei, seated below, gently squeezed Bai Shi's hand, concerned: "Mother, Xiao Wu is right—don't dwell on it. Grief harms the body."

Bai Shi smiled at Ping Mei and returned the squeeze.

As she turned to look at her fidgeting son, a dream she'd had over ten years ago, after giving birth to Gu Tingyi, flashed through her mind.

The image of Yu Yanran seemed to merge with Gu Tingye in her dream.

The thought arose in her heart: "If I die early, Er Lang will likely end up just like this."

"Madam, a lady-in-waiting has arrived."

Qing Xia, standing at the tent entrance, announced.

Bai Shi looked at Gu Tingye's happy face, shook her head with a smile, then rose with Ping Mei to meet the lady-in-waiting.

The lady-in-waiting arrived at the Gu family tent, bowed, and before Bai Shi could return the gesture, said bluntly: "Madam, the Empress has sent me to deliver word: Miss Yu is weeping and wishes to leave the polo field."

The lady-in-waiting bowed again: "Madam, no need to see me off—I take my leave." Then she turned and departed.

Gu Tingye, who had just risen, froze.

Xu Zaijing stood up, a look of sudden understanding flickering in his eyes, then furrowed his brow in regret.

Bai Shi and Ping Mei exchanged a glance; both now had suspicions.

Ping Mei whispered directly: "Mother, do you think Miss Yu was bullied by her stepmother and stepsisters?"

Bai Shi said: "Almost certainly. Come, let's go see!"

As she spoke, Bai Shi turned toward the back of the tent.

"I'm coming too!" Gu Tingye said.

Before Xu Zaijing could speak, Ping Mei shook her head: "Er Lang, don't add fuel to the fire!"

Then she grabbed Bai Shi's arm: "Mother, that stepmother of Miss Yu's may have said something cruel!"

"Miss Yu is still in tears and full of hurt—your going might make her feel even more humiliated! Let me go comfort her and see her home."

She glanced outside and continued: "Mother, it's still early. There's another polo match tomorrow. I'll send someone to the Sheng household later."

"My great-aunt has been close friends with Miss Yu's grandmother for decades! I'll ask her to invite Miss Yu's grandmother to the Sheng household this afternoon. Then you can go too—and everything will be easier to say."

Bai Shi nodded thoughtfully: "Very well. I'll follow Ping Mei's advice."

Ping Mei hurriedly said: "Then I'll go after Miss Yu right away!"

Saying this, she led Qing Xia and Qing Zhi toward the back of the tent.

Bai Shi sat back down, leaning on Chang Mama's arm, and glared at Gu Tingye: "I only hope Miss Yanran doesn't come to hate you."

Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingye, who stood there dejectedly, and said: "Er Lang, you may turn this misfortune into fortune."

Gu Tingye looked up at Xu Zaijing, thought for a moment, then sighed: "I only hope your good words hold true."

"Ding!"

The bronze gong on the field rang out.

Chai Zhengzheng, Gu Tingyi, and the others returned victorious, dismounting with graceful ease, then bowed before the Empress's tent.

Both teams of noble ladies, regardless of victory or defeat, received gifts from the Empress.

Rong Feiyan and the other three young ladies returned to the Yingguo Duke's tent.

Gu Tingyi looked at the female attendants waiting at the entrance and asked: "What happened while we were playing?"

Chai Zhengzheng and the others, still having their arm wraps untied by their attendants, also turned to look.

Soon they learned: Yu Yanran had left the field weeping, and the Gu family's daughter-in-law had followed her.

"I've met Yanran a few times—she's gentle as a little white rabbit, barely speaks a word when playing with us! I wonder what will come of this," Chai Zhengzheng said, worried.

Zhang Wu niang straightened her chest and declared: "Who cares what happens? Next time there's tea or incense gatherings, we'll invite Yanran."

"If anyone dares gossip or sneer, I've got plenty of retorts ready for them!"

Gu Tingyi said seriously: "This mess was caused by my brother—I'll stand by her from now on."

Rong Feiyan took the damp cloth offered by Xi Bu and looked at her three companions: "Actually, with Grand Tutor Yu and his wife protecting her, if she finds peace within herself, nothing will truly harm her."

"Rumors? At home, just pretend you don't hear them."

If another noble lady said this, listeners might think Rong Feiyan was mocking Yu Yanran.

But coming from Rong Feiyan, those who knew her past understood: this was a raw, heartfelt confession, almost like exposing her own wounds.

For one must know,

as the younger sister of Consort Rong, Rong Feiyan had been naturally beautiful since childhood, so stunning that ordinary high-born girls in Bianjing dared not stand beside her, fearing they'd be overshadowed.

Her childhood betrayal by friends had taught her to speak cautiously, rarely saying anything rash.

With strict teachers, her posture and bearing were flawless; she excelled in all noble lady pastimes—painting, incense, tea, and flower arranging.

Yet even so, because of her family's background and ancestral origins, she had endured countless cruel, mocking words in every social setting.

Just as she said: at home, pretend you don't hear them.

Gu Tingyi and Zhang Wu niang had grown up in Bianjing's aristocratic circles under their mothers' guidance—they knew this well.

"I'll find a chance to tell Yanran what you said, Feiyan," Gu Tingyi said sincerely.

Rong Feiyan smiled: "Yes! Thank you, Tingyi."

Chai Zhengzheng gave Rong Feiyan a quiet smile.

At the polo field exit,

"Yanran, wait for me!"

Yu Yanran, walking while crying, quickly wiped her tears and composed herself.

Turning to see Ping Mei approaching, she recognized her.

Thinking of Xu Zaijing through Ping Mei, for some reason, Yanran's sorrow and hurt surged again.

As Ping Mei, now a mother of two, drew near,

seeing the sincere, warm concern in Ping Mei's eyes, Yanran's tears flowed again.

Ping Mei, aware of Yanran's background, looked at her pitiful state and said tenderly: "Oh, sweet girl, don't cry! Don't cry!"

As she spoke, Ping Mei bent down and used her own silk handkerchief to wipe Yanran's tears.

Ping Mei's gesture and the words "sweet girl" made Yanran feel dazed—as if she'd returned to childhood.

Back then, her own mother, still alive, would call her that when she cried.

Through blurred tears,

Yanran's grief burst forth,

"Huh!"

She threw her arms around Ping Mei.

Ping Mei, caught off guard, stood frozen, arms outstretched.

Ping Mei was tall; Yanran barely reached her shoulders.

"Wu wu wu wu…"

Hearing Yanran's heartbroken sobs, Ping Mei's own nose grew slightly numb with emotion.

Thinking of her own daughter, Yanjie, Ping Mei slowly drew her arms around Yanran and patted her back as if soothing her own child.

She whispered gently: "Sweet girl, don't cry, don't cry, okay?"

"Wu wu wu wu!"

Yanran cried even harder.

Ping Mei sighed helplessly and held Yanran tighter.

She cried for a long while,

as if releasing all her grievances,

then finally lifted her head, tear-blurred eyes fixed on Pingmei.

After Pingmei wiped her tears with a soft handkerchief, Yu Yanran saw that her own tears and snot had soiled Pingmei's chest.

Looking at Pingmei's clothes, Yu Yanran stammered in panic: "Lady Ping, I—I—"

Pingmei smiled: "It's nothing—just a dress."

"Come on. I'll walk you home," Pingmei said, extending her hand.

Yanran looked up shyly at Pingmei and gave a small nod.

(End of chapter)