The 87th Time

  Minglan lay languidly on the bed, while Danju carefully applied a thin layer of fragrant ointment to her palm. In a soft voice, she enumerated: "...Miss, you've gotten Old Lady Sheng's temper flared up; today's incident was truly not your fault, Old Lady Sheng has always treated you like her own heart, never letting you get even a scratch, and yet now you...". Danju let out a light sigh. "Why bother? Just wait patiently, Miss, the He family will have to give an explanation."

  Minglan was exhausted, lying lazily and not wanting to move. She heard the words and let out a soft snort of laughter: "Wait? How wait? Wait until when? Wait until I'm older, wait until I've lost my appeal, wait until the He family comes to propose and Grandma asks 'Will that cousin of yours enter our household?' Or is it wait until I'm married in and the Cao family comes with tears and snot, forcing me to take in Cousin Cao as well?!" Minglan's mouth curled up slightly in sarcasm. "Besides, given Grandma's temperament, she won't be able to wait a few days before trying to marry me off to someone else." Minglan let out another soft sigh, her voice barely audible: "It's just that I'm not willing to give up like this, which is why I'm acting out like this."

  Danju's expression was dim, and she gently put down the white porcelain bottle with a blue fish-scale pattern. She took over the silk fabric that had been cut into thin strips and slowly wrapped it around Minglan's palm. The curtain rustled softly as Xiaotao entered with a tray, carrying several bowls and plates. She placed the things at the head of the bed and smiled: "I saw that Miss hadn't eaten much for dinner, so I asked Lian Dama in the kitchen to make a bowl of Sanxian cat ear soup, freshly made noodles, it's delicious! Miss, hurry up and eat while it's hot!"

  On the black lacquer tray was a celadon green bamboo cup, next to it was a pair of matching bowls and spoons. In the bowl were emerald green peas, tender shoots, thinly sliced chicken, and small cat ear-shaped noodles. The aroma of high soup wafted through the air, and Minglan's appetite was slightly stirred. She reached out to take the spoon, and Xiaotao smiled as she held the tray for Minglan to scoop up some food.

  "Hmm!" Minglan took a bite and felt that it was salty, fresh, and delicious, making her want to eat more. She looked up at Xiaotao and said, "Auntie Lian's noodles are indeed delicious, next time you give her 20 or 30 cents as thanks."

  Xiao Tao nodded, smiled and said: "Every time the young lady calls for food, she will give me some money as a reward. No wonder today I went there, and the old lady was excitedly opening the stove."

  Danju Zheng was worried, seeing Xiaotao didn't take it to heart at all, couldn't help but glare at her: "You this heartless little hoof! If Miss hadn't stopped me today, I would have told Housekeeper Fang about you, and made you eat a board too! What light or heavy matters dare you speak to Miss so recklessly!" Although the words were harsh, his hands didn't stop, finding a handkerchief to wrap around Minglan's neck.

  Xiao Tao stuck out her tongue: "The Emperor of Food is great!" Then she turned to Minglan, her big eyes sparkling with excitement, and whispered, "Miss, I went to take a look, Yan Cao and Lü Qing are both asleep. Old Huang Tou and the gatekeeper's wife will be fine. Today, neither Da Nainai nor Wu Gu Niang came looking for you, so our plan to sneak out of the mansion won't be discovered."

  Minglan nodded, swallowing a mouthful of thick noodles. Danju looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitating. After Minglan had eaten about half full, Xiaotao took out the tray and left. She slowly put wet towels into the copper basin, hesitantly saying: "Miss, what if the He family agrees now but changes their mind later?" Minglan replied calmly: "Of course there will be a son."

  Today was tiring, after serving Minglan with her hair and bath, Danju put down the curtain, lit a mosquito-repelling incense stick in a gilded copper censer, and quietly exited after extinguishing the lights. Minglan leaned against the pillow with her loose hair, but the more tired she was, the less she could sleep, the more anxious she became, and the more excited her spirit was. Minglan wasn't afraid to face a fierce dragon head-on, giving it her all, and even if she lost, she would have no regrets. But this time, heaven had arranged for her an opponent who was a genuine little white flower. If it were someone like Lin's wife, a pseudo-white flower who was actually a man-eating weed, Minglan could muster up all her energy to fight back without any psychological burden. However, the person she encountered this time was indeed a real little white flower.

  Humble, worn out, and from a declining family, her gaze towards He Hongwen was filled with desperate joy, as if a ghost in the underworld looking up at the world of the living. Lin Niang knew that everyone could see that she was doing it for a reason, but Cao Jinxiu was different, she had genuine feelings for He Hongwen; to be honest, Minglan wasn't without sympathy, but for her own sake, she didn't have time to pity others.

  The most entangled thing in the world is none other than this.

  Minglan lay on her bed, hugging her quilt and sighing softly: She was indeed a person with a conscience.

  There is also He Hongwen, Minglan's emotions are very complicated. Cao Jingyi's appearance, talent, family background and upbringing, everything is not comparable to her own. If He Hongwen still chose Cao Jingyi, Minglan might be very depressed, but she would admire him - whether in ancient or modern times, few men can give up realistic benefits for emotions and sympathy.

  Yao Yiyi's superior, the old lady official, once said a profound sentence: Men are better off being softhearted. This remark triggered snickers from the young girls in the office, but to everyone's surprise, several middle-aged and elderly women in the department nodded in agreement; while softhearted men may be easily deceived, they also cherish the family they have built over the years and cannot bear to part with it, even if they are infatuated with a new love. As long as the woman can hold on, time is on her side.

  In the office, there was a rich man's daughter who nodded in agreement after hearing this. Her invincible mother had survived countless storms and laughed to the end. Now that her old father had grown old and his body could no longer withstand it, he instead yearned for the warmth of family.

  Men with hard hearts are more dangerous than those with soft hearts. When they like you, everything is smooth sailing and their determination is firm. But once they change their minds, they can turn against you faster than turning a page in a book. They'll divorce you without hesitation, leaving no emotional attachment behind. Classic example: Xu Zhimo.

  Later on, the more time Yao Yiyi spent working in the civil court, the more joys and sorrows she saw, the more she felt that Officer Lao was indeed a seasoned veteran, and her words were very reliable.

  Minglan's mind was in a mess, tossing and turning on the bed, flipping over the hotcake for more than an hour, her head hurt from lack of sleep. She got up and walked around the room, but still felt suffocated, so she put on her clothes and went out, passing through the screen and saw Danju sleeping soundly on the lacquered bed in the outer room, even in sleep, her brow was deeply furrowed, her face tired.

  Minglan moved stealthily, trying to slow down her footsteps. Fortunately, the night had grown cooler and the doors and windows of the two buildings were all closed. The young maidservants were all asleep, allowing Minglan to slip out of the courtyard unnoticed.

  Late summer night sky, exceptionally quiet, reflecting a dull garden, a crescent moon like a sharp lotus finger, crystal clear with a hint of ambiguity. Minglan walked slowly along the winding path, the trees and flowers in the garden were quiet, the osmanthus on the branches and the lotus in the pond emitted a faint fragrance, cool and refreshing.

  Minglan's mood improved a lot. It can be said that the old master's investment in real estate has a good eye, and it is not easy to have such a small garden in Beijing.

  It was unknown how long she had walked, but Minglan's anger had dissipated. The night air was damp and chilly, and Minglan felt a cold sensation on her body. She saw a cluster of lush and beautiful yulan flowers near the mountain rocks, and her heart skipped a beat. Since the yulan flowers were about to fall out of season, she thought of picking a few and going back to sleep; but as soon as she took a few steps closer, she heard a rustling sound.

  Minglan saw something suspicious, so she quietly lifted her skirt and moved over to a cluster of jade hairpins, crouched down low beside them, and peeked inside. What she saw made her shocked and pale: under the mountain rocks were two figures, one tall and one short, huddled together and talking in hushed tones!

  Minglan was immediately stunned on the spot, unable to move - Oh my god, what a wonderful day, catching two adulterers in one day!

  Minglan could raise three fingers to swear to great Saturn that she absolutely supported free and sincere love affairs. Although clandestine meetings were not acceptable, the spirit of chess was commendable. In this era, girls who didn't climb into the beds of old masters or young lords were always respectable. Just let Eldest Sister send out a batch of girls who had reached marriageable age, and then strictly guard the door. And so, after hesitating for three seconds, Minglan decided to retreat. Who knew that at this moment, a familiar female voice came from behind the mountain rocks: "…Jing Gege... I... I..."

  Her voice was soft and gentle, full of emotion, and when it reached Minglan's ears, it was like a thunderclap on a clear day!

  How did Orchid become Lotus's sister?!

  So startled, Minglan suddenly took a step back, and immediately made some noise; from the mountain rock side came an exclamation, those two people seemed to have said something, then one of them hastily left, and the other walked towards this side.

  A burst of rustling through the grass and trees, Yulan strode across a thicket with one foot, and saw Minglan's embarrassed face amidst a heap of jade hairpins. Her skirt was caught on some branches, and Yulan's eyebrows shot up in an instant, her hands on her hips: "What are you doing here?!"

  Minglan's smile and tears are all fake, you're the one who got caught cheating, Miss Fifth! This line should be yours!

  "I'm so full after dinner, I need to take a walk to digest." Minglan couldn't help but want to slap herself twice. What did she have to be guilty about? She immediately raised her tone and stared at Rulan: "What are you doing here again, Fifth Sister?"

  "What does it have to do with you?!"

  "Oh, I see. Then let's continue walking, little sister." Minglan made a move to go over, but was caught by Rulan and dragged backwards, no match for her in terms of physical strength.

  "It's so late, be careful of catching a cold, let's hurry back!" Rulan dragged Minglan away like a dead dog.

  "I'll go myself, I'll go myself, just let me go!" Minglan's arm was pinched to the point of numbness, and she gasped in pain, but she didn't want to make a scene, so she had no choice but to comply.

  Minglan wanted to go to Shou'antang to report the situation, but Rulan insisted on taking Minglan to Taoran Hall. The narrow road met the brave winner, and the more powerful Rulan gained the final victory (KDKDKD...).

  When they arrived at the Tao Ran Hall, all the other maids had fallen asleep, leaving only Xiaojie waiting anxiously in the room, guarding a dim lamp. As soon as she saw Rulan return, she let out a sigh of relief, but then she saw Minglan following behind and her face turned pale with anxiety, almost to the point of tears. Minglan felt a pang of sympathy, knowing that if this incident were to be exposed, Rulan might not suffer any consequences, but Xiaojie would likely be severely punished. So she comforted her, saying: "Don't worry, don't worry, I didn't see anything."

  As soon as the words were spoken, Xiaojiao really burst into tears. Lan was annoyed and shouted: "What are you crying about?! I'm not dead yet! It's none of your business!" After sending Xiaojiao away with a few words, she dragged Minglan straight to the inner room.

  After entering the house, she pressed Minglan against the edge of the bed, looking down at her with a stern expression and an intimidating aura, but her slightly flickering eyes betrayed her emotions. After thinking for half a day, she only growled: "You, don't dare to say it out!"

  Minglan was very amused: "Sister didn't see anything!" Rulan's face flushed with a dark red, she swallowed hard and glared fiercely at Minglan. Minglan also smiled back at her, the two sisters engaged in a staring contest like chickens for half a day before Rulan finally said sulkily: "Anyway, even if you say it, I won't admit it, nothing happened!"

  Are you going to be unreasonable now?! Minglan was quite surprised and laughed: "What's wrong with that, Madam had this intention all along, why must sister be like this, if it really gets out, won't a good thing turn into a bad one?"

  Since the incident with Mo Lan, Hai Shi has been even more strict about who can enter the manor at night. It's definitely not an outsider who can get in. Ming Lan thought for a moment and immediately realized that the only weakness in Hai Shi's defenses was the row of study rooms on the outer edge of the back garden. Coincidentally, wasn't it currently occupied by a group of young talents? The autumn examination is divided into three days, unlike the spring examination where you are locked up until the end. After each day of the autumn examination, you can go home.

  Minglan deliberately gazed at Rulan with a flirtatious glance, making her face flush. Minglan then smiled and said: "No matter which one from the academy, they are all from noble families of high-ranking officials. Once they pass the exam and gain fame, they can propose to Mother."

  Minglan racked her brains to recall which of the five students' names matched "Jing Gege", but after thinking for half a day, Minglan was frustrated and scolded herself for being a blockhead, unable to remember at all.

  But who would have thought that like an orchid, she heard this sentence, her delicate little face turned pale, and she said in a low voice: "No, it's not them."

  Minglan was surprised and blurted out: "Who is that?"

  Rulan was unwilling to speak and sat down on the edge of the bed with a gloomy face. Minglan didn't ask any further questions, she just looked at Rulan's expression and knew that something was wrong. The more you know, the more trouble it brings, so it's better to leave now; but unexpectedly, Rulan finally spoke in a low voice: "He... is Wen Yanjing, who also lives in the academy." --- So it wasn't Jinggege, but rather Jinggege (another person).

  Minglan covered her chest, held her breath for a moment, and felt that the fright she had received today was really over the limit. Her heart protested slightly, and after gasping for several breaths with difficulty, she exclaimed in a low voice: "Fifth sister, you're crazy! He...he's Fourth Sister's..." After thinking for half a day, Minglan couldn't continue speaking, so she went to pull Yulan's sleeve: "Madam won't agree!"

  Like Orchid's expression suddenly became worried and sad, a bright and clean goose egg face dimmed down, and she said in a low voice: "I know... but I like him, he likes me too."

  Ming Lan's mind was a mess, she couldn't figure out how these two people who were worlds apart had suddenly become so close. She pointed at Ruolan, her finger shaking uncontrollably: "You...you...". In the end, she only managed to choke out one sentence: "How did you two...get along?"

  Like an orchid, she slightly raised her head, her eyes shining brightly. On her elegant face, a subtle charm emerged, the kind of expression only a girl in love would have. She spoke intermittently: "...... He had seen me before... Later, he sent me a poem..."

  Minglan's hair stood on end as soon as she heard it, and she hated this kind of trick to coax little girls the most. She couldn't help but say loudly: "Do you believe in such a tactic?! Is he trying to make up for losing Fourth Sister's marriage by entangling you?!"

  Like Orchid was furious, she pushed Minglan away and twisted her arm heavily. She scolded: "Do you know what?! Brother Jing is a real gentleman! Besides, he saw me first!" After taking a deep breath, Like Orchid continued: "Do you still remember that year when Inkstick Head beat you up and your father punished you?"

  Minglan nodded, what a big show, of course she remembered.

  "After that, Father decided on Wen Gongzi. As soon as she mentioned the one in her heart, Rouran's face turned pink, 'You and Grandma went to Yangdu for a few days, Father and Mother invited Wen Gongzi over for tea, that day I happened to be pretending to be ill and was bored, so I sneaked out to play in the garden. When Wen Gongzi passed by, he saw me... He thought I was a little maid, picked up my handkerchief, and smiled at me; afterwards, he came several times, each time I was playing in the garden, thinking that we could chat for a bit, he said... I looked good, and was spirited and refreshing, made people feel bright and cheerful when they saw me.'"

  Her face was like an orchid, shy and delicate, her voice grew softer as she spoke, but her eyes were exceptionally sweet and distant: "Later, he found out who I was, and that Father wanted him to marry Mo Lan, so he sent a letter saying that Father and Brother had shown him great kindness and he didn't dare disobey, and from then on there was no news of him... until Mo Ya's incident happened, the next day he secretly sent someone to deliver a message to me, saying he was overjoyed that he wouldn't have to marry Mo Lan after all, and also said that when the spring exams started, he would take the top spot and come back to formally propose!"

  Minglan was stunned, and after a while, she spat out a mouthful of turbid air, her mind confused: "But didn't you say that... your family was poor, your mother was cruel, and your brother was useless! Oh, right, right, and you also said that you were indecisive!"

  Yu Lan regained her composure, pulled Ming Lan over and pinched her cheeks twice, staring at her with wide eyes to scold: "Don't talk nonsense! Respect brother is extremely kind!"

  Minglan was speechless and thought to herself: You said both good things and bad things yourself.

  After a while, Minglan quietly leaned over and rested her chin on Rulan's shoulder, softly saying: "Fifth sister, have you ever thought that maybe... he just wants to climb high..." Before she could finish speaking, Rulan suddenly stood up, her eyes wide with anger, glaring at Minglan with a fierce gaze, almost as if she wanted to slap her to death. Minglan was frightened and shrank back, dryly laughing twice: "Hehe, hehe, little sister was just joking."

  Ruolan sat down on a round stool, and the poor stool shook twice. With her back to Minglan, she said hastily: "I know what you mean, you just want to say that I have no talent or looks, but only a powerful family background, so it's not that Brother Jing likes me, but rather he has taken a liking to the Sheng family!"

  Minglan couldn't say a word and continued to think to herself: One moment it's the older sister, the next moment it's the younger sister, who would think like this?

  Her eyes seemed to have tears welling up in them, her voice was bitter: "I know that from childhood to adulthood, I am not as glorious and noble as my elder sister, nor can I fawn on people like Mo Yaotou, nor am I as likable as you; let alone Father, even Mother doesn't think much of me! ... But there is one person, he... he didn't know who I was from the start, but he took a liking to me, liked me... He said that he doesn't like weak and delicate girls, he likes healthy and lively ones, like me, who can run and jump, with a smile as bright as a sunny summer day, making people feel at ease..."

  Like an orchid, her expression was as if in a trance, speaking like a murmuration, Minglan looked at it and felt a stir in her heart, and couldn't help but feel some sadness: "Even if Wen Gongzi passed the two imperial exams, I'm afraid Madam would not agree." Mo Lan picked up the leftovers that no one wanted, while Ruolan treasured them like a precious thing, Wang Shi would go crazy.

  Her face changed, she clenched her teeth and punched her palm, raised her neck and said loudly: "If I'm not allowed to marry Brother Jing, I'll knock my head to death. Otherwise, I'll cut off my hair and become a nun!"

  Young lovers are fearless, the Titanic could hit an iceberg and they wouldn't flinch, a tragedy that killed thousands of people only fulfilled Jack's infatuation. What about someone even more fierce like Lan? Even if Sheng Jun brought his family to intervene now, it might not work. Minglan thought she had said all she needed to say, and finally added two sentences: "But the family background of Wen Gongzi... that... are you willing?"

  As Orchid understood the meaning of these words, she took a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, raised her head proudly and hummed, saying: "Elder sister has married well, but I haven't seen her living comfortably! Madam will certainly give me a thick dowry, I have my mother's family to support me, who dares to come and bother me in the Wen family!"

  Ming Lan sighed, feeling that she had nothing good to say about him. She didn't know if Wen Yanjing was a sycophant or not, but if even her brother Long Bai could look up to him, then he probably wasn't a bad person. So, for him to risk damaging his reputation by sneaking out at night to meet with Ruolan, it was likely that he really had feelings for Ruolan.

  Well, different people have different tastes, maybe Brother Jing just likes this kind of thing.

  Just as I was about to pat my skirt and leave, Rulan suddenly grabbed Minglan and clenched her fist, threatening: "Tonight's matter, you're not allowed to tell anyone! Otherwise... otherwise..."

  "What if not?" Minglan was very curious.

  Like an orchid, she puckered up her mouth, fiercely gritted her teeth, and sneered with a pleased smile: "Otherwise, I'll say it's you who is meeting someone at night."

  Minglan was not afraid at all, but instead clapped her hands and laughed: "That's great, I'll just marry into the Wen family then. Father's vision must be good."

  Yu Lan's face changed greatly, she grasped Ming Lan and panted heavily, as if she wanted to swallow Ming Lan whole. A few words squeezed out from between her teeth: "How dare you?!" Ming Lan laughed several times: "Of course I don't dare. So my sister won't go tell either, it's not like it would do me any good, and I don't want to marry Wen Gongzi anyway."

  As soon as Lan's expression relaxed, her tense nerves finally loosened up, and she felt a slight sense of comfort. She lowered her head slightly and said with a hint of apology: "Sixth sister, don't blame me, I know you're a good person, from childhood you've always been willing to give in to me, even when I lose my temper at you, you never take it to heart..."

  Minglan thought silently: In fact, she had gone into her heart several times. Minglan was so angry that she pretended to hit Rulan's face and pounded the pillow several times.

  "You're not like Miao Yu, she's got a bad heart and poisonous thoughts, only caring about her own happiness without considering the family; Jing Ge is waiting for the spring exam, so at this moment we can't let Auntie know, sister, you've always been trustworthy, later I'll give you some of the new jewelry that Auntie sent over to choose from!"

  Minglan waved her hand and sighed softly: "No need for jewelry, this younger sister didn't even notice... I wondered why older sister was so concerned about needlework? It turns out..." Minglan finally realized the truth, and many of her doubts about Rulan's behavior today were also cleared up.

  Having expressed her determination, Minglan was really tired and wanted to go back to sleep. Who knew that at this time, it started raining outside, and Lan had a bit of kindness and was willing to share half of the bed with Minglan; Minglan was most afraid of going out on rainy days, but she didn't want to disturb Danju and the others in the middle of the night, making all the girls in the courtyard restless. After thinking about it, she agreed.

  "If someone asks, how should we say that Sixth Miss is sleeping here?" Little Joy, who had come in to make the bed and fold the quilts, was more cautious and decided to get their story straight first.

  Minglan slipped into the bed while casually saying, "You can say that I and your family's daughter stayed up last night to gaze at the stars and moon, discussing poetry and songs, as well as our ideals for life. We talked until we were tired, then fell asleep."

  Ru Lan glared at her and said to Xiao Xi Que, "You just say that I went to ask Liu Mei for needlework lessons and it was late so I slept over; tomorrow morning, you go to Wu Cang Zhai to find someone to come over."

  Minglan was too lazy to make excuses, she was clearly lying in the house, but suddenly disappeared, this kind of rotten excuse can't fool Danju, forget it, think about how to make up a story tomorrow.

  Minglan, exhausted to the extreme, fell asleep as soon as she lay down, but regretted it when she woke up in the middle of the night. Even if hail was falling outside, she should have gone back! Rulan slept in a thousand charming poses, with one leg stretched out and pressed against Minglan's stomach, almost suffocating her. As Minglan gradually found it hard to breathe, she struggled to wake up, using all her might to push Rulan's leg away. Sitting up on the bed, looking at Rulan sleeping soundly in a big "X" shape, with shiny saliva still at the corner of her mouth, Minglan rubbed her own belly and thought resentfully: You're asking for it, you surname Wen! Daring to imitate Zhang Sheng and Miss's secret tryst, you deserve to be pressed to death by Cui Yuanyuan's leg for decades to come!

  Sometimes one chapter of mine has as many words as two chapters of others, actually I can ask for an extra day off.