Chapter 70 remorse

The news of his concubine's betrayal and infidelity undoubtedly had a strong impact on Qian Qianyi; while in the eastern courtyard across the wall, Liu Rushi, who learned that her husband had returned, made up her mind and prepared to bear the imminent finale. Ruthless revenge. Yes, her affair with Zheng Sheng had ended several months ago.It wasn't that she had decided to do it on her own initiative.Although in November last year, when she learned from Qian Qianyi's letter that the old man planned to resign and return to the south, and hinted that he would fulfill his promise to fight against the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty, she was also shocked; Secret contact conveyed her husband's intention.However, the love with Zheng Sheng was not easy to give up. As a result, after all, it lasted intermittently for several days, until Zheng Sheng suddenly missed the appointment, and then disappeared.At first Liu Rushi didn't know what was going on, thought that the other party had finally changed his mind, and really hated him for a while.Later, it was Huixiang who sent someone to bring news that Zheng Sheng had been arrested by the Tolerance of Shangyuan County. in prison.Liu Rushi just woke up like a dream, and immediately guessed that it was the family members in the main courtyard who did it.She couldn't help being surprised and hated, and she gritted her teeth again and again.But when the matter came to this point, although she was anxious about Zheng Sheng's fate day and night, she felt painfully helpless; on the contrary, even she herself could only bite the bullet and wait: the same punishment might fall on her head at any time .However, unexpectedly, one month passed, and two months passed, but the punishment has not yet come, and there is no news of Zheng Sheng's conviction or release.The only thing that happened during this period was that the maids and mothers under her command were summoned in turn by the main courtyard to ask a question.In the end, he kept Lu Yi, saying that it was for another purpose, and that it was Mrs. Chen's intention.Liu Rushi originally planned not to agree, but later felt that the other party had already grasped the opportunity for him, and the other party had a large number of people, so he would inevitably suffer a loss if the fight was too rigid, so he had to agree tentatively.However, she guessed: the reason why the people in the main courtyard did not dare to attack her decisively was because they hadn't reported the matter to Qian Qianyi. The old man blamed him for being clever but clumsy.Indeed, at this point, the only one who can protect her is probably Qian Qianyi.However, when something like this happened, the most directly and seriously hurt was precisely the old man who, as a husband, treated himself like a treasure. Would he still forgive and protect himself?Liu Rushi really didn't dare to count on it.On the contrary, when she thought of his coming back soon, she still felt scared and wronged in her heart, and she was a little afraid to see him... In the past two or three months, Liu Rushi has survived with this feeling.To be honest, this kind of life is really difficult. It can be said that it is even more uncomfortable than publicly declaring his guilt and being thrown into prison.Yes, during this period, Liu Rushi also thought that if she really couldn't get along in this family, she would pack up her bed and go back to Shengze Guijiayuan to be a bitch and resume her old career. "Hmph, with my old lady's means, it's not easy to make a living? I'm afraid of someone! Maybe I can find someone better than the old man!" She thought proudly.However, boasting is all boasting, if she is allowed to automatically go back to that path, she really can't make up her mind; in the end, she still has to live with it day by day.Now, Qian Qianyi is finally back.So how will he approach this matter?How to deal with yourself?These things, Liu Rushi is really not sure.Therefore, even though the main courtyard sent people over several times to urge her, saying that the master had already entered the door and said that the master had arrived in the back hall, let her hurry over to pay a visit.But Liu Rushi made up his mind: just not to move. "Of course, those people will not let me go, and they will definitely expose the old man with jealousy. In this case, after the old man listens and thinks about it, I will meet him again. At that time, we can do whatever we want!" She thought desperately.

The westward shadow of the sun was moving little by little, and it had already fallen under the thick bunch of banana trees outside the window.It was starting to get dark in the room.Liu Rushi silently calculated: The old man entered the door after one o'clock in the noon.Even if he had to meet Mrs. Chen and others as usual, listen to their complaints, wash his face, rest his feet, and even if he was still hungry and wanted to eat, by now, it should be over anyway.After such a long time, he should have thought about the result of what she did to her and made a decision. "Hmph, that's good. It's better than dragging on half-dead! Now that I've done this, I dare to take on it, and I'll let you kill or cut me up! Just don't procrastinate like this! It's boring! Anyway, this old lady I have eaten bitterness and sweetness in my life. In terms of romance and happiness, who can compare to me among the officials' wives, princesses and concubines? In terms of beauty, how many of those handkerchief sisters who are traveling with me can compare to me? Enough Already! A person can be considered worthy of himself if he lives to this extent! Then come on, I’m not afraid—hey, but why is there no movement at all?”

With such doubts, Liu Rushi couldn't help becoming anxious.She stood up, left her chair, and began to walk up and down the room, looking out of the curtains. However, even so, the side of the Moon Cave Gate was still quiet, neither the sound of Qian Qianyi's footsteps nor the figures of other people from the side of the main courtyard appeared.There are only a few small yellow and white butterflies flying past the door curtain from time to time, adding to the unbearable uneasiness in the courtyard at dusk... This long wait lasted until it was dark and dinner was over.However, Qian Qianyi seemed to have made up his mind to make a clean break with his concubine, and never showed up.For a while, Liu Rushi, who felt ashamed and annoyed, almost couldn't bear it, and planned to send Hong Qing over to find out the news; later, out of a stubborn mentality that would not give in, she gritted her teeth again, and simply ordered the girl Put the net around to repel mosquitoes, and blow the lamp to go to bed.

... That night, due to the hot weather and something on his mind, Liu Rushi tossed and turned all the time, and didn't sleep well.However, on the second day, she still woke up early and couldn't fall asleep anymore. She only felt that her head was groggy and her body was limp and powerless.Although Hong Qing came in on tiptoe to spy several times, she also planned to get up, but finally couldn't muster the courage, so she had to stay on the bed. Now, Liu Rushi opened her eyes wide, looking at the square roof of the gauze tent, her mind became empty, and she didn't have the energy to think about anything.She just felt that this scene was coming to an end. What husband, what family, what Zheng Sheng, what joys and sorrows, wives and concubines, and what she had worked so hard to earn today's status would all follow. With the last few gongs and drums, it quietly disappeared like a dream bubble.All that was left was an empty stage, and she herself was still alone.What will happen to her from now on?Liu Rushi didn't have the energy to think about it, nor did she want to think about it.As a matter of fact, the country is so ruined and the country is so chaotic, she can't help her to do whatever she wants, at best, she can only see one step at a time.It was this feeling of bewilderment and near despair that made Liu Rushi feel weaker than ever before at this moment, to the point where she couldn't help but shed tears...

"Kick-kick-kick-" A sound of footsteps came from the corridor outside the house, calm and slightly procrastinated.Liu Rushi's heart skipped a beat, and she stopped crying immediately. "Ah, who is here? Could it be, could it be him?" She thought in surprise, but she couldn't believe it, and just pricked up her ears nervously. "Kick-kick--" The familiar sound of footsteps has come to the door. "Ah, it's him! Well, you're still here!" Liu Rushi got up from the bed, and the despair and weakness that lingered in her heart disappeared without a trace. Determined to defend himself with all his strength, ready to fight the other party desperately.She bit her lip, sat motionless, squinted her eyes, waiting for her husband's ferocious face to appear...

Finally, the door curtain was lifted, and Qian Qianyi stepped through the threshold.It was probably the first time he came to this house, and he didn't know anything about the layout of the room, so he turned his head and looked around.However, that expression was not as vicious and angry as Liu Rushi imagined, on the contrary, it seemed a little flustered.When he found Liu Rushi sitting on the bed, his old, dark face showed a look of surprise, and he approached quickly, as if afraid of frightening her, he whispered excitedly: "Hey, yes! You are here! It's easy for me to find!"

Liu Rushi didn't say anything, and didn't move. "Well, why is he like this? Why isn't he angry? He should be vicious and fierce! Could it be that he doesn't know about that?" She wondered. "My husband came home yesterday afternoon," Qian Qianyi said again, "I wanted to come and see you immediately. Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the door, all kinds of troubles piled up, and I couldn't leave for a while; The old acquaintances of the colleagues got the letter and came home early to wait for the meeting and inquire about the news in Beijing. After finally sending them away, it was already very late, and I was afraid that you had already rested, so you didn't come over. Hey, you must have waited Are you anxious? Huh?"

"Hmph, that's right," Liu Rushi thought, "he has been in the door for half a day and one night. How can the people in the main courtyard not expose that matter to him! Moreover, with the old man's usual stickiness , how could he rush to me in a hurry? Why can't the double body be opened? It's too late, it's obviously a bunch of nonsense! He must have known about that, so he couldn't make up his mind. Now after thinking about it all night, he changed his mind again The ghost knows what he has in mind!" Then, she suddenly became vigilant, and her face became even more icy.

Qian Qianyi had already sat on the edge of the bed. "What? Are you mad at your husband? Okay, don't be angry now! I came late for my husband's report and neglected my sweetheart. I know I shouldn't do it. Thank you here! Isn't it okay? "As he said, he stretched out his arms to hug Liu Rushi. But Liu Rushi dodged and avoided him. "Hey, don't do this. You know, I haven't seen you for almost a whole year! But I miss my husband to death!" Qian Qianyi said pitifully, approached, and stretched out his arms again. This time, Liu Rushi did not move.She felt that she had been embraced by her husband, and felt that her husband's hands were moving affectionately up and down her body through the thin clothes.Then, a breath - the unique breath of the elderly sprayed very close to her face.This aura reminded her of Zheng Sheng, the completely different, youthful aura...Suddenly, she pushed her husband away with a decisive movement that even she hadn't expected.

"Ah, you, why are you..." Qian Qianyi asked in astonishment. Liu Rushi frowned in disgust, and asked angrily: "Please explain clearly, the people in the main courtyard—have they told you about that?" "That thing? What's the matter?" Liu Rushi didn't say anything, but bit her lip. Qian Qianyi blinked, and laughed as if he suddenly came to his senses: "Oh, you mean that! Yes, they said it. But I don't believe it!" "You don't believe it? Why?" "No reason, I just don't believe it! Oh, I wrote a poem last night just for this!"

After saying that, Qian Qianyi hastily stretched his hand into his bosom, groped for a while, and then took out a folded paper: "Look!" This time, it was Liu Rushi's turn to be a little surprised.She glanced at her husband suspiciously, took the slip of paper, opened it, and found that there was indeed a heptadic verse written in it—— Liu Rushi recited it twice silently, and found that although the poem used many allusions as usual, the meaning was very clear - the first two lines recalled the old man's vowed marriage with her on the eve of last August when the old man was called to go north. Conversation; three or four sentences were written about the pain of missing each other after parting; five and six sentences changed their style of writing and wrote directly about the matter in front of them, and even denounced those who reported that they were "flies" who maliciously slandered her innocence. Three-person city tiger"-style frame-up!As for the last two sentences, she even praised her for insisting on staying in Nanjing and refusing to follow the north. Such integrity is enough to make other wives and concubines who have been demoted, such as Wang Duo and others, ashamed and killed... Liu Rushi couldn't help being stunned.To be honest, ever since the incident between her and Zheng Sheng was exposed, she had speculated countless times about what kind of revenge she would suffer and what would happen to her once Qian Qianyi found out about it.Moreover, with Zheng Sheng being arrested and imprisoned by the government, and as the main courtyard blatantly called his maidservant mother over for questioning, she has felt more and more the relentless pressure that is about to come. I have a feeling that in the end, it will be a fatal blow like Mount Tai.Undoubtedly, she still had a glimmer of hope, that Qian Qianyi could look at his past affection and let her go.Even so, the best result she expected was to allow her to stay after the old man gave her a hard time.But from then on, she could no longer be loved as she used to be, let alone command her around at home and do whatever she wanted... However, what surprised her was that the old man didn't believe it at all!Not only did he say that he didn't believe it, but he even wrote a poem to wash away her relief!Is this because he believes too much in his loyalty, or is it because he is clearly wearing a cuckold and pretending to be confused?If it's the former, then it's not over, because there will always be a time when the truth comes out; if it's the latter, then this old man is too pusty, and he doesn't even have the temperament of a man, which is even more disgusting. She can use this to escape punishment... "Hey, let me tell you—" Seeing Liu Rushi staring at the poem note for a long time without saying a word, Qian Qianyi thought she didn't understand, so he pointed and explained excitedly, "This is the 'mountain beyond the mountain' , it is used in the ancient Yuefu's "Where is Gaozhen today? There are mountains beyond the mountains", and there is a word "out" hidden, which means that I left home last year and went north; this "Flying Golden Mirror" is not just "He Dang Dao head , the meaning of breaking the mirror and flying to the sky', also implies the important intention of Princess Lechang's 'breaking the mirror to reunite'! Also, this 'Suoyuguan' is used by Li Taibai..." "But, that thing really happened!" Feeling upset, Liu Rushi finally couldn't bear it anymore and cried out loudly.After a pause, seeing Qian Qianyi's eyes wide open, with a look of astonishment on her face, she nodded vigorously again: "I'm not lying to you, it's true!" "But……" "Damn it!" Liu Rushi waved his hand abruptly, interrupting him viciously, "Stop 'but but', okay? Anyway, my mother admits everything, I can't keep the vacant room, and I stole the man while you were away." I betrayed your love and lost your face! That's it! You can do whatever you like!" For these few words, Liu Rushi yelled out desperately, desperately trying to catch the fish to his death.Perhaps because of too much force, after she finished speaking, her heart was still agitated for a long time, and her body couldn't help shaking slightly.That's right, since it has reached this level, there is no way out. "But, I'd rather be like this! Even if I die, I will die with a bang!" Thinking of this, Liu Rushi became excited instead, feeling the blood rushing to her face, and joy throbbing in her heart.She stared defiantly at her husband, waiting for the violent eruption of landslides. However, unexpectedly, although Qian Qianyi's face visibly trembled, there was no violent reaction.He didn't even speak, but just sat there with his head bowed, his expression growing darker and more gloomy.Finally, he sighed a long sigh, and said in a hoarse voice: "How can I blame you? Why should I blame you? When it comes to infidelity and infidelity, the first person to blame is actually me! , Incapable of turning the tide, and doing your best; On the contrary, you still write a letter of surrender, dedicate the city, bow your knees to the Tartars, do your best to flatter and sell yourself! Compared with this eternal infamy, your idea is nothing! At least, You really planned to throw yourself into the lake at the beginning, and then you refused to go north with me. With these two things alone, you are much more innocent than me! I wrote that poem from the bottom of my heart. Let it...let it pass, from now on...don't mention it again..." This time, Liu Rushi was really stunned.That's right, just now she made up her mind to confess to her husband. Of course, she didn't want to continue to cover up and live with ghosts in her heart; but at the same time, she didn't want to make fun of her husband as a fool. There is only kindness to her, not hatred!However, I never expected that in the end, it would lead to such a deeply hurtful confession from the other party. Moreover, it can be clearly seen now: the other party did not deliberately pretend to be stupid, but just thought more thoroughly and thoroughly than she thought, so he felt sorry for her. This kind of thing can become tolerant and tolerant... This realization made the strong energy in her heart lose its momentum as soon as it came, and on the contrary, she felt a little ashamed.She looked at her husband as if she didn't know her, and found that she hadn't seen him for a year. The old man was obviously old, his hair had almost completely turned white, and the wrinkles on his face had deepened.Is this because all sorts of things are weighing him down too much?Or is it because of missing her so much?But no matter what, as he said repeatedly, in the years to come, apart from her, I'm afraid he can no longer count on anyone to bring him joy and happiness... Thinking so melancholy, Liu Rushi couldn't help but feel soft in his heart, he opened his arms suddenly, and threw himself into her husband's arms with a "beep", and wept with emotion and remorse. Qian Qianyi was also in tears.He hugged her tightly, patted her gently as usual, and kept kissing her temples.In this way, after an unknown period of time, the two finally let go of each other.After this somewhat reacquainted tenderness, Liu Rushi finally calmed down.Because she got rid of a long-term and fatal heart disease, and because she had a deeper understanding of her husband's heart, she became extremely relaxed, so she stood up quickly and asked with a smile: "Xianggong is back this time, what's your plan?" "Madam Hedong can do whatever she wants for her husband!" Qian Qianyi said seriously. Liu Rushi hooked her husband's high nose coquettishly with her index finger, then nodded her cheeks, took two steps in thought, then turned around suddenly, looked at him challengingly, and said, "You swore, after you come back , we must contact comrades and run for the restoration of Daming!" Qian Qianyi nodded without hesitation: "Okay! As long as my wife is alive, I will run for my husband without hesitation!" "That's good!" Liu Rushi looked around vigilantly, then quickly sat down beside her husband, and whispered to him, "I tell you, at the end of last year, after receiving your letter, Mrs. Ben has been arrested by someone. Shen Xianggong of Kuntong came to him and told him that Xianggong was about to resign and return to the south. He also conveyed his intention to join forces with the south. Shen Xianggong agreed to take care of him on his behalf. However, he was never seen again... ..." At first Qian Qianyi nodded and listened.Suddenly, as if being pricked by a needle, he trembled all over, turned his face, and asked in surprise: "What? You, you told Shen Kuntong?" Seeing Liu Rushi nodding his head affirmatively, he stood up abruptly, widened his eyes, and said, "Oops! I'm afraid it will be worse this time!"