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Cheng Mo took a sip of the flower tea in her hand, her lips curling into a faint smile. Her long hair fell naturally behind her, without any adornments, yet it complemented her rosy complexion and flawless fair skin.
"Miss Cheng," Rong Yuqiao called out. Only then did she slowly raise her head, gently lowering the teacup in her hand and gazing at Rong Yuqiao.
Today, Rong Yuqiao was particularly well-dressed. Her newly curled hair was slightly pinned up with a pearl hairpin, forming the trendiest hairstyle of the moment. When she smiled, her face resembled a peach blossom, and her eyes sparkled like spring water.
"Miss Cheng, as you are new here, I wonder if you are getting used to living in Feng Province?" she casually asked.
Cheng Mo nodded lightly. "Although it is icy and snowy here, this is a scene I have never seen since childhood, so living here is naturally quite novel."
Rong Yuqiao gestured to Xia Yixiang to pour tea, her smile unchanged, looking playful and cute. "I have grown tired of this snow, yet some find it refreshing. But once this novelty wears off, I wonder if Miss Cheng will miss the gentle beauty of the water towns in Jiangnan?"
Cheng Mo smiled slightly and took a sip of tea. Rong Yuqiao's words seemed to imply that Shaoyi's interest in her was merely a fleeting novelty; once that novelty faded, he would return to Miss Rong's side.
Inhaling the subtle fragrance of the tea, she replied calmly, "What one misses is not the scenery of their hometown but the people who accompany them there. It is because of people that places have flavor. Feng Province has those I care about; when I return to my hometown, I fear there will also be someone in Feng Province who misses me."
Rong Yuqiao forced a smile, feeling even more irritated as if adding fuel to the fire. She spoke up, "Yes, although I have only met Miss Cheng once, I will still think of you. As for whether others will miss you, that remains uncertain."
This Rong Yuqiao was about the same age as herself but spoke with a childish tone. She smiled slightly and said, "If even someone like Miss Rong, who has only met me once, will think of me, how much more so would those who live under the same roof every day?"
Rong Yuqiao paused for a moment and called over a maid beside her. "Go to the kitchen and bring that bowl of rice wine over; let Miss Cheng taste our homemade brew."
The maid complied and soon returned with three bowls of plum rice wine, filling each cup for the three young ladies. The translucent white cups held deep pink liquid that swayed slightly, looking sweet and delicious.
Rong Yuqiao smiled and said, "Miss Cheng, this rice wine is what Lin Gege loves to drink most."
"Is that so?" She smiled gently, "I haven't heard him say that."
Rong Yuqiao smiled mysteriously, "I think there are many things about Brother Lin that you don't know."
Cheng Mo's expression suddenly changed, and she slowly raised her head, waiting for her to continue.
Seeing that she finally reacted, Rong Yuqiao felt quite pleased. "Brother Lin's mother and my mother grew up together, like sisters. They once said they would arrange a marriage for us, but unfortunately, Brother Lin's mother passed away right after giving birth to him, so the engagement could not be established." She took a sip of rice wine and continued, "By the way, you definitely don't know how badly Brother Lin was beaten by Shangguan Uncle when he was young. He was even punished by not being allowed to eat. If I hadn't secretly snuck in to bring him food, he might have starved to death. However, Shangguan Uncle had very high expectations for him, which is why he named him 'Lin,' hoping that one day he could command the world. Also, Brother Lin went to the battlefield at thirteen and was shot in the left shoulder. After it was removed, he had lingering effects; every time it rains or is cloudy, he feels pain. And we studied together since childhood under the same teacher. At that time, when we learned 'Mulan Ci,' he told me he admired women like Mulan and hoped I would accompany him to the battlefield when I grew up, and..."
"Miss Rong..." Cheng Mo interrupted her, feeling something heavy in her heart that made her particularly uncomfortable.
So... he had suffered such serious injuries; so he liked women like Mulan; so he had been trained so strictly by his father since childhood... But... she knew none of this...
Rong Yuqiao smiled coldly at Cheng Mo. "It seems there are many things Miss Cheng doesn't know." She changed her tone, her beautiful face becoming aggressive. "Brother Lin is just momentarily enchanted by you; after all, he's never seen a woman like you before. Moreover, I heard from Sister Yiting that you even helped him hide and almost lost your life for him. Right now, he is just grateful to you; once he realizes it, he'll return to my side."
Just... grateful...
A sharp pain struck her heart; her hand trembled on the table's edge as sorrow spread like dark clouds over her heart. Seeing that her words had already shaken Cheng Mo's emotions, Rong Yuqiao felt even more pleased and signaled Xia Yixiang. Xia Yixiang hurriedly said, "I remember that when the Young Marshal went to the battlefield, you lost contact with him. When you went over and moved him deeply, General Shangguan immediately decided to arrange your engagement, and the Young Marshal did not deny it."
So that's how their engagement was established...
She suddenly recalled what Shangguan Yiting had said that day. What she could do for Shaoyi, Rong Yuqiao would also do for Shaoyi. She could give up her life for Shaoyi; Rong Yuqiao could do the same.
Cheng Mo remained silent for a while as the pain in her heart grew stronger, almost consuming her entirely. Spring in Feng Province was not warm; it still carried a bone-chilling coldness.
She steadied her emotions; her lightly powdered cheeks gradually lifted with a clear brightness in her eyes. She smiled slightly and said, "Miss Rong, what use is there in telling me all this? You should go tell Shaoyi instead, shouldn't you?"
Rong Yuqiao's expression changed, "What do you mean by that?"
"Miss Rong can be considered quite clever, using things I don't know to shake my emotions. But don't forget, I have many memories with Shaoyi that you are unaware of." Her profile was bathed in warm sunlight, her plain face calm as water, showing no signs of the earlier turmoil. She smiled quietly, her voice gentle and melodious, "Would Miss Rong like to hear what I have to say?"
"You!" Rong Yuqiao, enraged, grabbed the Porcelain Bowl in her hand and threw it. Cheng Mo Su was startled and hurriedly stood up; the Porcelain Bowl struck her thigh, tearing a hole in her Qipao, and the scalding liquid spilled down her leg.
Xia Yixiang exclaimed "Ouch!" and rushed over to check on Cheng Mo Su's condition before quickly going to find a doctor for her.
Cheng Mo Su frowned slightly; fortunately, she had dodged in time. If it had hit her face, she would have been disfigured. She wiped her Qipao with clean water, glancing at the anxious Rong Yuqiao in front of her.
At this moment, Rong Yuqiao felt a mix of emotions. She had been spoiled since childhood, everyone around her doted on her. When she was unhappy, she had developed a habit of throwing things in anger. That throw was not intentional; it was just an instinctive reaction fueled by anger.
"Miss Cheng... I didn't mean it. Can you please not tell Lin Gege?" She fiddled with her fingers, tears welling in her lively eyes, looking as if she was the one wronged.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Mo Su lifted her eyes, a flicker of light dancing within them, and smiled lightly, "Then what does Miss Rong think I should say to explain my current embarrassing state?"
"I..." Rong Yuqiao was momentarily at a loss for words, standing there fidgeting with her fingers.
Cheng Mo Su smiled gently, stood up gracefully while tidying her slightly disheveled hair. Her Water-colored Eyes quietly assessed Rong Yuqiao, amplifying her unease. It was at this moment that she realized Cheng Mo Su seemed to fully understand her personality and her past with Lin Gege. Yet she knew nothing about Cheng Mo Su.
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