In the embroidery pavilion, Chu Mengsheng was focused on an almost completed embroidery in front of the embroidery table.
The door was suddenly pushed open, and the maid Xiao Que came in with a pot of tea.
"Miss, what are you embroidering? It's rare to see you so serious. I don't remember Madam giving you work recently!”Xiao Que tilted her head and approached the embroidery table.
Chu Mengsheng didn't even raise her head." This is something I want," she replied." It's not a job in the embroidery workshop."”
Xiao Que's curiosity was piqued when she heard her words. She bent down and carefully looked at the embroidery on the table. On the pink satin surface, two colorful mandarin ducks were embroidered, playing in the water in the pond full of lotus flowers. It was a lifelike picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water.
"How beautiful!" Little Sparrow praised sincerely. Miss's embroidery and painting skills were extremely exquisite, and no one in Hunan could compare to her. Therefore, she was known as the number one divine embroidery in Hunan, and together with her, the Chu family became the number one embroidery village in Hunan.
Strangely enough, the extroverted and lively young lady changed her appearance completely when she started to embroider. Her expression was focused and serious. Only at this time did she look like a young lady from a noble family.
As for her exquisite embroidery skills, it was actually inherited from the madam. However, the young lady was gifted and surpassed the master. This made the Chu family's " Jinxiu Workshop " famous. Even the clothes of the officials and the emperor's concubines were specially tailored by the Chu family.
Looking at Chu Mengsheng seriously embroidering the picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water, Little Sparrow smiled happily and said,""Miss, you've finally thought it through. This painting is for your future son-in-law, right?”
Unexpectedly, Chu Mengsheng rolled her eyes at her words." Who said it's for him? This is my token of love for Brother Shen."”
Big Brother Shen did not know that she liked him. By giving him this embroidered painting, she could hint to him her feelings for him and also test whether he was interested in her in his heart. It could be said to be the best of both worlds. Therefore, she worked day and night to finish the embroidery as soon as possible.
"Miss, why haven't you given up yet?”Little Sparrow couldn't help but shout.
There were already rumors outside these few days! It was said that Shen Shaoyu had promised his master to marry Lu Fengyi so that he could take over the martial arts school. However, she did not dare to tell this news to the young lady, afraid that she would slip out of the residence and go straight to the martial arts school.
"Why should I give up?" Chu Mengsheng raised her eyebrows." As long as it's proven that Brother Shen likes me, I'll ask him to propose marriage to Father. That way, I won't have to marry that annoying fellow!”
"Young Lady, it is impossible for Young Master Shen to marry you!”"Actually, the future son-in-law is even better than Young Master Shen. Only a man as capable and responsible as the future son-in-law can bring happiness to the young miss!" Xiao Que said anxiously.”
Chu Mengsheng snorted disapprovingly." You don't have to put in a good word for him. I won't marry him. He will only order me not to say this and not to do that. He will tie me up tightly and make me recite some 'Women's Commandments.' He is simply like an old stubborn man!”
Actually, she didn't really hate Zhangsun Jie. She would often think of him for no reason. However, she told herself that she couldn't fulfill all of Zhangsun Jie's requests. She wanted to be herself and not be bound by those eight rigid shackles.
"Miss, the future son-in-law is doing this for you!”Little Sparrow advised earnestly.
Chu Mengsheng pursed her lips disapprovingly and said in a displeased tone," I don't want to talk about him anymore. You can leave. I still have to stay in the embroidery pavilion for a while."”His cold tone made it clear that this topic was over.
After she left, Chu Mengsheng frowned slightly and thought to herself," What was so special about Zhangsun Jie that he could make everyone in the Chu Family respect and love him? All the servants had long recognized him as the future son-in-law, and her father loved him even more. He always praised him for his steadiness, shrewdness, and good business skills. He said that he was a rare son-in-law and wanted to marry her to him immediately.
At the thought of this, Chu Mengsheng sighed in frustration. She collected her thoughts and finished the last few needles in her hand.
After she was done, she heaved a sigh of relief, stretched, and looked at her masterpiece with satisfaction. She thought that Brother Shen would like it! She wondered if the big guy would praise her when he saw this embroidery, knowing that she was not completely useless.
Suddenly, Chu Mengsheng was shocked by her own thoughts. Why was she thinking of that serious fellow again? What the hell! In the past few days, her mind would always involuntarily float to his deep and stern face, but Brother Shen's appearance was becoming more and more blurry.
"No! I can't go on like this!" Chu Mengsheng muttered to herself as a sense of panic welled up in her heart. It seemed that she had to get rid of Zhangsun Jie as soon as possible so that she wouldn't keep thinking about him for no reason. She definitely couldn't marry him. He would definitely control her tightly. After thinking about it, Brother Shen was still the best.
Thinking of this, she calmed down. She let out a reassuring smile and gently stroked the embroidered painting. As long as she sneaked out of the residence when no one was paying attention and sent this painting to Brother Chen, all her troubles would be solved.
As soon as she relaxed, the tiredness of staying up late for many days suddenly surged. She yawned slowly, and her eyelids gradually drooped. Then, she could not help but lie on the embroidery table and let herself fall into a warm and deep sleep...
In the embroidery pavilion that was lit with incense, Chu Mengsheng was deep asleep with her delicate eyebrows furrowed.
A soft sound of the door opening suddenly sounded. A tall and straight figure stood at the door.
Zhangsun Jie walked into the room, gently closed the door, and came to Chu Mengsheng's side. Seeing her sleeping soundly on the embroidery table, he frowned slightly, then bent down and gently picked her up, placing her on the embroidered couch by the window.
Chu Mengsheng moaned in her sleep and turned her body. Her snow-white skin was flushed red from sleepiness, and her apple-like face looked especially sweet and innocent.
Zhangsun Jie couldn't help but stare at her in a daze. His deep black eyes stared deeply at her delicate and beautiful sleeping face. His gaze slowly moved from her butterfly-like eyelashes, picturesque eyebrows, and small red lips to her beautiful, jade-like neck, and finally stopped at her chest. Her beautiful curves moved up and down seductively with her slow breathing.
Zhangsun Jie felt his breathing stop, and his lower abdomen stirred. His desire was fierce and urgent. He raised his hand, and as if he was possessed, he lovingly caressed Chu Mengsheng's snow-white cheeks, lightly touched her perky nose, and slowly rubbed her supple lips.
Heavens! He had actually taken advantage of her when she was asleep, just like a rapist. Zhangsun Jie cursed himself in a low voice in frustration. He had originally only wanted to come in and ask her if she had already memorized the book " Women's Commandments ". He did not expect that she would still be able to easily arouse his desire while she was asleep. It made his rock-like heart that was not easily shaken surge with emotions. He almost could not help but want to possess her immediately.
All of this was completely beyond his control and expectations. Could it be that, as Liu Zhiqian said, he had fallen in love with this stubborn and untamed little girl?
Zhangsun Jie paced back and forth in the room in frustration. Suddenly, his gaze fell on the embroidery on the embroidery table.
He approached curiously and observed it carefully. This exquisite embroidery of " mandarin ducks playing in the water " was colorful and lively, but it did not lose its aesthetic and poetic mood. It was indeed a rare masterpiece. There was only one person in the Chu family who had such exquisite embroidery skills, and that person was his future wife, Chu Mengsheng.
Zhangsun Jie's black eyes were filled with admiration. At the same time, he felt that it was unbelievable. She was such a rebellious, lively and active woman, yet she could actually embroider such exquisite and beautiful works. It was really unbelievable.
It turned out that the reason why she was so tired was to complete this embroidery. 'Mandarin ducks playing in the water'…Who was this painting meant for? If he didn't know her well enough, he would have thought that she had embroidered this painting for their marriage.
He walked back to her side and took a closer look. There were faint dark circles under her eyes. If he guessed correctly, she must have stayed up late to finish this embroidery. It was obvious that this painting had a very important position in her heart.
Who was this painting for? Zhangsun Jie couldn't help but guess. When he thought of the possibility that it might be owned by someone else, he felt extremely uncomfortable. Who was worth her effort and even sacrificing her sleep? The more he thought about it, the more he felt a sour anger rapidly accumulating in his chest. He almost wanted to shake her awake and make her tell him who that person was.
At this moment, Chu Mengsheng, who was in a deep sleep, suddenly muttered something!!
Zhangsun Jie could not help but sit down on the side of the embroidered couch, staring at her without blinking. He saw a sweet smile on her delicate lips as she muttered," Big Brother Shen, wait for me. I'll come find you soon. You must not marry your little junior sister…"
Zhangsun Jie's expression darkened. She was actually thinking about another man in her sleep, completely forgetting that she was already his fiancée.
At this moment, Zhangsun Jie wanted to shake her awake and chase that Brother Shen out of her mind and heart, but he did not want to think about why he had such a strong reaction.
When he was full of jealousy and anger, her originally sweet little face suddenly darkened, and her two beautiful eyebrows suddenly furrowed. Her head shook slightly as if she was trying to reject something, and her two legs even kicked up.
Zhangsun Jie saw her sad and struggling appearance, and the anger in his heart instantly disappeared without a trace. It was replaced by a deep concern and pity. She must have had a nightmare to look so agitated and unhappy.
He couldn't help but reach out to wipe her slightly sweaty forehead. Just as his hand touched her skin, she suddenly cried out in her sleep,"Wow! Zhangsun Jie, why is it you again? You haunting big guy, you actually barged into my dream…Ah! Brother Shen, don't go! I haven't agreed to marry him yet…"
His voice gradually quieted down, and his kicking legs gradually calmed down.
However, Zhangsun Jie's anger was once again provoked. Just as he was about to flare up, the person on the embroidered couch started talking in her sleep again!!
" Stupid man, annoying person, don't come over…I don't want to marry you…Don't make me carry those boring things anymore…I don't want…"
At this moment, Zhangsun Jie's face was extremely dark. The veins on his forehead were faintly visible, his thin lips were tightly pursed, and his black eyes narrowed sinisterly.
What a stubborn little girl. She even resisted him in her sleep and disobeyed his orders!
Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her shoulders, lifted her upper body, and shook her hard. For the first time, he lost control and roared,"Chu Mengsheng, wake up!”
The thunderous roar quickly woke Chu Mengsheng up from her sleep. She slowly raised her eyelashes, and her sleepy eyes stared at the cold face in front of her for a long time. Then, her eyes widened as she stared at Zhangsun Jie in disbelief. She blinked and even raised her hand to rub her eyes. The person in front of her still…existed. She was not dreaming!
"You…Why are you here?”Chu Mengsheng stuttered as she asked, still in a daze.
Zhangsun Jie pulled her towards his chest, his angular face pressing against her confused little face.
"Let me ask you, what dream did you have just now? Who did you dream of?" He asked domineeringly, sounding like a jealous husband.
"Who…did I dream of?" Chu Mengsheng tilted her head and thought for a while. Suddenly, she regained her senses. Her delicate little face instantly flushed red, and she pouted her red cheeks as she scolded,""It's all your fault. As soon as you appeared, Brother Shen ignored me!”
She did have a dream just now. In the dream, she saw her beloved Big Brother Shen. However, in just a short while, Big Brother Shen's face suddenly turned into Zhangsun Jie. He kept approaching her and said that she was his wife. They were about to get married. She wanted to escape, but her body could not move. She looked up and saw Brother Shen walking further and further away without looking back. In the end, only a small black dot was left.
She did not know what this dream meant. She only knew that Zhangsun Jie had invaded her dream and was constantly pestering her, while Brother Shen was getting further and further away from her.
As soon as Zhangsun Jie heard her answer, he knew that the person she dreamed of was Shen Shaoyu, the eldest disciple of the Yang Wei Martial Arts School that Master Chu had mentioned. He was also the refined man he had seen when he saved Chu Mengsheng that day.
Suddenly, a surge of jealousy that he had never felt before surged in his heart. He was the third son of the richest man in Luoyang, the Zhangsun family. Many ladies wanted to marry him, but he never took it to heart. However, she did not know what was good for her. She disdained his proposal and could not forget another man!
It had always been the women who flattered him in every possible way. He never had to spend any effort on them, but she had rejected him time and time again. She even disdained him. Her mind was filled with other men. He had never been treated so coldly!
His pride did not allow her to ignore him like this. He narrowed his eyes coldly and immediately made a decision in his heart!!
"In order to let you give up on that Young Master Shen as soon as possible, I've decided to report to your father and let you and I get married in the Chu Manor first.”
Chu Mengsheng's eyes widened as she shook her head.""I don't want to marry you! Why must you marry me? I'm rebellious and crafty, and I hate to follow a bunch of rules. Besides, I don't know anything except embroidery. There's no benefit for you to marry me!”
Zhangsun Jie suddenly grinned and said,"You're quite self-aware. However, this doesn't stop my determination to marry you.”After pausing for a while, his expression slightly straightened and he continued,"Besides, marrying you is grandfather's wish. I can't disappoint him. As for the shortcomings you mentioned, I've said it before. I'll teach you well and make you a proper and virtuous woman who meets the requirements of the Zhangsun Clan's daughter-in-law.”Actually, he did not understand why he insisted on marrying her.
" You…" Chu Mengsheng widened her watery eyes and glared at him angrily and anxiously. She couldn't help but retort,""You'll never be able to make me become that kind of woman! I am who I am. Don't even think about changing me!”
Zhangsun Jie wasn't angry. He just smiled evilly and said coldly,""When you become my wife, I have many ways to make you obedient.”
After saying that, he immediately released his grip on her, stood up, and walked out of the door. When he passed by the embroidery table, he suddenly stopped and looked at the embroidery of " mandarin ducks playing in the water "...
Chu Mengsheng looked at the embroidery table. As soon as she saw the embroidery, she remembered her original plan. She quickly sat up and got off the embroidery couch, wanting to keep the embroidery in her arms.
However, Zhangsun Jie didn't give her the chance to do so. He stretched out his hand and held the embroidered painting in his hand.
" Give it back to me!" Chu Mengsheng shouted anxiously.
"Is this painting for me?”Even though he knew it was impossible, he still had a glimmer of hope.
"You…Stop being so smug!" She blushed and spat." Hurry up and return it to me!”
Zhangsun Jie's face darkened slightly as he said in a deep voice,""If it's not for me, then it must be for someone else, right? Since that's the case, I can't return it to you. I'll take care of this embroidery for you!”He couldn't stand her giving this painting to someone else, especially Shen Shaoyu! Her person, her everything, should belong to him only. No one could share it with him.
As soon as he finished speaking, he left the Embroidered Brothel without looking back, leaving behind a stunned and angry Chu Mengsheng.
The next day, Zhangsun Jie obtained the consent of Chu Yuan Cheng and his wife. They decided to marry Chu Mengsheng in three days. When they returned to Luoyang, they would hold another grand wedding.
One of the reasons why Old Master Chu agreed was that Zhangsun Jie was a rare son-in-law. Ever since he came to Yuezhou, all the unmarried girls in the city had noticed his existence. Those who didn't know the truth even wanted him to be a matchmaker. In order to cut off other people's thoughts, he had to make this worthy son-in-law live up to his name.
Another reason was that Shen Shaoyu, whom his precious daughter had a crush on, was about to marry Lu Fengyi in the next few days. He strictly forbade his servants from discussing this news in the residence, let alone his daughter. Otherwise, with her straightforward personality, she would definitely think of a way to sneak out of the residence and go to Yangwei Martial Arts School to ask about it.
He was afraid that his daughter would stir up a lot of trouble for him. The only thing he could do now was to let her marry Zhangsun Jie as soon as possible. Only then would he be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Thus, the entire Chu Manor began to get busy. Everyone was happy that the young lady was going to get married. After all, the young lady was already seventeen years old, and no one had dared to come and propose marriage.
However, amidst the joyous atmosphere of the Chu Family Residence, there was a person with a distressed expression. He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. That person was the soon-to-be bride, Chu Mengsheng.
Chu Mengsheng kept pacing back and forth in her room, racking her brains to think of a way to escape the marriage. She knew that once she married Zhangsun Jie, she would definitely be finished. He had so many rules and was so fierce and serious to her. She would definitely be bored to death and would never have a good life.
Therefore, she had to think of a way to escape from the residence no matter what. But now, not only was she grounded, but she was also strictly guarded and could not take a step out of the boudoir. She could not help but complain about her father's ruthlessness. He actually imprisoned her in order to marry into the Zhangsun family. Even her mother, who had always doted on her the most, did not speak up to help her this time. Instead, she stood on the same side as her father and was anxious to marry her to Zhangsun Jie.
All in all, everyone in the Chu Manor had changed sides and were all on Zhangsun Jie's side. It seemed that she could only stand on her own two feet.
After walking back and forth a few times, she decided to step out of the room and walk around. Perhaps she could find a chance or a way to escape. It was better than sitting here and waiting for death.
Once she made up her mind, she immediately pushed open the door. Just as she stepped out of the door, she saw her personal maid, Xiao Que, waiting outside.
"Miss, Master has instructed that you are not allowed to run around and that you should obediently stay in the room.”Little Sparrow looked at her cautiously.
Chu Mengsheng couldn't help but feel angry. No father would guard against his daughter like a thief and treat her like a prisoner. However, when she thought about her escape plan, she could only endure this resentment. She raised her eyebrows slightly and said unhappily,
"It's not too much for me to want to take a walk in the back garden, right? I'm about to suffocate to death. If you're worried, feel free to follow me!”
After saying that, she ignored Little Sparrow's troubled gaze and walked straight to the back garden.
The helpless little sparrow could only follow closely behind.
After Chu Mengsheng arrived at the back garden, she looked around in boredom. After strolling around, she sat down on a stone bench in the pavilion.
The little sparrow behind her was still nervous and on guard. She comforted herself in her heart that in two more days, she would not have to live such a frightened life anymore. Once the young miss got married, there would naturally be a son-in-law to take care of her. At that time, this pitiful little servant girl would be able to escape from the sea of suffering.
Chu Mengsheng held a small fan in one hand to cool herself down. Her large eyes rolled around restlessly as she looked around. As she turned around, her gaze suddenly froze. She looked at a big tree in the corner of the garden that was close to the wall of the mansion. The tree was still full of fruit.
Chu Mengsheng stood up curiously and walked towards the big tree. Little Sparrow followed closely behind.
He walked to the tree and looked up. It was an apple tree. She actually didn't know that there was such a tree in her garden. However, this wasn't the main point. What was important was that her sharp eyes had noticed that the height of this tree had exceeded the wall of the Chu manor.
Her mind spun quickly as she had an idea. As long as she could climb up the tree and climb up the wall along the branches that extended outwards, she could easily slip out and not be easily discovered. Climbing trees shouldn't be a problem for her.
After making up her mind, she turned to Xiao Que and said,"Xiao Que, I want to eat an apple. Find a way to get the apple off the tree."”
Little Sparrow was stunned for a moment before answering in confusion,""Miss, the apples on the tree are very green and not ripe at all. How can they be delicious?”
Chu Mengsheng wrinkled her cute little nose and said willfully,""I just like to eat green apples. The more sour it is, the more delicious it is. Don't worry about it, just get me one!”
" This…" Little Sparrow looked at her awkwardly and stammered," I'm afraid that's very difficult. The tree is so tall, and even the bamboo poles can't reach it. How can we get the fruit?"”
"Can't we just climb up and get it?" Chu Mengsheng smiled and said coldly.
"Ah!" Little Sparrow's face instantly turned pale, and her face was like a bitter gourd. She said fearfully,""Miss…this…isn't very good! I have…acrophobia. Don't ask me to climb up.”As he spoke, he raised his small hands and shook them violently, fully displaying her fear.
Chu Mengsheng pretended to be unhappy as she glanced at Xiao Que. In fact, she was secretly laughing happily in her heart. She had been waiting for her to say this.
Chu Mengsheng frowned and sneered." You're so timid. What's so scary about climbing a tree? Since you don't dare, I'll have to go up and pick it myself!”
As soon as she finished speaking, she had already lifted her skirt and tied it around her waist. Using her hands and feet, she began to climb the tree in an unsightly manner.
"Aiya! Miss, don't go up. It's too dangerous. If you're not careful, you might fall to your death.”Little Sparrow couldn't help but shout in panic.
"Shut up!" Chu Mengsheng's face flushed red as she panted and growled. She was afraid that Little Sparrow's shout would attract the attention of others, and her plan would fail.
"Your shouting will distract me.”she added.
Little Sparrow quickly lowered her voice and said worriedly,""Miss, you must be careful. Actually, you don't have to climb up yourself.”
Chu Mengsheng didn't want to bother with her anymore and continued to climb up. As long as she climbed to the same height as the wall, she would have a chance to escape, escape from this marriage, and escape from Zhangsun Jie, that serious big guy.
Little Sparrow watched from below, her heart trembling in fear. She was so flustered that she did not know what to do. Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind and she immediately shouted,"Miss, don't climb up anymore. Hurry up and come down. I'll ask my future son-in-law to help you pick the apples. He's very good at martial arts. Wait a moment. I'll go find him now.”
When Chu Mengsheng heard this, she was stunned. If Little Sparrow went to find Zhangsun Jie, wouldn't she be unable to leave? Ignoring the fact that she was hanging from a tree, she quickly turned around and shouted,"There's no need. Don't go looking for him!" When he looked carefully, the bird was no longer in the garden.
When did this girl run so fast? She could not help but mutter in annoyance. It seemed that she had to hurry up. Otherwise, when Zhangsun Jie arrived, she really wouldn't be able to leave.
After climbing for a while, she finally reached the height of the wall. However, there was still a small distance between the tree and the wall. She had to climb along the branches that extended out to successfully climb the wall.
After taking a deep breath, Chu Mengsheng slowly moved along the branches. The branches seemed to be unable to withstand the weight and swayed up and down.
She began to feel a little scared. Looking down from this height, her legs were already weak from fear. Moreover, she could not advance or retreat at this moment because the tree trunk was shaking more and more clearly, as if it was about to break.
Chu Mengsheng couldn't help but mutter. Why was she so unlucky? Not only did she fail to escape the marriage, but she might also fall into a meat pie. In order to not let herself die young, she kept praying in her heart that the branches would not break. She hugged the branches tightly with both hands and feet.
As soon as Zhangsun Jie stepped into the garden, he was greeted by the sight of such a frightening and dangerous scene. His expression suddenly became one of panic and worry.
"Heavens!" Little Sparrow, who arrived later, couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise. "Young miss, son-in-law is here. Come down quickly!”
Chu Mengsheng opened her eyes slightly and looked down. Zhangsun Jie was indeed standing under the tree. She had never seen his nervous and worried expression before, but she had no time to think about it. She was just upset that she had let him see her most embarrassing and ugly behavior.
"What are you doing? I order you to come down immediately!" Zhangsun Jie barely suppressed his fear and shouted with a dark face.
"I…I can't come down." Chu Mengsheng said with a bitter face and a trembling face. He was still ordering her around so fiercely at a time like this! "I'm afraid that if I move, the tree trunk will immediately break!”
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the branch that she was hugging tightly become more and more bent. Then, with a sudden snap, the branch broke. Before she could scream, her delicate and slender body fell straight down...
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