Entangled Love GL - Chapter 24

There are no walls in the world that are completely airtight. Although Yang Mei’s feelings for Duan Min were not ostentatious, she didn’t deliberately conceal them either. With many people and loose tongues in This Place Pavilion, and dozens of maids and servants in the inner residence of Yuè Yuán, there were already rumors circulating outside that Miss Yang was unconventional and favored women. However, such gossip was not widespread and had minimal impact. Yang Mei herself had never cared, much less thought that one day someone would mock her to her face.

Yang Mei was a little embarrassed and looked coldly at Méi Jìngxiān: “With a great enemy at hand, what do you mean by speaking like this, Old Manor Master?”

Méi Jìngxiān chuckled: “Miss Yang, please don’t misunderstand. Old Brother Zhāng is heartbroken over the loss of his beloved daughter and is about to personally kill his enemy, but you are blocking him. I don’t want your two families to fall out, so I kindly said a few words to explain for you. I’m afraid you yourself can’t speak of such hidden feelings, can you?”

Yang Mei trembled with anger. Zhāng Mǎn shouted: “Stop the nonsense! If you don’t move aside, Yang Mei, you are opposing me! Don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“Alright, alright,” Yang Mei drew her sword, “More talk is useless. Hall Master Zhāng, please!”

As soon as Yang Mei said this, the people who came with Zhāng Mǎn instantly split into two factions. All of This Place Pavilion’s subordinates immediately turned their weapons and guarded Yang Mei’s side.

The situation was on the verge of eruption. Duan Min quietly leaned against Shuǐ Yánghuā, whispering: “Why should we watch the show here?”

Shuǐ Yánghuā knew that under these circumstances, the only way was to flee. Just as she was about to act, she heard a sigh, which was particularly abrupt in the tense atmosphere.

It was Yán Bózhān who sighed.

Yán Bózhān said: “Please listen to me, everyone, and stop here. How can a gentleman’s revenge be achieved in a moment? Why harm each other? I don’t believe there won’t be a time when Shuǐ Yánghuā is alone. I will take my leave first, farewell!” After saying this, Yán Bózhān cupped his hands and turned to leave. The people from the Nine-Turn Dragon Pavilion also followed him out.

Zhāng Mǎn’s eyes were wide and round. Before he could speak, Méi Jìngxiān quickly interjected: “That kid is too hesitant; he won’t achieve anything! Old Brother Zhāng, don’t mind him. The important thing is to capture the demoness!”

“Heh,” Shuǐ Yánghuā laughed, “You lords take your time discussing. I, a humble woman, cannot interject, so I won’t stay and keep you company!”

Zhāng Mǎn and Méi Jìngxiān were distracted by Yán Bózhān for a moment, and barely saw how Shuǐ Yánghuā left with Duan Min. They just suddenly realized that the voice was still lingering, but the person was gone.

Zhāng Mǎn was greatly alarmed and rushed forward. Yang Mei drew her sword to meet the enemy, blocking the great axe. Just as a chaotic fight seemed inevitable, Yúnniáng, who had been hiding on the side, suddenly shouted at Zhāng Mǎn: “Hall Master! The way out is the road for a good pursuit!”

Zhāng Mǎn still retained some rationality and knew that it was not suitable to delay here. He gritted his teeth, withdrew his hand, and let out an angry roar: “Yang Mei! The day will come when we settle our scores!” He turned and led the pursuit out the door.

The intense atmosphere in the room dissipated as the crowd left, replaced by a dull and stiff aura.

Yang Mei returned her sword to its sheath, with no expression on her face. She didn’t speak, allowing the subordinates of This Place Pavilion to stand in a semicircle, waiting for her orders.

Yúnniáng was still shaken and was huddled in a corner with Nàohóng, Ràolǜ, and Líng’ér.

As the wind blew, the window slammed shut. Jìng Yuán returned to silence. The sounds of singing and laughter from Yúnyún Hall in the front could be faintly heard. The sky was darkening now, and the lights of Yúnyún Hall were already lit, looking like a brilliant golden tower standing in a dreamland when viewed across the garden.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. Yang Mei looked up and saw that it was actually Xue Yuyu.

Xue Yuyu should have stayed at This Place Pavilion. His arrival now must be due to worry. Thinking this, Yang Mei’s expression involuntarily darkened, and her tone was unfriendly: “What are you doing here?”

“I heard the situation changed. What happened?” Xue Yuyu looked anxious and was deeply concerned.

Yang Mei frowned. She was about to say, “Is there anything I can’t handle?” but then held back. She was about to ask, “Are you afraid I can’t handle it?” but held back again. After a pause, she said: “You’ve come at a good time. Everything is fine. Take the brothers back.”

Xue Yuyu was slightly startled and subconsciously asked: “Then you—”

Yang Mei glanced at him and didn’t answer. Xue Yuyu realized and quickly said: “This subordinate overstepped…” Yang Mei quickly waved her hand: “Enough, go back. They know what happened.”

In front of her subordinates, Yang Mei didn’t like Xue Yuyu interfering or, so to speak, instructing her. But she also disliked Xue Yuyu’s submissive and obedient demeanor. When Xue Yuyu was not present, Yang Mei was happy to send people to ask for advice, arrange matters, or even care about his life. But as soon as Xue Yuyu came before her, she felt that something was amiss.

Yang Mei had no mind to consider too much at the moment and was intent on sending everyone away. She didn’t know how to face the multitude of This Place Pavilion’s subordinates. A private motive, a secret shame, Yang Mei thought with some remorse, I should have foreseen the matter developing to this point.

Xue Yuyu obediently led the people away. Yang Mei sighed inwardly, turned, saw Yúnniáng, and softened her expression, asking: “Did Muyè pursue them?”

When Shuǐ Yánghuā made her move, Yang Mei was entirely focused on Zhāng Mǎn and Méi Jìngxiān. She sensed someone moving nearby but couldn’t divert her attention. Now seeing that Muyè was not in the room, she guessed she must have gone after Shuǐ Yánghuā. In terms of skill, Muyè could definitely catch up, but Yang Mei already understood that her views were different from her own, which made her uneasy.

“Don’t go!” Yúnniáng noticed Yang Mei’s anxious expression and quickly came over to hold her, saying hurriedly, “Muyè was the first to pursue them. She will definitely bring A’Min back. Shuǐ Yánghuā hates you so much; if you go, you’ll only make things worse. You wait here with me; everything will be fine.”

Yúnniáng’s hands were still trembling, and her eyes were brimming with tears, but her gaze was sincere and firm. She paused and then continued: “Nàohóng, Ràolǜ, hurry and have the room cleaned up. A’Min likes cleanliness, and she’ll be unhappy to see such a mess when she returns. Miss Yang, let’s go to the flower hall. We can clearly see anyone coming from both the front and back yards.”

The flower hall was literally a hall of flowers. At this time of the season, a warm stove was lit, flowers bloomed on the four walls, and a pleasant fragrance filled the room. In the candlelight, the colors of the flowers looked even more enchanting, yet quiet and shy.

Yúnniáng and Yang Mei sat stiffly, with nothing to say. After a long time, Nàohóng came in to serve tea and refreshments. The two politely acknowledged them but left them untouched. Around the fourth watch, the noise from Yúnyún Hall in the front gradually subsided, and there was no news. Nàohóng repeatedly urged: “It’s late. Miss should rest.” Yúnniáng forced a smile, let someone take Yang Mei to the guest room, and returned to her own room with Nàohóng.

The next day at noon, a steward hurried in from the front to find Yúnniáng, saying that the accountant, Scholar Fù, was drunk again and arguing with a guest. Yúnniáng’s face turned pale with anger: “What time is it for such nonsense! Give him a few taels of silver and tell him to leave immediately!” She turned away, and tears streamed down her face.

Nàohóng was flustered. Seeing the older female steward still standing there, she snapped: “Hurry up and go! Bring such a small matter to bother Miss! Lock Fù Shǎoqūn in the woodshed and let him starve for a few days to sober up!”

Nàohóng sent everyone else away and was comforting Yúnniáng when she inadvertently saw someone walk past the window. She approached the window and looked out. She exclaimed happily: “Miss, stop crying! Miss Duan is back!”

“What?” Yúnniáng looked up at Nàohóng, disbelieving.

Nàohóng quickly said: “Miss Duan just walked through the backyard. She’ll be here any minute. I saw it clearly!”

Yúnniáng hurriedly got up and rushed out of the room to greet her. From a distance, she saw Duan Min and Muyè walking through the entryway towards the interior. She couldn’t stop herself from crying again. She quickly reached Duan Min and tightly embraced her.

Duan Min hugged her back tightly, murmuring softly: “It’s alright. Don’t worry.”

Duan Min lowered her eyes and embraced Yúnniáng for a moment. When she looked up, she saw Yang Mei standing on the stairs, gazing intently at her.

When Yang Mei saw her look over, she averted her gaze, walking down the stairs step by step. When she reached them, she asked Muyè: “Did Shuǐ Yánghuā escape?”

Muyè sneered: “She’s dead.”

Yang Mei was about to ask more, but seeing Muyè clearly unwilling to say anything further, she paused and then said: “Since the matter is concluded, I should return as well. Farewell.” With that, she left as if escaping.

Yúnniáng then wiped away her tears and broke into a delighted smile. Only then did she notice that both Duan Min and Muyè had somewhat strange expressions.

“Ugh!” Muyè sighed loudly. “So tired! I need to sleep. You two don’t look energetic either. Don’t worry about anything. We can talk tomorrow!”