Where the Mask Ends - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Lu Zhuo did not find anything on those two assassins that could prove their identities.
Looking at Wei Rao’s attitude, she seemed to have no intention of pursuing the identity of the assassins, or perhaps, she knew clearly in her heart who the mastermind was.
Lu Zhuo had no intention of delving into other people’s grievances. He found a cliff to dump the two of them and then returned the way he came. Soon, he arrived at the stone staircase path leading to the main mountain of Yunwu Mountain.
This road was built by the government specifically for tourists and pilgrims. The stone steps were level and eight feet wide. Because it had just rained snow, the steps had been washed clean by the melting snow water. As pedestrians walked up the steps, looking into the distance, there was nothing but beautiful spring scenery. Occasionally, the long, melodious sound of bells from the temple would drift over, making one feel relaxed and happy, temporarily forgetting the worries of the secular world.
His horse stopped at the foot of the mountain. Lu Zhuo strolled leisurely, in no hurry to rendezvous with his family.
In the middle section of the mountain path, Mrs. Wang and her daughter, Zhou Huizhen, were staying in a peach blossom forest near the mountain road. Zhou Huizhen stood deeper inside, as if concentrating on admiring the flowers. Mrs. Wang sat on a large rock further out, feigning rest, while her eyes constantly scanned the mountain road below. As long as a handsome young master in brocade robes appeared, Mrs. Wang would call her daughter to get ready for an "encounter."
Old Madame Shou’an’s servant, Nanny Liu, had also followed them. She sat under a peach tree, watching this mother and daughter pair with an expressionless face.
Having followed the mother and daughter up Yunwu Mountain for several days, Nanny Liu was exhausted in both body and spirit. She longed for a wealthy, eligible bachelor willing to marry Zhou Huizhen to appear even more than Mrs. Wang did, hoping to be relieved of this errand sooner. However, Nanny Liu knew better; why would a man who met Mrs. Wang’s criteria for a "golden son-in-law" want to marry Zhou Huizhen?
Not to mention her reputation, the status of the Zhou family was not something to be proud of.
Her mistress, Old Madame Shou’an, was originally just the wife of a ninth-rank minor capital official. The family was destitute when, by chance, the palace held a selection for wet nurses. Old Madame Shou’an met all the requirements to be a wet nurse, so she went to the palace and became one of the backup wet nurses for the then-unborn Emperor Yuanjia.
After Emperor Yuanjia was born, the Empress Dowager, who was focused on vying for favor, naturally would not breastfeed her son herself. The milk of the wet nurse the Empress Dowager favored most had problems; it was fine for her own child, but Emperor Yuanjia developed a rash after drinking it. That was how Old Madame Shou’an came to replace her. They say that destiny plays a role between people; the little Emperor Yuanjia had no issues drinking Old Madame Shou’an’s milk and was especially clingy toward her.
That was how Old Madame Shou’an began her life as a wet nurse in the palace. At that time, the Empress Dowager had an older biological prince, so Emperor Yuanjia did not seem special to the Empress Dowager, and he was even more indistinguishable from the crowd among the many princes. At that time, Old Madame Shou’an was just an ordinary wet nurse among many in the palace, and Magistrate Zhou, a ninth-rank capital official, did not benefit in the slightest from her presence.
When Emperor Yuanjia reached the age of eleven, the Empress Dowager made a mistake—the kind of mistake that nearly landed her in the cold palace. At the critical moment, the Empress Dowager deliberately arranged for Old Madame Shou’an, whom she had carefully hidden for many years, to show her face in front of the late Emperor.
At that time, Old Madame Shou’an was just over thirty, having just returned to the palace after a six-month maternity leave for the younger Miss Zhou. She was stunningly beautiful in a way that was impossible to hide—a type of beauty the late Emperor, who possessed a harem of countless women, had never seen before.
Once Old Madame Shou’an revealed herself, the late Emperor stopped punishing the Empress Dowager and began summoning Emperor Yuanjia more frequently. At the same time, the late Emperor deliberately transferred Magistrate Zhou to an outer region to serve as an official. The pitiable Magistrate Zhou bore the world’s criticism of his wife and the mockery directed at him, and due to his inability to acclimatize, he died in a foreign land at a young age.
Old Madame Shou’an became a widow raising three children, and she also became the backbone of the Zhou family.
While the late Emperor was alive, the Empress Dowager, for her own benefit, deliberately used Old Madame Shou’an, causing her to have a ruined reputation and a broken family. After the late Emperor died and Emperor Yuanjia ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager clearly knew that Old Madame Shou’an had never let the late Emperor succeed, but because she was jealous that Old Madame Shou’an had gained Emperor Yuanjia’s respect, she deliberately acquiesced to the spread of rumors, causing the women of the Zhou family to be increasingly reviled. If it weren’t for Emperor Yuanjia’s insistence on sending gifts to Old Madame Shou’an every year, where would there be any room for Old Madame Shou’an and her family to survive in the capital?
Those prominent noble families, out of respect for Emperor Yuanjia, dared not bully them too excessively, but they would definitely never marry a daughter of the Zhou family.
Even the marriage of their cousin, Wei Rao, was difficult; how much more so for the sisters Zhou Huizhen and Zhou Huizhu?
Nanny Liu and Old Madame Shou’an both saw this clearly, yet the mother and daughter pair still insisted on dreaming.
"Zhen’er, come quickly, it’s time for us to go down the mountain." Mrs. Wang, who had been peering about, suddenly showed a look of joy and turned back to beckon to Zhou Huizhen, who was putting on airs.
This was the secret signal, meaning that a handsome, elegant young master had appeared!
Zhou Huizhen touched the peach blossom she had just tucked into her hair, suppressing the excitement in her heart, and walked to her mother’s side like a well-bred young lady.
Nanny Liu pinched her own sore calves, stood up while supporting herself on a tree trunk, and followed silently behind the mother and daughter.
"Mother, how is this one? Is there anyone with him?" Supporting her mother’s arm, Zhou Huizhen asked in a low voice.
In these few days, she had "encountered" twenty or thirty young masters. Every one of those men looked at her with astonishment, some even so intensely that she blushed. However, when it came time to exchange greetings and introduce their family background, the older female relatives or sisters with those men would immediately become disdainful, leaving her feeling extremely awkward.
Zhou Huizhen’s lofty ambitions were almost worn away. No matter how much she craved to marry into a powerful family, she still had her pride and could not stand the repeated slights.
Mrs. Wang said gleefully, "How should I put it? He’s like an immortal descended to earth. All the young masters we’ve seen before combined don’t compare to him. The best part is, he doesn't have a single person with him, as if he came specifically to meet you."
Hearing this, Zhou Huizhen’s heart burned with heat.
Nanny Liu deliberately poured cold water from behind: "He didn't even bring a servant? Could he be a poor boy who is only good in appearance, trying to use his looks to ascend to heaven by encountering a noble young lady?"
The hierarchy between master and servant was clear; usually, Nanny Liu gave Mrs. Wang face and would never be so sarcastic. But after several days of climbing the mountain, Nanny Liu’s patience for Mrs. Wang had run out. Besides, the situation she analyzed was entirely possible; disciples of noble families were spoiled, and they liked to bring servants and maids with them wherever they went.
Mrs. Wang turned around and glared fiercely at Nanny Liu, warning: "You just follow, do not speak. If you ruin the eldest young lady’s good fortune, don’t blame me for being impolite."
Nanny Liu held back from rolling her eyes.
Zhou Huizhen felt a bit worried by what Nanny Liu said.
Mrs. Wang patted her hand and said very confidently, "Rest assured, rest assured. Based on his demeanor, I would even believe it if you told me he were a prince."
After a pause, Mrs. Wang had a plan: "Zhen’er, this person is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If it succeeds, we won’t have to run up to the mountain to suffer anymore. In my opinion, let’s go for something big later and give you more time to spend together."
After speaking, Mrs. Wang leaned into Zhou Huizhen’s ear and whispered a long string of words.
"What is the Madam intending to do?" Nanny Liu asked with a hint of warning.
Mrs. Wang was afraid that her clever plan would be exposed by Nanny Liu, so she had no choice but to inform her first.
It was a stupid trick that would be very shameful if exposed. Even if it were not exposed, the chance of success was only half, as Zhou Huizhen’s identity was the biggest obstacle to her marrying into a wealthy family.
Nanny Liu looked back and forth. At this moment, the only people on the mountain road were them and that unfortunate immortal young master. Trying it might let the mother and daughter give up.
"Madam, act convincingly. Do not reveal any flaws, otherwise, the Old Madame will never let the Madam and the eldest young lady out again."
Mrs. Wang knew this, so she gritted her teeth. When approaching a corner ahead, Mrs. Wang stopped, leaned halfway onto the path, and deliberately knocked her forehead against the edge of the stone steps, making it turn red. Mrs. Wang quickly signaled to her daughter, then closed her eyes, feigning a heatstroke-induced faint.
Zhou Huizhen did not expect her mother to be so willing to sacrifice her image. She gripped her handkerchief and looked down the mountain, then suddenly cried out: "Mother, what happened to you? Mother, wake up, don't scare me!"
"Crying alone isn't enough, you need tears." Nanny Liu cooperated with the mother and daughter like never before, crouching beside Zhou Huizhen and giving her a hard pinch on the thigh.
Zhou Huizhen covered her mouth with her handkerchief, unable to cry out, but didn't the pain turn into tears? Her charming, exquisite face was pale, and her watery phoenix eyes were brimming with tears, looking pitiful enough to make one’s heart ache, which caused Nanny Liu to sigh inwardly. This eldest young lady was indeed beautiful; marrying down was indeed a bit of a grievance.
"Is it heatstroke? Eldest young lady, don't cry. Let me pinch the Madam’s philtrum." After expressing her regret, Nanny Liu took Mrs. Wang’s head and shoulders onto her lap and gave Mrs. Wang’s philtrum a good squeeze.
Mrs. Wang recited the word "endure" six times in her heart and finally survived this wave of pain.
Thus, when Lu Zhuo heard the sound and hurried over, he saw Zhou Huizhen sitting on the steps, weeping into her hands, Mrs. Wang with her eyes tightly shut, a large nail mark on her philtrum, fainting in Nanny Liu’s arms, and Nanny Liu, who seemed frantic and didn't know how to respond.
At first glance, Lu Zhuo truly did not suspect anything.
"What happened?" Lu Zhuo strode up several steps and crouched on the other side of Mrs. Wang, his eyes fixed only on Mrs. Wang.
Nanny Liu was very committed to the performance, keeping her head lowered the entire time. It wasn't until the newcomer crouched down that Nanny Liu looked up and saw Lu Zhuo’s face. Nanny Liu was greatly shocked. Good heavens, the mother and daughter had actually hit the jackpot this time and encountered a genuine immortal of a man.
Fortunately, Nanny Liu was steady enough. She remained stunned for a moment before coming back to her senses, continuing the act, and saying anxiously, "My Madam suddenly fainted just now, and pinching her philtrum didn't work."
Lu Zhuo reached out to examine Mrs. Wang.
Nanny Liu took the opportunity to glance at her side and saw Zhou Huizhen, her face half-hidden by her handkerchief, her teary eyes staring unblinkingly at the immortal man, her soul almost being hooked away!
What a disgrace!
"Eldest young lady, don't cry. The Madam has always been robust; it must just be heatstroke." Nanny Liu feigned comfort, but was actually reminding Zhou Huizhen.
Zhou Huizhen didn't hear her; her eyes were filled only with the immortal man close at hand—his heroic, handsome brows, eyes as black as ink, the perfectly shaped double eyelids revealed by his downward posture, and his flawless, jade-like face. If she could truly marry this man, even if he were destitute, Zhou Huizhen would be willing.
Lu Zhuo noticed the gaze from beside him. At the same time, he also noticed that the eyelids of the woman on the ground were twitching rapidly in small increments.
A person who was truly unconscious would not be like this.
Why try to deceive him?
Just as his suspicion arose, a shy, delicate voice suddenly came to his ears: "Young Master, how is my mother, really?"
Lu Zhuo lifted his eyes.
Zhou Huizhen had already lowered the handkerchief that covered her face, deliberately revealing that beautiful, charming face to the immortal man she admired.
Blood inheritance is a strange thing. Siblings from the same mother may not necessarily look alike, and yet there are times when cousins look similar.
The cousins Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhen had both inherited Old Madame Shou’an’s beauty.
The moment Lu Zhuo met Zhou Huizhen, he thought of Wei Rao.
If it were not for the fact that Wei Rao’s phoenix eyes were more alluring, her red lips fuller and more charming, and her voice sweeter, and if it were not for the fact that he had seen Wei Rao’s group go down the mountain with his own eyes, and he knew Wei Rao’s mother was far away at the Western Mountain Palace, Lu Zhuo would have almost thought the person in front of him was Wei Rao, who had changed into women’s clothing to tease him.
Lu Zhuo’s impression of Wei Rao was not good. Now that he had encountered another young lady with ulterior motives who was related to Wei Rao, Lu Zhuo sneered and flicked his sleeves as he walked away.
"Yo, Young Master?" Zhou Huizhen was completely stunned. She had only asked one question; why did the immortal young master leave?
Mrs. Wang endured until the sound of the immortal young master’s footsteps vanished before scrambling up in a flurry: "What’s going on? Who revealed the trick?"
Nanny Liu felt that the problem lay with Mrs. Wang. The immortal young master had a kind heart, but he didn't even glance toward Zhou Huizhen when he came over.
"The Madam’s eyelids were twitching too fast, and the eldest young lady only kept staring at that young master, not caring about the Madam at all."
Nanny Liu patted the dust off her sleeves and said with much regret.
In a single sentence, she successfully sowed discord between the mother and daughter, causing them to blame each other. Thus, the day’s journey to hook a golden son-in-law came to an end.