Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter Four: Her Unspeakable Secret

After seeing Liu Guanzhong off, he was about to go to the kitchen to brew medicine when he bumped into his younger sister, Lu Cuiwei.

This girl has always been unruly, and he's always let her have her way. But this time, she almost killed someone! Lu Yu was seething with anger, and his expression was naturally unpleasant. He simply ignored her completely, as if she were invisible.

Seeing that her brother was ignoring her, Lu Cuiwei grew anxious. The thought of Lu Yu tightly holding Ji Meiqing, who had fallen into the water, earlier that day ignited a surge of anger within her. She grabbed Lu Yu's sleeve, her tone filled with resentment.

"Brother, that vixen deserves to die! Why are you still saving her?"

Lu Yu frowned, then his face turned cold as he reprimanded, "Nonsense! In this world, what kind of person deserves to die? Besides, what kind of talk is it for a young lady like you to use such vulgar language all the time!"

As he spoke, his tone became somewhat stern. He had heard rumors from the neighbors that Lu Cuiwei was spoiled and willful, but he never imagined she had become this rude!

"I..." Lu Cuiwei was speechless, then she straightened her neck and said defiantly, "No matter how bad I am, I'm still your sister! I'm so much better than that good-for-nothing from outside!"

She pointed to the empty rice jar and demanded sharply, "Our family is already so poor, and you still want to sell rice to buy her medicine? What right does she have! Besides, who knows if she has any other intentions in staying at our house!"

As she spoke, she cast a vicious glance at Ji Meiqing's room, her eyes filled with hatred. It was all that wretched woman's fault! Ever since she arrived, her and her brother's life of mutual dependence had been completely disrupted!

The woman's voice was shrill, and she deliberately raised her pitch, giving Lu Yu a headache.

This younger sister is becoming increasingly unruly. With a gloomy face, he was too lazy to explain anymore. He walked past the furious Lu Cuiwei, went into the kitchen, lit the stove by himself, and carefully opened the packet of herbs, pouring them all into the frying pan.

Once the fire was burning steadily, he stood up and said to Lu Cuiwei, "There are still a few hard buns in the cupboard. We'll make do with those tomorrow morning. I'll go to town tomorrow to get some wine, exchange it for money, and then buy some grain!"

After a pause, he instructed Lu Cuiwei, "Alright, you stay here and watch the fire. I'll go check on Miss Ji first."

After saying that, he ignored the other person's expression and slammed the door shut, leaving Lu Cuiwei alone on the spot, her teeth grinding together.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Ji Meiqing staring blankly at the candle on the table, his delicate face shimmering with the flickering light, making him incomparably handsome. He coughed lightly to interrupt, "I just applied a cold compress, has the high fever subsided?"

Upon seeing that it was Lu Yu, Ji Meiqing quickly pulled herself out of her reverie and replied gently to Lu Yu, "I'm much better now."

Lu Yu stepped forward and touched Ji Meiqing's forehead with the back of his hand. Seeing that it was no longer hot, he was finally relieved. When he looked down, he saw Ji Meiqing staring at him in astonishment, her clear eyes resembling those of a deer in a mountain stream.

He was initially surprised, but then noticed his hands, which were lying across her forehead and looked quite out of place against her fair skin. Realizing his rudeness, he quickly withdrew his arms and took three steps back before calming himself down.

The atmosphere was a little awkward. Lu Yu coughed again and said "Get some rest" before turning to leave. Ji Meiqing saw that he was about to leave and hurriedly called him back.

"Brother Lu, don't go!"

The voice was as melodious as a nightingale's song, and it went straight into Lu Yu's ears. His body stiffened, but he still stopped in his tracks.

"What else?"

Ji Meiqing took a few deep breaths, lowered her eyelids, and concealed the calculating glint in her eyes. She mentally prepared her answer before replying, "Brother Lu, actually, I have something to tell you… I've been keeping this in my heart for a long time, and if I don't say it…"

These few hesitant words had whetted Lu Yu's appetite. He couldn't help but turn slightly to the side, lower his gaze, and look down at her. "Just say what you have to say!"

Ji Meiqing pondered for a long time, and after a while, she put on a brave face and stammered, "Brother Lu, I actually want to apologize to you... I lied to you..."

Although the last sound was barely audible, it still reached Lu Yu's ears. He turned around, his dark eyes, as black as the polar night, staring intently at Ji Meiqing. "What are you lying to me about?"

Ji Meiqing said, "Actually... I haven't lost my memory. I was lying to you when I said I only remembered my own name. The doctor I met today was absolutely right. I am indeed the daughter of the wealthy Ji family in the county—Ji Meiqing."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was taken aback. He knew she was hiding something, but he never expected her to be so frank. He had planned to ask her after she recovered, but now that she had brought it up, he was flustered and couldn't continue the conversation. Just as he was hesitating, he heard Ji Meiqing say again, "Brother Lu, don't be angry. I have something I can't say!"

Seeing the anxiety on her face, Lu Yu slowly pulled up a wooden stool from the table and sat down, saying in a calm tone, "Tell me about it."

Ji Meiqing had anticipated this scene before she even spoke. She had inadvertently revealed her emotions earlier and knew that although Lu Yu appeared calm, he had probably noticed something. Rather than letting him bring it up and create an awkward situation later, she thought it better to obediently admit her mistake herself so that he wouldn't have such a bad impression of her.

Having thought it through, Ji Meiqing made up her mind. She cleared her throat, her fingers clenching nervously, her tone tinged with grievance, "Meiqing didn't mean to deceive Brother Lu; I truly have something difficult to say."

She paused, pretended to wipe her eyes, and when she let go, her eyes were already brimming with tears. "My father, Ji Xun, is a prominent figure in the county. He has one son and three daughters. Although I am nominally a young lady of the Ji family, my status is actually very low."

Seeing the fleeting surprise in Lu Yu's eyes, Ji Meiqing pressed on, tears streaming down her face like beads from a broken string. "My mother was a courtesan in a brothel. She died young after giving birth to me, and the mistress disliked me even more. My fall off the cliff was due to her coercion..."

After hearing this eloquent and moving speech, Lu Yu's previous concerns vanished completely. He not only no longer doubted Ji Meiqing, but also felt sorry for her background and was furious at the actions of the Ji family matriarch. He immediately stood up, his brows furrowed, and said while putting on his straw hat, "There is no law under the emperor! Meiqing, don't be afraid, I'm going to the county government office right now to see if the officials will do anything about this kind of disregard for human life!"

As he spoke, he started to walk out, but Ji Meiqing, seeing that he was serious, quickly called him back.

Ji Meiqing was telling the truth in every word. The original body she was reborn as was indeed the illegitimate daughter of the Ji family, and she jumped off the cliff because she was coerced by the matriarch of the Ji family. The only thing she lied to him about was that she was a person from the future.

She had been in this world for more than half a month and had been taken care of by Lu Yu. Now, based on just a few words from her, he believed her without a doubt and even wanted to stand up for her. It would be a lie to say that Ji Meiqing was not moved, but she really had no choice at the moment. She was all alone here and helpless. If she were really sent back to the Ji family, her future days would probably be difficult. Now, the only person she could rely on was Lu Yu in front of her.

“Brother Lu, I know you are kind-hearted, but the Ji family is not a family to be trifled with in the county. Even the officials have to give them some face. If the matriarch of the Ji family finds out that I am not dead, I'm afraid she will not let this go!”

She paused, then sobbed, "My lowly life is nothing to worry about, but if it implicates Brother Lu and Sister Cuiwei, my conscience will not be at peace! So please, Brother Lu, keep this a secret and let me stay here, okay?"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Ji Meiqing looked at Lu Yu and said, "As long as I can stay, I'll do anything you ask me, Brother Lu. I can do laundry and cook! Please, Brother Lu, please don't send me away!"