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墨書 Inktalez
Ruyi Rouge Pavilion
The candlelight flickered, revealing the bride's delicate face, veiled by a red cover.
As the joyful moment unfolded, her peach-colored lips, watery earlobes, azure butterfly hairpin, and soft black hair were adorned just perfectly.
Taking advantage of the candlelight, Rui'er secretly glanced at her husband. Although he was backlit, his handsome features still made her heart race uncontrollably. With a gaze filled with teasing shyness, her mind repeatedly echoed one thought: fortunately, she had swapped faces with Luo Fu; otherwise, with such a wonderful husband, she would only be able to watch from afar.
At that moment, the Groom's gaze seemed ignited by fire; however, beneath that blazing heat lay a chill. He leaned in and looked into Rui'er's eyes, gently asking, "Luo Fu, do you remember April?"
"April? Who is April?"
Rui'er's expression changed instantly.
On this auspicious night of flowers and moonlight in the Wedding Chamber, the first words from her husband were not compliments or sweet nothings but rather the name of another person.
Though slightly displeased, Rui'er quickly searched her mind for the name "April," but unfortunately, she found nothing. She gazed into the Groom's eyes; his look was as gentle as water, yet that water was like a deep pool—impenetrable. Nervously clutching a corner of her Wedding Garment, she began to doubt whether her behavior had revealed that she was not truly Luo Fu.
He was the top scholar and the youngest fourth-rank official in court; his intelligence and observational skills were certainly exceptional.
Rui'er's heart, which had been racing wildly, turned to anxiety in an instant. Yet she still tried hard to maintain her composure. She believed that over these days she had worked hard enough; even if she hadn't perfectly mimicked Luo Fu's every move, she had done so to about ninety percent. Moreover, Luo Fu and her fiancé had hardly met before. Logically speaking, there should be no mistakes on her part; he shouldn't have noticed anything unusual either.
In her daze of unease, Rui'er suddenly recalled that before becoming the top scholar, the Groom had lived in the Luo residence for several months. Perhaps this April was someone he had known during that time with Luo Fu.
With a gentle shift of her gaze, Rui'er pulled at the corners of her mouth and tried her best to make her smile appear more natural: "On such a fine occasion, my husband suddenly asking about my old friend Fu'er caught me off guard. In my speech, I became a bit flustered; I hope my husband won't mind."
The Groom's gaze grew increasingly dark and profound. As Ruer lowered her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the Groom's expression from the corner of her eye. She believed her previous response was flawless; now it was up to the Groom to decide how to respond. She could play along, and if that became too difficult, she could simply pretend to forget.
Before she could ponder further, she heard the Groom's hoarse voice: "Old Friend? It's best that you remember her as Old Friend. Luo Fu, there are some things I must reclaim on her behalf, and you will ultimately pay for everything you have done in the past."
Pay for what? What did she have to pay for?
Ruer barely had time to ask before she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, followed closely by the Groom pressing down on her.
In the orchid-draped room with the red embroidered bed, what awaited Ruer was not the clouds and rain of Wushan but the intense pain radiating from her abdomen. She looked into the Groom's eyes, filled with an unresolvable confusion and a hint of pitiful vulnerability.
As the Groom moved away, she grasped his sleeve tightly, enduring the pain in her abdomen as she gasped, "Why? Am I not your fiancée? Why do you want to kill me?"
"You know that April is Old Friend; why ask me why now? Luo Fu, don't you understand yourself?"
"I... what do I understand?"
She was Ruer, not Luo Fu; how could she possibly understand?
But those words would not come out. The pain blurred her vision more and more, her thoughts grew lighter while her body felt colder and heavier.
Ruer thought that if she hadn't greedily taken Luo Fu's face, it would be Luo Fu lying here now. If she hadn't schemed against Luo Fu, she would simply be the pitiful Ruer standing outside the new house, wringing her hands and stamping her feet. Which was better—being an elder sister or a maid? For a moment, Ruer didn't know how to answer.
The Groom's gaze turned even colder as he stood by the bed, quietly watching Ruer's body grow colder by the moment. When all warmth had left her and no breath could be felt at her nose, he finally withdrew the delicate black Black Spear that had pierced Ruer's abdomen like a toy.
The wound on Rui'er’s abdomen was healing at a miraculous speed, and even the bloodstains had vanished without a trace. The Groom held the Black Spear, glanced at Rui'er’s face, then turned and exited the new room.
This new room was located in Ruo Mansion. The intention of the Luo Family's Master was for the couple to first hold their wedding ceremony at the Yun Family Gathering, after which the son-in-law would take the Daughter back to his place of work and hold another wedding ceremony according to his wishes, whether extravagant or simple, at his discretion. At that time, the eldest brother of Luofu would represent the Maternal Family to escort the bride. However, the Groom knew very well that his newlywed wife was destined to remain tied to the Luo Family.
"Sir!"
The Attendant outside saw the Groom coming out of the new room, still holding that item, and understood that things were settled.
"The eastern guest room has been prepared for you, Sir. The Luo Family is very assured about your marriage with their sister; there are no other arrangements in this house, so you can sleep peacefully."
The Groom glanced at the Attendant and asked, "Have the other matters been taken care of?"
"Yes, Sir. Everything has been arranged."
"That's good." The Groom closed his eyes briefly and handed the Black Spear to the Attendant. "Take care of it. If you encounter that person, return it."
"Such a divine weapon, don’t you want to keep it for yourself?" The Attendant asked hesitantly. "After all, you spent Silver to acquire it; it should belong to you. While serving in court may not be as perilous as in the martial world, if someone intends harm in that realm, there are ways to guard against it. In court, however, things often happen in secrecy. Keeping this for self-defense is wise."
"No need!" The Groom looked down at his hands. "I do not wish for these hands to be stained with blood again."
"Sir—" The attendant wanted to persuade him further but saw the Groom wave his hand and finally put away the Black Spear with a resigned sigh.
Inside the Bedroom, Rui'er’s face was slowly returning to her original appearance.
The Old Beggar appeared with Luofu and handed her the Pill.
"Though she plotted against you, she also saved your life. Let the past grievances be settled here."
Luofu hesitated before taking the Pill, first glancing at Rui'er, then looking at the Old Beggar beside her. "Luofu remembers seeing you at Yongan Temple. That kind warning was from you, wasn't it?"
The Old Beggar nodded.
Luofu continued, "Because of April, you sought out Luofu from the beginning. But I don't understand why you agreed to Rui'er's request. Did you already know what would happen today? Was Rui'er merely taking Luofu's place?"
"The Old Beggar merely took advantage of these circumstances to help you see your true selves.
You have long struggled with your vision since childhood, developing a desperate yearning for light, which led you to harbor thoughts of harming others in order to hold onto that light.
Rui'er, on the other hand, has faced injustice since childhood, nurturing resentment and finding it hard to recognize kindness in this world. She envies your status and is jealous of your favor but knows nothing of your past or that you would end up where you are today.
As for April's Brother, your fiancé, he was originally destined to be with you. Unfortunately, due to matters concerning April, he carries a burden in his heart.
If the Old Beggar can help you find the path that suits you best, it would be a merit for me. Moreover, this transaction isn't too costly."
The Old Beggar extended his hand, revealing two bags—one black and one white.
"The white bag contains worldly wealth, the essence of human desire. The black bag holds much more: Rui'er's greed, jealousy, and desires; your regrets, guilt, and unease; as well as April's brother's confusion and hesitation."
Luofu looked at the bag in Old Beggar's hand, and gradually felt a sense of clarity, as if she had suddenly understood the essence of Buddhism.
She took a deep breath, revealing a smile as delicate as a lotus flower, and walked over to Rui'er, carefully helping her up before placing the Pill into her mouth.
Once she saw Rui'er's chest begin to rise and fall again, she returned to Old Beggar and asked, "Can I see April?"
Old Beggar raised an eyebrow and asked her, "Are you sure you want to see April?"
Luofu nodded.
For once, Old Beggar showed a faint smile.
White smoke rose, and black mist fell as April gracefully approached.
"The ten-year agreement has come to an end. According to the promise made to you, April, I should return these eyes." Luofu stepped in front of April: "I am sorry for what happened back then, but if I could do it all over again, I would still make the same choice. The past is just a familiar path in my heart."
"You don't need to explain; April understands your feelings well. If life could start anew, April would still fall into the hands of Madam Yan, be bought back by the Luo Family, and lend these eyes to you. Because April knows that every cause has its effect. Without what happened back then, Sister Luo's father wouldn't have acted out of guilt and done good deeds for April.
If it weren't for Lord Luo's kindness, my brother would not have fallen into despair or become who he is today; if it weren't for Lord Luo's kindness, so many people wouldn't have been saved or treated with compassion; if it weren't for Lord Luo's kindness, this girl named Rui'er might have long since left this world.
Thus, right and wrong, who is correct or incorrect, has become difficult to define. April only hopes that if given another chance, Sister Luo could allow April to leave with more dignity. Being toyed with by those wicked people truly frightens April."
"April, I'm sorry!" Luofu opened her arms towards April.
Luofu wanted to embrace April, but her hands passed through April's body, and tears instantly streamed down her face. "If life could start over, Sister Luo hopes that Beggar Uncle can stop her from making the same mistakes again. In these ten years, although Sister Luo's eyes have brightened, her heart has become blind. Sister Luo does not want to see such a self anymore."
"It's okay. In life, who hasn't made some mistakes? Who hasn't selfishly calculated for themselves?" April quietly looked at Luofu: "Beggar Uncle, Sister Luo and Brother are fated to be together. April hopes that after this matter, Sister can still be April's Sister-in-law, taking care of Brother for the rest of his life."
"April..."
"Beggar Uncle, can April not return her eyes?"
"What is meant to be hers will ultimately belong to her; what is not meant to be hers, she must eventually return."
Old Beggar waved his hand in front of Luofu, and her previously clear vision immediately became blurry. She knew that the eyes she had borrowed from April were finally being returned.
As Old Beggar's hand moved away from Luofu's face, her appearance returned to its original state.
In the early morning, with snow and light fog.
The Groom, dressed in casual clothes, pushed open the door to the new house. At a glance, he was stunned.
The new Wife, whom he thought should have died long ago, was now standing alive before him, smiling as she said, "Husband, good morning!"
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