12dz Chapter 416: Moon Collection
Chapter 416: Moon Collection
After resolving the issues with Su Ye and Cai Xing, An Lingrong's gaze slowly shifted to Cai Yue, who had been standing quietly beside her with a faint smile on her face.
Caiyue's heart skipped a beat and she suddenly felt that the situation was not good.
Sure enough, after catching An Lingrong's gaze, Shen Meizhuang smiled and spoke first: "I have already made arrangements for Caiyue's matter."
When Caiyue heard this, her heart tightened. She hurriedly took a step forward and said anxiously, "My Lady..."
Before she could finish her words, An Lingrong raised her hand to interrupt her: "Don't be impatient, just listen to what your sister has to say."
Shen Meizhuang took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Years ago, I asked my mother and sister-in-law to look for a suitable match for Caiyue, and I received a reply a few days ago.
My father has a clerk who serves as a fifth-rank doctor in the Ministry of War. He lost his wife at a young age and raised his son alone, through great difficulty. His son is now twenty years old and has already passed the imperial examination. My eldest sister-in-law says he is handsome and talented. Although he is currently only a juren, he will surely achieve great success in his official career and has a bright future.
An Lingrong narrowed her eyes slightly upon hearing this, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "This candidate does sound good. He comes from a simple and clean family, without mothers-in-law or sisters-in-law. Caiyue will be able to take charge of the household once she marries him. His father hasn't remarried in many years, which shows that he values friendship and loyalty. With such character, and with his son's example, I'm sure he will be no worse off."
Shen Meizhuang smiled and nodded, her tone firm: "My sister-in-law has always been reliable in her work. If she praises someone like this, then he must be trustworthy."
After saying that, he looked at Caiyue with some expectation.
However, Cai Yue seemed to be under a spell. After standing there for a moment, she knelt on the ground with a plop. Then she kowtowed heavily and said in a resolute voice, "Your Majesty, I will not leave the palace."
Shen Meizhuang reacted and quickly stepped forward to help her up, her expression full of concern and confusion: "Caiyue, I know you can't bear to leave me. You have been with me for so many years, and now you have such a good home. You can live a happy and stable life. This is the greatest comfort to me."
Caiyue still repeated: "This slave girl will not leave the palace."
An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Caiyue, don't you like scholars? Sister, please look around and see if there are any suitable military commanders."
Shen Meizhuang nodded in agreement. "That's easy. My father has quite a few young lieutenants under his command. I'll write to my sister-in-law right away!"
"Your Highness!" Cai Yue's face was covered with tears, her voice choking with sobs. "I have a miserable life. My father was an utterly rotten man, addicted to drinking and gambling all day long. Whenever he lost, he would take his anger out on my mother and me. He tortured my mother to death. When I was eight years old, he was so cruel that he wanted to sell me to a brothel. I tried desperately to escape at night, but I ran out of energy and fainted on the road. Fortunately, I met you, my Highness. If you hadn't saved me, I would have been dead long ago."
When she recalled these unpleasant past events, Caiyue's tears flowed like a flood that could not be stopped.
Cai Xing's eyes were red. She quickly stepped forward, took her hand, and said with deep pity: "Sister Cai Yue, we have been together for so long, and I didn't know you had such a tragic past."
She had both a father and a mother, and the protection of the Shen family. Although her life was not rich, it was stable, which is why she was lively and playful. Caiyue, only a year older than her, was unusually dignified and steady. They supported and relied on each other, and had long been like real sisters.
Cai Yue raised her hand to wipe away her tears, revealing a hint of a smile: "Ever since entering the Shen Mansion, I have completely cut off ties with the past. I have almost forgotten all those troubles."
Having said that, when she thought of the hardships she had experienced in the past, a barely perceptible gloom flashed in her eyes.
Shen Meizhuang listened quietly, her eyes slightly red. She gently held Caiyue's hand and said softly, "Caiyue, don't worry. This person was carefully selected by my sister-in-law and me. He has a good character and will treat you well. Now that you have me and the Shen family as your backing, no one will dare to bully you again. Forget the past. Your future will definitely be bright and happy."
Cai Yue bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with determination: "Of course this servant believes in the judgment of the Madam and the eldest young mistress. However, Madam, after all the hardships I've gone through, I no longer have any hope for love, and I really can't treat him wholeheartedly. If we force a marriage, it would be unfair to him. Therefore, I beg the Madam to grant your permission and let this servant stay in the palace to serve you for the rest of my life!"
Shen Meizhuang looked at Caiyue, her eyes filled with pity and helplessness. She sighed softly, "If you stay by my side, you will naturally be my most capable helper. I see your loyalty and diligence, and I remember them all. But, Caiyue, how can I bear to see you miss this possible happiness? You are still young, and you have a long way to go. I hope you can have your own life, a home that truly belongs to you, a husband who loves you, and adorable children around you. This is not to push you away, but I sincerely hope that you can have a complete and happy life."
Cai Yue lowered her head, her hands tightly clutching the corners of her clothes, her voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, I understand your good intentions. But... I am already very satisfied with my current life. Being able to serve you, I feel at ease and happy. I really don't dare to take another step forward, so please fulfill my wish!"
Shen Meizhuang opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but was gently pulled back by An Lingrong. An Lingrong shook her head slightly, indicating that she didn't need to persuade her anymore.
Caiyue suffers from PTSD, and she cannot be comforted by just a few words. Others only see her current resistance, but find it difficult to understand the turbulent waves in her heart every time she tries to let go of the past.
An Lingrong glanced at Shen Meizhuang, then turned her gaze to Caiyue. "Caiyue, a woman's life isn't just about getting married and having children. Happiness in this world takes on a thousand forms, and marriage and family are just one of them. They're definitely not the only direction in your life."
She paused slightly, her eyes filled with pity. "I know you've struggled through hardships and have long since learned to be independent and strong. Your expectations for the future are more about living according to your own wishes. There's nothing wrong with that. So, as long as you make your choice, I support you."
When Caiyue heard these words, the emotions that had been pent up for a long time suddenly burst out, tears welled up in her eyes, and she could no longer control herself. She suddenly hugged An Lingrong and cried heartily, venting all the grievances, pain and confusion she had suffered over the years with her tears.
Shen Meizhuang was a little surprised when she heard these words, but when she thought about it carefully, they made sense.
If Caiyue chose to stay in the palace, with the protection of her and An Lingrong, although her life could not be said to be free, she would be able to find a safe place.
After all, everyone's life is a unique script. Even if others are full of concern, all they can do is give advice at the right time, but they must never cross the line and arbitrarily make major decisions for others that affect their destiny.
Only by tasting the various flavors of life yourself can you know the ups and downs of it; and every choice right or wrong is like a seed buried in the soil of time. Only under the nourishment of a long time will the final answer be slowly revealed.
Thinking in this way, respecting Caiyue's true inner choice is undoubtedly the greatest understanding and support for her at this moment. This respect carries the friendship between them and is also a serious treatment of Caiyue's life.