Plum Trees' Sorrow - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Cui Erlang had always been impeccable.

He had never kept me waiting.

Anything he said he would do, he did.

If he could not do something, he did not make promises lightly.

After we had known each other for some time, our families began discussing marriage. The wedding was set for the ninth month.

That happened to fall around the Mid-Autumn Festival. The court would be on holiday, making it convenient to invite guests and hold a banquet.

It was then that he saved a young woman. She had lost her memory and did not know her own name or where she lived. Like a fledgling bird, she clung to Cui Zhaoyu with helpless attachment.

Cui Zhaoyu gave her the name Zhenzhen and rented a small courtyard for her to live in.

When she nearly burned down the kitchen while trying to cook, Cui Zhaoyu hired an old cook and a maid to take care of her.

By then, I already had a vague premonition: my marriage to Cui Zhaoyu was likely finished.

Everything that happened afterward proved me right, step by step.

Because of her, Cui Zhaoyu made me wait again and again.

The final time, that young woman heard that he and I were to be married in half a year. All at once, she hardened her heart, left behind a letter, and set off for Jiangnan.

“My fortune is too thin, and my fate with you too shallow.”

“Young Master must now busy himself with his marriage. I fear it would no longer be convenient for you to continue searching for my family on my behalf. If you were to help me with all your heart, it would only displease others.”

“During this time, someone has already told me that I should not be too close to you, nor should I cling to a man who has a fiancée.”

“Though you are the only person I know, I have begun to recall a few fragmented memories. Perhaps my home is in Jiangnan.”

“I will go south to Jiangnan and search slowly.”

“To have been rescued by my benefactor is a joy beyond words.”

“It is only a pity that our fate in this life is shallow, and I cannot remain by your side.”

“I only pray that you add clothing when it is cold and take more food at your meals. Mountains are high and roads are long; now I bid you farewell forever. My heart lingers on you, and I will pray for you every day.”

She wrote in Zanhua Xiaokai. Her handwriting was elegant and lovely, and the stationery had been scented, carrying a faint orchid fragrance.

Cui Zhaoyu did not come in person. He sent a page to deliver the letter Zhenzhen had left behind to me. As for him, he had already gone after her.

The page looked as if he wanted to speak but dared not. His eyes darted away, and he did not dare look at me.

I put the letter away and said coolly, “If you have something to say, say it.”

The page lowered his head. Then, as if finally making up his mind, he said,

“My young master said that he and Miss Zhenzhen are innocent and have no improper feelings between man and woman.”

“On the contrary, you, Miss, joined with others in slandering Miss Zhenzhen behind her back. Such behavior is unbefitting of a gentleman.”

“My young master said the wedding should be postponed for now, and further discussion can wait until he returns.”

I gave a cold laugh, tossed the letter lightly at the page’s feet, and said icily,

“There is no need to discuss the wedding date anymore. Just call it off.”

“Whether I marry or not, and whom I marry, has nothing to do with Young Master Cui ever again!”