How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 24 Speechless

From the time Yanru returned to the Song residence until she woke up, she had not seen Master Song.

Her life continued as usual. Despite the little thing serving her, it would still occasionally make sarcastic remarks, but other than that, it seemed as if it had forgotten about her.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. One day, Yanru was having breakfast when suddenly there was a commotion in the courtyard. She put away her bowl and chopsticks and saw that a dignified and elegant woman had arrived with a doctor.

She must be Mrs. Song; she exudes such an air of nobility.

Yan Ru quickly washed her hands and stood up to greet her. The woman had a square face with round cheeks, and her smile was very gentle and kind. Yan Ru greeted her and called her "Mrs. Song".

The second concubine took Yanru's hand and looked her up and down, then smiled and said, "She is indeed a beautiful woman."

Yan Ru was a little embarrassed and quickly turned her face away, replying, "Mrs. Song is the one who is beautiful and generous. I am nothing special."

The second concubine explained, "I was so distracted when I saw you that I didn't correct you. To tell you the truth, I am the second concubine, not the head wife of the Song family. It's just that the first wife has been a Buddhist laywoman for many years, so it's my turn to act as a big shot in the backyard and manage some things. It's just that I'm older and have more experience."

Yan Ru was somewhat surprised. In this day and age, there were still concubines who managed the inner quarters? However, she didn't mind. No matter who came, they were still the masters of the Song family, and she was just grateful.

The second concubine beckoned the doctor to examine Yanru, saying, "Come and see, this is our newest little sister. She fell into the water while playing a couple of days ago. I wonder if she has fully recovered."

Yan Ru lowered her head awkwardly and sat down to let the doctor examine her.

The doctor was a young man, and upon seeing Yan Ru's beauty, he couldn't help but feel a little shy. However, having been accustomed to the inner quarters of the house, he had long since developed the ability to remain unmoved, and upon hearing this, he earnestly stepped forward to examine her.

"Please lift your head up first, let me check your eyes."

Yan Ru blushed and slowly raised her head, her face flushed with shyness.

The doctor's hand trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, stopped looking at Yanru's face, and began to examine her with the instruments.

"It's nothing serious. Just remember to drink more ginger tea and avoid going near water if it rains in the future. You'll recover gradually."

The second concubine nodded repeatedly and instructed the little one, "Do you remember? One autumn rain brings one chill, so you must take good care of her health these days."

The little creature knelt down in fear and trepidation, repeatedly saying "Yes."

The second concubine smiled and praised Yan Ruzan, "When I see you, I always feel that you are different from others. You are graceful and have a scholarly air about you."

Yan Ru lowered her head and pretended to be obedient, "Second Aunt, you flatter me too much. The ladies in the manor must all be outstanding individuals, and I cannot compare to them."

"Don't underestimate yourself. The sisters in the Song family courtyard are indeed all good in their own way, but none of them are like you. What's that saying about Daiyu again? 'A fairy maiden from another world.' Miss Lü, you are truly the most beautiful person I have ever seen."

Yan Ru smiled shyly, no longer dwelling on the question. "Thank you for visiting. But I wonder why you came to see me today?"

After dismissing the servants, leaving only Yingluo by his side, the second concubine finally spoke, "Miss Lü, what are your plans for the future?"

Yan Ru said, "Now that I have recovered, it is natural for me to leave the Song residence."

"Miss Lü, if I may be so blunt, have you forgotten why you came to the Song residence in the first place?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ru glanced at the second concubine, wondering how much she knew and what she was about to say.

“I knew as soon as you arrived that you were able to stay at the Song family mansion because your father came to us for help. He entrusted you to the Song family. Do you know what that means?”

"What does it mean?" Yan Ru stared blankly at her, somewhat confused.

The second concubine frowned and said, "It was an arranged marriage by your parents and matchmakers. Your father had already promised you to the Song family. You've left the Song family before, but you've experienced the consequences."

While Yan Ru was deep in thought and hadn't reacted, the second concubine continued, "In this world, it's incredibly difficult for a girl to survive. Admittedly, you're a college student, an intellectual. If you weren't a fugitive, it would be fine; you could always find a job and earn a salary. But you... the people in the Marshal's Mansion aren't so easy to mess with."

Yan Ru could more or less guess why the second concubine had come; she was most likely there to act as an intermediary for Master Song. Therefore, she did not want to answer and remained silent.

She still remembered what Song Yuanliang had told her, and therefore felt somewhat disgusted by the second concubine's words.

“Actually, the master has plenty of ways to get you,” the second concubine threatened. “It’s just that the master is willing to think highly of you and has asked me to act as an intermediary. In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time.”

Yan Ru felt a surge of resentment, but she didn't know how to refute it, so she could only stand up and walk to the window, looking at the distant sky.

There was only a patch of sky, a few tree branches, and a corner of a house outside. She seemed to understand something in her heart: she, like this framed scene, was incomplete and not free.

The second concubine waited quietly for her to return. After all, Yanru had no better choice. Once she entered the Song family and became involved with their connections, it wouldn't be easy to repay the debt.

Then he said, “After all, the master has helped you a lot, whether it is protecting you or taking care of your father. He has worked hard and painstakingly. Tell me, in this city, has anyone else extended a helping hand to you?”

They say a drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude. Your master has shown you immense kindness and is deeply devoted to you. If you marry him, your future will surely be bright.

"Did Mrs. Song advise you in the same way back then?" Yan Ru suddenly turned around and asked.

The second concubine was taken aback, but Yingluo couldn't help but say, "The second concubine was someone the master properly sought out and married. She's in charge of managing the household and is even more prestigious than the first wife!"

"Ipomoea quamoclit," the second concubine stopped the maid, "Miss Lü, I know you are unwilling, but think about it carefully. The Song family is rich and has countless properties. They would never mistreat you. Do you know how much a maid costs these days?"

Three or four silver dollars can buy a child of about ten years old. If you were to wander outside, given your appearance, you probably wouldn't be able to live a peaceful life, let alone be a fugitive.

The second concubine's words were earnest, and Yanru could certainly tell from them, but how could she be willing? She was a "new woman," how could she be willing to become a concubine in a feudal family?

But as the second concubine said, would she have a better life after leaving the Song family? She's already tried…

Taking a deep breath, Yan Ru felt a sinking feeling in her heart, but no matter what she did, she couldn't bring herself to say yes.

The second concubine noticed her embarrassment and gently advised, "Besides, now that you've entered the Song family, you're rightfully the master's woman. Do you think he'll stand idly by when it comes to your father's affairs? Think about it carefully."

After saying this, the second concubine told Yingluo to put down her things and then left.

That last sentence did indeed stir up some emotions in Yan Ru, but she wasn't completely blinded by it.

"Does that mean we can only survive by relying on men? What kind of logic is that? Can't I save my father and sister on my own?"

Yan Ru kept questioning herself, "No, this is absolutely not how it is. I cannot make excuses for my own depravity. I must rely on myself."

Yan Ru cheered herself up in her heart. Besides, she had already given Master Song a double-dragon jade pendant, which was extremely precious. At least she had already made her stance clear.

Yes, a jade pendant!

Yan Ru remembered them again. They were handed to her by her father, Lü, before he left. At the time, Lü only said to hide them and throw them into a deep sea lake, never to see the light of day again. If that wasn't possible, then smash them and pretend they never existed.

At that moment, Yanru was so surprised and flustered that she forgot many things, but this sentence suddenly came to mind.

"why?"

Yan Ru asked silently, "Is this thing really that important?" Yan Ru even dared to speculate, "Could this thing be the cause of the trouble? Could it be the Guo family heirloom that my father accidentally acquired?"

Or was it that the Guo family was greedy for money? No, that can't be. If they were greedy for money, why would they arrest me and my sister? Wouldn't it have been easier to just kill them and rob them?

Yan Ru's heart pounded like a drum. She felt as if she had accidentally grasped some incredible clue, but it vanished in an instant, leaving her completely bewildered.

That day, Master Song told her the story of the Double Fish Pendant. Even he knew about it, which meant that these jade pendants belonged to his family.

What makes them so valuable? Even if they were priceless, it wouldn't warrant such a fuss. Besides, the police arrested her without any reason, only because she was Miss Lü.

Having no time to think about what Master Song was thinking, Yan Ru was focused on figuring out the value of the jade pendant.

"Azure Dragon, White Phoenix, Yellow Tiger, and Ink Fish, not Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise."

Yan Ru felt quite disappointed. These jade pendants had no connection whatsoever. It would have made sense if it weren't for the ink-wash fish, since dragons and phoenixes, or dragons and tigers, are often mentioned together, while fish are discussed separately.

"Yes, the fish is the only one, so it is the most precious. The others... the others... are they just used to confuse the situation? Yes, yes, to fish in troubled waters."

Yan Ru was somewhat excited, as if she had discovered something extraordinary.

Looking at the clock on the ground, it was almost eight o'clock, and it was already dark.

Yan Ru didn't touch the jade pendants. Perhaps Master Song would arrive soon, and she didn't intend to give away the others.

True masters live in seclusion. Yan Ru didn't know if the jade pendant was the cause of her family's troubles, but she had already decided how to scatter the jade pendants, spread the news, stir up trouble in Sifang City, and rescue her father in the chaos, so that they could go find her sister together.

But right now, Yan Ru lacks too many things: no connections and no money. How can she command and move people? Therefore... Yan Ru's chest heaved. She was excited and had had enough of this confused and passive situation.

I began to secretly hate myself for having only studied by rote and failing to see the crises around me.

If I had built connections earlier, I might not be so controlled by others now. Back then, several sons of powerful and wealthy families tried to curry favor with me, but I avoided them all.

Yan Ru secretly made a decision. No matter what she thought in her heart, she remained aloof and gentle on the surface. She knew that her face was her biggest asset at the moment.