Chapter 358: Ever-Growing Jealousy and Ambition
Chapter 358: Chapter 358: Ever-Growing Jealousy and Ambition
Wang Yuan’s face filled with admiration. "Nuanyue," she said, her voice full of emotion, "you always have such a wonderful outlook on things. I really admired you back in Nianqiao Village. Tell me, what’s your secret?"
Zhao Nuanyue smiled cautiously. "When it comes to love, I charge ahead without fear. When it comes to family, I protect them with everything I have. And when it comes to friendship, I treasure it deeply. No matter what, I cherish the people in my life and I’m grateful to everyone who has ever helped me."
Wang Yuan listened, deeply moved. ’I could never be as sincere as Zhao Nuanyue,’ she thought. ’No matter what I do, there’s always a selfish motive behind it.’
’But as they say, every man for himself. I’m just a woman on my own. If I want more wealth and glory, a more respectable life, I have to be clever. I have to use every resource available to me and create better opportunities.’
’And when an opportunity comes along, I have to seize it without hesitation.’
’Like back in Nianqiao Village, when I drugged Gu Qingyu. I did it so secretly, no one ever knew. And because of that, Guo Dongmei gave me the chance to return to the city and a stable job.’
However, life doesn’t just wear down one’s ambition; it also feeds the jealousy and desire in one’s heart. Wang Yuan grew increasingly dissatisfied with her life. So when Guo Dongmei approached her again, she agreed to the terms, igniting an even stronger discontent within her. She felt an urgent need for change!
When Guo Donghai appeared before her, offering even greater benefits and a path to a much brighter future, Wang Yuan was ready to seize that opportunity without hesitation as well.
"Nuanyue, you’re so genuine. You deserve everything you have," Wang Yuan said. ’Coming to see Zhao Nuanyue today was absolutely the right decision,’ she thought. ’It’s opened up a whole new door for me.’
After Wang Yuan left, Zhao Nuanyue had Zhang Hong assign someone to continue tailing her.
Wang Yuan’s agitated excitement today had left Zhao Nuanyue’s head spinning. While she couldn’t be certain, she inferred there had to be more to the story.
’As for the specifics... I’ll just have to wait for the results of Zhang Hong’s investigation.’
When Wang Yuan arrived, the Little Red Carp had slipped away to play by the lake.
Only after Wang Yuan was gone did the Little Red Carp return from the lakeside.
"Wang Yuan was just here. Why did you just up and leave? Weren’t you afraid she’d try to harm me?" Zhao Nuanyue asked upon seeing the Little Red Carp return, putting on a pout as if to say, ’You don’t care about me at all.’
Seeing her sister act this way, the Little Red Carp shook her head and chuckled like a miniature adult. "That Wang Yuan doesn’t have anything evil about her, so it didn’t matter whether I was here or not. I just got tired of that fake smile. I was worried that if I looked at it any longer, I’d lose my appetite, so I made myself scarce."
"Sigh, I know. Wang Yuan was a little too excited today. When I think back to our time in Nianqiao Village... those days were tough, but we all looked out for each other and were so sincere. We just talked and laughed. It was a wonderful time."
"Yeah, back in Nianqiao Village, I actually liked Wang Yuan a lot," the Little Red Carp replied with a deep sigh. "But life is unpredictable, and people change. We can’t control it, and we can’t stop it. All we can do is let her go down her own path."
Zhao Nuanyang, who had been drawing off to the side, overheard his sisters’ conversation and shook his head with a laugh. "You two are worrying needlessly. There are things in this world we can’t stop, and things we can’t control. The only thing we truly have control over is ourselves. The world outside is always in flux; all we can do is meet its endless changes with our own constancy."
"Yes, I get it! I know what you mean, big brother!" the Little Red Carp said with a giggle. "It’s just like what big sister always says: ’Never forget why you started, and you will reach your destination!’"
"Haha, Little Red Carp, you’re brilliant! You’ve truly learned my ways!" Zhao Nuanyue laughed, scooping up the little girl and planting a kiss on her cheek.
The Little Red Carp was getting bigger, and Zhao Nuanyue found it a bit of a strain to hold her.
Another week passed. Hua Yusen had now been gone for two weeks.
Even though the Little Red Carp had assured her that Hua Yusen was safe, Zhao Nuanyue was still worried. After finishing her work at Immortal Grass Hall for the day, she went to the rear courtyard to find Madam Sun.
"Madam Sun, do you know when Master will be back?" Zhao Nuanyue asked. "When Hua left, he said he’d only be gone a week. But it’s been two weeks now and he still isn’t back. I’m so worried."
Seeing Zhao Nuanyue’s worried expression, Madam Sun smiled gently. "Nuanyue, I know you’re worried about your master, and about Yu Sen. But when men are out in the world taking care of business, there’s often little we women can do or say to help. The best thing we can do is manage the household, take care of ourselves, and give them peace of mind. That’s what allows them to go out and give it their all."
Zhao Nuanyue was taken aback by Madam Sun’s words. She studied the older woman’s expression for a moment before giving a wry smile. "Perhaps it’s because my father passed away when I was young and I could never rely on my mother. I grew up feeling insecure. Whenever I’m separated from the people I care about for too long, I get terribly worried and upset."
"Heh, I understand. I was young once, too. Back then, your master was young and full of longing for the outside world. He would often go traveling to practice medicine, venturing deep into the mountains to gather herbs. Sometimes, he’d be gone for months, even a year or two at a time, just to research a formula. Oh, how I worried. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. But your master’s heart belonged to the world out there. Even if I had kept him physically at home, his heart would have still been wandering, yearning for wide-open spaces, so I never stood in his way. I only had one requirement for him: take care of yourself and come home alive. If he couldn’t promise me that, I told him I wouldn’t let him go out again. It’s just... as Immortal Grass Hall grew, your master only became busier, and the time he spent at home grew shorter and shorter."
Listening to Madam Sun recount her younger days in a lighthearted, joking tone, Zhao Nuanyue smiled. "Is it like that line from the poem? ’A glimpse of green on the willow branch, and I regret sending my lord to seek his prize’?"
"Heh, you could certainly see it that way," Madam Sun said with a laugh. "Though I sometimes resent that we can’t be together from dawn to dusk, men are always thinking of building a career and bringing honor to their families. So, if you love him, you support him. But behind that support is the long, hard wait that we women endure. Still, as long as two people truly love each other, it’s like that other poem says: ’If love is meant to last an age, what need is there for day and night?’ To build a better life and a better future, we have to give our men our unconditional support as they fight their battles out in the world."
"Madam Sun, Master is so fortunate to have such a wonderful wife and partner in you," Zhao Nuanyue said admiringly. In the time her master had been away, Madam Sun had kept Immortal Grass Hall running in perfect order.