Overdo

The eldest cousin said, "I heard this from our family's old master—they say she's Third Young Master's forbidden fruit. Who would dare snatch food from a tiger's mouth?"

The fourth cousin asked, "Which Third Young Master? Could it be Murong Third Young Master?"

The eldest cousin replied, "Who else could it be? That Miss Ren is truly beautiful, but it's a pity she doesn't smile often. Otherwise, a single smile from her could indeed topple a kingdom."

The two of them were chatting animatedly, completely unaware of Zhang Mingshu's expression. It wasn't until he stood up that the eldest cousin asked in surprise, "What's wrong with you? Your forehead is covered in sweat." Zhang Mingshu said, "I have a terrible headache." Everyone saw his ashen face and said, "You must have caught a chill. Your complexion looks awful—go upstairs and rest for a while." Zhang Mingshu said with great effort, "You all stay here and enjoy yourselves. I'm going to lie down." Then he walked upstairs. The room was very quiet, and he could faintly hear the guests' laughter downstairs, the playful noises of children, and the crisp sound of mahjong tiles being placed. His heart felt as if a sharp knife were twisting inside it, even more like a hand tearing it apart. That feeling, for the first time, made him unbearably uncomfortable and unable to control himself. He paced around the room like a trapped animal, and finally, unable to bear it any longer, he grabbed his overcoat and left through the back door.

He didn’t want his family to know he had gone out, so he waited until he reached the street corner to hail a pedicab. His thoughts churned tumultuously along the way. Usually, whenever he took this road, it felt like an endless journey, and he couldn’t wait to see her sooner. But today, he suddenly grew afraid—afraid that the road was too short, afraid that what his cousins had said was actually true. He had never been a cowardly person, but for some reason, at this moment, he felt weak and only wanted to deceive himself.

The familiar alley was already in sight. He paid the pedicab driver one yuan and from afar, he saw the pinwheel still stuck on the fence outside her house. His heart ached even more sharply, as if cut by a knife. Then he saw her emerge from the yard, not alone. In front of her was an unfamiliar man who, though dressed in a Western suit, moved with the gait of a military man. The man turned sideways to open the car door for her. The car was a new-model Lincoln. She kept her head down, so he couldn’t see her expression. His chest felt as if struck by a heavy blow, his internal organs shattered. He could only watch helplessly as the car sped away.

Twelve

Susu quietly gazed out the car window. The car passed through the bustling city center and onto a secluded asphalt road. She finally began to feel that something was amiss and asked, "Where are we going?"

The attendant who had come to pick her up said, "Miss Ren, you’ll know when we arrive."

The scenery along the road was extremely tranquil. Tall maple and sycamore trees lined the sides, interspersed with graceful silk trees whose canopies spread like umbrellas. The leaf-shedding season had passed, leaving only the bare branches and veins of the treetops. One could imagine how breathtaking the view must be during summer and autumn. A clear, jade-like river meandered alongside the road, its waters gurgling and splashing as they swirled around scattered rocks. The car traveled for a long time before turning a corner, where they encountered a guard post. The car stopped for inspection before proceeding. Now, the roadside was lined with vast stretches of pine forests, and the wind rustled through them like surging waves. Though Susu felt somewhat uneasy, she never imagined that there could be such an elegant and serene place in the outskirts of Wuchi.The car finally came to a halt. She stepped out and saw a magnificent mansion nestled among the trees. Though it was an old Western-style house, its doors, windows, and iron railings were all exquisitely carved with intricate patterns. The aide-de-camp led her through a side entrance, turning left, where the view suddenly opened up to reveal a Western-style hall as vast and deep as a palace. Several enormous crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their bronze frames adorned with crystal tassels swaying gently in the breeze. Countless oil paintings of various sizes adorned the walls, while a row of over ten floor-to-ceiling windows faced south, draped with velvet curtains that reached three or four times a person’s height. The marble floor beneath her feet was so polished it reflected like a mirror. The hall, both silent and profound, felt as awe-inspiring as a museum, making one hold their breath.

The aide-de-camp guided her through the hall and down a corridor, leading her into a sunroom with a glass roof. It was afternoon, and the winter sun cast a warm, lazy glow. Amidst the lush foliage, the person seated in a wicker chair set down an English magazine they had been reading. Susu felt as if she were in a dream and instinctively murmured, "Madam."

Madam Murong, however, showed no expression. Her gaze swept over Susu briefly before she said, "Miss Ren, please have a seat."

A maid brought in milk tea. Susu, unaware of the situation, remained silent. Madam Murong remarked, "We've met before—Miss Ren’s ballet is exceptionally beautiful." Susu replied softly, "You flatter me, Madam." Madam Murong continued, "I quite like clever girls like you. You must have some idea why I asked to see you today."

A cloud of suspicion arose in Susu’s heart. The aide-de-camp who had brought her was from Murong Qingyi’s staff, and she had no idea she would be meeting Madam Murong. Her tone was detached, making it impossible to guess her intentions. Susu could only murmur, "Please speak plainly, Madam."

Madam Murong let out a soft sigh. "That third child of mine has been stubborn since he was young. Once he sets his mind on something, even I, as his mother, can’t change it. But this time, I simply cannot allow him to act so recklessly." Susu listened quietly as she went on, "Miss Ren, it’s not that I look down on you, nor is it a matter of social status. But as a daughter-in-law of the Murong family, every move you make will be under public scrutiny. Frankly, I doubt you can bear such a responsibility."

Susu looked up, startled and bewildered, never expecting Madam Murong to say such things. Just then, a maid approached and whispered something into Madam Murong’s ear. Without changing her expression, Madam Murong nodded. Susu heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from the corridor. As they drew nearer, she recognized them and instinctively turned her head. It was indeed Murong Qingyi. The moment he entered, he called out, "Mother," his voice tinged with urgency and anger. She looked up and saw his pale face, his gaze fixed intently on Madam Murong.

Madam Murong responded with a light, unaffected laugh. "What’s the matter? Why have you rushed home in such a hurry?"

Murong Qingyi’s voice was low and heavy, like distant thunder before a storm. "Mother, if you do anything that breaks my heart, you will surely regret it." Madam Murong’s expression tightened slightly. "Is that any way to speak to your mother? I think you’ve lost your mind. Yesterday, when you told me you wanted to marry her, I knew you were under some kind of spell."Murong Qingyi said coldly, "I know your methods—you've already lost one son. If you're not afraid of losing another, then go ahead and repeat the same mistake."

Madam Murong’s face changed dramatically, and her body trembled slightly. She had always been poised and composed, but upon hearing Murong Qingyi’s words, a surge of pain and anger struck the deepest, most hidden wound in her heart. Yet, after only a moment, she calmly smiled and said, "What nonsense are you talking, child? I only have your best interests at heart."

Murong Qingyi replied, "You thought the same for Second Brother, but what was the outcome?"

Madam Murong remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "Fine, I won’t interfere in your affairs anymore. Do as you please with your recklessness. I’ll just pretend I never gave birth to such a worthless thing." By the last sentence, her voice was choked with sobs. Susu, hearing the sorrow in her words, felt deeply distressed and wanted to offer some comfort, but she was naturally poor with words and didn’t know where to begin. Murong Qingyi, however, quickly cut in, saying, "Thank you, Mother, for your understanding." He grabbed Susu’s arm and said, "We won’t disturb your peace any longer."

Madam Murong was heartbroken to the extreme, feeling utterly hopeless and knowing the situation was beyond repair. She had originally hoped to take drastic measures to resolve the issue, but never expected her son to threaten with death. She felt shattered and exhausted, unwilling to say anything more, and merely waved her hand weakly, letting them go as they pleased.

Murong Qingyi held onto Susu’s arm and didn’t let go until they were in the car. Susu’s mind was in complete disarray, unable to sort out her thoughts. Yet he still spoke in that cold tone, "How could you just follow someone like that?"