Song Mingyue's eyes were red, her nose twitching, looking very wronged.
Madam Yu quickly pulled Song Mingyue into her arms, feeling deeply self-reproachful. This marriage had been her doing from start to finish. Firstly, she thought Ge Yusheng was her nephew, and marrying them would strengthen their kinship. Secondly, she believed she knew her elder sister and nephew well. A more significant reason was that Ge Yusheng was a scholar. Madam Yu also harbored a desire to prove herself. Among sisters-in-law, there was always unspoken competition. Since the eldest branch's son was studying, she wanted to find a scholar for a son-in-law.
But what was the result? Now they had been schemed against.
"Good child, this is my fault. I will get justice for you, and as for this marriage, we won't go through with it," Madam Yu gently comforted Song Mingyue.
Madam Yu first became neglectful of Ge Yusheng's diet and daily routine, and then stopped giving him the usual financial support.
Ge Yusheng privately asked Song Mingyue if she had told Madam Yu what he had said to her. Song Mingyue only said she had told everything she saw and heard. Ge Yusheng looked furious, scolding Song Mingyue for being petty. Afterward, he devised a story and presented it to Madam Yu with great emotion.
"Aunt, Mingyue is young and always prone to tantrums. Perhaps she's unhappy because I haven't made enough time to accompany her, so she ran to you with baseless accusations." Ge Yusheng appeared helpless. "Aunt, you know I need to focus on my studies to achieve success. Once I pass the imperial examinations, won't I have plenty of time to accompany Mingyue? Aunt, please help persuade Mingyue, and tell her to prioritize the bigger picture."
These lofty words almost made Madam Yu lose her composure. She didn't want to completely sever ties yet, but remaining silent also bothered her.
"That handkerchief, and the girl from your village, are there truly no issues?"
"How can Aunt be so frivolous with Mingyue? Yusheng studies the classics and understands propriety and shame; he naturally knows how to conduct himself!" Ge Yusheng feigned indignation as if wrongly accused. "The girl Mingyue mentioned is the daughter of my former tutor. We've known each other since childhood, and I treat her like a younger sister. We are innocent. If Aunt doesn't believe me, feel free to inquire. Aunt also has daughters and knows how important reputation is for young ladies. Yusheng only asks that Aunt not make a public inquiry, but rather investigate discreetly."
Ge Yusheng believed this matter was subtle enough that even if Madam Yu inquired, she wouldn't find anything.
Hearing Ge Yusheng's words, Madam Yu's heart wavered. Had she wrongly accused him?
Even if he had nothing with that girl, his words about scheming against their family were enough to make Madam Yu detest him and his mother.
Ge Yusheng sought out Madam Yu, but he didn't receive any promises from her, which made him anxious. He had to take the imperial examinations in the autumn, and he couldn't do so without money. If the Song family changed their minds at this critical juncture, it would significantly impact him. He would not allow such a change to happen!
Therefore, Ge Yusheng suddenly became attentive to Song Mingyue, writing her many affectionate poems and sending her small trinkets. In the past, if Ge Yusheng had treated Song Mingyue this way, she would have been overjoyed. But now? Song Mingyue found Ge Yusheng utterly repulsive.
However, her mother had told her to remain patient, so Song Mingyue endured the pretense with Ge Yusheng.
A large group of people suddenly arrived in Xinghua Village, all stationed at the foot of Tiger Tooth Mountain.
The villagers of Xinghua Village then learned that the current emperor had ordered the establishment of a hunting ground in Tiger Tooth Mountain for the imperial family and high-ranking officials and nobles.
Others heard this news with indifference, but Qi Zhenzhen, after confirming with Gu Sinian that it wasn't a baseless rumor, became anxious.
The brown bear Maoqiu and the wolf king Ye Bai had a friendly relationship with her. With the establishment of a hunting ground, wouldn't Maoqiu, Ye Bai, and the wolf pack become human playthings? They were her friends, and she couldn't stand idly by.
While Gu Sinian was leading his men to survey the terrain, Qi Zhenzhen took a detour and entered Tiger Tooth Mountain from another side.
She had a special way of communicating with Ye Bai, and soon, Ye Bai appeared before Qi Zhenzhen with two grey wolves.
"Awooo, it's been a whole winter since I last saw you..." Ye Bai nudged Qi Zhenzhen's hand with its head, showing great affection.
"Listen, Ye Bai, the imperial court has sent people to establish a hunting ground in Tiger Tooth Mountain." Qi Zhenzhen said seriously.
"Awooo, is what you say true?" Ye Bai's voice was filled with vigilance.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded, "The craftsmen have already set up camp at the foot of the mountain. If you don't believe me, you can have your kin investigate."
The grey wolf accompanying Ye Bai quickly disappeared from Qi Zhenzhen's sight.
Another grey wolf growled, "Awooo, Wolf King, these humans are too detestable. We request you lead the wolf pack to fight back and show humans our might."
"No, in human perception, you are meant for their amusement. If you resist, you will attract human armies. At that time, not only your wolf pack but all the beasts in Tiger Tooth Mountain will face utter destruction. Are you sure the wolf pack alone can contend with humans?" Qi Zhenzhen said anxiously.
Wolf packs were warlike, and even the best hunters would avoid wolves. It wasn't that they couldn't be hunted, but rather that wolves were known for their strong vengeful nature; once targeted, they would pursue relentlessly. However, this did not mean humans couldn't contend with wolves. If a wolf pack were to engage in large-scale conflict with humans, the wolves would undoubtedly suffer.
"Awooo, you are also human, so naturally, you speak for humans. Are you saying we should just wait for death?" the grey wolf growled.
The other grey wolf, who had gone to investigate, returned. "I don't know if those people are establishing a hunting ground, but there are indeed many people stationed at the foot of the mountain."
Ye Bai pondered for a moment, "What do you mean?"
"Gather the animals and retreat into the depths of the mountain. If there are no beasts in their hunting ground, they will likely give up?" Qi Zhenzhen suggested.
Avoiding conflict was the best course of action for now.
"Awooo, humans are prepared, and I fear they won't give up so easily," Ye Bai growled. "However, this is the best plan for now. I will have the wolf pack notify other animals. Those willing to follow will come; those unwilling, there's nothing we can do."
Beasts rarely abandon their territories, just as humans rarely abandon their homeland. Qi Zhenzhen didn't know how many of the wild beasts in the mountains would follow the wolf pack's retreat. But no matter what, she had done her best and fulfilled her duty.
After Ye Bai and the two wolves disappeared into the bushes, Qi Zhenzhen returned the way she came. Along the way, she casually shot two wild pheasants with stones to bring back and improve the meals for Gu Sinian and the others. After hibernating through the winter, the pheasants were plump and perfect for stewing.