Chapter 108: Parting with the Gentle Spring Breeze Made Easy (3)

Page 1/3

Marquis Wenchang is gravely ill? Both Shen Yu and Chu Xiu were utterly shocked, especially Shen Yu, who felt a sudden pang in his heart. He abruptly rose and looked at Qing Yi with urgency. “Speak clearly! Where is the letter?”

Qing Yi, trembling, quickly retrieved a letter from her bosom and respectfully handed it to Shen Yu, adding, “It’s a handwritten letter from the heir.”

Seeing the letter unopened, Shen Yu understood that Qing Yi had heard the news from the messenger, so he eagerly tore it open. Indeed, it was a handwritten letter from his elder brother, Shen Zan, briefly detailing their father, Marquis Wenchang Shen Cong’s condition.

After hurriedly scanning the letter, Shen Yu felt a sharp pang in his heart, clutching the letter tightly into a fist. “I am unfilial,” he said each word with immense sorrow.

Chu Xiu noticed the change in his expression and hurriedly said, “Young Marquis, don’t rush. Let me see the letter.”

Shen Yu handed it over. Chu Xiu glanced over it and was about to comment but hesitated due to the presence of servants. He then instructed Zhuying and Qing Yi, “You two may leave now.”

After they left, Chu Xiu reassured Shen Yu, “Young Marquis, don’t be anxious. There might be something suspicious about this.”

“Suspicious? What kind of suspicion?” Shen Yu was taken aback and looked at Chu Xiu.

“Do you remember I told you just now that Prince Mu, Nie Peihan, used the tiger tally improperly to mobilize troops and search for someone, which enraged Emperor Nie?”

Shen Yu nodded. “Of course, I remember. You also said it was a rare opportunity and advised me to seize it and leave Fangzhou quickly.”

Chu Xiu responded with a hum, “Perhaps Marquis Wenchang’s illness is fabricated, using it as an excuse to get you back. Prince Mu has angered Emperor Nie gravely; Marquis Wenchang must be aware of this. Maybe he fears you getting entangled in Fangzhou, or perhaps Prince Fu has begun plotting succession, so he wants you to return.”

With this analysis, Shen Yu felt somewhat comforted but remained deeply worried. “You make sense, but I fear... the Marquis really is ill.”

Both possibilities existed. With the capital so far away, no one could be sure if the illness was genuine or feigned. Chu Xiu sighed softly.

Seeing Chu Xiu sigh, Shen Yu’s guilt deepened. “By right, I’m the last disciple of the divine doctor Qu Fang and have learned excellent medical skills. Though I’ve never served my father well, now that the Marquis is ill, I cannot even be by his side to care for him or treat him... I truly am unfilial!”

“Young Marquis, now is not the time for self-reproach,” Chu Xiu continued to comfort him. “Putting other things aside, the Marquis’s serious illness is a good chance for you to leave Yanlan City. When a father is critically ill, a son should return to fulfill his filial duties. As long as Prince Mu still cares about appearances, he will have to let you go for this reason.”

“Han Chu...” Hearing this, Shen Yu frowned deeply, his handsome eyes fixed on her. “Was it that I never understood you before, or have you truly changed now... You are becoming more and more like the madam.”

“Like the madam?” Chu Xiu was momentarily stunned, then smiled bitterly. “It’s all forced on me... Are you praising me or insulting me?”

“Neither praise nor insult,” Shen Yu lowered his gaze. “I just feel you’re drifting further away from me.”

Again, this melancholic topic, again the unreciprocated depth of feeling. Chu Xiu pressed her lips, her clear eyes dimmed. “The pressing matter is the situation in the capital. Don’t rush. I’ll have the Yun family’s covert agents investigate the situation in the capital. At least, we’ll find out the true state of Marquis Wenchang’s illness.”

Shen Yu nodded helplessly. “This is the only way now. I await your news.”

Page 2/3

Twenty days later, the Yun family’s covert agents in the capital sent word back: Marquis Wenchang was indeed ill, but not in mortal danger. The illness was exaggerated on purpose; he was convalescing at home to avoid the current political turmoil of the “two princes vying for power.”

Chu Xiu relayed the news truthfully to Shen Yu, who visibly relaxed.

“Young Marquis, I will find a way to send you back to the capital. Give me some time to prepare,” Chu Xiu promised.

“Han Chu, what are you...?” Shen Yu was surprised and habitually furrowed his brow. “Are you trying to push me away?”

“Do you want to die here?” Chu Xiu turned her face away, refusing to look at him. “For the Marquis, for me, you’ve stayed in Fangzhou over a year now. Even if you once felt guilty towards the Marquis, the past is past. What’s owed has been paid... You should go back.”

After she spoke, both fell silent. A sudden awkwardness hung in the air, suffocating them.

If not for the unexpected arrival of the second concubine, Hua Wuying, breaking the atmosphere, they might have remained speechless much longer.

Shen Yu had always harbored ill feelings towards the second branch. Although the truth was known—that Yun Ci’s death was the doing of the third branch—just thinking of Yun Qi’s despicable face and his coveting of Han Chu made Shen Yu feel disgusted.

Especially after Yun Xiangrong’s confession, which reminded him of Chacha. Since then, he distanced himself from the second branch, never meeting the mother and daughter alone. Even when teaching Yun Cheng martial arts, if he saw Yun Xiangrong, he avoided her or greeted her politely but never spoke much.

Shen Yu remembered he still owed Yun Xiangrong a favor, but honestly, he no longer wished any involvement with her.

Seeing Hua Wuying enter the inner hall, Shen Yu’s spirits dampened. He stood and said to Chu Xiu, “I’ll leave first.” With a polite glance at Hua Wuying, he greeted, “Second Madam.”

Hua Wuying smiled back, “Young Marquis, take care.”

Shen Yu said nothing more and strode out.

Chu Xiu watched Shen Yu’s retreating figure vanish before turning to Hua Wuying and asking, “Second Madam, what brings you here today?”

Hua Wuying didn’t beat around the bush. “Madam, I came about Xiangrong’s marriage. It’s already late March; Xiangrong is sixteen, an age to be betrothed...”

She paused, choking on her words, “If not for Second Master’s troubles last year, she would have been married by now... Madam, now that Second Master is dead, I have only this one daughter. She has done nothing to wrong the Marquis or you. I want to ask you to find her a good family.”

Hearing this, Chu Xiu recalled that Yun Xiangrong was indeed sixteen and should be betrothed or even married by now. She asked curiously, “Second Madam, why don’t you go to the madam herself?”

Hua Wuying was candid. After a moment’s silence, she said, “I used to be a servant by the madam’s side and know her temperament best. Though Wen Xian is dead and Qi’er’s death was unjust, the madam still resents me. After all... I once tried to harm her.”

“Now, I fear the madam would rather see Xiangrong’s marriage fail than support her betrothal,” Hua Wuying admitted with regret. “I brought this upon myself. What I did has brought retribution upon my children... Honestly, I’m ashamed to ask you, but Xiangrong is all I have left... I truly...”

Her voice trailed off as tears welled up, and she covered her face, unable to continue.

Chu Xiu, understanding a mother’s heart, felt a pang of guilt. No matter the grudges between Hua Wuying, the late Marquis, and the madam, she knew Yun Qi had been wronged—castrated and killed by Wen Xian.

The death of Zhuo Yan, though not directly related to her, had revealed the truth before she died. None knew how Zhuo Yan discovered Wen Xian’s role as the mastermind, and now both were dead, the truth might forever remain hidden.

For this alone, Chu Xiu felt deep remorse. Not to mention, Zhuo Yan’s death had cost two lives.

“Second Madam, rest assured, after all, Xiangrong is still the eldest daughter of the Yun household—her status, temperament, and appearance are impeccable. I will report this to the madam and say it was my idea to have her find a good husband,” Chu Xiu promised.

Hua Wuying brightened but soon grew worried again. “To be honest, Xiangrong is very stubborn. If it weren’t for the person she admires, she might not marry.”

Chu Xiu was puzzled. “Second Madam means... Xiangrong wants to choose her own groom?”

Hua Wuying shook her head cautiously. “No need to choose. She already has someone in mind.”

“Who?” Chu Xiu asked, already suspecting the answer.

“Young Marquis Shen,” Hua Wuying said bluntly.

Sure enough, it was him. Chu Xiu’s heart tightened, and an indescribable feeling surged up. She instinctively wanted to refuse. “Young Marquis won’t do.”

“Why not?” Hua Wuying feigned surprise. “Madam, the Young Marquis is close to us. He was not only the Marquis’s closest friend but also your and the Marquis’s matchmaker, and now he teaches the heir martial arts... Isn’t it great for us to strengthen family ties?”

“Strengthen family ties...” Those words weighed heavily on Chu Xiu’s heart. She wanted to argue but found no words.

Seeing this, Hua Wuying promptly asked, “Don’t you want it? The Young Marquis is loyal and honorable, and the Marquis’s legitimate heir. Our Xiangrong, though born of a concubine, is still the eldest daughter of the Yun household. Their status and age match well. Please say something about this match.”

“Arrange a match?” Chu Xiu frowned deeply. “Second Madam, what do you want me to say?”

Only then did Hua Wuying lower her head, a trace of embarrassment in her voice. “Normally, the man’s side should propose, but given the circumstances and for Xiangrong’s future, I have to swallow my pride and ask you. Considering your relationship with the Young Marquis and his regard for you, if you speak up, this matter is mostly settled.”

Faced with Hua Wuying’s hopeful and pleading eyes, Chu Xiu was speechless. After a moment’s thought, she couldn’t outright refuse and offered another excuse: “Now is not the time for this. Marquis Wenchang suddenly fell gravely ill; the Young Marquis will likely return to the capital soon. If you truly want to arrange a marriage with the Marquis, you must wait until after this period.”

Unexpectedly, Hua Wuying was not disappointed. “Since the Marquis is seriously ill, he surely wants to see the Young Marquis marry soon and continue the Shen family line... If he marries our Xiangrong, the Marquis will be delighted.”

Hua Wuying chattered on for a while, seemingly indifferent to Chu Xiu’s reaction. At last, she looked at her solemnly. “Madam, though I came to ask you today, you owe me. Qi’er and Zhuo Yan died unjustly. Don’t you feel any remorse? Are you really willing to let Xiangrong’s future be ruined too?”

Hua Wuying gave Chu Xiu no chance to reply and pleaded urgently, “You are the wife of the late Marquis Wenchang and naturally wish for peace in the household. If you make this match happen, I will serve you loyally from now on, and the second branch will have no more ill will!”