Chapter 25: Concubine Fei Bids a Melancholy Farewell

Time flows like water, slipping through one's fingers. Sometimes, no matter how desperately one tries to hold on to the passing years, they slip away before your very eyes—helplessly, cruelly.

Thus, people always speak of cherishing, of treasuring.

The days passed swiftly, and soon it was the day for Yun Ci's return journey. On the afternoon before her departure, Danxin was overwhelmed by the task of packing her clothes and luggage, so she called Han Chu over to lend a hand.

"I haven't had the chance to wear this dress yet—let me give it to you. Oh, and this one as well." Danxin sorted through her trunk and selected three or four brand-new garments.

Han Chu gestured, as if to tell Danxin she should keep them for herself.

Danxin sighed softly. "The servants of the Yun household all have custom-made clothing. I am the chief maid at my mistress's side, and I am allotted twenty-four outfits for the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I cannot have private ones made. These dresses can only be worn here in Jingzhou."

As she folded the garments, she spoke with regret: "I emptied the young marquis's purse back then, picking out so many fine fabrics, and now I haven't even had the chance to wear them." With that, she handed the chosen garments to Han Chu.

Han Chu couldn't help but laugh, and did not refuse again, silently accepting the clothes and thanking her.

The two spent most of the day packing, filling four or five trunks before Danxin's belongings were finally ready. Han Chu didn't know how much silver Danxin had coaxed from Shen Yu, but judging by the haul, it could match the dowry of a well-to-do family's daughter.

"Tired, aren't you? Go rest now—a little later, the young marquis will host a farewell banquet!" Danxin saw that everything was packed, and thanked Han Chu again: "If not for you, I would have worn myself out and still not finished!"

Han Chu covered her face with a smile, returning to her own courtyard.

After two or three hours of packing, dusk had nearly arrived, and beads of sweat dotted Han Chu's brow. Knowing she would attend the farewell banquet in an hour, she decided to wash her hair first.

Han Chu did not wish Yun Ci to see her disheveled; she wanted to attend the banquet fresh and presentable, leaving him with one last good impression. Fortunately, there was still time.

She drew water and removed her hairpins, but before her hair was wet, a knock sounded outside her courtyard: "Chu Xiu, it's me."

It was Danxin. Hadn't they just parted? Was something urgent?

Thinking thus, Han Chu hurried to open the door, her hair loose around her shoulders. At the threshold stood Danxin, cradling a carefully wrapped long object, smiling. "Look at my memory! I meant to give you something else, but got so busy I forgot."

"I came across a fine zither quite by accident—you know I can't play, and it would only be a burden to bring it along tomorrow. Since we've come to appreciate each other, let me give it to you as a keepsake."

Danxin did not explain the origin of the instrument, merely alluding to it, and pressed the zither into Han Chu's arms.

In that instant, Han Chu felt its weight, and her heart seemed to grow heavy as well. Should she refuse, or thank her? Before she could decide, Danxin had already left, quickening her pace in the slanting rays of sunset...

*****

Night drew near, leaving only a final trace of light. Someone had already lit the candles, welcoming the coming darkness. The flickering candlelight danced inside the room, cloaking it in a gentle haze of parting sorrow.

Yun Ci sat alone before the desk, staring at the candlestick, lost in thought.

Danxin left Han Chu's courtyard and went straight to request an audience with Yun Ci, reporting in a low voice: "Master, the item has been given to Chu Xiu."

Yun Ci appeared not to notice her arrival, gazing at the candlestick, silent.

The master has grown thinner lately, Danxin thought with a pang of sadness, but dared not speak further.

A crackling pop from the candlestick seemed to awaken Yun Ci from his reverie. He turned back to Danxin and asked, "She didn't refuse?"

"As you instructed, I pressed the zither into her arms and ran away," Danxin replied.

Yun Ci smiled, a hint of meaning in his expression. Indeed, had he not given such instructions, she might have refused again.

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"Master, I don't understand," Danxin said, though she knew she should not ask, "the zither was clearly found at your request by the moneylender—why let me take the credit? Wouldn't it be better to give it to Chu Xiu openly?"

Yun Ci did not answer.

He had remembered her act of sinking her zither, and Ming Cui's remark that she was "exquisite and skilled at music," prompting him to find a fine instrument for her. Yet, that day when he asked her to play, hoping to present the zither, she refused him outright.

If she would not even play, how could she accept the gift? So he had Danxin use a pretext to deliver it.

There was some regret. He had hoped to hear her music, but she refused. Refused to play, and refused to follow him to Fangzhou...

Tomorrow, mountains will divide them, and the world will be uncertain.

"Master..." Danxin, less composed than Qian Yun, struggled with the oppressive atmosphere. "Could you ask the young marquis to let Chu Xiu come with us?"

At these words, Yun Ci heard his own breath quicken, and his heart trembled—for just a moment, but so clear. Unaccountably, clear.

"You wish to bring Chu Xiu back to the manor?" Yun Ci asked, candlelight flickering.

Danxin nodded. She did not know others had already been refused on this matter.

Through the dim candlelight, Yun Ci saw Danxin's reddened eyes and heard her plea: "You must have noticed—the young marquis speaks kindly to everyone, but only shouts at Chu Xiu. And Cha Cha also bullies her."

As she spoke, Danxin choked up: "Moreover, moreover..."

Two "moreovers," both with hidden meaning. She stopped herself before overstepping.

Yun Ci understood the implication, but showed no reaction.

Danxin saw her master sitting quietly in his wheelchair, bathed in night and candlelight, seeming almost otherworldly.

"You can't bear to leave her either?" After a long silence, Yun Ci spoke, using "also" in response.

Danxin heard it, and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Why?" Yun Ci wanted to know: "You are a discerning person, rarely favoring anyone."

Danxin bit her lip and thought for a while before replying, "Perhaps... I pity her for being unable to speak. If even you can't understand, how can I?"

Yes, there are people and matters whose beginnings are unknown, whose actions are unaccounted for. Yun Ci smiled, a gentle smile like warm jade, but it quickly faded, becoming as cold as scattered stars in the vast sky.

Further words were useless—Chu Xiu had already refused him. She would rather stay for the sake of gratitude, seeking Shen Yu's protection, than leave.

Thinking thus, Yun Ci decided to end the pointless conversation: "Go rest."

Danxin did not dare speak again, bowing and taking her leave.

The room fell silent once more, as did the world outside.

After a long while, Zhu Ying spoke outside the door: "Master, it is time for the banquet."

"Let us go," Yun Ci said softly, returning to himself.

*****

This farewell banquet was hosted entirely by Shen Yu. He personally selected the cook, the dishes, the wine, and even the tableware. When it came to feasting and entertainment in Jingzhou, he was confident in his reputation.

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Shen Yu volunteered for the task, and the others in the East Court enjoyed their leisure. When the banquet was laid, Danxin, Zhu Ying, and Han Chu joined Yun Ci and Shen Yu at the table, master and servant alike celebrating together.

Yet, faced with a table of rare delicacies, someone had no appetite.

"Wan Zhi, you leave in haste this time. When you return to Jingzhou next year, I won't let you go so easily," Shen Yu said, with reluctance and a touch of sentiment.

Although he spoke thus, all at the table knew that after returning to Fangzhou, Yun Ci would inherit the Marquis of Lixin's title, and would no longer have such freedom.

Han Chu herself had only recently learned that Yun Ci visited Jingzhou each summer and autumn, first to consult the famed physician Qu Fang for treatment, and second for a medicinal herb necessary for his illness, which grew only in the outskirts of Jingzhou and matured once a year at the turn of the seasons.

The Yun household had always considered itself descendants of the old Daxi dynasty, bearing the Marquis of Lixin's title, keeping the southern and northern kingdoms at bay. Yun Ci had long been the heir, but his health delayed his succession, and household affairs fell to his mother.

But now, the Lady Dowager of Yun was aging, her energy waning, and things could not be put off any longer.

Thus, it was settled: after Yun Ci's coming-of-age ceremony this year, he would formally inherit the title and take over the family estate.

So all at the table understood that this year was Yun Ci's last visit to Jingzhou. With mundane duties ahead, he would not be able to stay again; only the physician would have to travel instead.

A year from now, in this house, there would likely be no old friends.

Yet, unexpectedly, in this final stay, he met the most extraordinary person.

Yun Ci's expression was as serene as a deep sea, vast and quiet, showing neither sadness nor reluctance. After a while, a faint ripple appeared—a gentle smile: "Zi Feng, should you find yourself with free time, come to Fangzhou, and let me fulfill my duty as host."

Shen Yu, already having drunk three cups before the banquet began, was now quite spirited. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent idea! I'll bring beauty with me, freeload for a year or two, eat and drink my fill."

Bring beauty with him? Yun Ci cast a glance at Han Chu, who kept her eyes lowered, staring at her wine cup, showing no reaction.

Yun Ci withdrew his gaze, about to reply, when Danxin spoke up ahead of him: "Young Marquis, if you bring beauty, our master will be delighted. But don't you dare bring Cha Cha, or I'll be the first to guard the gates of the Marquis's manor and turn you away!"

Shen Yu was taken aback, then burst out laughing, pointing at Danxin after a long while: "You, you! I never knew you disliked Cha Cha so much. How did she offend you?"

"She hasn't offended me. I simply can't stand her," Danxin replied sullenly, then seemed to recall something and quickly added, "She may not have provoked me, but she did provoke Chu Xiu!"

Chu Xiu? Shen Yu paused, remembering this was Han Chu's new name. Seeing Danxin's serious expression, he put aside his levity and asked, "How did Cha Cha offend Chu Xiu?"

Danxin snorted, "You'd better ask Cha Cha yourself."

Shen Yu's face darkened, sensing something amiss. He turned to Han Chu: "Tell me, how has Cha Cha bullied you?"

He had barely finished speaking when a graceful figure hurried into the dining hall—not Cha Cha, but Zhu Xue.

"What are you doing here?" Shen Yu asked, irritated.

Zhu Xue hesitated at the doorway, uncertain.

Shen Yu's expression grew colder, and he snapped angrily, "Why are you dawdling? If you can't speak, get out!"

Clearly, he was venting his anger on others. Zhu Xue, feeling wronged, forced a smile and said, "Congratulations, Young Marquis. Cha Cha has been feeling unwell these past two days, nauseous and unable to keep food down. The doctor just visited... It seems... she is expecting!"

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