Chapter 26: Misunderstandings Abound, Beyond One’s Control

Pregnant!

These four words, to Shen Yu, were not a blessing from the heavens but a bolt from the blue. His heart jolted, and instinctively, he turned to look at Han Chu. She appeared slightly surprised, yet neither displeased nor delighted.

Cha Cha is pregnant? How could that be possible? Shen Yu’s brows knit tightly, forming a deep furrow.

“Well! Then I suppose congratulations are in order for the Little Marquis,” Dan Xin interjected at just the right moment, her lips curled in a disdainful smile.

“Dan Xin!” Yun Ci reprimanded sternly.

Hearing Dan Xin’s sarcasm, Shen Yu’s expression grew icy, his hand hidden in his sleeve clenched into a fist, veins standing out.

“Go to the Western Garden and see for yourself, no matter what, it’s a joyous event,” Yun Ci urged Shen Yu.

Shen Yu acted as though he hadn’t heard, casting a glance at Zhu Xue. “You go back first. I’ll visit the Western Garden later.” At this moment, he deemed something else far more important than visiting Cha Cha.

Still wearing a grim expression, Shen Yu waited until Zhu Xue had left, then returned to the previous topic, repeating his question to Han Chu, “How did Cha Cha bully you?”

Han Chu was momentarily stunned. Was Shen Yu trying to use this opportunity to exonerate Cha Cha? It made sense—if Cha Cha truly was pregnant, it would be considered a merit. Even if Shen Yu wished to punish her, for the sake of the child, he would likely minimize the issue or dismiss it altogether.

Moreover, Han Chu never intended to accuse Cha Cha; she didn’t want Yun Ci to witness or learn of her predicament. With this in mind, Han Chu slowly shook her head in denial.

“Little Marquis! Chu Xiu cannot speak, what would you have her say?” Dan Xin stepped in again for Han Chu. “She’s not like some troublemakers, always running to the pillow to complain!”

The phrase “pillow complaints” was especially apt at the moment. Shen Yu’s expression darkened further, his voice cold as he retorted to Dan Xin, “What did you just say?”

Dan Xin showed not a hint of fear, looking first at Han Chu before replying with a cold laugh, “Well, when you visit your flesh and blood, perhaps you should ask the child’s mother what she did when officials came to Rainbow Garden searching for someone.”

Ignoring Han Chu’s warning glance, Dan Xin continued, unable to contain her anger, “Or perhaps, ask why officials searched that day. I believe Cha Cha must have instigated it.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu truly fell silent, his hand gripping the wine cup betraying his thoughts. The night Ming Cui brought officials to search Rainbow Garden, the entire Marquis Wen Chang’s household was praying at Hui Mountain. By the time he learned of it, the officials had already left, and Yun Ci spoke of it only briefly.

Indeed, Shen Yu believed that in Yun Ci’s presence, the officials could cause little trouble. Though he found the incident odd, Ming Cui came to the marquis’ residence that night to apologize, claiming it was a misunderstanding, so Shen Yu hadn’t pursued it further.

But now, Dan Xin’s words suggested there was more beneath the surface.

“Miss Dan Xin, if you have no real evidence, you shouldn’t make wild accusations.” After all, she was his woman, and now apparently pregnant; Shen Yu felt compelled to defend Cha Cha.

“You feel for her?” Dan Xin’s smile grew more sardonic. “Tomorrow I’ll be returning to Fangzhou, so I might as well speak my mind. You, Little Marquis, pride yourself on passing through countless flowers, but I doubt you’ve ever glimpsed the darkness hidden in these women’s hearts.”

Dan Xin’s words struck at the heart of Shen Yu’s concerns. At the very least, he had never been able to fathom Han Chu’s thoughts.

Shen Yu looked to Han Chu, seated at his side, and saw she still had no intention of speaking. He pressed further, “Is what Dan Xin says true?”

Han Chu pursed her lips in silence.

A sharp crack sounded as Shen Yu slammed the wine cup onto the table, his voice cold as he questioned Han Chu, “I am not drunk yet! Speak for yourself—how did Cha Cha treat you?”

“Zi Feng!” Yun Ci wanted to speak yet didn’t know how. The resolute ‘no’ from the girl’s lips that day was so piercing, like a thorn lodged deep in his throat. He seemed to have lost his voice, and the words he wished to say were stuck.

“Will you not utter a word? If you’ve suffered, you won’t say so? Your voice is broken, not your mind!” Shen Yu’s heart was full of suppressed rage, and he could no longer contain it.

He didn’t know what he was annoyed at—was it Han Chu’s reluctance to speak of her grievances? Or his own late realization? Or perhaps, he resented that Han Chu would rather confide in Dan Xin than in him?

Shen Yu was painfully aware that Dan Xin’s blunt words would have earned a sharp rebuke from Yun Ci under normal circumstances. Yet Yun Ci had remained silent, allowing Dan Xin to criticize Cha Cha. This meant Yun Ci knew and sympathized with Han Chu.

And only Shen Yu, her supposed true master, had been kept in the dark. He thought he had protected her, shielding her from the storm, but now it seemed he had failed to see the truth…

“Little Marquis, you’re so biased. Is it because Cha Cha is pregnant that you’re eager to defend her? Clearly Chu Xiu is the victim, yet your harsh questioning makes it seem as though we are slandering Cha Cha,” Dan Xin said, unable to hold back.

Her words stunned everyone at the table.

Dan Xin’s words shocked Shen Yu. Did everyone think he was defending Cha Cha, and that’s why he questioned Han Chu so sternly? Did Han Chu think so too?

For a moment, Shen Yu was utterly confused, unable to explain himself. His mind darted between the news of Cha Cha’s pregnancy, Dan Xin’s accusations, and most of all, Han Chu’s indifferent silence.

Hearing that another woman carried his child, she was unmoved. Shen Yu felt a sharp pain.

Throughout, Han Chu, the one involved, maintained her silence. She neither accused Cha Cha nor acknowledged being bullied.

Yun Ci felt a heaviness in his heart as he watched. He wished to plead for her, but knew he had no right. Ultimately, this was Shen Yu’s family matter. His relationship as master to Chu Xiu had reached its end; soon they would be separated by a thousand miles, with little hope of reunion.

With the principal present, all he could do was remain silent.

The meal was bland, bordering on awkward. With both masters disinterested, the servants quietly withdrew.

Shen Yu looked at the table of cold leftovers and rose to speak to Yun Ci. “You set out early tomorrow. Best to rest now…I’ll head back, and see you off in the morning.”

Yun Ci nodded. “Let Zhu Ying escort you to rest at the Western Garden.” Knowing Shen Yu was angry, Yun Ci didn’t insist on Chu Xiu accompanying him—perhaps, in his heart, he didn’t wish for her to see him off.

But Shen Yu refused without hesitation, “No need, there are matters at the marquis’ residence. I’ll take my leave.”

Yun Ci was somewhat surprised. The girl in the Western Garden was pregnant, though not officially recognized. Yet Shen Yu—after defending Cha Cha and rebuking Chu Xiu—now seemed so indifferent.

Something felt off, but Yun Ci didn’t dwell on it. “Very well, I’ll instruct Zhu Ying to send you back to the Marquis Wen Chang’s residence.”

“No need, my carriage has been waiting outside the garden,” Shen Yu replied simply. He glanced at Han Chu, said nothing more, and left.

Yun Ci insisted on escorting Shen Yu out of the Eastern Garden, not returning to the dining hall, leaving Zhu Ying and Dan Xin to attend him back to their quarters.

Han Chu quietly cleared the table and returned to her room to rest.

On the surface, this farewell banquet was for the imminent parting, with Yun Ci and Shen Yu lacking enthusiasm; but in truth, everyone knew the real reason, and for whom.

*****

Marquis Wen Chang’s residence.

Shen Yu returned in haste by carriage, heading straight to the medicine storeroom. He rummaged through the chests for some time, gathering the herbs he needed, then wrapped them up and went back to Rainbow Garden.

This time, he entered quietly, not disturbing anyone in the Eastern Garden.

Cha Cha was reclining on the couch, secretly delighted, with Liu Guang and Zhu Xue chatting beside her.

“Now things are looking up! Sister Cha Cha has finally seen her moment!” Zhu Xue, who hadn’t told Cha Cha about Shen Yu’s recent reaction, flattered her with a smile. “No matter if it’s a boy or girl, this is the Little Marquis’s first child. Sister, your days will only get better—you’re almost guaranteed to become his concubine.”

Liu Guang, always honest and shy, wasn’t as eloquent as Zhu Xue, but nodded in agreement.

Their reactions pleased Cha Cha greatly. She had been thinking how to secure her position and vie for the role of Shen Yu’s concubine, and never expected to get pregnant so soon! With this, how could Han Chu compare?

That folk doctor’s prescription was truly effective; after secretly drinking it for a month, she had achieved her wish and conceived a child!

Cha Cha couldn’t help but caress her belly, laughing, “To bear the Little Marquis’s child is my greatest blessing. Whether I become a concubine isn’t the most important thing.”

Feigning humility, she said to Liu Guang and Zhu Xue, “We’re sisters here. If I’m lucky enough to bear a son, I’ll definitely recommend you both to the Little Marquis.”

Liu Guang and Zhu Xue quickly thanked her.

Cha Cha giggled, adding, “There’s no outsiders here, so let’s speak openly. This child came at an awkward time—just as the honored guest in the Eastern Garden is leaving, and the mute girl is returning. Now that I can’t serve the Little Marquis, you two must work harder, don’t let her steal his favor!”

Liu Guang and Zhu Xue understood perfectly and were about to nod in agreement when a loud crash sounded. The door to Cha Cha’s room was kicked open from outside.

All three women were startled, hurriedly looking toward the door, where Shen Yu stood with a cold, frosty face. Clearly, he had heard every word of their conversation.

Earlier in the farewell banquet, when Dan Xin accused Cha Cha of bullying Han Chu, Shen Yu had still defended Cha Cha. But now, hearing their plotting, he needed no confirmation from Han Chu—he could see and hear for himself.

At that moment, Cha Cha felt a pang of guilt upon seeing Shen Yu. She wasn’t sure if he’d heard their discussion, but with her pregnancy, she assumed he wouldn’t mind much.

Thinking this, Cha Cha quickly put on a charming smile and tried to rise and greet him, “Little Marquis…” She lowered her head to search for her embroidered slippers, only to see Shen Yu step inside, a smile on his face.

A smile? Wasn’t he just scowling? Cha Cha wondered if she was seeing things, squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again—indeed, Shen Yu was smiling, and seemed to be in high spirits.

Just moments ago he’d kicked the door in with a frosty face; now, he was smiling freely and exuberantly. What play was this flirtatious Little Marquis performing? The three women in the room exchanged bewildered glances…