Chapter 54: The Heart of an Old Friend Revealed Once More

“Since fate has brought you here, why not share a drink with me?” Though the young man in purple did not turn his head, the glimmer in his eyes was piercing, and from a distance he had already spotted the figure in white.

Ever since meeting Yun Ci, Chu Xiu had grown fond of wearing white. Although, on a day like today, such attire seemed out of place amidst the wedding festivities, she was alone and cared little for conventions. She had not expected, however, that this secluded corner of the Yun residence would harbor an outsider.

Chu Xiu hesitated for a moment, deciding to avoid the encounter. She offered no reply, merely turned and retraced her steps.

“A chance meeting is better than an invitation. I am no wild beast, so why do you shy away?” The voice of the young man in purple drifted after her, steady and cool, yet the words themselves were light and overly familiar.

Chu Xiu lowered her gaze, considering, then turned back. This time, the young man had turned to look at her, though he still leaned languidly against the stone bench. His right hand, holding a wine flask, rested atop his bent knee—his posture was casual, his bearing effortlessly elegant.

In the dim moonlight, Chu Xiu could make out his handsome features. He appeared young, with a hint of mischief and boldness, a trace of indolence and freedom. Only the purple robe and golden coronet hinted at his noble status, the moonlight casting a subtle arrogance upon his figure—clearly, he was of wealth or rank.

Yun Ci’s wedding celebration at the Marquis of Lixin’s residence was to last three days, a continuous banquet. Tonight was the first, reserved for the nobility and distinguished families of the southern and northern kingdoms. Even the Helian clan might not have received an invitation, so exclusive were the guests. The second day was for the Yun clan’s relatives and close friends; the third, for prominent merchants and business partners.

Judging by the young man’s bearing and attire, Chu Xiu knew he must be a scion of some noble house. That he was present on the first night of the festivities confirmed it—he was an honored guest at Yun Ci’s wedding. What puzzled her was why he had come to this quiet place to drink alone.

She recalled her own awkward position and, not wishing to be seen, replied after a moment’s thought, “Honored guest, you should return to the hall lest your absence causes your attendants concern.”

No sooner had she spoken than he laughed softly. “So you mean to say I’m neglecting my manners, disrespecting the Yun family?”

“You overthink it,” she replied coolly. “That was not my intent. I take my leave.”

“Are you from the Marquis of Lixin’s residence?” he pressed.

Chu Xiu gave a noncommittal nod, remaining silent.

“Since you are, and yet you dare wear white today—are you not afraid of bringing misfortune upon Lady Xie?” His tone was mocking, the irony unmistakable.

It seemed this man held little love for the Yun family, or at least for Lady Xie. Chu Xiu made a mental note to keep her distance, inclined her head in a brief salute, and prepared to depart.

A crisp sound split the silence—the shattering of porcelain on stone. The young man tossed his flask aside, rose from the bench, and with a smile said, “I’ve been out long enough. Time to go back. This garden is large—would you be so kind as to show me the way?” As he spoke, he walked toward her.

Only then did Chu Xiu notice the instrument in his hand—something between a flute and a pipe, half shrouded in shadow, indistinct in the faint moonlight. The closer he came, the more striking his charm became—so much so that she could not ignore it.

Before she could react, he paused and exclaimed in admiration, clearly taken aback by her beauty.

Seeing the stunned look in his eyes, Chu Xiu judged him to be yet another idle young noble. She kept her thoughts to herself, stepped back to maintain distance, and replied softly, “Exit the garden, head east, five courtyards and three turns, and you’ll arrive.”

Only then did he seem to regain his composure. Whether speaking to himself or to her, he laughed and sighed, “You look familiar… But you’re no celestial maiden sent to soothe my woes!”

His attempt at conversation was clumsy. Chu Xiu smiled faintly, inwardly amused. “Please, make yourself at home,” she said, lowering her eyes and turning away, ignoring his parting call of “Wait, miss!”

Ah! No matter how many men she encountered, none ever matched the calm indifference Yun Ci had shown upon their first meeting. Perhaps it was fate—already set in that single, bewitching glance.

*****

The chance encounter with the young man in purple unsettled Chu Xiu’s mood. She returned, resigned, to Zhi Yan Pavilion. As she entered the courtyard, she noticed a light burning in her room—a surprise that slowed her steps with suspicion.

At that moment, someone inside seemed to sense her presence. The door creaked open, and an anxious voice called, “Chu Xiu! Where have you been?” It was Dan Xin.

Chu Xiu smiled guiltily. “I made you worry for nothing. I was uncomfortable lying down, so I went for a walk.” She stepped inside, adding, “What is it? Did you think I would do something foolish?”

“What foolish thing?” a familiar voice interjected. It was…

“Young Marquis!” Chu Xiu turned to the other figure in the room. In the flickering candlelight, his blue robes cast a faint glow. She had not seen him in nearly a year; he seemed more mature and upright, the roguish air of their youth much diminished—or was it only an act?

This time, Chu Xiu’s smile was genuine. The joy of seeing an old friend made her briefly forget her grief, as though neither her miscarriage nor Yun Ci’s wedding had ever occurred.

“What brings you here, Young Marquis?” Yet as soon as she asked, she realized it was a foolish question. Given Shen Yu’s friendship with Yun Ci, how could he not attend the wedding?

But Shen Yu made no move to speak. His tall frame carried a hint of drunkenness as he looked steadily at Chu Xiu. “You’ve lost weight.”

The words were ordinary, but to Chu Xiu they felt intimate and moving.

“The Young Marquis heard from Zhu Ying that your throat ailment was cured, so he slipped away midway through the banquet to see you. But you weren’t in your room,” Dan Xin explained.

Chu Xiu quickly pieced together the story and thanked Shen Yu, “Thank you for thinking of me.”

There was no hint of a smile on Shen Yu’s face. “I thought that since Wan Zhi had managed to cure your voice, he must be taking good care of you. But you look so haggard.” His tone grew slightly resentful.

How could she not be haggard? It had been less than a month since her miscarriage; her vitality was not yet restored. But she could not say this to Shen Yu, so she merely replied, “I caught the plague recently, and though I recovered, my health hasn’t been the same.”

“Is that so?” Shen Yu’s question was blunt, his meaning clear. “I thought you were heartsick because Wan Zhi was getting married.”

The words made Chu Xiu’s body tense. She forced a smile. “You haven’t changed, Young Marquis—still teasing me. Didn’t you have enough of that in the past at Zhui Hong Courtyard?”

“Not enough,” he replied seriously, catching her off guard.

Chu Xiu was left speechless.

“Let me check your pulse.” Unable to bear the sight of her pallor, Shen Yu reached for her wrist.

“Young Marquis!” Chu Xiu barely had time to protest before Dan Xin intervened.

But it was too late. Shen Yu had already grasped her wrist, checking her pulse. His expression darkened, growing stormy as he continued—until his face was as black as the night.

An uneasy silence filled the room. Chu Xiu’s mind went blank; Dan Xin grew anxious, listening only to Shen Yu’s increasingly heavy breathing.

“Dan Xin, leave us. I wish to speak with Chu Xiu alone,” Shen Yu said abruptly.

“But, Young Marquis… Chu Xiu is a young lady. It’s improper…” Dan Xin hesitated, uneasy at this late hour.

“Out!” Shen Yu repeated, his voice harsh for the first time, eyes blazing like a wild beast.

“Young Marquis.” Chu Xiu tried to calm him, then signaled Dan Xin with a glance, smiling. “He was once my master—what do you have to fear?”

Still shaken, Dan Xin left the room, apprehensive. She had a bad feeling—she doubted she could handle Shen Yu and hurried off to the banquet hall to find Zhu Ying for help.

Inside Chu Xiu’s room, a simmering anger filled the air. Shen Yu quickly bolted the door, then turned and demanded, “Whose child was it?”

“What?” Chu Xiu’s eyes widened, her smile faltering, painfully forced.

Shen Yu was unmoved, his gaze fixed on her wrist. “This is clearly the pulse of a miscarriage.” He paused, then asked, “Wan Zhi’s?”

Chu Xiu turned evasive, but did not deny it. “I was drugged. He saved me…”

“Is that so?” Shen Yu stared at her. “Does he know about the child?”

Chu Xiu remained silent.

Shen Yu gave a bitter laugh. “So I asked a question I already knew the answer to… Did he ask you to get rid of it?”

Chu Xiu bit her lip, turning away. “The child… came at the wrong time.”

“The wrong time?” Shen Yu sneered. “Did he seduce you knowing he was about to marry? Or did he decide to marry after seducing you?”

There was no answer.

Shen Yu’s heart twisted painfully, and he ground out, “If it’s the former, he’s a beast. If the latter, he’s worse than a beast!”

“Young Marquis, how can you…” Chu Xiu’s anger flared. “He’s your closest friend—you shouldn’t speak of him so.”

“Even now you defend him?” Shen Yu’s heart chilled, a mix of anger and hurt. “I always said the two of you… but he’s gone too far!”

“No, it’s not what you think,” Chu Xiu said quietly. “I was poisoned by a love toxin… If the child had been born, it would have been weak from birth. Better not to bear it.”

“Love toxin?” Shen Yu echoed, realization dawning. “That’s what Wan Zhi suffers from!” He recalled his master Qu Fang mentioning it, and later confirmed it with Yun Ci himself—it was indeed a congenital poison.

“If it’s the love toxin, it should afflict him. Without a woman, it doesn’t flare up. But if…” Shen Yu sighed, his tone a blend of resentment and regret. “Han Chu, you were dragged into this. Did you take the antidote?”

“I did,” Chu Xiu nodded.

“Then why does he marry another now, as if you mean nothing to him?”

How could Chu Xiu answer for Yun Ci? She replied only, “He is the Marquis of Lixin—he has his responsibilities. When the wedding was arranged, he didn’t know I was with child.”

Shen Yu snorted, falling silent, his gaze full of pain. “Your body hasn’t recovered—don’t go out in the wind again.”

“Thank you for your concern, Young Marquis.” Chu Xiu finally felt relieved, about to ask how long he planned to stay, when he abruptly changed the subject. “Do you still have the dagger I gave you?”

“I do.” At last, a question she could answer normally. Chu Xiu quickly fetched the ornate, cold weapon from beneath her pillow and handed it to him. “It’s under my pillow every night—I might as well burn incense to it.”

Shen Yu took the dagger, running his fingers over the engraved character for “Shen.” He looked at Chu Xiu’s lovely smile. “Han Chu, do you remember what I said when I gave you this dagger?”