Chapter 80: Clouds Envision Robes, Flowers Reflect Beauty

How would Yun Xiangrong know who he was? Shen Yu was momentarily surprised, but then it occurred to him that perhaps Danxin had told her he was here, so he returned her greeting calmly, "Miss Yun."

He believed these words were spoken as usual, yet Yun Xiangrong’s cheeks flushed even redder, the blush spreading to her ears. She was a sheltered young lady, rarely seeing unfamiliar men, so her embarrassment was understandable. With this analysis, Shen Yu found nothing amiss and, nodding once more, turned to leave.

Only when Shen Yu had walked far away did Yun Xiangrong compose herself and enter the guest hall, bowing respectfully. "Sister-in-law."

This was the second time Chu Xiu had met Yun Xiangrong as the Lady of Marquis Lixin, the first being when the whole household paid their respects. They had never spoken privately before, and Chu Xiu believed her widowed status was not recognized by all the family branches, so she hadn’t expected Yun Xiangrong to address her as "sister-in-law."

Whether genuine or feigned, the gesture moved Chu Xiu somewhat. She stepped forward to offer a polite support and smiled, "Miss Yun, you are too courteous."

Yun Xiangrong smiled demurely, "Sister-in-law, you are too formal. Please call me Xiangrong."

Chu Xiu laughed at her words and couldn’t help but observe the girl who was only a year younger than herself. Second Madame Hua Wuying always dressed flamboyantly, trying to hide her humble origins, but Yun Xiangrong seemed not to have inherited her mother’s temperament or tastes. She wore a pale blue dress, clean and fresh, yet still soft and feminine, reminding one of a cloud at the horizon.

A cloud after the rain, carrying a hint of freshness, very pleasing to the eye.

Chu Xiu did not engage in excessive formalities, instead inquiring with a smile, "Miss Yun, what brings you here today?"

Yun Xiangrong hesitated, biting her full cherry lips as if weighing her words, before finally stating her purpose, "I wish to ask you for someone."

"Who?"

"The maid Zhuoyan who used to serve Lady Xia." Yun Xiangrong glanced at Chu Xiu, carefully explaining, "Zhuoyan came with Lady Xia when she married into the Yun household, determined to become a Yun servant, even bringing her deed of sale... Now Lady Xia has passed, and her close maid is pitiful. If you do not need her, perhaps you could transfer her to me."

When did Zhuoyan and Yun Xiangrong become acquainted? Or perhaps Yun Xiangrong simply felt sympathy for her? Chu Xiu was surprised; in her memory, Zhuoyan was prone to currying favor with superiors and bullying inferiors—not a bad character, but not as straightforward or devoted as Qianyun or Danxin.

Yun Xiangrong was gentle and kind, an innocent young lady. How could she be close to Zhuoyan? Or perhaps Zhuoyan had deliberately approached her?

Thinking thus, Chu Xiu’s delicate brows furrowed with rising caution. Not to mention, the truth behind Lady Xia’s death was still unresolved; Zhuoyan could not leave Zhiyan Pavilion yet. Even for Yun Xiangrong’s sake, she did not wish for Zhuoyan to serve her.

Moreover, the Matriarch had already decreed that servants of Zhiyan Pavilion could not be transferred at will.

Chu Xiu felt the Matriarch’s reasoning was sound and decided to use it herself, gently declining, "To be honest, I also thought there were too many people in Zhiyan Pavilion now and it would be good to allocate some to other branches... But the Matriarch disagrees. She says now that I am with child, I may need more servants in the future and forbids transferring anyone."

Yun Xiangrong was not discouraged. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Mother was referring to those who used to serve my elder brother, but Zhuoyan was brought by Lady Xia and is only half a servant of Zhiyan Pavilion."

Her words surprised Chu Xiu even more. Clearly, Yun Xiangrong was determined to take Zhuoyan away.

How strange! If Yun Xiangrong were merely asking casually, it would be nothing; but after Chu Xiu’s refusal, most would give up. Yet she persisted, so she must have a genuine reason.

From this, it was evident Yun Xiangrong was not merely pitying Zhuoyan; she must have a personal connection with her. Chu Xiu recalled the Matriarch’s suspicions... If Lady Xia’s death truly involved the second branch, perhaps Yun Xiangrong knew something?

After all, she and Yun Qi were siblings; if she sensed anything amiss, she might wish to conceal it for her brother. Considering this, Chu Xiu felt she absolutely could not let Yun Xiangrong take Zhuoyan. She feigned difficulty and sighed, "You know how I came by this position, and before the Matriarch I have no say. If you truly wish to ask for Zhuoyan, you should speak to her yourself; your request would carry more weight."

At the mention of the Matriarch, Yun Xiangrong hesitated, pursing her lips before conceding, "Perhaps... it's best to leave it for now. My brother and Lady Xia passed not long ago, and the annual accounting from each region is due soon... After March, I’ll ask again."

Chu Xiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "I’m truly sorry; I am powerless in this matter."

Yun Xiangrong shook her head, "Not at all. Those who now say you lack influence will regret their words when you bear a son."

Her sincerity moved Chu Xiu further. She unconsciously touched her lower abdomen, her thoughts drifting to the child Yun Ci had lost.

If only that child had been born... boy or girl, it would surely have been adorable. The thought made Chu Xiu profoundly sad, mourning both for the child who never saw the world and for Yun Ci’s lack of heirs.

Yun Xiangrong, seeing Chu Xiu’s silence, realized her sorrow. "I misspoke, forgive me, sister-in-law!" She thought Chu Xiu was reminded of Yun Ci and felt guilty, "It’s all my fault..."

Chu Xiu shook her head, unwilling to shed tears in front of outsiders. "No, it’s not because of you."

"Sister-in-law..." Yun Xiangrong clearly wanted to comfort her, but did not know how. Seeing her at a loss for words, Chu Xiu sighed gently, "I’m fine, you needn’t worry. I’ll ask Danxin to see you back."

"No need, my maid is waiting outside." Yun Xiangrong bowed low. "Take care of yourself, sister-in-law. I was too forward today."

"It’s my fault for not helping you," Chu Xiu replied politely, insisting on seeing Yun Xiangrong to the door.

Indeed, a maid was waiting outside, who hurried to bow upon seeing Yun Xiangrong. When she saw Chu Xiu, her face paled inexplicably before quickly regaining composure and offering greetings, "Greetings, madam."

Chu Xiu nodded and glanced at the maid, finding her familiar. Her curved brows and eyes were like crescent moons, her fair skin almost translucent. Though Yun Mansion was filled with beautiful maids, this one’s looks and bearing stood out even among them.

Especially those crescent eyes, full of gentle smile—truly familiar. As Chu Xiu pondered, a shadow flashed in her mind—Yue Ju!

Yun Qi’s maid Yue Ju! The girl who caught the plague with Chu Xiu and ultimately lost her life.

Chu Xiu looked curiously at Yun Xiangrong’s maid and asked without thinking, "What is your name?"

"Madam, my name is Yue Wan," the maid replied respectfully.

Yue Ju, Yue Wan... "Are you related to Yue Ju?"

Chu Xiu had asked casually, but to her surprise, Yue Wan suddenly looked sorrowful, tears glimmering in her crescent eyes. She choked out, "Yue Ju is my elder sister. Madam, you still remember her... If my sister knows in the afterlife, she will be comforted."

How could Chu Xiu forget Yue Ju? If not for that maid, she would not have caught the plague and been sent to recuperate in the annex, Yun Ci would not have cared for her night and day, nor confessed his feelings... It was also Yue Ju who delivered the embroidered box containing aphrodisiac, leading Yun Ci to share intimacy with Chu Xiu...

In a sense, Yue Ju was the catalyst of this romance.

"How could I not remember her?" Chu Xiu recalled the early death of that flower-like girl and sighed, "No wonder you look so alike—you’re sisters. Your sister was wonderful, but the plague was too fierce—who could predict life and death?"

By now, Yue Wan was weeping quietly. "Madam, you were fortunate to have the Marquis’s personal care and survived. My poor sister had no such luck..."

"Yue Wan!" At this, Yun Xiangrong abruptly scolded her. "You’re being rude!"

Yue Wan quickly came to herself, wiping her tears with her sleeve and anxiously admitting fault, "I was wrong, forgive me!"

Yun Xiangrong glared at her, then turned to Chu Xiu to apologize, "Forgive me, sister-in-law, I failed to control my maid."

"The pain of losing a loved one, you and I have both felt. Putting ourselves in their place, we can understand." Chu Xiu gently excused Yue Wan.

Yue Wan at once cast a grateful glance at Chu Xiu, while Yun Xiangrong added, "Yue Ju and Yue Wan were assigned separately, one to my brother, one to me. They never seemed particularly close, so I don’t know why..."

Her words implied Yue Wan was feigning pity before Chu Xiu, hoping for sympathy.

Chu Xiu pretended not to notice, simply smiling, "It’s getting late. You should hurry back. Physician Qu will come soon to take my pulse; as you have not yet married, it would be inappropriate for you to meet him."

This made Yun Xiangrong more cautious, her ears reddening again as she nodded, "Then I’ll go. Take care, sister-in-law."

Chu Xiu nodded, about to bid farewell once more, when Yun Xiangrong quietly asked, "Is the Physician Qu you mentioned the master of Young Marquis Shen?"

"He is," Chu Xiu replied, puzzled by the question.

But Yun Xiangrong merely smiled and said no more, leaving with Yue Wan.

After this, Zhiyan Pavilion remained peaceful for several days, and the staff only grew more numerous:

First, Mama Chi was assigned by the Matriarch to help Chu Xiu "nurture the pregnancy"; then Qianyun returned to share Danxin’s duties; and soon after, the Matriarch indeed sent a female guard named Zhuyang.

The Yun household seemed to have returned to calm, days proceeding in orderly fashion...

Until the fifth day of Zhuyang’s arrival in Zhiyan Pavilion, when someone secretly slipped a note into the laundry sent from the washing room. It was not addressed to anyone, but bore a single sentence—

"Tonight, at the hour of the pig, in the inner garden by the rockery—come see the play."