Chapter 19: Suffering Such Grave Wounds

“Why did you make Yueyue kneel in the ancestral hall?”

The matriarch was momentarily taken aback, then smiled: “Are you questioning me now?”

Xiao Liyang swallowed hard: “No, I just want to know what she did wrong to deserve such punishment.”

“Helping outsiders tarnish your reputation—isn’t that punishment enough?”

“But you clearly know—”

“Enough. That arrow was an accident. The horse’s jolting caused the shot to go astray, which is normal. Yet you treated her sincerely, and she repaid you like this. Are you still so blind?”

A pained expression flickered across Xiao Liyang’s face. “You don’t understand. This is something I owe her.”

“We owe her nothing. The Marquis’s estate adopted her, raised her, and gave her a life of luxury. What debt could there possibly be?”

“You don’t understand!”

Xiao Liyang lowered his head helplessly, murmuring that he owed her.

The matriarch was thoroughly annoyed and ordered the servants to support him onto the bed.

“Keep a close watch on him these days. Don’t let him step outside even once.”

“Yes, Madam!”

...

After lying there for several days, Shen Xuanyue finally felt her strength return. The sun was high, and she stretched luxuriously.

“It’s wonderful to have no disturbances.”

Yingxia, noticing Shen Xuanyue’s rosy complexion and strong voice, couldn’t hide her joy: “Miss has truly recovered. You look so much better.”

She then produced a note from behind her back. “By the way, this was given to me by the gatekeeper when I went to fetch your meal. It’s for you.”

Puzzled, Shen Xuanyue took it, unfolding it to reveal an invitation. Her expression froze for a moment.

Ever watchful Yingxia approached anxiously. “Miss, what is it?”

“A birthday invitation—from Qu Shiying.”

Since her rebirth, apart from seeing Qu Shiying once at the palace banquet on the first night, Shen Xuanyue hadn’t encountered her again. So many things had happened that she had completely forgotten Qu Shiying’s birthday was coming up.

“Miss Qu has been close with you for a long time. Surely you’d want to attend?”

Staring at the innocent Yingxia, Shen Xuanyue smiled bitterly.

Close? How could she be close to someone who had schemed to kill her?

But Yingxia was right—she had to go, or how else could she plot her revenge?

“Of course I’ll go. Help me find a suitable gift in the storeroom to bring along.”

Yingxia was puzzled. In past years, Miss always personally selected and prepared gifts well in advance. This year, she had not only forgotten but seemed so indifferent.

As the chief maid, Yingxia had no idea what was going on and felt she was neglecting her duties.

“Is the gift ready?”

“It’s done.”

Yingxia put down her fan, extinguished the fire in the small stove, and packed the gift in a food box.

Whether by chance or design, Xiao Tuyu’s courtyard was the most secluded, located in the northwest corner of the entire marquis’s estate. To reach his courtyard, one had to pass through a large garden.

The season was still shy of full bloom, but a few scattered flowers added a touch of spring’s charm.

The further they walked, the quieter it became. Hardly any servants were seen sweeping; only the rustling leaves in the wind remained.

“Miss, I heard that although the Marquis lives here, he forbids anyone from serving him closely. Even the nearest servants can only sweep leaves on the stone path outside the yard.”

Shen Xuanyue glanced around; no one was in sight. The Xiao family head was indifferent, so naturally the servants followed suit.

She chuckled softly, suddenly realizing that in some ways, Xiao Tuyu was much like herself.

One had no family and was a dependent; the other had family but was treated like a stranger.

Yingxia pushed open the door. The courtyard was utterly silent.

“Miss, do you think the Marquis might not be here?”

“No matter. We’ll just leave the gift. I’ve asked the gatekeeper; he’s been coming home late these days. It’s normal not to run into him.”

Yingxia nodded, but the moment the door opened, a strong metallic scent of blood wafted through.

Shen Xuanyue’s face changed sharply. She pushed the door wide open and saw Xiao Tuyu with furrowed brows, pale face, and cold sweat pouring down. He bit his lip so hard it bled.

In an instant, Shen Xuanyue set the gift on the table and ordered Yingxia: “Stay by the yard entrance. Don’t let anyone in!”

Yingxia’s legs trembled, but she obeyed instinctively, shutting the door and trembling at the stone table outside.

“Marquis, what... what happened to you?”

Xiao Tuyu heard the familiar voice and struggled to open his eyes. Seeing Shen Xuanyue, his vision blurred, and for a moment he thought he was dreaming.

“This injury’s severe—hallucinations even!”

His voice was weak. Shen Xuanyue didn’t catch all his words but noticed the crooked bandages on his arm, stained faintly with blood.

“Did you dress this wound? This kind of bandaging won’t do.”

She brought over a stool and sat facing him.

Taking a cloth, she gently wiped his sweat. The real touch seemed to bring him back to clarity. He grabbed her arm suddenly: “Is it really you?”

“Stop, stop! Let go, you’re bleeding again!”

Without effort, Shen Xuanyue pulled his hand away, took a pillow, and placed it on his lap to support his arm.

“Do you have medicine? This wound needs proper treatment or it will get infected.”

Xiao Tuyu said nothing, just looked steadily at her.

“Marquis? Can’t you hear me? Are your ears hurt too?”

“No. The medicine is on the cabinet. Help me get it. I have a leg injury too; it’s inconvenient.”

Shen Xuanyue glanced at his legs out of habit. She usually wore dark clothes, so bloodstains were hard to see in the dim light.

Noticing her gaze, Xiao Tuyu crossed his legs subtly and cleared his throat awkwardly. Shen Xuanyue suddenly realized her eyes had lingered where they shouldn’t.

“Well, I’ll get the medicine. Don’t move.”

Xiao Tuyu’s room was cold and seemed uninhabited. The cabinet he mentioned was full of medicines, mostly for treating cuts and sword wounds.

Unsure which to take, she was about to ask when Xiao Tuyu’s voice came again: “Red cap bottle.”

Shen Xuanyue found the bottle but hesitated.

Though her near-death experience in her previous life had made her less reserved about male-female boundaries, facing Xiao Tuyu still evoked a strange discomfort.

“Can you do it yourself?”

She asked cautiously. Xiao Tuyu’s eyes dimmed instantly, as if forcing himself to speak through pain: