Chapter 26: You Must Learn to Take the Initiative

The paper in Xiao Tuyu’s hand crumpled instantly. His once-bright eyes seemed veiled in gray, and his brows knit together involuntarily.

Bai Jin set down his teacup, looking bewildered. "You were clearly overjoyed to see her, yet you stubbornly drove her away. Now that she’s gone and you’ve gotten your wish, you’re acting like a lost soul." He leaned in closer. "Tell me, Zishu, when did you become so indecisive?"

Xiao Tuyu looked out the window, his expression heavy with annoyance as his fingers unconsciously rubbed together. "You wouldn’t understand."

"Of course I don't understand; if I did, I would have said it already. You went to deliver things to Jingxuan today, didn't you? That lad is so busy with court affairs he’s nowhere to be found—the last time we met was two months ago. Did something happen at the Qu residence?"

Xiao Tuyu’s mind flashed back to the scene from earlier.

*"Do you really love him?"*
*"No, I was only doing it to help you."*
*"The most important thing is to move past this, isn't it?"*
*"Yueyue, do you remember when you used to joke that you would marry me when you grew up?"*

He had even—he had even hugged her!

Long before he had ever intruded into her world, they had already been entangled in a web of love and hate. No wonder the engagement was dismissed as a mere expedient.

In a fit of fury, the teacup in Xiao Tuyu’s hand shattered with a sharp crack. Tea spilled across the table, dripping rhythmically off the edge.

Bai Jin swallowed hard and scooted back silently. "Look, if there’s a problem, we should solve it. Getting angry and venting doesn't help."

"There is no problem." Xiao Tuyu’s voice was as cold as a cellar, making Bai Jin shudder.

"I’m serious. I’ve been through many flings without ever getting a petal stuck to me; if you have any relationship troubles, feel free to ask me. I can certainly offer some advice."

Xuanqing, standing nearby, asked curiously, "Is your advice even useful? Won't it just be empty talk?"

"Shut up! What would someone who hasn't even had his first taste of love know?"

Xuanqing: "..."

"How do you know it's a relationship problem?"

Bai Jin gave him a look that clearly said, *Do you take me for a fool?* "You have everything you could ever want—wealth, status, influence. Besides matters of the heart, what else could possibly cause you such distress?"

Xiao Tuyu pursed his lips and lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

"Seriously, Miss Shen is a good girl. Since you’re already betrothed, you should treat her better. Stop giving her the cold shoulder. That icy demeanor of yours just now—even I was scared. A young girl like that is bound to be frightened away."

Xiao Tuyu looked up. "I want to treat her well, but what if her heart doesn't have a place for me?"

"Then treat her well until it does! You know how to deploy strategies in war; why do you become such a greenhorn when it comes to winning a girl's heart? Miss Shen is pure of heart, and you have the advantage of proximity—as long as you treat her well enough, how could she not be moved?"

Bai Jin really wanted to crack open Xiao Tuyu’s skull to see what was inside; how could someone usually so sharp act like such a fool?

"Really?"

"If I’m lying, I’ll let you kick my head around like a ball."

"I don't want to."

Bai Jin: *So infuriating, but I must maintain a smile.*

"Fine, I’ve said my piece. If you want to win the beauty, listen to me. If you want to keep torturing yourself, do as you please." Bai Jin stood up, brushed off his robes, and shook his fan with an air of mystery. "This one was free. If you have such troubles again, come find me—I’ll give you a twenty percent discount."

"Get out!"

"Tch, ungrateful!"

As soon as Bai Jin stepped outside, he couldn't suppress a laugh. Xiao Tuyu, the Marquis of Eastern Glory—who would have thought he’d one day stumble over matters of love? Truly, one thing always subdues another!

Xiao Tuyu sat alone in the room for a long time before finally speaking. "Xuanqing, where is that piece of top-quality Hetian jade? Bring it to me."

...

The night was cool as water.

Ever since Shen Yueyue had returned and had a good cry, her eyes felt sore and strained. In the evening, after much coaxing from Yingxia, she managed to drink a bowl of soup and light some calming incense, which finally brought on a sense of drowsiness. As soon as it turned dark, she curled up on her bed and fell asleep.

Yingxia breathed a sigh of relief, quietly closed the door, and sat outside, watching the stars in boredom.

Half an incense stick later, the faint, ethereal sound of a flute drifted from the distance. It was like heavenly music, drifting and swirling, carrying a hint of freshness like a breeze through the mountains.

It was *The Crow Crying at Night*, her mistress’s favorite piece.

Ordinarily, if Miss heard this tune, she would be in a wonderful mood, perhaps even eating a little more at dinner. But tonight...

"Yingxia, who is playing the flute in the middle of the night?"

Shen Yueyue’s voice, laced with irritation, rang out. Yingxia went to the door to listen, and after confirming it wasn't coming from anyone within the Yuehua Pavilion, she cautiously went inside to report. "Miss, everyone in the courtyard has retired; it seems to be coming from outside."

Yingxia lit a candle, brightening the room. "Would you like me to go out and take a look?"

Shen Yueyue was already in a foul mood; having been woken up after finally drifting off, she was full of anger. She sat up, draped a robe over her shoulders, and picked up a travelogue. Yingxia hurried over to hold the candle closer.

"Forget it. I don't want to stir up any unnecessary trouble."

Yingxia knew her mistress disliked complications, so she let it go. "Miss, you shouldn't read; you’ll hurt your eyes."

"What else can I do? I’m too restless to sleep, and this is the only way to pass the time."

Outside, the flute continued; it was already the second repetition of the piece.

"Perhaps you were frightened today, Miss. Let me massage your shoulders; it will help you relax and sleep better."

Shen Yueyue didn't respond. Yingxia walked behind her and began to massage her shoulders with a gentle but firm touch, easing the tension.

"You’ve seemed so worried these past few days, Miss. Is something troubling you?"

Shen Yueyue stopped turning the pages. She felt as though she had so much to say, yet when the words reached her lips, she didn't know how to voice them. Eventually, it all dissolved into a soft sigh.

"It’s nothing really. I just miss my father and mother."

"I understand, Miss. It’s hard for you, but don't worry—I will always be by your side."

A warmth spread through Shen Yueyue’s heart. Just as she was about to speak, the flute, which had paused for a moment, began to play again.

The third time!

Shen Yueyue’s hard-won composure was shattered once more. She slammed the book onto the table, climbed into bed, and wrapped herself tightly in the quilt. If she ever found out who was using her favorite piece to disturb her rest, she would never forgive them!

"Should I go out and take a look after all?"

"No. If he’s so capable, let him play all night!"

Under the great banyan tree outside the courtyard, the person playing the flute let out a fierce sneeze, his face burning hot. He looked up at the night sky—*That shouldn't be,* he thought. *It's already spring; I shouldn't be catching a cold, should I?*