Shen Qingli, grumbling internally, turned to leave. Unable to hold back, he looked back, ready to argue further, only to see Ji Yuluo draping a blanket over Xie Subai’s legs. She knelt to speak to him, and Xie Subai, his eyes lowered, appeared relaxed, with a calm expression and a faint smile on his lips…
Shen Qingli froze for a moment, “He…”
Ao Zhi, puzzled, asked, “Hmm? What did you say, Young Master Shen?”
Shen Qingli seemed to be startled, shaking his head and saying it was nothing before hurriedly running off.
(8)
The next day was sunny, and Shen Qingli unusually joined Xie Subai for breakfast.
However, he seemed preoccupied, and each spoonful of porridge looked like it might choke him.
Facing the door and window was Ji Yuluo’s room, with the flower-patterned window half-open, showing half of Ji Yuluo’s face as she bent over a desk. It was unclear what she was writing or drawing.
Shen Qingli kept glancing over there, then back here, lost in thought throughout the meal, making Ao Zhi worry about his neck.
After a while, Shen Qingli said, “Isn’t her birthday in winter? It’s coming up soon, right?”
Xie Subai replied with a light “Hmm,” seeming not to care much.
Shen Qingli continued, “Once her birthday passes, she’ll be coming of age. Time flies; in the blink of an eye, she’s grown up. Her temperament aside, she has a delicate appearance. Don’t you think so?”
Xie Subai glanced at him, “What are you trying to say?”
Shen Qingli sighed, “Nothing… I’m probably overthinking. She’s acting a bit strange lately. You should keep an eye on her to prevent any trouble.”
After the meal, Xie Subai sat quietly for a moment before calling Ji Yuluo to question her, “Anything going on lately?”
Ji Yuluo shook her head.
Their eyes met, and Xie Subai nodded slightly, gesturing for her to sit at the tea table, “Last time I taught you to brew tea. How much do you remember? Give it a try.”
Though Ji Yuluo didn’t like brewing tea, she had to sit down as instructed.
Her movements were fluid, but compared to Xie Subai, they lacked a sense of calm and patience.
It felt more like she was mechanically imitating.
The tea cup was placed in front of Xie Subai, who didn’t taste it and softly said, “Do it again.”
Ji Yuluo paused, a fleeting look of frustration at not being able to fool him crossing her brow.
But it disappeared quickly. She resumed her usual cold demeanor, slowed her movements, and started brewing tea again.
Xie Subai subtly curled his lips and gently guided her, “Never rush things. If you’re not fully prepared, you must conserve your strength and plan patiently. Being overly aggressive will ultimately be counterproductive.”
Ji Yuluo responded with a soft “Hmm.”
Xie Subai watched her hands intently, ready to correct her mistakes.
Her hands were slender and fair, adorned with a translucent jade bracelet with gold edges, luxurious yet tasteful. Her nails were painted a watery blue, but her index finger had a cut from some sharp object, marring the overall elegance.
Xie Subai was momentarily lost in thought, his gaze traveling up to her slender neck and fair face.
The girl, about to come of age, still had a touch of childishness on her cheeks, but her features had matured. She carried an inherent grace, needing no adornment to showcase her charm. As Shen Qingli had said, she had indeed grown into a young lady.
But when had she grown up? He hadn’t noticed…
At that moment, Ji Yuluo handed him the tea cup again. Xie Subai, distracted, took it absentmindedly, and the scalding tea spilled onto his hand.
Another bout of chaos ensued.
****
No one knew why the master had recently become so temperamental. Over the past two years, his disposition had become noticeably gentler, but suddenly, it seemed to revert overnight.
Outwardly, he remained distant and indifferent, and to outsiders, there appeared to be no difference. But those who served him closely felt it keenly. Most notably, he now rarely saw Miss Yuluo, whom he had always favored.
Even when he did see her, it was as if he avoided her.
Ao Zhi conveyed a message, “Master, Miss Yuluo requests an audience. She says she has something to report.”
Xie Subai asked, “What is it about?”
Ao Zhi replied, “It seems to be about the branch affairs.”
Xie Subai, buried in his desk, did not look up. “Tell her to find Shen Qingli.”
Ao Zhi responded, hesitantly adding, “Didn’t you instruct Miss Yuluo to come here every fifteenth of the month to study and practice calligraphy?”
The person at the desk paused for a moment, “No need. Let her study in her own room. From now on, have her submit her assignments to me monthly.”
He added, “Do not slack off.”
“…Understood.”
This sudden coldness troubled Ao Zhi and the others deeply.
In the evening, after ensuring Xie Subai drank his calming medicine, Ao Zhi tucked him in. As she was about to lower the bed curtains, she hesitated and asked, “Master, have you been displeased with Miss Yuluo lately?”
Xie Subai opened his eyes and said calmly, “Get out.”
Ao Zhi was startled and hurriedly retreated.
The curtains fell, and only the scent of pine lingered in the quiet room.
Having used the sleeping medicine for too long, its effects had significantly weakened. It was only around midnight that Xie Subai finally fell asleep.
The moment he closed his eyes, a flash of light crossed his vision, dispelling his drowsiness. He reopened his eyes to see a woman sitting quietly by his bedside.
The bamboo green clothes made her appear even more coldly beautiful, her black hair like silk spread across his pillow. Her eyes, clear as melted snow, held his image, getting closer and closer…
Xie Subai grasped her wrist. Her skin was as soft as tender shoots and warm as jade, but the touch burned him!
He abruptly let go, and she disappeared.
His heart hadn’t settled when he heard the cry of an infant.
Suddenly, flames erupted from the foot of the bed. Xie Subai felt as if he were being roasted over a fire, the pain unbearable, the heat overwhelming.
Countless faces flashed before him, calling him: Liantu, Royal Grandson, Little Prince…
Xie Subai reached out, “Father, Mother…”
But they all vanished, leaving only an endless black void. Another memorial tablet appeared on the incense table, engraved with the name Changsun Lianyu. He stepped back and found a heavy coffin placed in the hall.
Lying inside was someone with his face. Suddenly, “he” opened his eyes and questioned: How dare you?
How dare you…
Xie Subai woke up to a brightly lit room.
An oil lamp hung at the bedside, and Ao Zhi stood nearby, frantic. Seeing him awake, she hurriedly said, “The master is awake!”
The fog cleared from his eyes, and he saw the others.
Doctor Yue was feeling his pulse, and even Shen Qingli was there, looking at him with a complex expression.
He said, “You had a nightmare, calling ‘Luo’er’ and wouldn’t wake up.”
Xie Subai’s chest heaved, his temples damp with sweat. Hearing this, he slowly closed his eyes again.
After that night, Xie Subai became even more distant from Ji Yuluo, and Ao Zhi and the others no longer asked for reasons.
Time passed swiftly, each day blending into the next. Just when everything seemed to be settling into a peaceful routine, a sudden piece of news caught everyone off guard.
That day, Xie Subai clutched a secret letter, his face drained of color. Dark emotions churned in his eyes as he coldly ordered, “Then slaughter them all.”
****
The stench of blood filled the air as Yunyang Prison turned into a death trap overnight. The silent massacre shocked the court and officials, drawing constant traffic to the remote city.
However, the water pavilion of Cuixue Tower was unprecedentedly quiet. The maids tiptoed in and out, not daring to make a sound.
The woman on the bed lay so still, she seemed not to be breathing. If not for the faint pulse, she would have been indistinguishable from the dead.
Xie Subai sat at her bedside, expressionless. His face looked no better than hers. It had been more than half a month, but Ao Zhi and the others didn’t dare to advise him, and even Shen Qingli didn’t say a word.
After everyone else left, Xie Subai remained motionless.
After a long while, he finally reached out to touch the girl’s face. She was so pale, even more fragile than when he had first carried her in from the snow.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and in a suppressed, trembling voice, said, “Why didn’t you listen…”
Ji Yuluo woke up on a sunny afternoon.
Doctor Yue rushed over to check her pulse, worried she might have lingering effects from her illness.
The order was clear: no lingering effects, no scars, not even a blemish should be left on her body.
So, Doctor Yue left several boxes of expensive scar-removing ointment before departing.
Xie Subai sat quietly nearby, holding a book as if he didn’t care. It didn’t take long before Lou Panshun stormed in, already shouting.
He was furious, raising his arm high, almost ready to smack his disobedient little disciple. But his arm didn’t come down.
Angry, he said, “From today onwards, you’re grounded! Rest and reflect on your actions!”
After everyone had fussed over her and left, Xie Subai put down his book and looked over at her. “From now on, wherever you go, you must report to me first. Only with my approval can you act.”
Knowing she was in the wrong, Ji Yuluo lowered her eyes and said nothing.
She didn’t have the strength to speak anyway, her eyelids fluttering as she drifted off to sleep.
Xie Subai placed his hand over her eyes, “There won’t be a next time. Sleep.”
****
Ji Yuluo was cared for by others as she recovered over the next few months.
Xie Subai inquired about her condition every ten days or so, but he didn’t visit her often. Compared to before she woke up, he seemed less attentive.
However, he was not as cold as he had been before the incident. He seemed to have found a balance, neither too distant nor too close, treating her the same as Shen Qingli and others.
Only occasionally, when no one was around, would Xie Subai stare absentmindedly at the opposite window, so lost in thought that he didn’t notice anyone approaching.
Shen Qingli, stretching lazily on the stone steps, followed his gaze and teased, “You can see her but can’t touch her. Why do you endure this? Why not let her know and let her decide for herself?”
Xie Subai glanced at him. “Isn’t this fine?”
Shen Qingli countered, “Of course not. You’re yearning for her; how is that fine? Don’t end up with lovesickness on top of everything else! Besides, how can you guarantee this situation will remain? What if she finds someone else later? If you let her choose then, it will be difficult for both of you.”
Xie Subai was silent for a moment before saying, “Lanxu, someone like me doesn’t have the right to be chosen.”
Shen Qingli was taken aback and suddenly felt angry. “Who says that? You do have a choice! There are countless ways to get revenge. Kill that dog eunuch and his associates, and when it’s all over, we can both move on. You can recover in peace, and I can roam the world freely. We won’t have to deal with the court anymore. Isn’t that good? Why do you have to risk your life in this muddy water?”
The man in the wheelchair remained calm, clearly unmoved by Shen Qingli’s words.
Shen Qingli sighed in frustration. “Is the throne that important to you, more important than her? Just don’t regret it in the future.”
A gentle breeze carried the scent of osmanthus flowers throughout the courtyard.
As the petals softly fell, Xie Subai brushed the flowers off his shoulder and said quietly, “I won’t.”
Xie Subai would never regret it.
