Si Que slowly released You Yuji’s wrist. He lowered his eyes, listening to the sound of her footsteps as she walked away.
He didn’t dare to look at her from start to finish.
There are no eternal secrets in this world; he had long anticipated this day. He knew well that the gentleness this fox spirit showed him was born out of pity. Since all the weakness he displayed was pretense, the compassion naturally vanished.
This was an outcome Si Que had long expected.
Yet, when this day truly arrived, he realized he had harbored a sliver of hope in his heart, wishing she would forgive him as easily as when he had pretended to break his leg.
But these two situations were fundamentally different.
Moreover, whether or not she forgave him was no longer important.
After a long while, Si Que rose and walked to the qin table under the window, opened the drawer, and took out a coin from the pile of copper coins. He lowered his eyes, staring expressionlessly at the coin between his fingers for a long time before tossing it high into the air.
Before the coin could fall, he suddenly reached out and caught it. With a slight exertion of his long fingers, he opened his hand again, and the coin had turned to powder, slowly drifting down.
There was no heads or tails.
Si Que turned sideways and pushed open half of the window. The cold winter wind immediately swept in, bringing a chill. He looked in the direction of You Yuji’s room and suddenly let out a low laugh.
“Fox spirit, I’m no good person.”
The affection she had for him out of pity was never what he wanted, and he didn’t care for it. All the weakness he showed before You Yuji wasn’t to gain her affection, but more like…
Even though he was reluctant to admit it, he clearly understood that it was to make up for the regret of having no one to rely on in those past years.
On the windowsill was a slender-necked red plum vase. Inside were red plums picked the day before, no longer as vibrant and lively. Si Que took out a red plum branch and closed his eyes, smelling it intently.
After a long time, Si Que opened his eyes, plucked a petal from the red plum, and placed it in his mouth, chewing slowly. The red juice stained his lips like blood.
—
After leaving the east wing, You Yuji returned to her room and immediately picked up her pen to write a letter to Jiang Chun. She finished the letter, dried the ink, carefully placed it in an envelope, and handed it to Lady Jing.
Zhenxu brought breakfast, but You Yuji had no appetite. She ate a few bites hastily before heading to the study to wait for her second brother to talk.
While You Yuji and You Heng were talking in the study, a few concubines came to the flower hall as usual. They were not surprised not to see You Yuji and sat down in silence.
Today was the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month. Though the festive atmosphere of the New Year was everywhere, the three concubines remained very quiet.
When Hongzan arrived, she was quietly informed by someone close to You Yuji. Not knowing what You Yuji wanted from her, she felt quite uneasy.
Chunxing kept her head down, seemingly deep in thought. She rarely spoke and was inconspicuous. But Cuiyu was unusually silent, frequently glancing towards the entrance of the flower hall, almost as if she had the words “I have something on my mind” written across her face.
The maidservants had served a round of tea and snacks when Lady Jing entered the flower hall with a smile and said, “The lady is a bit busy today. If any of you mistresses have matters to attend to in your own rooms, you need not wait for her.”
Hearing this, Chunxing immediately stood up and quickly left after saying a word.
“I don’t have anything to do over there, so I’ll sit a while longer,” Hongzan said, lifting her teacup. It wasn’t that she wanted to stay, but You Yuji had sent someone to ask her to stay, so she couldn’t leave.
Cuiyu also stayed, muttering something in frustration and impatience that even the maidservant closest to her couldn’t hear. Cuiyu knew that the lady surely had matters to handle this morning and probably wouldn’t come. She sat for a while longer before reluctantly getting up. Smiling at Lady Jing, she said, “I made a handkerchief for the lady myself. I’ll bring it over to her tonight!”
Lady Jing understood that she had something to say and nodded in agreement.
—
In the study, You Yuji and You Heng talked for a long time. Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Hu was still diagnosing and adjusting the princess’s prescriptions, so they were in no hurry to go to the front hall. After all, at this moment, Prince Jinnan and his wife were indeed preoccupied.
“Have you thought it all through?” You Heng asked.
“Second brother, actually, I’m glad you came to Chenjing this time,” You Yuji said, pursing her lips and pausing for a moment. “I know my decision to divorce might bring trouble to the You family, but I still want to do it.”
You Heng sneered, “You’re wrong about that. Our You family isn’t some scholarly household that cares about those outdated reputations. Remember, in our You family, the most important thing is people—each person’s personal interests and well-being, not what others say about us.”
You Yuji lowered her eyes, her face showing little relief.
Seeing her, You Heng felt a pang of heartache and couldn’t help but use a reproachful tone, “You’re too good at pretending to be strong. If it weren’t for Jiamu’s letters, the family would still think you’re living glamorously as the heir’s wife in Chenjing!”
“He must have written a lot of nonsense…” You Yuji said softly, helplessly.
“Don’t say that. Luckily, it was me who came this time. Even if our strict eldest brother knew your situation, he wouldn’t bear it.”
You Yuji looked up.
You Heng felt around his waist, pulled out something from his belt, and tossed it to You Yuji. She quickly caught it. It was a carved walnut, depicting her riding on Xuanying’s back.
You Yuji recognized it at once as a small trinket carved by her elder cousin himself.
You Heng was eleven years older than her, and their eldest cousin, You De, was sixteen years her senior. When she was young, she often sneaked off to the grasslands with her second brother to ride horses. Upon returning home, their eldest cousin would sternly smack her palm with a small ruler.
But he would also carve small trinkets for her and sternly toss them to her when she teared up.
“Don’t overthink it. Things aren’t as difficult as you imagine,” You Heng said lightly. “Chen Yangzhou is ambitious to unite the world and isn’t a merciful person. The Twelve Kingdoms are not yet unified, and the other kingdoms have only recently surrendered, far from being peaceful. He cares about public sentiment more than anyone. Although Chen Anzhi is his own grandson, if he conflicts with his desired public support, killing a grandson is nothing. Ten years ago, he even killed his own son!”
Chen Yangzhou was the name of Emperor Chen.
You Yuji listened to You Heng’s words, inwardly agreeing. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so decisive in forcing Chen Anzhi to sign the divorce papers. However, as the person involved, she couldn’t help but feel guilty if her actions brought any harm to her family.
“Let’s go,” You Heng said, standing up. “If Chen Zheng opposes your decision, our You family won’t waste words with him. Your second brother will take you straight to the palace to have that ‘wise ruler’ make a decision!”
You Heng’s voice was loud and clear, intentionally not lowered, and every word was heard by You Jiamu outside the window. You Jiamu smiled happily. Even though his sister now knew he had sent letters home privately and might give him a good beating, it was all worth it if it could help her!
Jiao Yushu looked at You Jiamu’s smiling face and shook his head helplessly. He glanced towards the window and sighed silently.
You Heng walked to the door and turned to look at You Yuji, exclaiming, “Yuan Yuan, why do you look so pale? Didn’t you sleep well last night?”
You Yuji instinctively raised her hand and touched her cheek with the back of her fingers, saying, “Perhaps.”
You Heng took the fox fur coat from the coat rack by the door and personally draped it over You Yuji. Seeing his large hands reaching over, she quickly tied the silk ribbon at her collar herself, fearing he might break it again.
Seeing her familiar actions, You Heng chuckled.
As You Yuji stepped out, You Heng suddenly said, “Yuan Yuan, no matter when, your family will always stand behind you.”
You Yuji paused, her lips curving into a smile as she softly replied, “I know.”
Her hand, resting on the silk ribbon at her collar, unconsciously touched the pale purple pearl inside her lapel.
But her family was missing her father.
And even her mother…
You Yuji gathered her emotions and walked to the front hall with You Heng. You Jiamu, being young, wanted to follow, but You Yuji stopped him, leaving him at Tanxiang Yingyue. Naturally, Jiao Yushu also stayed behind.
—
You Yuji and You Heng arrived at Prince Jinnan’s courtyard and sat in the front hall. The maids in the courtyard filed in with tea and snacks.
Gu Momo, who served the princess, curtsied and said, “The princess experienced some fetal movement last night. Imperial Physician Hu is still attending to her in the back. We ask General You and the lady to wait a moment.”
You Yuji nodded and gently inquired, “What does Imperial Physician Hu say?”
Gu Momo carefully observed You Yuji’s expression. Hearing her ask about the princess’s condition with concern, she thought there might still be room for negotiation today. She respectfully replied, “The princess has had an old ailment. Now that she’s pregnant, she needs to be more careful. Although there was a slight disturbance last night, Imperial Physician Hu is skilled and has assured us there’s no major issue.”
“That’s good,” You Yuji nodded lightly.
You Yuji and You Heng sat for a while in the front hall before Prince Jinnan and his wife arrived, with Chen Anzhi following behind them. You Yuji glanced at Chen Anzhi and saw he was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. His clothes were wrinkled, his face looked unwell, and his walking movements were stiff.
It was said that last night, Chen Anzhi was punished by Prince Jinnan to kneel in the Buddha Hall for the entire night. It was only when the prince and princess arrived that he was allowed to come over.
Normally, Chen Anzhi might have cast an angry or disdainful look at You Yuji, but now he hung his head low, completely devoid of energy. Whether it was the combined effect of punishment, hunger, and fatigue, or the shame and regret of his actions after sobering up, was unclear.
When Prince Jinnan and his wife entered, You Yuji stood and bowed, while You Heng remained seated, unmoved. Prince Jinnan, Chen Zheng, glanced at You Heng and then silently led the princess to a chair.
Prince Jinnan was already irritated by Chen Anzhi’s behavior last night, and now, with the imperial physician saying that the princess’s pregnancy was unstable and required careful attention, he was in no mood to handle other matters. However, since the You family had come to his door, he had no choice but to address it.
“This unfilial son drank too much last night and behaved disgracefully. That is his fault,” Prince Jinnan said, looking at the dejected Chen Anzhi. “His Majesty has set the date for the expedition on the eighth. I intend to send this unfilial son into the army for a year to temper his unruly nature.”
Chen Anzhi was extremely reluctant to go to the army but lacked the energy and courage to protest.
“Let’s not talk about matters so far away,” You Heng said loudly. “First, let’s discuss the divorce.”
Prince Jinnan frowned at the towering warrior, the foremost on the prairie, and after a moment of contemplation, said, “I know Anzhi is unworthy and has wronged your sister. However, this marriage is special, and it would be best not to bring up divorce again.”
You Heng laughed heartily and said, “While the Jinnan Prince’s Residence fears this and that, our You family fears nothing.”
His words were blunt, and his naturally loud voice made them even harsher.
Prince Jinnan’s face darkened slightly, a trace of displeasure in his eyes. He suppressed his anger, half-closed his eyes, and slowly asked, “What does General You propose for this divorce?”
You Heng leaned his elbow on the table, slightly leaning forward, and with a serious expression, coldly met Prince Jinnan’s gaze, saying in a deep voice, “That depends on whether Prince Jinnan wants to handle this privately or publicly.”
Prince Jinnan frowned and said, “I hope General You can be more specific.”
You Heng smirked, remained silent, and withdrew his gaze. Instead, he turned to look at You Yuji, who was sitting beside him.
