Chen Anzhi stood in the boudoir where You Yuji had lived before her marriage, surveying the room’s decor. Everywhere he looked, he saw purple. He walked over to You Yuji’s wardrobe and opened it, finding that most of the clothes inside were also purple. That year, she had danced in a purple dress.
Suddenly, he recalled that night’s banquet in the Kingdom of Si.
It was the last grand feast before the Kingdom of Si surrendered. It was at that banquet that Si Que’s “Ode to Yunling” became famous throughout the world, and it was also at that banquet that You Yuji’s dance “Xun’e Yin” astonished everyone, earning the reputation of the “Two Beauties of Si.”
Chen Anzhi felt a moment of daze, as if he had returned to that night.
That night, the Princess Que in a snowy white dress, playing the qin, seemed like a celestial goddess who had descended into his heart, becoming his obsession day and night.
As a bystander, Chen Anzhi was also amazed by You Yuji’s dance. However, to dance publicly, allowing numerous men’s gazes to wander over her body, scrutinizing and appreciating her, was indeed frivolous and indecent. She could be a beauty, but not a wife.
The die was cast, and You Yuji was indeed his wife. Chen Anzhi sighed. He knew well that his recent behavior had indeed been excessive, and it wasn’t that he was unwilling to placate her. But You Yuji’s aloof attitude seemed as if she didn’t care about his actions at all. Since she didn’t care, why should he try to placate her? Didn’t he have any pride left? Moreover, for someone like him, raised with a golden spoon, it was really difficult to bow down and concede.
A servant came to invite him to the front courtyard for dinner, pulling Chen Anzhi out of his thoughts. As he walked towards the front courtyard, he met You Jiamu and went with him. They had just sat down at the table when You Yuji arrived late.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” You Yuji apologized with a smile. She had spent the entire afternoon with her mother, so she had to change her clothes and redo her hair.
During dinner, Chen Anzhi remained silent, while You Yuji and her brother occasionally chatted, talking about their mother’s illness and You Jiamu’s studies.
Chen Anzhi turned his head to look at You Yuji sitting beside him. She smiled tenderly at her brother, her expressions full of gentleness. Chen Anzhi glanced at You Yuji’s hand as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Her hands were exceptionally beautiful. He recalled the scene of flower petals brushing against her slender fingers when she washed her hands, wondering what it would feel like to hold those hands close to his chest.
Forget it, the rest of their lives was long. As long as she behaved herself in the future, it would be fine. After all, she was already his wife, a marriage decreed by the emperor, unchangeable for life.
Chen Anzhi thought about how he should treat her better tonight when they were alone, as a way to make up for his recent mistreatment. He squeezed his sleeve, inside which he had hidden a thin gold bracelet intended for You Yuji. When he saw the bracelet, he immediately pictured it on You Yuji’s wrist, thinking it would look beautiful on her, so he brought it today.
Just after they finished dinner, a servant came smiling to report that General Zhao had arrived.
“Please invite him in,” You Yuji said hurriedly. General Zhao was her father’s subordinate when he was alive, and after her father’s death, he had helped them a lot. Now, You Jiamu was also learning martial arts from him.
You Yuji didn’t notice Chen Anzhi’s face darken instantly.
General Zhao had come to deliver medicine for Madam You.
“I’ve brought a few new boxes of medicine for Madam You,” Zhao Sheng, a tall and sturdy man, said with a sincere smile.
“Thank you for your trouble, General Zhao,” You Yuji said, patting You Jiamu’s shoulder, signaling her brother to receive the medicine personally. Their mother was seriously ill, and it was the precious medicinal herbs that kept her alive. Many of these herbs were not only expensive but also very rare, and Zhao Sheng had helped a lot in finding them.
You Yuji looked at Zhao Sheng, filled with genuine gratitude.
Chen Anzhi let out a cold laugh and said, “Zhao Sheng, you come over when it’s dark and don’t know how to avoid suspicion.”
Zhao Sheng was taken aback. He quickly cupped his hands and bowed, saying, “Zhao Sheng greets the Heir Apparent. I was busy with my duties during the day, so I came over only now.”
“It’s something that could easily be delivered by any servant, yet you had to come yourself. Truly, you are considerate,” Chen Anzhi said indifferently.
Zhao Sheng was a bit bewildered and didn’t know how to respond. He had been serving General You since his youth. The general treated him very well, and Zhao Sheng always deeply respected him. Being an orphan, Zhao Sheng often came to the You family during festivals to seek blessings, and in his heart, he considered the You family as his second home. After General You passed away, with the You family being in poor health and with many young children, Zhao Sheng became even more attentive.
Today, he was just delivering medicine as usual. How did it seem like he had made a mistake?
Zhao Sheng glanced at You Yuji and suddenly understood when he remembered the rumors. He quickly said with a silly smile, “I was also passing by to check on Jiamu.”
“Jiamu is at home every day. It’s not the child you wanted to visit today,” Chen Anzhi remarked.
“Heir Apparent,” You Yuji looked over.
“What is it?” Chen Anzhi, with his legs crossed, met You Yuji’s gaze. He had a smile on his face and spoke in a casual tone, as if it was just ordinary small talk.
Zhao Sheng’s eyes flickered. Not wanting his presence to cause a conflict between the couple, he hurriedly said with a foolish smile, “It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave now.”
You Yuji turned to Zhao Sheng, her expression open and honest. She asked softly, “General Zhao, did you have dinner after finishing your duties?”
“I ate before coming here,” Zhao Sheng quickly replied.
“What sense does it make to leave right after delivering something? At least have a cup of hot tea,” You Yuji said gently.
Chen Anzhi’s face darkened. He had thought You Yuji would be angry or would explain, but she ignored him again! This infuriated him the most!
Zhao Sheng shook his head and said with a smile, “No, Lady Chun has just become pregnant. I need to get back to her early.”
“Such good news! Why didn’t you tell me? I must visit her someday,” You Yuji said, her smile radiant.
“She’s only two months along, so we haven’t told many people yet,” Zhao Sheng said, grinning foolishly.
Usually, pregnancy is only announced after the third month. Zhao Sheng subtly sensed the Heir Apparent’s attitude and thus mentioned his wife.
“I see. I won’t keep you then. Please tell Lady Chun that I will visit her soon,” You Yuji said. She patted You Jiamu’s shoulder, signaling her brother to personally see Zhao Sheng out.
She stood in place, smiling as she watched her brother and Zhao Sheng leave. Only after they left did she retract her gaze and turn to go inside.
“Stop right there,” Chen Anzhi said.
You Yuji didn’t stop and continued walking inside.
Chen Anzhi’s face grew darker.
Liu Momo looked at Lady Jing. Lady Jing shook her head and sighed silently.
You Yuji went to her father’s former study, where several stewards were already waiting for her. The You family had some estates and shops, which she used to manage. Since she married into the Prince’s residence, these matters had been handled by the stewards themselves, consulting Liu Momo for anything they were unsure about. Now that You Yuji was back, the stewards immediately brought her the accumulated issues to ask for her guidance.
As You Yuji reviewed the accounts and discussed matters with the stewards, she felt a heaviness in her heart. Her mother was ill, and her younger brother was still a child. There was no one to properly oversee the household, which left her uneasy.
She longed to return home.
Chen Anzhi stood at the door, watching You Yuji being surrounded by the stewards. He stood there for a quarter of an hour, and You Yuji did not notice him. Unable to bear it, he spoke up, “I have something to say to you.”
You Yuji looked up at him with a troubled expression. She glanced back at the accounts in her hands and then looked up again, saying, “I still have some matters to handle. Please wait a little longer, Heir Apparent. Another half an hour should suffice.”
Chen Anzhi stared at her face, gritted his teeth, and seeing her determination, took a deep breath and turned away in anger.
The stewards exchanged glances, each showing a hint of regret.
You Yuji lowered her eyes, turned another page in the account book, and continued handling the affairs.
Half an hour later, Chen Anzhi returned. He stepped over the threshold, his face cold. “You Yuji, don’t push it too far!”
You Yuji’s delicate fingers tightened around the pen before relaxing. She closed the account book and gently said to the stewards, “That’s all for today. Uncle Li, please come by again tomorrow morning. We will discuss the matters of Li Estate then.”
Uncle Li hurriedly agreed and left with the other stewards.
They had just walked out when they heard the sound of something being smashed inside the study. They shook their heads repeatedly but quickened their pace, not wanting to witness the scene.
You Yuji looked at the flower pot that Chen Anzhi had just smashed off the tall stand by the door. She lowered her eyes and said softly, “Can we discuss whatever it is back at the Prince’s residence?”
“You just told me to wait half an hour, and now you want to wait until we’re back at the residence? You Yuji, what are you stalling for? What are you guilty of?”
“I have nothing to be guilty of,” You Yuji felt a surge of weariness.
“I know all about what you’ve been doing with Zhao Sheng! And here you are, pretending!”
You Yuji frowned. She initially didn’t understand why Chen Anzhi detested her so much. She thought it was because he disliked her behavior and had someone else in his heart. Now, it seemed he had misunderstood something, thinking she was involved with Zhao Sheng?
Was it a misunderstanding or someone’s deliberate provocation?
But You Yuji had no energy to think about these things now.
“Why aren’t you speaking? Have you admitted it?” Chen Anzhi still stood at the door, staring at her. “You Yuji, I don’t care about your past indiscretions on the grasslands. You are now my wife. Can you not act like a proper lady?”
You Yuji put down the pen in her hand and looked directly at Chen Anzhi.
“Must the Heir Apparent cause a scene with me today, here?”
Today was her homecoming day. This was the You family residence, her father’s study where he came every day during his life.
Chen Anzhi froze, glancing at the broken flowerpot by his feet out of the corner of his eye. The magnolia was buried under the soil and shattered pottery pieces. He thought that the stewards must have heard the crash, and soon all the servants in the You household would be talking about it. Regret washed over him—on the way here, he had planned to treat her better today, even if only as a pretense to make amends.
Chen Anzhi took a step back, his voice lowering, “I’ll wait for you in the room.”
Zhenxu turned her head to wipe away her tears, swallowing her sobs before she spoke, “Madam, things can’t go on like this. Why don’t you have a good talk with the Heir Apparent? Explain all the misunderstandings…”
You Yuji looked at the broken flowerpot on the ground—this was the second one Chen Anzhi had smashed.
She was a proud person; if she hadn’t done anything wrong, she wouldn’t explain herself.
Chen Anzhi tossed and turned on the bed, replaying the day’s events in his mind while waiting for You Yuji. He was impulsive, often regretting his hasty words the moment they left his mouth. He waited for You Yuji to return, hoping for a chance to speak with her alone, but she didn’t come back. Instead, she went to accompany her mother.
Despite Liu Momo’s advice, You Yuji washed up and then nestled softly by her mother’s side. She held her mother’s hand close to her chest, smiling with tears streaming down her face. She didn’t know why, but being by her mother’s side, breathing in her familiar scent, always made her want to cry.
“Mother, I know you must miss Father very much. But please don’t leave your daughter behind, okay?”
Your daughter needs you, misses the gentleness in your eyes when you smile, misses your constant nagging.
The fermented rice cake had already gone cold.
In the middle of the night, Si Que arrived at the You residence. He first went to You Yuji’s boudoir, finding only Chen Anzhi sleeping there. Pressing down his hat, he then headed to Lady You’s room and, as expected, found You Yuji nestled beside her mother.
She was curled up like a child, holding her mother’s hand tightly to her chest. She wore a loose purple nightgown, the sleeves pushed up to her elbows, revealing her fair forearms.
Si Que stood by the bedside, looking at You Yuji, and slowly said the words he had originally wanted to say when they reunited at the Prince’s residence—
“Purple still suits you best.”
He leaned down to pick up You Yuji, his hand brushing against her tear-streaked face.
