HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 23

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 23

The departure was only days away. The Master and Old Madam quietly instructed: since the court had already shown such intentions, they couldn’t allow any delays. “Better to depart early and arrive in Youzhou soon, rather than wait for the Palace Guards to escort you thousands of li. That would be refusing the easy way only to face the hard way.”

Bao Xian and the others were busy packing. Qing Yuan carefully stored her mother’s spirit tablet, then stood silently under the eaves. She held no particular attachment to this household, only some reluctance to leave this courtyard. She had learned about her mother bit by bit from others – her mother had left her nothing, and their only connection was having shared the Dan Yue Pavilion.

Now she couldn’t even stay in this courtyard, having to move thousands of li away to Youzhou. Due to her distant relationship with the Xie family and having to leave her homeland, she felt increasingly helpless, like falling into the depths of the sea.

Chun Tai, leading the servant women, moved the outdoor flower pots to a shaded area. Passing by Qing Yuan, she stopped and asked, “What’s wrong, Miss? Are you reluctant to leave?”

Qing Yuan thought for a moment, then slowly shook her head.

Chun Tai said with a smile, “Bao Xian and I were sold to the manor as children. Before, when we weren’t valued and did odd jobs in the lower quarters, everyone could order us around. Later we gained Miss’s favor and stayed by your side. Wherever Miss goes, we go too. Though Youzhou is far from Hengtang, they say ‘trees die when transplanted, but people thrive.’ It’ll be good to see the outside world.”

Initially, Qing Yuan had indeed felt an attachment to her native land, but hearing these words brought sudden clarity. Comparing circumstances, they were quite similar – when Old Madam had assigned servants, she naturally got what was left after the other three young ladies had chosen. Now these unfortunate souls relied on each other for survival. Thinking carefully, life might not be as difficult as imagined.

With her mind settled, when the packing was nearly complete, she went to Old Madam to request permission to bid farewell to her grandparents at the Chen family home. Unlike previous times when Old Madam had shown an aversion to mentioning the Chen family, this time she agreed and had various goods prepared for Qing Yuan to bring to the Chen elders. She carefully instructed: “After all, they raised you – if not merit, at least there was effort. You should give them a proper farewell. But don’t stay too long, and don’t think of not returning after seeing your grandmother there. Remember, you are still a descendant of the Xie family.”

Old Madam Xie had her concerns, fearing Qing Yuan might not return, but how could she do that? Taking it to court would result in a year’s imprisonment and fifty lashes. Grandfather was elderly and couldn’t withstand that – Qing Yuan understood the consequences and would never cause trouble for them.

With Old Madam’s permission, a carriage was prepared. The Chen and Xie families lived on opposite sides of the city – east and west. Without making a special trip, there wouldn’t even be a chance to pass by and look.

When the carriage stopped, Bao Xian dismounted first, then turned back to assist. Previously they had thought the Chen family was of modest means, but unexpectedly it was quite a prosperous household. No wonder people said Old Master Chen had once held office – though not as illustrious as the Xie family, their family fortune meant they wanted for nothing.

The gate guard had the sharpest eyes. Seeing Qing Yuan, he was startled, then suddenly jumped up, running and shouting as he went in: “The First Miss is back! The First Miss is back…”

The courtyard erupted in commotion, and soon the whole household was in an uproar. Grandfather and Grandmother came running out, and seeing her, called out “Yun Ya” before breaking into tears.

Bao Xian felt her nose stinging – this kind of reunion was truly one of flesh and blood coming together, showing genuine feeling without ulterior motives. Old Madam Chen carefully examined Qing Yuan several times, saying through tears, “How did you get so thin…” She turned to Old Master to ask, “Don’t you think Yun Ya has gotten thinner?”

Like a scholar pondering a problem, Old Master considered for a while before agreeing: “She has indeed gotten thinner.”

This conclusion immediately triggered an even greater wave of concern. Old Madam kept wiping away tears, “What’s wrong with the Xie family? They forcibly took her back just to mistreat her? If they can’t afford to feed her, they should just return her to us. Why make the child suffer!”

Qing Yuan managed a smile, sweetly supporting Old Madam Chen as she said, “Don’t worry, Grandmother. The Xie family treats me very well. I have my small courtyard and several caring maids. Everything I need is provided for, with no wants at all.”

This seemed to provide some comfort. Everyone moved to the hall to exchange more familial conversation, but when it came to mentioning the imminent departure for Youzhou, Qing Yuan found herself unable to speak.

How perceptive Old Madam Chen was – one look and she could see there was something to be said. Her heart tightened, “Are they giving you trouble about your mother?”

Qing Yuan shook her head, “Grandmother once taught me that a noble person conceals their abilities and bides their time – I’ve never forgotten that. I came back today… to bid farewell to you both. The Xie family is returning to Youzhou, and I must go with them. Youzhou is so far from Hengtang, once I leave… I don’t know when I’ll be able to return.”

The room’s atmosphere suddenly cooled, worry appearing on everyone’s faces. Bao Xian had expected another round of tearful embraces, but there were none. The Chen elderly couple remained dejected for a long while before sighing, “No feast lasts forever – just like when families marry off their daughters, what can be done?”

Old Master Chen was very practical. He began calculating, “If traveling by water, taking it slowly, you could arrive in half a month. We could visit you.”

Old Madam Chen rose and brought out a redwood jewelry box from the inner room, placing it in her hands, “This was meant for your dowry when you married, but since you’re traveling far now, I’ll give it to you – take good care of it. Don’t refuse. In a new household, there will be many places requiring gifts up and down the ranks. Without money, you can’t take a single step. I know the Xie family won’t treat you as close kin – it will be good enough if your monthly allowance arrives on time and in full. Good child, if they don’t cherish you, remember that I raised you from when you were just over a foot tall – we truly care for you. When you’re in Youzhou, take good care of yourself. If you face setbacks, don’t take them to heart. As long as your heart isn’t hurt, no one can truly harm you. If Youzhou isn’t good, write us a letter, and I’ll have Quan’er come to fetch you.”

Standing in attendance, Bao Xian secretly marveled at the Old Madam’s insight. Only now did she understand why the Fourth Miss, at such a young age, could maintain such calm and far-sighted consideration – it originated with Old Madam Chen. In such a household, with such family business, though Old Master was advanced in years, one could still see his former elegance. This residence likely hadn’t known peace in its early years.

Before her grandparents, Qing Yuan never needed to put on airs. As Grandmother said, the road was long and distant, and no one knew the current situation in Youzhou. This money would serve as an escape route – money gives courage, and with courage, one need not be timid and overcautious.

“If I can establish myself in Youzhou, I will surely invite you both to reunite with me there.” Qing Yuan knelt on the ground and gave a deep kowtow.

Old Master Chen said, “Rise, rise, I know that day will come. Youzhou is very close to the capital, full of high officials and noble families. As long as you marry into a good family, how can you not achieve great things in the future?” He finished with hearty laughter as if the sorrow of parting had already dispersed.

But Qing Yuan knew her grandfather’s temperament – these words weren’t truly acceptance, but rather self-consolation in the face of helplessness. When she was forcibly taken back by the Xie family and he couldn’t keep her, he consoled grandmother the same way, saying the Xie family was a great clan that was associated with officials and nobles. Yun Ya was beautiful, and her prospects would surely be significant. Staying with the Chen family, a modest household, would only hold her back.

“My greatest fortune in this life was growing up in the Chen family,” Qing Yuan said on the return journey. “The teachings accumulated in childhood will serve me for a lifetime.”

Indeed – to look beyond, to see further, to not calculate gains and losses within a square inch – these were things that children raised in the Xie family could not match. Master and servant whispered together all the way, but upon reaching the Xie manor gates, Bao Xian lifted the curtain to dismount and immediately saw the noble young master standing on the steps.

“Miss…” she turned back to call Qing Yuan.

Qing Yuan had also seen him. Unable to avoid the encounter, she gracefully dismounted and gave a formal curtsey, “Third Young Master.”

She maintained her old manner, without excessive emotion, every smile and frown remaining faint. Facing her, Li Cong Xin couldn’t help feeling guilty. That day after returning home and mentioning the matter to his mother, he later learned that his mother had sent the Inspector’s wife to make a clear break. Such an action was a great injury to a young lady. He had a huge fight with his mother over this, but the mistake was already made and couldn’t be remedied.

Regarding Qing Yuan, from his initial amazement at her beauty to his current earnest desire to marry her, even though it had only been a month, it had gone through a complete process of development. This kind of beauty with such a background and refinement was different from those affected young ladies of noble families. Perhaps initially he only had thoughts of conquest, but as time went on he became more serious. The reason wasn’t clear – perhaps it was her indifference, as he had never been treated coldly since childhood. Those young ladies who had given him their hearts, even when hurt, still didn’t regret their romantic encounters with him. But this Fourth Miss was an exception. He went to great lengths just to see her once, sending food and letters, escalating his efforts – even a stonehead should have understood by now, but she consistently played dumb, completely unmoved.

He couldn’t fathom her thoughts – was it a sophisticated strategy, or did she truly have no interest in him? The young marquis, experienced in matters of love, felt the frustration of meeting his match. He had never cared about family status; even though Xie Shu’s official career was precarious, it couldn’t deter his conquering heart.

“Fourth Sister,” he said sincerely, “I never imagined things would turn out this way. Had I known, I would never have rashly mentioned it to my mother. I kept waiting for news from my mother – I thought when she sent the Inspector’s wife, it was to propose marriage, but who knew…”

This noble young master was truly a handsome person – even now, Qing Yuan admired his appearance. When he spoke these words, those beautiful eyes contained waves of sadness – surely such eyes had made many young ladies fall desperately in love with him!

But this pampered son of a marquis’s family had never learned to consider others’ perspectives. He didn’t know how his momentary impulse would place her in such an awkward position. When paths differ, cooperation is impossible – this was what Grandmother Chen had taught her long ago. She didn’t wish to say hurtful words, so she just smiled and said, “Some things, if not tried, one would never be convinced. Now that we know the result, there are no regrets. I have nothing more to say. Thank you for your kind feelings, Third Young Master. The Xie manor will soon move to Youzhou, and there won’t be a chance to meet again in the future. Take care of yourself.”

With that, she took Bao Xian’s arm and climbed the steps. Just as they were about to enter, Li Cong Xin hurried forward two steps and urgently called out “Sister,” saying, “I knew early on about the Xie family’s reason for leaving Hengtang. Listen to me, regarding prospects…” Suddenly realizing these words were taboo, he paused, then after careful consideration, lowered his voice to say, “You are of the Xie family – you’ll share their glory and their fall. If… your eldest sister will be fine, she’s betrothed to Lan Shan and will be part of the Li family. You… you…”

Qing Yuan understood his meaning – if she too were betrothed to someone, when disaster struck the Xie family in the future, she could escape unscathed. His intentions were good, and she was grateful, but even if the Marchioness herself came to propose now, it couldn’t happen. The title of Marquis of Danyang held no real power – when the Xie family faced trouble, they couldn’t help in any way.

“What a pity we can’t continue living in Hengtang,” Qing Yuan didn’t respond to his words but smiled and said, “Grandmother has instructed that we must depart in these few days. We still have many things to pack, so I must take my leave.”

She walked slowly through the main gate with Bao Xian, not telling him that in five more days, it would be her coming-of-age ceremony.

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