HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 64

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 64

This was not Qingyuan’s first trip to the capital, but both journeys were connected to Shen Run. In truth, he must have already known everything happening in Youzhou – whether it was Li Congxin’s return or her journey to find him in the capital, which of these events wasn’t under his watchful eye? Sometimes having such a person around felt incredibly convenient and relaxing; one didn’t need to rack their brains trying to explain things – just standing before him, he would know what you were about to do. It was unfortunate that she had only briefly enjoyed this convenience, unknowingly borrowing the privilege meant for some fortunate person. Now it was time to return it, to conclude everything. Thinking about it carefully, she found herself surprisingly reluctant to let go.

Baoqin, noticing her grave expression, spoke gently, “Has Miss made up her mind? If you’re still uncertain, perhaps it’s better to wait a while longer.”

But what use was waiting? The outcome would be the same. The more one delayed, the more one thought, the deeper one became entangled – this wasn’t good for anyone. She lowered her hand, clutching the small brocade pouch with the taotie pattern. She had examined the pattern many times, feeling its contours, knowing exactly which part was which, which groove was where.

“It’s my fault,” she forced herself to say with composure. “I didn’t think it through deeply enough…”

Baoqin sympathized with her, “Two of the finest people in the world, and Miss encountered both. Meeting one would be a fortune, but meeting both at once becomes troublesome.”

How true these words were. Unfortunately, having met both at once, after making a full circle, she still chose the one she met first. As for the other one, she would regrettably have to disappoint his kind intentions.

From Youzhou to the capital, a fast horse would take an hour; her carriage, being slower, would need nearly two hours. The last time she entered the capital at midnight, too distressed to appreciate the scenery. Today was better – they entered through the Jicheng Gate in the afternoon. Looking out through the curtains, despite the heat, the streets were bustling with people coming and going like shuttles. Not just local merchants and buyers, but foreign trade caravans too, wearing exotic clothing and leading cargo-laden camels, swaggering down the main road with bells jingling rhythmically, creating a long string of melodious sounds.

Qingyuan withdrew her hand and asked the servant, “How much longer until we reach the Palace Command?”

The servant peered ahead, “Once we pass through the Guangyun Gate, we’ll enter the inner city. The Palace Command is across the moat – we cross the drawbridge, then enter through the Gongchen Gate… though our carriage probably won’t be allowed in.”

Qingyuan responded with a soft “mm,” “The imperial city is different from the outside. We’ll stop at the gate, and I’ll walk in myself.”

Remembering that night entering the city, even with Shen Run personally escorting her, they had to pass through multiple checkpoints. By the time they reached the long bridge, they truly could go no further. She alighted from the carriage and approached the guard on duty, bowing, “Please inform Commander Shen that the fourth daughter of the Jiannan Military Commissioner seeks an audience on urgent business.”

Being the daughter of a second-rank official, the guard showed her due respect, saying only that the Miss should wait briefly while one of them hurried toward the Gongchen Gate with his sword at his side.

Heat waves rolled across the ground without a breath of wind. Her maid held a lotus-blue silk parasol, and under it, the young lady stood straight as a brush, maintaining her dignity and poise even before the armored military officers. The lady was beautiful, with perfectly arranged features, like a clear spring refreshing to the eye in this hot, parched summer world. The guards’ gazes drifted over and lingered, secretly wondering about her relationship with Commander Shen – could it be that the commander’s luck in love had finally turned, and a lady had taken a fancy to him?

Soon, the person who had gone to deliver the message returned, gesturing, “This way, Miss.”

Qingyuan hadn’t expected it to be so smooth. She gave a slight bow and stepped onto the long bridge. The bridge was about ten spans long, and only when reaching its center did a slight cool breeze carrying moisture brush past. She quickened her pace, and after entering the Gongchen Gate was the Palace Command. It seemed someone inside had given orders, as she encountered no further obstacles. A eunuch came forward to guide her, bowing, “Please follow me, Miss.”

The main hall of this office was familiar to her. As she followed the eunuch deeper inside, her heart grew increasingly anxious. Regarding Shen Run, even though she had seen him hundreds of times, her heart still raced whenever he appeared. She had always considered herself composed, but that composure was for others to see – only she knew what lay beneath.

Wanting to see him yet afraid to, she still remembered that embrace in the garden last time, how his solid chest had provided such reassuring support. But today’s visit would likely end in discord. She couldn’t help feeling melancholy – she had grown somewhat fond of his arrogance, enjoyed his self-satisfied verbal sparring when he would say, “Fourth Miss couldn’t resist the pain of longing and finally came to find Shen Run.”

She sighed, her heart dimming, her steps losing their lightness. Finally reaching the deep chambers of the hall, the seat was empty – he wasn’t there. Puzzled, she asked the eunuch, “Sir, is the Commander not here?”

The eunuch replied, “Earlier, the Commander instructed me to receive Miss, but our Commander seems to have official business… he’s temporarily out.”

Qingyuan responded with an “oh,” nodding to the eunuch, “Thank you, sir. I’ll wait a while.”

The eunuch bowed with crossed hands and retreated, leaving her alone in the vast hall.

Knowing her purpose in coming, he was unwilling to face it, so he dared not meet her. As Qingyuan waited in the hall, someone stood watching from a corner tower, hands clasped behind his back. Through the open window lattice, she stood beneath the layered bamboo blinds, lost in thought, head slightly bowed, her figure carrying a trace of melancholy.

A good woman fears a persistent suitor – through his relentless self-indulgent fantasies, she must have developed some feelings for him by now. But even with all his capabilities, he couldn’t control how things developed. It wasn’t that a mere Li Congxin left him helpless – he was simply constrained by her, unable to move against that noble young master.

Sometimes a young lady’s excessive adherence to principle wasn’t a good thing – too much restraint, too much self-examination. Even if he used every trick he knew, she remained unmoved. Looking at her figure, wanting to see her yet afraid to, letting her wait in vain seemed cruel, but going to meet her, he feared she had come to bid farewell, that their paths would diverge, never to cross again.

Shen Che watched his troubled expression and said, arms crossed, “Planning to give up without a fight?”

Shen Run frowned, “I didn’t expect the Danyang Marquis couple to be so helpless with their son. They’re imperial relatives – shouldn’t they at least care about face?”

Shen Che couldn’t well say that if you don’t care about face, what does someone far from the emperor’s reach have to fear? Now the situation was clear – one could marry her, one would be married if agreed to. Commander Shen had been busy for over a month, watching the meat slip from between his teeth – the blow couldn’t be more severe.

“Why not… find someone else? Whether in Youzhou or the capital, there are many more likable than Fourth Miss Xie. Look at her…” Shen Che said, “Still a child, stubborn, and doesn’t understand romance. Every time you cast flirtatious glances at her, she’s like a wooden block. I feel embarrassed for you…”

Before he finished speaking, the Commander’s knife-like glare struck, “When did I ever cast flirtatious glances at her?”

Shen Che touched his nose, not daring to argue, “Perhaps I saw wrong then…” Though of course, there was more to say, “Having feelings for a lady, casting a glance or two is nothing wrong, but now that Chunzhi has his parents’ mandate, with Fourth Miss’s temperament, she’s likely to accept.”

Shen Run listened, then after a while snorted, “Can a person’s habits be changed so easily? Li Congxin is a known playboy, just putting on a pure act before Fourth Miss. He might fool a young lady, but he can’t fool me. Earlier at the East Gao night feast, how did he end up drunk in a beauty’s lap? How many times did he cause trouble with good families’ daughters, and how did he carefully settle each incident? Do you not know? Or do I not know? With his temperament, he’ll likely become another Xie Shu – full of passion but lacking in constancy. How could he compare to me? When I set my heart on someone, it’s for life.”

Shen Che listened to his self-praise with an awkward smile, offering a few words of agreement.

“So what does brother plan to do? If you speak directly with Chunzhi, he’s unlikely to yield.”

There were certainly many indirect methods, and Fourth Miss’s decisive nature had its advantages, but one couldn’t rush things – they needed to wait a bit longer. He gazed deeply at the figure by the window one more time – hiding wasn’t the solution. He might avoid today, but not tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Qingyuan clutched the pouch tightly in her hand, so long that her palm grew hot. She didn’t know if he was deliberately avoiding her, having stood there for a full quarter-hour – perhaps he had decided he didn’t want to hear her clarify things. If so, whether she spoke or not no longer mattered. She opened her palm and took out the beast-faced pendant from the pouch, stepped forward to place it in the center of his desk – he would see it when he returned and understand her meaning. The entanglement of barely more than a month essentially came down to just this jade pendant. Once returned, matters would be concluded. See? It wasn’t so difficult after all.

Still, there was some lingering attachment. She looked at it carefully for a moment – having carried this object for so long, it had almost become a part of her. But there was no help for it; ultimately, it didn’t belong to her. She extended a finger and carefully wiped the angry-looking face, then withdrew her hand, intending to take her leave. But as she turned, she suddenly saw someone standing behind her, making her gasp, “Ah! Commander, how do you walk so silently? You startled me!”

Shen Run didn’t respond to her, instead shifting his gaze to look at the jade pendant. “Fourth Miss has come to return the token?”

Qingyuan faltered, lowering her head, “It was never a token – it was just something the Commander left in my care. Now the time has come, and it should return to its rightful owner.”

He remained silent, his gaze fixed on her, those eyes seeming to pierce through to her heart. Under his scrutiny, she suddenly felt awkward, like an unfaithful person who should face conscience’s interrogation.

Neither speaking wasn’t a solution either. Qingyuan said, “The young marquis has returned to Youzhou. Commander must already know. Since I’ve agreed to his proposal, I must honor that promise. The Commander is an extraordinary person – you’ll surely find a worthy match someday. I’ve been the undeserving recipient of your misplaced affections, and I truly feel guilty…”

“You needn’t feel guilty,” he suddenly said. “I forgot to tell you – I’m also getting engaged these days.”

Qingyuan’s heart stumbled, growing flustered. But she couldn’t lose composure, couldn’t let him see anything amiss, so she smiled and said, “That’s wonderful news! I haven’t even congratulated the Commander yet…”

He made a sound of acknowledgment. “You know the lady in question – you met briefly at the護國Temple a few days ago.”

Her eyes flickered as she thought carefully, then shook her head, “So much happened that day, my mind was in chaos. I’m not sure which lady the Commander means?”

His expression was indifferent as he said coolly, “The second daughter of Prefect Mu’s family. That day, their matriarch introduced her to your group. Surely Fourth Miss remembers?”

Qingyuan then recalled – it was that tall, fair-skinned beauty. In terms of appearance, the Prefect’s daughter was flawless; together, they would make a perfect match.

She let out a long “oh,” her tone carrying only a hint of sudden realization, the rest hollow melancholy. “I did meet the Prefect’s daughter. Our Old Madam praised her completeness too. The Commander is very fortunate. However… wasn’t she selected to enter the palace?”

No elder who truly cared for their descendants would want to send their daughter into that pit. Commander Shen had never been an entirely selfless person – he took money to handle others’ affairs, and since that lady’s health wasn’t good either, a slight intervention had her filtered out. This time though, he hadn’t taken the Mu family’s silver, only made a small request – to announce publicly that Second Miss Mu would be engaged to Commander Shen. Though the Mu family hesitated, since their daughter could withdraw from the selection, they didn’t quibble over details. Moreover, given the Commander’s official position and standing, even if it were a real match, it wouldn’t disgrace their daughter, so they agreed readily. As for him, knowing Li Congxin’s determination, mere forceful obstruction wouldn’t work anymore – he needed a facade to facilitate his next moves.

“Has Fourth Miss forgotten what I do? The Palace Command’s network reaches everywhere. Keeping someone or disposing of someone is equally simple.” As he spoke, he secretly observed her expression. This lady was truly capable of great things – not even a hint of distraction showed. He didn’t know if she was being overly proud or if she truly didn’t care about his engagement to another. Somewhat dissatisfied, he continued in a deep voice, “I forgot to inform Fourth Miss – your family’s Third Miss has been selected. She’s now a talented lady in the Eastern Garden of the Inner Palace. The imperial decree will reach your household tomorrow.”

Qingyuan nodded, “The Founding Count’s family will come to set a date, and the Third Sister has entered the palace. Indeed, all feasts must end, no matter how far the pavilion extends.”

Her words carried more melancholy for her sister than for him. He gave a cold laugh, “If your Third Sister wasn’t sent to the palace, keeping her by your side would only be trouble. Being raised by Lady Hu, don’t expect her to be of one mind with you. It’s better to have her controlled in the palace. Find an opportunity later to send her far away, and that will be that.”

Even at this moment, he was still considering things for her benefit. Qingyuan’s guilt deepened, but besides a word of thanks, there seemed nothing else to say.

She thought for a moment and said, “Let me congratulate the Commander first – we likely won’t have another chance to meet.” Their previous encounters had all been deliberately arranged by him. Now that they would each go their separate ways, their fate would end here.

His lips carried a hint of sarcasm as he smiled, “I also congratulate Fourth Miss on finally being rid of me.”

She froze, looking up at him, but quickly shifted her gaze away, saying somewhat frantically, “It’s getting late, I need to return to Youzhou…”

But he suddenly grabbed her wrist, pressing, “Youzhou isn’t just a step away from the capital. Did Fourth Miss make this long journey just to return my jade pendant? Wasn’t it because you missed me, wanted to see me, wanted me to find a way, to plan a future for us?”

Qingyuan was cornered by his intensity. Though he had hit upon her inner thoughts exactly, one must consider others’ feelings in this world. She struggled, “Commander, please show restraint.”

He said he wouldn’t, forcefully pulling her into his embrace. “Fourth Miss, we’ve been this close before, have you forgotten? Li Congxin returns, and suddenly you ask me to show restraint. Fourth Miss is truly fickle.”

Qingyuan’s face flushed red. This man was always like this – if not for his power and position, he’d be nothing but a street ruffian. She grew anxious too – people came and went through the Palace Command, what if someone saw them! So she pleaded softly, “Commander, you promised to make a decision when the Third Young Master returned. A man of honor should keep his word.”

Honor meant nothing to him now; he only knew how delicate and soft the willow waist beneath his hands was, that graceful figure even more ethereal than he’d imagined.

A young lady’s fragrance was something no precious perfume in the world could replicate – it was uniquely hers. He drew closer, his hazy gaze wandering over her face, his breath almost mingling with hers as he murmured, “Fourth Miss, don’t marry him, marry me instead, alright? I’ll treat you so well, give you anything you want, and never let you suffer any grievance, what do you say?”

Qingyuan was both embarrassed and distressed. Outside the window, guards occasionally passed by, and though they kept their eyes straight ahead, they surely must have seen. She was truly angry now, saying furiously, “Shen Run, if you continue like this, I’ll be truly upset!”

He paused slightly, and at that moment when his eyes lowered, this usually arrogant and domineering man showed a kind of wounded vulnerability. “I’ve been upset for a long time – how can you still not see that!”

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