HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 65

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 65

When Commander Shen was angered, it usually meant someone would die. Yet this time when he said he was angry, his tone was full of tender grievance – had he not said it directly, she wouldn’t have even noticed.

Was he truly angry? Qingyuan examined him carefully. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes held a misty quality. This wasn’t the first time they had been so close, but face to face in broad daylight, with their noses nearly touching – this was genuinely the first time.

His palm was warm against her back, and she could even feel a slight trembling. Everyone said the Palace Guard Commander was a fierce, brutal figure who held absolute power, but no one knew he was even more skilled at using that gentle tone, that unique melancholy, to capture a young lady’s soul.

Qingyuan gazed at him, her heart-stirring inexplicably. She wasn’t afraid of him; she liked him very much. Perhaps they were similar people – she’d heard someone say that only kindred spirits attract each other. But they each had their paths to pursue, and the slightest deviation could lead to vastly different destinations… Li Chunzhi was good, and Miss Mu Two was also good. The two of them split into four could achieve the greatest degree of fulfillment.

Back at Hengtang, she had vaguely heard that the Inspector’s wife and her father had nearly become husband and wife, but later they each married others and maintained frequent contact – that wasn’t so bad either. But between herself and him, it would be better not to meet again in the future. Without meeting, there would be no longing, and with time, they would forget.

“Don’t be angry,” she frowned and said. “There are many good ladies in the world. Miss Mu Two is better than me – she has a good family background, good looks… She’s more beautiful than me.”

“Nonsense,” he looked displeased. “I don’t like ladies who are too tall.”

He liked ones like her, with delicate features and a petite figure he could lift in one embrace.

Sweet honey seemed to flow through her body. The afternoon’s warm breeze and the swallows circling the rafters were summer’s most beautiful embellishments. Being so close, despite knowing the intimacy of their position, she still couldn’t bear to part.

Footsteps echoed faintly at the hall entrance. Some tactless person called from afar: “Com-” Before “mander” could be uttered, Shen Run grabbed the brush washer from the table and hurled it over. It shattered on the ground with a crash, and afterward, the world fell silent.

Unfortunately, this noise startled Qingyuan awake. She hurriedly tried to pull away, but his arms tightened further, his breath coming rapidly as he leaned down… leaned down… about to press against her lips.

She quickly turned her face away, stammering: “Don’t do this, I’ll be scared…”

He indeed stopped, letting out a light sigh as he released her, leaning against the desk: “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I frightened you. But just now when you called me Shen Run, even if you were threatening me, I thought my name sounded particularly nice coming from your lips.”

Qingyuan laughed, “Is the Commander trying to praise himself again?”

He said no, “I just felt that you calling my full name made us seem close. In the future when we meet, just call me Shen Run.”

Qingyuan felt somewhat sad, thinking there probably wouldn’t be such opportunities anymore, but she couldn’t say so. The more said, the more mistakes could be made – it wouldn’t be fair to him or Li Congxin.

“Take care of yourself in the future,” she tried to keep her tone light. “I’ll be fine too, don’t worry about me. If I were to express thanks, they would be endless, so I won’t say more.”

After speaking, she looked back toward the hall entrance, feeling somewhat ashamed. This visit had become like a secret meeting – she wondered if Baoxian had seen.

Shen Run knew she was leaving and took his sword from the wall: “I’ll escort you.”

Qingyuan kept shaking her head, “No need, my carriage is waiting outside the palace gate, I’ll go back myself.” As she spoke, she kept stepping backward, down the steps, onto the corridor, and smiled, “If I’m still in Youzhou when you and Miss Mu Two get married, I’ll come to drink a toast at your wedding.”

He didn’t respond, only gazed at her. She took a step back, curtsied, and turned toward the hall entrance.

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, Baoxian came forward to assist her, holding her arm: “Miss, did you clarify everything?”

Qingyuan nodded, “Let’s go back.”

But she remained melancholy throughout the journey. When Baoxian asked what was wrong, she just smiled without answering. After a long while, she finally sighed deeply: “I suddenly feel less confident. If Madam tries to scheme against me again, I don’t know if I’ll still have the ability to fight back.”

Baoxian understood her meaning. Everyone has inertia – when there’s someone reliable behind you, your heart remains at ease. Once that support suddenly disappears, that loss feels worse than never having had it at all.

She stroked her mistress’s hand comfortingly: “Once the marriage is settled, you’ll just be waiting to enter the Marquis’s household. Everything in the Xie family will no longer concern you. Madam surely won’t be able to harm you in the Marquis’s residence. Miss, you have a bright future ahead.”

Qingyuan leaned against the carriage wall, her heart gradually settling. She said softly that it was good, “I want to return to Hengtang, return to the Chen family. Grandfather and Grandmother are getting old, if I’m closer, I can better look after them.”

So you see, how can life always go as one wishes? There must be losses for there to be gains. By the time they returned from the capital, it was already dark. She went to Huifang Garden to report to the Old Madam, saying Third Sister had been selected as a talented, and tomorrow an imperial edict would arrive at their gate.

The Old Madam was stunned for a long while, seeming unable to comprehend Qingrong’s selection. In her mind, that child was unremarkable, born and raised inconsequentially. In terms of looks, she couldn’t compare to Qingyuan and Qingru; in terms of talent, she was inferior to Qinghe. Yet she had been selected, entered the palace, and would never come out again, only able to climb higher. The Old Madam reflected that she had never valued that child, and after her palace entry, suddenly felt very sorry for her.

However, overall, this was another ray of light after days of gloom. The eldest daughter was promised to a founding earl’s family, the fourth daughter was about to marry into the Danyang Marquis’s family, and the third daughter had entered the palace as a talent-female. Although the Xie family had the second daughter as a blemish, they could barely give an account to their ancestors. The Old Madam became happy again, stroking her knee: “Very well, tomorrow when the young marquis comes, we’ll settle the marriage. You’ve had a tiring day traveling between Youzhou and the capital. Go back and rest well. After you’re fully rested, everything can start anew.”

Qingyuan agreed and withdrew from the main hall, but despite talking about rest, she truly couldn’t rest well. She had countless dreams throughout the night. In the middle of the night, she reached under her pillow searching, but couldn’t find that small pouch. Suddenly awake, she remembered she had returned the jade pendant to him, and he would soon be engaged to another lady.

Sorrow welled up, her heart turning sour, so sour that sleep completely fled. The next day she woke with her head still foggy, but Li Congxin arrived early in the morning.

The main hall was crowded. Just after paying morning respects, before the madams and concubines from each household had dispersed, a servant from the hanging flower gate came to report that the young marquis was waiting outside. The Old Madam made a sound of acknowledgment, “It’s quite hot, quickly invite him in.”

Although Li Congxin was shocked by what had happened to the Xie family’s second miss, it didn’t shake his determination to marry the fourth miss. He made a deep bow to the Old Madam on her seat, “I followed Old Madam’s words and rested for a night, but today my heart remains the same as yesterday – I will marry none but Fourth Sister.”

Everyone present was pleased with this outcome, after all, given Fourth Miss’s background, marrying into a marquis’s family was already an enormous blessing. Only Madam Hu felt extremely awkward. Qingru had become neither human nor ghost, and her most valued Brother Chunzhi had probably figured out the truth by now. Before they might have still had a chance, but now their face was completely lost.

The Old Madam heaved a long sigh, “Since your noble household’s marquis and madam have the good intention to make this match, and the young marquis shows such sincerity, I have nothing more to say. It doesn’t matter that the master is away – I’ll make this decision. Let’s settle the engagement first, and when the master returns triumphantly, we can properly conduct the grand ceremony.”

Li Congxin was overjoyed and made another deep bow, “Thank you, Grandmother, for your blessing… Thank you, Madam and all the aunts and concubines.”

He truly was an endearing child. Everyone smiled, and Madam Jiang made an exclamation, teasing: “You’re already changing how you address us – shouldn’t we receive gifts for this?”

Qinghe had been standing with Qingyuan the whole time. Seeing the marriage settled, she smiled and cupped her hands toward her: “Congratulations, Fourth Sister. I’ve often hoped for this – now we’ll have companionship in the future.”

Qingyuan just smiled, having no particular attachment to this life-changing matter. Once it was settled, it was settled. But as a young lady discussing marriage, she naturally felt some embarrassment. She lowered her eyes, and in Li Congxin’s view, Fourth Miss remained graceful even in her shyness. His mother might not like her now, but after she enters their household, the whole family would naturally come to know her good qualities.

Previously when speaking with her, he had to be mindful of this and that, but now it was better – at least in the garden, they could walk side by side openly and properly.

He glanced at her, his suspended heart finally settling back in his stomach. He wasn’t unaware of her entanglement with Shen Run. Yesterday she went to the Palace Guard Command, and though he wasn’t entirely comfortable with it, he didn’t plan to pursue the matter further.

As for her, she didn’t intend to hide it from him, and honestly said: “I went to see Shen Run yesterday, does Third Young Master know?”

His heart felt more settled, and he made a sound of acknowledgment: “I heard about it.”

Qingyuan hesitated for a moment and said: “He had previously left something with me, I went to return it to him… now that Third Young Master knows, will you be unhappy?”

Li Congxin couldn’t help but laugh, “How could I be unhappy? You’re going to see him puts my mind at ease – I know Fourth Sister is determined to marry me, what more could I want! The only shortcoming is that you still call me Third Young Master. I want to hear you call me Brother Chunzhi. Even without our engagement, just based on my friendship with your brothers, it wouldn’t be improper for you to address me this way.”

His gaze was focused and profound. In the countless gentle days ahead, it would probably be this kind of moderate, soothing companionship.

Qingyuan’s round fan covered half her face, leaving only a pair of delicate eyes and brows visible. The young lady looked endearingly shy about changing how she addressed him, and the fan rose a bit higher until it covered her entire face. Behind the thin, golden-threaded gauze, a faint outline appeared, and the words “Brother Chunzhi” were spoken so sweetly it could melt one’s heart.

Li Congxin’s face inexplicably turned red. He had just come of age, and though he’d seen much of romance, his feelings for Qingyuan were unlike those for other ladies – his affection was mixed with reverence, not daring to show off or act rashly. Having sought this marriage through every possible means, he was naturally careful. Hearing those four words lingering between her lips, he suddenly felt all the hardships he’d endured over the past month were worth it. His passionate sincerity had been rewarded – this lady would soon be his.

However, the formal ceremony hadn’t yet been performed – this was the only thing lacking. He thought for a moment and said: “The situation at the frontier shouldn’t last too long. I originally wanted to formally engage today, but since the Old Madam has spoken, waiting for the Inspector’s triumphant return is also fine. I thought carefully yesterday – having me handle everything myself seems somewhat improper. Since we have ample time, I’ll bring my mother here, and then we can complete all six ceremonies at once, and then… we can marry.”

Marriage – Qingyuan heard that word and it still seemed distant. But a girl’s time as a maiden isn’t long; after coming of age, entering a husband’s household isn’t far off.

She said alright, “But it’s such a long journey, it would trouble your mother. Perhaps we don’t need to make such a grand affair of the ceremonies. Like when Big Sister married, her brothers gave her away – let’s do it like that.”

Hearing this, he didn’t insist, and vaguely said: “I’ll handle this matter, don’t worry.” The two walked side by side along the garden’s shaded path. After a few steps, he stopped and called “Fourth Sister.”

Qingyuan was puzzled, not knowing what he wanted to say, and looked at him questioningly. He tried to maintain composure, but couldn’t hide his smile, saying awkwardly: “I… I’m just so happy. I never dreamed I could marry you.”

Qingyuan couldn’t help but laugh, “I’m the one marrying above my station – I’m the one who should say I never dreamed of this.”

“No, no…” he hurriedly waved his hands, then gathered his courage and took her hand in his palm, saying with utmost sincerity, “I’ve never cared about your background, I care about you as a person. My family’s Old Madam also said your mother might have been wronged, it’s just that in these great households, some truths get buried, and as time passes, no one wants to uncover them anymore.”

Qingyuan heard this and felt very comforted, “Your family’s Old Madam must love you very much?”

Li Congxin smiled and said: “The older generation always shows more care. I grew up by my grandmother’s side when I was young – as she loves me, she will surely love you too in the future.”

But such love was all built upon him – the primary point was that she must be in his eyes.

The young marquis had led a smooth life, and though there were some complications with the marriage, it was finally arranged. As for the Xie family, after enduring Second Miss’s tribulation, things went smoothly afterward – the imperial edict appointing Third Miss as a talented arrived, and two days later the Founding Earl’s family sent their marriage date request, setting Eldest Miss’s wedding for the eighth day of the second month.

In Youzhou’s noble circles, all sorts of rumors spread quickly. When the Old Madam’s old friends occasionally visited, they praised the three sisters profusely, carefully avoiding any mention of Second Miss, as if she had disappeared, died. Even when the Old Madam tried to explain, whether intentionally or not, they showed no interest in playing along, their tongues rolling over the topic before moving on to other matters.

That day, the Prefect Mu family’s Old Madam came to visit, and after chatting about household matters for a while, they eventually discussed the palace selection. The Old Madam sighed: “When I saw your Second Miss that day, there wasn’t a single flaw about her. How did she end up not being selected?”

The Prefect’s Old Madam smiled and said: “It was simply not her fate. She’s been delicate since childhood, and we’ve raised her carefully to this age. To be honest, sister, if we sent her to the palace, I’d worry there would be no one to look after her. With the child away from us, I couldn’t be at ease.”

The Old Madam made a sound of acknowledgment, “That’s true, being delicate, it’s better to stay at home. Anyway, the young lady is beautiful, she won’t lack for high officials seeking her hand in the future.”

The Prefect’s Old Madam smiled at this, “Thank you for the kind words. As it happens, the Keqin Prince’s wife has acted as a matchmaker, coming to propose on behalf of the Palace Guard Commander. I initially thought, though the Shen family’s status is now illustrious, they’ve faced hardships in the past, and if something were to happen, there aren’t many relatives who could help. But thinking further, not having in-laws to serve might not be bad for a young lady. You and I have both been daughters-in-law – when a mother-in-law sets rules, it’s not like being at home, one must endure great hardships.” She laughed and continued, “I suppose I’m being selfish, but looking at it this way, it’s a good match. Our young lady has been pampered since childhood, she’s delicate and can’t endure hardship. With no one above to make things difficult, as long as the young couple gets along, it saves so much trouble. Moreover, the Palace Guard Command is a powerful office close to the Emperor – this marriage connection would benefit us too.”

The Old Madam responded vaguely, feeling some bitterness in her heart. But what could be done? A young lady couldn’t be promised to two households. Besides, the Danyang Marquis’s status was still higher than the Shen family’s – Fourth Miss being settled with the marquis’s household was truly not bad.

However, Fourth Miss probably wasn’t happy. The Old Madam instinctively looked for her, but she wasn’t there, presumably having returned to her courtyard! Just as she was about to send Yuequan to check, she caught sight of her through the flower window, speaking softly with Sister Qinghe about something, talking and laughing. The Old Madam couldn’t help but feel melancholy – Qingyuan truly possessed great wisdom and could maintain her composure. If one said there was nothing between her and Shen Run, it would be hard to believe, but she was determined to honor her promise to the young marquis, and when she said she would let go of Shen Run, she truly did.

Later, after seeing off the Prefect’s Old Madam, Qinghe and Qingyuan came in together to report. Qinghe said: “Grandmother, tomorrow there’s an East Bank evening banquet that all the noble ladies of Youzhou will attend. The Censor’s young lady invited me, and Madame Du invited Fourth Sister, so we’ve come to ask for your instructions – may we go?”

The Old Madam naturally knew about this banquet – just like the spring banquet at Hengtang, it was more an opportunity for young men and women to meet. Surely Lanshan and Chunzhi would be there, and since the children couldn’t often meet normally, what reason would she, as their grandmother, have to prevent it? She agreed, only instructing them to bring more serving maids and return early.

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