Zhu Yu – Chapter 67

Suí Yuánhuái scrutinized the child who had suddenly burst in. The boy didn’t resemble him much, but when Aunt Lán first saw the child, she said he was the spitting image of Suí Yuánhuái as a young boy.

Suí Yuánhuái couldn’t remember what he looked like as a child. His only memories were of the searing pain from the fire and the disfiguring scars it left behind.

He propped his head on one hand, looking coldly at the nervous child standing in the doorway. “Father? Who permitted you to call me that?”

Yú Bǎo’ér’s grip on his calligraphy practice sheets tightened, clearly at a loss. His clear black and white eyes looked at the man sitting in the high seat wearing a large cloak, not knowing what else to call him. He decided to remain silent, pressing his lips together slightly, looking both obedient and pitiful.

He had traveled south with his mother, but their caravan was intercepted halfway by a group of Black Armor Guards.

That was also the first day he saw this man. Snow fell like cotton, and he leaned sickly in a carriage surrounded by Black Armor Guards. His hand, pale from prolonged illness, parted the carriage curtain, his eyes staring gloomily at the mother and son, with a hint of cruelty and the anticipation of impending revenge.

He was very afraid of this person, and his mother seemed even more frightened, trembling slightly as she held him.

From that day on, he never saw his mother again.

He was brought here but wasn’t punished. Someone took care of his meals and daily needs, but whenever he asked about his mother, the servants were tight-lipped. Only one nanny who was fond of him dared to reveal a little information about his mother.

That nanny said this man was his father, and if he behaved well and pleased him, he would let him see his mother.

Yú Bǎo’ér had been very well-behaved since arriving here, but they never mentioned letting him see his mother. A couple of days ago, Yú Bǎo’ér finally broke down crying and refused to eat, trying to protest.

In the end, only an unfamiliar man came. He said if Yú Bǎo’ér studied hard and did well in his lessons, he might be able to see his mother.

He did as he was told, and sure enough, today he was taken out of his courtyard for the first time since arriving here.

Suí Yuánhuái looked at Yú Bǎo’ér’s timid appearance with contempt. His gaze fell on the calligraphy sheets clutched in the boy’s hands. “I heard someone’s been teaching you calligraphy. Bring it here for me to see.”

Just sitting there, his entire being seemed steeped in endless gloom, instilling fear in others.

Yú Bǎo’ér was also afraid, but he still determinedly took small steps towards him.

The part of him that most resembled Yú Qiànqiàn was probably his eyes – black and round, with slightly downturned corners, looking gentle and harmless, and somehow pitiable.

When Suí Yuánhuái saw Yú Bǎo’ér approaching, his expression faltered slightly. For a moment, he seemed to see through the boy to that woman who never gave up the idea of escaping, even when pregnant.

She was so weak that he could have crushed her with one finger, but no matter how he punished her, she never learned her lesson. Given the chance, she would still run away without hesitation.

Like a captive deer, always longing to return to the forest.

Suí Yuánhuái came back to his senses when Yú Bǎo’ér shoved the calligraphy sheets in front of his eyes. His expression, for some reason, grew even darker. His pale, thin fingers flipped through the sheets one by one, making Yú Bǎo’ér nervously clutch the hem of his clothes.

After a moment, he tossed aside Yú Bǎo’ér’s carefully written sheets like waste paper, sneering coldly, “What kind of writing is this? The characters are as soft as if they have no bones. Do it again.”

Yú Bǎo’ér looked at the large characters he had written so carefully in hopes of seeing his mother, his eyes reddening, but he still didn’t speak.

Soon, an attendant entered silently, setting up a small table with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The entire process was carried out almost without a sound.

The servants in the courtyard all knew of Suí Yuánhuái’s mercurial temper and always served him with the utmost caution, not daring to let their guard down for a moment.

Yú Bǎo’ér seemed a bit at a loss seeing all this. Suí Yuánhuái, sitting behind the writing desk, half-opened his eyes to glance at him and said coldly, “Practice here.”

Yú Bǎo’ér summoned the courage to ask, “If I write well, can I see my mother?”

Suí Yuánhuái’s smile grew even more sarcastic. “Who taught you to say such things to me?”

Tears welled up in Yú Bǎo’ér’s eyes, but he stubbornly held them back, saying, “No one taught me. I just miss my mother.”

Suí Yuánhuái picked up a bamboo scroll from the table and said coldly, “Go practice your writing. If you cry again, you’ll never see her in this lifetime.”

When Yú Bǎo’ér obediently went to the low table to practice writing, his small body was turned sideways to him. He struggled to grip the brush that was thicker than his fingers. Tears fell onto the paper, creating small water stains. Afraid of being discovered, Yú Bǎo’ér didn’t dare to wipe his tears or make any sobbing sounds. He only slowed his breathing, crying silently.

He thought he had hidden it well, but the man sitting in the high seat saw all his little movements. He lowered his eyes, a shadow crossing his gaze.

He disliked this child, not only because that woman didn’t know her place, but also because the child’s existence seriously threatened his position.

Compared to a sickly person who couldn’t leave his medicine and couldn’t practice martial arts, a healthy but young child who was easy to control seemed the better choice in every way.

The closer the Zhào family mother and son got to this child, the more wary he became.

Years ago, to survive, he had endured the pain of being burned, leaving him with chronic health issues.

Later, to be able to appear in public, he underwent countless inhuman tortures, slowly replacing the burned skin on his body. The pain of skin peeling was a torment only the dead should know, yet he had experienced it while alive.

He had struggled so hard to survive; anyone who dared to stand in his way should just die!

Thinking this, his expression grew increasingly fierce. The hand gripping the bamboo scroll tightened so much that his ghostly white knuckles seemed about to snap.

A maid came in to serve tea, and unexpectedly caught sight of his expression. She let out a short scream of fright, spilling the tea. As the cup shattered on the ground, the maid’s face had turned deathly pale. She prostrated herself on the ground, trembling as she begged, “Young Master… please spare me…”

Suí Yuánhuái deeply despised servants looking at him with such terrified expressions, as if they’d seen a ghost. His thin lips curled up, but the words he spoke were cold and bloodthirsty: “Drag her out and beat her to death!”

People quickly entered, and the maid barely had time to cry out before her mouth was gagged and she was taken away. The whole process was quiet and swift, like a silent shadow puppet show.

Yú Bǎo’ér sat at the low table where he was practicing calligraphy, staring blankly at this scene. Ink dripped from the tip of his brush onto the paper, staining the sheet of characters he had almost finished.

The person sitting behind the writing desk coldly observed his pale little face and suddenly said maliciously, “If you don’t behave, your mother will meet the same fate as her.”

Yú Bǎo’ér was frightened. The day he returned from practicing calligraphy in Suí Yuánhuái’s study, he fell ill for several days, crying out for his mother in his nightmares.

Lán, who had escaped from the Eastern Palace years ago, had married a wealthy merchant to develop Suí Yuánhuái’s external influence. She wasn’t by his side when Suí Yuánhuái’s burns were most severe. Seeing Yú Bǎo’ér reminded her of the young prince she had cared for back then, filling her heart with pity. She begged to go before Suí Yuánhuái, hoping to let Yú Bǎo’ér see his mother once, but only received a sarcastic response from Suí Yuánhuái: “Beating a maid to death frightened him into illness? Aunt Lán, have you forgotten? When I was his age, I had just gone through the Eastern Palace fire.”

Looking at the cold smile spreading in Suí Yuánhuái’s pitch-black eyes, Lán ultimately didn’t dare to plead for Yú Bǎo’ér again.

Three days later, Yú Bǎo’ér slowly began to recover, but his personality had become very withdrawn. He didn’t like to talk and hardly interacted with anyone. The only thing he insisted on doing every day without fail was practicing calligraphy.

Lán, fearing the child had been traumatized, ordered the servants to find some clever children to be playmates for Yú Bǎo’ér.

Yu Bao’er still ignored the other children, focusing solely on her tasks.

When Zhao Xun was in Qingping County, he had been ordered to monitor Yu Qianqian’s every move. Knowing that Yu Qianqian and her son had connections with the Fan family, he boldly suggested to Madam Lan, “Why don’t we bring over the Fan family’s youngest daughter? Perhaps she could get Yu Bao’er to start talking?”

Madam Lan hesitated visibly. “That child is now known publicly as the daughter of Marquis Wu’an. She’s under strict guard by the Wang family. How could we bring her here as a playmate for the young master?”

Zhao Xun replied, “The heir is close to His Highness, and by extension, he’s fond of the young master. Mother, how can we know if the heir would disagree unless we try?”

Madam Lan exchanged a glance with her son and said, “Xun’er, even if it’s for the young master’s benefit, we must first ask His Highness.”

Zhao Xun suddenly lowered his head. “I was just worried about the young master’s well-being and acted hastily.”

Madam Lan said, “The entire Zhao family’s foundation now rests in your hands. Your decisions affect the survival of our entire clan. Don’t be foolish.”

Zhao Xun respectfully replied, “I will heed Mother’s teachings.”

When Madam Lan once again sought an audience with Sui Yuanhuai, she found him eating with unusual enthusiasm, despite his typically poor appetite. The attendants standing nearby tasted each dish before he would touch his chopsticks.

Madam Lan glanced at the strange dishes on the table and knew they must have been made by Concubine Yu. That woman, who appeared as pliable as dough, had an unexpectedly stubborn personality. Madam Lan had tried to subdue her in the past but failed to soften her disposition.

Now, she was suddenly trying to curry favor with Sui Yuanhuai, likely because she had heard about Yu Bao’er’s illness and wanted to use this opportunity to see the child.

As for how the news had reached Concubine Yu in her tightly guarded quarters, it was the doing of the man before her.

Madam Lan frowned. She still couldn’t fathom Sui Yuanhuai’s true feelings towards Concubine Yu. Back when his health was deteriorating, fearing the worst, she had chosen several concubines for him.

Sui Yuanhuai understood her intentions. Despite his disgust, he had to choose one to bear an heir to continue his bloodline.

Madam Lan sometimes thought that it was probably from that moment that Sui Yuanhuai stopped trusting her completely.

But if given the chance again, she would still do the same. As the confidante of the Crown Princess, if the Imperial Grandson were to pass away, she would do whatever it took to ensure he left behind some offspring to continue their quest for vengeance. Only then could she face the spirit of the Crown Princess in heaven.

Among that batch of concubines, Sui Yuanhuai had ignored all the beautiful and charming ones, choosing only the timid and obedient Concubine Yu.

However, likely frightened by his unpredictable temper, Concubine Yu, already naturally timid, became dazed and confused after serving him. She later fell seriously ill, and people in the manor secretly gossiped that it was due to Sui Yuanhuai’s frightening nature.

Sui Yuanhuai dealt with those who gossiped and wanted to dispose of Concubine Yu as well. But when the physician examined her, they discovered she was with a child.

This saved Concubine Yu’s life, but after recovering from her illness, her personality seemed to have changed completely. Outwardly obedient, she harbored many thoughts in private. She would seize any opportunity to run away, and when caught and brought back, no matter how angry Sui Yuanhuai became, she would only focus on ensuring her comfort to the greatest extent possible.

When she suffered from severe morning sickness, she would concoct her food in the small kitchen. Even when confined, she would eat and drink as she pleased, taking good care of herself without the slightest self-neglect. And when she saw an opportunity, she would disappear like a rabbit again.

A few years ago, when Concubine Yu successfully escaped while seven months pregnant, she had coaxed Sui Yuanhuai into staying at a country estate for a while to relax. She cooked but drugged the food, incapacitating everyone at the estate. Then she fled with her maid and a guard, taking her gold and silver jewelry with her.

When Sui Yuanhuai woke up, he nearly destroyed the entire estate in his rage. Although he kept cursing her as merely a lowly maid, he mobilized almost all his men to search for her. This search lasted five or six years before they finally found her in a small place like Linan Town.

Madam Lan had thought that after capturing Concubine Yu and her child, given his temperament, he would probably kill the mother and keep the child. But he only kept them separated and confined, neither mistreating them nor inquiring about them, except for the occasional sarcastic remark. It seemed there was nothing else, leaving Madam Lan unable to gauge his true thoughts.

As Sui Yuanhuai ate, he noticed Madam Lan standing beside him, hesitating to speak for quite some time. He asked, “Does Aunt Lan have something to discuss with me?”

Madam Lan wasn’t sure if it was wise to bring up Yu Bao’er’s matter at this moment, but she pressed on, “The young master’s condition still hasn’t improved. I heard from Xun’er that Concubine Yu was on good terms with the Fan family in Qingping County. I dare to suggest… since the Fan family’s youngest daughter is currently in our manor, perhaps… we could temporarily let her be a playmate for the young master? It might help improve his condition.”

Sui Yuanhuai didn’t believe Chang Ning would survive to return. Perhaps because he had enjoyed a satisfactory meal, his mood was relatively good. Not wanting to fulfill that woman’s wish to see her son so quickly, he pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “If Aunt Lan has already made up her mind, just go ask Qingdi.”

As she left the room, Madam Lan still found it hard to believe that Sui Yuanhuai seemed much more agreeable today than usual.

When Sui Yuanqing brought Chang Ning back to Prince Changxin’s manor, he carelessly handed her over to the servants, instructing them to watch her carefully and just make sure the child didn’t starve or freeze to death. When Madam Lan, using Sui Yuanhuai’s name, said she wanted to find a playmate for Yu Bao’er, Sui Yuanqing agreed without asking a single question.

Led by an old woman, Madam Lan went to fetch Chang Ning. When they opened the door to the woodshed, they found a little girl huddled in a pile of straw. She looked like she hadn’t been groomed for days, with messy hair tied in a disheveled topknot and a dirty face. Her cheeks were reddened from the cold, but her eyes were strikingly bright and clear, gazing at them with the wariness of a deer.

Having come from the palace, Madam Lan had seen countless beauties in her lifetime. Upon seeing this little girl, she was momentarily surprised. This child would undoubtedly grow up to be a rare beauty.

In Jizhou, Fan Changyu kicked open the door guarded by bandits, her black iron cleaver sending sparks flying as she struck the lock, which fell to the ground.

The officials behind her, still catching their breath, called out, “Miss, don’t run so fast! There are many bandits ahead…”

Their words trailed off as they saw the bandits lying on the ground, moaning in pain.

Ignoring the late-arriving officials, Fan Changyu entered the dark dungeon. She picked up the children who had been drugged into a daze, calling out Chang Ning’s name as she examined each one.

In recent days, Jizhou City has experienced several cases of children being kidnapped or snatched. The investigating officials said it was a gang of child traffickers taking advantage of the chaos to abduct children.

Worried that Chang Ning might have been taken by these traffickers, Fan Changyu had been accompanying the officials to raid their hideouts, clinging to a glimmer of hope.

Although she hadn’t found Chang Ning, her reputation for wielding a butcher’s knife and slaughtering enemies had spread. Every time they destroyed a den trafficking children or women, she would be at the forefront, killing enemies with remarkable bravery. Since she wasn’t an official, the government could only reward her with large sums of money.

Fan Changyu watched as her purse grew heavier with banknotes day by day, but there was still no news of Chang Ning, leaving her increasingly anxious.

After interrogating the traffickers, she learned that some children had already been sold to different prefectures. Fan Changyu made note of any girls matching Chang Ning’s description. She left half of the banknotes with Madam Zhao and, carrying the other half along with several butcher knives, set out to search for Chang Ning across several major prefectures.

To facilitate the search, officials suggested she have someone draw a portrait of Chang Ning.

It was then that Fan Changyu remembered they already had a ready-made portrait drawn by the scholar during the New Year, which she had framed and hung in her and Chang Ning’s room.

When she returned home to look for it, she turned the house upside down but couldn’t find the portrait.

Previously, Fan Changyu had been too preoccupied with various matters to think about the portrait. Now that it had vanished without a trace, she suddenly became alert.

The portrait wasn’t the work of a famous artist, so who would specifically come to steal it?

Moreover, after the massacre by the Qingfeng Stronghold, Linan Town had essentially become a ghost town. Hardly anyone would come to this town, and even if thieves were looking for valuables, they would target the wealthy households, not the poor families in the western part of the city.

After much contemplation, Fan Changyu realized that the only person who could have taken the portrait was that bastard who had likely returned after she had held him captive, intending to ambush the person hidden in the dry well!

The portrait showed herself, Chang Ning, and Yan Zheng. Outsiders could easily mistake them for a family.

After all the people from Qingfeng Stronghold were captured, only that bastard and a female bandit escaped. Could it be that they had kidnapped Chang Ning based on that portrait, intending to seek revenge on her?

Fan Changyu thought that since Jizhou was no longer a haven for that bastard, and he had originally been an official from Chongzhou, he might have fled back there.

With a direction for her search, she bought a horse that very day and set off towards Chongzhou, making inquiries along the way.