Chapter 12: Reunion with the Banished Immortal in the Eastern Garden

The next morning, Han Chu made her way to the Eastern Courtyard.

No sooner had she stepped outside the gates of her own quarters than she caught sight of Cha Cha waiting for her.

“Good morning, sister. The young marquis ordered me to escort you to the Eastern Courtyard,” Cha Cha greeted her with a radiant smile, seemingly genuine and free from artifice.

Han Chu chose to ignore the woman and strode straight through the threshold.

Cha Cha, unperturbed, continued to smile as she walked beside Han Chu.

The two proceeded side by side toward the Eastern Courtyard. When the gate came faintly into view, Cha Cha leaned close to Han Chu’s ear and whispered with a laugh, “Thanks to you, the young marquis spent the night at my place again.”

Han Chu lowered her gaze with an expressionless face, still refusing to pay her any mind.

Cha Cha, rebuffed twice, remained cheerful. As they reached the courtyard gates, she warmly reminded Han Chu, “Sister, you must serve the distinguished guest well. Don’t let them look down upon those beside the young marquis.”

She gathered her sleeves and covered her face, giggling softly as she lowered her voice, “I heard there’s a cripple in the Eastern Courtyard. Do be careful. If you serve well, you may not need to return.”

Han Chu briskly withdrew her delicate hand from Cha Cha’s grasp and cast her a cold glance, as if to draw a clear boundary.

It was merely an ordinary look, yet it sent an inexplicable shiver down Cha Cha’s spine. Still, her mood was excellent today, and she took no offense, guiding Han Chu into the Eastern Courtyard.

Greenery stretched endlessly, mountains and waters nestled together, the eye was greeted by the gleam of glassy roof tiles, eaves soaring and clouds embraced by white ridges, all unfolding in a sequence both deep and expansive.

Such a secluded courtyard made Han Chu feel utterly cut off from the world.

Cha Cha was about to seek out Steward Yun to hand over Han Chu when she bumped into Dan Xin.

“Who permitted you to enter unannounced?” Dan Xin, cradling a stack of ancient books that concealed most of her face, revealed only a pair of sparkling eyes glowering at Cha Cha, clearly displeased.

Cha Cha, somewhat embarrassed, quickly offered a placating smile, “Please don’t blame me, miss. I’m merely delivering someone to you. The young marquis instructed me to bring her to Steward Yun.”

On hearing this, Dan Xin paid little attention to Han Chu, addressing Cha Cha coldly, “Hand her over to me. You may leave now. Don’t ever come to the Eastern Courtyard again, even if the young marquis commands it!”

A mere maid so haughty—she’s no royal! Cha Cha inwardly grumbled, but her face betrayed nothing. She departed with a sheepish smile.

Dan Xin watched the graceful red figure leave through the gate before turning her attention to Han Chu.

With just a glance, a phrase flashed through Dan Xin’s mind—

A fleeting glimpse of a beauty.

As the first rays of summer sun rose, Dan Xin beheld a face of unparalleled beauty, skin radiant and white, bringing an inexplicable coolness to the sweltering morning.

Dan Xin had never known a woman could possess both allure and liveliness, two contrasting qualities harmonized in the girl before her—elegant as spring’s gentle light, vibrant as summer’s fiery hues.

There was no need to describe her exquisite features; the girl’s entire presence was perfectly balanced, neither too bold nor too subdued, neither too deep nor too light. Even under the city’s dazzling sunlight, she was not outshone.

Dan Xin stared at Han Chu, clutching her books, unable to tear her eyes away for a moment.

Han Chu, meanwhile, felt awkward under Dan Xin’s gaze and responded only with a gentle smile and a respectful bow. She found herself drawn to the girl with the armful of books, having just witnessed Dan Xin’s stern words to Cha Cha.

Han Chu admitted she was somewhat petty. But as the old saying goes—

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

At that moment, Dan Xin came to herself again. She saw Han Chu’s modest salute and responded with a casual curtsy, smiling, “It’s not easy to bow with all these books. Please don’t mind.”

Han Chu shook her head to show she didn’t care, then reached out to help.

This gesture immediately won Dan Xin’s favor. Her arm was indeed growing tired, so without hesitation, she handed half the ancient books to Han Chu, saying, “You really are beautiful—no wonder the young marquis keeps you close.”

Han Chu flushed slightly and pressed her lips together in silence.

Only then did Dan Xin recall what Shen Yu had said yesterday: the new maidservant could not speak. Such a stunning beauty, yet mute—a pang of regret touched Dan Xin’s heart.

Heaven is rarely generous: it blessed this woman with extraordinary beauty, yet took away her voice. In a way, this mute girl shared the same fate as Dan Xin’s master.

With this thought, Dan Xin realized they had lingered for quite some time. She smiled openly and led Han Chu toward the steward’s quarters, saying as they walked, “Let’s report to Steward Yun first. Sister Qian Yun will soon leave the capital, and you’ll take over her duties.”

Han Chu nodded lightly, her face showing a hint of nervousness.

Dan Xin laughed, “Don’t worry. The master is straightforward and never harsh. I’ve served him for years and never seen him lose his temper. Just serve him with care.”

She paused midway, then added, “My name is Dan Xin—Dan as in gentle, Xin as in heart. What’s your name?”

Han Chu was stunned. Her name? Indeed, she was a nameless, rootless person. Han Chu was dead in this world; she was an orphan without knowledge of her parents, and now, she didn’t even have a name.

She simply shook her head.

This time, Dan Xin was at a loss. She knew the mute beauty was an orphan purchased by Shen Yu, but did she not even have a name?

Dan Xin recalled Cha Cha’s smug and insincere demeanor. Surely, this mute girl must have suffered much in the Western Courtyard. She couldn’t help but complain about Shen Yu, “The young marquis should have given you a name! So much for his supposed charm.”

She replaced her complaint with a bright smile, her eyes glimmering with reverence. “Don’t feel bad. My master is remarkably learned; he’ll surely give you a fine name. Both my name and Sister Qian Yun’s were chosen by him.”

Qian Yun, Dan Xin… Han Chu silently recited these names in her heart, sensing the refined spirit of the one who named them.

Indeed, they sounded like names bestowed by the white-robed gentleman—light and gentle, yet lingering pleasantly on the tongue.

As they talked, the two unknowingly arrived at the steward’s courtyard. Dan Xin introduced Han Chu to Steward Yun, and as expected, saw the astonishment on the steward’s face.

Judging by appearance and temperament, this mute girl was more than suited to be a maidservant, and would not disgrace the master’s status or character. Dan Xin mused as she took the books from Han Chu and headed to the study.

*****

“Master, the ancient books you requested have all been aired out.” Dan Xin placed the stack of books on the small desk and stretched her aching arms.

At that moment, Yun Ci was writing at his desk. He stopped and glanced at Dan Xin, “So many books—carrying them alone wasn’t easy.”

“If I’d carried them by myself, my arms would have broken…” Dan Xin grumbled, then smiled, “On the way, I met the mute girl from the Western Courtyard. She helped me.”

Yun Ci merely replied with a quiet “Hm,” and resumed his writing, saying, “Don’t bully her just because she’s new.”

“Do you think I only bully people, Master? She offered to help herself.” Dan Xin hastily explained, “With her looks, I pity her more than anything!”

“Oh? The sharp-tongued Miss Dan Xin can feel pity?” Yun Ci teased without lifting his head, “Has the sun risen in the west?”

Dan Xin snorted indignantly and moved closer to Yun Ci’s desk, saying playfully, “Master, that mute girl is truly beautiful—even I can’t help but admire her.”

“Is that so?” Yun Ci’s brush didn’t pause, his response casual.

“Yes!” Dan Xin observed her master’s indifferent manner and suddenly lost the urge to speak. She knew well he had no interest in women; no matter how ethereal their beauty, he never spared them a glance.

She remembered how Sister Qian Yun once asked him about it, and he had replied, calm and clear—

“Beauty is but a shell.”

From then on, Dan Xin and Qian Yun ceased discussing appearances. Indeed, if one spoke of physical beauty, how many in the world could match their master? Yet whenever she thought of the Yun family’s lack of heirs and the matriarch’s anxious face, Dan Xin also grew worried.

But her master’s marriage was beyond even the matriarch’s influence; as servants, they had little right to intervene.

Dan Xin was lost in thought when she saw Steward Yun appear at the doorway, bowing respectfully toward the room, “Master, the girl from the Western Courtyard has arrived and awaits your greeting.”

“Let her in.” Yun Ci finally set down his brush and looked up toward the door.