Chapter 36: The First Glimpse of Beauty Stirs Up Trouble (Part Three)

In Chuxiu’s eyes, Yunci had always been a man whose joy and anger rarely showed on his face. The only time she’d seen him display authority was before the Ming father and son—a moment that, at its core, was for her sake. So now, this stormy calm on Yunci’s face—was it for her again?

Chuxiu hadn’t yet grasped the reason, but saw Yun Zhong bid Yunci farewell with a smiling face as he left the study. As he passed her, he remarked with a meaningful smile, “Miss, you are indeed the one favored by the Marquis—so exquisitely perceptive.”

His words, vague and enigmatic, left Chuxiu uncertain, but since it was a compliment, she bowed slightly in thanks. Yun Zhong said nothing more and departed with a smile.

Chuxiu then gently knocked and entered. Yunci’s expression remained somber, no hint of his usual gentle smiles or words; it was a calm before a storm, unsettling and anxious. Chuxiu dared not ask, instead rolling up her sleeves to prepare ink. As she poured clear water into the inkstone, Yunci suddenly spoke, “No rush. I have something to ask you.” His gaze was steady, yet it pierced with sharpness, as though he sought to see through her thoughts. “Early this morning, my second brother came to ask for someone.”

Second Master Yunqi came to ask for someone? Chuxiu’s heart jolted—she could guess whom Yunci meant. Her lips pressed tight, she waited anxiously for him to continue.

“I didn’t agree,” Yunci said bluntly. “Though my brother is frivolous, he does respect me as his elder. I refused him, so he won’t trouble you again.”

At these words, Chuxiu’s heart instantly relaxed.

“In future, keep your distance from him. If you’re idle, don’t leave Zhiyan Pavilion.” Yunci sighed softly. “Your beauty seems more burden than blessing.”

His words struck right to her heart. Beautiful women rarely escape the fate of tragic beauty. It always comes down to that face—too enchanting, drawing too many men’s affections, only to lose herself among pursuers, unable to discern sincerity from deceit.

If only she were a little plainer, perhaps she could better see the true hearts of those who sought her.

Thinking this, Chuxiu sighed gently, full of melancholy.

But as her mind wandered, she glanced up to find Yunci’s gaze resting on her once more, deep and inscrutable. He suddenly asked, “Have you met Yun Zhong’s nephew?”

Yun Zhong’s nephew? Chuxiu recalled the young scholar, already managing the rice business of Huainan at such a tender age. Yet that day, Yun the steward had quietly switched the account books, fearing Yunci’s disapproval. If she told Yunci the truth now, it would seem petty, like tattling behind someone’s back.

But how did Yunci know about this? Chuxiu guessed—it must have been Second Master Yunqi who spoke of it. He’d seen the account book that day!

As she pondered, she began to grind ink, considering how to gloss over the matter. Soon, she dipped her brush and wrote, “I met the steward on the road.”

Yunci glanced at the written reply, asked nothing further, only paused in silence and said, “Today I’ll review the account books. Bamboo Shadow alone will suffice.”

She was being dismissed. Chuxiu sensed Yunci’s bad mood, but couldn’t tell if it was because of Yunqi’s request. She wanted to ask but feared she’d seem presumptuous, so she quietly bowed and withdrew to her own quarters.

None of the maids were present, except for Qingyun’s door, which stood open.

Chuxiu intended to greet her, but as the thought arose, Qingyun stepped out and said, “Steward Yun just left word: when you’re free, go see him.” Her tone was calm, neither warm nor cold.

No wonder Qingyun’s door was open—she’d been waiting to deliver the message. Chuxiu bowed in thanks; Qingyun nodded and returned to her room.

Chuxiu remembered what Danxin had said of Qingyun’s temperament and didn’t mind her aloofness. Now, with Steward Yun summoning her, she hurried away.

Yun Zhong, as the master of internal affairs for the Yun household, was no mere servant; he’d been the Old Marquis’s companion in youth. All the respected servants—like Bamboo Shadow—called him “Uncle Zhong.”

He had a separate courtyard in Yun Manor, smaller than the main family’s, yet still independent, with servants and maids at his disposal.

Chuxiu arrived at Yun Zhong’s residence, surprised to find the steward she’d met before was present. Shouldn’t he be in Huainan tending his business? She suppressed her questions and knocked lightly.

Both uncle and nephew greeted her warmly, especially the steward, his face tinged with a suspicious blush.

“Miss Chuxiu, you’ve come early. The Marquis allowed you out, did he?” Yun Zhong opened with a smile.

Chuxiu nodded, smiling.

Yun Zhong was delighted, glancing at his nephew, who stood awkwardly. He then said to Chuxiu, “My nephew is a promising young man, managing the foundation of Huainan’s business, never shy in public. Yet before someone like you, he’s speechless.”

Chuxiu smiled faintly, recognizing the polite flattery.

Yun Zhong turned to his nephew, “Go see what your aunt is working on. I’d like a private word with the young lady.”

The steward nodded eagerly and fled to the back courtyard.

Once he’d gone, Yun Zhong looked at Chuxiu with a meaningful smile and asked, “The Marquis agreed, then?”

Agreed to what? Chuxiu was confused.

“At this hour, shouldn’t you be in Qinxin Studio serving ink and brush? If the Marquis let you come see me, he must have agreed.” Yun Zhong mused aloud.

Chuxiu was even more perplexed.

Seeing her confusion, Yun Zhong thought she was embarrassed and laughed, “No need to worry, my nephew is capable and will treat you well.”

Chuxiu was finally stunned. Did he mean…

Yun Zhong noticed her oddness and frowned, “What’s wrong? The Marquis hasn’t mentioned anything?”

“What?” Chuxiu mouthed silently.

Yun Zhong pondered, then shed his smile, “My nephew, since seeing you once, has been lovesick. He begged me to ask the Marquis for your hand. I couldn’t refuse his heart, so this morning I went to Qinxin Studio to see the Marquis…”

Anything Yun Zhong said after that faded from Chuxiu’s ears; that single phrase “ask for your hand” had shocked her utterly. No wonder Yunci had been so grim this morning, and asked if she’d met the steward’s nephew.

So that was it.

Now understanding the cause and effect, Chuxiu felt unsettled. Yunci had openly told her about Second Master’s request, but why had he not mentioned the steward’s proposal?

Did he deem it unimportant? Or was he undecided? She recalled Yunci’s ambiguous silence this morning—perhaps he was truly weighing it.

When Yunci persuaded her to come to Fangzhou, he’d said, “I can teach you poetry, accounting, household management. Later, I will find you a good match.”

It was not an empty promise. He’d taught her the household arts; now, he’d found a good match with such speed.

Even if the proposal wasn’t Yunci’s initiative, without the Yun family’s name, how could she—a mute girl—catch the eye of Yun Zhong’s nephew?

The steward, young as he was, managed the rice business of Huainan, overseeing a whole province—six counties, seventy-two rice shops, and thousands of acres. Such a position required more than family ties; surely Yunci had recognized his abilities.

As she analyzed quietly, Chuxiu’s feelings grew even more complex, as if she’d spilled a bottle of mixed spices—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty—all rushing forth. Her smile felt forced, though she wondered if the steward could see through it.

“Miss Chuxiu, rest assured. My nephew is steady and not frivolous. His father died early, entrusted him to me, and I’ve worried over his marriage these years. None has caught his eye—until you opened his heart.”

Yun Zhong tried to persuade Chuxiu, then added, “I swear on my honor, my nephew’s character and ability are beyond reproach. If you marry him, regardless of your throat illness, he’ll treat you well. You have won the Marquis’s favor, brought all the way from Fangzhou; you must be remarkable, and I commend my nephew’s taste.”

But by then, Chuxiu heard nothing. She was absorbed in pondering Yunci’s intentions. Would he agree? Why hadn’t he told her? Did he think she unworthy of the steward? Or the steward unworthy of her?

Her heart grew uneasy and anxious, tormented by uncertainty.

Yun Zhong, shrewd from decades managing the Yun household, noticed her silence and tentatively asked, “Since the Marquis hasn’t mentioned it, let me boldly ask—would you be willing?”

At his question, Chuxiu nearly uttered a “no,” but just then, the steward returned from the back courtyard, saying, “Uncle, I’d like to speak privately with Miss Chuxiu.”

Yun Zhong glanced at her, saw no objection, and left smiling, allowing the two young people to talk alone.

The steward saw Chuxiu’s calm, delicate face and was so captivated he stammered, “Forgive my boldness, miss… After seeing you that day… I promise I’ll treat you well.”

Chuxiu remained unmoved, thinking for a moment, then dipped her finger in dew on a leaf and wrote slowly on the stone table, “I am mute.”

This was a gentle refusal, yet the steward was undeterred, replying, “It doesn’t matter. I am not a talkative man, either.”

Chuxiu frowned slightly, then wrote clearly, “I am unworthy.”

“Why?” The steward frowned at her words, pressing, “What does worthiness matter? You are the Marquis’s attendant; to us, you are like a fairy…”

Fairy? Chuxiu smiled bitterly.

The steward, seeing her expression, pondered and then seemed to realize something, “You mean… Well, I understand. With your beauty, serving beside the Marquis…”

His words trailed off, but Chuxiu understood. He assumed she had been intimate with Yunci.

In that instant, Chuxiu was overwhelmed with shame and anger. True, she came from a troubled past, not pure, but Yunci’s noble bearing and upright nature should never be sullied by such assumptions!

Her face flushed with indignation, nearly erupting.

The steward mistook her blush for embarrassment at being exposed and hastily reassured, “Miss, rest assured—I genuinely admire you. Such matters are of no consequence.”

As he spoke, he reached to take her hands, intending to comfort her. Chuxiu, caught off guard, found her hands seized and was even more mortified. Just as she tried to pull away, a voice sounded from the courtyard entrance, “Miss Chuxiu.”

She turned to see Bamboo Shadow, awkwardly clearing his throat. In front of him, Yunci sat in his wheelchair, gazing at her with cold, deep eyes.