Chapter 40: Gather the Blossoms While They Bloom (Part One)

Three days passed, and still Yun Ci had not returned to the Yun household. Instead, one of the guards who had accompanied him sent back a letter, saying that the Marquis, taking only Zhuying and a few others, had insisted on leaving the city in search of a remedy for the epidemic.

When this news arrived, the Dowager exploded in fury and worry. She immediately summoned the Second Master, Yun Qi, instructing him to take men out of the city and, at all costs, bring Yun Ci back.

Yun Qi appeared reluctant as he received his orders in the Dowager's chambers. At such a time, no one wished to leave Yanlan City, for fear of contracting the plague and losing their lives. The Second Madam, listening in nearby, dared not say a word; she only had a physician prepare many medicinal herbs in secret, instructing Yun Qi to take them on the road, just in case.

A faint sense of panic settled over the Yun household, all because of the Dowager. This matriarch, who had been the very pillar of the Yun family, single-handedly supporting them for over a decade after her widowhood, remained one of the clan’s core figures. Her anxiety and anger sent ripples through the entire family.

For the moment, the epidemic seemed an overwhelming force, so much so that even the Yun family was powerless before it.

Had anyone been asked about Yun Qi’s usual habits, they would have called him a libertine, a man given to drink and pleasure—at least, that was always Chu Xiu’s impression. But to her surprise, Yun Qi, after leaving the city with his men, returned just two days later with news that Yun Ci had been found. Chu Xiu was astonished.

Yet the messenger carrying this news never made it past the city gates; he died just outside, but not before relaying the information to the city guards with his last breath.

Steward Yun Zhong had the body prepared and cremated, hoping to keep the plague from entering the city. Even so, the Dowager decreed that no one in the Yun household was to leave the premises. She boiled medicinal concoctions, and regardless of their efficacy, ordered everyone in the house to drink three bowls a day, as if it were their daily meal.

Another two days passed before Yun Ci and his brother returned to Yanlan City. Yun Ci did not immediately return home but went instead to a separate villa to continue researching remedies for the epidemic. Yun Qi, however, swaggered back in high spirits, making sure to praise himself before the Dowager.

“Mother, you may not know, but as for finding people, I have no equal,” Yun Qi boasted, radiating self-satisfaction.

“Oh? And how did you manage it? Tell us,” the Dowager inquired with a gentle smile, her expression full of pleasure. Though she spoke thus, she seemed neither curious nor surprised, as if she had already anticipated Yun Qi’s success.

Yun Qi only grinned and replied mysteriously, “That’s my secret method, I can’t share it with you.”

The Dowager did not press further. Instead, she asked, “Did everyone undergo examination before entering the house? Did you or your brother show any symptoms?”

“Elder brother examined us himself, and only let me return after confirming none of us had contracted the epidemic,” Yun Qi reported.

The Dowager nodded. “You’ve worked hard these days. Go and rest.” She then turned to Hua Shi, Yun Qi’s mother. “He’s had a difficult time—go look after him in his quarters for a couple of days.”

Hearing this, the Second Madam, Hua Shi, was overjoyed, offering her thanks again and again before leaving with Yun Qi.

In the Marquis’s household, sons were always raised by their birth mothers, unless she lost that right due to some fault. This practice differed from other great houses, giving the family a warmer touch, but also underscoring the status and authority of the legitimate heir.

Because of this centuries-old custom, Yun Qi had always been raised by Hua Shi, and Yun Xian by his mother, Wen Shi. At thirteen, each received their own servants and moved into separate quarters. After that, mother and son could no longer be too close—especially, the son could not spend the night in his mother’s chambers unless granted permission by the principal wife.

It was only after Chu Xiu arrived at the Dowager’s Rongjin Hall that she learned of this rule. Within the gardens, there was a smaller courtyard, elegantly but simply furnished, which had always stood empty. On inquiry, she learned from Mama Chi that Yun Ci had lived there as a child.

With this in mind, Chu Xiu began to doubt Yun Qi’s current way of life. He was, without question, the most dissipated of the Yun brothers—a striking anomaly in a household famed for its strict discipline and high reputation.

But if Yun Qi had truly been raised by Hua Shi, how could his mother have allowed his reckless behavior to go unchecked? There could be only three explanations: either Hua Shi deliberately indulged him, or she loved him to the point of spoiling, or Yun Qi’s conduct was but a façade…

Chu Xiu remained in the Dowager’s garden for seven days. On the morning of the eighth, after serving the Dowager her breakfast, she was asked to stay behind.

The Dowager had Mama Chi present her with a string of ancient sandalwood prayer beads, then said, “You have served well these days. Today, the Marquis returns home—go back to Zhiyan Pavilion and prepare to greet him.”

Yun Ci was coming back! Chu Xiu suppressed her delight, lowered her gaze, and accepted the gift.

The Dowager smiled kindly and turned to Mama Chi. “She’s so clever—no wonder the Marquis brought her all this way. In the future, when Zhiyan Pavilion has a true mistress, she’ll be able to take on real responsibilities.”

At these words, it felt as if fire had ignited in Chu Xiu’s palms, the beads scorching hot. She forced a smile to hide her discomfort, bowed three times to the Dowager, thanked Mama Chi, and left the hall.

On her way out, she ran into Yun Qi and Steward Yun Zhong. Yun Qi was instructing the steward about something, but Chu Xiu, distracted and preoccupied, barely heard a word and simply offered a polite greeting.

Yun Qi’s expression was strangely thoughtful, as if he had come to some sudden realization. Yun Zhong, on the other hand, was cordial, nodding to Chu Xiu before resuming his duties.

Unbothered, Chu Xiu made her way back to Zhiyan Pavilion.

Yun Ci returned to the Yun residence at noon, having reportedly found a remedy to prevent the epidemic. Upon arrival, he went directly to the Dowager’s Rongjin Hall, taking Zhuying, Qian Yun, and Dan Xin with him. Chu Xiu waited in Zhiyan Pavilion for a long time, but Yun Ci did not appear. Instead, the first visitor was a maid from Yun Qi’s quarters.

“Are you Sister Chu Xiu?” the maid asked as soon as she entered, seeing Chu Xiu standing by the carved archway.

Chu Xiu, unfamiliar with the girl, smiled politely and nodded.

“I’m Yue Ju from the Second Master’s quarters. He asked me to bring you something.” As she spoke, Yue Ju produced a small brocade box. “The Second Master says he was rude to you the other day when he was drunk, and asks your forgiveness.”

Chu Xiu was taken aback. When had a master ever apologized to a servant? She quickly waved her hands, refusing the gift.

Yue Ju, who looked even younger than Chu Xiu, had strikingly pretty features and eyes that curved like crescent moons when she smiled. “If you don’t accept it, I’ll have trouble explaining myself to the Second Master.”

Leaning in, she lowered her voice to a whisper. “You might not know, but the Second Master was scolded by the Marquis after going out to find him. He’s only sending this gift because he was reprimanded, and he wants you to mention this in front of the Marquis.”

Chu Xiu could hardly help but laugh. She did not know what Yun Qi was thinking—being scolded by Yun Ci was one thing, but to make such a display of apology, as if afraid others would not know of his previous offense.

Since Yue Ju had explained, Chu Xiu had no choice but to accept the box.

Yue Ju, seeing her no longer refuse, giggled behind her hand, her breath fragrant with the scent of flower tea. “Now that you’ve accepted the gift, my errand is done. I’ll go report back to the Second Master.” With a curtsey, she skipped out of Zhiyan Pavilion.

Only after Yue Ju was gone did Chu Xiu sigh and decide to speak to Yun Ci about it another day. Such a valuable gift was not one she could accept lightly. Thinking this, she put the box away, unopened.

Returning to her own quarters, she stored Yun Qi’s gift safely. Having been away for seven or eight days, a light layer of dust had settled in the room. Chu Xiu cleaned up, then remembered that Qian Yun and Dan Xin’s rooms must also need tidying, and set about cleaning theirs as well.

Just as she finished, a voice called out, “Chu Xiu!” It was Dan Xin.

She hurried to meet them, and saw Dan Xin and Qian Yun entering the courtyard with their bundles. Dan Xin smiled as she walked, “Why are you all sweaty? Wipe your face! The master is waiting for you at Qingxin Study!”

At these words, Chu Xiu dropped everything, washed her face, changed her clothes, and hurried to Qingxin Study.

Zhuying still stood at the door. Seeing Chu Xiu approach, she greeted her quietly, “It’s been days since we’ve seen you. Are you well?”

Chu Xiu bowed and nodded, pointing at the study to ask permission.

“The master is inside. Go on in.”

Chu Xiu entered.

He was still clad in white, ethereal as ever, his whole being exuding an air untouched by the world, so much so that one could almost forget his noble status and mistake him for an immortal fallen to earth.

Yun Ci was thinner than before, though there was no sign of fatigue on his face. Chu Xiu paused at the threshold, gazing at him, her nose suddenly stinging as if she might weep.

At that moment, Yun Ci looked up from his desk and saw her standing in the doorway, dressed in pale green. The sunlight behind her formed a soft halo, making her appear both delicate and vibrant, like a blossom bathed in light.

In that moment, seeing her thus, Yun Ci felt all the longing and anxiety he had harbored over the past days well up within him, deep and unending.

“Why are you just standing there?” Yun Ci called out with a gentle smile, his gaze fixed on her as she walked closer.

His words jolted Chu Xiu from her reverie. Suddenly, she did not dare meet his eyes; she bit her lip, lowered her gaze, and stepped inside, awkward and uncertain.

Yun Ci only then noticed the redness around her eyes, and softly teased, “You see your master return, and instead of smiling, you cry?” He beckoned her over, “Come help me up.”

Chu Xiu quickly wiped her nose and stepped forward to support him. The faint scent of medicine on his body brought her instant solace.

Leaning on her, Yun Ci stood and then looked at her, saying, “Today, my mother told me that after the epidemic is over, she wants me to marry.”

At this, Chu Xiu trembled, her eyes still downcast, managing only a weak smile. The Dowager had mentioned this once before, and Chu Xiu knew that, given Yun Ci’s status and age, it was only to be expected. Yet the thought left her heart aching and her mind clouded, dizzy with grief.

Yun Ci, seeing she showed no surprise, only lowered her eyes with a faint smile, felt the joy of their reunion dim a little.

He tightened his grip on her wrist, lowering his voice, “Chu Xiu, during these seven or eight days away, I’ve come to realize something. My feelings for you…”

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt her body go limp, and she collapsed into his arms.

“Chu Xiu… Someone, help!” Yun Ci’s cry rang with deep concern. This was the last thing Chu Xiu heard before she lost consciousness.