Chapter 44: Rumors Swell, Stirring the Tides of Desire

Lowering her gaze, Chu Xiu still refused to deceive Yun Ci. After a moment’s hesitation, she summoned her courage and spoke in a hoarse whisper, “My Lord, I am not a pure woman. I… am not worthy…” The last two words were nearly inaudible.

“What makes you unworthy? Or is it that you despise my disability?” Yun Ci spoke with calm candor. “I struggled for a long time, unwilling to let this body burden you. But I wish to be selfish, just this once. I am confident I can bring you greater joy than any ordinary man—just as you once brought me happiness, though you could not speak.”

“No, it’s not that…” Upon hearing this, Chu Xiu’s tears slipped down once more. She shook her head vehemently. “My Lord, I… am not untouched…”

As these words left her lips, Yun Ci did not respond. The long silence gradually stemmed her weeping. Though she’d foreseen this outcome, uttering the truth still left her aching with disappointment.

Turning her face aside, she endured the pain to explain, “Please don’t misunderstand—it wasn’t the young lord… You… do not know him…”

At this point, she could speak no further. At last, she dared to look upon that face of angelic beauty, pleading, “Please, grant me a shred of dignity. Please… say no more…”

Yun Ci met Chu Xiu’s evasive gaze directly. After a pause, he replied with solemn conviction: “Perhaps I am too gentle by nature, so you do not know—I never easily change my mind about what I have decided.”

As he spoke, he took her hands in his, seeking to offer her peace in this world. “Fate’s beginnings and endings are beyond our control. I ought to thank that person—for without him, how could you have met me?”

“If there is regret or guilt to bear, it should not be yours. It was I who failed to meet you sooner. But now, it isn’t too late, is it?” His words were patient, as warm and gentle as the spring winds of April.

What woman, faced with such heartfelt confession, could remain unmoved? Especially since, from the moment Chu Xiu lost her voice, fate had already bound them. She wept again—but this time, her tears were of joy, unlike before.

“‘A hero should not lightly bind himself, nor a beauty lightly pledge herself, for fear that either might die for the other too easily.’ Chu Xiu, I understand this truth.”

Tender whispers can carry strength; in that instant, even heaven and earth seemed to pause in awe. The two who clung tightly to one another finally reached the moment destiny had promised them.

Even the finest brush and ink could not capture the brilliance of this fleeting moment.

Chu Xiu returned to the Marquis of Li Xin’s residence four days later. During those days, Yun Ci stayed by her side, caring for her attentively; all affairs of the household were delivered swiftly to the villa for his decision.

Chu Xiu had tried several times to persuade Yun Ci, fearing the displeasure of the Lady Dowager and the household, but Yun Ci was unwavering. He had hoped she would rest a few more days, but in the end they compromised: after four days of recuperation, Chu Xiu insisted on returning.

During this time, the Lady Dowager sent no one to urge her, nor a single word, which made Chu Xiu uneasy. On the day of her return, she intended to seek forgiveness at Rong Jin Hall, but was gently refused by Nurse Chi.

Nurse Chi outwardly claimed it was due to Chu Xiu’s frail health, bidding her to rest. But Chu Xiu knew well the true reason for the refusal. She had never thought she would one day become a “source of trouble.”

However, before the anxiety caused by the Lady Dowager’s coldness had faded, Chu Xiu was distracted by another matter.

It turned out that, on the second day after she fell ill and left for the villa, a maid at Yun Qi’s Golden Dew Hall died—Yue Ju. Seeing the epidemic had reached the inner quarters of the Yun residence, the Lady Dowager acted swiftly, ordering the complete burning of the courtyards where Chu Xiu and Yue Ju had lived, with strict control over the fire to prevent its spread.

In a single night, the maidservants’ quarters of Zhi Yan Pavilion and Golden Dew Hall were reduced to ashes.

Such losses of people and property meant little to the wealthy Yun clan. Chu Xiu suspected the Lady Dowager’s main intent was to calm fears, for at that time, there were only preventive remedies for the epidemic in Fangzhou—no cure.

Consequently, both quarters would have to be rebuilt; in the interim, the maids would need to find new lodgings. Fortunately, Qian Yun and Dan Xin, thinking of Chu Xiu, had salvaged some valuables from her room before the fire.

The musical instruments and scholar’s tools Yun Ci had gifted her were naturally preserved; the dagger from Shen Yu was conspicuous and Dan Xin stored it carefully. Qian Yun, more meticulous, spotted a particularly fine brocade box in the room and took it as well.

This brocade box was the very one Yun Qi had entrusted to Yue Ju to give to Chu Xiu. It was also because of this box that Chu Xiu had close contact with Yue Ju and contracted the epidemic.

Luckily, Yue Ju had only this errand that day and met no outsiders, so the Yun household escaped wider infection. And during the days Yun Qi left the city to search for Yun Ci, he drank preventative medicine daily and remained healthy.

Afterwards, recalling the events, the whole Yun household felt as if they had narrowly escaped disaster.

“The folk are truly remarkable. This epidemic struck fiercely, yet our masters could not devise a cure, while among the people, a remedy spread. Who knows which hidden sage managed it?” Dan Xin sighed upon hearing of Chu Xiu’s recovery.

“I heard the marquis say it was a wandering physician who stumbled upon the formula; Prince Mu has generously rewarded him,” Chu Xiu replied softly. Having lost her voice for over half a year, now able to speak, she still felt unaccustomed.

Dan Xin clapped her hands, laughing, “This epidemic has healed your voice—misfortune turned to blessing! Now our grain merchants are opening granaries for relief, and the third master is earning a fine reputation among the people. Truly, double joy has come!”

“How can I be compared to the third master?” Chu Xiu gently reproved Dan Xin.

“Why not, when the master values you so?” Dan Xin winked at Chu Xiu, her words laden with meaning.

How could Chu Xiu not understand? Since returning from the villa, Yun Ci had secluded himself in Qing Xin Studio, handling several days’ worth of business and affairs. She had wanted to serve him with brush and ink, but Yun Ci refused, telling her only to rest.

Chu Xiu did not know how outsiders spoke of her relationship with Yun Ci, but the esteemed Marquis of Li Xin, for the sake of a mute girl who had contracted the epidemic, personally cared for her at the villa for six days—such a thing could hardly be concealed.

Though the fear of the epidemic had distracted from gossip, now that peace had returned to the Yun household, and the epidemic had passed, Chu Xiu knew she would inevitably become the focus of attention.

Yet the Yun household strictly disciplined its servants; they dared not gossip openly, and could only speculate in private.

Chu Xiu had prepared herself for all this. Moreover, Yun Ci had told her not to worry, and she believed him. Thus, upon returning, she ignored all curious glances and deliberate approaches, as if she had not noticed them at all.

“Dan Xin, step out for a moment. I have something to discuss with Chu Xiu alone.” Lost in thought, Chu Xiu did not notice when Qian Yun appeared at the door, speaking directly.

Since the burning of the maids’ quarters, the maids from Zhi Yan Pavilion and Golden Dew Hall had crowded into Yin Xiang Zui Yue Garden. Though spacious, rooms were limited, so Dan Xin and Chu Xiu temporarily shared one.

Seeing Qian Yun enter, Dan Xin asked no questions, smiling as she withdrew, leaving the room.

Qian Yun wasted no time, holding out the brocade box and saying plainly, “This was found in your room the day the quarters burned. I didn’t open it; I’m returning it to you.”

“Thank you, Sister Qian Yun.” Chu Xiu knew Qian Yun was a year older than Dan Xin, and two years older than herself, so she addressed her as “sister” out of courtesy.

Qian Yun nodded, her brows solemn, without a trace of a smile. “Chu Xiu, though I serve the marquis, I also came from the Lady Dowager’s household… Some matters cannot be ignored, cannot go unspoken.”

Chu Xiu’s heart tightened at her words.

Qian Yun, seeing her reaction, hesitated a moment, then continued, “This epidemic affected only you and Yue Ju from Second Master’s quarters. The Lady Dowager may say nothing, but in her heart, she will surely wonder.”

Chu Xiu understood at once and hurried to explain, “You misunderstand, sister, I…”

“The master’s favor for you is plain to all. Your beauty is beyond dispute. But if that beauty causes discord between the marquis and his brother, or even between mother and son, then the fault is yours.” Qian Yun cut her off, her words ringing with finality.

Chu Xiu lowered her eyes, pondering for a moment, then replied, “I understand. Don’t worry, sister.”