Chapter 50: The East Wind Turns Harsh, Love Grows Faint

Yun Xian and Luan Qing departed at just the right moment. The fourth concubine of the Yun household had always lived a secluded life; even the people within the residence would sometimes go two or three months without seeing her. Coupled with Yun Xian’s journey as a convenient pretext, her sudden disappearance was, for the moment, successfully concealed.

Yet, this could hardly escape the notice of the Grand Madam, who devoted herself to Buddhist rites at Rongjin Hall. However, since the venerable lady had not summoned anyone, Yun Ci could only wait.

The days slipped by as Yun Ci waited—waiting for the Grand Madam’s summons, waiting for any news of Luan Qing, waiting for Yun Xian’s reports on business affairs. Each day, Chu Xiu continued her service in the Pure Heart Study, and thus gradually came to understand why the Yun family was rightly called “the greatest merchant house in the land,” and just how vast their enterprises truly were.

In both Southern Xi and Northern Xi, the Yun family’s fortunes rested upon five great industries: grain and flour, foodstuffs and oils, textiles, banking, and canal transport. These five alone were astonishing—each a pillar of daily life for the people.

From ancient times it was said, “The people regard food as heaven.” Now, the most vital trades of daily life were more than half monopolized by the Yun family—how could they not be wealthy? And that is to say nothing of banking and canal transport, the twin arteries of the economy.

Even someone as innocent and inexperienced as Chu Xiu could soon see why the Yun family insisted on strict neutrality, never favoring either the Southern or Northern kingdoms. With an empire such as this, even the slightest hint of bias could bring ruin to the other country. Such a family rule truly could not be lightly broken.

Yet most people only saw the Yun family’s centuries of prosperity and abundance, never realizing how much effort each Marquis of Lixin had to expend, or how many challenges had to be overcome to sustain the family legacy in such a perilous political climate.

By rights, this was not a matter for Chu Xiu to comment on. But after several days at the Pure Heart Study, watching pile upon pile of reports and documents, and seeing Yun Ci’s brows furrowed in perpetual worry, she could not help feeling her own heart twisted with anxiety.

“My lord, you should rest,” she urged, setting a bowl of crystal-clear morning dew, freshly collected from the garden flowers, on the table. “You haven’t even had lunch. If you keep on like this, your health will suffer.”

“Did Qian Yun put you up to this?” Yun Ci asked, his gaze never leaving the reports.

Chu Xiu hesitated, then replied, “No, it was my own idea.”

At this, Yun Ci finally set the papers aside and looked at her with a faint smile. “Very well. Let them prepare something simple—there’s no need for anything elaborate.”

Chu Xiu breathed a sigh of relief and hurried outside to give instructions. The kitchen had long since prepared a variety of dishes, keeping them warm on small stoves. At the lord’s word, everything was swiftly arranged and presented in the dining hall like a flowing stream.

The rules at the Marquis of Lixin’s residence were strict: except in special circumstances, meals were always taken in the dining hall; bringing food into the study or living quarters was forbidden, lest the aroma linger and taint the air.

Yun Ci himself was even more particular in this regard. No matter how busy he was, he would rather go without eating than allow food to be brought into the Pure Heart Study. The ancient books in the garden were highly absorbent of odors, and he dreaded having the scent of greasy dishes overwhelm the fragrance of ink.

Zhu Ying pushed Yun Ci to the dining hall, with Chu Xiu following behind. Qian Yun was already waiting at the entrance, and upon seeing Yun Ci, immediately bowed with a calm, unchanged expression. Yun Ci, however, acted as if he hadn’t seen her, allowing Zhu Ying to wheel him inside without so much as a glance.

Lately, whenever Chu Xiu saw Qian Yun, she could not help but recall her warning from that day. With these thoughts in mind, she paused at the threshold, and before entering, turned to return to the study.

Household affairs, especially those concerning food and daily needs, had always been Qian Yun’s responsibility. Chu Xiu did not wish to overstep her bounds.

“Where are you going?” Yun Ci’s voice called out behind her just as she turned to leave.

She had no choice but to turn back and reply, “To await your orders in the Pure Heart Study.”

“You’re eager enough to urge me to eat, but you yourself refuse all food—is it that you wish to become an immortal?” Yun Ci’s gentle teasing held an unmistakable command. “Come in and dine.”

Chu Xiu was instantly flustered. “My lord… I’m not hungry.”

“But I am.” Through the open hall door, Yun Ci looked out at her and patted the seat beside him. “Come in. Sit.”

“My lord…” Chu Xiu faltered, glancing unconsciously at Qian Yun behind Yun Ci, who looked rather pale herself, lips pressed tight and eyes downcast, silent.

“Don’t delay me; I am very busy today,” Yun Ci commanded again, his tone calm but brooking no refusal.

Chu Xiu, seeing no escape, had no choice but to enter the dining hall and sit beside Yun Ci. Zhu Ying, Qian Yun, and two serving maids stood around them, making Chu Xiu feel as though she were sitting on pins and needles. After all, for a servant to dine at the same table as her master was not something to be spoken of lightly.

Yun Ci, on the other hand, seemed quite satisfied with her compliance. He glanced at Qian Yun, then allowed a faint smile, and began to eat.

But for Chu Xiu, this meal was tasteless from beginning to end.

*****

Once the meal was over, Yun Ci showed no sign of resting, but returned directly to the Pure Heart Study to resume work on the endless reports and documents.

“Couldn’t you rest for half a day, my lord?” Chu Xiu’s heart ached to see him so overworked.

Yun Ci only sighed softly. “I simply cannot bear for the Yun family to decline in my hands…”

“But you can’t neglect your health,” Chu Xiu urged again.

“I know my limits.” His tone softened, revealing a hint of weary helplessness. “Northern Xi is in turmoil; it is only a matter of time before the throne changes hands. Southern Xi appears calm, but the princes are all restless, fighting for succession… If this drags on, I fear the Yun family will no longer be able to remain above it all…”

Chu Xiu only half understood these words, yet for some reason, they stayed with her always. Many years later, when she looked back on these days, she would admit that Yun Ci’s words had left a profound mark on her heart.

But the future remained shrouded in mist; for now, she could only see to the present.

“My lord, the Grand Madam wishes to see you,” came a report from outside.

Wasn’t his mother supposed to be sequestered in prayer? Why summon him now? Yun Ci pondered for a moment, then ordered Zhu Ying to take him to Rongjin Hall. Before leaving, he said to Chu Xiu, “Go and rest. If I need you, I will send for you.”

*****

The air in Rongjin Hall was thick with the scent of agarwood, calming and soothing the heart. Yun Ci took a deep breath, lost in reflection. Once upon a time, his father had personally concocted this fragrance—a testament to the love between husband and wife. But now…

He collected himself and entered, bowing respectfully. “Mother.”

The Grand Madam was sitting with eyes closed, fingers moving over a string of prayer beads, softly chanting Buddhist scriptures. After a long moment, she opened her eyes and looked at him. “Today I remembered an important matter and called you here to discuss it.”

“I, too, have something I wish to consult you about, Mother.”

At these words, the Grand Madam’s gaze was calm and steady. “I know what you wish to say. If you agree to this matter, all that you desire, I will naturally grant.”

Though it sounded like a concession, Yun Ci’s expression changed instantly, and he called softly, “Mother…”

She seemed not to notice her son’s reaction, speaking on, “You are already twenty-one; it is time for you to continue the line of the Marquis of Lixin. In the past, you shunned women, and your health was poor. But now, since things are as they are, this marriage cannot be delayed any longer.”

“Mother!” This time, Yun Ci’s voice was tinged with displeasure.

“What, are you unwilling?” The Grand Madam rolled the beads in her hand, continuing, “You have been betrothed to Miss Xia since before you were born. So many years have passed, and she has waited faithfully for you. Such virtue and patience—where else could you find it?”

“But Chu Xiu…” Yun Ci began, but the Grand Madam cut him off.

“You did not wish to burden the Xia family and wanted to break the engagement, but did she ever utter a word of complaint? Now she is already past twenty. If you delay any longer, you will be the one who wrongs her!”

Yun Ci frowned in silence, still refusing to give his assent.

Seeing his reaction, the Grand Madam sighed softly. “I know what you’re thinking. You care for Miss Xia and wish for her to marry elsewhere… But if you keep Chu Xiu, is that not also a burden? Or do you intend to make a courtesan the Lady Marquis of Lixin?”

At this, her voice gradually rose, each of her three questions sharper than the last. “Do you think I would permit it? Would the entire clan permit it? Does your responsibility to the Yun family allow you to sully our name?”

His mother had found out! Yun Ci could only murmur, “The past was not her fault.”

“I never said it was,” the Grand Madam replied. “It was fate that brought you together, and that she grew into such a woman. But…”

But what? Yun Ci could already guess her next words.

“But paper cannot hide the fire; there is no guarantee her past will not be exposed. Should that day come, would you rather let the Helian family trample the Yun name, or have the Ming family see us humiliated?” The Grand Madam’s voice was low but every word was as sharp as a blade, stabbing into Yun Ci’s heart.

Only a few days prior, he could have sworn resolutely that he would marry Chu Xiu and give her a child as her shield. But now, he could only hope that Chu Xiu had not conceived—that she would not bear a child tainted with love-poison from birth.

The mistakes of the previous generation were still fresh in his mind; how could he let his own child suffer the same fate?

Should he tell his mother about the love-poison, reveal all their suffering?

No—this would inevitably lead to the truth behind his father’s death. If he did, his mother might sympathize and understand his feelings for Chu Xiu. But…

As a son, how could he drive a knife into his mother’s heart? The “love-poison” was a secret of the household, one his father had insisted on taking to the grave.

If he wished to persuade his mother, he would have to lay bare the truth of the love-poison; but if he did so for Chu Xiu’s sake, exposing all those old wounds—he could not imagine, nor dare to guess, what his mother might do, given her nature.

On one side, his own mother; on the other, the woman he loved… He knew well what choice he must make. Above all, he bore responsibilities he could not set aside.

A dull ache like the cut of a knife crept through his heart, spreading slowly through his body. The torment of the love-poison, his mother’s opposition, his own helplessness—none of this had he foreseen. Only days ago, he had been full of confidence; now, he found himself unable to speak.

Never had he felt so powerless. The woman he could not bear to let down had been dragged into this mire by him. If only he had known…

“Ci’er,” his mother finally relented, seeing his long silence. “You care for her—that is not forbidden. But with her background, she can never have a legitimate title. As long as you guarantee she has no children, I will allow her to remain by your side. Is that enough?”

No children… To deny a woman children—was that mercy or punishment? Yun Ci only frowned, remaining silent.

The Grand Madam’s expression grew colder. “What more do you want? If I wished her harm, would I need your permission? A single bowl of safflower would see her barren for life!”

With a brief pause, she pressed on, no longer caring for Yun Ci’s feelings. “Already she has brought discord between you brothers. Should she further cause you to reject your betrothal and leave you without an heir… that sort of disaster has no place in the Yun family.”

“Mother!” Yun Ci rose from his wheelchair, fists clenched, face stricken with disbelief.

But by then, the Grand Madam had already regained her composure. Eyes closed, she rolled her beads and murmured, “Why are you so concerned for her? Is it not because she resembles Xia Yanran? Now that I am giving you the real thing, are you not satisfied? Is this not putting the cart before the horse?”