Chapter 81: A Series of Spectacles for Your Viewing Pleasure (Part One)

Shallow Melody was the first to discover the note. She had previously been responsible for Yun Ci’s daily affairs, and now, upon her return to Zhi Yan Pavilion, she resumed her old duties. Yet, the mistress she served was no longer the white-robed exile who had departed with the wind.

While folding and hanging garments, Shallow Melody noticed the note fall out and immediately presented it to Chu Xiu.

The handwriting on the note was crooked and awkward. If it was not due to poor penmanship, then it was certainly deliberate, an attempt to disguise the writer’s hand. But, who was this note intended for?

Though these garments belonged to Chu Xiu, it was Shallow Melody who had taken over the task. The dignified Lady Marquis would never sort her own clothes. Moreover, Shallow Melody had only just returned to Zhi Yan Pavilion, and few in the household were aware of it. Previously, it had been Dan Xin who attended to Chu Xiu’s daily needs.

Thus, the note was most likely meant for Dan Xin, though the possibility remained that it was for Shallow Melody or even for Chu Xiu herself. For the moment, Chu Xiu was at a loss.

“Tonight at the hour of Hai, at the rockery in the inner garden, come and watch the play.” Chu Xiu murmured the message again, weighing whether she should go herself or send someone in her stead.

The rockery in the inner garden was situated between two covered corridors. Directly opposite the rockery, the gardens connected by the eastern and western corridors led to the Golden Dew Hall where Yun Qi resided, and the Rainbow Gown Pavilion where Yun Xiangrong lived.

Yun Qi, Yun Xiangrong... A thought flashed rapidly through Chu Xiu’s mind, but when she tried to seize it, it vanished into confusion. She vaguely sensed that tonight’s “play” was related to Yun Qi, and perhaps also to Yun Xiangrong. After all, the esteemed young lady of the Yun family had visited only days before, and the maid she requested had happened to be Zhuo Yan...

Should she go or not? What if it was a trap? Chu Xiu considered: if the target was herself, as the widow of the late Marquis Li Xin, the cruelest accusations would be twofold—either slander her chastity or claim she had harmed Yun Ci’s “posthumous child.”

If that was truly the case, Chu Xiu was not afraid. First, the Old Madam would never believe she was unchaste; second, her pregnancy was a ruse, so she had no fear of anyone causing her to miscarry. With this in mind, Chu Xiu felt she ought to take this step. Since there was a good show to witness, how could one hope to catch a tiger without entering the tiger’s den?

Still, she proceeded with caution. Summoning Shallow Melody, she instructed her solemnly, “Go and pass a message to the Young Marquis. Tell him to stay in his room tonight and keep an eye on things. If, by midnight, there are not five lanterns lit at the archway of Zhi Yan Pavilion, have him go to Rong Jin Hall and ask the Old Madam to look for me.”

Shallow Melody accepted the order but asked, “Why not have the Young Marquis accompany you? That would be safer.”

Chu Xiu shook her head. “Perhaps the person behind this wants to catch me in a compromising situation. I am a widow; if I were seen wandering the gardens at midnight with a man, how could I possibly explain it?”

Shallow Melody understood and replied, “I will inform the Young Marquis at once.”

After Shallow Melody departed, Chu Xiu called for Dan Xin. “Tonight, hang an extra hook at the main gate of Zhi Yan Pavilion, but do not put up a lantern yet. Do it discreetly so that no one notices.”

Dan Xin had no knowledge of the note and, though she was curious, did not ask further and left to carry out the order.

Only then did Chu Xiu summon Zhu Yang. “How many guards are on duty in the inner garden tonight? Can you find out?”

Zhu Yang considered for a moment before replying, “By rights, it should be the men from the Second Master’s residence on duty, and the shift changes at the hour of Hai.”

On hearing this, Chu Xiu was even more convinced she had to go tonight, but it was truly dangerous to go alone. After some deliberation, she chose to trust the Old Madam’s judgment. “Zhu Yang, you and I have only known each other for five or six days, but you were personally chosen by the Old Madam. I will not hide the truth: tonight I must go to the inner garden. There may be danger, and I’d like you to accompany me.”

At this, Zhu Yang raised her brows slightly, a hint of heroic vigor surfacing as she nodded without hesitation. “I await your command, Madam.”

“You misunderstand,” Chu Xiu paused, looking at her. “I mean, do not inform the Old Madam of this beforehand. Can you do that?”

This time, Zhu Yang’s expression became subtle and she did not answer immediately.

Was it displeasure? Or reluctance? Chu Xiu could not tell; she only knew that Zhu Yang’s ambiguous attitude was less satisfying than the clear-cut loyalty of Shallow Melody or Dan Xin.

After some thought, Chu Xiu sighed. “Never mind, you answer to the Old Madam. I should not put you in a difficult position.”

Still, Zhu Yang did not reply directly but instead asked, “If you won’t let me go with you, can you find someone else?”

“Of course,” Chu Xiu thought of Zhu Ying. She had not wanted to bring him, since Zhu Ying was a man. Before Zhu Yang’s arrival, she had allowed Zhu Ying to act as her bodyguard, but now that the Old Madam had assigned a female guard, it was a subtle reminder to observe propriety. How could Chu Xiu not understand?

Still, she was far too eager to watch this “play.” If someone truly intended to help her in the shadows, perhaps tonight she might uncover something about Xia Yanran’s death, or even Yun Ci’s. The risk, she felt, was worth it.

With this in mind, Chu Xiu added, “Do not worry, his skills are adequate to protect me.”

“Him?” Zhu Yang quirked a brow, her expression sharpening as if a thought struck her.

“What is it?” Chu Xiu still could not fathom the young woman’s thoughts. Zhu Yang was quite young, seemingly about the same age as Zhu Ying, perhaps a year or two older than Shallow Melody or Dan Xin. Though not delicate or charming, her heroic aura was unique and lent her a distinct mystery.

“Madam, let me go instead. As a woman, I can handle situations more conveniently. Besides,” Zhu Yang deliberately arched her lips, “I dare say my martial skills are no less than a man’s.” Her tone brimmed with confidence.

“That’s all the better, but please do not inform the Old Madam—unless absolutely necessary, or unless you discover something significant, I do not wish to alarm her without cause.”

“Understood.” Zhu Yang resumed her crisp manner. “I am your bodyguard, Madam; your wishes are my command.”

Hearing this, Chu Xiu felt more at ease. After giving Zhu Yang further instructions, the two waited for the hour of Hai to arrive.

*****

That night seemed to drag on interminably. Even after everything was arranged, Chu Xiu found the time hard to endure, unable to settle herself.

The early March night wind was still chilly, heightening the eerie, spine-chilling atmosphere. Shortly after the third quarter of the hour of Xu, Chu Xiu and Zhu Yang both changed into black garments and slipped out quietly through the back door of Zhi Yan Pavilion.

Chu Xiu did not know what method or excuse Zhu Yang used, but as they made their way out, none of the guards or hidden sentinels at Zhi Yan Pavilion made a move; no one questioned them, nor tried to stop them.

Seeing Chu Xiu’s shoulders trembling with cold, Zhu Yang spoke softly from behind, “Madam.”

Chu Xiu started, as if frightened, and turned back to say in a low voice, “Let’s walk side by side. When you speak from behind me, it chills my spine.”

Zhu Yang let out a low chuckle. “You could always go back. If you trust me, let me check the place first.”

Chu Xiu refused without hesitation. “No, I must go myself to be at ease. Besides, I cannot let you take risks for me alone.”

“Isn’t it a bodyguard’s duty to protect her mistress?” Zhu Yang’s tone was steady and slow. “I’m right behind you, yet you’re shivering in fear. If that’s the case, why force yourself to go?”

“Of course I’m afraid, and a little nervous,” Chu Xiu said, drawing her clothes tighter. “And it’s cold, too.”

“If you truly feel cold, why not go back for another coat?” Zhu Yang saw through her excuse and offered her a way out.

“There’s no time,” Chu Xiu shook her head. In truth, “cold” was only a pretext. She did not wish to show fear before a girl her own age, especially one sent by the Old Madam.

“No time? Madam, you are indeed fearless—undaunted by schemes or by the cold,” Zhu Yang laughed again, light and at ease.

Her reaction surprised Chu Xiu. She had always thought bodyguards should be taciturn, meticulous, like Zhu Ying. Though Zhu Yang was not talkative, she was clearly not dull. Occasionally irreverent, her casual nature showed confidence and a touch of indifference.

“Aren’t you afraid?” Chu Xiu finally voiced her thoughts.

Zhu Yang habitually raised a brow. “Why should I be? Madam, you underestimate the martial prowess of the ‘Bamboo’ guards of the Yun Clan.”

“The ‘Bamboo’ guards?” Indeed, Zhu Ying was one and had served Yun Ci, so his skills were top-notch. But this young woman, barely in her teens, tall and slender, could she truly compare to Zhu Ying? Chu Xiu was skeptical.

Zhu Yang saw her doubt and said, “Only the first-class guards bear the ‘Bamboo’ name.” She stated this as a fact, without pride or complaint; her tone was utterly calm.

First-class guards? Then Zhu Yang’s skills truly were on par with Zhu Ying’s? Suddenly, Chu Xiu understood her composure—at the very least, she was well able to protect herself.

With this realization, Chu Xiu quickened her pace, fearing she might miss the “good show.” Zhu Yang, seeing her mistress’s determination, offered no further argument and accompanied her into the inner garden under cover of darkness.

Upon reaching the garden entrance, Zhu Yang held out her arm to stop Chu Xiu. “Wait here for me, Madam. I’ll be back soon.”

Chu Xiu caught her anxiously, “No, I’m going with you.”

Zhu Yang cast her a helpless look. “I’m just going to ‘deal with’ the guards.”

“Deal with?” Did she mean to kill them? Chu Xiu was alarmed.

“I have knockout incense—it’ll only take a moment.” Zhu Yang explained with a smile, then vanished in a flash.

Left alone by the hidden door to the inner garden, Chu Xiu felt the night grow all the more sinister and threatening. Though Zhu Yang had been gone only a short while, it felt to Chu Xiu as if an age had passed.

Fortunately, Zhu Yang’s skills did not disappoint. True to her word, she returned swiftly, as relaxed as ever, unscathed and breathing steadily.

“Let’s go.” Zhu Yang took Chu Xiu’s right arm and, with a sudden leap, carried her onto the garden wall near the rockery.

Chu Xiu, who had a slight fear of heights, covered her mouth at once, afraid she might cry out. She was about to speak when Zhu Yang hushed her. “Someone’s coming.”

At that, Chu Xiu fixed her gaze on the rockery. The wind rustled in her ears, but all else was still.

As she wondered, she saw a figure slip in through the outer gate of the inner garden—a slender woman, by the look of her. At the same moment, another figure hurried along the western covered corridor.

The two, as if highly coordinated, entered the rockery one after the other. It was clear from their manner that this was not their first clandestine meeting.