Chapter 82: A Spectacle Unfolds, Inviting You to Watch (Part Two)

Seeing this scene, Chu Xiu couldn’t help but turn her head to look at Zhu Yang. She saw Zhu Yang leaning forward, eyes narrowed as she listened intently, and so, Chu Xiu gradually calmed herself.

Behind the rockery, faint voices could be heard—soft, indistinct, impossible to make out. Chu Xiu noticed Zhu Yang’s focused expression, as though she could hear clearly, and grew anxious.

Zhu Yang, catching Chu Xiu’s tight lips and furrowed brows, understood her concern. She reached out, plucked a flowering branch from the peach tree atop the wall, and with a flick of her hand, tossed it straight behind the rockery.

“Who’s there?” a young man’s voice suddenly called out, louder than before, tinged with both caution and fear.

It was Second Master Yunqi! Chu Xiu realized at once. She had expected this man’s appearance, but who could the woman with him, coming from the outside, be?

In the deep darkness of night, light was so faint it was nearly gone. Yet Chu Xiu saw a woman’s arm reach from the shadow of the rockery, grasping Yunqi’s sleeve. “Don’t worry, Second Master, it’s only a fallen branch.”

The woman’s voice was strangely familiar to Chu Xiu, but she couldn’t recall who it was. A name flickered at the edge of her mind, but she dared not guess rashly.

After this, Yunqi and the woman resumed their low conversation. After a while, the woman let out a few breathless gasps, as if she’d suffered some “impropriety” at Yunqi’s hands. Chu Xiu understood well enough—this “impropriety” was surely something the woman welcomed.

Soon, the two emerged from behind the rockery, one after the other. Yunqi hurried toward the west side of the inner garden, turning into the covered walkway—presumably returning to Jinlu Hall.

As for the woman, not long after Yunqi left, she too slipped out from behind the rockery, cloaked and hooded, quickly straightening her skirts as she walked. Clearly, though they hadn’t gone so far as to commit any truly sordid act, embraces and whispered endearments had not been avoided.

Chu Xiu sneered inwardly. Yunqi seemed to relish these shady assignations by the rockery. The last time he’d tried to take liberties with her, it had also been beneath the rockery. Truly shameless!

At this point, it seemed tonight’s “show” had come to an end. Chu Xiu felt her trip had been almost in vain, yet not entirely so. The scene had been less thrilling or dangerous than she’d imagined, but at least she’d caught Yunqi in a clandestine act.

Could it be…the person who sent the note just wanted her to witness this affair? Chu Xiu couldn’t make sense of it. Sensing this was no place to linger, she said to Zhu Yang, “Let’s go back—and see which courtyard that woman returns to.”

Just then, another woman appeared in the eastern corridor, carrying a lantern, bold and unafraid. Chu Xiu narrowed her eyes, trying to make out her features. When the woman walked beneath the rockery with her lantern, Chu Xiu finally recognized her.

It was Yue Wan! Had she not seen this maid just a few days before, Chu Xiu might not have recognized her at all.

At that moment, Yue Wan was glancing about with her lantern, as if both wary of being seen and searching for someone. After circling the rockery for a while, she retraced her steps, presumably heading back to Yun Xiangrong’s Nixiang Pavilion.

Yunqi, Yue Wan, Yun Xiangrong—what exactly was the connection among them? In a flash, Chu Xiu thought of someone. If her guess was right, the woman who had secretly met Yunqi must be—

“Zhu Yang! Quickly, follow that young lady who just left—see where she goes!” Chu Xiu urged, instinctively reaching to tug Zhu Yang’s sleeve.

Without a word, Zhu Yang helped Chu Xiu down from the wall. The two hurried out of the inner garden before Zhu Yang spoke, “Madam, take care—there are guards patrolling everywhere. If anything happens, call out immediately.” With that, she sped off.

Watching her leave, a suspicion began to form in Chu Xiu’s mind, but she dared not confirm it. She could only hope Zhu Yang would catch up to the woman and find out who she was. The thought made Chu Xiu break out in a cold sweat, her heart pounding as she quickened her pace toward Zhiyan Pavilion.

Night had deepened, the breeze was cool, and the swaying trees cast tangled shadows on the ground—shadows that seemed like lurking villains waiting for the darkness to commit their misdeeds.

The rustling of leaves came and went, and the shadows all around seemed to close in, making it hard for Chu Xiu to breathe. Walking alone back to Zhiyan Pavilion, she was overcome by a growing sense of dread; the night was endless, eerie, and unsettling.

It wasn’t Yunqi’s debauchery that frightened her, but the schemes hidden behind it… Chu Xiu felt she was on the verge of grasping something, so close to a truth—just one last step and she could open the secret door to the lurking plot.

Without Zhu Yang’s company, several guards emerged from the shadows along the way to ask after her. Chu Xiu wasn’t sure how she replied; she felt as if in a daze by the time she reached Zhiyan Pavilion.

Qian Yun had been waiting with a lantern by the ornamental gate for some time. When she saw Chu Xiu’s distracted steps, she hurried over, her cold expression tinged with concern. “Zhu Yang has already returned. Were you hurt, Madam?”

Zhu Yang was back? Had she lost the woman? Or—Chu Xiu steadied herself and said, “Hang your lantern up there, so the young lord won’t worry.”

Qian Yun obliged, raising the lantern onto the gate. Chu Xiu, anxious for news, hurried inside before Qian Yun had finished hanging the lantern. Sure enough, Zhu Yang was waiting at her chamber door.

“Madam,” Zhu Yang reported calmly, “I saw the woman’s face, but I haven’t been here long enough to know who she is.”

Chu Xiu nodded. “Did you see which courtyard she entered?”

“She went into…Zhiyan Pavilion, the second room from the east in the back courtyard.”

*****

Since Chu Xiu had breakfast with the other wives at Rongjin Hall, the Dowager had excused her from paying morning and evening respects. Yet, the morning after her midnight “theater,” Chu Xiu was summoned again.

The Dowager was bound to learn of last night’s events eventually. Chu Xiu hadn’t let Zhu Yang report to her only in hopes of keeping it secret for that one night, knowing it couldn’t be hidden forever.

Deciding to tell the Dowager everything, she went to Rongjin Hall. To her surprise, the Dowager didn’t mention the incident, instead holding her for a long, pleasant chat and urging her to care for her pregnancy—all in front of Second Master’s mother and son, though Yun Xiangrong was absent.

Seeing the Dowager had no intention of speaking privately, and fearing that Hua Wuying and Yunqi might notice something amiss, Chu Xiu feigned the absent-mindedness of pregnancy and deliberately said, “Physician Qu examined my pulse the other day and said this child is most likely a boy.”

The Dowager was genuinely delighted, showing no trace of pretense. She rewarded Chu Xiu with jewelry and a white jade statue of the Child-Giving Guanyin, then had Mama Chi escort her back. Chu Xiu suspected the Dowager knew something and was hinting at it, yet the more she pondered, the more confused she became.

She had wanted to tell the Dowager everything and seek her advice, but today the Dowager’s attitude seemed to suggest she intended to stand aside…If that were true, how could just the few people in Zhiyan Pavilion—Qian Yun, Dan Xin, Zhu Ying, Zhu Yang—hope to accomplish anything?

The more Chu Xiu thought, the more her head ached. Coupled with last night’s chill and her worries this morning, she now felt a pain in her stomach. Before she even reached Zhiyan Pavilion, she had to stop midway, leaning against the wall to retch.

“Sister-in-law!”

“Madam!”

Voices of concern, both male and female, rang out at once. Her stomach churned, but nothing came up, and dizziness washed over her in waves.

“What’s wrong with sister-in-law?” This time Chu Xiu recognized the voice—it was Yun Xiangrong. She waved weakly in the direction of the sound, about to say she was fine, when someone suddenly took her wrist.

She looked up—it was Shen Yu. Why was he with Yun Xiangrong?

“I’ll check your pulse, Madam.” Shen Yu’s face was openly concerned, and without waiting for her reply, he began examining her pulse.

“Is it necessary? Isn’t this normal for a pregnant woman?” Yun Xiangrong covered her lips with a laugh, teasing Shen Yu for making a fuss.

Shen Yu ignored her. After a while, he said discreetly, “Madam is only two months along and hasn’t been vomiting much. Today, it’s partly morning sickness, but also poor sleep and a chill last night.” He released Chu Xiu’s wrist and warned her solemnly, “You must worry less and rest more.”

Chu Xiu pressed her chest, steadying herself before replying politely, “Thank you for your concern, Young Lord. Forgive me for troubling you.”

A shadow of sadness flitted through Shen Yu’s eyes, pained by her distant courtesy. But he said nothing more before outsiders, only giving her a long look.

“Sister-in-law must miss my brother, and so she cannot sleep,” Yun Xiangrong said in a timely, innocent tone. “Take care of yourself, sister-in-law—bearing the heir is what matters now.”

Chu Xiu had no time to ask why Shen Yu was with Yun Xiangrong. Feeling faint and unsteady, she composed herself and said, “Forgive my rudeness—I’ll take my leave.”

“Take care, sister-in-law.” Shen Yu wanted to say more, but Yun Xiangrong’s gentle farewell cut him off. He could only nod, watching Mama Chi support Chu Xiu as she left.

“If you’re well, Miss, I’ll take my leave. I’ve been busy moving lately—it’s been hard to find the time.” It had been a chance encounter, but Yun Xiangrong suddenly asked about medicine. For Chu Xi and Yun Ci’s sake, Shen Yu couldn’t refuse and chatted with her.

Yun Xiangrong, a little embarrassed, said softly, “I’m the one at fault, keeping you from your duties. Please, go ahead—I was only asking out of curiosity.”

Shen Yu forced a smile, too weary to pretend. “Farewell.” He turned toward the main gate, thinking about Chu Xiu’s chill and planning to prepare medicine for her.

“Young Lord, wait.” After only a couple of steps, Yun Xiangrong called him back. He turned and asked, “Is there something else, Miss?”

“Just call me Xiangrong.” She smiled, cheeks flushed as she looked at him. “I have a small favor to ask…If it’s not too much trouble, please ask Physician Qu to check on my sister-in-law more often. She hasn’t looked well lately.”

At this, Shen Yu’s expression softened. Remembering how curt he’d been, he relented and praised her, “You’re truly kind and virtuous, a model among young ladies.”

At his words, Yun Xiangrong’s face turned bright red, the color spreading down her neck. She lowered her eyes shyly. “You flatter me.”

Shen Yu smiled and said no more.

While Shen Yu was bidding farewell to Yun Xiangrong, Chu Xiu had returned to Zhiyan Pavilion. Mama Chi, having heard Shen Yu’s warning, told Qian Yun, “Go brew some calming tonic for Madam.”

Qian Yun hurried to the kitchen, where medicinal meals had been prepared for days. She carefully chose the one most suitable for pregnant women and brought a steaming bowl to Chu Xiu’s room.

Chu Xiu took the bowl and drank a few sips—her face changed at once. “There’s something wrong with this soup!”