Chaрtеr 22: А’Yuаn, Yоu’re Not Bеing Gоod
For tоday’s оuting, Wеi Хun hаd аrrаnged fоur оr fivе аttendants аnd two sturdy maids for hеr, еven Grаnnу Zhеng frоm thе outеr studу wаs included.
А’Yuаn feаred that todаy’s inсident would reаch Wеi Xun’s еаrs and impliсate Zhou Yаn, sо shе suрpressеd hеr раnic and urgеd the сoaсhman to lеave quiсkly.
Zhou Yan triеd tо stоp thеm аgain but was pushеd asidе bу one оf the attеndants.
With mаnу сarriаges and hоrses on thе strееt, the plain-cloth carriagе sоon disappеаred into the сrоwd.
Zhou Yan felt as if a cold wind had blown through his chest, staring blankly into the distance for a long time. He was absolutely certain—that was A’Yuan.
The person he had dreamed of night after night for over a thousand days and nights.
“…Find out whose carriage that was.”
……
The Great Buddha Temple was located on Dragon Mountain in the outskirts of the capital. It was said to have been built by the founding emperor of the dynasty and had stood for over two hundred years. As a royal temple, it enjoyed thriving incense offerings.
A’Yuan put on her cloak, wearing a bamboo hat with a veil, yet her graceful figure remained hard to conceal.
Granny Zheng and Chun Tao stood by her side, protecting her as the master and servants entered the temple.
The main hall was crowded, so A’Yuan gave Chun Tao a meaningful glance, signaling her to distract Granny Zheng.
Although she had used the excuse of offering incense for Bi Wu today, her more important purpose was to light eternal lamps for her parents.
Over the years, her monthly allowance and the money earned from selling her embroidery had accumulated to just over a hundred taels.
After offering incense, A’Yuan went to the back hall and found a young monk. Though only eight or nine years old, the young monk carried himself with an air of maturity as he attended to visitors.
He clasped his hands together, his still-youthful face bearing a solemn expression.
“Benefactor, please come this way.”
Many people came to the temple to light eternal lamps. After the passing of loved ones, family members often sought a way to remember them and pray for their smooth journey in the next life.
When Father Xie and Mother Xie passed away, A’Yuan was only five years old. Their faces had long since faded from her memory, but she could never forget the tenderness of her mother holding her and calling her “darling,” the joy of her father carrying her on his shoulders, or the candied hawthorn her brother bought her with the pocket money he had saved.
In her eighteen years of life, it was only those brief five years of sweetness that had helped her endure thirteen years of hardship.
A’Yuan lit two eternal lamps and knelt on the ground. “Father, Mother, A’Yuan will live well… Please watch over my brother and let him live too…”
When she emerged from the back hall, her eyes were red.
Chun Tao and Granny Zheng were waiting for her outside. Having served in the marquis’s household for so many years, Granny Zheng understood Chun Tao’s intentions perfectly well.
Since Miss Xie wanted to send her away, she would simply pretend not to notice.
However, she still had to report today’s incident on the road to the young master.
After offering incense and lighting the eternal lamps, A’Yuan returned to the marquis’s estate.
Wei Xun allowing her to go out was already an exception. After all, even married women needed permission from their in-laws to return to their maiden homes, let alone someone like her—a Thin Horse bought by the marquis’s household.
Once she entered those towering gates and grand courtyards, there was no chance of leaving again. Whether she could live peacefully depended entirely on fate.
A’Yuan forced a bitter smile. As lanterns began to light up the streets, passersby gradually made their way home. A child ran out to greet her father, who lifted her high above his head, playfully tossing her a few times before holding her in his arms and feeding her a piece of candy.
The child covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes sparkling, and A’Yuan could faintly hear her say, “So sweet.”
Father and daughter chatted and laughed as they hurried home, and A’Yuan couldn’t help but smile too. Through the long street in the evening light, she seemed to see her younger self.
If her parents hadn’t died, perhaps she would have been just as happy.The group returned to the Marquis’s estate as darkness had completely fallen.
A’Yuan and Chun Tao went back to Jade Clarity Courtyard, while Granny Zheng headed to the outer study to report.
Wei Xun stood by the window, his expression unreadable as he listened to Granny Zheng’s account.
Granny Zheng trembled with anxiety, unsure of what the young master was thinking.
He cared so deeply about Lady Xie; if she truly had any entanglement with an outsider, those who served her would not fare well either.
“You may leave.”
After a long silence, Wei Xun spoke. Granny Zheng felt as if granted a reprieve and hurriedly left the room.
Listening to the hurried footsteps of the old woman, Wei Xun’s eyes darkened.
He had not known that his little concubine had such complications.
…
In Jade Clarity Courtyard, Chun Tao had the servants fetch hot water to prepare A’Yuan’s bath.
Having been out all day, she was not only covered in sweat but also thoroughly exhausted.
A’Yuan removed her clothes and stepped into the bathtub, her lovely, full figure gradually submerging in the water.
Chun Tao picked up the soap to scrub her back, but A’Yuan waved her hand. “You must be tired too today. I can manage on my own.”
She was not accustomed to being attended to, and nine times out of ten, she bathed herself. Chun Tao did not insist, placing the towel, soap, hair oil, and other bathing items nearby. She tested the water temperature to ensure it was suitable before leaving.
“Though it is spring, the nights are still cool. Please don’t soak for too long, mistress.”
“I know. You should go rest now.”
The room filled with steam as A’Yuan half-closed her eyes and leaned against the side of the tub.
Today, she had lit eternal lamps for her parents, fulfilling a long-held wish. However, encountering Zhou Yan had left her unsettled.
Especially since the Marquis’s servants had been present when Zhou Yan stopped her. If word reached Wei Xun…
A’Yuan suddenly felt a chill down her spine, so much so that she did not even hear the door open.
A scorching palm landed on her shoulder, causing her to tremble. She turned her head and met the man’s dark, intense gaze.
Wei Xun was deep and inscrutable, and A’Yuan had never been able to read him. Yet, seeing his expression now, she knew he was suppressing his anger.
In the past, she would have anxiously tried to placate him.
But now, she no longer wished to.
A man’s favor was as fleeting as passing clouds, nothing but an illusion.
A’Yuan crossed her arms to cover herself and sank deeper into the water.
Wei Xun sneered coldly at the wariness in her eyes.
He seized her wrist, pressing her against the side of the tub, forcing her body to arch backward.
“Who is he?”
The man’s cold, stern voice echoed in her ears. A’Yuan shook her head helplessly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, my lord… Ah!”
The man tightened his grip, and A’Yuan cried out softly, but he showed no intention of letting her go.
“Speak!”
“There is no one. I don’t know him!”
A’Yuan stubbornly insisted she did not know Zhou Yan. Her relationship with him had always been innocent, and if Wei Xun were to vent his anger on him, it would only bring him harm.
Yet she did not realize that her lie only fueled the man’s fury.
He despised this feeling of being out of control—first with the pouch, and now with a man she was so fiercely protecting.
Wei Xun’s eyes turned crimson at the corners. “A’Yuan, you are not being obedient.”