Сhарtеr 25: Zhou Yan’s Intеntiоns
Zhоu Yаn rеmained unawаrе that his intentiоns had alrеаdу bееn sеen thrоugh bу Wеi Хun, and he сontinued to find variоus wаys tо реrsuаdе him to drink.
Аlthоugh Wеi Xun did not frеquеnt thesе pleasurе quartеrs and drinking establishmеnts, his alсohоl tоleranсe was quite rеmаrkаblе.
Marquis Wеi wаs а gеneral stаtionеd at the bоrder, alwаys keеping strong liquor сlоsе at hаnd. Аs his son, Wei Xun hаd beеn trаined sincе childhoоd to dеvеlоp а caрacitу fоr drinking withоut getting drunk.
However, curious abоut Zhоu Yan’s purposе, аfter finishing two jugs of winе, hе pretended to be drunk by resting his forehead on one hand.
Seeing this, Zhou Yan’s eyes lit up, and he refilled the wine cup, offering it to him. “Truly worthy of being the capital’s top restaurant! The wine from Jing Garden is indeed a divine brew. On such a fine evening, Lord Wei must have another cup!”
Wei Xun’s eyes appeared dazed, and his raised hand trembled slightly. He shakily took the wine from Zhou Yan’s hand and drank it all in one gulp.
“Last cup… can’t drink anymore…”
Zhou Yan held his breath, seeing Wei Xun stumble and sway, certain that he was truly drunk.
“Alright, then I’ll escort Lord Wei back.”
Both of their attendants were waiting outside. Chang Yuan, unaware of the drinking inside, was momentarily surprised to see his master emerge looking intoxicated.
His master, drunk? Could it be that Academician Zhou had drugged him?
Chang Yuan’s expression turned grave, and he was about to draw his sword to apprehend Zhou Yan.
Wei Xun lowered his head, covering his mouth with a light cough. Chang Yuan withdrew his hand from the sword and hurried forward to support him.
“Master, how did you drink so much…”
Zhou Yan supported him on the other side and, hearing Chang Yuan’s question, explained with a smile, “Lord Wei and I hit it off immediately, so we couldn’t help but drink a few extra cups.”
“Is that so?” Chang Yuan clearly did not believe it.
“It was my fault, so naturally, I should escort Lord Wei back to his residence.”
“No…” Chang Yuan had not expected Zhou Yan to insist on accompanying them and quickly tried to refuse. But before he could finish his refusal, he felt a pinch in his palm.
Understanding the hint from his master, Chang Yuan caught on.
“Then… alright then. Thank you for your trouble, Academician Zhou.”
The Peaceful Marquis Estate was not far from Jing Garden. By the time they arrived, the smell of alcohol on Wei Xun had not yet dissipated, which eased Zhou Yan’s anxious heart.
Only if Wei Xun remained drunk could his subsequent plan proceed smoothly.
Zhou Yan followed Chang Yuan, helping Wei Xun into the outer courtyard. Wei Xun’s quarters, much like the man himself, were cold, quiet, and sparsely furnished. Zhou Yan glanced around and suddenly spoke up.
“Where are the attendants serving Lord Wei?”
“You must be asking about the maids and matrons in the courtyard,” Chang Yuan replied as he helped Wei Xun remove his official robes. “My master isn’t accustomed to having many people serve him. I’m the only one he’s used to having by his side.”
“Oh? Then is the concubine not here either?”
Zhou Yan clenched his hand, his tone cautious.
For once, Chang Yuan was quick-witted. “What are you saying, sir? My master reeks of alcohol—how could he bear to have Lady Xie serve him in this state?”
So, he was destined not to see A’Yuan?
A flicker of disappointment passed through Zhou Yan’s eyes, and he lost interest in staying any longer. “Since Lord Wei is already home, I shall take my leave.”
“I’ll see you out, sir.”
Chang Yuan stood up, but Zhou Yan waved his hand. “No need. Just take good care of your master.”
“Then I’ll have a servant show you out.”
Chang Yuan called for Granny Zheng, and Zhou Yan followed her out.
As soon as the two left, Wei Xun rose from the couch.
His clear eyes showed no trace of drunkenness.
“Master?”
Chang Yuan, unaware of Zhou Yan’s identity, naturally did not understand why his master had pretended to be drunk.Wei Xun’s face was cold, not addressing his confusion, and spoke, “Prepare water, have A’Yuan come in to serve.”
……
Zhou Yan followed Granny Zheng to the second gate, beyond which lay the Jade Clarity Courtyard.
He paused his steps, bringing it up as if casually, “This courtyard is quiet, who lives here?”
It was Granny Zheng’s first time seeing her master have a guest visit, and she assumed he was a close friend of her master.
“Replying to Your Excellency, this is where my lord the heir’s inner courtyard person resides.”
“Oh?” Zhou Yan slowed his steps even more, his gaze lingering on the Jade Clarity Courtyard, reluctant to look away.
“I’ve heard Lord Wei is extremely fond of his concubine, is that true?”
Granny Zheng’s eyes showed surprise, as Zhou Yan’s words were indeed somewhat overstepping boundaries. But Zhou Yan urgently wanted to know news of A’Yuan. Everyone told him A’Yuan was doing very well, yet unless he saw it with his own eyes, he would never believe it.
He understood A’Yuan—she was someone who would endure any hardship without speaking of it.
He feared she was suffering.
Granny Zheng withdrew her gaze, already growing wary. “Naturally it’s true. Although my lord has a cold temperament, he treats Madam Xie extremely well.”
Chang Yuan was her godson, and she knew the Shen family’s affairs inside out. When Madam Shen merely caused Madam Xie to scald her hand, the heir exposed Lord Shen’s secret of keeping an outside mistress.
Now the Shen family’s reputation was in tatters, and even Madam Shen’s standing had greatly diminished.
Others might not know, but those who served them were most aware of how protective the heir was of his own.
“Is that so…”
Zhou Yan murmured to himself, glancing once more at the Jade Clarity Courtyard.
Even if Wei Xun treated A’Yuan well, what did it matter? In the end, he couldn’t give A’Yuan status.
Rather than being a caged golden canary, it would be better to let her fly free.
Zhou Yan lowered his eyes, concealing the ferocity within them. Sooner or later, he would take A’Yuan away.
A’Yuan, wait for me.
……
Jade Clarity Courtyard.
Tonight, A’Yuan stayed up a little later. The screen she was embroidering was half finished, and the pattern was already visible.
The days of confinement were more bearable than she had imagined. Aside from not being able to leave, it had little effect on her. Moreover, not having to pay respects at the Compassionate Peace Courtyard or serve Wei Xun, A’Yuan actually felt relieved.
She also had more time for embroidery.
Though confined to the inner courtyard, A’Yuan had never neglected her embroidery skills.
The aunt who taught her had said that as long as a woman had the ability to stand on her own, no matter what predicament she faced, there would always be a day when light broke through the darkness.
These words constantly reminded her not to be lazy. Relying on beauty to serve others would not last; she must have the means to survive.
“Madam Xie, the heir asks you to come over.”
Granny Zheng had gone to see Zhou Yan off, so the one sent to fetch A’Yuan was an unfamiliar matron.
A’Yuan didn’t know why Wei Xun was summoning her so late, but she couldn’t disobey her master’s orders, especially when that person was the most domineering Wei Xun.
“Understood.”
After tidying up briefly, she followed the matron out. Chun Tao wanted to come along but was dissuaded by her.
“Someone needs to stay and watch the courtyard, so don’t follow.”
Mainly, she didn’t know Wei Xun’s purpose and feared the man might be angry and take it out on Chun Tao.
The young maid had a quick temper; if she provoked the master, A’Yuan wouldn’t be able to protect her.
“Yes,” Chun Tao replied, watching helplessly as the two left.
The marquis’s estate was lit with lanterns, and the matron ahead also carried one, illuminating the path brightly. Naturally, it also lit up the figure passing by the second gate.
Zhou Yan’s appearance was imprinted in her mind. Even seeing only a profile, A’Yuan recognized him immediately.
Why was he here?A’Yuan’s heart tightened. During their last encounter, she had already noticed that Zhou Yan had never stopped searching for her.
Now that he had appeared at the Marquis’s estate, did it mean he already knew her true identity?
And what about Wei Xun—did he know as well…