“I will remember.”
Soft, timid.
Tuan Yun lowered his head and answered obediently.
Under the eaves, water dripped down with loud, clattering sounds. Inside the room, swallowed by the night, it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop, as though there were no living souls within.
Zhu’er did not dare interrupt, her head lowered deeply at the side.
Just as Ji Zhiwei’s robe hem stirred and he was about to turn away, Tuan Yun’s voice sounded again, calling softly, “Husband…”
As soon as the word left his lips, he changed it. “Second Master.”
Hearing this, Zhu’er hurriedly performed a salute and withdrew from the room.
This attempt to clear space for the masters instead displeased Ji Zhiwei. He focused, his brows knitting together, about to speak in rebuke yet before the words could leave his mouth, a warm glow lit up the air.
A slender figure approached, holding a lamp.
The lampshade painted with four images of Guanyin enclosed a warm yellow candlelight, illuminating a small, delicate, oval face.
Amber-colored eyes, lips pressed together nervously, skin glowing like fine mutton-fat jade.
This was Tuan Yun. Ji Zhiwei recognized him.
Yet he was utterly different from the one in his memory.
The same person and yet as if he had shed a mortal shell and gained new bones, like a sprout breaking through yellow earth, tender as a flower bud.
In some unnoticed corner, he had been nurtured into this state within the count’s household.
Ji Zhiwei spoke abruptly. “Kneel.”
Tuan Yun’s heart jolted, panic surging but he did not dare disobey. Before he even dared look at Ji Zhiwei’s face, he lowered himself to his knees at Ji Zhiwei’s feet.
Though he had been the one to speak first, fear still lingered in his heart.
The Ji Zhiwei of the past had never been frightening at all. He always smiled when he saw Tuan Yun, cherished and loved him the most.
But the Ji Zhiwei of today was a stranger to him and worse still, someone who held the power to decide his fate.
A hand lifted his chin.
Ji Zhiwei’s fingers brushed along Tuan Yun’s cheek.
Tuan Yun suppressed his nervousness and raised his lashes.
Ji Zhiwei was a few years older than him, strikingly handsome. Even when he had fallen into the wilderness, he had drawn every eye; now that he had returned to wealth and privilege, he was naturally even more outstanding.
But Tuan Yun did not let his gaze linger on the face of the man he had once loved and had not seen for so long. What he watched instead was Ji Zhiwei’s expression, looking down at him, unreadable in joy or anger.
The hand was still touching his face, the movement gentle.
Not to mention gentleness, even being touched, even being looked at directly, Tuan Yun could no longer remember when the last time had been. Suddenly, a fragile hope sprouted in his heart. Carefully, tentatively, he looked into Ji Zhiwei’s eyes and tried to grasp the edge of his robe.
“Second Master?”
The next instant, Ji Zhiwei’s laughter rang out above him, cold, mocking.
“Do you even know how to write the words ‘shame’ and ‘decency’?”
Tuan Yun stared blankly, not understanding.
Ji Zhiwei spoke as if to himself yet clearly for Tuan Yun to hear.
“If you can’t write them, you should at least know how to behave.”
“Someone like you, who has ‘wanting a man’ written plainly in your eyes, in Shengjing, we call that a whore. Trash.”
Boom!
Lightning tore through the clouds.
Tuan Yun’s face went deathly pale, all color draining away.
By the time Zhu’er came back inside, he was still kneeling on the ground, like a lonely wandering ghost.
Seeing him on the floor, Zhu’er rushed over to help him up. The moment she touched him, she felt the chill in his body and cried out in alarm, “Madam, the damp cold from the rain, how could anyone bear it?”
Then, pained and indignant, she said, “They say the count’s household is noble and most particular about propriety and rules but even farming families outside don’t make a wife kneel just to speak. No matter how much the second young master dislikes you, you are still his proper wife and you even saved his life, how could he…”
Tuan Yun shook his head, stopping the rest of her words. He steadied himself and let tears fall.
As he sobbed, he thought: without a child, he would face being demoted from wife to concubine, his life uncertain yet Ji Zhiwei despised him so deeply, how could he possibly have a child?
Even he knew that children did not come simply because one wished for them.
The night passed without rest. By the next morning, the clouds had dispersed and it was a bright, clear day.
Early in the morning, someone came to summon Tuan Yun to the main courtyard hall, saying the carriages and horses were ready and they were about to depart.
Two elders and one sister-in-law were going along. Upon seeing him, they mocked him openly.
“How rare it is to take you out yet you show up with swollen eyes. Who are you trying to put on a show for?”
“You could cry at any time but you just had to start last night after being told the news. Don’t tell me you did it on purpose to make the household look bad.”
“Why don’t you put on more makeup? Anyone who didn’t know better would think someone wronged you.”
Tuan Yun lowered his head and did not respond, privately acknowledging the word “rare.”
Ever since he had entered the count’s household, they wished he would never leave the gates for the rest of his life. For external occasions, nine times out of ten they claimed he was ill and resting at home. To bring him out publicly was exceedingly uncommon.
The reason soon became clear to Tuan Yun.
They were going to Cui Jianying’s residence.
No wonder they had to bring him along.
Cui Jianying was a truly prominent figure in Shengjing.
Born the son of a marquis’ household, his legitimate mother and the matriarch of the Ji family’s count’s household were sisters. Strictly speaking, he and the Ji family were close relatives yet his relationship with the Ji family was poor, his relationship with every branch of his kin was poor.
He was known as someone who delighted in stirring up trouble, a smiling tiger whom clan nobles, meritorious families and civil and military officials alike avoided.
Anyone who fell out with him never met a good end. Even blood relations were no protection; finding fault and submitting impeachments was second nature to him. Tuan Yun’s entry into the capital and into the household back then had been due to discord between Cui Jianying and Ji Zhiwei. Cui Jianying’s casual impeachment, meant simply to cause discomfort, had instead secured Tuan Yun his position as a lawful wife.
Tracing it back, Cui Jianying was in fact a benefactor Tuan Yun had never met. It was precisely to stop his mouth that Tuan Yun had gained all his present circumstances.
Along the way, discussion about Cui Jianying never ceased.
“With both parents still alive, what kind of son sets up his own residence without respect for his legitimate mother? And with such extravagance, inviting everyone to celebrate, doesn’t he fear someone reporting him?”
“He’s favored by the Emperor now. Who would dare refuse his face? The Tianshu Guard is an imperial privilege, with tens of thousands of men and he alone is the Chief Commander.”
“Were those recent rumors true? That Cui Jianying led people to raid an old colleague’s home?”
“Absolutely. Laughing and drinking together at the same table during the day, then arresting and killing him at night. No idea what kind of twisted feng shui produced such a vicious person. Blood soaked the blue bricks and he didn’t even blink.”
Once they entered the Cui residence, the discussion of public affairs stopped as if by mutual, unspoken agreement.
Private gossip immediately took its place. The two elders exchanged teasing looks.
“By age, Commander Cui should be twenty-two now, right? Still not married?”
“With a temperament that ruthless, a heart as narrow as a needle’s eye and as deep as the sea, what decent family would dare marry a daughter to him? Even if it were a xiaolang, they’d probably be unwilling.”
The women of the count’s household laughed behind their hands.
“So what if he hasn’t married? Could Cui Jianying possibly lack women? The fleeting affairs around him probably number no fewer than the lives he owes. He recognizes no kin or friends but toward beauties, he’s famously tender. Who’s better at pampering people than him?”
“Exactly. Our Commander Cui was called Qionghua as a child, you know. His looks aren’t lacking at all. As for offspring, oh my, with that stature of Young Master Cui, no matter how capable he is, there’s no shortage there.”
“Have you seen him draw a bow? That bow must weigh dozens of shi and he pulls it full with ease, shoulders opening wide. Arms and thighs hard as stone. If he weren’t unmarried, who knows how many illegitimate children would already be causing scandals.”
Tuan Yun listened to bits and pieces, momentarily dazed.
Just as he was lost in thought, word came that Cui Jianying had arrived to greet the Ji family elders.
Tuan Yun stood with the crowd in the farthest corner, silent as always.
Secretly, he lifted his eyes and stole a few glances at the master of the Cui household.
The reputation of the Tianshu Guard was formidable. More than once, Zhu’er had told Tuan Yun that the standards for selection were extremely strict, every one of them outstanding young men. If not all eight feet tall, then at least impressive in build: broad shoulders, long legs, narrow waists, powerful backs.
And Cui Jianying, even among a group of such carefully chosen attendants, stood out the most. He possessed a strikingly flamboyant beauty, tinged with something faintly sinister yet years of relentless training had forged his body solid and strong, diluting that flamboyance into something sharp and forceful.
He truly must draw a bow often and likely ride horses as well. His stance and gait revealed a difference from ordinary men, his arms long and powerful, strength evident even through his clothing.
With top and bottom both so fine, the middle, his waist, could hardly be lacking. The word “capable,” meant as a teasing jab, became simply a factual description upon seeing him in person.
“Tuan Yun, Tuan Yun… What are you thinking about? Hurry and pay your respects to Commander Cui.”
A voice called beside his ear and someone gently pushed him.
Before him was the man’s chest, embroidered with cloud patterns edged in gold and silver thread.
Tuan Yun came back to himself, hastily saluted and softly addressed him, “Lord Cui.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Fleurveil
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
No propaganda here. Only coffee.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · How can you, so crude and vulgar, be a match for me?Chapter 2 · Children don’t just appear out of thin air if you want themChapter 3 · I also grew up reading the classicsChapter 4 · I am willing to dress up as the Goddess of MercyChapter 5 · If Cousin Ji doesn’t like me, do you not like me either?Chapter 6 · He actually summoned such a YamaChapter 7 · Am I not worthy of your attention, Madam?Chapter 8 · I think Lord Cui likes you very muchChapter 9 · Dragon and phoenix twinsChapter 10 · I will never allow anyone to belittle or despise you againChapter 11 · If that’s true, then marry your wife to meChapter 12 · Well, it really is true that one thing can subdue anotherChapter 13 · Extra 1Chapter 14 · Extra 2Chapter 15 · Extra 3Chapter 16 · Extra 4