20 – Black Cloud Guard
Yes, it has been six years since Ye Chen’s parents and aunt passed away. Ye Chen observed the three-year mourning period, which were also the three most painful years of his life. He had to familiarize himself with every aspect of the Duke Manor’s businesses one by one. His grandmother, devastated by the loss, fell seriously ill, and within a year, her once raven-black hair turned completely silver.
With his grandfather bedridden, Ye Chen was left to manage everything inside and out alone. During those three years, he had to stretch himself thin as if he were several people. From a sixteen-year-old youth, he matured into a Duke who navigated social interactions with ease.
After the three-year mourning period ended, he discussed with his grandparents his plan to take the Autumn Examination three years later—this very year. Since he had no intention of pursuing a military career, the imperial examination path was a fine alternative. After all, studying came easily to Ye Chen.
Ye Chen was talented and admired talent in others. In his previous life, it was his appreciation for Gu Ruojin’s brilliance that led him deeper into attachment. Later, when Shen Qiu married him, although she was literate, she was far from what one would call talented.
At that time, Ye Chen felt a sense of regret, even a feeling of defilement, which caused him heartache and led him to commit those foolish acts against his Qiu’er.
Ye Chen said, “Grandfather, I couldn’t take the Autumn Examination three years ago due to mourning. This year, I wish to sit for it. With an official rank, it will be more convenient when serving the Emperor in the future.”
The Old Duke took the tea handed to him by a maid, paused for a moment, and said, “Hmm, the honors of our Duke Manor were earned on horseback. I don’t want you to follow our old path. The imperial examination is a good choice.”
Xiao Hang swallowed a mouthful of rice forcefully and said, “Yeah, Little Chen is sure to come out on top in the exams! Your talent is famous throughout the Capital City!”
Ye Chen shot a glare at Xiao Hang, who was puzzled—he hadn’t said anything wrong! Oh! Right, every rumor about Ye Chen’s talent inevitably involved that Miss Gu. It seemed he was afraid his wife would get jealous!
On the way back to Cherishing Autumn Pavilion, Shen Qiu asked Ye Chen, “Husband, is that Black Eagle very formidable? Has he never left Grandfather’s side?”
Ye Chen replied, “He is indeed formidable. He’s Grandfather’s Shadow Guard captain, but he’s also the commander of the Black Cloud Guard.”
“What?” Shen Qiu’s jaw dropped in astonishment as she stared at Ye Chen in disbelief.
Ye Chen reached out and gently closed her mouth, smiling. “Yes, he’s the commander, and Ling Tian is the deputy commander. The Black Cloud Guard are essentially the Emperor’s Shadow Guards.”
Shen Qiu: “Oh, no wonder! People have only heard of the Black Cloud Guard but have never seen them.”
Ye Chen said, “That’s because those who have seen them are all dead!”
Shen Qiu lowered her head in thought and said, “But that doesn’t make sense. If they’re the Emperor’s Shadow Guards, why isn’t the commander by the Emperor’s side instead of with Grandfather?”
Ye Chen looked at her and explained, “Because the Black Cloud Guard was established by Grandfather. Strictly speaking, Grandfather is also the Emperor’s Shadow Guard.”
“Did you see the thumb ring on Grandfather’s right hand? That’s the symbol of the Black Cloud Guard leader.”
Shen Qiu’s jaw dropped again. This was too incredible! How much must the Emperor trust the Old Duke to entrust his entire life and safety to him?
Ye Chen chuckled and reached out to gently pinch Shen Qiu’s cheek. “Scared already?”
Shen Qiu pushed his hand away from her face and said, “No, it’s just that such favor seems overwhelmingly great.”Ye Chen smiled and said, “Don’t worry. Although it’s often said there’s no kinship in royalty, this Emperor has broken that rule. He’s a man who values relationships and loyalty.”
Such thinking from Ye Chen might make him seem naive, but this was a conclusion he’d drawn after living two lifetimes.
In his previous life, the Emperor had trusted the Ye family unconditionally. Ye Chen once asked the Emperor, “Aren’t you afraid the Ye family might rebel?” The Emperor laughed and replied, “Anyone in the Great Yin Kingdom might rebel, but not your Ye family!”
“The Ye family’s integrity wouldn’t allow such actions. While human hearts are greedy by nature, for some people, that childlike innocence is more precious than anything else! It’s not that I have confidence in your Ye family – I have confidence in my own ability to judge character.”
Shen Qiu wanted to ask more, but Ye Chen gently pushed her forward, saying, “Alright, I know you’re worried. Why not leave everything to your husband? Trust that your husband can handle it, okay?”
Shen Qiu and Ye Chen returned to Cherishing Autumn Pavilion. After chatting in their room for a while, they went to bed early. For over a month now, his Qiu’er hadn’t had a single good night’s sleep.
Seeing the lights go out in the main room, Ming Yue, holding a porcelain bottle in her hand, tiptoed to Mu Qing’s quarters in the western wing.
“Knock knock knock”
“Who is it?” Mu Qing cautiously pulled up the left side of his garment.
“It’s me,” Ming Yue answered.
Mu Qing wondered in surprise, “What does she want here?”
But without dwelling on it, he stood up, fastened his robe, and went to open the door.
In terms of appearance alone, Mu Qing wasn’t inferior to Ye Chen, though he lacked the commanding presence of a leader and the noble aura that Ye Chen possessed.
Ming Yue stared at Mu Qing, unaware that a trace of drool had escaped the corner of her mouth. Mu Qing reached out and wiped it away with distaste, saying, “I know I’m only slightly less handsome than the young master, but isn’t your reaction a bit too obvious?”
“Let me tell you, I don’t fancy airheaded girls like you.”
Furious, Ming Yue threw the porcelain bottle into Mu Qing’s arms and scolded, “I hope it hurts then! What’s the use of being good-looking? All show and no substance – you couldn’t even catch a few thieves and ended up getting yourself injured.”
Then she ran out, muttering, “Hmph, you think you’re too good for me? Well, you’re not my type either!”
Mu Qing looked at the bottle in his hand, then at the retreating figure. Had he been too harsh? Even if he didn’t like her, should he have hurt her with his words?
The next day, Mu Qing wanted to apologize to Ming Yue but couldn’t find her anywhere.
Ming Yue had been sent by Shen Qiu to the Shen residence to check if Shen Rouyun was behaving properly.
Ming Yue returned around noon. Shen Qiu asked, “How did it go? Is she still making trouble?”
Ming Yue looked at Shen Qiu and said, “Second Young Miss is ill. According to the Madam, she stayed in her room ever since returning yesterday and didn’t come out. Last night, her maid reported she had developed a fever that still hasn’t broken.”
Shen Qiu quickly asked, “What did the physician say?”
Ming Yue shook her head. “The physician can’t determine the cause. She remains unconscious with a high fever that won’t subside. The physician has tried every medicine, but the fever simply won’t break.”
Shen Qiu stood up and brought Ming Yue to the medicine garden. She thought of seeing if Xiao Hang had any solutions. After all, this was her cousin – she couldn’t just ignore the situation now that she knew about it.Ye Chen had gone somewhere unknown; he hadn’t been seen since breakfast this morning. Shen Qiu told Xing Er to wait at home, and if Ye Chen returned, to inform him that she had gone back to the Shen family, so he wouldn’t worry.