085 The Affectionate Are Always Vexed by the Indifferent

Chen Yage wanted to argue back, but at this moment she couldn’t utter a single word; glaring was all she could do. The madam led her upstairs, saying that a room had been specially prepared for her. For Chen Yage, having a private room was far better than sharing with others. She followed the madam, and just as they were about to turn the corner, someone emerged from a room. Through the narrow opening of the door, she caught a glimpse inside, and a familiar figure appeared before her eyes.

Clad in flowing white robes, with brows like drawn swords and eyes like stars, his handsome face made Chen Yage freeze where she stood.

The madam noticed Chen Yage had stopped and peered in through the door crack, laughing, “What’s wrong? Have you taken a liking to Young Master Xu?”

Chen Yage didn’t reply. The madam continued, “Or is it the gentleman in white by his side? Thick brows, sharp eyes, dashing and elegant—it’s no wonder your heart is fluttering. If you’re willing, I can let you go in and serve them, how about it?”

Again, Chen Yage didn’t answer. Instead, she pushed open the door and slowly walked toward Li Bai. Sitting beside him was Xu Jin, his right arm around Xiang Yu, while two heavily made-up women sat next to Li Bai. When Chen Yage entered, everyone paused in surprise. Xu Jin laughed, “This one isn’t bad! Come, keep this lord company. Please him well, there’ll be no shortage of rewards for you.”

The madam entered, pulling Chen Yage to Li Bai’s side. “This is Mu Ying, a new girl, still unfamiliar with the rules. I’ll call for other girls to serve you two gentlemen.”

“No, she’ll do. I like her,” Xu Jin declared, pulling Chen Yage onto his lap. She did not resist, did not struggle, not even a flicker of emotion on her face; she simply looked at Li Bai, her eyes filled with confusion and deep affection.

Neither Xu Jin nor Li Bai recognized her. Suddenly, Chen Yage laughed—a laugh tinged with sorrow. She had changed her face so thoroughly that even the one she loved most could not recognize her. Was there anything more tragic than this?

Sensing the awkwardness in the air, the madam tried to smooth things over with a smile, “Mu Ying cannot speak. If she displeases you gentlemen, please forgive her. Tonight is her first night—I hope you’ll both be gentle with her.” The reason she let Chen Yage serve Xu Jin and Li Bai was because she knew Xu Jin was wealthy, so there was no worry about payment.

“Leave us,” Xu Jin said impatiently to the madam, waving her away. The madam left with a sycophantic smile.

Xu Jin pinched Chen Yage’s chin, examining her closely. “You do resemble her a bit, but she was never this beautiful. If she had your looks, I’d have married her long ago.”

Chen Yage had never cared for Xu Jin’s words, and even now she took it as nothing more than his usual teasing.

“Brother Li, this girl isn’t bad. Tonight, set aside your worries and enjoy yourself. From tomorrow on, I don’t want to see you in such places anymore. We’re both men—I know how it is. But Ziyan is my sister, and I hope you’ll treat her well from now on. If we’ve wronged you in the past, I apologize here and now. If you accept, drink this cup.”

Generously, Xu Jin handed Li Bai a brimming cup of wine. Li Bai hesitated for a moment, then took the cup and drained it. “I don’t know if I can bring Ziyan happiness, but I’ll do my best to make her smile.”

Li Bai’s voice was cool, but Xu Jin was in good spirits after hearing his reply. Clapping his hands, he said, “That’s enough for me. I trust my own eyes, and I’m at ease entrusting my sister to you.” He paused, adding, “Don’t worry, my sister’s happiness is simple. Even a smile from you will make her happy. As long as you’re good to her and stay by her side for life, that’s all she wishes for.”

“I hope I can give her a lifetime of happiness,” Li Bai replied, draining another cup.

Hearing this, Chen Yage’s hands trembled. She tried to control her emotions, but could not quell the storm inside her.

Suddenly, her sleeve brushed a cup off the table, spilling wine everywhere. Xu Jin frowned, “What’s wrong with you?”

Li Bai cut him off, rising from Chen Yage’s side to sit alone at the edge of the room. Xu Jin waved impatiently, “Out, out—you’re spoiling the mood.”

Chen Yage paused, half-way through tidying up the wine jug. She cared nothing for Xu Jin’s words; all that mattered was Li Bai. So close, within arm’s reach, yet he did not recognize her—she found it both laughable and heartbreaking.

She stared at Li Bai, but his gaze never landed on her. At last, she gave up. She laughed, tears streaming down her face. Step by step, as though her feet were weighed down by lead, her heart aching, she left the room.

At the moment she closed the door, she could not help but look back at Li Bai. At that instant, Li Bai also turned to look at her, his eyes utterly unfamiliar. Chen Yage hesitated no more, leaving the room with determination.

She would leave this place, leave Xiangyang City, leave this city of memories. She would abandon all joy and sorrow. Chen Yage forced herself forward, but the more she tried, the more her tears betrayed her. Stumbling and staggering, she ran to the backyard, where she happened to bump into a young maid. The two collided.

Seeing Chen Yage’s tear-stained eyes, the maid asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Was it the guest…” She didn’t finish her sentence. Chen Yage walked past her without a word. Bathed in moonlight, she ran on, as if only the moon would ever keep her company, never abandoning her.

Exhausted at last, Chen Yage sat down in a courtyard. There stood a cart with two large baskets, straw piled underneath, and vegetable scraps scattered about—surely the cart that delivered produce to Windshadow House. Inspiration struck: she climbed into the cart, covered herself with straw, and hid beneath the baskets. It was a gamble—if she escaped, luck was finally on her side and heaven had opened its eyes. If not, it would be just another trial to endure.

Soon after, an elderly man with white hair emerged from the house. He looked about fifty, but was still sturdy enough to haul such a heavy load. His kindly face radiated warmth and friendliness. Smiling, he began to pull the cart, but suddenly sensed something amiss and stopped. A woman of about thirty came out from the house. “Old Liu, is something wrong?”