Chapter 79: Reunion (Part One)

When Liu Chuyan arrived at Yixiang Garden, Lin Jinghuan was already standing, adjusting her attire. She had changed into a pale moon-blue embroidered dress belonging to Xue Huaijin, which made her appear even more delicate and fragile, her sorrowful eyes unable to hide the sadness within, stirring the deepest pity in those who beheld her.

General Liu fixed his gaze on Lin Jinghuan, his expression unreadable, while Old Madam Han beside him wore a look of deep regret and sighing admiration.

After Liu Chuyan stepped forward to pay her respects, she went to support Lin Jinghuan, turning to General Liu with a playful tone, “Grandmother, may I escort you and Sister Jinghuan back to the estate today?”

“If my dear Chuyan wishes to accompany this old woman, nothing would please me more. In that case, you must stay with me at my residence for a few days,” the old general replied.

Liu Chuyan had merely wanted to see Liu Xiaomao and had not planned to stay overnight. Unexpectedly, she was thus invited. Glancing at Old Madam Han for her opinion, she saw only eager nods and full approval.

General Liu continued, “I have already spoken to your grandaunt—the coming-of-age banquet will be held at the General’s Mansion. The Han family will soon be hosting a housewarming celebration; with the two banquets so close together, your second aunt will be exhausted, not to mention your cousin Shujing’s wedding, which already has her fully occupied. Come with me, and you may as well teach Guanju properly. That girl has grown entirely unruly—she even injured someone on the training grounds recently.”

“Guanju got into a fight?” Liu Chuyan was startled; no wonder Guanju hadn’t visited the Han residence. It seemed she’d been confined for injuring someone.

General Liu looked exasperated. “Indeed. She injured someone from the Enchang Marquis household. Because of our family’s status, the Enchang Marquis dared not make a scene, but privately they’ve been spreading rumors, claiming we look down on them and allow our children to harm theirs.”

“The Enchang Marquis household has always kept a low profile. Why make trouble now? And though Guanju can be mischievous, she knows right from wrong and would never strike another without cause.”

“It wasn’t she who started it, but Xiaomao. Still, Guanju was wrong to use her fists.”

“Xiaomao?” Liu Chuyan’s heart gave a sudden lurch, filled with unease.

“Yes,” General Liu sighed heavily, unwilling to elaborate further. So Liu Chuyan let the matter rest.

“Jinghuan, let us return home now. As for the wedding, we shall wait until Ziyan awakens before discussing it.” The old general rose, and Liu Chuyan hastened to pass Lin Jinghuan to a maid, stepping forward to lend her support.

Xue Huaijin and her companion both knew that the general harbored resentment toward the Duke of Xinguo’s family over Lin Jinghuan’s situation, but as juniors, they could say nothing, and so they knelt and bid a proper farewell.

What surprised Liu Chuyan was that even as the general’s party departed, Madam Xue was nowhere to be seen. That past incident must have struck her deeply, more than she had expected. She glanced back and caught sight of Xue Ao, frowning wordlessly. Though he escorted them out, he seemed lost in thought, apparently oblivious to her scrutiny.

Old Madam Han watched them leave, then returned to her own residence, instructing Qinghe to pack a few of Liu Chuyan’s personal belongings to be sent after her, and set about preparations for Han Shujing’s wedding. But news soon came that Prince Xin was in the house and had spoken with Han Ruogu the entire afternoon, which caused her brows to knit tightly, worry clouding her face. Prince Xin was still inexperienced, and Han Ruogu was far too impatient—this boded ill. If the Chief Eunuch were to take notice, not even she could protect him.

Fortunately, she once did the Chief Eunuch a great favor. Otherwise, with the Han family in its current decline, they would have no footing in Jinling, much less the power to defy Lady Fengxian. Not long ago, news came from the palace that Lady Fengxian intended to summon Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei for a meeting. Officially it was just a chat, but in truth, it was all for the Emperor’s sake. Luckily, she received word in time and quickly informed the Chief Eunuch, suppressing the matter for now.

Yet she dared not let outsiders know of her connection with the Chief Eunuch. In fact, she rather regretted saving Wei Wuliang’s life all those years ago. Had she not intervened then, the present situation would be vastly different; at the very least, the fate of the nation would not be in the hands of a eunuch usurper. She regretted it deeply, though regret was useless. She still had to rely on that old favor to shelter her descendants and protect the Han family—a bitter necessity, indeed a source of endless anxiety.

Meanwhile, at the General’s Mansion, chaos reigned.

Liu Guanju had been confined two days earlier, but she was no ordinary girl; if she set her mind to it, not even iron walls could contain her, let alone a wooden door. Yet when she slipped out, she failed to find Liu Xiaomao, and instead was discovered by Master Li Dushi.

The fight was indeed caused by Liu Xiaomao, but now he was nowhere to be found—even after the general returned, the boy was still missing. Master Li Dushi was fuming, more convinced than ever that something was off about Liu Xiaomao. If only he hadn’t weakened and allowed Liu Guanju to keep him in the first place.

Liu Guanju was fiercely protective of her own. Hearing Li Dushi disparage Xiaomao, she could hardly tolerate it, and rushed to tug at his robe, crying, “Father, Xiaomao is a good person. He treats me well and has done nothing wrong. The fight the other day was all because Li Xiaoren provoked me first! The Enchang Marquis is one of Wei Wuliang’s people, and now he’s attached himself to their eldest lady, thinks himself above everyone, dares to challenge even me, and tried to beat Xiaomao, who was protecting me. So I lashed back and taught him a lesson. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dirtied my hands on that wretch.”

“Enough excuses! You struck someone, and that’s that. When Liu Xiaomao returns, I’ll send him away. This time, even if you starve yourself or throw a fit, I will not yield.”

As soon as Liu Chuyan entered, she heard Li Dushi’s exasperated shouting and felt a wave of anxiety. She looked to Xue Ao, who remained calm and at ease, even amused, and while no one was watching, gave his elbow a discreet nudge.

Xue Ao merely shook his head and signaled her to wait, untroubled.

But Liu Chuyan, believing Liu Xiaomao might be her brother, could hardly remain calm. Hearing Li Xiaoren’s name—the source of all this trouble—she grew even angrier, tamped down her temper with effort, greeted Master Li Dushi respectfully, and then said, “Master Li, forgive me for speaking out of turn. Though Guanju is young, she is upright and just. As for Li Xiaoren, he is not a good sort. His father, Li Guangdong, was once my father’s friend, so I know him well. He is skilled at deception, his noble facade concealing a base nature. He has been in the capital but five years and has risen three ranks, outstripping many local talents. It’s clear the Li family is no easy mark. This time, Li Xiaoren provoked Guanju, then claimed he was cowed by the General’s prestige and dared not make a fuss, yet secretly slandered your family. I fear he is merely testing your tolerance. I beg you, Master Li, do not blame Guanju further. Instead, consider what might be brewing between the Li family and the Enchang Marquis.”

Liu Chuyan’s words were not subtle, every point sharply made. Master Li Dushi was no fool; she didn’t need to spell it out for him to grasp the intent behind the Enchang Marquis and Li families’ actions. The Enchang Marquis was Wei Wuliang’s man—this was yet another provocation against the General’s household, though more covert than the last. He glanced at Liu Guanju, his expression slightly softened.

Liu Guanju, hearing Liu Chuyan speak up for her, was both moved and aggrieved—this was the first time anyone had done so. Clinging to Liu Chuyan’s arm, her eyes brimming with tears, she sniffed, “Sister Chuyan, if you hadn’t come, Father would have beaten me to death.”

Liu Chuyan smiled gently, taking out a silk handkerchief to wipe away her tears. “Guanju, Master Li only wishes the best for you. Don’t be upset with him, all right?”

“I’m not upset with him, so long as he doesn’t send Xiaomao away.” Guanju muttered, casting a wary glance at Master Li Dushi.

Helpless against her, Master Li Dushi merely shook his sleeves and took his leave.

Old General Liu, however, stopped him, sent for Liu Songxian, and, taking Lin Jinghuan with him, closed the courtyard gates, instructing the servants to see to Liu Chuyan’s comfort. As for Xue Ao, who was more familiar with the Liu residence than his own, they treated him as one of the family, so he was free to do as he pleased.

Xue Ao, unconcerned by the Liu family’s informality, stood with folded arms beside Liu Chuyan, listening to Liu Guanju alternately weep and rail against Liu Songxian’s misdeeds—scolding, beating, confining her, even depriving her of meat. He could not help but laugh.

Yet at that very moment, Liu Xiaomao was still missing. Liu Guanju was worried he might have left the mansion for fear of implicating her. If so, what could she do? She’d finally found a suitable sparring partner—a beauty in the making, and already skilled in martial arts.

Liu Chuyan noticed Xue Ao’s amusement and suddenly realized he must know where Liu Xiaomao had gone, or he would not be so at ease. With no one else around, her tone sharpened as she questioned, “Second Master Xue, do you know where Liu Xiaomao has gone?”

Liu Guanju turned to glare at him. “Did you hide my Xiaomao? Oh, that’s right—I heard you met him this morning when he left. He seemed flustered when he returned, but wouldn’t say a thing. Only when I pressed him did he mutter a few nonsense words. Tell me—are you coveting his beauty?”

“Coveting his beauty?” Xue Ao burst out laughing, pointing at Liu Chuyan. “If I covet anyone, it’s her, not some eleven-year-old boy! Guanju, are your eyes on straight?”

“Because Xiaomao looks so much like Sister Chuyan, you’re desperate enough to settle!” Guanju retorted without thinking.

Liu Chuyan understood Guanju’s anxiety but could not condone her outburst. She seized the girl’s wrist and soothed her, “Guanju, Second Master Xue may be unreliable, but he is not that sort of man. If Xiaomao can come and go freely, he must have business elsewhere. Don’t worry.”

Xue Ao, listening, felt her words weren’t exactly flattering, nor overtly critical. Stroking his clean-shaven chin, he pondered her remark. But Guanju would not let it rest, shooting him dark glances. He looked up at the ceiling, refusing to be baited.

After a while, Guanju, frustrated by his silence, plopped to the floor in defeat, legs kicking in exasperation. Not even Liu Chuyan’s gentle persuasion could move her now.

“Miss, Xiaomao has returned!” Just as Liu Chuyan was at her wits’ end, someone came rushing to report.

“He’s back?” Guanju leapt up, not even pausing to brush the dust from her clothes before running off. Liu Chuyan, caught off guard by her sudden movement, was struck on the chin by Guanju’s head, her teeth cutting her lip, drawing blood in an instant.

“Chuchu, are you all right?” Xue Ao, seeing this, wanted nothing more than to hang Guanju up and give her a thorough beating. For the sake of her beloved, she’d hurt his precious Chuchu.

“It’s nothing,” Liu Chuyan replied, dabbing at her lip with a handkerchief. The wound wasn’t serious and soon stopped bleeding, though it still stung. But her mind was on Liu Xiaomao, so she pushed Xue Ao’s hand aside and hurried out after Guanju.