Chapter 7: Feelings That Cannot Be Spoken

Old Madam Xiao’s face darkened. She ordered the young servant sold off and summoned the main culprit, Madam Wang.

Madam Wang arrived late.

Stepping into Shou’an Hall, her shrewd eyes darted about. When she saw Jiang Chuyue unharmed, she looked a little disappointed.

It seemed Liu Chunshu had failed.

Old Madam Xiao slammed the table and scolded, “Wang! How dare you collude with the Liu family to bully someone from my Xiao household!”

Madam Wang fell to her knees, crying injustice. “Old Madam, I too was deceived by Liu Qingshu. He swore up and down that he had fallen in love with Yue-girl at first sight and would marry no one else. I saw him lovesick to the point of illness, so I told him where Jiang Chuyue would be. I only meant to help match a fine couple—how was I to know he was such a vile man?”

Old Madam: “Do you take me for a fool? You think I’ll believe this nonsense?”

Madam Wang begged repeatedly, insisting she knew nothing of Liu Qingshu’s wicked character.

Putting on a false show, she dabbed at her eyes, then subtly shifted the topic: “Although Liu Qingshu failed, there was still… physical contact between him and Yue-girl. If word gets out, her reputation will suffer.”

Old Madam Xiao asked coolly, “Then what do you suggest?”

Madam Wang declared firmly, “Better to go along with it and marry Yue-girl to him—so rumors won’t spread.”

Old Madam Xiao gave a cold laugh. “Foolish dream.”

Madam Wang was secretly displeased.

How could an orphaned girl from another family be treated with such favor?

She fumed, “Old Madam, if Jiang Chuyue doesn’t marry soon at her age, she’ll become a laughingstock in the capital. If the son of the Assistant Minister of Revenue doesn’t satisfy you, will you send her into the palace to be an imperial consort instead?”

Old Madam Xiao’s expression instantly turned grim.

She called for the steward and pointed at Madam Wang: “Gag this venomous woman and throw her out. From now on, she’s forbidden to set foot in the Xiao household. We’ll act as though we have no such relative.”

Madam Wang was horrified.

For the sake of an outsider, the Xiao family was cutting ties with the Wangs?

She tried to speak, but her mouth was stuffed with cloth. Two strong servants dragged her out and tossed her beyond the Xiao gates.

She landed face-first in the dirt, scrambled up in disgrace, and glared hatefully at the Xiao family’s gilded gates. “Biased old hag!”

Her eyes shifted shrewdly again—an evil plan forming.

If Old Madam Xiao loved Jiang Chuyue so much, then she would push Jiang Chuyue into the abyss.

Madam Wang sneered, “With that bewitching face, if she won’t marry Young Master Liu, then I’ll have her enter the palace as a consort.”

The current emperor was lustful, the harem full of beauties, and the palace was a living hell.

If Jiang Chuyue entered, she’d soon meet her end.

Madam Wang ordered her maid, “Fetch a painter. I want a portrait of Jiang Chuyue.”

If the emperor saw her, he would surely be smitten. One imperial edict, and the Xiao family would have to hand her over. If they resisted, the whole clan would suffer.

…

Inside Shou’an Hall.

Jiang Chuyue offered a cup of tea. “Grandmother, please have some to calm your anger.”

Old Madam Xiao drank and told her, “Pay no mind to that poisonous woman’s nonsense. I will never send you into the palace.”

Jiang Chuyue nodded gently. “I know.”

Having lived in the boudoir all her life, she had still heard whispers of the filth in the Daqing harem. The emperor was foolish, the empress jealous, and that place devoured young women without leaving a trace.

Most capital officials, if their daughters were even moderately attractive, would marry them off quickly—lest the emperor take them into the harem.

Old Madam Xiao sighed, setting down her cup. “I’m old and cannot protect you forever. Good child, when you go out, you must be cautious.”

Jiang Chuyue answered obediently, “Mm, I understand.”

The old lady took her hand. “That Wang woman talks nonsense, but she was right about one thing—you ought to be matched soon. There are many fine young men in the capital. Do you have anyone in mind?”

Jiang Chuyue lowered her lashes and shook her head lightly. “I have no one in mind.”

Of course, she did.

But she could not say it aloud.

Old Madam Xiao was rare and kind—and precisely because of that, Jiang Chuyue dared not speak her heart.

She didn’t want to put her grandmother in a difficult position.

Xiao Ji was a sun she could never touch. She could only hide in the shadows, timidly stretching out her hand now and then to borrow a sliver of his light.

She would slowly cut away this dark, unspoken love and, like other noblewomen in the capital, marry elsewhere, bear children, and live out an ordinary life.

“Well then, fate will take its course,” Old Madam Xiao said kindly. “Go rest now. In a few days, I’ll take you to Shijing Temple to burn incense for a good marriage.”

Jiang Chuyue curtseyed and withdrew.

Back in her room, the drug’s effects still lingered, leaving her head light and dizzy.

Near dusk, Baozhu rushed in, grinning. “Miss! I just heard—General Xiao stormed into the Liu residence and beat Liu Qingshu black and blue. Serves him right!”

Jiang Chuyue was stunned.

Her heart rippled like a pond struck by a stone.

She frowned. “If he beat the son of a fifth-rank official, won’t that hurt his career if it goes to court?”

Baozhu: “Don’t worry, Miss. That Assistant Minister dotes on his youngest son, but the impeachment papers against the Lius are already piling high. The General’s actions are cause for celebration! And besides, the General and the Regent are old friends—who would dare touch him?”

Only then did Jiang Chuyue relax.

Yes, the Xiao and Regent households were close. With the Regent’s power, no one in court would dare move against the Xiaos.

She propped her chin on her hand, watching the golden sunset outside the window. Xiao Ji was always like this—always standing up for her.

When she had first come to the capital at five years old, the children of Xiao family relatives often mocked her as a cursed orphan.

Xiao Ji had rolled up his sleeves and beaten them all soundly. After that, no one dared insult her to her face again.

Xiao Ji was her sky, her safe harbor from the wind and rain. As the years passed, her girlish heart began to reveal its secret—knowing it was like a moth to flame, yet unable to stop the rush of feelings.

“Xiaoyue!”

His voice came from outside.

Jiang Chuyue turned to see Xiao Ji stride in, still wearing his dark armor. The golden sunset spilled over his shoulders, making him shine.

He said, “Don’t be afraid. I broke that bastard Liu Qingshu’s right leg—let’s see if he dares try anything again!”

Jiang Chuyue felt like a flower basking in the sun. She answered softly, “Mm, I’m not afraid.”

She knew Xiao Ji would always protect her.

He asked, “You often go to Fanlou?”

Jiang Chuyue: “The pastries there are delicious.”

Xiao Ji laughed and tapped her nose. “Still as greedy as when you were little. I’ll leave two guards here in the mansion—next time you go out, they’ll accompany you.”