Chapter 5 — Unusual

Wanru lowered her eyes, forcing down the panic within them. When she looked up again, her gaze was already misted over.

“But if someone were to find out, the Old Madam would be disappointed in me, and the First Madam would think I was seducing you. Once your wife enters the household, she too may see me as a temptress. Then how could I ever live peacefully?”

As she spoke, she slipped her arms around his waist, her misty eyes looking up at him pitifully, her voice soft as silk:
“Xianyu-gege…”

Xie Xianyu stared at her. The dangerous aura around him gradually dissipated. After a moment of silence, he finally said:
“As you wish.”

Wanru let out a quiet breath of relief. But then his hand gripped her chin, tilting her face up. His voice carried a faint warning:
“Wanwan, you must behave.”

Wasn’t she already behaving enough?
What did he want—her to set up an altar and worship him?

Wanru blinked her eyes innocently and nodded. “I understand. Then… may I leave now?”

At last, Xie Xianyu released her.

Wanru forced herself upright from the bed, struggling against the weakness in her legs, and quickly dressed before hurrying away.

Xie Xianyu watched her departing figure. For some reason, a stifling weight pressed on his chest, leaving him restless and displeased.

After a long while, Qing’an returned.
“Master, the young lady has already gone back to Qiushui Courtyard.”

Xie Xianyu was holding a book. He flipped a page without expression.
“Mm.”

Qing’an sneaked a glance at his face, uneasy. Usually, after the young lady visited, Master’s mood would be much improved. But today—why did he seem unhappy?

Could it be… the young lady had angered him? Or perhaps… he was growing tired of her?

Qing’an hesitated, then tried again:
“The First Madam sent word, about tomorrow’s Spring Banquet—”

Snap. Xie Xianyu shut the book impatiently.

Qing’an instantly clamped his mouth shut. “This servant spoke out of turn.”

He hurriedly retreated.

—

Wanru walked with furrowed brows, lost in thought, when a voice suddenly called out:
“Ah-jie!”

She turned, her expression softening into a smile.
“Ajin, why are you sitting at the gate?”

Xu Shujin ran up to her, tilting his head with a grin.
“I came back and didn’t see you. Sister Dingdong said you’d gone to the Old Madam’s, so I waited here for you.”

Wanru took his hand and led him back inside.
“Do you enjoy studying at the academy?”

Xu Shujin hesitated, then nodded firmly.
“Yes. I study hard every day!”

“Don’t overwork yourself. You’re still growing. Don’t exhaust yourself with endless reading. Our Ajin is clever— even without pushing so hard, you’ll still be better than the rest.” She smiled and patted his head.

“But I want to study well, to grow up quickly. Once I earn honors, I can protect you, Sister.”

“Silly child. You’re still young.”

Xu Shujin set his face stubbornly.
“I’m not young anymore! I’ll grow up soon. Eldest Young Master became a top scholar at seventeen. In ten years, I too will pass the exams, bring honor to our family, and give Sister a good life.”

Wanru paused briefly, then smiled again.
“Our Ajin surely will.”

After a moment, she lowered her voice.
“But at the academy, don’t draw too much attention.”

Xu Shujin nodded.
“I understand. Sister taught me—to hide my strengths and not stand out. I behave properly at school, never seizing the spotlight.”

Wanru curved her lips.
“Our Ajin is truly obedient.”

“Sister, I won’t cause you trouble.”

He was so good it made her heart ache. He was only eight years old.

Wanru pressed her lips together, thoughtful.
If she were to leave the Xie household, the first thing would be arranging Ajin’s safety.

Returning to the Xu family was impossible. For the past year, they had lived in the Xie household under the guise of “maternal relatives,” so the Xu clan dared not act against them. But once they stepped outside, their kin would surely devour them whole.

She needed a foolproof plan—one that would let them leave completely unscathed.

But Xie Xianyu’s recent behavior was unusual.

Before, he had always been restrained, never indulgent, even in intimacy. He was busy with his official duties, and often forgot her.

Yet ever since returning from Jiangnan, his demands had been relentless. Yesterday, she had thought it was anger, that he meant to punish her. But even today, in good spirits, he still pushed her to the brink.

And then he suddenly said he wanted to take her in early. That had chilled her to the bone.

Was it just a passing whim? Or was he, in truth, dissatisfied with the Old Madam and First Madam’s strict control over his marriage, and intending to use her as a form of rebellion?

Whatever the case, this Xie household was no longer a place she could stay.

—

The next morning, Wanru rose very early.

As Suyue dressed her hair, she noticed the girl’s pale face and was startled.
“Miss, your eyes are dark and sunken. Did you not sleep well last night?”

“Mm. A bit of insomnia. It’s fine, just apply more powder.”

Suyue sighed.
“Miss thinks too much. Too much cleverness harms the body.”

Wanru looked into the bronze mirror at her lotus-like face, then curved her lips in a faint smile.
“When the days become peaceful, all will be well.”

Suyue habitually reached for an old silver hairpin to fix her hair, but Wanru instead picked out a jade one from the box.
“Use this.”

Suyue blinked. “Miss…”

Wanru also took out a small box of rouge, dabbing a touch of red onto her lips.

In the mirror, the once-plain lotus face now glowed with color, revealing a rare trace of bold beauty.

That day’s Spring Banquet was held in the peach orchard. It was early spring, the blossoms in full bloom—a most auspicious setting. The Second Madam herself had organized the event with great care.

“Wanru-jie!”

Just as Wanru entered the orchard, a voice called out. She turned to see a girl in a pale blue dress hurrying toward her.

“Xiulin.” Wanru smiled warmly and took her hand.

“I was just looking for you! Wanru-jie, you look… different today.”

“We see each other every day. Do you think I’ve suddenly grown a new face?” Wanru laughed lightly.

Xie Xiulin studied her carefully. But aside from her usual plainness—last year’s dress, a single jade hairpin of modest quality—she seemed unchanged.

In the Xie household, only Wanru was more simply dressed than herself.

Xiulin tilted her head.
“I don’t know why. You just seem prettier somehow.”

“Really?” Wanru blinked.

Xiulin linked arms with her cheerfully.
“Today’s Spring Banquet is so grand. Almost every noble family in the capital is here. All the young ladies are eagerly hoping for my big brother’s hand in marriage.”

Wanru pressed her lips into a smile.
“Then let’s go take a look.”

The two entered hand-in-hand, only to find the dignified First Madam unusually angry.

“What did you say?! Where is the Eldest Young Master?!”