Chapter 323: Women
Luo Shi sat opposite Ye Xian, smiling as she spoke to him: "Young Master, Mother mentioned that autumn is approaching. We should prepare a few new autumn outfits for you. I wasn’t sure what style you prefer, so I haven’t started yet... I was afraid you wouldn’t like them and wouldn’t wear what I made."
Ye Xian lounged casually against the heated bed table, leisurely picking at the pine nuts in a small bowl. He ate slowly, as if he hadn’t heard Luo Shi’s words at all.
Luo Shi had a maid bring over a stack of rice paper: "I’ve sketched a few patterns I’m good at. Would you like to choose one?"
Ye Xian suddenly set the bowl down.
Luo Shi’s face brightened with hope.
But he only called out, "Zhi Shu," and said, "These pine nuts are too dry. Bring me some tea."
Luo Shi froze for a moment before calling out, "Young Master..."
Ye Xian raised an eyebrow at her. "What now? You insisted to Mother that I come keep you company. I’m here now—aren’t you satisfied? Just do whatever you want. Why ask me? Can’t you decide for yourself?"
Luo Shi stammered, unable to respond. She was no match for Ye Xian’s sharp tongue! A few cold words from him left her feeling wronged and heartbroken, her eyes reddening. Yet he remained utterly unmoved... How could this man be so indifferent to a woman’s feelings?
"If I make something you don’t like, you won’t wear it. That would just waste good fabric..."
When had he ever worn anything she made?
Ye Xian replied indifferently, "The Marquis Changxing’s household isn’t so poor that we’d fret over a few bolts of fabric! If you want more, just withdraw funds from the accounts whenever you please."
Zhi Shu brought the tea, and Ye Xian took it, sipping slowly.
Luo Shi murmured a quiet "Oh." Seeing him pick up a book again, she cautiously ventured, "What are you reading? It seems... different from the one you were reading yesterday."
Ye Xian was thoroughly exasperated by her. Even the most patient person would lose their temper—and he had never been particularly patient to begin with.
He shot her a cold glare. "If you say one more word, I’m leaving right now. And don’t you dare go crying to Mother tomorrow."
Luo Shi was frightened by his expression and finally fell silent, quietly picking up her needlework from the sewing basket beside her.
Li Xianhuai called for the young master from outside, saying he had something to report.
Ye Xian draped his cloak over his shoulders and left. Luo Shi watched him go, her eyes lingering. She really wanted to ask if he would be coming back tonight.
After a moment’s hesitation, she sighed.
Outside, the night was cool as water. The glow of lanterns beneath the eaves spilled onto the stone-paved path, and guards stood watch throughout the courtyard, maintaining strict security.
Li Xianhuai reported first: "...Young Master, this afternoon, Chen San personally signed the city lockdown order. He claimed bandits had infiltrated the capital, but he didn’t involve the Shuntian Prefecture officials—only sought help from Duke Zheng and the Military Command."
Apprehending thieves should have been the Shuntian Prefecture’s responsibility...
Chen Yanyun was an exceptionally low-key man. Such a conspicuous move was unusual. What exactly was he up to?
"Can’t be bothered with him. We’ll deal with it tomorrow..." Ye Xian said dismissively. "Someone else will be more concerned than I am."
Like Zhang Ju Lian, for instance.
Ye Xian felt somewhat drowsy. Talking to Luo Shi was exhausting. Covering a yawn with his hand, he gestured for Zhi Shu to follow him—he planned to sleep in his study tonight.
"Young Master!"
Someone suddenly called out to him from behind.Ye Xian's slender fingers clutched the cloak as she turned to look back.
Under the corridor stood another guard, who hurried forward upon seeing her glance, his face wreathed in smiles: "This subordinate has been waiting for you for quite some time! My younger brother from Jiazhou is still waiting, hoping to meet you. If it’s convenient… perhaps you could take a look?"
"Your brother?" Ye Xian scrutinized him and recognized him as Xie Yuan, one of her close guards. These guards were all managed by Li Xianhuai. She didn’t give them direct orders, nor was she particularly interested in them.
Li Xianhuai chuckled. "Xie Yuan’s brother… surely no ordinary man. It wouldn’t hurt for you to see him."
Ye Xian wasn’t really inclined to go, remaining silent for a moment.
Xie Yuan lowered his voice to explain: "He’s brought someone with him, saying the Young Master would surely be pleased to see them… My brother is quite a character! You could at least take a look. If you don’t like him, just send him back to Jiazhou..."
Brought someone to see her?
Ye Xian smiled faintly. "Pleasing me isn’t easy."
Xie Yuan grinned. "Rest assured, this subordinate knows the limits. My brother was already famous back in Jiazhou—he could catch wild boars barehanded at thirteen. But he’s done quite a few unsavory things over the years, so his background isn’t exactly clean."
Only then did Ye Xian reluctantly nod, motioning for Xie Yuan to lead the way.
Xie Sixing stood outside the front courtyard’s side rooms, growing increasingly impatient. He was unused to being ignored like this. Back in Jiazhou, people feared him at the mere sight of him. When he saw the guards escorting Ye Xian over, he finally stood up, sizing her up from a distance.
This person didn’t match the ruthless and vicious rumors at all. She was strikingly beautiful, her face as if carved from jade, with delicate features. She wore a moon-white overgown, a mutton-fat jade pendant hanging at her waist, her demeanor ethereal and transcendent. Only her calm, unreadable eyes made him feel he couldn’t grasp her at all.
He rarely failed to understand others.
Yet Ye Xian sensed the scent of blood on Xie Sixing—she was acutely sensitive to such odors. This man had undoubtedly killed recently, whether human or beast.
His looks were average, his foreign heritage impossible to conceal, his frame tall and imposing, his eyes brimming with ambition.
Ye Xian liked ambitious people. Only by knowing what others wanted could she control them. She also needed decisive, ruthless individuals to act on her behalf.
She had two chairs brought over and gestured for Xie Sixing to sit as well.
"Speak first. What do you offer to make me keep you?" Ye Xian’s teacup lid skimmed the surface of the tea.
Xie Sixing said bluntly, "To be honest, I’ve brought others with me. You know how it is—harsh lands breed ruthless men… Our skills are no weaker than your guards’. Besides, you need people like us. When the current emperor comes of age and the court’s factions descend into chaos, heroes will rise from the turmoil. Without those who can stand alone by your side, you’ll likely find yourself at a disadvantage in the power struggle!"
This Young Master was exceedingly precious—even within the Marquis Changxing’s residence, guards surrounded her at all times. As he spoke, she neither responded nor showed the slightest change in expression.
Utterly unmoved, not even shifting her posture.
Ye Xian smiled faintly after hearing him out. "Harsh lands breed ruthless men?" It seemed he, like the Luo clan, hadn’t spent many years studying.The current situation in the imperial court was something anyone with knowledge could speak of. Ye Xian wasn't surprised by Xie Sixing's words, and considering these people had criminal records, keeping them around might bring him trouble.
Xie Sixing knew mere words wouldn't convince Ye Xian.
He stood up with a cupped-hand smile: "Empty talk is meaningless. I've brought Your Highness a grand gift this time. It's inside the side room."
Ye Xian continued sipping tea: "Xie Yuan mentioned you brought someone. Male or female?"
"A woman," Xie Sixing said softly.
Hearing it was a woman made Ye Xian even less interested. He said disinterestedly, "I won't bother looking! I might have considered keeping you all... but if I'm not mistaken, you've probably killed someone within these past two days. I dislike trouble—when the Shuntian Prefecture eventually traces it to me, I'd have to deal with them. For Xie Yuan's sake, I'll give you three hundred taels for your journey. Leave now."
Xie Sixing frowned.
This young lord didn't play by conventional rules—wasn't a woman supposed to be more intriguing?
He forced a smile: "Your Highness should see her first. This is no ordinary woman! I encountered her on the road and had to kill to capture her. Her guards were all highly skilled—if not for the drugs Elder Miao gave me, we might not have prevailed..."
Xie Sixing continued: "She's in the side room. Once you see her, you'll change your mind."
After a silence, Ye Xian smiled: "If you can make me change my mind, you may stay."
He pushed open the door and entered.
Just a brief look—he wanted to see what Xie Sixing was up to.
The side room was cluttered with unused items. A dusty square Eight Immortals table stood in the center. Behind brown curtains was a long side table holding a white porcelain Prunus vase, surrounded by several chairs. Indeed, a figure sat curled up on one chair, back turned.
"Too afraid to face me?" Ye Xian asked coolly.
Instead of approaching the woman immediately, he slowly walked to the side table and picked up the white porcelain Prunus vase to examine.
"Don't fear me. I heard Xie Sixing abducted you. Which noble family are you from?"
Still no response from the woman.
Ye Xian set down the vase, his tone still indifferent: "No matter. In Xie Sixing's hands, you likely won't survive anyway. I see you wear a married woman's hairstyle—you must already have a husband. To preserve your virtue, you'd do better to bite your tongue and end it."
He turned to leave.
"Your Highness... do you truly not recognize me?"
A familiar voice spoke behind him.
Gu Jinzhao couldn't help a bitter smile, whispering: "Now that I'm trapped... for old times' sake..." She paused—begging didn't come easily to her. "If possible... could you send a message for me?"
Though nominally related, their familial ties were distant. For some reason, Gu Jinzhao felt Ye Xian might not save her. She still didn't turn around, but no door opening followed.
Ye Xian was stunned.
When he recovered, he immediately turned and strode to Gu Jinzhao's side, lifting her chin.
It really was Gu Jinzhao!"You..." Ye Xian paused before continuing, "How did you end up in their hands! What about Chen San? You married him, is this how he protects you?" Without waiting for Gu Jinzhao's reply, his expression darkened again. "Those people... did they harm you?"
PS: I don't know why I get stuck every day, wuwu, it's so despairing! This chapter has blocked me for over three hours! In my two years of writing, this is the first time I've missed my full attendance bonus.
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