Chapter 343: Entrustment
The February night was cool as water, yet the room bustled with activity. Several paulownia wood chests lay open, and various items were spread across the wormwood -stuffed kang as maids helped tidy them.
"Which pillow cover do you think would be better?" Yu Wanxue held up two options, hesitating slightly before handing them to Chen Xuanqing. "This duck-green velvet one is comfortable to lean against, while this Hangzhou silk one with bamboo leaf embroidery looks elegant—it would suit your study well..."
Chen Xuanqing reclined against the bed rail, a book in hand, though his mind was far from the pages. He was still dwelling on Chen Xuanyue's words. Chen Xuanyue was merely an overlooked illegitimate son, while he was the eldest son of the main branch—someone he shouldn’t have to concern himself with. Yet Chen Xuanyue’s words had been sharp and painfully accurate. He truly couldn’t continue like this, or he would indeed drag Gu Jinzhao down with him.
He glanced up briefly and said, "Both are fine." Then he lowered his head again to the book.
Yu Wanxue’s smile faltered, feeling as though her enthusiasm was one-sided. Afraid of his indifference, she tugged lightly at his sleeve and asked with a smile, "What’s written in that book that’s so captivating? You’re ignoring me..."
Chen Xuanqing replied evenly, "I’m not ignoring you."
Yu Wanxue lowered her head silently, slowly organizing the items in her hands, but the joy had drained from her. Perhaps Chen Xuanqing didn’t want her to accompany him to his post. After all, taking his wife along while serving as a county magistrate would surely be troublesome for him. She was just a woman—had she unknowingly done something to displease him?
"Mother said it was Father’s wish for me to go with you. But if you’d rather I didn’t, I could tell her I won’t go," Yu Wanxue said softly. "To avoid inconveniencing you."
Chen Xuanqing fell silent for a long moment. "...Father’s wish?"
Yu Wanxue nodded.
Chen Xuanqing said nothing further, his fingers gripping the book pages so tightly his knuckles turned white. After a pause, he finally spoke. "I don’t mind you coming. Don’t say such things to Mother... I see the clothes in your wardrobe haven’t been packed. Aren’t you taking them?"
Yu Wanxue shook her head with a smile. "The fabrics are too luxurious. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to wear them in Suning..."
Chen Xuanqing replied, "It’s fine to bring them. You can wear them when you’re not going out. They look good on you."
Yu Wanxue’s heart stirred, and she lifted her gaze to look at him.
Leaning against the bed rail, his profile was refined and composed, his emotions inscrutable—neither joy nor anger ever obvious. He was simply like this. She couldn’t force him to be cheerful with her! Yu Wanxue chided herself inwardly.
An old servant brought over a case of jewelry, asking whether to take all of it or just a selection.
Yu Wanxue stopped speaking to Chen Xuanqing and busied herself with packing.
Later, after her bath, she found him already lying on the inner side of the bed. For some reason, she hesitated... The crimson silk bed curtains remained undrawn, and the canopy bed was intricately carved with birds, beasts, and blooming flowers. The embroidered quilt depicted mandarin ducks frolicking in water—one tilting its head to peck at the other’s neck.
Chen Xuanqing might have already fallen asleep, his eyes closed without the slightest movement.
Yu Wanxue lifted the quilt quietly and slipped into bed. The maid outside drew the bed curtains, blew out the candles, and closed the lattice window .Suddenly, someone turned over and embraced her. Yu Wanxue gasped in surprise, her back pressed against a warm chest. She quickly realized what was happening, her face heating up.
"Have you packed everything?" he merely asked while holding her, making no further moves.
Yu Wanxue, however, stiffened all over. Softly, she replied, "I wasn’t sure whether to bring the books from your study..."
"The books I need are already there. No need to bring more," Chen Xuanqing answered.
Yu Wanxue had only spoken to fill the silence, but now she felt her choice of topic was awkward. She wasn’t unintelligent, yet around him, she always seemed clumsy... Being held like this made her entire body burn. They usually slept under separate bedding, and he was always so proper, never crossing boundaries. Never had they been this intimate before. She couldn’t fathom why he was doing this now.
After a long silence, Yu Wanxue finally said, "I’ve brought some banknotes. I’m not sure if it’ll be enough..."
"With me here, you’ll never go hungry," Chen Xuanqing closed his eyes. "Sleep now."
She knew she’d wake up sore tomorrow from sleeping like this. Yu Wanxue thought to herself but said nothing.
Even if she ached all over, she couldn’t bring herself to complain.
Though uncomfortable, a faint smile touched her lips.
...
Before Chen Xuanqing left, Third Master Chen spoke with him late into the night, their conversation lasting until dawn.
No one knew what they discussed, but when Chen Xuanqing emerged in the morning, his face was unusually pale.
Third Master Chen had only said a few words to him, leaving behind shock and deep contemplation.
"You already know why I’m sending Yu Wanxue with you. You’re grown now—you must learn to think for yourself. But remember, not everything you see is real. You’re still too young; you need to calm down and reflect."
"You’re aware your fourth uncle is under house arrest. Many speculate why I did this. I’ll tell you—he betrayed the Chen Family... And for reasons beyond just him, our family now faces a great crisis. Leaving Beizhili is for the best. Even if something happens to me, you’ll have room to react."
"Don’t ask what might happen. This is beyond your involvement."
"Focus on your official duties. If the worst befalls me, it’s best you resign. Otherwise, your future will be fraught with difficulty. But if you choose to stay in office, I won’t stop you. The path is yours to decide."
Third Master Chen gazed at him quietly. "Though I’m disappointed in your hesitation, I remain your father. I’ve done all I can to prepare for you."
Chen Xuanqing listened in turmoil. He had already sensed something amiss at home.
The increased guards at Ninghui Hall, the frequent comings and goings of his father’s men, Zhao Huai being recalled from Shaanxi...
Something major was about to unfold.
He pressed his lips together, suddenly feeling the weight on his shoulders.
The Chen Family faced calamity, yet here he was, preoccupied with trivial matters of the heart. How shallow.
After a long pause, he finally said, "I understand, Father."
There was nothing he could do but obey. In his heart, his father was still the invincible figure he had always been.
Chen Yanyun silently regarded his son. He had truly come of age.
In the face of sudden upheaval, he must learn to remain unshaken. Otherwise, no one could save him.Chen Yanyun had always believed that his son was not lacking in talent or learning. What he lacked was experience. Perhaps this would truly help him grow. After a moment's thought, he took out something else and handed it to him.
Chen Xuanqing gripped the item tightly in his hand.
...
Chen Xuanqing and Yu Wanxue departed for their new posts two days later. Yu Wanxue only brought along two maids and two elderly servants, yet their belongings filled two carriages.
Gu Jinzhao only saw them off as far as the inner gate. Chen Xi, however, couldn't bear to part with her brother and tearfully followed them all the way to the screen wall.
Third Master Chen didn't join the farewell. When Gu Jinzhao returned, she found him speaking with someone in the study. Upon closer inspection, it was a very young man—handsome in appearance, dressed in a sapphire-blue Straight Robe embroidered with auspicious patterns, exuding an air of nobility.
Third Master Chen hadn't expected her to return so soon. He gestured toward the man and said, "This is Duke Zheng, Chang Hai."
She had long heard of him but never met him in person. She hadn't expected him to be so young and dignified.
Gu Jinzhao curtsied in greeting. Chang Hai smiled warmly and said, "No need for formalities, Madam. Chen San and I have been friends since we were in diapers! Whenever he got into mischief as a child and didn’t want to own up, I was the one who covered for him..."
Third Master Chen chuckled. "Isn't that the other way around?"
Since Chang Hai had been admitted inside, he must have important matters to discuss with Third Master Chen. Not wanting to intrude, Gu Jinzhao simply smiled and said, "...I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave." As she stepped into the covered corridor, Chen Yanyun called out to Caifu, who was following behind. "...The medicine for Madam has already been prepared in the small kitchen. It's being kept warm on the stove. Make sure she drinks it."
Caifu curtsied in acknowledgment.
Watching this, Chang Hai clicked his tongue. "No wonder you've been hiding her from me! You're being too controlling—even reminding her to take her medicine."
Chen Yanyun merely smiled and said, "Enough. I called you here to discuss serious matters. Let's continue inside."
Chang Hai's expression turned solemn. "Chen San, don't proceed unless you're absolutely certain. This is far too risky!"
"What choice do I have?" Chen Yanyun poured tea for Chang Hai. "Conventional methods won't work against Zhang Ju Lian, and his influence in the court is far more entrenched than mine... We can only seek victory through risk."
Chang Hai accepted the tea but didn't drink it. "Zhang Ju Lian knows the importance of military power. Though he hasn't personally controlled the Ministry of War these years, his influence there is substantial. The Five Armies Commandery is divided into factions—my faction aside, the Left Army Commandery is where his power is most concentrated..."
Noticing Chen Yanyun's fingers lightly tapping the table, Chang Hai fell silent.
Chen Yanyun already knew all this. There was no need for him to elaborate.
"Fine—I'll follow your lead! That old villain has always rubbed me the wrong way. Though I'm no strategist, I can lead troops in battle." Chang Hai shrugged nonchalantly. "That old fool wouldn't stand a chance against me on the battlefield."
Chen Yanyun smiled faintly. "There's no need for you to lead troops. You're the only heir of the Chang family. If anything were to happen to you, what would become of the Dowager?"
Chang Hai looked surprised. "Chen San, what do you mean? I said I'd follow you through life and death. When have I ever gone back on my word—" Chen Yanyun raised a hand, signaling him to stop.
"I know what you want to say," Chen Yanyun said. "I only ask one thing of you.""If the matter is exposed and something happens to me, I want you to protect the Chen Family's peace. Either relocate them from the capital, far away from Beizhili. If the other branches don't wish to leave, so be it. I've already arranged for a residence in Hangzhou—secretly send those who want to go away."
When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Chen Yanyun was already planning for his own failure.
Chang Hai was momentarily speechless.
A lump of emotion stuck in his throat, neither rising nor falling, making him deeply uncomfortable.
Chen San didn't let him follow along in the work—it was truly for his own good. And it was genuine trust that led him to place his family in Chang Hai's hands. This entrustment weighed as heavy as a mountain.
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