The Lament of Autumn

Pingjun smiled and said, "How could I dare aspire so high?"

"Not high at all, not high at all," Madam Li beamed with joy, slipping a gold bracelet from her own wrist. Ignoring Pingjun's protests, she directly fastened it onto Pingjun's wrist, saying cheerfully, "When you soar to prominence in the future, don't forget us, that's all." She then took Pingjun's hand and stood up, handing her a glass of wine, and affectionately declared, "Everyone, listen up! From now on, Pingjun is Bo Ren's and my younger sister. If any of you dare bully her, I won't let it slide!"

Yu Changxuan laughed, "Since she's your sister-in-law's younger sister, we'd only cherish her—how could we dare bully her?" Madam Li, still holding Pingjun's hand, smirked at Yu Changxuan and said, "Fifth Master, I dare not trust your words. Everything else aside, just seeing how your eyes haven't left my Pingjun sister since you walked in—if you have any thoughts about my sister, you'll have to get through me first."

Li Boren chimed in with a laugh, "That's quite right. Now that my wife and I are Pingjun's backing, if Fifth Master wants to cherish my sister without first treating us to wax gourd soup, my wife and I won't stand for it." "Drinking wax gourd soup" was an old saying, meaning to thank the matchmaker. Li Boren's words were blatantly obvious, and everyone at the table understood, bursting into knowing laughter.

Amid the boisterous laughter, Yu Changxuan simply stood up, his dark eyes brimming with amusement, and raised his glass to Ye Pingjun, saying, "Pingjun sister, I propose a toast to you." Someone from the side heckled, "Why just one glass? Why not share a cup?"

This remark made everyone at the table roar with laughter. Madam Li wagged her finger playfully at the crowd and said, "Well, well, so you're all ganging up to bully my sister today, are you? I simply won't let my sister share a drink with Fifth Master." Her words only added fuel to the fire. Unexpectedly, Pingjun smiled graciously, raised her glass to Yu Changxuan, and said, "If Elder Brother offers a drink, your younger sister dare not refuse!"

Yu Changxuan was taken aback and glanced at Pingjun. "What did you call me?" Pingjun replied with a smile, "Elder Brother, of course. Since I'm newly recognized as a sister in Mr. Li's family, and Fifth Master is as close as a brother to Mr. Li, it's only fitting that I address you as Elder Brother too."

As soon as she finished speaking, the smiles on almost everyone's faces froze. The atmosphere at the table instantly turned chilly. Madam Li looked awkward, barely able to maintain her smile. Only Ye Pingjun continued to hold her glass up to Yu Changxuan with a smile. Yu Changxuan's gaze lingered on Pingjun's smiling face for a moment before he curled his lips and said, "Well said!" He raised his glass, clinked it with Pingjun's, then downed the wine in one go, showing her the empty bottom of his cup. The smile on his face remained faint.Ye Pingjun also drank that cup and steadily placed the wine cup on the table before turning to Madam Li and saying, "I should be going. My mother is still in the hospital, and I dare not linger outside for too long." Madam Li was stunned for a long moment before finally hearing Pingjun's words. Glancing hesitantly at Yu Changxuan, she said, "Oh, this..." But Yu Changxuan had already stood up, smiling at Ye Pingjun as he said, "It just so happens I'm leaving too. I'll give you a ride since it's on the way."

Ye Pingjun's gaze paused, only to see Yu Changxuan raise his eyebrows with a smile, his expression quite at ease. "Since you called me 'big brother,' there shouldn't be any issue with this big brother seeing his little sister off, right?" Beside them, Bai Liyuan glanced at Ye Pingjun and was about to speak when she let out a soft "ouch," lowering her head—evidently, Madam Li had pinched her quite hard. Yu Changxuan then smiled and gestured to Ye Pingjun, "Pingjun, little sister, after you."

The Yu family's car was parked outside the Li residence. Ye Pingjun got into the car, and Yu Changxuan politely offered her the main seat, taking the opposite seat himself, directly facing her. He casually turned on the overhead light, instantly flooding the compartment with a bright, snowy glow. As the car started moving, Ye Pingjun turned her head to look at the street scenes outside, while Yu Changxuan kept his gaze fixed on her. Sitting face to face like this, it felt almost like a standoff, with neither saying a word.

Ye Pingjun felt the intensity of Yu Changxuan's gaze. She pretended to remain calm as she looked out the window, but her heart raced uncontrollably. She couldn't help but tighten her grip on the small handkerchief in her hand, twisting it tightly around her fingers. Yu Changxuan noticed the faint blush gradually spreading across her face—such serene and ethereal beauty made his heart flutter with longing. Gazing at her, he suddenly smiled faintly and said, "This gold bracelet is rather vulgar. It truly doesn't suit such beautiful hands as yours, Pingjun."

Ye Pingjun turned back and smiled. "You've got it backwards. This gold bracelet is elegant and precious—it's I who am unworthy of it. Today, with so many people around, I was too embarrassed to refuse, but another day I intend to return this bracelet to Madam Li."

Yu Changxuan laughed. "It's just as well to return it. Wear this one of mine instead." As he spoke, he took out a brocade box. When he opened it, inside lay a luminous, pure jade bracelet, glowing with a warm emerald green. A single glance was enough to tell it was an extremely precious item.

Without another word, Yu Changxuan picked up the bracelet and slipped it onto Ye Pingjun's wrist, almost as quickly as if he were handcuffing a prisoner. Startled, Ye Pingjun tried to take it off, but Yu Changxuan reached out and grasped her hand. "Don't take it off. This is for you, and only you are worthy of wearing it."

Ye Pingjun couldn't help but panic, trying to pull her hand back. "I don't want this." He smiled and said, "What are you afraid of? Does the bracelet bite your hand?" Then, pausing, he gazed at Pingjun, the amusement in his eyes growing even more pronounced as he said softly, "Miss Ye, let me be honest with you. If you just nod your agreement, I can give you much more. I promise, you'll have whatever you desire."

The implication was already quite clear. Ye Pingjun lifted her eyes to look at Yu Changxuan, her bright pupils like freshly fallen snow under the moonlight, exuding a chilliness. "Fifth Master, I am the daughter of a poor family. A bracelet like this—I truly have no fortune to wear it."Yu Changxuan gazed at her with a faint smile. Ye Pingjun continued, "For common folk like us, we remember the great kindness and righteousness of the Yu family. Everyone knows that without the Yu Family Army, the Japanese would have invaded long ago. And if not for Fifth Master's noble chivalry, my mother might not have survived. I truly respect Fifth Master from the bottom of my heart. Speaking to you like this today isn't because I don't know my place—it's simply that I lack the fortune to deserve such favor."

Her words were both courteous and humble, leaving Yu Changxuan speechless and cornered. Slowly releasing her hand, he finally chuckled and said, "With all these flattering hats you're putting on me, you're practically elevating me to a sage of benevolence and virtue. It's quite impressive how clever you are."

As soon as he finished speaking, Pingjun slipped off the bracelet and returned it to his hand. In that moment of exchange, the car suddenly braked. Caught off guard, Ye Pingjun lurched forward and fell straight into Yu Changxuan's embrace. Flustered, she struggled to pull away, and he made no effort to stop her, allowing her to retreat freely. He merely chided the driver mildly, "Xiao He, what's wrong with your driving?!"

The driver replied, "My apologies, Fifth Master. I didn't anticipate that pothole ahead."

Ye Pingjun said nothing, turning her head to silently gaze at the scenery outside the window. Seeing her calm demeanor, as if she had already put the matter to rest, Yu Changxuan simply smiled. The car continued a short while longer before arriving at the hospital. Ye Pingjun got out and, turning back, saw that Yu Changxuan had also stepped out. She smiled and said, "I've arrived now. There's no need for Fifth Master to see me further."

Yet Yu Changxuan still exited the car, smiling as he remarked, "So now you're calling me Fifth Master again?"

Pingjun replied, "What happened earlier at the banquet was just for fun. If I continued calling you 'big brother' now, it would truly be presumptuous."

Yu Changxuan fixed his deep, penetrating gaze on her, then after a moment smiled faintly and said softly, "Whatever you call me is fine. I don't care about others, but if it's you speaking, I'm happy to listen."

His words carried a tender affection. Pingjun looked up at him, and as Yu Changxuan watched her, he added, "Pingjun," reaching out to take her hand. Startled, she hastily stepped back. He chuckled softly, "What's wrong? Are you that afraid of me?"

Pingjun smiled, "It's not fear, but respect."

He studied her for a moment, then suddenly smiled as well and said lightly, "Which kind of respect? If it's the respect between husband and wife, I'd be quite willing."

Pingjun's heart was in turmoil, her face burning as if on fire, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Fortunately, the dim night and the gusts of wind helped conceal her embarrassment. She whispered, "Fifth Master, I have a boyfriend."

He gave an ambiguous laugh. "Oh, I see." His tone was as gentle as if he were teasing a child.She gave a slight nod as a farewell gesture, then turned and walked away along the roadside path. He watched until she disappeared through the hospital's main gate before returning to the car. As he settled inside, he noticed the jade bracelet still resting on the seat. He picked it up absently.

Gu Ruitong, sitting in the front seat, turned around and saw Yu Changxuan staring blankly at the bracelet. He chuckled, "This is the first time I've seen Fifth Master so attentive. Could it be you're truly considering marrying Miss Ye as your young mistress?"

Yu Changxuan snapped out of his reverie. Hearing Gu Ruitong's words, he first looked startled, then let out a careless laugh. "What family do we belong to? Having a woman of no status become the Fifth Young Mistress of the Yu family would be utterly ridiculous. I merely thought..." He didn't finish the sentence, glancing at the bracelet again before smiling faintly. "Still, she is quite clever indeed."

Longing in one heart, idle sorrow in two places.

The car drove all the way back to the Yu Family Mansion. Gu Ruitong led several aides-de-camp back to the guards' quarters. As Yu Changxuan was about to ascend the stairs, he saw the head maid Qiu Luo emerging from the dining room. Noticing the vibrant rouge on her lips, which looked quite lovely, he smiled and walked toward her. Qiu Luo giggled, twirling away to hide behind a large marble screen, yet she beckoned to Yu Changxuan, "Fifth Young Master, come here, come here."

With her summoning him like that, how could he not go? He immediately laughed, "You little mischief-maker, thinking you can tease me and run? Let's see how I deal with you!" Just as he rounded the screen, he felt a warmth on his cheek—Qiu Luo had playfully pressed two fingers against his face before turning and darting back into the dining room with a laugh. As Yu Changxuan watched her escape, he heard a voice behind him: "Fifth Brother, you're finally here. Father just returned from the government and has been looking for you."

At the mention of "Father," Yu Changxuan's heart tightened instantly, and all his excitement vanished. Turning around, he saw his sixth sister Qixuan standing there with a smile, her hands clasped behind her back. He asked, "How long has Father been back?"

Qixuan pointed upstairs. "Hurry up and go. He's been waiting for you."

Yu Changxuan hurried toward the stairs but heard Qixuan exclaim softly, "Fifth Brother, wait a moment." She ran up, grabbed his arm, glanced at his face, and burst into laughter. "It's fine now. You can go up."

Yu Changxuan went upstairs and headed straight to the north hall. Hearing his mother's voice, he felt slightly relieved. Upon entering, he saw his father Yu Zhongquan sitting on the sofa drinking tea, while his mother sat beside him, holding a string of jade Buddhist beads and speaking about something. As he walked in, Madam Yu looked up. The moment her eyes fell on Yu Changxuan, her smile froze, and she quickly said, "Changxuan, step outside for a moment."

Yu Changxuan was taken aback. His father had already lifted his head and, with just one glance at him, his stern face flushed crimson with rage. Without a word, he grabbed a cloisonne enameled gold chrysanthemum petal teacup from the table and hurled it straight at Yu Changxuan's face. It struck his forehead squarely as his father roared, "You wretched fool! What is that smeared on your face?!"---