Chapter 3

Jiang Yunchan’s legs went weak. She shifted toward the inner wall of the stone cave, moving away from his hand.

However, the stones inside the cave happened to press against the soft flesh at her waist. That spot had just been pinched by Xie Jin until it was painfully swollen—the skin might have even broken—and having been soaked in the lake water, the wound burned with a searing heat. Jiang Yunchan was in so much pain that she could barely stand, her body swaying unsteadily.

"Is something wrong, sister?" Xie Yan asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

Jiang Yunchan shook her head hurriedly, her hands folded silently over her chest to keep a distance from Xie Yan and protect herself. By pulling away like this, the stone at her lower back pressed even deeper. Her slender frame began to tremble uncontrollably.

It was unclear whether it was water or sweat clinging to her temples, but it trickled down her chin, gathering in the hollow of her collarbone like a pool of clear spring water—or perhaps a cup of intoxicating, sweet wine, tempting one to take a taste.

Xie Yan’s gaze shifted over, lingering for a moment before landing on the back of her hands. The burns from the candle wax had not been properly treated, and now, under the pressure, the blisters had burst, leaving behind scars. Her fingertips had also been scraped raw by the bluestone slabs, bleeding quite a bit. She looked like a battered cat, shivering incessantly, yet she bit her lip to endure it, tears quietly welling up in her eyes.

A sigh, almost imperceptible, came from above her.

Xie Yan took her hand and placed it on his own jade belt.

Supported by his waist, Jiang Yunchan finally stopped swaying, and the wounds on her lower back and arms no longer had to endure such pressure; the pain eased significantly. However, Xie Yan’s clothes were also soaked through, and through the thin fabric, Jiang Yunchan could easily feel the lean, firm muscles of his abdomen.

Her earlobes burned. She pulled back in a panic, but Xie Yan pressed down lightly on the back of her hand. "The situation is special; no need for such formalities!"

The few words were calm and steady.

Xie Yan soon withdrew his hand, bracing it against the wall beside her head. His wide sleeves shielded her from the drizzle drifting into the cave entrance and blocked the light from outside. The two remained in silence, listening only to the rain drumming against the banana leaves and the bustling footsteps outside. Hidden in the small, dim space he had carved out for her, Jiang Yunchan found this to be the most tranquil moment of an otherwise turbulent day.

She lifted her wet eyelashes and stole a glance at him. The man, standing so close, had a face like jade and clear, bright brows. His eyes remained fixed on the situation outside the cave, devoid of any worldly distraction. Jiang Yunchan had deceived him, lied to him, and avoided him, yet he had still helped her without holding a grudge. How could such a magnanimous person have anything to do with the reckless, perverse figure from her dreams?

It must have been her overthinking...

Jiang Yunchan bit her lip in embarrassment, a sense of guilt welling up in her heart. Since they had already crossed paths, there were some things she could no longer pretend to be ignorant of. Besides, with the wedding approaching and Xie Jin refusing to let her go, she needed to secure Xie Yan’s support. With the heir’s backing, the marriage would proceed smoothly.

She hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage. "Heir, the rumors about me and Huai-lang are not as sordid as people say..."

Xie Yan’s gaze, which had been fixed outside the cave, faltered slightly. He turned his head to look at the young girl in his arms who was trying to explain herself.

Jiang Yunchan lowered her head further, murmuring, "Though Huai-lang and I share a mutual affection, we have never done anything to stain the reputation of the Marquis's estate."

Jiang Yunchan had indeed met Gu Huaizhou in secret and had exchanged sweet words and vows, but their relationship had always remained within the bounds of propriety. She did not know why such unbearable rumors had suddenly spread through the Marquis's estate, seemingly determined to ruin her reputation. Ever since Xie Yan had taken charge of the household, the family discipline had been strict; how could these baseless rumors snowball until they were impossible to suppress?

Jiang Yunchan couldn't fathom it. "But regardless, Heir, you must know Huai-lang. He is a true gentleman; he would never engage in such shameful acts!"

"A true gentleman..." Xie Yan repeated the words slowly.

"Yes!" Jiang Yunchan replied without hesitation. "Huai-lang has always been mindful of your appreciation, and I, too, have been blessed by your care. How would we dare to disgrace you? Every day, Huai-lang says: 'Once I achieve success, I will surely repay your kindness with my life.'"

Xie Yan held the position of Left Censor-in-Chief and was also a tutor to the Crown Prince. Walking with a ruler is like walking with a tiger, and he always needed trusted confidants. If Jiang Yunchan married into the Gu family, the Marquis's estate would effectively be allied with the top scholar of the new imperial examinations, which might help him in his official career later. This marriage would bring nothing but benefits to Xie Yan.

Jiang Yunchan couldn't think of a single reason why Xie Yan wouldn't support it. She lifted her head, her plain face turned toward him. In the dim space, her eyes, brimming with spring water, sparkled like stars, filled with earnest plea. She had been in the estate for ten years, spending her days copying scriptures and praying, always keeping her eyes lowered, cold and distant to everyone. No one knew she possessed such an affectionate gaze—including Xie Yan.

His gaze, looking down at her, swept over her, examining the person before him who felt so strange.

After a long silence, he said悠悠, "In the future, there will indeed be many matters where I will need your help, little sister."

***

Jiang Yunchan opened her mouth, bewildered. They had been talking about Huai-lang assisting him in the future; how did it shift to her? She considered herself powerless and insignificant, unable to do anything.

"I wonder what I could possibly help you with, Heir?"

Her moist, red lips parted slightly, revealing white teeth and a pink tongue. Her delicate breath brushed against Xie Yan’s neck, softly enveloping his Adam's apple. His throat moved slightly. He leaned down and whispered, "Many things..."

The man’s breath fell heavily onto Jiang Yunchan’s forehead. It was intermittent and scorching. Her heart trembled, and she quickly turned her head to avoid him, ending their brief eye contact.

But Xie Yan’s breath pursued her closely, growing hotter and more intense, brushing against her earlobe, her cheek, and the corner of her lips. Soon, the scent of sandalwood aggressively invaded her lips and teeth; her small mouth could not contain it, and it spilled into her throat.

It was the unique scent that belonged to Xie Yan.

Jiang Yunchan’s throat tightened, and she found it hard to breathe. She panicked and released his jade belt. "H-Heir..."

Just then, a damp breeze blew the banana leaves aside. The sandalwood scent in the cave was dispersed. A shaft of sunlight shone in, gilding Xie Yan with a faint golden glow. He was as handsome as a painting, his lips carrying a warm, gentle smile. Even in such a cramped space, he remained humble and courteous, bowing slightly. "There are many scriptures I cannot fully comprehend; in the future, I would like to ask you to help me find the answers."

"Ah?"

So that was it...

Jiang Yunchan stiffened her lips and sniffed again; the sandalwood was clearly the incense offered before the Buddha at Cixin Nunnery. It was elegant and refined, like a spring breeze. It was only because the cave was too stifling that she had been unable to breathe.

She took a breath and glanced outside. "The guards seem to have dispersed!"

Without waiting for Xie Yan to react, she scrambled out from under his arm and stood beneath a banana tree, breathing in the fresh air. In the distance, Xie Jin had already been retrieved by the guards and carried away on a wooden board; he looked half-dead and was unlikely to cause any more trouble for the time being.

This was no place to linger. Jiang Yunchan turned, curtsied, and said her farewells: "Thank you for your help today, cousin. The rain comes in bursts; I fear it is about to get heavier. You should head back soon, Heir, and take care not to catch a cold."

Her words were full of concern, her demeanor impeccable, yet she kept a great distance from Xie Yan, no longer the way she had been just moments ago when there were no barriers between them.

Xie Yan walked out of the cave, bowed his head, and paused for a moment. "You are injured, sister. Would you like me to see you home?"

"There is no need to trouble yourself, Heir. My injuries are of no consequence!" Jiang Yunchan said this even as she gasped from the lingering pain.

Xie Yan glanced at her trembling frame. He did not insist, but opened the oil-paper umbrella he carried and held it out to her. "Then take this umbrella, sister."

"No, thank you!" Jiang Yunchan retreated half a step without a second thought. In the Northern Sheng Dynasty, an umbrella was a token exchanged between lovers; it would be inappropriate for her to hold the Heir's umbrella. Moreover, the back-and-forth of borrowing and returning it would inevitably lead to more meetings. Though the Heir was kind, he was like a god in the heavens, inspiring awe and fear. It was better to see him as little as possible.

"If you catch a cold in the rain because of this, I would be unforgivable," Jiang Yunchan replied politely.

Seeing that Xie Yan had no further instructions, she bowed, stepped back, and turned to leave.

The rain was indeed growing heavier, weaving a giant net between heaven and earth. Jiang Yunchan ran through the rain with a banana leaf over her head, her dress fluttering like a lone, brave butterfly, recklessly throwing herself into the giant net.

Xie Yan stood alone in the wind, holding his umbrella, watching until that elegant silhouette vanished from sight.

For a long time, he slowly withdrew his gaze and looked up at the surface of his umbrella. It was painted with ink wash depicting a boat in the misty rain; clouds circled the boat, and the boat accompanied the clouds.

Yunchan and Huaizhou—a clever pairing.

"What a pity, she doesn't want you," Xie Yan sighed. His thumb brushed over the handle, gradually revealing the three characters carved into it: *Gu Huaizhou*.

Suddenly, he loosened his grip. The gusting wind and rain immediately snatched the oil-paper umbrella. The sturdy frame was no match for the gale; the surface was torn to shreds, and the ribs were snapped. In the end, the cloud and the boat were scattered and broken, swaying as they fell into the lake. Like the letters Jiang Yunchan had just torn up, they sank into the dark currents of the lake, gradually being swallowed whole.

***

Xie Yan paced to the lakeside, crouched down, and picked up a scrap of letter paper remaining on the surface, rubbing it thoughtfully.

At the same time, another umbrella was held over Xie Yan’s head. The guard, Fucang, held the umbrella and reported from behind him: "Replying to the Heir, it has been investigated. Most of the rumors about the cousin were spread by the eldest young master. He wanted to ruin her reputation so that the Gu family would despise her, allowing him to take advantage of the situation and take her as a concubine."

Xie Yan touched the water-soaked letter paper, his movements unhurried. He was clearly not surprised.

Fucang hesitated for a moment, then added, "But... there are indeed nuns who have seen the cousin running from the Heir's meditation room with her cheeks flushed. The nuns just thought it was the heat and didn't think much of it."

After all, that was the Heir’s place of rest, elegant and clean; no one would ever associate the Heir with such sordid affairs. Now that the matter concerning the cousin had blown up, thinking back on it, it seemed quite significant. But then again, Cixin Nunnery was deep within the inner quarters, and even the Heir’s meditation room was separated from the main temple by a distance. How could Gu Huaizhou slip in unnoticed to meet the cousin, and each time, manage to avoid the Heir? Clearly, someone in the nunnery was covering for them.

Fucang gripped the sword at his waist and bowed. "Your subordinate will conduct a strict investigation to see who is engaged in such underhanded activities within the Marquis's estate!"

"No need to investigate," Xie Yan said, his long fingers trailing through the lake water, washing his hands with indifference. "That is a place of Buddha; do not frighten anyone."

The crisp sound of dripping water, accompanied by his low, magnetic voice, was very pleasant to the ear. Yet, it was wrapped in a chill rising from the heart of the lake.

Cold and eerie.

"Go send a gift to Abbess Jingzhen. I think she will like it," Xie Yan said, leisurely raising his eyes to look at Cixin Nunnery on the mountain. Underneath his long lashes, a corner of an abyss was gradually revealed...

"May I ask if Abbess Jingzhen is in?"

At that moment, outside the meditation room of Cixin Nunnery, Jiang Yunchan knocked gently on the door while looking back at her surroundings. Just a while ago, when Xie Jin was raging, he had clearly said she would have no chance to marry into another family. This made Jiang Yunchan even more anxious.

The Marquis's estate was in chaos, and Xie Jin was lying in his sickbed; no one should have noticed her. She had to take advantage of this interval to find out news about Huai-lang.

After knocking four times—three long and one short—the door finally opened from the inside. Abbess Jingzhen poked her head out. Seeing her soaked to the bone, she hurriedly ushered her inside. "Why have you come at such an hour, child?"

Jingzhen looked around to make sure no one was there, quietly closed the door, draped a black monastic robe over her, and wiped the rain from her body. "If A-Zhou knew you were being so careless with yourself, he would be heartbroken again."

"Sister, rest assured, I am fine. Huai-lang, he... sss!" Mid-sentence, Jiang Yunchan gasped in pain. When Jingzhen was wiping her down, she had accidentally touched the wound on her lower back. A sharp, stinging pain washed over her like a tide, and Jiang Yunchan couldn't help but shiver.

Seeing the girl’s face contorted in pain, Jingzhen helped her lie down on the bed and lifted the hem of her clothes. On that fair skin was a bruise the size of a palm; half her waist was injured. Her slender, fragile waist couldn't support her body, and it trembled violently.

Jingzhen fetched medicine to apply to the wound, blowing on it with a pained heart. "Poor thing, does it hurt?"

"Of course it hurts! Sister, be gentle," Jiang Yunchan said, her voice faint, with a hint of coquetry. "The eldest master of the Xie family is like a tangyuan rolling into an iron pot—he's a complete bastard!"

"You dare say anything when you're here!" Jingzhen feigned anger, tapping her forehead.

Abbess Jingzhen was originally Gu Huaizhou’s elder sister. Because she had encountered the wrong man, she had hidden her name and become a nun. When Jiang Yunchan and Gu Huaizhou first met, it was because Gu Huaizhou had come in secret to visit his sister. Later, when the sister realized the two were in love, she was happy to cover for them and deliver their letters.

Her sister, like Huai-lang, treated her like family. With them, she was their equal, so she didn't need to put on a facade. Now that she was in pain, the tears welled up in her eyes without restraint.

Jingzhen sighed with pity, personally placing a honeyed date into her mouth, and put a box of candied fruit into her palm. "A-Zhou knows you love sweets. He didn't know where he tasted some good ones, but he specially had them sent in for you."

The familiar, long-lost sweetness spread in her mouth. Jiang Yunchan remembered this taste; it was from the candy shop next to her childhood home. After she moved to the capital, she had never tasted it again, even though she occasionally craved it.

Alas, times had changed; how could it be so easy to find an artisan from ten years ago? Gu Huaizhou must have gone to great lengths!

The tears she had been holding back rolled down from the corners of her eyes. Jiang Yunchan took a light bite of the honeyed date and asked in a soft, muffled voice, "Is Huai-lang doing well?"

She missed him.