Chapter Sixty: Chu Yu’s Ordeal

Chu Yu’s expression was glacial, and when he saw Lingran and the other, he was not surprised. He gave a cold smile and said, “Young Master Hongxiao is truly fond of elegant pursuits. To think you’d take a little maid from my rear courtyard out to enjoy the mountains and rivers, and even take it upon yourself to teach the Earl’s son a lesson.”

Fang Yi looked utterly disheveled, clearly unwilling to offend Young Master Hongxiao, and hurried forward to smooth things over. “A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding—it’s all just a misunderstanding.”

Chu Yu shot Fang Yi a look so cold it could freeze a man. Fang Yi dared not utter another word.

Young Master Hongxiao did not bother with retorts. He gave a slight nod, took Lingran’s hand, and was preparing to depart.

“What sort of propriety is this? As far as I know, you’re merely a commoner, with no rank or title. If you claim to be a favored companion, you have no official status, which means you have nothing to do with me. So what gives you the right to strike someone from the Earl’s household and then walk away as you please?”

This was the longest sentence Lingran had ever heard him say, and it was venomous to the extreme. He blindly sided with the family of his concubine, defending them without any concern for right or wrong. No wonder he was the son of Chu Liuxiang—bad blood indeed!

Young Master Hongxiao replied quietly, “What does Your Highness intend?”

Fang Yi waved his hands frantically from the side, indicating he was uninvolved.

Chu Yu said, “You owe Lord Zhongxiang an apology. This girl is from my gardens and clearly lacks manners—I’ll deal with her myself. What right do you have to take her away?”

Lingran realized she was once again cannon fodder. Chu Yu might have ignored such a trivial matter, but with Hongxiao involved, she was doomed to suffer.

Young Master Hongxiao said, “You want me to apologize? I fear he could not bear it!”

Fang Yi’s face twisted like a bitter melon as he pleaded with Chu Yu, “Your Highness, let it go! It’s just a matter between children…”

“Your Highness, Uncle!” Fang Yi’s son, seeing Chu Yu siding with him while his own father kept interfering, grew confused and shouted, “Kill that girl for me! She just hit me!”

“Oh?” Chu Yu cast a chilly glance at Lingran. “Quite bold, aren’t you? Then I’ll give her to you—do as you please, beat or kill.”

The boy cheered gleefully, leaping twice before Fang Yi strode over and slapped him on the head. “Shut up!”

Young Master Hongxiao said slowly, “Your Highness Xiang, whatever temper you have, direct it at me—there’s no need to torment a weak girl.”

“Trying to be a hero? Very well! If you kneel and admit your fault to Lord Zhongxiang and his son, I’ll let her go!”

Scoundrel! Bastard! Lingran was so angry, she felt her lungs might burst. Young Master Hongxiao, proud as he was, to be made to kneel and apologize? What a joke!

But to her shock, Hongxiao paused and actually cupped his hands to Fang Yi. “Lord Zhongxiang, Hongxiao apologizes to you.”

Fang Yi was nearly in tears and hastily returned the salute.

Chu Yu sneered, “Are your ears working? I said kneel and admit your fault.”

Lingran saw several expressions flicker across Hongxiao’s face, and it seemed he’d resolved to comply. Her head grew hot, and she stepped forward, blocking him, and declared loudly, “I’m just a maid—if you wish to kill or punish me, do as you please. Don’t trouble Young Master Hongxiao. Lord Zhongxiang’s failure to teach his son properly led to bullying the weak, and you blindly defend him—what is there to say?”

Chu Yu frowned and cast a sideways look at Fang Yi’s son. Suddenly, the thin, small child who had been standing quietly by rushed out and knelt before Chu Yu, saying anxiously, “Your Highness, I am Yang Tinghe, fostered at the Earl’s residence. Just now, this sister saw the young noble lighting firecrackers to stuff into my collar, so she intervened to stop him. She didn’t strike him. Please, Your Highness, see the truth!”

Fang Yi clearly hadn’t expected Yang Tinghe to be so bold, and was stunned. Luckily, he’d never dared offend Young Master Hongxiao, so he offered no argument, only repeatedly cupping his hands to Chu Yu and Hongxiao. “I’ll discipline him when we return!”

Lingran thought Chu Yu would let the matter drop, but he barked, “You, come here!”

Lingran looked back at Young Master Hongxiao, who wore a troubled expression. She knew that, given his status, he could not openly oppose Chu Yu. Well, if death was her fate, so be it! Let’s see just how cruel he could be! With that thought, she walked to him proudly.

Young Master Hongxiao motioned Yang Tinghe over. “Good child, would you like to come with me to the Prime Minister’s residence?”

Yang Tinghe nodded vigorously. “Master, your skills are so high—I’d be honored to serve as your page!”

Hongxiao patted his head, took his hand, and nodded slightly to Lingran. Then he turned to Fang Yi. “Lord Earl.”

Fang Yi was startled and hurried to respond, “Yes, yes.”

“His Highness Xiang stands above all but the Emperor—I dare not offend him. But if anything happens to this girl, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Fang Yi’s face fell. He tried to reply, but Chu Yu said coldly, “Oh? You dare threaten Lord Zhongxiang before me? This girl belongs to the royal household—her fate is mine to decide. Since you insist…” He drew out his words, then suddenly gave a strange smile. “Very well, I’ll take her as my thirteenth wife. Young Master Hongxiao, what do you think?”

“No! I refuse!” Before Hongxiao could speak, Lingran cried out instinctively.

Chu Yu raised his hand.

Young Master Hongxiao’s face blanched, his body seemed to sway, but in the end, he did not move.

Lingran quickly hugged her head, anticipating a slap that surely would land. Yet Chu Yu held his hand aloft for a long moment, then abruptly lowered it and said, “Return to the manor!” He turned and walked away.

Lingran turned to give Young Master Hongxiao a radiant smile, signaling she would be fine, then followed Chu Yu into the courtyard of the temple, steeling herself.

As soon as she stepped through the door, Fang Pin, dressed in plain clothing, greeted them sweetly, “Your Highness!”

“Out of my sight!”

Chu Yu shouted, startling Fang Pin into stillness, as they swept past her like a gust of wind.

He had only brought two young attendants with him today and ignored the monks seeing them off, striding rapidly down the mountain. All of them were skilled in martial arts, and Lingran was left panting like a dog, barely keeping up. She cursed herself for her stupidity—if only she’d pretended to fall behind and run away! But now, that thought could only circle in her mind; she dared not risk it. Chu Yu’s rage meant the odds of her being killed with a single blow were ninety-nine percent.

Chu Yu had come in a single carriage. Lingran watched him get in, then pitifully squeezed onto the driver’s seat, bowing and nodding to the two attendants. She would rather sit outside than risk her life inside.

The carriage rolled on for some distance, and Lingran finally relaxed her taut nerves, pondering how to face Chu Yu’s interrogation once they returned to the manor.

As she was lost in thought, a strong hand seized her by the collar and hoisted her into the carriage.

Inside, Chu Yu’s face was black as the bottom of a pot—at least, that was Lingran’s impression. His usual cloudless, aloof gaze now seemed ready to shoot forth fiery laser beams.

No matter what, she couldn’t lose her composure! Lingran stared back at him wide-eyed, feigning a fearless expression.

The two locked eyes for a long time. Finally, through clenched teeth, he spat, “Just now, you said you refuse to be my thirteenth wife?!”