Chapter 3: Filial Piety

Chapter 3: Filial Piety

Xiao Yuchen’s courtyard, named Qingfeng Garden, was situated in the prime location of the marquis’ front estate. With its rustling bamboo leaves, rockery corridors, and elegant waterside pavilions, it was a sight of refined beauty. At this moment, under the corridor of the garden, Changming was speaking with the maid Ziling. With their master away, they had relaxed quite a bit.

Ziling commented, “That woman from Plum Blossom Alley really has a way with men, keeping the eldest young master there all day. Even with Miss Wu from the second branch falling into the water and lying unconscious, she doesn't allow the young master to visit.”

Changming snorted with a hint of derision, “I think you’re just sour. That woman is the apple of the young master’s eye. No one can come between them... not even... Miss Cuizhu…”

Upon seeing Cuizhu standing at the entrance of the courtyard, Changming and Ziling quickly stood upright. As the head maid of the Marchioness, Cuizhu held a high status among the household servants, and they could not afford to offend her.

They just didn’t know if Cuizhu had overheard their conversation.

As they anxiously wondered, they heard Cuizhu scoff, “You two are old enough to know better. What should be said and what should not—do you not know? Be careful or the Marchioness will find out and tear your mouths apart.”

The people in the young master's courtyard are really losing their manners.

Hearing Cuizhu’s words tightened both Changming and Ziling’s chests. They knew all too well how much the Marchioness detested that woman from Plum Blossom Alley, a name almost taboo within the household.

“Miss Cuizhu, we were wrong, we truly realize our mistake.”

“Yes, yes, we won’t dare do it again.”

They begged Cuizhu for mercy, who had no time to waste on other matters, and said to Changming, “The Marchioness has given you half an hour to bring back the young master. Otherwise, neither you nor he need bother returning.”

Upon hearing this, Changming was stunned. The Marchioness was truly furious. Although she disliked the young master visiting Plum Blossom Alley, she had never before sent someone to fetch him, fearing it would embarrass him.

Seeing him frozen, Cuizhu urged urgently, “What are you standing there for? Go quickly.”

Coming to his senses, Changming dashed off. It would take more than a quarter of an hour to reach Plum Blossom Alley from the marquis’ estate, and time was very tight for the round trip.

After Changming left, Cuizhu cast a meaningful glance at Ziling, then turned and left the courtyard. In her opinion, the people from the young master's courtyard really needed to be kept in line.

Changming ran as fast as he could to the entrance of Plum Blossom Alley and saw another attendant of Xiao Yuchen, Changfeng, leisurely drinking tea at a stall by the road, his legs crossed in ease. Grinding his teeth, Changming panted as he rushed over, dragging him towards the alley.

“What’s gotten into you? Chased by a dog?” Changfeng asked with a teasing grin.

Catching his breath, Changming whispered urgently, “Quickly go call the young master back to the estate. The Marchioness said if he doesn't return within half an hour, he need not return at all.”

With Changfeng's startled reaction, it was evident that the Marchioness had always been considerate of the eldest son's dignity. Despite her aversion to those living in Plum Blossom Alley, she had never before sent someone to fetch him. This must mean she was truly angered.

"Has the madam become angry again?" Changfeng inquired.

"It seems so. It was Miss Cuizhu, the madam's personal maid, who sent the message. Hurry up and call the young master; don't waste any time," Changming was nearly frantic.

Without further delay, Changfeng sprinted towards the residence at the very end of the alley. With the lord away, the entire mansion relied on the madam's support. Who dared disobey the madam's orders?

Arriving at the entrance of the residence, he gently knocked. Soon, a young maid in green opened the door and cheerfully said, "Oh, it's you, Brother Changfeng! The young master is dining with our miss. Would you like to come in and wait?"

"I have urgent business with the young master," Changfeng said as he entered.

He frequently accompanied Xiao Yuchen to this residence and was well-acquainted with its layout. Within moments, he reached the small floral hall. The door was ajar, revealing Liu Biqin smiling radiantly as she served Xiao Yuchen some dishes.

With arching willow brows, affectionate eyes, skin as creamy as jade, and lips as tender as peach blossoms, she was indeed a vision of delicate beauty, soft as a willow and fair as a lotus blossom.

Standing at the doorway, Changfeng dared not linger his gaze and bowed his head, calling out, "Young Master."

Xiao Yuchen's usually stern face was now so tender it seemed as if it could drip with gentleness. After accepting the dish from Liu Biqin, he turned and asked Changfeng at the door, "What is it?"

Changfeng hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

Xiao Yuchen's brows furrowed slightly, "Speak plainly."

Changfeng: "..."

My lord, can't you read the room? If I could say it outright, I would have already! But time was pressing, and even if it embarrassed the young master, he had to speak up, "Young Master, the madam has ordered you to return home immediately."

Xiao Yuchen's expression darkened slightly as he responded indifferently, "Go back and inform my mother that I will return later."

Xiao Yuchen felt a surge of displeasure. It was evident his mother knew of his whereabouts and was angered. But why couldn't she understand him? Miss Qin was all alone and confined to the residence in the capital, engulfed in solitude every day. Was it wrong for him to visit and cheer her up?

After all, their families had been close friends, and when the Liu family faced charges, it was their duty to assist. How could they sever ties just because of the Liu family's downfall? Besides, he and Miss Qin had been childhood sweethearts; how could years of affection be so easily discarded?

He had already agreed to an engagement with Miss Wu, so why couldn't his mother accommodate a place for Miss Qin?

The more Xiao Yuchen thought, the angrier he became.

Changfeng was on the verge of desperation. Ever since the lord's departure, the madam had been holding up the mansion. Frankly, the mansion now stood on the support of the madam's natal family, the Tang Duke's household.

In the current state of affairs, the madam's word was law, and who dared to defy her?

"Young Master, the Lady has sent Changming with a message. She has given you half an hour; if you do not return within this time, then we are not to return at all." Changfeng delivered the message reluctantly, his head bowed, not daring to meet Xiao Yuchen's gaze.

Xiao Yuchen's face flushed with embarrassment. He had never been so humiliated in front of Liu Biqin before. However, this stalemate was making it all the more unbearable.

Clearing his throat, he stood up and said to Liu Biqin, "Sister Qin, I must return home now. I'll visit you again when I have the time."

Liu Biqin smiled and nodded understandingly, "The Lady... your mother must be urgently in need of you. You should hurry back."

Seeing her so considerate, Xiao Yuchen felt a warmth in his heart but also found his mother's demands quite pressing.

"Brother Chen, wait a moment," she said. "I've made a forehead band for the Lady. Could you please take it to her?" Saying this, she quickly returned to her bedroom and brought out a forehead band, handing it to Xiao Yuchen with a tentative expression.

Xiao Yuchen looked down to see a blue, cloud-patterned forehead band, exquisitely cut, with fine stitching, and a red ruby in the center that added elegance and nobility to it. It was very suitable for his mother.

He recognized the red ruby—it was a birthday gift he had given to Sister Qin. She had adored it, and now, to his surprise, she had used it to craft a gift for his mother, a testament to her filial piety.

Xiao Yuchen's heart warmed as he heard Liu Biqin say cautiously, "I know that ever since my family's misfortune, the Lady has taken a dislike to me, but I have always remembered her kindness to me."

Xiao Yuchen felt moved and guilty upon hearing this, and he also thought his mother was somewhat mercenary. He raised his hand to gently touch Liu Biqin's head, saying softly, "Mother hasn't come around yet, but I'll persuade her. It will be alright."

Liu Biqin smiled radiantly, "I know the Lady is a very good person."

Xiao Yuchen's heart was a mix of sweetness, sourness, and bitterness—so complicated. Why was fate so unfair, allowing such a good girl as Sister Qin to suffer such family misfortunes? But it didn't matter; he was there for her.

"Young Master, we should hurry back," Changfeng urged, almost jumping with impatience as he saw the two still dawdling.

Xiao Yuchen knew it was time to leave. After giving Liu Biqin a few more instructions, he quickly followed Changfeng out of the yard. Changming had the carriage ready at the door. "Young Master, hurry! We're running out of time," he said, hopping from foot to foot.