Chapter 19: Might as well Die Here

Chapter 19: Might as well Die Here

Yu Zhen didn't expect to be rejected so bluntly.

This was the capital, where even a tile could hit several officials. The culture here was all about not offending people, and he was dressed well, with an unusual aura. Couldn't this young master see that?

"Shouldn't you know who I am?"

Yu Zhen held back his anger and didn't turn away.

He thought that by hinting like this, the young master would at least catch on, but Wen Ruan nodded earnestly. "I've just arrived in the capital, so I don't really know many people."

So straightforward!

Feeling angry would only make him seem petty, so Yu Zhen held back again and tried to impart some wisdom. "The capital is different from other places. It's vast, but it also has its storms. More friends mean more paths..."

"Sorry, I must take my leave."

Before Yu Zhen could finish, Wen Ruan suddenly stood up and walked downstairs.

Yu Zhen was speechless.

How dare this kid! Where were his manners? Where was his upbringing? Didn't he see that Yu Zhen hadn't finished speaking yet!

Wen Ruan didn't want to be so rude, but when he looked out the window, he saw Li Yue'e... He quickly went downstairs, told Fang Rui's men he'd be back later, and followed her out.

He didn't want to call out to her directly, but Li Yue'e didn't look good. She was wearing the same clothes she had five days ago, and her condition was worse than before. Her face was troubled, her lips chapped, and her expression frightened. She was clearly trying to avoid people, and if he called out, he might scare her.

She was hiding... but still came to the crowded Moon Old Temple. What did she want to do?

Ah, there was no place to hide. Wen Ruan soon saw the person chasing Li Yue'e —

the bulbous nose and round belly, such ugly features were too easy to spot. It was Pan Peng.

Wen Ruan suddenly understood. So that day at the Duke's banquet, Pan Peng was looking for Li Yue'e? But he was also worried about Chen Yong'an in the Ministry of Justice's prison, and mentioned it a few times. Others mixed their own interpretations, leading to misunderstandings.

Li Yue'e had 'disappeared' before the Dragon Boat Festival. She was known to 'dislike' going out and had little contact with the outside world. Now that Pan Peng was looking for her, did that mean this matter... was related to Pan Peng?

At the banquet that day, Lady Zhou didn't agree to secretly help Li Yue'e, even suggesting that it might not be a bad future for her. Was that future the Pan family? But Lady Zhou was arranging marriage prospects for her daughter Wen Ru, and the Pan family was on the list. There was a chance for a match. What was Lady Zhou thinking? Had she gone mad?

Lady Zhou hadn't given birth to a son, only two daughters. The elder daughter was already married, leaving only Wen Ru by her side. Wen Ruan could see that Lady Zhou loved her daughter. Why... he couldn't understand.

"Please... let me see Sister Feng... just once, it won't take much time, please..."

Li Yue'e grabbed the arm of an old woman guarding a side door, pleading bitterly. She obviously recognized the woman and knew she could find Feng Guzi, but the woman clearly didn't want to relay the message. She found Li Yue'e annoying and urged her to leave quickly.

Li Yue'e tried to give her something, but the woman didn't accept it, finding it even more distasteful. She said she would call for help if Li Yue'e didn't leave.

"If you won't... then I'll die here!" Li Yue'e pointed to a nearby pillar, her lips white from biting them. "Your Moon Old Temple won't be spared either!"

The woman glanced at her. "Trying to kill yourself, huh? Go ahead, show us how you die. See if our Sister Feng gets splattered with any blood."

Li Yue'e's lips moved, unsure if she couldn't speak or didn't know what to say.

"If you really wanted to die, you wouldn't have come here today," the woman raised her head higher. "Go ahead and cause a scene. If anything happens, it's on me!"

Li Yue'e dug her nails into her palm.

She wanted to say something else, but she caught sight of Pan Peng coming in this direction!

She knew the man's methods. A simple shout of catching a runaway concubine, and none of the people here would listen to her. She couldn't escape, and nothing she said would matter. No one could save her, no one...

Might as well die here.

Her life had always been struggling in a whirlpool. Every extra day was stolen. Now that Heaven didn't allow it, why run? Where could she run?

The sky and earth were vast, but there was no place for her to rest. Yet everywhere could become her grave.

Li Yue'e stared straight at the distant pillar, painted red and gilded, with someone's cleverly drawn peach blossoms.

The peach blossoms were beautiful, tender and lovely, suitable for a home, filled with hopes and wishes for the future. Unfortunately, such precious things weren't meant for her.

She clenched her hand and tensed her toes—

Suddenly, her sleeve was gently pulled. "Come this way."

A young man's voice, unfamiliar to her. Despite her disheveled appearance, he was still courteous. With so many people around, he had no choice but to pull her sleeve to indicate the direction. His eyes held no disrespect, special pity, or malicious intent. They were very clean, like a lake after the spring snow melted.

She subconsciously followed for two steps, but worried about being seen by Pan Peng, she wanted to look back...

Wen Ruan: "Don't look back, walk straight ahead, hold your head high, be calm, there's no need to hurry."

Li Yue'e followed his instructions and realized she had blended into the crowd. There were many people here, most accompanied. Pan Peng first noticed the single, panicked woman. As long as she wasn't that unlucky to be seen by her clothes immediately, she wouldn't be discovered right away.

Sure enough, Pan Peng's figure grew further away. He hadn't seen her.

"Thank you..."

Turning a corner, Li Yue'e thanked the unknown young man, but her stomach suddenly growled, and her face turned red.

But Wen Ruan had already bought sesame cakes from a nearby stall and handed one over. "I came out early and was hungry too."

Li Yue'e didn't want to accept it; it was impolite. But the young man was considerate of her feelings, not wanting to embarrass her. If she didn't accept, it seemed even more impolite. After a moment's hesitation, she reached out... then withdrew her hand, her face redder.

Wen Ruan noticed her hands weren't very clean, perhaps because she had been living poorly these past few days. Without showing it, he adjusted the oil paper and offered it forward again. "Eat it."

"Thank you..."

Li Yue'e's eyes welled up with tears. She took the sesame cake and quickly finished it, carefully taking out a handkerchief to wipe her hands. Then she opened her small sachet and took out a leaf, which she rubbed between her fingers.

"The sap of this plant is special; it eliminates bad odors," she explained in a soft voice, noticing the young master's gaze on the leaf.

Wen Ruan found the leaf somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where he had seen it before. "Indeed, it's quite unique. I've never seen it before. Where did you gather it?"

"Mount Lai Feng, follow the southern ravine northward, turn right at the river, and there's a small canyon..."

Li Yue'e seemed eager to be taken seriously by the only person who treated her with respect, detailing the location meticulously. Though... others might have just been politely engaging her to spare her further embarrassment.

Wen Ruan felt the girl was too timid, fearing his overtures might scare her off. He chose his words carefully. "You..."

"They're coming again," Li Yue'e noticed Pan Peng approaching and distanced herself from Wen Ruan. "I... would be a burden to you. His family is not one to trifle with. His father holds sway in the Five Cities Military Commission, and he has capable men at his disposal. I can't escape... Thank you for your kindness, I'll be on my way!"

"Hold on," Wen Ruan stopped her. "You don't have a place to stay, do you?"

Li Yue'e lowered her eyes slightly, remaining silent.

Wen Ruan removed a purse from his waist and offered it to her. "There's some silver inside, not much, but enough for your needs."

She hesitated to accept.

"How about I keep some, and you take the rest?" Wen Ruan redistributed the silver, keeping part for himself and giving the remainder to her. "My name is Wen Ruan, and I'm the newly returned young master of the Duke Wen Manor..."

Li Yue'e was taken aback.

Wen Ruan continued, "Regardless of what you've endured, rest assured, I won't speak of this to anyone. If you need help, find me at the manor's estate near Mount Lai Feng. It's quite coincidental; that estate is at the foot of the mountain."

"I—"

"I have no ulterior motives. As a newcomer to the capital, I'm in dire need of assistance," Wen Ruan smiled. "The Duke Wen Manor bestowed the estate upon me, and managing it is challenging. I see you have a knack for plants; perhaps you know how to cultivate crops?"

Wen Ruan placed the silver in Li Yue'e's hand and took back the purse. "Consider my offer. There's no rush. I'll have my attendant divert those people, so you can leave without any burden."

Li Yue'e gripped the silver tightly, her eyes welling up, and nodded firmly.

Not far away, Wen Yu hadn't 'coincidentally' encountered Jing Yuqing yet and naturally followed Wen Ruan. If these two were meeting for the first time today, they would surely cross paths. Unexpectedly, instead of seeing Wen Ruan courting Jing Yuqing, he witnessed him consoling a girl?

He didn't dare get too close, standing far enough away that he couldn't clearly see the girl's face, only noting her slender figure, suggesting she must be beautiful.

Does Wen Ruan like women?

It couldn't be! If that were true, how could he have been so devoted to Jing Yuqing in his previous life?

Wen Yu wanted to approach and see what the woman looked like, but suddenly, fate seemed to favor him. Jing Yuqing truly appeared, walking toward them!

The powerful minister from his past life looked much younger now, with finely shaped brows, long eyes, a handsome face, and a high nose. He exuded the elegance of moonlight and the stability of a forest sea, his grace undiminished even though his robe was washed to a pale hue. This was the aura of a true scholar.

Jing Yuqing had ventured out today to fetch medicine for his widowed mother. The money in his purse wasn't sufficient, and he clenched his fingers, furrowing his brow as he pondered how to quickly earn more silver.

A gentle breeze brushed against his face, causing a slight itch. He tilted his head slightly and glanced in their direction.

Wen Yu's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. No! Jing Yuqing mustn't see Wen Ruan!

He immediately stepped out from behind a pillar and positioned himself directly between the two.

He was contemplating whether to introduce himself to Jing Yuqing immediately. This man had a strong sense of pride; if he were to assist him, he couldn't be too direct or forceful. He needed to be tactful and resourceful. Moreover... life under his mother's watchful eye wasn't easy, and he didn't have much money.

If only he could connect with the Liang family.

The Liang family, who had always kept a low profile, was poised to rise in power in the capital. Now was the time to forge ties with the current matriarch. Once they truly prospered, they wouldn't easily allow others to become acquainted with them.

He knew a crucial secret about the Liang family that Madam Liang would certainly want to learn.

Yu Zhen was also trailing behind Wen Ruan, curious about what or who could make the young master ignore him and dash out... It turned out to be a woman.

A disheveled woman.

How ridiculous. Women were plentiful in the world; losing one meant many more remained. How could Wen Ruan prefer seeking out a lowly woman over acknowledging him?

This was...

A fine lady, alas, a thief.

If you insist on being so unreasonable, don't blame me for being crude.

Yu Zhen signaled to the scribe with a glance.

...

On the third floor of the teahouse across the street, Prince Zhu Yan, seated by the window, observed everything.

He hadn't followed Wen Ruan specifically. After announcing the hunting game at the Duke Wen Manor banquet, with Pan Peng as the prey, he, the hunter, had to follow. He even brought along his hunting dog.

The dog, a sleek and agile black-furred creature, stood by the door and barked at him.

Zhu Yan: "Do you want to go down?"

Dog: "Woof!"

"No."

Zhu Yan showed no emotion as he pulled the dog back. "You're not a lady."