Chapter 53: Sir, Please Let A Yuan Go

Chapter 53: Master, Please Let Me Go

Snow began to fall, silently blanketing the bloodstains in the courtyard.

After dozens of strikes, Chun Tao had long since lost her voice. She was dragged away by two matrons, her legs leaving bloody trails in the snow, a stark crimson against the white.

A Yuan pushed away Wei Xun's hand, staggering to her knees. She clawed at the blood-stained snow, her voice already lost to the wind.

"Chun Tao... Chun Tao..."

Why...

What had they done to deserve death, merely for offending their master?

Why not kill her as well, for her life was deemed worthless, and she had no one left?

Why harm her only companion!

"A Yuan..."

Wei Xun's heart wrenched as he bent to lift her, but she pushed him away. She clenched her fists, her eyes red and hollow.

"I bring misfortune, Master. Do not taint yourself with me."

Her voice remained soft, yet it drained the color from Wei Xun's face.

He leaned closer, his touch tentative, his voice pleading, "A Yuan... do not be like this."

But A Yuan appeared deaf to his words, her eyes locked on the bloodied snow where Chun Tao had fallen. Her voice was weak and distant, "Master, please let me go."

Let me go, for I have nothing left in this cursed mansion.

Even if I remain, I would be but a ghost among the living.

"Xie Yuan!"

Wei Xun's heart sank as he seized her chin, his fingers quivering with dread.

"You wish to leave... over my dead body!"

His voice was hoarse, almost a growl as he spoke these words.

But A Yuan chuckled softly, her once gentle eyes now blazing with a wild, untamed fire.

"What if I am the first to perish?"

If it could bring Chun Tao back, she would not hesitate to die.

"No! I forbid it! You shall not die without my consent!"

Wei Xun's dread deepened, sensing her resolve to end her life.

A Yuan fell silent, her eyes staring into the void of the courtyard.

If she truly wished to die, how could Wei Xun stop her?

The snow fell heavier, covering the bloodstains on the ground. Chun Tao disappeared without a trace, as if she had never existed in the marquis's mansion.

Old Lady Zhu learned of the tragedy at dusk; the news of her daughter's brutal death struck her down in a faint.

Madam Wei, deeming it unlucky, told the maidservant to take fifty taels of silver and give it to Mother Zhu as burial expenses for Chun Tao.

Mother Zhu wasn't after money; she had been widowed for half her life, and all her hopes rested on her two children.

But now her daughter was gone—how could she go on living?

The maidservant, being a mother herself, could understand Mother Zhu's feelings, but as servants, they couldn't defy their master's orders.

She picked up the silver and added her own gold ring before handing it to Mother Zhu.

"Don't blame Madam Wei; it was Chun Tao's bad luck. Use this money to give her a proper funeral, hoping she can be reborn into a better life."

Bad luck... reborn into a better life...

Mother Zhu couldn't hold back any longer, clutching Chun Tao's old clothes, she wailed.

"My Chun Tao!"

A Yuan hurried in and knelt down beside her, her trembling fingers grasping Mother Zhu's hand.

"Nanny, I failed to protect Chun Tao. Blame me if you must."

Mother Zhu looked up, tears streaming down her face, "How could I blame you? Chun Tao was lucky to have a mistress like you, but sadly, her life was cut short..."

A Yuan herself was just a precarious concubine; if her master had ordered it, could she have really sacrificed her own life?

Mother Zhu blamed no one but the unfair fate controlled by the masters. She didn't even dare to feel resentment.

Mother Zhu collected her daughter's belongings and left the marquis's residence.

The snow and wind enveloped her completely, chilling her to the bone, yet Mother Zhu didn't seek shelter. Her Chun Tao had been beaten to death on a day just as cold; she would never forget this winter.

A Yuan returned to the Jade Clear Courtyard, and the once lively small courtyard fell silent without the little maid's chatter.

Wei Xun sent servants to her several times, but A Yuan turned them all away.

......

She wanted no one else to serve her; her maid was only Chun Tao.

Nanny Zheng came to report, and Wei Xun's face was somber.

After a long while, he nodded.

"Let her be. If she doesn't want anyone near, place the servants outside to attend to her, but don't let the lower servants neglect her."

"Yes."

Nanny Zheng sighed softly, took the order, and left with a heavy heart.

Chun Tao had grown up under her watch; the maid had no faults except for her lively nature. How could she have offended Madam Wei?

Pushing open the door to the outer study, Nanny Zheng looked up and saw Chang Yuan.

His eyes were swollen like two walnuts, and he softly called out, "Godmother."

Nanny Zheng knew of his feelings for Chun Tao, and her heart ached even more.

"Once a person is dead, they can't come back to life. You must look forward."

She patted her godson's shoulder. Chang Yuan's gaze faltered for a moment, but he nodded and said, "I know, godmother."

They parted, and Chang Yuan entered the study.

Wei Xun stood by the window, his sharp features tinged with worry.

Hearing the sound, he turned around. "How is she?"

Chang Yuan sniffled, his tone carrying a hint of relief. "Young master, she has been saved and is now settled in the Huichun Hall, being looked after by a maid."

Under the dim candlelight, the man's furrowed brow relaxed, and his clenched hand slowly unclenched.

"Tell the maid to look after her carefully, make sure she recovers from her injuries."

"Yes," Chang Yuan nodded, then thought of something and asked, "Should we inform Mistress Xie? If she knows Chun Tao is still alive, she won't hold it against you."

Wei Xun's gaze darkened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Let's keep it a secret for now."

Chun Tao was severely injured and would take a long time to heal.

Moreover, the clash was strange. Although Madam Wei was not one to be so quick to kill, she had ordered Chun Tao's execution after listening to Taoist Nun Ma.

Whether Taoist Nun Ma truly had abilities or was just pretending, he was determined to find out.

......

In the Ci'an Courtyard, Madam Wei felt much better after drinking the talisman water prepared by Taoist Nun Ma.

She held Taoist Nun Ma's hand at her bedside, her face full of gratitude.

"Taoist Nun Ma, your magic is boundless, you have saved this old woman's life, and I am endlessly grateful!"

Taoist Nun Ma gently stroked her whisk, her hand forming a seal, looking every bit the wise sage.

"Madam, you flatter me. It is my duty to clear away evil remnants for mortals. If you wish to thank someone, you should thank Mrs. Shen."

She opened her eyes and pointed her whisk at Shen Qiuyu beside Madam Wei.

"Mrs. Shen? What is the reason for this?"

Not only was Madam Wei curious, but Wei Jin and Zhao Wan also pricked up their ears to listen.

The nun chanted "Infinite Heavenly Lord" and then said, "Mrs. Shen possesses divine fire, a sign of long-lasting fortune, most prosperous for Madam. It is because of her presence that I was able to find the evil so quickly."