Chapter 141: Chanyue’s Dream 6

**Chapter 141: Zen Moon’s Dream (6)**

Qin Chanyue was in no condition to be seen, so Chu Heng did not call for anyone to enter. Instead, he stepped outside himself.

His valet stood by the door, holding a poetry anthology with a strange expression. Upon seeing Chu Heng, he hesitated before offering it and said, “Eldest Young Master, this—this is the poetry book retrieved from the west wing of Lotus Fragrance Courtyard. There are also some paintings tucked inside. Please take a look.”

There truly was a poetry book.

A cold weight sank into Chu Heng’s chest. He reached out and took it, his restraint faltering as he began flipping through it right in front of the valet.

As he turned the pages, he thought—had Qin Chanyue really copied Master Liu’s poems? Such a thick volume, and there were even paintings. Was she also infatuated with Master Liu?

Was she toying with two men’s affections at once?

Fury spiked through Chu Heng. His movements grew harsh as he flipped through the pages, as if he might devour the book whole. A painting slipped out, and the valet quickly bent down to pick it up, not daring to glance at it before hastily unfurling it before Chu Heng.

Chu Heng had just glimpsed the verses in the book.

Indeed, there were poems—but none written by Master Liu. Every last poem in the collection had been penned by Chu Heng himself.

Chu Heng was a man of letters and the sword. In his youth, he had composed many poems, but later busied himself with official duties and let the practice fall away.

He paused, then turned his gaze to the portrait the valet had spread open.

It was an ink-wash painting on delicate cloud-smoke paper. The subject—a half-profile of Chu Heng—was rendered with such lifelike precision that the painter’s adoration bled through the strokes.

The valet often accompanied Chu Heng on official matters and knew how to extract truth under pressure. He understood now that he must speak plainly, even if the truth was somewhat unsightly.

He steeled himself and continued, “The maid’s name is Xiao Hong. She couldn’t read. When I questioned her, she spilled everything. She said she saw Miss Qin staring at the poetry book for quite a while yesterday, so she asked whose it was. Perhaps Miss Qin panicked and gave a random name, and Xiao Hong believed her. She went straight to Third Miss, who confronted Miss Qin this morning. Naturally, Miss Qin denied it. In the argument that followed, she was pushed into the pond.”

Such catty squabbles between young misses were easy enough to deduce. But if word got out—that a younger daughter harbored feelings for the eldest son—it would spell scandal for the Marquis’s house.

The valet’s voice dropped lower as he spoke. Meanwhile, Chu Heng stared at the painting, momentarily lost in thought. A wildfire of feeling scorched through him, rushing through his limbs and making his spine tingle.

Chu Heng knew his demeanor was too severe, his methods too rigid. He was not the kind of man women naturally adored. Girls favored dashing, hot-blooded gallants or tender-hearted scholars—neither of which described him. He was like a lone tree in the gardens, silent and unadorned, never blooming, never bearing fruit, only growing dense and quiet.

He had long grown used to being overlooked, to people avoiding him. Yet now, suddenly, he realized someone in this world loved him just the same.

Like a beacon in the blackest night. Like a fragile boat upon a lonely sea.

Only when he caught the valet’s cautious glance did Chu Heng snap back to reality.

“Silence,” he commanded coldly, tucking the poetry book and painting away. “If this leaks, fifty strokes of the cane.”

His voice was taut with strain.

The valet bowed hurriedly and backed away, only realizing much later that Chu Heng still had the morning court to attend.

But after a moment’s hesitation, he glanced at the wooden door—now firmly shut by Chu Heng himself—and dared not knock again.

Inside, Chu Heng returned to the room, holding the book and painting with a conflicted expression as he gazed at Qin Chanyue lying on the bed.

She remained unconscious, seemingly unaware of anything.

Qin Chanyue… Peach-blossom Zen Moon, radiant and aflame. The way she trembled in his arms was exquisite, a treasure to be tucked into his robes, a secret never to be spoken.

Yet the very thought sent a jolt through him.

No. He was the heir of the Marquis’s estate. She was Li Yiniang’s daughter, brought into the household under uncertain circumstances. Their relationship could never become entangled. If he allowed himself to feel, the entire family, himself, and even Qin Chanyue would become laughingstocks of the ton.

He was the eldest brother—his actions must be beyond reproach. Rules weighed as heavily as mountains.

Qin Chanyue was immature, but he could not ruin her in this way.

"A gentleman upholds propriety"—these four words formed an inescapable prison, a lifelong demon he could never overcome.

Chu Hang stood in the room for a long while before finally placing the poetry collection and painting beside Qin Chanyue’s pillow. Then, he brought the brazier himself.

—

When Qin Chanyue awoke, her clothes clung to her, still damp—no one had helped her change.

She saw only a figure standing with his back to her.

It was Chu Hang’s silhouette.

Still groggy from sleep, her voice was thick with drowsiness as she let out a pitiful breath and called out, “Brother…”

Chu Hang did not turn around.

Qin Chanyue couldn’t swim. After falling into the water, her body felt weak. As she struggled to sit up, she noticed the book and painting placed beside her pillow, and a brazier set at the foot of the bed, its charcoal burning.

Her heart clenched, her fingers curling into her palms, when suddenly, Chu Hang spoke.

“The brazier,” he said. “Burn them in it.”

Qin Chanyue was startled. Her clear eyes locked onto his back, her face etched with sorrow—like a rain-soaked cat huddled under an eave, helpless and forlorn.

But Chu Hang didn’t turn, so he couldn’t see.

“Soon, I will arrange my marriage,” he continued, his voice colder than winter wind. “I will also choose a suitable husband for you. In time, you’ll have a stable life, backed by the Hou Mansion—your husband’s family would dare not mistreat you. Those matters—bury them for good. If even a whisper escapes, both you and Li Yiniang will be cast out of the Hou Mansion.”

Qin Chanyue’s heart lurched.

“Burn them,” he commanded again when she hesitated.

Helpless, Qin Chanyue slid off the bed and, with tears in her eyes, burned the poetry collection. When nothing but ashes remained, she opened her mouth as if to speak—but Chu Hang merely replied without turning: “Leave.”

Clearly unwilling to let her stay, he didn’t even allow her to change there, leaving only an emerald-green cloak on the bedside for her to wrap herself in before departing.

Qin Chanyue bit her lip and walked out alone.

As she left the room, Chu Hang never once looked back. Only after she was long gone did he finally turn, gazing emptily at the ashes by the bed.

His cruelty… would surely shatter her.

So be it.

He could only hope she’d find a worthy husband and forget this fleeting affection.

A dead tree could never bloom.

—

By then, Qin Chanyue had already left the Elegant Study.

At the gate stood a round-faced, smiling maid, radiating sincerity. She bowed upon seeing Qin Chanyue and said, “Fifth Miss, this humble servant is Xiao Yuan, sent by the young master to attend to you. Xiao Hong was sold off for stirring trouble between the young ladies of the two courtyards. From now on, this servant will serve you.”

The title *Fifth Miss* told her everything—Chu Hang meant to erase their past entirely.

Her sorrowful expression was gone as she nodded and idly tugged at her cloak, heading toward Lotus Fragrance Courtyard.

Today's plan was half-successful—she had once again placed herself before Chu Hang, but he refused to take the bait. However she presented herself, she would have to retreat the same way.

She brooded over how others had always praised Chu Hang as an upright gentleman, principled and restrained. She hadn’t believed it, assuming every man would stray—what kind of decent son could the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery possibly raise?

But today had proven it true.

Chu Hang had clearly been affected by her. Every time she brushed against him, his rigidity unnerved her. When he rescued her today, the heat of his body nearly made her go weak. Yet even then, he had refrained from touching her.

In that regard, he surpassed most men a hundredfold.

And so, Qin Chanyue struck Chu Hang’s name from her grudge ledger.

Since he was truly a man of integrity, she would give him a pass this time.

She pondered—fortunately, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery’s household still had the Second Young Master. Otherwise, her plan would have been impossible.

She wanted to destroy everything Yiniang Li held dear. After much deliberation, she concluded that only the two young masters of the marquis’s household could help her achieve this.

All she needed was to win over one of them, make him desire to marry her, and provoke him into defying the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery for her sake. That would surely cause an upheaval in the marquis’s household, inevitably turning Yiniang Li and the marquis into enemies.

Since the eldest young master refused, she would have to find a way to acquaint herself with the Second Young Master.

——

Meanwhile, in Blossom Radiance Courtyard.

Blossom Radiance Courtyard belonged to Yiniang Chen, who had earlier given birth to the Third and Fourth Young Misses—sisters born to a concubine, living together.

Today, the Third Young Miss had pushed Qin Chanyue into the water at the pavilion. Shaking in her shoes, she awaited the eldest young master’s investigation into the truth. But after some probing, he abruptly stopped, dropping the matter entirely with only an order for the Third Young Miss to return to Blossom Radiance Courtyard and reflect on her actions.

Upon returning, the Third Young Miss inquired further—only to learn that Xiao Hong had been dismissed. But beyond that, she could uncover nothing.

It was as if Elegant Study Courtyard had conspired to shield Qin Chanyue.

The Third Young Miss was tormented by curiosity, unease, and a gnawing sense of dread. But the shock of Qin Chanyue’s near-drowning had cowed her, and she dared not seek her out again.

Just like that, the incident was suppressed. When Qin Chanyue returned, Yiniang Li was still abed. She remained unaware that Qin Chanyue had fallen into the water, only asking once why her maid had been replaced. Xiao Yuan quickly interjected before Qin Chanyue could answer, “Xiao Hong was reassigned by the steward.”

And so, the matter was swept under the rug.

——

Thus, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery’s household had a brief respite for a day or two.

By late July, the marquis’s married second aunt—his own younger sister, Madam Pingyu—returned to the capital and visited the marquis’s residence. She hosted a flower-viewing banquet, inviting talented young men and noble ladies from across the capital.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery’s parents had long passed, and his wife had died early. Though his rear courtyard was full of concubines, having them host would be improper and invite ridicule. The marquis wasn’t opposed to remarrying, but his reputation was too tarnished, his women too numerous, and he already had two legitimate sons. Marrying into his household held little appeal.

Those with pride and status in the capital refused to wed him, while those without either were beneath him. Thus, the matter was delayed again and again.

By the time Chu Hang came of age, the marquis simply gave up. Why trouble himself with a wife who would demand deference when he could enjoy complete freedom?

But without a proper lady of the house, the marriages of Chu Hang, Chu Zhong, Chu Wan, and Chu Yan remained unarranged.

Now that Madam Pingyu had returned, she was determined to arrange all four children’s matches.

The Third Young Miss, Chu Wan, was promised in marriage and needed no attention for now. But the other three—especially Chu Hang, already twenty-three—needed matches urgently. Thus, the flower-viewing banquet was unusually bustling.