Chapter 44 Escape

Chapter 44: Escape

“It’s been a while, Third Brother. You truly never cease to amaze me.” Chen Yanlin’s playful voice drifted from nearby.

His footsteps drew closer, his gaze shamelessly lingering on Yin Rou, a blatant possessiveness in his eyes. “Holding a lady like that—have you even considered if she’s willing?”

Chen Yanqing lifted his eyes, his stare icy. “Whether she’s willing or not, Third Brother has already seen.”

“Oh?”

Chen Yanlin’s ambiguous retort carried an undeniable urgency. His desire for Yin Rou had long been simmering, but now it was reaching a boiling point. He had initially only been intrigued, but her earlier words made him believe she had once harbored feelings for him—just shy of realization.

This only fueled his frustration and impatience.

Chen Yanqing’s gaze turned glacial, his aura so chilling that even Yin Rou, nestled in his arms, felt a tremor of fear.

Biting her lip in frustration, Yin Rou realized how reckless Chen Yanlin was. Using him was playing with fire; she couldn’t afford for Chen Yanqing to notice anything amiss.

Her heart pounded nervously, her fingers unconsciously tightening around Chen Yanqing’s robe, her snow-white fingertips barely visible from the fabric, stark against the dark cloth.

Since that standoff, the girl had never clung to him so desperately again. To his own surprise, it delighted him. He covered her small hand with his own. “I’m here.”

Yin Rou’s tense heart trembled like plucked strings, a faint tremor running through her. Her nose inexplicably stung.

She forced herself to calm down, guessing he hadn’t suspected anything, and nodded lightly.

Chen Yanqing shifted to hold her with one arm, addressing Chen Yanlin coolly, “Since Third Brother is here, you can entertain Second Young Master Wu.”

Then, turning to Wu Zhaoye, he added, “I’ll take her back first.”

Wu Zhaoye, finally understanding, could no longer feign ignorance. Pressing his tongue against his teeth, he raised a brow in silent permission.

Seizing the moment, Yin Rou subtly signaled Chen Yanlin with her eyes, and he reluctantly held back.

Chen Yanqing’s gaze swept over Yin Rou’s face, deep and unreadable, before pulling her even closer.

Yin Rou was led all the way back to Xiaohuang Lodge, passing servants along the way. Flustered, she tried to put distance between them, but Chen Yanqing showed no intention of letting go.

Boldly, before the servants, he held her.

Yin Rou’s mind was in chaos. The servants’ shocked stares left her unsettled, but what terrified her more was—didn’t Chen Yanqing care about being seen?

The whole manor knew her as Master Chen’s former concubine. And now, she was in the Third Young Master’s arms.

Her breath grew labored as they arrived at Xiaohuang Lodge. Chen Yanqing pulled her inside, not even bothering to close the door before pinning her against the wall in a ravenous kiss.

Yin Rou couldn’t utter a word. His tongue invaded her mouth, his grip on her waist crushing her against him, leaving no space between them.

His hot, uneven breaths at her ear, so rarely tinged with urgency, left her dizzy and breathless, her resistance forgotten.

The crisp clink of jade from his belt hitting the wall snapped her back to reality.

The mist in her eyes dissipated, revealing hesitation and conflict—fueling the fury Chen Yanqing had suppressed all this way. But beneath it, there was something else: panic.

His palm pressed harder against her waist. “Don’t push me away.”

For one impossible moment, Yin Rou thought she saw vulnerability in his piercing gaze. Impossible. The aloof, unreachable Third Young Master Chen—how could he ever feel such a thing?

Sure enough, when she looked again, that flicker of fragility was gone, replaced by imperious command.

“You’re mine.” Chen Yanqing lifted her by the thighs, claiming her as he demanded, “Say it. You’re mine.”

His essence permeated every fiber of her being, and a whimper escaped her lips.

Chen Yanqing couldn’t understand why the principles he’d upheld for over twenty years had crumbled to dust because of her—nor did he care to.

All he knew now was that she was ravishing, maddening. He couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else seeing even a strand of her hair.

The mere idea of others coveting her ignited an uncontrollable jealousy. “Song Yinrou, say you’re mine.”

Yin Rou felt as though she were floating, tethered only by his piercing stare, which seemed determined to bore into her heart. She knew that if it cracked even a sliver, her defenses would collapse entirely. She clung to her resolve—she must escape.

Her silence, her bitten lips drawing blood, infuriated Chen Yanqing. Yet, like a beast backed into a corner, he had no outlet for his rage except to claim her again and again, as if only then could he find peace.

Before exhaustion dragged her into unconsciousness, she heard his low, distant murmur:

“Song Yinrou… do you want me to marry you?”

All her weariness vanished in an instant. Her eyes flew open, wide with incredulity. She didn’t dare entertain whether he meant it—she could only remind herself that such a thing was impossible.

*

She shut her eyes again, but her lashes trembled. This had always been a transaction. She had already made up her mind—why was he making it harder?

Madam Chen’s birthday feast finally arrived. From early morning, guests streamed in, filling the estate with lively chatter.

Servants bustled about, while the masters, mistresses, and young lords and ladies attended to their respective guests. Chen Yanqing, too, had to entertain the most important visitors.

Just as Yin Rou had anticipated—this was her best chance to leave.

First, she went to see Zhao Hanyue to retrieve the documents.

Zhao Hanyue watched her tuck the papers away, wishing she would vanish immediately. After news spread of how her cousin had publicly embraced Yin Rou—only for Madam Chen to suppress it—she had still found out.

She couldn’t fathom that her cousin, the gentle and refined man she admired, could act so recklessly. And all because of Song Yinrou—a curse!

Zhao Hanyue’s eyes burned with undisguised hatred. After a pause, Yin Rou whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“Save your apologies. The best repentance is you leaving as soon as possible.”

Yin Rou smiled bitterly. “There’s one last favor I need from you tonight.”

“What?” Zhao Hanyue frowned.

Yin Rou pressed her lips together and explained her plan. Zhao Hanyue’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Song Yinrou, have you no shame? How could you—”

She couldn’t even bring herself to say it. Swallowing her words, she nodded stiffly. “Fine. As long as you disappear and never drag my cousin into ruin!”

...

The banquet began in the evening. Chen Yanqing stole a moment to return to Xiaohuang Lodge to see her. “You’ll have to dine alone tonight. I’ve had them replicate the banquet menu for you.”

Perhaps because she was about to leave, his unusually gentle tone made her heart ache unbearably.

“It’s alright,” Yin Rou murmured.

“Mm, I know you’ll behave.” He stroked her cheek. “Wait for me.”

Those words—“wait for me”—instantly reminded her of her last escape. Her heart clenched, but she forced a nod.

After Chen Yanqing left, servants brought the meal. Yin Rou sampled each course. Yu He hurried in. “Miss, Bai Zhi awaits outside.”

Yinrou put down her chopsticks and took a deep breath.

*

The gatekeeper stood beneath the lintel, keeping an eye out for late-arriving guests. When he saw Bai Zhi approaching from behind the screen wall, he greeted her warmly, “Bai Zhi, where are you off to?”

Bai Zhi smiled. “Fetching something for my lady.”

“Be careful on your way, Bai Zhi.”

“Mm.”

Bai Zhi stepped out of the Chen residence with a faint smile, descending the stone steps before suddenly stopping as if remembering something. She slapped her forehead. “Oh no, I forgot! My lady asked me to bring something, and I forgot.”

She chuckled awkwardly and hurried back, circling behind the screen wall to a secluded spot where Yinrou was hiding. “The carriage is waiting at the street corner. Go quickly.”

Yinrou was dressed identically to Bai Zhi, her hair styled in the same manner. With the dimming light, at a glance, they looked identical.

Moreover, since Bai Zhi had just walked past the gatekeeper, when Yinrou reappeared, he naturally assumed it was Bai Zhi again.

“Bai Zhi, did you get it?”

Yinrou kept her head low and gave a short “Mm,” then dashed past the threshold. Her heart raced wildly as she descended the steps.

She hurried toward the street corner where Bai Zhi had said the carriage would be waiting. A carriage adorned with a patterned copper bell hung from its eaves stood there. Yinrou scrutinized it briefly, exchanged a glance with the coachman, and lifted her skirt to board.

“Leaving the city?” the coachman asked briskly.

Yinrou’s heart still pounded wildly. Pressing a hand to her chest, she took several deep breaths before regaining some composure. “No, to the horse market.”

Zhao Hanyue’s plan might not be foolproof—they could be discovered soon—which was why she had apologized to her earlier.

Moreover, if she truly wanted to escape, she couldn’t let anyone know her whereabouts.

*

Back in the Chen residence, the celebration was still in full swing.

Zhao Hanyue sat among the female guests. When she saw Bai Zhi return, she nodded at her from afar, a weight off her shoulders.

Song Yinrou was finally gone. Now, all that remained was to delay the Third Young Master from finding out for as long as possible.

She glanced toward the head table, where Chen Yanqing was calling Shu Yan over and giving him some instructions. Shu Yan bowed and quickly left the banquet.

She grew tense, and she excused herself to slip away.

Meanwhile, Yu He had been struggling to find an opportunity to deliver the note to Chen Yanlin without being too obvious—lest Third Young Master fail to notice.

Just as she fretted, a servant burst in excitedly. “Madam Chen, Second Master has sent birthday presents from the capital!”

Madam Chen beamed. “Truly from Second Master? Bring them at once!”

The servants carried in a white jade longevity carving, then approached Chen Yanqing. “Third Young Master, here’s a letter from Second Master for you.”

Chen Yanqing took the envelope and opened it. Taking the chance, Yu He discreetly slipped over to Chen Yanlin and pressed a note damp with sweat into his hand.

“My lady asked me to give this to you,” Yu He whispered hurriedly, noticing Third Young Master already watching them. She darted off.

Chen Yanlin pinched the flimsy note, his pulse quickening. Unfolding it, he saw just a few small words: “Garden artificial hill. Take me away.”

His mind raced away from the banquet. A sly smile tugged at his lips as he eagerly rose and strode toward the garden.

Chen Yanqing watched Chen Yanlin’s departure, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Shu Yan rushed over, his expression tense. Before he could speak, Chen Yanqing asked softly, “Still there?”

His voice was calm, but Shu Yan felt as if choked by an unseen force. He shook his head, breathless.

“Shall we pursue her now?” Shu Yan asked, his eyelids twitching nervously.

Chen Yanqing suddenly smiled—a cold, humorless twist of his lips. “Since she went to such lengths to escape, let’s see where she goes.”

Chen Yanlin followed the note’s directions to the garden, spotting a female figure waiting by the artificial hill from afar. His eyes brightened instantly as he quickened his pace.

Zhao Hanyue listened intently for movement. When he drew near, she turned around.

Chen Yanlin’s excitement vanished. He frowned. “Why is it you?”

“Fifth Cousin?” Zhao Hanyue pretended to be surprised, looking at him in confusion. “What brings you here?”

Chen Yanlin scanned the surroundings but saw no sign of Yinrou. “Have you seen anyone else?”

“Anyone else?” Zhao Hanyue shook her head with a frown. “No.”

Watching his face, she seethed with contempt for Yinrou. Not only had she seduced her cousin, but she was also entangled with Chen Yanlin—something her cousin likely didn’t even know.

Once Chen Yanlin confirmed no one else was present, he turned to leave.

Zhao Hanyue called after him, “Fifth Cousin, wait.”

“What is it?”

She gave an awkward smile. “I lost an earring here. Could you help me look for it?”

Chen Yanlin had no time to hunt for earrings—not when Song Yinrou had agreed to flee with him. He just wanted to find her quickly.

“Thank you, Fifth Cousin,” Zhao Hanyue said, batting her eyes gratefully.

He gave in reluctantly. “Where did you drop it?”

She pointed randomly at a patch of grass. “Over there, I think.”

As Chen Yanlin bent to search, Zhao Hanyue kept an eye on their surroundings. When she saw Chen Yanqing approaching, she felt both relief and bitterness.

Her cousin had undoubtedly come for Song Yinrou. She turned slightly, obscuring her figure.

Though Song Yinrou was gone, her cousin wouldn’t give up that easily. Zhao Hanyue chewed her lip and glanced at Chen Yanlin.

“Fifth Cousin and Miss Song...” She deliberately raised her voice so Chen Yanqing would hear. “I heard Miss Song say she has feelings for you.”

Chen Yanlin straightened and looked at her sharply, about to question her further when his gaze locked onto Chen Yanqing in the distance.

Zhao Hanyue followed his line of sight and pretended to startle. “Cousin!”

Chen Yanqing didn’t ask about Yinrou or elaborate further. He simply looked at Chen Yanlin and said, “I have something to discuss with Fifth Brother.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned to Shu Yan. “Take Fifth Young Master to the ancestral hall.”

Chen Yanlin’s brow furrowed. He swore under his breath at Chen Yanqing’s timely arrival—but since he hadn’t even seen Song Yinrou, what right did he have to question him?

“Just say it here.”

Chen Yanqing smiled coolly. “Don’t worry, Fifth Brother.”

Chen Yanlin gave a cold scoff—what’s there for him to be nervous about? Shu Yan stepped in just then and gestured, “Fifth Young Master, this way, please.”

Chen Yanlin flicked his sleeve and stormed off with a cold expression.

By the rockery, only Zhao Hanyue and Chen Yanqing remained. Under his icy gaze, Zhao Hanyue felt uneasy and forced a smile. “I was here looking for my earring and happened to run into Fifth Cousin.”

Chen Yanqing didn’t respond directly. “I thought I made myself quite clear that day.”

Zhao Hanyue's smile froze, a chill seeping into her heart. “Cousin, what... what do you mean?”

Chen Yanqing didn’t bother to spell it out or indulge her feigned ignorance. “Since you can’t seem to focus on accompanying Grandmother, and as it happens, your father is here for the birthday banquet today, you may leave with him later.”

“Cousin, are you driving me away?” Panic seized Zhao Hanyue as she reached for his sleeve.

Chen Yanqing sidestepped her effortlessly. “I told you before—keep your nose out of things that don’t concern you.”

His cold, detached words hit her like a slap. Zhao Hanyue staggered back, pressing against the rockery, her pupils contracting in fear. Had he really found out everything? No, it couldn’t be. If he knew, why wait until now?

She tried to steel herself, staring at him with hurt in her eyes. “What did I do to deserve this cruelty?”

Chen Yanqing sighed impatiently. “Whether you acted behind your father’s back or he was involved in faking identities, the two of you will have to answer to Magistrate Yu yourselves.”

Zhao Hanyue reeled as if struck, her back hitting the rockery, the color draining from her face. He knew—he truly knew everything.

“Cousin, would you really treat me like this over a slave?” She shook her head, tears falling. “Do you want to humiliate both families? We were meant to marry someday.”

“When did I ever promise to marry you?” Chen Yanqing countered.

Zhao Hanyue paled. “...What do you mean?”

“Whoever promised you, it was never me.”

His cold indifference shattered her. In her despair, she lashed out, “You’re truly bewitched by that woman! Do you know she’s been carrying on with Fifth Brother? They’ve been carrying on shamelessly!”

Chen Yanqing’s eyes turned glacial in an instant. “That has nothing to do with you.”

Zhao Hanyue stood there, speechless, watching as the gentle mask she’d known for years fell away before her eyes.

---

In the Chen family ancestral hall, the altar held the ancestral tablets of past ancestors, the walls lined with family precepts. The flickering candles cast a stifling gloom.

Chen Yanlin fidgeted impatiently until Chen Yanqing finally appeared. “What’s this about, Third Brother?” he snapped.

Ignoring him, Chen Yanqing summoned Shu Yan.

Shu Yan carried a stack of ledgers. Chen Yanlin found them familiar but couldn’t place them at first. Chen Yanqing took them and, without a word, flung them at his face.

Chen Yanlin barely managed to dodge, but one still struck his shoulder. Furious, he barked, “What’s the meaning of this?”

“See for yourself,” Chen Yanqing replied.

Chen Yanlin skimmed through a ledger, his expression darkened. These were the documents he’d given to Pei Xuanlin—that fool!

Chen Yanqing’s gaze was icy. “Conspiring with outsiders—do you want to drag the Chen family down?”

Chen Yanlin sneered. “Others might not know, but you should. What harm could these possibly do?” He dismissively tossed them aside.

“Regardless of the outcome, your actions betray the family. Treasonous and unfilial.” Chen Yanqing’s voice was firm. “Fetch the family discipline rod.”

Chen Yanlin’s face darkened. “Have you gone mad?”

Chen Yanqing remained silent, taking a seat nearby. Qing Feng and several guards rushed in, forcing Chen Yanlin down onto his knees.

“How dare you?!” Chen Yanlin roared. “Chen Yanqing, what gives you the right to enforce family discipline?”

“As the eldest brother, I act in Father’s stead. In his absence, it’s my duty to discipline you.” Chen Yanqing glanced at Qing Feng. “Do it.”

The broad wooden rod struck Chen Yanlin’s back, sending him crashing to the ground. The taste of blood filled his mouth as he coughed violently.

He pushed himself up, glaring with venom at Chen Yanqing. “Is this really for the family, or just your personal vendetta?”

“Are you jealous? Song Yinrou begged me to take her away—she wants nothing to do with you.”

Chen Yanqing didn’t even look at him. “Again.”

Another strike. Chen Yanlin’s knees buckled, sweat beading on his forehead, veins bulging in agony.

He spat blood, gasping for breath. “If we’re talking family discipline, Chen Yanqing, shouldn’t you be the one punished? A son taking his father’s woman—how many strikes does the family code demand for that?”

“What is going on here?!” Madam Chen’s voice rang out in horror. Seeing Chen Yanlin unable to stand, she shook with fury.

Wu Shi, following behind, let out a choked sob and rushed to cradle Chen Yanlin. “Fifth Young Master! Who did this to you?!”

She turned tearful, hate-filled eyes on Chen Yanqing. “Your father’s only wish was for his sons to live in harmony! How can you do this to your brother? Will his spirit rest in peace like this?”

Madam Chen demanded furiously, “What have you done?!”

Chen Yanqing glanced at Chen Yanlin, still kneeling weakly. “He must reflect on his collusion with officials in the capital.”

“Is that truly why you’re punishing him?!” Madam Chen’s voice shook with grief, the rest of her words stuck in her throat.

Her grandson had become unrecognizable. Yes, Fifth Young Master had erred—but to punish him over some seductress? Wasn’t that even worse?

After a long pause, she forced out, “Today is my birthday banquet. Can’t you spare him this once?”

“I’ve no wish to spoil your celebration, Grandmother.” Chen Yanqing looked at Chen Yanlin. “Let these two strikes serve as a reminder.”

“Quick, help him back to his quarters and fetch a physician!” Madam Chen ordered immediately. Wu Shi followed, weeping.

She turned to Chen Yanqing, words failing her, before leaving in bitter disappointment.

Alone in the ancestral hall, Chen Yanqing sat as candlelight flickered over him, his lowered lashes hiding his thoughts. His fingers absently traced the white jade thumb ring on his hand.

Suddenly, he asked, “How long has it been?”

Shu Yan knew—he was asking how long the young mistress had been gone.