Chapter 119 Your Brother Will Never Return…

Chapter 119: Your Brother Will Never Return...

Even after Master Yu had vanished from sight, Bai Yue remained fixated.

"Bai Yue, what's wrong?" Lin Sui asked, noticing her prolonged gaze at the departing Master Yu.

Bai Yue shook her head, suppressing an inexplicable feeling, and averted her eyes. "It's nothing. I'll show you Grandfather's greenhouse. He never lets anyone in there."

"Sure," A Chan replied casually.

The Shuiyun Greenhouse was nestled in the garden's northwest corner, guarded by sentinels at its entrance—a testament to Prince Ying'an's regard for it.

Upon seeing Bai Yue, the guards at the gate opened it without question, allowing them entry.

The greenhouse was expansive, with three-tiered shelves lining three walls, each laden with chrysanthemums. Some were vibrant orange, their blooms as large as dinner plates, resembling phoenix tail feathers. Others had delicate petals, uneven in length, like exploding fireworks.

Even those typically indifferent to flora would find themselves captivated here.

Noticing A Chan's prolonged gaze at a particular pot, Bai Yue generously offered, "Point out whichever one you fancy, and I'll have the maids move it to my courtyard. You can take it with you when you leave."

"Are you sure that's alright?" A Chan hesitated.

"Oh, don't fuss over trifles. It's perfectly fine."

When A Chan still demurred, Bai Yue pointed to the pot A Chan had admired the longest and instructed a maid, "This one goes."

Then she turned to Lin Sui.

Lin Sui shook her head. "Don't even think about it. I don't want any."

"Fine." Bai Yue didn’t press, then pointed to two more pots. "Take these as well."

Once the maids had collected the plants, she added, "Alright, take them to my courtyard. Be careful on the way—make sure Grandfather or Father don't spot you."

"Yes," the three maids chimed in unison before carrying the pots away.

The door guards looked uneasy but didn’t dare stop them.

After they left, Bai Yue stepped forward and rearranged the remaining pots to fill the gaps, then clapped her hands. "Done."

A Chan’s mouth twitched. How many times had she pulled this off to be so adept?

She suddenly regretted not firmly refusing the gift earlier—it felt like she’d become an accomplice.

The three had just finished their tour of the greenhouse when a manor maid hurried over.

Spotting them, the maid sighed in relief. "Miss, the banquet at Huanchun Garden is about to begin. The heir's wife and Eldest Miss have been looking everywhere for you."

"Understood. We’ll head over now."

Bai Yue agreed and led A Chan and Lin Sui toward Huanchun Garden.

Huanchun Garden faced the opera stage. When they arrived earlier, A Chan had only noticed the stage, completely missing the garden.

Now, many tables had been set, and the invited guests were already seated.

The women’s and men’s tables were arranged on opposite sides, separated by flower stands filled with blooms—maintaining decorum without sacrificing elegance.

Instead of seating them with the other female guests, Bai Yue led them to a table near the main seating.

Several young women were already seated there, one of whom resembled Bai Yue but was clearly older, her hair styled in an adult coiffure—likely the "Eldest Miss" mentioned by the maid, Bai Yue’s elder sister.

Bai Yue gestured for A Chan and Lin Sui to sit before taking her place beside her sister, Bai Ke.

Bai Ke took a damp towel from a maid and handed it to Bai Yue to wipe her hands, then asked, "Where did you run off to? I couldn’t find you anywhere."

"Stealing Grandfather’s flowers."

Bai Ke glared at her and whispered, "Did you clean up your tracks in the greenhouse? Don’t let Grandfather find out."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I also took the 'Solitary Bloom' you like. Remember to come get it from me before you leave." That's what sisters do—her sister helped her deal with the guests, and she helped her sister steal flowers from their grandfather.

"That’s my sister." In just a few words, the sisters had divided their spoils.

Listening nearby, A Chan found the pair quite amusing.

After a short wait, the estate's lords and ladies made their entrance.

Prince Ying'an and the heir walked at the front, followed by the heir’s wife and the Princess of Xinan supporting the princess consort. The princess’s daughter trailed behind, held by a maid, the little girl looking pale and listless.

The princess consort appeared delicate but in good spirits, speaking softly with the Princess of Xinan beside her, her face soft.

As they passed their table, Bai Ke and Bai Yue chimed their greetings to the princess consort in unison, drawing her attention.

Her sharp eyes scanned over the others at the table, her brow furrowing noticeably when it landed on A Chan and Lin Sui.

Finally, she zeroed in on Bai Yue. "Where have you been all this time, Yue’er?"

The heir’s wife quickly interjected with an apologetic smile, "Yue’er was playing with her two friends. Please excuse her antics, Mother."

The princess consort shot her a glance. "It’s because you’re so careless that she’s so undisciplined. Look at her—letting just anyone..."

Before she could finish, the Princess of Xinan cut in, "Mother, there are so many guests here. Everyone is waiting for you to take your seat."

The princess consort glared at Bai Yue again but, for her daughter’s sake, didn’t continue.

A Chan naturally understood—the princess consort clearly wasn’t pleased by her and Lin Sui’s presence.

Seeing how gentle the princess consort had been with the Princess of Xinan earlier, she’d assumed her to be amiable. Who knew she’d be so cutting, publicly shaming her own granddaughter in front of so many people?

Bai Yue seemed accustomed to it. Her expression didn’t change as she waited for her grandparents to sit before tugging A Chan and Lin Sui into their seats.

Soon, servants brought out an array of dishes, and the stage erupted with music.

Watching ghost opera in broad daylight wasn't quite as spooky, but its novelty made up for it. The guests enjoyed the performance as they dined, making for good dinner entertainment.

Halfway through the banquet, Master Yu finally took the stage.

Her first notes had the crowd cheering. Today, her ghost mask wasn’t as terrifying as before, yet it looked just as real—nothing like some cheap prop mask.

Bai Yue stared, not even blinking, leaning toward A Chan to ask, "How does Master Yu paint her face like that? It looks so real."

"You got me there, Miss Bai. Perhaps it’s her secret technique?" Though this was A Chan’s second time watching Master Yu’s performance, she still couldn’t discern the mask’s trick.

Bai Yue was dying to know. "Maybe we can ask Master Yu after the banquet. I wonder if she’ll tell us?"

When the opera ended, the audience erupted in applause—even the princess consort, who'd scoffed at ghost operas before, nodded approvingly.

After Master Yu left the stage, the princess consort turned to Prince Ying'an beside her. "You actually came through for once, my lord. This performer is truly exceptional. She ought to be rewarded."

Prince Ying'an stroked his beard with a hint of pride and beckoned a nearby maid forward. "Didn't you hear the Princess? Hurry and deliver the reward."

Just as the maid was about to leave, Princess of Ying'an recalled her. "Wait, have that performer come here instead. That demon mask earlier looked quite special—I’d like her to tell me about it."

"Yes," the maid replied before leaving. Soon, she returned with Madame Yu, who had just removed her makeup.

Without the demon mask, Madame Yu’s face appeared rather unremarkable. The Princess glanced at her and remarked, "Your looks are quite ordinary. You’d be better off keeping that demon mask on."

Since A Chan’s table was not far from the main one, she clearly heard Princess of Ying'an’s words and couldn’t help but turn her head.

Everyone at the main table remained expressionless, clearly accustomed to the Princess’s blunt manner of speaking.

Madame Yu remained impassive and bowed slightly. "Thank you for your comment, Princess."

"Comment? Hardly. I’m more curious about how that demon mask adheres to your face so naturally."

"The mask is specially made to fit my face perfectly. It’s fastened with glue, and years of practice make it appear like a second skin."

"I see." Having heard the explanation, Princess of Ying'an seemed to lose interest.

At that moment, a servant led a man in a pale blue scholar’s robe forward.

Before Princess of Xinan could react, Bao Er beside her rushed over, calling out, "Father!"

The newcomer was none other than Vice Minister of Personnel, Xu Zecheng.

Just as Xu Zecheng caught his daughter up, the Princess scolded, "Bao Er, come back and sit properly. Where are your manners?"

Bao Er made a face and slowly returned to her seat.

The Princess, seemingly displeased with her petty behavior, added, "This child, who knows whom she takes after—so lacking in grace. When Che Er was her age, he was already very mature."

The "Che Er" she mentioned was her long-missing grandson. Nowadays, only the Princess occasionally brought him up, as others avoided the topic to spare Princess of Xinan’s grief.

"Mother, Bao Er is still young," Princess of Xinan interjected.

"Young? Her temperament doesn’t resemble yours or your husband’s, and she doesn’t even look like one of our family."

A flicker of impatience crossed Princess of Xinan’s eyes as she glanced at Xu Zecheng, who had taken a seat beside her.

Xu Zecheng smiled and said amiably, "Your reproof is just, Mother. I’ll make sure to guide Bao Er more in the future."

Prince Ying'an chimed in, "Enough. Xin'an hasn’t been able to devote much time to Bao Er due to her delicate constitution. Why keep dwelling on this and spoiling the mood?"

A trace of regret flashed across Princess of Ying'an’s face. She picked up a pair of serving chopsticks and placed a prawn in Princess of Xinan’s bowl. "These prawns were sent from Yuncheng. Your father knew you’d like them, so he saved them especially for you."

With the Princess softening her tone, the atmosphere at the main table eased.

Princess of Xinan smiled faintly. "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother."

"We’re family—no need for formalities."

Instead of eating, Princess of Xinan waited as Xu Zecheng took the prawn, peeled it for her, and placed it back in her bowl.

The Prince of Ying'an chuckled. "I’ve long heard that Vice Minister Xu and his wife are a divine couple. Today, I’ve witnessed it firsthand."

"Sister-in-law, control your husband," Princess of Xinan teased. The princess consort smiled but said nothing.

The family’s cheerful banter completely overlooked Madame Yu, who still stood to the side.

Madame Yu watched them, the peculiar light in her eyes dissolving into darkness.

She observed as Princess of Xinan ate the peeled prawn, while Xu Zecheng picked up another to prepare for her.

She had always wondered how prawns tasted, but she could never eat them—they gave her hives.

Her mother had accused her of faking illness and argued with her many times. When she fell sick, her brother visited and promised the dish would never appear on their table again.

They were all liars.

Princess of Xinan seemed to sense someone watching and looked up, finally remembering Madame Yu’s presence.

"Mother, we still have a guest."

Reminded, Princess of Ying'an turned her attention back to Madame Yu and dismissed her casually. "That’s enough. Your performance pleased us—take your reward and withdraw."

Madame Yu accepted the tray covered with red cloth from the maid and bowed again. "Thank you, Prince and Princess, for your generosity."

Holding the tray, she turned away.

Behind her, Xu Zecheng raised a toast to the Prince and the Crown Prince. She heard Prince Ying'an affectionately call him "worthy son-in-law" and the Crown Prince address Princess of Xinan as "younger sister."

Step by step, she walked away, her eyes lifeless.

A Chan had been watching the main table and noticed the shift in Madame Yu’s expression.

Though subtle, she could sense the heavy aura around her.

Then again, given the Princess’s rudeness, Madame Yu’s reaction was hardly surprising.

The Ghost Opera onstage reached its finale, and the guests, now sated, began to depart.

The Prince and Princess left first, while the Crown Prince and his consort remained. Princess of Xinan stayed behind to feed her daughter.

Xu Zecheng sat briefly before joining the male guests at another table.

A Chan and Lin Sui were also ready to leave. Having enjoyed the opera and flowers, A Chan felt sleepy and wanted to take their leave.

Bai Yue insisted on fetching the promised flowers, so A Chan and Lin Sui followed her, leaving their maids to prepare the carriage.

After collecting the flowers, Bai Yue intended to see them out, but Bai Ke arrived, so she sent a maid instead.

Before the maid could guide them beyond the back courtyard, a stern-faced matron called her away. The maid hesitated, but A Chan told her, "Go ahead. We know the way."

The maid bowed apologetically and hurried off.

A Chan and Lin Sui shared a look and continued onward.

The estate was vast. After walking along the covered walkway and passing through an arched gate, they reached a bamboo grove, beyond which stood rockeries.

Not far ahead, they heard voices—Princess of Xinan and Bao Er.

Bao Er sniffled, "Mother, Grandmother said I’m not like Brother. If you find him, will you cast me aside?"

Princess of Xinan replied gently, "Never. You’re my only child."

"But what about Brother?"

"Your brother…" Princess of Xinan said softly, "He is gone forever."

The last sentence was spoken very softly, yet it was bone-chilling.

Bao Er, however, asked with delight, "Really? Big brother isn't coming back?"

"Of course it's true."

Hearing this exchange, A Chan tugged at Lin Sui, and the two quickly slipped behind the ornamental rocks before they could be noticed.

They quietly moved to the other side of the ornamental rocks and peeked out. The Princess of Xinan had already walked past, apparently oblivious, still holding Bao Er and soothing her.

But A Chan noticed a figure silently emerging from the bamboo grove—it was Master Yu.

Her expression was contorted with malice now, and just then she held a dagger in her hand, clearly intent on the Princess of Xinan.