Chapter 51: Child

Chapter 51: The Child

The room was deathly silent.

Mu Chi stared blankly at Chu Wujiu by the door, momentarily bewildered by the meaning of "Mother."

Why was he calling Qiao Wan "Mother"?

How could Qiao Wan possibly be his "mother"?

Hearing Wu Jiu call her "Mother," a wave of relief washed over Qiao Wan, but as her eyes met Wen Xubai's, her hand stiffened.

They had just exchanged betrothal documents earlier that day; his was still tucked in her sleeve, yet here she was, hand in hand with Mu Chi, right in front of him.

Thinking of this, Qiao Wan struggled to pull her hand away.

Mu Chi instinctively tightened his grip on Qiao Wan's hand, not allowing her to escape.

Qiao Wan's hand ached from the pressure, and she frowned slightly.

Mu Chi hesitated, about to loosen his hold, when he heard the man in white at the door say softly, "Wan Niang, are you all right?"

Qiao Wan was momentarily startled by his address. She turned to look at Wen Xubai, who was regarding her with concern.

Glancing at the hand still gripping hers, she smiled at Wen Xubai and said, "Xubai, I'm fine." Then she turned to Mu Chi. "Your Highness, could you let go now?"

Mu Chi's gaze faltered. Hearing the intimate exchange between the two, the way she gently called him "Xubai" while addressing him with a cold "Your Highness," a chill seeped through his entire being. He shifted his gaze and saw Qiao Wan looking at the man in white named "Xubai," a faint smile even gracing her lips.

She struggled so urgently to free her hand, so eager to distance herself from him, as if... afraid the man in white might misunderstand.

And that man—he called her "Wan Niang."

How dare he call her "Wan Niang"?

Mu Chi opened his mouth to speak, but his chest suddenly trembled, a bitter ache constricting his throat, rendering him speechless. It took a moment before he finally found his voice. Looking at Chu Wujiu, he asked, "Is this your child?"

Qiao Wan's eyes fell on Wu Jiu. Pressing her lips together, she nodded. "Yes."

As soon as she spoke, she felt the grip on her hand loosen. Taking advantage of the moment, she pulled her hand back and took two steps away.

Mu Chi watched her quick withdrawal, his eyes briefly clouded with confusion before darkening into a deep, somber intensity. He slowly raised his gaze, still avoiding Wen Xubai, and fixed his gaze stubbornly on Qiao Wan. "And him? The father of your child?"

This time, Qiao Wan remained silent.

Mu Chi was now staying at the Prefect's residence. Prefect Qin was familiar with Wen Xubai, and if she lied, it would inevitably be exposed later. It was better not to respond.

"Why won't you speak?" Mu Chi's aura turned icy at her silence, his eyes filled with murderous intent, rimmed with red, though a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. He turned and advanced slowly toward the man and child at the door.

Qiao Wan started forward, about to intervene.

But Mu Chi had already reached the boy. He looked down at him, then reached out, his cold fingertips lightly brushing the child's cheek. His voice was eerily gentle. "You say she is your mother?"

Chu Wujiu, still young, stared at him with a pale face, then looked at Qiao Wan and nodded emphatically. "Yes!"

As the word fell, Mu Chi's hand unconsciously clenched.

"Mu Chi!" Qiao Wan couldn't help but shout his name sharply. She stepped forward, pulling his hand away from Wu Jiu, and pulled the child protectively toward her. The fiery red fox fur enveloped the small figure as she glared at Mu Chi warily. "What madness are you up to now?"

Chu Wujiu clung to Qiao Wan's arm, burying his face in the crook of her elbow, his small face pale as he whispered timidly, "Mother..."

Mu Chi looked at his own hand, which had been pulled away, then raised his eyes to see the intimate scene between the two. The sight of that fiery red figure left him dazed.

He didn't understand why she was guarding this child so protectively. It was just a child—even if he was hers, so what?

Even if he had been locked up like an animal in a dungeon since childhood, he could still grow up in wretchedness.

Mu Chi sneered, "Not calling me 'Your Highness' anymore?"

Qiao Wan froze.

Wen Xubai, who had been standing to the side, finally reacted. He stepped forward gently, positioning himself between Qiao Wan, Chu Wujiu, and Mu Chi. Cupping his hands politely, he said warmly, "Sir, if you have no other business, please step aside for now. This is, after all, Wan Niang's private chamber."

Mu Chi's attention snapped back at the address "Wan Niang." His distracted eyes grew colder and more distant. He finally looked directly at Wen Xubai and mocked, "What do you think you are, you eas—"

But his words cut off abruptly as he took in Wen Xubai's familiar features and aura.

The man before him resembled the Mu Chi of the past, back when he was still a courtesan.

The difference was, the courtesan he had pretended to be had been acting all along, while the man before him was genuinely as he appeared.

This man was protecting Qiao Wan, and Qiao Wan was protecting the child in her arms.

Behind them, beyond the door, was a world of brilliant light. They stood within that light, so closely knit there seemed to be no space between them.

And he stood in the wretched shadows, watching them.

Mu Chi stared blankly at the scene, as if stung, taking an almost imperceptible step back.

He had imagined countless scenarios of meeting Qiao Wan again, but never this one.

He didn't even understand where this sudden timidity came from, leaving him at a loss for how to face it all. He stood there bewildered and helpless, his heart shrinking in fear, a thick, metallic taste of blood churning in his throat, making his vision blur and darken, driving him nearly mad.

After a long moment, Mu Chi coughed softly, swallowing back the blood rising in his throat. He couldn't help but press a hand against his aching chest. He wanted to say something, but his lips moved without sound, and he only murmured vaguely, "I really have gone mad..."

With that, Mu Chi turned and strode out, his steps hurried and frantic, his retreating figure so disheveled it seemed like a desperate escape.

Only three people remained in the room.

Qiao Wan still held Chu Wujiu lightly, unable to shake off the irritation from what had just happened.

She never expected to see Mu Chi again, and she certainly never imagined that little beast would still refuse to let her go easily!

After all, she had even used her "life" to keep Qiao Qingni in Lingjing for him.

But now, what she dreaded even more was facing Wen Xubai.

Anyone with eyes could see the resemblance between Wen Xubai's features and Mu Chi's. Even if she had called herself "superficial," she was still in the wrong. If he wanted to take back his betrothal documents, she had nothing to say.

After waiting for a long time without anyone speaking, Qiao Wan finally turned to him. "Young Master Wen..."

"Wan Niang... Miss Qiao," Wen Xubai almost called her "Wan Niang" again but caught himself and quickly corrected his address. Smiling gently as usual, he said, "Earlier, while showing Wu Jiu around the academy, I happened upon a few students playing music by the landscape. Wu Jiu seemed quite interested and might enjoy learning."

"I also asked Wu Jiu about his aspirations for the future. He straightforwardly said he wants to become a renowned physician. Although the academy doesn't have medical instructors, if he wishes to study medicine, he mustn't neglect these foundational studies."

Qiao Wan listened quietly as Wen Xubai detailed everything about Wu Jiu's interests and gently nodded. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "About what just happened... don't you have any questions?"

Wen Xubai looked up at her. "Do you regret exchanging betrothal documents with me?"

Qiao Wan pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "Not really."

Wen Xubai was silent for a few breaths, then finally lowered his gaze and smiled faintly. "Neither have I."

Qiao Wan was briefly stunned.

Wen Xubai did not linger. After giving Chu Wujiu some additional instructions about matters regarding attending the academy, he left.

Qiao Wan finally felt a wave of exhaustion and sat down in a chair.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Mu Chi wouldn't let her off easily.

He really was still such a bastard—unwilling to let others be at peace if he himself was suffering.

Even after fleeing all the way here, she had still been caught by him.

She could only hope that, considering she now had a "child," he couldn't be bothered with her and would leave Jiuyuan City soon!

"Sister Wan." Chu Wujiu walked up to Qiao Wan, wide-eyed, and called out to her softly.

Qiao Wan looked at Wu Jiu before her. Perhaps due to the hunger he suffered at the hands of the bandits, even after three years of living in comfort and luxury, he still remained quite small and thin. She had always urged him to eat more in the past, but now she felt a twinge of relief.

Relieved that Wu Jiu's size could fool others.

And relieved that she had never told anyone about Wu Jiu's background.

"Wu Jiu, you did very well earlier," Qiao Wan said softly.

Chu Wujiu nodded blankly, then after a moment asked, "Sister Wan, who was that man just now?"

Qiao Wan fell silent for a moment before coldly snorting, "A lunatic. A beast. Remember to stay away from him if you see him again."

*

That night, at the Prefect's residence.

The most luxurious courtyard was now pitch dark, with only a faint, flickering yellow glow visible through the window from a flame.

Mu Chi had been curled up on the bed expressionless since returning, still draped in that ginger-colored brocade fur coat, not moving a muscle.

Five or six charcoal braziers burned in the room, heating the entire space intensely. Incense to calm the mind and aid sleep smoldered nearby, yet he felt no drowsiness. His fingertips were pale and cold, like translucent shards of ice.

The scenes from the day flooded back into his mind, and Mu Chi's eyes like stagnant water flickered slightly.

Qiao Wan was alive, and doing just fine.

After over three years, thousands of days and nights, he had finally found her.

But she had become the "Wan Niang" others spoke of, with a child and a man by her side who possessed the appearance she favored.

Mu Chi suddenly broke into a violent, racking cough, bending slightly at the waist.

Si Li silently approached the door, listening to the coughing inside. After waiting a moment, he spoke up, "Young Master."

There was still no movement from inside. Si Li sniffed the air, detecting no scent of sleep-inducing incense, and knew the Young Master was still awake. He gently pushed the door open and entered, reporting the information he had gathered that day: "Jinyin Zhai was opened two years ago. Princess Changle and her party arrived in Jiuyuan less than three years ago. When they first came, Princess Changle had only Yicui, a coachman named Zhang Fu, and... a swaddled infant."

Mu Chi's fingertips tightened slightly.

Si Li continued, "The maids and guards in Princess Changle's residence are all from Jiuyuan City; none are from the Li Kingdom. Recently, Princess Changle has been quite close to a teacher at Yuejian Academy named Wen Xubai. Rumor has it they were introduced through a matchmaker for a potential marriage."

At this, Si Li cautiously glanced at his Young Master's back, seeing no unusual reaction, and reported a few other matters before preparing to leave quietly.

"How tall should a three-year-old child be?" Mu Chi suddenly spoke from behind, asking blankly.

The word "child," to him, only evoked the image of himself locked in the dungeon like livestock.

Si Li paused for a breath before replying, "Roughly two chi seven or eight to three chi."

After saying this, he waited a moment. Hearing no further response from his Young Master, he turned and left.

Hearing the sound of the door opening and closing behind him, Mu Chi's long eyelashes trembled slightly.

After a long while, he raised a hand to cover his eyes, a hoarse, unpleasant laugh escaping his throat.

So, the child's father was not that man in white.

That man in white was merely someone she had met through a matchmaker, only slightly better than a stranger.

But in the next instant, his eyes reddened, and his palm grew slightly damp.

She had been gone for exactly three years, seven months, and fourteen days.

Si Li said she had come to Jiuyuan less than three years ago. There was a gap of over half a year between her departure from Lingjing and her arrival in Jiuyuan. When she first arrived in Jiuyuan, she was carrying a swaddled infant...

Where was she during that half-year? Who was she with? What did she do? Who was the child's father?

And then there was the gentle way she had called out "Xubai" during the day. Why was she meeting that man in white named Wen Xubai for a potential marriage? Had she grown fond of him?

But he had been there first. He could have given her everything she wanted!

Countless thoughts clashed in his mind, warring like titans, giving him a splitting headache.

Mu Chi suddenly stood up, looking at the glowing embers in the brazier, a cold breath escaping his lips.

He couldn't help but reach out to warm himself, but even as his hand neared the charcoal, his heart still felt frozen and trembling, with no relief at all.

The brocade fur coat slipped from his arm and fell into the brazier, immediately catching a weak flame.

Mu Chi frantically reached into the brazier, grabbed the coat, and tightly smothered the flame with his hand, searing patches of skin on his fingertips. He only stared at the finger-length hole burned into the brocade fur coat.

This brocade fur coat was something she had given him, yet during the day, she hadn't even glanced at it.

And now Qiao Wan was right here in Jiuyuan City.

He didn't have to endure this cold and pain.

In the next moment, Mu Chi abruptly stood up and strode out.

The night was deep, and all was utterly silent.

A short while later, Mu Chi stood quietly in the courtyard he had visited during the day, watching the peaceful residence ahead. A faint candlelight flickered behind the window, and he waited for it to burn out on its own.

This was Qiao Wan's habit—she disliked dark places and always kept a single candle lit even while resting. She hadn't changed this habit in Jiuyuan City.

As if finally finding a trace of the past, Mu Chi's lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile. He lifted his foot to move forward but kicked something, producing a crisp sound.

Mu Chi looked down. At his feet was a small wooden sword for a child to play with, carved with a qilin pattern and edged with gold paint, exquisitely crafted.

It was clearly chosen with Qiao Wan's taste.

Mu Chi tilted his head, the smile on his lips freezing. He knew very well whose bedroom this was.

After a long while, the door to the side room was quietly pushed open. The maid on duty was sleeping lightly in her clothes on the outer couch, while inside, on the small bed, Chu Wujiu was sound asleep.

Mu Chi's gaze slowly swept over his small form, then his eyes darkened.

Three chi or so...

Mu Chi's fingers twitched uncontrollably, his hand resting on the boy's delicate neck.

If he tightened his grip, he could end his life.

Kill him, kill this ill-begotten child, as if those over three years in between had never happened.

As if Qiao Wan had never left.

Mu Chi's hand tightened, tightened, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably...

But just then, Chu Wujiu turned over gently, his cheeks flushed red from the charcoal fire’s warmth, now facing Mu Chi. A chubby little foot slipped out from under the blanket, wiggled twice, and found a comfortable position as he tilted his head and fell asleep.

Watching the child's familiar motion of kicking off the blanket, Mu Chi's hand jerked to a stop, his gaze stilled, stunned.

Qiao Wan had been just like this, never still while sleeping.

As if sensing the chill on his neck, Chu Wujiu sleepily lowered his head and nuzzled against it, smacking his lips.

Feeling the touch on the back of his hand, Mu Chi quickly withdrew his hand, looking at him with a conflicted gaze.

If this was Qiao Wan's child.

Then half his blood was Qiao Wan's.

Clenching his hand tightly, Mu Chi whirled around and strode toward the nearby house.