Chapter 29

Chapter 29

The snow fell throughout the night, blanketing the ground. As the first snowfall of the year, it wasn't particularly heavy—though it began fiercely, as if determined to pour down relentlessly, it gradually lightened after midnight. By the next day, the sky had cleared.

Xiao Lin had been attending to matters in the palace until dawn. As he stepped out of the palace gates, a navy sedan chair awaited him. He boarded the sedan and only then remembered Ye Shuang’s injury. He asked Xiao Yin, "How is my wife? Has she returned to the estate?"

Xiao Yin replied, "I’m not sure. She should have returned."

Rubbing his tired temples, Xiao Lin said, "It's fine. Let’s head back first."

Having stayed up all night, Xiao Lin drifted off unintentionally during the journey. When he woke, he felt even more exhausted. As soon as he arrived at the Marquis’s estate, he headed straight to the west courtyard, intending to get some rest in Ye Shuang’s room and check on her injury.

He figured she might still be a little cross, but since she was usually easygoing and the assassination attempt was a serious matter, she probably wouldn’t take it out on him. Xiao Lin thought to himself that he should play up how tired he was when he saw her later—that way, she might soften and her anger would dissipate a bit.

Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he bumped into Xiao Han, who was rushing over. "Marquis! The Liu family sent someone to say that Miss Liu is still shaken up and hopes you can visit."

Xiao Lin frowned impatiently. Thinking of Liu Yiyi’s fragile state, he bit back harsher words and simply said, "Go and tell them I’m still at the palace. Can’t you even handle such a simple message?"

Xiao Han, confused by the rebuke, stomped off sulking. He bumped into Xiao Yin, who noticed his mood and asked what had happened.

Xiao Han grumbled, "In the past, the Marquis would always visit Miss Liu. Even if she asked for the stars in the sky, I’d have to report it to him! But now, it’s my fault? If he’s angry with Madam, he shouldn’t take it out on me!"

Xiao Yin shook his head helplessly and tried to console him. "Alright, the Marquis hasn’t slept all night, and he has a lot on his plate. It’s natural for his temper to be a bit short. Don’t take it to heart."

Xiao Han muttered under his breath, "I’d better keep my distance. If he finds out Madam has run away, he’ll surely chew me out!"

Xiao Yin thought he had misheard. "What did you say? What happened to Madam?"

As soon as Xiao Lin stepped into the west courtyard, he sensed something was off. Though everything appeared normal, it felt emptier than usual. He felt a pang of dread, but he still refused to believe it. When the maids came out to greet him, he noticed Wen Xiang was still there and felt slightly relieved. Steadying himself, he strode into the main room.

The windows in the main room were closed, and though everything was in its usual place, the room felt darker than usual. Xiao Lin ordered the lamps lit and the windows opened before calling a maid over to question.

"Where is your Madam?"

The maids exchanged nervous looks, hesitating to answer.

Xiao Lin repeated his question, his tone sharper.

Still, no one answered.

But the next moment, he noticed a letter on the table.

Xiao Lin guessed it must be a parting letter from Ye Shuang. Admittedly, he had gone too far this time, and her anger was justified. He tried to console himself with this thought, but a nagging unease stirred within him.

"Has Madam returned to her family’s estate or gone to the General’s residence? She may be angry, but with the New Year approaching, it’s improper for her to flee to her parents’ home or someone else’s home. If anyone knows where she is, go and bring her back immediately."

Without even glancing at the letter, Xiao Lin sat down at the table and called for water to wash up, saying he intended to get some rest and should be awakened when Madam returned.

Wen Xiang, unable to contain her anger, wanted to step forward and confront him, but Nanny Liu stopped her, shooting her a look to hold back for now. Wen Xiang ultimately said nothing. Nanny Liu pulled her away, leaving a few junior maids to attend to the Marquis’s washing and help him settle down to sleep.

Nanny Liu pulled Wen Xiang all the way to the east wing where the maids lived before releasing her.

Fuming, Wen Xiang sat down on the couch, fidgeting angrily with her handkerchief.

Nanny Liu tried to calm her. "Miss Wen Xiang, you’ve always been the most level-headed. Why are you so impatient now? Have you forgotten what Madam said before she left?"

Wen Xiang, sulking, replied dejectedly, "Madam told us not to tell the Marquis she left, and especially not to mention where she went."

Nanny Liu nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

Wen Xiang’s eyes welled up. "But! Madam almost... Last night when she returned, her clothes were drenched in blood, and there was such a long wound on her neck. She looked like a ghost of herself. I’ve been with Madam since she was young, and I’ve never seen her like this. And yet, the Marquis let her return alone. He only came back now and didn’t even ask about her injury. The imperial physician said if the wound had been an inch deeper, it would’ve been fatal! How can the Marquis still have the heart to sleep?"

"Quiet, girl! Lower your voice. Someone might hear." Chun Tao entered through the curtain.

"Let them hear! I’m not afraid. It’d be best if they send us all away." Though Wen Xiang spoke defiantly, she lowered her voice. "Madam is determined this time. She didn’t even take me along. I doubt she’ll ever return!"

Chun Tao grew anxious. "I only want to serve Madam. If she’s gone, how will we survive in this estate? Nanny Liu, you have more experience. Please, give us some advice!"

Nanny Liu was also at a loss. "I’ve never encountered such a situation either. Let’s wait and see."

The room fell silent.

Voices could be heard outside the door. It was Xiao Yin. "Ladies, could someone please give me an answer?"

Wen Xiang, already seething with anger, stepped out through the curtain. "What brings you here, Guard Xiao? What instructions do you have for us?"

Xiao Yin immediately detected the hostility in her tone and smiled wryly. "My dear lady, what instructions could I possibly have? I’m just doing my job for the Marquis."

Wen Xiang, still fuming, was about to berate Xiao Yin further when the curtain behind her was lifted, and Nanny Liu and Chun Tao emerged.

Seeing Nanny Liu, Xiao Yin felt as if he had found a savior. He hurried forward. "Nanny Liu, you’re here! Please, tell me what’s going on. While the Marquis is asleep, I need to know what to expect."

Nanny Liu gestured for him to calm down and asked, "What’s the matter? Why the urgency?"

"I’ve already heard. Nanny Liu, there’s no need to hide it from me. Where has Madam gone? I need to find her and bring her back."

Nanny Liu played dumb. "How would we servants know Madam’s whereabouts? Does she need to report to us before going out?"

Xiao Yin realized he had hit a wall. Seeing that the maids were still there, he assumed Ye Shuang hadn’t gone far and was merely sulking over her anger. He figured she could be coaxed back with some effort and decided not to press further.

Xiao Lin tossed and turned throughout the day, his dreams jumbled and fragmented. In his dreams, he was back in his childhood, climbing a tree to pick fruit for Ye Shuang. He failed to pick any fruit and ended up falling. A crowd gathered under the tree, throwing stones at him. Ye Shuang shooed them off, and Xiao Lin asked her to help him down. But instead, she gave him a strange smile, picked up a bow and arrow, and shot him.

Xiao Lin bolted upright, soaked with sweat. He had no idea what time it was. The room was empty and quiet. His eyes fell on the letter on the table, and he remembered what had happened. But it hadn’t occurred to him that she still hadn’t returned. Where could she have gone?

Holding his aching head, Xiao Lin got up and walked to the table. He was parched and reached for water, but the teapot was empty. He called out twice, but no one answered. Only Xiao Yin rushed in.

"Why is it you? Where are the maids?"

Seeing Xiao Yin’s hesitant and awkward demeanor, Xiao Lin guessed they were siding with their mistress.

Too tired to argue, Xiao Lin said, "Get me some water."

"Alright, but it might take a while. The kitchen hasn’t lit the stove yet."

"What?" Xiao Lin pressed his temples and waved his hand, signaling Xiao Yin to hurry.

After Xiao Yin left, Xiao Lin remained alone in the room, staring at the letter on the table. After a moment of hesitation, he opened it. Inside, three large characters stared back at him: "Divorce Letter." The script was hurried, the strokes heavy, clearly scrawled in anguish and bitterness.

Xiao Lin couldn’t sit still after reading it. He shot to his feet and stormed out immediately.

Xiao Yin, who was near the kitchen, saw him and called out, "Marquis, where are you going?"

Xiao Lin had already vanished through the gate.

He abandoned heating the water, set down the kettle, grabbed his sword, and chased after her.

At the entrance of the Duke’s estate, Xiao Lin, clad in black, sat on horseback, watching Xiao Yin speak with the guards at the gate.

“Well?” he asked immediately as Xiao Yin approached.

“I’ve asked around, and no one has seen the Marchioness return. My Lord, where should we search next?”

Xiao Lin pondered briefly, then tugged the reins and turned. “To General Zhenyuan’s estate.”

Xiao Yin mounted his horse and followed.

The General’s residence was newly decorated, with Song Yun busy directing servants to paste up couplets in preparation for the New Year.

A lord and his servant waited nearby for a long while, but Song Yun didn’t turn around to acknowledge them.

Only after everything was arranged did Song Yun finally say to him, “Stop looking. She’s not here.”

Xiao Lin naturally did not believe it.

“I know she must be very angry with me this time. I can explain—just let her come out first.”

“Xiao Lin, why don’t you understand? Ye Shuang has given you many chances already. This time, she nearly lost her life. And you still want her to return with you? How much more do you intend to hurt her?”

“If she won’t come back with me, then just let her come out and see me. Whatever needs to be said, we can talk face to face.”

Song Yun replied, “Even if she were here—which she isn’t—I wouldn’t let her see you. She did come to me, but she’s already left. And Ye Shuang said to tell you: pretend she’s dead. Whatever difficulties or secrets you have, they no longer concern her.”

Xiao Lin pushed on stubbornly, “I know you must know where she is. Please pass along a message for me: tell her to come back so we can talk. I know she’s angry, but I never meant to put her in danger.”

“Talk later, talk later… You’ve said that to Ye Shuang more than once, haven’t you? Xiao Lin, do you truly not understand, or are you pretending? Some words, if not spoken at the right time, need never be spoken at all.”

Xiao Lin was stunned into silence.

“Enough. Don’t linger here. Didn’t you and Ye Shuang agree long ago to separate? Now is the perfect time. You can go marry your Willow or Poplar. I’ll send a wedding gift when the time comes. That’s all. Please leave.” Without another word, Song Yun turned and went inside, the gate slamming shut behind her.

Xiao Yin asked, “What do we do now? Where should we go next?”

Xiao Lin took out the divorce agreement and examined it carefully. “This bears the seal of the Kunning Palace.”

Tucking the letter away again, Xiao Lin strode off, swung into the saddle, and rode away.

Xiao Yin asked, “Where are we going now?”

“To the palace. To see the Empress.”

Master and servant galloped swiftly, disappearing into the distance along the street. The gate of the General’s residence, which had been firmly shut, opened once more. A woman in blue robes appeared behind it, gazing steadily in the direction they had gone.

Song Yun appeared beside Ye Shuang. “You heard all that, didn’t you?” She glanced at the bandage on her neck and shook her head repeatedly.

“Love truly wounds both body and heart!”

Ye Shuang remained silent.

“What will you do now? Are you really leaving?”

“Yes,” Ye Shuang said resolutely. “He hasn’t fully grasped it yet, which is why a few words from you sent him away for now. If he returns, he might force his way in. I must leave quickly while I have the chance.”

Song Yun shrugged. “True, my place is too easy to find. I won’t stop you if you want to go. I’ve got the money ready for you, and the horse is ready. Take my carriage to the stable, mount up, and you can leave the city. With everything that’s happened lately, getting away might do you good and clear your mind.”

“I haven’t decided yet. Aside from you, there’s nothing keeping me in Lin’an.”

Song Yun looked puzzled. “What do you mean? Haven’t decided what?”

Ye Shuang picked up her bundle and patted Song Yun’s shoulder. “I’ll write to you.”

They bid farewell, and Ye Shuang boarded the carriage, which took her to the horse market. She switched to horseback and bought a dagger to protect herself.

Once prepared, she set off. She didn’t tell Song Yun where she was going—in truth, she hadn’t decided herself. She only wanted to go somewhere no one could find her.

As households gathered under glowing lanterns and the streets were decked with festive lights, one figure rode off alone, riding away from the bustling crowds and out of the city. The horse’s hooves trampled fallen petals, leaving a trail of hoofprints.

From then on, she was no longer a daughter of the Duke’s household, no longer the Marchioness of Yongding. She was simply Ye Shuang.