Chapter 37 A Gift of Apology for You

Chapter 37: An Apology Gift

Yu Guan’s body, along with the coffin, was placed in the funeral hall. According to the customs of the Northern Frontier, the body must remain there for three days before burial.

Today was the second day after his death.

Pei Tianhe pretended not to notice their exchanged glances and walked straight to the funeral hall, offering incense for his old friend.

“Safe journey.”

Que Zizhen had not yet told him about Yu Guan’s incomplete three *hun* and seven *po*, so Pei Tianhe remained unaware that his old friend’s journey after death was anything but smooth.

After offering incense, the Yu family led them to their lodgings.

The burial was scheduled for the following day. Aside from a few sects located nearby, those who had come to pay their respects today were mostly Yu Guan’s old friends.

Pei Tianhe was an old acquaintance of his, but they weren't particularly close. Yet, he had clearly rushed over as soon as he received the news and had just performed a touching display of teacher-student affection with Miss Yu at the entrance.

It was impossible for others not to speculate.

The moment he turned around, someone blocked his path.

“It takes at least a good half-day’s journey from Tianshu Palace to here. Master Pei, you arrived today—you got here fast!”

Pei Tianhe replied coolly, “It was merely a coincidence.”

With someone taking the lead, others could no longer hold back and gradually gathered around. Some sought to curry favor, others tried to probe the purpose of his visit, and a few even noticed the unprecedented presence of a youngster beside Pei Tianhe, remarking bluntly, “Whose child is this, that Master Pei himself is looking after him?”

Why, his own, of course.

Pei Tianhe was accustomed to social situations, but poor Yuan Xiao had never experienced such a scene before. Suddenly becoming the center of attention, he faced a barrage of questions that sounded concerned, but were actually probing into his background and his relationship with Pei Tianhe or the Jade Mountain Immortal Lord.

Though Yuan Xiao considered himself bold, he couldn’t help feeling nervous in such a situation. He subtly moved behind Pei Tianhe, adopting a posture of seeking protection.

Amidst this crowded scene, which starkly contrasted with the Yu family’s funeral atmosphere, the Jade Mountain Immortal Lord, whom everyone was talking about, had inexplicably slipped away unnoticed.

“Friends, Brother Yu has just passed away. Discussing such matters before his spirit seems inappropriate. If there’s anything to say, let’s save it for another day,” Pei Tianhe said with a smile.

The crowd suddenly came to their senses, as if only then realizing the impropriety. They said their awkward goodbyes, insisting on meeting another day, as if afraid Pei Tianhe might forget.

As for the Jade Mountain Immortal Lord they so eagerly sought, he had been spirited away by a vigilant guard even before the crowd gathered.

Que Zizhen offered no resistance, following step by step as he was led to an out-of-the-way spot behind the garden rockery, where no one passed by.

The mask was removed, revealing a familiar face he had imagined countless times in his dreams.

Yuan Qichen curled his lips into a smile and, like a charming rogue, stretched out his arms, encircling Que Zizhen between himself and the rockery.

If it were a slender young girl before him, it would have made him appear dashing and romantic.

But Que Zizhen was a tall man, making it seem less like a rogue flirting and more like he was the one leaning in.

“The news of Yu Guan’s death was only sent to all regions yesterday. You came so quickly—was it because you wanted to see me?”

Because he wanted to see him, he had traveled day and night, hurrying day and night.

Without confirming whether his guess was right or wrong, Que Zizhen took something out from his sleeves. “An apology gift for you.”

Yuan Qichen was momentarily taken aback, surprised that he still remembered.

It had merely been a casual, flirtatious remark, not something he had meant seriously.

Even if he had been upset at the time, his anger had long since dissipated.

He gazed intently at the wooden hairpin in Que Zizhen’s hand, a smile curving at the corners of his eyes and brows. He reached up and untied the ribbon holding his hair.

His long, dark hair cascaded down naturally, making Yuan Qichen look softer.

He naturally turned his back and said, “Put it in my hair for me.”

Que Zizhen hesitated, not moving until Yuan Qichen grew impatient and turned back to ask, “Why aren’t you doing it? Don’t tell me you don’t even know how to tie hair?”

It was Yuan Qichen who didn’t know how to tie his hair properly.

No matter how hard he tried, his hair always ended up looking loose and messy.

Fortunately, he had the privilege of being willful, and the disheveled look suited him in its own way, so he had always made do.

Que Zizhen used his fingers as a comb, gathering a handful of soft, dark hair, and carefully put it up for him step by step.

“Done.” After finishing, Que Zizhen silently took a step back.

There was no mirror nearby, so Yuan Qichen simply reached up to touch it, satisfied that it felt more secure than his own attempts. He asked cheerfully, “How does it look?”

Que Zizhen replied truthfully, “It looks good.”

It wasn’t that his hair was styled well, but that Yuan Qichen himself was handsome.

Yuan Qichen was very pleased and put his mask back on, preparing to leave.

As Miss Yu’s bodyguard, it wouldn’t look good for him to disappear for too long.

Just as he was about to go, Que Zizhen grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

The pull was unexpectedly forceful, and Yuan Qichen, caught off guard, stumbled into Que Zizhen’s arms.

At that moment, footsteps sounded, stopping just outside the rockery, within hearing distance.

“I wonder what business Third Uncle has with me, bringing me here?”

It was a woman’s voice.

“You and I are alone here. If someone were to see us, even ten mouths wouldn’t be enough to explain.”

“Why are you so flustered, Eldest Sister-in-law? Could it be that you’ve done something guilty and are afraid of being discovered?” The man opposite seemed to know something.

“Third Uncle, you’re joking.”

With terms like “Eldest Sister-in-law” and “Third Uncle,” it was likely Mrs. Xia and Yu Guan’s younger brother, Yu Rui.

According to Yu Xinchen, her aunt-in-law had always kept a low profile. Unless something major happened, she would stay secluded in her small courtyard with her son, rarely stepping out.

Yet, on the day Yu Guan died, she had emerged, claiming she needed to discuss matters with the head of the family.

As for Yu Rui, unlike his diligent and talented older brother, he was notorious for his extravagance, laziness, and debauchery.

If he had been content to remain a carefree playboy, it might have been tolerable. But Yu Rui was proud and arrogant, blaming fate for not granting him the talent and opportunities his brother had.

The opportunity he referred to was the eldest brother's unexpected death, which allowed Yu Guan to slip into the position of family head.

Yu Rui gave a sinister smile: "Whether I’m joking or not, sister-in-law, she knows best."

Mrs. Xia: "I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Yu Rui sneered, "When Second Brother died, you stayed in his room for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. That’s more than enough to accomplish many things."

Like killing someone, or covering up the truth.

Mrs. Xia’s cultivation was average, and she had always played the part of a clueless woman.

But under Yu Rui’s pressing questions, she remained calm and composed: "I told you earlier, I went to see the family head to discuss Lan’er’s initiation into cultivation. As for murder, setting aside whether I'm capable or not—even if I were, the demonic aura left on the corpse would give it away."

"Exactly how many people in this world could silently kill a Great Perfection Stage expert?"

After the elders examined the body, they suspected it was the work of the Demon Lord, which was only natural.

"You may not have the ability, but that doesn’t mean others don’t."

Yu Rui looked as though he'd seen right through everything.

"In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, there’s more than enough time to get rid of the body and cover your tracks. You went to such great lengths, risking being silenced, just to get leverage on someone—all to secure a place for your son. After Second Brother's burial tomorrow, the Yu family will elect a new head. Why not throw your support behind me? Whatever he can offer you, I can offer the same."

As his words fell, the surroundings grew so quiet that only the sound of wind rustling leaves could be heard.

Yuan Qichen was curled up in Que Zizhen’s arms, without a trace of guilt about eavesdropping. He even shifted slightly, adjusting himself to a more comfortable position.

He was comfortable, but Que Zizhen had to bear it, finally using his mental voice to transmit a message: "Don’t move."

On the other side, Yu Rui coaxed Mrs. Xia with promises regarding the family head position, but she remained unmoved, holding her ground.

"My Lan’er is still young and has no part in the struggle for the family head position. I only ask that you, Third Uncle, leave me and my son in peace."

Mrs. Xia spoke, then bowed slightly before turning to leave without a hint of hesitation, leaving Yu Rui alone, stewing in impotent rage.

"Ungrateful wretch!"

Yu Rui sneered coldly.

"Just wait, there will be quite a show to see soon."

The two of them had come, spoken a lot of cryptic words, and accomplished nothing.

Yuan Qichen, however, noticed a handkerchief Mrs. Xia had dropped and picked it up.

The handkerchief was nothing special—plain blue silk, carrying the faint, intimate fragrance of a woman, though the orchid embroidered in the corner showed some clever craftsmanship.

Yuan Qichen examined it for a while, even sniffed it, but found nothing unusual.

Turning to see Que Zizhen’s expressionless, handsome face, it suddenly hit him, and he sensed something out of the ordinary.

He waved the handkerchief and teased deliberately, "Would the Immortal Lord like to take a sniff as well?"

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Author's Note:

Thank you all so much for your support. I will continue to work hard!