Chapter 9 The Capital Was he pretending?

Chapter 9: In the Capital - Was He Just Putting On an Act?

Madam Zhong typically moved in circles of similar status to her own and rarely had the opportunity to attend banquets at the residences of high officials and powerful nobles. Even when such invitations came, she would politely decline whenever possible.

Her last visit to Lady Zhao's residence to offer birthday congratulations was entirely because Lord Zhao had been the chief examiner the year Zhong Huaizhi took the imperial examinations, and could be considered a mentor of sorts.

Having just subtly retaliated against the Xie Dowager of Yong'an Marquis Manor at the birthday banquet, Madam Zhong was still feeling rather guilty. Now, finding herself a guest on someone else's estate, she didn't dare say much at all.

She also didn't have much to say to this young "adopted daughter" of the Marquis Manor. Her conversation kept circling back to expressions of gratitude and praises for Xue Fang's intelligence and grace. When she began complimenting Xue Fang's serene, elegant air and slender figure, comparing her to a stunningly beautiful little fairy maiden from the Moon Palace, Zhong Yao was jolted from her startling train of thought. She coughed a few times, forcibly interrupting her mother.

Madam Zhong hurried over to check on her, and a maid quickly brought tea.

While the two tended to her, she stole a glance past the outer gauze curtain and caught sight of Xue Fang not far away.

Zhong Yao could no longer recall what he had been wearing that evening, but she was certain it was nothing like his current attire.

—Adorned with a simple yet elegant jasper hairpin, a necklace of gold, jade, and agate around his neck, he wore a flowing, graceful goose-yellow butterfly-patterned brocade fairy-style skirt. An elegant white-jade tasseled waist pendant hung at his waist, and a loosely draped grass-green gossamer shawl rested over his arm.

Though he was rather tall for his age, he hadn't filled out yet, already possessing a somewhat androgynous quality. Now, dressed in this gauzy skirt—perhaps due to the subtle, lotus-like makeup, exquisite attire, and slender build—he appeared a couple of years older, truly resembling a budding young maiden.

Paired with his cool expression, he indeed matched Madam Zhong's description: frosty and snow-like, ethereal and pure, very much like the aloof little fairy maiden from the tales of the Moon Palace.

The moment she saw him, Zhong Yao choked on the tea being fed to her, genuinely coughing and straining her wound, causing waves of pain.

"Slowly, slowly, no rush..." Madam Zhong said, her heart aching, as she patted her back.

Xue Fang also stepped forward, saying, "Sister, be careful."

His tone was somewhat flat, but the words themselves were caring.

Zhong Yao felt her scalp tingle. She gripped Madam Zhong's hand tightly to prevent herself from showing any strange expression.

"What a good child, truly a good child," Madam Zhong said, moved, looking at Xue Fang and praising him repeatedly. "The Dowager is truly blessed. First, she has a grandson like Heir Xie, so courteous and valiant, and now an adopted granddaughter like Miss Xue, so clever and captivating. It's truly enviable..."

She spoke with great sincerity, as if she had never privately cursed the Xie Dowager.

"I heard this is Miss Xue's first time in the capital. Once your Yao'er sister has recovered from her injuries, have her show you around the capital properly..."

Xue Fang replied, "That would be ideal."

It was already late at night. Regardless of how Madam Zhong had managed to get here, leaving now was certainly not an option. After a few more polite exchanges, Xue Fang instructed the servants to take good care of the Zhong mother and daughter, then departed.

Before leaving, he gave Zhong Yao a warning look, clearly implying that if she dared to embarrass him, he'd tear her limb from limb.

At that moment, Zhong Yao's mind was in turmoil and she didn't understand the look at all. Subconsciously, she returned a smile, which only made him appear even more frosty and aloof.

Since they weren't in their own home, Madam Zhong was uneasy and insisted on staying by her daughter's bedside, not letting the maids prepare another room.

The maids were also clever; knowing there were private matters to discuss, they soon all withdrew.

The spring night was quiet. Only when the sounds around them were reduced to the wind and the cries of night birds did Madam Zhong, under Zhong Yao's persistent questioning, begin to whisper about the events in the capital.

"...The arrangements were almost complete when Heir Xie suddenly appeared. He went straight from the palace gates to the Imperial Study. In less than half an hour, the Imperial Guards and palace guards were all mobilized, and several palace gates were sealed tight... Fortunately, your father was cautious and hadn't yet made any moves..."

"Did he say why?"

"He said someone was planning to force their way into the palace and rebel."

Zhong Yao's heart leaped into her throat. Fearfully, she grabbed her mother's arm.

Madam Zhong patted her back and said in a low voice, "He didn't mention our family... He said his adopted sister was kidnapped by the Misty Mountain Bandits on her way back to the capital. Heir Xie said he had interrogated this information out of them while rescuing her."

Zhong Yao knew this was a lie, because the information about the rebellion had clearly been forced out of her.

Not daring to admit that she had accidentally let someone uncover her family's secrets, she whispered, "Then... is the plan still going ahead?"

Madam Zhong shook her head. "The entire imperial city is under strict martial law. There's no chance to act now."

The possibility of success hadn't been high to begin with. Now that the alarm had been raised, proceeding would truly mean choosing death. They had no choice but to abandon the plan.

Zhong Yao's eyes lit up. "Then we won't be involved anymore! It's too terrifying, Mother. I've been on edge these past few days, scared out of my wits..."

As long as they hadn't taken action, it wasn't rebellion. There was still a way back.

Madam Zhong had also been restless these past days. Now, sitting beside her daughter, it still felt like a dream.

With lingering fear, she sighed. "We won't be involved. Our household will be safe. But in a few days, when news about your eldest and second brothers comes back..."

Zhong Yao wanted to say things were different now, that Heir Xie was helping.

But from her mother's tone, it seemed Heir Xie hadn't planned to tell her parents the truth...

And also...

Zhong Yao hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Mother, did you see Heir Xie?"

"I did. It was he who sent someone to our residence to inform us. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known you had suffered such a terrible ordeal."

The thought of her pampered daughter being kidnapped by bandits, enduring so much hardship, and even suffering a knife wound made Madam Zhong's heart ache with sorrow. She stroked Zhong Yao's face and began to cry.

Zhong Yao cried with her mother for a while, then wiped her tears and asked, "Did Heir Xie say the person kidnapped with me was his adopted sister, Xue Fang?"

"Yes," Madam Zhong nodded. "Isn't that the case?"

To the outside world, it certainly had to be. Otherwise, wouldn't it become a story of an unmarried man and woman spending a night alone together in the wilderness?

In such a moment, concerns about propriety between men and women were meaningless. But now that they were rescued, it definitely couldn't be publicly announced. Otherwise, the two of them would likely be bound together by gossip.

As for the truth within the family...

Zhong Yao didn't dare look at her mother. She gave an ambiguous hum of agreement and asked, "What does Heir Xie look like? Is he handsome?"

"Handsome." There was no hesitation on this point. Madam Zhong nodded firmly, then asked in return, "Haven't you seen him?"

Without waiting for Zhong Yao's answer, she added regretfully, "I forgot. You were so badly injured. You must have been in too much pain and fainted by the time Heir Xie found you. You definitely didn't see him."

Madam Zhong had also heard of Xie Chi's reputation for exceptional good looks, knowing he was the dream match for many young ladies from noble families. Thinking she was just comforting her daughter, she didn't hold back and described him in detail.

"The capital is in chaos. Your father couldn't get away, so I had to come out of the city to find you. I was stopped by soldiers at the West Gate. Fortunately, Heir Xie happened to pass by..."

"His face is very handsome, but he is, after all, a military man... Your eldest brother is quite tall and straight, right? He's even a head taller than your brother. Such a tall horse, and he just swung his leg down, so agile... But he wasn't rough at all. He was very courteous. Not only did he have them let me pass, but he also said there might be dangers at night and specifically sent a few guards to escort me here..."

Recalling her brief meeting with Xie Chi, Madam Zhong sighed with admiration. "He truly is peerlessly handsome and as gentle as jade. No wonder everyone who mentions him has nothing but praise."

Zhong Yao was truly becoming confused.

All signs pointed to the fierce man she had shared the ordeal with being Heir Xie. So why was there such a vast difference between the person she had encountered and the one described by others?

Was he just putting on an act?

That was definitely it.

This man lies through his teeth—whether it's about being willing to marry her or being the one who saved the Marquis's life, he spouts falsehoods effortlessly, leading her on so terribly.

Zhong Yao also recalled Xie Chi's grim expression when she mentioned her mother seeking revenge against the Dowager Marchioness.

He would never be that friendly to her family. As for escorting her mother out of the city to find her, his real purpose was surely to send people to keep watch, to prevent her mother from doing anything rash.

Having pieced everything together, Zhong Yao silently looked at Madam Zhong.

Unaware of the truth, Madam Zhong happened to bring up the Dowager Marchioness as well, still marveling, "It's so strange that such a malicious old woman could raise such a refined grandson..."

"..."

Zhong Yao's heart ached for her mother, who spared no effort in disparaging their enemy while praising the enemy's hypocritical grandson. She wrapped her arms around Madam Zhong's waist and said, "Mother, let's not say such things anymore."

Madam Zhong immediately stopped, patting her hand and replying, "Alright, I won't. From now on, whenever she's mentioned, I'll just sing her praises..."

Afterward, Madam Zhong shared more about the situation in the capital. Zhong Yao, preoccupied with her own thoughts, listened sporadically, only retaining that the emperor was furious—he had dispatched people to capture the marauders roaming outside the capital while ordering Xie Chi to thoroughly investigate who had attempted to force their way into the palace in rebellion.

Zhong Yao felt both relieved that this matter had fallen to Xie Chi and worried that he might take it out on her mother to avenge the Dowager Marchioness. She also had to wonder why Xie Chi hadn't told her parents the truth.

Was he afraid she would cling to him relentlessly?

Zhong Yao would never cling to him.

She wanted very much to tell her mother the truth, but after much hesitation, she decided to keep it hidden for now, to keep hold of her lifeline, Xie Chi.

As it turned out, this was a wise choice.