Chapter 12

“Cousin, what do you truly think about what I just said?”

Inside the ornate carriage, the graceful young lady leaned against the cushioned pillow. Her voice was soft, her bright eyes gently curved, and she tilted her head to look at the person opposite her.

The young gentleman, dressed in flowing robes with wide sleeves, had eyes as clear as autumn waters and a demeanor as refined as warm jade. Simply sitting there reading was a sight to behold.

Lu Shuyue stared at Cui Yunqi for a moment, somewhat lost in thought. When she was young and first met this cousin, she had decided that only he was worthy of her. She had secretly vowed she would marry him one day. Yet, he had been chosen by the old emperor to be the prince consort of the emperor’s favored orphaned princess, despite having lost both parents.

No matter how glorious the Lingxi military governor’s only daughter was, she could not compare to the orphaned princess, favored and ennobled by the emperor. So, Lu Shuyue had to seek another suitable match.

But now, the Great Zhou dynasty had collapsed.

She did not believe that the Cui family, having fled the capital to Lingxi, harbored no other intentions.

The hundred-year-old Cui clan surely knew how to ensure the prosperity and continuation of their lineage.

Cui Yunqi closed his book and looked up. A faint smile played on his lips, his expression gentle, eyes like spring water. “Cousin, what you say is most reasonable, but unfortunately, I am already betrothed. The entire realm knows my wife is the Ningguo Princess, personally bestowed by the Wenchang Emperor of Great Zhou.”

Lu Shuyue smiled lightly and said softly, “Cousin, do you think your uncle would still agree to your marriage with the Ningguo Princess?”

Cui Yunqi smiled but remained silent, his warmth lingering in his gaze.

Lu Shuyue spoke gently, “Cousin, if we were to unite, it would surely please both my father and your uncle, and it would also settle the concerns of the Cui family. Lingxi holds a pivotal position; otherwise, your uncle would not have come here. I know the Cui family has many in-laws; it would be easy to forge ties with another family.”

Cui Yunqi’s face stayed composed and courteous. “Now, I am merely your cousin’s aide, unworthy of you.”

Lu Shuyue, poised and elegant, picked up a teacup, poured some tea, and pushed it towards Cui Yunqi. “Cousin, you should consider your aunt and cousin Yunzhan more. From what I know, your wish to marry the Ningguo Princess was also for their sake… No, I believe you have long thought of your aunt and cousin. Otherwise, why would you accompany me to the temple to pray for a marriage match today?”

She stopped there, her gaze burning into Cui Yunqi.

But he averted his eyes, picked up the book again, and after reading a couple of lines, a shadow flickered in his eyes. Then he smiled softly and looked up with a tender expression. “From what I know, cousin, you, Lu Fu, are already married. I wonder if your second cousin Lu Erzhi knows what you have done today?”

Lu Sanzhong had six sons. The eldest, Lu Yuanjun, and the second son, Lu Yuanbai, were born to the military governor’s wife. Lu Yuanbai was abducted as a child and ended up as a bandit in the mountains for twelve years.

Lu Shuyue appeared gentle as Guanyin, but her nature was proud and domineering. At marriageable age, she was kidnapped by bandits and forced into submission multiple times. Two years later, she returned with Lu Yuanbai.

When Lu Yuanbai came back, he was known as Lu Shuyue’s husband. Unexpectedly, his mother recognized the birthmark beneath his ear and identified him as the abducted son.

This was a secret unknown to outsiders.

Lu Shuyue’s smile faltered, her complexion paled, but her eyes blazed fiercely as she grabbed the teacup and threw the tea across the table.

Cui Yunqi smiled gracefully, calmly taking out a handkerchief to wipe the spill.

---

“Not at all!” The young girl’s urgent yet embarrassed voice rang clear like a bird's song amid the noise.

Cui Yunqi paused his hand wiping his face, then resumed. He gently lifted the carriage curtain, pretending to avoid Lu Shuyue’s gaze and looked outside.

The scene was filled with filthy, disheveled refugees, all emaciated and near death.

Yuer, pure and delicate, refined and lovely, with a preference for cleanliness and grace, would never mingle with such vagrants. How could she be here?

Yet he recalled the Southern Qing Temple and what he had seen there. His eyelashes trembled lightly as he scanned the crowd again, but found nothing.

He naturally lowered the curtain, but his hand clenched the handkerchief tightly.

---

Li Mianyu blushed deeply, almost jumping out of Yan Shi’s embrace. After shouting once, she noticed several gazes turning towards her. Embarrassed, she lowered her voice, “Madam Chen! He and I are not cousins, nor are we betrothed!”

Having said this, she tugged Yan Shi’s sleeve, “Please explain to Madam Chen!”

The young man glanced at her, then turned his head to Madam Chen, “We are not cousins, nor are we betrothed.”

When Li Mianyu was agitated or anxious, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes seemed moist, giving strangers the impression she was shy.

This was exactly how Chen Xiu’e perceived her, looking upon her with affection, assuming she was being coquettish, and teasing her gently, “Alright, alright, not cousins, not betrothed.”

---

Even if they were not betrothed, they must be close—otherwise, why would Xiao Yan be so caring to Xiao Yu? She hadn’t even told them her surname. If they were truly siblings, why such secrecy?

Li Mianyu relaxed when Chen Xiu’e believed her and emphasized again, “We really are just… siblings.” She almost said “secret guards” but thought better of it.

Chen Xiu’e smiled faintly, exchanging a glance with Zhu Dacheng, their eyes silently saying, “Who would believe such stumbling speech? Only a fool would think they’re siblings!”

Yan Shi said nothing, standing silently like a mute bamboo.

Distracted by this, Li Mianyu lost interest in the military governor’s daughter’s birthday or betrothal, overwhelmed with embarrassment.

When the carriage quietly retreated to the mountain road, she leaned toward Chen Xiu’e and said seriously, “Madam Chen, I am actually already betrothed.”

Her tone was earnest and solemn.

Chen Xiu’e glanced at Yan Shi, who stood silently, head bowed, fingers on his sword, then could not help but smile and say, “Alright, I understand.”

Li Mianyu hesitated but still said, “My fiancé is outstanding, graceful like jade, incomparable to ordinary men.” Her voice was proud, almost boastful.

Ordinary men...

Yan Shi slowly looked at Li Mianyu but remained silent.

Chen Xiu’e looked at Yan Shi—the young man’s handsome, refined features truly befitted the description of “outstanding and graceful like jade.” His face was fair; his aura either sharp or calm—how could an ordinary man possess such qualities?

Yet seeing Li Mianyu so earnest in her explanation, she hesitated.

If not betrothed, why would they share a bed?

Chen Xiu’e, a simple farm woman, dared not ponder further on the life of a wealthy young lady. She nodded, “I understand. Xiao Yan is not your fiancé.”

Li Mianyu sighed in relief and leaned against Yan Shi.

Yan Shi quietly closed his eyes, folding his arms to rest. She had wanted to speak with him, but seeing his tranquility, she refrained.

Perhaps inspired by Madam Chen’s words, Li Mianyu glanced at Yan Shi’s face—the thick eyebrows slanting towards his temples, the straight, elegant nose, the smooth jawline, the red lips and white teeth... Her secret guard was indeed finely formed, handsome and elegant!

If he were a common noble’s son, surely he would be betrothed by now?

Wait—do secret guards even marry?

Li Mianyu stared at Yan Shi. The carriage jolted over a small rut, causing her to lean on his arm. When she looked up, his eyes were open, lashes lowered, and his dark gaze met hers.

She was startled, then curiously asked, “Yan Shi, do you secret guards get married?”

Her voice was soft, leaning close to his ear since Madam Chen was nearby.

The young secret guard replied quietly, “I don’t know.”

Li Mianyu was puzzled. Either they marry or they don’t—how could he not know?

She whispered again, “Either you marry or you don’t, how could you not know?”

“Because they die young,” he said calmly.

“Ah…”

He said no more, but it was alright. Li Mianyu thought deeply. Perhaps secret guards betrothed to young ladies might die suddenly, shedding bitter, reluctant tears before passing. Or maybe they never reach marriageable age because they perish protecting those they serve.

A look of sorrow crossed her face. “I’m sorry…”

Yan Shi looked at her and softly asked, “Sorry?”

Li Mianyu thought her question must have been cruel to secret guards. She remembered how his skin once peeled back, and he never took off his clothes before her again. She had no idea how he had healed... But no matter what, she did not want her secret guard to die.

She whispered by his ear, “You must not die. You will live long and well.”

“Why?”

“Because I won’t allow you to die.”

Yan Shi lowered his gaze, remained silent for a moment, then asked again, “And then?”

Li Mianyu blinked without hesitation, smiling shyly and excitedly, “Then, what kind of young lady do you like? When the time comes, I’ll find you the most beautiful young lady to meet. You’ll definitely get married.”

---

The young man said nothing, glanced at her once more, then closed his eyes, mumbling, “I don’t know.”

How could he not know anything?

Li Mianyu looked at Yan Shi and sighed softly, “You’re still young, not yet of age, your feelings haven’t blossomed yet. That’s normal. When you grow older and your heart awakens, you’ll understand.”

Yan Shi couldn’t help but open his eyes to look at her again.

Li Mianyu read his expression and immediately smiled, “I’m counting the days. In one or two days, I’ll be of marriageable age. I’ve grown up. I’m precocious, my heart blossomed early, unlike you—I already know the kind of gentleman I like.”

Yan Shi replied with a soft sound, then closed his eyes again.

Li Mianyu wanted to speak of Cui Yunqi but saw Yan Shi had fallen silent and regretted holding her tongue.

Nearby, Chen Xiu’e moved closer to Zhu Dacheng, speaking of the Chen family village. Nearing home, she felt nervous, fearing the village might have changed, especially since she had invited others to return with her.

Zhu Dacheng smiled simply, “No matter what, the Chen family village must have a piece of land where I can build us a home.”

Chen Xiu’e nodded and smiled, though worry soon returned. “I wonder if the two children can find this place again.”

“They will. The eldest is clever and knows the way. He’ll find it,” Zhu Dacheng said confidently. “I’m strong; I’ll bring his sister here.”

Chen Xiu’e nodded again, looking at the mountains nearby. Suddenly noticing the quiet, she turned to see the delicate young lady resting asleep in the young man’s arms.

She looked again and couldn’t help but smile.

---

At sunset, the ornate carriage finally entered the city and stopped at the military governor’s mansion. Cui Yunqi escorted Lu Shuyue back.

When Lu Shuyue stepped down, her face was still somewhat pale, but when she turned to look at Cui Yunqi, her expression was haughty, no trace of her earlier gentleness. “Cui family’s eldest young master is truly as renowned as they say. You’ve broadened my horizons.”

She smiled again. “But you, Cui Yunqi, are no longer a nobleman of the capital. You’re merely a pawn under my father. Even if you know of my relationship with my second brother, what does it matter? I want you to marry me, and you shall—no matter if you become a cuckold.”

With that, she strode into the mansion.

Before the military governor’s gate, Cui Yunqi was publicly humiliated by him in front of many, but his face remained as gentle as spring. Turning, he mounted his horse; his sleeves fluttered elegantly.

Yet the warmth vanished the moment he returned home.

His face darkened as he sat down, sipping tea quietly. Then, looking up with his gentle demeanor restored, he tilted his head towards his attendant: “Find out if among the refugees entering Lingxi territory today, there is anyone resembling Yuer.”

The attendant responded promptly.

Cui Yunqi sipped his tea. After a while, someone arrived outside: “Eldest Young Master, the commander requests your presence.”

He smiled faintly, set down his cup, adjusted his sleeves, and stood.

---

After disembarking from the carriage, Li Mianyu looked at the village nestled in the mountain hollow, near water and hills, with houses scattered harmoniously—a picturesque scene. Her eyes shimmered with the sunset’s glow. Holding Yan Shi’s sleeve, her eyes reddened inexplicably, tears threatening to fall. “Yan Shi, before we find grandfather, this will be our home, right?”

Yan Shi nodded, then quickly glanced toward Chen Xiu’e and Zhu Dacheng not far off.

The two were speaking with someone in front of a village house.

Li Mianyu looked too and saw Madam Chen’s eyes redden suddenly, then someone shoved her. Zhu Dacheng immediately blocked the attack; the assailant fell to the ground. Soon, several others emerged from the house, surrounding Madam Chen and Zhu Dacheng.

She was stunned, shocked by the rough scene, and immediately stopped admiring the scenery. Grabbing Yan Shi, she hurried toward them.

This was outrageous—bullying Madam Chen right before her eyes. Did they think she and her secret guard were dead?

She and her secret guard had the strength and means to fight!