Chapter 161 Truth Spoken

Wen Xing took the paper and pen, wrote the word “Why,” and passed it to He Shaoxing.

“Wen Xing, your… throat?” He Shaoxing asked in surprise as he took the paper. Only then did he realize that since entering the room, Wen Xing hadn’t spoken a single word. Could it be that her throat was injured?

“Thanks to the Fang family,” Chang Kang said bitterly, while a shadow of sorrow flickered in Wen Xing’s eyes.

“What happened?” Chang Kang glanced at Wen Xing, and seeing her nod, he listened as she recounted how she had been poisoned, nearly lost her voice and her looks, and was sold off far away. He Shaoxing’s expression shifted repeatedly, clouded with uncertainty. He lowered his head, lost in thought.

His hands clenched tightly before him, fingertips pale and drained of blood.

After a while, he looked up, his gaze filled with remorse as his lips trembled, finally uttering, “Wen Xing, I’m sorry. It’s because of me that you suffered.”

Wen Xing blinked and pointed to the paper in front of him, still bearing the single word: “Why?”

Why?

He Shaoxing forced a bitter smile. He had hoped to bury this ugly truth deep within his heart, but now it was exposed again, laid bare before Wen Xing as if he were standing naked, exposed for all to see.

It was a feeling he dreaded to experience again.

But today, he could not remain silent.

Wen Xing had been hurt because of him; could he still keep the truth hidden?

Gathering his composure, he began to explain the story calmly, and to his surprise, it was not as hard to say as he had imagined—almost as if he were recounting someone else’s tale.

“Wen Xing, do you remember the first time we met?” He Shaoxing seemed lost in his memories, a faint smile appearing on his face. “I recall it was spring, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom. You were holding a bottle, gathering dew from the petals…”

Under the springtime peach tree stood a girl in a flowing white dress, her eyes clear and bright like dewdrops. Her delicate face, still tinged with the innocent green of an unripe peach, and her fragile figure, radiated pure and simple beauty. He was momentarily captivated.

When she turned and saw him, a young man, she shyly bowed her head, her crimson lips parting softly. “Master He.”

She recognized him—she recognized him—and a great joy surged within him.

But the simple words “Master He” halted his steps.

Indeed, though he was a servant at the Liufang estate, he was no ordinary servant. Everyone there called him Master He.

From that moment on, his heart belonged to her.

He frequently came to the Liufang estate, just to catch a glimpse of her. His eyes followed her every movement, his heart moved by her presence.

He thought he had concealed his feelings well, but he was discovered…

“Wen Xing, you know my position is not like others’. Actually… sigh. This ‘Master He’ is nothing but a favorite kept by the third young lady of the Fang family, a mere plaything under her control.”

The revelation was shocking; both Chang Kang and Wen Xing gaped in disbelief.

It was no wonder—they all knew the long-standing customs of “Virtue, Skill, Speech, and Appearance.” Who dared to defy them? Who dared not show respect?

The third young lady of the Fang family was so bold—unmarried yet already keeping a lover in the household. Even a princess from the previous dynasty would have been condemned for such behavior. And here was the daughter of a minor official, so rebellious as to reach such extremes.

“I was young then, seduced by her beauty, and driven by greed for wealth and status. It led me down a path of no return until I met you. Meeting you was the happiest moment of my life…”

He Shaoxing’s voice grew softer with each word, filled with both tenderness and pain. “I never imagined that my gaze upon you would bring you such harm. She… she is so cruel, so hateful. How can such a venomous woman live in peace?”

At last, Wen Xing understood the truth. To her, this calamity was unjust. She never expected that the steadfast and upright Master He harbored such feelings for her, nor that he was bound to the young lady.

Knowing the truth did not bring relief. What good was the truth now? She was already broken, and sorrow welled up within her, tears held back fiercely.

“Wen Xing, you blame me, don’t you? It’s all because of me,” He Shaoxing said.

Wen Xing shook her head through her pain. She bore no hatred for He Shaoxing, nor did she feel love.

“Wen Xing, if you don’t despise me, come away with me. Let us leave this place far behind, live a free and happy life.”

He Shaoxing looked at her expectantly, eyes unwavering, afraid to miss the slightest change in her expression.

Before Wen Xing could respond, Chang Kang stepped forward, using his broad shoulders to separate the two, his face flushed with anger as he pointed at He Shaoxing and scolded, “He Shaoxing, what right do you have to spout nonsense here? I warn you, if you want to leave, do so—far away. Don’t even think about Wen Xing.”

He Shaoxing ignored him, keeping his gaze fixed on Wen Xing, waiting for her answer.

Wen Xing picked up the pen and wrote, “You leave.”

He Shaoxing persisted: “Wen Xing, you cannot speak. If you stay here, who else will marry you? Come with me. I will treat you well.”

“Who says no one will marry me? I will marry her,” Chang Kang declared.

“Heh, Wen Xing is fortunate to have a true friend like Brother Shun. I can leave at ease. Wen Xing, Brother Shun, may you both grow old together, united forever. If fate allows, we shall meet again…” He Shaoxing bowed and strode away, his back straight and proud.

Left alone, the two exchanged glances, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment and heads bowed.

After a long pause, Chang Kang stammered, “Wen Xing, I… I wasn’t just angry words. I… I’m sincere.”

Wen Xing’s face, once flushed with shyness and excitement, paled slowly, sorrowful tears welling in her eyes as she shook her head gently.

“You… you don’t want to?”

It felt as if the sky had fallen. The once joyous room was instantly dimmed. Chang Kang bowed his head in defeat, forcing a bitter smile. “If you like him, why don’t you go with him?”

Wen Xing waved her hand anxiously, then pointed to her throat.

Chang Kang was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood. He leapt up in joy, embracing Wen Xing happily. “Wonderful, wonderful! It’s okay that your voice is gone. I will speak for you. We will be together, forever together. Our mothers will be happy to know.”

Their embrace was warm, filling the room and the courtyard with a gentle glow.

Hidden in the shadows, Chang Sheng and Chang An covered their mouths, laughing quietly, unwilling to interrupt their friends’ happiness. They retreated to a distance.

“Haha, who would have thought among the four brothers, the youngest, Chang Kang, would be the first to find love? By the way, Chang An, how is things with your cousin? Have you made a decision yet?”

“I… my mother wanted to decide, but then my aunt consulted a fortune teller who said it would be better to wait until next year, so…” Chang An blushed deeply and ran off.

With Little Six and Brother Shun having found their matches, what about himself? Chang Sheng gazed at the distant sky, eyes filled with confusion. Amid the haze, a striking figure in red quietly appeared… (To be continued.)