Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Xie Xuechao had not lied.

Old Madam Xie was advanced in years, but kind and affectionate. She asked no questions when he brought me to her, merely took my hand and had a maid serve me a bowl of sweet soup.

When Xie Lingchao arrived, Old Madam Xie had one arm around me and was smiling until her eyes narrowed to slits.

“Nanny Wen and I are old now. We forgot that we let Yuzhu nap in the warm room. We didn’t remember you had asked after her until the child woke.”

Xie Lingchao suspected nothing. After hurriedly paying his respects, he stared straight at me. Complicated emotion churned in his eyes, and even their corners were tinged red.

“Yu—”

I did not let him speak.

I rose, bade Old Madam Xie farewell, and left Longevity Hall without sparing him a glance.

Thinking I was angry because he had kept me waiting, Xie Lingchao hurried after me and reached for my arm.

“I didn’t avoid you on purpose! I was painting and ordered the servants not to disturb me. Who knew those blind fools would fail to report even your arrival? Tomorrow, I’ll—”

“Xie Lingchao.”

I cut him off.

His eyes brightened. “I’m here.”

The words end our engagement reached my lips, but exhaustion made me swallow them.

We had known each other for eight years. Each knew the other’s nature.

If I ended the engagement now, he would turn both households upside down. I was too drained, body and soul, to deal with him tonight.

“I’m tired. Whatever you have to say can wait.”

His lips parted. “Then… then I’ll escort you home.”

“No need.”

I climbed into my carriage and lowered the curtain, shutting out his gaze.

Only once the carriage began to roll did my hands clutch my sleeves. How could I not be frightened after everything that had happened? My parents had not yet returned to the capital, and I had no one in whom I could confide.

After some time, a commotion sounded outside.

I lifted the curtain. An old-fashioned Fulin hound mask filled my view. The masked figure squeezed past my attendants and capered beside the window until my lips curved despite myself.

Seeing me smile, he removed the mask. It was Xie Lingchao.

“Yuzhu.” He ignored the watching servants and all the dignity expected of an aristocratic young master. “If I made little sister Yuzhu unhappy, then I’m a puppy. Hit me, scold me—anything, but don’t ignore me.”

My thoughts flew back to the past.

This was how he had always coaxed me after making me angry.

When others saw and laughed, he never cared. “What is pride worth? If little sister Yuzhu will smile, I would crawl on all fours and play a yellow-eared dog for her.”

My heart softened.

I decided to tell him everything myself.

Just as I opened my mouth to invite him into the carriage, a servant ran up in a panic.

“Young Master! Lady Xue—” The servant saw me and hastily corrected himself. “Young Master Xue returned home late and has angered Madam Xue. I hear the family punishment will be used. Please go and see.”

Xie Lingchao’s expression shifted.

He looked at me, then in the direction of the Xue residence. At last, his steps slowed.

“Yuzhu, Young… Young Master Xue is my friend. Madam Xue has always been harsh. I’ll only take a look.”

“Tomorrow. I’ll visit tomorrow and coax you however you wish. All right?”

I said nothing.

Xie Lingchao turned toward the Xue residence.

I called softly, “Xie Lingchao.”

He paused.

Perhaps he heard me. Perhaps he did not.

He never looked back.