Chapter 14
I had said almost every unpleasant thing imaginable to Zhao Yuhua. I truly could not understand how he could still take an “interest” in me.
But after refusing him so often, I worried that it might affect the children.
He was their father, after all.
I had brought four capable subordinates from Jiayu Pass: Hongyuan, Lüqi, Yaohuang, and Zixin.
Hongyuan excelled at gathering intelligence. Lüqi was particularly skilled at interrogation and extracting confessions. Yaohuang understood people and could see into their hearts. Zixin… had killed more people than she could count and was utterly merciless.
It seemed Yaohuang was the only one I could discuss this with.
She smiled gently. “From what I’ve observed, our new master thinks very highly of himself. The fact that you show him no favor has stirred his desire to conquer you.”
She brushed back a strand of hair. “Men are that shallow.”
“…”
I rubbed my forehead. “Is there a way to make him give up?”
Yaohuang considered. “The prouder the man, the more he fears rejection. Keep your distance and treat him coolly. He’ll understand.”
I hoped so.
In the days that followed, I became colder still toward Zhao Yuhua, escaping to the horse ranch every day to avoid him.
But he did not retreat. He became more enthusiastic, trying to please me, sending gifts, and sometimes even coming to the ranch to take me home.
Seeing this, the servants began saying that my virtue and devotion to raising my sister’s children had finally moved the heir’s heart.
“…”
Even my own mother heard the rumors. She came to tell me, “Your brother-in-law isn’t a bad man, really. He’s accomplished in both civil and military affairs, with a bright future ahead of him. If you could come around and make a good life with him, I could stop worrying.”
What nonsense was this?
It was all wishful thinking on his part!
Zhao Yuhua’s pestering had become unbearable. One day, while I stood at the ranch considering how to give him a beating, someone suddenly galloped toward me from a little way off.
The rider’s figure was terribly familiar. The closer he came, the harder my heart jolted.
Someone from my past had arrived!
The moment he saw me, his face broke into a smile. “Xiao Wu! It’s been so long!”
“Ah Ze,” I said softly.
Nearly two years had passed since we parted at Jiayu Pass!
Ah Ze was as refined and handsome as ever. He skillfully brought his horse alongside mine and looked deeply at me. “You’ve been back in the capital all this time, and never once thought to visit me?” he complained.
Of course I knew where he lived. But what use was there in saying so?
“Given my present position, it’s not convenient for me to contact you,” was all I said.
Ah Ze suddenly stopped. With a sigh, he asked, “Are you… happy now?”
I looked into the distance. “Very!”
The children were growing up well, and no one in the earl’s household dared trouble me. Once I dealt with Zhao Yuhua’s foolish fantasies, everything would be quite good.
Ah Ze lowered his head. “As long as you think so, I can be at ease,” he said quietly.
I sighed without a sound.
That day, we rode together for a long time, just as we used to.
Only when my horse began protesting did I take it back for water and fodder.
Before he left, Ah Ze asked softly, “Xiao Wu, if I want to see you again, may I come here?”
“The ranch is open for business,” I answered frankly. “Of course you may come. Only please come incognito, as you did today.”
Ah Ze smiled from the heart. “Xiao Wu, I’m so happy today.”
On the way home, I could not keep my feelings still.
Remembering those carefree days with Ah Ze at Jiayu Pass, I suddenly wanted to cry.
Because I knew that time, once gone, would never return.
There would never be days like those again.
When I got home, Zhao Yuhua was waiting in my room, looking as though someone owed him a hundred thousand taels of silver.
“What is it?” I asked listlessly.
He slowly raised his head and stared into my eyes. “Who were you with today?”