"Forgive? Forgive what?"
The thought flashed through her mind as she softly asked, "Are you referring to my uncle's matter? It must be the Princess's doing again, right? Even if she paved the way for you, it was all her own wishful thinking. How could I blame you?"
Yan Zheng raised an eyebrow, a faint smile flickering in his deep, cold eyes. But like a candle in the winter night, it vanished in an instant. He sighed, "Ah Yan, you're always so kind..."
Chu Ruoyan sensed the hesitation in his words and immediately pressed, "Since you know I'm this good, you shouldn't keep things from me. Did you meet with the Princess? What did she say to unsettle even someone like you?"
For a brief moment, Yan Zheng almost laughed.
He had only spoken one sentence, yet his Ah Yan had already pieced together most of the story.
Such sharp intuition—was it a blessing or a misfortune at this critical juncture?
"What she said doesn't matter. What matters is that the tide has turned."
To reverse fate with human effort—how could it come without a price?
He could be that price, but not her.
Closing his eyes briefly, he forced a smile. "Ah Yan, have I ever told you that when my elder brother first met his wife, he told me he would never settle for anyone else? Even if he couldn't marry her, he would never have another by his side."
Chu Ruoyan frowned. "Don't change the subject. You still haven't told me what the Princess said to you."
Ignoring her, Yan Zheng continued, "At the time, I found it ridiculous—how could someone decide a lifetime with just one glance? But then I met you. Ah Yan, do you know? When I knelt in the mourning hall, I truly felt all hope was lost. My brother was dead, the spy refused to talk, and I didn’t even know who to take revenge against..."
"Then Steward Fang returned and said you admired me—because I saved that spy at Wangshuang Tower. At that moment, I thought, 'Good, finally a lead. I have to live.'"
Chu Ruoyan gasped in realization. "No wonder you were so cold after we married, even forcing me to look at your wounds. You were testing me all along?"
Yan Zheng sighed. "Yes, I tested you so many times, yet you never slipped. Not until the Hall of Fengtian, when you said, 'I am willing to endure the rod.' That was when I knew—my brother was right."
Chu Ruoyan held her breath.
What he meant was...
Just as Rong Shan was to Yan Xun, Chu Ruoyan was to Yan Zheng.
Had she become the one he recognized at first sight?
"Ah Yan, I know you're guarded, always thinking there's time to lower your defenses. But time won’t wait for us. Now... it's too late." As he spoke, his gaze shifted to the door.
Sure enough, the next moment, Chu Huaishan kicked it open. "Get out here!!"
"Father!" Chu Ruoyan exclaimed, instinctively stepping in front of Yan Zheng. But a gentle tug on her wrist pulled her back. "Ah Yan, it's alright."
The man's expression was calm, as if he had long anticipated this day.
Chu Huaishan yanked her aside and demanded coldly, "Marquis of Anning, out of respect for your father and brother’s sacrifice for the nation, I’ve tolerated much. But what is the meaning of sneaking into my daughter’s chambers in the dead of night?!"
Yan Zheng remained silent. Chu Ruoyan hurried to explain, "Father, it’s not what you think—"
"Silence! If he truly cared for you, he wouldn’t disregard propriety like this!" Chu Huaishan snapped, glaring at Yan Zheng.
The latter smiled faintly and slowly retrieved an item from his sleeve. "You misunderstand, Lord Chu. I came only to return this."
It was an exquisitely embroidered sachet, with the character "Chu" clearly stitched at the bottom.
Chu Ruoyan’s lips trembled. Chu Huaishan’s expression darkened. "Isn’t this—?" The sachet she had once given him, which he returned because he disliked the scent?
Fury surged, and he nearly raised his hand—but seeing his daughter’s pale face, he restrained himself. "Have you lost your mind?! If he truly cared for you, why would he return something you gave him untouched?"
Yet Yan Zheng spoke again. "Lord Chu, you misunderstand. This sachet was stolen from your daughter by my men."
"What?!" Chu Huaishan roared.
Chu Ruoyan cried out, "Yan Zheng!" There was no need for him to slander himself like this.
But Yan Zheng shook his head slightly and continued calmly, "These past days, it was indeed I who pursued your daughter. But rest assured, Lord Chu—this is the last time."
His slender fingers extended the sachet toward her.
Chu Ruoyan bit her lip. As she took it, she couldn’t hold back. "Must you do this?"
Yan Zheng smiled, his gaze unbearably complex as it lingered on her. "Meng Yang, let’s go."
Meng Yang, not daring to breathe, wheeled him out.
The atmosphere in the Bodhi Courtyard was suffocating.
Chu Huaishan swept a cold glance over Nanny Zhou and Yulu. "I entrusted you to watch her. Is this how you fulfill your duty?"
The two servants dropped to their knees in fright. Chu Ruoyan interjected, "Father, it’s not their fault. I acted willingly."
"Before I even scold you, you’re pleading for them?" Chu Huaishan laughed bitterly. "Enough. Come with me!"
The Chu family ancestral hall was brightly lit.
The commotion had woken half the household. Lady Jiang the Younger and her two daughters, Chu Ruolan and Chu Ruoyin, peeked nervously from outside.
Chu Ruolan whispered, "Father is furious! He’s never opened the ancestral hall for punishment before!"
Chu Ruoyin fretted, "Yes, this is the first time he’s made Eldest Sister kneel here, isn’t it?"
"Enough, both of you!" Lady Jiang hissed, though she too clutched her handkerchief tightly, eyes fixed on the hall.
Inside, Chu Ruoyan knelt before the ancestral tablets, lighting incense and kowtowing respectfully.
Only after she finished did Chu Huaishan speak. "Do you admit your wrongdoing?"
Chu Ruoyan answered calmly, "I do."
"What is your fault?"
"I disregarded your warnings, met Yan Zheng in secret, and deceived you repeatedly. I have failed in my filial duty." She pressed her forehead to the ground.
Chu Huaishan slammed the table. "You confess readily enough! Did you give him that sachet, or did he steal it?"
"I gave it." She lifted her head without flinching.
"You—!" Chu Huaishan nearly struck the table again. "A divorced woman, sending gifts to her former husband—do you have any idea how the world will judge you? They’ll call you shameless, immoral! Do you never plan to remarry?"
"I won’t!" Her lips quivered, eyes reddening. "Father, what’s between Yan Zheng and me isn’t what you think. It’s a long story, but we’ve never acted indecently!"
Chu Huaishan’s brow furrowed.
He knew his daughter too well to doubt her words. But...
"Ruoyan, don’t you understand? Yan Zheng is not suited for you! Even if you love each other, the imperial family will never allow it!"
