Chapter 64: Farewell — Do You Trust Me?
Yihuan froze for a moment before softly asking, “Are you… going back to the Prince Qi’s estate?”
Liu Hexiao’s voice was low. “Yes… and no.”
Though Liu Hexiao would indeed be returning to the Prince Qi’s estate, he would be standing firmly on the opposing side this time.
Yihuan’s expression dimmed, but she forced a smile. “Well… that’s a good thing, I suppose.”
Liu Hexiao looked at her intently. Her voice became as soft as a whisper, “When you’re free… will you come see me?”
His expression darkened slightly. “I fear… I won’t be able to, at least for now.” He gently pulled Yihuan into his arms, leaning close to her ear to whisper, “There are things I must do when I return. If all goes well, I’ll come back for you soon.”
Yihuan bit her lip and murmured, “And if it doesn’t go well?”
A faint sense of unease began to settle in her heart, as though something big was about to happen.
Liu Hexiao was silent for a moment before responding, “Then… forget about me.”
Yihuan’s eyes widened as she grabbed hold of his robes. “What exactly are you planning to do?”
He gazed deeply into her eyes. “Do you trust me?”
Her breath caught in her throat, and she found herself whispering, “I do.”
Liu Hexiao spoke softly, “Then don’t ask. Just wait for me.”
Her heart trembled. Uneasy and uncertain, she tried to find some trace of humor in his expression, some sign that he was joking. But as she looked into his serious face, her heart grew heavier.
Liu Hexiao pulled a jade whistle from his sleeve. “I meant to give this to you last time…”
He gently caressed the whistle before solemnly handing it to her. “Will you keep it safe for me?”
His eyes were filled with sincerity and hope as he looked at her.
Tears welled up in Yihuan’s beautiful eyes as she took the whistle. Looking at him with determination, she said, “If you don’t come back… I’ll destroy your precious whistle.”
Liu Hexiao couldn’t help but laugh. He reached out to tousle her hair, his eyes filled with a reluctant tenderness. Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the night.
Yihuan stood there, staring blankly at his retreating figure, her hand clutching the jade whistle tightly.
—
The Shengjing Dessert Shop was still bustling with customers, yet Yihuan couldn’t seem to lift her spirits.
“Miss Yihuan, the payment!” Liang Wei and Zhou Kaizhi had come to buy coffee while studying for their exams. Liang Wei had been holding out his money for a while, but Yihuan didn’t notice.
Snapping out of her daze, Yihuan quickly accepted the silver with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you…”
Liang Wei took a sip of his iced coffee, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Miss Yihuan, are you waiting for someone?”
Yihuan froze for a moment. “Me? No…”
Liang Wei chuckled. “Then why do you keep staring at the door?”
She forced a smile. “Oh, it’s nothing… I was just looking around.”
Zhou Kaizhi nudged Liang Wei. “Come on, let’s head back and study.”
Liang Wei waved him off. “What’s the rush? The imperial exam has been delayed anyway… Taking a couple of days off won’t hurt.”
Zhou Kaizhi frowned slightly. Hearing this, Yihuan couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Why was the exam delayed?”
Liang Wei smirked. “Word has it that Scholar Shi, who was in charge of overseeing the exam, angered the emperor over the choice of questions. The emperor had him arrested and thrown into the imperial prison.”
Yihuan’s face darkened slightly. The situation was painfully similar to what had happened to her father and brothers in the past…
Lowering her voice, she said, “I hope the scholar will be able to return safely.”
Just a few days ago, she had brought soufflés to the scholar’s residence. The household had been courteous and well-disciplined, a reflection of strict family values.
Liang Wei shook his head. “It’ll be tough! They say Scholar Shi included questions about current affairs in the exam. The emperor took it as criticism of his governance, believing the scholar was trying to incite the students to publicly denounce him…”
Zhou Kaizhi coughed lightly, interrupting. “But we’re just commoners; this is all hearsay. Miss Yihuan, don’t take it too seriously.”
More cautious than Liang Wei, Zhou Kaizhi quickly steered the conversation away, wary of Liang Wei’s careless remarks.
Yihuan nodded without pressing further.
—-
After leaving Changming Street, Liu Hexiao made his way to the imperial palace.
Shortly after, the emperor granted him a new estate.
Instead of returning to the Prince Qi’s residence, Liu Hexiao moved directly into his newly bestowed estate.
At the same time, the emperor took decisive action. After Scholar Shi’s demotion, the Prince Qi openly defended him during court proceedings. Yet, in the next moment, the emperor declared that the Prince Qi, due to his advanced age, should retire and return home to rest. He then appointed the Prince Qi’s heir, Liu Hexiao, as Assistant Minister of State Affairs, granting him a seat in the Imperial Secretariat.
The older ministers who had initially sympathized with the Prince Qi were left speechless. The emperor’s actions, simultaneously punitive and rewarding, left no room for argument.
With little to occupy her time, Yihuan decided to visit the Jinxiu Restaurant.
The usually lively restaurant was eerily empty today. Only Manager Luo sat behind the counter, brush in hand, writing something.
Lin Yiran had tagged along with her, hoping to find Xiao Rui to play with, but Xiao Rui was nowhere to be seen.
Yihuan asked, “Manager Luo , where’s Xiao Rui?”
Manager Luo gave a strained smile and replied, “I sent my wife and Xiao Rui back to the countryside.”
Yihuan was puzzled. “Why? Didn’t you say you were planning to hire a teacher for Xiao Rui?”
Manager Luo sighed deeply. “These days, running a business in Shengjing is getting harder and harder. Just last month, the taxes were raised again. After doing the math, I realized that even if I work hard all year, I won’t make much money…” He paused before continuing, “I thought about it. If I return to the countryside and open a small restaurant, at least we can scrape by. So, I sent them back first. Once I’ve sold off this shop, I’ll reunite with them.”
When he finished, his eyes carried a hint of sorrow.
Hearing this, Yihuan felt a pang of sympathy. She suggested, “If business is really this tough… Manager Luo , have you considered moving to a smaller storefront in Shengjing? The costs might be lower.”
Manager Luo shook his head. “No… The way things are now, life is getting harder by the day. Even Shengjing feels increasingly unstable.”
Yihuan pressed her lips together but said nothing.
After a moment of silence, Manager Luo glanced at her and hesitated before asking, “Has the Shizi come to see you recently?”
Yihuan froze briefly and then answered softly, “He’s been busy.”
Manager Luo gave her a knowing look and said earnestly, “Miss Yihuan… I know you’re capable and smart. But as a young woman, if you meet the right person, it’s better to marry sooner rather than later. Life as a single woman in Shengjing is not easy.”
Understanding his good intentions, Yihuan nodded gently. “Thank you, Manager Luo . I’ll keep that in mind.”
The two were chatting idly when a sudden commotion erupted on Changming Street.
The loud clamor of voices drew them both outside. What they saw left them stunned.
A group of scholars marched in neat ranks, moving from the south to the north. At the forefront, some carried long banners with bold words written on them: “We request the Emperor to release the Grand Scholar!”
Leading the group was none other than Pei Yin, who hadn’t been by the dessert shop to buy coffee in quite some time. Yihuan’s face fell.
What on earth had happened to cause so many scholars to take to the streets in protest?
The citizens on either side of the street gathered to watch, whispering amongst themselves.
Boss Bai, the owner of the nearby pastry shop, squeezed through the crowd and called out, “Manager Luo , you’re here too?”
Manager Luo nodded and asked, “What’s going on?”
Boss Bai explained, “Word is that the Grand Scholar has been tortured in the imperial prison and is barely hanging on. He was always a kind man and often visited the academies to check on the students’ studies, earning their respect. Now all these scholars are speaking out on his behalf!”
Yihuan’s heart tightened. If this continued, it would surely lead to trouble.
She frowned and pushed her way toward the front, intending to find Pei Yin.
Manager Luo grabbed her arm and asked, “What are you doing?”
Yihuan replied seriously, “I need to find Pei Yin and get them to stop this! They must disperse before the authorities arrive!”
Manager Luo exclaimed, “Are you mad? Do you think they’ll listen to a young woman like you?”
But Yihuan wouldn’t listen. Determined, she forced her way to the front of the crowd.
The scholars continued their chants: “Release the Grand Scholar!”
Their cries echoed as they marched down Changming Street toward the eastern market, hoping to draw more attention.
“Young Master Pei! Young Master Pei” Yihuan called out loudly.
Hearing someone call his name, Pei Yin looked around in confusion until he finally spotted her.
“Miss Yihuan! Why are you here?” Pei Yin’s face lit up with excitement. “Have you come to join us in seeking justice for the Grand Scholar?”
Yihuan hurriedly said, “Young Master Pei, you must stop this gathering immediately! If the authorities find out, this will end badly!”
Pei Yin replied stubbornly, “We’re only asking for justice for the Grand Scholar. Should we just remain silent in the face of injustice? Besides… the law cannot punish the masses.”
Yihuan found his naivety almost laughable. “Foolishness! Do you have no idea what the current emperor is capable of?”
Her solemn expression caused Pei Yin and the nearby scholars to hesitate, their fervor momentarily cooling.
Yihuan lowered her voice but spoke with urgency: “Anyone who defies the emperor’s will—whether they are a prime minister of two dynasties or the current Grand Scholar—meets a tragic end. In the eyes of the emperor, the lives of scholars like you are no more significant than ants! If you don’t disperse now, it will be too late!”
Some of the scholars seemed shaken by her words, but Pei Yin remained conflicted. “But… what about the Grand Scholar…”
Before he could finish, the sound of thundering hooves approached rapidly, sending a wave of unease through the crowd.
Moments later, soldiers clad in gleaming armor surrounded Changming Street. The sunlight reflected off their helmets and breastplates, exuding an icy, oppressive aura.
Yihuan’s heart sank. It’s over.
The scholars were visibly frightened, but the leaders still tried to hold their ground. Pei Yin’s lips trembled as he shouted, “We demand to see the Emperor! Release the Grand Scholar!”
The soldiers parted to create a path, stepping aside with precision and deference. Through the gap, a black steed emerged, carrying a man dressed in crimson official robes. His face was strikingly handsome, but his voice was as cold as ice. “Such audacity for mere commoners.”
That voice was all too familiar. Yihuan stared in shock.
The man on horseback, standing tall and imposing amidst the soldiers, was Liu Hexiao. His demeanor radiated authority, and his bearing was as refined as ever.
He cast a frosty glance over the crowd before giving a single, chilling command: “Arrest them!”
