Chapter Twenty-Seven: Kindred Spirits Adrift in a Troubled World

Yuncui Xian shook her head gently and said, “It’s nothing.” She turned to Shangguan Wanru and said, “Sister Shangguan, my husband grew up in the Prince’s mansion. Because he was born during the festival of sleep, he became the target of the Lady’s hatred. Though he possesses the talent of a qilin, he has always concealed his abilities, for fear that showing them would invite disaster. Yet the Lady has repeatedly pressed him, seeking to entrap him and spreading rumors of his supposed heartlessness. My husband had no choice but to follow her lead deliberately, letting her believe she had gained the upper hand, so she would let down her guard.”

After recounting all this, Yuncui Xian paused, taking a breath before continuing, “Now, with nowhere left to turn, he was forced to act himself, luring the underworld to muddy the waters. But I assure you, he harbors no malice toward you.”

Shangguan Wanru was silent. She had spent time with Yuncui Xian, who treated her as a confidante, keeping nothing from her. Yuncui Xian often brought rice soup to her home and invited doctors to tend to her mother, giving her a warmth she had sorely missed. She trusted Yuncui Xian deeply.

Hearing Yuncui Xian's explanation, she finally understood that Chu Youcai was not intentionally deceiving her.

She herself carried the burden of a deep vendetta, yet Chu Youcai, abandoned by his family, was also a soul marked by hardship.

But why, upon meeting him this time, did he seem so approachable, so easy to draw near?

The murderous intent in her heart had faded, but confusion remained.

Yuncui Xian noticed the change in Shangguan Wanru’s expression and relaxed, only to suddenly recall something, her face altering as she glanced anxiously at Chu Youcai.

She had spoken without her husband’s permission, acting on impulse—though urgent, it was not the proper conduct of a wife. Her husband, ever cautious and calculating, had kept his intentions hidden, and she had just exposed them, overstepping her bounds, even if only to Shangguan Wanru.

But what worried Yuncui Xian most was whether Chu Youcai would resent Shangguan Wanru for how she treated him.

Contrary to her expectations, Chu Youcai’s face was calm and indifferent, which eased her heart.

She was unaware that, knowing Shangguan Wanru’s identity and circumstances, Chu Youcai could empathize and had no intention of blaming her.

Suddenly, from the next room came several urgent coughs, the sound of Shangguan Wanru’s mother, coughing so fiercely it seemed as if her heart and lungs were wracked with pain.

Shangguan Wanru’s expression changed. She said to Yuncui Xian, “Excuse me,” and in a flash, soared over the courtyard wall and returned to her home.

Yuncui Xian’s face showed a trace of pity. She knew well that Shangguan Wanru’s mother was frail; every time she saw the old lady, her heart ached. That was why, whenever she pawned something for rice, she would always give most of it to Shangguan Wanru.

She gave Chu Youcai an apologetic look and said, “Husband, I will go check on her mother.”

Chu Youcai nodded and said, “Let’s go together—perhaps there is something I can help with.”

Just then, Juxue blurted out, “Perhaps the medicine the young master prepared might be useful.”

“Mm, you still have the prescription I gave you last time, right? Go prepare a few more doses,” Chu Youcai said, taking out three or four taels of scattered silver from his robes and handing them to Juxue. “This is all I have left.”

Compared to twenty thousand taels, this was very little, but it was everything Chu Youcai possessed.

Juxue took the silver and hurried out of the yard, while Chu Youcai, Yuncui Xian, and Hongyu went to the neighboring room.

The wooden boards at the entrance were terribly worn, the doorway overgrown with weeds. Yuncui Xian knocked softly but received no reply. She called twice for “Sister Shangguan,” but again there was no answer, so she pushed the door open.

Inside the yard, the old lady’s violent coughing could be heard from afar, growing ever more urgent.

Yuncui Xian quickened her pace and entered the house.

Chu Youcai followed. He saw that the rice jar on the left was completely empty, and beside it, clothing and sewing things were strewn about in disorder, evidence that Shangguan Wanru barely made ends meet.

Entering the inner room, Chu Youcai saw Shangguan Wanru pressing her palms against her mother’s back, using her internal energy to massage, though to little effect. The old lady said softly, “Wanru, don’t worry… cough, cough… It’s just my old trouble…”

At that moment, the old lady seemed to hear something and asked, “Is that Miss Yun?”

Chu Youcai noticed her eyes had turned white—the sight lost, clearly blind.

Yuncui Xian spoke softly, “It’s me, Aunt.”

“Wanru is such a cold child, rarely speaks. We’re lucky to have you help us poor mother and daughter. She hasn’t caused you any trouble, has she?” The old lady suppressed her coughing and managed to speak, only to cough again afterward.

“No, Sister Shangguan is skilled in martial arts. When my husband was away a few days ago, she helped drive off several thugs. Without her, we would have been in real danger,” Yuncui Xian replied earnestly.

“That’s good… Miss Yun, I wonder, are there other guests here?” The old lady discerned the footsteps of Chu Youcai and Hongyu.

Yuncui Xian said, “Yes, my husband and his younger sister. My husband knows medicine, and hearing that you’re ill, he wished to check your pulse and prescribe some medicine.” She looked to Chu Youcai, hope shining in her eyes.

Chu Youcai stepped forward. “Chu Youcai greets you, Aunt.”

“So it’s Young Master Chu. You’re too kind.” The old lady shook her head and said sincerely, “I am an old woman, my days are numbered. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself, lest you waste your silver…”

Chu Youcai smiled gently. “I prescribe only ordinary herbs. And since Cuite Xian relies so much on Sister Shangguan’s help, we are all neighbors—Aunt, please don’t stand on ceremony.”

Hearing this, the old lady no longer refused.

Chu Youcai carefully took her pulse.

He had studied medicine and was highly skilled. After only a short while, he sensed that the old lady’s life was flickering like a candle nearing its end. Her internal organs were all damaged, all in disarray. Though she merely appeared to suppress her cough, Chu Youcai knew she had been enduring pain for a very long time.

At this thought, a sudden, inexplicable ache filled Chu Youcai’s heart.

Shangguan Wanru saw the gravity in Chu Youcai’s expression as he felt her mother’s pulse, as if he had realized something. She held her breath, anxious and tense, fearing what Chu Youcai might say.

She had long known her mother’s health was beyond saving. Her mother had always been resilient, never uttering a word about her pain, even from the day Shangguan Wanru was born. How could she not know? Yet however faint, hope remained. But if those words were truly spoken, the old lady’s spirit might collapse, and then even medicine would be powerless.