Behind the Mask - Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Leaving for Afar
The day of their return to Xizhou came faster than Chu Ye had expected.
Soon after, Chu Lan brought up the matter of returning to Xizhou with her. Chu Lan said she had long grown tired of life in Jingzhou; she wanted to go back to a familiar place and slowly nurse her eyes back to health.
And so, in the early summer, they set out on the road back to Xizhou.
Qingliu and Yao San went with them as well.
That day, upon hearing that Qingliu also wanted to go to Xizhou, Yao San had been struck with an idea. Even Qingliu was surprised that Yao San would so readily sell off her properties in Jingzhou City, willing to go with her to a completely unfamiliar place.
Yao San said that since things had come to this, if Qingliu dared to betray her, she would surely tear Qingliu to pieces.
Chu Ye couldn't help but smile hearing their conversation. Although Yao San and Qingliu were always at odds when together, in reality, the two were very much in love.
Nuan Hua was also traveling with them.
Bai Ning did not force Nuan Hua to continue serving her. She promised her a sum of money, allowing her to stay in Jingzhou City, buy her freedom, or remain at the Bai Manor—the decision was hers to make.
But Nuan Hua shook her head firmly. She begged Bai Ning to take her with them, saying that after they left, whether they faced poverty or hardship, at least she wouldn't be trapped within the deep courtyards of a manor in the future.
Bai Ning understood her helplessness and readily agreed. Only, she told Nuan Hua that after leaving Jingzhou, she should no longer address her as "Miss."
They were all free women now.
When she left, Bai Ning left a letter for her family. Naturally, by the time Madam Bai saw the letter, she had already bid farewell to her cage and fled far away with Chu Ye.
Just as she had planned, the Bai Manor did not investigate deeply. Soon, all matters concerning the Second Miss Bai would fade away in Jingzhou City. She thought that her father and mother must have also been reluctant to use her as a pawn, to throw her into the torrent of fighting for fame and fortune, marrying her off to some prestigious family that cared nothing for whether she lived or died.
Traveling at a leisurely pace, their group arrived in Xizhou two months later.
The grasslands were lush and green, stretching out boundlessly.
The summers in Xizhou were cool, not muggy and hot like in Jingzhou. The wind blew freely and unrestrainedly, and a glance at the boundless azure sky seemed to sweep away all worries.
Upon arriving in Xizhou, Bai Ning and Yao San began making arrangements to reopen Linglong Workshop.
The calligraphy, painting, and zither music of Jingzhou City were precisely what was scarce here. Bai Ning felt that doing business in Xizhou wouldn't necessarily be harder than in Jingzhou; in fact, it was a good way to make money.
Chu Ye looked at Bai Ning with new admiration. Bai Ning was too clever; for her to be merely a well-read and courteous young lady within a manor's walls was too much of a waste of her talents. Chu Ye felt relieved. She could clearly sense that Bai Ning had become happier since coming to Xizhou. Bringing her away had been the right decision.
Chu Hu opened a martial arts school as he had wished. This was also the agreement he had made with Chu Lan and Chu Ye before she left for Jingzhou. Once the siblings had saved enough money, they would return to Xizhou to live a stable and peaceful life.
Chu Ye wanted a stable life; she had long grown tired of all the fighting and killing. This way, Bai Ning wouldn't have to worry about her getting hurt all the time.
Because of what had happened before, Chu Ye had given Chu Hu the cold shoulder for a very, very long time. It wasn't until they were on their way back to Xizhou—that night when everyone celebrated Chu Ye's birthday, Chu Hu drank a lot of wine and kept apologizing profusely—that Chu Ye was finally willing to speak to him again.
After a month, Linglong Workshop was taking shape nicely.
In the evening, just as Chu Ye walked into the back courtyard, she heard the intermittent sounds of a zither coming from the music room. She knew at once that Bai Ning was composing a new piece.
She knocked on the door.
"Come in."
When Chu Ye entered the room, Bai Ning didn't look up, continuing to pluck at the zither strings between her fingers.
Chu Ye pouted and remained silent.
After a while, when Bai Ning heard Chu Ye's silence, she finally looked up and smiled at her. She reached out, pulled Chu Ye over, and made her sit by her side. "Help me listen to the new piece."
Chu Ye looked at her, still quiet.
"What's wrong?" Bai Ning asked softly.
Chu Ye hesitated for a moment, then mumbled to her, "You haven't paid attention to me in a long time." She knew Bai Ning was very busy now, unlike back in Jingzhou, but she still spoke her mind, her voice full of grievance.
Seeing Chu Ye's aggrieved expression, Bai Ning's voice grew even gentler. "Have I?"
Chu Ye answered bluntly, "Yes."
Bai Ning smiled and asked, "Are you angry with me?"
Seeing Bai Ning smile at her like that, Chu Ye's moodiness vanished. But she didn't say anything, deciding to pretend for a little longer. She nodded at Bai Ning seriously. "Mhm." But she couldn't hold back a smile.
Bai Ning looked at her, then directly kissed the smile on her lips.
Chu Ye immediately felt a sweet warmth. The kiss deepened her smile. She closed her eyes and skillfully entangled her tongue with familiar lips, then wrapped an arm around Bai Ning's waist, pulling their bodies close.
After the kiss, Bai Ning smiled and pecked her lips several more times, rubbing her nose against Chu Ye's as she asked, "Is that better?"
She always indulged her in every way, and Chu Ye had developed a habit of pushing her luck. "Not enough."
Bai Ning rubbed her waist and coaxed her, "Then I'll spend the whole night with you."
Chu Ye's heart tingled at her words, and she leaned in to kiss her again.
But this wasn't their own room, after all. Bai Ning dodged the kiss and reminded her in a low voice, "Don't let Yao San and the others see us again."
Chu Ye's face flushed as she recalled that day—
Not long after they had returned to Xizhou, they had finally found some time alone together. She had pushed Bai Ning down onto the carpet, and they were kissing passionately, the atmosphere heated, when Yao San and Qingliu walked in on them.
Afterward, whenever Yao San and Qingliu saw them, their gazes were always a little peculiar.
Chu Ye quickly reined herself in and said to Bai Ning, "When you're done, we'll go home for dinner."
Their own small courtyard still needed time to be built. Before that, Chu Ye had Bai Ning stay with her at the old house where she used to live with her brother and sister.
By the time the two returned to the Chu residence, the sky was only faintly lit. A few candles were lit in the courtyard, and the aroma of food wafted through the air, creating a very warm atmosphere.
"Elder Sister, we're back."
"You're back." Chu Lan was always smiling. "Let's get ready to eat."
Chu Ye had heard from Chu Hu that Chu Lan had rejected another marriage proposal. She thought her elder sister must still be thinking of her beloved. She could understand Chu Lan's feelings now; once someone completely occupied your heart, there was no room for anyone else.
Chu Ye couldn't guess who the person in Chu Lan's heart was, and Chu Lan never mentioned it. She had tried to ask tentatively a few times, but Chu Lan always deliberately avoided the topic.
"Elder Sister, have some more." Chu Ye placed some food in Chu Lan's bowl.
Just then, the sound of urgent hoofbeats came from outside the courtyard. Chu Ye looked toward the sound. Someone was rushing over in the flickering twilight—a dark figure wearing a bamboo hat that obscured their face. Only from their build could one tell it was a woman.
The person entered the courtyard. She wore a sword at her waist and carried an air of killing intent.
Fearing it was an enemy, Chu Ye and Chu Hu immediately became vigilant, grabbing nearby weapons to defend themselves.
Only Chu Lan, who could not see, seemed to lose her soul in that instant. The porcelain bowl in her hand fell to the ground, and she didn't even bother to wipe away the hot soup that splashed onto her hand.
She smelled a familiar scent…
The woman in dark clothes then removed her woven bamboo hat.
Chu Ye shielded Bai Ning, trying to get a clear look at the person's face through the dim light. She saw a vaguely familiar face. "…Sister Meng Zhu?"
Hearing the familiar name, Chu Lan turned her face away, her head lowered.
"It's me," Meng Zhu answered Chu Ye calmly, but her sharp gaze was fixed on Chu Lan. Chu Lan's head was bowed, so Meng Zhu couldn't see her eyes.
"Long time no see," Chu Ye said as a greeting. She tugged on Chu Lan's sleeve. "Elder Sister, Sister Meng Zhu is back."
"Mhm," Chu Lan responded softly, without much of a reaction.
Chu Ye was puzzled. Logically, Chu Lan should have been the happiest to see her.
When she was young, she often saw Chu Lan and Meng Zhu sparring together. They always fought fiercely, as if it were a life-or-death struggle, to the point that she once thought Chu Lan and Meng Zhu were mortal enemies. It wasn't until one day when Chu Lan was injured on a mission and Meng Zhu, like a madwoman, carried Chu Lan everywhere seeking a doctor, that she realized the two actually cherished each other.
"It's Sister Meng Zhu," Chu Ye repeated in a low voice, afraid Chu Lan hadn't heard clearly.
Chu Lan's face was pale, but fortunately, the dark night concealed it.
Seeing it was an acquaintance, Chu Hu sheathed his sword and greeted Meng Zhu casually, "Miss Meng, it's been a while. Sit down and have a drink with us."
Meng Zhu did not refuse and nodded in agreement. She sat down at the table, facing Chu Lan. She could vaguely see Chu Lan's eyes, but she didn't greet her either, just sat there stiffly.
Chu Ye went back inside to get a bowl and chopsticks. When she returned, she felt the atmosphere at the table was even stranger. The two who had once cherished each other the most now seemed like strangers upon meeting.
This awkward atmosphere persisted for a long time.
Neither Chu Lan nor Meng Zhu said anything to the other.
Chu Ye poured Meng Zhu a cup of wine.
Meng Zhu raised the cup as if to drink, but then thought better of it and set it down. The wine in the cup trembled.
Chu Lan also felt that slight tremor, and it made her own fingers go numb.
"When did you go blind?" Meng Zhu stared at the person opposite her and asked in a low, heavy voice.
Chu Lan was silent.
Chu Hu gave a dry laugh. "She didn't tell you? It was four years ago."
Meng Zhu clearly didn't want to hear the answer from Chu Hu. She just stared intently at Chu Lan, waiting for her to reply.
A long moment passed.
"A long time ago," Chu Lan said lightly. She wanted to pick up her wine cup to suppress her unease, but contrary to her usual self, though she tried her best to remain calm and grope for it in the darkness, she couldn't find the cup.
Meng Zhu saw her fumbling, distressed fingertips and her vacant, lifeless eyes. She silently lowered her head, unable to look any longer. After that, she didn't say another word.
She didn't stay for long before leaving.
Chu Lan, however, sat stunned in the courtyard as if she had forgotten the time, remaining seated under the moonlight.
"Elder Sister, let's go back inside. It's already dark." Chu Ye had never seen Chu Lan like this. She figured her sister must be sad because the matter of her blindness had been brought up again tonight.
"You go rest. I'll sit for a while longer," Chu Lan said with a smile.
Bai Ning took it all in and tugged on Chu Ye's sleeve, signaling for her not to disturb Chu Lan any further.
Back in their room.
Bai Ning asked Chu Ye in a low voice, "Is your elder sister's beloved Miss Meng Zhu?"
Hearing Bai Ning say this, Chu Ye was taken aback. She explained, "That can't be. Elder Sister and Sister Meng Zhu are very good friends."
Bai Ning looked at Chu Ye helplessly, momentarily at a loss for words.
Chu Ye hadn't really believed Bai Ning's guess at first, not until Meng Zhu started coming to the Chu residence every day…
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