Chapter 83: Eerie—Eavesdropping from the Fish Tank

The bridal chamber was situated in the courtyard where Shui Ruolan had once lived. It was positioned to the left of the Old Madam’s quarters, with the Di family’s courtyard to the right. In the rear of the General’s Mansion, the largest main courtyard belonged to the Di family, squarely in the center; the Old Madam resided in a courtyard slightly to the left, and Shui Ruolan’s current residence was even further to the left, bordering the edge of the estate.

This was, in truth, quite far off to the side. Shui Ruolan herself preferred to remain in the place she had always lived, though it was a bit too secluded and quiet for some tastes, but she liked it very much.

Qin Wanru was very familiar with Shui Ruolan’s courtyard—her own was just behind and to the right. She and Shui Ruolan had always been close, and she liked to wander over whenever she had the chance.

For convenience, Qin Wanru would usually enter Shui Ruolan’s courtyard through the back door, which was almost always left open for her. Today, Qin Wanru led Chu Liuchen in a wide arc, arriving at the back entrance. Qingyue stepped forward and gently pushed the door, which, as expected, was open.

The group slipped quietly through the back door into the courtyard.

There were not many people in Shui Ruolan’s courtyard on ordinary days, but today, a few newcomers had arrived to help, though most were busy up front, and nobody noticed the group approaching from the rear.

Qin Wanru had never imagined herself crouching at the window of the bridal chamber so improperly. She was short and couldn’t quite see, so Qingyue half-lifted her, allowing her to peer inside.

Chu Liuchen beat her to the window, peering in with keen interest.

When Qin Wanru finally managed to look inside, her expression became peculiar; she honestly didn’t see anything worth watching.

The bridal chamber was quiet. Shui Ruolan sat upon the crimson bed, the red veil that had covered her head already lifted. There was no one else in the room except for two maids, and everywhere was adorned in vibrant red. Aside from that—there was nothing else to see. Truly, there was nothing remarkable here.

The back window they were peering through was draped with a gauze curtain; their faces pressed against it. Those inside, oblivious to the group outside, would not notice them.

After a while, the people inside remained motionless. Shui Ruolan sat with her head bowed, silent, and the maids were still. Qin Wanru found it quite dull.

She reached out and tugged at Chu Liuchen’s sleeve. He ignored her, so she tugged again, this time with more force. Qingyue, holding her up, struggled to keep her steady; they wobbled, prompting Qin Wanru to grab the windowsill, signaling Qingyue to let her down. She no longer wished to watch.

Qingyue understood and gently lowered her.

“General,” a maid’s voice suddenly sounded from the room. Qin Wanru, startled, nearly fell, reaching out desperately to steady herself.

Why was her father here? Wasn’t he supposed to be hosting the wedding banquet?

In her panic, she didn’t notice what she grabbed—she pulled hard.

Chu Liuchen, engrossed in watching, suddenly felt his robe yanked at the waist. Unprepared, he toppled backward, Xiao Xuanci tried to catch him but was too late, and the two fell heavily in a tangled heap.

“Who’s there?” Qin Huaiyong’s furious shout resounded inside, followed by heavy footsteps heading toward the back window.

Qin Wanru, panicking, dragged Chu Liuchen up and dashed a few steps, leaping into an empty fish jar by the wall of the rear courtyard. Qingyue and Xiao Xuanci followed suit, each jumping into another empty jar.

Shui Ruolan’s courtyard held two large jars, gifts from Qin Wanru. There was a story behind them. Qin Wanru once saw lotus growing in a large jar with fish underneath, beautiful and elegant. She decided to keep a few jars herself the following spring, and persuaded the Old Madam to buy four; two for Shui Ruolan, two for her own courtyard.

But now was not the season for lotuses, so the jars stood empty.

The jars were large enough for two people to squeeze inside.

Qin Wanru clung tightly to Chu Liuchen’s sleeve, her head pressed against the side of the jar, anxiously listening to the voices outside.

The sound of a window opening, then footsteps approaching. Shui Ruolan’s gentle voice: “Cousin, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, perhaps I misheard,” Qin Huaiyong’s gaze swept the empty rear courtyard, his brows furrowing. Had he really imagined the commotion?

Shui Ruolan had heard something as well, which was why she followed him. Hearing Qin Huaiyong’s explanation, she looked out the window too. It was quiet—nothing there. Perhaps she had misheard.

Qin Huaiyong calmly lowered the curtain. “Cousin, please have your meal. I’ve instructed the kitchen to prepare something light, similar to what you’re used to.”

“Thank you, cousin!” Shui Ruolan’s cheeks flushed. From now on, he would no longer be her cousin, but her husband.

Seeing her rosy cheeks, Qin Huaiyong’s heart stirred. He took her hand and led her back to sit by the bed. “Soon I must entertain the guests, so I won’t have time to stay with you. If you’re tired, rest for a while.”

“I… I understand,” Shui Ruolan lowered her head, her face crimson. Though she had been married before, this was different—the man before her was Qin Huaiyong, who had grown up alongside her. Childhood memories, some familiar, some strange, surfaced.

Whether familiar or unfamiliar, all these memories made her feel shy.

“Ruolan, I’ll need your help managing the rear courtyard from now on. Don’t blame your cousin,” Qin Huaiyong sighed, holding her hand.

“Cousin, I understand. I’ll do my best to manage the courtyard and care for Mother and Wanru,” Shui Ruolan promised.

Madam Duan had already told Shui Ruolan all that had transpired, including exposing Di’s malicious scheming. So she knew that after the incident, Di had been confined by Qin Huaiyong, forbidden from appearing on this joyous day.

“Mother is old, Wanru… is still young. As for Di, let her stay where she is,” Qin Huaiyong continued. Some things he wished to clarify now, lest trouble arise later. “Yuru, after all, is Di’s daughter, and there’s the favor of Marquis Yongkang’s family marrying into ours…”

These considerations weighed on him—political ties and obligations he could not ignore, and he could not elaborate to Shui Ruolan. He muddled through, attributing it to the favor of their marriage, lowering his head in shame.

He harbored his own selfish motives.

“Cousin, you needn’t say more. I understand,” Shui Ruolan replied gently, her demeanor calm and unresentful. “Now that I am your wife, I will honor Mother, care for Wanru, and support you. For Yuru’s sake, Sister should remain.”

Hearing Shui Ruolan’s understanding words, a great weight lifted from Qin Huaiyong’s heart. He pulled her into his arms, unable to find words for a moment.

He had his concerns, his selfishness, and some things he truly could not voice. Shui Ruolan’s empathy, her lack of reproach, made him deeply grateful.

He had always felt affection for Shui Ruolan. Now, marrying such a gentle, beautiful woman, Qin Huaiyong’s stern face softened into a smile. Even the commotion at the rear window became insignificant.

Qin Huaiyong and Shui Ruolan spoke in hushed tones. With the heavy topics behind them, their voices grew softer, so those hiding in the jar could not hear.

Qin Wanru pressed her ear to the jar, hoping to catch snippets, but suddenly her body was pulled forward, bumping into Chu Liuchen. Startled, she turned, her pink lips brushing against Chu Liuchen’s handsome face.

Both were stunned.

Qin Wanru spun around, her face flushing bright red, and instinctively pinched Chu Liuchen.

“Ow, why are you pinching me?” Chu Liuchen complained quietly, grabbing her restless hand and squeezing it firmly.

His grip was surprisingly strong. Qin Wanru’s eyes filled with tears from the pain; she turned, glaring at Chu Liuchen and reached for his hand.

Seeing her tense face and those beautiful eyes glimmering with moisture, Chu Liuchen paused, then loosened his hold—but did not let go. He tugged her hand, leaning closer. “Do you think your father has always been fond of this bride?”

“Why?” Qin Wanru’s hand still ached, but the pain made her bold. She replied irritably.

“I’m just asking. It seems odd!” Chu Liuchen tilted his head, his voice growing softer. His flawless, handsome face was too close for comfort. Qin Wanru pushed at his pale face, signaling him to move away.

Chu Liuchen ignored her, grabbing her other hand so both were in his own. Qin Wanru struggled twice and failed, not daring to move too much.

“What’s so odd?” Qin Wanru pouted.

“It just doesn’t seem right,” Chu Liuchen replied, studying Qin Wanru’s flushed face. The pink on her cheeks made her look even lovelier; her eyes were astonishingly dark, still misty from earlier. Her lips were dazzlingly bright, a vivid contrast to his own pallor.

He liked such colors. If only he could have such vibrancy.

Her jet-black eyes were framed with long, curled lashes, like brushes. He reached out, placing his hand before her eyes, feeling the soft sweep of her lashes against his palm—her eyelashes were truly long.

His hand slid upward, stroking Qin Wanru’s hair. Chu Liuchen’s eyes nearly closed in pleasure—it felt just like petting his cat, smooth and comforting.

She was as beautiful as his rare cat.

“What are you doing?” Qin Wanru had no idea when he blocked her eyes or stroked her head. She struggled, her watery eyes glaring fiercely at Chu Liuchen, signaling her anger.

Yet her beautiful eyes, despite their fury, lacked any real threat. Chu Liuchen thought her gaze was just like his cat’s—angry, but powerless to do anything about it.

He found it charming. He liked it.