2 Entanglement

"Miss, are you alright?" Jin Kui hurried over.

Tong Youyu extricated herself from Yin Zijian's grasp, lowered her head, and murmured softly, "Sorry to have disturbed the young general..."

She said no more, but pulled Jin Kui along and left.

To be told to her face that someone despised her—this was the very first time. She had thought the two of them were childhood playmates, but it turned out otherwise...

Tong Youyu did not know what history lay between them, but perhaps the fault was hers. The elders always said she had changed greatly, that her former temperament was difficult to get along with.

Suddenly discovering she had offended Yin Zijian, Tong Youyu felt a complex tangle of emotions: shock, shame, and above all, uncertainty about how to face him.

From now on, whenever she saw him, she'd take a detour and pretend not to know him; she would never dare initiate conversation again.

"Was that the young general of the Yin family?" Jin Kui whispered behind her hand, "He's so tall!"

Tong Youyu clutched her chest and nodded slightly. "Have you ever seen him in Youzhou?"

"Never," Jin Kui shook her head. "I only entered the household when you were ten, miss. By then, the Yin family had already been transferred out of Youzhou. I never knew the exact friendship between the two families."

"So, it's been at least five or six years since we've seen each other..." Tong Youyu was puzzled. What kind of grudge could last so long?

Jin Kui grinned, "Miss and the young general are old acquaintances. Were you catching up just now?"

"No," Tong Youyu denied at once, "I don't know him. In the future, never say such things about any connection."

"Huh?"

Shen Shuzhang, not finding them, had already returned home. Tong Youyu and Jin Kui walked slowly, so that by the time they reached the Shen residence, night had fallen.

Madam Peng was just about to send someone to look for her. Seeing Tong Youyu return safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to scold her two daughters, "You always come and go together in the same carriage. Why did you leave your cousin alone today?"

Shen Lianyin remained silent, while Shen Yumu pouted, "It's not as if we don't have carriages at home. She always makes the coachman take a detour to pick her up. Does she want to bask in the glory of the Fengli Academy, so others think she attends the same academy as us?"

Fengli Academy was reputed to be the finest academy in the capital, and Shen Yumu took pride in it, unwilling to let Tong Youyu ride on its coattails.

Tong Youyu hadn't realized Shen Yumu thought of her this way. She explained, "Third Cousin is mistaken. With my learning, even Yinshan Academy is beyond my reach. The headmaster is a great Confucian scholar, admired by all aspiring students. How could I look down on it?"

After losing her memory, she had studied with the household tutor for only three years—her knowledge was still shallow.

As for Fengli Academy's claim to preeminence, not everyone agreed. In the world of letters, there was no absolute first, and it was impossible to judge superiority. Some even believed Yinshan Academy to be the best.

Madam Peng's face darkened. "Just because you attend an academy, you become smug? In my eyes, you're still not as good as your cousin."

She was disappointed. Despite all her painstaking guidance, her daughter, though keeping up in her studies, was lacking in poise and breadth of vision.

"Mother," Shen Yumu interjected, "It's just that classmates are gossipy and worry that Cousin is too vain. That's why we don't ride with her..."

"If a few careless words from others sway you, have you no judgment of your own?" Madam Peng put down her chopsticks. "If it were Miss Lu, how would she handle it?"

Shen Yumu faltered, hanging her head in silence.

Shen Lianyin, beside her, said, "Mother, please don't be angry. It was our lack of composure today."

This Miss Lu was none other than Lu Runing, famed in the capital for her talent—a name Tong Youyu often heard from her aunt's lips.

Her aunt, herself a celebrated young lady in her youth, naturally hoped her children would excel. These words were not meant to take Tong Youyu's side.

Yet her cousins were often compared to Miss Lu, which must have been exhausting...

The matter of the carriage was soon dropped. Tong Youyu understood her cousin didn't want her to tag along, but she had no choice—better to endure her cousin's annoyance than to deal with her eldest male cousin.

That night, Tong Youyu went to visit her grandmother.

The fragrance of medicine lingered in Bamboo Harmony Hall, the scent of tonic soup not yet faded after dinner.

The old lady's illness was not terribly serious, yet the recovery dragged on. At her age, the entire family was anxious.

Tong Youyu visited her every day, keeping the old lady company and chatting with her.

Though the old lady was weary, she still asked after Tong Youyu's studies at the academy and what books she had read recently.

"It's a pity that my illness prevents me from teaching you the zither. Without your cacophony, the house is far too quiet."

Tong Youyu couldn't bear to hear such words. With a huff, she replied, "Grandmother, your skill at the zither is unmatched. Without your guidance, how could I ever hope to play music that lingers for three days? I am waiting for you to continue teaching me."

The old lady coughed lightly. "Then I'd best recover soon—can't let your lessons be delayed."

"Of course," Tong Youyu said as she sat on the embroidered stool. "The fifteenth is the day after tomorrow. I've heard the Bodhisattva at Autumn Waters Terrace is especially efficacious. I'll go and offer incense for you, praying for your swift recovery."

The old lady was amused. "Child, since when have you taken to offering incense and praying to deities?"

"I must not have believed before, so the Bodhisattva ignored me," Tong Youyu pressed her lips together.

The old lady thought for a moment, then waved her hand. "The scenery at Autumn Waters Terrace is beautiful, and the vegetarian meals are delicious. Just treat it as an outing to refresh yourself, and take a couple of boxes of pastries as snacks along the way."

"Grandmother!" Tong Youyu protested, clutching her palm. "I'm not going there to play."

"Alright, alright, I accept your filial piety," the old lady laughed, her eyes crinkling with joy.

———

On the fifteenth, Tong Youyu wore a simple snow-trimmed gauze dress, pinned two jade hairpins in her hair, and set out for Autumn Waters Terrace with Jin Kui.

Autumn Waters Terrace was set in the suburban hills and rivers, with the statue of the Bodhisattva standing high above the waterfall, her face kind and compassionate, gazing upon all beings.

Tong Youyu was devout, carefully preparing incense, candles, and paper offerings. She knelt three times and bowed nine, praying for the Bodhisattva to bless her grandmother with health and longevity.

She also acquired a charm for peace, which she placed carefully in the embroidered pouch she had brought.

Jin Kui asked, "Miss, aren't you going to ask for a charm for yourself as well?"

"No," Tong Youyu shook her head. "One is enough. Otherwise, the Bodhisattva may think me too greedy."

"But since we're here—"

"Let's go see the waterfall, then."

The two of them left the main hall. As Jin Kui looked up, her face suddenly changed. "Oh no, miss, look at that man in blue... Isn't that the young master?"

Across the distance, the two parties were on a collision course. Tong Youyu followed Jin Kui's gaze and saw, unmistakably, Shen Shuzhang.

She abruptly halted, but it was too late to turn back; Shen Shuzhang had already noticed her and strode over.

"Cousin!"

"Truly haunting," Jin Kui muttered under her breath.

If the young master attended the same academy as her mistress, they would have to leave the capital at once—it would be unbearable.

Tong Youyu was helpless. "What brings you to Autumn Waters Terrace, Cousin?"

Though the weather was still warm, Shen Shuzhang carried a folding fan, which he snapped open with a flourish. "It's a rare holiday. I was wandering about and, by chance, ran into you."

Liar. How could a casual wander lead him straight to her?

Tong Youyu twisted her little finger around her embroidered pouch. "You've come so far, cousin. It will make Aunt worry."

She guessed her aunt had no idea where her son was.

Shen Shuzhang knew his mother would disapprove. He'd had his carriage pick someone up from Yinshan Academy yesterday and hadn't dared mention it on his return.

He suddenly suppressed his smile and snorted softly, "I'm old enough now. My mother doesn't need to oversee my every move."

"All parents are like that," Tong Youyu replied.

Sometimes she thought her aunt's supervision of her cousins was too strict, causing them to rebel in private. Yet she sometimes envied them.

She had no mother, and after losing her memory, her impressions of her father came only from what others said. Apart from her grandmother, it seemed no one truly cared for her.

Jin Kui chirped, "Young master is out enjoying himself, so Miss and I will wander elsewhere and not disturb your pleasure."

She made to lead Tong Youyu away at once.

"Wait," Shen Shuzhang reached out to stop them. Smiling, he said, "It's no fun alone. Let me ride back with you, cousin."

Jin Kui then noticed he had no servants with him—obviously, he'd shaken them off to prevent them tattling to his mother.

The journey from Autumn Waters Terrace back to the manor was long. If he latched onto her mistress, how could that be allowed?

Tong Youyu didn't want to share a carriage with him either. Though customs in Dayong were liberal enough that men and women could ride together without causing scandal, she found the prospect unbearable.

So she said they were in no hurry to return and would enjoy the mountain scenery for a while—hoping to find a chance to shake him off.

They stopped beneath a towering tree, its leafy branches offering cool shade.

Tong Youyu paused and turned back. "Cousin, I've just learned a new piece for the zither and plan to play it for Grandmother. Unfortunately, my comprehension is poor and I need some quiet time to reflect..."

Her meaning was clear: please, do as you wish and leave her be.

But before she could finish, Shen Shuzhang interrupted, "Then I'll quietly keep you company, so you won't be bored."

Jin Kui nearly rolled her eyes. Just then, a mountain breeze rustled the great tree above.

Suddenly, something dropped from the tree and landed right on Tong Youyu.

Before she could react, both Jin Kui and Shen Shuzhang shrieked in unison, "Ah—!"

"A snake! It's a snake!"

Tong Youyu had already seen it: the snake, slender and coiled, had fallen from the tree, brushed her shoulder, and landed at her feet!

She froze, eyes wide, utterly unable to move or make a sound.

Shen Shuzhang was right beside her—terrified, his legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground, scrambling backward as fast as he could.

In this critical moment, Tong Youyu dared not move, fearing the snake would turn and bite her.

Jin Kui was as pale as death and nearly in tears, both hands clamped over her mouth to stifle her scream.

Just then, a wooden stick shot out from the side, deftly flicking the snake away. With a practiced motion, the sharper end of the stick pierced the snake right at its weak spot.

The spotted snake writhed, then lay still—completely dead.

Tong Youyu finally let out a breath, clutching her pounding chest, still shaken.

She turned to see where the stick had come from, and there stood a tall, powerfully built man with bronzed skin and striking features—Yin Zijian.

He had killed the snake?

Such skill, with nothing but a simple stick...

But then, he had made his name on the battlefield—this bit of danger was nothing to him.

"Are you alright, cousin?" Now that the snake was dead, Shen Shuzhang scrambled to his feet and reached out to take Tong Youyu's hand.

Regaining her composure, she stepped back, "I'm fine..."

Tong Youyu glanced at Yin Zijian, signaling with her eyes that there was someone else present—hoping Shen Shuzhang would restrain himself.

She was about to thank him, when Yin Zijian said coldly, "Tong Youyu, have you become so timid now?"