21 Might As Well Depend On You

Madam Yin asked Yin Zijian to take the young people to see the white tiger. Since he was at home today and could not refuse, he had no choice but to lead a group of young ladies to view the beast.

The king of the forest had been reduced to a prisoner, kept merely for novelty. Had it not been a gift from the Emperor, he would have released the tiger back into the wild long ago.

When Yin Zijian appeared—shoulders broad, waist narrow, his stride long and purposeful—the bolder young ladies stole shy glances at him, whispering, "I never thought the young masters of the noble families were short, but now they all look diminished compared to the Young General."

"Indeed, it is better to be tall, and his features are so handsome..."

These whispers were kept private, though Zhou Qiyu heard more than her fair share. Shyly, she handed her scroll to her maid and bowed her head in greeting to Yin Zijian.

"Lady Zhou, there is no need for such formalities," Yin Zijian said. He had no patience for the exhaustive etiquette required by each individual; dealing with it would tire a scholar to death, so he had naturally called for Yin Mingyan to host them instead.

Turning his head, he noticed that Tong Youyu had left with Jin Kui, choosing not to see the white tiger.

Tong Youyu had drunk too much tea earlier and had gone to the side courtyard to freshen up. Upon returning, she lingered in the garden to admire the chrysanthemums. The garden was ablaze with autumn colors, including several precious varieties bestowed by the Imperial Consort.

The chrysanthemum, one of the Four Gentlemen, had been cultivated by gardeners into a myriad of graceful forms.

"Doesn't the young miss want to see the white tiger?" Jin Kui asked.

"I have already seen it," Tong Youyu said, leaning against the ornamental railing of the veranda. She took a breath. "It is far more fragrant here."

The air was filled with the scent of chrysanthemums—a light, elegant aroma, perfect for tea or pastries, never too cloying. The mistress and her maid passed the time there, enjoying their solitude, but before long, the young ladies who had gone to see the tiger returned.

A commotion drifted from the flower hall. Bored, Jin Kui pricked up her ears to listen.

"Young Miss, it seems Lady Zhou’s ancient scroll was accidentally knocked into the pond!"

"What?" No wonder they had returned so quickly.

Seeing Jin Kui’s eagerness to join the spectacle, Tong Youyu simply said, "Go see what is happening, but keep your mouth shut."

"Understood!" With the order given, Jin Kui darted off.

As soon as she left, a tall figure appeared beside Tong Youyu.

She did not notice him until he was right upon her, and she gave a start as she glanced to the side. "Young General, you are so large and tall, why do you walk without a sound?"

"You were the one daydreaming," Yin Zijian scoffed.

Those trained in martial arts walked with light steps; he had always been this way. It was merely her timid nature that made her easily startled.

Tong Youyu had indeed been lost in thought. She had lived with the Shen family, and given the current unpleasant atmosphere, she was not at ease. With her grandmother and aunt constantly at odds over her eldest cousin, she, being one of the people involved, could not escape the fallout, even if she considered herself innocent. Had her father not been coming to the capital at the end of the year, she would have returned to Youzhou already.

Tong Youyu looked up at Yin Zijian and asked, "Young General, you struck the fourth young master of the Mao family. May I ask the reason?"

"Why? Am I not allowed to strike him?" Yin Zijian’s expression soured at the mere mention of the man. "Have you seen him dare to file a complaint?"

If the Mao family did not have a guilty conscience, they would have made a scene long ago.

Tong Youyu was bewildered. She pursed her lips and asked, "Was it because of me?"

"Who cares about your affairs?" Yin Zijian looked away.

She watched his profile, her lips parting, but in the end, she could not bring herself to ask if he still loathed her so much.

Yin Zijian turned back to look at her, his face expressionless. "Do you wish to marry in the capital?"

"I have never thought of that," Tong Youyu shook her head. "I only heard that my father is to be transferred back to the capital..."

"Your father is going to Tanzhou," Yin Zijian lowered his voice. "Yesterday, the Emperor appointed your father as the Prefect of Tanzhou."

"What?" Tong Youyu was startled.

Yin Zijian gestured for her to follow. As they walked along a secluded gravel path, he said, "The imperial decree has not yet been issued, but the Emperor’s word is final; it will not change."

Moving from the prefecture of Youzhou to Tanzhou sounded like a lateral move, but Tanzhou was a vast, fertile land—a lucrative post far superior to the humble Youzhou. The Emperor had made this decision because he saw that Tong Huai had governed the impoverished Youzhou well, remained incorruptible, and was highly regarded by the people.

Hearing this news so suddenly, Tong Youyu immediately felt a yearning to leave the capital and seek out her father.

Suddenly, movement came from behind the rockery.

A young maid was sobbing, "Young Miss, please spare me. Someone really did knock into me on purpose..."

The sound was approaching their path. Just as Tong Youyu turned to look, her waist was suddenly tightened in a firm grip, and she was whisked off the ground into the branches.

Yin Zijian pulled her up into the tree, settling firmly between the forks.

Tong Youyu nearly cried out, but she instinctively grabbed onto him, muffling her voice. "Young General, what are you doing?"

"I have no desire for others to think you and I are having a secret tryst."

He said this, yet their bodies were currently pressed tightly together...

Terrified of falling, Tong Youyu dared not let go, unable to avoid the contact with his chest. This posture made her extremely nervous.

Below the tree, Zhou Qiyu’s cold voice rang out: "You can't even hold a scroll steady, yet you blame others?"

The maid sobbed, "I wouldn't dare be so careless, but the Princess's lady-in-waiting really did bump into me, and she refuses to admit it..."

So, this was about the scroll falling into the pond.

Tong Youyu suddenly realized why Yin Zijian feared being seen—Zhou Qiyu was his beloved.

Feeling that her current position was even more inappropriate, she slowly loosened her grip and tried to tuck herself against his chest to hide.

"Why are you fidgeting?" Yin Zijian asked, his eyes narrowing as he spoke in a breathy whisper.

Tong Youyu puffed out her soft cheeks and said bluntly, "Please, do not press against me..."

Yin Zijian went rigid instantly. How could he not be aware of such softness?

His chest grew hard with his sudden surge of emotion, which only made her feel more uncomfortable; his muscles were bracing her so tightly it hurt...

Yet, despite her words, he remained unmoved.

Beneath the tree, Zhou Qiyu said with resentment, "Taking advantage of being the cousin of Her Highness, Yun'an alienates me from the Princess whenever she can. She is nothing but a titular county princess, the daughter of an idle prince—how can she compare to my family? Now, she simply cannot bear to see me doing better than her!"

Judging by her tone, this grievance had been brewing for quite some time.

Tong Youyu was astonished. She often saw Lady Zhou by the side of the Princess and the county princess, and had assumed they were close friends. Who would have thought...

"Young Miss, that is exactly it!" The maid, seeing her mistress believed her, nodded while wiping away tears.

Zhou Qiyu glanced at her and said, "I will not punish you, but you must go before Madam Yin and kowtow."

The maid let out a sigh of relief. "I will surely beg for forgiveness properly!"

"Kowtow hard, until your head breaks and bleeds. Only then will it show my pain and helplessness." Zhou Qiyu turned away. "That ancient scroll cannot be saved..."

"Young Miss..." The maid climbed up, covering her smooth forehead with one hand, and followed, weeping.

Until the two were gone, Tong Youyu remained stunned. She had never known Lady Zhou had such a temper...

Yin Zijian saw through her thoughts instantly. "In the household of Minister Zhou, there are many children born of concubines."

Zhou Qiyu was the fifth-born. She had older half-brothers and younger half-siblings. Even as a legitimate daughter, she had known since childhood the meaning of "striving" and "pretending"—to gain her father’s attention, the opportunity to study, and the qualification to accompany the Princess in the palace.

"Since she is like this, you should show more pity in the future." Tong Youyu looked down at the tree. "Let me down."

"What is she to me?" Yin Zijian had intended to jump down, but suddenly he was in no hurry. "How about I leave you in the tree?"

"You cannot."

Tong Youyu looked at him with wide, rounded eyes. "A dignified Young General, picking on a small girl like me?"

"Do not try to provoke me. I will not be swayed by public opinion, nor do I fear being called petty." He was unconcerned and completely unbothered.

"You..." Tong Youyu was at a loss for what to do with him.

Yin Zijian truly was not afraid. Those who possessed genuine masculine spirit never needed hypocritical posturing to prove their worth. He was petty, yes, but he was also remarkably frank about it.

"Then tell me, what must I do to clear the slate?" she asked.

"You wish to draw a line between us?"

"Yes." Tong Youyu did not hesitate.

The next moment, her delicate face was gripped by his hand.

His broad, thick palm easily captured both soft cheeks, his long fingers sinking into her skin, leaving shallow, jade-colored dimples. Her skin was too delicate, too smooth to hold.

"What are you doing..." Tong Youyu’s mouth was forced into a pout. Her small hands reached up to his wrist, trying to pry his fingers away, attempting to escape his control.

Yin Zijian’s strength was overwhelming; even without him using any real force, she could not budge him at all.

"Tong Youyu, do you think it is so easy to get rid of me?"

"Can you... can you just let me go?"

"No."

Tong Youyu, having had several encounters with him, felt a sting of sadness. "Even if I were to seek medical help for you, would that not count for something?"

This remark made Yin Zijian laugh with sudden, sharp anger. He glared at her. "I have a large tumor, why don't I just latch onto you instead? I'll let you understand its power."

He should not have spoken such lewd, military-camp talk to a young lady, but he could not help it. Seeing her look so easy to bully...

His heart was filled with mischief, and he had plenty of ways and means to "revenge" himself upon her.