Chapter Forty-Nine: Nurse Qu

Just as her thoughts reached a critical juncture, the carriage suddenly dimmed. Puzzled, Lian Yue looked up to see a strikingly handsome and spirited face, resting his chin on the lower edge of the window, a faint smile playing at his lips. His trademark alluring eyes were habitually raised at the corners. Only then did Lian Yue recognize who stood before her.

It had to be said, after three years apart, Qiao Zhi’s features had become even more refined and resolute. Even those eyes, which Lian Yue had always considered too feminine, now exuded a newfound masculine vigor.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

Qiao Zhi, seeing she had recognized him, raised his brows slightly, his eyes narrowing just a touch, the thin corners of his lips curving up in a subtle arc. In an instant, his expression took on an air of careless allure, so captivating that any trace of masculinity was swept away, leaving only the impression of an enchanting spirit. “It seems you have quite a deep impression of me, Little Yue, to recognize me so easily.”

Lian Yue felt a pang of guilt. If he knew she recognized him solely by his face, she wondered what he would think. “You haven’t answered my question yet.”

“You truly don’t know?”

“How would I know?”

Qiao Zhi leaned further into the carriage, studying her closely, and, finally convinced her confusion was genuine, replied in defeat, “He Luo Prefecture is my fief! You truly didn’t know?”

Lian Yue was a bit abashed. Her eldest sister had indeed mentioned this in past letters, but she had never paid it much mind. Now recalling it, it appeared to be true. To be in someone’s territory and ask why they were there—how foolish of her.

“Apologies, it slipped my mind for a moment.”

“How do you intend to make it up to me?”

Lian Yue was genuinely impressed by his shamelessness. Thinking of all their past encounters, she silently cursed herself for being polite to him—there was truly no need.

Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed, lips pouting, she retorted, “Prince, don’t you think it’s time your head moved elsewhere?”

Little did Lian Yue know the impact of this small gesture. Qiao Zhi found himself momentarily distracted, a sudden awkwardness rising at the thought of being so forward. Instinctively, he tried to withdraw his head from the carriage, but in his haste, struck it against the window frame.

“Hiss…” The pain snapping him back to reality, Qiao Zhi wondered why every encounter with this girl left him so ungainly.

Seeing him suffer, Lian Yue’s mood improved considerably. Even the fatigue from the journey lessened as she watched Qiao Zhi’s discomfort with interest through the window.

Standing beside Qiao Zhi was Yue Lingjun, who felt some annoyance at Qiao Zhi’s earlier behavior. Still, out of respect, he had said nothing. Now, seizing the opportunity, he asked, “Your Highness, is something the matter?”

“It’s nothing—just a light bump.” Qiao Zhi replied, rubbing the back of his head.

Yue Lingjun, dropping all pretense, pressed on, “In that case, shall we depart now?”

Qiao Zhi grinned and nodded, though it was clear the bump had hurt, especially since the carriage Yue Manor had prepared for Lian Yue was designed for more than just comfort.

Throughout the journey, Qiao Zhi rode circles around Lian Yue’s carriage, seeking every opportunity to strike up conversation. Lian Yue, not having seen an old acquaintance in some time, found herself enjoying the exchange.

It turned out that, as a prince with little to occupy him, Qiao Zhi often took his retinue hunting. From a distance, he had recognized Yue Lingjun and stopped to exchange a few words, only then learning from him that Lian Yue was inside the carriage—which explained the earlier scene.

Upon arriving at He Luo Prefecture, with Qiao Zhi as their living pass, they entered the city without hindrance, saving the trouble of inspection.

Once inside the city gates, Qiao Zhi invited them to stay at his princely estate, but Yue Lingjun politely declined. The Yue family had their own residence in He Luo City. While it could not compare to a prince’s manor, it was their own home and far more convenient. Besides, even if the Yue family had no property here, there was still a relative in the city; it would be unseemly to stay at Qiao Zhi’s palace.

Qiao Zhi, with a gentle smile, inquired about the location of their residence and, seeing they would not be persuaded, bid them farewell with a teasing wave to Lian Yue before leaving.

He Luo Prefecture, one of the wealthiest regions of the entire Nishang Empire, was the first great city Lian Yue had visited since leaving home.

As the Yue family’s carriage made its way down the bustling streets, the lively sounds of the city filtered through, piquing Lian Yue’s curiosity. She opened the window to observe the street outside and could not help but marvel at the city’s opulence.

The prosperity here far outstripped Lingyang Prefecture. The streets were wider, the shops and taverns on either side more varied, the crowds denser and more colorful. The dazzling array of goods, the incessant cries of vendors and touts—all assaulted the senses.

The vibrant scene left Lian Yue and even Zizhu, who was equally wide-eyed, determined to come out and explore it at leisure.

However, the moment the carriage turned into a narrow alley, the noise was cut off by high vermilion walls.

Soon after, the carriage came to a halt.

Lian Yue alighted, surveying her surroundings. All around were vermilion walls and red gates. Beneath the gilded plaque reading “Yue Residence,” servants and maids stood in two neat rows.

At the front were two individuals, both in their mid-thirties, dressed with a tasteful austerity befitting their station. The woman in particular stared at Lian Yue with barely contained emotion.

Lian Yue found her vaguely familiar, but could not quite place her. Fortunately, Lan Shui, who had followed her off the carriage, recognized the woman at once and whispered, “That’s your former nursemaid, Madam Qu.”

Lian Yue’s eyes widened in disbelief. Hadn’t it been said that those from back then, though ostensibly dismissed, had actually…? But she trusted Lan Shui implicitly. Besides, Qu had been her wet nurse—even though Lian Yue had only been five at the time, she still retained some impression of her. Gradually, she began to trace the features of her childhood caretaker in the woman’s face.

Despite everything, Lian Yue still felt an affection for her. The events of that year had truly frightened her; she had fallen ill with a high fever, and by the time she recovered, Qu had been sent away. Lian Yue had missed her deeply.

With a soft, childlike voice, she called, “Aunt Qu…”

At this, tears welled up in Qu’s eyes. She hastily replied, “Yes, miss. I’m grateful you still remember me.”

Standing to the side, Yue Lingjun’s gaze grew complicated and sorrowful. Why did wet nurses’ fates differ so greatly?

Lian Yue caught this from the corner of her eye and, realizing she had unintentionally stirred painful memories for her brother, quickly changed the subject.

“Traveling by carriage is so tiring. Brother, let’s go inside quickly.”

Yue Lingjun, understanding her intent, suppressed his emotions and nodded.

At this, the middle-aged man who had stood quietly by spoke up with respectful formality, “Steward Yue Zheng greets the young miss and young master.”

Yue Lingjun stepped forward to raise him, saying, “No need for ceremony, Steward Yue. Before we left, Father instructed me to treat you as we would Steward Yue Chong. He also wished me to thank you for your hard work.”

Yue Zheng was visibly moved, bowing deeply in the direction of Lingyang City. “Your servant thanks the head of the household for his kindness.”

He then addressed Yue Lingjun and Lian Yue, “The rooms for the young master and miss have already been prepared. Please, rest first. Lunch will be brought to your rooms shortly.”

After expressing their thanks, Yue Lingjun and Lian Yue followed as they were led inside.

Lian Yue was naturally entrusted to Qu’s care. Though deeply emotional, Qu knew how to maintain proper decorum and took the opportunity to introduce Lian Yue to the layout of the residence as they walked. Lian Yue admired the grounds as they went.

Though this house was neither as grand nor as imposing as the Yue estate in Lingyang City, it was bright and charming in its own right: winding corridors, small bridges and streams, all lending a subtle elegance. Lian Yue voiced her approval.

Qu led her into Qinglian Garden, which had been prepared in advance. In the courtyard was a pond filled with lotus leaves. Though the flowers had yet to bloom, the overlapping leaves and the faint tips of lotus buds waving in the breeze fit the name of the garden perfectly.

Though she had only been in the carriage half the day, the exhaustion of several days’ travel crashed down on Lian Yue the moment she saw the inviting couch inside. She immediately collapsed upon it, stretching languidly.

The maid who had accompanied Qu glanced curiously at her new mistress, as well as Zizhu and Lan Shui, then furtively compared herself to them, only to find herself lacking. Of course, none of her quiet musings drew the attention of those present.

Content, Lian Yue looked over at Qu, who was watching her with loving eyes, and finally voiced her curiosity. “Aunt Qu, how did you come to be here?”

Qu had been waiting for her to ask. She dismissed the servants, and Lian Yue sent away the unsuspecting Zizhu as well. Only then did Qu begin her story.

“That year, for reasons unknown, you fell gravely ill. On the first day, the master flew into a rage and ordered severe punishment for all who cared for you. I thought at worst we’d be beaten and fined—that would be only fair. But…” Qu’s voice trembled with lingering fear as she glanced apologetically at Lian Yue.

Lian Yue understood. Her father had used the incident as a pretext to purge the spies from around them, and she nodded for Qu to continue.

“The chief steward gathered us all together, and we soon realized that not only those from Orchid Fragrance Garden but also those from Firefly Garden were to be punished. Seeing both groups present, we guessed this was more than just a reprimand.

“Next, the chief steward alternated threats and persuasion, then had several people dragged out before us—all covered in blood, their faces unrecognizable. Some of them…” Qu, feeling it inappropriate to elaborate, skipped over the details.

“They served the young master. The chief steward told us these people had been deceived into plotting against him. He demanded we inform on each other, and more than half were taken away. In the end, only six of us remained.

“He made it clear: if we wanted to leave the Yue family, we would be given our indentures back. If not, there were other arrangements, but we could never return to serve the young master and miss. We were also forbidden from ever speaking of what happened that day. I was a widow with a child to support, so I chose the latter and was sent here.”

Hearing this, Lian Yue’s heart twisted, but she could not help asking, “How many remained in Orchid Fragrance Garden in the end?”

“Two. Only me and Bai Zhi,” Qu replied, her voice tinged with shame. There had been ten servants in Orchid Fragrance Garden—yet only two had proved loyal. The rest had either been spies or had been bought off.

The number chilled Lian Yue to the bone. If the purge had not happened, would she herself have…? She shuddered and, glancing at Lan Shui, saw the same fear—and a flicker of murderous resolve—in her eyes.

Fortunately, all was well now.

Lian Yue did not wish to hear more. “Aunt Qu, could you check if lunch is ready? I’m a little hungry.”

Qu had intended to mention her connection with Yue Zheng, but seeing Lian Yue’s request, she nodded and went to see to it at once.