Chapter 13

Su Wu’e coldly sheathed his sword and said sharply, “General Chu, this is not Liang territory. You’d best conduct yourself with some respect!”

Though it was a misunderstanding, Chu Mingyi’s disdainful attitude was undeniable.

Moreover, this man had a notorious reputation, abusing Wu Ciyun relentlessly just because he was the Liang army’s commanding general.

Unjustly accused, Chu Mingyi sneered and was about to retort sarcastically, but catching sight of Wu Ciyun’s pale and trembling figure, the words died on his lips.

Wu Ciyun had always been frail, and after the recent confrontation with Chu Mingyi, her blood surged, causing uncontrollable coughing. Her face was ashen as paper. Only after swallowing two pills handed by A Ming did she feel marginally better, though still shaken.

She was indeed frightened today—not by the flying squirrel, but by Chu Mingyi’s threatening actions.

Now regained composure, Wu Ciyun pondered silently, her gaze upon Chu Mingyi tinged with scrutiny and doubt.

She wondered if the Liang court physician had whispered something to Chu Mingyi, prompting him to devise such a scheme to test her.

If that were true, she would need to find a way to silence both Chu Mingyi and that physician once and for all.

Aware he had been reckless today, Chu Mingyi saw the moisture in Wu Ciyun’s eyes, delicate as a moonlit blossom with dewdrops. Without uttering a word, she simply sat and gazed at him quietly.

Startled, Chu Mingyi awkwardly averted his eyes.

Civil officials were different from the tough soldiers he was used to, especially since Wu Ciyun was famously delicate—barely a breeze could topple her.

He made no excuses, cupped his hands, and said, “Madam Wu, I have offended you today. I apologize and beg your forgiveness.”

“Brother, the necklace the steward gave you has broken...” Wu Mingzhu carefully picked up the jade beads fallen to the floor, tenderly touching the cracks.

“Don’t pick it up, be careful not to hurt your hands.”

Wu Ciyun slightly frowned, glanced at Su Wu’e, and softly said, “Uncle, I still have matters to discuss with General Chu. Could you please take Mingzhu and Liangyu out for a while?”

Su Wu’e hesitated, his gaze flickering over Chu Mingyi, still suspicious of his intentions.

But since Wu Ciyun insisted, he could only agree for the time being, leading the siblings out.

With the disturbance momentarily over, the servants swiftly tidied the mess and brought two fresh cups of tea before quietly leaving the study.

Playing with the teacup, Chu Mingyi chuckled faintly at Wu Ciyun’s earlier words: “Madam Wu is truly calculating—first abandoning Prince Rui, now aligning with the Su family.”

In the past few days, he had thoroughly investigated Wu Ciyun’s background. Though her surname was Wu, she had no real ties to the Wu family; her name was even changed after apprenticing under Wu Nanshan.

Not long ago, Su Wu’e had been indifferent toward Wu Ciyun, but today their uncle-niece affection suddenly seemed genuine. It was likely that Wu Mingzhu and Wu Liangyu were the Wu family’s biological children.

Wu Ciyun’s expression remained calm as she replied lightly, “General, you didn’t come all this way just to deliver a flying squirrel and throw a few more barbs at me, did you?”

“How could that be an insult? Madam Wu is far-sighted. I admire you greatly.”

Chu Mingyi smiled and laid a secret letter before Wu Ciyun. She glanced at it briefly and found that Prince Rui wanted the Liang army to delay supporting Lingzhou by three days, hoping to weaken the Su forces. In return, he promised five extra border cities as a reward.

Chu Mingyi scoffed at Prince Rui’s scheme. “Your former lord’s eyes are far too shallow.”

Prince Rui had yet to claim his position but was already scheming against his own people. No wonder Wu Ciyun remained wary of him.

Wu Ciyun merely sneered but did not argue.

She had thought Prince Rui foolish, but now saw he was not merely stupid—any wit he had was squandered on underhanded tricks, making him foolish beyond measure.

“Thank you for informing me, General. I am most grateful.”

Folding the letter casually, Wu Ciyun said faintly, “But I do not accept gifts without merit. You have bestowed this great present upon me—what do you require in return?”

“You...” Chu Mingyi began.

“Brother!” A clear child’s voice interrupted him. Frowning slightly, he saw Wu Mingzhu rushing in breathlessly.

Wu Mingzhu’s eyes darted around them, relaxing once she confirmed Wu Ciyun was unharmed.

Wu Ciyun, realizing Wu Mingzhu had been sent by Su Wu’e to check on her, sighed and gently stroked her hair. “Why did you come in?”

Wu Mingzhu shot a glare at Chu Mingyi and pouted, “Steward Rong’s necklace broke. I just asked Nurse Li to restring it.”

Though restrung, the Buddhist beads originally numbered 108. Many had cracked on the floor, leaving only 68 intact.

Chu Mingyi, surprised it was Rong Tan’s item, raised an eyebrow and smirked, “I wonder what this necklace is worth. I will compensate Madam Wu.”

Wu Ciyun barely frowned and replied softly, “It is worth little; General need not mind.”

The jade beads were indeed valuable, but compared to the grand gift Chu Mingyi had just given, it was insignificant. She was willing to grant him an extra favor.

“Mingzhu, Brother is busy now. I’ll be with you later.”

Wu Ciyun casually wrapped the jade Buddhist beads around her wrist, coaxed Wu Mingzhu to leave, and intended to confirm a few things with Chu Mingyi. Yet, she noticed his unwavering gaze fixed on her.

Frowning slightly, she began, “General Chu, you…”

“You want me to thank you, don’t you?” Chu Mingyi interrupted.

He recalled the report from the physician: the male attendant Rong Tan had been ordered by Wu Ciyun to kneel in the snow as punishment. It was thought she despised him, but somehow they had inexplicably reconciled, and Wu Ciyun even personally cared for him without leaving his side.

Indeed, fox spirits from humble origins were cunning, adept at feigning innocence.

But Wu Ciyun was also blind to it all—appearing steady and mature on the outside, but inexperienced and easily beguiled by a charming temptress.

Chu Mingyi rose slowly and approached Wu Ciyun, his voice cold, “Can you give me whatever I ask for?”

Startled, Wu Ciyun grew wary from past lessons, answering calmly, “That depends on what General Chu wants.”

His gaze swept lightly over her face, and the portraits seized from Xiao Boming’s room flashed in his mind.

Though the artist was skilled, no brush could capture a person’s spirit. At this moment, he began to understand his elder brother.

Chu Mingyi lowered his eyes. The translucent jade beads wrapped around her pale wrist resembled a willow branch cradling a handful of fresh snow.

“Then give me this bracelet.”

He reached out and grasped her wrist. Wu Ciyun instinctively tried to resist, but his hand pressed firmly on her shoulder. Helpless, she watched as his fingers slipped between the beads and her skin, slowly removing the jade bracelet.

His fingertips gently explored the still-warm beads. “Madam Wu, can you part with this?”

Wu Ciyun was taken aback but showed no emotion. She said softly, “It’s just a bracelet. What’s there to hesitate over? If the General likes it, take it.”

Chu Mingyi was unsurprised by her answer. Twirling the beads in his hand, he asked, “Wu Ciyun, what is your name?”

She paused, hesitant. “Are you asking for my courtesy name? My teacher first gave me ‘Jiyi,’ but my master thought it unsuitable and changed it to ‘Wen’ai.’”

“I’m asking your original name.”

Chu Mingyi stared at her for a long moment, then said coldly, “Before you changed your name to Wu Ciyun, what was your name?”

Wu Ciyun fell silent briefly. Meeting his gaze, she recited the name from the travel pass she had painstakingly obtained:

“He Yu.”

“My name used to be He Yu.”