Chapter 3

Yu Li waited in the courtyard for Xi Yun. In the half-month since leaving home, she had been inseparable from Xi Yun. From the grand mansion in the provincial capital to the long journey and now this place, the lack of familiar faces in such an alien environment was nothing short of torture for her.

After a long wait, she did not see Xi Yun, but instead saw Xie Yao returning.

Yu Li felt even more uneasy. Watching the tall man approach step by step, she didn't know where to put her hands. She envied the original owner’s courage; to be able to face such a Xie Yao alone and even hurl insults at him was beyond her.

He maintained his usual indifferent expression, though his gaze remained fixed on her. His eyes seemed like bottomless chasms, and she felt as if she were trapped within them.

As Xie Yao stopped before her, Yu Li shuddered. She could not see herself, unaware that in Xie Yao's eyes, she cringed like a small beast snatched from its nest and dragged back into a predator's den.

Did his impulsive decision to marry her in such a rush truly frighten her this much?

Candlelight illuminated Xie Yao’s profile, making his features look sharper than if carved by a blade, yet he did not appear fierce. Instead, he furrowed his brows slightly, as if troubled by something.

Yu Li decided to remain silent.

Xie Yao spoke first: "Do you have a sweetheart?"

Hearing this, Yu Li jolted as if struck by lightning. Without a second thought, she denied it: "No."

Her response was firm and categorical. Xie Yao watched her for a moment, then saw no need to press further.

He turned his head and scanned the room. He had personally chosen the furnishings: the Xiangfei-colored curtains, the smooth and antique tables and stools, and the tea sets, which were tributes from the south. The inner chamber was partitioned by a screen, also hand-picked by him—a masterpiece by a famous painter depicting the four seasons: spring blossoms, autumn moons, summer lakes, and winter snows.

Behind the screen lay the softest, most comfortable bedding he had selected from the palace, along with jewelry and dresses for all seasons.

When he turned his gaze back to Yu Li, he clearly saw her tense up; the mere sight of him terrified her.

Xie Yao did not look away. He glanced at the back of her neck and said, "There are new clothes in the room. Do not wear that one again."

Yu Li nodded. "Yes, alright."

Finally, Xie Yao stepped back half a pace. "I have been busy lately and cannot accompany you often. I have matters to attend to tonight."

Yu Li simply replied with another soft affirmation.

Xie Yao told her to rest early and then departed.

As soon as he stepped out the door, he heard a heavy sigh from Yu Li. A frost settled over his features, and he quickened his pace.

Outside the courtyard, he brushed past Xi Yun. He cast a sidelong glance at her, causing her to tremble as well.

Once they were far from Yu Li’s courtyard, Xie Yao spoke to Song He, who was following behind: "Why is she so afraid of me? Has she discovered my true identity?"

There was much gossip about him in the streets, both good and bad, but there was a consensus: he was ruthless, violent, and bloodthirsty.

Song He replied, "Impossible. While the Princess was in Xihe County, she never paid attention to politics. She didn't even consider wearing mourning clothes when the late Emperor passed away. Your subordinate suspects she is simply wary and anxious around strangers. Her attempt to flee during the day was likely for the same reason."

Xie Yao did not respond. Song He looked up and saw his expression—it was terrifying, even more chilling than when he had killed those two maidservants earlier.

Xie Yao asked, "That man, Mei Qing from Xihe County, where is he now?"

Song He replied, "He left Xihe County shortly after and went to the capital, but he went missing when you led your troops into the city."

"Missing. That is just as well."

Even though he was accustomed to Xie Yao’s temperament, Song He felt a chill sweep over him. He wanted to say something, but suddenly clamped his mouth shut.

"If you have something to say, speak."

Song He said, "Your Highness’s presence is naturally intimidating and inscrutable; it is quite frightening."

Xie Yao shot him a sharp look, but Song He was not deterred. "It is just as I said. Anyone who sees you would be afraid."

Being feared could save a lot of trouble, and Xie Yao had long been accustomed to it. Sometimes, he would even deliberately induce fear—as he had just done with Xi Yun.

But now, it was different. The person he wanted to be close to most of all was now by his side.

Xie Yao asked, "Then what should I do?"

"Your Highness could practice smiling in the mirror."

Usually, he was either expressionless or cold and gloomy. Even when he did smile, it was a superficial, mirthless grimace.

Hearing this, Xie Yao gave a small smile.

"Not that kind of smile," Song He said seriously. "That would scare the Princess to death."

Xie Yao: ...

***

After Xie Yao left, Yu Li exhaled deeply.

She recalled the original story: this was exactly how it happened. Xie Yao asked Song Yi if she had a sweetheart, and Song Yi, with great gentleness and sweetness, mentioned her "white moonlight," Mei Ziyu.

The original book always referred to him as Ziyu, but now he was called Mei Qing. Yu Li recalled that when Mei Qing left Xihe County, he had just reached adulthood and told her he had chosen a courtesy name. She had been distracted at the time and never linked him to the ill-fated "white moonlight" of the female lead in the novel.

In Xihe County, because of her beauty, many young men showed interest in her, but they all backed away once they learned about her "vampire" father.

Mei Qing was different. His family background was also poor, but he was persistent. He would write her poems and copy books to earn money to support her business. He was naturally indifferent, yet he studied for the imperial examinations for her sake, promising to marry her once he obtained an official post.

His poems were decent, but having been immersed in the works of the great poets since kindergarten in her past life, Yu Li was not particularly impressed.

She didn't believe his promises about passing the exams either. She had read too many stories of scholars and beauties, and the protagonists were usually wealthy young ladies—it had little to do with her.

And in the modern world, it was common knowledge that "the first thing one does after getting a government job is to dump one's partner."

Moreover, having failed the civil service exams repeatedly herself, she didn't believe he could pass on his first try.

She truly had no sweetheart. Working from dawn until dusk was exhausting enough; where would she find the energy to suffer for love?

When Mei Qing left, she felt relieved not to have to deal with his advances. Yet, he was indeed the female lead's "white moonlight" in the book.

When Xie Yao asked earlier, this person—and the image of his gruesome death—immediately sprang to mind.

In the original book, he was beheaded and fed to dogs; his body was unrecognizable, save for two identifiable moles.

And from the moment Song Yi learned that Xie Yao had killed Mei Ziyu, there was no more warmth between them, only a cycle of madness and mutual torment.

It was fortunate she had denied it quickly, but she worried if denying it too fast had only aroused more suspicion.

In her anxiety, Xi Yun returned. Yu Li immediately went over and grabbed her arm.

Xi Yun hugged her back and sobbed, "Yu Li, I..."

Yu Li was surprised to see her crying and asked what was wrong.

Xi Yun couldn't speak; she just held her tight, preventing her from seeing her expression. "This mansion is so big. I got lost earlier. I'm a little scared."

She was still trembling; she was clearly terrified to death.

Yu Li was also shaken, but seeing Xi Yun’s fear, she quickly said, "Don't be afraid. As long as I don't try to escape, you will be fine."

Xi Yun let go and looked at her. "But, what if Master Xie doesn't treat you well?"

It wasn't just about not treating her well; Xi Yun felt that Master Xie might be raising Yu Li to eventually consume her.

Yu Li said, "I will just go along with him and not make him angry."

Xi Yun was very worried for Yu Li, and for herself. They comforted and encouraged each other for a long time before finally settling down.

Xi Yun, familiar with the routines of wealthy households, called for water to serve Yu Li for a bath.

The fabric of the clothes found in the wardrobe was of high quality. Xi Yun had never seen such material, but she knew it was expensive. It seemed this Master Xie would not mistreat Yu Li.

Yu Li bathed and lay in bed, unable to sleep for a long time. Only when she was utterly exhausted did she drift into a fitful slumber.

Xi Yun’s room was in the side wing. Before she fell asleep, she caught a glimpse of someone moving outside. She opened the door to look and saw Master Xie walking into the main room alone.

Xi Yun turned pale with terror, waiting for Yu Li to call out for her. However, a long time passed, and the main room neither lit up nor made a sound.

***

At the first light of dawn, Yu Li woke up. She remembered she was married and didn't have to go sell breakfast, so she closed her eyes to sleep again. Then, the realization that she had married Xie Yao struck her, and any trace of sleepiness vanished.

The unfamiliar bed curtains, the strange furnishings—the air held a faint, lingering fragrance, but it was also foreign to her.

Yu Li sighed and tried to turn over, but noticing how warm and soft the bedding was, she stayed curled on her side, motionless.

As the day brightened further, she worried that Xie Yao might come to see her, so she got up.

The room was empty. She opened the wardrobe herself and found a plain-looking dress. She made some noise, and Xi Yun knocked and entered.

Yu Li dressed herself, and Xi Yun hurried to put down the hot water to help.

The clothes had intricate patterns but were not gaudy, and the fabric was light, soft, and warm. Yu Li liked them very much.

Xi Yun carefully covered the bruises on the back of her neck and helped her finish dressing. During this time, Yu Li kept glancing outside, while Xi Yun kept scanning the room.

After the two maidservants who brought the washbasin left, Yu Li asked, "Where is Master Xie?"

Xi Yun replied, "I don't know. I haven't seen him since early this morning."

Xi Yun watched Yu Li’s expression and asked, "Did you sleep well last night, Madam?"

Yu Li nodded. "I was probably too tired yesterday. I slept until dawn."

Xi Yun hesitated, as if finding it hard to speak, and glanced at her body. "Do you have any discomfort?"

"No. The bed in this room is so comfortable, and the back of my neck doesn't hurt anymore."

Xi Yun was puzzled. She had clearly seen Master Xie enter the main room last night. She had waited for Yu Li to call for help, but fell asleep without hearing a sound, only to be woken by other maids in the morning.

Could it be that the groom had done nothing but watch Yu Li in the darkness?

...That was even more hair-raising.

Yu Li worried that Xie Yao might come today. Thinking that Xi Yun had a good impression of him yesterday, she asked her to find someone to inquire about the situation in the mansion. Most importantly, she needed to know Xie Yao's schedule—when he would come—so she could prepare herself mentally.

Yu Li did not know that for Xi Yun, trying to find out Xie Yao's schedule was like facing torture, but she went anyway, acting as if nothing was wrong.

Xi Yun stopped a maid and asked about their master. The maid was very respectful but only said she didn't know.

The maid’s tone and expression were natural, with no hint of anything amiss, yet Xi Yun felt a vast, unbridgeable distance between them.

Xi Yun gathered the courage to go through the second gate, where she saw guards in black robes at the main entrance. Walking closer, she saw guards stationed every ten steps within the courtyard walls; she could see at least ten of them in plain sight.

The thought that among these people might be the one who snapped the necks of the two maids made Xi Yun’s legs go weak.

Xi Yun didn't find out anything about Xie Yao’s movements and felt a bit guilty, so she told Yu Li about the many guards instead.

Yu Li was calmer than her and comforted her, "It's alright, it's alright. As long as I don't leave this courtyard, they won't do anything to us."

Xi Yun smiled, "Yes, they must be here to protect you, Madam."

Yu Li turned to look at her, "Why are you calling me 'Madam' too?"

Xi Yun thought of Xie Yao’s warning as he stepped over the corpses the night before, and chose not to let Yu Li know how terrifying he was. She said, "Your status has changed, so it is only fitting to address you this way."

Yu Li felt it was strange, but didn't say anything.

The maids brought breakfast. It looked exquisite and tasted good, but Yu Li was too restless to eat more than a bite.

Under such high pressure, nothing tasted good. All day, Yu Li only forced herself to eat a little, just enough to stay alive.

After dinner, Xie Yao still hadn't come. Yu Li kept feeling he would, so she didn't dare wash up or go to bed, sitting in the room waiting.