Xie Chichun - Chapter 27

The two sisters arrived at the main hall in silence. The dinner table had already been set, with Xie Zhen seated at the head. On one side, Luo-Shi bustled about, eagerly serving dishes and pouring water, while Xie Yue sat on a stool opposite, swinging her legs with a face full of smiles.

Naturally, Xie Xuan and Xie Jun were in no mood for this, but they had no choice but to comply with Xie Zhen’s orders. They sat down quietly, the atmosphere stiff and awkward. Luo-Shi, however, wore an ingratiating smile, apologizing profusely for her past neglect and vowing to prioritize Xie Xuan and her siblings from now on, ensuring none of them would suffer.

Xie Xuan responded perfunctorily, but inwardly, she scoffed—as if she’d believe a word of it.

Xie Zhen seemed equally uncomfortable. After a few bites, he suddenly remembered something. “By the way, Her Majesty has issued an edict summoning you to the palace at the end of July to accompany the Fifth Princess. Don’t forget—you mustn’t delay.”

Luo-Shi immediately chimed in with a smile, “Our Sixth Miss is clever and well-mannered, always knowing how to please the Noble Consort. Such a relief! Yue’er is growing up too—since you’ll be accompanying the Fifth Princess, why not bring her along to pay respects to the Noble Consort? It’ll be good for her to learn palace etiquette and sharpen her wits. It’ll benefit her in the future.” She then diligently served dishes to Xie Zhen and the children.

Xie Zhen nodded. “Make sure Yue’er behaves and doesn’t offend the princess.”

Luo-Shi eagerly agreed. Xie Xuan watched her performance with a cold smirk but didn’t object.

So, Luo-Shi wanted Xie Yue to enter the palace and accompany the Fifth Princess too? Fine. Let her walk in smiling and leave crying! Back when they used to play with the Fifth Princess, Xie Yue had acted like a spoiled young lady, throwing tantrums that repeatedly provoked the princess’s anger. Now that Xie Xuan had finally built a good relationship with the princess, Xie Yue thought she could just waltz in and reap the benefits? Not a chance.

The Fifth Princess, a child of heaven, was proud and willful. Xie Yue, with her arrogance and lack of tact, wouldn’t last a day without Xie Xuan even lifting a finger—the princess would handle her herself.

Glancing at Luo-Shi’s forced smile, Xie Xuan felt a surge of satisfaction.

A few days ago, when Luo-Shi had been kneeling at the ancestral hall, though she tried to keep it quiet, many had still seen her. The entire household had whispered behind her back, dredging up old gossip about her premarital pregnancy and Xie Zhen’s scandalous behavior. Sooner or later, it would reach Xie Zhen’s ears.

The Pear Blossom Residence had once again become the subject of after-dinner chatter. Wouldn’t Xie Zhen grow weary of Luo-Shi eventually?

What Xie Xuan was waiting for was Xie Zhen’s patience with Luo-Shi to wear thin, for him to cast her aside.

She finished her meal in silence, rinsed her mouth with water, and then looked up. “Father, after what happened outside the Mystic Temple last time, Master Jade Void was very concerned. She agreed with Uncle to meet again in a month. Since I’ll be entering the palace soon, perhaps I should visit the Mystic Temple in the next couple of days?”

The mention of the Mystic Temple made everyone tense. Luo-Shi’s smile froze as she glanced at Xie Zhen.

Xie Zhen kept his head down, his expression unreadable. “Then I’ll take you there.”

“No need. You’re busy—Uncle can take me.” Xie Xuan refused without hesitation.

Xie Zhen looked up at her, his gaze inscrutable, and gave a quiet “Mm” of acknowledgment.

—

When Xie Xuan arrived at the Mystic Temple under Tao Congshi’s escort, Tao-Shi was, as before, away at a neighboring temple for discussions. This time, to ensure Xie Xuan wouldn’t be left alone, Tao Congshi had brought his daughter Tao Yuan along. Since the three of them couldn’t very well trek over the mountains to follow Tao-Shi, they settled in at the mountain villa instead.

This was Xie Xuan’s second visit to the Mystic Temple. As she gazed at the ornate gates and the carvings of cranes and lingzhi mushrooms, all she could think of was Tao-Shi’s face. She walked with her head down, occasionally glancing around.

Tao Congshi noticed and asked, “Looking for something?”

“Nothing.” Xie Xuan averted her eyes—

She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following them. Was it possible that Xie Zhen, too cowardly to visit Tao-Shi openly, had trailed them secretly to catch a glimpse of his former wife? Though such behavior was utterly contemptible, Xie Xuan still hoped it was true. At least it would mean Xie Zhen’s heart was stirring—making future plans easier.

But as evening fell and no sign of Xie Zhen appeared, she wondered if she’d imagined it.

That night, under a clear moonlit sky, Xie Xuan found herself sleepless. She sat cross-legged on a bamboo chair in the courtyard with Tao Yuan, staring absently at the distant Mystic Temple and chatting idly.

Tao Congshi brought them cloaks and asked Xie Xuan, “Still resentful toward her?”

“Mm.” Xie Xuan admitted frankly, fastening her cloak. She exhaled softly, taking in the moonlit scenery—the silver glow bathing the mountains. Slowly, she began pacing the courtyard. Unconsciously, she wandered to the villa’s entrance, gazing at the temple’s grand halls in the distance. Noticing Tao Congshi still following her, she smiled. “Uncle, you should rest. We’ll just stroll around the villa—no need to worry.”

“Stay within the villa, and don’t wander off alone!” Tao Congshi insisted.

Xie Xuan patted her chest reassuringly. “After last time, I’ve learned my lesson—I wouldn’t dare repeat that.”

The villa wasn’t large, but its proximity to the temple meant it was adorned with Daoist motifs—calligraphy and poetry worth admiring.

Tao Yuan, coming from a scholarly family with royal lineage, was well-versed in such things. Xie Xuan, with two lifetimes of cultivation, also appreciated the artistry. The cousins enjoyed themselves immensely. Besides, as the daughter of Princess Gaoyang, Tao Yuan had guards accompanying her, so petty thieves weren’t a concern.

Just as they were immersed in their enjoyment, a gust of wind rustled through the bamboo, and a tall figure suddenly appeared amidst the swaying shadows.

Startled, Xie Xuan turned to see Han Jie standing beneath the bamboo, still clad in his qilin uniform, his official cap untouched. His handsome features, bathed in moonlight, gave him an ethereal, untouchable air.

Xie Xuan relaxed, but Tao Yuan gasped. Before she could speak, Han Jie raised a finger to his lips.

Tao Yuan glanced at Xie Xuan questioningly.

Xie Xuan shot Han Jie a look and immediately cried, “Hel—”

Before she could finish, Han Jie darted forward and covered her mouth. “Xuanxuan, don’t make a scene,” he whispered, then bowed apologetically to Tao Yuan. “Han Jie of the Jingning Marquisate. I need to speak with Xuanxuan privately—may I borrow her for a moment?”

Tall and imposing even when bowing, he towered over Tao Yuan. Staring at the strikingly handsome man before her, Tao Yuan nodded dumbly—of course she knew who Han Jie was. Xie Xuan’s oft-mentioned “Brother Yujie,” the one whose engagement had been broken. Entrusting Xie Xuan to him was hardly a concern.

Ignoring Xie Xuan’s glare and her attempts to hit him, Han Jie wrapped an arm around her waist and leaped over the bamboo grove. Deliberately, perhaps, he kept his hand over her mouth the entire time.

Calling for help at the sight of him—what was this little girl thinking?

A few swift movements later, they had left the villa and the temple behind, arriving at a large boulder halfway up the mountain.

Han Jie removed his cloak and draped it over Xie Xuan, then pointed at the view below. “Brought you here to see the scenery—what’s there to fear?”

Xie Xuan followed his gaze. Under the bright moon, the landscape stretched before them—steep slopes, half-hidden pavilions, and temple roofs. A waterfall cascaded down a neighboring peak, its mist disappearing into the dense foliage, while a stream meandered through the trees below.

Beyond the twin peaks lay farmland, mulberry groves, and thatched cottages, all silent in the night.

Xie Xuan’s resistance faltered as she took in the view. Then Han Yu asked, “You want to bring Master Jade Void back to the Xie residence?”

“What’s it to you?” Xie Xuan turned away, scooting aside when he sat too close.

Han Yu didn’t follow immediately. Instead, he said, “You don’t need to take risks running around—I can help you.”

“I don’t need it.” Xie Xuan’s voice was icy. “My family affairs are none of your concern.”

The words cut like a knife. Han Jie knew she had also been reborn, knew this was deliberate distance—but being called an “outsider” still pierced his heart.

A storm of emotions surged within him. Suddenly, he pulled Xie Xuan into a tight embrace. “I’m your Brother Yujie—how am I an outsider? I promised long ago to protect you. Have you forgotten?”

In that familiar embrace—his breath, his voice, his chest—everything felt achingly reminiscent of the past. On nights like this, they had sat side by side outside a temple, him teaching her to find the Big Dipper, vowing to keep her safe. But what came after? He had still left her behind in the capital. Four years of loneliness, and even at her deathbed, he hadn’t returned.

Was that how one kept a promise?

Resentment welled up inside her. She turned her face away. “Who’d believe that? Father also said he’d take care of me. Mother said she’d take care of Sister. Did any of them keep their word?”

—And as for your promise, it shattered long ago in our past life.

Han Jie understood her meaning perfectly. Heart aching, he held her tighter. “As a father, as a mother, as a husband—failing to protect those you should is unforgivable!” He gritted his teeth, pouring all his strength into his arms, as though loosening his grip would make her vanish forever. “Xuanxuan, I swear—I will never break my promise to you!”

He had suffered through hell for this second chance. He loved her more than life itself.

In that tight embrace, the warmth of his chest felt real. When their eyes met, everything felt as familiar as yesterday—like their vows at Xuanyang Temple, like their wedding night promises, like countless whispered intimacies.

Back then, she had believed him. What she got in return was a storm of misery and the deaths of both mother and child.

Rage surged within her, fed by Han Jie’s tightening embrace until it became unbearable.

Xie Xuan yanked a golden hairpin from her bun and stabbed it into his chest.

Tears spilled down her cheeks, soaking into Han Jie’s robes. She clenched her teeth, refusing to let out a single sob.

Did he know how much it had hurt when she died? How terrified she had been? How much she had… missed him?