Chapter Twenty-Three: The Secret

The lady in the painting was beautiful; if she were a six in reality, Su Yanshu’s brush had elevated her to a nine. She wore a red cloak, radiant as the clouds, riding a white horse with a spirited and heroic air.

Shen Zhiyuan chuckled, "Isn't this Zhiyi? You paint truly well, Second Brother." He added, "How about giving it to me?"

Su Yanshu’s face stiffened; even his breathing faltered. "No." The word slipped out before he could think—like a secret held deep within, too shameful to be spoken aloud. His heart hammered against his ribs, and he felt a sudden pang of regret, but fortunately, Shen Zhiyuan was somewhat intoxicated and paid no heed to his tone.

Shen Zhiyuan did not press the matter and reached for another scroll. Unfurling it, he found an unfinished painting, not yet colored. It depicted a woman standing beneath a sweet osmanthus tree in full bloom. She was reaching up to pluck the flowers, her long hair loosely tied with a silk ribbon, cascading down her back and swaying in the gentle breeze. Her slender fingers pinched the petals, and as her sleeves fell back, they revealed delicate forearms and graceful, luminous wrists.

Shen Zhiyuan froze. It was as if he were truly witnessing the moment Yu Shengsheng had stood under that tree. So, it was true—the person in the painting existed. His heart surged with emotion; the image of Yu Shengsheng’s breathtaking face flashed repeatedly in his mind. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, he said to Su Yanshu, "Second Brother, if Shengsheng is unwilling to marry Kong Dezhao, why not... let her marry me instead? How about that?"

Su Yanshu, still lost in his earlier regret, looked up instantly. "What?"

Shen Zhiyuan kept his eyes on the portrait of Yu Shengsheng and leaned closer. "Second Brother, rest assured. Zhiyi will be my legitimate wife, and Shengsheng will be my concubine. I will cherish them both and never let Shengsheng overshadow Zhiyi."

The more Shen Zhiyuan thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. After all, his marriage contract was with a daughter of the Su family, and Yu Shengsheng was the true daughter. If not for Su Zhiyi being granted the title of Princess first, they would have each returned to their rightful places, and Yu Shengsheng should have been his wife. The error lay with the Su family themselves; he was marrying the "wrong" one, and by taking the "right" one off their hands, he was doing them a favor—they should be grateful.

Su Yanshu slowly rolled up his sleeves. "You certainly have a clever scheme."

Shen Zhiyuan’s gaze remained fixed on the painting. "A man like Kong Dezhao—if Shengsheng falls into his hands, wouldn't it be like a rabbit being snatched by a wolf? What a waste." He continued, "Our families are linked by friendship and marriage; it is only right that I do my part. There is no need to thank me."

Before he could finish, Su Yanshu punched him. Shen Zhiyuan was knocked to the ground, his lip split and his drunkenness mostly shaken away. "What are you doing? I am looking out for your Su family!"

"Does my Su family need you to look out for us? Who do you think you are?" Su Yanshu let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

The whites of his eyes were rimmed with red, glowing with a sharp, blade-like intensity in the candlelight. "Shen Zhiyuan, Zhiyi is marrying down by choosing you; you should be devoted to her alone! If you cannot..." The rest of the words churned in his chest, turning over and over in his throat. When they finally reached his lips, they changed: "Keep your filthy thoughts to yourself!"

Outside the courtyard, Ru Jian pushed Su Zhiyi, her chest heaving with indignation. "Miss, Young Master Shen... how could he say such a thing? That vixen, she clearly still harbors ill intentions toward him!"

Su Zhiyi’s expression remained calm, her eyes like deep, frigid pools.

"Miss..."

Su Zhiyi spoke slowly: "Is he not just pining for Yu Shengsheng? It is of no consequence."

"Miss, have you been angered into confusion?"

Su Zhiyi smiled very slowly. "It is not entirely impossible to grant his wish."

***

Yu Shengsheng originally wanted to bathe alone, but Jin Baobao insisted on helping, claiming that because of her injuries, she needed care. With Nurse Zhou also urging her, she had to agree. Jin Baobao had seen some of her scars before when changing bandages, which had shocked her, but seeing them all now made her heart race. She swallowed hard, suppressing a wave of emotions, and remembered Hao Mengye’s instructions: on the shoulder, there was a circular scar caused by a special hidden weapon of the Commander.

She widened her eyes and searched carefully. It was there!

"Miss, you..." Jin Baobao couldn't help but ask, "Does it hurt?"

Yu Shengsheng looked at her naive expression, like a round-faced, wide-eyed little kitten. She felt a strange urge to laugh. "It doesn't hurt. It’s all in the past."

Jin Baobao thought to herself: It is likely not in the past. She did not know why the Grand Commander wanted to find the Miss, but it must have been at the Commander's request. The Commander was an even more ruthless man than Kong Dezhao.

After the medicine was applied, bandages changed, and she had dressed in clean clothes with her hair dried, Yu Shengsheng let out a long breath. Her mind felt much clearer. She sat by the window, eyes half-closed in thought. She would first have Nurse Zhou spread the news that she was an "ill omen." A tarnished reputation would be an advantage; when the Young Prince arrived in the capital and heard of her reputation, if he were displeased, even the Emperor could not force the marriage, as it was only intended to appease the Prince of Nanshun.

And if, as Baobao said, something happened to Young Prince Kong on the way...

Yu Shengsheng opened her eyes. That would solidify the "ill omen" reputation, and the marriage would likely fall through. Not just this time, but in the future, if the Su family wanted to use her for another political marriage, no one would be willing.

But trapped in the inner chambers, what could she do? How could she act? Perhaps... Yu Shengsheng’s breathing quickened. She could try to contact Qi Mubai and have him help from the outside, fanning the flames. They had once agreed that when he came to the capital for the exams, he would stay at an inn in the east of the city.

Yu Shengsheng wanted to write a letter, but as she picked up the brush, she felt a wave of heartache. They had promised that once he succeeded, he would come to claim her with honor; they had even made a vow before the earth god’s temple in the village. Yet today, less than a month away, she had to ask him for help. She was living in misery, and he must be struggling as well.

Enduring such torment, she could not just give up. Steadying her heart, she had just written the character "Lan" when Su Yanshu entered, reeking of alcohol. Yu Shengsheng was startled and hurriedly dropped the brush, trying to pull the paper away, but it was too late. Su Yanshu pressed his hand down on the page.

"Lan?" Su Yanshu’s eyes, heavy with drink, tilted upward, sharp as a blade. "Is this for Shen Zhiyuan?"

"No wonder. I was wondering how Shen Zhiyuan could be so bold as to suggest to my face that he would marry Zhiyi and take you as a concubine."

"When did you meet him in secret? And what did you say to him to make him willing to take you?"

Yu Shengsheng felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Shen Zhiyuan! What had he done now? What concubine?

Yu Shengsheng was so angry she laughed. "I have never met him in secret, nor have I said a word to him."

"Second Young Master, although I am not as noble as you, my bones are not soft. I will not use a marriage to beg anyone for anything, and I certainly will not be anyone’s concubine."

"Soft bones"—the words hit Su Yanshu like a slap to the face. His path to the imperial court, as the old madam had said, relied on the marriages of Yu Shengsheng and Su Zhiyi. He had to enter the court; as a woman, she should be paving the way for him. If he succeeded, the Su family would prosper, and if the Su family prospered, wasn't that for her own good? How dare Yu Shengsheng reap the benefits and then act righteous?

Su Yanshu curled his finger and tapped heavily on the character "Lan."

"Well said. You have ambition. Then tell me, what is this?"