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Chapter 34: The Scent of Departure and the Cold Confrontation
Tan Ting spent the night in the outer study, the words of Xiang Yu’s letter seared into his mind: “...and you can finally leave that Tan family.”
The next morning, the estate seemed as orderly as ever. Tan Ting stood behind a cluster of white plum blossoms by the pond, watching Xiang Yi manage the household affairs in the flower hall. She moved with her usual unhurried grace, yet he noticed she wore none of the jewelry or fine silks he had brought back for her. Like the white plums, she was elegant but cold, distance etched into her very silhouette.
Returning to his study, he opened Xiang Yi’s reply to her siblings, which his guard Xiao Guan had intercepted.
She advised her sister on her health and cautioned her brother to stay vigilant against local corruption. But it was her response to Xiang Yu’s suggestion of leaving that made the air in the room freeze:
“As for leaving the Tan family, it is too early to speak of it. Focus on your studies; we shall discuss this later.”
She didn’t deny it. She only said it wasn’t time yet.
Tan Ting closed his eyes, a heavy, dark stone of realization pressing against his chest. Her brushstrokes weren't sharp like her brother's, but each one felt like a blade carving into his heart. She would leave him. She was merely waiting for the right moment.
The Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao) arrived, but the celebrations were dampened by the bitter winter. While Yang Zhen was out on the streets playing "Lady Bountiful" and tossing silver to street vendors, Xiang Yi remained at home, meticulously checking the estate for fire hazards.
She found a exquisite plum-shaped glass lantern on her tea table. Assuming it was a gift from her sister-in-law Yang Zhen, she lit it and walked through the courtyard. The light reflected off the frozen pond, making her appear radiant. She smiled, touched by the gesture.
However, later that night, a maid brought another lantern from Yang Zhen.
Xiang Yi froze. If the second one was from Yang Zhen, then who had left the first one? She looked at the plum lantern she had just been admiring, her expression turning unreadable. She blew out the flame and placed it back where she found it, leaving it dark.
That night, Tan Ting returned to the main room. He saw his gift, the plum lantern, sitting unlit and ignored on the table. The silence between them was suffocating.
When they lay together behind the bed curtains, the air felt like ice. Xiang Yi, acting out of a sense of duty, began to undo her silk sash.
"There’s no need," Tan Ting said suddenly, his voice low and strained.
Xiang Yi looked at him, confused.
Tan Ting’s heart was in turmoil. He realized now that she saw herself as "collateral" given to the Tan family in exchange for their protection of her siblings. She didn't care if he misunderstood her or investigated her accounts. She felt nothing for him because she had never intended to stay.
How can you treat yourself this way? he wanted to shout. But he couldn't break her last defense. He had already made enough mistakes.
"I have work to do. Sleep first," he whispered, fleeing the room.
The following afternoon, Xiao Guan reported that Xiang Yi had left the estate in disguise to visit the remote courtyard. Tan Ting followed.
He stood beneath a tree near the courtyard walls, close enough to hear the voices inside. He heard Xiang Yi ask with concern, "Is Brother feeling better these past few days?"
Brother? Tan Ting frowned.
Suddenly, a man’s laugh rang out from within the house. Gu Yansheng, sensing the presence outside, spoke clearly: "Since Your Excellency has followed us here, why not show yourself?"
He signaled his attendant, Qiu Ying. "Go, open the gate. Invite our guest in for a cup of tea."
Tan Ting realized the man inside was far more dangerous and perceptive than he had imagined. There was no more use in hiding. He stepped into the courtyard, his gaze immediately falling on Xiang Yi, whose face was pale with shock.
Tan Ting opened his mouth to tell her not to be afraid, that he didn't blame her. But the man on the porch spoke first, his voice warm and intimately familiar as he used her childhood name.
"Yizhen, don't be afraid," Gu Yansheng said, reaching out a hand. "Come to my side."
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