Chapter 20: The Confrontation

Jiang Wu was truly incensed. Whatever problems he was having with Chu Yan, why come here and vent his anger on her?

However, the storm brewing in the man’s eyes prevented her from showing even a hint of dissatisfaction. She gripped the quilt tightly and replied in a low voice, "I went to see Fifth Sister."

Chu Chan was the fifth child in the Chu household.

This answer clearly did not satisfy Chu Ling.

"And where else?"

And where else... oh, before that, she had been with Mo Yangzhou.

With her heart pounding against her ribs, Jiang Wu lied without changing her expression: "I also accompanied Princess Qingyang to tour her newly purchased villa."

In truth, they had bought that villa together; there was no need for a tour. But Jiang Wu figured Chu Ling wouldn't care about such details.

She had actually been in quite a good mood today. She had confirmed her future with Yangzhou, and Chu Yan had returned; everything was moving in a positive direction.

Yet, in stark contrast, Chu Ling tonight exuded an inexplicable mania—a rarity for him—which left Jiang Wu feeling terrified.

Chu Ling had already stood up.

When he was seated, his sense of oppression was already formidable; now that he was standing, Jiang Wu felt as if a mountain had been piled up before her, making her heart feel heavy and stifled.

She retreated slightly into the bed, not daring to move too much. At this moment, she felt like a hunted herbivore; any slight movement seemed capable of provoking the predator.

It was only a few steps from the table to the bed, but during those few steps, the man’s emotions had once again been reined in. By the time he stood before her, he had returned to his usual, unreadable self.

Yet, as he stood there, his shadow and those deep, pool-like eyes made Jiang Wu feel the suffocation of drowning.

"Who upset you again?" he asked.

Jiang Wu couldn't keep up with his train of thought.

What did he mean by "who upset her again"? It sounded as if she were temperamental and needed to be coddled.

She shook her head honestly: "No one."

"Then why did you go to see Qingyang?"

Hearing Chu Ling’s question, Jiang Wu pieced things together, her expression stiffening slightly. Did he know? That whenever she was in a bad mood, she would run to Qingyang, which in reality meant meeting Yangzhou.

One has to relieve stress somehow, after all.

So, Chu Ling had noticed, but he couldn't possibly know about Yangzhou. Jiang Wu was certain of this; if he did, his reaction would not be like this.

The man’s hawk-like gaze remained fixed on her. "I have lifted your confinement. The child has been brought back. What else is making you unhappy? Hmm?"

The way he said "hmm" sounded as if, should she list one, two, or three things, he would resolve them all.

Actually, Chu Ling’s very existence was the source of her greatest unhappiness, but Jiang Wu dared not say that.

"It’s not as if I only visit Qingyang when I’m unhappy," she said, eyes lowered, not daring to look at him. "I just went to see her for… a casual chat."

No sooner had she lowered her head than a hand appeared in her field of vision, gripping her chin and forcing her to look up and meet his gaze.

Jiang Wu always remembered how those hands had crushed a piece of jade. Now, though they only held her chin, it felt as if they were strangling her throat, making her heart beat like a drum and leaving her body frozen, unable to move.

As they locked eyes, the man’s brow furrowed for a moment: "You always look at me like that, as if you are truly terrified of me."

The ragged breath and the harsh tone made him look as if he hated her intensely.

Jiang Wu could no longer control her trembling. It wasn't "as if"—she was truly terrified!

Chu Ling’s breathing had stabilized once more. "Do you know why Chu Chan couldn't even deal with a few concubines and had to resort to assassinating Chu Yan?"

Jiang Wu’s eyes, filled with fear, now held a flicker of confusion.

She was confused that Chu Ling knew everything so quickly, and also that he would ask such a question so calmly.

Chu Ling didn't wait for her to answer; he continued, "Because she knows in her heart that those concubines are merely playthings for Zhang Xiu. If it doesn't touch the bottom line, one can turn a blind eye. But if one takes it seriously..."

His grip tightened abruptly, causing Jiang Wu’s face to contort in pain.

Fortunately, he released her just as quickly.

"It would be best if you truly fear me."

Leaving behind that inexplicable remark, the man, who was clearly still angry, walked away.

Jiang Wu knelt on the bed, gasping for air for a long time.

Why wouldn't she be afraid? She was terrified. A moment ago, she had the distinct feeling that if Chu Ling had stayed, she didn't know if she would see tomorrow's sun.

The extreme fear and the relief of surviving left Jiang Wu burying her head in the quilt, sobbing.

Why? Why did she have to endure this humiliation? Why should he vent the problems between him and his old flame on her?

Jiang Wu felt stifled, her chest so tight she could barely breathe.

Yangzhou wouldn't be like this. He would never treat her this way.

Zhizhi, as was her routine, came to check on Jiang Wu after Chu Ling left; the mistress was never well at these times. This time was no exception, perhaps even worse.

She wisely kept silent, waiting for her to vent her emotions.

The mistress didn't cry out loud—though that wasn't entirely accurate, as she was crying silently, yet every now and then a gasp or an uncontrollable sob would escape her throat. She was shivering, looking truly pitiful.

She remembered the master who had just stormed out; it looked more like a desperate flight, as if he were afraid his own anger would harm her.

She exhaled in relief. What kind of reckless courage had she possessed to even harbor such thoughts in the past? She felt lucky once more that she hadn't gotten involved.

These two were like martial arts masters competing with internal energy; they might be evenly matched, but if anyone else were to intervene, they would surely die.

When she noticed the mistress struggling to catch her breath, Zhizhi hurried over and pulled her head from the quilt.

Jiang Wu felt like a dying fish finally returned to water, finally able to breathe.

Her mind had felt muddled, with many blurred images flashing through her consciousness.

She couldn't grasp them; she could only gasp for air, her eyes turning red as she forgot all the previous discomfort.

Zhizhi rubbed her back to soothe her.

Once she had finished crying, Jiang Wu spoke, "Go prepare for me. I want to bathe." She felt as if she were covered in a cold sweat.

"Yes."

"And change the quilt," she added, her voice still choked with tears.

"Yes," Zhizhi replied to each request. The mistress, when throwing a tantrum, was just like a child, she thought.

***

As expected, Jiang Wu was sleepless again.

When she woke in the morning, she had a splitting headache.

"Mistress, why don't you go for a walk outside?" Zhizhi suggested.

Jiang Wu did not object; perhaps the fresh air would help her headache.

On the way, Zhizhi told her that Princess Ruyue had been brought back to the estate by Chu Ling himself.

Jiang Wu’s steps faltered for a moment.

This wasn't surprising. Chu Ling had rushed off to play the hero, personally escorting her back and bringing her into the estate—it was all too logical.

"Is she staying in the Peach Blossom Courtyard?" she asked.

"No," Zhizhi’s answer was unexpected. "She is in the guest quarters."

That was strange.

Thinking of a person she hadn't seen in over a decade being in the same estate, a flicker of curiosity stirred in Jiang Wu’s heart, but she quickly suppressed it.

She would not get involved in the affairs of those two anymore; she would let Chu Ling strive for himself.