TSLSILMH Ch 12

C12

 

When Xie Shu returned to the small courtyard, it was already afternoon.

Earlier, Xie Shu had been taken away alone by that family steward, and Xi Mo had been worried that something might have happened to him, so he had been waiting anxiously in the courtyard.

Seeing his master return safe and sound, Xi Mo was somewhat relieved and quickly asked, “Master, what exactly happened to Young Lord Yu just now? Why was he so anxious to call you over?”

Xie Shu glanced at Xi Mo speechlessly. Xi Mo’s words had actually hinted at many things before, but at the time, Xie Shu had not realized that particular point.

If he hadn’t left the mansion today and suddenly understood everything, then just now he might have truly brought disaster upon his husband.

But now, Xie Shu suddenly comprehended it all, though many parts still remained unclear, and he would inevitably have to learn more from Xi Mo later.

After a brief pause, Xie Shu said, “Just now it was Master Yu who called me over to ask about me and my husband…”

Xie Shu deliberately spoke vaguely, intending to observe Xi Mo’s reaction.

Xi Mo instantly grew tense, as if facing a great enemy.

Half a year ago, Master Yu had suffered a serious illness and was said to have difficulty even getting out of bed. Suddenly, there was such a commotion—could it be that he had discovered the true nature of the relationship between his master and his husband over these past three years…?

Seeing his master’s face so grim, Xi Mo became even more certain of his suspicion.

Thinking of the reckless things his master had done before, Xi Mo didn’t know what to say. Honestly, even he couldn’t side with his master in this matter. If it were someone else, on their wedding night, to speak so to the newlywed husband was simply ungrateful beyond measure!

Moreover, the Yu family was no ordinary household, and his master had even taken the initiative to marry into it. Xi Mo didn’t know how Master Yu would react.

To put it mildly, Master Yu’s anger might just lead to a scolding, but Xi Mo’s worries ran deeper than that.

Imagining the worst outcome, Xi Mo couldn’t help but hold his breath and ask, “Master, how did you answer? What did Master Yu say?”

At this moment, seeing Xi Mo’s expression, Xie Shu understood something: the original person must have been even worse off than he imagined…

Although Xie Shu had already formed guesses from these clues, he still needed to know more of the truth.

So he didn’t respond to Xi Mo’s question immediately, but calmly said, “You should start packing.”

What?

Xi Mo’s worst fears were realized. His face instantly paled. Sure enough, his master was going to divorce Young Lord Yu…

Over these past three years, Xi Mo had thought about this day many times. After all, his master had been heartless toward Young Lord Yu, while still thinking of Wei Qingtong. It was likely already planned.

What Xi Mo hadn’t expected was why it had to be at this moment, when his master had already changed and even grown closer to his husband…

At that instant, Xi Mo couldn’t help but think: if only his master had become like this sooner…

The more Xi Mo thought, the more miserable he felt, but he could only obey his master’s command and force himself to pack his belongings. As he prepared to leave, he couldn’t help but reminisce about the good times he had had at the Yu household over the past three years.

In truth, Xi Mo was not so reluctant to leave; rather, at the thought of returning to the Xie household and his master perhaps reverting to his old self, going back to find that Wei Qingtong, Xi Mo’s heart ached deeply.

Wiping his face, he couldn’t help but urge Xie Shu, “Master, is there truly no chance between you and Young Lord Yu? Young Lord Yu is such a good person. On your wedding day, even though you gave him no face, he didn’t say anything bad about you outside. Over these three years, tell me, has your husband ever wronged you? You were the one who actively married into the Yu family—why then treat him like discarded trash? Young Lord Yu is clearly so good… better than… thousands and thousands of others!”

Xi Mo bit his teeth and said it all in one breath. He dared not speak ill of Wei Qingtong in front of Xie Shu, but some things had to be said!

Xi Mo had thought Xie Shu’s face would darken after hearing this, but instead, Xie Shu quietly looked at him as if he had taken it in, yet seemed lost in thought.

In fact, after hearing Xi Mo’s words, a complicated emotion surged in Xie Shu’s heart, like a cloud heavy with rain pressing down—when it finally fell on his heart, it itched and hurt.

Xie Shu truly had thought the original Xie Shu had been unkind to him, but he had not imagined it had reached this extent.

Suddenly, Xie Shu recalled the scene just now: how did his husband feel when he looked at him and asked if he wanted to move in to live with him?

Seeing his hesitation, Yu Chuxi had casually smiled and said, “Don’t misunderstand. I mean, we’ll still be like now, just that you come to live here. That way, no one can say anything else.”

Now thinking back, Xie Shu was glad he hadn’t refused his husband.

If he had hurt him again, how would he be any different from the person before?

From now on, he would never behave like that again.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Xie Shu noticed Xi Mo’s worried expression and slightly raised his eyebrows, a faint smile appearing.

Xi Mo couldn’t help but sigh, “Master, why are you still smiling at a time like this?”

Xie Shu replied calmly, “I only told you to pack, but you’ve imagined all sorts of things. Do you think I should be laughing or not?”

Xi Mo was stunned in place. Could it be that his master’s meaning was…?

He wasn’t going to divorce Young Lord Yu, but…!!!

Xie Shu didn’t let him wonder further and personally revealed the truth.

After agreeing with his husband, he had come back alone first. Later, others would help move some trunks and books over. Asking Xi Mo to pack some personal belongings was just to clear up confusion.

Hearing the confirmed answer, Xi Mo was practically overjoyed. He hadn’t expected his wish made days ago to come true. Although his master and husband were still not sharing a bed, since they would live together, how far could the day of reconciliation be?

That very day, Xie Shu moved into the attic called Tingyu Courtyard, where Yu Chuxi lived.

Tingyu Courtyard was conveniently connected in all directions, with three floors in total. The first floor contained four large main rooms, a study, and a hall—Xie Shu had visited before.

The second floor had several inner chambers. Yu Chuxi had assigned one to Xie Shu, so they were neighbors.

The third floor was a place for appreciating the wind and moon.

Yu Chuxi’s senior maid, He Feng, helped tidy the inner chambers. Seeing that Xie Shu seemed to have no other requests, she still followed etiquette and stiffly asked, “Mr. Xie, do you find anything lacking in this room?”

He Feng was truly puzzled as to why her lord would let Xie Shu move in to live together. Even if Xie Shu looked better than before these past few days, three years wasn’t a short time for such a change.

Besides, one person could be one way before and another now, making him all the more suspicious.

Yet her lord’s attitude was ambiguous…

Worried her lord was being fooled by this man, He Feng had to stay alert and be on guard at all times.

Xie Shu recognized this maid as the one who had poured him water before, and his tone softened somewhat: “This place is very good. Please help me thank my husband.”

He Feng nodded dryly. Mr. Xie was really different from before.

Xie Shu then thought of something else: “By the way, I want to ask if my husband has any particular habits in daily life?”

Since their rooms were separated by only one wall and they would be neighbors, Xie Shu naturally wanted to clarify.

But after he spoke, He Feng’s expression turned strange, full of suspicion.

Xie Shu guessed she must have misunderstood something and quickly explained, “I’m worried about disturbing my husband.”

Seeing his clear and honest eyes, He Feng trusted him a little more. She had originally wanted to say little, but for some reason still carefully described, “My lord wakes at the hour of the rabbit*, and rests at the hour of the dog*. In the morning, he handles important affairs in the study and dislikes being disturbed. In the afternoon, he sometimes goes to inspect the merchant guild. If there’s nothing else, he paints or reads. After dinner, if he’s in the mood, he enjoys a few rounds of hand chess under the moonlight.”

At this, He Feng suddenly realized and emphasized again, “My lord prefers quiet and dislikes disturbance. Please don’t bother him casually!”

She hoped Xie Shu would understand her meaning. She thought he might be displeased, but unexpectedly, Xie Shu nodded seriously, and with a look of appreciation said, his voice as gentle as a breeze, “My husband truly is a refined man.”

When He Feng reported back to her lord in the study, her expression remained somewhat strange.

Seeing her absent-minded, Yu Chuxi glanced at her and asked, “What’s wrong? Did Mr. Xie say something to you?”

He Feng came back to her senses, struggling whether she should tell him or not, but in the end said, “Nothing much, just that Mr. Xie asked me to thank you on his behalf.”

Hearing this, Yu Chuxi smiled faintly, “He’s polite now.”

No kidding! His words are quite pleasant.

He Feng thought to herself, no wonder her lord was enchanted by him; even she almost forgot who Mr. Xie used to be…

Fortunately, Yu Chuxi did not press further, but thoughtfully said, “Has he moved the rest of his things here? I should assign him a study next to mine. Isn’t he a scholar? If there’s something I don’t understand while reading, can I ask him?”

At this, He Feng was dumbfounded. She had just said that her lord disliked being disturbed, so why did he now want to seek someone out actively?!

Footnotes:

• Hour of the Rabbit (卯时): In traditional Chinese timekeeping, the day is divided into 12 double-hours; the hour of the rabbit corresponds roughly to 5–7 a.m.

• Hour of the Dog (戌时): Corresponds roughly to 7–9 p.m.

• Hand chess (手谈): A form of playing board games like Go or Xiangqi by hand movements, often under the moonlight for leisure.