TSLSILMH Ch 5

Chapter 5

When Xie Shu finally emerged from the pavilion, Xi Mo—who had been waiting outside the whole time—immediately brightened and hurried to Xie Shu’s side. The two of them, master and servant, retraced their steps along the route they’d taken earlier.

They hadn’t gone far when Xi Mo couldn’t resist probing, “Master, how did things go with Yu Langjun just now? Was Yu Langjun pleased to see you?”

Xie Shu found Xi Mo’s question a bit odd, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on what was strange about it…

He didn’t answer right away, merely casting a sidelong glance at Xi Mo before replying, “It was fine.”

But it was more than just “fine.” Based on his expectations, since the original Xie Shu had married into the family and wasn’t much respected, he anticipated cool treatment—something already evident from the attitude of others around him.

Understanding this, Xie Shu acted with appropriate tact—when he heard that Yu Chuxi was busy, he’d figured he’d be waiting a long time, so he busied himself for a while studying his host’s calligraphy and paintings.

In fact, this was somewhat impolite; furthermore, once Yu Chuxi arrived, Xie Shu had even stared unthinkingly at his face for a while.

Yet Yu Chuxi hadn’t been angry, nor had he behaved aloofly or patronizingly.

Even if there were grievances, Yu Chuxi forthrightly voiced them, and in the end, their conversation was remarkably harmonious.

Thinking of that unexpectedly dazzling smile flashing across such a beautiful face, Xie Shu’s expression unconsciously softened.

“It was fine?”

Seeing his master brush him off so casually, Xi Mo was at a loss for a response. He didn’t know what truly happened, and grew anxious—but when he sneaked a look at Xie Shu, he noticed for the first time that his usually tense features looked genuinely relaxed, even carrying a trace of indefinable warmth…

Xi Mo could barely contain his joy. It seemed there really might be hope for his master and Yu Langjun…

He was about to joke with Xie Shu about it when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone approaching ahead. He quickly lowered his voice and reminded, “Master, that looks like Second Uncle Yu up there.”

Xie Shu followed Xi Mo’s gaze and saw, at the bend of a covered walkway, a rotund middle-aged man who looked around forty, with a rather prosperous face.

Yu Wanchun, the man in question, was chatting with several followers as he walked. “We’ve had significant losses in these three businesses since the new year. Admittedly, some things are just subject to seasonality…”

Upon hearing this, the others quickly chimed in: “Exactly, many thanks for your understanding, Second Master.”

Yu Wanchun shifted his tone, adding, “Now, since it’s Chuxi managing things, and this is his first time, he won’t tolerate any shenanigans. When you see him later, you all know what to say, yes?”

Everyone exchanged glances—they had clearly agreed on their story in advance. Yu Wanchun’s eyes flickered with satisfaction, but then he caught sight of Xie Shu standing ahead and paused, stunned.

“Second Uncle”?

Xie Shu figured, given his “wife’s” generation, Xi Mo’s form of address was correct; thus, he should also call this person Second Uncle.

Though he knew nothing of the original Xie Shu’s relationship with him, he understood it was best to greet an elder upon meeting.

Without hesitation, Xie Shu went forward. Xi Mo, surprised yet again by his master’s initiative, hurried after him.

As Xie Shu drew near and addressed him as “Second Uncle,” Yu Wanchun’s brows creased faintly, but he immediately burst into a hearty smile: “Why, isn’t this my dear nephew? It’s been so long!”

“Dear nephew” is a generic term for someone younger or of the same generation, and his tone was warm enough.

But Xie Shu remained cautious, discreetly assessing the men behind Yu Wanchun.

Those men wore dark satin jackets, suggesting that they were likely steward-class retainers.

Yu Wanchun, meanwhile, scrutinized Xie Shu and asked with apparent concern, “I heard not long ago that you fell into the water by accident. Are you better now? Why, I was just saying to myself I’d come visit this afternoon; imagine running into you here… But you’re looking much thinner—do take time to recuperate. Should you need anything, just let me know.”

His words were smooth, but he also subtly implied to the others that there was disharmony between Xie Shu and Yu Chuxi—after all, this was right near Yu Chuxi’s residence, yet he claimed to be surprised to see Xie Shu here. If Xie Shu were truly Yu Chuxi’s spouse, how could he lack for anything?

Finishing, he waited for Xie Shu’s reply. Based on the former Xie Shu’s personality, he’d likely have been flattered, even a bit embarrassed.

But to Yu Wanchun’s surprise, Xie Shu’s expression didn’t flicker at all. His eyes were calm—an icy coolness to his demeanor.

Yu Wanchun knew well that Xie Shu had never been like this before; perhaps he’d finally learned to mask his feelings.

In truth, Xie Shu was hardly bothered. He’d been through enough superficial pleasantries in modern times—and had no relationship with Yu Wanchun. If Yu Wanchun had really cared, he’d have visited already; why bother with empty words now?

Thus, Xie Shu replied calmly, “Thank you for your concern, Second Uncle. I’ll be fully recovered in a few days. As for lacking anything, there’s nothing; Langjun has already taken very good care of me.”

He meant that last part sincerely.

He’d also overheard a snippet of the conversation between Yu Wanchun and his stewards earlier, and though not all of it was clear, he distinctly heard Yu Chuxi’s name mentioned.

Xie Shu didn’t yet understand Yu Chuxi fully, but found him methodical—quite unlike how Yu Wanchun depicted him.

What Xie Shu didn’t realize was that while his words sounded casual to him, they carried a different meaning to those around him.

The stewards behind Yu Wanchun exchanged furtive glances.

Yu Wanchun’s eyes flickered as he replied, “Is that so? I hadn’t expected Chuxi to be so considerate now…”

For some reason, Yu Wanchun brought up Yu Chuxi again, but Xie Shu remained silent.

Yu Wanchun paused, and seeing Xie Shu unfazed, pressed on: “Chuxi has a strong temperament—only family truly understands him. If you ever feel wronged, don’t keep it bottled up…”

But before he could finish, Xie Shu suddenly cut him off. In truth, he’d never been especially patient dealing with people, especially in social situations.

He simply didn’t understand why this “Second Uncle” was so fixated on bringing up Yu Chuxi, almost obsessively so. In Xie Shu’s eyes, a person’s worth isn’t for others to decide.

Since he saw no point to this empty talk, he was brisk: “Is there anything else, Second Uncle?”

Yu Wanchun’s face darkened momentarily, surprised by Xie Shu’s bluntness.

Previously, Xie Shu had always played the part of a scholarly gentleman and never spoken this way. Still, remembering he was dealing with a xiucai, Yu Wanchun’s mood soon evened out.

In truth, much today had gone against Yu Wanchun’s expectations, so he was starting to get anxious. Normally, he would never be so rash.

Plastering a smile back on his face, he chuckled: “Enough, the business of the young folk is not for us elders to worry about. Take care and rest up, nephew.”

Hearing this, Xie Shu again felt a familiar oddness. He said nothing, just nodded and walked away with Xi Mo.

Watching Xie Shu’s retreating figure, Yu Wanchun let his smile drop—the plan had changed.

On the way back, Xie Shu noticed that Xi Mo seemed both calmer and more excited than before.

Apparently, his behavior just now hadn’t seemed strange to Xi Mo at all.

Suddenly, Xie Shu asked, “Xi Mo, what is this Second Uncle Yu really like?”

Xi Mo took this as a test of knowledge.

To be honest, Xi Mo had been just as surprised to see such a shift in Xie Shu’s manners. Previously, he’d always thought Yu Wanchun, based on what others said, was a good man—kind, never making trouble for anyone. But seeing things today, if not for Xie Shu’s behavior, Xi Mo would never have suspected anything was wrong. He might even have thought Yu Wanchun was rare in his kindness to them.

Now, Xi Mo admitted he’d misjudged. Scratching his head, he earnestly replied, “All I’ve ever heard was that Second Uncle Yu—that is, Yu Wanchun—was a truly good man, gentle and never harsh. But after today, I see the truth—he’s a smiling tiger, sowing discord between you and Yu Langjun!”

At this point, Xi Mo’s voice filled with a seething, almost comical anger, as if the injustice stung him deeply.

At that instant, a flash of insight struck Xie Shu. It was as if he’d finally grasped a thread that had been nagging at him all along, stripping layer after layer until he could glimpse the deeper truth hidden underneath.

And he realized this was surely something everyone here took for granted—yet, in his world, it simply wasn’t.

What did that mean?

This was common knowledge, but not in the world he came from!

Before he could ponder further, Xi Mo chimed in again, “Master, why is Yu Wanchun acting this way? I know! He must resent that Langjun now manages the Yu household, and wants to fight for the family’s inheritance! Sure, most of the family business was founded by the Old Master, but as for why Langjun…”

Xi Mo trailed off, unwilling to finish. Xie Shu could only sigh in frustration; standing so close to the answer yet never quite reaching it was an oddly maddening feeling. What exactly was this common knowledge? And how did it relate to Yu Chuxi?

Thinking back to his recent, brief exchange with Yu Chuxi, Xie Shu fell deep into thought.

Without realizing it, they had already arrived back at their residence.

As soon as they returned, Xi Mo went to check with the servant he’d sent to fetch medicine earlier. The latter, with obvious disinterest, reported, “Brother Mo, the herbs you asked me to collect are all out at the storeroom.”

Naturally, the storeroom had said more, but the servant didn’t want to deal with the rude treatment and simply returned.

In truth, those working here already harbored dissatisfaction. Now, with this setback, they were even more convinced that there could never be any real reconciliation between Xie Shu and Yu Langjun—there was no need to hide their doubts any longer.

Xi Mo, not fooled, muttered bitterly, “Those wretches who look down on people—Master and Langjun are perfectly fine!”

It wasn’t entirely clear whom he was cursing.

The servant’s face flushed, and as he hurried off, he grumbled inwardly—it was nonsense! In three years working here, he’d only ever seen Yu Langjun visit once, and that was just the other day for Xie Shu’s illness!

Still fuming, Xi Mo returned, but then immediately worried about Xie Shu: “Master, I’ll go back to the storeroom myself. If they dare slight you, I’ll go straight to Langjun…”

But even as he spoke, his confidence faltered—he feared that if Langjun really didn’t wish to speak up for Xie Shu, there would be no one to blame. After all, hadn’t Xie Shu always treated him so coldly before…

And he still didn’t know how things had gone between them today.

This was why Xi Mo kept probing.

But Xie Shu could hear that Xi Mo truly believed his interaction with Yu Chuxi had gone well—he wasn’t pretending.

As for the herbs, Xie Shu cared little; the body’s weakness was mainly due to lack of exercise anyway. He’d get stronger with proper training.

He was about to explain this to Xi Mo when suddenly, sounds came from outside—the sort that meant someone was arriving.

Author’s note: I’ll work hard to keep updating—next week we’ll be on the charts!

Footnotes:

• “Smiling tiger” (笑面藏刀) refers to someone who hides malice or cunning behind a friendly smile; the term is widely understood in Chinese culture but lacks a direct English equivalent.

• In high-status households of this period (whether real or fictional), there is often a clear hierarchy—servants use polite diminutives (like “Brother Mo”) and act strategically to curry favor with different sides in family disputes.