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  Chapter 16: The Cost

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  ——————

  The next day at the beginning of the fourth watch, when the sky was just getting light, Zhu Yuhuan got up. He lived in the east wing of the main house, while Zhu Yuhan lived in the west wing. After getting up and washing his face, he took a look at Zhu Yuhan who was still sleeping, didn't wake him up, and quietly opened the door to go out.

  Arriving at the grand hall, he took a glance around and saw that apart from the nuns of An Tang, only Madame Liu had come to listen to the lecture. Zhu Yi Huan shook his head, it seemed that those who came here to burn incense all had other motives.

  Chu Ke woke up at the end of the fourth watch, and the sound of chanting in front of her was buzzing, making it impossible for her to sleep. She got up, washed her face, and Qing Guo had already brought breakfast to the table. The breakfast in the nunnery was nothing but steamed buns, porridge, and salted vegetables, unless they were brought by themselves and could use their own kitchen.

  She simply ate something and then went out with Chu Ke to the main hall. Today, she was going to follow Madame Liu to listen to a lecture and try to ask if Madame Liu could accept leaving the Chu family. Last night, she had thought about it and felt that her brother's idea was a good one - Madame Liu must leave the Chu family in order for them to have a better future.

  Just as they reached the entrance of the grand hall, Jing'er whispered softly, "Miss, look."

  Chu Ke looked up at the sound, slightly furrowing her brow. Lan Zhi's rude maid was standing stealthily by the west corner gate, looking around nervously. Seeing the two of them look over, she gave a fierce glare before turning away.

  Jing Er shouted from behind, "Damn you, little girl!"

  Chu Kei had a strange feeling in her heart, that side was the courtyard where the male guests stayed, now it seemed that only Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Yu Chen were staying there.

  That maid is over there... obviously keeping watch. Could it be that Lan Qiu Xiang has actually gone to the other side?

  She pondered for a moment, then quietly entered the temple gate. Indeed, among the people listening to the Buddhist scriptures inside, she saw Zhu Yuhuan sitting beside Liu Niangniang.

  So Zhu Yichen is alone over there? Lan Zixing...

  Chu Xueqin came out again with a gentle hand and foot, whispered in Jing'er's ear, Jing'er nodded, was about to leave, but was suddenly pulled back by Chu Xueqin. She turned her head, Chu Xueqin was looking at the corner door, softly saying "No need, that girl has gone in."

  Jing'er hastily looked towards the corner door and indeed, that maid had already walked in. Jing'er softly said, "Miss, there's no need to call her over now, what should we do?"

  Chu Xue has already gone over there, go take a look."

  Jing'er hastily followed behind.

  Two people walked into the yard, which was further divided into two or three smaller yards. The maid stood in front of one of the gates, while Chuke and Jing'er hid behind a clump of bamboo at the entrance to this yard. Chuke whispered to Jing'er, "Walk over there, then cough... make your footsteps louder, don't go, enter from another yard."

  Jing'er quietly replied and secretly ran to the side, then heavily coughed and loudly walked towards the neighboring yard.

  Lan Zhiying's maid was immediately frightened and hid behind the wall, only to hear footsteps entering the neighboring courtyard. She cautiously came out, with a very strange expression on her face, hesitated for a moment, and then quietly followed Jing'er to sneak into that courtyard.

  As soon as Chu Ke saw her walking in, she immediately ran like flying and entered the courtyard.

  Zhu Yichan's residence was not large, with only three main rooms: a central hall and two bedrooms on either side. Chu Ke had barely entered the courtyard when she reached the door of the room.

  The door of the main room was closed, and Chu Ke'er didn't know what to do for a moment. She stared blankly at the closed door, feeling an icy sensation slowly spreading through her body.

  Locking the door? If... if Lan Zixi is really here, why lock the door? Lan Zixi just arrived, or... or she came last night...

  She stared blankly, staring for a long time, and suddenly walked towards the door.

  She wanted to push open the door and take a look inside, she had to see it with her own eyes

  As she gazed at the door getting closer and closer, Chu Ke suddenly flashed back to a scene in front of the Prince's Mansion's Hexagonal Pavilion, perhaps...perhaps when she pushed open the door, she would see Lu Zixuan with his clothes disheveled.

  She bit her lower lip and still walked forward without hesitation until she reached the door. Just as she was about to push it open, she suddenly heard a noise coming from inside, followed by rapid footsteps rushing towards the door. Before Chu Kexi could react, the door had already swung open.

  Chu Xue's eyes widened as she stared at the person who opened the door, it was Zhu Yi Chen.

  The moon-white long shirt was loosely worn on the body, with no belt around the waist. The spirit of the past was lost, but it made him look even more lazy and charming. His slender and thin figure looked weak and gentle, like a breeze could blow him away. His jet-black hair was not combed up, scattered over his shoulders, and his pale cheeks now had a hint of rosiness. His delicate and beautiful face was stunning. In short, his usual dignified attire seemed to have hidden his entire evil charm. Now, with his hair down, no belt around his waist, lazy and languid, he looked elegant yet seductive, exuding an aura of laziness and charm that could captivate people.

  Chu Xue stared blankly at him, her eyes fixed on his, recalling the first time she saw him at the Duke's mansion, when he came to visit her after she fell out of the sedan chair and got hurt. At that time, she already felt that there was something captivating about him, a subtle charm in his eyes that made people unable to look away. Today, now, she saw it again...

  She slowly turned her eyes and after the door opened, she also saw inside. A woman was sitting at the edge of the table opposite the door - Lan Zixing.

  Her whole body's blood 'rushed' upwards, all surging to her head

  "Ke-qie" Zhu Yi-zhen's somewhat flustered voice rang out, and a figure flashed by, quickly emerging.

  Chu Ke was the kind of person who reacted extremely quickly to her intuition, and just a moment ago she had already swiftly retreated several steps. As she backed away, her eyes were still fixed on Lan Zixing, who was sitting in the room staring back at her, with an expression that couldn't be described as either shyness or panic, perhaps... perhaps joy.

  Zhu Yi Chen rushed to her side, grabbed her hand and said loudly and anxiously, "Ke Ai, don't misunderstand, whatever you think, it's not like that... I was still sleeping, she came in at that time, I didn't... nothing happened..." He spoke incoherently, his long fingers grasping Chu Ke Ai's hand tightly.

  Chu Ke looked at him coldly, her whole body trembling. Although she heard his voice in her ears, strangely, the scene of Lianghuating kept flashing before her eyes. The words Zhu Yuxuan said at that time echoed in her ears, actually suppressing the shouting of Zhu Yuxun in front of her.

  "Men generally won't refuse someone who delivers themselves to their doorstep..."

  Her mind was buzzing with only one sentence... She coldly looked at the anxious Zhu Yuxuan and coldly shook off his hand.

  Zhu Yicheng's urgent explanation was cut off, he stared at her in shock, his shocked voice was a little hoarse "Ke'er... no I..."

  Chu Kei turned around, her voice filled with suppressed anger "Let me go" She angrily swung her hand and walked towards the courtyard door.

  Jing Er and Lan Zixun's maid came in together, apparently the two had bumped into each other over there and were arguing as they entered.

  "Ke'er" Zhu Yicheng ran up from behind, reached out and grabbed Chu Ke'er's arm, Chu Ke'er waved her hand to shake him off, angrily saying "Don't touch me!"

  Jing'er let out a surprised cry of "Young lady!"

  "Really, what I just said is true... there's no one guarding the door, she really can come in anytime..."

  In the midst of pulling and entangling, they had already passed through the gate of this courtyard. When Qing'er rushed out, she intentionally bumped into that maid, pushing her to one side. The maid didn't have time to bother with it either, cursing as she hurriedly ran into the house to find her young mistress.

  "Ke'er" Zhu Yichen finally grabbed Chu Ke'er's arm and said anxiously, "Listen to me..."

  Chu Ke stood still, fuming with rage, staring at him and saying "I've already heard what you said, but it's not right, not right"

  "How can it be like that?"

  Chu Ke smiled coldly, "You're asking the right question, but I've encountered this kind of thing more than once. The front is all over the place, but behind it's hiding... I don't, I have no way to believe that you can ask me, not ask me, and call me..."

  “Kai… Kai…” The hurt and helplessness in Zhu Ye Chen's tone were so obvious, his face turned even paler, losing all its blood color. His pale fingers grasped her arm, trembling slightly. In the black pupils of his eyes, there was a wounded expression, he endured looking at Chu Kai...

  Chu Xue's face was red with anger as she pushed him away again, and stormed out of the courtyard, past the main hall, and into their own courtyard.

  When Zhu Yichan caught up to the gate of the courtyard, she could only stand still. There were three or four women standing in their courtyard, gathered together chatting and laughing.

  He wandered aimlessly at the gate, turned a few times, suddenly thought of something, and turned around with anger to walk back. As he entered the gate, he happened to run into Lan Cixi who was walking out.

  Seeing him, Lan Cixi surprisingly came forward and said with concern: "Third sister, do you believe it? Otherwise, I'll go explain it?"

  Zhu Yicheng's anger suddenly erupted, and he sternly shouted at Lan Qixing: "Get out! Don't appear in front of me again, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

  Lan Zixiang was stunned, her beautiful eyes immediately welled up with tears. Without saying a word, she covered her face and turned to run away.

  Zhu Yichan gazed at her with a scowl, his scowl following her all the way until she ran into her courtyard, before withdrawing his angry gaze and turning to look at the neighboring courtyard, where he saw that maid called Jing'er walking out.

  Zhu Yichan hastily ran to block their way... what's going on?

  Jing'er looked up at him, sighed and shook her head as she walked into the house without saying a word... The servant girl advised him for a couple of sentences, then said she was hungry and asked the servant girl to go to the kitchen to bring food.

  "I want to go in, can the auntie in the yard open it?"

  "Jing'er was startled and said: 'Second Master, you mustn't... those were all sent by the old lady. If she sees you entering our young mistress's room, it will be a disaster.'"

  "What's up? I... have something to say to these girls."

  "Jing'er hesitated and glanced at the courtyard gate. With Miss's temper, she might listen... But looking at her now, it's definitely not going to work... Unless you go first, I'll check if there's no one around... I reckon... " She hesitantly said, "I reckon it's a bit difficult, Miss has to be willing to come out for it to work. If you want to go in, it's probably not going to work."

  "Come on, girls, I'll wait for you at the door."

  "Good heavens, don't let the old ladies see you wandering around here... I advise you, miss, to calm down and come out when you're feeling better. I'll send word to Master Second."

  Zhu Yichan hung his head and sighed, but there was no other way. He paused for a moment and said, "Alright, let's persuade her... Tell her..." He sighed and wanted the maid to help explain, but couldn't find the words, so he could only say, "Just call her out."

  Jing'er nodded and said, "That servant girl has gone to the kitchen."

  Zhu Yichan nodded and stepped aside, his eyes filled with helplessness staring at the empty courtyard gate.

  Jing'er took two steps and stopped, pondering for a moment. She had also noticed the situation between this gentleman and the young lady. It was clear that... Old Lady wanted to marry off the young lady to someone from her maternal family? But Second Master seemed not to be on board with it?

  Jing'er turned around and walked behind Zhu Yuxuan again, calling out "Second Master?"

  Zhu Yichan turned around and asked hastily, "Have you thought of a way?"

  Jing Er hastily shook her head and softly said, "There's something that hasn't been told to Second Master... our old lady..."

  Zhu Yichan immediately asked, "What does the old lady think?"

  Jing'er nodded and said, "I've already told the young lady, old madam... wants to marry her off to their maternal relatives."

  Zhu Yichan's face turned even uglier, his voice containing a hint of anger as he asked, "What kind of people are you from your mother's hometown?"

  "In the distant Xue family, there was a young master named Xue E..."

  Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Yuchen sternly interrupted Xue Jia's Xue E.

  Jing'er was startled and nodded timidly: "It's... Second Master..."

  Zhu Yicheng's face lost its last bit of color, turning pale and almost transparent. Anger surged up his face, covering his entire clear and handsome features. His narrow eyes narrowed, and a cold aura immediately emanated from his body.

  Jing'er was frightened and took a step back timidly.

  "What did she say?" Zhu Yichen almost spat out word by word from between his teeth.

  The girl was very angry...

  Zhu Yi Zhen nodded repeatedly and said to the young lady, "You absolutely must not agree to marry Xue E, he's...not a good person, I must tell you that."

  Jing'er hastily agreed with a sound, and seeing Master Er's big reaction, she was a bit afraid and also regretful. Would the young master be angry at her for taking liberties?

  Zhu Yichan has left like a gust of wind, and before leaving, he threw out a sentence: "When the young lady is willing to come out, remember to find me." (If you like this work, welcome to subscribe, reward on Starting Point Website, your support is my greatest motivation.)

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