Yu Mingyue became wary when she suddenly mentioned Xie Jia'an, wondering if she had found something out.
Zhao Yayan chuckled, "See how you change when I mention him? I'm not here to mock you, nor to hold anything over you. I just feel we're in the same boat, both yearning for the unattainable."
"How do you know it's him?"
"I saw you at the city gate that day, but I didn't know who you were waiting for. It wasn't until yesterday, when I saw your red string with his on the tree at the Matchmaker Temple." She had wanted to hang hers on the highest branch, and after much effort, she discovered their names.
"Did you touch my red string?" Yu Mingyue asked nervously.
Zhao Yayan shook her head, "No!"
She had indeed been jealous and wanted to pull down Yu Mingyue's red string at the time. But then she saw the poem Xie Jia'an had hidden in the jade pendant on the red string: "Your soup is so sweet, on the high mound it lies. Truly, there is affection, but no hope."
She felt a despair she could relate to. She even felt a schadenfreude, realizing that Yu Liu Niang wasn't always fortunate either, and like her, her beloved was unattainable.
Later, she felt her thoughts were pathetic. What was the difference between her and someone who couldn't have good things and thus couldn't bear to see others have them? She, the dignified eldest daughter of the Zhao family, had become the very person she looked down upon.
"Thank you!" Yu Mingyue visibly relaxed.
Although she knew she couldn't have him in this life, she still held onto a sliver of hope, perhaps the Matchmaker would truly grant her wish.
"Yu Liu Niang, I have another matter to ask of you today. Rest assured, it won't put you in a difficult position. I just need you to help me deliver a letter." Zhao Yayan feared Yu Mingyue would refuse.
Her father had forbidden her from doing anything that would disgrace the family's reputation. He had ordered the household staff not to relay messages for her and even replaced the people serving her.
She hadn't had a chance in the capital, and returning to Yiyang with her clan watching would be even more impossible.
The Zhao family was currently outside. The only person she could ask for help was Yu Liu Niang.
Yu Mingyue didn't refuse, "I can deliver the letter for you, but I can't guarantee he'll read it."
Given Lu Jingxing's cold-blooded and ruthless nature, he wouldn't read this letter. Therefore, if Zhao Yayan was hoping for Lu Jingxing to save her, she should not waste her efforts.
Zhao Yayan gave a bitter smile, "I know."
In truth, she just wanted to make herself give up.
...
Hua Chaofei received the news and was furious. This damned emperor was trying every way to torment him, wouldn't he be satisfied until he was driven to death?
How was he supposed to tell him?
He had barely managed to retreat from the southeast without dying on the battlefield. If he returned to the capital now, it would be a one-way trip.
Lu Jingxing was a madman. This naval battle was a matter of life and death. Yet, he, a young general with no experience, dared to take on such a crucial task. If he won, he might be remembered for eternity, but if he lost, he would be infamous. His madness was undeniable.
He could send the woman he loved most to a place like the Imperial Entertainment Bureau. What was there he wouldn't do?
The imperial decree that the damned emperor bestowed upon him and Yu Liu Niang was not a marriage, but likely a ghost marriage.
"I can depart anytime. Have you packed?" Xie Jia'an's voice sounded at the door.
Since his hair had turned white, Xie Jia'an often tied it back loosely, securing it with a jade hairpin. However, it didn't make him look disheveled. Instead, he resembled a jade tree standing before the wind, exuding the charm of a Wei Jin scholar.
Hua Chaofei waved his subordinates away and smiled nonchalantly, "What is there for me to pack? Everywhere is home."
Xie Jia'an nodded, "While we're in Shu, we can visit Scholars Yuan and Meng."
The Jiangzhou Academy was able to invite many renowned teachers largely due to their recommendations. Now that the academy's reputation had soared, their contributions could not be forgotten.
A flicker of unease crossed Hua Chaofei's eyes. Shu was even farther from the capital. If he had to return to the capital later, it might be too late.
Should he tell him or not?