That night, Madam He was sound asleep when someone shook her awake. Master He’s large face appeared before her, his brow furrowed in misery, his expression utterly wretched.
Madam He slapped him on the forehead, pushing him away, and said angrily, “What are you doing!”
Master He said with immense heartache, “Zhaozhao… she’s gone!”
Madam He sat up abruptly, reaching for her sword, and exclaimed in panic, “An assassin?!”
Master He sat down beside her, patting his thigh and saying, “She climbed over the wall and left!”
Madam He, startled and shaken, let out a “tsk” and said, “Just climbing a wall.” He was making a fuss over nothing.
“Where could she have gone?” Master He said, his heart pounding, “Isn’t it to find that young man from the Gu family?”
Madam He yawned and said, “What’s the difference where they meet? It’s all the same.”
Master He was still upset, gritting his teeth and saying, “It’s that young man from the Gu family who corrupted her. Zhaozhao would never climb walls before!”
“If someone climbed over the wall to come in, and Zhaozhao didn’t chase him away, it means they’re doing it willingly!” Madam He couldn’t help but say, “It’s their business, what’s the use of you being so anxious? I believe they have their own judgment. Don’t go and make a nuisance of yourself.”
“Oh, if they have their own judgment, they wouldn’t have done something like this. From the beginning, I shouldn’t have let that young man surnamed Gu in. My Zhaozhao is such a good child, and he’s ruined her!” Master He scratched his head and asked, “By the way, hasn’t Fifth Son Gu been coming lately?”
Madam He said, “If he comes, you’ll complain about him, and if he doesn’t come, you’ll complain about him too.”
Master He paced back and forth in front of the bed, saying, “This… it’s clearly unusual. I think it’s because he hasn’t been coming that Zhaozhao went to see him.”
Madam He said, “Could it be that he knows you had someone eavesdropping?”
Master He stomped his foot and said, “Where did I eavesdrop? I didn’t hear anything!”
Madam He muttered, “You’re the one who always has the most to say.”
“This young man was playing a game of ‘playing hard to get’!” Master He suddenly realized, “He’s truly cunning! He’s not a good person!”
Madam He: “…“carpreads.pages.dev
He had a good impression of the young man in the evening, but less than a night later, his opinion changed.
You old man, you don’t know how difficult you are to please.
Fortunately, Song Chuzhao returned not long after. She was the same when she left as when she came back. And she seemed to be in a much better mood.
Only after she returned safely did Master He dare to lie down and rest.
The feeling of being on edge every day was unbearable. For example, the next morning, Master He almost couldn’t get up on time. It was only the thought of “I want to go horseback riding with Zhaozhao” that kept him going.
…However, his Zhaozhao had no intention of taking him along.
Horseback riding was a risky activity. Even for an experienced rider like Song Chuzhao, there was always a chance of an accident. But she was agile, and as long as she wasn’t kicked directly by the horse’s hooves, she would be fine after a couple of days of rest. Master He was different.
No matter how valiant her grandfather had been in his youth, no matter how strong his bones were, at his age, if he were to be accidentally bumped, Song Chuzhao would have to atone for it with her life.
Song Chuzhao firmly refused. After the blow of her climbing the wall last night, Master He was dealt another blow, and he was completely listless and dejected.
Song Chuzhao rode her horse alone, circling the He mansion. She went back and forth three times through the front courtyard, each time seeing Master He’s hunched and forlorn figure, and she felt bad. She simply stopped playing.
Seeing her stop and only talk to him, Master He felt that he had spoiled her fun and began to feel guilty as well.
The two of them started to exchange polite words, leaving the fine steed alone in the courtyard.
Master He’s mind turned, and he asked, “What about having someone else come and play with you?”
“Who is it?” Song Chuzhao said, “Don’t we have a lot of people in our family who know martial arts? Actually, you could ask them to play with me.”
Master He was overjoyed by the words “our family,” and said, “The people in the mansion haven’t learned much martial arts. They have strength, but they don’t know how to control it. They wouldn’t be able to play with you. I’ll go get someone skilled to come back.”
Song Chuzhao laughed, “How skilled could they be?”
Master He was secretly pleased. Zhaozhao, of course, deserved the best!
Song Chuzhao never expected that Master He’s call would bring Fu Changjun over.
Wow, Song Chuzhao was filled with regret.
She had been living as Gu Fengjian for so long that she couldn’t help but feel timid and apprehensive whenever she saw Fu Changjun.
Because his gaze always held a sense of authority and scrutiny. Although there was no malice, it was very uncomfortable. After all, she truly had a secret hidden in her heart.
And… it seemed like she was often caught by Fu Changjun when she had made mistakes. Was this a case of incompatible destinies?
Seeing Song Chuzhao suddenly become restrained, Master He looked at Fu Changjun with suspicion and questioned him, “Did you scare my Zhaozhao?”
Fu Changjun was puzzled as to why Song Chuzhao would be afraid of him. He believed his attitude towards Third Miss Song had always been gentle.
He lowered his head and checked his appearance.
He had deliberately not brought his sword today. Of course, he thought that Song Chuzhao, with her borderland upbringing, wouldn’t be afraid of swords.
He had taken a bath before leaving, so there was no smell of sweat on him.
He was wearing a black outfit, which he had grown accustomed to. This style of clothing was also common and suitable for horseback riding.
Then…
Fu Changjun thought, and gave Song Chuzhao a friendly smile.
Song Chuzhao responded with a dry laugh.
Master He angrily kicked Fu Changjun—intimidation! This was definitely intimidation!
Fu Changjun: “…” He was truly at a loss.
Fu Changjun asked, “Do you like riding horses?”
Song Chuzhao nodded.
Master He said, “I called you here to play with her. Just make sure she has fun.”
Song Chuzhao looked at her maternal grandfather with gratitude. Being a child of the He family was truly blissful! Could they be so indulgent?
But really, it was an exaggeration. Fu Changjun was a member of the imperial family, a high-ranking official. To come here in the daytime to play ball with her made her seem like a hopelessly spoiled and dissolute young master.
Song Chuzhao shivered.
Could Fu Changjun really think that way?
Misunderstanding! She wasn’t really that eager either!
Fu Changjun didn’t feel displeased at being called to look after a child. He simply asked calmly, “Cuju?”
Song Chuzhao’s attention was instantly diverted. She exclaimed in surprise, “We can play cuju at home?!”
Her maternal grandfather immediately boasted, “She can! Your mother used to be a wild child, always playing this game at home, and she even broke quite a few things in the mansion. When I came home, your grandmother complained to me about it, telling me to discipline her properly. Every time, your mother would apologize with a sheepish look, only to forget about it the next moment. It drove your grandmother crazy.”
Song Chuzhao was surprised, “Did you play with Mother? How did she play? Why didn’t she ever play with me? I didn’t even know she liked cuju.”
“I was busy with official duties back then, and I rarely came home. How could I have time to play with her?” Master He lowered his head and sighed, “Besides, I had a bad temper back then, and I would often scold her. She didn’t like to stay with me.”
Song Chuzhao asked curiously, “Who did she play with then? Her sisters? Madam Gu doesn’t seem like the type who enjoys this.”
Master He didn’t answer. He just grabbed Fu Changjun’s arm and instructed him, “I’ve entrusted her to you. Make sure you keep a close eye on her and don’t let her fall.”
Song Chuzhao turned her head and met Fu Changjun’s gaze.
He was considerably taller than her. When he shed his sternness and his face softened with kindness, Song Chuzhao felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
He gave a faint ‘Hmm’ in response, signaling Song Chuzhao to follow him.
Fu Changjun was indeed very familiar with the He Mansion, even knowing where the cuju sticks were kept.
He led Song Chuzhao to the storeroom and personally retrieved two sticks from a corner, letting Song Chuzhao choose one.
“Aren’t you busy with official duties? How can you come and play cuju with me?” Song Chuzhao casually took a stick and asked softly, “Did my maternal grandfather force you to come? If you don’t want to, you can actually refuse. I understand.”
Fu Changjun asked with a smile, “Are you afraid of me? Don’t you want to play cujuwith me?”
Song Chuzhao immediately denied, “How could that be? Am I that kind of person? I’m just concerned about you.”
Fu Changjun said, “Thank you, but it’s not necessary. My soldiers are all capable individuals. They won’t be unable to do anything without me.”
He walked out first, and Song Chuzhao followed behind him, skipping along.
When they were alone, Song Chuzhao ran to walk side by side with Fu Changjun and flattered him, “Uncle Fu, were you and my mother close before?”
Fu Changjun said, “If you want to know about your mother, you should ask her.”
Song Chuzhao said matter-of-factly, “But I’m afraid of getting beaten.”
“Your mother would beat you?” Fu Changjun tilted his head to look at her, pondered for a moment, and asked, “Then how mischievous must you be?”
Song Chuzhao: “…” How can you say that?
Seeing her face instantly fall, Fu Changjun couldn’t help but laugh.
“Alright,” Song Chuzhao said, “My mother usually doesn’t beat me, but I’m afraid of making her sad, so I don’t want to ask. She rarely mentions things about the capital, but I want to know.”
Fu Changjun lowered his gaze, his expression turning solemn again. He said, “I don’t want to talk about it either.”
Song Chuzhao said, “But you’re from the capital!”
They arrived at the stables. Fu Changjun let Song Chuzhao choose first. Naturally, Song Chuzhao preferred the horse she had personally groomed. Then Fu Changjun went in and led a horse out, mounting it.
Song Chuzhao called out again, “Uncle Fu…”
Fu Changjun suddenly snatched the ball from her, leading his horse forward.
Song Chuzhao was furious, “Hey, Uncle Fu! Uncle Fu! Wait for me! You didn’t even explain how to play, and you just started the game? That’s cheating! Fine, I won’t ask anymore?”
Fu Changjun stopped in front and turned back, saying, “If you can snatch the ball from me, I’ll tell you.”
Song Chuzhao swaggered, holding her cujustick, and snorted, “I’ve been on the frontier. I’m not afraid of anyone. There are countless nameless youngsters who have been defeated by my stick! Don’t think I’m really afraid of you.”
Fu Changjun laughed, “No wonder your mother beats you.”
“My mother doesn’t beat me, okay? I was just kidding you. My mother really doesn’t beat me!” Song Chuzhao said, “She does get annoyed with me when I make mistakes, so she makes me wear really ugly clothes. I just let her have her way, how can you call that being afraid?”
“Alright, alright.” Fu Changjun bounced in the saddle, “Come on, I haven’t played cujuin a long time. I want to see just how good you are.”
Madam He came out when she heard the commotion. She saw a long stick brutally scraping a patch of grass bare, and the cuju ball had knocked over her beloved flowers. She immediately became furious and shouted, “Why are you playing ball again? Who? Who started this? Come out!”
Author’s Note:
Song Chuzhao: It was my grandfather who forced me to do this!!