BXG - 63

◎Apricot Shadows◎

Wang Yiran’s brow twitched, and she pushed herself up from her chair, wanting to greet Qu You personally. However, the maid beside her hurried over to assist, inadvertently tripping her steps.

Qu You heard her somewhat urgent voice, “Young Madam, there’s no need for such formalities. In fact, I should have visited you since you were unwell these past few days. Today, your presence honors me. Please, sit, sit.”

Unexpectedly, Wang Yiran was very enthusiastic. If she and Wu Fen were united in purpose, they should have followed his lead in asserting dominance.

As Qu You thought this, she lowered her arm and slowly raised her face.

The previously lively hall was now utterly silent.

The older women and unmarried girls had long been curious about this visitor from Bian Du. Despite several invitations, she hadn’t appeared until today.

The newly arrived deputy governor was young, not yet twenty-five. It was said that his wife, recently married for just a year, would soon turn nineteen. She was in the prime of her youth.

Everyone scrutinized her closely. Her hair was styled in an intricate Chaoyun Jinxiang bun—a style so complex and beautiful that only the skilled old nannies called in for brides could achieve it. Yet for her, it seemed like a simple everyday adornment.

Though elaborate, she wore no expensive jewelry, only a few small jade fans and delicate silk flowers. The balance was perfect—not overly formal nor indifferent.

Zuo Hui stared blankly at Qu You as a wave of envy washed over her.

Her gaze shifted from the intricate hairstyle to Qu You’s face.

Zuo Hui first noticed Qu You’s expressive, beautiful eyes. Her makeup was light, making her eyes seem filled with shimmering autumn waters. When they swept over her, they carried an inexplicable, moist charm.

Moreover, every feature of her face was perfect—delicate eyebrows and slightly red lips.

Her skin was as fresh as new snow, her demeanor dignified yet subtly playful. The fabric of her clothing was unknown—it had a warm luster, without a single wrinkle. The color was close to peach but slightly lighter, not at all gaudy, instead appearing elegantly refined.

Zuo Hui instinctively touched her sleeve—she had deliberately worn an orange-red Baobao Lianzhui skirt for good fortune today, made from the best material in Ruo Zhou. But compared to Qu You’s attire, it immediately seemed vulgar and outdated.

Indeed, the popular fabrics in Ruo Zhou were likely trends from Bian Du years ago, long out of fashion now.

Wang Yiran stared at her for a long time before breaking the silence in the hall, “Oh my, I’ve heard that Young Madam is a great beauty. Seeing you today confirms it. You look like a goddess stepping out of a painting. Young Madam, come closer.”

Qu You was seated in the nearest chair by Wang Yiran. Unfamiliar with everyone in the hall, she smiled silently. Wang Yiran introduced the ladies around her, calling over the somewhat plump Zhongjiang Lady, who enthusiastically leaned forward, touching and stroking Qu You’s cool jade bracelet.

She exclaimed, “We were just talking about how Ruo Zhou is a poor, remote place—we’ve never seen a girl from the blissful lands of Bian Du. Now that we’ve seen you, our eyes are truly opened! Just look at Sister’s bracelet—it feels cool to the touch, a treasure beyond price. Oh dear, the gift I just gave pales in comparison.”

Qu You glanced at her indifferently and gently withdrew her hand.

This Zhongjiang Lady appeared careless and guileless, but her words carried ill intentions. Her casual accessories overshadowed those of the wife of her husband’s superior, risking the appearance of stealing the spotlight.

Sure enough, aside from envy, the gazes of those below now held a hint of watching the spectacle.

However, Qu You felt nothing of their hostility; she had important matters to attend to.

“He Xing,” Qu You ignored her words and smiled as she called out. Taking the small box He Xing presented, she stood up, “I’m new here and didn’t know what Lady Zhi might like, so I inquired around… I happened to have a piece of raw jade, which I had a craftsman carve into this. Please accept it, Lady Zhi.”

Wang Yiran took the box, her expression changing instantly upon opening it. She quickly closed it but then reopened it, examining it closely. With reddened eyes, she grasped Qu You’s hand as if seeing a loved one and whispered, “Thank you, Young Madam. I… truly like it.”

The Zhongjiang Lady tried to take another look but couldn’t see clearly—only vaguely discerning that it was jade. Below, the crowd watched Wang Yiran’s sudden emotional reaction and genuine gratitude, whispering and growing extremely curious.

What on earth did this young deputy governor’s wife give that instantly changed Wang Yiran’s attitude?

Seeing her expression, Qu You knew her guess was correct.

According to Zhou Tan’s gathered information these past two days, Wang Yiran’s melancholy on her birthday stemmed from an old incident.

When Wang Juqian unexpectedly saved Wu Fen outside Ruo Zhou City, she married him. At the time, Wu Fen was still under Peng Yue’s command. After Peng Yue left Ruo Zhou for the capital, Wu Fen ascended to the position of governor. Married for over ten years, Wang Yiran remained childless.

Wu Fen’s three sons and one daughter were from concubines and informal wives.

It wasn’t that Wang Yiran couldn’t bear children—she once had a son who tragically drowned in the garden lake at around three or four years old.

That day coincided with Wang Yiran’s birthday.

Since then, for six or seven years, Wang Yiran hadn’t celebrated her birthday.

In recent years, she had come to terms with it somewhat. This year being a milestone, Wu Fen hosted a grand banquet. Though internally resistant, Wang Yiran couldn’t openly object, fearing to dampen her husband’s spirits.

After hearing this story, Qu You had a craftsman carve the raw jade into the shape of a little boy.

Birthday coinciding with the anniversary of loss—though everyone assumed Wang Yiran had moved on, how could she not grieve over the only child she ever had? Qu You’s move was risky—if successful, it would win Wang Yiran’s trust; if not, she could always find another way.

Seeing Wang Yiran clutching Qu You’s hand, lost in conversation, the women below were momentarily stunned before resuming their chatter. The flower hall soon returned to its previous liveliness.

Zuo Hui stole several glances at Qu You, then whispered irritably to her mother, “Father said… the most flirtatious officials in Bian Du, upon seeing beauties like me, would completely forget their wives at home. Never expected her to follow him here—and be such a beauty! Forget about being a secondary wife—even as a concubine, she might not even consider me.”

Madam Zuo tugged her hand and retorted stubbornly, “You know nothing. Men crave novelty. There are countless such women in Bian Du. You grew up in the borderlands—how can you compare? Look at her bracelet, how impressive. Even though demoted, Lord Zhou’s family must still possess immense wealth… With your looks, why lack ambition?”

Zuo Hui fumed, “Father even wanted me to become Wu Da’s secondary wife. He’s old and coarse—is that ambition? What if this Lord Zhou turns out to be ugly…”

Madam Zuo replied, “Is there anyone richer than these people in Ruo Zhou? Being picky—do you want to marry a poor man and drink the northwest wind outside the city gates?”

They continued their hushed argument when several maids arrived, inviting everyone to the main hall for the meal. Qu You followed Wang Yiran, chatting as they exited. Just reaching the corridor, they discovered a fine drizzle had begun.

Heavy rain was rare in Ruo Zhou, but such dense drizzles were common in spring, coming and going quickly.

Wang Yiran immediately ordered umbrellas fetched. Before long, a white figure appeared faintly in the garden.

Zhou Tan, holding an oiled paper umbrella, walked gracefully through the misty rain.

Qu You had already astonished everyone earlier; Zhou Tan’s sudden appearance left even Wang Yiran momentarily stunned. Zuo Hui and several unmarried girls at the back craned their necks, blushing profusely at the sight.

Girls in Bian Du were pampered—they envied but could somewhat anticipate this. However, rarely in the western borders did one encounter a gentleman as refined as Zhou Tan. Even the handsomest local men lacked the noble air cultivated by scholarly families.

There were too few scholars in the western borders, let alone handsome ones. Upon seeing him, he seemed almost otherworldly.

Several women gazed, wishing they were twenty years younger.

Zhou Tan, holding the yellowish oiled paper umbrella, draped his outer robe over Qu You’s shoulders and then greeted Wang Yiran with a bow, “Lady Wu, greetings. The drizzle is chilly, and my wife has yet to recover from her cold. She cannot be exposed to the wind, so I’ve come to fetch her. Apologies for intruding where many ladies are present.”

In truth, Qu You noticed that gender segregation in Ruo Zhou was far less strict than in Bian Du—unmarried ladies could dine alongside men without screens. Yet Zhou Tan’s manner compelled even Wang Yiran to respond more formally, “Lord Zhou, no need for such courtesies.”

Thus, Zhou Tan held the umbrella in one hand and gently supported Qu You’s shoulder with the other, walking toward the main hall under the fervent gazes of the women, leaving them to continue waiting.

Long after they had gone, Qu You looked back and could still see their intense stares.

Her vanity soared, and she happily wrapped her arms around Zhou Tan’s neck, feigning reproach, “How did you think to come fetch me? The way those women in the corridor looked at you—they nearly wanted to devour you. Aren’t you afraid that after today, they’ll bring their daughters to offer as your concubines?”

Zhou Tan coolly replied, “That’s still not as captivating as my wife. Just passing by with her face covered set imaginations ablaze.”

Qu You paused, about to speak, when Zhou Tan stopped walking, looking up, “Look, the apricot blossoms are in full bloom.”

Qu You followed his gaze, seeing the bountiful apricot blossoms above them, pure and fragrant. She gazed wistfully, thinking that the transplanted apricot trees in Zhou Mansion must also be blooming. Not being able to witness the first blossoms was truly regrettable.

Just as she began to feel a twinge of sorrow, she heard Zhou Tan muse thoughtfully, “Though our current residence is modest, there’s still space to plant an apricot tree outside your window… In a few days, once the Wu Mansion is empty, I’ll have someone transplant this tree there. What do you think?”

Qu You: ?