Chapter 541: Secret Liaison

Chapter 541: Secret Affair

Hua Feixue paused mid-step and turned around. He looked at the beautiful and elegant woman before him, as if to speak.

"A Ran, why are you still awake at this hour?"

Shen Shiran raised her head, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

"Brother Chu Yi, I was waiting for you. I knew you would come to find me tonight."

Hua Feixue gave a bitter smile and reached out to stroke her hair, his magnetic voice heavy with sorrow.

"A Ran, tomorrow the score between me and Empress Dowager Yuan will finally be settled."

"If—and this is just a what-if—I don't make it back alive tomorrow, don't wait for me. Find a good man who'll treat you right, marry him, and live well."

The moment he finished speaking, Shen Shiran threw herself into his arms, her voice thick with tears.

"No, Brother Chu Yi, whether you come back alive or not, you're the only man I, Shen Shiran, will ever marry, period."

"If you live, I'll be right there with you. If you die, I won't go on living without you."

She knew Hua Feixue all too well—knew the resentment festering inside him, and knew that this man always braced for the worst-case scenario.

When Hua Feixue said those words, he was really just looking out for her. He was afraid she'd do something reckless again, like trying to end her own life.

With that thought, Shen Shiran wrapped her arms even tighter around Hua Feixue's waist, pressing her ear to his chest.

Listening to the steady thump of his heart, she felt safe.

"Brother Chu Yi, you will definitely come back alive. I'll wait for you to return and marry me."

Hua Feixue looked at the woman in his arms, his heart melting. He bent down and kissed the top of her head.

He whispered softly, "Alright. If I make it back in one piece this time, I'll marry you."

"And I promise you—you'll be my only wife. I'll never take a concubine."

Shen Shiran nodded, her eyes welling up. "Brother Chu Yi, I believe you."

With that, she released Hua Feixue and pulled a protective talisman from her sleeve.

She placed it in Hua Feixue's hand. "Brother Chu Yi, I went to the temple yesterday and got this talisman made just for you."

"Keep it with you at all times. I'll wait for you to get your revenge and come back to marry me."

Hua Feixue held the talisman, a gentle smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Alright."

The two embraced, exchanging heartfelt words, until the sky started to lighten and the first pale rays of dawn crept in. Only then did Hua Feixue finally, reluctantly, let her go.

"A Ran, it's getting late. I need to go meet up with Princess Ye and Young Master Xie."

"It's going to be a mess out there today. Stay home and don't go out unless you absolutely have to."

Shen Shiran nodded. "Brother Chu Yi, don't worry. I get it. I won't leave the house."

Hua Feixue gave a few more last-minute instructions before stepping out of her courtyard.

The moment he stopped, he ran right into Xie Liuzheng, who looked frantic.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. Sister Yuntang said you were probably here with Miss Shen. Didn't think I'd actually find you here."

Hua Feixue frowned. "What's going on?"

Xie Liuzheng raised an eyebrow. "Madam Cao showed up. You want to go see her?"

Hua Feixue didn't even hesitate. "Alright."

When he got to the back courtyard, Hua Feixue saw a woman in a purple brocade gown.

She had a refined, dignified look, with intelligence shining in her eyes. Even though she was actually a few years younger than Empress Dowager Yuan, she looked far older, with deep wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

Ji Yuntang was sitting nearby, chatting with her about something.

Hua Feixue walked over, and Madam Cao immediately stood up.

"Was it you, young master, who wrote me that letter yesterday?"

Hua Feixue said, "Yes, that was me."

Madam Cao's nose stung with emotion, and her voice sounded distant as her hands, clutching a handkerchief, trembled.

"What you said in the letter—is it all true? He's really not dead?"

When Madam Cao first got the letter, she figured it was some kind of joke.

But when her personal maid, Xiaoyue, brought her a portrait this morning, her heart was thrown into turmoil, and she couldn't stay calm.

That portrait was the one showing Empress Dowager Yuan and the National Preceptor in a secret affair—the one Ji Yuntang had Shen Xiangming spread around town.

Even though the man in the portrait looked different, Madam Cao recognized Jiang Yanfan right away.

She'd been searching for him for over a decade. She'd never had any interest in painting, but she'd forced herself to learn how to draw portraits just for this.

You can't find someone without a portrait, and deep down, Madam Cao believed she was the one who knew Jiang Yanfan best.

Only she could draw what he looked like at every age.

So when she saw that portrait, Madam Cao's heart broke.

She tried to convince herself the man wasn't Jiang Yanfan, but the image in the photo wouldn't wash off or wipe away. She couldn't fool herself.

That's when Madam Cao started remembering all the little moments between Jiang Yanfan and Yuan Qiongying.

In his free time, he'd always casually bring up her name in front of Madam Cao, and at meals, he'd remember the dishes she liked.

Sometimes when the two of them went out shopping and saw nice jewelry, he'd buy a piece for Madam Cao and also pick one out for Yuan Qiongying.

Back then, Madam Cao had asked Jiang Yanfan why he was so thoughtful toward Consort Yuan.

He'd say, "Dear, you're overthinking it again. Qiongying is just my cousin. We grew up together and we've always been close. Isn't it normal for a cousin to give his cousin a gift?"

"Besides, Cousin Qiongying is now an imperial consort favored by the Emperor. In the future, when our little Bao goes to study at the Royal Academy, we might even need her help."

"If we're a bit more attentive now and spend a little money, she'll remember our kindness. And if Cousin Qiongying's son ever ascends the throne, our Jiang family can bask in that glory too, right?"

Madam Cao didn't buy that reasoning at all—she absolutely hated that kind of groveling.

But Jiang Yanfan had explained it to her repeatedly and even sworn solemn oaths in front of her, so she gradually came to believe him.

But she never expected that all of this was merely a deception.

Jiang Yanfan had long been carrying on with Yuan Qiongying, and had even gotten her pregnant without Madam Cao knowing.

Madam Cao's eyes gradually welled up with tears. Thinking of everything she had done for the Jiang family, she felt it had all been in vain.

At that moment, Ji Yuntang spoke up, "Madam Cao, we can fully understand how you feel. Your husband walked out on his wife and kids, secretly fathered a child with another woman, and even moved in with her, while showing no concern for his own parents, wife, or children."

"You single-handedly bore the whole burden of the Jiang family, slaving day and night to give your child a good life, and this is what you get in return."

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