After returning to the Princess's Imperial Residence following the scare on the mountain top, there was another spell of tumultuous ups and downs. Chu Yu felt very exhausted, so the next day she slept late into the morning.
After getting up, she changed into her clothes and combed her hair before leisurely enjoying the breakfast that You Lan had delivered even though strictly speaking, it was already close to lunchtime. When she was half full, she noticed that You Lan had an anxious expression as if there was something she wanted to say. She then warmly inquired, "What's the matter?"
Princess Shanyin had many maidservants, but You Lan was the first female that Chu Yu came across in this unknown place.
Furthermore, it was also from You Lan that she initially learned her identity. From then onwards, she nominated You Lan alone to personally serve her, and her treatment towards the maidservant improved over time.
She could see that Chu Yu was in a good mood, so she dared to say, "Princess, since early this morning, there have been people from the outer court standing at the entrance to the inner court. Even until now, they have yet to leave."
Chu Yu raised her silk handkerchief and dabbed at her lips as she asked in a composed and unruffled manner, "What are they doing guarding the entrance?"
Inwardly relieved, You Lan could see that Chu Yu did not appear displeased. While grasping on to the precious pearl ornament hidden in her sleeve, she lowered her head and spoke in a respectful tone, "They came to look for Young Master Rong. A large sum of expenses and funds need his annotations and endorsements before being received from the storehouse. The checking and reconciliation of the accounts are done on a half-monthly basis. Furthermore, the arrangement of personnel affairs within the Imperial Residence…" She ingeniously trailed off halfway and did not continue, but the meaning was already very clear — because of Rong Zhi, all of these matters were being delayed.
Does Rong Zhi take care of so many matters in the Princess's Imperial Residence?
Chu Yu had originally intended to eat more, but at this moment, she could not help but stop. She pondered for a while, then remarked, "Doesn't Rong Zhi want to meet them?" Perhaps, he was trying to let her know his might.
"Of course not!" You Lan was surprised by the direction of Chu Yu's thoughts. She hastily shook her head in fear that Chu Yu had misunderstood. "Young Master Rong Zhi didn't refuse to meet them although Young Master Hua is guarding his courtyard entrance."
Chu Yu fell silent. She put her chopsticks down, rose to her feet, then draped her outerwear on. "Well, I'll go and take a look."
After stepping out through the door, Yue Jiefei naturally followed behind the two of them until they arrived nearby the usually peaceful Snow Garden at the West Court. There were a number of people scattered around, perhaps twenty or more, including guards, maidservants, and attendants. However, none of them dared to approach the courtyard entrance, their faces all blanched in fright as if there was some kind of man-eating beast inside.
There was a common feature on almost all of these people. Either their collars were gaping open by around an inch wide or a section of their hair was trimmed off.
All of this was probably Hua Cuo's doing.
Someone then noticed the Princess's arrival and hurriedly greeted her, but Chu Yu gestured her hand to stop him. After that, she called the youth that was closest to her over and inquired, "How's the situation inside?"
The youth replied hastily with his head lowered, "Princess, Young Master Hua said he won't let anyone meet Young Master Rong. We wanted to enter, but we were browbeaten and driven out." The first strike of the sword was a warning, but the second would be in earnest. They were carrying out work on behalf of others, but there was no need for them to put their lives on the line.
Precisely at this moment, a brave man dauntlessly charged into the courtyard. A few seconds later, a screech was heard coming from within the courtyard and someone was tossed out from the top of the courtyard wall, almost like he was rubbish being flung over. This person was the same brave man that had charged in a few seconds ago.
Chu Yu peered inside the entrance, but she only caught a glimpse of the shade from the shadows of the bamboo which were wavering and swaying faintly. Since she did not catch sight of any human figure, she turned her head and questioned the youth again, "Is it a must to seek Rong Zhi out?"
Without Rong Zhi, would they not be able to handle the matters by themselves?
Even though Rong Zhi usually appeared to be relatively free, from the youth's reply, she could deduce that he controlled the official seal as well as the funds and personnel affairs of the Princess's Imperial Residence. Most importantly, he oversaw the various vital channels that ensured the smooth operation of the place.
Indeed, Rong Zhi possessed such great limits of authority.
Chu Yu was endlessly astonished. Given the vast extent of Rong Zhi's authority, if he did not want to stay at the Princess's Imperial Residence, he could have left a long time ago. Even going so far as to plot her death was not completely inconceivable. So, what actually prompted him to stay behind?'
After standing outside the Snow Garden for a while, Chu Yu beckoned and gathered everyone. She told them she would address this matter accordingly and ordered them to retreat and disperse first.
As she waited for the crowd to leave, she did not make a move to step towards the Snow Garden. She turned around and hurried her pace as she walked towards the same path that she had used to get here.
Yue Jiefei caught up with her and could not help asking, "Princess, where do you intend to go?"
Chu Yu answered, "The Yonder Residence."
****************
Within the Yonder Residence, Huan Yuan was not like the bygone days, whereby he would always hold a book in his hands and skim through it because he had finished reading the books that he previously borrowed from Rong Zhi. However, at this moment, he was also reluctant to meet Rong Zhi again.
There was the unclear mumble of dialogue outside the manor, which sounded like the imperial guard. Soon after that, someone pushed the door open and entered. Unable to rein in his curiosity, Huan Yuan inclined his head to take a look. Who would come looking for him at this hour?
With a smile, Chu Yu stepped forth into Huan Yuan's manor. Sweeping her eyes across, her glance settled on the youth who was sitting in a corner. Right away, she walked over in his direction.
Upon seeing Chu Yu, Huan Yuan's handsome face was flooded with complex fluctuating expressions. As the young lady approached him, he glanced at her with a perplexed look. He felt as if he had never properly looked at this person before. As a result of yesterday's experience, his resolution had admittedly wavered. Still, could the disgrace that he had buried deep in his heart for the last two years be obliterated by a moment's hesitance?
Two contradicting emotions stirred in Huan Yuan's heart. On one hand, he felt the shame of being forced to become a figurative chunk of meat for one's exclusive consumption. On the other hand, he felt like he owed her a favor for saving his life. He was clueless about the kind of expression he should use when facing Chu Yu.
Huan Yuan's was faced with an obvious inner struggle, but Chu Yu's notion was very clear and definite. She came to stand before him, then sat down facing him. Each of them had their own individual console table. She expressed straight to the point, "Huan Yuan, the reason I came here today was to discuss a deal with you."
Huan Yuan knitted his brows and remarked with sarcasm, "Am I qualified to engage in such a deal with you, Princess?" He blurted out his words unwittingly without much thought. Just as the words left his mouth, he felt regret although he was not sure why. Slowly, he let out a breath and apologized tactfully, "Pardon me, Princess. I lost control of himself and spoke out of turn. May I ask what deal are you referring to?"
Chu Yu slowly put up her hand and indicated three fingers. "Three years henceforth after which, you will no longer be my male companion. Then, you will be my aide. Work for me for three years. After that, I'll arrange a new identity for you, so you will have a clean slate and be granted your freedom. Are you willing to accept this deal?"
The span of three years was longer than expected, but Chu Yu also had her own considerations. She needed an assistant who was competent and reliable, and Huan Yuan fit the bill more appropriately compared to Rong Zhi who she could not fathom.
"But, Huan Yuan..." Chu Yu stared fixedly into his eyes with her sharp gaze, not allowing him to look away. "Within these three years, I expect you to be completely devoted to demonstrating your faithfulness. This is my most basic requirement. If you cannot accomplish this, then consider that I never came here today."