It was a yes or no question.
Although Chu Yu seemed determined, she was secretly hesitating. She knew she was risking it. The idea was clear to her, but Huan Yuan might not buy it. Even if he did, he might not do as he promised.
It would be a disaster if she picked the wrong person for something that completely relied on one's trust.
However, Chu Yu had no other choice at the moment. After all, she knew very few people and there were not many she was familiar with.
Although Liu Sang was young and full of potential, he was not alert when it came to people. He was addressing Brother Rong Zhi like they were very close to the point where he might have to count money for him if Rong Zhi decided to sell him off in the future.
The Prince Consort, who had acting skills worthy of winning an Oscar, was less reliable. She put herself into his shoes and thought about it over and over again. Chu Yu figured He Ji would undoubtedly be more interested to stab her instead.
Chu Yu thought of Mo Xiang and Liu Se too, but she figured they were more for show. Their abilities were worth considering, but that was about it.
Looking at the situation earlier, it was clear that Hua Cuo was on Rong Zhi's side. He was disqualified from the beginning.
With that, Huan Yuan was the only one left.
He was talented, meticulous and had a tough character as well as a high level of tolerance. Apart from not being able to let go of his past and identity, he had no other flaws. Most importantly, Chu Yu had risked her life to save him yesterday. Although she did it by intuition, she could use it to her benefit now. Furthermore, it was convenient to grant Huan Yuan a brand new identity and his freedom.
Painting a picture with two brushes at the same time, Chu Yu thought she had done everything she could. No matter how successful her plan would be and what would happen in the future, those were things she could not foresee. She could only do her best instead of letting fate take charge.
Hearing the condition Chu Yu named, Huan Yuan stared at her in disbelief. He wanted to believe her, but he could not help his suspicions. He threw a cold blanket over himself before he felt the joy sink in as he did not know what to say at that moment.
Seeing Huan Yuan respond with nothing but a cold expression on his face after a while, Chu Yu stood up and said to him while smiling faintly, "I'll wait for your answer. Take your time to think about it. There's no rush."
There was backlight behind her when she stood up. Her face was buried in the shadows, but her eyes were bright and clear with a calm and determined light in them. She looked the same as yesterday at that very moment too.
As if something had exploded in his head, Huan Yuan's conscious mind was emptied and he said out loud, "Sure." He seemed to be a little regretful when he said that, but there was no way he could take his words back.
Chu Yu was secretly elated as she flashed her palm in front of Huan Yuan. "It's a promise. Let's seal the deal with a high-five."
Her sleeve slipped backward slightly as she held up her hand while her slender wrist was revealed. Huan Yuan gazed at her wrist and recalled that it was the same hand that had held onto him yesterday. She did not let go although her life was on the line.
While Chu Yu felt a little worried while waiting for Huan Yuan to respond, he lifted his hand slowly and placed his palm on hers softly. Then, they clasped hands together slowly.
Were they both not risking themselves at the same time?
All of their suspicions and insecurities were soothed away with their palms pressing gently together.
'It's a promise. Let's seal the deal with a high-five.'
***
As she walked out of the Yonder Residence, Chu Yu was half-relieved when she returned to the Snow Garden.
According to her command, the people around her left as peace returned to the forest with the green bamboos and parasol trees. When she was approaching the entrance to the courtyard, Chu Yu saw a maidservant holding a tray and walking towards her slowly.
She stopped the maidservant and asked, "What's this?"
The maidservant wanted to kneel, but Chu Yu stopped her. She peeked at Chu Yu carefully and only replied softly when she made sure the princess did not appear out of the ordinary. "This is medicinal congee for Young Master Rong Zhi."
There was a porcelain cup on the tray. Chu Yu found out that there was hot congee in it when she opened the lid. However, the color of the congee was not white like the color of rice. It was mixed with some brown. There was minced meat in the congee and some unknown white cubes.
The fragrance of the medicinal congee spread out as soon as the lid was opened. Although there was a herbal smell wafting from it, it was not displeasing at all. With the fragrance of the rice and meat mixed together magically, it was appetizing.
Chu Yu covered the lid and took the tray. "You may leave now. I'll send this to him myself."
The maidservant did not seem to see that coming and revealed an expression as if she had just seen a ghost. However, she could not stop Chu Yu from taking the tray away either. After a while, she bowed to Chu Yu while looking like she was in a dream. As if she was sleep-walking, she then turned around and walked like she was floating. She mumbled to herself like she was sleep-talking as she left, "I must still be sleeping."
As she arrived at the entrance of the Snow Garden with Yue Jiefei who remained shocked, Chu Yu recalled what the strong man had done earlier. She stepped away while smiling faintly, signaling Yue Jiefei with her eyes to take the lead. With someone in front of her, she would have a shield if Hua Cuo were to attack her.
Chu Yu shook her head immediately when they heard a sound coming out of the residence. She signaled to Yue Jiefei to slow down.
The voice belonged to Rong Zhi. It was calm, relaxed and a little weak. It had a drawl that sounded lazy and helpless as he said, "Cuo, it's useless for you to guard for me like this. We can't stop them from coming in while I can't stay here forever. Am I right?"
A husky voice was heard later on. "Don't say that. If not for my wounds that are limiting my movement, I would've definitely sliced the person who wounded you into pieces." Without having to guess, naturally, the voice belonged to Hua Cuo.
Chu Yu had a bad feeling when she heard a soft scoff beside her. However, it was too late for her to stop anything. Yue Jiefei stepped forward instantly and responded coldly, "It was I who wounded him. If you didn't stop me, Princess, I would've done more than this and killed him."
Subsequently, Chu Yu heard Hua Cuo sneer, "I thought who could it have been. So, it's my loser Junior Brother. You're such a disgrace. You can't fight me like a man, but you attacked Zhi who doesn't fight. You people just won't stop embarrassing yourself. Don't you always follow the Princess behind her back? Where is she?" His voice was deep, husky and soft, but he was mean when he spoke. Although his voice was low, it was like a thin needle poking at one's weakness.
Yue Jiefei's impulsive behavior exposed Chu Yu's whereabouts. Knowing that she would not be able to pry any longer, she sighed and walked into the garden.
After taking two steps into the garden, Chu Yu did not look at Yue Jiefei and the red silhouette that was facing him. She had her eyes trained directly on Rong Zhi who was lying on the limestone platform.