Untouchable Lovers

Chapter 98: Chapter 93: Most Unclear

Chu Yu’s emotions were complex.

Avoiding Xiao Bie was because she was worried about her own lack of skill in playing the zither being noticed, and she also did not want anyone to connect her two identities through Xiao Bie. There was a purpose and a weighing of pros and cons in this action. Avoiding Rong Zhi, however, was purely out of her feelings.

She had never been a delicate and quiet girl. When on holidays, while other girls went shopping for clothes, she preferred hiking and venturing into forests, places seldom visited by others, to experience different scenery. Perhaps because her personality was too broad-minded, her romantic fortunes had been so scarce throughout her life that they were almost non-existent, in stark contrast to the abundance of admirers that Shan Yin’s Princess had.

That was exactly why she was so disoriented by a remark from Rong Zhi.

It was as if a highly secretive corner of her heart had been unveiled, a bit shy and a bit joyful, yet so anxious and uneasy. It was a muted, bobbing sensation, veiled in a layer of mist, yet never quite clear, ambiguously indescribable.

If someone were told that Shan Yin’s Princess, who had numerous concubines, was restless over an ambiguous remark, it would certainly make their jaw drop. But who would know that within this body, a brand-new soul had emerged, blossoming incredibly pure and immaculate from the dark soil?

The least clear was she herself.

Rong Zhi’s words, although not directly stated, had already made his stance clear through his expressions. The ambiguity was only on her part.

Chu Yu could have asked more directly, whether he liked her or not was merely a matter of speaking out. Yet, she hurriedly felt an urge to retreat and fled in a panic during that tender moment.

She did not know whom Rong Zhi’s words were addressed to, her or the Shan Yin’s Princess? She thought it was most likely the latter. If so, how would she tell him that the person he was unwaveringly committed to was no longer present?

Stepping back ten thousand steps, disregarding anyone else and just considering herself, that was also the fundamental reason. She was unclear about her own feelings. She did have a favorable impression of Rong Zhi—he was handsome, skilled, understanding, and gentle. Even when she previously thought of Rong Zhi as an enemy, she couldn’t help but admire his capabilities… But what exactly were these feelings?

Chu Yu had no similar experience and it was not possible to seek help from those around her in this era. She could only grope around on her own. Nevertheless, all her groping was merely shallow and ambiguously detached, never able to dispel the dense mist.

It still wasn’t enough, as if something was still not sufficient.

After standing outside the door for quite some time, Chu Yu finally came to her senses completely. Taking advantage of a brief pause in the sound of chess pieces, she turned around and hurriedly fled.

Now was not the time to confront Rong Zhi.

Right, it wasn’t the time, not the time.

Chu Yu forced herself to focus on what was to come, walking briskly, the wind whistling past her ears, quickly overcoming faint questioning voices within her heart: why are you running?

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The next day, just as Liu Ziyue was about to proceed to the Princess Mansion, Chu Yu naturally had to welcome him at the entrance. She arrived early, only to unexpectedly see that someone had arrived before the Emperor, or rather should say “returned.”

It was He Ji, the Ninja Turtle Prince Consort, whom she hadn’t seen for many days.

In the many days Chu Yu had spent in this world, she could count on one hand the number of times she had met the Prince Consort. When she was in the mansion, he was hardly ever there, and whenever he returned, she was mostly out. He Ji had a residence in the West Upper Pavilion, but it stood empty about 350 days out of the year, indicating how little He Ji wished to stay at the Princess Mansion.

However, what Chu Yu found admirable was that, even so, in those few meetings, he had always shown great care for her, which repeatedly sent shivers down her spine.

Now, just like the previous times, He Ji approached with his graceful demeanor to pay his respects. Chu Yu arched an eyebrow and, looking at his calm and handsome face, smiled and asked, “Prince Consort, where have you been staying these days?”

He Ji was somewhat confused about why Chu Yu was standing at the door. His mind elsewhere and caught off guard, he inadvertently blurted out, “At the home of Minister of Personnel Chu Yuan.” As soon as he spoke, he saw the change in Chu Yu’s expression and immediately regretted his words.

Chu Yu had been aware of the name Chu Yuan even before her arrival in this era. He was known to be an extraordinarily handsome man and was an uncle to Shan Yin’s Princess. The reason Chu Yu knew of him was because Shan Yin’s Princess had once coveted this handsome man, going so far as to have Ziye decree Chu Yuan to her mansion for a full ten days. Chu Yuan preserved his chastity only by threatening to take his own life.

It was said that He Ji bore some resemblance to Chu Yuan in appearance and manner, which earned him the nickname “Little Master Chu.”

Thinking of this, Chu Yu couldn’t help but say, “I heard that you and Chu Yuan look somewhat alike. If you walked together, wouldn’t people unfamiliar with you assume you are brothers? Is that true?”

He Ji’s back was covered in cold sweat. Neither willing to confirm nor deny, he noticed Chu Yu’s eager expression and feared that revealing Chu Yuan might lead yet another handsome man of the realm to meet a terrible fate at his Princess’s hands. Yet, to deny it would be a blatant lie and if the Princess discovered his lie later, he might face her wrath.

Torn between affirmation and denial, with his shirt drenched in sweat, He Ji evasively replied, “These are but rumors from outsiders. My acquaintance with Master Chu is based on admiration for his virtues, unrelated to his appearance.”

In the heat of the day, seeing the sweat on He Ji’s forehead, Chu Yu realized his discomfort. Feeling both amused and sympathetic, she thought to let the matter slide and spare him further trouble. However, just as she was about to let it go, another voice from outside stopped He Ji’s heart from sinking further, “If you want to know if it’s true, invite Chu Yuan to stay at Sister’s mansion for a few days.”

Chu Yu looked up to see that Liu Ziyue had arrived at some point. He was dressed in black, and although it was just his regular attire, the fine patterns on his sleeve edges and collar spoke volumes about his somberness. Even though he was shorter than He Ji, the way he looked at He Ji was from a height, aloof and condescending: “When the time comes, let the Prince Consort and Chu Yuan eat and live together. Sister will come to see if they indeed resemble each other.”

Considering the situation, it appeared that Shan Yin’s Princess had not yet had the chance to harm her uncle as history had recorded, but a twist of fate allowed Chu Yu, who had assumed the identity of Shan Yin’s Princess, to perhaps complete this unfinished business.

To He Ji, it felt like a bolt from the blue, but Chu Yu was also quite reluctant in her heart. Both of them, with great acting skill, managed to keep their facial expressions under control and thanked Liu Ziyue. Liu Ziyue, visibly impatient with He Ji being in the way, quickly dismissed him after the thanks and then warmly took Chu Yu to a secluded place, whispering, “Sister, when shall we slip out?”

His mind was still fixated on that child-like incognito excursion.