Chapter 293: Chapter 270: The Unexpected Blood Red

I remember when I first arrived in Luoyang, it was on a winter day much like today.

Leaning quietly by the window, Chu Yu leisurely watched the snowflakes falling from the sky. The flakes were large yet light, as if white feathers from heaven fluttered down to the mortal world.

How is Rong Zhi now, I wonder? Has he fulfilled his wish? The emissary I dispatched to gather news hasn’t returned yet, and a distance of two thousand li is truly inconvenient.

If only there were telephones, a simple call would resolve everything.

Amused by her thoughts, Chu Yu couldn’t help but show a smile.

Since returning to Luoyang, there were times at first when the thought of Rong Zhi would sadden me, but gradually, all that remained was a serene emptiness in my heart, much like the feeling I have now.

Setting up a greenhouse indoors to tend to flowers and grass, delving into cooking from time to time, and perusing ancient poems and essays–there are many ways to stave off loneliness. Sometimes, when deeply immersed, I even forget about Rong Zhi.

In truth, missing someone is not all that painful, as long as I can be sure he is safe. Thinking of him from afar, I too can find quite a bit of pleasure.

There was a flurry of hurried footsteps, and someone rushed in, shattering the tranquil sanctuary I was in. Chu Yu looked up in surprise, only to see it was Chen Bai, the housekeeper with the Chen surname.

Housekeeper Chen’s name is Chen Bai. The first time we came to Luoyang years ago, intending to pick a few servants from the market, we saw Chen Bai with a trafficker. Noticing his distinguished bearing, Huan Yuan stepped forward to speak with him. Chen Bai revealed he was originally from the Southern Dynasty, whose family’s business collapse compelled him to leave his home and journey alone to Northern Wei, where he fell into misfortune.

Since they came from the same place, and Chen Bai spoke eloquently, Huan Yuan felt a sense of kinship and decided to buy his freedom, charging him with the household’s affairs. Chen Bai was only in his mid-twenties at the time, and though young, he was extremely steady and loyal, handling matters with considerable method and skill. It didn’t take long for him to organize the household’s various affairs neatly, sparing Huan Yuan a great deal of trouble.

Although Chen Bai was very capable, he never sought to stand out. Usually quiet and unassuming, sometimes I would even forget he was there.

Chen Bai burst into the courtyard, and upon spotting Chu Yu, he hurried over with swift and resolute strides, a departure from his years of humble and deferential demeanor. His face was taut with severity, a clear contrast to his usual gentle composure, and a firm heroic spirit now broke through his ordinary visage. As housekeeper, he seldom visited without prior notification, never before displaying such a breach of etiquette.

Under Chu Yu’s astonished gaze, Chen Bai walked to the window, bowed, and said, “I have urgent news to report.”

His demeanor transformed, his tone resolute and robust. Even as my mind was not fully recovered, I could instantly detect the anomaly, “What’s happened?”

Chen Bai quickly divulged his identity, past, and clandestine purpose clearly and plainly. Looking directly at Chu Yu, he declared firmly, “I should not confess my identity, but recent events in Luoyang are laden with suspicious activity. Bandits have emerged out of nowhere near Luoyang City two days ago, the local garrison has been dispatched away, and many of the men arranged by the young master went missing today, with the courier responsible for delivering messages also a day late. Entrusted with the young master’s charge, I fear unexpected changes may arise. Please accompany me to a place of safety to avoid any potential risks for a time.”

Rong Zhi had said that concealing my identity was secondary; in the event of an unforeseen emergency, ensuring Chu Yu’s safety was the main priority. While I might not know if anything happened in Ping City, the current situation did indeed give off a scent of danger. To gain Chu Yu’s cooperation, I laid bare everything; otherwise, it would be hard to fabricate a reason or excuse to persuade Chu Yu to follow me on such short notice.

Better safe than sorry. Rong Zhi placed me here precisely because he valued my prudence and meticulousness. I couldn’t afford to take any risks.

As for whether I might face Chu Yu’s interrogation and reproach, those concerns were now beyond my regard.

Chu Yu looked at Chen Bai with a peculiar gaze. It took her a while before she slowly said, “To stay in my household for several years, you are quite remarkable.” It appeared that Chen Bai must be a capable figure under Rong Zhi, yet he had understatedly served as an unremarkable housekeeper for several years. Just this patience and composure alone were truly extraordinary.

Chen Bai forced a slight bitter smile, waiting for Chu Yu to reprimand him, but Chu Yu only moved away from the window and took a circuitous route out of the doorway. Facing Chen Bai, she bowed deeply, “I am deeply indebted to you for your covert assistance and protection over the years. You have labored hard.”

Although Chu Yu felt some anger when she first heard Chen Bai reveal that he was an undercover operative, her rationality quickly dissipated the emotion: Chen Bai was merely following orders, and the true decision-maker was Rong Zhi. If she were to be angry, it should be directed at Rong Zhi; moreover, while Chen Bai had been undercover, he carried out his duties as a housekeeper with dedication and never slackened, even going so far as to prioritize her safety above all. People dispatched by Rong Zhi were never incompetents. For such a person to serve as her housekeeper for years was indeed a waste of his talents. With such consideration, not only should she not blame him, but she ought to thank him instead.

Chen Bai hurriedly stepped aside, saying, “I do not deserve such praise. Given the urgency of the situation, please follow me and leave immediately.”

Chu Yu nodded, turned back into the room to retrieve a cloak from the wardrobe, and draped it over her shoulders before stepping out. It was then that she realized she had picked an old cloak, the very one Liu Ziyue had put on her shoulders the last time she saw him years ago. She hadn’t worn it since, though she always carried it with her, but today it had unexpectedly been brought out. Chu Yu’s heart quivered, but there was no time for her to choose another, so she suppressed her unease and said, “I leave it all in your hands.”

In dire circumstances, it was indeed more reliable to entrust matters to a professional.

Following Chen Bai out of the courtyard, Chu Yu only then saw that there were neatly about forty to fifty people standing outside. Upon recognizing their faces, her bitter smile deepened, “So it was all of you.”

The over forty individuals standing before her each bore a determined and steadfast expression, with swords at their sides, evidently subordinates gathered by Chen Bai. But Chu Yu recognized many of them – there were gardeners from her household, stable boys, escorts, and even neighbors, liquor merchants – all now appearing before her with a different guise.

That fellow Rong Zhi… just how large a net had he cast around her?

But at this moment, getting angry was of no use to her. She only turned to Chen Bai and asked, “What do we do now? Do I leave alone? I hope to bring Huan Yuan and the others with me.”

Chen Bai spoke gravely, “Yes. I have already sent men to look for them, please wait a moment.”

It wasn’t long before Huan Yuan, Amman, and You Lan were brought over, but Hua Cuo was nowhere to be found. Since their return to Luoyang City, Hua Cuo had been disappearing frequently, not staying at home from dawn till dusk, and nobody knew where he went. After pondering for a moment, Chu Yu deduced that even alone, Hua Cuo had the ability to protect himself, so she let Chen Bai lead the way out.

Surrounded by her entourage, Chu Yu quickly exited through the back door, climbed into the already prepared carriage, and the several carriages managed to accommodate the dozens of protectors, with those guarding Chu Yu and Huan Yuan at the center. The convoy took to the deserted back alleys, passing through several streets.

The carriage wheels swiftly rolled over the cobblestone streets, and Chen Bai, in the same carriage as Chu Yu, gradually explained the situation en route, and he repeated the current predicament to Huan Yuan. At the end, he said, “Thus, to avoid any mishaps, we have another secluded residence in Luoyang, although small in size, its advantage lies in its anonymity. Once we have confirmed news from Ping City, we can make further arrangements.”

As he finished speaking, the carriage stopped in front of a secluded residence. Chen Bai was the first to jump down, then he courteously invited Chu Yu to alight. As they were about to approach the entrance, Chen Bai seemed to suddenly detect something, stepping ahead of Chu Yu and watching warily as the gate gradually opened.

Chu Yu leaned her head to see past Chen Bai and saw a figure in a vivid red, standing in the slowly opening doorway. The figure held a sword in one hand, slanted toward the ground, with drops of an even deeper red liquid rhythmically dripping down the blade.

Red as blood, both his clothes and the sword in his hand.

Chu Yu’s eyes widened, “Hua Cuo?”

The red-clad figure standing in the doorway revealed a faint, devilish, and arrogant smile.