In-Laws and Outlaws: Prologue
Yuwen Zhuo did not approve.
Even if the King of Heaven himself came down on a cloud and made a personal appeal on their behalf, he would not change his mind.
His entire demeanour was proof of it. The perpetual scowl that he wore was more pronounced than usual and his tone of voice was sterner than the servants could remember. In the frame of mind that he was in, losing all his upper body limbs would have been preferable to witnessing the complete disaster that his grandson was making of his life.
It had already been poor form that his grandson had exposed himself unnecessarily in Yanbei. Furthermore this same grandson almost lost his life because of a woman. On top of that, said grandson brought that woman… a former slave no less… back to Qing Shan Yuan to live. A slave that had to audacity to kill not just one but three members of the Yuwen clan. Although these men were rather useless human beings that undeniably deserved what was coming to them, they were still family members.
If all of that weren't problematic enough, Yue'er brought back with him an entire army of double-crossing rebels as part of the baggage that came with having her by his side: A rag tag bunch of rebel misfits loyal to nobody but her.
The elderly patriarch shuddered. Goodness only knew when they would all be brutally murdered in their beds.
But the biggest blow of all was when he brought up marriage with her. Marriage! To her of all people! What was Yue'er thinking?
Yuwen Zhuo came to the conclusion that Yue'er wasn't thinking. In fact, he was convinced that his beloved grandson had completely lost his mind. Over a rebel slave!
What kind of madness had inflicted Yue'er?
Of course he was ready with excuses...
"She saved my life, Grandfather!"
"By first putting your life in jeopardy."
"I took a chance by going into Yanbei to rescue the children. It had nothing to do with her."
"That may be. But you stayed on longer than you should and got caught spending time with her."
"Grandfather, it was my choice!"
"Is it your choice too… to defy my wishes and insist on this ridiculous marriage?"
"I would rather not have to do that." Young Master Yue said deferentially. "But if it means losing Xing'er then I would rather quit Qing Shan Yuan and take her with me to live elsewhere."
"You would do that? To me? Because of a woman?"
"She isn't just a woman, grandfather. She's the woman I love."
"Love, love, love… you young people with your talk of love! It makes you selfish and forget your responsibilities."
"Grandfather, I am grateful for all that you've done for me… for raising me and entrusting me with the responsibility of this family and the Eyes of God. But Xing'er is too important to me for me to walk away from. "
"But you can walk away from me, is that it?"
"It isn't an either-or situation. It is not impossible for all of us to live together. But I will never give her up. I lost her 4 years ago, I cannot do that again."
"Yes, to another man."
"That doesn't matter now. It never mattered. She came back to me." When I needed her the most.
Yuwen Zhuo sighed, despairing at the direction the conversation was taking. What happened to the normally logical, circumspect young man that he raised?
"But why her? You can do better. I am sure there is a very long line of women in this country who would love to be the Young Mistress of Qing Shan Yuan."
"Undoubtedly," Young Master Yue acknowledged wryly, "But they won't be Xing'er."
"What's so special about her?"
The grandson thought a while before giving his answer, "When she's around I breathe and I feel alive. And because of her, I'm a better man."
"You don't make sense, Yue'er. You have the respect of the people, the court and armies but you tell me that a woman who will make you throw all that out of the window, makes you better man?"
"I'm sorry you don't understand, grandfather. I was hoping that of all the people in this world, you would. "
All things considered, Young Master Yue thought the conversation went reasonably well. At least they conversed for over 10 minutes which was more than he hoped for. Grandfather needed time to take it all in and to his mind, the old man would come around sooner rather than later. He waltzed serenely into his study where the woman at the centre of the family disturbance was waiting for him, preparing his tea in the way that he liked.
"I suppose you overheard everything." His eyes fell on the teacup that was at his usual spot.
She nodded glumly. "That certainly went well,"
"Better than I had expected actually," Yuwen Yue said thoughtfully, calmly putting the cup to his lips.
"Better than you had expected?" She exclaimed. Her eyes were rounder than usual, "I'd hate to see what happens when you have an actual argument."
"Oh that… that was nothing. Grandfather's mellowing with old age. We had a bit of back and forth. He didn't threaten to disown me, he didn't throw you and your men out. Best of all, he didn't actually forbid the match. All in all, a decent result."
"He didn't exactly agree to it either," She noted sourly. "You're prematurely cheerful about the whole thing."
"I am optimistic. It's called 'wearing down one's opponents through persistence'."
"We don't have to be married, you know. I don't mind. I could go back to being your bedchamber maid." She said half jokingly, half seriously.
His reply came sharply as it did quickly, "Would you be content with that? I wouldn't be. I want you to be my woman and my wife, not a slave nor a servant. And our children must never feel like they are offcuts or an afterthought."
On the subject of our children, Chu Qiao could feel herself blushing and her heart racing madly. That man is so presumptuous. Who said anything about having children with him?
Fortunately for him, she was too embarrassed and secretly pleased to start a protracted argument about any kind of progeny he was hoping to have with her. So she steered clear of that subject. For the moment at least.
"But I don't want to come between you and your grandfather. I know how much he means to you and you to him."
"I've done everything he's ever wanted me to but on this matter, I will stand my ground."
"He's right about one thing though."
"What's that?"
"You could definitely do better."
Yuwen Yue knitted his eyebrows sternly and leaned over the table. Before she knew what hit her, he planted a quick kiss on her tea flavoured lips.
"After all that we've been through… you go and say a thing like that. Don't you ever dare say that again! Modesty doesn't suit you."
Wandering around outside Chu Qiao was struck by how little Qing Shan Yuan had changed. It was as if time stood still there. The world outside was on the verge of all out war and here it was… a pocket of picturesque tranquility. Everything was exactly how she remembered it down to the last branch and leaf, radiating an untouched familiarity.
Her room… that she shared with Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba… was like an old acquaintance who had not changed in appearance or character. It had its store of memories to share too. In that room Xiao Ba observed rather astutely at the time that the young master Yue must have liked her so much to go to such lengths for her. She had been pleased and worried at the same time, unsure of how or whether she could reciprocate those feelings. There were many such memories of them discussing the young master of Qing Shan Yuan. Memories of good and evil days as well as many hushed conversations of schemes to survive plots against their lives.
Surprisingly she found a certain comfort in that. Though this was at a time, a place of oppression, slavery and hardship, it was also, on hindsight, a refuge. More importantly it was the place where she grew to care for the young master of the mansion and learnt to trust him. At the time when every single day was a battle to survive, to be free, she didn't always know or understand her feelings for Yuwen Yue but her heart was crushed in an instant when she thought that he had betrayed her. A wiser Xing'er would have understood then how much their lives had become inevitably entwined with one another's. A wiser Xing'er would have demanded an explanation there and then.
Here too she bickered with her most bitter rival among the maids, trained day and night to be a spy and spent hours sparring with the Young Master Yue. It seemed as if she'd come full circle… back to the place where it all started for her and back in the arms of the man who loved her most.
So much misunderstanding, so much heartache. It was all so regrettable.
Chu Qiao didn't wholly regret the journey with all its missteps and detours because from every single experience she was finally able to face the murmurs of her own heart honestly and run back to him with sincerity. The pain she caused him, however, was the most lamentable part in the whole business.
Sitting by the pool and watching the drop of the waterfall no longer as a slave but a free woman, it occurred to her perhaps for the first time that Qing Shan Yuan was the product of Yuwen Yue's personality. It's maintenance and pristine beauty was the end result of his meticulous attention to detail. The harmony and balance of every feature in the back courtyard from the cobblestones to the marble furnishings came from his brilliant mind and his loving heart.
"Are you glad to be back here, Xing'er?" A voice in the background interrupted her reverie.
It was Yue Qi who had almost completely recovered from his injuries sustained while fighting the Yanbei troops at the icy lake.
"Surprisingly, I am. Especially coming from all the troubles that we've seen lately. It's very peaceful here. Much more than when I left it. I had some good memories here."
"Like when the young master made you balance on one foot for hours?"
"He was teaching me."
"Like when he turned you blind?"
"He was training me."
"I'm glad… you understood his intentions… I was never sure if you did." Yue Qi paused and pondered carefully before boldly continuing with his line of thought. Thoughts he'd kept to himself all these years… thoughts that he was only too willing to reveal now that the young master's lady love had returned.
"When the young master thought you had died, he would sit here for hours drinking by himself. Even though he wasn't supposed to be drinking."
"Was he very upset?" It was a rhetorical question of course. They both knew the answer to that. But it gave Yue Qi the opportunity to bring up some home truths. Chu Qiao too had the morbid curiosity of a lover.
"What do you think?" The almost bitter reply was followed by a rare emotional outburst. "I had never seen him so devastated in the years I've been with him. Denied the chance to save you, shook him and changed him. Because of that, he is afraid… no… terrified… that he would miss the opportunity of saving you again. Young Master doesn't say much but he loves you very much."
"I know that now, Yue Qi."
"I… I just thought you should... be informed... because Young Master will never tell you this himself."
"Thank you… for taking care of him all this while."
"Young Master saved my life… taught me everything I know. There is nothing I wouldn't do for him."
Yuwen Yue seems to have that effect on people. Chu Qiao mused. It's funny… I spent the last few years wanting to protect and save lives but he's been doing this most of his life quietly and behind the scenes. It seems like I have still so much to learn… from him.
It wasn't just her or Yue Qi. There were all his people… the Yue Guards… those from the Afterlife Camp whom he saved like Meng Feng. Prince Yu – Yuan Song. Then there were the undercover agents that made up the Eyes of God as well as the ordinary men and women who bore the brunt of bad decisions made by their rulers. Then of course he convinced his grandfather to set the household slaves free. Those who had remained did it of their own accord.
As she reflected over such matters, the man himself came sauntering into the scene and remarked, "What nonsense has Yue Qi been feeding you now?"
"Nothing much," she said nonchalantly, "We've been talking about the past."
Young Master Yue eyed his devoted lackey with some measure of suspicion. "Really?"
He had more than an inkling that they were talking about more than just the past.
Yue Qi quickly determined that it was time to make his exit. No one could escape the young master's probing eye for long. Besides, he was certain that the young master would rather he wasn't around at this moment as he undoubtedly had things to say to Xing'er that were for her ears only.
He bowed respectfully and asked to be excused. A smile spread over his face as he turned away. To see the young master happy did his heart good. He had waited such a long time to have Xing'er back in Qing Shan Yuan safe and sound.
The young master turned to his unofficial fiancée and made her the object of intense scrutiny.
"Honestly, we were just talking about the past." She protested.
"Why do I think you're both keeping some kind of secret from me?"
"No secrets. Just some desultory chatter about the past." She grinned cheerfully. "I was just reminiscing about my old training regime."
"I imagine you don't miss that," he remarked wryly. "You must have hated me for it."
"Initially perhaps but when I realized what you were trying to do…"
"And what was I trying to do?" He quizzed.
"You wanted me to be safe. To get stronger and better so that I could protect myself and my sisters."
"That was part of it… an important part of it."
"You wanted to groom me so I could be sent on suicide missions." She teased.
He shook his head. "In a way but no."
"That's what you told your grandfather."
"It was," He hesitated, "But it wasn't my true intent."
"You lied to your grandfather?!" She pretended to be horrified but her mood changed when he maintained a serious mien. "What was your true intent then?"
"I… I wanted… you to be someone that would be with me always."
"Yuwen Yue…" Chu Qiao could feel the emotions well up inside her instantly.
"I… My mother… I didn't want the woman I was with to end up like her, helpless and unprotected."
She noted his cheeks muscles tighten momentarily and his eyes went suspiciously red.
"I knew the day you stood outside my gate begging me to let you compete that you were the one for me. But I had to be sure… I needed to be sure.
"Your need to survive was so strong that you were able to endure all the rigours of your training. I… should have told you why I kept you here… I was going to tell you when the time was right… I wanted to tell you that day at the tower pavilion. But you were so angry and hurt... you lashed out… I regretted every day afterwards that I didn't tell you sooner."
I was angry but I should have trusted you more.
"Because of what I do, who I am… I knew that the woman… my woman had to be a survivor. To be able to protect herself and our children. It was selfish of me, I know but I couldn't put my family through what my father did. Like it or not, to marry into the Yuwen clan is on some level a suicide mission."
There's that thing about children again. Yuwen Yue, as usual you think far ahead of everyone else.
"When I saw you again after thinking you were dead… I thought maybe I could win you back. But you couldn't look me in the eyes and I thought you hated me."
"I thought I did too but I didn't."
"I know. I was sure of it that day when you came to get your freedom certificate. You made a show of wanting to kill me but when I knew you couldn't, I felt hope as I never did before. But I was too proud to beg and I let you walk out of here."
"You don't have to tell me all this. It's all in the past now. There's enough blame to go around between the two of us for our mistakes."
"I'm glad that you're here now but pride aside, I wanted you to choose to come back to this place on your own two feet."
Chu Qiao wrapped her arms around him to reassure and comfort him of her present choices. She had never heard him say this much before. Despite what she said earlier, she rejoiced inwardly that he was opening up to her so honestly and intimately. They lingered in that closeness, contemplating many things. He reveled in it, thankful that they had finally come to this place of understanding.
Suddenly recalling something, he cleared his throat in what sounded to be... embarrassment. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out an ornately carved, lacquered box.
"I have something for you. Open it." He handed it to her.
"A present?"
"You may consider it an engagement present." He said, almost shyly.
"I don't need…"
"Just take it. Open it up and put it on." He barked and slapped the receptacle on the palm of her hand.
She opened the box in anticipation and gushed gleefully on seeing what it was. "It's that snake ring… my ring!"
He cleared his throat again, looking quite uneasy, "I er… found it at the cremation site 4 years ago and had it buried in your grave. I had someone dig it out the other day. It's been cleaned and I've been meaning to give it to you."
"This is perfect." She slipped it onto her first finger and held it up to the sunlight enjoying its gleam. "I have missed it."
She fell back into his embrace with joy, "Thank you so much. This gift I will treasure in memory of the conversation we just had."
Yuwen Yue gave one of his rare smiles and wrapped her in the crook of his arm.
I could definitely get accustomed to this.
Yuwen Zhuo was adamant on maintaining the disapproving grandfather posture. But he was less inclined to disapprove on receiving Yue Qi's report.
"So we're certain she's Luo He's daughter?" He was tapping his fingers on the arm of the wheelchair.
"Yes, Master."
"Does he know? Yue'er, I mean."
"He hasn't said as much but I am sure he must. She saved him after all and witnessed her transformation."
"Can she be trusted? That's the question. I don't want a repeat of history."
"Permission to speak freely sir."
"Go ahead."
"I think we can trust her to act in the interest of Young Master Yue. She jumped into the water, saved his life and broke Yan Xun's ambush. If she didn't care about Young Master, she wouldn't have done any of that."
"That's true."
"And more importantly, she loves the Young Master."
Love… that word again…
Yue Qi saw the old man wince and changed tact quickly. "Practically speaking, it is to our benefit to have the successor of Feng Yun Ling as a member of Qing Shan Yuan. If she marries him, it means the Yuwen clan will have access not only to one of the most formidable forms of martial arts but immense authority in jianghu."
"Hmmm… That's a point." The old man stroked his beard pensively. "Alright then, good job on your report. Go back to what you were doing."
When Yue Qi left happy to have done his bit, giving the elder Yuwen much to think about.
My grandson and Luo He's daughter… Oh, the ironies of fate. The world is indeed a very small place.
The old man chuckled despite himself.
Author's Notes:
Previously posted on Soompi with some minor edits here and there. Many thanks to rampantwolfhound for reminding me that Chu Qiao did kill more than one member of the third branch of the Yuwen clan.