Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 22 : Slight suspicion

For a long time, the room was quiet, with the wind gently blowing outside. The flower pots emitted a misty fragrance, like fog, and brushed against her faint hair.

It had really been a while, and the child was still standing, unmoving. She wondered if people had forgotten her or perhaps fallen asleep. Curious about the situation, she cautiously sneaked a glance into the room, only to meet a pair of eyes darker than hers.

Chu Qiao couldn't turn back, so she bit her lips, hushed herself, and softly called: "Fourth young master..."

"Tell me, will you lie to me?"

The young master, sitting beside the tea light candle, slowly drinking tea, spoke in a husky, light voice.

Chu Qiao was only a child. Her heart was cold but steady. Her face showed some fear as she approached the young master. She quickly responded, "Star child dares not lie."

"Really?" Zhuge Yue looked down and said, "Then I am all ears."

"On the fourth day of last month, the princes and a group of small female slaves were taken by young master Zhuge Huai to the hunting field. When the incense turned to ashes, an arrow was shot, signaling the end of the hunt. Only one child remained standing that day. Star child suffered the worst injuries and may have died, but she survived, like the grass, and stayed in the Hongshan courtyard where she found her relatives. But her relatives were killed. Star child was terrified and took the opportunity to pack up and flee." Jing Yuer, the child (Chu Qiao), recalled the past as if a dagger were piercing her heart, bleeding with each memory.

"Did you really run away?" Zhuge Yue slightly raised his eyebrows. "You grew up in the Zhuge household a few years ago, but three years ago, the Jing family children were turned to ashes. Am I right to think you have no relatives left? You're young. Did you try to escape earlier?"

Slightly surprised for a moment, she gazed at Zhuge Yue, then in a small voice said, "Star child has one small eighth sister left. I didn't want to stay there and die, so I left her behind. Young master may think star child is questionable, but a person can only live once. Star child's life might seem worthless to others, but it's priceless to her."

"Star child didn't escape where she found Song Lian at the horse stable. On the contrary, Song Lian humiliated me today. He met me once but disliked me and made it clear he could harm me at any moment. I didn't retaliate, despite what he did, but I'm sure his vicious character was revealed today."

"Yes, indeed. He's been in trouble for days," Zhuge Yue remarked while drinking tea, his voice flat. "So, will you forget that he played you out?"

Chu Qiao was stunned. She saw Zhuge Yue's sharp eyes, like a snake's. She suddenly bowed her head and said, "Master, to be honest, star child may not forget because the incident happened recently."

"Your memory is sharp," Zhuge Yue nodded and said. "So, will you not forget that someone encouraged me to kill a child, or that Zhu Shun sent your family to Jile Pavilion? Or will you remember who killed your sister?"

Chu Qiao's heart skipped a beat, but instead of offering a reason, she lowered her head and, kowtowing, cried bitterly, "Master, star child remembers everything and may never forget. But she's fully aware of her identity and status as a slave. She knows what masters can do, and she doesn't have the power to fight."

"Are you saying patience is a virtue, and if the opportunity comes one day, you'll seek revenge?"

The child suddenly gazed up, frightened, and exclaimed, "Fourth young master!"

"There's no need to deny it. The first time I saw you, I knew you were no ordinary child. I could see many things in your eyes."

Tears welled in star child's eyes, but she dared not speak openly. Instead, she whispered, "Young master, what could star child do? Should star child kill in the name of her Jingjia sisters and seek revenge? Star child is still young. Even though her heart occasionally hates, she knows what she should and shouldn't do. The Jing household was annihilated, with thousands dying in just one night. Star child wasn't the daughter of the lowest servant but came from noble blood. Now, she is a slave. If I hated what I am now, I would have to hate the emperor's Golden Palace, or walk in the footsteps of the Presbyter elders and hate the Huang Tian Army. But master, star child doesn't have such power. I just want to live well. Those things are too heavy for a child to bear. As a slave, I have work to do, and I cannot waste time on thoughts of hatred."

The child kowtowed again, her small spine straight, head firmly bowed, though her thin shoulders trembled. She seemed very afraid, wanting to wail in front of her master, but she held back her grief.

Zhuge Yue's eyes moved back and forth over the child's trembling body. His gaze was sharp. Eventually, the child let go of her grief, whispering softly and bitterly sobbing, her face pressed to the mat. Zhuge Yue set down the tea lamp, leaned back on the soft couch, bent down, and touched her delicate face. He slowly said, "You may get up."

The child was still trembling, biting her lips, her eyes wide, flushed with tears.

Zhuge Yue saw her small, pink face and the tiny fist tightly clenched, withholding her emotions. He seemed to want to share her grief but maintained his hard look and composure. Jing Yuer looked like a grievous little beast—so pitiful. The young master couldn't help but sigh. At this moment, he realized he had uncovered more of this child's truth than he had intended.

"Well, I wronged you. You may cry now."

This was considered a disguised apology, and Zhuge Yue, known for his lack of politeness, revealed a rare soft spot. Yet, the child stood stubbornly in the same place, staring at his concealed sorrow. Her eyes refused to shed a tear.

Zhuge Yue, typically irritable, didn't show it this time. Instead, he waved and said, "Go on, don't stand in front of me."

Chu Qiao, a bit annoyed, turned around without saying a word, ready to leave.

"Stop!"

AC Afterthoughts

Although this chapter ends on a cliffhanger, I couldn't help but cry when Chu Qiao shared details of her past with Zhuge Yue. Admitting her history in front of her master was both risky and emotional. However, it seems Zhuge Yue already knew everything before confronting Chu Qiao; he just wanted to hear it from her directly.

Understanding how "illegal channels" work, it's common knowledge that in ancient noble clans, especially in China, young masters were always surrounded by attendants who watched and guarded them. This means nothing was ever truly secret—hence the popular saying: "The walls have ears." In this chapter, Zhuge Yue waited for the right moment to confront Chu Qiao. That's why she stood silently in his room for quite some time. Perhaps the conversation took place in the deep of night, a time when illegal channels would not have been active, allowing them to talk freely and openly.

I believe Zhuge Yue had anticipated this interaction long before it happened. He had already prepared himself, even before Chu Qiao realized what was coming. The author subtly reveals that Zhuge Yue frequently gazes into Chu Qiao's eyes, carefully watching her. This is evident when he says, "There was a lot I could see in your eyes." Zhuge Yue seems to fear being seen as soft-hearted, perhaps worried that such a perception could lead to him being taken advantage of. So, he maintains a poker face. Yet, by offering Chu Qiao a disguised apology, he reveals his softer side. This, in turn, irritates Chu Qiao, as it's not typical for him to show such politeness.

In this chapter, the author also reveals a significant detail: Jing Jia Yuer (Chu Qiao) is not descended from slaves but from a noble family. She considers herself one of the true Jing blood sisters, which introduces a different angle from what is portrayed in the drama series.