Chapter Fifty-Eight: When the Deal Fails, Honor Remains

Not long after returning to his residence, Shishu sent a maid to summon him. Xu You, understanding the reason, followed without hesitation. It was the same courtyard where they had met earlier. Shishu sat gracefully on the woven mat, not rising to greet him. A trace of worry clouded her brows as she said, “Did you go to the Clifffall Waterfall?”

This was, after all, the Guo family’s territory. Though no one was specifically assigned to guard it, since Zuo Wen had clashed with someone there and caused quite a commotion, it was inevitable that the servants below would have reported it to Shishu, unless she was blind or deaf.

“Yes,” Xu You replied calmly; there was no need to conceal it, nor could he. “We mistakenly wandered in while exploring the mountain, unaware it was a restricted area of your residence. I hope the young lady will not take offense.”

Shishu lowered her head for a long moment before looking up again. “Sir, I am not the one to decide this matter! Before you arrived, I already sent someone on horseback to inform Madam. We must wait for her decision on how to handle this.”

Xu You was momentarily taken aback, immediately suspecting that the Clifffall Waterfall concealed a great secret. Otherwise, Shishu would not be so cautious. Yet who could be hiding in a cave behind the waterfall, cut off from the light of day and the world?

“Very well,” he mused briefly. “If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

“Wait,” Shishu said softly. “Until Madam returns, please stay in your rooms and do not move about freely.”

“Oh?” Xu You stopped, fixing her with a prolonged gaze, a faint smile curling at his lips. “Do you mean to imprison us?”

Shishu’s expression remained composed, unmoved by his sharp look. “Heaven forbid. Sir, you are a distinguished guest of the Guo family. From Madam down, all extend the utmost hospitality and respect. There is no arrogance or ill intent here. I only fear inadequate reception might disappoint you—there is no question of imprisonment.”

The phrase “hospitality on a suspended couch” came from the *Book of the Later Han*. Xu You was accustomed to the wit of the maids around Madam Zhan Wenjun and was not surprised. “Your words are well-spoken and courteous. We were invited here, yet if we cannot move freely, how can there be true cooperation or sincere trust? How can we unite wholeheartedly against our enemies?”

“You come from an honorable family, sir. Have you not heard the saying ‘the guest follows the host’s wishes’? Besides, the Mingyu Mountain is full of wolves and tigers. With your noble status and delicate constitution, if anything were to happen to you, I fear I could not explain it to Madam.”

“Really? Without Madam’s consent, you dare to confine us...” Xu You’s eyelids drooped as he lightly brushed a speck of dust from his sleeve. “Are you not afraid Madam Guo will fault you when she returns?”

Shishu coughed harshly, struggling to catch her breath. Though her voice was weary, a resolute determination shone through. “I am charged by Madam to manage affairs in the mountain. When urgent matters arise, it is my duty to act. Other concerns are not within my purview or authority. If Madam punishes me later, I will accept it. But at this moment, I earnestly beg you not to put me in a difficult position.”

Having just escaped the prison in Yixing, only to be plunged into another cage in Qiantang, Xu You’s safety was assured, but his freedom was never his own. Thus, though Shishu’s treatment was impolite, he was not truly angry. Yet, since he was in a vulnerable position and his collaboration with Zhan Wenjun relied solely on cunning and insight, he needed to project strength; otherwise, the balance of power would eventually shift, undermining their partnership.

Xu You laughed heartily. “You speak well, first proud, then humble. After all your words, you still expect me to act according to your will. Forgive me, I was a wild child and not one to follow rules. I’m sure you’ve heard of my reputation in Yixing. Enough talk—now that things have come to this, I will descend the mountain immediately.”

He bowed respectfully and turned to leave. At last, Shishu’s expression changed. Placing her hands firmly on the table, she leaned forward. “Sir, please wait.”

As the door swung open and Xu You was about to disappear from sight, she pressed her lips tightly and whispered, “Guards, stop him!”

Two concealed doors slid open on the otherwise plain wall, and four soldiers dressed in dark uniforms appeared, surrounding Xu You from front and back. Though respectful, they blocked his path completely.

Xu You stood with his hands behind his back, his back to Shishu, and said coldly, “If the deal falls through, there’s no honor between us. Do you truly want to tear off the mask?”

Shishu coughed twice, clapped her hands, and two maids with elaborate hair buns brought forward a three-legged ebony chair with a cushioned backrest embroidered with golden and silver threads depicting a joyous spider. Supporting herself carefully, Shishu sat down and lowered her head slightly, folding her hands over her abdomen. “Sir, please calm your anger.”

Only then did Xu You notice the truth: Shishu had not stood to greet him all along because her legs were impaired. Sitting cross-legged on the chair, her legs were hidden beneath pleated skirts, but the thick linen wrapping around her left ankle was visible, stained faintly with blood—she had clearly suffered a serious injury.

“Sir, if earlier I spoke disrespectfully, it was unintentional. In truth, I have the utmost respect for you,” Shishu said earnestly. “The Clifffall Waterfall is a forbidden zone. Apart from you, only the mute servant who delivers meals is permitted to enter and exit. It was my fault for not informing you sooner, which has caused today’s misunderstanding.”

Respect is reciprocal, Xu You believed, always stepping back to advance forward. Given his cunning, he would never truly lose his temper. Seeing Shishu soften, he was pleased to be magnanimous. “The fault lies with me for wandering without permission. Very well, I shall focus on training the storytellers these next two days and avoid the mountain. When Madam returns, I will apologize to her again.”

This was an indirect promise not to venture near the Clifffall Waterfall again. Shishu knew she could not press further—would she really imprison Xu You? Besides his reputation as a ninth-rank master was formidable, and Zuo Wen was already difficult enough to deal with. Moreover, the Guo family’s priority was not the secret of the waterfall but the life or death of Guo Mian.

“Thank you for your understanding, sir. Please.”

Once Xu You’s figure faded from sight, Shishu clapped her hands again, and another maid emerged from the secret door. “Who is guarding the Clifffall Waterfall today?”

Such a significant place naturally had guards, though mostly elderly servants who knew the strict family rules. Having been ordered to stay clear, no one dared approach. Only two people were assigned to watch the mountain path, mainly to ward off beasts rather than intruders.

“Liu Wuzi and Yang Ernu.”

“Where are they now?”

“They have been bound at the spring well, awaiting the lady’s orders.”