Untouchable Lovers - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Chapter 240 The Imperial Decree Arrives This Morning Chapter 263: Chapter 240 The Imperial Decree Arrives This Morning The carriage stopped at the alley next to Chu Garden due to some clamor up ahead. Chu Yu and Huan Yuan got down from the carriage and saw several figures standing at the entrance of Chu Garden. The two exchanged glances, curious and puzzled, then slowly approached to see what was happening.

As they got closer, they clearly saw the situation. The doors of Chu Garden were open, and two groups of people were facing off at the entrance.

One group was standing inside the gate; it was Amman and the family’s attendants, with Amman spreading his arms wide, firmly blocking the entrance. Outside stood a middle-aged man clad in official attire, resembling an official, along with several followers.

The obstructed official was so angry that his face turned red as he berated Amman, “You stupid Kunlun slave, what right do you have to make decisions for your master? Move aside at once!”

Amman, standing at the gate, had eyes slightly reddened, clearly pained by being called stupid – a word that hit right at the heart of his sadness. Since he had been learning to read with Chu Yu, he was becoming increasingly aware of his own incompetence. Despite his prodigious strength and the ability to dig holes on command, he couldn’t come up with any ideas when Chu Yu was in trouble.

Because of this, the already quiet Amman became even more silent and unnoticeable, almost wishing he could shrink into a corner of inferiority. Usually, he would do whatever others told him to do, and even Liu Sang could order him around. But now, standing before these strangers trying to force their way into Chu Garden, he stubbornly pursed his lips, showing an unyielding and rare defiance.

Chu Yu, having walked closer and seen this, did not call out to Amman, nor did she interfere. Instead, she took Huan Yuan a few steps back, to a corner out of Amman’s sight, and quietly observed for a while before turning her head and whispering to Huan Yuan, “Do you think I’m a terrible person?”

Huan Yuan expressed surprise, “Why would you say that?”

Chu Yu’s gaze turned back to Amman and she spoke indifferently, “I like to think I treat each of you well; in reality, it’s merely my own presumption. Amman isn’t happy here. I never include him in anything, and when I don’t need him, I just set him aside. I subconsciously think he’s simple-minded and not someone I can communicate with easily. But doesn’t that make me even more selfish, despicable, and vile?”

Huan Yuan was taken aback, but then heard Chu Yu continue, “I go out with you, leaving him alone at home. This kind of subtle hurt might be worse than direct insults. I keep him by my side, yet I let him be lonely. When Liu Sang was here, it was somewhat better, but since Liu Sang left, he has become utterly alone.”

Amman is grieving, feeling inferior; indeed, but isn’t this caused by her? Her unintentional neglect left him feeling useless. Where had the clear and pure young man gone, the one by the Shan Yin waters who was like a wild animal filled with vitality?

His eyes were still clear as amber, yet they were now veiled with sadness. That wild and natural vitality seemed all but worn away. She brought him back, but aside from feeding him, what else had she given him?

The Amman of the past might have been even less intelligent, but he was much happier than now.

Chu Yu watched Amman in silence while Huan Yuan quietly observed her. His gaze softened in a way she couldn’t see. Suddenly, he found himself unable to look away, as if nothing could divert his heart from watching her. In his view, Chu Yu didn’t need to care about Amman’s feelings; he was just a servant kept in the house. Yet somehow, her earnest self-reproach seemed to move him in an unexpected way.

Amman stood at the entrance, gently pushing away anyone who dared to summon others over. Possessing extraordinary strength, he caused several attendants to stagger backwards, while he himself remained unmovable. His mind harbored no other thoughts; he was determined not to let these people enter until Chu Yu returned. At that moment, however, he heard a cold voice from above, “Why don’t you just close the door?” By closing the door, unwanted visitors could be kept outside.

Amman, taken aback, glanced up at Hua Cuo, perched on the wall to the side, and then instinctively replied, “I forgot.” After pondering for a moment, he shook his head and added, “I can’t close the door. What if they smash it?” If the door were broken, it would require Chu Yu to spend money for repairs. It would be better for him to endure some hardship and stand guard himself.

Hua Cuo’s usually stern face broke into a rare smile. His gaze quickly darted to where Chu Yu was hiding, and he addressed the official, “The master of Chu Garden has returned. If you have business with her, you may now state your purpose.”

Following Hua Cuo’s gaze, the official also looked over and saw Chu Yu and Huan Yuan. He said indignantly, “You’ve arrived just in time. How can your servant behave so rudely?”

Since her hiding place had been disclosed by Hua Cuo, Chu Yu had no choice but to step forward with Huan Yuan and approach the official, smiling, “He is not my servant; he is my family. If I am not around, he can make decisions on my behalf. I ask you, sir, not to make a mistake.”

Reaching the entrance, she smiled at Amman before turning back to the official, “I am the Family Head. May I know the purpose of your visit?”

The official, initially taken aback by Chu Yu’s dismissive response, took a while to remember the purpose of his visit. He took a few breaths to calm his anger, and after a short while, his expression turned peaceful, “May I inquire if you are known as Huan Yuan?”

Chu Yu tilted her head towards Huan Yuan, “He’s looking for you.” Saying so, she stepped back, allowing Huan Yuan to step forward to negotiate, while she pulled Amman aside and quietly encouraged, “Well done, but don’t stand alone at the entrance next time. What if something dangerous happens? Let me teach you. Look, the one in red clothes on the wall is a guest of our family. This is the time to fully utilize him. You should squeeze out every last bit of value he has; let him do any tasks you have.”

What kind of nonsense is this?

Although Chu Yu spoke quietly, Hua Cuo, who was trained, could still hear her. His face darkened, but considering that he had indeed been living off her without contributing, he could not refute on this aspect, so he leaped down from the wall, internally vowing to ignore any idle matters at the door next time.

After sending Hua Cuo away with a quick quip, Chu Yu then focused on Huan Yuan’s situation. Listening to his conversation with the official, she gradually widened her eyes in surprise. It turned out the official was sent by the Emperor of Northern Wei, Tuoba Hong, who had heard of Huan Yuan’s extraordinary learning and came to invite him to court to become an official.

Setting aside the fact that Tuoba Hong’s reach was so extensive, stretching thousands of miles from Ping City in the north to Luoyang, she was curious as to how Tuoba Hong learned of Huan Yuan’s existence, even wanting to recruit him.

It wasn’t that Chu Yu thought no one should know of Huan Yuan’s whereabouts; she had always assumed those who were aware included the faction belonging to Rong Zhi. Just like the previous time Zhong Niannian had found them, it did not surprise her much. But why under the Emperor’s name, and not the Empress Dowager’s?