Untouchable Lovers-Chapter 281 - 258 When Will We Meet Again

Chapter 281: Chapter 258: When Will We Meet Again

Chapter 281 -258: When Will We Meet Again

Chu Yu and Huan Yuan met again on the streets, sharing their recent situations with each other. When Chu Yu mentioned that “Guan Canghai” with whom they had been corresponding this past year was actually Rong Zhi in disguise, Huan Yuan’s heart chilled, thinking to himself no wonder he never quite liked Guan Canghai. Even when discussing literature with him, there was always that trace of guardedness he couldn’t shake off. He had thought it was because of Rong Zhi, but now it turned out that person was Rong Zhi all along.

What could be the reason for his year in hiding?

With this thought, Huan Yuan watched Chu Yu’s expression with concern, but saw she had a slight disdain within her mild annoyance, as though she hadn’t suffered any disadvantage, which reassured him.

Chu Yu continued to talk about coming to Ping City, “Since I realized that Guan Canghai was in fact Rong Zhi, I had no interest in continuing my stay in Luoyang. Besides, I missed you, so I came to Ping City with Amman and Hua Cuo.” Hua Cuo later learned of Rong Zhi’s identity, yet didn’t react too dramatically, remaining cool as always. It was only when Chu Yu proposed leaving Luoyang for Ping City that she agreed to join the journey.

When she first arrived in Ping City, she was unfamiliar with the place and didn’t know where to look for Huan Yuan. Although she had a significant lead, she certainly couldn’t just barge into the Imperial Palace, could she?

While Huan Yuan didn’t stand out in Ping City, Chu Yu quickly learned of another person’s whereabouts, the very Prince Yiyang, Liu Chang, whom she had personally sent away from Jiankang in a time of crisis. Upon leaving Jiankang, he had headed straight for his base, exchanged formalities by clashing with Liu Ziyue’s generals, then promptly got ready to join Northern Wei.

Upon his arrival in Northern Wei, Liu Chang was treated with great honor by the Emperor. Chu Yu had someone send a visiting card on her behalf, more as an attempt than with certainty of success, but unexpectedly received comprehensive assistance. Liu Chang not only informed her of Huan Yuan’s current situation but also found her a well-staffed mansion in Ping City which she could move into immediately.

She had been in Ping City for three to four days, dealing with various trivial matters, and only got fully settled down today, taking the opportunity to specifically look for Huan Yuan.

Huan Yuan listened attentively to the events that had happened after he had left, occasionally nodding with a smile. Ping City was located in the north, where spring was never as rich as in Jiangnan. But today, he felt as if all the spring light in the world had gathered around him.

After sharing her own circumstances, Huan Yuan picked some apolitical matters to tell her, simply where he lived and who he interacted with every day. But he rarely mentioned affairs of the court.

Although he now followed Tuoba Hong, he had not yet been granted an official title. He was only occasionally summoned for counsel, his opinions sought on matters of state. Aside from formulating strategies, what Tuoba Hong urgently desired was to fully wrest power from the hands of Empress Dowager Feng.

Empress Dowager Feng, though having been in control of the court for only a short while, had already gathered a circle of confidants. If she wished, she could still influence the court’s dynamics, which was unbearable for the ambitious Tuoba Hong, eager to hold supreme power.

The Emperor was a lonely sovereign, who would not allow anyone else to stand at the same height, sharing the same power as him.

However, Empress Dowager Feng was no easy opponent. Skilled in the power struggle and supported by capable advisers, she had not been completely vanquished despite some setbacks. The two sides had reached a stalemate. Even if Tuoba Hong was anxious, there was nothing he could do.

What surprised Huan Yuan was the attitude displayed by Tian Rujing. Appearing to side with the Emperor of Northern Wei, he did not make further efforts, as if merely a quiet observer, silently watching the nominal mother and son’s mutually destructive conflict.

He suddenly recalled, back in the Southern Dynasty, Tian Rujing seemed just as he was now, serving by Liu Ziyue’s side, watching Liu Ziyue act tyrannically, leading to his own downfall, without ever intervening.

Could this state be what Tian Rujing wanted?

What exactly was he planning?

No matter how clever Huan Yuan was, he could not guess that Tian Rujing’s actions were merely to maintain a certain equilibrium, to adhere to a specific record in history.

Chatting and laughing, they went first to Huan Yuan’s residence. Chu Yu persuaded Huan Yuan to leave his place and live with her. Huan Yuan did not decline, and within half a day, had smoothly moved into the new house.

Huan Yuan had his luggage such as books moved into the house. Occasionally, he glanced up and saw Chu Yu gazing at him with a smile. From south to north, they had always been together. Although not related by blood, their bond had become harder to sever than that with kin.

As their eyes met, both hearts were filled with warmth.

********************************************************************

The primary reason for Chu Yu’s arrival in Ping City was to find Huan Yuan. Seeing that he seemed to be tied up at the moment, she settled down here as well. Fortunately, the residence provided by Liu Chang was extremely comfortable, set up almost entirely in the style of the Southern Dynasty. The servants in the estate were meticulous and careful, especially the cook, who even considered her potential difficulty with acclimating to the new environment and added medicinal supplements to her diet for nourishment.

But…

It was too meticulous, too considerate. Everything was the exact type she liked. The architecture and furnishings were of her preferred style, and the dishes and drinks were exactly to her taste. Liu Chang claimed the chef was a renowned cook from the south, but no matter the chef, how could they possibly foretell exactly what she favored without prior knowledge?

After a few comfortable days, Chu Yu gradually detected that something was amiss. She questioned several people, then one morning, with her suspicions in mind, she went to find Liu Chang.

Chu Yu traveled by carriage to the gate of Liu Chang’s estate, sending someone ahead to announce her. Shortly thereafter, someone came out and invited her to meet at another location. Following the guide, after a while, Chu Yu realized she was being led back near her own residence.

Just as Chu Yu couldn’t help but ask what was going on, the person stopped in front of a door.

That door happened to be the main gate of Chu Yu’s left-hand neighbor.

After moving into her new residence, Chu Yu had specifically sent someone to inquire about her immediate neighbors. Both to her left and right were the separate estates of high officials and nobility, among which the one on the left belonged to Liu Chang. However, Liu Chang mostly lived in his own residence and seldom visited this one.

The person leading the way didn’t knock but instead pushed the door open directly. The two doors were unlocked, swinging open to both sides with a single push. The guide headed inside, and after a moment’s hesitation, Chu Yu got out of the carriage and followed him in.

Following the well-maintained stone pathway to a secluded courtyard filled with lush bamboo, the white robes appeared as conspicuous as thin ice and snow amid the dense, tranquil green.

Having led Chu Yu to this spot, the guide bowed and then retreated. Chu Yu stood at the entrance of the courtyard and let out a cold laugh, “It’s really you, what do you want to do now?”

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.

Jiankang—Luoyang—Ping City.

Like a haunting presence.

Realizing the chef Liu Chang had assigned her knew her dietary preferences, Chu Yu became suspicious. She asked the people who had come with her from Luoyang and found out that the chef hadn’t inquired about her preferences, indicating the information came from another source.

Recalling events from Luoyang, she easily connected these to Rong Zhi. Only he would be so meticulous and detailed, and only he knew her habits and preferences completely.

Hence, it wasn’t difficult to deduce that Liu Chang was in collusion with Rong Zhi. By interrogating Liu Chang, she could find the elusive Rong Zhi working behind the scenes.

And now, he was right before her eyes.