Chapter Fifty-Three: Love, Born Without Reason, Grows Ever Deeper

At that moment, Yun Cui Xian stepped forward and gently massaged Chu Youcai’s shoulders, saying softly, “My dear, I am quite all right. It’s just that you’ve worked so hard cultivating; let me help you relax.”

For some reason, there was a hint of confusion in her eyes, as if she were somewhat lost.

Chu Youcai basked in her tenderness, letting out a gentle sigh. “Cui Xian, we are husband and wife, bound to each other for this lifetime. Everything I do is for you—do you know that?”

Yun Cui Xian replied gently, “I know.” Yet her gaze remained uncertain, as if her thoughts were unsettled.

Chu Youcai shook his head. “You don’t know. In my eyes, all things are equal, men and women alike. So when you are with me, you needn’t bear any burden or pressure. If you ever feel I’ve done something wrong, you can always tell me.”

“Equality between men and women?” Yun Cui Xian pondered his words, suddenly realizing how pure Chu Youcai was. Such an idea struck her like nothing had before.

Chu Youcai nodded.

“But there are many things I cannot help you with!” Yun Cui Xian said earnestly.

Chu Youcai spoke gently, “Human effort is limited, but the heart knows no bounds. Sometimes spiritual support means more than anything else.”

Hearing this, Yun Cui Xian drew a deep breath, and then let out a long, calm sigh. She whispered, “My dear, I will always support you. No matter what injustice you suffer, no matter what slander you endure, whatever the world thinks of you, my heart will never change.”

Chu Youcai smiled slightly. “Nor will mine.”

Yun Cui Xian’s delicate fists, soft and boneless, tapped gently on Chu Youcai’s shoulders. In the quiet night, it felt all the more warm and intimate. She continued softly, “Today I went to see Wanru’s mother. She told me that Wanru endured much hardship since childhood. Even Wanru’s father rejected her longing for freedom. In the end, she left home to become Master Yuan’s disciple, but many accused her of being unfilial.”

Chu Youcai sighed, “Whether those who do not understand her support her or not, I doubt it matters much to Shangguan Wanru. Surely many will admire and affirm her deeply.” He paused, then continued, “Since I was young, I admired heroes. To become one, sacrifices are unavoidable. As for Second Lady and Wanru, their hearts are with the world—how could ordinary people ever truly understand them?”

“Will you support her well, my dear?” Yun Cui Xian asked.

“Of course.”

“If she’s in trouble, will you help her?” Yun Cui Xian pressed on.

“Certainly,” Chu Youcai replied without hesitation. Though Shangguan Wanru was distant and cold, she had endured much bitterness, and he felt a sincere sympathy for her.

“Would you be willing to marry her?” Yun Cui Xian’s gaze was as clear as a green lake.

Chu Youcai could hardly believe his ears. “What?”

Yun Cui Xian’s fingers trembled, but her voice grew resolute. “I mean, would you take her as your equal wife?”

Chu Youcai responded gravely, “Do you know what you’re saying? Why would you think such a thing?”

Yun Cui Xian calmed herself. “I know. I mean, if Wanru desires it, would you accept her?”

Chu Youcai smiled bitterly. He could not tell whether Yun Cui Xian was joking or serious, but his expression quickly grew determined. “Cui Xian, first of all, I dislike the idea of having multiple wives. That is not equality.”

“Furthermore, I admire heroes, and I do have some affection for Shangguan Wanru. But my understanding of love is that it arises unexpectedly and grows ever deeper. Without love, how can there be marriage? I only regard her as a neighbor’s sister.”

At this, Chu Youcai’s demeanor grew solemn, his voice sincere. “Cui Xian, I have told you—I am resolutely devoted to you alone…”

Yun Cui Xian was stunned. She had not expected Chu Youcai to bare his heart so honestly. She whispered, “But isn’t it normal to have multiple wives? I wish to be a virtuous wife…”

Chu Youcai shook his head. “Everyone’s feelings are limited. When the effort and reward are out of balance, great disappointment follows, and some will inevitably be unhappy. My wish is to protect those I truly cherish by my side.”

At that moment, Chu Youcai recalled his sister in his previous life. Despite his best efforts, he failed to protect her. This lifetime, he would never endure such pain again.

“To protect everyone beside you?” Yun Cui Xian was struck by Chu Youcai’s words, as precious as jade.

Chu Youcai rose and gently embraced the beautiful girl before him. “My dear, can you tell me why you said all this today?”

Yun Cui Xian hesitated, then finally recounted all that the old lady had said to her that day.

Chu Youcai smiled, feeling both pity and amusement. “Marriage is a lifelong affair—if someone simply asks, you soften? Your husband is not a commodity to be handed over to others so easily.”

“Ah?” Yun Cui Xian’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, my dear, it was my mistake…”

Seeing Yun Cui Xian so flustered, Chu Youcai’s heart warmed. He remembered how she had sacrificed ten years of her life to restore three years of his, and he was deeply moved and filled with love. He said, “Cui Xian, I know you’ve always wanted to understand my past, to know how I endured humiliation at the Prince’s Mansion, how I concealed my strength and hid my true self. You want to know me, don’t you?”

Yun Cui Xian was taken aback, never expecting Chu Youcai to grasp her thoughts so clearly.

Chu Youcai continued softly, “Truthfully, I don’t wish to revisit those times. Perhaps you could say I lost my memory—I remember only scattered fragments. But in the end, I endured. That period was the darkest of my life, until I met you.”

“Back then, many watched me in secret, so I had to act unruly, which disappointed you. But at last, the hardship ended, and I was reborn. From now on, whatever storms we face, let us face them together.”

In that moment, Yun Cui Xian held Chu Youcai tightly. She had not expected to enter his heart so deeply; everything she wished to know, she now understood.

A single tear fell from her brow, sparkling and clear.

It was a tear of happiness.

Just as her husband had said, “Love arises without warning, and plunges ever deeper.” It was as stunning and moving as a poem.

At that instant, she felt herself lifted into Chu Youcai’s arms, carried inside. Her body burned as if aflame, knowing full well what was to come. She was nervous and expectant, yet something else crossed her mind. She said, “My dear, about Wanru, do you not wish to reconsider?”

Chu Youcai chuckled, then replied firmly, “Let us never speak of it again.” Then, as agile as a light-footed ape, he flicked his fingers and extinguished the candle flame, wrapped the blanket and Yun Cui Xian’s clothes together in a flash. Fragrant breezes swirled, and the night grew ever more enchanting.