076 The Care Behind Indifference

From time to time, Chen Yage glanced at Xu Jin. Xu Jin noticed her gaze but deliberately avoided her eyes. You Huan observed the odd expressions between the two and coughed awkwardly.

Before long, they reached the place where Li Bai was being held, but there was no sign of him. “What have you done with Brother Bai?” Chen Yage, frantic, grabbed Xu Jin by the collar.

Xu Jin was equally perplexed. He spoke coldly, “Where has Li Bai gone?”

The jailer guarding the prison fell to his knees before Xu Jin, trembling uncontrollably. He stammered, “Sir, Lord Xu took Li Bai away for questioning.”

“When was this?”

“An hour ago.”

Without another word, Xu Jin turned to leave. Chen Yage tried to follow, but Xu Jin turned back and said, “Lock her in that cell for now.” He meant the very cell where Li Bai had been held.

“I want to go with you,” Chen Yage pleaded.

“Don’t forget you’re a prisoner now. How can you come and go as you please?” Xu Jin replied coldly, his expression dark.

Chen Yage could only swallow her bitterness in silence. She had been too impulsive, and now her actions had backfired completely.

You Huan comforted her, “Don’t worry too much. I’ll come see you after I find out what’s happened.”

Chen Yage nodded. For now, she could only place her hopes in You Huan.

Night had deepened, the moonlight faint and pale. A thin veil of silver dusted the earth, cloaking the world in gentle radiance.

In the grand hall of the Xu residence, lanterns blazed brightly. Lord Xu sat in regal authority atop a high-backed chair, a cup of tea in hand. Li Bai, his clothes stained with blood, knelt on the floor. He hung his head, eyes closed, his calm unsettling. In just two days, the carefree poet in white had vanished without a trace.

“Aren’t you curious why I’ve summoned you?” Lord Xu finally broke the silence.

Li Bai replied calmly, “If you wish to tell me, you will. There is no need for me to ask.”

“You seem very indifferent to matters of life and death. But in truth, few truly do not fear death.” Lord Xu’s voice grew sharp as he set down his cup.

“What difference does it make to see through it now? No one is fearless before death. But to die for some righteous cause is worth it.”

“Hmph. Don’t think a show of backbone can fool me into believing you’re unafraid. You may not fear for yourself, but what about Chen Yage?”

“What have you done to Yage?” Li Bai’s eyes reddened instantly. He looked at Lord Xu in panic, desperate for an answer.

“I thought you genuinely feared nothing, but it seems you’re only stubborn in words. Not until the coffin appears do you shed tears. Today, I’m not here to talk to you about Chen Yage, but about my daughter.” Lord Xu toyed with a jade ring on his finger, awaiting Li Bai’s response.

“Ziyan?” Li Bai looked at Lord Xu in confusion. “What about Ziyan? What’s happened to her?”

Lord Xu said, “What exactly is the nature of your relationship with my daughter? Why, after being with my daughter, are you still entangled with Chen Yage? Are you trying to disgrace her on purpose?”

Li Bai had met Xu Ziyan a year ago at a gathering of poets. She was not only beautiful but also talented. Yet, he had always treated her with utmost respect, never crossing any boundaries. Now, faced with Lord Xu’s accusations, he struggled to explain. He replied evenly, “Ziyan and I are simply friends in poetry. I admire her talent, as she does mine. Our exchanges are honest and aboveboard. It is not as you imagine.”

Lord Xu snorted. “Don’t quibble. If you’re merely friends, why would Ziyan risk her life to rescue you from prison? Would you risk your own life for an ordinary friend?”

Lord Xu’s words struck Li Bai deeply, leaving him speechless for a long while. He had always thought Xu Ziyan admired only his poetry, nothing more.

Lord Xu continued, “I thought that if you truly had feelings for Ziyan, I could forgive her actions. But now I see you’re a faithless man. And yet you speak to me of righteousness? Do you deserve to utter that word?”

Li Bai remained silent, slumped on the ground, his eyes vacant.

After a long pause, Lord Xu finally said, “I want you to do something. If you agree, you may be freed. If not, I will have no choice but to deal with you according to the laws of the Tang.”

Li Bai could not help but laugh. What could he, a condemned prisoner, possibly do for Lord Xu? The thought itself was almost absurd.

“You overestimate me, my lord. I am nothing now but a man awaiting execution. What could I possibly promise you?”

Lord Xu gave a short laugh as well. “I agree it sounds unlikely, yet this task can be done by no one but you.”

Li Bai was intrigued. “Please speak.”

“I want you to marry Ziyan and become a son-in-law of the Xu family. Will you agree?”

“My lord flatters me. I am but a humble scholar, unknown and penniless. Why would you wish your beloved daughter to marry me?”

“You think I want this?” Lord Xu roared. “If it weren’t for Ziyan’s determination to marry you, threatening her own life every day, I would never let you benefit so easily.”

Li Bai gave a bitter smile. “I thank you and Miss Ziyan for your esteem. But my heart already belongs to another. I must decline.”

“You mean Chen Yage? But Chen Yage herself has admitted she sees you only as an elder brother. And this marriage proposal is also at her suggestion.”

“You lie. I know Yage better than any of you. I am not some fickle gentleman—once my heart chooses, it does not waver nor can it be divided.”

“My father speaks the truth. I was there, and so was Brother You. If you don’t believe us, surely you trust Chen Yage’s friend?” Xu Jin had returned, and from afar he heard the voices of Li Bai and Lord Xu in the hall, his face gleaming with satisfaction.

You Huan followed at his side, making strange gestures toward Li Bai. No wonder Li Bai could not understand, guessing only that You Huan was trying to warn him of something. After several failed attempts, You Huan gave up, unable to convey his message through signs.

Xu Jin approached Lord Xu and said with a smile, “Father, Chen Yage broke into the prince’s mansion tonight and is now locked in the dungeon. How should we deal with her?”

Lord Xu replied, “Deal with such petty thieves as the law dictates. Why ask me?”

“But Chen Yage broke into Wang Zhiguo’s private residence. Tonight, Wang Zhiguo is dead drunk and unconscious, but when he sobers up tomorrow, he’ll surely come to claim her. Should we hand her over or not?”

Lord Xu sighed. “Your sister is determined to risk her life for this man, yet he spurns her feelings. Tell me, how should I decide? Give Chen Yage to Wang Zhiguo.”

“No!” Li Bai shouted. “Don’t hand Yage over to Wang Zhiguo. Please, let her go!”

“Should I offend Wang Zhiguo for the sake of two people who mean nothing to me?” Lord Xu’s anger surged. The servants nearby trembled, not daring to move a muscle.