Chapter 15: The Azure Robe

"Not for sale." The man replied without even lifting his gaze.

Mingyue was slightly surprised, but Qin Shi said, "We haven’t come to buy a painting, sir, please don’t misunderstand."

"Then what is it that you seek?" The man’s tone shifted, and compared to his earlier cool indifference, there was now a touch of ethereal arrogance, unrestrained and proud.

Mingyue was startled by his abrupt change in demeanor, and even Qin Shi was briefly taken aback. After a moment, he regained his composure and asked calmly, "May I ask your name, sir?"

"Is a name really of any importance? You have come at Jun Yi’s behest, wishing only to destroy my work. Why would you care who I am? If you do not state your purpose, don’t blame me for showing you the door."

There was clear sarcasm in his words, and his brows were furrowed with indignation. At this, Mingyue finally realized something, and quietly tugged at Qin Shi’s sleeve, saying cautiously, "Sir, you must be mistaken. We are not here at Second Master Jun’s command. We simply wish to learn about the events of four years ago."

This time, it was the man’s turn to be taken aback. "You two are not citizens of ancient Shu. Why do you wish to know about this?"

Mingyue was speechless, unsure how to reply. If she spoke the truth, given this man’s attitude toward Jun Yi, there would be little hope of persuading him. But if she stayed silent, would he show them the paintings? While she hesitated, Qin Shi responded, "Business."

The man sneered and then snorted coldly. "Business, is it? With all your secrecy, how am I to trust you?"

"In that case, we won’t trouble you further. Sir, you are as lofty as a celestial being, and we are only trying to make a living. We can find another way to seek the truth." Qin Shi took Mingyue by the hand and stood to leave, walking toward the door without the slightest hesitation. But just as he was about to step out, the man’s voice called from behind.

"Wait."

"Is there something else, sir?"

"Are you truly not sent by Jun Yi?"

Mingyue, finally realizing, quickly turned back and answered, "Of course not."

The man frowned deeply, then after a long moment, sighed and said, "If that’s so, I will trust you one more time. Follow me."

With that, he rose and walked toward the rooms at the back. Mingyue hurried after him, nearly forgetting Qin Shi in her rush, and only remembered to pull him along at the turn, not letting go for a second. The man entered the leftmost room of the house. As Mingyue followed him in, her gaze was immediately drawn to a painting hanging directly opposite the door. The scroll was enormous, occupying almost an entire wall. Within the painting, cherry blossoms swirled in a riot of pink, wild and exuberant. A woman in plain attire walked atop the petals, her brows gently furrowed, her face as delicate as a lotus blossom—so beautiful she could have toppled kingdoms. But what stirred the heart most was the trace of sorrow between her brows, an expression that made one wish to step forward and smooth away her troubles.

Turning her head, Mingyue saw another painting on the side wall. The same face, yet an entirely different aura. In a bamboo forest, the woman wore a dress as red as blood, or as if she were a living flame ready to burn the world to ashes. The pride and resolve in her eyes were unmistakable, making it difficult for Mingyue to connect her with the fragile beauty of the first painting.

"This room was once filled with her portraits, but over the years, Jun Yi has destroyed all but these two," the man said, his voice laced with both sorrow and anger, bringing Mingyue back to herself.

She asked in a daze, "Why would Second Master Jun do such a thing?"

"The people of Shuzhou, and even many in the martial world, believe Jun Yi to be a man of honor. But in truth, he is nothing but a petty man who cannot tolerate even a frail woman."

"And who is this woman?"

The man stepped forward, gently placing his hand on the painting of the woman in white. "No matter what, she was only a pitiable woman. I spent so much time helping her find the will to live on, yet in just four short years, the Jun brothers destroyed her completely."

"Sir…"

"You’ve seen enough. Now, if you please, would you leave?" The man’s voice suddenly turned cold. Mingyue saw the chill in his eyes and promptly stepped out, obediently heading outside. Only when she was almost at the main entrance did she remember to ask, "Sir, may I at least know your name?"

"My surname is Gu, courtesy name Qianrun."

Mingyue nodded. Looking back once more as she stepped out, she saw that he had already returned to his seat, silently sipping tea. For some reason, Mingyue felt a wave of desolation and sorrow unlike anything she’d experienced before. Even when she returned to the bustle of the marketplace, she remained somewhat dazed.

"Do you think she is the beloved wife Jun Xiao spoke of?" she asked.

Qin Shi was silent for a long time before finally replying, "Perhaps."

They returned to the small courtyard of Junzitang. They had barely sat down to rest when a maid arrived and said, "Miss Mingyue, the master requests your presence in the study."

"The study?"

The maid nodded. "If you are unsure of the way, I can show you."

Mingyue couldn’t help but roll her eyes in private—she’d only been here a few days, how could she possibly know the way? Outwardly, however, she kept her smile. "Then I’ll trouble you to lead the way."

Mingyue and Qin Shi followed the maid toward Jun Xiao’s study. When they were still some distance away, the maid stopped and gestured to a building. "We are not permitted to approach the master’s study. I can only bring you this far. Please forgive me."

With a bow, the maid departed. Mingyue glanced around—there were only rockeries and bamboo groves nearby. Truly a secluded spot, and well suited for a study. She stepped forward and knocked. "Master?"

After a moment, the door was opened from within, and a heavy scent of alcohol drifted out.

Mingyue frowned, held her breath, and looked up, only to find Jun Xiao looking calm, showing none of the signs of drunkenness. Perplexed, she entered with Qin Shi as Jun Xiao stepped aside to let them in.

"Please pardon the mess, my study hasn’t been tidied for some time," Jun Xiao apologized.

Mingyue waved her hand. "It’s nothing, I can manage. Would you like me to open the curtains?" Heavy drapes covered the windows, leaving only a faint candlelight and casting the study in deep shadow.

After a moment’s hesitation, Jun Xiao nodded softly, and Mingyue hurried to pull open the nearest curtain. The midday sun poured in, brightening the room, but Mingyue noticed how Jun Xiao’s brow suddenly furrowed and his eyes narrowed against the light.

"What did you wish to discuss with me today, Master?" Mingyue asked.

Jun Xiao frowned and replied in a hoarse voice, "I wanted to ask how your preparations are going."

Mingyue’s heart skipped a beat—hadn’t she already told him she needed fifteen days? Was he planning to move up the date, or had he simply forgotten? Not sure, she answered, "I still need some time. Please don’t worry, Master—I wish to return to Yinzhou as soon as possible too. As soon as everything is ready, I will begin."

As she spoke, Mingyue observed Jun Xiao’s expression, but unexpectedly caught a glimpse of a painting behind him. She edged closer for a better look and realized with a shock that it was identical to one she had seen at the Old Scroll Studio, only smaller.

Her surprise was so obvious that Jun Xiao asked, "What’s the matter, Miss Mingyue?"

She didn’t answer, still staring at the painting. Following her gaze, Jun Xiao finally spoke in a trembling voice, "That is Qingyi, the only wife I have ever had."

The sunlight grew stronger, illuminating Jun Xiao’s handsome face, making him seem mature and steady. Yet in his eyes, Mingyue saw a sorrow so deep it could not be dispelled.

Hadn’t someone once said: If possible, I would trade the rest of my life for just one more day with you.

That was all Mingyue could think of at that moment.