WBICDPH Chapter 30 Part 1

Chapter 30: A Soul Like Withered Wood

“…”

At some point, Dongsi lowered her gaze.

She no longer dared to listen.

“In my heart, Miss Dongsi is just as outstanding as she is.”

Chu Ji did not notice her change. She simply smiled at her. After a moment, as if recalling something, her smile faded slightly.

“It’s just a pity. Three years ago, the Xu family—loyal and upright to a fault—was framed by treacherous men. The foolish emperor could not tell right from wrong and ordered the entire Xu household confiscated. The men were either executed or exiled. I don’t know what has become of Third Miss Xu now…”

“She’ll be fine.”

Dongsi interrupted before Chu Ji could finish. She pressed her lips together and forced a faint smile.

“She must still look just as she did when you saw her back then.”

As she spoke, she gently grasped Chu Ji’s wrist.

“Wait here for me a moment.”

She stuffed the paper umbrella into Chu Ji’s hands and ran back into the building through the heavy snow. When she returned, she was holding an exquisitely crafted wooden box.

Dongsi handed the box to Chu Ji.

“Take this.”

Chu Ji was startled. She looked at Dongsi, then lowered her head and opened the lid—only to find the box filled to the brim with jewelry and hair ornaments.

Alarmed, Chu Ji snapped the box shut.

“No—this is far too valuable. I can’t accept it!”

“Compared to your ideals and your future, this isn’t valuable at all.”

Dongsi’s eyes reflected Chu Ji’s figure—or perhaps she was looking through her, gazing at the desperate Xu Dongsu of years past.

“Take it. Use it to redeem yourself from Madam, then go do what you want to do.”

Chu Ji shook her head vigorously.

“You must have worked so hard to save this much. This is your own redemption money. I have no right to take it.”

“You do.”

Dongsi gently held Chu Ji’s ice-cold hand.

“When this box was still empty and light, my heart was full of hope for the future after regaining my freedom. But now that the box is nearly full, my heart has grown numb. What I’m best at now is dressing myself up, making myself pleasing to others, enduring cutting words with composure, and bowing my head in dark corners to survive.

“Even I find myself unfamiliar.

“Freedom, to me, has become something optional. But you’re different. You’re a flame—you can light yourself, and I believe that one day, you’ll light many others as well.”

“That still won’t do.”

Chu Ji frowned deeply. She fastened the lock on the box and, without giving Dongsi a chance to argue, shoved it back into her arms.

“Don’t talk about yourself like that. There’s no such thing as noble or base people—unless someone looks down on themselves. That’s the real degradation. You’re a flame too. Have you forgotten? Just yesterday, you saved me from the madam.

“Listen to me—if you’ve forgotten who you once were, then go find her again. You’re still young. You still have a bright future ahead of you. Freedom is not something optional for you.”

“Then what about you…?”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll find my own way out. I’ll remember everything you said today. When we’re both free, we’ll make your wishes come true together. Then we can travel the land and see its beauty. I can teach you how to ride horses and shoot arrows. We can even open a school—boys and girls alike can attend. We’ll listen to the sound of children reading aloud every day. That would be a life like the immortals.”

Chu Ji reached out and tidied Dongsi’s slightly disheveled hair. Only after her fingers left did she realize the gesture might have been improper. She smiled sheepishly.

“It’s cold outside. Let’s go back in.”

Dongsi curled her fingers slightly around the box and nodded.

“Alright.”

They parted outside their rooms. Dongsi’s mind was filled with Chu Ji’s words, so much so that she didn’t notice when icy wind had already filled her room.

When she turned around, she realized a strange man was standing inside.

“Miss Dongsi.”

The man leaned by the window, studying her. When she noticed him, he called her name in greeting.

“And you are…?”

“I am Chu Ji’s fiancé. I heard everything you two said downstairs just now. To be frank, I want to take Chu Ji away from here. She’s still young and naïve—there’s no need for you to take her words too seriously. If you truly wish to help her, then leave this matter to me. I will take her away.”

His tone was calm, but Dongsi didn’t quite understand.

If he wanted to take Chu Ji away, why go through the trouble of informing her? Unless he didn’t have enough money to redeem Chu Ji himself, and had come for the box of jewelry Chu Ji had refused.

Dongsi found it almost laughable.

“So your purpose here is to go back on Chu Ji’s refusal and accept my gift on her behalf?”

“Yes. Since we both want to help Chu Ji, there’s no need to draw lines between us. We’re both doing this for her good. That’s enough.”

He lifted his chin slightly, his posture growing faintly condescending.

Dongsi did not respond immediately. She only curled her lips faintly and asked,

“There is a difference. This money is for Chu Ji, not for you.”

“What difference does that make?”

“Of course, it makes a difference. Let me ask you—after you take Chu Ji away from here, what do you plan to do? Do you know what she wants? Can you respect her choices?”

The man answered without hesitation.

“Of course I’ll marry her and spend my life with her. Don’t worry—I’ll love only Chu Ji for the rest of my life and never betray her. I keep my word.”