If Wan Chu was as smart as she was, she would surely send someone to buy the date - paste cloud - cake every day when Xunxiangji was about to close if she wanted to get in touch with them.
As long as he followed that person, he would surely find out where Wan Chu was staying.
For seven consecutive days, Shi Luohan would lurk near Xunxiangji until the shop closed.
The person who bought the last serving of date - paste cloud - cake every day was different.
Sometimes it was a young servant, sometimes a maid, and sometimes an old woman.
But they all had one thing in common: they knew martial arts.
Liang Yuzhou actually sent a group of experts to watch over Wan Chu, treating her like a prisoner!
Finally, on the eighth day, Shi Luohan silently followed the maid who came to buy the cloud - cake.
"Madam, the date - paste cloud - cake you like the most is here. Have some, please."
Yaoguang brought in the dessert.
The dinner was exquisitely prepared and delicious, but Song Wanchu looked sickly and didn't touch a single bite.
Yaoguang felt so heart - ache for her.
Madam was already thin, and now her round oval face had become pointy.
She had been cooped up in this small courtyard for half a month, looking dejected and not even wanting to say a word.
The Second Master was getting busier. Even when he came occasionally, Madam never gave him a good look.
They couldn't say a few words to each other before parting on bad terms.
After the news spread that the Second Master was going to marry Yu Huiyan after he passed the martial - arts imperial examination, Madam became even colder.
Song Wanchu picked up a piece of date - paste cloud - cake, took a few sips, and then put it down.
The sweetness of the golden - silk dates melted in her mouth, but she tasted nothing.
She sent someone to buy the last serving of the cake every day when Xunxiangji was about to close. She knew this method was stupid, but it was the only way she could send a message to the outside world.
She wondered if Nan Zhi and Su Yue could figure this out...
Although she had completely given up the idea of escaping, she couldn't bear the thought of never seeing her elder brother again.
Her elder brother was too stubborn. He wouldn't leave the capital without seeing her. There were some things she wanted to say to him face - to - face.
At night, Song Wanchu sat on a lounge chair in the small courtyard.
The square walls enclosed a small patch of the night sky. There was no moon tonight, and the sky was pitch - black.
"Miss, the autumn wind is cold. Go inside and rest."
Yaoguang put a coat on Song Wanchu. When her hand touched Song Wanchu's arm, it was ice - cold.
A meow came from some corner.
Yaoguang's eyes immediately became vigilant.
Song Wanchu smiled. "Autumn is the season for pears. I'd like some rock - sugar pears."
This was the first time in half a month that she had voluntarily asked for something to eat.
Yaoguang was overjoyed. "I'll ask someone to make it right away."
"Make a lot. Everyone has been busy taking care of me all day. They must be tired. Let everyone have some."
A dozen people were waiting on Madam, and Madam never made any requests. Weren't they just bored to death?
Yaoguang always felt that Madam was being a bit sarcastic.
She still misunderstood that the Second Master had sent so many people to monitor her...
The kitchen cooked a big pot of rock - sugar pears. Song Wanchu even went to the kitchen to check.
While the cook was bending down to add firewood to the stove, Song Wanchu quickly opened the sachet she carried with her and sprinkled the sleeping powder into the pot.
Half an hour later, everyone in the small courtyard was asleep.
Even Yaoguang, who was the most vigilant, had no defense against Song Wanchu.
Song Wanchu stood under the cherry tree in the small courtyard and looked up at the high wall.
A dark figure jumped over the wall and landed beside her.
"Wan Chu!"
Shi Luohan hugged Song Wanchu tightly, his arms tightening around her back.
"Why have you lost so much weight?"
He tried to hold back his emotions, but his voice trembled slightly.
Wan Chu was really smart. She had received his signal.
That meow was sent by him.
It was their signal.
When Wan Chu was a child, she was playful. Her father was strict and didn't allow her to go out at night. Shi Luohan would climb onto the wall when the adults weren't looking and meow like a cat. When Wan Chu received the signal, she would secretly climb onto the wall, and then they would hold hands and go to the night market together.
At that time, Wan Chu was so lively and bright. Her charming smile in the bustling lights outshone the city that never slept.
But now, she was so thin that she seemed like a wisp of smoke that could be blown away by the wind at any time.
Her beautiful eyes were empty and lifeless, like a walking puppet.
"Wan Chu, I'll take you away."
Everyone had been knocked out by Wan Chu, and Liang Yuzhou wasn't around. This was the best time to get rid of him.
Shi Luohan grabbed Song Wanchu's arm.
"Brother." Song Wanchu pulled her arm back.
"I'm not leaving."
Her tone was so calm, calm like a stagnant pool.
"Wan Chu, are you crazy!"
Shi Luohan said angrily, "It was Liang Yuzhou who abandoned you first! He's about to marry Yu Huiyan as his main wife. And you? You were supposed to be the noble concubine bestowed by the emperor, equal in status to the main wife. But now you're even worse than a mistress! Why do you still keep your promise to such a cold - hearted man?"
Song Wanchu's lips trembled. She was smiling, but her smile was so empty and powerless.
"Brother, leave the capital. This place is full of troubles. It's not suitable for you to stay. And... forget about me. I'm already a broken woman. I'm not worthy of you..."
Her heart felt like it was being stirred by a sharp blade. Every word she said caused her unbearable pain.
Shi Luohan stared at her blankly, his ears buzzing.
Was Wan Chu saying goodbye to him?
"Impossible!" Shi Luohan tightened his grip on her arm, his voice excited. "Wan Chu, I won't let Liang Yuzhou continue to abuse you. You should have been my wife! Before father went to war, you promised our engagement..."
Looking at the tears constantly streaming down Wan Chu's eyes, he felt that although she was so close to him, her soul was flying farther and farther away. No matter how much he said, it was in vain.
"I'm sorry, brother. I've let you down."
Three years ago, she had let her brother down once, and now she was doing it again.
She still owed Liang Yuzhou a promise. Liang Yuzhou had saved her life three years ago and asked her to promise not to leave. She had broken her promise.
Liang Yuzhou had helped her brother get rid of the suspicion of murder, and she owed him another promise.
She couldn't break her promise again, even if she had to live a life like a walking corpse, being treated as a plaything by him.
Shi Luohan watched the tears welling up in her eyes, heart - broken. He shouted angrily, "Wan Chu, after all Liang Yuzhou has done to you, do you still love him?"
"No, I don't love him."
A cool breeze blew through the quiet night. The door of the small courtyard was pushed open at some point. A tall, dark figure stood at the door, his body suddenly stiffening.
Song Wanchu's words were like a shower of arrows, piercing through Liang Yuzhou's heart.
She didn't love him...
Song Wanchu, you're the most heartless person!
His aura was so cold, and his eyes were filled with terrifying rage.
Shi Luohan sensed a palm wind coming from behind. When he turned back to dodge, it was too late.
Liang Yuzhou used almost all his strength in this palm strike. Shi Luohan had to gather his internal energy to withstand it.
The huge and angry force made his internal organs shift.
"Liang Yuzhou, don't hurt my brother!"
Song Wanchu was forcefully pulled into the man's arms. Liang Yuzhou grabbed her chin and sneered menacingly, "Song Wanchu, do you think I'm dead? Meeting your old lover in my courtyard?"