The Courtesan's Crown - Chapter 4
The autumn wind in October was already biting. Shen Huinian wore only a thin outer robe, heavy cangue and shackles, driven northward with whips.
At the Ten Li Pavilion, prisoners got one chance to say goodbye to family-if they had enough silver.
“Shen Huinian, someone here to see you.”
After two months, I saw Shen Huinian again. He was terribly thin, his already sharp features more severe. The noble young master’s arrogance was gone, replaced by a stillness like dead water, dark and unreadable.
Seeing me, his eyes showed no change.
A scar marred his right eyebrow, not ugly but ruining his jade-like face.
I moved to help with the heavy cangue, but he avoided me coldly. “Get lost.”
Saddened, I rallied and approached him, pretending nonchalance. “Shen Huinian, one night as husband and wife brings obligation. We slept together for six years, that’s fate. Coincidentally, I’m also heading north. I’ll accompany you.”
“Even in misfortune, I won’t couple with a courtesan like you.”
Looking at his cold profile, I sighed inwardly.
In those six years, he never spoke so harshly. Even knowing I could read and write poetry, he once sighed, “What a pity.” He was heartless but not mean.
“But I’ve already spoken to the guards. They allowed me to accompany you.” I didn’t give up, speaking softly.
After such a tragedy, his odd temper was understandable.
Shen Huinian’s lifeless eyes moved slightly. “What did you promise them?”
“The money you gave me.”
“Foolish woman! That was for your livelihood!”
Shen Huinian had given me enough for several lifetimes of luxury. But to accompany him north, I gave it all to the guards, keeping only a small sum saved from my courtesan days.
“Compared to you, I was never clever.”
I admit I wasn’t rational, too impulsive and emotional. I couldn’t watch Shen Huinian, bearing hatred, go alone to the frigid north.
Shen Huinian stared at me for a long time, then pulled a sarcastic smile. “You’ll regret this.”
I said nothing. I knew if I didn’t come, I’d regret it forever.
