The Chen family showed up the very next day. Not Chen Xianyi, that would have been too obvious. It was his mother instead. When the news got to Yuzhen's courtyard, he was busy sorting herbs by the window. Bia Anhe was there too, lounging on a chair with one leg tucked up, sneakily munching on dried fruit that came with the tea.
"Madam Chen?" Anhe repeated, sitting up instantly. "She came herself?"
The servant just nodded. "She's in the front hall."
Yuzhen put down the herb he was holding. *That was quick.* He'd figured the Chen family would make a move soon, but not this fast, and definitely not this openly. Then again, Madam Chen showing up in person meant a couple of things. First, the situation was serious enough that she didn't trust anyone else to handle it. Second, she wanted the Bia family to see how sincere she was. Or maybe she was just putting on a show. Knowing her, it could be both.
"Grandfather sent for me?" Yuzhen asked.
"Yes, young master."
Anhe was already on their feet. "I'm coming with you."
Yuzhen looked at them. Anhe crossed their arms. "I know I'm not actually invited into the hall. I'm just walking you there."
Yuzhen gave up arguing. "Fine."
They left the courtyard together. The walk to the front hall wasn't long, but the estate felt different today. Servants tiptoed around, and even the younger cousins from the outer branches lowered their voices as soon as they saw him. Word travels fast in a big family, and "the Chen family came" was the kind of news that made people stop and listen, even if they didn't know why.
Anhe clicked their tongue softly as they walked. "What do you think she wants?"
"To save face," Yuzhen said.
"That's it?"
"No," he replied evenly. "But it's part of it."
Anhe glanced at him. "Are you nervous?"
Yuzhen considered it for a moment. "Not really," he said. And that was the honest truth. A month ago, maybe he would have felt a sharper sting – anger, shame, that familiar ache in his chest whenever the Chen family's name was mentioned alongside his. But now, he just felt alert. Like someone noticing storm clouds and calmly closing the windows before the rain hits.
By the time they reached the stone path near the front hall, Lanyue was already there. She had clearly arrived early on purpose. Anhe gave her a look. "You too?"
Lanyue didn't even try to play innocent. "Of course."
Yuzhen stopped at the bottom of the hall steps. "Are you two planning to stand out here and eavesdrop?"
"Yes," Anhe said.
"Obviously," Lanyue chimed in at the same time.
Yuzhen almost laughed. "Just don't make it too obvious," he said.
"We would never," Anhe replied, already sounding guilty.
Yuzhen left them there and stepped inside. The front hall was quiet. His grandfather sat in the main seat, as calm as ever. An elder was seated to his right. Tea had already been served. Across from them sat Madam Chen. She was wearing deep blue today, with silver ornaments that looked expensive but not gaudy. Her face was still beautiful, still composed, still carrying that effortless air of someone used to being treated with respect. Beside her stood a young maid and one guard. Nothing more.
Yuzhen bowed first to his grandfather, then to her. "Grandfather. Madam Chen."
Madam Chen's eyes immediately landed on him. There it was. That brief flicker. Tiny, but undeniable. She had heard the rumors, of course. Everyone had. But hearing and seeing were different things. Rumor said he had recovered. Rumor said he was cultivating again. Rumor said he would be attending the Southern Region gathering. And here he was, standing tall in the Bia family's front hall, his spiritual energy steady, his face showing none of the old weakness.
"Yuzhen," she said at last. "It has been some time."
"Yes." His answer was polite and brief. That was enough. He took the seat slightly lower than his grandfather's, as was proper.
Madam Chen studied him again, a little more intently this time. "You look well."
"Thank you."
Another pause. Bia Zhenyuan lifted his teacup. "Madam Chen came to visit. Since some matters concern the younger generation, I asked Yuzhen to join us."
Madam Chen smiled faintly. "Family Head Bia is as direct as ever."
"No point beating around the bush when the road is short."
She let that comment slide. Then she turned back to Yuzhen. "I heard your foundation has recovered."
There it was. No more small talk. Yuzhen met her gaze. "It has improved."
"Improved enough to cultivate again?"
"Yes."
"Improved enough to join the Southern Region gathering?"
"Yes."
Her smile didn't change, but something in her eyes did. Not anger. Not exactly regret either. More like a calculation recalibrating in real-time. "I'm glad," she said. "Truly."
Yuzhen didn't answer immediately. Then he said, "Madam Chen is kind."
This time, the elder to his grandfather's right lowered his teacup very slowly, probably to avoid spilling it with a chuckle. Because everyone in the room knew exactly what those words *really* meant. Madam Chen knew it too. Still, she maintained her composure. "The fortunes of the younger generation rise and fall," she said. "As elders, all we can do is hope they find their path again."
Bia Zhenyuan set his cup down. "When some paths were lost," he said evenly, "the Chen family moved very quickly."
The room grew colder. Not in temperature, but in feeling. Madam Chen didn't falter, but the maid standing behind her visibly tensed. "Family Head Bia," she said softly, "if I came here to pretend nothing happened, that would be an insult to both our families. I did not come for that."
"Then why did you come?" Bia Zhenyuan asked. Straight to the point.
Madam Chen looked at Yuzhen. Then back at the family head. "The Southern Region gathering is approaching. The major families of Mingzu City have always supported each other in spirit, even if not always in agreement. Old matters should not cause public embarrassment before outsiders."
Yuzhen finally understood. This wasn't an apology. It was a truce. At least, on the surface. She didn't want the dispute between the Bia and Chen families to become public knowledge once they were in the wider Southern Region. It would make Mingzu look divided. It would make the Chen family look heartless. And if Yuzhen performed well in front of outsiders after what had happened, it would make their past decisions look even worse in the public eye. Madam Chen was here to stitch up the wound before anyone could see how deep it really was. *Smart.* Yuzhen almost admired it. Almost.
His grandfather said, "So the Chen family wants peace."
"The Chen family wants dignity," Madam Chen corrected. "For both sides." That was honest enough.
Bia Zhenyuan leaned back slightly. "Then let me be honest too. The Bia family has no intention of airing our dirty laundry in public. We have no need." Madam Chen's shoulders relaxed just a fraction. "But," the old man continued, "whether others talk is not something I control."
Her calm faltered for half a second. Because that was the truth. The Bia family didn't need to spread a single word. The city had its own ways of finding things out. She turned to Yuzhen again, and this time her voice was gentler. "Yuzhen, whatever happened before, I hope you understand that many decisions in great families are not made lightly."
Yuzhen looked at her. He could have responded in so many ways. He could have been sharp. He could have been cold. He could have reminded her of every polite visit, every shared smile, every soft promise that had vanished the moment he fell. Instead, he said, "I understand very well."
And he did. That was the problem. He understood all too well. Understood that affection in influential families often bent under pressure. That promises were strongest when fortune was high and weakest when they were most needed. That someone could smile at you one season and then gauge your worth the next. Madam Chen held his gaze, perhaps hearing more in those six words than he had actually spoken. For the first time since he entered the hall, she seemed to grow tired. Just a little. But enough. She looked away first.
"The Chen family has prepared a small gift," she said. Her maid stepped forward with a lacquered box. "A token of goodwill. Not as compensation. Just sincerity."
No one in the room touched it. Yuzhen didn't even look down. His grandfather said, "The Bia family does not lack resources."
Madam Chen kept her hand on the box. "I know."
"Then take it back."
The refusal was so clean that even Yuzhen felt a pang of sympathy for the maid still holding the box. Madam Chen went still. Then, slowly, she signaled for the maid to step back. "I see."
Silence followed. Not awkward, just final. At last, she rose. The guard behind her moved at once. The maid lowered her head and took the box back into her arms. Madam Chen faced Bia Zhenyuan and gave a proper farewell bow. "I have disturbed the family head."
Bia Zhenyuan inclined his head. "Safe return." Then she turned to Yuzhen. For a second, he thought she might say something personal. Something about Xianyi. Something about their old engagement. Something that belonged to the past and should have stayed there. But she only said, "Walk your path well."
Yuzhen stood and returned the courtesy. "Madam Chen too." She left after that. Her footsteps faded through the outer hall.