I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 218: Chapter 90: Back Then, Love

As Third Lady spoke of her emotional journey over the past few days and her hopes for the future, she began to ramble a little. But Fang Rui didn’t find it tedious in the slightest; on the contrary, a warmth spread through his chest.

"Third Sister!"

Fang Rui pulled Third Lady into a tight embrace.

In his arms, she was like a cat baring its soft belly, making him feel as though he understood her on a much deeper level. It was as if he now held the whole of her, and he could feel with absolute clarity that she was a living, breathing person of flesh and blood.

This authenticity didn’t diminish his feelings for her in the slightest. In fact, it made him cherish her even more.

’So many conflicts fester when you keep them bottled up. Once you talk them out, they just disappear... But being completely honest with each other? It’s so much easier said than done,’ Fang Rui sighed to himself.

That evening, Fang Rui didn’t join Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Fang Ling, and Nannan for dinner as he usually did. Instead, he had a maidservant bring wine and small dishes to Third Lady’s chambers, where the two of them sat down to eat together.

The sky had cleared after a fresh snowfall, and a radiant moon hung outside the window. Inside the room, a red candle burned quietly, and the table was laden with steaming-hot wine and food.

"The moon is so bright tonight, I think I’ll drink it down in a cup."

Fang Rui smiled, pouring wine for them both. He held Third Lady close, whispering softly to her.

With so much now out in the open, their hearts felt closer than ever, and their bond seemed to deepen with every passing moment.

Third Lady, who rarely drank, had a little wine at Fang Rui’s urging. A rosy blush, like twin sunset clouds, bloomed on her fair cheeks, a sight of breathtaking beauty.

Struck by a sudden inspiration, Fang Rui said, "Third Sister, sit down for a moment. Let me draw a portrait of you!"

By the window, the moon reflected in her cup of wine. Third Lady sat reclined, as gentle and graceful as a fairy, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall.

Using a charcoal pencil, Fang Rui captured the scene on paper.

Finally, he took up a brush and added an inscription in the corner of the drawing: *The moon in the cup is the moon in the sky, and the one before me is the one in my heart.*

The sentiment seemed to leap right off the page.

"Brother Rui!"

The way Third Lady called his name was utterly soul-stirring, her voice so thick with affection it seemed ready to overflow.

"Can I have this drawing?" she asked, looking up at Fang Rui with pleading eyes.

As far as he could remember, this was the first time Third Lady had ever asked him for anything.

"Silly Third Sister," Fang Rui chuckled, affectionately stroking her head. "Of course it’s for you."

Giggling like a young girl, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, she took the drawing and put it away with the utmost care.

Perhaps the drawing would yellow and fade with time, but the feelings of this moment, this memory, would be forever etched into the depths of her mind, never to fade.

...

After the meal, the head maidservant, Bai Shao, led the younger maids in to quietly clear the table. They moved with extreme care, not wanting to disturb Fang Rui and Third Lady.

Meanwhile, the two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, had finished their dinner and were clamoring to go find Fang Rui, but Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family intercepted them and herded them off to bed.

The radiant moonlight bathed the entire city in its glow. It was the most tranquil time of day; a gentle breeze stirred, causing the gauze curtains to sway and the red candle’s flame to dance.

...

After the matter with Liu Pan’Er was settled, no further disturbances occurred in the Fang Mansion, and its usual tranquility was restored.

Interestingly, the contrast between the turmoil Liu Pan’Er had caused and the peace that followed made everyone in the mansion, from the masters to the servants, appreciate the relaxed, conflict-free atmosphere all the more. Minor details that might have caused friction in the past now seemed utterly insignificant.

Take the blunt-natured Qing Yun, for example. In the past, if Third Lady had seen her acting overly familiar with Fang Rui too many times, she would have most likely transferred her to the Four Seas Building. But after Qing Yun had "spoken out for justice" during the recent incident, Third Lady’s tolerance for her grew immensely.

Now, as long as it wasn’t a matter of principle, Third Lady would generally just smile and let such things slide.

As for Liu Pan’Er, Fang Rui ultimately couldn’t bring himself to be too heartless. After giving her the cold shoulder for two days, he went to see her. He had always felt desire for her, but no love. After making this perfectly clear, he set her up in a separate residence as his mistress.

And so the days passed, one after another, in lighthearted peace.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the end of the year arrived.

...

One evening, as it was about time to get off duty, Fang Rui stood up to leave. Outside his office, the three Chief Constables—Li Dadan, Xun Buhe, and Niu Bajin—also rose, stretched, and prepared to head home.

"Where are you all off to?"

Fang Rui called out to them. "Come on. You’re coming with me to the Jade Plum Association."

"The Jade Plum Association?!" Xun Buhe exclaimed in surprise.

"Chief, you have an invitation to the Jade Plum Association? Oh, right, I forgot. You’re a Silver Seal Chief Constable, of course you have an invitation!" Li Dadan smacked himself on the head.

"That’s not it!"

Niu Bajin’s face was a mask of disbelief. "Chief, are you really taking *us* to the Jade Plum Association? Did I hear you right?!"

The "Jade Plum Association" was a high-level annual gathering within the Divine Capture Bureau. Only constables at the rank of Silver Seal Chief Constable or higher were qualified to bring guests.

However, even a Silver Seal Chief Constable was only allotted three guest spots, and they typically brought their most trusted aides, who weren’t necessarily members of the Government Office.

That was why Li Dadan, Xun Buhe, and Niu Bajin were so overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude when they heard Fang Rui’s invitation.

After all, attending the Jade Plum Association wasn’t just a matter of prestige; there were real, tangible benefits to be had.

"Chief, you’re too generous! But can all three of us really go? If you ask me, you should just take me and Old Gou. Giving a Jade Plum to a brute like Dadan would be a complete waste!" Niu Bajin said, taking his usual jab at Li Dadan.

"Piss off, Niu Bajin! You’re asking for a beating, aren’t you?" Li Dadan instantly flared up, rolling up his sleeves and stepping toward him.

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