Chapter 100: Joyful News

Just before dawn, Xu Jun Ying went to check on Meinang before leaving. The maids were all busy with their tasks, and Meinang hadn’t yet risen from bed, hidden behind the curtains. Cui Li prepared to brew tea for him, but Xu Jun Ying waved her off, saying, “I’m just leaving. Is your lady not well? Later, let Bao Ju bring a physician to check on her.”

Cui Li replied, “Milord, last night, Lady took the medicine you gave her days ago. She slept well and even got up in the night to eat some porridge. But then she remembered unfinished accounting work and worked through the night until around 4 o’clock.”

Xu Jun Ying frowned, saying, “What’s more important her health or the accounts? And you just let her?” Cui Li lowered her head and replied, “We couldn’t persuade her.”

With a look of disapproval, Xu Jun Ying ordered, “If this happens again, none of you will stay here. And if she’s still not up, tell her to be at Jinhua Hall for dinner with the Old Madam tonight.”

As he left, he glanced back at the unmoving curtains with a frown. He didn’t believe she was still asleep, he had timed his visit perfectly. He wondered if she was purposely avoiding him, perhaps waiting for him to leave before she emerged.

The night before, Xu Jun Ying had been haunted by a dream of Cui Li tearfully crying out, “Sir, our lady… she’s gone.” He’d awoken drenched in sweat, reminded of the night Meinang had once passed away, when Cui Li had burst into his study sobbing. Back then, he’d felt only apathy, even finishing his tea calmly. Yet, in this strange new life, her potential death in his dream shook him to the core.

Perhaps he should have sent her elsewhere to live, distancing himself to avoid these increasingly complicated feelings. She changed so rapidly sometimes bright and assertive, other times quietly accommodating, even preparing for his second marriage without complaint. What was she thinking?

As he rode with Bao Ju, Xu Jun Ying encountered Bai Zhan rushing in. Bai Zhan had stayed out late drinking and looked worn out, which prompted Xu Jun Ying to tease, “If you want to continue going out, you might as well quit following me.” Laughing, Bai Zhan recounted an amusing story of the night before when Prince Qi had created a ruckus at a local inn. Curious, Xu Jun Ying listened intently.

Later, after Xu Jun Ying left, Meinang hurried to get dressed, instructing the maids to help her quickly so she could see Heng Ge’er and then make her way to Jinhua Hall to serve the Old Madam breakfast. As she prepared, her maid Cui Xi sighed, “My lady, please return early tonight; otherwise, we’ll be in trouble if Milord comes by again.”

Reassuring her, Meinang smiled, “Don’t worry; if we return early enough, he won’t suspect anything.”

At this, they all exchanged playful banter, preparing for another eventful day.