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Xie Zhuoguang’s usually unperturbed eyes seemed as if they had been tempered with a layer of cold steel…
Xie Zhuoguang followed him into the study.
The study, a forbidden area for idlers. As the door was pushed open, the austere chill of pear blossom hardwood furnishings hit him square in the face.
Xie Fu walked ahead without sparing Xie Zhuoguang a glance, circled around the screen, and seated himself on the grand armchair carved with beast motifs.
Xie Zhuoguang lowered his gaze and followed quietly, stopping two or three paces behind him.
Two faces carved from the same mold, both expressionless and icy cold.
As soon as Xie Zhuoguang stood still, he heard Xie Fu’s frigid voice ring in his ears.
“Jun-ge’er has rarely shown such diligence lately. Master Fan is a renowned scholar of unmatched repute. Since you don’t treasure the opportunity to study at the Pei family academy, perhaps you should inform the master and recommend your brother in your place.”
As soon as the words landed, Xie Zhuoguang immediately lifted his gaze. His usually calm eyes now appeared as if they had been encased in solid ice.
“He is not my brother.”
The rare trace of emotion in this statement made his body tremble faintly. Dressed in plain hemp robes, standing before the authoritative air of Xie Fu, he appeared exceptionally frail.
And precisely because of that, the fury he couldn’t suppress was all the more conspicuous.
“Oh?” Xie Fu slightly lifted his eyelids, his gaze full of contempt.
He acted as if he couldn’t see the flames of anger burning in Xie Zhuoguang, and instead curled the corners of his lips, savoring the rare sight of Xie Zhuoguang’s discomfiture.
So what if all of the capital praised him? — He’s nothing but a greenhorn.
After scrutinizing him for a while, Xie Fu finally spoke:
“Don’t think that just because you have strong maternal relatives, you can do as you please. As long as I’m alive, the title of heir to the Duke Xie’s household is yours in name only. A son wanting to climb over his father’s head? You’re far too young for that.”
“Get out.”
Xie Zhuoguang said nothing more. Hatred, sharp as a gleaming blade, filled him. He met Xie Fu’s frigid gaze head-on under the heavy pressure.
After a long moment, he finally turned and left. Always known for his impeccable manners, he didn’t bow even once to his own biological father.
“Shizi (Young Lord)…”
Cheng Qing saw him come out in that same state and couldn’t help but let worry flood his face.
“I’m fine. You’ve worked hard these days. Go back to your quarters and rest.”
When Xie Zhuoguang looked at Cheng Qing, the face that had been frozen stiff finally warmed slightly.
Spring had melted away, and the heat of summer gradually crept in. Under the scorching midday sun, its sting sharp and biting, Xie Zhuoguang’s steps were slow, like a wandering soul with no home to return to.
It was midday rest time. In the vast and noble household of the Duke Xie’s mansion, only a few servants bustled about. Madam Yu, the matriarch in charge, was known for her kindness and leniency; aside from those on active duty, all others were allowed to rest at noon and night.
Because of this, her reputation for benevolence was widely known throughout the capital.
Pavilions and flowing water, carved balustrades and jade terraces — everywhere one looked was filled with opulence and fragrance.
The heads of the Duke Xie household had, from the very first generation, all been outstanding men of both letters and arms. The founding Duke had been a great merit-holder who accompanied the founding emperor in conquering the land, the family possessing iron-clad imperial decrees and deep imperial favor.
Generations of accumulated glory had forged the prosperity seen today.
He gazed silently at the greenery before him. Just then, two young maidservants carrying bamboo baskets approached. Upon seeing him, they blushed and bowed shyly, their cheeks blooming red.
Even after walking several paces away, Xie Zhuoguang could still hear them whispering behind him.
“The young lord is so handsome. Do you think we’ll ever have a chance to catch his eye?”
“Hush! You shameless thing, do you have a death wish? If anyone hears you, you’ll be thrown into a pig cage for sure!”
“Oh come on, I was just thinking. Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know. Once the young lord turns seventeen after autumn, even if that one in the household isn’t pleased, they’ll still have to arrange a marriage for him. With our looks, maybe we’ll be picked as a chambermaid with official status. Better than being casually married off to some lowly servant, right?”
“Shut up, still talking!”
Behind him came the playful bickering and scolding of the two maids.
Even hearing such indecent gossip about himself from the servants, Xie Zhuoguang’s heart remained completely unmoved.
He didn’t know when he had developed such a disposition. No matter how filthy or slanderous others’ words were, they were like the wind to him, leaving no trace in his heart.
He paused, then veered off from his original route back to his quarters, silently heading toward the most secluded northwest corner of the Duke Xie’s mansion.
There was a small alleyway there, one that Xie Fu had strictly forbidden anyone from approaching without explicit permission.
Already a remote place, it was now overgrown with flourishing weeds, some even as tall as Xie Zhuoguang’s knees.
The dilapidated wooden door was coated with a thick layer of dust. The wooden fence, untrodden for years, had decayed and weathered.
Xie Zhuoguang unlatched the door and pushed it open. As dust billowed out, a long-stale, sour, putrid stench assailed his nostrils.
This place was the exact opposite of Xie Fu’s grand main courtyard — no one would ever come here.
Xie Zhuoguang, as if drained of all strength, sat dazedly on the ground, his back leaning against the wooden fence.
In his mind’s eye, the scene from his childhood resurfaced — blood, nothing but blood.
People around screamed in panic. Someone held her in their arms, while blood pooled all over the ground.
His hand clenched tightly. For some reason, at that moment, he suddenly thought of Yu Mingyao.
—
Time at the Pei residence always passed quickly. After the ambush on their return journey, not only was Madam Shi Luo nearly scared out of her wits, but even Yu Mingyao and her brother Yu Jinnian were deeply shaken.
The group, along with Yan Yue, stayed in Pear Blossom Courtyard and hadn’t stepped out for several days.
Madam Shi Luo, partly out of concern for their hard work in their studies and partly because she had grown fond and attached to the two siblings, simply let them rest first, planning to talk about resuming school once they’d recovered.
This suited Yu Mingyao and Yu Jinnian perfectly.
The siblings spent their days playing together. Whenever they wanted something to eat, they simply asked someone from the Pei household to fetch it from outside. Occasionally, after school, Pei Bizhu and Pei Shang would bring new toys to play with Yu Mingyao.
After half a month of this, not only Yu Mingyao but even Yan Yue’s face had grown noticeably plumper.
Time flew, and soon it was the day of Old Madam Pei’s seventy-fifth birthday celebration. Even if Yu Mingyao wanted to laze around more, it wasn’t possible.
Early that morning, Yan Yue dragged her out of bed. Still groggy, a steaming towel was pressed to her face.
Like a puppet, she let Yan Yue handle her. She didn’t even realize when she’d finished washing up, only to see Yan Yue pulling her to sit before the dressing table.
Since the last dangerous encounter, Yan Yue had grown increasingly like a proper senior maid. Though younger than Yu Mingyao, she was already very steady in her actions.
Seeing the girl move briskly without even asking her opinion, Yu Mingyao felt her head suddenly heavy. When she looked into the mirror again, she realized she had been turned into a little “prosperity doll” (a chubby, festive child).
“Who dresses like this to attend a birthday celebration at someone else’s house? Yan Yue, you’re getting bold — quickly take this off me.”
Yan Yue cast her a sideways glance.
“I won’t. Miss is so pretty, yet every day you act like an old lady, with no interest in dressing up at all. It’s said that women dress to please those they like. There’ll be plenty of young gentlemen at today’s banquet. You’ll be fifteen in half a year — if you start paying attention now, it’ll make things easier when the time comes to choose.”
Upon hearing that, how could Yu Mingyao stay indifferent?
True, she had been married in her previous life — but to be teased like this by a maid younger than her, did she not have any pride?
Annoyed, she shot her a glare.
“You wretched girl, say another word and I’ll go tell Cheng Qing that you want to thank him for saving your life but are too shy — I’ll ask him to be more proactive.”
“Miss!”
The two began bickering noisily. Just then, Madam Shi Luo entered and saw her precious granddaughter in her nightclothes pinning Yan Yue down and tickling her while her head ornaments jangled wildly.
“Yao-jie’er, you’re bullying Yan Yue again.” She shook her head.
Hearing this, Yu Mingyao not only didn’t stop but gave Yan Yue’s armpit another tickle before getting up.
“Yan Yue is like a younger sister to me. If I don’t bully her, who else? Grandmother, be the judge — what kind of makeup is this she’s put on me? She’s turned me into a jewelry rack!”
She muttered as the ruby-embedded peony hair ornament on her bun swayed and glittered.
Madam Shi Luo scrutinized her carefully and actually thought Yan Yue’s handiwork today was excellent. It made Yu Mingyao look as radiant as peach blossoms in March.
After observing for a while, she said, “How is this bad like you say? I think Yan Yue’s skills have improved greatly. I remember you have a pair of green tourmaline earrings shaped like rabbits — try wearing them. The red and green will match perfectly.”
Yu Mingyao pouted high in protest but had no choice but to let Yan Yue dress her up like a festive child from a New Year painting.
Walking past the corridors and through the side courtyards, spring flowers were fading and the foliage growing lush.
On the path to Rongjing Hall, every few paces, bright red lanterns were hung high.
Although today was Old Madam Pei’s birthday, the banquet was organized entirely by the second wife, Madam Li. Yu Mingyao and her party would first greet Old Madam Pei in Rongjing Hall before heading to the banquet hall when the feast began.
Madam Shi Luo, worried that Yu Mingyao might make mistakes, had even specially reminded her the night before.
Having attended countless banquets in her previous life, Yu Mingyao had interacted with the wives of all the prominent households in the capital.
Upon arriving at Rongjing Hall, Madam Shi Luo led her to greet Old Madam Pei, and under the latter’s introduction, Yu Mingyao made her formal debut in the capital’s circle of noblewomen.
Yu Mingyao kept her lips pursed, acting reserved. After making the rounds, she was exhausted.
Taking advantage of Madam Shi Luo chatting with other madams, Yu Mingyao quickly signaled Yan Yue, indicating for her to keep watch while she went to catch her breath.
Yan Yue understood immediately.
Leaving the courtyard, freed from the endless pleasantries and veiled barbs, Yu Mingyao let out a long breath, finally feeling less stifled.
Just as she was about to head to the garden for some air, Pei Yuzhu approached head-on.
The girls of the capital were mostly fair-skinned and tall, quite different from the dainty and delicate girls of Jiangnan. As her closest friend in her previous life, Pei Yuzhu was half a head taller than her.
A young lady raised with the expectations of a noble household’s future matriarch was naturally different from the free-spirited girls of smaller places.
Back then, shortly after Yu Mingyao had married into the Duke Xie household, her mother-in-law Madam Yu had, on her father-in-law’s light command, handed over the household management to her.
She had still been a young girl, knowing nothing about the intricate dealings of noble families, making many blunders. Later, it was thanks to her grandmother supporting her despite illness and Pei Yuzhu’s kind assistance that she had made it through those difficult days.
Such a good Yuzhu-jie (Sister Yuzhu) — could she truly have been a two-faced snake?
She lifted her eyes to look at the dignified, elegant, oval-faced young lady in white before her.