Xue Shen, as if with eyes in the back of his head, said, “I have to patrol the camp in a couple of hours. Don’t make a fuss.”

Ignoring him, Yu Zhiguang slipped on her slippers, picked up the robe from the stool by the bed, and gently placed it on Xue Shen, “General…aren’t you taking your wedding leave?”

Government officials of rank five and above were entitled to a five-day wedding leave; Xue Shen’s rank would allow him even more.

Xue Shen, alert to her approach, relaxed slightly as the soft weight of the robe settled on him, “I’m not taking leave.”

Yu Zhiguang lay back down, subtly relieved.

It was good that Xue Shen wasn’t taking leave.

She wouldn’t have to worry about being with him all day in the mansion.  After some thought, overcome by fatigue, she quickly fell asleep. When she woke up, Xue Shen was gone, the bedding neatly folded on the couch.

Cao Yue, the mansion steward, arrived with the servants to pay their respects to the mistress.

Yu Zhiguang recognized their faces and names, gave each of them some wedding money, and discovered that the General’s mansion had more men than women, only a few maids and elderly women.

Steward Cao Yue, nearing forty, was unremarkable in appearance, his voice rougher than most, but he was steady and possessed a similar air to Xue Shen.

After everyone left, he handed her a rosewood box.

“Mistress, this contains the General’s household accounts, keys to the storerooms, and the servants’ contracts. The General said if you have time to manage them, you can take over.”

Yu Zhiguang waved her hand, “I won’t manage them for now. Steward Cao, please continue as before.”

After waking up and walking from the main house to the front hall, the bright sunlight revealed that the General’s mansion was even larger than she had imagined, with an irregular layout, often with unexpected paths and secluded courtyards.

“Steward Cao, could you take me around the General’s mansion and tell me about the General’s habits, preferences, or dislikes?”

“Of course, Mistress. When would you like to go?”

“Now.”

Before her marriage, Yu Zhiguang had only learned that Xue Shen’s family was small, with only his sister as close kin, and that he had a busy schedule, leaving early and returning late. Beyond that, she knew very little about him.

Steward Cao led Yu Zhiguang, starting from the main hall, east to west, deeper into the General’s mansion, pointing out places Xue Shen frequently used: the martial arts field, the armory, the library…along the way, craftsmen were constantly pushing carts laden with wood and bricks, carrying buckets of mud and tiles.

Yu Zhiguang noticed that they were all heading towards a three-story tower in the northwest corner.

“What is that place?”

“A watchtower, for monitoring any unusual activity in the mansion, like the watchtowers in other parts of the city, for signaling if necessary.”

Seeing her curiosity, Steward Cao added, “This mansion has been home to many generals over the years, and many parts are dilapidated. The General had people repair it before the wedding, prioritizing the areas the mistress would use, and the rest will be done gradually.”

Yu Zhiguang paused, remembering the new lamp stand in the bathroom last night.

Steward Cao led her past a gazebo to the east wing of the library, where a lock hung on the door, “The General specifically instructed that no one should enter this room; it’s always locked. Please be mindful, Mistress.”

Yu Zhiguang nodded, “Can I go into the library?”

“Feel free, Mistress,” Steward Cao glanced at the sun, “If you have any other questions, ask me later. I need to supervise the repairs at the watchtower.”

“Alright, Steward Cao, go ahead.”

Yu Zhiguang spent the afternoon in the library, having lunch sent to the west wing by Yuanbao; again, many meat dishes, and a roasted flatbread bigger than her face.

Xue Shen’s library contained many books on geography, military strategy, and troop deployment.

Yu Zhiguang managed to pick out two travelogues, finishing one and half of the other, intending to finish it in her bedroom.

Lanterns swayed in the eaves, the air cool and damp.

Yuanbao reached out, “It’s raining, I’ll get an umbrella.”

Yu Zhiguang nodded.  As the wind picked up, she sheltered under the locked door of the east wing, suddenly noticing muddy footprints on the grey stone steps, stopping right in front of the door. The copper lock was intact, but covered in mud.

It looked like someone had come, found the door locked, and left.

Yuanbao hurried over with an oiled paper umbrella, “Miss, let’s go back, the rain is getting heavier.”

Yu Zhiguang, leaning on her, didn’t return to the bedroom but went to the main courtyard and summoned Steward Cao to tell him about the tracks.

Wiping rain from his face, Steward Cao was momentarily stunned, “I’ve been supervising the workers all afternoon.” For easier management, the masons and carpenters worked in pairs.  Any missing person would be immediately noticeable.  Moreover, the watchtower was a considerable distance from the locked room in the library.

“I’m just letting you know, Steward Cao, you decide what to do.”

“Yes, thank you, Mistress, for letting me know.”

Cao Yue, taking the matter seriously, went to check in the rain. The tracks on the steps were somewhat faded, but mud still clung to the copper lock. Before the sudden downpour at dusk, he sent the craftsmen home; it was impossible to find anyone to blame now.

That night, the wind and rain raged.  According to the General’s usual habits, he would stay in the camp. Cao Yue found pen and paper and briefly wrote a message, about to send a messenger to the camp, when a figure strode into the corridor, his raincoat making him look even taller.

Cao Yue surprised, greeted him, “General, you’re back?”

“Yes.” Xue Shen took off his raincoat and listened to the report about the library’s anomaly, his sharp brows slightly raised, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle it. Have those craftsmen continue the repairs tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Beyond the hanging flower gate was the inner courtyard.

Cao Yue stopped, watching Xue Shen walk towards the brightly lit courtyard.

Xue Shen didn’t usually return to the General’s mansion during a storm.

It didn’t matter where he slept; during the busiest times, he had traveled between the palace and the camp for half a month without setting foot in the General’s mansion.