Chapter 14

The New Year festivities finally arrived.  

Thanks to the serendipitous return of that package of jewelry, Xu Shi and Zhan Jianxing had a slightly more comfortable New Year than the previous one. The two had firmly decided not to return to Changshengbao Village to see Zhan Shi and her family. However, constrained by filial piety, they couldn’t make their avoidance too obvious. Since business was idle during the holiday, Xu Shi simply closed the door, claiming she was unwell and needed rest, and didn’t venture out to the streets.  

Zhan Jianxing stayed home as well. Taking advantage of the holiday break, she hurried to catch up on the studies she had neglected when their family troubles arose.  

Outside, it was still the depths of winter, cold enough to freeze dripping water. The laughter of children, undeterred by the chill, could be heard from time to time. Inside, the cotton door curtain was drawn shut. Xu Shi and Zhan Jianxing huddled on the warm kang, quietly occupied with their own tasks.  

Xu Shi was intently sewing a book bag. Zhan Jianxing already had one, but Xu Shi feared the old one was too shabby and might invite scorn when she studied among the nobility, so she was carefully making her a new one.  

Zhan Jianxing didn’t mind either way. After silently reciting a chapter, she looked up and saw that only half a blade of orchid leaf had been added to Xu Shi’s embroidery. She said, “Mother, as long as the bag is sturdy and lasts a while, that’s enough. There’s no need to make it so intricate. You should rest more while you have the chance.”  

Xu Shi replied, “How can that be? You’re grown now, and your belongings should be presentable. Just focus on your reading. I’m idle anyway, and this isn’t hard work—it’s just that my hands are clumsy, so it’s slow going.”  

Indeed, Xu Shi was not skilled in needlework—otherwise, she wouldn’t have been forced to open a steamed bun shop. Making buns might seem trivial, but it was physically demanding labor, from kneading dough to chopping fillings, none of it easy.  

After a moment’s thought, Xu Shi added, “Xing’er, if you’d like to learn, I can teach you. I may not be an expert, but it wouldn’t hurt for you to pick up a little—”  

Zhan Jianxing immediately lowered her head and said solemnly, “Mother, no more talking. I’m studying.”  

Xu Shi couldn’t help but laugh and didn’t press her. She bent her head again and continued embroidering the orchid.  

The leisurely days passed quickly. Xu Shi finished two book bags—one with bamboo and the other with orchids. Just as she completed them, the tenth day of the New Year arrived.  

Zhan Jianxing rose early, took the new orchid-embroidered bag, and set off toward Prince Dai Manor under Xu Shi’s worried gaze.  

A little over an hour later, she encountered a panting Xu Yi in front of the Nine-Dragon Wall.  

Xu Yi had run all the way there, steam rising from his head as he greeted her energetically, “What a coincidence! Good morning!”  

Zhan Jianxing responded, “Good morning.”  

The two entered the manor together. Having been recognized by the gatekeepers during their last visit, they weren’t stopped. However, the servants didn’t take the two half-grown boys seriously and didn’t want to lead them through the cold wind, so they were left to find their own way. Relying on their memories of their previous visit, they fumbled their way toward the Discipline and Virtue Institute.

It was still early, so the two chatted as they walked. Xu Yi was quite talkative, and even though Zhan Jianxing didn’t ask much, he spilled everything about himself: “Last time, I don’t think I got the chance to tell you—my family is registered as a Military Household. Originally, I was supposed to take over my father’s duty as a soldier. That’s a tough life; you have to risk your life for any future prospects. My parents couldn’t bear to see me suffer, so when they heard Prefectural Governor Luo had posted a notice recruiting Study Companions—and hadn’t found anyone suitable for days—they sent me to try my luck. If I got selected, I could study properly with a teacher. And if I was really lucky, maybe even pass the Imperial Examination and become a jinshi. Then I wouldn’t have to be a Military Household anymore.”

Zhan Jianxing nodded in understanding.

As a border town, Datong’s residents were mostly Military Households, making civilian households like the Zhans a rare minority. The Military Household system had been passed down since the founding emperor’s time—brutally simple in principle: one enlists, the whole family becomes Military Households, generation after generation. If the father dies, the son takes over; if the elder brother dies, the younger brother steps in. This continued until all male members were gone, leaving only a broken household.

After decades of this merciless system, with soldiers in the Garrisons fleeing in desperation, a loophole finally emerged: the Imperial Examination.

Passing the exams could change one’s household registration from Military to civilian, freeing them from this generational curse.

For most Military Households, this was nearly impossible. The cost of education alone was a heavy burden, and throughout the process, someone in the family had to remain in service at the Garrison. In other words, if Xu Yi’s father met with misfortune, Xu Yi would have to take his place immediately—no exceptions—unless he had already earned a jinshi degree.

Zhan Jianxing felt a pang of sympathy. Life was hard for everyone. But she also understood why Prefect Luo had chosen Xu Yi. His goal was even simpler than hers—he was here to study hard. Whether he succeeded or not was another matter, but at least he wouldn’t indulge the Royal Grandson’s whims or lead him astray just to curry favor.

“—I want to earn a Licentiate degree. It’d make life easier for my mother and me,” Zhan Jianxing shared a bit of her own aspirations.

Xu Yi brightened. “Then we’re the same! Let’s study hard together—”

“Wuuu…”

Just as they were getting along, a sob suddenly came from behind them.

Xu Yi: “—Huh?”

Puzzled, he turned to look. They had just turned onto a side path when two figures appeared on the main road behind them. Leading was a woman in her forties, dressed neatly and respectably, followed by a maid around seventeen or eighteen. The maid’s clothes were also decent but disheveled, her face half-covered as she wept bitterly.

The woman yanked the maid’s arm. “Hurry up! What are you dawdling for? The mistress sent you to serve the master, not to climb into his bed! It’s too late for regrets now!”

The maid, even with half her face hidden, was clearly pretty. She sobbed, “I didn’t… I really didn’t…”

“Enough nonsense! What do you mean you didn’t? Would the master wrong you? Shameless little hussy! Undressing to seduce him during mourning—and now you play innocent? Thank heavens the master is upright and had you thrown out at once, or you’d have ruined his reputation!”

The woman, whether intentionally or not, spoke loudly and fluently, her words flowing without pause. Given the nature of the topic, several passing servants nearby were drawn closer, listening intently while casting sidelong glances at the maid’s face.  

The maid couldn’t bear it and sobbed as if she might collapse to the ground. “Nanny Ni, I really didn’t do it! I want to see Her Highness the Princess Consort—even if I have to leave, I can’t bear this slander. How can I go on living like this—”  

“Stop with the theatrics! If you had any shame, you’d have dashed your head against a wall by now!”  

Nanny Ni spat mercilessly and yanked at the maid’s arm. “Get moving! You think you can just demand to see Her Highness? Dream on! Who do you think you are? The Young Master is noble and kind-hearted, yet you’ve dragged him into disgrace with your unfilial and disloyal actions. Be grateful he’s only banishing you!”  

As she spoke, the woman dragged the maid by the arm, pulling her along the ground as the girl wailed pitifully.  

Zhan Jianxing and Xu Yi couldn’t bear to watch. Though their hearts ached with sympathy, they knew this wasn’t their place to intervene. Xu Yi muttered gloomily, “Let’s go.”  

Zhan Jianxing nodded silently, tightening the strap of his bag as he prepared to leave. But just then, another commotion erupted behind them.  

Unable to resist, Zhan Jianxing turned and saw a young eunuch in a Teal Tieli robe emerge from somewhere. The eunuch was powerfully built and shoved Nanny Ni aside before helping the maid up. “Chunying, are you hurt?”  

The maid hid behind him, wiping her tears and shaking her head. “Brother, never mind that—I didn’t seduce the Young Master! Please, talk to Nanny Ni for me. At the very least, don’t let me leave with this stain on my name.”  

The eunuch nodded hurriedly. “Alright—”  

But before he could continue, Nanny Ni sneered. “Zhang Ji, even if you were still serving in the Young Master’s outer study—let alone now that you’ve been assigned to the Ninth Lord—you have no right to interfere in the Young Master’s handling of inner household matters. Get your sister out of here quietly, and we’ll all save some face.”  

Anger flashed in Zhang Ji’s eyes. “Nanny Ni, if the Young Master finds Chunying displeasing and no longer wants her service, we servants dare not argue. She’ll stay out of his sight from now on. But Chunying says she didn’t seduce him—you can’t just pin this crime on her.”  

“As if I’d bother framing her!” Nanny Ni rolled her eyes. “The little hussy was thrown out by the Young Master himself, half-dressed! The whole thing blew up this morning. How dare she still cry about it? If you don’t believe me, go ask around.”  

Hearing this, Zhang Ji froze, hesitantly turning to his sister, Chunying.  

After being sold into the household, the siblings had been separated—he worked outside, she inside. They rarely saw each other, and as she grew older, he hadn’t paid much attention to her youthful fancies. Maybe, dazzled by wealth, she had tried to climb the social ladder like others—  

“You—” Zhang Ji couldn’t help but whisper, “We’re in mourning.”  

“Brother, I know!” Chunying wept. “The Emperor issued an edict ordering the lords to observe filial piety properly. Her Highness even summoned us to lecture us about it. Do you think I’ve lost my mind? How could I dare do something like this now?”

Zhang Ji suddenly understood. The mourning period held no restraint over the royal grandsons in Prince Dai Manor. Indulging with a maid or two was nothing out of the ordinary. But now, with an imperial edict reprimanding them and the princess consort’s admonishments following, even if Chunying had been forced into submission by the eldest young master, why would she actively seduce him?  

If this scandal were exposed, the maid would surely be sacrificed to cover it up—unless Chunying had a death wish.  

“No matter how you argue, it’s useless. Why would the eldest young master wrongfully accuse a mere maid? You must have done something shameless,” Nanny Ni insisted. She added, “Zhang Ji, if you’re unconvinced, go argue with the eldest young master yourself. But don’t delay me from carrying out my duty now. Clinging to Chunying like this in front of everyone—do you think this looks honorable?”  

During their argument, more and more servants had gathered around, their prying eyes straining to peer past Zhang Ji’s shoulders at Chunying. None of those gazes were pleasant.  

Zhang Ji hesitated. Seizing the moment of his wavering, Nanny Ni pulled Chunying away and hurried off, scolding as she went, “The eldest young master is merciful—he didn’t beat or kill you, just sent you home. Why make such a fuss? If you keep causing trouble and disturb the masters, you’ll get a caning. Then it’ll be up to fate whether you live or die…”  

Zhang Ji stood frozen for a moment, gritted his teeth, and didn’t chase after them. Instead, he turned and strode back the way he came.  

With the main figures gone, the spectacle lost its appeal. The disappointed servants whispered among themselves before gradually dispersing.  

Only then did the master and servant standing at the back of the crowd become visible.  

The master was Zhu Chengjun, and the servant was his young attendant.  

The young attendant was indignant. Glaring at Zhang Ji’s retreating figure, he said, “Ninth Master, this man was supposedly assigned to serve you by the eldest young master, yet he doesn’t respect you at all! Earlier, he ran off without a second thought, and now he just walks away without even acknowledging you!”  

Zhu Chengjun seemed distracted, absently lifting his eyelids before replying offhandedly, “Oh, isn’t that normal?”  

The young attendant was speechless: “…”  

Zhan Jianxing and Xu Yi had been about to leave, but now that they had spotted him, they couldn’t pretend otherwise. They had no choice but to approach and bow in greeting.  

Author’s Note:  

I forgot to set the draft time again, haha.  

~~  

Don’t worry, Zhu Xiao Jiu will appear, and the romance won’t be lacking. As you can tell from the synopsis, this is still a love story—nothing’s changed. But for quite a while, it’ll just be Zhu Xiao Jiu carrying the romance single-handedly. His heart is wild, after all—he can make things lively all on his own.  

A little angel mentioned that I always torment the female lead but not the male lead. Well, this time, he’ll suffer. Zhu Xiao Jiu is going to have it rough—he might end up keeping his right hand company till he’s thirty. Oh, just thinking about it makes me want to cry.