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When Xie Zhi was leaving the Snow-Viewing Pavilion earlier, she suddenly remembered some sketches she had drawn before. She thought she might as well take them along to the outer courtyard, so she turned back to fetch them.
Since her drafts didn’t have covers either, Princess Yuyang hadn’t bothered to look closely. By sheer luck, she had mistaken them for the book and thrown those into the lake instead—thus the precious ancient Classic of Navigation was spared.
With the rare volume tucked safely in her arms, Xie Zhi carried a heavy heart as she made her way to Ninghui Garden.
She waited for a while outside the veranda. Then a maid came out, lifted the curtain, and said:
“Girl, come with me.”
Xie Zhi thanked her, followed her inside, and went behind the screen.
In the small hall, a table was set with dishes. Lady Yang, the third wife of the household, sat with her two daughters. Yet they had not begun eating.
“Madam,” a brightly dressed old nurse suddenly rushed in to report, “the master went straight to Concubine Su as soon as he returned from the palace. I fear he won’t be coming tonight.”
Lady Yang’s expression hardly changed. She only looked at her daughters and said, “I see. Zhaoyin, Xuanyin, eat.”
The sound of chopsticks filled the room. The maid who had led Xie Zhi inside didn’t dare speak and made her stand waiting for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. At last, the sound of tea being sipped came from the inner hall.
The maid finally brought Xie Zhi forward. After explaining her errand, Xie Zhi presented the scroll.
Lady Yang loved books more than her own husband. She had been ill for days, and today she had only just managed to recover enough to dine with her daughters. Now, looking at the damaged scroll before her, her face immediately darkened with fury.
“How did this happen? Is everyone at the Snow-Viewing Pavilion incompetent?”
Xie Zhi quickly apologized and explained the situation.
Lady Yang appeared to be in her early forties. Her face was long and thin, her eye sockets sunken, and a mole on her right cheek made her look even harsher.
It was hard to imagine how such a strict mother tolerated her son Pei Hong, who was known for his philandering ways.
“Other books I might overlook, but The Classic of Navigation is a relic from the Yin dynasty! You people—outrageously undisciplined!”
Her anger brought on a fit of coughing. A maid hurried forward with medicine, and Pei Zhaoyin soothed her: “Mother, please calm down. Don’t hurt yourself with anger.”
When her breath settled, Xie Zhi ventured, “If Madam does not despise me, this servant is willing to atone by meritorious service.”
“No need. Someone, drag her out and give her twenty strokes! With such a flashy face, I suspect she’s a sly one anyway.”
Lady Yang waved a hand.
Two burly matrons entered at once to seize Xie Zhi.
Stumbling, she fell to the floor and cried out:
“Madam! In my spare time, I have sewn many cloth book covers. If Madam permits, let me fetch one and try it.”
Silence fell for a long moment. Just as Xie Zhi thought she could not escape punishment, Pei Zhaoyin suddenly spoke:
“Book covers? That sounds interesting. Mother, let her try.”
Xie Zhi lifted her head and saw the girl smiling sweetly at her.
…
When the pale-green plum-blossom-patterned cover perfectly wrapped the torn Classic of Navigation, Lady Yang’s expression finally softened.
“Mother, this maid is truly skillful. Not only does the book look nicer, it’s also protected from further damage.”
Pei Zhaoyin turned the book in her hands, then looked at Xie Zhi. “What’s your name? Can you make more? Bring them to me too.”
“Second Young Lady, this servant’s name is Lichun. If you do not mind, I will prepare more book covers and deliver them to you.”
Pei Zhaoyin’s brows arched, and she laughed as she tugged at Lady Yang’s sleeve—
“Mother, don’t punish her anymore! I still want her to make things for me.”
Lady Yang sighed, had a maid carry little Pei Xuanyin away to play, and walked toward the inner chamber. With a couple of coughs, she muttered helplessly:
“I really don’t know how I ended up with children like you and your brother—one more troublesome than the other!”
…
That night, Xie Zhi left Ninghui Garden and went to a quiet rock garden in the front courtyard. It was not the season for blossoms, but the lush greenery and winding vines made for a tranquil scene.
In the pavilion, two girls sat side by side. One gazed up at the sky and sighed:
“Lichun, if I can’t deliver my drawings to Huizhen Studio this month, I’ll lose my payment.”
Sitting beside her, Xie Zhi was calmer. “Don’t worry, Qingyi. Give me three days at most, and I can reproduce this issue’s drawings. Once we get the payment, I’ll treat you to Wangmu Rice at Shouling Restaurant. How about that?”
Qingyi laughed. “Alright, then three days later, at our usual spot. I’ll deliver it for you on my next outing.”
Hearing this, Xie Zhi’s smile faltered, her eyes dimming.
Qingyi waved a hand in front of her face, puzzled.
“Lichun? Why are you so distracted?”
Looking at Qingyi’s innocent expression, Xie Zhi was struck by how alone she was in this vast household—Qingyi was the only one who would talk with her. After some hesitation, she told her about what Princess Yuyang had said.
“What? How can the princess bully people like that? I’ve seen that groom she mentioned—his face is covered in pockmarks!”
Qingyi was aghast.
“Maybe it was just something she said in passing. At worst, I’ll beg Old Madam in a few days and follow her to the temple for a while. I can hide until it blows over.”
Qingyi frowned. “That’s no solution. With her temperament, she won’t let you go easily. You should think of a way—something final.”
“I don’t quite understand,” Xie Zhi murmured.
“Lichun, you’re this beautiful. Are you really willing to be a slave forever? Didn’t you say you met Fifth Young Master today? He—”
At those words, Xie Zhi’s heart skipped.
…
“These book covers are exquisite, Lichun. You’ve put real thought into them.”
Pei Zhaoyin smiled as she handed one to her little sister, Pei Xuanyin, who was playing with a rattle on the couch. “Ninth Sister, look—do you like it?”
Three-year-old Xuanyin, still speaking with a lisp, reached her tiny hands curiously, babbling as she grabbed for it. The sight made Zhaoyin laugh aloud.
“What’s so funny?”
A clear voice rang out. Zhaoyin quickly stood to greet the newcomer. “Brother, you’re here.”
Xie Zhi rose with the maids to salute. Glancing up, she saw that Pei Hong’s handsome face was marred with fresh scratches.
Zhaoyin noticed too. She hurried over to inspect the three claw marks.
“Brother, did you quarrel with the concubines again?”
Pei Hong gave a cold laugh.
“Hmph. Those women wouldn’t dare. It was that Liniang outside, refusing to give up on entering the estate—making a scene every single day!”
Speaking tugged at his wounds, making him wince. He turned and barked at the nearest servant—Xie Zhi:
“Go fetch the medicine box!”
Startled, she took two steps before his voice rang out sharply behind her:
“Stop right there!”