Chapter 5: Has the Young Lord’s Germophobia Been Cured?

“Even if you are the lady of the marquis household, you should avoid indulging in such strange and unorthodox practices.”

The Marquis of Chengming pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exhausted from listening to her nonsense.

But Madam Wei’s sickly expression vanished in an instant. She was beaming, full of energy. “If you don’t believe me, My Lord, go to our son’s Weirui Courtyard after your nap and see for yourself.”

The Marquis of Chengming suspected she had become obsessed.

All these years, in order to retrieve a soul and spirit for Xie Yixing, she had been inviting eminent monks to perform rituals monthly. Not only that, but she had also spent a large portion of the family’s wealth on distributing porridge and establishing charitable halls. Fortunately, these actions truly benefited the nation and the people, so he hadn’t stopped her.

But if she were to risk the future of the marquis household just to save their son, that was something he absolutely could not allow.

Even if Xie Yixing remained clueless his whole life, he still could not gamble the family’s century-old reputation.

Seeing that he remained stubborn, Madam Wei didn’t argue further. She happily returned to her room and ordered servants to fetch a few bolts of brightly colored cloth from her private storehouse. She intended to make two sets of clothes for Yaoyao herself.

After giving birth to Xie Yixing, Madam Wei had always wanted a daughter.

Unfortunately, her health was poor, and complications from that pregnancy left lasting ailments. The marquis forbade her from risking childbirth again.

Since she had no daughter of her own, she often envied other people’s girls.

Originally, she had arranged a childhood engagement between her son and a girl from the Yu family. Once the Yu family arrived in the capital, she had hoped to bring the little future daughter-in-law into the household to pamper her. But then, they were accused of corruption.

Although the marquis never discussed state affairs with her, she could guess that this accusation had something to do with that powerful figure.

But that figure was someone the Chengming Marquis household could not afford to offend. All they could do was secretly preserve a branch of the Yu family’s bloodline.

Now, with the New Year approaching, if the execution was scheduled post-New Year, there were only about two months left. Could the marquis gather evidence in time?

After eating her fill, Yaoyao became drowsy.

By the time Xie Yixing slowly finished tidying up, he found Yaoyao leaning against the osmanthus tree, sleeping soundly with a snot bubble coming out of her nose.

The maidservants stationed nearby immediately became alert when they saw him approach. One of them instinctively tried to whisper, “Young Lord,” but the words caught in her throat like a needle prick.

The Young Lord hated being disturbed.

Even the slightest offense would cause his face to darken, making everyone feel anxious.

And now, this famously cold and unapproachable noble youth was, in front of all of them, picking up a little girl he had brought back from outside.

Seeing that he was struggling a bit to hold her, one bold maid tried to step forward to help.

But she was quickly silenced by his glare.

Xie Yixing had always ignored their presence. Though his noble status meant he should be surrounded by more servants in this courtyard, he disliked noise and hated being disturbed. Anyone who tried to gain favor was immediately driven out of Weirui Courtyard. Let alone receiving kindness, they couldn’t even keep their positions.

The one who had served him the longest was Suoxin.

Suoxin was born into the household and had been sent to live in Weirui Courtyard when she was only three years old to keep the young lord company.

But Xie Yixing didn’t like playing with her, nor talking to her.

Every time she tried to initiate conversation, she was met with a cold glare or completely ignored.

Fortunately, after four years, she had grown used to his aloofness.

Her mother had told her that as long as she stayed by the young lord’s side, when he eventually married, she could be promoted to concubine.

If she became a concubine in the marquis household, she and her mother would have finally climbed their way up.

But just now, she had seen Xie Yixing gently holding Yaoyao—without minding how dirty the girl was. Not only did he willingly get close to her, he even spoke on her behalf.

“You, go buy clothes for Yaoyao.”

“And also get buns, chicken legs, and meat skewers.”

Xie Yixing carefully considered what other things Yaoyao might need while staying here.

Mother had said he couldn’t forcibly keep Yaoyao. She had to be willing to stay on her own.

But he was the one who brought Yaoyao back. What was wrong with keeping her for himself?

Still, he did take to heart the idea of being good to her.

Every time he was near Yaoyao, the calm stillness inside him would ripple just slightly.

It was the only emotional change he had felt in seven years.

Xie Yixing quietly pinched Yaoyao’s chubby little cheeks, further strengthening his resolve that no one would take her from his side.

It wasn’t until two days later that the Marquis of Chengming remembered to visit Weirui Courtyard to see his son and the little girl he had brought back.

Madam Wei had already told him about Yaoyao. He had even ordered people to ask around door to door, but no one reported a missing child.

Yaoyao was most likely an abandoned child.

If that was the case, keeping her was fine.

It was just that her identity was… a bit tricky.

Seeing how much Xie Yixing cared, and with Madam Wei also fond of the chubby little girl, she considered adopting her as a goddaughter. But the marquis shook his head. “Her origins are unknown. If she’s connected to anything shady, how could our household bear that burden? It’s better to let her stay with Xing’er as a maid.”

Madam Wei nodded.

That wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

She could start as a maid, and if her son grew up and the two of them truly loved each other, marrying them wouldn’t be out of the question.

When the maid beside Madam Wei found out what she was thinking, she was shocked. “Madam, the young lord is the marquis’s only son. In the future, even marrying a princess wouldn’t be a stretch. How can he just marry a maid?”

Madam Wei frowned. “With Xing’er’s personality, would a princess be able to stand him? If his condition truly can’t be cured, it would be better to find someone willing to accept and tolerate him than to drag a good girl from a noble family into a pit of fire.”

Though Yaoyao was still young, Madam Wei could see that she wasn’t afraid of her son at all.

And that was rare.

Last year, her niece had come to stay. The moment she saw Xing’er, she burst into tears.

Xing’er despised her fussiness and locked himself in his room for three days, refusing to see anyone.

In the end, Madam Wei had to send the girl away.

Luckily, Yaoyao had shown up—otherwise, she truly feared her poor son would remain single for life.

When Yaoyao woke from her nap, her stomach growled again.

Xie Yixing was practicing calligraphy at the time. When he heard her patting her tummy and muttering about wanting meat buns, he immediately had someone bring her a basket of buns.

Yaoyao’s little hands struggled to hold even one meat bun, yet she insisted on taking two.

When she came to him holding both buns, Xie Yixing instinctively frowned, sensing something ominous.

“Persimmon Brother, eat, eat meat buns.”

Xie Yixing held his breath and shook his head.

But Yaoyao didn’t care whether he wanted to eat or not. Her short, chubby legs were surprisingly nimble. She quickly climbed onto the chair behind him, and before he could speak, she shoved a hot bun right into his face.

Yaoyao used all her strength to push the bun into his mouth. Xie Yixing could only take a deep breath and, with great effort, took a bite of the bun she so warmly offered.

The servant who had delivered the buns stood there in stunned silence.

Wasn’t the young lord a germophobe?

He just ate a bun that little girl had handled?

Has he been cured?