CHAPTER 16: King Mo's Mansion
“Mu Bai! Did the Little Marquis really embarrass the Fourth Prince in front of everyone at the family banquet?”
At the Prince of Mo's residence, Xu Wenlan barged in excitedly, practically brimming with gossip.
“You got here pretty quick,” Xiao Mubai remarked, glancing at him.
“Oh, this isn’t quick. By now, I bet the entire court—civil and military officials alike—knows how the Fourth Prince’s warm smile met a cold shoulder.”
Xu Wenlan plopped down opposite him, pressing down the book in Xiao Mubai’s hands with a theatrical air. “Come on, put this down. No reading until you tell me everything.”
“You already know the story, don’t you?”
Xu Wenlan instantly put on a solemn face. “Your Highness, King of Mo!”
Xiao Mubai set the book down, giving him a long look.
“Tch, come on, it was such a show. I want all the juicy details.”
Xiao Mubai, knowing he wouldn’t be rid of him otherwise, relented and gave him a rough summary. Xu Wenlan soaked up every word like a child being told a bedtime story.
After listening intently, Xu Wenlan smacked the table. “No, something’s off.”
Xiao Mubai frowned faintly.
“Do you remember that night you asked me who that 'handsome noble son' was?” Without waiting for an answer, Xu Wenlan exclaimed, “It was Xia Chu—the Little Marquis of Xiahou Mansion!”
Xiao Mubai’s face didn’t even twitch. “I knew.”
“Yeah, yeah, but after you asked, I was bored and did a little digging. There’s something you probably don’t know.”
Xu Wenlan paused dramatically, waiting for Xiao Mubai to ask—but when he didn’t, he got too excited to hold it in.
“The Fourth Prince and Xia Chu met before. Just last month, at the Old Marquis’s birthday banquet. The Fourth Prince went to give his regards on behalf of the Emperor. I heard the Little Marquis had just returned home that day, and the two happened to run into each other. It was said the Little Marquis showed quite a bit of affection toward the Fourth Prince. But now, only a month later, he flips the table on him? Didn’t they just meet for the first time?!”
Xiao Mubai sneered. “How ‘deep’ his affection was…”
“You don’t believe me? My father was there—he told me himself,” Xu Wenlan insisted.
“I’m telling you, Xia Chu absolutely doesn’t like Xiao Yanjun. In fact, I’d say he loathes him.”
Xu Wenlan muttered, “That’s strange...”
Then suddenly, he slammed the table again. “That’s right!”
Xiao Mubai shot him a sharp look, his tone cold. “Do that again and I’ll throw you out.”
Xu Wenlan raised both hands in surrender, grinning sheepishly. “Fine, fine, but tell me—did the Ninth Princess really take a liking to the Little Marquis?”
Xiao Mubai gave a slight nod. “Mu Hong likes him a lot.”
“What about him?”
Xiao Mubai thought for a moment. “He likes her too.”
Xu Wenlan’s eyes widened. “Wait—didn’t he reject the marriage proposal?”
Xiao Mubai rubbed his temples and clarified, “Not romantic affection. It’s more like an elder cherishing a younger one.”
Xu Wenlan took a few steps back in exaggerated disbelief. “Xiao Mubai, he’s one year older than the Ninth Princess, and you’re telling me he’s the ‘elder’ in this dynamic?”
Xiao Mubai snorted. “Since when have I ever lied to you?”
Xu Wenlan instinctively nodded. Seeing how serious Xiao Mubai was, he slowly accepted it. Then, with a long sigh, he said, “This Little Marquis is something else…”
Xiao Mubai, for once, agreed with a nod.
“That said, just look at you two. You were granted the title ‘Prince of Mo’ shortly after birth, and he was named heir to the Xiahou Marquisate practically from the cradle. Usually, titles are only inherited after the elder passes, but him? Instant succession. You two are pretty evenly matched.”
Xiao Mubai ignored him this time, picking up his book again.
A loud slap! rang out as Xu Wenlan slapped the table yet again.
Xiao Mubai’s forehead twitched. A vein throbbed.
Xu Wenlan quickly raised his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad! I just remembered something else—what’s going on between the Little Marquis and the Seventh Prince?”
Xiao Mubai paused, the anger on his face easing.
Xu Wenlan noticed the change and leaned in. “You think it’s strange too, right?”
Xiao Mubai didn’t respond, but his furrowed brows deepened.
Seeing this, Xu Wenlan chuckled. “This Little Marquis really is a fascinating figure. One night—so many dramatic turns. I really want to meet him.”
“You can’t.”
“Why not?” Xu Wenlan asked indignantly. “I’m a court official! If I respectfully deliver a formal letter to the Hou Mansion, what reason would they have to reject me? It’s not like I’d show up empty-handed. I’ll go all smiles!”
Xiao Mubai gave a cold snort. “Xiao Yanjun’s smile is much prettier than yours.”
The smile on Xu Wenlan’s face froze. His complexion went pale.
Half an hour later, Xu Wenlan sat slouched, neck limp.
“I’m still going to try. Maybe the Little Marquis will like me too. Didn’t he seem to like the Seventh Prince?”
“Sure,” Xiao Mubai replied flatly. “Just let Xiao Yanjun accompany you. That way, if you embarrass yourself, you won’t be alone.”
Xu Wenlan remained unfazed, flicked his sleeve with a grin, and announced, “Fine. I’ll go right away.”
CHAPTER 17: Marquis Xia's Mansion
In the Marquis Mansion, the early morning scent of ink awakened Xia Chu.
She was still not fully awake and replied in a daze, "Wait until I wake up."
"Young Master, I’m afraid you can’t wait—Marquis Xia has lost his temper."
"I know, let him loose it first, and I’ll coax him later," Xia Chu mumbled as she rolled over and continued to sleep.
Mo Xiang had no choice but to return to Marquis Xia first.
"What? He can't come talk to me?"
Marquis Xia was furious, and the teacup in his hand smashed to the floor.
"The Young Master said he would come to coax you in a while," Mo Xiang hurriedly added, silently omitting the first half of the sentence.
"Hmph. I want her to coax me?" Despite his words, the gloom on his face eased somewhat. He waved his hand, allowing the attendants to clean up the debris in the hall.
This shouldn’t go on with more things being smashed, Marquis Xia's personal attendant, Cong Yan, thought, beads of cold sweat on his face.
Marquis Xia could initially sit calmly, but he couldn't even stay seated after two sticks of incense had burned down. He summoned Mo Xiang again and asked why Xia Chu still hadn’t come.
Mo Xiang took a deep breath and whispered, "Young Master said he’ll come when he wakes up."
With a "snap," Marquis Xia erupted in anger. He slapped the table, stood up, and gritted his teeth. "He can really sleep—watch me peel his skin off myself."
Hearing this, Mo Xiang quickly trotted off, hoping to go back and inform the Young Master, but was stopped by Marquis Xia. He had no choice but to follow behind him, silently mourning in his heart: Young Master, I really can’t stop him this time...
Marquis Xia stormed toward the Yunqi Courtyard, about to push the door open, but then remembered that his child was actually a girl in disguise. His heart softened, and he told Mo Xiang to knock.
Xia Chu, woken up for the third time, was irritated. She shrank into the quilt and said in a threatening tone, "Mo Xiang, if you make any more noise, be careful—Young Master will get up and break your legs."
Before Mo Xiang could respond, Marquis Xia’s voice rang out sharply.
"I’ll tear your mouth off first, then break your legs."
Xia Chu sat up in bed, her tone still sleepy and lazy. She said coyly, "Don’t be angry, Father. I’ll open the door for you."
She opened the door and saw the angry Marquis Xia. She waved at the attendants nearby, motioning for them to leave, then took Marquis Xia’s arm and led him inside. She closed the door and helped him sit down.
Marquis Xia maintained an angry façade, clearly waiting for her to explain.
"Dad, are you mad at me for embarrassing Xiao Yanjun?"
Marquis Xia snorted coldly, "Now everyone knows that I, Xia Wei, raised a pampered, arrogant child. He's a prince after all—did you have to embarrass him like that?"
"Well, it’s already done. Besides, the emperor didn’t say a word. Why are you so distressed?"
Marquis Xia raised his hand in irritation, intending to slap her.
Xia Chu shrank her neck and closed her eyes. Her eyelids fluttered slightly, her lashes trembling. Marquis Xia’s heart soured, but he couldn’t bring himself to strike her.
"The emperor didn’t say anything because he values sentiment. You publicly embarrassed his son—of course, he wouldn’t be happy."
Xia Chu held his hand gently, knelt beside him obediently, and explained in a soft voice.
"Now is the time to establish a crown prince, and the princes are fighting openly and covertly. The emperor knows this, but still clings to the idea of unity. His sons are already showing their ambitions openly—how could he feel at ease? Xiao Yanjun is too sharp, too calculating. He’s used to winning people over, and many ministers are already siding with him. Even some princes are aligning themselves with him. The emperor sees this clearly. I gave him a bit of pressure yesterday—he might actually feel relieved."
Marquis Xia looked at her in disbelief. Ever since his wife died, Xia Chu had been his only solace. He had hoped she could live peacefully in the mountains, maybe learn a bit from Master Bai. When she was older, he planned to bring her back, let her enjoy a few years by his side. Eventually, they could travel the world together, see the mountains, the rivers, and all the beauty life had to offer. If, along the way, she met someone she liked, he would return to court, tell the emperor that his daughter had been frail since childhood and couldn’t bear the burden of marriage. If she found someone suitable, they could quietly marry; if not, she could remain by his side forever.
"Dad?"
Xia Chu noticed Marquis Xia falling into a daze and assumed he still didn’t believe her. She quickly added, "If you’re still worried about the emperor’s reaction, you can do as I say when you return. You might even be rewarded."
"Was asking His Highness the Seventh to escort you out of the palace also part of your plan?"
"Not entirely. That was partly me making a statement."
Marquis Xia studied her face and suddenly realised that perhaps the future he had envisioned for her wasn’t the one she wanted.
His expression turned grave. After a moment, he asked seriously, "Do you know what you’re saying?"
"Yes."
"Do you understand what you’re doing?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what you want?" His voice was deep and probing, his gaze searching.
"I know!" Xia Chu met his eyes with firm determination.
"If you’ve made up your mind, then the Marquis Mansion will stand behind you."
"Dad..." Xia Chu stood and hugged him tightly. She always knew her father loved and spoiled her—but she never expected him to believe in her so deeply. From now on, the Marquis Mansion would no longer remain uninvolved.
Marquis Xia patted her back and rubbed her head affectionately.
"Young Master, Xu Wenlan, son of the Minister of Revenue, is here to visit."
Mo Xiang’s voice came from outside.
"No!" Xia Chu called out, then looked at her father and said playfully, "He’s interrupting my moment of devotion."
Marquis Xia nodded with a doting smile.
"You go ahead and eat. I’ll wash up and come join you."
"Alright."
Xu Wenlan, rejected outside the mansion, left with a gloomy face.
On the way, he thought of the even more pitiful Fourth Prince, and his mood gradually brightened again.
He wondered what was happening now in the Yu Fu Palace...
CHAPTER 18: Yu Fu Palace
At this time, the objects in the Yufu Hall had been smashed, and Concubine Li was losing her temper at Xiao Yanjun.
"Isn't he just a little marquis who inherited the title—how dare he disgrace you?"
Xiao Yanjun felt aggrieved. He was already sulking, and now had to coax his mother concubine in a gentle voice.
"Your Highness."
Outside the hall, the voice of Xiao Yanjun's personal guard, Si Nan, sounded.
"Come in."
Si Nan entered the hall, glanced at Concubine Li, and hesitated to speak.
Xiao Yanjun said, "It's fine. Go ahead and speak."
"I heard that Marquis Xia entered the palace after lunch," Si Nan began. Before he could finish, Concubine Li snorted coldly beside him and asked, "Did he come to admit guilt?"
Si Nan replied with a complicated expression, "It doesn’t appear so. Before he left, the emperor even rewarded the Young Master with many gifts."
"What?" Concubine Li exclaimed.
Xiao Yanjun was also surprised by the emperor's gesture. He thought for a moment and said to Concubine Li, "Don’t be angry for now. The emperor seems to be quite fond of the Young Master. Perhaps it’s due to his parents’ past affection. Right now, it’s not wise to fall out with him."
"And you’re just going to let him insult you like that?"
Concubine Li was furious.
"Let me go back and think this over carefully before making any decisions."
After Xiao Yanjun finished speaking, he took his leave, showing no intention of appeasing Concubine Li.
In fact, Xiao Yanjun had been brooding since last night. He still hadn’t figured out how the Young Master's attitude had changed so drastically. What exactly had happened in the meantime?
He instructed Si Nan, "Find an opportunity to ask Xiang Xun whether the Seventh Highness has already begun secretly contacting Marquis Xia."
Si Nan received the order and left.
Xiao Yanjun walked alone to the top of the city wall and looked into the distance.
The palace, blanketed in snow, looked even more magnificent. He squinted, gazing toward the vast horizon, and muttered to himself: What went wrong? Didn't he take the initiative to approach me last month and say he was happy...
In the Mo Wang Mansion during the second watch, the attendant Han Sa was reporting to Xiao Mubai about the Yucheng fiefdom.
Xiao Mubai listened and gave a signal: "Everything is as usual?"
"Yes." Han Sa did not leave after giving his report.
Xiao Mubai looked at him and asked, "Is there something else?"
"Young Master Xu went to the Marquis Mansion at noon and was turned away."
Han Sa thought Xu Wenlan had a good relationship with his prince, so he mentioned it.
"As expected."
Xiao Mubai’s tone was calm, his expression indifferent.
"The Ninth Princess also went to the Marquis Mansion in the afternoon."
"Oh?" Xiao Mubai’s expression changed slightly.
"The Ninth Princess went inside."
"He seems to be very fond of Mu Hong," Xiao Mubai murmured, slightly moved.
"Yes. The Ninth Princess stayed for a long time and didn’t return to the palace until just before nightfall. She appeared very happy when she left, likely having had dinner in the mansion."
Xiao Mubai nodded, signaling he understood.
"Should we continue keeping an eye on the Marquis Mansion?"
"Just watch from a distance. Tell Han Ling to wait outside the palace, and if Mu Hong leaves, protect her in secret."
"Understood."
Han Sa accepted the order and withdrew after Xiao Mubai waved his hand.
As night deepened, Xiao Mubai moved to the window and looked out at the moonlit scene.
The sycamore trees in the courtyard were covered in glistening icicles. Evergreen pines and cypresses, strong through winter and summer, were topped with heavy mounds of snow. The entire capital was blanketed in white, so pure it made one forget their worries. Yet the New Year was approaching. His time was running out...
In the Marquis Mansion during the third watch, Xia Chu also leaned against her window, gazing at the moonlight.
In the centre of the courtyard, beneath the moonlight, stood a snowman. Its two black eyes made of polished stone seemed to look back at her. It was built together with Xiao Muhong.
When Xiao Muhong had come looking for her that afternoon, Xia Chu had not wanted to see her. But when she remembered those timid eyes, she couldn’t refuse. She was dragged along to play for the entire afternoon, ending in a snowball fight.
Mu Hong had brought her guards, while Xia Chu brought Mo Xiang and her own attendants. At first, she simply played along to indulge her, but eventually, she too became engrossed. Who was accompanying whom, really?
After dinner, Xiao Muhong insisted they build a snowman in the courtyard before finally agreeing to return to the palace. Before leaving, she named the snowman “Xiaohong.”
Xia Chu hadn’t felt so relaxed in a long time. In her previous life, she had followed Xiao Yanjun after coming down the mountain. At first, she was just as innocent as Mu Hong. But over time, Xiao Yanjun repeatedly reminded her: she was to become Crown Princess. She had to be dignified, virtuous, proper, and exemplary.
Gradually, she became an empty shell.
A shell that Xiao Yanjun liked the most.
Xia Chu stared at the snowman and thought once again of Lan Yu Yinghua.
Every winter before coming down from the mountain, she had spent her days with Lan Yu Yinghua. In her past life, after descending from Zilan Mountain, she never returned. It wasn’t that she didn’t long for it—she just felt that she had been tainted by the world and could never go back.
But this life was different.
She would not be a canary in a cage. She had seen the skies and the earth, experienced exotic lands, wandered through vibrant cities, and crossed vast seas.
This nation was beautiful, and she wanted Meng'an to see it with her.
CHAPTER 19: Chinese New Year's Eve
The capital was particularly lively, and Xia Chu had just finished shopping with Xiao Muhong. By the time they returned to the house, it was already late.
In the past ten days, Xiao Muhong had come three times, every other day. This child had a sweet tongue and a good personality, which made Marquis Xia very happy. In addition, Xia Chu could always see her own shadow in Xiao Muhong and had become more and more doting.
Entering the Marquis Mansion, people were busy putting up lanterns. She looked at the joyful atmosphere in the courtyard and sighed—time passed so quickly. Tomorrow was Chinese New Year's Eve, and she wouldn't be staying much longer in the mansion.
Xia Chu timed it right, estimating that Marquis Xia should be in the study at this hour, so she walked over directly.
Cong Ting saw her coming from afar and had already gone ahead to announce her arrival to Marquis Xia and open the door.
Xia Chu instructed him to go and get the tea set and some fermented tea, then walked into the study.
Marquis Xia had just finished writing a pair of spring couplets and was admiring them alone.
Xia Chu walked over and began to praise: “Tsk, Father’s calligraphy—it’s truly magnificent. The brushwork is bold and vigorous, clouds surge with the ink, and the strokes are strong and powerful…”
Marquis Xia waved his hand, signalling that it was enough.
Xia Chu smiled and noticed a stack of spring couplets piled up next to the bookcase. So she joked, “Dad, are you planning to give these away or sell them to help the family finances?”
Marquis Xia glared at her. “Aren’t these meant to replace all the ones in the house?”
“Yes, yes, I’ll hang them one by one for you tomorrow.”
“You still need to do such a small thing?”
Xia Chu flattered, “How can I not personally hang Father’s treasured calligraphy?”
While they were speaking, Cong Ting knocked on the door and brought in the tea set. Xia Chu began brewing tea.
Marquis Xia came over and sat down. Looking at Xia Chu’s skilful technique and smelling the tea’s aroma gradually fill the air, his face showed satisfaction.
“Did you take the Ninth Princess to the street this afternoon?”
“Mm. The child begged me to take her out, saying she’d never been on the street before and didn’t know how bustling the marketplace could be. You know how persuasive she can be—those watery eyes—how could I refuse?”
“Who are you calling a child? You’re just one year older than her.” Marquis Xia couldn’t stand her old-soul behavior. “You’re only thirteen, yet you talk and act like you’re thirty.”
Xia Chu sighed and didn’t argue. She handed Marquis Xia a cup of freshly brewed tea.
Marquis Xia took the cup, blew on it, then set it down again and couldn’t help saying, “You understand the Ninth Princess’s feelings for you. You’re too good to her, and I’m afraid her affection runs deep.”
“I was about to tell you—after the Lantern Festival, I’ll head to Hanyang. Did you find the person you mentioned?”
Marquis Xia suddenly looked forlorn. He stared at the cup of tea in his hand and said, “That was arranged long ago. Once you arrive, seek out Gu Weiyi as the head instructor. But why the rush?”
“Dad, I’m going for serious business. It’s a long journey, and the earlier I go, the more time I’ll have to familiarise myself with the area and understand the customs. All of that takes time.” Xia Chu didn’t want Marquis Xia to feel sad and spoke gently to comfort him.
Marquis Xia drank his tea.
“These past days, I’ve been spoiled by your tea. After the Lantern Festival, I won’t be able to drink the tea brewed by Yunyi anymore…”
“Dad, it’s not like I’m never coming back. Once I finish my duties, I’ll come rushing home to brew tea for you. I’ll keep you happy every day, okay?”
Xia Chu held Marquis Xia’s hand. Her heart felt sore.
“Alright, alright. Daddy understands.”
Marquis Xia placed his hand on hers and patted it gently.
“Go do what you want.”
Xia Chu suppressed the mist forming in her eyes and poured another cup of tea for Marquis Xia.
“Dad, tomorrow is Chinese New Year’s Eve.”
“Yes. I’ve been looking forward to having a reunion dinner with you for thirteen years.” Marquis Xia said with emotion.
“Daddy! Must you make people cry to be satisfied?” Xia Chu said in exasperation.
“Alright, alright, it’s Daddy’s fault.” Marquis Xia swept away his sentimental mood and smiled.
“Then, since it’s my father’s fault, shouldn’t you agree to do one thing for me?”
“Here we go. What is it now?”
“Look, it’s just the two of us in this mansion—it’s so lonely.”
“So?”
“So, I want to invite Aunt Li, Qian’an, and Gongzi Bingwen to join us for the reunion dinner.”
“Li Xinlan is fine. But Qian’an and Bingwen—are they so important to you?”
“Dad, I’ve never treated them as mere subordinates. They’re companions I want to walk alongside.”
“Alright, as long as you’re happy.”
“Daddy… how did I get such a good father!” Xia Chu said with exaggerated affection, making Marquis Xia laugh as he reached out to rub her head.
“Right now, you’re the most talked-about person in the capital. It’s been more than ten days, and civil and military officials are still gossiping about the palace banquet night. His Highness has become a running joke over tea and dinner thanks to you.”
Xia Chu pursed her lips, thinking to herself, this is only the beginning. There’s still a long road ahead.
Marquis Xia saw her smug expression and didn’t bother to scold her. He continued, “Among the common people, Gongzi Bingwen is already a hot topic. Why hasn’t a single piece of news been sold yet?”
“Don’t worry. I told him from the start—only one story per month. He has been sending me some excerpts lately. I’ll pick one. For the first one, we’re going big.”
“Such ambition,” Marquis Xia teased, giving her a gentle smile.
“I’ll take care of it.” Xia Chu looked proud, and Marquis Xia laughed heartily again.
Xia Chu drank tea with Marquis Xia and read for a while. It wasn’t until the moon had set in the west that she sent Marquis Xia to bed before returning to Yunqi Courtyard.
Su Qian’an had already returned home. When he heard Xia Chu coming back, he came out to wait.
He followed her into the house and handed over Bingwen’s draft and a long wooden box.
Xia Chu flipped through the draft and burned it. Then she opened the wooden box and took out a silver hairpin shaped like a fox with a samarium head. She gently pressed the slightly raised nose of the fox, and the fox’s head popped open.
“The hairpin turned out well,” Xia Chu said, satisfied.
She had a sudden inspiration after entering the palace last time and selected a silver hairpin. When she came back, she sketched a design and instructed Qian’an to find someone to craft it. The length of the hairpin was just right for hiding slightly longer silver needles.
Su Qian’an, seeing Xia Chu absorbed in admiring the hairpin, assumed there were no further orders, but cautiously asked, “Young Master, should we still withhold the story? Bingwen says he knows a bit about these excerpts.”
Xia Chu leaned her cheek against her left hand, tapping her right index finger on the table lazily. “Tell him not to worry. Stay calm. Just once a month—if he wants to sell it, he can.”
“Yes.”
Su Qian’an was about to take his leave when Xia Chu stopped him.
“The shop’s doors will close at noon tomorrow. Have Yinzhi escort him to the Marquis Mansion in disguise. Don’t let anyone notice.”
“Yes.”
“Rest early.”
Su Qian’an took his leave, and Xia Chu called Mo Xiang in to help her wash up before lying down in bed.
This comfortable life would come to an end in just half a month…
CHAPTER 20: Chinese New Year's Dinner
At the beginning of the day, Xia Chu got up early, went to her father’s place to say wishes, and had breakfast together. Then she went to the study and asked the little maid to take out the stack of peach talismans. When Marquis Xia saw it, he shouted at her: “You’re really going to hang it yourself?”
Xia Chu looked back and smiled.
“A gentleman’s promise, no regrets.”
Marquis Xia knew she was filial, so he let her fulfil her intentions and didn’t stop her.
Xia Chu led the little maid to hang the talismans from yard to yard, and when she met people who greeted her, she greeted them back. When she encountered people doing heavy work, she would say a few words and reward them with some scraps of silver for their hard work.
She deliberately left Su Courtyard for the end, and when she arrived at the door, she asked the little maid to go back first. She hung up the peach charm, burned some cicada leaves, and entered Su Courtyard.
She came to Su Qianle’s room and knocked on the door.
“Qianle.”
“Young Master, please come in.” Su Qianle heard Xia Chu’s voice and responded hurriedly.
Xia Chu entered the house and told the maid to make a pot of tea. She walked to the bedside, sat down, and checked her pulse.
“Why did the Young Master come here so early today?”
These days, except for the few times when the Ninth Princess came to the mansion, Xia Chu would usually come to Su Courtyard after lunch to feel her pulse and chat with her. So coming over this early today surprised Qianle a little.
“It’s New Year’s Eve today, and it’s not easy for you to go out. Your brother is running errands outside, so I’ll stay here at noon and have a New Year’s dinner with the two of us.”
“Young Master…” Su Qianle’s eyes turned red. Over the years, the two siblings had starved and had no fixed place to live. They never had a real New Year's celebration. Seeing other families so lively only made her heart more desolate. She was always afraid she’d burden her brother, and even more afraid she’d leave him alone in this world.
“What’s wrong? Should I call your brother back to eat with you?” Xia Chu, seeing her eyes like pear blossoms in the rain, was a little at a loss.
“No, no. I’m happy.” Su Qianle quickly wiped away her tears and smiled.
“That’s good. Your pulse has stabilised. It’s even better than I expected. Maybe by the time I get back, you’ll be well.” Xia Chu wasn’t just trying to comfort her. Because the treatment started early and the medicine was expensive, her condition was improving well under recovery at the Marquis Mansion. Maybe by the time Xia Chu returned, Qianle would really be cured.
“Is the Young Master going far away?”
“Mm. Didn’t Qing'an tell you? After the Lantern Festival, I have to go out to handle something.”
“My brother rarely talks to me. He was silent when he came, sat stiffly, and didn’t speak for a long time.”
Xia Chu smiled.
“He’s a bit wooden. Do you still like the books I brought over?”
“Yes, the books the Young Master brought are all interesting and funny.”
“If there’s anything you want, just say it. Don’t feel embarrassed. The first time I asked, you didn’t say anything, so I just picked some women’s favourites.”
“Young Master,” Su Qianle looked at Xia Chu and hesitated, then finally said, “I want to read some books that are useful to you.”
“Hmm?”
“The Young Master has excellent medical skills, and I can feel myself gradually recovering. I just thought, maybe once I get better, I could stay by your side and help.”
“Take care of your body first. That alone already helps me.”
Su Qianle nodded, with a hint of imperceptible disappointment in her eyes.
Xia Chu comforted her and talked about some funny stories from the marketplace to cheer her up. She accompanied her to lunch and handed her a sachet before leaving.
“Tomorrow is the New Year. It wards off evil spirits. Also, I had a few new clothes made for you. After spring begins, you should be able to walk around the yard.”
Su Qianle took the sachet, gently stroked the auspicious pattern, sniffed the fragrance inside, and said with satisfaction, “Thank you, Young Master.”
Xia Chu saw that she liked it, smiled, and then said goodbye to her.
She returned to Yunqi Courtyard and sorted through the things she and Xiao Muhong bought at the market yesterday afternoon. The ready-to-wear she bought for Yinzhi was based on her estimate of his size, but she wasn’t sure if it would fit.
She packed everything into a small bundle and went to find Marquis Xia.
When she arrived at the Marquis’s Wuwu Courtyard, she saw that Li Xinlan had come. She was chatting with Marquis Xia, and when she saw Xia Chu coming, she stood up and saluted.
Xia Chu held her hand and smiled, pulling Li Xinlan to sit down again.
Li Xinlan looked at Xia Chu and said happily, “Has the Young Master grown taller again? Even more handsome than the last time we met.”
“Aunt Li, don’t tease me. You’ve worked hard during this time.”
Li Xinlan waved her hand and said, “It’s not hard.”
“You still have to manage that building in the early stage, and eventually, you can train someone to help and gradually let go.”
“Let go?” Li Xinlan was surprised.
“Yes, you have to come back to me. You can’t stay there forever.”
“Yes.” Li Xinlan’s face lit up with joy. She had thought she might never get to serve the Young Master again.
“But this isn’t urgent. Once it’s stable, then we’ll talk about it.”
“Yes.”
The maids had already begun to serve the dishes one by one. Marquis Xia, seeing it was already time for the meal, asked Xia Chu, “Why haven’t they arrived yet?”
Xia Chu instructed the servants to add two chairs and two sets of utensils. While doing so, she replied to Marquis Xia, “I asked them to close the shop at noon. Bingwen probably had to go back and change his appearance, so he’s a bit delayed.”
Marquis Xia was just about to ask why she needed two extra chairs when, outside the courtyard, Su Qian’an entered, leading a man dressed like a young gentleman.
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