In Qingze Courtyard, due to the young master’s return, this usually quiet courtyard suddenly became busy.
The maids gathered together, lowering their voices to whisper.
“Is the young master still reading in his room?”
“Yes, I heard sounds from inside when I passed by earlier.”
“Hasn’t the young master studied enough? Isn’t he tired?”
Xi Qin shrugged. She was about to speak when she suddenly saw someone coming from across the yard. She quickly warned her companions: “Stop talking, Haitang is coming!”
Haitang returned from outside the courtyard. As soon as she entered, she saw Xi Qin and the others huddled together whispering. Although they quickly dispersed, how could this escape Haitang, who had maneuvered in the inner quarters for years? Haitang sneered, saying, “Are you pretending I’m blind? Instead of doing your work properly, you’re just gathering to gossip. The young master is back and you still dare to act like this? Do you really think I can’t manage you?”
The four maids Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua didn’t dare to make a sound. The most sensible Xi Hua lowered her head and softly replied, “Haitang sister is right, we’ll go do our duties now.”
Haitang remained silent with a gloomy face. Seeing Haitang’s expression, what didn’t Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua understand? They immediately scattered in all directions to attend to their respective duties. Xi Hua turned towards the kitchen, and after a while, she came out carrying a teapot and tea set.
Steam was still rising from the spout of the teapot. Haitang glanced at it and quickly stopped Xi Hua: “Hey, stop! What are you doing?”
“The water in the kitchen has boiled. I’m bringing fresh hot tea for the young master.”
Haitang’s eyes darted around, and she suddenly smiled, saying, “You’re so considerate of the young master, truly a good maid. Alright, put it down. I’ll put in a good word for you with the young master when I go in later.”
Xi Hua inwardly sneered but reluctantly put down the freshly brewed tea. Haitang was satisfied, took the tray, and gracefully walked towards the study.
She had only gone halfway when Qiu Ju stopped her. Qiu Ju blocked the corridor of the east wing, eyeing Haitang suspiciously: “Where are you going?”
“I’m bringing tea to the young master,” Haitang snorted, trying to walk past Qiu Ju.
Qiu Ju didn’t back down. She quickly stepped in front of Haitang, firmly blocking her: “The young master said he’s preparing for the imperial examinations recently and no one is allowed to disturb him. Give me the tea, I’ll take it in.”
“Who are you to stop me? I’m a first-class maid sent by the old madam. How dare you give me attitude?” Haitang glared, threatening Qiu Ju in a low voice.
After working together for three years, Qiu Ju wasn’t afraid of Haitang. Qiu Ju sneered, speaking with some confidence: “Then go in and try! I want to see if the young master will let you off lightly if you disturb him!”
Haitang opened her mouth wide, wanting to retort but unable to. She glared fiercely at Qiu Ju, who didn’t back down at all. Finally, Haitang angrily stomped her foot, forcefully shoved the tray into Qiu Ju’s hands, and turned away in frustration.
After Qiu Ju and Haitang left, the other maids in the courtyard finally dared to whisper. Xi Qi and Xi Qin were doing needlework in the room. Their hands were busy with needles and thread, but their ears hadn’t rested for a moment. After hearing the earlier dispute between Qiu Ju and Haitang, Xi Qin chuckled and leaned towards Xi Qi, saying, “Haitang is always so fierce with us, but she keeps getting snubbed by Qiu Ju. It’s hilarious.”
“Qiu Ju has the young master’s backing, of course she’s confident. She’s been serving the young master for nearly eight years. We newcomers have barely seen the young master a few times, how can we compare to her?”
“Haitang was sent by the old madam. In other households, that would be quite a prestigious position. It’s odd that Haitang isn’t favored here and can’t even win against Qiu Ju, who has no backing.”
“Qiu Ju isn’t without backing anymore,” Xi Qi shook her head and sighed. “As long as the young master is here, no one in the Marquis’s household dares to offend Qiu Ju easily. The young master received praise from the palace three years ago, and now he’s just returned from the Imperial Academy. The Imperial Academy is a prestigious place, and his classmates are all from wealthy or noble families. With this background, I’m afraid his future won’t be bad.”
Xi Qin disagreed with this statement. She gestured towards the south with her lips, implying something as she said, “No matter how ambitious the young master is, he’s still just one person. How can he compare to the other one? That person has the entire Wu family as support.”
But Xi Qi shook her head with a smile: “Not necessarily. If we’re talking about the young master from before, of course he couldn’t compare to that person. But if the young master passes the imperial examination next year and becomes an official, leaving his commoner status behind, he might not be inferior to that person.”
“Is the imperial examination that easy to pass?” Xi Qin scoffed. “Do you remember Master Chu, the second young master’s tutor? After the imperial examinations were reopened in the third year of Qiyuan, he resigned as a tutor not long after to focus on preparing for the exam. It’s been three years, and Master Chu still hasn’t passed. I heard he’s going to try again next year. Can you say Master Chu’s knowledge is poor? Only twenty out of a thousand candidates are selected. Even a celestial being would find it difficult to pass, let alone passing on the first try. In my opinion, the young master might be held back for several years because of this. But the fourth young master is different. In a few years when he grows up, both the Marquis and the Wu family will pave the way for him. At that time, he’ll easily become an official, and might surpass the young master in just a few years. Not to mention his connection to the Madam. The fourth young master might even marry a lady from a prestigious family, and with his in-laws’ support, his future could be much more brilliant than the young master’s.”
That’s true. Let’s not even mention how difficult it is to pass the imperial examination, being one in a hundred. Even if one luckily passes and becomes a jinshi, without connections in the court, it’s impossible to get promoted. In a few years, who knows what the situation in the household will be. Xi Qi is now tied to Qingze Yuan, and thinking about the future, she can’t help but worry: “If you ask me, the eldest young master is really stubborn. After all these years, even though Lady Zhao has been dead for so long, he still refuses to reconcile with the Marquis. If he had lowered his head to the Marquis earlier, with the Marquis’s support, why would he need to suffer through the imperial examination?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Xi Qin also chimed in with a sad voice.
“However,” Xi Qi lowered her voice and whispered to Xi Qin, “Three years ago, the Empress wrote an imperial edict reprimanding the Madam. Do you think with this blemish, the Madam will still be able to arrange marriages with daughters from noble families for the fourth young master in the future?”
Xi Qin hesitated: “She should still be able to, right?”
They looked at each other, both seeing doubt in the other’s eyes.
Noble families value reputation the most. Ever since Wu Junru’s incident, her reputation for being unkind spread quickly. The married daughters of the Wu family avoided mentioning Wu Junru when they went out, and even other noble families gradually distanced themselves from the Dingyong Marquis’s household. Wu Junru was greatly affected by this incident and stayed in the mansion for two consecutive years, not going out for social engagements. Now that the rumors have subsided, Wu Junru has slowly started to socialize again. But it must be said that many things are not forgotten just because time has passed, especially in a place as small as Chang’an. Although other marquises’ wives don’t mention it on the surface, who doesn’t know about the incident from years ago in their hearts?
Wu Junru’s reputation for mistreating her stepson is widely known. Under these circumstances, families with some standing won’t marry their daughters into this family. If they were to marry down, that would be one thing, but if Xiao Jingye wants to marry a wife from a high-ranking family, or even more ambitiously, a daughter from a noble family, it would be, I’m afraid, quite difficult.
Xi Qin and Xi Qi fell silent for a moment, but quickly moved past this topic. This was something for Wu Junru and the Marquis to worry about; what business was it of theirs, mere servants, to fret over such matters?
Just as Xi Qin and Xi Qi were talking about this, they suddenly heard the courtyard gate open. They hurriedly went out to greet the visitor and saw the maid of Cheng Huizhen standing in the courtyard, smiling and greeting them.
“Hello, Sister Xi Qin, Sister Xi Qi.”
This was the maid of the young miss, who was now especially favored by the Old Madam. How could Xi Qin and Xi Qi dare to act so presumptuous? They quickly demurred: “We don’t deserve such respect! To think that the young miss has come, and you didn’t even tell us beforehand so we could go out to welcome her. Now we’ve been remiss in our duties to the young miss, what should we do?”
Cheng Huizhen smiled gently and said amiably, “It’s no matter. Is the eldest cousin in the study now?”
“Yes, he is.”
Cheng Huizhen nodded and then walked towards the study. After she had gone far enough, Xi Qin seemed to suddenly realize something and slapped her forehead: “Oh no, didn’t the eldest young master say not to disturb him? Will it be alright for the young miss to go in?”
“Have you lost your senses? The master’s prohibitions only apply to us servants. The eldest young master is just stern with us, that’s all. The young miss is his own cousin, how could he hold her to the same rules?”
“That’s true.” Xi Qin nodded in agreement. She glanced at the study again, then suddenly leaned in close to Xi Qi’s ear and said mischievously, “The eldest young master has just returned, and the young miss has already rushed over. Do you think…”
“Don’t talk nonsense.” Xi Qi glared at Xi Qin, but Xi Qin still grinned, lacking any seriousness. Clearly, Cheng Huizhen’s feelings couldn’t be hidden even from these maids, and in fact, the entire Marquis’s household seemed to be aware of it.
The eldest young master is already sixteen this year, the perfect age for an engagement.
After entering the room, Cheng Huizhen immediately ran towards Xiao Jingduo with a bright smile: “Cousin!”
This “cousin” was uttered with a charming and coquettish tone. Cheng Huizhen had intended to throw herself next to Xiao Jingduo, but when he merely raised his head and gave her a cold look, she instantly deflated. Not daring to get any closer, she had no choice but to stand properly five steps away from Xiao Jingduo.
“Cousin, are you still studying?” Cheng Huizhen asked, knowing full well the answer, desperately trying to find a topic of conversation. “You’ve been at it for so long, aren’t you tired?”
Xiao Jingduo didn’t answer her question, instead asking directly: “Do you need something?”
Cheng Huizhen was left speechless by the question. She laughed awkwardly: “Can’t I come see you without having a reason?”
“It’s best if you don’t. I’m busy preparing for the spring imperial examinations lately, and I don’t want to be disturbed.”
After Xiao Jingduo said this, Cheng Huizhen stood in place, not knowing how to respond. She stiffly pulled at the corners of her mouth: “That’s true, cousin is about to take the imperial examinations, naturally that’s the most important thing.”
Xiao Jingduo didn’t reply, and for a moment, the room was silent to the point of awkwardness. Just as Cheng Huizhen was struggling to find another topic, Xiao Jingduo spoke: “Cousin, you’re already thirteen now, in the prime of your youth. You should go out more, get to know more people your age. Although we are cousins, there’s still a distinction between men and women. If you keep coming here so often, it might hinder your chances of getting engaged, and that wouldn’t be good.”
Cheng Huizhen’s face turned a bit pale. Her lips trembled slightly as she asked, “What do you mean by that, cousin?”
“It means exactly what you think it means.”
Cheng Huizhen was silent for a moment, then forced a stiff smile: “I understand your feelings, cousin, but you’ve been traveling alone for years, without anyone to talk to. I really feel for you. Besides, I have nothing to do in the mansion anyway, so coming to see you often isn’t a bother.”
Xiao Jingduo sighed, finally raising his head to look directly at Cheng Huizhen: “You don’t need to do this. I’m sure grandmother and aunt have already made plans for you. There are many young men your age in Chang’an, they would be good matches. You don’t need to waste your time here with me anymore.”
Cheng Huizhen became a bit flustered. Why was Xiao Jingduo suddenly saying this? Had someone said something to him? Cheng Huizhen immediately suspected her two rivals, Xiao Yuli and Xiao Yumang, but on the surface, she still smiled innocently, as if she didn’t understand: “What are you saying, cousin? You’re only three years older than me. We are the same age, aren’t we?”
Only three years difference? Yet Xiao Jingduo felt he was much more mature than these thirteen or fourteen-year-old youths. Looking at them, he always felt like he was looking at a younger generation.
“Cousin Cheng, you’ve already understood my meaning. I don’t want to say more. I need to study now, please leave.”
Over the years, Cheng Huizhen had often come to show her care and concern, her intentions so transparent they could be seen through at a glance. Xiao Jingduo didn’t know exactly what Cheng Huizhen was aiming for, but it clearly wasn’t for him as a person. And Xiao Jingduo had no such feelings for Cheng Huizhen either. Since that was the case, it was better to clear things up early.
After Xiao Jingduo finished speaking, a look of reluctance immediately appeared on Cheng Huizhen’s face. She wanted to say more, but Xiao Jingduo’s expression was frighteningly calm. She knew that once Xiao Jingduo made up his mind, he wouldn’t change it. Staying any longer would be useless, and might even backfire. Cheng Huizhen could only sigh sorrowfully and turn to leave.
At the doorway, Cheng Huizhen paused, turned back to Xiao Jingduo and said: “Cousin, I don’t know who has spoken ill of me to you, causing you to have such a deep prejudice against me. But I will prove to you through my actions that my worth is far more than this.”
After speaking, Cheng Huizhen stared at Xiao Jingduo with some expectation, but Xiao Jingduo remained calm and composed, only lowering his head to read. The early autumn sunlight filtered through the window paper, shining on his face, making his jade-like features and elegant brows and eyes even more striking.
In that moment, Cheng Huizhen was momentarily lost in thought. She seemed to return to her previous life, once again seeing that man in black official robes walking out of the mansion. Behind him was the magnificent Chengxi Marquis’s mansion, and further away, the rich and vast evening glow. The slanting sun shone on him, as if even sunlight couldn’t steal his radiance.
Many people on the street were sneaking looks at him, both in awe and curiosity, but he paid no attention, only turning his face to instruct his subordinates. A moment later, a woman wearing a purple veil walked out behind him. He escorted her to her horse with his sword, then quickly mounted his own horse and left.
At that time, Cheng Huizhen was sitting in a carriage, having come out to stroll and clear her mind, but she hadn’t expected to witness such a scene. She was deeply shocked, and from then on, she could never forget it. Perhaps her resentment and unwillingness were too intense, allowing her to return to her childhood and see Xiao Jingduo in his youth. The sixteen-year-old Xiao Jingduo, although not yet possessing the sharp aura of his later years, already showed shadows of his future self in his every move, and his mind was already firm, his word unshakeable.
Both of these men were equally unreachable.
Cheng Huizhen made a secret resolution. This time, she had the advantage of time and place. No matter what, she couldn’t miss this opportunity again.
No matter what method she had to use, she wouldn’t let this big fish slip away again.
After Cheng Huizhen left, the room returned to calm, with only dust floating quietly in the sunlight. Xiao Jingduo rolled up the scroll in his hand, put it away, and then called Qiuju in.
A moment later, many people in Qingze Yuan received an order. Qiuju relayed Xiao Jingduo’s words to everyone: “The eldest young master said that he will be preparing for the spring imperial examinations for the next few months and doesn’t want to be disturbed by anyone, no matter who they are.”
Maids like Xi Qin pondered this in their hearts and quickly understood.
The eldest young master must be blaming them for letting the young miss in, so he specifically said this for them to hear, right?
The maids Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua all looked sheepish. At this moment, there was another knock at the door. They turned around and saw Xiao Lin standing at the courtyard gate.
“Where is the young master?”
Qiuju answered: “In the study.”
Xiao Lin nodded at Qiuju and walked towards the room. After getting Xiao Jingduo’s permission, Xiao Lin opened the door and said to Xiao Jingduo: “Young master, the notice from the Imperial Academy is out. The young master has again achieved top grades in the graduation exam.”
Xiao Jingduo wasn’t surprised at all. He nodded and then moved his gaze back to his book. After a moment, he looked up, raised an eyebrow, and asked: “Is there anything else?”
“The Old Madam requests your presence.”
With this sudden summons from his grandmother, Xiao Jingduo had an uneasy guess in his mind. He was silent for a few moments, then asked: “Did the people from Gaoshou Hall say what this was about?”
“They didn’t.”
“I understand.” Xiao Jingduo sighed inwardly, then stood up from behind his desk. “I’ll be back soon. Go and tell Qiuju to watch my study carefully and not let anyone in.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Jingduo soon arrived at Gaoshou Hall. The maids in the courtyard saw him and immediately forced smiles: “The eldest young master is here! Congratulations on your great joy, young master! We offer our congratulations in advance!”
However, Xiao Jingduo’s expression remained indifferent: “What joy is there to speak of?”
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