“Who’s there?”
The voice, like thunder, made Yuan Xi’s heart pound. Her father, Xia Mingyuan, held the position of a royal uncle and had been a prominent figure in the government for years, known for his authoritative decisions. Despite the sternness in his voice, there was a hint of anger.
Yuan Xi hesitated. Admitting her accidental injury now wouldn’t be a big deal. However, for some reason, she retreated further, hiding herself in the shadow of the bushes.
Xia Mingyuan furrowed his brows, intending to step forward and check. But catching a glimpse of someone behind him, he hesitated and, after weighing his options, turned to lead the person toward the corner gate.
Yuan Xi breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. Seeing that her leg wound had stopped bleeding, she attempted to stand. Fortunately, Nanny Li arrived just then and exclaimed upon seeing her, “Miss, what happened to your leg?”
Yuan Xi gestured for her to keep her voice down and, with Nanny Li’s help, managed to stand. Her concern for Aunt Qi’s situation overshadowed the pain in her leg as she instructed Nanny Li to take her directly to Aunt Qi’s room.
Aunt Qi, despite being of humble birth and less favored among the other aunts, had always shown Yuan Xi kindness. Her room was simple, with only the most basic furnishings, and she used the cheapest incense. However, for Yuan Xi, this room was the only place in the mansion where she felt warmth.
Seeing Yuan Xi enter with tear-stained cheeks, Aunt Qi hurried over and immediately noticed her leg injury, asking in surprise, “What happened to your leg?”
Yuan Xi smiled and shook her head. “Just a little fall. It’s nothing.”
Aunt Qi furrowed her brow, feeling distressed. “How can it be nothing? Your wedding is in two days. We must heal this quickly to avoid leaving a scar.” While she spoke, she instructed Anzhu to fetch medicine. Worried that the servants might accidentally hurt Yuan Xi, she bent down to apply medicine to her wound.
Yuan Xi lowered her head and saw that Aunt Qi’s makeup had been smudged by tears. On her already unremarkable face, the signs of aging were becoming increasingly difficult to conceal. Feeling a pang of bitterness, Yuan Xi reached out to adjust the pearl flower that had slipped from Aunt Qi’s hair, and softly said, “Aunt, after I’m married, I won’t be able to take care of you anymore. You must remember to look out for yourself and not quarrel with Father anymore.”
Aunt Qi’s hand paused, and she opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. She simply bowed her head, tears streaming down her face, and said softly, “Poor child, what will become of us in the future…”
Yuan Xi quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe away Aunt Qi’s tears and then smiled to comfort her. “Aunt, you should be happy. Marrying into the marquis’s mansion is a blessing for me.”
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Aunt Qi’s tears flowed even more uncontrollably. She embraced Yuan Xi tightly, unable to speak for a long time.
Yuan Xi felt that Aunt Qi was acting strangely today. She suspected that Aunt Qi might have believed the rumors about the Marquis’s mansion, which was why she was so worried. She had intended to comfort her but then thought that they might not see each other again in the future. Feeling a surge of sadness, she couldn’t help but shed tears herself.
Just then, a servant hurried over. Seeing the two of them huddled together in tears at the door, he felt awkward, but immediately put on a smile and said to Yuan Xi, “Miss Nine, so you’re here. Master specifically sent me to ask if you have any unfulfilled wishes before you leave. Just let me know, and I’ll take care of it for you.”
Yuan Xi recognized him as one of the servants who followed her father. This was the first time her father had shown interest in her thoughts, even though it was such a small concern. Nevertheless, it filled her with joy. Excitedly, she looked up at Aunt Qi, only to see a hint of disdain on Aunt Qi’s lips.
Meanwhile, in the Marquis of Xuanyuan’s mansion, where another joyous event was about to take place, the Marquis himself, Xiaodu, was trying on the ceremonial attire for his upcoming wedding. The intricate patterns embroidered with gold threads seemed to come alive, gently sliding from the outer robe to the inner garment until they were firmly grasped by a pair of large hands.
Xiaodu smirked, looking down at the beautiful yet slightly panicked face, and lazily asked, “New here?”
The maid whose wrist was being held quickly concealed the panic on her face, pursed her lips, and cast a flirtatious glance at him. Softly, she said, “This servant’s family name is Wang, and our family was once scholarly. It was only due to misfortune that I was sold into servitude. I hope the marquis will take pity.” Remembering the instructions she had received earlier, she tried to suppress her fear and put on a pitiful look. She had always been extremely confident in her appearance, and although this man before her was noble, he was still just a man after all.
Sure enough, she saw Xiaodu slowly lower his head, getting closer to her face. Before she could feel any joy, her neck was firmly grasped, and a pair of lips pressed against her ear. He chuckled softly, “Do you know where those who used to dare to do what you’re doing now are?”
She was suddenly startled, remembering the rumors surrounding this man. Her face turned pale instantly. Although someone had assured her that those rumors were baseless, the hands gripping her neck were exerting pressure, sending a chill down her spine, and making her tremble uncontrollably.
Xiaodu continued to smile as he turned her stiff body toward the window, pointing to a dense grove of crabapple trees not far away. “It is said that for crabapple flowers to bloom beautifully, fresh corpses are needed, especially delicate little maids like you. What do you say?” The maid widened her eyes in horror, tears streaming uncontrollably. She wanted to escape but was firmly held by the hands behind her head. Trembling, she cried out, “Please spare me, Your Lordship! This servant will never dare again.”
Xiaodu slowly pressed his nails into her tender skin, leaning against her ear, and whispered, just one word: “Scram!”
Feeling the pressure on her neck suddenly decrease, the maid collapsed to the ground as if granted a reprieve. Afraid to stay any longer, she scrambled to her feet and ran outside, almost colliding with the steward Liu Zhong, who was about to enter the room.
Liu Zhong quickly stepped aside, watching her flee in dismay. He shook his head and muttered, “The newcomers in the mansion nowadays are getting more and more unruly.” Meanwhile, Zhou Jingyuan, the steward standing beside him, furrowed his brows thoughtfully, then turned back and said, “Let’s go in first. The main business is more important.”
As soon as they entered, they saw Xiaodu disdainfully throwing the ceremonial attire on the ground and coldly ordering, “Make another one!” The two of them exchanged glances and tacitly refrained from asking further questions, only nodding in agreement.
As Xiaodu’s expression gradually softened, Liu Zhong began to report the menu set for the wedding banquet: “Yangzhou spiced crab, assorted vegetables, roasted lamb leg…” Before he could finish speaking, Xiaodu’s brows furrowed, and he swiftly pulled out the jade belt from his waist and viciously waved it toward the paper. The paper was immediately torn into two pieces by the golden hook. Liu Zhong was so frightened that his hands trembled, and he stuttered, “Does the marquis find something wrong?”
With his anger unabated, Xiaodu glared at him and said, “Didn’t I say that there should be no red meat at the banquet? Why is there still lamb on the menu?”
Liu Zhong was too scared to respond, and Zhou Jingyuan quickly bowed and interjected, “This wedding banquet is not a family banquet after all. On that day, Duke Zhongguo, Duke Liangguo, the Marquis’ Mansion of Jining, and even Prince Rui’s Mansion will send people over. If the menu is too monotonous, it may damage the reputation of the marquis’s mansion. Moreover, this menu was discussed and finalized after Master and Madam reviewed it.”
“Oh?” Xiaodu said coldly, “Is General Manager Zhou using my parents to pressure me?” He walked slowly over, picked up the jade belt from the ground, and folded it in his hand as he cast a cold glance. “Listen, no matter who comes, since it’s the celebration of my mansion, it must follow my rules. Remove all red meat. If you’re unwilling, I’ll find someone else to handle it.”
Seeing his firm attitude leaving no room for negotiation, Zhou Jingyuan could only reluctantly signal to Liu Zhong. Liu Zhong, wearing a pained expression, glanced at the torn menu on the ground, sighed, and left to carry out the order. Meanwhile, Zhou Jingyuan stood upright and said to Xiaodu, “There is another matter. General Zheng and General Zhang returned to the capital yesterday.”
Xiaodu’s eyes lit up, finally showing a smile on his face. “Is that so? Why haven’t they come to see me? I haven’t seen them in over a year.”
“Just…” Seeing Zhou Jingyuan hesitating, Xiaodu became impatient. “If you have something to say, say it!”
After some consideration, Zhou Jingyuan said, “Yesterday, General Zheng and General Zhang rode their horses through the streets and happened to encounter an imperial censor from the Imperial Censorate. The censor couldn’t stand it and went up to advise them. Unexpectedly, General Zheng struck him with a whip, causing his right arm to bleed profusely. Those censors are not easy to deal with. It is said that he found several colleagues and intends to jointly report General Zheng for reckless horse-riding and abusing authority. General Zheng is after all your cousin and returned to the capital because of Your Lordship’s grand wedding. If this matter escalates, it may implicate the entire mansion. Your Lordship should try to persuade General Zheng to settle this matter.”
Xiaodu listened and grinned, applauding, “Well done! How could my brothers let someone scold them in public? Those censors only know how to criticize people with their pens. When it comes to real emergencies at the border, it’s my brothers who risk their lives. Let those officials keep reporting; even if it reaches the emperor, I’ll take care of them.”
Zhou Jingyuan hadn’t expected such a reaction and couldn’t help but argue, “But behaving like this will make our mansion appear domineering and give others an excuse.”
Leaning in with a shameless smile, Xiaodu said, “Tell me, if we don’t use this power to dominate, what’s the point of having it?”
Zhou Jingyuan was silenced by his words, his expression changing several times before he reluctantly withdrew. Liu Zhong, who had been waiting outside, wore a pained expression and asked, “General Manager Zhou, what about the menu?”
Zhou Jingyuan waved his hand impatiently and said, “Didn’t you hear what the master said yesterday? Now that the Marquis is the rightful master, he’s the one in charge of the wedding. So, just do as he says.” Then, this old man who had been in the mansion for over a decade shook his head and sighed softly, “Such a promising young man, why has he become like this? If he continues to act recklessly, I’m afraid…”
At this moment, the red sun was setting in the sky, and dusk was approaching. A gentle breeze stirred up fallen leaves, muffling the sigh and carrying it away into the distance, lifting the corner of Prime Minister Xia Mingyuan’s robe as he walked.
Dressed in a straight indigo Hangzhou silk robe, Xia Mingyuan walked with his hands behind his back along the corridor. Nanny Li saw him coming from afar and hurriedly greeted him with a smile, saying, “Master, you’ve arrived. Miss has prepared your favorite wine and dishes for you, and she’s been waiting for a while.”
Xia Mingyuan, about to step over the threshold, turned his head curiously at the words, then continued walking inside without saying a word. Upon entering, he indeed saw several plates of his favorite dishes on the table. Yuanxi was sitting at the table, looking somewhat tense. As soon as she saw Xia Mingyuan come in, she awkwardly stood up and knelt to salute.
Seeing Yuanxi’s expression of fear and unfamiliarity, Xia Mingyuan felt a mix of emotions. He sat down and said calmly, “It’s just the two of us, no need for formalities.” Then he looked at Yuanxi and asked, “Is it your wish for me to accompany you for a meal?”
Apologies for the oversight. Let me correct that:
Yuanxi nodded eagerly and then used her chopsticks to serve some dishes to Xia Mingyuan. She had never been alone with her father like this before, and she felt nervous yet excited. Seeing Xia Mingyuan still staring at her, as if waiting for another answer, she lowered her head and whispered, “Because from childhood to now, Dad has never eaten with me alone. I’m afraid there won’t be a chance after I get married, so…”
Xia Mingyuan’s heart shook when he saw Yuanxi’s dim eyes. He thought this might be the last chance to speak alone with his daughter. She continued, “I heard that on my siblings’ birthdays, Dad would eat with them alone in their room. So, every year, I hoped that Dad would remember to do the same for me, but I waited for many years and finally realized that Dad would never come.”
Her voice grew lower and lower until it was barely audible. After a moment, she sniffed and continued, “There was one time when I heard that my second sister was sick, and Dad stayed by her bedside all night. So, I always hoped that I would also get seriously ill. When I was seven, I finally fell ill, but Dad didn’t come to see me. I thought maybe I wasn’t sick enough, so I deliberately walked barefoot on a winter night and got a high fever. I kept thinking that I would see Dad when I woke up, but in the end, Dad still didn’t come.” She smiled with a hint of loneliness and looked up, saying, “Dad must think his daughter is very silly.”
Xia Mingyuan looked at her intently, feeling a pang of guilt. He remembered that she was born on the night of the Lantern Festival, so he named her Yuanxi. He remembered how she used to wave her little hands and laugh when she couldn’t walk properly. But then… when did she grow up? What kind of life has she been living all these years? He had never paid attention or asked