Three more days passed. Mo Zi woke from her drowsy sleep to see Qiu Sanniang sitting alone by the window, lost in thought. She immediately assumed Yuan Cheng had sent her back, but upon looking around, she was still lying in the large bed.
“Did Madam come through the door, or jump over the wall?” Mo Zi managed a weak smile, grabbing a cushion to prop herself up into a sitting position.
Qiu Sanniang had initially wanted to help, but seeing Mo Zi’s movements, though slow, showed good spirits, she sat back down.
“Didn’t you already know I can’t easily leave the house these days?” She hadn’t even been able to attend the opening of Wangqiu Pavilion, leaving her feeling stifled. “My mother-in-law and I had just begun to broach the subject of going out—we hadn’t even stated it clearly—when she used Old Princess Consort’s birthday celebration as an excuse, saying this and that needed my preparation, that they couldn’t do without me and such talk, blocking me completely. The more I think about what Xiao Yi said last time, the more I feel she’s right—it’s all because that wretch Xiao San divorced two wives.”
Hearing this tone, Mo Zi sensed something was wrong.
“Did you quarrel with your husband?” Wait—she was someone who’d nearly died, so why was she worrying about other people’s affairs? She was just too soft-hearted.
“No.” The answer came crisply, followed by a snort. “A few days ago, the old lady hinted at wanting to raise Si Niang’s child at Mozhi Residence. Somehow Si Niang got wind of it and came crying to me, asking me to plead with the old lady to let her raise her own child. Would you believe it—Xiao San happened to walk in right then and saw her kneeling there with both children, tears streaming down. I didn’t want my meal ruined by bad feelings, so I told the couple to go cry in their own nest. Guess what happened?”
Mo Zi smiled weakly. “Please don’t make me waste brain power. What if my injury worsens? Wouldn’t all that soup I drank from his household be wasted?”
“He immediately showed me a sour face and without a word, swept aside the curtain and left. I was thinking of him, and he still wasn’t happy. I remember when Hongmei first arrived and wanted to establish rules for Si Niang, having her serve my meals, he said serving was fine but not to put on airs as the principal wife for no reason. Heaven knows that wasn’t establishing rules for that person—it was clearly tormenting me during meals. Could my expression look good? It wasn’t directed at that golden silk bird.” The only people she could vent to were Xiao Yi and Mo Zi. Xiao Yi was taciturn—she could say ten sentences and not get half a response. Mo Zi was much better, understanding her thoughts well.
Thinking back to those days, Mo Zi somehow felt they were very distant from her now.
“Madam, your husband’s sour face needs to be considered in context. If he showed it the moment he saw Si Niang, then naturally he was being unreasonable. But if he showed it after you told him and Si Niang to go cry by themselves, then his reaction wasn’t wrong. He considers you his confidante—even his treasured things he opens up to you, yet you treated him dismissively.” The parched, cracked part of her heart had already become a vast ocean. Great waves towered high, one surging over another. Borrowing this conversation with Qiu Sanniang, her composure remained unshaken.
Qiu Sanniang lowered her eyes, silent for a long while. When she spoke again, she didn’t mention Xiao San or Jin Si, but asked, “How did you get this injury? After Xiao Yi came to see you, she came back and couldn’t explain clearly. Her face was deathly pale, her eyes red-rimmed. She thought I couldn’t tell she’d been crying, but she kept blinking. I wanted to come see for myself, but it was Hongmei and Moyu’s turns to keep night watch.”
“I don’t know if it was because Lu Ju made such fine new clothes that people thought I was wealthy, or if it was just my fate to face this calamity. I ran into a masked robber demanding toll money. I gave him all the silver I had, but he thought I was still hiding more and tried to tear my clothes off. I thought that was unacceptable and fought back. Who knew he’d be so vicious—he stabbed me with a dagger. I fainted on the spot. When I woke up, I saw Master Yuan who lives next door to us. Thanks to him saving me, otherwise I’d certainly be dead. When the robbery happened, no one else passed by. Even Master Yuan doesn’t know what happened, much less Xiao Yi.” Mo Zi lied. This wasn’t the first time she’d lied to Qiu Sanniang, but it was the first time she felt guilty about it.
“No wonder when I asked Master Yuan, he only said he saw you severely injured lying by the roadside but didn’t know who did it.” Before Mo Zi was injured, Qiu Sanniang had no idea anyone had moved into that desolate mansion. Such a major matter, and Xiao Yi and Mo Zi hadn’t breathed a word to her. If Mo Zi’s life hadn’t been in danger, she would have been furious. Knowing someone lived next door yet still jumping over the wall—if those people at Prince Jing’s mansion heard about it, how could she explain? She could leave the marriage, but it absolutely couldn’t be under circumstances where the other party drove her out.
Xiao Yi repeatedly assured her, even bringing up some senior martial brother she’d never heard of, using their sect relationship to say next door would keep their secret. She was half-believing when Yuan Cheng had Xiao Yi relay a message to her, also meaning he wouldn’t gossip, which put her more at ease.
Coming in person was partly to check on Mo Zi’s injury, but also to see this Master Yuan with her own eyes. After one look, she found he was a refined-looking Imperial Academy erudite, courteous and polite, speaking with sincerity—she finally relaxed.
Just as Yuan Cheng had said before, there were so many people with the surname Yuan in the world. Qiu Sanniang didn’t at all connect this Master Yuan with the number one corrupt official Mo Zi had transmigrated from.
“The reason you made up was taking a shortcut?” Qiu Sanniang smiled charmingly. “You think he’s that easy to fool?”
“He’s not easy to fool, but a gentleman appreciates helping others succeed. I’m just a small maid with an honest-looking face. He’s so poor he doesn’t even have silver to clean up the garden, with only two or three servants. Could I possibly steal anything from him?” She didn’t want to call Yuan Cheng honest, because Qiu Sanniang wasn’t without judgment.
Qiu Sanniang raised her eyebrows, seeming unconvinced. Her next words nearly made Mo Zi’s wound split open. “Mo Zi, I heard you were injured in the chest and nearly pierced through the heart. If a woman had saved you, that would be one thing, but now it’s a man who saved you. Though Master Yuan was kind, it’s a fact that he ruined your reputation. An Imperial Academy erudite is like a teacher—a rank six official without real power. At most he collects gifts from students during festivals. However, with you as his capable wife, who knows—he might rise through the ranks and achieve great success. How about I speak to him about betrothing you to him?”
“…” Stunned speechless.
“What? Too shy to speak? You know I’m not kind-hearted—I saved your life but forced you to lose ten years of freedom. If he’s willing to marry you, I’ll say no more. The shipyard contract is immediately void, and I’ll return your indenture contract right away.” Qiu Sanniang smiled ambiguously, blinking mischievously at Mo Zi.
Was this a joke?
Mo Zi found her voice. “By your logic, the one I should marry isn’t Master Yuan but the physician.”
“Miss Mo Zi can rest assured. The day you were treated for your injury, your entire body was properly covered. The one who extracted the blade was the physician, but the one who applied medicine and stopped the bleeding was the physician’s wife.” Yuan Cheng came in to interject.
This man always handled matters thoroughly. Mo Zi looked at Qiu Sanniang and blinked back at her.
Qiu Sanniang remained unhurried, sitting properly. She smiled. “My maid has a sharp tongue—I’m too lazy to deal with her twisted words. However, Master, you’re a scholar who has read extensively—how can your words lack reason? The saying goes, ‘Men and women should not touch hands when giving or receiving.’ Though you kindly saved my maid, she’s been living alone in your household for over ten days now. Regardless of whether you two are innocent, in outsiders’ eyes, Mo Zi’s reputation is already damaged. Master, isn’t this the case?”
Yuan Cheng smiled, his gaze lightly sweeping over Mo Zi before nodding. “Indeed so.”
“…” Mo Zi was again stunned speechless.
“I wonder if Master has a wife? If your wife is reasonable, she should naturally be able to accept my Mo Zi.” Qiu Sanniang had only been speaking casually, but suddenly grew enthusiastic.
“Yuan has never married or taken concubines. To this day I remain alone.” What use did an evildoer have for family burdens?
Mo Zi was startled. Despite being second only to one and above ten thousand, he had no principal wife or concubines or pile of wives? Was this man planning to devote himself entirely to revenge, or was he too dissolute, planning to play around for life?
Qiu Sanniang was also startled. Xiao Er was supposed to marry a princess—remaining unmarried past twenty meant no choice in the matter. Could teachers of noble children really be so poor they couldn’t even afford a wife?
“Seeing Master’s age is past twenty, why haven’t you married?” Qiu Sanniang found it strange.
Before Yuan Cheng could speak, Mo Zi opened her mouth. “My dear Madam, I’m a maid without status—the concept of reputation doesn’t even apply to me. Moreover, are you planning to let everyone in the prince’s mansion know we’ve been sneaking out? Is that it?”
The latter sentence was like a basin of water, extinguishing Qiu Sanniang’s enthusiasm.
Yuan Cheng lowered his eyes, his smile deepening.
After Qiu Sanniang left, the two were alone again.
One regarded feudal propriety as dirt, the other maintained an open heart without ulterior motives.
“Didn’t expect my employer to be a woman, did you?” Mo Zi’s spirits were good today—she still didn’t feel tired.
“I didn’t expect it, but it makes little difference. Woman or man, with Miss Mo Zi’s cleverness, either can be put to good use.” One sentence, precisely positioned.
“Before you, sir, I have nowhere to hide. You’re truly too formidable. In this world, probably no one dares lie to you.” The praise was exaggerated but not without basis.
“I’m not that formidable.” Not referring to himself as ‘Yuan,’ and changing the subject, “Are you hungry?”
Asking if she was hungry again? This was to discuss the matter of the debt.
Mo Zi had already made up her mind. “I’m hungry, but we can eat while we talk.”
Yuan Cheng called Luo Ying and Ming Nian, instructing them to prepare food, then lifted his black robe and sat at the round table.
“Mo Zi originally intended not to acknowledge you, sir, but seeing you’re so intent on this debt, it would be embarrassing not to let you repay it.” Having slept well and with good nutrition, her mind had returned to full function.
Yuan Cheng made a sound of acknowledgment. “How so?”
“That day, Mo Zi was clearly dressed as a man, yet you immediately called me Mo Zi. Why was that?” With Yuan Cheng’s scheming nature, he should have called her Mo Ge. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t acknowledge him—wouldn’t he acknowledge her?
Yuan Cheng suddenly stood up, his tall shadow gradually extending to Mo Zi’s bedside.
“If you hadn’t acknowledged me and called me Mo Ge, then although I sought your help, I wouldn’t have acknowledged both identities. What you would have saved would only be Mo Ge, not Mo Zi.” Mo Zi watched Yuan Cheng approach, eyes narrowed and lips curved. She’d guessed right, hadn’t she? With one skillful change in address, she’d admitted Mo Ge was Mo Zi.
Yuan Cheng bent down, raised his eyes to meet Mo Zi’s gaze. His eyes were misty, impossible to see through.
“Miss Mo Zi, you’re wrong. Yuan Cheng is a man of his word. That day, I called you Miss Mo Zi. If you hadn’t said those two words ‘Mo Ge,’ then now Mo Ge would be a dead person.” He’d simply designed it very cleverly, reducing the possibility of breaking his word to zero.
But such words were better left unsaid, though he was surprised Mo Zi had actually discovered this.