It was already deep into the night when Chu Qiao returned to the Zhuge manor. The gatekeeper was somewhat surprised to see her, but knowing she was a favored servant from Qingshan Courtyard, he didn’t give her much trouble and even gave her a lantern to light her way.

The Zhuge manor seemed somewhat cold at night, without the clamor and bustle of daytime, quiet like a dark cage. Occasionally there were a few fluttering cries of winter crows, but they were quickly shot down by the arrow servants who could “pierce a willow leaf at a hundred paces.”

When the masters were sleeping, no noise was permitted, even if the offenders were merely animals.

Passing by the high walls outside the Lanshan Courtyard, Chu Qiao heard low, suppressed sobbing. It seemed that a young slave girl who had committed some mistake had been beaten and was hiding at the base of the opposite wall, crying.

The child’s footsteps faltered momentarily. The moon hung large in the sky, a pale and round orb, casting her small shadow against the red wall. It appeared so slender and tall as if it were her once upright and tall figure from those years past. The child’s gaze became somewhat lost. Unconsciously, she reached out her hand, moving inch by inch closer, but her fingertips only touched the cold wall.

A surge of sorrowful coldness rose from the depths of her heart. Perhaps there would always be such moments of confusion, believing that everything was just a dream, and once awake, none of it would have happened. Those fallen corpses, that flowing fresh blood, and those sorrowful tears…

The child’s crying from beyond the opposite wall continued, but she was too small to climb over the wall. She was cold; how could she warm others? Just like those bodies buried in the snow plains, her heartache was of no help.

Unexpectedly, the gate to Qingshan Courtyard opened. Chu Qiao was slightly surprised, having prepared to spend the night in the woodshed, not expecting the courtyard to still be unlocked so late. Zhuge Yue was someone who knew how to maintain his health. When not attending classes at the Dianjiang Hall, he would be in the courtyard tending to flowers and orchids, drinking tea, and burning incense. He also had high requirements for sleep, unlike other young masters in the manor who indulged in women and stayed up all night.

Just as she carefully stepped into the courtyard, a lantern quickly approached. Huan’er hurriedly grabbed Chu Qiao’s hand and said in a lowered voice: “Oh my goodness, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you all evening.”

Chu Qiao stuck out her tongue sheepishly and said: “My horse was startled, so I just got back. Where’s the Young Master? Why haven’t the gates been locked so late?”

“You’re lucky,” Huan’er pursed her lips and said with a smile: “The Young Master is reading in his room. He’s been reading for half the night and hasn’t ordered the gates to be locked. He’s not sleeping either, so I’ve been waiting for you here.”

Chu Qiao nodded and was about to walk toward Zhuge Yue’s room when Huan’er quickly stopped her, saying: “The Young Master didn’t look pleased when he returned. I don’t know who angered him. It’s so late now; if you have something to discuss, better wait until tomorrow. After all, the Young Master hasn’t summoned you to the main hall. You should go rest first, and I’ll inform the Young Master.”

Chu Qiao nodded and said: “That’s good.” She then turned and walked toward her room.

Huan’er hurriedly ran into the main hall, said a few words, and then left. Chu Qiao, as the head maid in the hall, had a room adjacent to the main courtyard. Just as the child reached her door and was about to push it open, she saw the light in the room behind her extinguish, plunging everything into darkness.

Chu Qiao was slightly startled. With her hand resting on the door, she half-turned her head to look in the direction of Zhuge Yue’s room. After a long while, she finally stepped through the doorway.

The light in the small room flickered and then died, leaving the entire Qingshan Courtyard in stillness.

Early the next morning, when she went to see Zhuge Yue, this mature-beyond-his-years Fourth Young Master was not in his room. Chu Qiao had lost the little red horse and needed to give him an explanation. Just as she was thinking of going out to ask someone, she saw Zhuge Yue enter the courtyard wearing a black gold warrior’s robe and carrying a long sword, followed by a line of attendants. His movements were nimble—a sight Chu Qiao had never seen before. Zhu Cheng was bent over, a cloak draped over his arm, trotting behind him.

Huan’er and the other maids hurriedly ran forward to serve Zhuge Yue tea and water, burn incense, wipe his hands, and prepare his bath.

Chu Qiao stayed back by the main door. When she saw Zhuge Yue sit down, she stepped forward and said: “Fourth Young Master, I lost the little red horse.”

“Hmm.” Zhuge Yue grunted lightly in acknowledgment. He took the tea from Huan’er, drank a sip, then said to a servant standing nearby: “Go bring two pots of the black orchids that the Shu family sent yesterday. Remove this incense burner; the smell is too pungent.”

The servant promptly agreed and withdrew. Chu Qiao stood in place. Seeing that Zhuge Yue had no intention of punishing her, she also knew better than to speak further and was about to silently leave when she heard Zhuge Yue put down his teacup and point at her, saying: “Xing’er, wait a moment.”

Chu Qiao’s heart sank, thinking the inevitable had finally come, but then heard Zhuge Yue say: “In a while, go with Zhu Cheng and find a capable guard to teach you horseback riding.”

“Ah?” Chu Qiao and Zhu Cheng were both startled and exclaimed simultaneously.

Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed, his gaze impatient as he said in a deep voice: “What? Is there a problem?”

“No problem, no problem,” Zhu Cheng, who was seventeen this year and had been Zhuge Yue’s attendant since childhood, naturally knew the master’s inflexible personality. He hurriedly said ingratiatingly: “This servant will take Miss Xing’er right away.”

Zhuge Yue raised his head in confusion, frowning as he looked at Zhu Cheng: “Xing’er is only eight years old. What ‘Miss’ are you talking about?”

“Right, right, this servant will take Xing’er… Xing’er…” The usually clever Zhu Cheng suddenly couldn’t find the right term to address the child, stammering for a long time, still stuttering, and unable to express himself properly.

Zhuge Yue impatiently waved his hand and said: “Enough, get out of here. Straighten your back when you walk. Don’t let outsiders think all the servants in our Qingshan Courtyard are hunchbacks.”

“Yes, yes.”

Chu Qiao stood in place, small in stature, wearing a light yellow dress with a small fox fur vest over it, looking sweet. Seeing the situation, she bowed to Zhuge Yue and said in a soft voice: “Xing’er thanks the Fourth Young Master.”

Zhuge Yue didn’t even look up, just waved his hand lightly.

Chu Qiao and Zhu Cheng withdrew from the main hall. Zhu Cheng looked at the child suspiciously. Seeing Chu Qiao raise her head to look at him, his face immediately filled with smiles as he said: “Miss Xing’er, shall we go?”

Chu Qiao smiled but didn’t acknowledge him, taking the lead in leaving Qingshan Courtyard.

“Miss Xing’er, these are the people I’ve chosen for you. They are all skilled horsemen. Please select one from among them.”

Chu Qiao and Zhu Cheng stood at the foot of Running Horse Mountain. The eight-year-old child tilted her head slightly, looking at the burly men standing before her. These guards of the Zhuge family, who usually shouted and cursed at the little slaves, now all wore smiles on their faces and respectful expressions. People who didn’t know better might have thought they were always this kind.

The child took small steps, walking past each man one by one. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, giving one a meaningful look as a faint smile formed at the corners of her mouth. Pointing at one large man who looked particularly nervous, she said with a light laugh: “I want him.”

One update down. I wrote a thesis paper all last night, whew. The second update will come later.