The sky darkened at just the right moment, with birds chirping softly in the trees and the fragrance of gardenia flowers lingering in the air, yet Yuanxi seemed completely unaware of it all. Watching Xiao Du’s face draw closer and closer, her earlier confidence instantly vanished. She hurriedly backed away, only to quickly find herself pressed against the tree trunk behind her with nowhere to retreat. She could only watch as his features continued to magnify before her eyes, letting his breath brush against her face. She had never been so close to a man before—even though this person was her own husband, it couldn’t suppress her thundering heartbeat. She lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
Xiao Du sighed and said, “Why are you always so afraid of me, wife, as if I would devour you?” As he spoke, he reached out to toy with the fine strands of hair that had fallen onto her shoulder, then caressed her fair, slender neck. Suddenly restraining his smile, he said, “Everyone outside says I love drinking human blood, especially women’s blood. Do you believe it or not?”
Yuanxi only felt her neck grow itchy and hot, yet didn’t dare push his hand away. She tilted her head to dodge away from him, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz as she replied, “I… don’t believe it. Human blood is both useless and unpalatable—how could anyone really drink it?”
Xiao Du had originally intended to frighten her, but instead found himself laughing with renewed interest. “How do you know whether human blood tastes good or not, and how do you know it’s useless?” He brought his lips close to her ear, his voice low and seductive: “I’ve heard that drinking young women’s blood can preserve youth and strengthen the body, making one immune to all diseases.”
Yuanxi took a deep breath, as if summoning all her courage before daring to lift her head and face this handsome face so close to hers. Her eyes filled with earnestness as she replied, “Blood, if consumed, would only be directly excreted from the body and couldn’t possibly penetrate into the system—how could it preserve youth and strengthen the body? Proper medical texts have never mentioned human blood having any medicinal use, so these supposed benefits have no basis whatsoever.”
Xiao Du’s smiling face finally froze, and for a moment he couldn’t find words to respond to her. He could only stare at her in bewilderment, truly unable to understand what sort of structure his wife’s brain possessed. Seeing that he couldn’t frighten her, Xiao Du straightened up with little interest, when suddenly a thought flashed through his mind: with her single-minded and unconventional nature, she would be perfect for dealing with that Concubine Wang. The more he thought about it, the more amusing it seemed, and he suddenly couldn’t wait to see how spectacular Concubine Wang’s expression would be.
Concubine Wang’s complexion was indeed far from pleasant, especially when she received the large stack of account books that Yuanxi handed her and heard her say these had all been completely memorized. Having Yuanxi memorize the account books had merely been her expedient measure—she only wanted Yuanxi to retreat in the face of difficulty and understand that household management wasn’t something she could casually interfere with.
But now… She remained stunned for quite some time before realizing she was being improper. She uncomfortably smoothed her hair and forced a smile, saying, “The young madam is truly exceptionally intelligent to have memorized them so quickly?”
Yuanxi nodded firmly, her eyes bright as she said, “Concubine may test me at random.”
Concubine Wang suspiciously shifted her gaze to the account books, her fingers resting on the desk stiffening before she finally drew out one volume and opened it to test her thoroughly. After questioning several books consecutively and seeing that Yuanxi could indeed recite them without a single error, she could no longer maintain even her forced smile and could only offer some awkward praise while growing somewhat panicked inside.
Yuanxi continued smiling gently, though her voice carried firmness: “The homework Concubine assigned me is now complete. May I now learn the actual household accounts?”
Concubine Wang’s body trembled, her hands clasping together within her sleeves as she restrained the surging anger in her heart, yet still smiled on the surface: “Naturally. However, since the young madam is just beginning, it wouldn’t be good to attempt everything at once. How about starting with managing the several estates on the outskirts of the capital?”
Yuanxi tilted her head in thought, feeling this was already quite a decent beginning. She wasn’t overly greedy, understanding that with her current abilities, she couldn’t possibly take over all affairs in a short time. But since yesterday, she had secretly resolved that since she couldn’t be a beloved wife, she could at least strive to learn to be a good mistress. Since her days in the marquis manor would continue this way, she wasn’t in too much of a hurry.
Seeing Yuanxi agree, Concubine Wang retrieved several ledgers from a cabinet and generally explained the population, harvests, and income and expenditure items of the several estates on the outskirts of the capital. She repeatedly urged her not to be too hasty, and Yuanxi didn’t expose her intentions, only listened and memorized carefully until the moon reached its zenith before leaving Concubine Wang’s room.
Concubine Wang stood at the threshold, watching Yuanxi walk away before the smile on her face slowly turned cold. She turned back into the room, suddenly choking on the incense and coughing violently. She called two maids in and said hatefully, “What kind of incense is this! Are you trying to suffocate someone? Change it all!” The two maids looked at each other in confusion, not understanding why the incense that was lit daily would make her so angry, but seeing Concubine Wang’s expression, they knew she was in a foul mood. They quickly agreed obediently, extinguished the incense burner, and ran out to fetch replacement incense.
Concubine Wang walked to the incense burner, disgustedly stirring the ashes inside while gritting her teeth and muttering, “Who would have thought—I truly underestimated you before.”
Yuanxi walked back with An’he, thinking of her gains today and couldn’t help smiling to herself with the corners of her mouth turning up. Her mind was on quickly familiarizing herself with estate affairs, so her steps became increasingly light as she hurried back.
Just as she reached the door, she suddenly heard Nanny Li inside talking with someone—a young woman’s voice, clear and melodious like an oriole emerging from a valley, yet unlike any maid in the manor. Puzzled, Yuanxi pushed open the door, only to see someone she had never expected to find in her room.
There was Xiao Zhixuan wearing an apricot-yellow brocade silk dress with a white silk pleated skirt, chatting animatedly with Nanny Li. Upon seeing Yuanxi enter, she rushed over and affectionately grasped her arm, saying, “Sister-in-law, you’re finally back.” Yuanxi wasn’t accustomed to such intimacy with others, but she had always had favorable feelings toward this young sister-in-law, so she didn’t refuse. She pulled her to sit together on the couch and smiled, “Did you come looking for me about something?”
Xiao Zhixuan smiled sweetly, “Nothing in particular, I just felt bored and came to chat with sister-in-law. Ever since that incident in the Buddhist hall, father won’t let me wander around the manor, saying he’s afraid something might happen. I’m absolutely stifled.” After speaking, she puffed out her little mouth indignantly, seeming quite dissatisfied.
Yuanxi couldn’t help wanting to laugh—truly a naive and romantic young girl whose greatest worry was having nowhere to play. How could she know about the scheming and bloodthirsty intrigue in the residence these past few days, which was ten thousand times more troubling than not being able to play?
Just as she was about to say something to comfort her, Xiao Zhixuan suddenly grabbed her hand excitedly and said, “Sister-in-law, come with me to the estates to play! Big brother took me there last year. At this time of year, the peaches there are perfectly ripe—big and sweet. Big brother can even teach me to catch fish—it’s so much fun!”
Yuanxi’s heart stirred. She had just been wanting to visit the estates, since to understand their true conditions, going there personally to walk around and ask questions was the best method. But she still had some concerns and asked, “Just the two of us women going? Wouldn’t that be rather inconvenient?”
“Of course not!” Xiao Zhixuan immediately exclaimed. “Naturally big brother would take us—otherwise how could father possibly let me leave the manor? Besides, it would be perfect for big brother and sister-in-law to cultivate your relationship properly.” After speaking, she winked meaningfully at Yuanxi.
Yuanxi found this somewhat strange—where would such a young girl learn about these matters? From the corner of her eye, she suddenly glimpsed Nanny Li standing to one side with an equally meaningful smile, and immediately understood. It must be that Nanny Li, seeing that Xiao Du never came to her room, was too anxious on her behalf. Not content with daily reciting husband-management techniques in her ear, she had now even enlisted the young sister-in-law’s help.
Thinking of Xiao Zhixuan naively trying to bring her and Xiao Du together in matters of the bedchamber made her face grow hot, and she couldn’t help glaring reproachfully at Nanny Li. But Nanny Li paid no mind, only happily answering for her: “It would be perfect for the young madam to go out and relax—we’ll trouble Miss Xuan then.”
Fearing she might say something else, Yuanxi quickly coughed lightly and sent her outside to wait. Nanny Li departed cheerfully to instruct An’he and Rong Qiao to come in and pack boxes for Yuanxi, looking even happier than when she had gotten married.
Yuanxi suppressed her urge to hold her head in her hands. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhixuan took it that she had already agreed and said excitedly, “Wonderful! I’ll go tell big brother right away. Once we’ve set the time, I’ll send someone to inform sister-in-law.”
Early the next morning, Xiao Zhixuan arrived outside Yuanxi’s room with maids and luggage to wait for her. The group walked together to the courtyard gate, where they saw several carriages already waiting.
Beside the green-curtained carriage, Xiao Du wore a purple robe with cloud patterns, standing leisurely under a flowering tree, yet naturally possessed an elegant demeanor. Yuanxi thought of what Nanny Li had repeatedly instructed her last night—to definitely seize this opportunity and turn raw rice into cooked rice—and her face reddened uncontrollably again. Fortunately, Xiao Du was seriously instructing the coachman about something and didn’t notice her.
Upon seeing Xiao Du, Xiao Zhixuan happily ran over and tugged his hand, saying, “Big brother, is everything ready?” Xiao Du shook his head with a smile, “You become so improper the moment you hear about going out to play. That Tutor Zhao really should establish some proper rules for you.” At the mention of Tutor Zhao, Xiao Zhixuan disdainfully pursed her lips, “That pedantic old fossil—I won’t listen to him.” She waved to Yuanxi, “Sister-in-law, come quickly! Let’s ride together.”
Xiao Du also saw Yuanxi but only smiled faintly, saying, “You and sister-in-law take one carriage. I have other arrangements.”
Xiao Zhixuan found this strange and was about to ask why when she and Yuanxi simultaneously saw two figures approaching from not far away. One was a maid walking carefully and timidly, while the other wore a rough blue cloth shirt, had a thin frame, and vacant eyes—it was actually the demented Yunniang from the side courtyard.
Yuanxi suddenly recalled that day’s events, her face paling as she involuntarily stepped back two paces. But Xiao Du walked over to support Yunniang and bring her this way, saying gently, “Don’t be afraid. She had an episode that day because she was stimulated. I’ve noticed her spirits haven’t been good these past few days, so I wanted to take her along to relax. I wonder if my wife would permit this?”
Yuanxi naturally couldn’t voice any refusal, though her heart was full of doubts about the mysterious Yunniang’s true identity. Just then the coachman came to urge them that the time had arrived, so Yuanxi boarded the carriage with Xiao Zhixuan while Xiao Du shared a carriage with Yunniang. Several maids and servants took two more carriages, forming a procession toward the outskirts of the city.
After the carriage had traveled for a while, Yuanxi sat in the jolting compartment feeling truly curious, so she asked Xiao Zhixuan, “What sort of person is that Yunniang exactly?”
Xiao Zhixuan sighed, “Yunniang used to be a maid serving at mother’s side. After big brother was born, mother’s health was never good, so she entrusted big brother to a wet nurse and Yunniang to care for together. It’s said that Yunniang looked after big brother with meticulous care from childhood. Once when big brother developed a high fever and was nearly unconscious, Yunniang kept vigil by his bedside for three days without sleep before saving him. Because of this, big brother came to regard her like an adoptive mother. Unfortunately, five years ago Yunniang suddenly contracted a strange illness and became mentally deranged. Originally mother wanted to settle her outside the manor, but big brother absolutely refused. He found a side courtyard in the manor and assigned a maid to care for her, and he himself often goes to see her.”
Yuanxi’s heart softened, not having expected that the outwardly willful and reckless Xiao Du had such a tender side, and she felt additional sympathy for that Yunniang. The carriage traveled over a rough stretch of road and stopped beside a river crossing. Xiao Zhixuan excitedly lifted the carriage curtain, “Once we cross this river we’ll reach the estate. If I sit any longer my bottom will grow calluses.” Hearing such innocent words, Yuanxi couldn’t help laughing out loud.
The group thus disembarked and came to the riverbank, where the boatman immediately knew from the carriage that these were people from the marquis manor and respectfully invited them aboard. Yuanxi sat at the bow gazing at the distant mountains barely visible and the sparkling blue waves, feeling an indescribable sense of ease in her heart.
Just then, a small boat came rowing slowly from the middle of the river. Standing at the bow was a man in a blue robe with jade belt and black silk cap, his features refined and handsome, like a clear stream flowing leisurely between mountains and waters. He saluted respectfully in their direction, “Hanlin Academy Compiler Luo Yuan pays respects to Your Lordship.”
Yuanxi found this voice very familiar. When the boat drew near enough to see his features clearly, she suddenly cried out, “Little Tutor!”
Luo Yuan shifted his gaze over to her, paused for a moment, then smiled gently, “Madam Xiao, it’s been a long time.” Xiao Du looked suspiciously at his wife’s expression of barely containable excitement and couldn’t help snorting softly, muttering, “This time she’s not being shy at all!”