Four years had passed, yet she still remembered his scent. Why?

For the first three months serving by Third Master’s side, Zhu Qing couldn’t help thinking about this question every night before sleep.

Third Master and the eldest miss had a very good relationship. Whatever delicious or fun things Third Master had, he’d send a portion to the eldest miss. He was always the one to deliver them.

The eldest miss often came to sit in Third Master’s courtyard. She never stayed long—just the time it took to drink a cup of tea before leaving.

When the siblings spoke, he’d add tea and pour water beside them.

Compared to four years ago, she seemed to have calmly accepted the fact that she couldn’t see. Her words and actions were much more composed, like a true lady of a great family.

Her voice had also become softer and more melodious, even more pleasant—like a cool breeze on a summer day, comfortable no matter what.

After coming to Third Master’s side, Zhu Qing remained the same as before—practicing in the morning and before sleep.

The courtyard was too small. Fearing he’d disturb Third Master’s sleep, he reported to the master, who specially permitted him to exercise in the back garden.

He generally went after the second watch and returned before the third, practicing for about an hour.

Whether by heaven’s arrangement or not, he encountered her again.

The woman by her side had changed to the maid Yunhui. Yunhui supported her as they strolled through the garden.

She didn’t come every day—only when a full moon hung in the sky. She told Yunhui this was to absorb the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon.

When they reached a straight stone path, she’d have Yunhui release her hand and walk alone.

She walked very well, back straight—at first glance, not at all like someone blind.

She’d walk back and forth on that straight path several times. Only when tired would she sit down.

Once seated, her bones seemed to disappear. Her body would lean lazily against Yunhui, either acting spoiled or sharing her innermost thoughts… In any case, completely different from the Xie family’s eldest miss in public.

Zhu Qing didn’t want to disturb them.

On moonlit nights, he’d come to the garden half an hour earlier. When they arrived, he’d hide in the shadows and meditate. After they left, he’d rise and practice an extra half hour.

Gradually he discovered that though the eldest miss had a father, mother, brothers—she was actually just as alone and helpless.

She lived in constant fear of her parents’ displeasure, so she acted obedient and compliant, never actively asking for anything, never venturing beyond the courtyard on her own.

She didn’t dare offend anyone, speaking gently to everyone.

She was like a mouse, hiding in its hole, only daring to peek out when night fell.

Four years ago, that woman was the eldest miss’s wet nurse. Relying on having nursed the miss and her good relationship with Madam, she lorded it over others in the courtyard.

The eldest miss didn’t dare speak up, fearing the woman would complain to Madam, fearing Madam would despise her. So she could only swallow her anger.

Later, that woman grew bolder and stole the eldest miss’s jewelry to pawn outside. Only then did the old matriarch of Xie Manor learn of it and have her driven out.

“Yunhui, my mother could give birth to a mouse that digs holes, or a cat that catches mice, but she gave birth to me—not only useless but requiring money to raise. My life is truly superfluous.”

“Miss, don’t think such things! The master and madam both love you!”

“Yes, they love me when I’m obedient and well-behaved.”

By moonlight, hidden in the shadows, Zhu Qing stared fixedly at the eldest miss, unable to look away.

Obedient and well-behaved, they loved her.

Disobedient, they’d dislike her.

The fate of Miss Xie of the Xie Manor was so similar to his, a mere servant. Nothing was in their own hands.

From that day on, Zhu Qing felt his heart sinking bit by bit into a whirlpool.

That whirlpool, if you said it was deep, wasn’t that deep—inside was only one Xie Wenshu.

That whirlpool, if you said it wasn’t deep, was actually quite deep—inside, besides the eldest miss, was also a penniless servant. The two were separated by an immeasurable distance.

One year passed.

Three years passed.

Five years passed…

The young girl grew into a young woman, and he finally became the personal guard Third Master couldn’t do without for even a moment.

On moonlit nights, they still gathered in the garden.

Still, one in the light, one in the shadows.

On another full moon night, she and Yunhui came walking in the moonlight. Unexpectedly, just after sitting for a moment, dark clouds suddenly covered the sky. A strong wind picked up, and raindrops immediately began to fall.

“Miss, go to the covered walkway to avoid the rain. I’ll go back to get an umbrella.”

Yunhui helped her into the covered walkway before hurrying off.

Who knew that as soon as she left, thunder would suddenly crack across the sky. The fierce wind rose, and crashing sounds came from all directions. Her face went deathly pale. She clutched at her own collar, sitting there helplessly.

In the gale, the rainstorm intensified. How could a covered walkway block wind and rain?

She wanted to find a place to shelter from the rain but didn’t know where to go. She could only crouch down, curling her body up tight.

Zhu Qing watched from the side, feeling distressed and anxious. Unable to bear it any longer, he rushed out.

“Eldest Miss, pardon my offense.”

He helped her up in one motion, lifted her onto his shoulder, carried her to a dead-end corner of the covered walkway, and set her down.

The dead end was enclosed by walls on three sides, but could only fit one person.

He stood before her, blocking the wind and rain from the open side.

“Is it Zhu Qing?” Her voice trembled.

“Mm.”

“So late—what are you doing here?”

“Passing by.”

“Thank goodness for you.”

“Mm.”

After a long silence, she spoke again. “You haven’t left, have you?”

“Still here.”

“Once Yunhui comes, you can go.”

“Alright.”

“Where you’re standing—is it getting rained on?”

“No.”

“Really not?”

“Really not.”

She seemed somewhat unconvinced and let out a soft sigh. “This rain will stop soon.”

“Mm.”

Don’t stop.

Just keep falling like this.

Zhu Qing thought to himself.

However, the rain didn’t stop—Yunhui came hurrying with an umbrella.

He called out. Yunhui startled, then quickly ran over.

“Eldest Miss, I’m leaving.”

“Wait.”

She stopped him. “Yunhui, how many umbrellas did you bring?”

“Two.”

“Give one to Zhu Qing.”

“Eldest Miss, there’s no need.”

“Take it.”

She forced a smile toward him. “Don’t get rained on. Be careful not to catch cold.”

The master and servant left together under one umbrella.

Zhu Qing didn’t leave.

He couldn’t bear to leave.

His gaze followed the figure under the umbrella until the two disappeared into the misty rain, and still he didn’t move a step.

“Don’t get rained on. Be careful not to catch cold.”

From then on, every rainy day, he would replay these words over and over in his heart.

That was all he could do—replay them.

Even if Zhu Family Village still existed, even if his parents were still alive, he could never in this lifetime be worthy of her.

Even though she was blind.

The whirlpool grew larger and larger, pulling him completely in. He was pulled in willingly, sweetly.

What could he do?

Once she entered his heart, to dig her out again—how painful that would be.

He didn’t want pain, so he hid it, concealed it year after year. He hid it well, hid it steadily. Even Third Master and Ding Yi, closest to him, never noticed.

When a girl comes of age, marriage follows. Looking across the entire capital, there was no suitable match for the eldest miss.

Men from noble families despised her blindness, fearing future children would also be blind.

Ordinary men—the Xie family despised them as unworthy of her.

Year after year passed like this, the matter delayed.

Yet he secretly harbored a sliver of hope, and in the deep of night, he’d dream an impossibly ambitious dream.

Actually, it wasn’t even a dream—it was preparation he’d been making in secret for years.