The next morning, Shen Lingzhen woke to the sound of wheelchair wheels rolling across the floor. Huo Liuxing must have risen before her again.
Still groggy, she was about to open her eyes when the memory of last night came rushing back. She quickly shut them again and pretended to sleep. Only when the sound of the wheels faded into the distance did she sit up in bed and let out a quiet sigh.
Jian Jia and Bailu came in to help her wash and dress. Seeing her pale and weary face, they asked if she hadn’t slept well.
Naturally not. After being caught red-handed, she’d barely slept a wink. And with Huo Liuxing lying just an arm’s length away, she hadn’t dared toss and turn, so she lay stiff as a board, silently counting the days and months. From today, the nineteenth of April, all the way to the thirtieth of December.
At the thought, she let out a soft sigh. “Today’s April nineteenth… it’s the memorial for Suohui, isn’t it?”
Suohui was the maid who had died protecting her in Peach Blossom Valley.
“Yes, Young Madam,” Bailu replied. “I remembered your instructions. We’ll burn paper offerings and pray for Suohui today, just as we always do.”
Shen Lingzhen nodded. “It’s still so close to the wedding. Mourning rituals are taboo. Handle it outside the estate, and don’t let anyone in the household find out. Burn extra spirit money for her, and take the eulogy I prepared. Also, make sure you don’t leave before the paper offerings are fully burned.”
“Because that would be disrespectful to the departed!” Jian Jia chimed in. “You remind us every time. Our ears have grown calluses from hearing it. Even if we were foolish, we wouldn’t dare forget. Right, Bailu?”
Though Jian Jia and Bailu laughed as they spoke, their eyes held a trace of sorrow.
In this world, there were far too many nobles who treated their servants like livestock, like they were cheap and expendable. Where could one find a mistress so kind, who regarded her maids as sisters, personally wrote memorial texts for a dead servant, and mourned without fail from the first seven-day rites to the forty-ninth?
After attending to Shen Lingzhen, Jian Jia and Bailu found an excuse to leave the estate together.
No sooner had they stepped out than Huo Shuyi strode briskly into Huo Liuxing’s courtyard.
She wore a fitted male-style robe with narrow sleeves, her hair was tied into a single bun and she wore a wooden hairpin. Her steps were swift and sure. Reaching the study, she knocked before her breath had even steadied. “Second Brother, I need to speak with you.”
Huo Liuxing was seated at his desk, studying a borderland map. “Come in,” he said, looking up. “What is it?”
“One of the errand boys from my courtyard just returned from outside. He ran into Shen’s two personal maids carrying a basket of items out of the estate. They looked suspicious, so I had someone follow them…”
Before Huo Liuxing could finish furrowing his brow, Huo Shuyi raised a hand to explain. “Don’t worry. I sent Jingmo. He’s reliable and skilled, there’s no chance he’ll be discovered.”
Huo Liuxing’s expression remained stern. “Unless it’s a matter of life and death, even what you think is foolproof must never be done without permission. If this happens again, you can go live at Junxian Temple like Mother suggested.”
Huo Shuyi lowered her gaze. “I overstepped.”
His tone softened slightly. “I think you’ve got too much energy to burn. You ran here like the wind. Was yesterday’s punishment of two hours in a horse stance not harsh enough?”
“Two hours is nothing,” she replied with a raised brow and a grin. “You think I’m made of mud?”
Huo Liuxing shook his head. “That’s only because your Sister-in-law spoke up for you at dinner.”
Her smile froze. Her voice turned cold. “I don’t have a Sister-in-law. With Zhao and Shen blood in her veins, how is she worthy enough to marry into the Huo family?”
Huo Liuxing shot her a sharp glance, and she immediately reined herself in. “I know. I wouldn’t say that in front of her. Yesterday I was truly drunk and just wanted to scare her a little. But I knew you were nearby. I wouldn’t have let it hit her.”
“You acted on impulse, but how do you expect her to interpret your hostility? You’ve made it clear that the Huo family still holds grudges over the past, toward His Majesty and the Princess Royal.”
“But we live under the same roof day after day. I can’t be like you and Mother, pretending to be cordial, playing nice. When I dislike someone, I just can’t hide it…” She paused, then added with a mischievous glint, “Unless she mistakes my coldness for jealousy, thinking I’m in love with Second Brother. That wouldn’t be so bad!”
Huo Liuxing’s brows furrowed. “Watch your tongue. Do you still plan to marry?”
“I never wantto marry. I’ll follow Second Brother for life!”
He looked at her silently for a long moment before speaking, his voice calm and steady. “Shuyi, my life has no romance, only blades and battle.”
“That’s why I’ll protect you. I’ll be your legs.” She smiled, then added, “Fine, I’ll go apologize to her. You focus on your work.”
With that, she closed the study door behind her and stepped out. Turning away, she stood motionless beneath the eaves, her gaze fixed on the withering epiphyllum blossoms in the courtyard.
They said epiphyllum was the last flower of spring. The poets wrote, “Spring ends with the epiphyllum bloom.” Once this flower faded, the world held no more fragrance.
“Why does Young Master always bring up marriage when Young Lady is present?” Kongqing, grinding ink at the desk, glanced out the window. “Look, she’s clearly moved by the sight.”
Just as the words left his mouth, a cold scoff rang out from outside. “There will always be another spring next year. So dramatic.”
Kongqing choked on his words.
Huo Liuxing shook his head and returned to studying the map.
Two incense sticks’ time later, Jingmo returned. “Master, Young Madam had instructed her maids to burn paper offerings for a servant who passed away forty-nine days ago.”
Jingmo was Huo Liuxing’s man, he wouldn’t normally take orders from anyone else. The reason he followed Jian Jia and Bailu was because Young Lady’s request happened to align with Master’s own desire to keep an eye on Shen Lingzhen.
Huo Liuxing’s hand paused mid-stroke. “Nothing else?”
“No, nothing else. The two maids have already returned to the inner quarters,” Jingmo reported.
Kongqing sighed. “Seems they were worried about clashing with the wedding joy, afraid Young Master would be upset, so they kept it quiet. To mourn a long-deceased maid so sincerely… I’d say Young Madam is truly kind-hearted.”
Huo Liuxing said nothing, but Jingmo spoke up. “A kind-hearted woman sent from the capital? You think that’s likely? It’s only been two days, what can you really tell?”
“You’re just judging a noble soul with a petty mind!” Kongqing retorted. “I don’t see anything suspicious about her. In fact, she clearly likes our Young Master. Just look at yesterday, wherever Master went, her eyes never left him. Isn’t that right, Master?”
“Oh.” Huo Liuxing seemed to catch onto something in that remark. A flicker of realization crossed his face, and he slowly nodded.
Jingmo and Kongqing exchanged glances, both puzzled by his reaction.
But Huo Liuxing offered no explanation. He simply frowned and glanced down at his robe collar. “If that’s true… girls these days really lack restraint.”
“…?”
Meanwhile, in the inner quarters, Shen Lingzhen was speaking with Huo Shuyi, who had just arrived to apologize. Out of nowhere, her nose tickled and she sneezed.
“Are you catching a chill, Young Madam?” Bailu asked.
Shen Lingzhen waved it off and gestured for Jian Jia to bring the gift she’d prepared. She handed it to Huo Shuyi, a pair of fine jade bangles.
Huo Shuyi gave a quick bow. “Thank you, Second Sister-in-law. I should’ve come to pay respects yesterday morning, but I was in poor spirits that night, drank too much, and spent the whole day muddled. I even nearly hurt you, please don’t hold it against me.”
“No harm done. But drinking damages the body.You should take care.”
“Then I’ll take that as Second Sister-in-law accepting my apology.” Huo Shuyi forced a smile. “I’m off to train.”
“Alright.”
She casually handed the bangles to her maid and strode off without another word.
Inside the room, Jian Jia’s expression instantly turned cold.
Even Bailu, usually the quiet one, couldn’t hold back her anger. “Young Madam, what was that tone? Saying she was in poor spirits during your wedding, doesn’t that mean she’s unhappy you’re here?”
Shen Lingzhen smiled and shook her head. “You don’t need to treat her like an enemy. I actually think her open hostility is a good thing.”
“A good thing?”
“I’ve never understood why, among all the eligible noblewomen in the capital, my Royal Uncle and mother chose to marry me into the Huo family. There must be a reason, something that made me the only choice. But in these past two days, Young Master has treated me with tenderness, my mother-in-law with warmth, Second Miss with sincerity, and the servants with respect. The entire household shows no sign of anything unusual. Except for the Eldest Young Lady… I don’t know why she’s so antagonistic, but I believe someone who shows their dislike openly isn’t the worst kind of person. I wouldn’t mind getting to know her better.”
“Then who is the worst kind?”
Shen Lingzhen frowned in thought, then shook her head. “Time reveals the heart. What I’m more concerned about now is… how to get a look under Young Master’s collar.”
“…” The two maids were stunned. Shen Lingzhen had always been proper and reserved. This sudden remark was wildly out of character.
But Shen Lingzhen, preoccupied with thoughts of that scar, remained oblivious. Resting her chin on her hand, she pondered aloud: “Maybe you two could teach me how to help a man dress?”
“Young Madam, of course we can teach you. But I’m afraid you won’t be able to assist Young Master. You’ve been waking late these days, so you haven’t seen it. Every morning, it takes both Kongqing and Jingmo working together to help him dress. You simply don’t have the strength.”
That made sense. Shen Lingzhen sighed, then asked, “What about bathing? When does Young Master usually bathe?”
Since they had only served one mistress in their life, how could they refuse her? If Young Madam wanted to sneak a peek at her husband bathing, or even bathe with him, well, it was their duty to help make it happen.
Jian Jia and Bailu, both skilled in martial arts, discreetly investigated the bathing schedule and scouted the layout of the bathhouse. They returned to report:
“Young Madam, Young Master usually bathes before bed, but today he’s washing his hair, so it’s been moved earlier, to the hour of Shen[mfn]3-5pm[/mfn]. If you bring a small bronze mirror to the rear window of the bathhouse, and if all goes well, you might be able to align it with the large copper mirror inside and catch a glimpse of him through the reflection.”
Shen Lingzhen thanked them. As the hour approached, she brought a pot of freshly brewed tea and headed to Huo Liuxing’s courtyard. Sure enough, the servants told her he had just gone to bathe.
Kongqing greeted her warmly. “Young Madam, how thoughtful of you. Unfortunately, you’ve just missed him. Would you mind waiting in the study?” He ushered her in politely, then quietly excused himself.
At first, Shen Lingzhen worried the study might be guarded. But seeing how smoothly things were going, she began to hesitate.
They trusted her completely and here she was, scheming something so underhanded. Her conscience stirred uneasily.
Seeing her falter, Jian Jia urged, “Young Madam, this is your chance! Don’t let it slip away!”
“Wait… just wait a little longer.” Shen Lingzhen paced the study, torn between curiosity and guilt.
Inside the bathhouse, Huo Liuxing sat in the wooden tub with his eyes closed, trying to relax. After one stick of incense had burned, he began to grow bored. Frowning, he asked Kongqing, “Where is she? The water’s going cold.”
Kongqing added another bucket of hot water and scratched his head, puzzled. “I didn’t see anyone between the study and the bathhouse. If Young Madam really meant to come, she should’ve arrived by now. Maybe she truly just came to deliver tea?”
“Then why bother asking about my bathing schedule?” Huo Liuxing exhaled deeply and closed his eyes again.
Another half-stick of incense passed. As Kongqing added a second bucket of hot water, Huo Liuxing opened his eyes once more. “Go check. Maybe she got lost.”
Kongqing grinned. “Right away, Master. You’re quite considerate.”
How could he not be? If he weren’t, with her timid little tricks, she wouldn’t even make it past the courtyard gate.
Kongqing left and returned shortly after, breathless. “Master, she’s not lost. Looks more like she’s… contemplating life in the corridor.”
“?”
“Let me show you.”
Kongqing immediately put on a forlorn expression, pacing back and forth. After a few steps, he squatted down, propped his cheeks on his hands, sighed, and shook his head. In a pinched voice, he muttered, “No… no, I can’t…”
Then he stood up again, clasped his hands behind his back, stared down at his shoes, and began kicking at imaginary pebbles, all while pacing with a furrowed brow.
“…” Huo Liuxing banged his elbow against the edge of the tub with a loud thud, scraping off a bit of skin.
He raised a hand to stop Kongqing. “Enough.” A grown man acting like that was just… unsettling.
Kongqing cleared his throat. “Honestly, Master, Young Madam seems genuinely innocent. Between husband and wife, there should be no barriers. It’s just a peek at your bath, and yet she’s hesitating this much.”
“Ridiculous. If she were truly innocent, why would she try to sneak a look at me bathing?” Huo Liuxing shot him a glance, then fell silent. After a moment, he frowned and said, “Fine. I’m tired of waiting. Give her an excuse to come in. Tell her I forgot my clothes.”
Author’s Note: Impatient Huo Liuxing: I’m a man. I’m not afraid of her. I just want to see what she’s really up to.
