“Y-Your Lordship? Why are you here?” Xie Zhi stammered, her pale face drained of color from fright, and with her clothes soaked through, she looked utterly pitiful.
“What, are you disappointed to see me?”
“I… I’m not…” Xie Zhi was at a loss for words, unable to comprehend why the one who had saved her was him.
When she looked up again, she saw his expression dark and clouded with barely concealed anger.
He probably hadn’t expected it to be her either.
Xie Zhi didn’t know what he was angry about. Since he disliked her so much, could it be that he regretted saving her?
Before she could think further, Pei Du stood up, instructed her to stay where she was and not move, then turned and left without looking back.
Not long after, Nanny Zhou arrived with a thick cloak. Seeing Xie Zhi drenched from head to toe, she hurriedly draped it over her, complaining, “What happened to you?”
Ignoring her words, Xie Zhi quickly grabbed Nanny Zhou and headed back toward the original spot. “Nanny, let’s not talk about that now. Come with me to the front!”
Regardless of the truth, what she needed to do now was to distance herself from that mother and son pair, lest they try to pin the blame on her.
…
“Li Chun, what happened?”
Supported by Nanny Zhou, Xie Zhi saw the maidservant by the lake exclaim in surprise. She explained that she had accidentally fallen into the water earlier and was fortunate to have encountered Nanny Zhou on the other side, who had rescued her.
“So that’s what happened. You truly are very lucky.” Seeing that their plan had failed, the old woman surnamed Zhang forced a smile and offered congratulations.
“Alright, everyone disperse now. Miss Li Chun, Old Madam wishes to see you,” Nanny Zhou said.
Old Madam was leaving for the southern suburbs tomorrow. Why would she summon her so suddenly before her departure?
Unable to make sense of it, Xie Zhi changed into dry clothes and followed Nanny Zhou to Chunhuiyuan.
…
“Li Chun, how have you been these days at Guanxuelou?”
“Thank you for your concern, Old Madam. This servant has been well.”
Xie Zhi smiled faintly, the dimples at the corners of her lips appearing, making her look clever and endearing.
Old Madam set down her teacup and patted her head affectionately. “You fell into the water today. Make sure to drink a bowl of ginger soup before you sleep tonight to avoid catching a chill tomorrow.”
Her gentle tone brought a sudden dampness to Xie Zhi’s eyes.
Thinking of the situation after her departure following today’s failed plan, Xie Zhi felt a wave of sorrow.
Her eyes reddened slightly as she murmured:
“Old Madam, please take me with you. I am willing to serve you for the rest of my life.”
“Silly child, the Buddhist temple is a cold and austere place. What would you do there? Go back and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be a fine day.”
As she spoke, Old Madam seemed to grow drowsy, her voice slowing and her eyes beginning to close.
“Miss Li Chun, it’s already late at night. Old Madam needs to rest. You may return now,” Nanny Zhou signaled from the side.
Knowing Old Madam’s routine, Xie Zhi didn’t want to disturb her further. She bowed and took her leave.
Once she was gone, Nanny Zhou helped Old Madam to her feet and escorted her to the inner chamber.
“Old Madam, why didn’t you tell her directly that tonight Shizi agreed to let her serve at Yangshantai?”
“Let her have a good night’s sleep. She’ll find out tomorrow naturally.”
Old Madam’s expression grew distant as she recalled her evening stroll in the garden, where she had encountered the Third Young Master interrogating a pageboy—
But when she asked about it, the Third Young Master had said nothing, hastily brushing the matter aside and changing the subject.
“By the way, that pageboy was from Guanxuelou, wasn’t he? I remember Li Chun is also at Guanxuelou. Speaking of which, she has quite a connection with you.”
“What did Grandmother wish to say?”
“Nothing much. When she served by my side, she was quite deft at pouring tea and water. The attendants around you are all burly guards. If you hadn’t always been unwilling, I would have very much liked to have her…”
“She wasn’t originally anyone of importance, but since Grandmother has spoken, let her handle sweeping and cleaning duties in my courtyard.”
Old Madam and Nanny Zhou exchanged surprised glances upon hearing this, seeing disbelief in each other’s eyes—had he actually agreed this time?
…
Not long after returning, the young page from earlier in the day came seeking her out, tearfully telling Xie Zhi everything.
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhi’s hand holding the teacup trembled, splashing hot water everywhere as the porcelain shattered into pieces.
She felt the chill from earlier in the lake resurface, spreading an icy coldness throughout her body.
So… so that was how it was…
Her token had never reached Pei Hong; it had been intercepted midway by Pei Du.
Pei Du had known all along.
No wonder it was Pei Du who appeared at Xingbohu tonight—he had come to expose her from the start.
As for saving her, that had merely been an unintended act.
Perhaps tomorrow he would come to settle accounts with her.
“Elder Sister Li Chun, did I say something wrong…”
“No, it has nothing to do with you. Hurry back to your room and rest. If children stay up late, they won’t grow tall.”
Xie Zhi patted his head and sent him back to his room.
When she returned, her steps felt unsteady, her head heavy and feet light. Supporting herself as she entered the room and sat down, the dizziness only intensified.
She touched her forehead—it felt somewhat feverish.
She must have caught a chill.
But Xie Zhi had no time to dwell on such matters. What would happen tomorrow hung over her heart like a suspended blade.
Once Old Madam left, each day would bring either being forced by Yuyang to marry Shuangfu or facing Pei Du’s reckoning.
A headache gripped Xie Zhi. She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
In the third watch of the night, she abruptly sat up in bed, shook her dizzy head, threw off the covers, and got up.
No, she couldn’t just wait passively.
Xie Zhi quickly gathered some valuables and, under cover of darkness, left Guanxuelou, heading toward the carriage house.
Old Madam’s journey would last over two months, and all luggage had been prepared in advance, loaded into the carriages for the trip.
She only needed to hide in one of the carriages under the cover of night and follow Old Madam’s convoy out of the city tomorrow to escape this calamity.
Once they reached Ciensi, she could at worst plead with Old Madam again.
She and Old Madam shared some affection; perhaps she wouldn’t force her to return to the estate.
As for what came after, she would cross that bridge when she came to it.
Thinking this, Xie Zhi unconsciously quickened her pace.
But as she walked, her steps grew increasingly unsteady and weak, the burning sensation in her body intensifying.
It’ll be better by tomorrow… it’ll be better by tomorrow…
She comforted herself this way.
Reaching the lotus pond, she momentarily lost her balance and stumbled onto the gravel path.
Sharp pain shot through her. Lifting her hand, she saw blood already spreading across her palm.
Xee Zhi felt she had reached the peak of wretchedness today. Just as she tried to rise, a cold voice came from above—
“Where are you going?”
The high fever muddled Xie Zhi’s mind. She looked up dazedly and saw a man in dark robes standing before her, his tone sounding rather displeased.
“M-my lord?”
“What are you sneaking around for? Planning to flee?”
“Not at all,” Xie Zhi mumbled dizzily. “I’m not.”
Pei Du glanced at Changming, who understood his intention and stepped forward to pick up Xie Zhi’s bundle, handing it to Pei Du.
Pei Du shook the bundle open with his large hand, scattering the gold, silver, and valuables inside all over the ground.
“Still trying to deny it?”