Just as I was leaving Guanxuelou, I suddenly remembered some drafts I had casually sketched earlier. Thinking I could bring them along on my trip to the outer courtyard, I turned back to fetch them.
Since my manuscript lacked a cover and Junzhu Yuyang hadn’t examined it closely, this precious ancient text was inadvertently preserved through sheer coincidence.
Carrying the valuable scroll, Xie Zhi arrived at Ninghuiyuan with a heavy heart.
After standing briefly in the corridor outside, a maid lifted the curtain and entered, saying:
“Miss, please follow me.”
Xie Zhi thanked her and then entered the inner chamber, stepping behind the screen.
In the small hall, a table was set with dishes. Lady Yang of the third branch sat at the table with her two daughters, though they had yet to begin their evening meal.
“Madam, the master went straight to Concubine Su’s quarters as soon as he returned from the palace. It seems he won’t be coming today.”
Just as Xie Zhi was about to step forward, an elderly maidservant dressed in bright clothing hurried in from outside and spoke before Lady Yang.
“I understand. Zhaoyin, Xuanyin, let’s eat.” Upon hearing this, Lady Yang’s expression remained unchanged as she glanced at her two daughters.
The sound of eating echoed from the table, and the maid who had brought Xie Zhi dared not interrupt. The two of them stood in place for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn before finally hearing the sound of tea being sipped from the inner hall.
The maid beside Xie Zhi then led her forward. After explaining her purpose to Lady Yang, she presented the scroll in her hands.
Lady Yang cherished books even more than her husband. Having been unwell for the past two days, she had only just mustered the energy to dine with her daughters today. Yet, upon seeing the tattered scroll before her, she immediately flew into a rage.
“What is the meaning of this? Are the people in Guanxuelou all useless?”
Xie Zhi hurriedly apologized and explained the situation.
Lady Yang appeared to be around forty years old, with a slender face and deeply sunken eyes. The dark mole on her right cheek made her appear even more severe.
It was hard to imagine how such a strict mother could tolerate her son, Pei Hong, who was often entangled in romantic affairs.
“The rest can be overlooked, but this Classic of Navigation is an ancient text passed down from the Yin Dynasty. You—all of you—have absolutely no sense of propriety!”
Lady Yang coughed violently in her anger, and a maid promptly brought her medicinal broth. Pei Zhaoyin hurriedly said, “Mother, please calm down. Don’t let this harm your health.”
Xie Zhi waited until her anger had subsided before speaking, “If Madam does not mind, this servant is willing to atone for her mistake.”
“No need. Someone, drag her out and give her twenty strokes with the rod. With such a frivolous and alluring appearance, she must be one who shirks her duties and schemes all day.”
Lady Yang glanced at her dismissively and waved her hand.
Two stout, broad-shouldered matrons immediately entered from outside to drag Xie Zhi away.
Stumbling as she was pulled, Xie Zhi fell to the ground and quickly pleaded:
“Madam, in my spare time, I’ve made many book covers from cotton cloth. If Madam does not mind, please allow me to fetch them and try them out.”
For a long while, there was no response. Just as Xie Zhi thought she could not escape this punishment, Pei Zhaoyin suddenly spoke from above, “What is a book cover? It sounds quite interesting. Mother, why not let her go and fetch them?”
Xie Zhi looked up and saw her smiling warmly at her.
…
It was only after the pale green plum blossom book cover perfectly encased the damaged Classic of Navigation that Lady Yang’s expression softened slightly.
“Mother, this little maid’s hands are truly skillful. Not only does the book look more beautiful now, but we also don’t have to worry about further damage.”
Pei Zhaoyin picked up the book and examined it, then turned to Xie Zhi and asked, “What is your name? Can you make more of these? Send them to me another day.”
“Replying to Second Young Miss, this servant is named Li Chun. If the young lady does not mind, this servant will make the book covers and deliver them another day.”
Upon hearing this, Pei Zhaoyin raised her eyebrows and cheerfully tugged at Madam Yang’s sleeve, saying,
“Mother, please don’t punish her. I’m still waiting for her to make things for me!”
Madam Yang, while instructing someone to take Pei Xuanyin away to play, walked helplessly toward the inner chamber, coughing twice as she said,
“I truly don’t know how I gave birth to you and your brother—each more troublesome than the last!”
…
As night fell, Xie Zhi left Ninghuiyuan and made her way to a secluded garden in the front courtyard. Though this season lacked clusters of blooming flowers, the lush greenery and winding vines offered a unique charm.
Inside the pavilion, two young women sat side by side. One gazed at the sky and sighed,
“Li Chun, if I can’t deliver the manuscript to Huizhenguan tomorrow, I won’t receive this month’s payment.”
Xie Zhi sat beside her but did not share her sorrow. “It’s alright, Qingyi. I can replicate this issue’s manuscript in at most three days. Once I receive the payment, I’ll treat you to the Queen Mother’s Rice at Bailingguan. How does that sound?”
Qingyi smiled. “Deal. Then let’s meet at the usual spot in three days. I’ll deliver it for you the next time I go out for supplies.”
Hearing this, Xie Zhi suddenly remembered something, and her expression dimmed.
Noticing her demeanor, Qingyi waved a hand in front of her face and asked curiously,
“Li Chun? Why do you seem distracted?”
Seeing Qingyi’s innocent expression, Xie Zhi was reminded of her own solitude. In this vast estate, only Qingyi, whom she had met by chance, was willing to keep her company. After a moment’s hesitation, she told Qingyi about what Yuyang had said.
“What? How can Xianzhu bully others like this? I’ve seen that groom once—his face was covered in pockmarks!”
Qingyi looked utterly astonished.
“Perhaps Xianzhu was just speaking thoughtlessly. At worst, I’ll beg Old Madam in a few days to let me accompany her to the temple and hide there for a while.”
“If you ask me, that’s no solution. With Xianzhu’s temperament, she likely won’t let you off easily. You should think of a way to resolve this once and for all.”
“Qingyi, I don’t quite understand.”
“Li Chun, with such beauty, are you willing to remain a servant for the rest of your life? Didn’t you say you saw Wulang today? He…”
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhi’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
…
“These book covers are truly exquisite, Li Chun. You’ve put great care into them.” Pei Zhaoyin smiled as she picked up a book cover and showed it to Pei Xuanyin, who was playing with a rattle on the nearby couch. “Ninth Sister, look, isn’t this interesting?”
Pei Xuanyin was only three years old and still spoke haltingly. Seeing the novel object, she reached out with her small hands, babbling incoherently, which amused Pei Zhaoyin greatly.
“What are you talking about? So cheerful.”
A clear, bright voice reached their ears. Pei Zhaoyin, who had been sitting in front of Xie Zhi, quickly rose and called toward the door, “Elder Brother is here.”
Xie Zhi also bowed with the other maids. When she secretly glanced up, she noticed that Pei Hong’s handsome face bore marks of injury.
Pei Zhaoyin clearly saw it too. She hurried forward to examine the three scratch marks on Pei Hong’s right cheek.
“Elder Brother, have you been arguing with those concubines in your quarters again?”
Pei Hong sneered briefly.
“Hmph, they wouldn’t dare. It’s that woman Liniang from outside. Unable to enter the estate, she causes endless trouble day after day!”
The movement of his face as he spoke tugged at his injuries, sending a sharp pain through him. He urged Xie Zhi, who was closest to him:
“Hurry and fetch the medicine kit!”
Xie Zhi froze for a moment, took two steps, but amid the clamor, Pei Hong’s voice rang out again from behind, “Stop!”