"Xiaoyu, no need to explain. I understand everything." Xiao Jingxuan wore an expression that said explanations were merely excuses, heaving a heavy sigh.
Immediately after, he quickly pulled out a small oilpaper package from his sleeve and shoved it into Su Xiaoyu's arms without giving her a chance to refuse.
"This is all I can offer you as compensation for now. When I get the chance later, I'll treat you to a proper feast."
After a pause, he added, "It's still warm. Eat it quickly to replenish your energy."
Su Xiaoyu opened the oilpaper package and found two pieces of date paste cakes. They seemed freshly made, still emitting a delightful fragrance.
"Oh, right!" Xiao Jingxuan continued; "Wait for me near the small side gate in the west tomorrow at noon. I'll find a way to distract the gatekeeper and sneak you out for some relaxation. Staying cooped up in the mansion facing my eldest brother's icy expression all day is suffocating. I'll take you out for some fresh air and good food!"
Although Xiao Jingxuan was currently short on funds, he could still borrow enough from his dubious friends to treat her to a meal.
He absolutely couldn't stand watching Xiaoyu lose her vitality under his eldest brother's "torment."
"Ah? Second Young Master, is this appropriate? The Young Marquis, he…"
Su Xiaoyu tried to return the date cakes.
Go out?
She didn't dare run around recklessly with the Second Young Master again. Hadn't last time's lesson been harsh enough?
"Don't worry!" Xiao Jingxuan said; "Based on past experience, my eldest brother always stays in the mansion reviewing official documents during the Shangsi Festival every year. He won't go out."
"He doesn't have a wife, so this festival has nothing to do with him. You can come out boldly without worries."
Su Xiaoyu was speechless. She thought to herself:
Second Young Master, do you even hear what you're saying?
The Young Marquis has no wife, but do you have one yourself?
Having said this, Xiao Jingxuan seemed to be in a hurry. "Keep it quiet! Make sure my eldest brother's people don't find out. It's settled then – tomorrow at noon, at the side gate. Wait for my signal!"
Then, without giving Su Xiaoyu a chance to refuse, he vanished behind the rockery like an agile monkey, disappearing without a trace.
Su Xiaoyu stood there holding the package of pastries, completely bewildered!
What… what kind of situation was this!
Anyway, she wasn't going tomorrow.
Little did she know that this entire scene had been witnessed by Changfeng from not far away.
He had originally come to find Xiaoyu to tell her to keep tomorrow's schedule open and prepare properly.
Instead, he saw the Second Young Master appear and chatter endlessly with Su Xiaoyu.
Without hesitation, Changfeng went straight into Moyun Residence and reported this news to Xiao Jingheng.
…
The next day, as soon as Su Xiaoyu arrived at the study, she was intercepted by Changfeng waiting under the corridor.
He was holding a thick volume:
"Miss Xiaoyu, the Young Marquis has ordered that you must copy these ten pages of 'Court of Judicial Review Legal Codes' before noon today. Your handwriting must be neat without any corrections. After completing this, the Young Marquis will exceptionally permit you to leave the mansion today without remaining on duty in the courtyard."
When Su Xiaoyu heard the first part, she initially frowned.
But after hearing the second part, her eyes couldn't help but light up!
"What? I can leave the mansion after copying?"
Did this mean she could go out with the Second Young Master this time without standing him up?
She stared at the volume in Changfeng's hands. Ten pages was quite a lot, but if she worked diligently, she could definitely finish before noon.
Changfeng nodded in confirmation.
Without another word, Su Xiaoyu took the booklet and turned to leave.
Changfeng watched her bustling retreating figure, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
The Young Marquis had anticipated exactly how the young lady would react.
These ten pages of legal statutes, seemingly an assignment, were actually a "delaying tactic"—waiting until the young lady finished before springing a "surprise" on her.
Su Xiaoyu soon settled at her desk, not even pausing for a sip of water, and immediately began copying with bowed head.
To pass this trial, she poured all her energy into it, striving to make her handwriting as neat and presentable as possible.
The more she wrote, the more absorbed she became, until her wrist ached and the ink ran dry.
Occasionally glancing up at the hourglass and seeing there was still time, she would lower her head and continue copying.
The last time she had studied this diligently was the night before her college entrance exams in her previous life.
For an afternoon of freedom, she was truly giving it her all!
Soon, as the hourglass showed it was exactly noon, she wrote the final character. Letting out a long sigh of relief, she rubbed her sore wrist and gazed at her visibly improved work, a sense of accomplishment welling up inside her.
"Finally finished! Freedom, here I come!"
Delighted, she began packing her things while imagining what treats she would eat later.
By this hour, the Second Young Master should already be waiting at the West Corner Gate. She hoped she could still make it in time.
But just then, Changfeng suddenly appeared at the doorway.
"Miss Xiaoyu? Have you finished copying?"
"Finished, all finished!"
Su Xiaoyu hurriedly handed over the stack of copied papers, watching Changfeng eagerly as she waited for his nod of approval to leave.
However, Changfeng only skimmed through a few pages briefly, confirming the handwriting was neat and the page count correct, before nodding:
"You've worked hard, Miss. In that case, please come with me."
"Ah? Where to?" Su Xiaoyu was dumbfounded!
Hadn't they said that once she finished copying, she could leave the estate for the afternoon?
Changfeng wore an appropriately "puzzled" expression as he explained, "Naturally, to leave the estate. The Young Marquis's carriage is already waiting outside. Please make haste, Miss Xiaoyu."
"Ah? The Young Marquis?"
Su Xiaoyu's eyes widened into perfect circles, her heart sinking instantly.
"Wait, Brother Changfeng, wasn't it agreed that after copying, I could leave the estate on my own?"
Changfeng adopted an 'you've misunderstood' expression and said solemnly, "Miss Xiaoyu, the Young Marquis only instructed that you may leave the estate after finishing the copying. He never promised you could go alone. It so happens that the Young Marquis is going out today, so he ordered that if you completed your lessons on time, I should bring you along in his carriage."
Su Xiaoyu: "!!!"
Why did she feel like she had fallen into an elaborately set trap?
And she had copied until her hand ached…
"Um… Brother Changfeng, c-can I go inform the Second Young Master first? I promised him…"
"That won't do!" Changfeng said sternly.
"The Young Marquis is already waiting in the carriage. If we delay… Moreover, I heard the Second Young Master was assigned a task by Madam and left the city early this morning. He isn't in the estate right now."
Xiao Jingxuan was indeed not in the estate—at that very moment, he was being forced by Wu Bai to sort through mountains of letters in the document archive, lamenting loudly.
Hearing this, Su Xiaoyu's heart sank completely.
The Second Young Master wasn't here, and she couldn't keep the Young Marquis waiting.
It seemed this trip with the Young Marquis was unavoidable.
Feeling somewhat restrained, she followed Changfeng toward the exit, repeating to herself for the hundredth time that she must sit in the front of the carriage later.
She absolutely would not enter the carriage compartment.
Outside the mansion gate, the luxurious carriage symbolizing power and status stood quietly parked.
The carriage curtains hung low, obscuring the view of the person inside, yet inexplicably emanating a palpitation-inducing pressure.
Before Changfeng could speak, Su Xiaoyu took the initiative to say:
"Brother Changfeng, I'll ride up front with you!"
"Don't worry, I'm dressed warmly today and haven't had any alcohol – I'm not afraid of the wind!"