“Ahem, put your clothes on first…”
“Young Marquis, I was wrong. Please have mercy.”
“Alright, I promise I’ll let Sun Yu off this time.”
He stepped forward, picked up the robe on the floor, and draped it over Zhao Xue’s shoulders. His hand brushed against her soft chest intentionally or not, sending a shiver through both of them.
Zhao Xue instinctively stepped back, but afraid of angering him, she nervously asked, “You really won’t make things difficult for Brother Sun Yu?”
“Really. But if you don’t get dressed now, I might change my mind.”
He was afraid that if he kept looking, he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back and would pounce on her. This wasn’t his past life—he was now the Young Marquis. For someone like him, pushing down a maid wasn’t even a big deal. When someone loses restraint, human nature cannot withstand temptation.
Zhao Xue hurriedly dressed in front of him. The Young Marquis stared even harder. Once she was dressed, she bit her lips in shame and knelt down.
“Please punish me, Young Marquis.”
A girl with such a strong character, willing to die rather than submit, yet able to sacrifice herself for the one she loves… he couldn’t help but see her in a new light. He thought about finding an excuse to release her later and asked, “There’s no need to punish you. Tell me, why did you steal the Jade Buddha?”
Zhao Xue lowered her head and said, “Brother Sun Yu is going to the capital to take the exam. He didn’t have money for the journey…”
“Hmph, you’re truly devoted to that penniless scholar,” he said, snorting jealously.
“Please punish me, Young Marquis.”
“Forget it. I won’t pursue the matter further, but there mustn’t be a next time.”
“This servant knows her mistake. I won’t dare again…”
Now she called herself a servant? And didn’t dare to curse him anymore?
Looking at Zhao Xue’s obedient posture, the Young Marquis smiled with satisfaction. “Go back.”
“You… you’re letting me go?”
Zhao Xue looked up in disbelief.
“What? You want to stay and warm my bed?”
“This servant takes her leave.”
Zhao Xue stood and fled the room in a panic. At the doorway, Honglian watched Zhao Xue run out in disheveled clothes, wiping tears from her face. A trace of confusion flashed in her eyes.
So fast? she thought, blushing.
Ji Huaian felt the room was stuffy, so he stepped out to get some fresh air. Just outside the room, he saw Honglian standing there in a daze. The glow of the sunset fell on her handsome features, exuding a valiant beauty.
“Ahem!” he coughed lightly to get her attention.
“Young Master…” Honglian snapped out of it. Seeing the Young Marquis staring at her, her cheeks turned even redder.
“What are you spacing out for?”
“Nothing…” Honglian peeked at him and said, “Congratulations, Young Master, for getting what you wanted.” Get faster updates on g.com.
Ji Huaian staggered and nearly tripped. “What getting what I wanted? That didn’t happen.”
“Young Master, Honglian won’t tell anyone.”
“…” Ji Huaian was speechless. He knew there was no explaining this and didn’t bother to try. He looked up at the beautiful sunset and stretched.
“If Young Master is tired, you should rest early.”
“…” He looked at Honglian, wanting to bite this mischievous girl.
Just then, a maid entered the courtyard and quickly walked over. “Young Master, Sister Honglian.”
When he saw who it was, Ji Huaian paused. It was A Xiu, the maid who had nearly been falsely accused earlier.
“A Xiu, why are you here?” he asked.
“Replying to Young Master, Third Aunt sent me to serve in the eastern wing courtyard,” A Xiu said with a flushed face.
Ji Huaian was both amused and exasperated. He had only touched her hand, taken a little advantage, and now that old hag had clearly misunderstood. It seemed in any world, as long as you held power and status, you didn’t need to say anything—those around you would observe and arrange everything on your behalf.
A life of power really was delightful… he sighed inwardly.
A Xiu was indeed beautiful and pleasant to look at. Among the maids, she stood out. Keeping her around to please the eye wasn’t a bad idea.
“Did I do something wrong, Young Master?” the young maid asked nervously, seeing him stare silently.
“Young Master just thinks you’re pretty. No need to be nervous,” he smiled, then turned to Honglian. “Arrange a room for A Xiu.”
“Yes, Young Master. A Xiu, come with me…”
Honglian led A Xiu away.
The eastern wing courtyard was large. Aside from him and Honglian, there were already seven or eight maids. Now there was one more.
At dinner, whether by Honglian’s arrangement or not, A Xiu served at his side. The dishes were all heavy in tonics. After eating, Ji Huaian felt his whole body heat up.
At night, after Honglian helped him bathe and brought him to bed, she asked, “Young Master, do you want A Xiu to come serve you?”
“No need.”
“That’s good. Young Master’s body… shouldn’t be overexerted.”
“Damn girl, my body is just fine!” he gritted his teeth, furious enough to want to drag Honglian into bed right there, but remembering the sword hidden up her sleeve, he had to hold back.
“Young Master, rest well. This servant takes her leave.”
Honglian suppressed a giggle and left for the next room.
The next morning, just before dawn, Ji Huaian woke up. Honglian wasn’t by the bed. He heard faint sounds from the courtyard. Quietly getting up, he stepped outside.
Under the dim morning light, a slender figure was practicing swordsmanship. The sword light gleamed, her movements agile and graceful. She was stunning. He couldn’t look away.
After finishing the sequence, Honglian stood still, withdrawing her sword. She suddenly noticed the Young Marquis and rushed over.
“Young Master, did I disturb your rest?”
“No, I woke early.”
“Young Master, come in. I’ll help you dress.”
They returned to the room. Honglian helped him out of his night robe and into his brocade clothes. Ji Huaian spread his arms and noticed sweat on her forehead. He couldn’t help but reach out and gently wipe it.
Honglian’s delicate body trembled slightly in nervousness, but thankfully he only wiped her sweat and didn’t go further.
After breakfast, he had nothing to do and went out again with Honglian. On the way, he repaid the silver to Renhe Pawnshop.
Shopkeeper Hu was stunned that the Young Marquis would bring the money back himself and didn’t believe it was real. Even after Ji Huaian and Honglian left, he was still staring at the silver notes on the table, suspecting they were fake.
…
On the bustling street, the two strolled at a leisurely pace. When they reached a fabric shop, a row of beautiful dresses was displayed outside.
Ji Huaian noticed Honglian staring at a red dress, momentarily lost in thought.
“I’m in a good mood today. Whatever you want, I’ll buy it for you.”
Honglian snapped out of it and shook her head. “No need. I don’t lack anything.”
“You’ve been doing well lately. I’m happy, so I want to reward you.”
He walked over, picked up the red dress, and said, “How about this one? Seems a little big. Let’s go inside and have one custom-made. You’ll look great in it.”
He set the red dress down and pulled Honglian toward the shop.
“Young Master, I’m a servant. I can’t wear red,” Honglian said, pulling her hand back.
This was a time of imperial rule and rigid class divisions. As a servant, she could only wear plain clothing—brighter colors were forbidden. The only time she could wear red in her life would be on her wedding day.
Ji Huaian understood and gave up. He had no interest in challenging this world’s rules. Of course, she could secretly wear it inside his courtyard—as long as the old marquis and his wives didn’t see, it would be fine.
But since he was a transmigrator, it was best to keep playing the role of the frivolous Young Marquis for now. After all, his cheap father was no ordinary man, and he couldn’t afford to act too strangely.
They continued strolling, and soon reached the banks of a lake—the famous Slender West Lake of Yangzhou.
Slender West Lake was beautiful, with flowers blooming on both sides, willow branches swaying, and scenery like a painting. It was a popular spot for scholars and ladies alike.
At the moment, many men and women were out enjoying boat rides on the lake, making it lively and charming.
Unknowingly, the two of them wandered to the entrance of Zuìhuā Tower.