When Xie Zhi had left Guanxue Pavilion earlier, she suddenly remembered the drafts she had casually sketched before. Since she was already heading toward the outer courtyard, she turned back to retrieve them.
Her own manuscripts had no protective covers, and Princess Yuyang hadn’t bothered to inspect them closely. By sheer coincidence, the precious ancient volume had escaped destruction.
Holding the invaluable book tightly against her chest, Xie Zhi made her way to Ninghui Garden, her thoughts heavy all the while.
She waited quietly beneath the covered corridor until a maid lifted the curtain and called out,
“Miss, please come with me.”
Xie Zhi thanked her softly before following her into the inner chamber and around a painted screen.
A lavish dinner had already been laid out in the sitting room. Third Madam Yang sat at the table with her two daughters, yet none of them had begun eating.
“Madam, the Master went straight to Concubine Su’s quarters after returning from the palace. I’m afraid he won’t be joining you tonight.”
Just as Xie Zhi was about to step forward, an elderly nanny in bright clothing hurried inside and delivered the report to Madam Yang.
“I understand. Zhaoyin, Xuanyin, begin your meal.”
Madam Yang’s expression remained unchanged. She merely glanced at her daughters.
The sound of chopsticks and bowls soon filled the room. The maid who had brought Xie Zhi inside dared not interrupt, so the two of them waited where they stood for nearly the time it took an incense stick to burn. Only after the family had finished eating and tea was being served did they finally approach.
The maid announced Xie Zhi’s purpose and respectfully presented the damaged book.
Madam Yang treasured books even more than she treasured her own husband. She had been bedridden for the past two days, and only today had she gathered enough strength to dine with her daughters. The moment she saw the tattered ancient volume before her, her face darkened with fury.
“What happened? Are the people at Guanxue Pavilion all useless?”
Xie Zhi immediately apologized and carefully explained everything.
Madam Yang looked to be around forty years old. Her face was long and gaunt, with deeply sunken eyes, while a dark mole on her right cheek made her already severe features appear even harsher.
Xie Zhi couldn’t help wondering how such a strict woman had managed to tolerate a son like Pei Hong, whose romantic escapades were notorious.
“Everything else can be overlooked, but The Classic of Navigation is an ancient text handed down from the Yin Dynasty! You… all of you have utterly forgotten your place!”
Madam Yang coughed violently from anger. A maid hurried over with a bowl of medicinal soup while Pei Zhaoyin quickly soothed her.
“Mother, please calm down. Don’t let this upset your health.”
Only after Madam Yang’s breathing steadied did Xie Zhi speak again.
“If Madam does not despise this servant, please allow me to make amends.”
“That won’t be necessary. Someone, drag her outside and give her twenty strokes of the cane. With such a flashy face, she’s surely the lazy, scheming sort.”
Madam Yang gave her a cold glance before waving dismissively.
Two stout old servant women immediately entered and seized Xie Zhi.
She stumbled as they dragged her, falling hard onto the floor.
“Madam!”
she cried hurriedly.
“This servant has sewn many cloth book covers during my spare time. If Madam would permit it, please allow me to fetch them and try them on the damaged volume.”
Silence followed.
Just as Xie Zhi thought there was no escaping today’s punishment, Pei Zhaoyin suddenly spoke.
“What is a book cover? It sounds rather interesting. Mother, let her go get it.”
Looking up, Xie Zhi saw the young lady smiling warmly at her.
…
Only after the pale green cloth cover embroidered with ink-plum blossoms perfectly wrapped the damaged Classic of Navigation did Madam Yang’s expression soften.
“Mother, this little maid is truly skillful. Not only does the book look prettier now, but we also won’t have to worry about it being damaged again.”
Pei Zhaoyin admired the finished work before turning toward Xie Zhi.
“What’s your name? Can you make more? Bring me some another day.”
“Replying to Second Miss, this servant is named Lichun. If Miss does not mind, I shall make more book covers and deliver them to you in a few days.”
Pei Zhaoyin’s eyebrows lifted with delight. Tugging on Madam Yang’s sleeve, she laughed.
“Mother, don’t punish her anymore. I’m still waiting for her to make things for me!”
As Madam Yang instructed someone to carry the three-year-old Pei Xuanyin away to play, she walked toward the inner room with a helpless sigh, coughing twice.
“I truly don’t know how I gave birth to you and your brother. Neither of you causes me a moment’s peace.”
…
Night had already fallen.
After leaving Ninghui Garden, Xie Zhi went alone to a secluded garden in the front courtyard. Though flowers were scarce this season, lush vines and evergreen shrubs still lent the place a quiet beauty.
Inside a pavilion, two young women sat side by side.
One gazed up at the night sky and sighed.
“Lichun, I won’t be able to deliver my drawings to Huizhen Studio tomorrow. That means I’ll lose this month’s payment.”
Sitting beside her, Xie Zhi was far less discouraged.
“It’s all right, Qingyi. At most, it’ll take me three days to recreate this month’s illustrations. Once I receive the payment, I’ll treat you to the Queen Mother’s Feast at Bailing Restaurant. Deal?”
Qingyi laughed.
“Deal! Then let’s meet at our usual place three days from now. The next time I’m sent out to purchase supplies, I’ll deliver them for you.”
Hearing this, Xie Zhi suddenly remembered something, and the light in her eyes dimmed.
Seeing her absent-minded expression, Qingyi waved a hand in front of her face.
“Lichun? Why are you so distracted?”
Looking at Qingyi’s innocent face, Xie Zhi suddenly realized that in this enormous manor, she had no one but this chance acquaintance willing to speak with her.
After a brief hesitation, she told Qingyi everything Princess Yuyang had said.
“What? How can the Princess bully people like that? I’ve seen that coachman before—his face is covered with pockmarks!”
Qingyi exclaimed in disbelief.
“Perhaps she only said it casually. At worst, I’ll ask the Old Madam to let me accompany her to the temple in a few days and hide there for a while.”
“I don’t think that’ll solve anything,” Qingyi replied, shaking her head. “With the Princess’s temperament, she won’t let you off so easily. You should think of a permanent solution.”
“Lichun, I don’t understand.”
“Lichun, with beauty like yours, are you really willing to remain a servant for the rest of your life? Didn’t you say you met Fifth Young Master today? He…”
At those words, Xie Zhi’s heart skipped a beat.
…
“These book covers are exquisitely made. Lichun, you’ve put your heart into them.”
Pei Zhaoyin smiled as she picked up one of the cloth covers before showing it to little Pei Xuanyin, who was lying on the couch happily shaking a rattle.
“Ninth Sister, look. Isn’t it fun?”
Only three years old, Pei Xuanyin still spoke with an adorable lisp. Seeing the colorful new object, she eagerly reached out with her tiny hands, babbling incoherently, making Pei Zhaoyin burst into laughter.
“What are you talking about that’s making everyone so happy?”
A clear, cheerful male voice sounded from outside.
Pei Zhaoyin immediately rose to greet the newcomer.
“Brother, you’re here.”
Xie Zhi bowed along with the other maids. As she secretly raised her eyes, she noticed several fresh scratches marring Pei Hong’s handsome face.
Pei Zhaoyin saw them as well. She hurried over and examined the three claw marks on his right cheek.
“Brother, did you quarrel with the concubines in your quarters again?”
Pei Hong let out a cold laugh.
“Hmph. They wouldn’t dare. It’s that Liniang outside the manor again. She can’t get into the household, so she makes a scene every single day.”
Speaking aggravated the wounds on his face, causing them to sting. Frowning, he barked at the nearest maid—Xie Zhi.
“Go fetch the medicine chest. Now!”
Startled, Xie Zhi had barely taken two steps when, amid the surrounding commotion, Pei Hong’s voice rang out behind her once more.
“Stop!”