Since she had taken refuge in Duke Cheng’s household, she should have anticipated this matter long ago. She had lost both parents, and as her elder, her aunt naturally held the authority to decide her marriage. But what sort of man would her aunt choose for her?
Xu Shuyao felt troubled. Her younger brother was still small, and she herself was not yet ready to marry. After hesitating for a while, she feigned shyness and said, “Shuyao is in no hurry. Besides, I am still in mourning…”
Madam Chen cut her off, patting Xu Shuyao’s hand. “No need to explain. Your aunt would never let you suffer a loss.”
In Madam Chen’s eyes, with Xu Shuyao’s status, marrying Xiao Jinrong would hardly be considered a disadvantage.
Just as she herself, once a maiden, had profited greatly by marrying the second master Xiao—even if he was a widower born of a concubine. The gates of Duke Cheng’s mansion were not something just anyone could enter. It was only because her own kin were few, with only this obedient niece at her side, that such a fine opportunity had fallen to her.
Seeing Madam Chen’s confident expression, Xu Shuyao’s heart thumped uneasily. But there was nothing she could do. She could only comfort herself: she was still in her mourning period. Even if her aunt intended to arrange her marriage, there were still months to go. She need not act as though facing a dire threat just yet.
Suppressing the unease in her eyes, Xu Shuyao obediently said, “I must trouble Aunt to take care of me.”
Madam Chen was pleased with her tact and smiled. “That’s better. I would never harm you. I only wanted to give you a hint, so you girls don’t waste time brooding over nothing.”
After chatting a while longer, Madam Chen dismissed her.
Xu Shuyao walked back to Jiyun Hall in silence, two maids trailing behind.
Huixiang could not understand why her mistress looked so glum after leaving Jinhua Hall. Wasn’t it a good thing for the second madam to be considering her marriage?
Having served Xu Shuyao for so long, she knew better than to pry, though she felt puzzled.
Qiaowei, however, was sharper and had lived in the household long enough to see through things. Every so often, the second madam summoned her and Yuzhu to ask about life in Jiyun Hall, down to the smallest detail. At first, they thought she truly cared for her niece and even mentioned some daily inconveniences. But after several times, when nothing changed in Jinhua Hall, they realized belatedly: perhaps the second madam’s questions were not concerned, but surveillance.
As maids bound to the Duke’s household, with their contracts in Madam Chen’s hands, Qiaowei naturally never revealed this suspicion to Xu Shuyao. She simply kept her guard up, reporting only trivial matters of daily routine. Her instincts told her not to betray Xu Shuyao. After two years of observation, she had grown fond of this cousin.
Xu Shuyao was neither meddlesome nor harsh with servants. Even knowing Madam Chen summoned them behind her back, she never asked questions.
Qiaowei knew Xu Shuyao was clever. She preserved everyone’s dignity, allowing her and Yuzhu to live peacefully in Jiyun Hall.
Qiaowei cherished these two quiet years, unlike in Jinhua Hall, where she had to watch her dress and expression constantly, never daring to catch the second master’s eye—even unintentionally. Whenever he came to Jinhua Hall, she had to slip away at once. She would never forget the time he asked her a single question, and the second madam’s gaze turned upon her, cold as ice.
Later, it was only when one of the older maids reminded her that she realized what mistake she had made. From then on, she became the most inconspicuous servant in Jinhua Hall—until two years ago, when she was sent to Jiyun Hall.
But after today, Qiaowei sensed that this fragile balance might soon be broken.
The second madam and the young lady seemed close, but surely the one in Jinhua Hall was holding back some hidden move.
And as for herself, what should she do?
With a bitter twist of her damp palms, she heard Huixiang whisper beside her: “That looks like the Fourth Young Master.”
Following Huixiang’s gaze, Qiaowei indeed saw Fourth Young Master Xiao Jinwen standing not far away, his eyes faintly resting on the young lady. But when she looked at Xu Shuyao, the girl kept her head down, walking on without the slightest awareness of her surroundings.
Huixiang was about to speak again, but Qiaowei stopped her with a glance. If she hadn’t noticed, then let it be. Why stir up trouble?
Over the past two years, Qiaowei had seen clearly how the Fourth Young Master had grown attentive toward those in Jiyun Hall. The young lady seemed to sense it too, and did her best to avoid him.
Huixiang was simply too naïve.
In truth, Xu Shuyao hadn’t noticed at all. She was still brooding over her aunt’s words in Jinhua Hall, her mind in turmoil.
Xiao Jinwen watched as that figure in pale apricot robes walked away, head bowed, ignoring everything around her, including him. He felt a flicker of disappointment—but only a flicker. Because of Xu Shuheng, he had often interacted with this cousin from the Xu family. She cared for her younger brother in every way, yet beyond him seemed indifferent to all else.
Always polite, always distant.
As a son of Duke Cheng’s household, Xiao Jinwen was known for his gentle manners. So helping her look after her brother at the clan school was nothing unusual, and he was glad to do it.
After all, people instinctively pity the weak. Yet while helping the siblings, some other, unspoken feeling had begun to stir in his heart. Like that time—he could have handed the notes directly to Xu Shuheng, but instead had his servant summon her. Watching her run to him, hair damp with sweat, he had felt a quiet pleasure. Though later he realized she had only been worried for her brother.
Now, gazing at the spot where her figure had vanished, Xiao Jinwen gave a helpless smile and said to his servant, “Let’s go.”
At the same time, Madam Chen summoned Xu Shuyao, and Madam Liu also called for her own son. He lived in the outer quarters and had just secured a post, returning only recently.
When Xiao Jinwen arrived at Madam Liu’s courtyard, the maids were already waiting outside. Seeing him, they blushed and bowed. “Greetings to the Fourth Young Master!”
Xiao Jinwen was always gentle as jade. Many of the maids in Madam Liu’s quarters had secretly admired him. After all, not every young lord of the Duke’s household had such a kind disposition.
Take the Fifth Young Master—he loathed being looked at by maids, and whenever he came to Madam Liu’s courtyard, he was loud and rough.
How different from the Fourth Young Master, whose smile was warm and whose manner remained courteous even to the lowliest servant.