Fang Li helped out in the main kitchen for an entire afternoon and finally managed to gather a complete picture of the matter.
The words were passed along by the servants waiting at the door, so they weren’t entirely detailed, but one point was beyond doubt: “Da-niangzi met that young master and is very satisfied in her heart; she will eighty percent likely reject the side of the Huangchi County Magistrate’s wife.”
Fang Li relayed the news she had snooped out to Xu Zhihe.
Hearing this, Xu Zhihe was not surprised in her heart. For Madame Lü to have the Fourth Miss personally see him to the door, it could not be said she didn’t place heavy importance on him.
She fetched warm water to apply a compress to her face. The wind outside blew bitingly cold; staying indoors with the doors closed was fine, but if one went out for a stroll, having one’s face blown by the cold wind would make it prone to chapping.
“Is there any cow’s milk left over at the main kitchen?” Xu Zhihe looked at herself in the mirror and asked softly.
“There is still some. Does the Miss want to drink it? I will go bring some back for the Miss.” Fang Li immediately agreed. Taking two steps out, she turned her head back to look at Xu Zhihe and stomped her foot. “Miss, did you even take the words I just said to heart?”
Xu Zhihe nodded. “I’m listening, I’m listening. Da-niangzi is very satisfied with that young master.”
Fang Li pursed her lips and said quietly, “If that young master is truly a thousand times and ten thousand times good, the Fourth Miss will get engaged to him. If the Sixth Miss then gets together with the Magistrate’s wife’s legitimate second son, I’m afraid the Miss will suffer even more neglect in the household.”
The hand Xu Zhihe was using to hold the towel paused slightly.
Who could say for sure about things in the future?
“It’s no matter, I couldn’t possibly end up in a worse situation than I am now.” Xu Zhihe smiled, turning her head to look at her. “Good Fang Li, go get the milk first.”
Fang Li gazed at Xu Zhihe. After a long moment, she gave an acknowledgment and went to the main kitchen to ask for the milk.
Xu Zhihe placed half of it in the small brazier to warm, and soaked a silk cloth in the other half, laying it flat against the sides of her face. There was still a little left over, so Xu Zhihe took another cloth and did the exact same thing, placing it on Fang Li’s face.
Fang Li felt a slight resistance in her heart. The milk was very sticky, and having it covering her face made her entire body feel uncomfortable, but the Miss said it nourished the skin.
She had no idea where the Miss got all these strange and bizarre ideas.
“Don’t move. The weather is so cold right now. If you don’t take good care of it, when little cracks open on your face later, they will bleed.” Xu Zhihe deliberately spoke to frighten her.
Fang Li naturally did not believe it: “It won’t. At most it will be a bit red, and pressing on it will hurt a little. As long as you don’t touch it, it’s fine.”
Xu Zhihe gave her a reproachful glance, and Fang Li swallowed the rest of her words back down.
The Miss was treating her well with true and sincere intentions.
Seeing that she was no longer fussing and had finally quieted down, Xu Zhihe carefully smoothed out the cloth. She washed the milk off her hands with clean water, exposing her pale, slender fingers to warm them over the brazier.
“I know you are also worrying for me… worrying that I am only marrying a farmer’s son, and that I will be mocked by others in the future. But Fang Li, even if I married the Magistrate’s wife’s legitimate second son, would I not be subjected to eye-rolls and disdain?”
Fang Li opened her mouth but could find no words to say.
Xu Zhihe said, “If it looks glorious on the outside, but I have to suffer bitterness once I return behind closed doors, my heart would absolutely be ten million times unwilling. But marrying a farmer’s son whose heart and eyes are completely filled with you… although outsiders might gossip… what does that matter? If I live comfortably at home, where would I find the time to listen to other people’s idle gossip?”
Fang Li looked at Xu Zhihe’s warm face under the candlelight. Although the Miss was two years younger than her and her face still looked slightly immature, her manner of doing things was much steadier and more calculating.
This was very good.
If Concubine Zhang had a spirit in heaven and knew the Miss understood how to take care of herself, she would likely feel gratified.
“Miss, I understand.” Fang Li’s heart felt much more relieved. “Mouths grow on other people; living comfortably oneself is the most important thing.”
Xu Zhihe nodded. “Exactly so.”
Receiving affirmation, a smile couldn’t help but rise on Fang Li’s face. “But Miss, why him?”
Why? That day, the streets were bustling with people coming and going endlessly. Young Master Chen, wearing coarse cloth garments, hugged his books. His feet brushed against the green grass leaves, his shoes and socks dampened by the morning dew. Mingled among the peddlers and laborers, if Xu Zhihe hadn’t been paying attention, she wouldn’t have even known such a person had passed by her side.
Why was it Young Master Chen?
Xu Zhihe flipped her hand over, palm facing up, looking like a piece of smooth, flawless white jade.
Hearing Fang Li’s question, Xu Zhihe thought for a moment and said, “Excluding our first two meetings, since moving to Eqiao County, I have gone out a total of eleven times, and I encountered him five times among those. The first time we met, a barrel on a handcart nearly tipped over and crushed a child playing nearby, and he reached out to steady the wooden barrel. Later, the fifth time, he was buying a book, and an unreasonable, pestering customer came up beside him, insisting on fighting him for the book. That person wore luxurious clothes, yet he was neither humble nor arrogant; his words were gentle, but he did not yield a single inch.”
Fang Li hadn’t expected Xu Zhihe to remember so clearly. “So the Miss chose him because you valued his character?”
Xu Zhihe reached out and tapped Fang Li’s head. “Silly girl, of course one must look at character. In the first instance, he helped a child without making a fuss, treating it merely as the lifting of a finger, not even taking it to heart. From that, I knew he was a good person… with such a good person, communicating in future daily life will be much easier. Even if we do not get along, if we separate, we can preserve each other’s dignity. As for the latter instance, it showed that although the young man looks young, he can handle matters. He isn’t the type to swallow his grievances and suffer in silence just because he sees someone has power and wealth.”
Fang Li wore an expression of half-understanding. She felt a bit strange in her heart, even finding the word “separate” coming from the Miss’s mouth a bit grating to the ear… Why would the Miss say such a thing?
Xu Zhihe said, “Good Fang Li, you only need to remember: do not find someone who is only good to you in the present moment, but rather find someone who is fundamentally a good person.”
Fang Li blinked her eyes. “The Miss chose Young Master Chen because he is fundamentally a good person.”
Xu Zhihe nodded as a matter of course. “Yes, otherwise did you think it was because of that face of his?”
Fang Li nodded honestly.
“You!” Xu Zhihe reached out and tickled the back of Fang Li’s neck, then admitted, “Indeed, there is also that reason… Waking up every day to see such a face, one’s mood would naturally be much better, ah.”
The two dissolved into a fit of giggles. After finishing their playful scuffling, Xu Zhihe peeled the cloth from her face, washed her face with clean water, drank the milk, and lay down on the bed.
She still had to go to Fengsha Lake tomorrow; she needed to nourish her spirit well.
Early the next morning, without needing Fang Li to urge her, Xu Zhihe got up on her own.
Xu Zhihe dressed and sat before the bronze mirror, examining herself—her spirit after a full sleep was quite good. Her skin was fair and dewy, lacking the dull complexion that comes from sleeping late and waking early.
Very good.
She breathed a sigh of relief in her heart and called Fang Li in to comb and put up her hair, even applying a bit of osmanthus hair oil.
With a rich fragrance on her head, her attire naturally required careful selection as well. Xu Zhihe picked through the three outfits brought by Lady Tang. Fang Li desperately pressed down on the new maple-red dress, guarding it tightly behind her back like a mother cow protecting her calf, “Not this one! We agreed this one is being saved to wear for the New Year!”
Xu Zhihe originally hadn’t planned on wearing the maple-red one today anyway—it was too flashy.
But seeing Fang Li acting so seriously, she picked up the plum-green dress and said to Fang Li, “I didn’t realize our Fang Li had quite a sense of ritual.”
Fang Li: “…What?”
She didn’t understand what Xu Zhihe meant, but that didn’t stop her from tightly guarding the maple-red clothes, saying in a muffled voice, “The Miss hasn’t had new clothes to wear for the New Year for several years now. We finally have this one in a festive color; this servant naturally must save it carefully.”
Fang Li’s heart was aching for her.
Xu Zhihe fell silent for a moment, then smiled and nodded. “Alright, alright, I will listen to you in everything. Look, does this one look good?”
As she spoke, she tied the ribbons of the dress. Her pale, slender fingertips resting against the plum-green patterns looked even fairer and more delicate.
Holding this pose, she spun in a circle. The cascading layers of her hem fluttered like a blooming lotus leaf, looking fresh and ethereal.
Fang Li’s attention was drawn away, and she immediately nodded, “It looks good! The Miss is beautiful, so naturally whatever you wear is beautiful.”
It was just…
Xu Zhihe looked down at the clothes on her body. Maple-red was conspicuous, but how could this verdant green not be conspicuous as well?
Her gaze landed on the clothing rack by the head of the bed, and she pointed at it. “Match it with an autumn-colored cloak.”
The amazement in Fang Li’s eyes immediately transformed into a trace of regret.
No matter what the Miss wore, she had to be careful and cautious. This newly made outfit still needed to be covered by an autumn-colored cloak before she dared to stroll in front of Da-niangzi.
However, she only hung her head in dejection for a moment before Fang Li revived her spirits.
They had survived all these years; the future would only get better and better!
Xu Zhihe brought Fang Li outside the main hall to ask for permission to leave. Madame Lü did not summon her in directly, only sending Sun Mama out.
“Da-niangzi has permitted the Miss to go out, but she asked this old servant to remind the Miss: the sky looks gloomy and heavy, as if it is about to snow. If the Miss has no urgent matters, it is best to return early.”
Xu Zhihe bowed slightly and said to Sun Mama, “Many thanks to Mother for the reminder; Daughter understands.”
Clear frost covered the ground in front of the corridor. Xu Zhihe turned and left the main hall, her exhaled breath turning into a puff of white mist in the cold air.
As she was leaving the Xu residence, she happened to cross paths with Young Master Deng, who was arriving for a visit. For the first time, Xu Zhihe clearly saw his face head-on—
Just like his back, he was a lean, scholarly man with very gentle features.
But for some reason, Xu Zhihe felt slightly uncomfortable. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something else was surging beneath that gentleness.
Meeting face-to-face, Xu Zhihe only took a single glance before withdrawing her gaze. She offered him a slight bow in greeting and walked out of the residence without looking back.
Deng Liangyu, however, stood rooted in place and cast a glance back over his shoulder.
That girl wore an autumn-colored cloak on the outside, but the hem of her skirt trailing by her feet revealed a flash of fresh plum-green.
She was completely different from him. He wore fine brocades and luxurious garments to cover a pale, rotting interior, whereas this girl possessed gold and jade within, yet chose to conceal her brilliance on the outside.
Truly interesting.
The Fourth Miss had come out to welcome him on Madame Lü’s orders. Seeing him staring blankly out the door, completely motionless, she asked, “What is it?”
Deng Liangyu smiled faintly. “It is nothing. Yuyan, with me visiting so frequently, will your mother be displeased in her heart?”
The Fourth Miss pulled him inside, shaking her head with a smile. “How could she, how could she? My mother was even talking about you to me last night. We are only waiting for your father and mother to arrive home so we can discuss the matters of betrothal gifts and the formal proposal.”
Deng Liangyu said, “That is good. Once my mother returns from Yangzhou, I will have her come to your door to propose. Yuyan, I truly do not want to wait a single moment longer…”
The two of them joyfully entered the main hall.
…
The ground was covered with white frost, leaving a footprint with every step. Afraid of slipping, Xu Zhihe deliberately took the main street.
The morning market on the main street had already opened with roaring business. Various types of pastries, steamed buns, meat pies, and glutinous rice cakes—everything one could wish for was there. There was also sweet sugar water with candied dates placed inside, smelling so good it made one unable to resist a surge of delight.
Xu Zhihe walked slowly. When she passed by the bookstore, a sudden wave of guilty conscience washed over her heart.
This was the first time she had passed by the bookstore without going in.
In her past life… let’s just call the time before she transmigrated her ‘past life.’ During her university years, she most frequently visited a noodle shop in the cafeteria. Later, when she got busy, she opted for faster fast food… That day, the noodle shop owner had stared at her as if he had just suffered a broken heart.
A surge of guilt instantly welled up in Xu Zhihe’s heart.
Fang Li noticed Xu Zhihe’s pace suddenly quicken and asked from the side, “What’s wrong?”
Xu Zhihe snapped back to her senses, coughing lightly. “It’s nothing.”
The two walked into the pavilion by the river. The pavilion was completely empty. Fang Li supported Xu Zhihe as she sat down, then leaned in a bit closer, resting her chin on the fur collar of Xu Zhihe’s cloak. “Miss, I thought Young Master Chen would be waiting in the pavilion early.”
Xu Zhihe crossed her sleeves, hiding her hands underneath them to rub them together for warmth. But it was still freezing cold, so she brought them to her mouth and breathed out a puff of hot air, smiling as she said, “We never agreed on a specific time in the first place. Furthermore, coming all the way from Chenjia Village is a much farther journey than ours.”
Fang Li stuck out her tongue and said no more.
Before, Young Master Chen had arrived incredibly early, coming from Chenjia Village with grass leaves stained with dew clinging to his feet.
About half an incense stick’s time later, Chen Yundu appeared in their line of sight, jogging all the way. He must have clearly seen someone sitting in the pavilion, for the pace beneath his feet quickened even more.
Xu Zhihe also noticed Chen Yundu’s figure. She stood up and gazed at him from afar, a gentle smile tracing the corners of her lips.
Chen Yundu didn’t want Miss Xu to wait long, running all the way outside the pavilion in one breath. Yet his breathing wasn’t very ragged, and he only looked at her and smiled, “Miss Xu!”
Xu Zhihe walked down from the pavilion. “Why run so fast? There’s no rush.”
Of course it’s because I want to see you sooner.
Chen Yundu answered this way in his heart, but afraid of offending the young miss, he said out loud, “…I’m not tired.”
Fang Li couldn’t hold back and let out a snort of laughter. Even Xu Zhihe couldn’t help but look at him with a faint smile.
Only after Chen Yundu spoke did he realize his words were completely incongruous with her question. But fortunately, Miss Xu was not displeased. He followed suit, his eyes curving into a smile, and took out two small jars of red date and honey sweet water from his sleeves.
He gave one jar to Xu Zhihe and one jar to Fang Li.
Fang Li was somewhat surprised: “I get one too?”
Chen Yundu said, “The weather is freezing cold, yet you still have to accompany your Miss outside; this is only proper.”
Fang Li then looked at Xu Zhihe’s expression. Seeing the latter nod slightly, her heart finally relaxed. Reaching out to take the sweet water, she said to Chen Yundu, “Then on behalf of my Miss, and myself, I thank Young Master Chen.”
Chen Yundu shook his head.
Xu Zhihe, holding the warm sweet water, walked with Chen Yundu, keeping an empty space’s distance between them.
She could tell that Chen Yundu was not the talkative sort. She could also tell that for today’s meeting, Chen Yundu had specially tidied himself up. Having not yet reached the age of ruoguan, he merely used an indigo hair ribbon to tie back his long hair.
A few fine, short baby hairs were not long enough, clinging to his temples; when the wind blew, they swayed gently.
The clothes on his body also looked newly made, perfectly clean. Although they were not made of expensive fabric, they were pleasing to the eye, and one could imagine they were extremely comfortable to wear.
Xu Zhihe silently estimated Chen Yundu’s height in her heart… She herself wasn’t considered short, standing a solid one meter sixty-something, but Chen Yundu was still a full head taller than her.
He looked to be about one point eight meters tall.
T/n: The New chapter is up! Enjoy the ride and do join us on this adventure 😍🎉🎊. If you want to support me, do check my other novels on my Translator’s Page🫶. You can support the original author here. Please vote on NU here. If you’re interested, you can also buy me a Ko-Fi. Happy Reading 🤓 💅.