Xu Yu froze.
Just now he had said she wouldn't take the bait, and now he was having them keep watch through the night? Was the lord's memory really that poor?
No, surely not. Perhaps he had other plans?
"Yes," she answered softly, slipping quietly out of the study and walking over to Qin Rusu. She lowered her voice. "The lord has told us to keep watch outside his door tonight, and to attend to his dressing and washing first thing tomorrow morning."
Qin Rusu looked somewhat surprised. "Why would he suddenly give such an order?"
Xu Yu shook her head. "I'm not quite sure either. The lord brought it up just now, out of the blue."
"Well, no matter. Since the lord has given the order, we should serve him with all our hearts—besides, it's a good thing." Qin Rusu glanced left and right, then tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "I know you're unwilling to do that sort of thing—climbing the dragon and attaching to the phoenix. So, could you let me attend to the lord's dressing tomorrow morning?"
Xu Yu was taken aback.
Qin Rusu pressed on. "What is it? Is there some difficulty?"
Xu Yu shook her head quickly. "No, it's just that everything depends on the lord's arrangements. Whatever we decide privately between us won't count for anything."
"If the lord doesn't arrange anything, could you yield to me?"
"Of—of course. If the lord doesn't arrange anything, then you may serve him."
Qin Rusu smiled and hugged her arm, delighted. "Xu Yu, thank you. If I'm fortunate enough to become the lord's bed companion, whatever you need, just come to me—I'll grant it all."
She smiled awkwardly. "All right…"
"You're so generous. From now on, we'll be good sisters. I don't even know your age yet—should I call you elder sister or younger sister? I'm seventeen this year, turning eighteen next year. And you?"
She lowered her eyes, unable to feel happy, and answered quietly, "I'm sixteen this year, seventeen next year."
"Then I'll call you little sister from now on!" Qin Rusu took her arm generously, smiling. "Tell me, if I win the lord's favor, do you think he'll take me back to the capital? I've never been to the capital."
Xu Yu wasn't in the mood for such intimacy and answered offhandedly, "I've never been either."
"They say the capital is terribly prosperous. It would be wonderful if I could go there someday, live in one of those grand estates—then my children would never have to be slaves or servants."
"Mm…"
Qin Rusu stopped and frowned at her. "Why do you look so preoccupied? Did the lord say something to you? Or are you unhappy that I want to get close to the lord?"
She shook her head hurriedly. "No, I don't think that at all."
"There's no need to be so tense." Qin Rusu smiled brightly. "Who doesn't want a good life? I know you come from a respectable family and look down on such things. But if one day you change your mind—if by then I've already won the lord's favor—just tell me, and I'll recommend you."
Xu Yu's eyes went wide with shock. "You…"
But Qin Rusu acted as if it were nothing at all, entirely unbothered. "What man with such power and influence doesn't have a house full of wives and concubines? If you were willing, I'd be more than happy. After all, you and I have known each other since humble days—we know each other inside and out. We could support each other in the future."
"I-I really don't have any such thoughts. You've misunderstood, so don't bring it up again. As for whether you want to get close to Lord Nie or win his favor, I won't stand in your way."
"Good." Qin Rusu smiled again, took her arm, and strode toward their quarters. "We have night watch tonight, so let's hurry back, have something to eat, rest a bit, and freshen up. Oh, do you have any rouge or face powder? If not, you can use mine."
Xu Yu shook her head at once. "No need, no need. Lord Nie has never asked for it, so I won't put on makeup—I don't even know how. If you want to, go ahead and do it yourself."
Qin Rusu sighed. "Fine, then. I'll do my own makeup, and when I'm done, you can tell me whether it looks good."
Xu Yu nodded, then sat at the edge of the bed, quietly nibbling at her millet rice.
Before long, she couldn't help glancing at the person in the bronze mirror.
Qin Rusu was indeed not as strikingly beautiful as those two, but she was still quite lovely—those almond eyes full of tender feeling, delicate and touching. Surely no man could resist her?
As soon as Xu Yu thought this, she scorned herself inwardly.
Why was she thinking about such things? Lord Nie clearly had his own plans; she needn't worry on his behalf. Could it be, just as Qin Rusu said, that she had been swayed by Lord Nie's power and status?
No, she couldn't be like this. Even if she were swayed, what of it? Would Lord Nie necessarily take a fancy to her just because she was tempted? Would she get to live a life of luxury from then on just because she was tempted? She should simply do her duty and stop letting her thoughts wander.
When darkness fell, Xu Yu and Qin Rusu waited in the main hall. Before long, Nie Huiming came out of the study and walked straight toward the bedroom without a sideways glance.
The bedroom door closed and opened again, the lamp inside lighting up. Qizhang came out and gave an order: "Lord Nie wishes to wash up. Go to the kitchen and bring hot water."
Chengguan Courtyard had its own kitchen, not far from there. The two complied, fetched the hot water, and knocked on the door.
Qizhang's voice came from within: "Enter."
Xu Yu and Qin Rusu carried the hot water in together.
"From now on, the four of you will take turns attending to Lord Nie. Since this is your first time, let me go over the procedures so there's no confusion." Qizhang walked toward them. "It's cold, so Lord Nie usually bathes once every three days. He bathed yesterday, so for the next three days you need only bring water for him to wash up. This basin is for the face, this one for the hands, this one for the feet, and these three cloths correspond to each. Do you understand?"
"We understand," Xu Yu and Qin Rusu answered respectfully together.
"Before he washes, you must attend to Lord Nie in removing his crown, his shoes, and his outer robes. You know how to do that, I trust?"
Before Xu Yu could answer, Qin Rusu said at once, "Yes."
Qizhang nodded slightly. "Since you'll be removing his robes, you must mind the temperature of the room. From now on, when the time comes, you must have the charcoal fire burning and the bed made up. When Lord Nie enters and orders his robes removed and his washing done, you will do so. Is that clear?"
"Yes," Xu Yu answered in a low voice.
"Very well. It's getting late. You two go attend to Lord Nie now—remove his robes and help him wash." With that, Qizhang withdrew from the room.
The lamplight was dim. Xu Yu looked toward the man sitting upright at the desk and swallowed nervously.
She had never served anyone before, nor learned any of these rules; she didn't even know how to undo the coronet or the complicated garments.
Qin Rusu, however, was poised and graceful. Smiling, she stepped forward and asked softly, "My lord, would you like to change and wash up now?"
Nie Huiming set down the bamboo scrolls in his hand. "Very well."
Xu Yu hurried over at once, but had no idea where to begin.
Qin Rusu glanced at her, signaling her to step aside and assist.
Relieved, Xu Yu immediately stood to the side, raising both hands to receive the jade coronet, jade pendants, and jade-hooked girdle as they were removed, arranging them neatly, then taking the waist sash, upper garment, and lower garment to hang them up.
Nie Huiming moved toward the bed, and Xu Yu followed at once, though she didn't know what to do. She tilted her head to glance at Qin Rusu, and only then realized she was supposed to remove his shoes.
Imitating Qin Rusu, she knelt and slipped off his other shoe, then rose with her, helped carry over the washbasin, and knelt on the ground again.
Qin Rusu had rolled up her sleeves and was washing the lord's feet—so was she supposed to wash them too? But surely one basin couldn't hold so many hands and feet?
While she hesitated, she suddenly caught Qin Rusu's glance, and understood at once. She brought over the face-washing basin, raising it with both hands to offer it to Nie Huiming.
Nie Huiming took the towel from the water, wrung it out, carefully wiped his face several times, and placed it back in the basin, saying in a low voice, "You may go."
Xu Yu let out a long breath, washed the towel and hung it up to dry, emptied the basin, and, no longer knowing what to do, knelt by the bed to wait.
Before long, Nie Huiming lifted his foot. Qin Rusu understood at once, dried his feet, rose, and carried the basin away.
Xu Yu still didn't know what she should do. Clasping her hands tightly together, she knelt blankly in place.
"That's all. You may go out," Nie Huiming said.
Xu Yu was slightly startled and instinctively raised her eyes to look at him. In the dim candlelight, she seemed to see a hint of a smile in his eyes. Her heart gave a sudden leap, and she hurriedly answered yes, bowed, and withdrew.
The lamp in the room went out, and the main hall dimmed as well. Only the charcoal in the brazier still gave off faint glimmers of light. Through those glimmers, the smile in those eyes surfaced again before Xu Yu's eyes.
"You should sleep first, little sister. I'll keep watch for the first half of the night, and you take the second half." Qin Rusu, wrapped in a quilt, sat down beside her. "And thank you for yielding to me today."
"I didn't know how to do any of this anyway—you did well on your own. It's fine, you sleep first."
"You think I'm letting you sleep early out of consideration for you? I want to rest up so I can serve the lord with his dressing and washing tomorrow morning. Little sister, will you let me attend to the lord's dressing and washing tomorrow morning as well?"
Xu Yu didn't know how to refuse, so she could only nod.
She lay down wrapped in her quilt, watching the dim glow of the charcoal brazier, listening to the howling wind outside the door, and drifted off in a daze.
All night, no orders came from the room. At dawn, sounds stirred from within. Quick-witted, Qin Rusu immediately called in, "My lord, are you rising to dress?"
"Yes, come in." Nie Huiming's gentle voice came from the room.
Qin Rusu rose quickly, tidied her hair and clothes, and said in a low voice, "Little sister, help me put away the bedding, then fetch some hot water from the kitchen. I'll go in first and help the lord rise."
Xu Yu slowly got up, watching the bedroom door open and close. Silently, she put away the bedding, carried half a bucket of hot water from the kitchen, carefully moved it into the room, and poured it into the basin. Then Qin Rusu stepped forward, blocking her way, wrung out the towel, and offered it to Nie Huiming with both hands.
Nie Huiming was already fully dressed, still keeping his eyes straight ahead. After carefully washing up and finishing breakfast, he set off toward the study, giving an order: "Everyone may withdraw."
"Yes." Xu Yu and Qin Rusu answered together and bowed to take their leave.
"Xu Yu, come to the study and attend to the brushes and ink."