The outer residence sent people over to help clear the snow, and by midmorning, not a trace of fallen snow could be seen. The three who had been sweeping the courtyard were granted some leisure, deliberately staying to sweep under the eaves, and Xu Yu could hear their footsteps from the main hall.
Qizhang came out of the study and stopped at the door of the main hall, ordering: "There's no need to sweep the covered walkway. You're making too much noise and disturbing His Lordship's official work. Go sweep in the courtyard instead."
Liu Shanyue muttered, "The snow in the courtyard has all been cleared. What's left to sweep?"
"The flower beds and the shrubs—all need tidying. Though it's winter and the plants have withered, things must still be kept clean and presentable."
Liu Shanyue had no reply and could only comply: "Understood."
Qizhang glanced at them, then stepped back into the main hall, looking toward Xu Yu with a hint of a smile. In a low voice, she said, "Lady Xu, I've noticed you haven't rested at all. If you're tired, you may take a break. His Lordship won't blame you."
Xu Yu turned and gently shook her head, also lowering her voice: "His Lordship saved my life. I know I can never repay such a debt—all I can do is clean the house diligently, so that His Lordship may feel more at ease seeing it."
"What was a life-saving grace to you was merely a small effort for His Lordship. He hasn't taken it to heart, and neither should you."
Xu Yu still shook her head.
Qizhang smiled. "Fine, do as you wish then. As long as you don't feel tired."
Xu Yu nodded, picked up the water basin, and continued kneeling to wipe the tea tables and desks in the main hall.
Watching her hunched back, Qizhang shook her head helplessly and returned to the study, resuming her kneeling position beside the desk to sort bamboo scrolls.
Nie Huiming spoke: "What were you saying outside just now?"
"I made sure to keep my voice low—I thought Your Lordship wouldn't have heard." Qizhang smiled. "I saw Lady Xu sweeping so diligently every day, so I reminded her she could rest a while if she was tired. But she refused, saying Your Lordship saved her life and this is the only way she can repay it."
"The main hall is only so big—why must it be swept every day?"
"That's what I thought too, but Lady Xu wouldn't listen. The chilblains on her hands haven't healed, and she keeps scrubbing and cleaning with cold water every day. I'm afraid it will only get worse."
Nie Huiming opened a bamboo scroll, and after a moment, spoke slowly: "Make another trip to the governor's office and be sure to bring back the case files. As for these scrolls, have Xu Yu sort through them."
"But sorting scrolls requires literacy. I don't know whether Lady Xu can read."
"Call her in. Ask and we'll know."
Qizhang dared not say more. She quietly withdrew from the study and said to Xu Yu, "Lady Xu, His Lordship calls you to the study."
Xu Yu paused briefly, gently set down her rag, and asked softly, "May I ask what His Lordship requires?"
"A great many scrolls were left behind by the former prefect, and they now need to be sorted and organized. His Lordship wishes to entrust this task to you, but sorting scrolls requires literacy. Would that pose any difficulty for you?"
"I can read a little, though I don't know if I would prove capable."
"In that case, that's good. Go try first, and if it doesn't work, just tell His Lordship directly. He has always been generous with us servants—if you speak plainly, he won't blame you."
Xu Yu gave a slight bow: "Thank you."
"No need for ceremony. I have other matters, so I'll take my leave. Go on into the study." And with that, Qizhang strode out the door.
Seeing him leave, Xu Yu put away the water basin and cloth, rinsed her hands briefly, knocked on the study door, and stepped inside.
"Did Qizhang brief you?" Nie Huiming asked.
For some reason, his voice was always so gentle, flowing over one's heart like a slow spring stream. Xu Yu had been somewhat nervous at first, but upon hearing his voice, she relaxed. She walked forward a few steps and knelt down beside the bamboo scrolls spread across the floor.
"Yes. Qizhang told this servant that you need the scrolls sorted, and asked if I could read."
"And can you?"
"Some. My elder brother was very good to me. Whenever he had free time, he would teach me to read. But I'm slow-witted and only know a little, so I'm not sure if I'm up to the task."
Nie Huiming picked up a scroll and handed it to her. "Can you identify letters?"
She took the bamboo scroll and unrolled it gently. "There would be a form of address and greetings at the beginning of a letter?"
"Precisely. Sort the letters out from this pile of scrolls and place them on the desk."
"Yes."
Some kind of charcoal was burning in the study, warming the whole room without a trace of smell—it was like a different world from outside. Xu Yu's chilblains began to itch in the warmth.
Her fingers twitched, but she dared not scratch. The chilblains on her hands had already broken the skin, and scratching would only make them worse—not to mention the blood-tinged fluid would get everywhere.
But the itching was maddening, unbearable. It wasn't just her hands—her ears and feet itched too, so much that she could no longer focus on the scrolls.
Nie Huiming looked up. "Is something the matter?"
Xu Yu hurriedly put down one scroll and picked up another, saying in a small voice, "It's nothing."
Nie Huiming studied her for a moment, noticed the chilblains on the backs of her hands, and asked again, "Do your chilblains bother you?"
Her hands were red and swollen, the skin broken—it was truly an unsightly sight, and embarrassing for her too. She quickly tucked her hands lower beneath the desk and said quietly, "They do itch a little."
"Wasn't the ointment I gave you any good?"
"No—the ointment you gave me works very well. It's gentle, and once applied, the sores stop itching immediately. It's just…" Xu Yu pressed her lips together.
"Just what?"
Xu Yu was silent for a moment before saying softly, "My elder sister has chilblains too, worse than mine from years of suffering. We've never found a real cure, so I was hoping to save some to bring to her."
"I see." Nie Huiming nodded and lowered his gaze back to the scroll in his hands. "Go to the first cabinet on your left and open the second drawer."
Not knowing why, Xu Yu rose and did as she was told, opening that drawer.
Nie Huiming continued, "There are two more jars of chilblain ointment inside. Take them both."
Xu Yu froze, then hurriedly knelt down. "You have already been so generous to this servant. I dare not accept more."
"Take them. Apply some, then continue sorting the scrolls."
"Yes…" Xu Yu took out a jar, set it on the cabinet, and carefully scooped out a bit of ointment, applying it meticulously to her chilblains without wasting a single bit. Only after she finished did she walk slowly back to the desk and resume going through the scrolls.
"Does it still itch?"
"Hm?" Xu Yu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly answered, "Your ointment works wonderfully. It feels cool when applied, and the itching is completely gone."
Nie Huiming gave a slight nod. "In that case, keep applying it regularly. Those two jars will be enough for you. As for the last one, you may take it home and give it to your sister."
Xu Yu's lashes fluttered, and for a moment she did not know how to answer.
Nie Huiming raised his eyes to look at her. "Why do you not speak?"
Xu Yu bit her lip, head lowered, and said quietly, "You treat this servant far too kindly, my lord. This servant's heart is filled with trepidation."
"And why do you think I treat you kindly?"
"This servant…" Xu Yu's fingers clutched tightly at the bamboo slip. She said softly, "Perhaps it is simply because you are kind by nature. Only—this servant has never met anyone as kind as you, and finds it somewhat hard to grow accustomed to."
Nie Huiming caught sight of her whitened fingertips and said again, "Why are you so nervous? Are you afraid I harbor ill intentions toward you?"
"No, no—" She shook her head repeatedly, heart pounding, her words tumbling out incoherently. "This servant would never think such a thing. This servant knows her own lowliness and would never dare harbor such thoughts. It is only that you treat this servant so well, and this servant does not know how to repay your kindness…"
"There is no need to be nervous. I was only asking in passing." Nie Huiming looked at the book slips in his hand, then suddenly asked, "Do you know who the master behind this compound is?"
Xu Yu did not know why he had suddenly asked such a question. She glanced at him in confusion and shook her head gently. "This servant does not know."
"Neither do I. But I do not wish to leave any leverage here. They sent those women precisely so that I might leave something in their hands. You alone were not sent by them."
"This servant, this servant…"
Nie Huiming raised his eyes and looked at her. "I hope you will never become one of them."
Xu Yu met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat, and immediately looked away. Those eyes were still gentle, still bright, but she could see the unmistakable resolve in them. Even though she had never thought of harming him, she still felt reverence and fear in her heart.
"This servant…" She paused, and once her heart had somewhat settled, continued, "You saved this servant's life, my lord. This servant will follow your commands alone."
Nie Huiming's lips curved slightly. "There is no need to be nervous. From now on, should you ever have any difficulties, you may come and tell me at any time."
Xu Yu swallowed, raised her eyes once more, and saw only the gentle smile in them, as if the intimidation had never existed at all. She lowered her gaze and nodded. "Thank you, my lord."
Still shaken and uneasy, her palms were covered in sweat. Only when night fell and Nie Huiming dismissed her did she let out a long breath, immediately bowing to withdraw.
"Wait." Nie Huiming suddenly spoke again.
Her heart tightened, and she raised her eyes to look at him.
Nie Huiming's gaze remained on the bamboo slips in his hand; he did not lift it. "From now on, there is no need for you to clean the main hall any longer. If the chilblains on your hands are not properly cared for, they will only grow worse."