"Yingyue, do you have anything to say?" Xie Changxi asked.
Shi Jun shook her head and kowtowed. "Madam, Master, this is indeed this servant's fault."
"Xuechen, you've seen it for yourself now—what sort of people are in your courtyard?" Lady Cui said indignantly. But recalling the red rash that had broken out on Cui Shu moments earlier, she softened her tone. "Now that Shu'er has fallen ill, let her stay at the manor for a while longer. You should go visit her often—don't let things grow distant between you."
Xie Changxi stared directly at Shi Jun. The anger that had been doused by cold tea a few days earlier surged up again.
Yes. That was it.
Shi Jun had never regarded him as a master who understood reason. Anyone at all could bully her.
At that thought, Xie Changxi abruptly rose and said to Lady Cui, "Naturally."
"Since you have erred, go kneel beneath the corridor for three hours."
With that said, Xie Changxi turned and returned to the Eastern Courtyard.
Lady Cui was stunned. For such an offense, Xie Changxi had only ordered Shi Jun to kneel as punishment.
After Shi Jun left, Hua Qiu said to Lady Cui with grievance, "Madam doesn't know—Yingyue has it far too easy in the Eastern Courtyard. The Master never used to eat late-night snacks, but Yingyue makes them for him every day. She's counted on the Master's soft heart."
Lady Cui frowned. "Xuechen is not the sort to have a soft heart. That girl has quite a few tricks up her sleeve. Earlier, I wanted to sell her off, but Xuechen stopped me."
Mama Wei, recalling Nanny Liu's situation, said tactfully, "Madam, I can see that she's not convinced in her heart. Best to drive her out sooner rather than later."
Lady Cui raised a hand to her forehead. She did have the intention, but with Xie Changxi's face to consider, it was hardly her place to decide. Now that Xie Changxi was willing to go along with her and meet with Cui Shu, that was already him giving face to her as his mother.
All the noble daughters of the capital—if Lady Cui had the mind, she could naturally find a girl with good family background and good looks.
Lady Cui's choice of Cui Shu as her daughter-in-law was the result of weighing the pros and cons between her and Xie Changxi.
Noble daughters from prominent families mostly associated with the Duke. Xie Changxi did not want to be too close to the New Faction, so he could only look downward.
After weighing one against another, it seemed Cui Shu was the most suitable.
This way, she was satisfied, and Xie Changxi tacitly agreed—the best of both worlds.
Lady Cui had finally aligned her intentions with Xie Changxi's, and she was unwilling to provoke his displeasure now.
If Xie Changxi wanted to keep Shi Jun, then let him keep her. After all, under her watchful eye, could a young girl really turn the heavens upside down?
Shi Jun knelt before the Eastern Courtyard. She had lost count of how many times she had been made to kneel in punishment.
In any case, nothing was ever up to her.
She didn't know how long she had knelt when Lingxiang, taking advantage of the sparse crowd at night, hurriedly pressed a bowl of soup noodles into Shi Jun's hands.
"Sister, you've gone and been foolish again. I heard everything—I refuse to believe you did such a thing. But why didn't you explain yourself to the Master?"
Lingxiang's eyes were full of worry, her chest tight with frustration, yet she couldn't bear to say more to Shi Jun.
She was worried about Shi Jun. From Jiangling to the Marquis's manor, Lingxiang had followed her all the way, understanding that Shi Jun was always enduring something—but why, she could never understand.
Shi Jun gently patted Lingxiang's shoulder. "I've made you worry."
"Sister, don't say such things. I'd rather you live more freely—it would ease my heart too." Lingxiang's eyes brimmed with tears as she turned her gaze away, unable to look at Shi Jun.
Shi Jun wished she could live freely, but there was no place in the Marquis's manor where she could.
She could only endure—endure until Xie Changxi gave her the deed of manumission.
Today she had seen Xie Changxi's concern for Cui Shu. She imagined the marriage would soon be settled.
She only needed to wait a little longer. Just a little longer.
Cui Shu was to stay at the manor for a time. When Old Madam received word, she communicated with Lady Cui and arranged a family banquet.
The Marquis's manor originally had three branches, but unfortunately the other two had been posted to provincial posts and rarely returned to Bianjing.
Old Madam's company was sparse; she relied solely on the eldest branch for comfort. But Xie Changxi's career was flourishing and his official duties were heavy—let alone keeping his grandmother company in conversation, even the days he dined at the manor were pitifully few.
This time, Lady Cui had taken the lead in inviting Cui Shu to stay at the manor, and Old Madam saw through it clearly.
Xie Changxi had achieved success at a young age. After three years of provincial postings, he had returned at twenty-one.
Then he had been immediately posted to Jingzhou again. Now he was twenty-two—at this age, other young men from noble families already had children.
Old Madam was anxious, but what could she do? Her eldest grandson didn't get along with his mother, and he was extremely intelligent, making his own decisions in everything.
Moreover, the future of the Marquis's household depended on him.
Now that Xie Changxi was willing to meet with Cui Shu, Old Madam was overjoyed and had prepared many gifts for her future granddaughter-in-law.
As for Cui Shu, Old Madam had seen her before.
Though her looks and temperament couldn't compare to those of royal or ducal families, she was sensible and knew propriety—worthy enough to match Xie Changxi.
At this thought, Old Madam felt a slight regret. Given Xie Changxi's current achievements and talents, marrying a noble daughter from a prestigious family would be a better match.
The Cui clan had seen some glory in the past, but now they were of no help to Xie Changxi's career.
Still, at least there was now a prospect settled. So be it.
Old Madam mulled it over in her heart, then took Cui Shu's hand and said in a kindly tone, "Good child, don't stand on ceremony. Treat this as your own home."
Cui Shu nodded with a faint expression.
At this hour, Xie Changxi had not yet finished his duties, and Old Madam's Rongshan Hall was still somewhat quiet.
Lady Cui chided gently, "From now on, just call her Grandmother like Xuechen does. You child, you're always so reserved—if outsiders see this, won't it be embarrassing?"
Cui Shu felt vexed inside but did not let it show on her face.
Though Lady Cui was her paternal aunt by marriage, they were from different branches of the family and had not seen each other for years—what deep bond of aunt and niece could there truly be?
These elders settled her lifelong matter with a few casual words, without giving her a chance to voice a single objection.
Her own family wished to ally with the Marquis household, and her aunt was equally willing to have her as a daughter-in-law.
The elders were all agreeable between themselves, yet never once asked her opinion.
Cui Shu smoothed over her expression and assented, "Aunt's instruction is right."
Lady Cui and the Old Madam kept Cui Shu engaged in conversation for quite some time. As dusk fell, Hua Qiu entered the room to report, "The young master has returned."
The Old Madam's eyes crinkled into slits with joy as she said, "Good, good—have him come in at once."
Cui Shu, seizing the rare chance to escape their questioning, picked up the Jian ware hare's-fur teacup and took a sip.
She had never used such cups at home before, and a welter of mixed emotions churned within her.
Everywhere in the Marquis household was finer than the Cui residence—endless winding corridors, endless fine teas, endless beautiful clothes and splendid garments.
Everything was good, and yet nothing was good.
Cui Shu sighed softly to herself.
Lady Cui and the Old Madam both turned their gazes toward the doorway.
Xie Changxi had already changed into his everyday attire—a moon-white straight robe that looked plain from afar, but upon closer inspection revealed faint cloud patterns woven into the fabric. A silver silk sash hung at his waist, from which dangled a dark jade pendant, further accentuating his refined bearing and features as delicate as a painting.
Behind him followed Shi Jun, wearing a bean-green jacket over a pale indigo bodice visible at the collar. The jacket was of fine cotton, starched crisp and neat, with a few strokes of light orchid embroidery at the cuffs.
The Old Madam's gaze settled on Shi Jun. How could a maidservant of the Marquis household have fallen to such a state—especially one serving at her grandson's side?
Her still-sharp eyes swept over Shi Jun from head to toe.
"Xuechen, come closer and let me have a look," the Old Madam said with a smile.
Xie Changxi stepped forward to pay his respects to Lady Cui and the Old Madam, and the Old Madam arranged for him to sit beside Cui Shu.
Seeing Cui Shu at his side, Xie Changxi asked in a gentle voice, "Cousin, are you fully recovered now?"
Cui Shu smiled and nodded.
Their exchange—a question and an answer, the most ordinary of pleasantries—appeared to the Old Madam as a perfect match of talent and beauty.