At these words, Shi Jun was struck as if by lightning—her entire body went cold, both in flesh and spirit.
Supported by Xie Changxi as she rose, her face was as pale as paper.
Behind them, the evening wind swept through in gusts, tree shadows swayed, and the candlelight in the study flickered.
Xie Changxi gently stroked Shi Jun's palm. Her hand was ice-cold, and fearing she might catch a chill, he drew her closer into his embrace.
The faint scent of aloeswood lingered at the tip of Shi Jun's nose, stirring a wave of nausea in her stomach.
Shi Jun felt as though her mind was filled with paste—she could not think of anything at all.
Xie Changxi truly intended to take her as a concubine. How ridiculous.
Now, at last, she saw his true face. The gentleman she had once believed him to be was nothing more than a common man—or, to be more precise, an out-and-out villain.
Shi Jun did not know what to say. To raise the matter of releasing her from servitude before Xie Changxi now was to hope for the impossible.
"Yuenuang, what are you thinking about?"
He took her hand, rubbing it between his palms, lending her some warmth.
Shi Jun snapped back to attention, suppressing the frantic, scattered thoughts in her heart, and said in a flat voice: "Your favor is so unexpected, my lord, that this servant is taken aback."
She said this, but Xie Changxi did not readily believe her.
In all his years, he had read countless people—one glance told him whether she was genuinely pleased or otherwise. What other maidservants in the marquis's household could only dream of, she treated as if it were a burden.
Xie Changxi simply assumed she had not yet come around.
Seeing Shi Jun's reaction reminded him of the matter in Jiangling Prefecture.
When he had interrogated Luluo that day, he learned that she had blank official travel permits in her possession, and that she had given one to Shi Jun.
Yet Shi Jun had never once mentioned the permit to him.
For some reason, Xie Changxi always felt that Shi Jun's heart was not here.
But what he wanted, he kept by his side—why should he care where her heart lay?
Shi Jun looked down at the hand held in Xie Changxi's. That hand did not seem to belong to her; it belonged to someone else.
"You need not keep to yourself from now on. You are my person—why let others bully you?" Xie Changxi's voice was gentle, like a spring breeze.
He took her hand and guided her to sit before the desk.
Shi Jun understood what Xie Changxi meant. This time, she truly, clearly understood the implication of his words: even when beating a dog, one must consider its master.
Xie Changxi leaned down, taking Shi Jun's hand in his to guide the brush, standing behind her to teach her calligraphy.
Her handwriting was not poor, but he disliked the stubborn strength in her strokes.
He whispered by her ear, "I know you have a gentle nature. You need not be afraid—from now on, I will protect you."
The warm breath brushed against her neck. Shi Jun started in alarm, her skin involuntarily prickling with goosebumps.
"Master Xie." Shi Jun said in a flat voice, subtly shifting her body aside.
Xie Changxi took note of it, assuming she was merely shy. Seeing that her strokes had softened somewhat, he said, "Go back now. No need to be so constrained in the future."
He released her hand and straightened up.
Shi Jun rose quickly from the round-backed chair and gave a slight bow. As if remembering something, she did not leave.
"My lord, Ahe's death anniversary is approaching. This servant wishes to leave the residence to pay respects at her grave." Shi Jun said with lowered eyes.
"Have Chunhe accompany you."
Seeing her with downcast eyes and glistening gaze, Xie Changxi's fondness for her grew even more.
In Jiangling Prefecture, she had rarely been like this. Ever since returning to the marquis's household, she had been perpetually downcast.
In the past, Shi Jun had risked her life to deliver his message, handling matters with thoughtfulness and care. Now, he was willing to grant her a stroke of good fortune.
He looked at her, his gaze deep and dark, as if he wished to devour her whole.
Shi Jun replied, "Thank you, my lord."
She answered lightly, but her fingernails dug into her palm, holding her breath together.
The moment she stepped out of the study, Shi Jun leaned against the cold white wall, her chest tight and breath short. Then, her whole body went limp against the wall.
The boundless night swallowed her whole, and everything around her pressed down until she could hardly breathe.
This man-eating marquis's household. Hypocrite! Hypocrite!
After a long while, Shi Jun calmed her emotions. Xie Changxi had broken his promise first—from now on, she need not beg him for anything.
A concubine? He must be dreaming. If it came to marrying as a concubine, she would rather die.
Shi Jun returned to her room and retrieved the blank official travel permit from beneath her pillow. When Luluo had given it to her back then, she had never imagined she would one day have use for it.
The household registration laws of the Great Sheng were strictly enforced. Even with a blank official travel permit, one could not come and go freely.
Bianjing was not like Jiangling Prefecture. Beneath the emperor's very feet, any misstep could cost one their head.
If she wished to flee, she would need to plan carefully.
Now that Xie Changxi had made his intentions clear, at least she no longer had to worry day and night, hoping he was a gentleman who would keep his word.
Shi Jun steadied herself. Cui Shu was still staying at the residence—surely Xie Changxi would not do anything to her.
She still had time to scheme.
Having stayed at the marquis's household for several days in a row, Cui Shu felt stifled and restless. But Lady Cui kept a tight watch over her—if she left the residence, she would be followed.
The Old Madam also doted on her, sending a steady stream of gifts her way, which she accepted with an uneasy conscience.
That day, Cui Shu was in the main hall speaking with Lady Cui. She sat to the side listening, and before she could make sense of the conversation, she saw Shi Jun lift the curtain and enter.
The moment she laid eyes on Shi Jun, Cui Shu was stunned for a long while before she remembered who she was.
Lady Cui looked up at Shi Jun and said in a flat voice, "Go copy the sutras."
Shi Jun nodded, sat down to one side, and quietly began to copy.
This copying session lasted from the hour of Chen until dusk, and Cui Shu could not help but study Shi Jun closely as she spoke with Lady Cui.
After finishing her meal, Cui Shu asked, "Aunt, why did you have her copy the sutras?"
Lady Cui pondered for a long moment. Since Cui Shu would one day enter the Xie household, there was no need to hide anything from her.
"She is a capable one," Lady Cui said, casting a glance toward Shi Jun before continuing coldly, "Can you not see it? Your cousin has taken a liking to her. He kept her by his side since last year, and the moment he returned, she started stirring up trouble. Where is the sense in that? Having her copy sutras is to temper her nature, so that you will not find yourself overwhelmed in the future."
Hearing this, Cui Shu's gaze toward Shi Jun grew heavier.
Cui Shu's eyes flickered slightly, and she sighed, "You have gone to such trouble, Aunt. She seems to me a quiet and obedient sort—why make things difficult for her?"
Lady Cui furrowed her brows. "You are quick to pity others. If you cannot stand firm yourself, do not blame me for scolding you later."
Cui Shu did not actually pity Shi Jun. In truth, she pitied herself.
"Aunt, your words are too harsh. She is nothing but a maidservant with no one to rely on—what waves could she possibly stir in the future? Place her by my side, and I will sound out her depths."
Cui Shu's eyes shifted as she looked toward Shi Jun.
Lady Cui's original concern was that Shi Jun would not show proper respect to her future mistress, so when Cui Shu asked for her, she naturally agreed.
Finally, Lady Cui reminded her, "Mind your measure in all things."
Cui Shu nodded, rose to take her leave, and led Shi Jun out of the main hall with her.
Outside, the sun was setting over the western hills, and a gentle breeze drifted by.
Shi Jun followed behind Cui Shu and called out, "Young Miss."
Cui Shu did not stop until she reached the flower garden. She turned to look at Shi Jun, and this time she truly circled around her, examining her from head to toe.
"I see that you are merely thinner than most, and your looks cannot compare to the young ladies of Bianjing. Yet my cousin favors you, so surely you must possess some outstanding quality."
Cui Shu was curious at heart and could not help but wonder what made Shi Jun different from others.
How would Shi Jun know why Xie Changxi had taken a liking to her? If she did know, she would certainly play the fool and never reveal a single trace of what he admired.
"You flatter me, Young Miss. This servant has no particular merits," Shi Jun said flatly.
Shi Jun did feel some gratitude toward her. That day at the bamboo pavilion, Cui Shu had not punished her, which suggested she was kind-hearted.
But after what had happened with Xie Changxi, she dared not easily trust anyone again, always holding back a measure of caution.
Hearing Shi Jun's evasive words, Cui Shu said with displeasure, "I am not trying to steal your secrets—why hide from me? Show me the sutras you copied today."
Shi Jun presented them with both hands. Cui Shu looked at her handwriting, which was fairly elegant but somewhat weak, lacking in strength and structure.
"If Aunt calls on you to copy sutras again in the future, I will shield you from it." Cui Shu paused, then added, "And do not find it strange. Why would I scheme against you? Aunt has already told me that we will both serve my cousin in the days to come, so there is no need to stand on ceremony."
Shi Jun smiled bitterly. She doubted she would ever share a husband with Cui Shu.
But the frankness in Cui Shu's words did surprise Shi Jun.
Cui Shu was indeed an easy person to get along with.