The long moon hung high, and the wind rustled the branches and leaves.
The rustling sounds around Shi Jun made her restless and irritated. She watched as Tang Zhisheng was about to kiss her.
Thinking quickly, she crouched down and began to cry again, looking frightened and uneasy.
Tang Zhisheng's embrace met empty air, and he was deeply displeased.
Seeing Shi Jun crouched down, he frowned, grabbed her by the shoulders, and yanked her up.
"You think this will make me leave?" Tang Zhisheng glared hatefully at her mud-streaked face. "I've been trying to please you in every way. When your sister died, I paid and I worked hard. And you still look down on me?"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became. Rage surged within him. At the thought of how obtuse Shi Jun was, he squeezed her collarbone hard and sneered, "What do you think you are? You can't even afford the burial money for your sister. What right do you have to make demands of me, hm?"
With that, he raised his hand and gripped her chin.
Shi Jun clenched her teeth tightly and said nothing.
She had once thought Tang Zhisheng had some shred of humanity—that he merely pestered her without overstepping his bounds.
But now she saw that she had misjudged him.
Yet Tang Zhisheng was right. She had no money to bury her sister. Since she had already agreed to him, what room was there for pride or dignity?
At this thought, Shi Jun's heart turned to ashes, and she stopped resisting.
"Let me tell you the truth—I've taken a liking to your face. While I still have feelings for you, you'd better please me well. You'll have good days ahead, far better than staying in the greenhouse."
He patted her mud-stained cheek, his gaze falling on her neck, flushed red from struggling.
Shi Jun's eyes were calm, her mind blank, unable to think of anything.
She might escape this once, but she wouldn't escape it forever.
"Let's go somewhere else. It won't look good if someone from the East Courtyard comes."
Her voice was calm, her body seemingly no longer under her control, her eyes fixed vacantly on some empty point.
Tang Zhisheng dragged Shi Jun toward the secluded rockery. But just as he took a single step, something flew at him from behind, striking him squarely on the back of the neck.
The pain made him cry out, and he turned around with a shout.
"Who's the blind one!"
Before the curse had even faded, he turned and saw the newcomer standing tall and straight, with gentle brows and eyes.
The man wore a bamboo-green robe, a piece of mutton-fat jade hanging at his waist. He walked with unhurried ease, as if the crude words had never reached his ears.
It was the young master of the East Courtyard—Xie Changxi.
Tang Zhisheng was stunned. His legs trembled, and he dropped to his knees with a thud. "Young master."
The one who had been so arrogant moments ago now groveled in humility.
Shi Jun laughed inwardly, then knelt and prostrated herself as well, calling out, "Young master."
The moonlight was cold, the spring night heavy with chill, and a faint mist hung in the air.
Xie Changxi studied Shi Jun in the moonlight.
Her neck was smooth, her hair damp, her figure slender, and the curve of her spine bent deeply—yet this posture did not seem weak or servile.
"You are Nanny Liu's son?" Xie Changxi's voice was gentle, like a spring breeze passing by.
Tang Zhisheng nodded in acknowledgment. He glanced at Shi Jun and said, "Young master, Qingwu is my betrothed. We were merely frolicking just now and disturbed your peace. Please punish me as you see fit."
He didn't know how much Xie Changxi had heard, but he hadn't committed any great offense—he'd simply been caught at an unlucky moment.
Besides, Shi Jun was indeed his betrothed.
Surely she would speak a few words on his behalf.
Xie Changxi's gaze remained on Shi Jun. He asked, "Is what he says true?"
In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Shi Jun's mind.
In her three years in the household, she had never met Xie Changxi, but she had heard from other maids that he was gentle, courteous, and magnanimous.
Since this opportunity had presented itself, why not fight for herself?
Shi Jun pressed her lips together, let out a long breath, and said tearfully, "Young master, that is not so."
At these words, Tang Zhisheng straightened up and glared viciously at Shi Jun.
Xie Changxi's gaze turned cold and sharp, and he swept a look at Tang Zhisheng, frightening him so much that a chill ran down his spine. He lowered his head and dared not look at Shi Jun again.
Shi Jun didn't see this exchange of glances, quickly calculating in her mind how to frame her words.
After a moment, Shi Jun spoke with sorrow. "Young master, this servant and my sister Ahe depended on each other for survival. When Ahe passed, I had no money for her burial and had to ask someone for help. But he used this to coerce me into marrying him, promising to have my servile status removed."
Tang Zhisheng was furious, his brows knit in anger. He immediately retorted, "Young master, she's lying! She personally promised to marry me, and only then did I agree to help her bury her sister!"
He had always seen Shi Jun as gentle and cautious in her words and deeds.
Who would have thought she was such a two-faced person! He had been thoroughly deceived!
"Young master, this servant is now alone in the world. I beg you to show mercy and not let me be threatened any longer."
Shi Jun suddenly raised her eyes, meeting Xie Changxi's scrutinizing gaze.
The moonlight was bright, all was silent, and as a long wind blew past, Xie Changxi seemed to glimpse a flame of quiet orchid fire in her eyes—though it vanished in a flash.
"In that case, I shall settle this dispute between you." Xie Changxi said in a low voice. "Tang Zhisheng, since you say you paid money to help her bury her sister, the money has been spent. Go to the accounting office and draw a sum of silver, and the matter will be concluded."
"But my lord! She agreed to marry me! She gave me her word!" Tang Zhisheng blurted out, unable to contain his displeasure.
Shi Jun lowered her gaze and remained silent.
Xie Changxi's brow furrowed slightly as he asked coldly, "Is there a written betrothal agreement?"
Tang Zhisheng shook his head, forced to swallow his anger and retreat.
After Tang Zhisheng left in indignation, Xie Changxi calmly lowered his eyes to look at Shi Jun, who was kneeling on the ground. "You lied."
Shi Jun's heart fluttered with panic, but she understood that Xie Changxi had just saved her.
"My lord, I did agree to marry him, but it was out of desperation, not sincerity," Shi Jun confessed helplessly. "Ahe died, and I had no money to bury her. I had no choice but to pledge myself to someone. But before my sister was even laid to rest, he was already making advances."
"I beg my lord to take pity on me and not send me back."
Xie Changxi gave a slight nod and asked, "You've been tending to the orchids in the Eastern Courtyard?"
Shi Jun nodded.
"You've tended them with great care, and you deserve a reward." Xie Changxi paused, his voice lowering slightly. "Your sister's funeral arrangements—I'll take care of them."
Upon hearing this, Shi Jun kowtowed in gratitude.
"You need not return to the greenhouse," Xie Changxi said, looking at her. "From now on, you'll serve in the Eastern Courtyard."
Shi Jun kowtowed again, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, my lord."
Xie Changxi entrusted Qinghe's funeral arrangements to Hemu. Over the next two days, Shi Jun followed the maidservants in the study to learn how to arrange the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and whenever she had free time, she would go tend to the orchids.
Shi Jun assumed Tang Zhisheng wouldn't dare cause trouble in the Eastern Courtyard. As it stood now, she had thoroughly offended Lady Liu's faction.
That night, Hemu arrived in haste to report: "My lord, a letter has arrived from Jingzhou."
Xie Changxi set down the book in his hand, took the letter, and unfolded it. After reading for a moment, his brow furrowed slightly.
Seeing his expression shift, Hemu ventured, "My lord, has something happened?"
Xie Changxi folded the letter and tucked it into his sleeve, saying only, "You'll know tomorrow."
The next morning, an imperial decree arrived at the marquis's estate.
Receiving the decree naturally wouldn't fall to her, so Shi Jun found herself at leisure, watering the orchids by the window.
Today was Qinghe's seventh-day memorial. She always felt she owed Qinghe a debt. It was she who had taken Qingwu's body, who had stolen Qinghe's true sister.
Dusk settled, and the sky blazed with crimson clouds.
Shi Jun waited for the sun to set and the moon to rise, but before that happened, someone came looking for her.
This person—she had seen him before.
That day on Zhuque Street, he was the one who had led her through the Yuanlai Inn.
Hemu was also somewhat surprised to see Shi Jun again.
He composed himself and clasped his hands in greeting. "Miss, my lord asks that you come with me."
Shi Jun was full of confusion, but when she heard the "my lord" he referred to, it was Xie Changxi…
So the nobleman from that day had been him.
Hemu led Shi Jun onto a carriage. It was clean and spacious, just enough room for two.
He explained the purpose of the visit: "My lord said that today is Miss Qinghe's seventh-day memorial, and it would be fitting for Miss Qingwu to pay her respects."
Hearing this, Shi Jun lowered her eyes, her throat tightening slightly.
She couldn't quite name the feeling in her heart—gratitude, surprise, and a hint of inexplicable bitterness.
Shi Jun took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions, before murmuring, "Please… please thank my lord for his kindness on my behalf."
After paying respects at Qinghe's grave, the sky had darkened. By the time they hurried back to the marquis's estate, a crescent moon hung high above.
Earlier, at Qinghe's gravesite, she hadn't been able to hold back her tears. The grave faced the water with mountains at its back, sheltered by pines and cypresses—an auspicious resting place.
Shi Jun silently noted his kindness in her heart.
She followed Hemu all the way back to the Eastern Courtyard, where Hemu said, "Miss, you should thank my lord in person. He has something to discuss with you."
With that, Hemu stepped aside, leaving Shi Jun alone before the study.
The moonlight was desolate, silver radiance enveloping her, the worry between her brows never quite dispersing.
Xie Changxi set down his book, his brow furrowing slightly.
Hadn't he resolved enough of her troubles? What else could she be worried about, what more could she want?
Shi Jun's thoughts churned. She lowered her head, unable to stop the tremor in her throat. "Thank you, my lord. My lord is my benefactor."
Xie Changxi mulled over the word "benefactor" in his mind.
After a long moment, he asked, "Is there anything else you seek?"
Shi Jun replied softly, "My lord, I wish to be released from my servitude. If possible, I would serve my lord through fire and water, through any hardship."
Xie Changxi's brow arched slightly, a hint of mockery hidden in his gaze as he looked at Shi Jun.
Why would he need a woman to risk herself for him?
"Before long, I will be transferred to Jingzhou. You will come with me, and upon our return, I will make arrangements for you," Xie Changxi said in a calm tone.
Moonlight streamed into the room, candlelight flickering.
Shi Jun quietly lifted her gaze, seeing his temples cut sharp as blades, his eyes dark as lacquer, every movement carrying an air of elegance.
She thought to herself—this must be what a true gentleman of the age looks like.
Refined and cultured, yet with compassion running through his very bones.
"Thank you for your kindness, my lord."
Xie Changxi's gaze turned deep and unfathomable as he looked toward the bright moon.
Moonlight spilled over Shi Jun, creating a rather poetic scene. He spoke in a low voice: "From now on, you shall be called Yingyue."
Shi Jun lowered her eyes. It wasn't that she thought the name was poorly chosen—she simply disliked the feeling of being treated like an object.
Today she could be Qingwu, tomorrow she could be Yingyue.
Only never Shi Jun.
Shi Jun thought this to herself, yet understood that she had little say in the matter, and could only reply, "I thank Young Master Xie for the name."
Ahe was already gone. From now on, she would have to plan more for herself.
The date for departing to Jingzhou had been set—at the end of the third month, she would leave the marquis's residence with Xie Changxi. But before she could even leave the residence, an uninvited guest arrived at the Eastern Courtyard.
Early that morning, Shi Jun was carrying orchids into the study of the Eastern Courtyard when she heard a commotion behind her.
"You accursed jinx! You crippled my son's legs and had his tongue torn out! My son was in the prime of his youth, and now he's neither human nor ghost!" Lady Liu wailed and made a scene, drawing the maids of the Eastern Courtyard to gather around.
The maids failed to stop the overbearing Lady Liu and could only follow her into the Eastern Courtyard.
Lady Liu narrowed her eyes and spotted Shi Jun. She rushed forward in a flurry, "You agreed to marry my son, so you're a member of the Liu family now. Come with me!"
She grabbed at Shi Jun, her eyes flashing with murderous intent, as if she wished she could swallow her whole.
Shi Jun wrenched herself free from Lady Liu's grip, shielding the orchids in her arms. "Nanny Liu, I don't understand what you're saying."
"Enough of your excuses! If you won't admit it, then come with me to see the Madam!" With that, Lady Liu gnashed her teeth.
Using all her brute force, she dragged Shi Jun outward.
The maids of the Eastern Courtyard had never seen such a scene, and it happened to coincide with Xie Changxi being away from the residence.
Moreover, Lady Liu was someone from the Madam's side—who would dare to stop her?
Everyone watched helplessly as Shi Jun was dragged away, not a single person daring to step forward. They could only quietly tidy up the orchids.