For several days in a row, Xie Changxi had been leaving early and returning late. Whenever Shi Jun had free time, she would go to the kitchen to learn pastry-making from Mama Qin.
Mama Qin had originally been a renowned kitchen matron in the Jiangling area. If anyone wanted to hire her for their kitchen, it would cost no less than several taels of silver.
One afternoon when she had leisure, Shi Jun came to find Mama Qin and saw her sitting by the stove tending the fire. She smiled and sidled up to Mama Qin.
Seeing her like this, Mama Qin couldn't help teasing, "Aren't you something—putting on the airs of a head maid, coming to see me every single day."
Shi Jun was pretty, knew how to say pleasing things, and was considerate. Every time Mama Qin saw her, she felt genuine joy in her heart, only regretting that Shi Jun wasn't her own daughter.
Shi Jun feigned annoyance. "Mama Qin is teasing me. How would I have such ability? I can only learn by following you."
Mama Qin stood up, and Shi Jun immediately sat down to watch the fire. Seeing that the two of them were alone in the kitchen, Mama Qin wished she could pour out her innermost thoughts to Shi Jun.
She frowned and said in a low voice, "The young master has been going out early and coming back late these past two days. You know about that, right?"
Shi Jun attended Xie Changxi closely, so of course she knew. But the way Mama Qin said it was strange, and Shi Jun was somewhat puzzled.
To be honest, she didn't really care much about where the young master went. She only hoped he stayed healthy and safe, since she still owed Xie Changxi a debt of gratitude.
If making a few plates of pastries counted as repaying that debt, it probably wouldn't be enough.
Shi Jun said, "Mama, I don't understand what you mean."
Mama Qin looked at this blockhead before her, stepped forward, and lightly poked her between the eyebrows. "Do you know who the young master is? How many people outside are watching him? Do you know how many beautiful young ladies are in the Jiangling Prefect's residence?"
In her heyday years ago, Mama Qin had been in high demand—great households vied to invite her into their kitchens, and she had been to every corner of Jiangling, big or small.
The one that left the deepest impression on her was the Jiangling Prefect, Zhao Mingli. Inside the Zhao residence, there was a Xi Shi every three steps and a Diao Chan every five—truly a gathering of celestial maidens.
The moment you stepped inside, you'd think you'd ascended to the immortal realm.
"If the young master were to enter the Prefect's residence, I'm afraid he wouldn't even want this house of ours anymore." Mama Qin said with the frustration of one who wished she could knock some sense into Shi Jun.
Shi Jun grew even more confused. "Mama, if the young master doesn't come back, isn't it fine for us to just live our own lives?"
"Oh, my silly girl. Setting aside the young master not coming home—what if one day he brings someone back, and she takes your place? What would you do then?" Mama Qin frowned and let out a long sigh. "I thought you were clever, but you're just a silly goose!"
Hearing this, Shi Jun giggled, her whole body shaking with laughter. She said, "Mama, why worry about such things? The young master is kind and generous. Even if he brought a wife home, he wouldn't mistreat us."
The fire in the stove was burning fiercely when it suddenly crackled with a pop. Mama Qin's brows knitted tightly.
"You make pastries for the young master every day—surely you have some thoughts in mind?" Mama Qin couldn't help asking.
She had seen Shi Jun come every day to learn pastry-making, endlessly adjusting and experimenting with flavors. She had assumed it was to win the young master's favor, yet now Shi Jun didn't seem to care about this matter at all.
Mama Qin couldn't figure out what Shi Jun was thinking, so she just fixed her worldly, experienced eyes on Shi Jun.
Shi Jun said, "The young master has shown me kindness. I'm only repaying him."
As for what Mama Qin was implying, Shi Jun had never even considered it. Having transmigrated into this era where rules could crush a person, she was already exhausted in both body and mind. Matters of love and romance were simply cast to the back of her mind.
Besides, Xie Changxi came from a distinguished household—how could he ever take a liking to her?
In great aristocratic families, concubines were mere playthings. Concubines could be bought and sold like goods. That kind of life, where one had no control over her own fate, was something Shi Jun absolutely refused to live.
Shi Jun's words were clear, and Mama Qin, having read many people in her time, naturally understood that Shi Jun had no other intentions.
Seeing that Shi Jun had no such thoughts, Mama Qin felt somewhat relieved.
Shi Jun changed the subject and asked Mama Qin how to make ice dumplings, and how much sweetness was just right for hibiscus cakes.
A string of questions later, Mama Qin was caught between laughter and tears. "You're determined to learn every last bit of my craft, aren't you?"
Shi Jun kneaded the dough while massaging Mama Qin's shoulders, coaxing her into delight.
Shi Jun hadn't taken Mama Qin's words to heart at first, but she never expected them to come true.
On an early summer night, the evening breeze was cool and refreshing.
Shi Jun moved lightly as she presented the pastries, then stood at attention to the side as usual.
Xie Changxi's long lashes drooped low, his gaze heavy and focused on the case files in his hands. Seemingly accustomed to the midnight snack, he naturally picked up a piece.
"Are you settling well in Jiangling?" Xie Changxi's voice was clear and crisp, as soothing as the evening breeze.
Shi Jun slowly raised her eyes and caught a glimpse of the case file in Xie Changxi's hands—a case about a woman being forcibly seized.
"I've been here for over half a month now, and I've already gained some understanding of the local customs and practices," Shi Jun replied.
Xie Changxi was silent for a moment, then said, "Yesterday, the Jiangling Prefect gifted me a beauty. I couldn't refuse. If she enters this household, take good care of her."
With that, Xie Changxi rose to bathe and change clothes.
He moved very slowly, glancing sideways to see Shi Jun nod in acknowledgment, her expression calm.
Her composure and ease made him feel somewhat displeased inside.
Though the Jiangling residence didn't have many maidservants, there was no need to add another.
To win him over, the prefect of Jiangling had presented him with a beauty at the banquet. Naturally, he could not refuse the prefect's gesture, so he had no choice but to accept.
Though his words had told Shi Jun to look after the beauty, he wondered whether Shi Jun could grasp his underlying meaning.
A night breeze swept by, and the faint fragrance of orchids from Shi Jun lingered around him.
Xie Changxi let out a soft sigh. Well, she was merely a maidservant, after all—there was no need for her to be that clever.
A bit of charm and a proper, sensible demeanor would suffice.
The next morning, Shi Jun stood with Lingxiang and Lanfang in front of the residence, waiting for the prefect's people to deliver the woman.
Lanfang, unable to contain her impatience, said to Shi Jun, "Sister, who is this important person that we have to wait like this? Even when the master returns, I've never seen you wait so respectfully."
Lingxiang was also curious, though not as outspoken as Lanfang.
Shi Jun frowned and said in a low voice, "It's a gift from the prefect to the master. Don't say such things again."
Shi Jun knew full well that this woman was a spy sent by the prefect, but even a spy depended on whose person she was.
She knew little of Xie Changxi's affairs in officialdom, but as long as she treated everyone with respect, she would not give anyone cause for gossip. Besides, when Xie Changxi had told her yesterday to look after this beauty, what exactly did he mean by "look after"?
As Shi Jun was pondering this, she saw a carriage slowly approaching. A curtain was lifted by a hand as white as porcelain jade.
The sun of May in Jiangling shone high, and a beam of golden light fell upon the beauty's brows and eyes, like a celestial maiden from a painting. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes shimmered with rippling light.
Shi Jun had never seen such a beauty before. She was momentarily stunned, and it was a long moment before she stepped forward to greet her. "Are you Miss Luluo?"
Luluo gave a slight nod, her phoenix eyes sweeping over Shi Jun from head to toe.
She gathered her long pinkish-green sleeves and lightly stepped down from the carriage.
"How should I address you, miss?" Luluo walked over to Shi Jun in a few steps.
Lanfang was pushed aside by her and shot Luluo a fierce glare.
Shi Jun smiled in return. "Just call me Yingyue."
Luluo raised an eyebrow and curved her lips into a smile. "How distant. I've just arrived here and don't know the master well yet. From now on, I'll need you, sister, to look after me."
With that, she affectionately linked her arm through Shi Jun's.
Shi Jun did not care for such familiarity from a stranger, but she could hardly pull her arm away, so she let Luluo hold onto it.
She took Luluo to choose a room, but Luluo clung to Shi Jun, insisting she wanted to stay close to her sister.
Seeing this, Lanfang whispered sarcastically to Lingxiang, "She's only just met sister, and already she's clinging to her all sweet and affectionate. Who knows what she's really up to."
Lingxiang quietly advised, "Whatever she's up to, we can't make things awkward for sister. Hold yourself back a little."
Lanfang pouted and simply slipped away, unwilling to watch Luluo put on a show of sisterly affection with Shi Jun.
Luluo kept Shi Jun in her room talking all afternoon. Resting her chin on her hand, Luluo studied Shi Jun in the light, examining her carefully once more.
A face like an apricot blossom, cheeks like peach petals, bright eyes and white teeth.
But too plain—dressed all in pale yellow, not at all like a young maiden.
Luluo's eyes sparkled with a smile. She said playfully, "Sister, are you tired of me already?"
Shi Jun kept her eyes lowered and said nothing.
From the moment Luluo had come in, she had been clinging to her, talking and laughing. Afraid of offending this beauty, Shi Jun could only rack her brains to respond.
At this thought, Shi Jun seemed to discover something amusing—so Xie Changxi liked lively, radiant beauties.
Seeing that Shi Jun said nothing, Luluo was not annoyed. She laughed again and said, "Don't mind me, sister. In the past, I had no one to talk to. Today, seeing you, I find I have so much to say. Have pity on me, all alone."
"Seeing how beautiful sister is, your heart must surely be kind as well." Luluo rose and actually crouched down in front of Shi Jun.
She looked up and said, "Sister, you're too cold-hearted. Ah, this little sister is so sad."
With that, Luluo made as if to wipe away tears.
Shi Jun had never seen such a scene. She hurriedly reached out to help her up. Luluo's eyes shimmered, misted with tears.
A beauty in tears—how pitiful.
The weariness in Shi Jun's heart was brushed away, and she felt rather helpless. "If you want to talk to me about these things, I'm naturally willing to listen. But I still need to go to the kitchen—how can I spare the time?"
"Why must sister do everything herself?" Luluo said in surprise.
Before she came, she had heard from the prefect that in Xie Changxi's household, there were no other maidservants besides the ones brought from Bianjing.
She had assumed that those from Bianjing, having seen the world, would be somewhat proud and aloof. But she never expected Shi Jun to be so easy to handle—a few words and she had already let down her guard.
Luluo's gaze shifted slightly, the cunning fading from her eyes.
"Then I won't disturb you, sister. Tonight, you rest, and let me attend to the master, alright?" Luluo asked with a smile.
Shi Jun thought that Luluo was, after all, a gift from the prefect, and not hers to manage.
If Luluo wished to serve the master, Shi Jun probably had no say in it.
Shi Jun agreed.
That evening, Shi Jun handed the pastries she had made to Luluo. Luluo caught the sweet fragrance of the pastries and suppressed her craving.
Luluo carried a plate of pastries toward the study. Xie Changxi was reading case files in front of the study.
The long moon shone high, and the beauty before the study moved with light, graceful steps, coming to a stop beside him.
A pair of slender, delicate hands held the porcelain plate, lingering over the desk for quite some time.
Shi Jun had always followed the rules—she had never behaved like this.
Xie Changxi glanced sidelong at the plate of pastries, then caught the scent of face powder beside him. He felt only disinterest, unwilling to touch the sweets, and simply continued reading the case files in silence.
“My lord, I heard from Sister Yingyue that you have pastries every night—is today’s not to your liking?” Luluo’s voice was kept very soft, and her posture unconsciously lowered as well.
Xie Changxi pressed his lips together, set down the case file, and looked up at Luluo, speaking gently: “Is Yingyue’s arrangement to your satisfaction?”
Luluo nodded and said, “Sister is very considerate. She arranged for me to stay next to her, so we can look after each other.”
Xie Changxi acknowledged this with a nod, then instructed Luluo to bathe and change clothes.
Luluo had assumed the matter was settled, but to her surprise, after his bath Xie Changxi simply went straight to bed, leaving her only to keep watch through the night.
She had never endured such humiliation. There were men at the prefect’s office who begged to have her, yet here she was, forced to swallow this indignity.