The Xu family was a lineage of imperial physicians, but Xu Xing was an anomaly. Though highly skilled in medicine, he kept his abilities hidden from the world. If someone collapsed at his feet, he wouldn’t even glance their way if he didn’t wish to, let alone offer help. Yet, for some reason, he got along well with Xiao Zhi, eagerly volunteering to help him recuperate.
The day after the Flower Appreciation Banquet, Xu Xing had already detected that Xiao Zhi had been drugged with an aphrodisiac. As for how it was resolved, he couldn’t pry the answer from Xiao Zhi’s lips.
Xiao Zhi sighed, “There were too many people that day. It’s difficult to investigate.”
Xu Xing glanced at his face and teased, “Could it be that some young lady coveted your beauty and resorted to such a desperate measure? In any case, that person didn’t succeed, so it doesn’t matter if we can’t find out. Where’s the maid who usually gives you massages? Call her over quickly.”
Xiao Zhi said gloomily, “With such a chattering mouth, it’s a pity you weren’t born a sparrow in this lifetime.”
Perhaps drawn by the commotion in the Purple Bamboo Grove, a flock of sparrows happened to perch on the withered branches in the corner of the wall, chirping noisily—a fitting scene.
Xu Xing shot him a glare. “With that mouth of yours, no wonder you can’t find a wife! I’m about to embark on a long journey, and I just wanted to teach that maid a few more techniques. You truly don’t appreciate kindness.”
“Are you going to Yizhou? She’s already married. Why trouble yourself?” Like Xiao Zhi, Xu Xing was twenty-five and still unmarried.
“Who said I’m going to find her?” Xu Xing averted his gaze guiltily, unwilling to continue the topic…
Just beyond a nearby wall, the atmosphere was lively and bustling.
Elegant gatherings often involved drinking, composing poetry, listening to music, and appreciating paintings, and today was no exception.
In the Purple Bamboo Grove stood a three-story bamboo pavilion named the Emerald Jade Pavilion, nestled within the lush, verdant bamboo forest.
As light snow drifted down, a group of refined young men were engaged in animated discussions inside the pavilion. Maids roasted venison and warmed wine nearby. Some leaned against the windows to admire the snow, while others reached out to touch the bamboo, all enjoying a carefree and leisurely time.
After several rounds of wine, a few of the dissolute young masters began to grow tipsy. As frequent visitors to the red-light district, they could no longer maintain their initial gentlemanly demeanor and began to comment on the maids serving around them. Those with passable looks were subjected to their lecherous gazes.
One of them, unsatisfied with the view, sneered at Xiao Yujue, “Is this all the quality your household has to offer?”
“The peerless beauties you used to speak of, Zizhuo—were they perhaps only in your dreams? Otherwise, I truly can’t admire your taste.” Zizhuo was Xiao Yujue’s courtesy name.
“Hahaha…” The crowd erupted in laughter, all convinced that Xiao Yujue’s past claims had been mere boasts.
Xiao Yujue, feeling embarrassed and displeased, called over a young maid. “Where is Wan Tang? Tell her to come and serve!”
Wan Tang’s face was as delicate as jade and fragrant as cream, and her eyes alone could steal souls. He refused to believe they would still mock him after seeing her—a bunch of coarse fellows who had never tasted fine grain!
When the young maid hurriedly found Wan Tang, she was having someone prepare a sobering soup. Worried that Xiao Yujue might take advantage of his drunkenness to harass her later, she had personally concocted the recipe for the sobering soup.
Upon hearing that Xiao Yujue was looking for her, Wan Tang refused to go. “The Eldest Mistress has assigned me important tasks. I cannot leave without permission.”
The young maid was on the verge of tears. “Please have pity on me, Miss Wan Tang. If you don’t go, I’ll surely be punished.”
Wan Tang hardened her heart. “Just go about your duties. Later, Daye won’t even recognize which one you are.”
The young maid trembled with fear, too scared to leave.
As the two stood at an impasse, Cai Lian also arrived looking for her.
Wan Tang knew that further delay would alert the Eldest Mistress, so she steeled herself and headed to Cuiyuxuan.
As she entered Cuiyuxuan, Wan Tang kept her head lowered. Even so, Xiao Yujue recognized her at a glance by her figure. “Wan Tang, come pour wine for me,” he called.
The idle young men who often drank and caroused with Xiao Yujue had all heard that Wan Tang was a rare beauty. At the sound of her name, they turned their gazes toward her like hungry wolves.
Wan Tang felt as if needles were pricking her back. After greeting everyone, she lowered her head and reached for the wine pot.
The pot was warm, not scalding. But just as she picked it up, a large hand reached out from the side and landed on the back of her hand, seizing the opportunity to grasp her entire hand. “This is Brother Zizhuo’s fault—he doesn’t know how to cherish beauty. What a pity it would be if these hands were burned.”
In her past life, Wan Tang had been startled by this move and accidentally overturned the wine pot, spilling wine on the man beside her.
He pretended to be easygoing, saying there was no need to change clothes, but insisted that Wan Tang wipe him down with a handkerchief in front of everyone. The wine had spilled on his thigh, and under Xiao Yujue’s threatening gaze, Wan Tang hastily wiped it a few times. In the blink of an eye, another man wrapped an arm around her waist. One after another, they acted without restraint, taking turns to treat her like an object, fondling her without shame.
The maids serving in Cuiyuxuan were all Song Zhiyun’s dowry attendants, so Xiao Yujue allowed his friends to act recklessly without fear of the matter reaching the Old Marquis or the Marquis. After all, he himself had not laid a hand on her. Even if word spread, he would bear no major fault—at most, he would be scolded by the Old Marquis and the Marquis for keeping bad company.
As for these idle young masters, they were merely teasing a maid while drunk. Even if they took liberties with her, what did it matter? The masters would not care about a maid bound by a life contract.
So this time, Wan Tang gripped the wine pot tightly, not spilling a drop.
But the man holding her hand refused to let go, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand several times.
Wan Tang shuddered with disgust but dared not resist. She pleaded softly, “This maid will pour wine for you, Master.”
“Pouring wine is boring. Drink a cup with me instead,” the man said, wrapping an arm around Wan Tang’s waist and bringing his own cup to her lips.
In this life, she had chosen a position less accessible to them, yet the outcome remained unchanged. Thinking of what would happen next, Wan Tang clenched her teeth and decided to seek help from Xiao Yujue.
There were still fifty-two days until Xiao Yujue would take her as his concubine in her past life. For now, playing along with him offered a glimmer of hope.
Compared to being disgusted by many, Wan Tang would rather choose to be disgusted by only one.
She raised her eyes to Xiao Yujue, her red lips parting slightly. “Daye, this maid—”
Before she could finish, a tall figure suddenly appeared from the side. A familiar voice descended like heavenly music: “I wondered why Houfu was so clean today. It turns out you’ve all swept your dignity away.”
The arm around Wan Tang’s waist abruptly withdrew.
Wan Tang’s eyes grew hot as she looked up at the newcomer.
Xiao Zhi, imposing and dignified, stood before her. His sword-like brows were furrowed, and his ink-black eyes were filled with stern coldness. Just by standing there, he cast a chill over the once warm and cozy bamboo pavilion.
Everyone fell silent. Cuiyuxuan suddenly grew quiet, leaving only the sizzling sound of roasting venison.
Also feeling the heat was the idle young man who had just touched Wan Tang—the second son of Minister Pei.
“F-father, what brings you here?” Xiao Yujue never expected Xiao Zhi to come to this place—he was not one to seek out crowds.
Xiao Zhi raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze sweeping over Xiao Yujue’s face, causing the prepared excuses to die in his throat out of sheer fright.
Xiao Zhi frowned as he looked at Wan Tang beside him. “Come here.”
Wan Tang’s eyes involuntarily began to sting, and she scurried over somewhat awkwardly to offer a respectful greeting.
Xiao Zhi glanced at her hands, then swept his gaze over her slender waist, his voice low and stern. “Which hand did he use to touch you just now?”