“Laofuren, this servant deserves death. That day I was delirious from fever and spoke nonsense. It wasn’t Eldest Mistress who ordered me to sweep the snow—it was I who wanted to please Eldest Mistress and insisted on doing it myself.” As soon as Wan Tang arrived at Songhe Tang, she kowtowed and admitted her mistake.
Song Zhiyun seized the opportunity to put on an aggrieved expression.
The Old Marquis, who had been teasing a parrot, picked up the bird and left when he saw the situation in the room.
Laofuren shot him an annoyed glance, her expression indifferent. “Rise. The weather has turned cold; take better care of your health in the future.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Laofuren.” Wan Tang breathed a sigh of relief and stood up to massage Laofuren.
Song Zhiyun thought her “injustice” had been cleared and, as before, chatted with Laofuren for a while. However, Laofuren kept her eyes closed, resting, and only occasionally responded.
When Song Zhiyun, feeling bored, finally left, Laofuren waved her hand at Wan Tang. “Go to Meiyuan. I heard he didn’t sleep well again last night.”
Wan Tang respectfully withdrew.
Only after Wan Tang had walked away did Laofuren sigh. “Truly, my old eyes have grown dim. I always thought she was obedient and filial—how could she be so impatient behind my back? The matter is already over, yet she stirs up trouble again. Isn’t this a case of ‘protesting too much’?”
Wan Tang had served her for some time and was a dutiful, well-behaved maid. Laofuren was not blind.
Besides, what servant would be foolish enough to sweep snow continuously on a snowy day? If not ordered by her mistress, a maid would sweep for a while just for show and then stop. Yet Wan Tang swept until she collapsed from high fever.
It wasn’t that she pitied a maid—she simply disliked Song Zhiyun scheming in front of her.
Nanny Zhuang walked over and continued massaging Laofuren’s head. “Eldest Mistress is still young. Once she has children in the future, her temperament will settle.”
Laofuren neither agreed nor disagreed. “The day before yesterday, I called the young master over and spoke to him, blaming him for making a fuss over nothing and straining his relationship with Master Jue and his wife. Today, it seems I meddled unnecessarily. Those two indeed deserve to be taught a lesson. In the future, he should discipline Master Jue and his wife as he sees fit. I won’t say another word.”
Nanny Zhuang smiled. “The Marquis will marry and have children in the future. It’s good for him to practice first.”
Laofuren nodded, then sighed worriedly again, thinking of how Xiao Zhi’s marriage had yet to be settled…
The weather had been clear for the past two days. The accumulated snow on the trees melted into droplets that fell, drip-drip-drip, ding-ding-dang-dang, as if playing a pleasant melody that lifted one’s spirits.
When Zhao Fu saw Wan Tang, he smiled and looked her over. “Is Miss Wan Tang fully recovered? The Marquis is discussing matters in the study.”
Wan Tang understood and stopped where she stood, handing over a small package. “These are chestnut cakes I made myself early this morning. Have a taste, young sir, and thank you for the sweet potatoes and chestnuts the other day.”
The chestnut cakes were wrapped in dried lotus leaves, the heat releasing the fragrant aroma of the leaves, enticingly sweet.
Zhao Fu accepted them. “I do love to eat. Thank you, Miss Wan Tang.”
In the study, Xiao Zhi, standing by the window, happened to glance outside and caught sight of this scene. In the covered corridor, Zhao Fu eagerly tasted the chestnut cakes right in front of Wan Tang.
The chestnut cakes seemed deliciously sweet. He swallowed a piece whole, his smile so wide it crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“Marquis, I have secretly investigated the medicinal purchases made by the women of these families at the apothecary and found nothing unusual.” Zhao Chifeng reported the results of his recent investigation to Xiao Zhi, but after a long moment of silence, he glanced up.
Seeing Xiao Zhi staring blankly into the distance, Zhao Chifeng followed his gaze.
Frowning, Zhao Chifeng said, “Is the Marquis suspecting Zhao Fu? He has served you for many years. Though he may be a bit slick-tongued, he is loyal to you.”
Xiao Zhi snapped out of his thoughts and shot him a glare. “If you employ someone, do not doubt them; if you doubt them, do not employ them. I would not suspect my own trusted aide.”
Zhao Chifeng’s eyes shifted, immediately understanding: Then it must be that maid he suspects? I’ll have to investigate her thoroughly later.
After Zhao Chifeng withdrew, Wan Tang entered the study only after receiving permission.
At the doorway of the study, there was a puddle of water—a teacup had evidently been dropped there, and the spilled tea had already frozen over. Upon entering, Wan Tang deliberately stepped on it and, as expected, slipped. Just as she was about to fall flat on the ground, a large hand appeared at her waist, gripping her firmly and pulling her back. She crashed into Xiao Zhi’s embrace.
Her heart raced wildly, and Wan Tang’s face flushed red.
She quickly glanced back, steadied herself, and took several steps backward, bowing to Xiao Zhi. “This servant thanks the Marquis.”
Xiao Zhi withdrew his hand, placing it behind his back. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed together, as if still lingering with the sensation of her soft warmth.
Only two days had passed, yet she had grown noticeably thinner. Her once slightly rounded chin had sharpened a little, and her cheeks were flushed with a healthy glow. Her clear, bright eyes blinked nervously.
“Have you recovered so quickly?”
“Thank you for your concern, Marquis. I am almost fully recovered.” Wan Tang was wearing a somewhat worn peach-red padded coat today. Having grown taller this year, the chest area was noticeably tighter than last year, so she instinctively hunched her shoulders slightly.
Counting the days, only forty-nine remained, but Wan Tang dared not provoke Xiao Zhi recklessly again.
Just now, she had intentionally slipped, and Xiao Zhi had reached out to steady her. That alone satisfied her. After all, things must be taken step by step—there was no such thing as instant success.
Xiao Zhi waited for a while, but seeing her empty-handed with nothing else to offer, he couldn’t help but frown.
After paying her respects, Wan Tang began giving Xiao Zhi a massage. However, she didn’t understand why his expression had suddenly darkened, so she dared not slack off, applying ample strength.
After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Zhi said in a low voice, “Go brew a pot of tea.”
Hearing the impatience in his tone and glancing at the spot where the teacup had been dropped, Wan Tang obediently withdrew.
A moment later, Zhao Fu entered with a bowl of bird’s nest soup. “Laofuren sent someone to deliver this. Please drink it while it’s hot, Marquis.”
Xiao Zhi glanced at the watery-looking bird’s nest soup. “What have you been sneaking to eat again?”
Zhao Fu was taken aback, touching the corner of his mouth but finding nothing. “This humble servant hasn’t been sneaking anything. Miss Wan Tang just gave me a few pieces of Chestnut Cake, and I couldn’t resist eating some.”
“Just Chestnut Cake? And it made you this greedy?”
“She made them herself. They’re much more fragrant and delicious than the ones bought outside.” Seeing Xiao Zhi’s half-smile, Zhao Fu tentatively asked, “If the Marquis doesn’t mind, would you like to try some?”
Xiao Zhi did not refuse.
Seeing his tacit approval, Zhao Fu hurried out to fetch the Chestnut Cake. Only three pieces remained. Reluctant to part with them all, he placed two on a plate and wrapped the remaining one in a dried lotus leaf, tucking it into his robe.
Xiao Zhi glanced at the plate on the table and sneered, “Are you treating this Marquis like a dog to be appeased with scraps?”
Zhao Fu inwardly groaned, reluctantly producing the piece he had hidden away. “Marquis, there are only three pieces left in total. This humble servant was merely afraid you might not find them to your taste—I absolutely had no intention of hoarding them for myself.”
Suddenly snapping back to his senses and realizing what he was doing, Xiao Zhi said with displeasure, “She is a maid from the Song family’s dowry entourage, not someone you should be harboring thoughts about.”
Zhao Fu hurriedly protested, “Oh dear, where has the Master’s mind wandered to? It was simply that day when she was punished to sweep the snow, this servant kindly gave her a handful of chestnuts. Today she was just repaying the kindness by returning the favor with chestnut cakes.”
Xiao Zhi gritted his teeth and let out a few cold laughs. “It’s good that you know.”