Xiao Zhi didn’t know what he was angry about.
Perhaps it was because Zhao Fu had received chestnut cakes in return for a handful of chestnuts, while he had helped Wan Tang seek great justice, yet she had given him nothing in return. This ungrateful behavior left him feeling deeply displeased.
Seeing Xiao Zhi remain motionless, Zhao Fu quietly reminded him, “Marquis, please eat them soon. They won’t taste as good when cold.”
Xiao Zhi picked up a piece of chestnut cake and took a bite.
The chestnut cake had already cooled, but its rich aroma quickly filled his mouth and nose. It melted on the tongue, neither dry nor choking, and before he knew it, Xiao Zhi had finished the entire piece.
Seeing his brow relax, Zhao Fu smiled and said, “It’s even softer when warm. Who would have thought Miss Wan Tang had such excellent skills?”
Xiao Zhi shot him a sidelong glance, and Zhao Fu immediately wiped the smile from his face. “This servant thinks Daye and the Eldest Mistress are truly fortunate.”
“Zijue is fortunate?” Xiao Zhi’s ears seemed to automatically skip over the words “Eldest Mistress.”
Zhao Fu, now on high alert and eager to show he harbored no improper thoughts toward Wan Tang, quickly added, “Miss Wan Tang is the Eldest Mistress’s dowry maid and will serve Daye in the future. Naturally, Daye is fortunate.”
Although the rules of Meiyuan were strict, Xiao Zhi wouldn’t get angry over a servant’s careless remarks.
Zhao Fu usually wouldn’t discuss such uncertain matters, but Wan Tang’s striking beauty stood out among the maids. It was common knowledge that she would eventually become Xiao Yujue’s concubine. This was also why Zhao Fu had advised Xiao Zhi not to interfere when Xiao Yujue had dragged her into the cave.
Xiao Zhi’s expression darkened. Glancing at the two remaining chestnut cakes, he suddenly lost his appetite. “Do not recklessly discuss rumors and hearsay!”
Wan Tang had once been his person; she absolutely could not become Xiao Yujue’s concubine. No matter how much debauchery occurred in other households, such things were absolutely forbidden in Wu’an Marquisate.
Wan Tang returned half an hour later.
Xiao Zhi kept his eyes fixed on his book, sneering, “Where did you run off to slack off?”
Wan Tang apologized and placed the tray on the edge of the table. Lifting the lid of the bowl, the aroma of plum blossom cakes wafted toward them. “This servant noticed the early plum blossoms in Meiyuan have bloomed, so I made some plum blossom cakes for the Marquis.”
“Plum blossom cakes?” Xiao Zhi glanced sideways. The warm cakes steamed gently, and behind the rising heat, her dark eyes sparkled.
“Yes. The Marquis saved this servant, and I have no way to repay you except by making some pastries.” Wan Tang nodded, then poured him a cup of black tea. The tea was amber in color, clear and bright, with a fragrant aroma.
Xiao Zhi’s lips curved upward. It seemed she wasn’t entirely ungrateful after all.
Wan Tang had grown a bit bolder lately. When she stole a glance upward, she unexpectedly met Xiao Zhi’s somewhat teasing gaze.
She hadn’t noticed when he had leaned closer. He was seated, and she was standing with a slight bow, yet they were nearly at eye level.
Xiao Zhi wore a smile at the corner of his mouth, his brow slightly raised. His handsome, jade-like face was now right before her, his warm breath brushing against Wan Tang’s face. “Do you think a plate of plum blossom cakes is enough to dismiss this Marquis?”
Wan Tang’s face flushed unexpectedly. She hastily averted her gaze, her heart pounding wildly. “Th-this servant wouldn’t dare. In the future, I will surely work like an ox or a horse to repay the Marquis.”
“This Marquis doesn’t farm. What use do I have for oxen or horses?”
Wan Tang was left speechless by his retort.
Seeing her flushed and flustered, Xiao Zhi decided not to tease her further. He picked up a plum blossom cake and tasted it.
It was truly fragrant.
He had long sampled all the delicacies of the capital, but this Plum Blossom Cake was extraordinary. The filling inside was fragrant and pleasant, and with just one bite, the lingering aroma remained on the lips and teeth for a long time.
Wan Tang stammered, “This servant didn’t know the Marquis’s taste. Seeing so many plum blossoms in Meiyuan, I thought the Marquis liked plum blossoms, so I used them as filling in the pastry.”
Noticing her expectant gaze, Xiao Zhi nodded. “Not bad. Since you wish to repay me, you may make some pastries when you have free time in the future.”
With Xiao Zhi’s approval, Wan Tang immediately covered her mouth and laughed.
Her eyes curved into crescents, and her large eyes smiled like crescent moons.
Clearly, she was being asked to do work, yet she was happier than if she had received a reward—like a little fool. Xiao Zhi shook his head, both amused and exasperated.
“Marquis, enjoy the cake and tea. This servant will massage your shoulders.” The little fool Wan Tang was full of energy, moving behind Xiao Zhi and diligently beginning the massage.
Xiao Zhi turned his head and saw a few fingers as thick as radishes placed on his shoulders. He couldn’t help but frown. “What happened to your hands?”
Wan Tang curled her fingers, embarrassed. “Perhaps it’s because I was ill two days ago. When my body is weak, my fingers swell. It’s nothing serious.”
The smile on Xiao Zhi’s face froze. Watching her continue the massage without complaint, he reached out and pressed down on the small hand on his shoulder. “Stop massaging. Jade Beauty Ointment can reduce the swelling. Did you finish the one I gave you last time? I’ll have someone bring you another bottle. Come—”
Wan Tang, afraid he would actually call someone, hurriedly interrupted him in fright. “There’s still some left! Marquis, this servant hasn’t used it all.”
Trembling, she withdrew her hand from under his large palm.
“This Marquis has important matters to attend to. You may return now and come again tomorrow.”
Wan Tang looked at him gratefully, wanting very much to ask if Xiao Zhi had seen her swollen fingers and felt a bit of pity, deliberately finding an excuse to let her return and rest. But the words reached her lips and were swallowed back down.
No, it’s not yet time…
In Jinxiu Garden, Xiao Yujue absentmindedly read a book.
Song Zhiyun had returned to Jingyang Marquisate after paying respects to Laofuren. Since Wan Tang hadn’t returned, she hadn’t taken her along.
Xiao Yujue worried daily that Pei Erlang would ignore him in the future. However, having just been punished, even though he was anxious, he dared not leave the estate to find them for now. As he pondered ways to apologize in the future, he looked up and saw Wan Tang returning, so he called her into the room.
“Massage my knees. Why are they still hurting?” Xiao Yujue said, sweeping a glance at the maids in the room. “All of you, leave.”
Wan Tang was extremely unwilling but walked over heavily and knelt down.
Xiao Yujue hissed in pain, grabbed her arm, and pulled her up.
Wan Tang covered her mouth with her other hand, stifling a gasp. “Daye?”
Xiao Yujue reached out to touch her knees. “Why do you kneel so easily? It pains me to see it. Let me massage yours first, then you can massage mine.”
Wan Tang struggled forcefully to free her hand, retreating several steps in a row. “This servant thanks Daye. This servant won’t kneel anymore. This servant isn’t in pain.”
Seeing her like this, Xiao Yujue wanted to bully her even more. Now that he was in his own courtyard and Song Zhiyun wasn’t around, he had no reservations.
He stood up and moved closer to Wan Tang. “On the day of the Elegant Gathering, you even pleaded for me? In all of Jinxiu Garden, only you did so. If I had known earlier that you cared for me so deeply, I would have cherished you long ago.”
Wan Tang felt her scalp tingle. What was going on? Why was this different from the previous life’s course?
In her previous life, before Song Zhiyun became pregnant, Xiao Yujue had always maintained his refined image in front of others. At most, he would “accidentally” touch her hand or, as before, rub his leg against her body through their clothes—never so brazenly!
She retreated repeatedly, but Xiao Yujue pressed forward step by step.
Wan Tang was terrified and turned to run outside.
To her dismay, the maids had closed the door when they withdrew earlier. Before she could open it, a pair of large hands pressed firmly against the door panels.
Xiao Yujue braced his arms against the door, trapping the petite Wan Tang within his embrace.