Xiao Zhi glanced sideways, catching Wan Tang’s unease from the corner of his eye.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard her soft voice: “In reply to Laofuren, this servant noticed the Marquis’s right shoulder was tense and slightly raised, so I happened to guess correctly.”
Laofuren had only asked casually. Hearing the explanation, she smiled and looked at Song Zhiyun. “The servant takes after her mistress—just as clever as you.”
At the same time, Xiao Zhi curled his lips and chuckled softly, uttering a few words that were just drowned out by Laofuren’s voice.
Wan Tang faintly heard the words “little liar,” which carried an inexplicable hint of intimacy.
But with so many people around, she dared not press further.
Given what had happened that night, she didn’t dare to let her imagination run wild again. Pretending she hadn’t heard anything, she continued to dutifully massage his right shoulder.
Seeing Xiao Zhi sitting there comfortably with his brow relaxed, Laofuren signaled to a maid, who quickly brought over several portraits.
“You’re not young anymore. These are young ladies from families of comparable standing to our Wu’an Marquisate, all dignified in character and appearance, whom we met at the Flower Appreciation Banquet. Take a careful look and settle on a marriage before the New Year.”
The maid unrolled one portrait, revealing a woman with a delicate chin, gentle features, and a slender, willow-like figure.
“This is the youngest daughter of Duke Liang. Her mother is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Jingchang. This young lady…”
Before Laofuren could finish, Xiao Zhi sneered. “The old duke truly remains vigorous in his old age. He’s of the same generation as my grandfather, yet his youngest daughter is still unmarried?”
Laofuren was left speechless.
On ordinary occasions, she would have respectfully addressed him as Duke Liang.
Seeing Xiao Zhi’s displeasure, she had no choice but to introduce the other young ladies. Xiao Zhi looked through them absentmindedly, neither nodding nor shaking his head after viewing them. He even left without giving Laofuren a definite answer.
Greatly disappointed, Laofuren ordered someone to reward Wan Tang with some loose silver and instructed her to return the next day to continue massaging her headache.
Back at Jinxiu Garden, Song Zhiyun reclined on a daybed, having Wan Tang massage her legs.
Just then, Xiao Yujue also returned. After paying his respects to Laofuren in the morning, he had gone out to buy a parrot for the Old Marquis. “That little creature can mimic speech. Grandfather was delighted and spent a full hour playing with it.”
“Aren’t you afraid Grandfather will scold you for idling about and neglecting your studies?” Song Zhiyun cooed, leaning into Xiao Yujue’s embrace.
Xiao Yujue held her but glanced sideways at Wan Tang.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes, yet her small face was flushed with a healthy glow. Sunlight spilled over her head, casting a translucent glow on her fair earlobes, making her look irresistibly sweet.
Xiao Yujue’s throat tightened. “Buying that parrot wore me out. My legs are sore and my feet are swollen.”
Wan Tang stiffened slightly and looked up at Song Zhiyun.
Their eyes met, and Song Zhiyun gritted her teeth in frustration.
With Xiao Yujue beside her, she restrained her temper and said softly, “Didn’t you hear what Daye said? Why aren’t you massaging his legs?”
Wan Tang had no choice but to brace herself and massage Xiao Yujue’s calves.
Seeing those fair, delicate hands on his legs, Xiao Yujue’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Distracted, he pulled Song Zhiyun closer and kissed her.
Song Zhiyun nestled shyly in his arms, utterly enchanted by his sweet words, paying no attention to Wan Tang.
Wan Tang felt as if she were being roasted over a fire.
She knelt beside the daybed to massage their legs. In a spot hidden from Song Zhiyun’s view, Xiao Yujue was using his other foot to deliberately and subtly brush against her waist.
Wan Tang seethed with anger but dared not speak out. She waited until Song Zhiyun and Xiao Yujue could no longer restrain themselves and tumbled together before quietly slipping away.
Stepping outside, the wind hit her, and she shivered, her body covered in cold sweat.
Returning to her small room, she had just wanted to rest for a moment when Ziyan arrived. “If I hadn’t reminded Eldest Mistress today, you wouldn’t have had the chance to gain favor in front of Laofuren.”
Wan Tang took out the broken silver Laofuren had rewarded her with, smiling as she picked out a larger piece and pressed it into Ziyan’s hand. “Thank you, Sister Ziyan, for looking out for me.”
Ziyan, satisfied, tucked the silver into her own pouch, then pointed to her lower back and flopped onto the bed. “My back is terribly sore. Give me another massage.”
“Alright,” Wan Tang replied, walking over wearily.
Opportunities never came without reason. Though she had barely slept these past two days, she had seized every chance to massage Song Zhiyun’s three other personal maids. They had enjoyed the relief, and today, when Ziyan saw Laofuren suffering from a headache, she wanted to impress Song Zhiyun and thus mentioned Wan Tang.
In Song Zhiyun’s eyes, no matter how much Laofuren praised Wan Tang’s skill, the greatest credit still went to Ziyan, the one who recommended her.
Wan Tang understood this better than anyone, but it didn’t matter. Each got what they needed, and both were satisfied.
She recalled the sensation of Xiao Yujue’s muscles tensing under her palms as she massaged his legs earlier and felt utterly disgusted.
“My hands are dirty. I’ll wash them,” Wan Tang said, going out to fetch a basin of water. She scrubbed her hands fiercely until they turned bright red.