The next day, Xiao Zhi practiced with his long spear in Meiyuan for a while before irritably stopping.
Seeing this, Zhao Fu approached with a cheerful smile to report: “Someone from Songhe Tang has come, inviting the Marquis to go over.”
Xiao Zhi tossed the spear into his arms: “Not going.”
The thought of Laofuren urging him to settle his marriage yesterday made his head buzz and ache.
He shifted his right shoulder uncomfortably—it felt sore and swollen, as if it had been soaked in vinegar overnight. This shoulder had been reinjured in the borderlands after its old wound had just healed, and it acted up whenever the weather turned cold. Even after returning to the capital and undergoing acupuncture and recuperation, it had never fully recovered.
For the past few days, the nagging soreness had been hard to ignore, and when it got bad, he couldn’t sleep at all through the night.
Last night, he had slept quite well, but who would have thought that after some training this morning, it would start acting up again.
Xiao Zhi suddenly remembered Wan Tang’s small hands—her fingers pale, her nails a soft pink, seemingly delicate and boneless, yet when pressed against his shoulder, they carried quite some strength.
He shook his head and strode back to his room.
At Songhe Tang, Wan Tang was massaging Laofuren’s head.
Hearing that Xiao Zhi wasn’t coming, her heart sank with disappointment.
In fifty-seven days, Song Zhiyun would become pregnant, and on the very day she conceived, she would lecture Wan Tang, urging her to become a concubine to secure favor.
Wan Tang felt anxious but knew she couldn’t rush things. Coming back to her senses, she heard Laofuren praising her hands for their skill: “I’m old now, and my head aches as soon as the cold wind blows. The others massage well, but it’s never this comfortable.”
“Old Ancestor, are you getting tired of us?” The maids and aunts nearby teased with a laugh.
Wan Tang also smiled and said: “Thank you for your favor, Old Ancestor. How could this servant compare to the aunts and maids? Eldest Mistress originally intended to learn massage herself to show her filial piety to you, but later, busy preparing for her wedding, she allowed this servant to learn it in her stead.”
Her words both praised Song Zhiyun and linked her own massage skills to showing filial respect to Laofuren.
Laofuren praised Song Zhiyun profusely and even gifted her a jade bracelet of exceptional quality.
After leaving Songhe Tang, Song Zhiyun couldn’t suppress the smile on her lips. That night, she didn’t make Wan Tang stay on duty, allowing Wan Tang to finally get a good night’s sleep.
On the third day, as soon as Song Zhiyun and her husband arrived at Songhe Tang, they found Xiao Zhi there as well.
After exchanging greetings, Wan Tang walked familiarly behind Laofuren to help massage her.
Xiao Yujue stole a few uneasy glances at Xiao Zhi before suddenly kneeling before him: “A few days ago, your son was drunk and heard that Zhao Fu brought me back. If I offended you in any way, please forgive me, Father.”
Xiao Zhi glanced over lazily: “Don’t remember?”
Others were left confused, but Xiao Yujue knew what he was asking and pretended to be clueless, shaking his head.
Xiao Zhi snorted coldly.
Having suddenly gained such a grown son, he actually didn’t know how to interact with him. Only ten years younger, though he hadn’t had to raise him, his character was already set. That night, he had seen clearly—Xiao Yujue had been walking steadily before reaching the rockery. His “good son” was quite the actor.
Xiao Yujue knocked his forehead against the ground with a dull thud: “Father, please forgive me. That night, your son drank with the second son of Vice Minister Pei and rashly brought up rumors about you. I couldn’t bear it and argued with him a few words… Later, we started competing in drinking, and in the end, I successfully drank him under the table.”
Song Zhiyun knelt beside Xiao Yujue: “Father, my husband kept his status in mind and didn’t dare to fight. He only wanted to stand up for you.”
Laofuren looked displeasedly at Xiao Zhi. “Have you become a mute? Tell them to rise.” Seeing Xiao Zhi remain silent, she sighed helplessly and asked Xiao Yujue, “What rumors have you heard, Jue’er? Quickly assure your father that you won’t engage in drinking contests anymore.”
“They say Father has a hidden…” Xiao Yujue glanced subtly at Xiao Zhi before kowtowing again. “As a member of the Wu’an Marquisate, I cannot allow others to slander Father!”
By bringing this up, his drunken misconduct that day seemed trivial in comparison.
Although Xiao Yujue didn’t finish his sentence, Laofuren understood.
She gave Xiao Zhi a meaningful glance. She had also heard this rumor—some loose-tongued person claimed Xiao Zhi had a hidden ailment, and it had already spread among the noble families. That was why she was eager to hold the Flower Appreciation Banquet, to settle Xiao Zhi’s marriage and dispel the rumors.
Xiao Zhi let out a cold laugh, raising his eyes to glance at Laofuren.
Wan Tang felt an intense gaze fall upon her and held her breath, careful not to show any sign of unease. Yet, recalling Xiao Zhi’s vigor that day, her ears began to burn, quickly flushing crimson.
“Alright, alright. Jue’er was only defending you—this shows his filial piety. There’s no need to blame him. Both of you, rise.”
At Laofuren’s command, Xiao Yujue and his wife stood up.
Seeing Xiao Zhi’s displeased expression, Xiao Yujue tried to ingratiate himself. “Father, isn’t your old ailment acting up? This maid serves in my quarters and is quite skilled at massage. Shall I have her knead your shoulders for you?”
His flattery was obvious, but Xiao Zhi detected another layer of meaning.
This was a reminder that Wan Tang was from his quarters, and any inappropriate behavior toward her while drunk was insignificant.
Xiao Zhi curled his lip slightly. “This Marquis has matters to attend to.”
Without another word, he stood and left, leaving behind a tall, imposing figure.
Xiao Yujue exchanged a bewildered glance with Song Zhiyun. Laofuren awkwardly tried to smooth things over. “His shoulders have been bothering him, and he hasn’t been sleeping well at night. That’s why he’s in such a poor mood.”
“Grandmother, I should still take Wan Tang to check on him.”
Seeing Xiao Yujue’s filial devotion, Laofuren naturally didn’t stop him and allowed Wan Tang to leave with him.
Song Zhiyun couldn’t follow to Meiyuan, so she stayed in Songhe Tang to chat with Laofuren.
On the way, Xiao Yujue reminded Wan Tang a few more times to watch her words. Wan Tang obediently lowered her head.
Her profile in the sunlight was smooth and delicate, like fine mutton-fat jade, stirring Xiao Yujue’s restless thoughts once more. Fortunately, reason held him back, and he refrained from any improper actions.
Soon, the two arrived at Meiyuan, where Xiao Zhi was drinking tea.
After explaining his purpose, Xiao Yujue signaled to Wan Tang with his eyes.
Wan Tang approached Xiao Zhi and curtsied. “May this servant massage Your Lordship?”
Xiao Zhi neither agreed nor refused. Wan Tang steeled herself and walked behind him, placing her soft, delicate hands on his broad shoulders. Finding the same spot as before, she began to knead.
Seeing Xiao Zhi didn’t refuse, Xiao Yujue secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
A moment later, Xiao Zhi glanced impatiently at Xiao Yujue. “Why are you still standing here?”
Xiao Yujue was momentarily stunned, unsure what he had said or done wrong.
Xiao Zhi cleared his throat, adopting a fatherly tone. “Drink less and study more from now on.”
Xiao Yujue nodded respectfully, shot a glance at Wan Tang, and obediently withdrew.
Soon, only Xiao Zhi and Wan Tang remained in the room.
In Meiyuan, aside from the rough-work maids, those serving Xiao Zhi closely were all young attendants, who were inevitably more careless than maidservants. No one had promptly replaced the tea when it turned cold. Having spent several years in the military camp, Xiao Zhi had long cultivated a habit of not sweating the small stuff. He picked up the chilled tea and took a sip.
Wan Tang blinked her eyes and said softly, “The Marquis has sore shoulders, so it’s not advisable to drink green tea. This servant will change the pot of tea for the Marquis.”
In the spacious room, a delicate and sweetly soft voice, tinged with a hint of sticky sweetness, sounded right by Xiao Zhi’s ear.
It was just like a kitten’s paw scratching at his heart—an unexpected, tingling itch.