“Literati and poets all love to immerse themselves in the beauty of landscapes. Faced with such a picturesque scene, how could one resist the urge to paint?” Chuxia nodded and asked, “Young Master, from where… did you find so many paintings for comparison?” “Naturally, they will be sent here,” the young master instructed, “When you look at the paintings, have the pageboy outside follow you; he can assist.” Chuxia nearly jumped at the words, “Young Master, I don’t want that.” “It’s not up to you,” the young master said without looking at her, tapping the table, “Aqing, come in.” The pageboy entered, bowing to the young master. The young master then said, “From today, you will follow Chuxia.” Aqing glanced at Chuxia and lazily responded, “Yes.” Chuxia, after enduring for a while, finally said, “Young Master, can we change someone else?” “Why?” “This pageboy is too noisy; with him around, I can’t focus on anything.” Aqing, angered, retorted, “You find me noisy? I find you clumsy!” The young master did not stop their bickering. Suddenly, Chuxia, no longer looking at Aqing, addressed the young master, “Young Master, I have a request.” The young master smiled faintly, “Let’s hear it.” Chuxia suppressed her anger, reminding herself of the importance of the matter at hand. After taking several deep breaths, she said, “If you want me to sort through the paintings, I will do my best. But after the task… could you return my indenture contract?” The young master’s eyebrows lifted slightly, a slight smile playing on his lips, “What if I don’t return your freedom?” “Then my speed in reviewing the paintings might be very slow… If there are thousands of scrolls, it might take three to five years to finish.” Chuxia said defiantly. Before the young master could respond, Aqing interjected, “You dare to threaten the Young Master? You’re so clumsy, why do you want to leave the mansion anyway?” The young master just smiled, giving Chuxia a deep look, and cheerfully said, “Alright, I promise you.”
After she left, the young master only had Aqing remain, and before he could speak, Aqing preempted, “Young Master, where did you find such an ill-mannered maid?” The young master smiled, “Qinglong, only I and Chuxia have seen the true ‘Ballad of the Mountains and Waters.’ I’ve kept you by her side for a reason, you understand?” Qinglong’s playful demeanor turned serious as he solemnly said, “Qinglong understands.” The young master “hmm”ed, then added, “This girl is timid; when action must be taken, try not to let her see it.”
At the beginning of the new year, over a thousand guests of the Jun family returned with landscape paintings collected from various places. For several days, numerous carriages filled with scrolls entered the mansion, heading directly to the painting studio. The studio was located in a corner of the Shu Garden, beneath the Linjiang Pavilion, consisting of two courtyards. The front courtyard was filled with paintings collected from all over, and the back was where Chuxia resided. One afternoon, as Chuxia walked around the garden, she noticed it seemed increasingly deserted and curiously asked, “Aqing, don’t you think… there are fewer people in the Jun family now?” Aqing, following lazily, said, “The Young Master recently dismissed many of the old master’s concubines, and quite a few servants were also let go.” Chuxia exclaimed in surprise, and Aqing continued, “The Young Master is generous to friends and kind-hearted towards his servants. Everyone got their indenture contracts back and a large severance payment.” Chuxia’s face turned pale then red, murmuring, “That’s not fair.” Aqing laughed, “The Young Master keeps you here for your own good… You’re so clumsy, you’d probably be kidnapped within three steps outside.” Chuxia glared at Aqing, about to retort when she noticed something floating on the lotus pond behind him. Aqing, seeing her expression change, asked, “What’s wrong?” Chuxia screamed, pointing towards the pond, trembling, “Aqing… Aqing… What is that?” Aqing turned to see two bodies floating on the pond. His expression unchanged, he quickly positioned himself to block Chuxia’s view, pulling her away without a word. Behind them, several figures emerged from the pond, breaking through the ice.
Chapter Nine
“Hey, girl, time to eat.” “You go ahead… I’m not hungry.” Chuxia was buried in the scrolls, “I’ll eat after I finish these.” Aqing, helpless, took the food back outside. At the door, he placed the meal on a nearby beauty couch and signaled with his hand. A shadow fell lightly from the sky. Aqing scolded in a low voice, “What happened at noon? You dealt with them, why leave the bodies?” The shadow guard bowed, “The pond connects to the Cang River outside the mansion, and as you predicted, someone infiltrated this morning. They were tough; it took half an hour to handle them, and before we could dispose of the bodies, people were already coming into the garden…” Qinglong, irritated, waved his hand, “No more mistakes like this. Be quicker next time.” The shadow guard, who rarely saw Qinglong so agitated, asked, “Sir… you seem worried.” Qinglong sighed, “It’s all because of that girl. She’s not only clumsy but also timid. After seeing those bodies, she hasn’t eaten for two meals! The Young Master will surely blame me… what bad luck!” The shadow guard was stunned, then Qinglong asked, “By the way, who were those men?” “Their movements were elusive, fighting in the water… couldn’t tell.” The shadow guard produced a silk thread with a bell from his pocket, “This was found on them.” Qinglong took it, his thin lips pressed tight like a knife.
At midnight, Chuxia pushed aside a table full of scrolls, rubbing her tired eyes. “Aqing, how many have I looked at today?” “Didn’t count. Oh, by the way, two more carriages of paintings were sent from the treasury today.” Chuxia acknowledged with an “oh,” then asked, “Where is the Young Master? Isn’t he in the mansion?” “He just came back, went to Ying Garden.” Aqing lazily replied. Chuxia’s expression was blank, then she “oh”ed again. After a moment, she said, “Aqing, didn’t you say many people were let go?” “Ying Garden is different…” Aqing grinned, “The Young Master can’t bear to let them go.”
As usual, Aqing escorted Chuxia back to the Linjiang Pavilion. Halfway there, a sudden gust of wind rustled through the bushes, sounding like scurrying rodents. He stopped, listening intently, hearing a distant, clear chime. His expression turned serious. A cold wind blew, making Chuxia shiver, and she couldn’t help but say, “Aqing…” Aqing raised his finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. The rustling grew closer, and Aqing pushed Chuxia, whispering, “I’ll check it out; you go back to the Linjiang Pavilion.” The unease in Chuxia’s heart grew, yet she dared not speak much, turning to dash towards Linjiang Pavilion not far away. After running a few steps, she looked back, only to find that Aqing’s figure had disappeared. Her panic intensified as she thought of Lady Wangyun’s mysterious death and the two corpses found in the lotus pond today, nearly bringing her to tears in terror. Finally reaching Linjiang Pavilion, she found none of the usual serving maids. Stumbling into the entrance hall, Chuxia closed the door behind her, leaning against it to catch her breath. The room was still dark; she watched her shadow stretched by the moonlight, feeling something was off. Clouds obscured the moon, dimming even the shadows… Holding her breath, she heard faint footsteps approaching—the room wasn’t empty!
