“When my father was alive, our family was well off. But after his grave illness, our fortunes fell. Before he passed, he instructed me to sell our property and seek relatives in Cangzhou.” Chuxia furrowed her brows, sensing that the master was not merely teasing her, and her expression gradually calmed. “I came to Cangzhou a year ago, my money was running out, and after starving for days, I just happened to come across an opportunity to enter service at your mansion… I signed the indenture.”
“What relatives were you looking for?” The master took a sip of tea, asking slowly. The blush that had faded now returned, and Chuxia bit her lip, saying softly, “The family of the man I was betrothed to as a child.” The master set down his teacup, smiling, “Since you can’t find them and you’ve signed the indenture here, just be a good maid.”
“Did the mistress treat you well before she passed?” “The mistress was very kind to me.” Chuxia felt a slight pang of sadness. “She didn’t ask me to do much, just things like styling her hair… Her death was very sad for me.” “Do you know who she interacted with most in the mansion?” “Not really anyone.” Chuxia frowned. “She didn’t even go out to the garden much.” “Hmm…” Ye An pursed his lips and handed her the book. “Can you read?”
“Ah?” Chuxia nodded subconsciously.
“Read a passage for me.” Chuxia opened a page, cleared her throat, and began to read, “If one goes against the spirit of spring, the lesser yang does not thrive, and the liver’s energy turns inward. If one goes against the spirit of summer, the greater yang does not flourish, and the heart’s energy hollows out. If one goes against the spirit of autumn, the great yin does not gather, and the lungs become full of heat. If one goes against the spirit of winter, the lesser barrier does not store, and the kidneys sink alone. The yin and yang of the four seasons are the root of all things, thus the wise nurture yang in spring and summer, and yin in autumn and winter…”
