Qinglong looked at him as if he were a freak, whispering to Chuxia, “Is he an idiot?”
“Uh…” Chuxia asked, “What happened?”
“That dead fat guy wanted Su to help write a land deed. After hearing him out, Su realized this guy was trying to forcibly take over an old neighbor’s land, so he refused. The fat guy then hit him,” Qinglong explained with disgust.
Chuxia looked at Su Fenghua, perhaps because he didn’t get enough to eat, he was quite thin, and now with black and blue under his eyes from the punches, he looked somewhat comical. Yet, for such a gentle scholar to stand firm against oppression… he was quite admirable.
“Hey, are you okay?” Chuxia asked, concerned.
Su first bowed deeply in thanks, then said with a bitter face, “Did you come back to ask about Green Willow Alley? I’ve told you, I was young then, I remember nothing…”
Chuxia shook her head, “Your… buns fell on the ground, they’re not edible anymore. Here, take these.” She handed him a small package of pastries wrapped in a handkerchief.
Su Fenghua was stunned, not knowing whether to accept or not, his face turning very red. Chuxia took the initiative to put them in his hands and said to Qinglong, “Let’s go.”
The crowd dispersed, and Su Fenghua stood there, clutching the small pastries, watching Chuxia’s retreating figure, motionless.
That night, Chuxia searched the Jun Mansion for the head steward but couldn’t find him. She grabbed someone and asked, “Where is the Young Master?”
From the shadowy moonlight, Bai Xue’s voice came from behind, “What do you need him for?”
“I need to find him… for something,” Chuxia hesitated.
Bai Xue looked at her with a half-smile, lowering her voice, “The Young Master is at Wuliu Spring.” In early summer, Chuxia murmured a thank you, lifted the hem of her skirt, and ran towards the Wuliu Spring in Shuyuan. Bai Xue pursed her lips and softly said, “It’s the young master who should thank me…” When choosing the site for Shuyuan, it was said that the old master valued this hot spring the most for its rejuvenating properties. Every day, he instructed the young master to soak in it, which greatly benefited his profound inner strength. The Wuliu Spring was located in the southern corner of Shuyuan, separated from the garden scenery by a rockery. The sound of the spring water gurgling could be heard, along with a faint scent of sulfur. The maidservants went in and out, and Chuxia waited for a long time before she quietly slipped inside. It was her first time there, and the mist made it hard for her to keep her eyes open. She only vaguely saw the silhouette of the young master, while a girl knelt by the hot spring, carefully lifting his black hair and wiping his back. Whether it was the steam or the heat of the place, Chuxia’s cheeks flushed slightly. Realizing the inappropriateness of the moment, she intended to leave quietly. “You can go out, let her come in,” the young master suddenly spoke. His voice was deep and melodious, carrying through the mist, with an almost surreal quality. The girl obediently stood up, handed the white cloth to Chuxia, and left. Chuxia stood there in confusion, wondering if she was supposed to go over… Uh? She usually just served in the study, never having done such personal care tasks before… “What are you standing there for?” the young master said lazily, “Come over.” His voice snapped Chuxia back to reality, reminding her of her purpose for coming. She hurried over, saying, “Young Master.” The young master’s upper body was above the water, and Chuxia only saw his back. His wet hair was brushed aside by the maid, revealing a smooth back. His posture was very languid, with his eyes half-closed. “Mhm,” he acknowledged. Chuxia quickly averted her gaze, eager to finish her business: “Young Master, does the Jun Mansion need any more people these days?” The young master opened his eyes with interest, glancing sideways at her: “Why? Do you want to sign an indenture?” After he spoke, Chuxia didn’t reply, her gaze somewhat dazed on him… His eyelashes seemed to be wet with the spring water, dotted with tiny droplets, and when he turned his head, the lines of his neck tensed slightly… He was so handsome. She forgot to speak, and he slightly narrowed his eyes, a half-smile, softly calling her name: “Chuxia?” “Ah?” Chuxia snapped back to reality, embarrassed by her lapse, her cheeks flushing. “If there’s nothing else, help me dry off,” the young master said with a slight smile. “There is something,” Chuxia said, gripping the cloth, unsure where to start wiping, and mumbled, “Today, Qinglong and I went to the Chenghuang Temple and met Su Feng Hua.” The young master responded with another “Mhm,” indicating he was listening. “We didn’t really find out anything, but Su Feng Hua looked so pitiful.” Chuxia found his pedantic demeanor amusing, “He’s a poor scholar who can’t even afford food. Young Master, I heard the accounting room needs someone. Why not do a good deed and bring him into the Jun Mansion?” The young master’s narrow eyes slightly lifted, and Chuxia’s smile was unassuming, just a slight dimple at the corner of her lips, delicate like the first bloom of a crabapple. He momentarily lost control and reached out his wet arm towards her cheek. Chuxia stiffened at his touch, forgetting to dodge. His voice seemed to have a magical pull: “Why come to me for this?” Her cheek felt wet, and Chuxia was taken aback… Yes, she should have gone to the head housekeeper, why did she think of the young master first? “Because… the head housekeeper is very fierce,” Chuxia sniffed, looking at her fingertips. The young master chuckled but said, “I’m going to stand up.” Chuxia had only seen his upper body so far, and at his words, she stammered, “Oh, I… I should go out first…” Before she could finish, she slipped and fell into the spring. Unfamiliar with water, she panicked, feeling her body sink. After what felt like an eternity, her feet touched the stones, and she felt relieved, only to be suddenly lifted out of the water by someone. Chuxia coughed from the water she had swallowed. A hand gently wiped the water from her face: “Are you okay?” She opened her eyes to see the young master, half-naked under the moonlight, his skin glistening with moisture, except for the scar on his neck—a mark she had left herself, now a light brown patch that was somewhat startling. Perhaps from tension or inadvertently, Chuxia swallowed, a small movement the young master noticed. His pupils contracted slightly, pulling her closer. The smile on his lips deepened as she, unable to swim, could only cling to his shoulders. He then “reluctantly” wrapped his arm around her waist. The air carried a faint scent of grass, with water dripping from their hair and bodies, creating ripples on the surface. Chuxia suddenly screamed, “Let go of me!” The young master pursed his lips and complied: “Alright.” He let go, and Chuxia, not holding tightly, started to sink again. Fortunately, she managed to grab his neck again, embarrassed and flustered, whispering, “Young Master, please help me out first.” The young master hummed in agreement, tilting his head slightly, his cheek brushing against hers as he smiled, “You want me to help Su Feng Hua?” In her confusion, Chuxia could only nod randomly. His hands encircled her waist, lifting her slightly as he laughed, “You’re strangling me.” Chuxia quickly loosened her grip, and he supported her with one hand while lifting her chin with the other, his eyes bright like stars: “I can agree to your request—on one condition.” Feeling hot, breathless, and dizzy, Chuxia’s voice was muddled, “What?” He smiled, moving closer, gently brushing a wet strand of hair from her face: “Just promise me first.” Chuxia, maintaining a last shred of clarity, murmured, “What… what do you want me to do this time?” He looked deeply into her eyes, as if making a promise: “Not like last time, girl, I promise.”
