“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…”
In the quiet room, Chuxia’s voice was clear and melodious, like a warbler on a branch or raindrops on a banana leaf, enchanting to listen to. Master Ye An’s expression grew more serene. Seeing him nod slightly, Chuxia asked, “Is that enough, Master?”
“Not bad, you can read and understand sentences, more than enough to be a maid in the study,” Master Ye An said. “From today, you’ll serve in my study.” “…Yes.” Chuxia took a moment to respond, then nodded. “Then, prepare the ink for me.” Ye An stood up, his white fur cloak slipping to the couch, unheeded as he walked forward. Chuxia hurried to the desk, rolling up her sleeves to grind the ink. It was an excellent inkstone, the ink rich and thick yet not sticky. Ye An’s long fingers moved gracefully, his brush strokes flowing like clouds and water, yet with strength and structure. Chuxia stood aside, silent. From her angle, the master’s posture was tranquil, a gentle smile on his lips, as if he were a noble young master who only loved poetry and painting… Could this person be the one from the rumors?
According to rumors, that man’s sword was unmatched in sharpness, killing in ten steps; he was unparalleled in strategy and intrigue, solving any mystery of the martial world; he was dashing, handsome, and stirred the hearts of many young women; now, this man was right in front of her, within reach.
Ye An, of course, had no idea what the girl beside him was thinking. After a moment of contemplation, he wrote “To Miss Di of Luoyang” on the cover of the document and exhaled softly.
“Ah, it’s for Miss Di of Luoyang,” Chuxia thought, her heart stirring slightly, when she heard the master’s command, “Take it to the boy at the door. Tell him to deliver it to the Di residence in Luoyang.” She responded, handing the document to the boy, hesitating whether to go back in, when she heard the master’s voice from inside, “What are you standing out there for?”
She quickly pushed the door open, standing by his side again, silent. “Did I ask you to stand here like a potted plant?” Ye An looked up from his book, his gaze fixed on Chuxia, asking softly. “I… I was afraid of disturbing you,” Chuxia opened her mouth, her tone a mix of confusion and concern. “What would the master like me to do?”
“Can you read people’s expressions? In your free time, chat with me, when I’m busy, prepare ink and tea. Can you do that?” Chuxia was momentarily speechless, then disheartened, “That’s too hard, Master. I might overstep, and you’d blame me.”
“I’m not blaming you now.” Ye An chuckled. “Tell me, to whom did your father promise you?”
“I… I’d rather not say.” Chuxia pouted, somewhat unwillingly. “It’s a servant’s private matter.”
Ye An laughed softly; he didn’t really know why he enjoyed teasing this girl. In terms of looks, she was not stunning, just plain pretty. But her eyes were exceptional: quiet as autumn water when silent, lively and spirited when speaking, black and white clear, touching one’s heart with just a glance. After speaking a few words, Chuxia felt less constrained and mustered the courage to ask, “Young Master, I have a question I’d like to ask you.”
“Hmm?” The young master elongated his tone slightly, his voice sounding a bit lazy.
“Young Master, did you eliminate the bandits in Gankuang Road?”
Young Master Ye An looked up, slightly surprised. “How did you find out?”
“I once heard people arguing in a tea house. Some said the Young Master wiped out horse bandits on Gankuang Road, while others claimed he solved a mysterious case in Huzhou Prefecture.” Chuxia smiled. “But I know for sure, the Young Master must have gone to Gankuang.”
These two events were indeed widely discussed in the martial world, but Young Master Ye An never explained, always letting people speculate. Only his close confidants like Cang Qianlang knew the truth. Now, hearing Chuxia mention it, he couldn’t help but be curious.
“It’s quite simple, Young Master. That night you rushed back and covered me with that white fur coat—I examined it closely later, and it was full of yellow sand. If you had come from Huzhou Prefecture, a place surrounded by water, how could there be so much sand on you?”
A look of slight approval flickered in Ye An’s eyes, but he only gave a non-committal smile. “You’re quite clever, little girl.”
“Eh?”
“Bandits are fierce; I had to deal with them personally. The unresolved case in Huzhou Prefecture only required a letter from me to guide the local authorities, and they would naturally handle it.”
“So… so, you did both?”
Ye An did not deny it. Seeing Chuxia’s astonished expression… made him feel quite pleased.
“Young Master, the chief steward is waiting at the door.”
Ye An stopped jesting, his expression returning to normal. “Come in.”
When Cang Qianlang saw Chuxia, he was momentarily stunned and looked questioningly at his young master. Ye An casually said, “Let this girl serve me, grinding ink and brewing tea.”
Cang Qianlang quickly agreed. However, when Chuxia saw him, her face turned slightly pale, and she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, moving a few steps behind Ye An. Cang Qianlang then gave a bitter smile, “Do you still hold a grudge? I truly regret what happened that day. If you cannot forgive me, I, as the chief steward, feel deeply guilty and have nothing to offer in return except perhaps your indenture contract…”
Chuxia’s eyes lit up, ready to respond, but Ye An casually interrupted, “Qianlang, are you trying to pass off my favor as your own, using the Jun family’s resources for personal gain?”
Cang Qianlang hurriedly admitted his mistake. Chuxia, seeing her hope of redemption vanish, couldn’t help but mutter internally—how could the rumors of the Young Master’s generosity be so off? He was supposed to be a man who would scatter his wealth like dust… why was he being so stingy now? Her mind raced, and she quietly suggested, “Chief Steward, if you feel guilty but cannot burn my indenture, I wouldn’t dare blame you… but you could use your own money to buy my freedom…”
This was the first time Ye An saw Cang Qianlang look dazed, and he couldn’t help but find it amusing. However, he turned back to Chuxia with an indifferent look and said, “Your price can only be set by me. I’m afraid even the chief steward couldn’t afford it.”
Cang Qianlang quickly agreed with a “Yes.”
