Chuxia, now disheartened, stood silently at the back. But she heard Cang Qianlang say, “Young Master, a courier from Wuren Escort Agency has arrived, saying they’ll deliver several items to the Jun Mansion by evening.”
“Wuren Escort Agency?” Ye An softly repeated. In the martial world, Wuren Escort Agency was the top escort agency. The name “Wuren” might sound odd, but it was straightforward: even if there wasn’t a single person at the agency, its reputation alone ensured no one would dare to touch its goods.
“Is it the eldest son of the agency who personally escorted them here, Young Master… Did you send something valuable?”
“No.” Ye An stood up, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “You see, Qianlang, some things… come uninvited.” Chuxia’s heart sank as she trudged outside to order more water to be brought in. Upon returning, she saw the young master raising his eyebrows, looking at her with a keen interest. “Why do you look so listless?” he asked.
“I… I heard that many beautiful girls have come to the manor… I was just curious,” Chuxia replied offhandedly.
“You’re not a man, what’s there to be curious about?” The young master shifted his gaze back to his book, tapping the table lightly with his fingers. “Whether they are beautiful or not, what does it have to do with you?”
“Yes, it’s none of my concern. But doesn’t the young master want to take a look?” Chuxia took the small copper kettle from the servant, speaking as she poured water into the tea cup. She didn’t control the force well, and a few drops of hot water splashed out, just landing on the young master’s hand. Startled, Chuxia quickly set down the kettle and asked repeatedly, “Young master, are you burned?” As she reached out to check, she realized her impropriety, quickly withdrawing her hand, her face falling. “Young master, I’ll go get some ointment.”
Young Master Ye An frowned at her, his voice stern, “Give me your hand.”
Thinking she was to be punished, Chuxia timidly extended her hand, closing her eyes. There was no pain, only the warmth of his hand enveloping hers. Then she heard his voice, “Why are your hands so stiff? Are you very cold?”
How could she not be cold? It was the dead of winter, and there wasn’t even a stove in the study, yet the young master liked to keep the windows open. She was nearly freezing her nose off. Chuxia nodded quickly, “Very cold.”
Young Master Ye An’s voice turned cold as well, “Why didn’t you say so? Do you think I’m a harsh master who doesn’t care for his servants?”
“The young master is the most considerate. I’ll have someone install a stove tomorrow,” Chuxia hurried to say, “Thank you, young master.”
He hummed in acknowledgment, tossing the book aside, then suddenly said, “Very well. The cold night is indeed hard to endure.”
“Ah?” Chuxia sniffed, “Young master… are you going to see those girls?” If he did, wouldn’t she be… freed?
Noticing her excited expression, the young master casually remarked, “Aren’t you curious? Come with me to have a look.”
Cang Qianlang had arranged for the twelve girls to stay in the eastern corner of the Shuyuan Garden, named Yingyuan—a fitting name indeed. As Chuxia followed the young master into the hall, she felt an immediate warmth; the stewards must have been afraid the delicate girls would get cold, for there were glowing braziers everywhere. The hall had only a single table, with a white camel hair rug from the desert covering the floor, surrounded by many silk cushions. The girls, dressed in thin veils and barefoot, stepped on the rug, the soft fur covering their feet, making one’s heart itch. The young master had even taken off his heavy cloak, wearing only a plain white silk robe, a brocade belt at his waist, with a few strands of black hair falling freely, his eyes showing a hint of wild abandon.
“May I know what kind of music the young master prefers?” One of the girls, with a light laugh, leaned close to him, her breath like orchid.
The young master then wrapped his arm around her, his eyes squinting as he drained a cup of wine, laughing, “Let’s have ‘Feather Robe Dance’.”
Indeed, one of the girls skilled in music gracefully stepped forward. As the music played, its warmth and the scent of the room made even an outsider like Chuxia feel intoxicated, let alone the young master, who was surrounded by beauties.
After the song ended, the girl holding the pipa approached, pouring wine for the young master with a serpentine grace, her veiled figure revealing curves that tantalized. As she neared, her fragrance ensnared him further. Young Master Ye An smiled faintly, about to drink, when the girl noticed the red marks on his left hand, as if from a burn. She smiled charmingly, her eyes flowing with emotion, and gently took his hand, whispering, “Is the young master hurt?”
He merely smiled without answering. Chuxia shifted uncomfortably. After a moment, he let her hold his hand, chuckling, “Does the beauty have a way to heal this wound?”
The girl lowered her head, brushing away a few strands of hair, and brought his injured hand to her lips, delicately licking and sucking at the red marks, her movements soft and enticing. The young master, motionless, closed his eyes slightly, seeming to enjoy it immensely.
After a while, another girl brought a cup of grape wine to his lips. He slightly opened his eyes, seeing in the reflection of the glowing night cup the deep red wine, held steady by the girl, like a piece of glowing red jade, reflecting Chuxia behind him, her lips slightly parted in astonishment, which was quite adorable. The young master smirked internally, hooked his phoenix eyes, and drank the wine. Then he gripped the girl’s chin, forcing her to look up, “What is your name?”
“Bai Xue,” she answered.
“Good,” the young master nodded, his thumb brushing over her red lips, smiling lightly.
“So… will the young master have Bai Xue attend to him tonight?” She let her long sleeves slip from her arm, revealing a hint of crimson.
“Very well,” the young master stood up, embracing her, not looking back, “Chuxia, take everyone back, I’ll stay here tonight.”
Chuxia watched as the young master carried the girl away into the inner chamber, then she hurried out. As she left Yingyuan, the cold wind blew away much of the blush on her cheeks. She headed back to her original quarters, but a servant reminded her, “Chuxia, you no longer sleep in the old attic.”
“Ah?” She stopped, bewildered.
“The young master said you are to rest outside his room.”
“But… isn’t the young master staying at Linjiang Pavilion?”
“You’ll rest in the outer room.”
“But… the young master is staying at Yingyuan tonight…”
“You still need to stay at Linjiang Pavilion.”
Entering Linjiang Pavilion for the first time, Chuxia was curious, “Where am I to sleep?”
“The young master is inside; naturally, you’ll be outside.”
How could a decent girl share a room with a young man? Chuxia felt somewhat frustrated. The young master was still as flirtatious as ever… proving that rumors cannot be entirely trusted! Sitting before the bronze mirror, she began to undo her hair, glancing at her reflection—eyes not big, nose not high… indeed… She shook her head vigorously, put on her outer garment, and got into bed. Perhaps due to a habit of being selective about beds, it was a while before Chuxia began to doze off. A shadow flashed before her eyes… followed by hands full of blood, sticky… Chuxia could almost smell the mixed scent… Her legs went weak, and she could only close her eyes tightly, trembling. After an unknown amount of time, someone ran over, embracing her, their voice low, “Did you have a nightmare?”
