He did not respond, as if he hadn’t heard, merely withdrawing his gaze, his profile glowing in the candlelight, handsome to the point of seeming otherworldly. That night, Chuxia had nightmares one after another, waking up with dark circles under her eyes. By noon, a servant called her to the side gate, saying the young master was waiting for her. Chuxia answered, lifting her skirt and running towards the side gate. There, a servant held two horses, and the young master, Ye An, dressed in a dark blue bat-patterned silk robe, stood tall and elegant, hands behind his back, indeed waiting for her. Chuxia quickly paid her respects, and without much ado, the young master mounted his horse and glanced at her sideways, “Can you ride?”
“I can a little.” Chuxia took the reins from the servant, tugged them, and carefully climbed onto the horse’s back.
“Where is the White Plum?” The young master gently pulled on the reins, slightly raising his eyebrows to ask.
“It’s… in the south of the city.” Chuxia hesitated, “But, young master, why trouble yourself to cut branches of the White Plum?”
Before the young master could answer, they rounded the side gate, and looking obliquely at the main gate of the mansion, they saw it was crowded with people. Chuxia exclaimed, “Young master, is the porridge distribution happening so early this year?”
Ye An smiled faintly, “They’re not here for the porridge.”
Chuxia looked around again and suddenly realized, “They… aren’t they here to see the third great gift? But… it’s only noon.”
In that brief moment of hesitation, the young master had already spurred his horse forward, leaving her several feet behind. Chuxia sighed quietly and had to spur her horse to catch up. As the New Year approached, the area near the South Gate was bustling with vendors. Approaching the South Gate, the young master dismounted and walked alongside Chuxia, leading their horses slowly. A group of children ran past Chuxia, each holding a bamboo stick, playing and laughing. One of them was humming a simple folk tune, “The Mountain and Water Song, the mountains high and the waters wide, roam freely…”
Everyone could sing this tune, and Chuxia hummed along. When the song ended, one child, brandishing a bamboo sword, declared to his companions, “You bunch of scoundrels, surrender quickly!” After a mock battle, another, skinnier one pleaded, “Please spare us, Young Master Jun…”
Chuxia was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, turning to look at the young master beside her, lips pressed together, “Young master, you’re the hero in their hearts.”
However, Ye An was gazing into the distance, his expression serene, “Chuxia, does the Young Master Ye An that outsiders imagine resemble the person you see now?”
Chuxia slightly lowered her head, troubled, not knowing how to respond. Rumors spoke of the young master’s righteousness and unparalleled wisdom, but she had seen none of it. The young master she knew did not harm the innocent, was not harsh to his servants… and loved to tease her, indulging in beauty.
“If you can’t answer, then don’t.” Seeing her confusion, the young master smiled, “What song were you singing just now? Sing it again for me.”
Chuxia cleared her throat and sang the tune, “It’s a rural folk song. Everyone knows it. Hasn’t the young master heard it?”
“The Mountain and Water Song, the mountains high and the waters wide, roam freely…” The young master recited it several times, his expression gradually becoming serious.
“The White Plum is down this small path.” Once they were outside the city gate, Chuxia pointed towards a very secluded path, telling the young master.
“Good, let’s go have a look.”
Chuxia quickly blocked his way, “Young master, this path is so dirty, you wait here, I’ll go pick them.”
The young master casually flicked his sleeve and continued forward. Chuxia could only follow, stomping her feet in frustration.
“Chuxia, how did you manage to find this White Plum hidden deep in this path…” The young master looked at the girl with a half-smile, “It must have taken quite some effort, right?”
Chuxia nodded, mumbling, “I stumbled upon it by chance.” Just then, they saw a small black-tiled house by the roadside with a long pole displaying a worn-out sign reading “Medicine.”
The young master stopped, “I’m also thirsty, let’s go in and ask for some water.”
Chuxia panicked, “Young master, what if the water is bad?”
The young master replied calmly, “For those in the martial world, roughing it is common. How could I be so delicate?”
“Then… I won’t go in. I’ll wait here.” Chuxia had an idea, “I can still keep an eye on the horses from a distance.”
Just then, someone pushed open the door of the dilapidated clinic, spotting them, and called out, “Are you here for medical treatment?”
Chuxia quickly turned her back, but the woman had already seen her and approached with enthusiasm, “Miss, are you here to get medicine again?”
Chuxia instinctively glanced at the young master, who was smiling as usual, but there was a sharp edge to his lips. She felt a cold sweat break out, and with difficulty, she said, “This lady, you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
The woman stepped forward to look more closely at Chuxia and laughed, “How could I be mistaken? Miss, are you here for medicine again?”
Before Chuxia could respond, the young master said, “Yes. Lady, do you still have the prescription?”
The woman gave a strange, ambiguous smile and nodded, “Yes, yes, the young master, please wait.”
After a moment, Ye An took the medicine packet and paid, then turned to Chuxia, “Let’s go.” No one mentioned picking plum blossoms anymore. Chuxia followed the young master, feeling dizzy.
“Daylily, musk, and Phellodendron bark,” the young master pinched some of the powder between his fingers, “all are cold herbs for treating palace cold, which can lead to infertility.”
Chuxia shivered. The young master’s tone was very calm, “Chuxia, is there anything else you want to say?”
Chuxia bit her lip, silent.
“Nothing to say, huh?”
A fierce glint flashed in the phoenix eyes, and the young master reached out, gripping her chin tightly, “Do you want to experience Cang Da’s methods again?” Forced to tilt her head back, Chuxia stubbornly turned her gaze away, still silent. The young master coldly released her: “If you don’t speak, does that mean no one knows?”
“This medicine was fetched by you for Madam Wangyun. The reason for choosing such a secluded clinic was to avoid being known… about Madam Wangyun’s affair with another man.” A look of horror passed through Chuxia’s eyes as she stepped back, murmuring, “Young Master… you knew everything?”
Young Master Ye An smiled faintly, “Girl, did you think these little tricks could fool me?”
Chuxia’s body trembled as she slowly knelt down, “Yes, Young Master. I often came here to fetch medicine for the madam.”
“Why didn’t you reveal this secret when the madam passed away?”
“This… concerns the madam’s reputation; Chuxia couldn’t speak.” Chuxia murmured, “The madam died so tragically, if her reputation were ruined too… Chuxia couldn’t bear it.”
Young Master Ye An’s expression softened slightly, then he paused: “Who was the man the madam was involved with?”
This time, Chuxia did not hesitate at all, directly stating, “I do not know. The madam was very cautious… never let me know.”
The young master made a sound of acknowledgment, neither expressing belief nor disbelief, only saying, “What do you know? Tell me everything.”
