Volume One, Chapter Six: Master, Your Servants Await Your Return to the Estate

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As usual, Zhan Tai Jianan attended to Emperor Wenhua’s illness in the Purple Palace before moving to the side hall to review memorials. After a few ministers filtered through the documents, only those requiring imperial approval—beyond their authority to decide—were presented to him.

The Prefect of Jingzhao submitted a report: a severe snowstorm in Shengjing had caused widespread collapse of houses in the outer city, resulting in over a hundred civilian casualties. He requested the court to issue disaster relief orders.

Zhan Tai Jianan approved the request and then recalled a conversation with Scholar Wang a few days prior—his own wife intended to distribute porridge in the outer city to bless the child in their daughter-in-law’s womb. With a shift in tone, he added an extra fifty loads of grain to the relief supplies.

Opening the next volume, he only glanced at the first line and recognized it as a memorial by Censor Li accusing him—undoubtedly sent by He Jingzhong to vex him. Zhan Tai Jianan scoffed and casually tossed it into the discard pile.

He Jingzhong came from a prominent family and had become a cabinet minister by the age of 35, brimming with ambition. He had clashed with Zhan Tai Jianan several times. After his friends were investigated and his family harassed, he dared not make bold moves and instead resorted to having his allies submit memorials criticizing Zhan Tai Jianan. These were harmless but irritating, causing Zhan Tai Jianan great distaste for him.

Emperor Wenhua was the second son of the late emperor—fond of pleasure and mediocre in talent. Had the late emperor’s crown prince not died unexpectedly, Zhan Tai Jianan would never have seized the opportunity to support Wenhua’s ascension.

At the start of his reign, Wenhua was diligent for a while but, after repeated failures by the Grand Tutor and ministers to educate him, he grew discouraged, always falling short compared to the late crown prince.

Within the palace, Zhan Tai Jianan was the one Wenhua trusted most—having followed him since childhood and helped him rise to power. Seeing Zhan Tai Jianan’s adept handling of affairs, the emperor delegated the overflow of daily matters to him. The Grand Tutor and ministers were unaware, mistaking the emperor’s progress for genuine improvement.

Five years ago, when Wenhua fell gravely ill, and briefly regained consciousness, all governance fell to Zhan Tai Jianan. Such a circumstance could not remain hidden.

A eunuch wielding the emperor’s authority to personally endorse documents shocked the civil and military officials throughout the realm.

When Wenhua’s condition slightly improved, some reported this fact, urging the eunuch’s arrest and execution. Surprisingly, Wenhua declared he was unsuited to be emperor, and since Zhan Tai Jianan had no family or heirs and was doing well in his duties, he should be allowed to continue.

The ministers were left speechless, and only some censors chose not to persist.

After his recovery, Wenhua indulged increasingly in pleasure. Court sessions originally held every three days were stretched to fifteen. Fortunately, Zhan Tai Jianan and the ministers left by the late emperor were competent, so little mishap occurred.

Last year, Wenhua fell ill again, his situation deteriorating. Fearing the now-grown crown prince, he heeded Zhan Tai Jianan’s advice to establish the Eastern Depot, using it to suppress the prince and consolidate imperial power.

By this year, military and political authority in the capital had fully shifted to Zhan Tai Jianan. His influence over court and country was immense. No one dared openly or privately criticize him, fearing midnight raids by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Yet beneath the surface, tensions roiled incessantly.

By the time he left the palace, dusk was approaching. A young servant waiting at the palace gate stopped him nervously.

“Supervisor, the lady at the mansion... said she misses you.”

Zhan Tai Jianan: ...

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Zhan Tai Jianan took the scented pouch, examining it with a half-smile. Deep teal silk embroidered with two mandarin ducks entwined in playful water—the craftsmanship was fine.

Misses me? She’d rather never see me again in this lifetime.

Boarding the carriage, he casually tossed the pouch onto the desk. Leaning back against the carriage wall, he closed his eyes to rest, curious about what tricks the woman might try next.

“Return to the mansion.”

“Yes, Supervisor.” Hearing his order, the coachman cracked his whip and urged the horses forward.

Liu Wuyi repeatedly inquired in the front courtyard but was told the servant sent out had not returned. Manager Liu comforted her, suggesting the supervisor might still be busy with palace matters and thus hadn’t received the messages from home.

Whether she could leave the mansion depended on seeing Zhan Tai Jianan. Since he neither returned home nor sent word, Liu Wuyi grew anxious and lost her appetite at lunch.

Spring Peach glanced at the sky and advised, “Mistress, let’s set the table first. Eat before waiting more—you’re with child now; you mustn’t starve.”

“I have no appetite,” Liu Wuyi replied.

Seeing Spring Peach about to argue, Liu Wuyi stood and said, “I’ll wait in the front courtyard for the master.”

Unable to dissuade her, Spring Moon and Spring Hua prepared her for going out. Spring Peach wrapped a cloak around her and held Spring Orchid’s hand as Liu Wuyi headed to the front courtyard.

The gatekeepers’ faces darkened upon seeing Liu Wuyi personally come to wait. Manager Liu stood by, unable to persuade her otherwise, so he summoned chairs and a brazier, settling her behind the gate to shelter from the wind.

Another servant was dispatched to gather news. Manager Liu busied himself, barely catching a break before the runner hurried back with a bright expression.

Manager Liu stepped down the steps, asking, “Has the supervisor returned?”

“Yes, already at the alley entrance.”

“Mistress, he’s almost here. Please come inside to avoid the wind.”

Hearing this, Liu Wuyi brightened and obediently stepped in a little. Soon, two columns of Embroidered Uniform Guards on horseback escorted a carriage. The black-faced guard who had stopped her last time was absent.

As the carriage stopped, Liu Wuyi instinctively stepped forward to greet, but when the curtain was drawn back, Zhan Tai Jianan stooped out. Seeing him, she withdrew behind the gate again.

Zhan Tai Jianan’s eyes revealed a knowing expression at the sight.

He alighted without acknowledging Liu Wuyi and headed inside.

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Still fearful, Liu Wuyi saw Zhan Tai Jianan stride away, clearly ignoring her, which made her anxious. She hurried after him.

At the small gate leading to the inner courtyard lay a stone step. Though servants had cleared the ice frozen overnight before dawn, snow still fell, melting into water and refreezing into slippery ice.

Rushing to catch up, Liu Wuyi failed to notice her footing. Her right foot slipped, and she nearly fell. Instinctively, she closed her eyes and clasped her hands protectively over her belly.

The maid beside her screamed in alarm, flustered as she tried to catch her.

Instead of pain, Liu Wuyi found herself caught in a warm embrace.

Lifted horizontally, she instinctively wrapped her arms around the person’s neck. Carefully opening her eyes, she saw a face paler than the snow outside, with sly, fox-like eyes glancing sideways at her.

Startled, Liu Wuyi buried her face in Zhan Tai Jianan’s embrace, pressing against his chest. Remembering who he was, she hesitated whether to pull away, but he said nothing. She froze, staying curled in his arms.

He held her until they reached Shaoguang Courtyard before setting her down. The faint, pleasant fragrance left. Regaining her composure, Liu Wuyi took Spring Orchid’s offered hand and stood.

“Master, have you eaten? Why not stay and dine together?”

Zhan Tai Jianan nodded indifferently and turned into the front hall to sit. Spring Moon followed to serve, while the others and Liu Wuyi went to the inner chamber. Returning from the front courtyard, her clothes and shoes were soaked with melting snow.

After changing, Liu Wuyi joined the front hall and sat down. She glanced at Zhan Tai Jianan, who sat at the head reading, unsure how to broach the subject of leaving the mansion.

Waiting in vain for him to speak, she lost interest and rose to fetch her embroidery frame, resuming the unfinished twin lotus pattern.

Zhan Tai Jianan glanced at her quietly working and returned to his reading.

After a short while, Spring Moon entered to announce the meal was ready and invited them to the side hall.

Throughout the meal, Liu Wuyi, burdened with worry and wary of embarrassing herself before Zhan Tai Jianan, sniffed each dish before eating, accepting only those she did not dislike.

The food tasted bland, so she frequently looked up at Zhan Tai Jianan, observing his graceful, silent, and elegant manner. Beautiful people truly looked graceful even while eating.

Whenever she sensed his gaze, Liu Wuyi quickly lowered her head to eat.

Zhan Tai Jianan disliked being stared at. Concerned she feared him, he refrained from scolding her and pretended not to notice her scrutiny during the latter half of the meal.