Chapter 26: Between Us, There Is Only a Transaction, Not Affection

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Ming could not help but look at Ling Zhao.

In the dim space enclosed by gauze curtains, illuminated only by the candlelight filtering in from outside, Xiao Ming’s smooth, jade-like cheeks flushed a faint red. Was he teasing her with what he had just said?

Flushing, she pulled her collar tighter. "I heard that you were injured upon entering the palace today, brother. Where were you hurt? Is it serious?"

The candle wick at the bedside suddenly popped twice.

"Just a minor injury. It is of no consequence."

Xiao Ming lowered her eyes, biting her lip. Her voice was soft, yet carried a different tone: "That is good. As long as your face is not scarred, so as not to ruin your happy union with the young lady of the Meng family in three months' time."

Ling Zhao’s expression darkened.

She pushed aside the curtains, stepped out of bed, and slipped into her shoes to trim the candle wick, making the room bright once more.

Ling Zhao wanted to say something more, but Xiao Ming clearly did not wish to listen and interrupted him directly: "The hour is late. Please return, First Young Master. Breaking into a lady’s boudoir in the dead of night will only bring ruin upon her reputation."

He paused at the bedroom door, yet could not help but ask her bluntly, "Ming’er, are you deliberately avoiding me because of my engagement to the Meng family today?"

Xiao Ming’s expression flickered, but it vanished in an instant. She looked at him with a gentle smile. "I am not avoiding you. You are my benefactor; whatever you ask of me, I shall do. Just as I did before—as long as it pleases you, I will have no grievances."

"We once had a marriage contract, yet now I am betrothed to another woman. Do you truly feel no bitterness in your heart?"

Xiao Ming was stunned for a moment, then grew somewhat irritated. "Ling Zhao, let alone the fact that the marriage contract is no longer valid, even if it were, my bitterness or lack thereof is irrelevant. Could it be that if I said I were bitter, you would defy your parents' orders and the matchmaker’s arrangements, call off the engagement with Meng Qingxuan, and carry me through your doors in an eight-man sedan chair as the mistress of your Ling family?"

"Or perhaps you wish for me to be like Mo Shichang, making me one of your many concubines, left to fight and claw for favor against other women in the dark, suffocating depths of the inner courtyard?"

She glanced at Ling Zhao, who wanted to speak but stopped himself, and gave a faint smile.

"If that is the case, then there shall only be transactions between us, no talk of sentiment. There are so many men in this world; surely there will be one who is willing to hold me dear to his heart."

She bowed to him. "I was feverish and muddled today and failed to serve you well, Young Master. When I recover, I will repay what I owe you. Please see yourself out." Without waiting for a reply, she pushed him out.

Qingzhu and Chun’er, who were guarding the door, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Ling Zhao emerge without incident. They stood in unison on either side of the door and bowed their heads.

Once he had left the Lanyue Pavilion, the two maids entered the bedroom and locked the door.

Qingzhu said, "Miss, today when I went to the kitchen to fetch your medicine, I chatted with Yuanyang, the head maid by the Old Madam’s side. She mentioned that Old Madam Ling intends to match you with the third son of the Li family. The Li family also resides in the capital and is distantly related to the Ling family. They are coming to celebrate Old Madam Ling’s birthday in half a month."

Xiao Ming raised her slender eyebrows upon hearing this. "The Li family? What do they do?"

Chun’er replied, "I made discreet inquiries. The third young master is named Li Yuan. He is a scholar preparing for next year’s academy examinations. If he passes, he will be a Xiucai. He has two older brothers, both of whom are ninth-rank officials—one is a ceremonial official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the other is an assistant in the Imperial Stud. Both are already married, but the family is quite poor."

Qingzhu was somewhat dejected. "Previously, the Old Madam had the First Madam keep an eye on the Mo family for us. Why is it such a destitute family now?"

Xiao Ming smiled faintly. "I actually think it is quite good. Old Madam Ling has put some thought into this."

Qingzhu poured her a cup of tea, brewed just a few days prior, and asked in surprise, "Why do you say that, Miss?"

Xiao Ming took a small sip and explained patiently, "Putting aside everything else, I have learned my lesson from the affair with Mo Shichang. These grand, noble houses were never meant for me. Even if Grandmother had intervened to marry me into the Mo family, I would have been nothing more than a favored concubine. But marrying the third son of the Li family is different. If he passes the exams, I will be a scholar’s wife, then perhaps a provincial graduate’s wife, and with luck, a metropolitan graduate’s wife. Furthermore, his brothers are already officials; they will not remain ninth-rank forever. As the family’s status rises, so will mine. Old Madam Ling has indeed planned for my long-term future."

Qingzhu thought about it and realized this was true. Their mistress had some assets to rely on, and if the third son of the Li family was capable, they could live a peaceful and secure life. Thinking this, her expression softened considerably.

Chun’er, however, seemed hesitant to speak. Xiao Ming patted her hand. "I know what you are worried about. For a woman to stand on her own in this world is harder than ascending to heaven. Ling Zhao has been a benefactor to us; if I must use my purity to trade for his protection, I do not feel cheated—though I would feel sorry for the third son of the Li family. However, there is always a way to overcome difficulties."

"Miss," Chun’er asked timidly, "how do you feel about the First Young Master Ling..."

Xiao Ming lowered her eyes and bit her lip. "I do not have the luxury of such sentiments. It is merely a matter of mutual need."

"Even so, these past few days you have been ill, burning with fever and drifting in and out of consciousness. The First Young Master Ling was very concerned; he even had Jinsheng bring over the finest medicinal salves. He was meticulous about every detail."

Xiao Ming’s face remained indifferent. "What is the use of doing all that? Did he not refuse to break off his engagement with Meng Qingxuan?"

"This..." Chun’er and Qingzhu looked at each other, pressing their lips together, saying nothing more.

She looked at the two young maids and smiled sweetly. "He knows of my affair with Mo Shichang and has seen me at my most wretched. Now that I am ill, as he is the eldest son of the Ling family and my cousin in name, it is only reasonable for him to be concerned. It is all for show to outsiders; we need not take it to heart. If this third son of the Li family turns out to be a decent man, he shall be my lifelong reliance."

—

The next morning, the morning light spilled through the small window, falling onto the bed curtains and onto Xiao Ming’s long, thick eyelashes, causing her to roll over lazily.

"Is the Miss awake?" Qingzhu walked in with a tray and set it on the round table.

After taking the medicine from Dr. Zhang last night and sweating profusely, she felt sticky and uncomfortable.

Xiao Ming touched her forehead with the back of her hand; the high fever had completely subsided. Apart from a lingering dizziness, her spirit was fairly good.

She propped herself up and glanced at the round table. There was only thin porridge and side dishes. "I am a little hungry. Prepare the water; I will eat after I have bathed."

"Yes, Miss. I will go prepare the hot water immediately."

Steam filled the room, and as she soaked, her limbs felt as if they were loosening. Chun’er gently scooped the warm water over her. "Old Madam Ling is truly concerned about you. She sent someone over early this morning to inquire after your health."

Xiao Ming closed her eyes and nodded. "Let us be quick. I shall go pay my respects to Grandmother in a while."

Chun’er responded vaguely, looking at her with a troubled expression, her eyes darting back and forth. Xiao Ming found it strange. "What is it? What are you looking at?"

"Miss... your neck, on your neck..."