Chapter 27: The Young Master Does Not Know How to Cherish Himself

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Xiao Ming hastily washed and freshened up, then sat down before the dressing table, her thoughts in disarray.

When she lifted her eyes and saw herself in the mirror, she caught sight of the faint, ambiguous kisses scattered across her neck. She froze for a moment, then hurriedly lowered her gaze, unwilling to look again.

After Spring completed her toilette, she noticed that Xiao Ming’s complexion was still rather poor and could not help saying, “If you have not yet fully recovered, Miss, perhaps you should not go pay your respects to Old Madam Ling. Rest in your room for another day and regain your strength. Surely the old madam will not blame you.”

“I must go.” Xiao Ming shook her head.

She rose, and Spring tugged her collar a little higher, covering half the red mark on her neck. She grumbled, “The eldest young master truly has no idea how to show concern for you.”

Xiao Ming lowered her head, her face flushing crimson.

Though Spring had served her since childhood, Xiao Ming was too embarrassed to admit that yesterday, within the bed curtains, she had done something even more outrageous to Ling Zhao’s neck.

“Do not say such things… Help me apply a little more powder.”

“Yes, miss.”

—

Hall of Prolonged Peace

Everyone happened to be gathered there. Old Madam Ling, who usually devoted herself to worshipping the Buddha, had just brought up the matter of visiting South Mountain Temple ten days later to offer incense, where they would stay for several days and listen to the eminent monk expound the scriptures.

Madam Ling said, “Mother, you may rest assured. The gentlemen are all occupied with official business and will remain at the residence. As for the women, we will leave a few concubines and senior maids in charge here, while everyone else will accompany you.”

Old Madam Ling smiled, though the loneliness in her eyes was difficult to conceal. “Let your daughter-in-law make the arrangements. I am tired as well. You may all disperse.”

“Yes.”

The whole family offered their respects before scattering in twos and threes.

Xiao Ming was stopped by Old Madam Ling.

“Ming’er, have you heard about the young master of the Li family?”

“I have. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts, Grandmother.”

Xiao Ming lowered her head and sat on the little couch beside Old Madam Ling’s feet, her small face glowing red.

With affectionate tenderness, Old Madam Ling stroked her head and continued, “The entire Li family consists of honorable scholars. Though Yuan is the youngest among the brothers, he is the most accomplished in his studies. In a few days, Madam Li will also bring her son and daughter-in-law to offer incense. It would be a good opportunity for you young people to meet and see whether you take a liking to each other.”

Xiao Ming lowered her lashes and softly agreed.

Yet after leaving the Hall of Prolonged Peace, she sensed that something was amiss.

Old Madam Ling usually loved lively company, and the servants in the residence were all cheerful and fond of laughter. The household was always bustling with activity, but today it was strangely quiet.

As she passed the reception hall, she slowed, then turned and entered.

A large branch of wild rose hung over the full-moon mirror, as though an entire plant had been cut down and brought inside. Its white, five-petaled blossoms bore tender yellow stamens at their centers, like butterflies resting upon deep-green vines. There was no need to ask—this was surely Huai Xi’s handiwork.

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Yet before the mirror lay an exquisite jade-handled fan, utterly at odds with the mood of the flowers.

Xiao Ming did not proceed farther inside.

Someone was sitting in the reception hall.

The young masters of the noble families in the capital all loved bright robes and spirited steeds, but this man wore blue. Even so, it was costly brocade: a robe that appeared plain at first glance, yet was covered in subtle golden patterns.

Sunlight illuminated half the hall, while he sat in the shadows.

Even his posture was peculiar. He perched on the edge of the table, which was so high that he was practically standing, his legs crossed and his arms folded. He looked deeply withdrawn, his eyes lowered, not a trace of a smile upon his face.

Xiao Ming saw him, and he saw her as well. Slowly, he raised his head.

The moment he recognized her, the desolation on his face vanished, replaced by his usual careless, roguish expression.

“Such unparalleled beauty, Sister. Ling Zhao is a fortunate fellow.”

One had to admit that Yan Jing possessed an exceptionally handsome face. He was charming and striking, with features so beautiful they could take one’s breath away.

His smile was warm and refined. His peach-blossom eyes were lovely and boldly expressive, with a tiny beauty mark at the outer corner of one eye. An air of scholarly elegance surrounded him. Yet the shadowed Yan Jing she had glimpsed moments ago had been like a fleeting view of scenery in the wilderness—so unreal that one could not help wondering whether it had been an illusion.

His single remark brought a blush to Xiao Ming’s cheeks.

“Lord Yan, I was merely passing by, so I shall not disturb you.”

She turned to leave, but Yan Jing called after her, “Miss Ming, could you do me a small favor?”

“What favor?”

Yan Jing did not answer at once, but she could tell that he was deliberately using that rakish, frivolous exterior to conceal something.

“These two days mark the anniversary of Second Master Ling’s death.”

He spoke calmly. “Ling Zhao’s father followed the military path, while his second uncle pursued literature. The latter was also my mentor. Master and Madam treated me exceptionally well from childhood, better than they would have treated their own son. I have always honored and cherished them as my true parents. But these few days are the only time I can come to the Ling residence to pay my respects.”

Though Xiao Ming had not spent much time with Second Madam Ling, she had heard that the love between her and Second Master Ling had been deep and steadfast. After his sudden death, there was no need to mention how much she must have missed him ordinarily; each year, when the anniversary came around, her heart was surely filled with unbearable grief.

In an instant, Xiao Ming understood the source of the loneliness in Old Madam Ling’s eyes.

Yan Jing lifted his gaze, the corners of his eyes curving slightly. “Please do me this small favor. Convey my regards to my teacher’s widow and Second Miss Ling.”

“I understand. I will go and see them.”

Xiao Ming turned to leave, then suddenly remembered something and looked back at Yan Jing.

He was still sitting there with his arms folded. When he noticed her looking at him, their eyes met.

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Yan Jing was an exceedingly clever man. How could he fail to understand the puzzlement in Xiao Ming’s eyes?

He had always been uninhibited and unrestrained, never a pedantic gentleman bound by ceremony. His reputation as a pleasure-loving rake was known to everyone. Since he was worried about Second Madam Ling and Huai Xi, and since he rarely had the chance to visit the Ling residence, why would he not go to see them himself?

“I am not in a position to go.” He answered her unspoken question.

At this, Xiao Ming froze. Could it be that Yan Jing had misunderstood her, thinking she believed his reputation for debauchery would disgrace Sister Huai Xi, and that was why he had offered such an excuse?

“That is not what I meant,” she hurriedly explained. “I know that Lord Yan is merely unconstrained by trivial conventions. It is only because the people of the world are foolish and vulgar that they deliberately misinterpret your free-spirited nature. Anyone who could become Second Master Ling’s student must surely possess an upright and noble heart.”

Yan Jing immediately laughed.

No wonder Ling Zhao was always deliberately tormenting her and doing so many outrageous things for her. The way she rushed to explain herself was truly adorable.

“I know.” Yan Jing’s spirits were genuinely low that day, and he had no desire to jest. He merely said淡淡, “I was the one who made mistakes, disappointing my teacher and his wife, and… disappointing everyone. If I went to see them rashly, I fear I would only cause them greater sorrow.”

“All right, I understand. Please rest assured, Lord Yan.”

Xiao Ming curtsied and left the reception hall. When she reached the doorway and looked back, Yan Jing was still sitting there, like a lonely child.

“Ming’er.”

Xiao Ming had just stepped out of the reception hall when a gentle, tender voice reached her ears. She turned toward it, then smiled brightly and hurried forward.

“Sister Huai Xi!”

Ling Zhao followed half a step behind her.

“Ming’er, what brings you here?”

“I came to… pay my respects to Second Master Ling.”

A faint flicker passed through Huai Xi’s eyes. “Thank you, little sister.”

When the three of them entered again, Yan Jing had already left. Beside the jade-handled fan, however, there now lay a branch of pear blossoms.

Their pure white beauty was breathtaking.

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