048

Qin Sang feigned ignorance: "Huh? Oh right, I just went to see the Prime Minister, but I don't know the way back... What's wrong with you? Why are you crying?"

Cuixiang quickly shook her head: "It's nothing, thank you for your concern, Miss. Your Lotus Courtyard is over here, please come with me."

Qin Sang let her lead the way and took the opportunity to ask, "What happened? Did your master scold you?"

Cuixiang felt sad just thinking about it, and for a moment she choked up and couldn't speak, so she could only shake her head.

"If you've been wronged, go talk to the young master. Maids are people too. You work hard every day; there's no reason to sell you off so easily..."

Cui Xiang was stunned for a moment, then realized that Qin Sang had probably heard everything.

She glanced at Qin Sang, hesitated, and ultimately didn't dare to elaborate, only saying, "Thank you for your consideration, young lady. This way, please..."

Guided by Cuixiang, Qin Sang returned safely to her courtyard. She took a gold hairpin from her hair and handed it to Cuixiang, sighing, "Give it to the matchmaker and ask her to find a good way out for that girl."

Cuixiang hesitated and didn't answer.

Qin Sang: "What?"

Cuixiang choked up: "Miss, you're new to the capital and don't know this. That matchmaker, Song, is a prostitute. Maids who are sold through her never go back to work for others. They're either sent to brothels or sold to Wuyou Island. No one who goes to Wuyou Island has ever come back..."

Qin Sang didn't understand: "Worry-Free Island?"

Cuixiang: "Nobody knows exactly what kind of place it is. People just say it's a terrifying place. The mothers often scare the new girls who don't work hard by saying they'll sell them to Worry-Free Island."

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang was shocked by Song Jinhe's viciousness, and at the same time became curious about this Worry-Free Island. Since that was the case, she could not stand by and watch someone die, disregarding a life. So she said, "You go and take care of your business first. I'll think of a way to handle the rest."

Cuixiang was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected this new girl to be so courageous. If others encountered such a situation, they would mostly find it troublesome and refuse to get involved. After all, anyone with eyes could see that the future burden of the Prime Minister's mansion would eventually fall on the eldest son's head. It was best not to offend the eldest daughter-in-law of the Song family, as she was the future matriarch.

Filled with trepidation, she was deeply grateful and, following Qin Sang's instructions, went to fetch someone.

After much deliberation, Qin Sang decided that the only solution for this matter was to seek help from Xie Sui'an.

So he went back to his room, wrote a flowery note, put the note inside a box of pastries, and had a cleaning maid deliver it to Xie Sui'an.

She instructed, "Tell him you are grateful for the gifts he gave you, and that we will invite him for tea another day."

The little girl went obediently.

Lingding asked, puzzled, "Why would a young lady send someone to deliver something so late at night? Shouldn't she be avoiding suspicion?"

Upon seeing the soft bed, Qin Sang began to undress: "It's alright, it's just normal etiquette. Sigh, I'm tired after today, let's rest early, we can talk about other things tomorrow."

Ying'er hurriedly pulled her aside, trying to help her take off her clothes one by one. Qin Sang smiled and said, "There weren't so many rules before, but from now on there will be all sorts of rules. Not only will I have to adapt, but you will all have to as well. It might be tiring for a while before you're completely used to it."

Then she remembered something: "But Ying'er, don't be afraid. She was from Kyoto before she came to Lixian with me. It seems that only you and I will need to adapt to this place."

Lingding smiled slightly: "Thanks to you, young lady, I've been able to come here and see the world. But you were also from the capital before, so it's just me who needs to adapt."

Qin Sang smiled and finally said, "Whether it's a blessing or a curse, we don't know yet."

***

Xie Sui'an was studying in his room when he suddenly heard a servant come to report that the newly arrived Miss Qin Sang had brought some things.

The second young master's eyes lit up.

The food box that was delivered was one that she had personally selected and sent by a messenger, yet it was returned. So, did she even know that she had sent it herself?

He couldn't help but feel disappointed: "If you're going to use flowers to present to Buddha, at least make sure you know who sent them. This is just pretentious. All my good intentions have been wasted... Oh well, let's take them and distribute them."

Jinyun was pleased and said "Oh," before taking the snacks downstairs to eat. Xie Sui'an called out again, "Come back!"

Jinyun walked to the door but then turned back. Xie Sui'an said, "Open it so I can see."

Jinyun opened the food box, and sure enough, there was an extra peach-pink floral note on the top pastry.

Xie Sui'an suppressed the smile on his face, reached out and picked up the letter, unfolded it and looked at it, but gradually his brows furrowed.

"Why does she always have to meddle in other people's business! How can I, this young master, interfere in other people's private affairs?"

Jinyun picked up a piece of cake, took a bite, and mumbled, "Young master, what did Miss Qin Sang say?"

Xie Sui'an looked at him and put down the flowered note: "Come, help this young master change his clothes."

Jinyun asked in confusion, "Where are you going, young master, so late at night?"

Xie Sui'an: "Let's go for a stroll in the garden!"

Jinyun: "Huh?"

The Prime Minister's residence, bestowed by the emperor, is one of the most spacious mansions in the capital, containing over a hundred rooms with overlapping eaves and verdant trees, making it a magnificent sight. The courtyard is managed by a dedicated flower and bird management office, featuring pavilions, towers, bridges, flowing water, fish ponds, famous trees, and lush locust trees. Even the nighttime lighting has been carefully arranged and decorated, creating a unique and charming nighttime scene.

Xie Sui'an took Jinyun to the courtyard where Xie Jingze liked to work—Moon Shadow Pavilion.

Xie Jingze has always been calm and composed since childhood. Whether before or after marriage, before or after becoming an official, he has always enjoyed spending his time reading here, regardless of winter or summer, or the cold or heat.

Xie Sui'an walked to the door, asked the servant to announce his arrival, and only dared to step inside after receiving permission.

A water channel runs through the courtyard, bringing in fresh water from outside. A babbling brook flows across the courtyard, and a small bridge spans it. Only by crossing the wooden bridge can one enter the main hall.

"Every time I come here, I feel chilly. It's okay in the summer, but it's not so good in the winter," Xie Sui'an said disdainfully.

"You've seen the snowy scenery of Baiqiao Gully before, haven't you? Stop being so cheeky." Xie Jingze smiled faintly. "It's late at night, what are you doing here?"

Xie Sui'an glanced indifferently at the graceful maidservant kneeling beside Xie Jingze, then sat down with a smile and said, "I ate too much for dinner and was digesting in the courtyard when I happened to wander into your Ziwei Pavilion and overheard some interesting things."

Xie Jingze frowned slightly: "What's all the commotion about?"

"A maidservant, I don't know what she did that displeased my sister-in-law, so she's going to be sold off. I heard she's already sent someone to find the matchmaker, Song."

Xie Jingze paused: "Mrs. Song? Did you hear what you wanted to say?"

Xie Sui'an shook his head: "No, but you spend all your time in this study, with a beautiful woman by your side, while your sister-in-law can only stay alone in her room every night. I imagine she must be feeling frustrated, which is why she's a bit irritable."

Xie Jingze put down his pen and said softly to the maid beside him, "You can go back now."

The maid nodded, stood up, bowed to Xie Sui'an again, and left quietly.

Xie Suian withdrew his gaze and said, "If you really like her, you should take her into your room. This ambiguous situation is against the rules. No wonder your sister-in-law is jealous and takes her anger out on the servants all day long."

Xie Jingze smiled but didn't say anything.

Xie Sui'an glanced sideways and said, "What kind of status is this? You don't even have a title."

Xie Jingze smiled bitterly: "You don't understand. Let's go."

Xie Jingze stood up, put on his outer robe, and walked outside, saying, "You've never liked to meddle in the affairs of the inner quarters. Is it really just a coincidence that you stumbled upon this today?"

Xie Sui'an said matter-of-factly, "Of course. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. The maid is also a person. She didn't do anything wrong. She shouldn't suffer because of her master's messy affairs. I'll also accumulate some good karma for myself. In the future, when I go to the temple to make a wish to the Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva will take better care of me."

"Oh?" Xie Jingze laughed. "What wish do you have to ask the Bodhisattva for? Don't you always say that you have no desires and want to be a carefree gentleman, wandering freely in this world?"

Xie Suian did not answer, but continued to harp on the previous topic: "Since you like that sister, why didn't you go and make a scene in front of Grandfather? Our grandfather is much more reasonable than my uncle and my father. He doesn't have so many class prejudices. Perhaps he could have done what you wanted, which would have been much better than this awkward situation now."

Xie Jingze gave him a look that said, "You're so ignorant," paused, and then sighed, "Things are different now... Back then, my grandparents were just commoners. Even if there were differences in social standing, it was ultimately just a matter of wealth. But here with us," he looked at Xie Sui'an, "my grandfather has already reached the pinnacle of officialdom, where the power dynamics are incredibly complex, and the court's influence is deeply entrenched. A single misstep could send the whole family to prison. Don't you know the saying, 'The higher you climb, the harder you fall'? How can we possibly decide our own marriage?"

How could Xie Sui'an not know?

He fell silent.

Xie Jingze continued, "Have you forgotten the Prince Su's treason case seven years ago? My grandfather was framed and almost imprisoned. The whole family was terrified during that time. Even though you are young, you know a thing or two about it. Jin He's family is the Empress Dowager's maternal family. My grandfather agreed to this marriage for me, which is actually to find a protective umbrella for our whole family."

Xie Suian said, "Since that's the case, you've already married her. Why keep dragging things out and ruining the future for her?"

Xie Jingze nodded and smiled slightly: "You're absolutely right about this. It was my fault. I just... never mind. I hope you can do better than me in the future."

Xie Suian's heart skipped a beat as Qin Sang's naturally beautiful face appeared before his eyes.

Of course, he was not a lecherous man. He had seen many beauties in the capital, and there were countless beauties in the Illusion Cloud Pavilion, but none of them could truly catch his eye. He himself could not explain what was so special about Qin Sang, why his heart would race and his breathing would become disordered whenever he saw her or thought of her.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Xie Jingze didn't say anything more, and the two brothers walked towards the Ziwei Pavilion.

***

When they arrived at Ziwei Pavilion, Cuixiang happened to be bringing over Song, the matchmaker, who was plump and had a mole on her chin.

The group met unexpectedly at the entrance.

The matchmaker, Song, who had been beaming with pride, immediately changed her expression upon seeing the two young masters. She awkwardly bowed and said, "May the eldest young master be blessed, and may the second... second young master be blessed."

People inside and outside the Prime Minister's residence all liked to call Xie Jingze the eldest son and Xie Sui'an the second son. These were the two most prominent legitimate sons of the third generation in the Prime Minister's residence.

Xie Sui'an immediately waved his hand: "You wait here first, don't come in unless called."

Song the matchmaker glanced at Cuixiang with a troubled expression, and Cuixiang glanced at her mistress with a troubled expression in return.

Xie Jingze said nothing and stepped into the courtyard.

The layout of this courtyard is actually somewhat similar to that of Moon Shadow Pavilion, both having a small stream. However, the stream in Moon Shadow Pavilion is flowing water, while the stream in Ziwei Pavilion is merely decorative, with large and small white pebbles scattered throughout to create the illusion of flowing water.

Song Jinhe was reclining on a rug under the eaves, drinking. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were blurry and glazed with intoxication.

The little girl who was being punished knelt among a pile of broken porcelain shards, her shoulders trembling as she wept silently.

"What are you doing now?" Xie Jingze asked calmly.

Upon hearing this, Song Jinhe opened her eyes and saw two men of similar height, dressed in white, standing side by side. She lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, "It seems they're both drunk today; there are actually two Xie Jingzes."

Seeing this, Xie Sui'an quickly said, "I won't go over," and patted his brother's shoulder, "Take care and pray for your own good fortune!"