Volume One, Chapter 17: My Lord, Let This Servant Cheer You Up

When Liu Wuyi was eight years old, Xue Shuyao was fourteen and had just become betrothed to the youngest legitimate son of the Shangshu Mansion, destined to continue a life of noble bliss like her mother before her.

But the newlywed’s dreams lasted only three months before disaster struck. The Liu family father and son were implicated in a salt monopoly scandal alongside the former Minister of Revenue, and the current Emperor decreed the extermination of three clans—the paternal, maternal, and marital families. The Xue family was dragged into this catastrophe.

Overnight, everything turned upside down. She lost her parents and brothers, was rejected by her fiancé, and on the same day that Liu Wuyi was sent to the Music Bureau, Xue Shuyao was also consigned there. Xue Shuyao’s elder sister, already married, begged to leave her home to protect her child and then took her own life.

Xue Shuyao’s peach blossom eyes, so much like her mother’s, now held only hatred when she looked at Liu Wuyi. Liu Wuyi understood that hatred deeply and always felt a mixture of guilt and pity toward her.

Dantai Jianan withdrew his sleeve, face stern. “You wanted to save her life, but she never once thought about sparing yours when she tried to force her way into the mansion.”

Liu Wuyi spoke softly, “With your protection, who dares to take my life? Husband, please show her mercy.”

Dantai Jianan replied, “As you wish.”

“Since madam pleads for her,” he added, “let her kneel here and endure a slap for half an hour before she leaves.”

With that, he rose and took a few strides to mount his carriage.

Liu Wuyi approached Xue Shuyao coldly. “I hope you remember this lesson and live your life properly from now on.” Then she stepped into the carriage.

Xue Shuyao had committed too many misdeeds to be forgiven. Liu Wuyi could not bring herself to use Dantai Jianan’s hand to kill her; she only wished for her to face reality, let go of her hatred, and live a quiet life from then on.

If not, any future reckoning would be well deserved.

Xue Shuyao bowed respectfully, her voice obedient. “Your servant will heed madam’s teachings.”

He Yong chuckled and blocked Dantai Jianan’s path, handing him a box. “Can we skip the street patrol this time?”

Dantai Jianan glanced inside. “Well done. I’ll report this to the supervisor.”

He Yong, not receiving a definite answer, felt a little discouraged and watched the departing convoy before continuing the patrol with his men.

From a second-floor window slit, Liu Wenyuan peered out, his face darkened, and he slammed his fist against the window frame.

Since boarding the carriage, Dantai Jianan had leaned against a soft pillow with closed eyes, exuding an unapproachable aura. The cold atmosphere around him was so intense that even the small bronze stove burning silver frost charcoal at the carriage’s corner failed to warm Liu Wuyi in the slightest.

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“Your servant thanks you, sir, for coming to my rescue.” After a pause, Liu Wuyi lowered her eyes and continued softly, “Your handling of those two was to vent on my behalf. It was my ignorance that betrayed your goodwill.”

Liu Wuyi stole a glance at Dantai Jianan, who still refused to acknowledge her. It reminded her of the times back at the Music Bureau when her sisters would sulk with her. Wondering about his mood, she finally asked, “Are you angry with your servant?”

“I was wrong,” she added quickly.

At last, Dantai Jianan looked at Liu Wuyi, expecting to see a woman trembling in fear. Instead, he found clear apricot eyes filled only with gratitude and a trace of guilt.

He recalled the smile she had instinctively shown when seeking him earlier—a genuine joy from the heart, as if he were her anchor and merely seeing him brought her peace.

At that moment, Dantai Jianan did not fully grasp what that meant, but instinctively he stepped down from the carriage, wanting to stand before her and respond to her trust.

Looking back now, he realized she was expressing her confidence in him.

His emotions complicated, he averted his gaze and sneered, “Women are indeed easily deceived.”

Liu Wuyi brightened at his words and smiled. “That’s why I need the supervisor to watch over me.” She had not expected him to be so easy to coax.

The delicate young girl looked at him with sincere and touching trust.

Well, this woman was foolish but kind-hearted. If he didn’t protect her well, a mere outing could exhaust her, Dantai Jianan thought.

The carriage stopped at the Dantai residence. Liu Wuyi got off with Chunhua, while Dantai Jianan had to visit the palace and didn’t follow.

At the gate, Liu Wuyi watched him leave before entering the mansion. Chun Yue and Chun Lan greeted her, reporting that Chief Physician Zhou had been waiting.

Liu Wuyi hurried to the courtyard, where Zhou took her pulse, examined the four crescent-shaped wounds on her left palm, and inquired if she felt any discomfort.

She shook her head. Having witnessed worse before and being rescued in time, she was not overly shaken.

Chief Physician Zhou said, “Madam is mostly unscathed but may suffer nightmares at night. I have prepared a calming prescription for you to take three nights.”

“As for the wounds on your hand, I have a powder that stops bleeding and promotes healing. Apply a layer before bed, wrap it with fine cloth, and scabs should form in five or six days.”

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“Thank you, Chief Physician Zhou, for coming all this way at midday to see me.”

Liu Wuyi withdrew her hand. Zhou waved it off, saying it was no trouble. After leaving the prescription, he watched Chun Yue dress the wounds and gave a few pointers before taking his leave.

Chun Hua escorted him to the outer courtyard, while Chun Yue and Chun Lan busied themselves gathering and preparing the herbs.

The main room felt suddenly empty. Usually, Chun Tao would be there to keep her company. Liu Wuyi sighed again thinking of her.

The doctor had said that Chun Tao and several guards were severely injured and needed to stay at the clinic for observation. Only if their condition remained stable the next day could they return home to recover.

When Chun Tao came back, Liu Wuyi intended to thank her properly.

Her gaze fell on the plain silk newly bought on the round table. Thinking of the lie she had told, the neatly made undergarments in the sewing basket by the fragrant couch near the window suddenly seemed glaringly obvious.

Liu Wuyi rose and went to the window. Before Chun Hua returned, she picked up scissors and cut a length off a trouser leg, pretending it was an excess she had trimmed earlier.

Holding the cut piece, she felt pangs of regret—wasting several taels of fine silk. She rummaged through the remaining scraps in the basket and came up with a new idea.

When Chun Hua returned, Liu Wuyi smiled and beckoned her over. Her left hand was wrapped in fine cloth, with a raised bump on the palm pressing against the smooth silk.

“My hand is bandaged and weak. Come help me, please.”

Having endured the day’s upheavals together, they had grown closer. At least Liu Wuyi trusted Chun Hua.

With her help, Liu Wuyi quickly cut the necessary fabric.

Chun Hua praised, “Master, you cut very well. This is only your second time making clothes, and you’re already so skilled.”

Liu Wuyi smiled sheepishly. Deep in her heart, she thought that the lie had at least been patched up, though she wondered if her elder brother was still in the Jade Pavilion and what he was doing now. She planned to meet him in a few days to test the waters.

But before that, she needed to prepare for any questions he might have.