在皇后鞋裡散步 A walk in the empress shoes Zài huánghòu xié lǐ sànbù

CHAPTER FIVE

For the past two days, intermittent rain had been gracing the city of Luoyang. Late August brought with it a slight chill in the air, despite the days gradually growing warmer. Xui Ying bid farewell to the elders in the main hall before stepping out into the dampness. His uncle from the second branch had hastily departed just before the afternoon meal concluded. Xui Ying hadn't given him much attention beyond their initial greetings; he was well aware that he would cross paths with this uncle once more in the near future. As the cold air returned and the rain persisted, everything around Xui Ying was saturated. He walked along the stony path towards his courtyard, feeling the chill seep through the seams of his clothes, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

Yearning for the warmth and solace of his courtyard, Xui Ying wrapped his cloak tightly around himself and stepped into the familiar space. The cold weather brought forth memories of days gone by, and he sought refuge within the confines of his sanctuary.

Despite being cooped up indoors for the past few days, Xui Ying found himself in a perpetual state of unease. Every time he closed his eyes, nightmares would assail him, leaving him restless and tormented. Tonight's dream, however, was unlike the others. Xui Ying woke up suddenly, tears staining his cheeks, his heart heavy with sorrow. He could feel the cool breeze gently flowing in through his open window.

Sitting up on his kang, a traditional Chinese heated bed, Xui Ying's long, jet-black hair cascaded around him like a waterfall. Despite the night air not being particularly warm, he felt suffocated by the heat within his room. Determined to find solace, he parted the canopy above his bed and placed his feet on the warm tiles, seeking relief from the stifling atmosphere.His throat parched, Xui Ying walked over to a small round table in his room and poured himself a glass of cold tea. Without hesitation, he swallowed the liquid in one gulp, feeling a momentary relief as it quenched his thirst.

Turning his gaze towards the corner of the room, his eyes fell upon a beautifully painted folding screen. The screen depicted a serene river landscape, its vibrant colors casting mesmerizing shadows whenever the sunlight filtered through the window. Xui Ying found himself captivated by the scene, momentarily forgetting his troubles as he allowed his mind to wander amidst the tranquil beauty of the artwork.The night servants exchanged concerned glances as they heard the unusual commotion coming from Xui Ying's room. Uncertain of what to do, they whispered amongst themselves, wondering if something was amiss with their young master.

One of the older sisters turned to the younger yahuan, who had recently joined their ranks for night duty, and questioned her softly, "Do you think something is wrong with the young master? He hasn't left his courtyard for days, and now he's walking around in the middle of the night."

The yahuan,  looked at the young pozi  in shock, quickly shushing her with a warning, "We mustn't speak of our master's business. Anything that happens within these courtyard walls must not leave our lips, or we risk being punished for our loose tongues. Let's not mention it again."

The night servants understood their role; they were merely observers, allowed to watch over the young master's safety. If their assistance was required, it was their duty to call for his attendants. With a silent agreement, they resumed their vigilant watch, ready to act if their young master should call upon them.

As the night continued, the young Pozi couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She remembered a time when the young master had been much more lenient with the servants in his courtyard. However, ever since he had awakened from his fever, he had become distant and changed his ways. Only Mama Chu and Nanny Wu were allowed to enter his inner chamber, and Mama Chu had the sole authority to decide who could enter the young master's room.

Knowing that her older sister wouldn't divulge any more information, the younger yahuan decided to focus on her duties once again. The night watch would change every two days, and it was important for them to remain vigilant and attentive, even if they didn't fully understand the reasons behind their young master's behavior. They knew their place and would continue to serve him faithfully, respecting the boundaries set by Mama Chu and Nanny Wu.In the young man's room, a piece of first-rate silk draped over his slender frame, accentuating his thin figure. Sleep had abandoned his eyes, leaving behind a profound sadness that seemed to consume him. He sat there, wallowing in sorrow, his gaze fixated on the starry skies above.

Xui Ying, with a languid demeanor, absentmindedly played with his wrist. A blood-red jade adorned his slender and pale wrist, complementing his skin with an enchanting allure. As his gaze swept across the room, he couldn't help but notice the exquisite decorations his mother had meticulously chosen for him. It was evident that she adored her only son and spared no expense in creating a room that reflected his status and beauty. Adorned with opulent gold and jade trinkets, the room exuded the refined aura of a knowledgeable soul. Xui Ying let out a sigh, for the tenth time today, as he pondered why fate had returned him to this place. He still held a deep affection for the man from his past, yet his abhorrence for him was so consuming that it eclipsed any love he had ever known. However, tonight's dream had resurfaced memories he would rather leave buried. He sighed once more, making his way back to the kang where he lay down, closed his eyes, and prayed that the haunting dreams would spare him for just one night, allowing him to find some semblance of rest.

As Xui Ying prepared for the day, Mama Chu and two yahuan assisted him with his morning wash. Nanny Wu, standing just outside the room's drapes, wore a sour expression. Catching a glimpse of her troubled face, Xui Ying offered a faint smile. Nanny Wu had always been one to voice her concerns to the master in the past.

In those earlier days, the young master's demeanor had been warm and gentle. But now, he has transformed. He had become distant, cold, and even refused to allow Nanny Wu to attend to him personally anymore.Although he hadn't completely prevented Nanny Wu from entering his presence, as he had done with the lower maids, she couldn't help but notice that Mama Chu had slowly started taking over the management of the servants in his courtyard. Nanny Wu was no longer allowed to get close to him or touch him personally. However, she still had the responsibility of overseeing his meals, and to an outsider, it appeared as though the young master was merely delegating some tasks to Mama Chu. On the surface, everything seemed fine, but Nanny Wu couldn't help but wonder. She had to swallow her bitterness and continue to serve, despite her concerns.Xui Ying stood tall and extended his arms, allowing the servants to dress him in a luxurious wide-sleeved silk shenyi robe. One yahuan carefully tied a white belt around Xui Ying's slender waist. All of his robes were crafted from the finest materials, with this particular one being a white shenyi adorned with exquisite jiaoling youren-style embroidery.

The sleeves of the robe were adorned with vibrant red floral blossoms, while the ends of the shenyi also featured the same design. As Xui Ying moved, the robe swayed gracefully, bringing the colors to life and enhancing the presence of the person wearing it.As Mama Chu finished tying the red spice bag at his waist, its scent of honeysuckle filled the air. Xui Ying's soft black hair was neatly coiled into a topknot, with some strands flowing down his back, adding to his elegant appearance.

Today, Xui Ying had resolved to compose himself and begin preparing for what lay ahead. He knew he had to start with his marriage, so he recalled the handsome face of the Duke of Chang Di. This time, he was determined that news of his intentions would not pass unnoticed by the Fu. Before he could secure his engagement with the Duke of Chang Di, Xui Ying had to ensure that everything was carefully planned and executed. With a lazy wave of his hand, Xui Ying dismissed the yahuan who had been attempting to touch him. He leisurely sat down and rested his head against the wall, feeling a sense of relaxation wash over him. Mama Chu approached with a cup of warm water, which Xui Ying accepted to rinse his mouth.

"Nanny Wang, please call Old Shu," Xui Ying instructed, his voice filled with a hint of cunning. He had a message he wanted to pass to the Duke's manner, but he had to be tactful about it. Xui Ying desired for the news of his impending change to reach the Duke's mother's ears, but only as a mere whisper, nothing more. He trusted only Old Shu within the estate to carry out this task.

Old Shu was responsible for handling most of his father's private matters and had been a loyal aide to Xui Ying's grandfather. Xui Ying believed that Old Shu would know how to make the news reach the Duke's manner without it spreading further. He could only hope that the Duke's manner would act upon the news once received.