Three Joys

Chapter 19

That night, amidst the misty rain, the light emanated from the study at the opposite end of the room once more. I dressed and picked up a lamp, proceeding toward that direction. The door wasn't locked, yielding to a gentle push.

I had been to this study a few times during the daytime, and the shelves filled with books on sages and scholars were similar to those in my older brother's room. In addition, there were many books on military strategy and tactics, but I couldn't understand any of them. This place was tidied up daily by the servants, so it looked immaculate.

I tiptoed into the room, my steps silent.

I saw the man leaning over the desk had fallen asleep, probably because he had been staying here every night lately, unable to rest properly. He hadn't noticed me entering. I retrieved the blanket that had slipped from the chair. It appeared that the window wasn't securely closed, allowing the chilly air to seep in. Concerned that he might catch a cold if he slept like this throughout the night, I unfurled the blanket. As I was about to drape it over him, my wrist was suddenly gripped, and I saw his eyes were already open.

"You..." He roused from slumber and straightened in his chair. I discreetly withdrew my wrist and took a cautious step back. He rubbed his brow, appearing somewhat weary. Then his eyes met mine, and he inquired, "It's late; why aren't you resting?"

I lowered my gaze and felt the warmth where his fingers had touched my wrist. I cleared my throat and said, "I saw the light was still on when I passed by. Sanxi came to check."

The light in this room had been burning for several nights, and it was clear that this was not a sustainable situation. "How about, sir..." I cleared my throat and gazed at him. "You return to your room and get some rest, while Sanxi takes care of things here for a few nights. Tomorrow..."

Under the candlelight, Xu Changfeng's face remained calm. His long eyelashes flickered with the varying light, making it hard to discern his thoughts. With his appearance like this, my voice grew softer as I continued, "Tomorrow, you still have to go to the north..."

After I fell silent, Xu Changfeng seemed to say something irrelevant, "Is your hand seriously injured?"

It took me a while to understand his reference to the injury I received in the afternoon when I was scratched by the white cat. The Xu family's servants were renowned for their discipline and unwavering loyalty, and it was probable that someone had informed the incident to him.

I shook my head slightly and replied, "It's not serious."

"In the second compartment of the cabinet in the bedroom, there's a jade bottle with golden medicine for wounds. Apply it on your hand at the designated times, and it should be healed in a couple of days," he advised.

I nodded, and Xu Changfeng fell silent again. I heard him let out a sigh.

"I've been busy with military matters, and I rarely have time to be with her. If Jun'er has done something to offend you, I will teach her well," he continued. "As for that cat, Madam Luo kept it for nearly ten years. When she left, she left it for Jun'er. After a while, I'll have someone..."

"No need," I interrupted him. Xu Changfeng observed me in silence as I fiddled with my fingers. With some hesitation, I continued, "If I hadn't tried to play with it, it wouldn't have injured itself, and... with the Young Miss, it has nothing to do." I didn't know how to address Xu Changfeng's daughter.

According to customs, before a 'xie' husband took 'kao', there might be chambermaids who they might have few offspring with but they were mostly without any status. After the 'kao' wife comes in and gives birth to an heir, most of these children born from chambermaids will have no status. But Xu Changfeng was just 'Chang ren' and he probably didn't foresee marrying 'kao' let alone sharing with his two brothers in the future.