Three Joys

Chapter 41

This evening, Xu Qihao partook in an unusual social gathering and arrived home when the moon had ascended high in the night sky.

He was draped in a snow-white crane cape, with a complexion as fair as white jade. Walking through the snow, he appeared ethereal and captivating, making it hard to look away. I welcomed him, helped him out of the heavy cape, and heard him say with a cheerful smile, "Did the servants not inform you to not wait up for me tonight?"

He seemed to be in good spirits, with a healthier complexion than usual. I replied with a slight curl of my lips, "Someone did relay the message, but I chose to wait for you, He lang."

Xu Qihao smiled tenderly, his eyes resembling clear pools capable of effortlessly entrancing anyone. I recalled the first time I met him, finding him to be an otherworldly presence. He stopped in his tracks and turned to me, asking, "Why have you been waiting for me tonight?"

As he was about to head into the adjoining room, I urgently halted him, saying, "He lang." My fingers remained clenched beneath my sleeves, and I directed my gaze toward him, grappling with hesitation before finally mustering the courage to speak "The items from my chest... Were they removed by you?"

Xu Qihao's steps wavered, and he turned back to face me.

Recalling back to morning when the trembling servant, Zitong, knelt at my feet, uttering, "I didn't know anything. Third Master instructed me to bring those items to him. I truly had no idea they held such significance to you, Young Master!" He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a badly bruised arm.

"You're lying! Why would Third Master take our Young Master's belongings? If you won't confess, we shall summon Third Master for a confrontation," Bi Yu berated, her anger reaching a point where she was on the brink of fetching Xu Qihao for an explanation.

"No, please, Young Master, spare me from Third Master," he clung desperately to my legs, terror etched across his face. "Hand me over to the steward, not Third Master! I don't want... he'll surely kill me this time... please, have mercy!" With that plea, he began to repeatedly bang his head against the floor.

"Young Master, this is a serious matter, considering that the Young Master lost something," Bi Luo whispered, "I think we should handle it more cautiously."

I saw Zitong, his forehead now bleeding from the repeated head-banging, and it made me realize how frightened he must be to go to such lengths.

As they prepared to drag him away, I suddenly said, "Never mind." I was somewhat dazed as I looked around at the group of servants. "I just remembered. I misplaced them and forgot where they are."

Today, while awaiting Xu Qihao's return, I had been pondering for quite a while, unable to resist asking this question. I had always believed that he was an exceptionally kind person, regardless of how he treated others. For me, he was always gentle and caring.

His gaze upon me suddenly made my heart clench, and I understood that if he denied involvement, I would believe him...However, in the next moment, I heard a voice say, "That's right." His eyes were clear and calm, and he admitted, "I did it."

I stared at him in shock, thinking that I must have misheard. The winter night was quiet, with only the sound of the incense burner crackling.

"And... where are they?" I asked quietly.

"Thrown away," Xu Qihao replied promptly, as if he had been waiting for this moment. I asked again, "Where did you throw them?"

Xu Qihao turned and sat in a chair. He sipped his tea slowly and said, "I tossed them into the brazier." I remained utterly speechless, gazing at him in stunned silence for a long time. Then, I turned to leave, but the room was jolted by a sudden, jarring noise as he smashed the cup against the floor.