Volume 1 Chapter 10: I Dislike the Weak and Troublesome

This was the first time Yao Yan felt that Xiao Huai was a good person; the unpleasant experience of being thrown out the door just a few days ago vanished instantly.

Seeing the young maid staring at him and attempting to move closer, Xiao Huai took a step away to put some distance between them.

Once Zhou Ning had finished disciplining Guo Rui, Yao Yan asked cautiously, "Young Master, will the Second Mistress blame you for this?"

As she twisted her handkerchief, there was an unmistakable joy in her eyes when she looked at the cowering Guo Rui, yet she still managed to spare a moment of concern for him.

Xiao Huai found this somewhat amusing and retorted, "Am I really that useless?"

He would not allow an outsider to bully someone belonging to his household.

Yao Yan quickly replied, "Young Master, you are the most formidable!"

Xiao Huai glanced at her. "Flatterer."

After walking a few steps, he added, "Follow me."

Not knowing where he was going, Yao Yan tidied her hair and followed obediently behind him, keeping her gaze lowered, playing the part of a dutiful maid.

That evening, Xiao Qin held a banquet at Fuke Restaurant to speak with his cousin. Seeing him arrive with a beautiful maid in tow, Xiao Qin couldn't help but let out an exclamation. He quickly shut his mouth after a sharp look from Xiao Huai, though his eyes continued to wander restlessly.

Fuke Restaurant was not the most famous establishment in the capital, but it was well-situated, away from the bustling city center. Each floor had only two private rooms, spaced far apart for excellent privacy. The cuisine was also light—neither salty nor spicy—making it suitable for casual conversation.

Xiao Qin, the eldest son of the Second Branch, was two years younger than Xiao Huai. Although they were not particularly close, they could still converse, even if it was mostly Xiao Qin rambling while Xiao Huai responded only occasionally.

Xiao Qin was clearly interested in Yao Yan; he even had a waiter bring her swelling-reduction medicine and a bowl of cherry fermented glutinous rice wine.

Xiao Qin’s gaze darted between the two of them before he remarked, "Cousin, you really lack a tender heart for the fair sex. How did such a great beauty end up with such a nasty bruise on her face? If it were me, I would never let this happen."

It was past three in the afternoon, but the sky was heavy with dark clouds. Inside the private room, the lamps were lit and charcoal was burning, making the air feel somewhat stifling.

Xiao Huai sipped his hot tea and asked, "Are you implying that I hit her?"

"That’s not what I meant, cousin," Xiao Qin said, glancing at the slender figure behind the screen. He lowered his voice and added with a smile, "It’s just that women are delicate and require proper care."

Xiao Huai glanced over. The swelling on Yao Yan’s face was indeed quite startling and pitiful.

He explained, "I did not hit her. I never strike women."

Xiao Qin believed him. Seeing that Xiao Huai had no intention of saying more, he kept quiet, lest he be mistaken for having designs on the maid. If he were expected to take her in, he knew he would surely face a stern scolding from their grandmother.

Once the medicine and the cherry wine were delivered, the sound of the door knocking interrupted their conversation.

Yao Yan went to treat her cheek first. Upon returning, she couldn't help but crave the vibrant, glistening wine. Cherries were not in season; they had been stored in an ice cellar when harvested and retrieved only when guests requested them.

Thus, when Yao Yan held the bowl, she could still feel a faint, cool chill. The cherries were pickled in sugar; they were very sweet—perhaps too sweet—but exceptionally delicious.

Xiao Huai didn't even need to turn his head to see her eating. Her cheeks were puffed out, looking much like the rabbits that had been delivered to the restaurant earlier to be prepared for the table.

"Cousin, you still haven't answered my question," Xiao Qin said, his interest piqued. "Tell me, what kind of woman do you like? If I happen to come across one, I can keep an eye out for you."

Xiao Huai’s dark eyes rested on Yao Yan for a moment before he replied, "I don’t like those who are spineless or troublesome."

"Spineless and troublesome?" Xiao Qin was puzzled, unable to grasp the meaning. "What does that mean..."

Yao Yan, who had been enjoying her meal, choked slightly. Realizing he was talking about her, she set down her bowl, losing all appetite to continue eating.

The meal lasted for nearly two hours, mostly because Xiao Qin had become intoxicated and rambled on at length. He spoke of everything from the Second Mistress urging him to marry to his own attempts at passing the civil service examinations—he just kept pouring out his frustrations.

Yao Yan listened with great interest, yet after a long while, she realized that Xiao Huai had said almost nothing. She couldn't help but wonder, did this man have no troubles at all?

Upon returning to the Xiao residence, she washed up and lay down to sleep. Exhausted from the day’s frights, Yao Yan soon drifted into a deep slumber.

The snow was heavy that night, snapping many of the bamboo stalks in the backyard. The intermittent, noisy sound startled Yao Yan awake several times. Xiao Huai was a light sleeper; every time she moved, he opened his eyes.

He saw Yao Yan glance toward his direction first, and upon confirming he was still there, she seemed to heave a sigh of relief as her tense body relaxed.

Outside the window, the light flickered as bamboo branches occasionally brushed against the eaves, making a "rustling" sound like a procession of ghosts in the night.

Yao Yan was terrified. Sleeping in the empty outer room, she felt as if someone might break in at any moment—whether human or otherwise.

She pulled the quilt over her head, tucking the corners tightly beneath her, only to be forced to emerge for air moments later, her face flushed red.

Xiao Huai lost all desire to sleep. Seeing her figure trembling under the covers at every minor sound, he couldn't help but think how truly timid she was.

After a long while, Yao Yan fell asleep, and having nothing else to watch, he drifted off as well.

***

The next day, news spread like wildfire that the eldest son of the Xiao family had been seen out and about with a beautiful maid.

Listening to Zhou Ning recount the rumors circulating in town, Xiao Huai let out a low laugh. "A beautiful maid?"

He chuckled for a moment before adding, "I suppose that is her only redeeming quality."

Zhou Ning scratched his head, perplexed. "I don't think so, General. This subordinate finds that Miss Yao Yan is not only beautiful but also has a wonderful temperament; she has never even raised her voice."

Catching Xiao Huai’s gaze, he quickly corrected himself, "Indeed, her beauty is her only merit."

The snow was thick. Xiao Huai suddenly recalled the little snowman he had seen in the courtyard. It wasn't large, nor was it particularly well-crafted, standing behind the moon gate of the side courtyard—it was obvious who had made it.

That girl certainly managed to live quite happily during the day.

Xiao Huai set down his brush and handed the transcribed military manual to Zhou Ning to be sent to the courier station. He instructed him to write a letter ordering the deputy generals in Longyou to study it carefully, as he would come to inspect their progress after the New Year.

Once Zhou Ning left, he was alone in the room. The silver-bone charcoal crackled occasionally as it burned. With the doors and windows tightly shut, the room grew stiflingly warm.

From the left courtyard came the sound of light, playful laughter, mixed with Yao Yan’s intermittent cries of pain.

Xiao Huai walked outside to catch some air. The snow was much lighter today, falling like fine powder. He stood under the eaves, quietly watching the clumps of snow on the cypress trees.

As he looked away, he happened to see a small snowball fly out from the left courtyard.

Then, Yao Yan’s voice rang out, "Hurry back! It would be terrible if the Young Master saw us."

She spoke as if he were some terrifying, monstrous beast.