Volume One, Chapter 11: Would Lying in Bed and Calling Out Work?

Xiao Huai lifted his leg and walked past the crescent moon gate, originally intending to send the two of them to the garden to play, so as not to disturb his own peace.

As he approached, he saw the two engaged in a snowball fight. Yaoyan seemed utterly defenseless, only able to shield her neck and face as the snowballs struck her body.

Today, she wore a dress of delicate lotus pink—a tender and charming color. When she seemed tired from playing, she repeatedly pleaded for mercy before Ping'er finally relented.

Both were sweating profusely. Yaoyan sat on a chair, panting heavily from exhaustion, while Ping'er also sat down, glanced at the sky, and said, “It’s almost dark. You should rest for a while, then go to the eldest young master's room.”

The one-month deadline was slowly passing. Yaoyan wiped the sweat from her brow, brushed the snowflakes from her shoulders, and replied, “I know, I know.”

“But Yaoyan, why do you pour out the tonic that Madam Wu brings every day?” Ping'er asked, puzzled. “After all, Madam Wu means well. If the eldest young master’s health improves sooner, wouldn’t that be good for you as well?”

Yaoyan parted her lips. The bitter taste of the tonic from that day surged sharply on her tongue. Though many days had passed, whenever she thought of it, it still made her feel nauseous.

She hesitated and said, “The eldest young master doesn’t like to drink it.”

Ping'er leaned against the table, sighing again. “How can he not drink it? The eldest young master is already weak. If the tonic has even a little effect, wouldn’t that be better?”

Yaoyan wasn’t sure if she was comforting herself or Ping'er, so she could only follow along. “This is not something we should speak about recklessly. If the eldest young master were to overhear, neither of us would have a good outcome.”

She still believed Xiao Huai could recover, but she didn’t know how to explain this to Ping’er, so she simply went along with her words.

Zhou Ning returned from the courier station and saw Xiao Huai inside the room, his face frighteningly pale. Just as he was about to ask, he received an order and left, still confused.

“Miss Yaoyan, the general has forbidden you from eating tonight.”

Yaoyan, just about to pick up her chopsticks, widened her eyes. She had played for a long time today and was extremely hungry. Could it be that she was too noisy, and so was not allowed to eat dinner?

She looked at Ping’er, who was already eating, feeling almost tearful.

When night fell, Yaoyan finished washing up, nearly fainting from hunger. She entered Xiao Huai’s room and saw him drinking tea, with jujube rolls, chestnut cakes, and honeyed peanuts on the table.

Just looking at the food made her want to take a bite.

Yaoyan did not understand why Xiao Huai was punishing her, so she timidly bowed and then sat on her soft couch, watching him drink tea.

Xiao Huai was not hungry; he simply placed the food there for Yaoyan to see.

When enough time had passed, seeing the little maid’s eyes reddened with grievance, he spoke slowly, “Do you know why I punished you today?”

Yaoyan thought he was too cruel and softly replied, “I know. It was because I was too noisy playing with Ping’er.”

Xiao Huai glanced at her, then slowly picked up a honeyed peanut and put it in his mouth, pointing to the seat opposite him. “Sit here.”

Yaoyan was delighted, thinking he wanted her to accompany him in eating, and hurried over.

The little maid’s lips twitched with a smile. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she looked at the food, seemingly pondering which to try first.

Xiao Huai sneered coldly, asking, “Want to eat?”

Yaoyan shyly nodded, “Yes.”

“Then where did you go wrong?”

Yaoyan immediately sat up straight and looked at him earnestly. “I will never play and be noisy in the courtyard again. I won’t delay the eldest young master’s affairs!”

Xiao Huai ordered a servant to clear away the plates, staring coldly at her. “Wrong. You are not allowed to eat a single bite.”

Being mysteriously starved all night was unpleasant. Rarely did Yaoyan wake early the next morning, roused by hunger before Xiao Huai got up to practice martial arts.

Since arriving at the Xiao residence, though her life hadn’t been easy, she had never gone hungry.

Now, it was still dawn, with the snowy light faintly shining through the window paper.

Yaoyan clutched her stomach and lay still for a moment before recalling that the jujube rolls from last night had been brought into Xiao Huai’s room and seemed to be left on his writing desk.

She hesitated for a while but, feeling faint with hunger, carefully lifted the quilt and, wrapped in her clothes, got out of bed.

The room was unlit; she could only use the dim light from outside to find her way.

Tiptoeing cautiously, Yaoyan finally reached the desk and slowly picked up a jujube roll, stuffing it into her mouth before carefully returning to her couch.

Xiao Huai had already awakened when she shifted. Seeing her like this, he playfully tapped his wrist against the edge of the bed.

Sure enough, the slender figure froze, then turned to make sure he was still asleep before continuing on.

Perhaps from nervousness, when Yaoyan climbed back onto the couch, she bumped her leg on the corner, emitting a muffled groan.

Xiao Huai silently closed his eyes and a faint smile tugged at his lips. After she settled, he sat up.

As he dressed, his gaze never left the one pretending to sleep.

Yaoyan’s lips still bore crumbs of the jujube roll, her long lashes fluttering as if she would open her eyes soon to check if he had left.

After dressing, Xiao Huai stepped outside and told the attendant, “Why are there still mice in winter? When you clean next time, be more thorough. Some of these mice are clumsy; they even bump into my bed after eating and don’t wipe their mouths. If I see it again, I’ll throw them out.”

The attendant outside was puzzled. “Why throw them out? Master, wouldn’t it be better to just stomp on them?”

Xiao Huai’s smile faltered, and he said nothing further. After washing, he went to practice martial arts.

After he left, Yaoyan quickly sat up and wiped her mouth, then lifted the quilt to check the bruise on her thigh. Sure enough, a large purple patch had formed.

She knew Xiao Huai’s words about mice were clearly about her. She angrily struck the quilt, thinking that if it weren’t for him starving her all night, she wouldn’t have had to do this.

After eating a jujube roll, her stomach eased considerably. Without the desire to sleep anymore, Yaoyan washed up and headed to the left courtyard.

There was only one sleeping room in the left courtyard. She climbed onto the bed and squeezed in with Ping’er. Seeing it was her, Ping’er asked, “Why are you up so early today?”

“I was woken by hunger. After the eldest young master left, I came back.”

Ping’er became alert and gave her a steamed bun she had saved from yesterday. “I wanted to save some food for you, but worried it would get cold and be inedible, so I left a bun. Eat some to fill your stomach.”

Their room burned ordinary walnut charcoal. Though not as fine as the silver bone charcoal in Xiao Huai’s room, it was warm enough if placed at a distance—better than being cold.

Yaoyan felt touched; Ping’er was truly kind.

An hour later, Xiao Huai returned, washed, and prepared to pay respects to his grandmother and mother. Seeing the left courtyard quiet, he looked inside his study, picked out a book, and had it delivered to Yaoyan.

At that moment, Yaoyan was whispering with Ping’er. Seeing the book, she glanced at the characters on the page and frowned. “Why is he giving me ‘Liezi’?”

Ping’er’s face brightened. “He wants you to bear him a son!”

Yaoyan thought it unlikely. She flipped to a page where the sentence, “Those who observe deep fish are unpropitious; those who foresee concealment shall suffer,” was circled.

She looked back and forth, unable to make sense of it, finally tossing the book aside and returning to her conversation with Ping’er.

Xiao Huai did not resemble his mother, Lady Shen, much. He felt more respect for his princess mother than romantic affection.

Knowing the eldest son would come to pay respects today, Lady Shen had early prepared his favorite dishes so he could dine with her at noon.

Though Lady Shen had only one son and one daughter, both were outstanding. The son had achieved military honors at a young age; the daughter was lively and talented, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

By nature, she was competitive and ambitious. Having married into the Xiao family years ago, she had always been pampered and flattered, never wronged—a life envied by many noblewomen.

Lady Shen asked as she served soup, “Is that maid your grandmother sent still suitable?”

Recalling Yaoyan sneaking bites, a smile flickered across Xiao Huai’s brows. He replied calmly, “Thank you for your concern, mother. That maid still pleases me for now.”

Lady Shen seemed surprised by his words. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Do you want to keep her?”

The maid Xiao Huai favored was the youngest daughter of the prime minister’s household, though no feelings had yet been declared.

Lady Shen originally intended to sell the maid once the matter was settled to prevent her son from becoming attached. Hearing his response, though she asked for his opinion, she still felt the girl was a temptress and must not be kept.

Xiao Huai answered vaguely, “I don’t know. We’ll discuss it later.”

If he said he wanted to keep her, she would be unacceptable; if he said no, she would be dealt with. Better not to answer.

Hearing this, Lady Shen did not press further, thinking he merely kept the beautiful maid as a plaything, planning to sell her before marriage.

After dinner, Lady Shen spoke of recent events. “I visited your maternal grandmother at the palace a couple of days ago. She’s still fairly healthy but suffers from chronic headaches and needs tonic soup frequently. Uncle hasn’t been well either. It’s strange—all falling ill as winter comes.”

“Your maternal grandmother has lived secluded in the palace for years and has always been healthy, with imperial physicians attending her constantly. You need not worry too much. As for your granduncle, he labors day and night over state affairs, so his health does require more care.”

Lady Shen nodded, her eyes full of concern. Putting aside family ties, her greatest support was her mother and uncle; naturally, she wished for their well-being.

“But the crown prince’s cousin is quite disobedient,” Lady Shen sighed again. “The Sixth Prince is much favored by your uncle.”

Xiao Huai stared at the embroidery on his clothes, listening silently without commenting. When the time was right, he took his leave.

After he left, Lady Shen gave a subtle look to Lin Mama, her attendant, who understood immediately.

Lady Shen and the matriarch rarely spoke much, and never discussed their son’s affairs. The maid belonged to the matriarch’s household, so asking too much was unwise. She had to ask her son but feared he might deceive her, so she had someone keep an eye on the situation.

Winter passed quickly. Yaoyan felt that she barely stayed indoors before it was time to serve Xiao Huai in his room. She dawdled along, and most of the time Xiao Huai was busy, while Yaoyan went to bed early.

Today Xiao Huai was a little unusual and said to her, “Come here.”

Startled, Yaoyan thought he had finally decided to let her serve him properly. She hurried over, her face full of expectation, and softly said, “Eldest young master.”

Seeing her expression, Xiao Huai smiled, got up, and blew out the lamp, leaving only one lit. Then he instructed, “Jump on the bed.”

“Jump…?” Yaoyan was confused.

What did it mean to jump on the bed? Did the eldest young master actually like this?

She hesitated but, seeing his teasing smile, still climbed onto the bed, trying to jump twice, almost twisting her ankle. She then sat down with tears in her eyes. “Eldest young master, it hurts.”

She was so delicate. Xiao Huai sat beside her on the bed. “Then can you call out?”

Yaoyan thought for a moment, then softly meowed, blushing. “Like this?”

Her voice was small, like a cat’s mew. Xiao Huai looked away. “Mm, keep going.”

Yaoyan didn’t understand but obeyed. Outside, Lin Mama listened carefully, hearing some noises and feeling pleased. This old lady really hadn’t done anything wrong, and the eldest young master liked this maid enough to keep her to serve him.

Lin Mama left happily. Inside, Yaoyan’s throat grew hoarse before Xiao Huai finally let her stop and mercilessly sent her back to her couch to sleep.

Truly used and discarded, Yaoyan sulked softly, looking at him sweetly. “Eldest young master, really not letting me keep you company?”

As she spoke, Xiao Huai glanced at her. She leaned in like a cat, warm and fragrant. He raised an eyebrow. “Want me to personally see you back?”

Yaoyan had no other thoughts and obediently returned to her couch, wrapping herself in the quilt to sleep. In her heart, she cursed him for being so unromantic, as if she were throwing flirtatious glances to a blind man.

After she lay down, Xiao Huai looked at his rumpled bed, smoothed the cover, then climbed in.

Tonight was bound to be anything but peaceful…