Volume One, Chapter 19: The Night Is Brief—Do Not Delay

Xiao Huai was not exactly intimidating; he had always been like this even when he was in the military camp. Though now in the capital he no longer needed to sleep with a dagger under his pillow, if Yaoyan had made any noise while he was asleep, she would likely have been hurt badly.

Originally intending to lie closer, Yaoyan quietly moved to the foot of the bed, sleeping against the wall. Only after she fell asleep did Xiao Huai finally close his eyes with peace of mind.

Trouble had arisen in the main household. Madame Guo kept her joy bottled up inside for several days. Before she could fully relish it, Master Xiao Ping returned from leave and discussed the marriage of the illegitimate daughter, Xiao Jingshu.

Rather than a discussion, it was more of an announcement. Without informing Madame Guo beforehand, Xiao Ping had already promised the daughter to one of his own students.

Madame Guo had seen this student before. Though of modest family background, he was handsome and talented.

Xiao Ping asked Madame Guo to add to Xiao Jingyu’s dowry, intending to consult with the matriarch. After the wedding of Xiao Jingling the following year, the illegitimate daughter would be married off. The dowry need not be extravagant but had to be respectable. Additionally, Xiao Ping had set aside two shops from his private assets as a dowry guarantee.

Though Madame Guo smiled and agreed outwardly, she was deeply displeased. Over the years, she had proposed the illegitimate daughter’s marriage many times, but Xiao Ping always said to wait and see. Yet now, without her knowledge, he had taken care of everything behind her back. Was he trying to keep her in the dark?

And those two shops—were they the ones on West Street? Though not as valuable as those on East Street, they were still worth a considerable amount of silver.

After finalizing the dowry, before presenting it to the matriarch, Xiao Ping went out of his way to comfort Madame Guo: “My student is not from a wealthy family, but his background is clean and he is ambitious. You are my wife and a mother; you must think carefully on her behalf.”

“Regardless of whether the children are legitimate or not, treat them all like your own. Only then can our children hold their heads high in their husbands’ families.”

Xiao Ping had fallen in love with Madame Guo at first sight, defying the old matriarch’s objections to marry her. Though their marriage was far from perfect, life is never flawless. Having fulfilled his wish once, he had no regrets. He endeavored to be thorough and considerate to his wife.

After Xiao Ping left, Madame Guo sat on a stool, lost in thought, unsure what troubled her most. When Xiao Qin came to pay respects, she beckoned him over.

Xiao Qin had drunk some wine at noon and stood about five feet away to avoid being noticed. Seeing her unusual expression, he asked, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Madame Guo sighed and told him, “Your father spoke to me today about Jingshu’s marriage. He seems very concerned. Though I resent that he didn’t discuss it with me earlier, the matter is settled, so I must agree.”

“Yet I wonder if one day your father could care for you and your brother just as much.”

Xiao Qin never liked to discuss family matters. Hearing this, he replied perfunctorily, “Fifth Sister is illegitimate, not as honored as a legitimate daughter. It’s normal for Father to care more for her. Mother, why worry?”

“But what about you and Tong’er? Though you are legitimate sons, your father treats you no differently than the illegitimate ones. He rarely shows you any concern.”

Madame Guo’s tone carried a hint of frustration and disappointment. “How could I not worry? Look at the eldest son, Xiao Huai. Only two years older than you, he has won countless battle honors and earned the Crown Prince’s favor. Your achievements come too late. If only I had sent your younger brother away at thirteen or fourteen, maybe I’d worry less…”

Her complaints went on and on, but Xiao Qin merely let them pass in one ear and out the other. By the time she finished, it was already late.

Madame Guo, feeling vexed, did not keep him for dinner. Xiao Qin rubbed his empty stomach and went to the kitchen by himself.

The kitchen always had some snacks and small dishes in the evening. Xiao Qin contemplated whether to bring some appetizers for drinking or ask the cooks to prepare a few more dishes for the courtyard feast.

The dusk was dim and quiet when Xiao Qin entered the kitchen and bumped into someone. The woman exclaimed softly in surprise. He lowered his gaze and saw her clutching her head in pain.

Youthful, adorable, and innocent—these were the first impressions that flashed through Xiao Qin’s mind.

Ping’er had come to bring nourishing soup to Yaoyan. Perhaps due to having slept too long during the day, her vision was faint and she accidentally bumped into someone.

Recognizing the second young master, Ping’er immediately apologized, “Second Young Master, I didn’t mean to.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Xiao Qin said without blinking as he looked at her face. “Which courtyard are you from, and why are you only coming to fetch food now?”

“I’m from the eldest young master’s courtyard,” Ping’er answered softly. “I’m bringing medicinal soup for Yaoyan.”

“Oh, so you’re from the eldest cousin’s residence. I’m going there too; I’ll go with you.”

Xiao Qin seldom visited Xiao Huai’s courtyard. Upon entering, he joked, “Ah, eldest cousin, you actually hide a little beauty in your courtyard and don’t let your younger brother know!”

“Beauty?” Xiao Huai was indoors playing a throwing game. After his arrow landed in the cup, he turned and asked, “You mean Yaoyan? Haven’t you seen her?”

“You’re quite the joker,” Xiao Qin picked up an arrow and shot, missing his mark. Pouting, he said, “Yaoyan belongs to you, I wouldn’t dare tease her. I mean the other one—the younger, cuter girl.”

Young and adorable—besides Yaoyan, Xiao Huai couldn’t think of anyone else, though there was indeed a maid in his courtyard, one he hadn’t paid attention to.

“I don’t quite remember her name... maybe Ping’er?”

“Oh, Ping’er is a lovely name,” Xiao Qin said flatteringly as he massaged Xiao Huai’s shoulders. “Big brother, with so many servants in your courtyard, why not give that Ping’er to your younger brother?”

“That’s Yaoyan’s maid,” Xiao Huai swatted his hand away and picked up the arrow that had fallen. “If she leaves, who will take care of Yaoyan?”

Only the arrow Xiao Qin had dropped was on the ground. Undeterred, he continued, “She’s from your courtyard anyway. Yaoyan listens to you, so if you say yes, she can’t object. I really like that maid. She’s different from those in my courtyard. Big brother, you haven’t kept a woman before; you don’t know how rare it is to have someone you like.”

Xiao Huai felt he had misspoken. He had kept a woman before—currently one, no less—and it cost a fortune. If he took on another, his salary and all the bonuses he had saved over the years would be spent like water. He simply couldn't afford it.

“Keeping women is too expensive. You should keep fewer.”

“What?” Xiao Qin pretended to leave. “Is she in this courtyard or the next? I want to see her and ask if she wants to come with me. If not, I’ll ask grandmother for help.”

There was only one bedroom in the left courtyard. Yaoyan had not yet arrived; she was still with Ping’er. Xiao Huai stopped Xiao Qin, saying, “Wait until Yaoyan comes before you go. Don’t act rashly.”

When Yaoyan arrived, she was holding a waist pillow—something the old matriarch had given her to support her back while sleeping.

It was already late, and fearful of being seen by others in the courtyard, she quickly stuffed the pillow into her cloak and stood silently to the side.

Xiao Huai noticed her hiding something but said nothing.

Xiao Qin, however, was impatient and rushed over. “Yaoyan, is your maid Ping’er asleep?”

Hearing his question, Yaoyan immediately sensed his intent and replied, “Second Young Master, Ping’er sleeps early. When I came, the lights were already out.”

“So early...” Xiao Qin sounded regretful. It seemed today’s plan was foiled. Just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of the corner of the waist pillow peeking from her cloak and brightened again. “Wow, that’s a good thing! When I go back, I’ll have my maid get one too.”

Then he turned and thoughtfully closed the door behind him, winking at Xiao Huai. “Big cousin, the night is short and sweet; don’t dawdle.”