Chapter 035: In Broad Daylight, What Have You Done!
When Nanny Zhao reached this point, she abruptly fell silent, hesitating as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Madam, reclining on the bed, propped her chin and watched her through a beaded curtain, faintly making out her wrinkled, scrunched-up face that resembled an old tangerine.
“What is it?” Qin Chanyue found Nanny Zhao’s expression amusing and wasn’t annoyed at being woken by her. She simply said, “To think it frightened you so.”
With Nanny Zhao’s temperament, she would dare draw a knife and slash at a living dead if she encountered one. What kind of three heads and six arms had Bai Yuning suddenly grown to shock Nanny Zhao into fleeing back to her in such a panic, scared out of her wits?
Kneeling on the floor, Nanny Zhao felt cold sweat seeping from her palms, leaving damp handprints on the Huanghuali wood floorboards. Her thin lips pressed tightly together, and after a long pause, she whispered, “Just now, she told this old servant… she is with child.”
At the mention of pregnancy, Nanny Zhao’s throat went dry.
Earlier, Bai Yuning had been entangled with the two young masters of the Zhou family, and it was unclear when she had become intimate with which young master. Later, when the scandal erupted, she was driven out. Who would have thought that one day she would return carrying a child?
Since ancient times, bearing children has been a significant matter. If an ordinary young man defiled a young lady, it had to be handled properly. The people of Dachen valued purity; to become an official or inherit a noble title, one had to carefully protect their reputation. Privately, they could play around however they wished, but publicly, when stepping forward, they had to appear as gentlemen of bright moon and gentle breeze, as pure as Kun jade and autumn frost. Otherwise, if it reached the censors, they would surely be impeached.
The Zhongyi Hou Mansion was already on the Ministry of Rites’ list due to the matter of the noble title, only suppressed by Zhennan Wang’s influence. If another incident arose, it might stir up trouble again.
After all, the Zhou family was watching like a tiger eyeing its prey. Ever since the funeral concluded, the butlers and maids from Zhou Mansion frequently visited the Houfu, always trying to lure a few of the mansion’s servants out for drinks. It was clear they were there to gather information, but Nanny Zhao had firmly kept them in check.
If Bai Yuning’s matter were exposed, it might give the Zhou family another handle to seize, which was why Nanny Zhao broke out in a cold sweat.
If this person wasn’t dealt with properly…
Nanny Zhao worriedly glanced at their Madam.
On the bed, Madam raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, her rouge-red lips curling into a faint, subtle arc. Her face showed no surprise; instead, there was a hint of mockery.
She had always known that Bai Yuning, as Second Prince’s person, would eventually find a way back to their Houfu. Bai Yuning would try every means possible.
And now, the most effective method was “using pregnancy to force a position.”
Anyone with eyes could see that the Zhou family and the Houfu were currently locked in a struggle over the noble title. The Houfu relied entirely on the possibility of an heir to sustain itself. Whether an heir could be produced determined who would inherit the title.
At this moment, the outcome was truly uncertain. An unborn child was too unpredictable—who knew if one day the Shizi Furen might accidentally trip and the child would mysteriously be lost?
At such a time, Bai Yuning suddenly appeared, claiming to be pregnant. It was like sending charcoal in snowy weather—a brilliant move.
Adding another one would be like having double insurance. Although Bai Yuning has a notorious history of misdeeds, the child in her belly is genuinely precious. If she happens to give birth to a boy, it would solve an urgent problem.
Bai Yuning’s ability to come up with this idea shows some quick wit. Not only would her child have a secure future, but she herself could also establish a firm footing in the Houfu.
A mother’s status is elevated by her son—that’s exactly the principle at play.
Qin Chanyue slowly turned over on the couch and said, “I understand. You may leave.”
Nanny Zhao was nearly frantic with anxiety. The person kneeling outside—should she be punished or accepted? They needed a clear decision; she couldn’t just be left there like that. But seeing that Madam showed no urgency at all, Nanny Zhao dared not speak further and quietly withdrew.
The door to the side chamber opened and closed, leaving Qin Chanyue alone to continue lying there.
She wasn’t the least bit anxious.
Because she knew that Bai Yuning hadn’t come because she was pregnant—it was uncertain whether she even was. Bai Yuning had come this time solely to carry out a task for the Second Prince. By chance, she had encountered the “struggle for the title” between the Zhou family and the Houfu, and having this opportunity, she used it as her pretext.
Once Bai Yuning entered the Houfu, there was no telling what wicked deeds she might commit.
But Qin Chanyue would let her in, because Qin Chanyue intended to turn Bai Yuning’s trick against her. Bai Yuning wanted to harm the people of the Houfu to help the Second Prince stage a brilliant comeback, while Qin Chanyue wanted to use Bai Yuning to drag the Second Prince down.
In the struggle between these two sides, it all came down to patience and boldness. Bai Yuning was venturing alone into the tiger’s den, while Qin Chanyue was setting bait to lure the enemy deep—both were acting.
Since they were going to act, they might as well do it thoroughly. She wouldn’t let Bai Yuning in so easily.
Let her keep kneeling for now.
—
Madam had originally intended to catch a bit more sleep, but having woken up midway, she tossed and turned on the couch, unable to fall back asleep. Her clear, sharp gaze swept around the room as she pondered what to do to pass the time.
It was already September. The last wave of Indian summer had passed during the days when Vice Minister of War Wu Xingzhi was assassinated. The remaining days grew colder each day, with the chill of morning and evening seeping in through the carved window lattice, forcing people to add another layer of clothing. The ice vat had long been removed from the side chamber, and only an incense burner was lit on the low table.
The incense had burned all night and should have been exhausted by morning, leaving only ashes in the burner. But when Qin Chanyue glanced over, she could still see the incense quietly burning inside—it must have been lit not long ago.
A thin line of incense smoke rose straight from the burner, wafting upward through the air before shattering against the eaves and pillars, dispersing into a faint mist.
This was the work of the young male favorite who had left earlier.
He served diligently, never vying for favor after leaving the bed. Not only did he not compete for attention, but he was also thoughtful and meticulous in every way, attending to her more attentively than the most considerate maid.
Recalling the rare pleasures of the previous night, Qin Chanyue felt a sense of ease throughout her body and made up her mind.
She would reward this male favorite handsomely.
Madam lingered on the couch a little longer before slowly sitting up and calling for the maids to attend to her washing and dressing.
Recently, there has been a commotion outside about Southern Gu masters committing murders. The Gu Suppression Guards have been frantically arresting people everywhere, and many marketplaces have been shut down. Officials in the court attend morning audiences with great caution, and the young ladies and madams of wealthy households naturally refrain from going out to tea parties or watching operas, all staying cooped up at home for fear of causing any trouble if they venture out.
During such times, there was no opportunity to go out and make a show, so Qin Chanyue simply stayed within the mansion, reading storybooks and managing accounts.
As autumn approached, the flowers and plants outside had withered, with few in bloom, leaving little to appreciate. The maids placed a small vase of autumn chrysanthemums on the low table beside Qin Chanyue’s low couch.
The autumn chrysanthemums were in full bloom, a vibrant and tender yellow. The vase was made of milky-white Hetian jade, and the interplay of yellow and white was quite pleasing to the eye.
Qin Chanyue casually pointed and said, “Pick something in this color.”
A maid beside her turned and acknowledged the order, then fetched a goose-yellow cross-collar pleated skirt, paired with a snowy silk wide-sleeved robe as an outer layer. For shoes, she selected a pair of goose-yellow embroidered chrysanthemum brocade shoes. After helping Qin Chanyue change into them one by one, she adorned her hair with a few golden chrysanthemum pins.
The color was just right—the combination of goose-yellow and snowy white softened her sharp edges, adding a touch of brightness and gentleness. Those unfamiliar with her might even be somewhat deceived by her appearance.
As the maid was tracing a pale yellow floral hairpin on Qin Chanyue’s forehead, a voice from outside the side chamber announced that the Second Young Master was requesting an audience.
Without needing to ask, everyone knew why the Second Young Master had come.
The maid paused her brush, but seeing Qin Chanyue’s expression remain unchanged, she continued tracing.
Only after the pale yellow floral hairpin on her forehead was completed did Qin Chanyue examine herself in the mirror for a moment. Then, instead of summoning the Second Young Master waiting outside, she turned to a maid beside her and instructed, “Go and invite the one from yesterday.”
The one from yesterday…
The little maid recalled the commotion she had heard under the eaves the day before and couldn’t help but blush slightly. She then softly acknowledged the order and turned to leave.
As the little maid exited the side chamber of Shangyue Garden, she saw the Second Young Master standing anxiously under the eaves outside.
Since completing the funeral arrangements, the Second Young Master had been released from confinement and was free to go wherever he pleased. After experiencing confinement and his father’s passing, he had suddenly become much more composed. He no longer ran around outside or sought out Bai Yuning, nor did he go mad like Zhou Wenshan had in the past due to his injured arm. Instead, he stayed quietly in the mansion, occasionally reading, and came daily to pay his morning and evening greetings to Qin Chanyue. Even if Qin Chanyue did not wake, he would stand for a while under the eaves outside her room, appearing as respectful and filial as ever.
Everyone in the mansion said that the Second Young Master had truly repented.
When the little maid came out, she saw the Second Young Master anxiously turning toward her at the sound, as if waiting for her to speak.
The little maid had no choice but to bow and say, “Greetings, Second Young Master.”
Zhou Chiye urgently lowered his voice and asked her, “What did mother say?”
That morning, when Zhou Chiye learned that Bai Yuning was kneeling outside the mansion gate, he could hardly contain his anxiety.
That day on the couch, Bai Yuning had held him and told him to soften his attitude, take care of himself, or else she would be heartbroken. She also said she would return to him and asked him to wait.
And so, he had waited day after day until now.
Since the day of the banquet when Bai Yuning left the estate, they had not seen each other again. Bai Yuning was like a snowflake that landed in his palm, bringing a brief chill before swiftly melting away. When he looked down again, there was nothing left in his hand.
And he could only rely on that faint, almost invisible hope to keep going.
He didn’t know how long he could endure. Sometimes, in the dead of night, he would wonder if he had suffered for so long that he had conjured up an illusion—if, on that lifeless bed of his, he had been the only one losing his mind.
He didn’t know, and no one could tell him.
Until today, when a servant from Jianming Courtyard informed him that Bai Yuning had come—and she hadn’t come alone. She was carrying his child!
She was carrying his child!
They had a child!
He didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl. If it was a boy, he would likely resemble him; if a girl, she would probably take after Yuning more. Whoever the child resembled, it was his child.
The ashes of despair in his heart reignited, burning fiercely and making it impossible for him to stay in the side chamber any longer. He was desperate to go to the estate gate to find Bai Yuning, but as he reached the door of Jianming Courtyard’s side chamber, he forced himself to stop.
He couldn’t go.
Seeing Bai Yuning would be pointless. In this estate, the one who truly held the authority was his mother. Only with her approval could Bai Yuning enter.
So he rushed to his mother’s quarters instead.
He knew that a maid must have already reported the matter to his mother, but he had no idea what she was thinking now.
Even if his mother disliked Bai Yuning, surely, with Yuning carrying his flesh and blood, she should at least be allowed to enter the estate? Even if she couldn’t be his principal wife, couldn’t Yuning be accepted as a concubine for now?
Under Zhou Chiye’s intense gaze, the little maid pursed her lips uneasily, bowed her head, and replied, “In answer to the Second Young Master, the Madam said she wants this maidservant to bring someone to see her.”
“Bring someone? Bring Yuning?” Zhou Chiye exclaimed joyfully, speaking rapidly. “I’ll go too.”
The maid looked even more troubled, her voice gradually softening as she said, “The Madam wishes to see not Miss Bai, but… that young master.”
At first, Zhou Chiye didn’t understand who “that young master” was. It wasn’t until he noticed the maid’s flushed earlobes and evasive gaze that he suddenly remembered with a jolt.
There was such a person.
His name was Zhou Hai.
After his father’s passing, his mother had suddenly begun keeping a male companion. During the day, this man was stationed at Shuhai Courtyard like an ordinary private soldier, guard, or retainer, standing watch at the gate without any hint of distinction. But at night, he assumed a different role.
He became the Marquise’s male companion, summoned nightly to Shangyue Garden to serve her.
Initially, this matter was kept quite secret. The servants of Shangyue Garden had their mouths tightly sealed by Nanny Zhao, and no one dared utter a word. However, Qin Chanyue made no effort to conceal it, so the news gradually spread and was no longer a secret. When the maids referred to Zhou Hai, they could no longer call him a “private soldier” nor dared to address him by his full name directly. Instead, they resorted to a vague and roundabout term: “young master.”
When Zhou Chiye first learned of this, he had been furious.
Father had just passed away, not even a few days ago—not even a few days! His body was still warm, yet Mother had already openly taken a male lover!
He was filled with indignation.
What kind of woman behaved like this? Mother had never been like this before—how had she turned into such a licentious person in just these few days?
When Father was being buried, Mother hadn’t even gone to see him off! How could Mother’s actions be worthy of Father? How could she ever share a grave with him in the afterlife?
He was furious, but bound by his filial duty as a son, he couldn’t speak out. He could only pretend he didn’t know.
But who could have imagined—who could have imagined—that today, while Bai Yuning was still kneeling outside, Mother would choose this critical moment to summon her male lover!
A male lover! Such a lowly creature, such a lowly creature!
Zhou Chiye gritted his teeth until they ached, his chest heaving violently. His handsome, sharp features twisted slightly, looking as if he might erupt into madness at any moment, frightening the little maid beside him into trembling.
Everyone knew the Second Young Master had a terrible temper. When the Eldest Young Master had bullied Bai Yuning before, the Second Young Master had nearly strangled him to death! If he hadn’t hesitated at the last moment, both young masters of the Houfu would have been gone! So now, whenever the Second Young Master’s expression darkened, the little maid nearby grew terrified, fearing he might lose control.
But to the little maid’s surprise, the Second Young Master’s face shifted between dark and stormy, and after a moment, he actually clenched his teeth and held back.
He said nothing about the unseen male lover, only gritted his teeth and said, “Go inform Mother that I’ve come to pay my respects.”
The little maid at the door had no choice but to abandon her errand to fetch “that gentleman” and instead went inside to deliver the message. Before long, she returned, curtsied to the Second Young Master, and said, “Reporting to the Second Young Master, Madam says she will not see anyone today. The Second Young Master should return early to rest.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chiye’s eyes widened with fury.
Mother knew exactly why he had come, yet she refused to see him!
Zhou Chiye didn’t understand what his mother was thinking, nor did he know what the woman he loved was thinking. Caught between the two of them, looking from one to the other, he thought he understood everything, but in truth, he understood nothing—only growing more anxious by the minute.
He thought, if Mother wouldn’t let Bai Yuning in, would she really make Yuning kneel outside indefinitely? With so many people coming and going in the neighborhood, if they saw her, how would Yuning ever hold her head up in the future?
Zhou Chiye stood rooted to the spot, racking his brains for a solution.
He had to find a way to persuade Mother. If he couldn’t do it himself, he needed to find someone who could. But in this courtyard, there were only three masters in total: himself, Lady Qin, and Shizi Furen.
Actually, there was also Aunt Xia in Chixia Garden, but ever since the Marquis passed away, she had immediately retreated into her quarters, not even stepping outside her door on ordinary days. She was probably terrified that Qin Chanyue would send her off to a manor estate, so she behaved as meekly as a quail. He couldn’t possibly rely on Aunt Xia.
And when it came to favor, no one in the entire courtyard could compare to Liu Yandai.
After much thought, he steeled himself and turned to visit Shuhai Courtyard.
If he couldn’t persuade Mother, surely his sister-in-law could?
——
As Zhou Chiye hurried toward Shuhai Courtyard, the maid also headed there to find someone.
Two groups arrived one after the other. The maidservant came first, and upon arriving, she did not disturb Liu Yandai in the courtyard. Instead, she deliberately took a detour, specifically seeking out Zhou Hai alone.
When the maidservant from Shangyue Garden arrived, Zhou Hai had just woken up in the side chamber.
Shangyue Garden had dedicated guard quarters, not far from the stables. Usually secluded from the front courtyard, this was the place where their group of private soldiers lived.
Private soldiers were quite different from ordinary household servants or attendants.
Dachen allowed officials to keep private soldiers for protection, but the number was determined by official rank. Even the lowest ninth-rank minor official could only keep five. The higher the rank, the more they could keep, and with noble titles added on, they could keep even more.
These private soldiers could be called private soldiers or death warriors. In other words, their lives belonged to their masters. If the master wanted them to live, they lived; if the master wanted them to die, they died. They received large sums of silver each year, taking pride in serving their masters. Essentially, every private soldier had the resolve to “die for their master.”
Most of the time, these private soldiers were the exclusive property of individuals. Only among parents and siblings would personal guards be gifted to one another, usually from a higher-ranking person to a lower-ranking one, for protection.
Qin Chanyue’s private soldiers were all personally selected one by one by Zhennan Wang and gifted to Qin Chanyue, to be used as she pleased. Their bodies and souls belonged to Qin Chanyue. Even if Qin Chanyue took their lives for amusement, they would not hesitate in the slightest.
When Zhou Hai woke from his sleep, he felt a sharp ache in the back of his neck. He rubbed it with effort, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he could see the pale blue coarse cloth bed curtain above his head.
The private soldier’s side chamber was not large—just a bed, a table, a chair, and a window, all made of the most ordinary old wood. It was common for table corners to be chipped or crooked. There wasn’t even a bathing room, but this group of private soldiers had long grown accustomed to such accommodations.
Upon waking, Zhou Hai vaguely realized something and reached under his pillow, pulling out a mask.
When he held the mask in his hand, a strange expression flickered across Zhou Hai’s face, as if the mask were scalding hot. Every touch made him tremble.
Zhou Hai had a secret he had never shared with anyone: he had once been someone else—no, someone else had once been him.
Or rather, someone had impersonated him.
It happened about a month ago, still in August. Their group of private soldiers had followed Shizi Furen to Prince of Southern Pacification’s Mansion, living peacefully day after day.
Shizi Furen was an extremely timid woman. Although they had all been given to her by Lady Qin, Shizi Furen never dared to look at them, let alone touch them. Nominally, they belonged to Shizi Furen, but in reality, they were often left neglected in corners.
They didn’t dwell on such matters, merely spending their days gambling with dice and practicing martial arts together. Their greatest joy was secretly drinking a couple of ounces of liquor.
Until one day, Shizi Furen suddenly came to their quarters to select a man!
All eight of them were extremely nervous, thinking Shizi Furen had come to indulge herself—as private soldiers, they had naturally heard of men serving as male companions in wealthy households. It wasn’t just for women; some even served men. They had long been prepared for such possibilities.
Becoming a private soldier requires the resolve of a private soldier. Having received so much silver, one must naturally learn how to serve others.
And on that day, as fate would have it, he was the one chosen.
Moreover, the person he was to serve was not the Shizi Furen, but the Marquise.
Zhou Hai was originally an orphan from the Qin Family Army. Later, at sixteen, having mastered his skills, he was trained as a private soldier and followed Qin Chanyue for three years. After that, he became Liu Yandai’s private soldier. Now only nineteen, due to the extremely strict discipline in the army, which forbade visits to brothels and pleasure houses for entertainment, and being too young to have married, he had never experienced intimacy in his life. It was only natural that he felt somewhat uneasy.
When the Shizi Furen pushed him through the door, his legs trembled uncontrollably. He swallowed dryly and entered, his mind filled with the image of Lady Qin.
Lady Qin… Lady Qin was a very good madam.
Although outsiders said Lady Qin had a bad temper, those private soldiers who followed her day and night knew that she simply could not tolerate any wrongdoing in her presence. As long as you treated her sincerely, she would not make things difficult for anyone. Beneath that thick armor of hers lay a soft heart. Moreover, Lady Qin was wealthy and never treated them poorly. If they suffered even a minor injury, she would slip them double the silver. Following Qin Chanyue meant, if nothing else, at least enjoying the finest food and drink.
However, he had never imagined that one day he would be called upon to serve Lady Qin.
Zhou Hai was also forced into this situation, his steps unsteady as he entered the side chamber. He moved toward the inner room with clumsy limbs, desperately trying to recall what he had learned before.
Mouth, tongue, hands, waist… and then what was next? If he didn’t serve well, would he be punished?
With these unspeakable thoughts swirling in his mind, Zhou Hai pushed open the door to the inner room.
When the door to the inner room swung open, he did not see any madam. Instead, he saw a tall, masked figure standing at the entrance, crouching like a silent tiger lying in wait. As soon as he entered, the figure struck him with a hand chop, knocking him unconscious instantly.
He didn’t even manage to utter a single sound!
By the time Zhou Hai woke up, everything was over. He had already been returned to the side chamber, with Deputy General Qian watching over him by the bedside.
Back when Zhou Hai served in the Qin Family Army, he was under Deputy General Qian’s command. Seeing Deputy General Qian now felt even more familiar than seeing his own father.
At that moment, Zhou Hai’s head was still buzzing from the blow. He practically sprang up from the bed upon waking, exclaiming in alarm, “Deputy General Qian, I was knocked out!”
Deputy General Qian’s expression was complicated as he slowly nodded. “I know.”
Zhou Hai: “In the madam’s side chamber!”
Deputy General Qian: “I know.”
Zhou Hai: “The madam fainted!”
Deputy General Qian: “I know.”
Zhou Hai: “Someone sneaked in—an intruder!”
Deputy General Qian: “I know.”
Zhou Hai: “It was a masked man!”
Deputy General Qian stared at him calmly, then slowly pulled a mask from his pocket and held it up to his own face. His eyes peered through the mask at Zhou Hai as he asked, “Was it this mask?”
Zhou Hai stared in shock. “Huh?”
The intruder was Deputy General Qian!
Deputy General Qian said, “There’s something I need you to do—starting yesterday, pretend that you served the madam.”
Zhou Hai: “Huh?”
Deputy General Qian continued, “Do not speak of this to anyone.”
Zhou Hai: “Huh?”
Deputy General Qian: “Otherwise, you’ll lose your life.”
Zhou Hai: “Huh?”
“Enough with the ‘huhs’!” Deputy General Qian had finished speaking and had no patience for further back-and-forth. With a flick of his hand, he tossed the mask onto Zhou Hai’s face and said, “Matters involving serving in the bedchamber are not to be discussed with anyone. If any of you dare to gossip, it’s twenty military cudgels at the very least, followed by being expelled from the estate to feed horses at the manor estate, never to return for the rest of your lives. Understood?”
This, Zhou Hai understood! He nodded. “Yes.”
From that day on, Zhou Hai began his double life.
Outsiders thought he had served Madam, even Madam herself thought he had served Madam, but only he knew that he had never actually served Madam. Every time he entered the side chamber, he would be knocked unconscious.
Without exception.
He was like those favored concubines who only had a glamorous facade—outwardly glorious and splendid, but in reality, he had nothing. Others treated him “differently,” thinking he had gained Madam’s favor and skipped twenty years of hardship. But only he knew that the beautiful nights belonged to others, while all that was left for him was one chop, two chops, three chops, four chops.
Looking up, every night was filled with chops.
He didn’t even know who this person was. Sometimes, he really wanted to beg this person to stop chopping his neck. Back at the Prince’s mansion, it was fine—he only served once. But ever since returning to Shangyue Garden, it had been one chop after another!
His poor neck had been chopped so much these past few days that it was sore and stiff, barely able to lift. Whose good neck gets chopped every day? A hand chop is still a chop!
But he couldn’t even utter a sound. Chopped anytime, anywhere, fainting on the spot—was there no justice in this world!
Zhou Hai had been chopped last night and only just woke up now. As he was clutching the mask and cursing, he heard someone outside announce that a maid from Shangyue Garden had come again, saying Madam wanted him to go to Shangyue Garden immediately.
Zhou Hai broke into a cold sweat on the spot.
During the day too?
Zhou Hai slowly sat up, clutching his neck, suddenly feeling hesitant.
Because… that person had never appeared during the day.
In the past, when he went to serve, it was always at night. That person would appear mysteriously, appearing out of nowhere. He had no idea where the information came from, but whenever Madam summoned him, as soon as he looked up, that person would appear. He couldn’t figure out where they came from, and he never even had time to say a word. As soon as they met, he was chopped, and after being chopped, he slept through the night. To this day, he hadn’t exchanged a single word with that person.
He had even considered writing a note to the other party, or if nothing else, drugging them—his neck really couldn’t take it anymore!
And now, a problem more severe than his neck had arisen.
That person wasn’t here. Did he have to go in person?
If that person never showed up, and Madam wanted him to serve during the day, what should he do?
If he really served—
Zhou Hai remembered Deputy General Qian’s warning. The Deputy General had said that he must never touch Madam, or his life would be in danger.
Lost in thought, Zhou Hai followed the maid to Shangyue Garden, filled with worry.
He had already walked a few steps before remembering he hadn’t put on the mask. But after a moment’s thought, he realized he wasn’t “someone else.” That person wore the mask only to impersonate him, and he didn’t need to impersonate himself. So, he simply followed the maid to Shangyue Garden.
Shangyue Garden was located in the eastern part of the entire Houfu. He had to pass through the garden in the northwest to get there. Since it was daytime, all the maids and servants passing by could see him.
At first, Zhou Hai calmly faced everyone’s gazes, but after walking for a while, he regretted not wearing the mask.
Because everyone who saw him would whisper a few words.
“That’s him, the one who seduced Madam and climbed into her bed.”
“This guy looks honest with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, but he must have plenty of tricks up his sleeve.”
“In just a few days, he made Madam forget her old husband. He’s definitely not someone easy to deal with.”
“Even Aunt Xia back then couldn’t compare to him.”
“Hmph, bewitching beauty brings disaster!”
Zhou Hai hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but as a martial artist with keen senses, he couldn’t help overhearing as he passed by.
In his nineteen years of life, this was the first time he had been called a “bewitching beauty bringing disaster.” He felt dizzy for a moment and almost turned back to retrieve his mask. However, seeing that he had already reached Shangyue Garden, he had no choice but to brace himself and continue forward.
After passing through the covered walkway and Baoping Gate, and crossing a sea of flowers, he arrived at Shangyue Garden.
This was his first time entering Shangyue Garden in the role of a male favorite. The maids standing under the eaves dared not look at him. Only after a maid inside announced his arrival did he proceed into the side chamber.
The maids in the side chamber had all withdrawn, leaving the room empty. Zhou Hai pushed open the door to the outer room and entered. To his right was a huanghuali wood rack, to his left a dressing cabinet with clothes neatly arranged, and directly ahead, his eyes met a curtain of beaded strings.
Behind the beaded curtain, the floor was covered with a soft carpet. On the table sat a jadeite cup and saucer. Beside the table, a madam rested her chin on her hand, watching him.
“Come in.” A melodious yet slightly hoarse voice echoed through the side chamber.
For some reason, Zhou Hai felt a sudden pain in his neck, an inexplicable sense of impending doom, as if he were about to be beheaded.
Nevertheless, he slowly lifted the beaded curtain and stepped inside. Once inside, he knelt on the floor and bowed, saying, “Your subordinate pays respects to Madam.”
Qin Chanyue narrowed her eyes as she observed him.
“The scar on your face has healed,” she remarked.
Zhou Hai had worn a mask before because of a scar on his face. She remembered catching a glimpse of it once in the dark, but hadn’t seen it since. Now, without the mask, there was no trace of a scar.
It must have healed.
This was the first time Qin Chanyue had seen him without his mask in daylight. Under the sunlight, she was met with a rather handsome face—a well-defined jawline, high-set brows, single eyelids, and long, narrow eyes. Even while kneeling, his back remained ramrod straight.
His appearance was pleasing enough, but for some reason, Qin Chanyue couldn’t shake the feeling that he seemed somewhat—short and frail? It left her somewhat dissatisfied.
In her memory, male favorites seemed to be a full size larger than the one before her.
But she quickly dismissed the thought. Perhaps it was just the clothing making him appear smaller in daylight. The face was the same face—how could there be any mistake?
“Yes,” Zhou Hai replied, his back tense with nervousness as he knelt, managing only a single word, his voice slightly strained.
He feared his deception would be exposed.
Look at him!
Qin Chanyue assumed he was merely nervous and let out a soft chuckle, thinking to herself how fierce this little thing was at night, yet so different in the light of day.
She then added, “You have served me for quite some time. Today, I shall promote you to private soldier commander. From now on, you will oversee the deployment of the private soldiers in this estate. Are you willing?”
Of course Zhou Hai was willing!
Recently, the former private soldier commander had retired due to illness, and many had been eyeing the position. Now that it had fallen to him, how could he refuse?
Zhou Hai was utterly stunned by this stroke of luck, as if a pie had fallen from the sky. He kowtowed repeatedly and received numerous rewards. Later, Qin Chanyue simply told him, “Come tonight,” and he joyfully took his leave, exiting the side chamber.
All the way back, he grinned from ear to ear, shaking his head and swaying as he returned to Shuhai Courtyard, ready to pack his belongings and move out.
He was the private soldier commander now, and from now on he should have his own residence, no longer living in this crude side chamber for private soldiers. He had soared to the heights, like a chicken or dog ascending to the heavens!
Zhou Hai, with his back arched and tail wagging, felt so pleased that he wanted to go to the kitchen to beg for another two taels of wine.
But who would have thought that, as soon as he stepped into the side chamber, he would see a familiar figure in dark robes standing inside the crude room—tall and upright, face covered by a mask, and it was unclear how long he had been standing there.
With this person standing there, the side chamber inexplicably felt cramped and cold. As soon as Zhou Hai entered, he felt a cold wind cutting straight through him. When he looked up, he unexpectedly found himself face-to-face with the other man.
Those cold, piercing eyes stared at him through the holes in the mask. Just one glance made Zhou Hai tense up instantly, and he reflexively covered the back of his neck.
“Don’t chop me again! Let’s talk this out!” He was about to become a crooked-neck!
However, this time, the man did not raise his hand to knock Zhou Hai unconscious as he had done before.
He stood there, his deep eyes fixed intently on Zhou Hai, as if burning with raging jealousy that threatened to swallow Zhou Hai whole. Zhou Hai heard him grit his teeth and ask, word by word, “What did she say to you?”
What did she say!
In broad daylight, what else did you do?
—
No one understood Chu Heng’s feelings at this moment, not even he himself.
He was the one who had used underhanded means to steal someone else’s chance to serve in the bedchamber. He was the one who was the imposter, the latecomer, the one who could not see the light of day. He knew perfectly well that Zhou Hai should be Qin Chanyue’s current male favorite, yet he simply could not accept it.
He could not accept it!
Had he not served Qin Chanyue diligently enough every night? Why did Qin Chanyue summon Zhou Hai during the day as well?
When Qin Chanyue saw Zhou Hai’s face, would she think it more pleasing than the mask he wore at night?
In the brief time he had been unable to replace Zhou Hai, had Qin Chanyue already developed a fondness for this face?
She liked him so much at night—had she also grown to like Zhou Hai during the day?
She had confused the two of them. She had transferred the feelings she had for him onto Zhou Hai! This person, this person—
This person had stolen the attention Qin Chanyue should have directed at Chu Heng.
Chu Heng’s rage nearly erupted from behind his mask, threatening to burn Zhou Hai to ashes. But even turning him to ashes was not enough—he wanted to swallow Zhou Hai’s ashes bite by bite, devour them into his stomach, and reclaim everything Qin Chanyue had given him, making it all his own once again.
He should be Qin Chanyue’s male favorite! The only male favorite! The only one!
“You—” Chu Heng’s voice trembled, his eyes bloodshot. “Have you touched her?”