That night, Zhao Huanxi called for a bath. Just as he took off his clothes and immersed himself in the tub, a fifteen or sixteen years old maid suddenly entered.

The young maid had almond-shaped eyes, peachy cheeks, and a delicate figure. With face powdered with a hint of spring he timidly took the water ladle and was about to come forward to serve Zhao Huanxi for his bath.

Zhao Huanxi jumped in surprise, crossed his arms, and stared at her, asking, “Who are you? Where’s Zhisan?”

Zhisan is the personal servant specifically assigned to attend to Zhao Huanxi’s bathing needs. As the only son of Yin Furen, she always considers everything for him meticulously. Tasks like bathing are always handled by trained personal (boy) servants, and the maids are never allowed to intervene.

He was truly well-made; soaking in the tub like this, he resembled as bright and beautiful as lotus flowers blooming in water.

Recalling Furen’s instructions, the maid’s ears turned red with embarrassment, her voice barely audible as she said, “Replying to San Yé, Nubi was named Mengyun. Furen instructed Nubi to serve you.” As she spoke, she attempted to approach again.

Zhao Huanxi shouted loudly, “Stop right there! If you come any closer, I’ll call for someone!”

Listening to his urgent change in tone, the maid raised her face, looking at him somewhat bewildered. Why does San Yé sounds like… a well-bred lady teased by a mischievous playwright’s character?

“What are you staring at? Hurry up and leave! I don’t want you to serve me. Go call Zhisan!” Exposed like this for the first time in front of a woman, Zhao Huanxi himself was blushing with embarrassment, but he managed to command with a semblance of authority.

The maid hurried out clutching the water ladle, running all the way to Yin Furen’s room, sobbing as she went.

Upon hearing that Zhao Huanxi had driven her away, Yin Furen collapsed onto the edge of the bed, murmuring, “That seductress surnamed Pang must have truly drugged him with a love potion.”

Fortunately, over the next few days, Zhao Huanxi behaved very obediently and didn’t cause any trouble. In his spare time, he even began to read books and practice writing characters.

Seeing this, Yin Furen thought that perhaps it was because his Third Sister had persuaded him, feeling greatly relieved. With the residence busy preparing for his wedding, she was occupied day and night, so she no longer focused too much attention on him, only instructing the servants around him to take good care of him.

That evening, as soon as Yin Furen returned to Jiaxiang Courtyard, Zhao Huanxi sought her out.

Yin Furen looked at him. Although he had regained some of his vitality in recent days, he still appeared emaciated and frail compared to before. Feeling both heartache and resentment, she embraced him and patted his back gently, saying, “Why do you have to suffer like this? You are the legitimate eldest grandson of our Zhao family. As long as you please your Zufu, you will be the future Jing Guogong. How many women wouldn’t want you? Why must you bring displeasure to your Zufu for the sake of Pang Daixue?”

“Er knows that One has done wrong. It is Er who has been unfilial, causing Mother to worry,” muttered Zhao Huanxi in a subdued voice.

Seeing that he was willing to admit his mistakes, Yin Furen was greatly pleased. She repeatedly instructed the servants to bring nourishing soup from the kitchen for him to drink, and she also urged him to apologize to his Zufu in person on another day to make amends.

Zhao Huanxi nodded in agreement to each instruction.

Yin Furen, seeing him obedient, felt all her weariness from days of hard work suddenly lifted, her countenance glowing as if she had instantly regained ten years of youthfulness.

The mother and son chatted harmoniously for a while.

“Furen, it’s getting late, and you have early duties to attend to tomorrow. Why not end the discussion with San Yé here today?” Nanny Su couldn’t help but remind them as the hour approached midnight.

Yin Furen glanced at the waterclock and affectionately patted Zhao Huanxi’s dark hair. She said, “You should go back and rest early too. If you need anything, just tell the servants. Mom has been busy arranging your wedding recently, so take care of yourself.”

刻漏 (Kèlòu): A clepsydra or water clock. This was an ancient Chinese timekeeping device that used dripping water to measure intervals.

Zhao Huanxi nodded and added, “Mom, can I take Zhiyi and Zhi’er out of the residence tomorrow morning?”

Yin Furen instantly became alert. “Why do you want to leave the residence?”

“Recently, I’ve been feeling quite stifled inside the mansion. I want to go to Xingyuan Bookstore to see if there are any new picture books and then visit Liuli Street to see if there are any fresh trinkets,” Zhao Huanxi replied.

Yin Furen considered and realized that the main concern was Zhao Huanxi meeting with that little enchantress surnamed Pang. Him leaving the mansion wouldn’t pose much of a problem. Even though his heart was tied to the little enchantress surnamed Pang, he probably wouldn’t take advantage of this opportunity to run away. Seeing that he, although resigned, still lacked enthusiasm, Xingyuan Bookstore and Liuli Street were places he used to frequent, allowing him to visit bustling places might help distract his attention.

“You may, but remember to return early,” Yin Furen reminded him. “You can go back now. Later, I’ll have someone bring the identification token and money for you to your room.”

After Zhao Huanxi left, Yin Furen turned to Nanny Su beside her and said, “Later, you personally deliver the identification token and money. Remind Zhiyi and Zhi’er, those two little servants, that if San Yé encounters any trouble outside tomorrow, they will be held accountable. Also, send someone to keep a close watch on Furong Courtyard. Deliver my message: if that little wench surnamed Pang dares to step out of Furong Pavilion, the one serving her up close is to be killed on the spot, and the rest are to be sold off.”

The next day, Zhao Huanxi rose unusually early and sat in front of the mirror, allowing Zhisan to dress his hair. Seeing Zhiyi and Zhi’er bringing in breakfast, he asked, “Did my mother send the requisition tally for leaving the residence last night?”

对牌 (Duìpái): A requisition tally or authorization pass. In a large manor, resources (like money, carriages, or supplies) were locked away. To get anything, you needed a "tally"—a piece of wood or metal split in two. One half stayed with the manager, and the other was carried by the person making the request. When the two halves matched (duì), the resource was released.

Zhiyi replied, “Replying to San Yé, Nanny Su personally brought it over. There’s also fifty taels of silver, all kept for you.”

Zhao Huanxi hummed in acknowledgement but didn’t speak further.

After finishing dressing, Zhisan left, leaving Zhiyi and Zhi’er to attend to Zhao Huanxi’s breakfast. Zhao Huanxi picked up his chopsticks, glanced outside the door, and quietly asked Zhiyi beside him, “Are you sure that Xu Family’s Da Guniang goes to the flower field outside the city every day?”

Zhiyi answered in a hushed tone, “Xiaoren has indeed confirmed it. Recently, it’s peony season, and Xu Family has planted several acres of peonies outside the city. The quality is remarkable, attracting many young ladies and Furens to visit the Xu Family’s flower field every day. Xu Family’s Da Guniang also goes daily to entertain those young ladies and Furens.”

“Many young ladies and Furens?” Zhao Huanxi furrowed his brow.

Yin Furen had kept him under close watch since he was young. As he grew older, the young ladies and Furens who interacted with the Guogong Residence often seemed to stick to him like glue, making him extremely uncomfortable. Nowadays, he doesn’t particularly enjoy crowded places, especially those with many women.

Zhiyi suggested, “There are several dozen acres of flower fields there. When we go, let’s find a place with fewer people. We can pretend to be selecting peonies. We’ll wait until Xu Family’s Da Guniang is free, then approach her. It’s not urgent.”

“That’s right too,” Zhao Huanxi nodded in agreement before finally picking up his chopsticks to eat.

With much hesitation, Zhiyi couldn’t help but ask, “Yé you won’t do anything inappropriate when you go see Xu Family’s Da Guniang today, right?”

Zhao Huanxi nearly choked, glaring at his servant with displeasure. “What inappropriate thing could I possibly do to her? I’ll just exchange a few words with her, that’s all.”

Relieved, Zhiyi nodded and said awkwardly, “It is Xiaoren’s mistake. San Yé, please forgive.”

With his gentle temperament, Zhao Huanxi naturally wouldn’t hold a grudge against a servant for mere words. After finishing breakfast, he took Zhiyi and Zhi’er with him, holding the requisition tally, and left the house.

After purchasing a few picture books at Xingyuan Bookstore ‘as a cover’, Zhao Huanxi instructed the coachman, “Go to the West City Gate.”

The coachman replied, “San Yè, Songyun Guniang from Da Taitai’s courtyard only instructed Xiaoren to take you to Xingyuan Bookstore and Liuli Street. She didn’t mention anything about leaving the city.”

大太太 (Dà Tàitai): First Madame. This usually refers to the official wife of the eldest brother in the senior generation (the First Branch); Yin Furen

“If you don’t tell them when we return, how would they know I’ve left the city?”

“San Yé, please spare Xiaoren! Xiaoren dares not disobey or deceive Da Taitai!” The coachman knelt in front of the carriage, begging for mercy repeatedly, refusing to take Zhao Huanxi out of the city.

Unable to do anything about it, Zhao Huanxi got off the carriage and handed Zhiyi some money to give to the coachman, saying, “Then you go find a place to have tea. Come back here at noon to pick me up as usual. When you go back, keep your mouth shut tight!”

The coachman wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, repeatedly nodding in agreement. In his heart, he thought, “Indeed, the First Branch’s San Yé is truly kind and lenient. If it were another young master, I’m afraid I would have been beaten to a pulp, let alone given money to have tea!”

Zhao Huanxi instructed Zhiyi to rent a carriage and headed straight for the outskirts of the West City Gate. After inquiring around, they eventually found their way to the Xu Family’s flower field.

Coming from a noble family, Zhao Huanxi had seen all kinds of wealth and glory, but he had never seen thousands of mu of blooming peonies together. Some plots of land were empty, indicating that many had already been sold, yet the overall view was still spectacular with its vibrant colors.

亩(mǔ)-a traditional unit of area, equal to 6.667 ares or 0.165 acre

Just as Zhiyi had inquired, many beautiful figures wandered through the flower field, but Zhao Huanxi didn’t bother to discern which one was Xu Family’s Da Xiaojie, Xu Nian’an. Without paying much attention, he walked into the field with Zhiyi and Zhi’er, engrossed in admiring the flowers.

The rented carriage had no family emblem, and the field workers were unaware of his background. However, they noticed his luxurious attire and his unprecedented fair and handsome appearance. Moreover, the two young servants accompanying him were also elegant and refined. Not daring to be negligent, they approached cautiously to serve them.

Zhao Huanxi gave a nod to Zhiyi, who then asked the field worker, “May I ask, is Xu Family’s Da Guniang here?”

The field worker replied hastily, “Our Family’s Da Xiaojie is indeed here, but she usually only entertains female guests, not male guests. Male guests are attended to by our steward, who is over there.”

Seeing that Zhao Huanxi didn’t react, Zhiyi said, “No rush. Our Family’s Gongzi will take a look at your flowers first.”

Zhao Huanxi was still a youth after all, he felt delighted seeing so many peonies blooming vibrantly. Unconsciously, he walked quite far into the field. Zhiyi called out to him several times, but he didn’t hear. It wasn’t until Zhiyi came forward and tugged at his sleeve that he snapped out of it. When he looked up, he saw seven or eight young women of similar age standing across the flower field.

Zhao Huanxi just took a glance, and couldn’t help but fix his gaze on one of the women.

The woman was dressed in a half-sleeved, light green jacket embroidered with bamboo patterns, paired with a pale yellow narrow-sleeved blouse and a skirt adorned with apricot blossom motifs in pale yellow. Standing amidst the elegant peony field, she appeared refreshingly elegant.

Her skin was fair and delicate, her waist slender. She had a smoothly contoured oval face, with large, watery eyes that looked sincere and natural when she gazed at people, unlike the coyness and shyness displayed by the women around her. Her nose was straight and narrow, giving her a refined appearance. Below, her small mouth, tinted with a rosy hue, had a rounded and soft outline, giving her a delicate and tender look.

Zhao Huanxi was startled, not understanding why he would have such absurd thoughts when faced with a stranger. Even when facing Daixue, he had never thought like this before.

He felt embarrassed and ashamed, his face flushing. He quickly averted his gaze and turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, among those women, there was someone who recognized him. One of the young ladies covered her mouth with a handkerchief in surprise and exclaimed, “Isn’t this Jing Guogong Residence’s eldest legitimate grandson, Zhao Gongzi?”

“Jing Guogong Residence’s eldest legitimate grandson, isn’t this Xu Guniang’s fiancé?” They all turned their eyes to Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an: …This delicate and refined young man, who looks like he could burst into tears at a single harsh word, is actually my fiancé, Zhao Huanxi?

⟡ Aewoo’s Ramble ⟡

Zhao Huanxi's servants, whose names are 知一、知二、知三 (Zhīyī, Zhī'èr, Zhīsān), literally means "Know-One, Know-Two, Know-Three" 😆.