The first time she encountered him, he extorted two golden hairpins from her—solid gold, exquisitely crafted, and of considerable value.The second time, he loitered outside the Duke's estate, looking even more like a thief than she did, scaling walls like a prowler.Just who was this man? Frivolous, yet persistently haunting her steps like a specter.
Hearing her name called, Shuiwen rushed to the carriage window.Ye Jiao whispered a few words in her ear, and Shuiwen's eyes widened as she glanced back. Mustering her courage, she stepped forward to confront Li Ce.
Li Ce, too, harbored no good opinion of Ye Jiao.True, he had tricked her out of some gold—but he had also borne the blame for her antics and lost six months of salary because of it.And on their second encounter, she had the audacity to search him on the spot and even robbed him of a pouch of silver—enough silver to buy every peach in the capital.
No, she was no virtuous lady. She was shameless and irreverent.When Li Ce saw that sly pair of eyes glinting from the carriage window, he immediately recalled the way Ye Jiao had kneed him in the arm.Best not to dwell on it—just the thought brought color to his cheeks.
He ought to stride over and demand his silver back—but just then, her maid approached.The girl's cheeks were flushed red, which gave Li Ce a sliver of comfort. If she came to apologize on behalf of her mistress, he would show some magnanimity.
Never did he expect Shuiwen to plant her feet in front of him, hands on hips, cough once, and point a finger at him as she shouted,"What are you staring at, you lecher!"
The gates of the Duke of Anguo's residence opened directly onto a wide, bustling street filled with passersby.At Shuiwen's cry, every gaze in the vicinity turned to fix upon Li Ce.
He was briefly startled, then slowly turned his head and said to his attendant,"Did you hear that? Keep your eyes to yourself."
The crowd shifted their curious stares to the servant, many of them frowning in disapproval.
Clutching his bundle of steamed buns, the servant remained speechless, and when Li Ce turned back, Shuiwen had already dashed away.Just before the carriage curtain fell, he caught a glimpse of Ye Jiao's smile—mischievous, brazen, utterly improper.
"Your Highness..." the servant murmured,"This young lady is quite unlike the virtuous, obedient wives taken by the other princes.""Mm. A bit prickly," Li Ce replied with a deliberate nod.
The servant was quietly relieved—his master had not lost his senses."So, what now?" he asked."We return," said Li Ce, striding forward."But you—go find out where this Miss Ye is headed."
The servant stumbled as he stepped, nearly falling."Very well," he muttered under his breath,"Your Highness hardly seems like he's convalescing—strolling by day, wandering by night. Even the Fifth Prince suspects you're out hunting spirits in the dark.""Nonsense," Li Ce said with a faint smile,"The nightscape of the capital is too beautiful not to admire."
—
Ye Rou's spirits lifted at the arrival of her sister.With a shy smile, she instructed her nursemaid and handmaid to accept the gifts, and began to chat about the discomforts of early pregnancy.Restless at night, drowsy by day—she craved sour foods and found anything greasy unbearable.To ensure her appetite, Qian Yougong had even hired a new cook.
Ye Jiao reached out playfully,"Can I feel it?""There's nothing to feel yet," Ye Rou gently stopped her hand."Wait until he starts to move, then I'll let you touch."
Ye Jiao nodded solemnly."When he's born, I'll gift him a big golden lock and take him to tour the flower houses of Pingkang Lane."
Ye Rou swatted her, and the sisters burst into laughter."You really must find a husband soon," she said, still worried about her sister's marriage.
At the mention of marriage, Ye Jiao's smile dimmed.What happened with Fu Mingzhu was behind her, but the sting of betrayal lingered."Alright," she replied half-heartedly,"I'll go look around tonight."
Her room had been arranged in a two-story pavilion by the lotus pond.The crescent-shaped pond mirrored the sky; the lower level was perfect for hosting guests, the upper for resting and gazing at the distant view.The only downside was that there were no adjacent side rooms—her maid and nursemaid had to stay in the far servant quarters.Ye Jiao didn't mind.
"Are there fish in the pond?"She casually picked up a small net and began scooping.Rippling water gleamed in the sunlight, and a school of colorful koi darted out from beneath the rockery. One was caught in the net but quickly wriggled free.
"There's no ice at home. Living here, at least you can enjoy the cool breeze and sleep well at night," said Ye Rou, leading her upstairs.
Ye Jiao wedged the net's pole between the bridge's wooden slats. It trembled in the sunlight, casting cold flashes of light.
—
The first night went peacefully.Ye Jiao, who usually found her brother-in-law Qian Yougong unbearable, now found the absence of men in the house quite refreshing. The sisters had a comfortable evening together.
The next day, Ye Rou also wished to sleep in the pavilion, but her nursemaid persuaded her otherwise."You can't switch beds during pregnancy—it may harm the fetus."
Ye Rou was exceptionally cautious about anything related to her pregnancy. It was her first, and she feared even the slightest misstep.
"Feeling hot? I'll have the cook make you some mung bean soup."Ye Jiao pouted and nodded,"Okay—but add lots of sugar."
The cook made a large batch. Not only did Ye Jiao get a bowl, but so did every maid and servant who came with her.Sugar was expensive at the moment, but the Qian household was clearly not lacking funds.
Still, it was too sweet for Ye Jiao's taste—she only finished half the bowl.She asked Shuiwen to clear the dishes and returned to the second floor to rest.
Cool night winds stirred the gauze curtains, and the moonlight was soft and entrancing.It was a perfect night for a good dream.
"Shuiwen," Ye Jiao reached up to undo her hair ornaments, but drowsiness overtook her. She let herself fall back and murmured,"Lower the window for me..."
No answer.Ye Jiao drifted into a deep sleep.
She dreamt she stood at the foot of a great mountain, looking up at clouds drifting above its peak. She climbed and climbed, searching for the Daoist temple where her father might be.But the paths twisted endlessly through the mist, and no matter which she took, she could not find her way.In a panic, she ran forward, and suddenly, a hand shoved her from behind—she plummeted into a cliff and awoke with a jolt.
Her limbs were weak and numb—perhaps a remnant of the nightmare.The window had not been shut. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating the room brighter than any candle.
"Shuiwen?" she called softly.
No reply. But outside the window—a silhouette.
Broad shoulders, a narrow waist—it was a man.
Ye Jiao's heart pounded violently, cold sweat beading on her skin."Who's there?" she demanded instinctively.Her voice was barely audible, like it was caught behind damp cotton in her throat.
"Still awake?" the man murmured to himself.
The voice was unfamiliar. She couldn't place it.A thief? But this was the home of a government official—the Assistant Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture. What kind of fool would dare steal from here?
"No matter," said another voice."Even if she's awake, she won't be able to move."
Ye Jiao's heart sank.
That voice—she knew it.It was her brother-in-law, Qian Yougong.
No wonder the intruder was so bold. Someone had opened the door and invited the wolf inside.
The window creaked open, and the stranger slipped into the room.
He moved carefully, making quiet hushing sounds. Stooped low, he crept toward the bed and whispered,"Don't be afraid, little lady. Everyone in Pingkang Lane knows—I never use force. I won't cause you pain."
Pingkang Lane—home to the most infamous pleasure houses in the capital.
Yan Congxiao had waited for this day a long time.He had once considered proposing marriage honorably—but that door had clearly been closed to him.If the Duke of Anguo's household looked down on him, then they had only themselves to blame for what came next.
He reached out and pinched the edge of the blanket, lifting it slowly.Through the dim light, a figure seemed to lie there.
Eagerly, he dove forward—only to find a bundle of bedding in his arms.
What?
He had clearly heard someone inside...
Just as he straightened in confusion, a noise burst from beneath the bed.
A deafening thud—something struck his leg.
With a pained cry, Yan Congxiao looked down to see a figure rolling out from under the bed.
It was Ye Jiao.
Dressed in white sleepwear—though fully covered, the outline of her form...