Red-clad felt a sudden chill run through her heart. Under the night's veil, her fear deepened. The autumn air carried a faint chill with every breath, seeping quietly into her soul. Just as she finally calmed herself and began to ponder how to respond to his words, he released her.
Xi Linchuan stepped back two paces, his boot sliding off her trailing water sleeve. He glanced at her twice with a faintly mocking smile, then walked away.
Red-clad listened anxiously until his footsteps faded completely, seemingly passing through the moon gate she had entered from.
She exhaled a long breath, pretending nonchalance as she picked up her long sleeves and dusted them off, though still trembling from their encounter.
Though it was only a single sentence.
Yet so close, close enough for her to see every flicker of emotion on Xi Linchuan's face. Those eyes terrified her—a sharp, biting hatred, penetrating straight into her soul, causing her heart to flutter wildly.
She had never seen such hatred before.
Shivering in the night breeze, that gaze seemed to accuse her of unimaginable crimes, as if she bore the weight of countless lives lost or deeds so grievous they stirred the wrath of gods and men. The intensity of that hatred left her initially confused, then overwhelmed, and thinking back sent chills down her spine.
She tightened her grip on the water kettle, the residual warmth slowly calming her heart.
Touching her chest, she lost all desire for idle chatter with her companions, and turned toward her quarters.
She slept fitfully until the middle of the night, heart still pounding as she rose to sweep the corridor. The lingering fear of that encounter haunted her; though she knew Xi Linchuan would not appear now, anxiety gnawed at her.
This anxiety made the once-familiar corridor seem even more gloomy. Holding her breath, she endured until dawn broke, finished sweeping the last stretch, and sighed deeply, unwilling to linger outside any longer than necessary.
.
Later, she slept till noon. Upon waking, a sharp pain on the left side of her tongue told her she had developed a mouth ulcer—whether from her irregular nighttime chores or from the nerves and fright after meeting Xi Linchuan she couldn't say.
After drinking three cups of water, changing clothes, and washing up, she went to find Green Sleeves.
She couldn't keep living so anxiously. She wanted to ask if she had somehow offended Xi Linchuan before. If it was a minor matter, she could ease her mind; if serious, she needed to know.
After all, he was not someone to offend lightly.
Among noble families, it was common to keep singers and dancers to entertain at banquets. Though Xi Linchuan disliked socializing with these families, he still kept a few.
The singers and dancers lived in a three-compound courtyard on the northwest side, with a dedicated person overseeing music and dance affairs called the "Music Supervisor." This Yu lady was nearly forty and fairly kind. After some acquaintance, Red-clad found it easy to visit her for a chat.
When she entered Green Sleeves' room, Green Sleeves was evidently just back from dance practice, sweat still on her forehead.
"Oh? Sit down quickly." Seeing her, Green Sleeves smiled brightly, threw down her water sleeves on the couch, and pulled Red-clad to sit. She turned to brew tea with a smile, "You have to sweep at night; why not sleep more during the day? Anyway, the sleeves are finished."
"Don't mention it..." Red-clad's tongue ached, her speech slightly slurred. "I'd like to sleep more, but my mouth ulcer woke me. I came for some cooling tea."
"Ah, then I'll make you some rock sugar pear soup." Green Sleeves said, setting the teapot down to leave, but Red-clad quickly stopped her, "No need... just stay and sit with me."
Green Sleeves noticed her troubled expression and complied, taking her hand gently. "What's wrong?"
Red-clad hesitated, unsure where to start. After a pause, she asked directly, "Green Sleeves, have I ever offended Young Master Xi?"
"Ah?" Green Sleeves was stunned, replying with a question, "...When?"
"..." Red-clad was speechless. Taking a few sips of warm tea, she thought aloud, "Not since I came to the mansion. But before? At the Princess's place... Help me think—did I accidentally offend Young Master Xi?"
"...How could that be?" Green Sleeves replied bluntly, surprised. "We haven't even seen Young Master Xi before. The Princess's mansion has many more experienced singers and dancers; we're not even involved at banquets. Why ask? Did something happen?"
Green Sleeves looked genuinely puzzled. Red-clad's heart sank further, her doubts growing heavier. She shook her head, leaving last night's incident unmentioned. "Nothing really. I'm just wondering why I alone was sent to do chores."
"Oh..." Green Sleeves' expression relaxed slightly, then smiled to comfort her. "Don't overthink it. Maybe there are just too many dancers. It's okay—we'll all mention it to Young Master if we get a chance. They say he's kind; he wouldn't let a girl like you suffer like this."
Red-clad's nerves tightened again.
Though Green Sleeves' words were reassuring, Red-clad recalled what Xi Linchuan said last night—she thought it was the steward's decision, but it was actually his order.
"Don't worry about me," she said, cutting Green Sleeves off, smiling faintly and giving a reason: "I think this is fine for now. We are lowly servants; if we performed at banquets, I'd worry for my life. It's better to stay out of the way and feel safe."
Green Sleeves was at a loss for words, stunned twice in a row.
A knock came, along with a familiar light female voice: "Green Sleeves?"
Green Sleeves rose to open the door. Just half-opened, she saw Satin pushing through with a big smile, and said with a teasing tone, "What mistake have you made this time?"
"...Nothing!" Satin said, squeezing through the narrow opening. Seeing Red-clad, she made a mock bow and said bluntly, "Sisters, can I borrow some money?"
"Borrow money?" Green Sleeves frowned, pushing her outside. "How dare you... We get the same monthly allowance, and Red-clad gets less. She hasn't asked you, but you're asking her?"
"Ah... Sister Green Sleeves, listen." Satin clung to the door, face pitiful, pleading, "Just this once! The price of Lingyun incense is rising too fast. If I don't buy some now, I won't be able to afford it later."
Green Sleeves ignored her reasons and continued pushing her out, chiding, "Who told you to use that Heqi stuff? Our Great Xia incense powder is just fine. Out, out..."
After shoving Satin out, Green Sleeves closed the door. Red-clad couldn't help but laugh, "You really threw her out. How much can incense cost? Just lend her some."
"You say that easily," Green Sleeves glared back. "Heqi stuff is ten times the old price! If I lend her, how will I survive the rest of the month?"
…Inflation?!
Red-clad was momentarily stunned, then realized it wasn't inflation, only Heqi goods had gone up in price, nothing else.
There must be some other reason.
Before Red-clad could think further, Green Sleeves slapped her forehead, "Ah! I forgot!"
"What?" she asked.
Green Sleeves smiled and leisurely approached, teasing, "You should tell Satin to try to curry favor with that Yu Dan tonight. Forget incense; he probably has all sorts of rare Heqi items."
"Yu Dan?" Red-clad was startled. It sounded like a name, though odd.
"Heqi's top merchant!" Green Sleeves sat down, voice full of mystery and flair. "I heard he spent countless gold and silver smoothing relations with all forces in Changyang, all just to meet our Young Master. Young Master agreed and will see him this afternoon."
…Heqi goods skyrocketing, and Heqi's top merchant coming to see Xi Linchuan?
Red-clad felt these two facts were connected, though she couldn't figure out how.
"I heard he even sent a letter challenging Young Master to an archery contest," Green Sleeves added excitedly. "Young Master accepted and said he'd accompany him anytime."
.
That afternoon, the Hu merchant Yu Dan arrived at the Xi mansion. That evening was another grand banquet with singing and dancing.
After helping Green Sleeves finish makeup, Red-clad had nothing else to do as Green Sleeves and other singers went to the banquet.
Xi Linchuan had explicitly told her not to dance. His fierce gaze chilled her at the thought; she dared not disobey.
So she took the broom early to sweep the corridor, hoping to finish sooner and rest. After all, the important guests were in the main hall; her sweeping wouldn't interfere.
Thus, only the soft "shush" of broom on stone and faint music filled the air—a lonely feeling, but matching the rhythm eased her mood somewhat.
When the music stopped, she had not finished sweeping. Clicking her tongue, she glanced toward the banquet and continued silently.
After a while, she heard voices approaching from a nearby corridor corner.
Her heart tightened, fearing another encounter with Xi Linchuan. But she reminded herself she hadn't danced or worn water sleeves today and had nothing to fear.
With no place to hide, she calmly stepped aside to let the person pass.
The visitor stopped.
Looking at the beautiful woman a few steps away and the broom beside her, he smiled oddly and said, "Lin Chuan, you truly live up to your reputation as a ladies' man."