The afternoon sun slanted through the carved window lattices. Warm steam curled and wafted through the bathing room, blending with a soft floral scent that filled the air and mellowed the whole chamber.
In the large wooden bathtub sat two figures side by side. Both possessed devastating beauty, yet their charms were vastly different, enough to make one lose their composure at a single glance.
Su Liwan was widely acknowledged as the top beauty of Qingxi. Her features were tender, graceful, and lush, like a pure lotus under the moon, glowing like the bright moonlight. Her skin was as white as jade, her hair black as ink, her neck slender and gentle. Every smile and every glance held an innocent, coquettish softness. There was a natural naivety in her eyes, untouched by the harshness of the world. She was beautifully gentle, dazzling, and impossible to look away from.
Yunxiu held a different kind of breathtaking, cold beauty.
Her brows were like misty distant mountains, her eyes like deep, icy pools. Her face was stunning yet held no trace of coquetry. A natural air of detachment and coldness surrounded her. She did not smile, did not flirt, did not bow her head. Her beauty was sharp, ascetic, like a sharp blade sheathed within, its cold light restrained. One dared not treat her lightly at just one look.
Amid the curling steam, Su Liwan leaned gently toward Yunxiu, her voice soft and sweet.
"Yunxiu, your hands are so warm. I only ever feel at ease when you bathe me."
Yunxiu's fingers gently wiped her shoulders, her voice cold yet obedient.
"This servant serves only Miss, always."
"Of all the people in the mansion, I only let you touch me." Su Liwan smiled, then murmured quietly, "When I marry in the future, I want you to stay by my side too…"
Yunxiu's hand wiping her shoulders paused almost imperceptibly.
Marry.
The two words were light as a feather, yet pricked at her heart like needles dipped in ice.
She looked at the soft, defenseless side of her young lady's face, and a flood of long-buried memories rushed uncontrollably into her mind.
She had been abandoned by her blood relatives just after birth, suffering through endless hardships. It was this innocent, kind young lady who had pulled her out of the mud.
From that moment on, Yunxiu's life no longer belonged to herself.
Su Liwan was her god, her light, her only reason for living in this world.
More than anyone, she wished for her young lady to live a smooth life, to marry in glory and peace, to be cherished and loved above all else.
Yet beneath this "wish" hid a fear even she dared not examine closely—
If her young lady truly married, gained her own home, a beloved who held her heart completely… then what would Yunxiu be?
To love to the extreme is to suffer.
To wish her well, yet fear that she would be too well-off to need her anymore.
This internal conflict gnawed at her day and night, making her appear colder on the outside, yet more tormented within.
"Yunxiu, what are you daydreaming about?" Su Liwan tugged gently at her hand.
Yunxiu snapped back to her senses, the surging pain in her eyes fading quickly, leaving only calm coldness.
"Nothing. This servant was just thinking that Miss has seemed distracted lately. Is something weighing on your heart?"
A flush rose instantly to Su Liwan's cheeks. She avoided her eyes, her voice thin as a mosquito's hum.
"I… I was playing by the lake a few days ago, and the handkerchief Mother sewed for me with her own hands was blown into the water. That handkerchief was embroidered by Mother through the night; it means more to me than anything. I was so anxious I almost cried."
She paused, a soft glow appearing in her eyes.
"Everyone else just stood on the shore watching, not daring to move. But Young Master Qin jumped into the water without a second thought to retrieve it for me. Later he even visited the mansion specially to return it to me solemnly. Father and Mother saw that he was polite, well-behaved, and upright, and they thought very highly of him."
At this, her voice grew even softer, carrying the shyness unique to young maidens.
"I specially made some pastries today to bring for him to taste. I heard he has a book stall at the street corner. I want to go see him."
Yunxiu's fingers tightened sharply, crumpling the cloth in her palm.
Qin Ruhai again.
He was nothing more than a scholar who made a living by copying books. He had done no more than fish out a handkerchief, then specially copied a scroll of books to present to Master and Madame. With such deliberate thoughtfulness, he had easily won the favor of the entire mansion, and left Miss so unsettled.
Others took it as polite and ambitious behavior, but only one thought chilled her heart—One who offers unprovoked kindness must have ulterior motives.
Master and Madame had spent years navigating the business world, and understood human relationships better than anyone. Yet they were kind by nature and greatly valued talent. Seeing that he was a scholar with gentle manners and good conduct, they chose only to think well of him. Miss was pure and kind-hearted, unable to see any of the world's cruelty.
In the entire mansion, only Yunxiu was sharp enough to see straight through the deep-laid scheming hidden beneath that gentle exterior.
Alarm bells rang loudly in her heart, yet she spoke calmly on the surface.
"Young Master has kindly returned the handkerchief and earned Master and Madame's favor. That is indeed a good thing. But people's hearts are ultimately unpredictable. Miss should keep her guard up and not take this too much to heart."
Su Liwan did not catch the warning in her words, only murmuring with her head lowered.
"I know… but I can't help it. I'll just go for a quick look and come right back."
Yunxiu's heart sank, yet she could not bear to disobey.
"This servant will accompany Miss."
She could not let her young lady go alone.
She had to guard her.
At the book stall on the street corner, several old wooden tables were neatly arranged, stacked with various volumes. The wind blew, making the pages rustle softly, carrying a faint scent of ink. Qin Ruhai sat on a small stool, flipping through a book quietly. Dressed in plain linen, he looked fresh and clean, a figure of gentle grace amid the noisy marketplace.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly lifted his head. The moment he saw Su Liwan, his eyes softened. He closed his book slowly, stood up, and smiled.
"Miss has come."
Su Liwan paused slightly, her face flushing at once. She hummed softly, then shyly held out the food box in her hands.
"Young Master Qin, these are pastries I made myself. Please taste them, if you don't mind."
Qin Ruhai accepted the box with a gentle smile, his manner modest and elegant. "Thank you for your trouble, Miss. This one is greatly honored."
Yunxiu stood close beside her, her expression cold and uninviting. Yet suddenly, the corners of her lips tugged upward in an extremely faint, soft smile. The sudden warmth on this always-cold face made one's heart tighten inexplicably. She glanced at the books on the stall, her voice gentle and calm, like an ordinary customer browsing.
"Young Master has many storybooks here. Do you have any newly circulated ones about love and worldly affairs?"
Qin Ruhai's eyes flickered slightly. He smiled and gestured with his hand. "You have good taste. I just got in several volumes about tragic romances and twists of fate."
"Oh? That sounds interesting." Yunxiu's voice was soft as water, asking casually, "I wonder if any of them tell stories of young ladies who give their whole hearts, only to be used and cast aside in the end?"
Su Liwan leaned over curiously. "Are there books like that? They sound so sad…"
Qin Ruhai's smile did not fade, but his mind had cleared. This was no casual question—she was using the stories to warn him. "Such tales of human warmth and coldness fill storybooks," he said gently. "Many scholars, after receiving kindness in poverty, forget their roots once they succeed, currying favor with the powerful and betraying the sincerity shown to them."
Yunxiu nodded slightly, her tone still gentle. "I see. No wonder people say the human heart is the hardest thing to see through. One moment gentle and modest, the next full of schemes, using others' affection before turning away."
She spoke casually, but as Su Liwan listened, the curiosity on her face gradually faded. She could not understand the undercurrent between the two, yet for some reason her heart skipped a beat. The full affection she had held for Qin Ruhai was suddenly mixed with a vague, inexplicable hesitation.
Qin Ruhai glanced at Su Liwan's slightly furrowed brows, sharply catching her wavering. His heart sank slightly. "Storybooks are just storybooks," he said smoothly, steering the conversation back. "They're mostly exaggerated to stir tears. In reality, sincerity is always met with sincerity."
Yunxiu smiled faintly, not contradicting him, only speaking softly. "I hope so. But it never hurts to be cautious. Especially when giving your whole heart—if you trust the wrong person, the heartache will be too late to regret."
Su Liwan bit her lip unconsciously, her gaze drifting. She whispered, "Mm… maybe I should be a little more careful." She was clearly less cheerful than when she had arrived, her heart filled with unease and doubt.
Yunxiu checked the sky, her voice still gentle yet carrying an unshakable firmness. "Miss, we have been out for a long time. We should return to the mansion, so Madame does not worry."
"Ah… are we leaving already?" Su Liwan came back to her senses, still reluctant, yet that reluctance lacked all resolve.
"It is growing late. We cannot stay out too long." Yunxiu's voice was soft but determined.
Su Liwan looked slowly at Qin Ruhai, her gaze more complicated than when she had come. "Well then, Young Master Qin, I will take my leave… I will come see you tomorrow." She spoke without confidence, not even realizing how unsure she sounded.
Qin Ruhai replied warmly, "Naturally. Miss has come every day since you lost your handkerchief by the lake." Yet despite his smile, he was truly alarmed. A single maid, using a few lines from storybooks, had actually made Miss hesitate. This was far more dangerous than defying him outright.
Yunxiu spoke softly beside her, still in the tone of chatting about books. "Moods come and go quickly. Who can tell what tomorrow will bring? I only hope Miss's feelings do not end like the sad tales in those books."
Su Liwan lowered her head, her voice quiet. "I… I understand."
The two seemed only to chat about storybooks, but hidden blades had already clashed back and forth between them. Su Liwan remained oblivious, taking it as idle talk, yet hesitation had quietly taken root in her heart.
"I'll really be going now, Young Master Qin. See you tomorrow!"
"Farewell well, Miss."
Yunxiu nodded slightly, her smile fading, her coldness returning. She half-supported and half-guided Su Liwan away. Su Liwan looked back three times on her way, but there was now a hint of loss in her eyes.
Once the figures of the mistress and her maid had completely vanished around the corner, the smile on Qin Ruhai's face slowly faded.
The maid had used storybooks to warn and sway her, and Miss was already hesitating. If things continued this way, it would only grow harder to succeed.
Yet he did not grow angry as he watched that cold, retreating figure. Instead, he narrowed his eyes meaningfully.
This maid was sharp, perceptive, and utterly loyal to Miss. Though she stood in his way now, if he could bend her to his will, such a person could become a great help to him later.
At the thought, he laughed lowly, his smile cold and resolute.
If he simply disappeared suddenly, stayed away for a few days, Miss, who was already deeply attached, would only miss him more and grow more anxious. All her hesitation would vanish completely. By then, there would be nothing this maid could do to stop it.
He slowly reached out and began tidying the books on his stall, his eyes filled with calculation.
If he stayed away for just a few days, everything would go exactly as he planned.