Chapter 76: The Kitten (3)

Snowball thus settled into Woyu Courtyard.

The maids doted on it, especially Zi Jun, who adored cats. She prepared a cozy little nest for it and fed it a small fish daily, quickly fattening the already fluffy kitten.

Shen Xiqing secretly liked cats too—what girl wouldn’t adore such soft, furry creatures that mewed so sweetly? However, determined to part with it soon, she initially restrained herself from growing attached.

But Snowball seemed inexplicably drawn to her. Despite Zi Jun’s devoted care, it favored Shen Xiqing, always rubbing against her legs when she returned. Its sapphire-blue eyes would lock onto hers, and once it captured her attention, it would roll over, exposing its belly, clearly inviting her to pet it.

After resisting for several days, Shen Xiqing finally gave in one day, picking up Snowball. Once started, it became a habit. Realizing its charm worked, Snowball grew even more affectionate, and Shen Xiqing found herself increasingly unable to resist its adorable antics.

Still, she remained resolved not to keep it long-term. As her resolve weakened, she began anxiously inquiring about Qi Ying’s return date.

This was the first time since the flower-viewing gathering that she had voluntarily asked about him.

Shui Pei noticed her mistress’s change, secretly amused but outwardly serious. “Who knows?” she said gravely. “Master Qi is so busy. Perhaps he’s been delayed by something? It might take a while longer.”

Shen Xiqing pouted, absently pinching Snowball’s tiny pink paw, saying nothing.

________________________________________

Life continued as usual.

Recently, Shen Xiqing had re-examined the fabric shop’s accounts, estimating Manager Lu’s embezzled funds over twelve years to total around five hundred taels—roughly forty per year. This sum was neither trivial nor overwhelming, leaving her uncertain how to address it.

Additionally, she tasked Song Haotang with inventorying the shop’s surplus fabrics. The quantity shocked her—it was an even bigger issue than Manager Lu’s misconduct. That day, she visited several fabric shops, having Liu Zi pretend to negotiate bulk purchases of outdated or low-quality fabrics to gauge their surplus stock levels.

Her findings revealed that while other shops also faced overstock issues, none were as severe as theirs. This reinforced her belief that clearing inventory was her top priority. Consequently, she began actively intervening in the shop’s operations.

Shunnan Street wasn’t inhabited by the elite; mostly common folk lived there. Having grown up frugally, Shen Xiqing understood their mindset—they sought bargains. She meticulously compared prices with other shops’ old stock, then instructed Manager Lu to retrieve dusty fabrics from storage. She implemented a new rule: sell both new and old fabrics together. New fabrics retained their original price, but buying a mix of new and old triggered discounts based on quantity.

Manager Lu complied without hesitation, enacting the rule the next day. Shen Xiqing, nervous about her first attempt at such sales tactics, sent Liu Zi to monitor progress daily. Though some inventory moved, overall results remained lackluster—old fabrics still languished unsold.

Though she had anticipated initial difficulties, facing this reality left her somewhat disheartened.

Shui Pei, accompanying Shen Xiqing through her busy days, noticed her melancholy. Knowing how much effort her mistress had poured into the shop—and seeing her grow thinner from late nights—she felt sympathy but could offer little help. That evening, noticing the late hour, she gently urged, “Young miss, don’t dwell on it too much. Let’s return home.”

Back at Woyu Courtyard, Shen Xiqing bathed first.

It was now early May, and the weather had grown warm. After a day of running errands, she was drenched in sweat, her clothes clinging uncomfortably to her skin.

Snowball clung to her playfully. After indulging it for a while, she retreated to the bath.

Emerging freshly bathed and dressed, she sought out Snowball, only to find the little creature pawing at the door.

Zi Jun giggled behind her hand. “Look at it—it must feel cooped up and wants to go out. I thought only dogs got restless, but apparently kittens need walks too?”

Though feeling low, Shen Xiqing couldn’t help but smile at the kitten’s antics. Walking to the door, she picked it up, saying, “Alright, let’s take you out for a bit.”

Feng Chang intervened, “Miss, perhaps wait a while longer. Your hair is still damp. What if you catch a chill?”

Shen Xiqing turned to the maids with a gentle smile. “It’s fine—the weather is warm now. No risk of catching cold.”

Feng Chang tried to protest further but was stopped by Shui Pei.

Shui Pei knew her mistress was feeling stifled and needed some fresh air. Stopping her now would be unwise. Instead, she kindly asked, “Would you like us to accompany you?”

“No need,” Shen Xiqing replied softly, stroking a tuft of Snowball’s fur. “You’ve all worked hard today. Rest—I’ll just wander around the garden for a bit and return soon.”

The maids acquiesced, and Shen Xiqing carried Snowball out of Woyu Courtyard.

________________________________________

Fenghe Garden was breathtakingly beautiful in summer.

Its seasonal flora varied throughout the year. In summer, it bloomed with snowdrops and pansies, while lotuses dominated the ponds. When in season, the entire pond brimmed with blossoms. Wide, glossy green leaves accentuated the pristine elegance of the flowers, swaying gently in the night breeze—a scene evoking the poetic imagery of “lotus leaves rising clear and round.” It was utterly enchanting.

Qi Ying… surely admired lotuses? After all, he named his private residence Fenghe Garden and planted countless lotuses within.

Lotuses carried Zen symbolism, representing purity. As a child, Shen Xiqing had heard her father recite a Zen poem about lotuses: “Behold the pure lotus, untainted by worldly desires.” Gazing at the lotus-filled vista, her thoughts drifted back to the annotated collection of Bao Pu Gong’s works she’d seen in Wangshi Study, particularly Qi Ying’s marginal note:

“Though I cannot reach it, my heart yearns for it.”

A strange sense of connection stirred within her.

Thinking of him, Shen Xiqing’s heart fluttered, like a gentle breeze rippling across lotus leaves, creating subtle waves on the tranquil surface.

Lost in thought, she loosened her grip slightly, allowing Snowball to leap unexpectedly to the ground, startling her. Snapping out of her reverie, she bent to pick it up, but the mischievous kitten darted away.

Calling after it fruitlessly, she chased Snowball as it zipped through bushes and scampered along garden paths. Eventually, it circled back toward Woyu Courtyard.

Assuming it was heading home, she marveled at its cleverness—recognizing the way back—but then it veered off again, disappearing into…

…Wangyuan Garden.

This small garden lay between Huaijin and Woyu Courtyards, concealed behind a stone archway. Though glimpses of pavilions and water features hinted at its beauty, its true essence remained hidden. Shen Xiqing remembered Yixiang mentioning during her early days here that this place was strictly off-limits. Not even Qingzhu could enter.

Yet now, Snowball had run straight inside.

Shen Xiqing hesitated, unsure why Qi Ying forbade entry but unwilling to break the rules—even with no one around to see. Waiting outside for a while, calling Snowball’s name, she grew anxious when it didn’t reappear.

“Xue Tuan’er? Xue Tuan’er?”

Her voice echoed, unanswered by meows, but another familiar voice emerged from within the garden, reaching her ears.

“Wenwen?”

Deep yet clear… it was Qi Ying’s voice.

Shen Xiqing was genuinely startled. She hadn’t expected anyone to be here, let alone Qi Ying, whom she assumed absent from Fenghe Garden. Flustered and unsure what to do, she froze.

His voice came again, calm and detached: “Since you’re here, come in.”

She paused, confused. Wasn’t Wangyuan Garden forbidden? Why was he inviting her in now? Yixiang’s warnings, the avoidance during Yuanxiao Festival—all pointed to strict adherence to this rule. Yet here he was, permitting her entry?

Hesitant, she wavered. Lately, she had been avoiding him, feeling distant and somewhat afraid to face him. But curiosity tugged at her, and responsibility for Snowball weighed on her mind. After deliberation, she responded softly and stepped inside.

________________________________________

Wangyuan Garden was serene.

Beyond the stone gate, a pebbled path led to a small pond surrounded by bamboo groves. A pavilion stood by the water, lotuses blooming serenely. Bathed in silvery moonlight, the garden exuded an ethereal tranquility, transporting Shen Xiqing far from worldly concerns.

It reminded her of the scenes described in Bao Pu Gong’s writings.

Following the path deeper, she saw Qi Ying seated alone in the pavilion by the water. Renowned throughout Jiangnan, Second Master Qi exuded grace and dignity, his presence more captivating than the moonlit night itself. Lotus blossoms framed him, reflecting in his striking phoenix-like eyes. Snowball lay curled on his lap, purring contentedly as his elegant fingers idly stroked its back.

The sight stirred something indescribable within Shen Xiqing—complex emotions swirling, defying categorization. One thing became clear: it had been too long since she last saw him.

In truth, barely two months had passed since the flower-viewing gathering, and they had crossed paths a few times. Yet Shen Xiqing felt as though ages had elapsed. He seemed colder, more distant now, making her hesitant to approach.

Qi Ying glanced up at her, his gaze both gentle and regal. “Why don’t you come closer?”

________________________________________

Author’s Note: I’ve always believed their love story defies clear origin—it’s most beautiful in its ambiguity. If forced to mark a starting point, however, I’d choose this night.