Chapter 10

Li Jiancheng

Li Shìmín gave a slight smile and said, “There’s no need for formalities. You still haven’t told me, why are you here?”

Thinking of the events from earlier, Méi Xuè’s expression darkened. She lowered her head and said, “It’s nothing. I happened to pass by here and heard the sound of the Second Young Master’s xiao, so I came to see.” As soon as she finished speaking, everything in front of her went black, and she nearly collapsed. Fortunately, Li Shìmín caught her in time. As his hand touched hers, he was surprised and said, “Your hand is burning hot, are you ill?”

Méi Xuè quickly withdrew her hand, muttering softly, “No, I’m fine.”

Seeing her condition, Wènyí shook her head slightly and walked over. She said, “Second Young Master, Méi Xuè isn’t ill, but she was tricked into drinking a bowl of ginseng soup, which has caused her internal heat to flare up. She is feeling restless and hot all over. Just now, she even had a nosebleed, it was quite frightening.”

Before Li Shìmín could respond, Méi Xuè hastily interjected, “Why are you saying all this? Aren’t you trying to embarrass me even more?”

Seeing her weak and fearful demeanor, Wènyí was a little annoyed but spoke patiently, “Méi Xuè, the one who made the mistake isn’t you, and it’s not you who should be embarrassed. Why are you afraid?”

“But...” Méi Xuè hesitated, and before she could continue, Li Shìmín furrowed his brows and asked, “What exactly happened? Why were you tricked into drinking the ginseng soup? Is there something wrong with it?”

Wènyí shook her head and explained, “The ginseng soup is a nourishing tonic, and there’s nothing wrong with it. The problem is that it was made from a whole old ginseng root, which had quite a bit of age. Méi Xuè drank an entire bowl of it. What should have been a supplement became a poison instead. Since yesterday, Méi Xuè has been like someone seriously ill, very weak.”

Li Shìmín was puzzled and asked, “But why would someone do this?”

Méi Xuè sighed and said, “It’s all for the opportunity to lead the dance. Tonight, I’m supposed to perform before the magistrate, but Chūnxiù wants to seize that chance. To get it, she resorted to such despicable methods, and then claimed that I drank her ginseng soup. Those people—everyone is helping her.” She couldn’t help but start crying again.

“Chūnxiù...” Li Shìmín paused for a moment, his voice turning cold as he said, “She’s just a lowly dancer, yet she dares to be so bold and reckless. This is truly excessive.” Seeing Méi Xuè still crying, he took a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her. “Stop crying. Now that we know what happened, I’ll make sure to help you.”

Méi Xuè wiped away her tears and gratefully said, “Thank you, Second Young Master.” After a moment, she curiously asked, “Forgive me for asking, but what piece were you playing just now? Why does it sound so sad? It even reminded me of my father.”

Li Shìmín lowered his gaze as he gently caressed the xiao. He spoke softly, “This piece is one I composed myself, and it doesn’t have a name. But whenever I think of my mother, I play this tune. It’s been four months since she passed away, and ever since that day, the only way I can see her is in my dreams.”

Méi Xuè looked at him with some sympathy and then said, “I’ve heard my father say that when someone passes, they become a star in the sky, watching over their loved ones who are still alive. I believe your mother has also become one of those stars, and whenever you look up, you can see her. She hasn’t left you.”

Li Shìmín’s eyes brightened slightly. He looked up at the bright sky and murmured, “If only that were true.”

“It definitely is,” Méi Xuè said with confidence. “You must believe me.”

Li Shìmín smiled faintly and said, “I understand now. Thank you.”

At that moment, a sudden voice interrupted Méi Xuè’s words. She turned to look and saw a man standing not far from them. He resembled Li Shìmín, but with a more delicate, feminine demeanor, and he appeared slightly older. Behind him stood several servants.

Li Shìmín hurried over in surprise. “Big Brother, what are you doing here?”

The man was Li Shìmín’s elder brother, Li Jiànchéng, the eldest son of Li Yuán. He glanced at the xiao in Li Shìmín’s hand and said, “You’re playing the xiao here again?” After Li Shìmín nodded, he continued, “This is just a trinket. It’s better to avoid playing with it. If you have time, you should focus on martial arts and reading instead.”

Li Shìmín smiled and said, “Yes, thank you for the reminder, Big Brother.”

Li Jiànchéng nodded, and with his servants, he walked away. It was only at this moment that Wènyí and Méi Xuè noticed that his steps were not as steady as those of an ordinary person; his gait was slightly limp.

Méi Xuè was momentarily curious and stared for a while longer. Unexpectedly, Li Jiànchéng noticed her and stopped, glaring coldly at her, saying, “What are you looking at?”

Méi Xuè was startled and hurriedly lowered her head, saying, “N-Nothing.”

Li Jiànchéng wasn’t about to let it go that easily. He walked over and said, “If it’s nothing, then why are you so flustered?” After a pause, he added, “I’ve never seen you before. Who are you?”

Méi Xuè quickly replied, “I am Wǔ Méi Xuè, a dancer from the dance house. I greet the Eldest Young Master.”

“Méi Xuè...” Li Jiànchéng smiled slyly, his features growing even more delicate, “That’s an interesting name. Now, tell me, what were you looking at just now?”

Though he was smiling, his presence made Méi Xuè feel a deep unease. She shook her head desperately. Seeing this, Wènyí stepped forward and said, “Eldest Young Master, Méi Xuè... she—” Before she could finish, Li Jiànchéng cut her off with a cold voice, “Who allowed you to speak? How audacious!”

Li Shìmín sensed the tension and quickly stepped in, saying, “Big Brother, you’ve scared Méi Xuè.”

Though Li Jiànchéng was his elder brother, he showed no mercy, glaring at the frightened Méi Xuè before suddenly snapping, “Answer me!”

Méi Xuè, unaccustomed to such sharp words, felt her vision blur, and her weakened body gave out. She collapsed to the ground. Li Shìmín quickly rushed over and helped her up, then pleaded, “Big Brother, Méi Xuè didn’t mean any harm. Please forgive her this time.”

After hearing Li Shìmín’s repeated pleas, Li Jiànchéng finally stopped pressing Méi Xuè for answers. He gave her a cold, disdainful glance and left, sweeping his sleeve in the air.

They waited until he had gone far, then sat for a while. Méi Xuè gradually felt a little better, but she was still shaken. “Just now... the Eldest Young Master’s eyes were so terrifying, it felt like... he wanted to eat me alive.”

Li Shìmín remained silent for a moment before replying, “Big Brother contracted a foot ailment last year. Though Father sought the best doctors for him, it hasn’t been cured. Since then, he has grown extremely sensitive about his feet, and he despises anyone who comments on them. Even just a glance at his feet can set him off. If you ever encounter him again, remember, don’t look, and don’t say anything.”

Méi Xuè stuck out her pink tongue and, looking a little scared, said, “I wouldn’t dare look again. If you hadn’t been there, Second Young Master, things could’ve gotten really bad.”

Her cute, innocent expression caused Li Shìmín’s gaze to falter for a moment, before he said, “You comforted me earlier, so consider what happened just now as my way of repaying you.”