TPGA - 66

Chapter 66: Yuxiu Pavilion

Startled by his sudden action, Ji Rong’s face paled. Regaining her composure, she stammered, “If you insist on seeing it that way, Master, there’s nothing I can do. But every word I’ve spoken is true.”

Li Jiancheng said nothing, merely continuing to stare at her. Ji Rong dared not avert her gaze, enduring his piercing eyes for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he released her. Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, his voice cut through the silence. “What’s her name?”

Ji Rong’s heart leapt with joy, and she quickly replied, “Master, her name is Feng Chunxiu.”

Li Jiancheng summoned Wang Fu, who was standing nearby, and instructed him, “Go to Yuxiu Pavilion and tell them that though Feng Chunxiu has made mistakes, her offenses do not warrant such severe punishment. Please ask the Second Madam, in consideration of my request, to allow her to remain in the mansion and continue her duties.”

Wang Fu memorized Li Jiancheng’s words, bowed deeply, and said, “I’ll go at once.”

After Wang Fu left, Ji Rong expressed her gratitude. “Thank you so much, Master!”

Li Jiancheng gave her a cold glance and said, “Remember this: from now on, your life and Feng Chunxiu’s belong to me. If I order you to die, you must obey without question.”

Ji Rong wisely responded, “I understand, Master. Both Chunxiu and I will serve you for the rest of our lives.”

Li Jiancheng nodded and waved his hand dismissively. “You may leave. If I don’t see the medicine in half a month, you know the consequences.”

Ji Rong trembled slightly and lowered her head. “I understand.”

After Ji Rong departed, Li Jiancheng gently rubbed his leg, hoping… that in half a month, the ailment that had plagued him for so long would finally be cured.

Meanwhile, Chunxiu anxiously awaited Ji Rong’s return in their quarters. When she saw Ji Rong enter, she rushed forward and asked, “Sister, how did it go? Did the Eldest Master agree? Can I stay in the mansion?”

Seeing that Chunxiu only cared about staying in the mansion and showed no concern for what had transpired at Qingchun Garden, Ji Rong felt a deep sense of disdain. However, she was always careful to conceal her emotions. With a calm smile, she said, “The Eldest Master has already sent Wang Fu to deliver the message to Yuxiu Pavilion. I believe the Second Madam will honor the Eldest Master’s request and allow you to remain in the mansion.”

Hearing this, Chunxiu felt a great weight lift off her shoulders. Only then did she remember to thank Ji Rong. “Thank you so much, Sister. I truly don’t know what I would’ve done without your help.”

“You call me Sister, so there’s no need for such formalities. However, after this incident, you really must change your temperament. I may have been able to save you this time, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to do so again. The Eldest Master isn’t someone to be trifled with. If I hadn’t insisted that your assistance was essential for preparing the Xujin Shengji San, he wouldn’t have agreed to help. But mark my words—there won’t be a second chance.”

Chunxiu nodded repeatedly. “I understand. From now on, I’ll be more cautious and careful, and I won’t cause any more trouble for you. It’s just…”

Seeing her hesitate, Ji Rong asked, “What is it?”

Chunxiu clenched her teeth and said, “Every time I think about how Nanny Yang treated me, I can’t swallow this humiliation. There’s no doubt she must’ve accepted bribes from Wu Meixue and conspired with her.”

Ji Rong responded meaningfully, “Time will tell. As long as you can stay in the mansion, there will be opportunities to settle the score.” After a pause, she added, “For now, wait patiently. We should hear news before nightfall.”

They waited for about an hour when a messenger from Nanny Yang summoned them to the music hall. Upon arriving, they found not only Nanny Yang but also an unfamiliar maid, likely from another part of the mansion.

After paying their respects to Nanny Yang, the maid stepped forward, scrutinizing Ji Rong carefully. “So, you’re Ji Rong?”

Ji Rong curtsied and replied, “Yes, I am Ji Rong. It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Zhāixīng.”

Her words surprised Zhāixīng. “You know who I am?” Though both the music hall and Yuxiu Pavilion were within the governor’s mansion, they rarely interacted. Matters concerning the music hall were usually relayed through Nanny Yang. This was Zhāixīng’s first visit to the music hall.

Ji Rong answered respectfully, “Lady Zhāixīng is a trusted attendant of the Second Madam. How could I not recognize you?”

This response brought a faint smile to Zhāixīng’s lips, a hint of pride flickering in her eyes. “You’re quite perceptive. Come with me—the Second Madam wishes to see you.”

Without asking further questions, Ji Rong obediently replied, “Yes.” Seeing them about to leave, Chunxiu anxiously asked, “What about me? Did the Second Madam say anything about seeing me?”

Zhāixīng glanced back at her and coolly replied, “The Second Madam didn’t mention you. Stay here and wait patiently.”

As Chunxiu watched them leave with unease, Zhāixīng led Ji Rong away from the music hall toward Yuxiu Pavilion. Though it was winter, the pavilion was still filled with blooming flowers—crab cactus, camellias, wintersweet, cineraria, and other exotic blooms Ji Rong didn’t recognize, all emitting a delicate fragrance. Even this small corner revealed the opulence and luxury of Yuxiu Pavilion.

A maid carrying a basket was picking flowers nearby. Zhāixīng approached her, took a few freshly picked cineraria stems from the basket, and tossed them onto the ground. Frowning, she scolded, “Didn’t the Madam already tell you last time? Cineraria doesn’t produce much nectar, and butterflies don’t like them. Why did you pick so many? If the Madam sees this, she’ll be displeased.”

The maid bowed her head nervously. “I… I forgot for a moment. Please forgive me, Sister.”

“If you want to stay in Yuxiu Pavilion, you’d better remember these things. The Madam doesn’t tolerate those who fail to learn.” Under Zhāixīng’s reprimand, the maid hastily agreed.

Though they were all servants, there were clear distinctions among them. Newcomers to Yuxiu Pavilion were considered lower-ranking, while those like Chief Lin or Zhāixīng, who were highly trusted by their masters, held higher status. Their words sometimes carried as much weight as those of certain masters.

Taking advantage of Zhāixīng’s momentary distraction as she instructed the maid, Ji Rong couldn’t help but ask, “Lady Zhāixīng, how is it possible for butterflies to survive in this season?”

Zhāixīng raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Surprised, aren’t you? You’ll understand soon enough.”

After picking a few more camellia branches, Zhāixīng led them inside. As soon as they entered, Ji Rong felt a wave of warmth wash over her. For a moment, she almost thought she had returned to spring.

Once she regained her composure, she noticed charcoal braziers burning on either side of the room. The charcoal in the braziers was unlike any she had seen before—it was as white as frost and produced no smoke. The furnishings in the room were all extravagantly crafted, dazzling to the eye. What astonished Ji Rong the most, however, was a white cloud-patterned glass tank placed next to one of the braziers. Through its translucent walls, she could see something fluttering inside—butterflies. No wonder they could survive; the room was so warm it felt like spring year-round.

“Lady, Ji Rong has arrived.” Zhāixīng’s words brought Ji Rong back to her senses, and she quickly bowed deeply to the elegantly dressed woman seated at the head of the room. “Your servant, Ji Rong, greets you, Lady.”

Throughout Zhāixīng’s earlier conversation with the maid, she had consistently referred to Lady Wan simply as “Lady,” so Ji Rong wisely avoided adding the prefix “Second” before the title.