Chapter 23: The Persistence of the Flagon and Goblet

Until night fell and the lamps were lit, Li Qian still had not returned—not even a message had he sent her.

Autumn Moon entered with an elderly woman, carrying a hand towel and a copper basin. Shen Quanyi had already changed into a white nightdress and was sitting on her knees before a small vermilion cast-iron brazier. The charcoal burned hot within, its flames wavering restlessly.

The broad hem of her robe spilled across the gleaming lacquered floorboards.

Moonlight streamed through the window, setting her off like a jade statue that had descended to earth.

“Miss, shall we freshen you up?”

Shen Quanyi came back to herself. Her heart felt heavy. The silence of the day had been unbearable; for the first time, she felt a trace of fear.

What was she afraid of?

She was afraid that Li Qian truly meant to leave her here alone.

Gu Tan was with child, while she had been sent away from the Eastern Palace. There were some things she could not allow herself to think about. She could not be abandoned.

“You have traveled all day, and I hear you are still injured. You should retire early tonight.”

The elderly woman was surnamed Liu. She had been assigned by the estate to care for Shen Quanyi. Her eyes rested on Shen Quanyi’s slightly desolate face, and she suddenly understood a great deal.

“This old servant learned several days ago that you would be coming. Everyone in the rear courtyard has been run off their feet. Everything in your room was newly purchased. In fact, this courtyard once belonged to the master himself. In all these years, he has never brought a female guest here.”

Madam Liu had spoken only to comfort her. Shen Quanyi smiled faintly as she looked at the woman’s plain clothing, devoid of ornament, her hair wrapped in a thick cloth.

“Have you been here at the estate for many years?”

Shen Quanyi took the soap, rubbed it over her hands, then dipped them into the basin.

Madam Liu wiped her head and accepted the soap from her. “This old servant lost her husband when she was young and resolved never to remarry. Later, I grew so distraught that I even tried to follow my husband and son into death. Steward Zhang took me in and gave me a way to earn my keep.”

Shen Quanyi nodded. Her mind involuntarily returned to what Hu Shang had said during the day. One person after another had spoken of him. It seemed this Steward Zhang was someone of importance, with many people indebted to him.

“What of Hu Shang?”

At the mention of his name, a flicker of fear crossed Madam Liu’s eyes. Even her smile stiffened. Without realizing it, her fingers began to creep nervously along the side of her teacup.

“Though Steward Hu is young, he is exceedingly thorough in all that he does.” She paused, then lowered her head. “It is getting late. This old servant shall not disturb you any longer.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she bent down, knelt, and kowtowed twice before preparing to leave.

Shen Quanyi had not expected such a strong reaction. She waved her hand, and Madam Liu hurried away. Watching that anxious retreat, even Autumn Moon was stunned. Could merely mentioning Hu Shang truly frighten someone so badly?

Shen Quanyi leaned against the brocade cushion behind her. Autumn Moon moved closer, clenched both hands into fists, and gently pounded Shen Quanyi’s legs.

When she spoke again, she lowered her voice. Pressing her lips together, Autumn Moon said, “That eunuch certainly has remarkable influence. Never mind anything else—even mentioning his name is forbidden. He is decisive when dealing with the servants. I truly wonder what sort of demon king he is, to inspire such fear.”

“You should know better than to speak ill of people behind their backs.”

Shen Quanyi’s voice suddenly sounded. Autumn Moon froze and turned around, only to see a pitch-black figure standing in the doorway.

She was instantly embarrassed.

Hu Shang was dressed entirely in black, concealed in the darkness. He had nearly frightened Shen Quanyi out of her wits just moments earlier.

After a brief hesitation, Shen Quanyi rose with Autumn Moon’s support. Taking up a lamp, she approached him and saw that he was holding a small red sandalwood tray. Upon it sat a large white porcelain bowl filled with medicine.

There was also a small jade dish containing candied dates.

“The small kitchen said that Your Ladyship must take medicine tonight.”

Hu Shang’s voice was as cool as it had been during the day. He lifted his eyes slightly, and her reflection shimmered in their moonlit depths.

When they had met earlier, Shen Quanyi had worn a veiled hat, and he had not been able to see her features. But now, having just washed, her damp hair fell smoothly over her chest. Her almond-shaped eyes were bright with moisture, like a pool of autumn water, while her tender, fair skin had taken on two faint touches of pink from sitting beside the brazier.

The color made her even more alluring. Yet dressed all in white, she seemed touched by frost; beneath the cold moonlight, she resembled a goddess who had fallen into the mortal world.

A trace of amazement flashed through Hu Shang’s eyes, but he concealed it perfectly, erasing it in an instant.

Autumn Moon hurried over and draped a cloak around Shen Quanyi’s shoulders. Shen Quanyi instinctively drew it tighter around herself. For some reason, she was reminded once more that Hu Shang was a eunuch, and her tone became complicated.

“Come inside.”

Hu Shang lowered his head even further, his voice growing more respectful. “This servant is of lowly station and should not enter Your Ladyship’s inner chamber.”

Shen Quanyi glanced down at him. Perhaps chilled by the cold, his body was trembling faintly, yet he stubbornly refused to come in.

“Steward Hu certainly understands propriety. Very well, I shall not force you.”

Shen Quanyi cast him a glance before withdrawing her gaze. “Autumn Moon, bring the medicine inside.”

Autumn Moon hurried out. Seeing that Hu Shang’s hands had been chilled white around the tray, she felt a pang of pity, but all she did was take it from him.

She had taken so much medicine that she had grown accustomed to it. Whereas she had once frowned at every dose, she could now swallow the cool, bitter, spicy concoction without changing expression.

Shen Quanyi lowered her eyes indifferently and handed the bowl to Autumn Moon. “Take it back.”

Autumn Moon bowed and left.

As she passed Hu Shang, she saw that he was still bent over in the same position.

How stubborn.

Autumn Moon had already gone.

“Aren’t you cold?”

The moment Shen Quanyi’s voice fell, Hu Shang stepped inside. In a few strides he stood before her, bowed deeply, then knelt and kowtowed.

“This servant is here to attend Your Ladyship.”

Shen Quanyi said nothing. She merely watched him calmly.

Hu Shang rose, then knelt formally before her. At such close range, he met Shen Quanyi’s breathtakingly beautiful face, and his heart stirred even more fiercely.

His gaze slowly descended, coming to rest at the corner of her mouth. A trace of brown medicinal liquid stained her rosy lips. Hu Shang leaned forward slightly and gently wiped it away with a handkerchief.

When he had finished, he brought over a bowl of clear water and served her as she rinsed her mouth. Every movement was gentle and meticulous.

Shen Quanyi raised a brow. A hint of amusement passed through her eyes as she studied Hu Shang’s exquisite features, no less beautiful than a woman’s. In an unhurried voice, she said, “Steward Hu, what are you doing? For someone of your position to concern himself with such trifles—isn’t that rather beneath you?”

A mild smile curved Hu Shang’s lips. “To serve Your Ladyship is this servant’s good fortune.”

“I can hardly be called your mistress.”

Shen Quanyi spoke with complete frankness, looking straight into his eyes. Her next words were sharper.

“They may not understand, but I believe you do. I am merely someone’s concubine. I cannot accept your loyalty, nor can I afford to employ you.”

She had made herself perfectly clear. Shen Quanyi leaned back slightly and studied Hu Shang, who sat before her with exaggerated caution. Inwardly, she sneered. A man like him was far too skilled at putting on an act. She had no confidence that she could control him.

In Hu Shang’s line of sight, a slender, fair finger suddenly extended and pointed at the space between his brows. For a moment, his heart itched with longing.

“Steward Hu has mistaken me for someone else. Please seek a more suitable patron.”

At her words, Hu Shang fell silent. His thick lashes lowered, casting a shadow beneath the candlelight.

“From the very first moment I saw you, I knew that you and I were of the same kind. I could never have mistaken you.”

Shen Quanyi paused, then suddenly laughed. “One should never speak with such certainty.”

Hu Shang lifted his head and gazed at her. The enchanting corners of his lips curved faintly upward, his face adorned with a seductive smile.