Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Lu Bao'er, after nursing her wound and returning to Xie Fu, it was already close to the New Year; this winter was oddly cold, and the thick snow that had fallen for several days simply would not melt.

There were several incidents on the official road where the carriages of high officials slipped, even disturbing the princess who had been out traveling and was returning to Jingdu for New Year's Eve. She is the Empress's beloved granddaughter, the Crown Prince's legitimate eldest daughter; no mistake could be tolerated. Later, royal personnel specifically cleared the road so the Son of Heaven would not be angered.

Thus, when a crime occurs, it must be a serious one; if not for the noblewoman's injury, who would have known about this snow‑covered remote corner?

Therefore, when Lu Bao'er returned, the snow on the official road had already been cleared. The mountain wind was fierce, carrying a hint of sea salt. Fortunately, Lu Bao'er wore a warm rabbit‑head headband, the band tied on her head, a ring of white fur like a crouching rabbit, revealing her fresh features without obscuring her sight nor freezing her.

Lu Bao'er oddly asked the demure, obedient grandmother, "Why is salt being spread on the ground? Smelling this, I find it rather novel."

The grandmother replied respectfully, "Madam, this is to make the snow melt faster. Once the ground is free of snow, it won't disturb the horses and the road will be smoother." She wore a sapphire‑blue padded armor and a jade bracelet moist at the wrist, looking unlike an ordinary servant.

This grandmother had formerly been the old wife of the steward Chen Shan in the mansion, living quite comfortably. Previously, Xie Junling had sent her to the side courtyard to look after the country wife Lu Bao'er; she still harbored resentment, feeling that her master looked down on her, so she was sent to the secondary wife's humble household to do chores, watching over her.

But Xie Junling came to the side courtyard almost daily to tend to Lu Bao'er, which dispelled many of the grandmother's inexplicable odd thoughts. Seeing his warm manner, one could tell he was not entirely indifferent to Lu Bao'er.

The grandmother was shrewd, seeing through the situation, and grew increasingly attentive to Lu Bao'er. That she and the steward could stand their ground in the imperial‑granted residence meant they possessed some ability; merely this discerning eye was beyond ordinary people.

Xie Junling, though clearly of humble origin, acted in the mansion with the caution of an aristocratic family; anyone could see he was far from a commoner. Serving his master well would surely lead to a promising future.

The grandmother glanced at the sleepy Lu Bao'er who had just eaten pastries. She thought, whether Xie Junling is merely playing a role now or truly loves his country wife, Lu Bao'er is temporarily favored.

The grandmother thought of Lu Bao'er's innocent demeanor these days, reminiscent of her own youngest daughter, and felt sorry; if she were later abandoned by Xie Junling, the poor child would be pitiful at such a young age.

At the gate of Xie Fu, the grandmother helped Lu Bao'er out of the sedan chair. Xie Junling was still attending court and had not yet returned home. He gave instructions to the steward and briefed Lu Bao'er on matters of the mansion.

There were countless tasks for the lady of the house; after meeting one group of people, then another, Lu Bao'er felt rather drowsy.

She was physically weak; the grandmother gave a signal to the others, letting them step back.

The grandmother asked, "Madam, shall I call someone to bring you some water?"

"Thank you, grandmother." Lu Bao'er had just healed her wound and was truly exhausted.

She propped her head with one hand, revealing a wrist as white as snow; the room was warmed by a ground dragon, cozy, and she did not feel cold.

A large bathtub was placed behind a Su‑embroidered screen; a young maid quietly carried water into the room, filling it with hot water.

The first maid to enter was a servant named Liu Xiang, who regarded the grandmother as her godmother; she usually made hair bindings and shoe soles as a sign of devotion, pleasing the grandmother and naturally earning a good assignment.

Liu Hong, who shared a room with her, looked down on her, saying she was not as diligent as herself, nor as quick‑witted, only knowing how to flatter, which was why she rose step by step.

Liu Hong, being at odds with her, dared not speak up; after all, if the grandmother cast a glance, her legs would go weak and she would stumble.

It wasn't until this residence was granted to the young, accomplished top scholar Xie Junling that—back then Xie Junling rode through the streets wearing a floral crown, unlike the cheerful second‑rank and third‑rank scholars behind him; he was always dignified and composed, appearing steady yet full of youthful vigor, winning countless maidens' hearts.

Liu Hong also glanced from afar, only thinking of such a great figure, not knowing what kind of peerless beauty he should be paired with.

Little did she know, Xie Junling was already betrothed and had brought his country wife back to the mansion. How could such a devoted man end up meeting Lu Bao'er?

If Lu Bao'er were a noble lady, she might not dare entertain any thought, but Lu Bao'er is a country girl, inferior even to a common Jingdu family; why should she be respected by Lu Bao'er?

Just watch, before long, Xie Junling will dismiss her! A woman who cannot appear on the public stage, which official household would keep her?

Liu Hong followed Liu Xiang into the room, and Liu Xiang glared at her, whispering scoldingly, "Who let you follow in? Don't you have other chores?"

Liu Hong, eager to see Lu Bao'er's appearance, took a silver hairpin from her bosom and flatteredly handed it to Liu Xiang, "Sister, may I see what the lady looks like."

Liu Xiang, hearing this, sneered, opened her mouth to curse, "What are you? Just a low‑born servant. The lady is yours to see if you wish? Hurry up and leave, don't delay my duties!"

Scolded so harshly by Liu Xiang, Liu Hong's face turned mottled; she felt a mix of emotions and retorted, "You only climbed up by clinging to the grandmother's high branch! Hey, just after gaining a position you start brandishing the master's banner, performing for me? You're just a country mud‑leg, yet you protect me like this! Be careful you're siding with the wrong person; when you later want to serve another master, there'll be no way!"

Her words were too harsh, implicitly mocking that Lu Bao'er's position as lady would be unstable; being of poor origin, she would sooner or later be discarded by Xie Junling.

Yet these words did not disturb the sleeping Lu Bao'er; instead, Xie Junling heard them.

That morning after court, before entering the room, he first swept the snow off his sleeves at the door, lest the cold air strike Lu Bao'er and cause the frail girl further chill.

Unfortunately his luck was poor; he happened to overhear the two little maids' chatter.

When the lady of the house was still in the main hall, the maids dared to speak out of turn, saying this and that—have any rules left?

He was somewhat irritated, entered the door, and gave a casual glance at the two maids pouring water.

Xie Junling had always been gentle and refined; when had he ever shown such a stern visage?

The two maids, already frightened, knelt on the ground trembling like sifted chaff.