Najin headed towards Twelfth Master’s courtyard. Despite Twelfth Master’s refined and scholarly demeanor, as a military-trained prince, he was far more formidable than their pampered Seventh Lord. The men around him were all meticulously selected—standing for hours in the freezing snow, their backs straight as pines, unlike the guards at Prince Xian's Residence, who hunched their shoulders and rubbed their hands at the slightest chill, looking utterly disheveled.
Walking past under their watchful eyes, Najin felt deeply ashamed. Those men were like temple arhats, towering above ordinary mortals. To them, a short, pudgy man like him must seem nothing more than a gluttonous lump!
He hurried down the path and under the eaves, where he spotted Sha Tong. They had some camaraderie, serving different masters though they were, both being eunuchs, which bred a certain mutual sympathy. Hiding behind a pillar, Najin waved. “Tongzi, come here!”
Sha Tong approached, pinching his nose. “Did you sleep in a pickle jar last night? You reek of sour feet!”
Najin sighed. “Don’t ask. Xiaoshu ran off, leaving the birds unattended. Someone had to clean the cages and scoop the droppings, and before I knew it—” He splayed his fingers forward. “Got it all over my hands.”
Sha Tong recoiled, nearly brushed by the offending hand. “Ugh! Consider that a reward from your master. Go wash with soap! What brings you here so early?”
Najin sheepishly tucked his hands behind his back, craning his neck toward the hall doors. “Has Twelfth Master risen yet?”
Sha Tong frowned. “Our master is disciplined—up before the roosters. Why? You need something?”
“No, no!” Najin waved hastily. With their factions now opposed, barging in on Twelfth Master would likely get him cut down. Nervously, he pointed into the distance. “I’m looking for our Shu’er. Seventh Lord summoned her for orders… Tongzi, we’re brothers—no secrets between us. Don’t take this the wrong way, but Twelfth Master isn’t playing fair. Mu Xiaoshu is Seventh Lord’s Bannerman, and she entered Prince Xian's Residence openly. The master never gave her away, yet she chose to climb higher and won’t return. That’s not how things are done—no Banner tolerates such behavior! Twelfth Master favoring her is her fortune, but she can’t just abandon her old master without a word. Man or woman, one must uphold loyalty. Don’t you agree?”
Sha Tong leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyeing him sidelong. “Spare me the lecture. Would you dare say this to your master? Since when do we servants meddle in our masters’ affairs? I witnessed everything from start to finish. Honestly, your Seventh Lord is the one acting dishonorably! Forcing himself on a young lady—how do you think she felt? Even now, he won’t let go. She’d have to be willing, and after what happened, I doubt it. You should advise him—there are plenty of fish in the sea. Why cling and make everyone suffer?”Elbows always bend inward, each loyal to their own master. Najin was indignant. "What kind of talk is that? No one knew Xiaoshu was a woman. Our master genuinely liked her. Instead of calling Seventh Lord lovesick, why are you making him out to be the villain? Fine, I won’t waste words with you. Do me a favor and pass a message to Xiaoshu—the master’s summoning her, and she’d better report promptly. Nothing’s settled yet, so she shouldn’t put on airs. Seventh Lord has made it clear: if she doesn’t return, he’ll go straight to the Shuntian Prefecture to find her master and ask how he trained his apprentice. If the apprentice fails, the master bears the blame. She can go enjoy her good fortune, but the debts she owes will be repaid by her master and senior brother. That’s how it’ll be!"
With that, Najin turned and left without another glance. Sha Tong stood fuming, muttering under his breath, "Like master, like servant. Lovesick? More like heartache!" After some thought, he realized this couldn’t be brushed aside. While one’s banner registration could be tampered with, Wu Changgeng was a living, breathing man. If Seventh Lord decided to make life difficult for him, it wouldn’t be easy to handle.
He turned and entered the main quarters. The Twelfth Master was in the side hall discussing matters with others. Imperial envoys dispatched abroad weren’t like hawks let loose—they had to report to the court periodically, submitting memorials to the Emperor and the Emperor Emeritus to assure them of their safety. With the Twelfth Master absent, only Miss Wen was in the room. When he entered, she was pacing restlessly in the center of the room. He stepped forward and greeted her, "Would you like to sit for a while? Shall I have some pastries sent over?"
Dingyi shook her head. "I heard Najin’s voice earlier. Was he here?"
Sha Tong confirmed it and relayed the message in detail. After hearing it, she paused briefly. "Disaster strikes even when one sits quietly at home. My master and senior brother haven’t benefited from me—instead, my actions have brought them nothing but trouble. This sin is too great. I’ve thought a lot last night. The Twelfth Master and Seventh Lord are brothers after all, and this imperial assignment isn’t even half finished. They’ll have to work together in the future. If they become irreconcilable over me, it’ll reflect poorly on the Twelfth Master. After much deliberation, I’ve decided to return to my original post. Seventh Lord is someone who can be reasoned with if approached properly—he’s willing to listen." She turned, took her warm hat from the hat stand, and put it on, smiling faintly. "Please inform the Twelfth Master for me. I’m leaving, and he shouldn’t worry. I can handle this myself."
She had always been self-reliant. Whether a man was present or not, she remained steadfast. Sha Tong admired her inwardly—this was one of the qualities that commanded respect. Having endured hardships for over a decade, she hadn’t crumbled upon gaining the Twelfth Master’s favor. No, she weighed the pros and cons. Her return wasn’t just for her master’s sake but also for the Twelfth Master’s. Seventh Lord’s temper was something everyone could see but dared not challenge. He’d be content if he got his way, but if excluded, he’d rather destroy what he couldn’t have—such was his wretched nature. The Twelfth Master, now deeply entangled in worldly affairs, was wholly focused on a lasting future. Sha Tong had held back many words, constrained by propriety from speaking freely. Now that Miss Wen had come to this realization on her own, nothing could be more fitting. This girl was principled, sparing others undue worry. She understood the stakes, and with this sense of justice, she was truly worthy of their Twelfth Master.He called for an umbrella and held it over her head. "It's snowing outside, let me escort you there. Allow me to say one more thing—be extra careful when you see Seventh Lord. If anything happens, just shout loudly. I've stationed people outside; they'll rush in to save you the moment they hear you. To be honest, I think you're quite remarkable. Our master hasn't misjudged you. So take care of yourself. Twelfth Master is a responsible and shrewd man. The current hardships don’t matter—better days await you!"
Dingyi laughed. "No need for formalities like 'you'; it makes me uncomfortable. I see things clearly for myself. I don’t get conceited because of Twelfth Master’s favor, nor do I belittle myself because of my humble origins. I am who I am, just as I’ve always been."
Sha Tong admired her even more. Such composure spoke volumes about her strength and steadiness. He chuckled and replied, "Honestly, I still prefer calling you Xiaoshu—such a lively name. Your formal name sounds like a noble lady’s, worthy of standing beside Twelfth Master. But this nickname shows your resilience. Think about it—a little tree braves wind and rain, grows upward, and eventually becomes a towering giant."
The two chatted and laughed as they returned to Dingyi’s quarters. After Sha Tong left, she changed into a long robe, a mandarin jacket, and a traditional hat, making sure everything was neat before heading to Seventh Lord’s courtyard. As the bird keeper, she still had to tend to the two birds—otherwise, she’d be of no use.
She felt a little afraid. Remembering how he had mistreated her yesterday sent shivers down her spine. But avoiding him wasn’t an option—they hadn’t even reached Ningguta yet, and they’d be traveling together. How could she keep her distance? Steeling herself, she walked on. As she passed through the courtyard, a few guards gave her odd looks and whispered among themselves after she passed, but she paid them no mind. Whether as a man or a woman, she had spent over a decade in the capital, mastering the art of indifference to gossip.
The wind carried snowflakes swirling through the air as she lifted the curtain and entered the room. Fine snow drifted in with her, landing on the carpet inside the threshold and melting instantly. She didn’t dare raise her eyes. Seventh Lord’s robe hem was visible not far ahead, so she swept her sleeves and kowtowed as usual. "Greetings, my lord."
Seventh Lord had been restless earlier, pacing inside and outside, wrestling with how to face her and what arguments to make. He had prepared a whole speech, but the moment she entered, he forgot everything and was left tongue-tied, too ashamed to even look her in the eye. Truth be told, a man bullying a woman like this was indefensible. He deeply regretted it—using force, tearing her clothes, pinning her down—it was the act of a bandit. Looking back now, it felt like a nightmare. How could he have done such a thing? He must have been possessed at the time. He wanted to apologize, to admit he’d behaved worse than a beast, but the words stuck in his throat. After all, he bore the Yuwen name—if he became a beast, wouldn’t that drag even the emperor into disgrace? On major principles, he still had some integrity.
She was still bowing, and he couldn’t leave her like that. Awkwardly, he muttered, "Rise." Sneaking a glance at her, he saw she remained composed, turning away to tend to the birds. His heart was tangled in knots. He wanted to speak to her but couldn’t find the words, too prideful to lower his guard. It was she who broke the silence first, asking, "Did you feed the birds this morning? What about their water?"He took the opportunity to move closer. "I've given them all away. I was afraid you wouldn't come back, and the two birds would have nowhere to go. What if they starved to death? I spent hundreds of taels on them... Shu, I was reckless yesterday. I'm sorry, don't be angry with me. How could I be so foolish? That thing definitely wasn't done by me."
If it wasn't him, then was it a ghost possessing him? Dingyi glanced up at him. "There are quite a few wronged spirits here. Once exiled, no one cares anymore, treated like livestock at will. Can you, as their master, bear to see that?"
Tsk, such a kind heart. Seventh Lord quickly said, "I'll summon the manor head later. The Aha in the manor need to be reorganized. Working day and night without rest—they're all children of parents too, they shouldn't be treated like this." He gave an ingratiating smile. "If there's anything else that's not right, just say the word, and I'll handle it for you. Just don't be angry with me. Starting today, I'll turn over a new leaf. Give me a chance, can we start over?"
She lowered her eyes. "I'll still serve you, just like before." After a pause, she added, "Before coming here, I thought of a few things I wanted to say to you. Would you be willing to listen?"
Seventh Lord's heart leaped into his throat, like a prisoner awaiting sentencing—unsure whether she would grant him salvation or condemn him to the eighteenth level of hell. Trembling with fear, he sat down and gestured forward. "No need to ask, of course I'll listen. Sit..." Seeing her about to speak, he hastily stopped her. "Think carefully. Phrase it gently. I have a bad temper, and if I'm provoked, I might lose control. You speak first, and I'll speak after."
Dingyi took a deep breath. "Master, last night I stayed at Twelfth Master's place. Did you know?"
Deliberately rubbing salt in the wound. Seventh Lord's chest tightened sharply. "Can we skip this part? Even though you don't want to be with me, I still admire you. Stabbing me in the heart like this isn't very nice, is it? Actually, I'm very devoted. You see, I liked you when you were a man, and ever since you turned out to be a woman, I like you even more. I don't care about those messy things between you and Old Twelve. I'm steadfast. I already told Najin earlier—as long as you're willing to come back, we'll let bygones be bygones... So, did anything happen between you two last night?"
No matter what, she was still a girl. Seventh Lord, oblivious to social cues, asked blindly, making her blush furiously. The question was hard to answer, but not answering wasn't good either. Leaving it vague would only fester like gangrene, so she decided to be direct. "Last night, I already made everything clear to you. After a night, my thoughts remain the same. Honestly, Master, I'm really nothing special. I'm just a poor girl, scraping by through deceit and trickery. The worst thing I did to you was hiding my true situation and insisting on becoming one of your guards. Now I regret it deeply. Causing you so much trouble was never my intention. Actually, I've thought about it—the reason you took a liking to me was probably because there weren't many options along the way. Among a bunch of rough men, I stood out as the least bad. Once we return to the capital, with its dazzling world full of choices, I'll be nothing special. So, Master, bear with it for now. There will be plenty of good girls in the future. Once you see them, you'll realize I'm not even worth a second glance."Seventh Lord disagreed with her, "You're not good? If you weren't good, would Hongce have thrown aside his pride to openly compete with me? Forget all that other talk. I just had a sudden realization—you girls like to be pampered, drawn to flashy and lively things. Twelfth Master can set off lanterns—what's so great about that? I'll buy a hundred sheep and let you herd them. I'll even allocate you a pasture where you can shear wool and milk the sheep, then sell them for silver. That's much better than lanterns—a proper livelihood. I don't deal in empty gestures; I'm all about practicality. Since I can't be Emperor, making money is my only hobby, which is why my family's rich..."
Inside the room, such words were spoken, while Najin, eavesdropping by the window, sighed incessantly. This lord was truly hopeless—to win a woman's favor, one had to cater to her preferences. Talking about practicality during a romantic moment, comparing lanterns to herding sheep—how could they be the same? No wonder the several Princess Consorts in his household were all arranged marriages. Unwilling to put in the effort, they simply resigned themselves to their fate. Such a clueless man, always going on about money—nothing but superficiality and the stench of copper. How could he compare to the poetic and refined Twelfth Master?
Sure enough, Xiaoshu refused, "This isn't about money. What matters to me is my own heart."
"Can't I enter your heart? What's wrong with me? I've got height, looks. The only thing I lack is Twelfth Master's ability to put on airs. Don't let his mild demeanor fool you—that boy's ambitions are vast. I’ve got a sharp eye for people." Realizing that constantly badmouthing his rival was ungentlemanly, he changed tactics. "Stay with me, and I’ll ensure you never want for food or clothing. I won’t trouble your sect anymore, and I’ll even support your master, letting him enjoy his twilight years in peace. That’s a generous offer, isn’t it?"
At this, Dingyi grew displeased. "I’ve already left my master’s side. I won’t involve him in my personal affairs. If you still wish to employ me, leave my master out of it—or I’ll fight you to the death."
There it was—he’d hit a wall. Whose fault was it? His rival’s strength, of course. Every condition Seventh Lord offered was something Twelfth Master could also provide. Both were imperial princes, but the latter had two extra characters in his title—why would she choose him? Xiaoshu had wandered the martial world and seen all sorts of demons and monsters. Pushing her too far might backfire. Now it was a contest of who could be more considerate, who could win her heart. Seventh Lord’s foolishness was truly agonizing for Najin.
Fortunately, the agony didn’t last long. After half a cup of tea, Seventh Lord slapped his thigh in sudden enlightenment. "Fine, I won’t touch your master. From today onward, I’ll go head-to-head with Twelfth Master. Don’t rush to a decision—just see who turns out better! If you pick me in the end, my efforts won’t have been in vain. If you pick him, well, at least I pushed him to improve, so you’ll owe me thanks. I won’t pressure you—not now, not ever. It’s all up to you. For now, since you’re here with me, stay at ease. Don’t let your body be here while your heart’s elsewhere—it’s no good to covet what you don’t have. Just keep your eyes open and pick a husband who’ll cherish you—it’s a lifetime matter. I’m only thinking of your good. I’m a decade older than you—trust me, I know best, alright?"
Dingyi had no choice but to murmur an assent. At this point, stubbornness would gain her nothing. For now, she’d humor him. Once his enthusiasm waned, peace would likely return.
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