Chapter 3

After the heir intervened on Teacher Zhang’s behalf, rumors began to spread through the residence that he greatly favored me.

Some even said that since I was the only bedchamber maid in his rooms, he might raise me to the rank of concubine after his future wife entered the household.

My standing in Hanshan Courtyard rose with the tide. Even the matron in charge became a little more courteous toward me.

Before, she had always looked at people from the corner of her eye.

Yet rather than feeling pleased, I felt a chill shoot from the soles of my feet to the crown of my head.

As if to confirm my unease, news soon came that the heir was engaged.

His future wife was Wen Wan, the legitimate daughter of Minister Wen of the Ministry of Rites.

The day I met her, I learned that her gentle name did not suit her at all.

That day, my mistress held a gathering at the residence with her half sisters. Naturally, the heir’s future bride was among the guests.

Given my status, I ought never to have appeared before company.

But my mistress sent her senior maid, Qihuan, to summon me. She said she had casually mentioned my skill at dressing hair to Miss Wen, who was very interested and wished to ask my advice.

At the time, I was seated on the heir’s lap while he held my hand and taught me calligraphy.

At the message, my hand trembled and the brush faltered.

“That character is ruined.” The heir’s voice sounded beside my ear, but the hand around mine did not move.

The study was utterly still. I sat rigid on his lap while Qihuan kept her head lowered, not daring to speak.

We both knew we were waiting for the heir to say something.

Waiting for his decision.

After what felt like an eternity, he patted my waist and said, “Go.”

His voice was so faint and distant that it seemed to come from the far edge of the sky.

In that instant, I thought I understood.

I lowered my eyes, rose without protest, and followed Qihuan away.

The future bride had a sweet, gentle face, and her speech was calm and measured, every inch the well-bred lady of a great house.

She studied me for only a moment and never looked my way again. She left me kneeling while she spoke with my mistress as though I were not there.

The two seemed very close. One moment they discussed the latest fashions, and the next, whose cook made the finest pastries.

An hour passed before a maid came to announce that the banquet was about to begin. Only then did the two women rise with smiles on their faces.

Miss Wen swept a glance over me as though she had only just noticed me. “Oh, why are you still kneeling? How long has it been? Do get up.” With that, she took my mistress’s arm and left.

I struggled to my feet.

When I returned to Hanshan Courtyard, I went straight to my room and searched through my belongings for a small box of salve. I rolled up my trouser legs and spread it over my knees, gritting my teeth against the pain.

That night, the heir was gentle and restrained, so much so that I almost imagined he cherished me.

But he soon shattered that dreamlike illusion.

“She will be your mistress in the future. Indulge her now, and you will suffer less after she comes into the household.”

I let him do as he wished, but tears still slipped from the corners of my eyes.

I remembered why I had sold myself into the prince’s residence. I had wanted nothing more than shelter, nothing more than to stay alive.

Only now did I understand that the residence could not shelter me, and neither could this man.

My eyes grew damp. In the silence, his voice came low and dark. “Do you feel wronged?”

“This servant would not dare,” I whispered.

“You would not dare?” His voice was close enough to touch, yet as distant as the heavens, with an inexplicable note of comfort. “Good Yu’er. I will make it up to you.”