chapter 3

chapter 3

Ever since he had tried and failed to get my lady to give me to him several years ago, I had seldom crossed paths with the Eldest Young Master.

Or, more truthfully, I had been avoiding him.

I did the same now, pretending not to see him as I lowered my head and quickened my steps.

He moved unhurriedly into my path.

With no choice, I stopped and bowed.

“Go back, pack your things, and come to my courtyard,” he said. “I may be able to save your life.”

I did not understand. Assuming he had gone mad from losing his argument with my lady, I stepped around him.

His mocking voice floated after me.

“Young Master Wei died in battle three days ago. Not even his bones were recovered. Do you suppose my eldest sister can still set you free?”

The food box crashed from my hands.

I turned and ran. Before I reached the room, I heard muffled sobbing.

The Marchioness held my lady as they wept together. Nanny Liu dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief.

“Why is my daughter’s fate so bitter? That foolish Wei boy—how could he enter the enemy camp alone and live? He has dragged you down with him!”

The Marchioness fainted several times before her matrons persuaded her to return to the main courtyard.

My lady sat staring blankly at the box of agates. Her tears flowed from daylight into darkness.

I remained beside her. Before I could utter a word, my own tears began falling too.

“If only for the Marchioness’s sake, you mustn’t torment yourself like this. Everyone has their fate. Young Master Wei lacked the blessing to live. You must not blame yourself.”

I did not know where everyone had gone. Even supper failed to arrive.

Perhaps the servants assumed that after such a calamity, my lady could not eat. I touched the cold tea on the table and went to the kitchen for hot water.

Not a soul remained in the courtyard. I went in search of Nanny Liu. She was my lady’s wet nurse; surely her counsel would bring some comfort.

But when I reached the courtyard gate, it would not open.

Through the crack I saw several male servants standing guard.

I told them to open up—my lady had not eaten. They gave me a strange look but said nothing.

No matter what I said, they stood deaf and immovable.

Furious, I kicked the gate.

I was an outside-bought maid, though, and my words carried no weight. I hurried back to our quarters to find Bizhu, hoping she could scold the servants into obedience.

Her father was the Marquis’s chief outer-court steward, so servants throughout the estate gave her some respect.

But when I pushed open the door, the long heated bed that had once been crowded with our bedding held only my lonely pallet.

Bizhu’s and the others’ clothes and chests were gone.

That had never happened before.

Panic seized me. I ran back toward the main room.

Two male servants stood outside, holding a large lock.

Inside were the Eldest Young Master and my lady, collapsed on the floor.

I forced myself through the door and tried to help her up.

My lady was so light, yet she had become like a mound of mud. No matter how I pulled, I could not raise her.

The Eldest Young Master was Concubine Xie’s son and had long been at odds with my lady. Even he looked uncomfortable now.

“Father has done everything he can. If you refuse, the reputation of the entire family will be destroyed.”

I did not understand—until I saw the tray on the table.

A length of white silk lay upon it.