chapter 2

chapter 2

Before long, word spread through the estate that I was to become the heir’s honored concubine.

The servants grew even more attentive and flattering toward me, but I remained modest and kept to my duties without putting on airs.

After all, I would only be a concubine. I was joining this household, not coming to wreck it.

If I became too conspicuous, the future mistress of the house would never tolerate me.

My aunt also became warmer toward me and trusted me with some of the household’s minor affairs.

I worked diligently and dared not slack off. I thought I had secured the rest of my life—only to discover that I had been getting ahead of myself. The man in question had never agreed!

Half a month later, Zhao Yuan, my cousin and the center of all the gossip, returned from an assignment outside the capital.

He had been the crown prince’s study companion in childhood and had long enjoyed the emperor’s favor. For the past year or two, he was often away on official business.

Since arriving at the estate, I had seen him no more than three or five times in all.

At the family dinner that evening, Zhao Yuan recounted how he had dealt with corrupt officials and dishonest functionaries. Everyone listened intently, while little Zhao Feng grew so excited that his hands flew as he acted out the story.

After dinner, my aunt hinted that I might begin sewing something for Zhao Yuan so we could cultivate some affection.

I had to admit, she truly had my interests at heart.

Yet although he was unfailingly courteous, there always seemed to be a barrier between us. I never dared to approach him casually.

Perhaps we simply had not spent enough time together. Things might improve later.

For now, the sewing could wait.

When the family dinner ended, Zhao Feng made faces at me.

I nodded, signaling for him to go ahead and that I would follow.

We had made plans earlier to visit the cranes in the garden that night.

When it came to shared interests, my eight-year-old cousin and I were unquestionably better matched.

For several days, he had been telling me that Westerners wrote with goose feathers and that the strokes came out wonderfully smooth and clear.

There were several cranes in the estate garden. He thought a few of their feathers ought to make even better pens.

I had to hand it to Feng’er—he had imagination.

The idea made my fingers itch too. I was eager to give it a try.

But once the two of us crept into the garden, we discovered that cranes were no easy quarry. Their legs were long and their beaks were sharp. Even with their flight feathers clipped, they were more than we could manage.

“Grab its wing—yes, there!”

“Ah! It hit me!”

“No, not there! Don’t let it get away!”

“Ah! It got away!”

After struggling for ages, we were both a mess. Forget a flight feather—we had not managed to get so much as a tuft of down.

“What are you two doing?”

A tall, elegant figure had appeared beside us without our noticing. His voice was mild.

At the sight of Zhao Yuan, Feng’er and I both jumped and hurried to stand properly.

Feng’er feared nothing in this world except the elder brother more than a decade his senior.

“Brother, um, I… I still have lessons to review. I’ll go back now.”

The disloyal little wretch abandoned me and fled.

Zhao Yuan and I both lowered our gazes. For a moment, silence settled around us.

At last, I lowered my lashes and said softly, “Cousin, it’s late. I should return to my room as well.”

Zhao Yuan nodded. “The paths are dark and slippery. I’ll escort you.”

I gave him a gentle smile. “Thank you, Cousin.”

He walked slowly beside me until we reached my courtyard.

I wanted to chat with him and lessen the distance between us, but I could think of no subject. In the end, I said stiffly, “You’ve had a tiring journey, Cousin. You should go and rest.”

Zhao Yuan studied me for a moment before replying, “I hear you’ve been exceptionally devoted to my mother lately, attending to everything yourself. You’ve certainly put in a great deal of thought.”

I froze.

It sounded like praise, but why was his tone so strange?

Of course I tried to please the marchioness. She was my benefactor!

“Aunt has treated me very well. It is only right that I do these things,” I answered cautiously.

Zhao Yuan said evenly, “We are all family. You needn’t stand on ceremony with me either. Whatever plans you have for the future, you may tell me. In time, I will certainly find you a good match.”

“…”

I was dumbfounded. What did he mean by that?

He did not want to marry me?

I stared blankly at him. He was tall, refined, and handsome—undeniably an exceptionally attractive man. Yet I caught a trace of scrutiny in his eyes.

Could he believe I had been fawning on the marchioness as part of some calculated plan to marry him?

And that I was beneath his notice?