Chapter 22
Chapter 22
The next day, Xia Ximo woke up in a soft, warm bed.
A sliver of the morning sun filtered through the window lattice, casting a glow into the room that left her feeling somewhat dazed.
She had actually fallen asleep lying down. She was dressed in clean sleeping robes, and the bedding-as well as the air itself-carried a faint, unfamiliar fragrance.
The Lantern Spirit Wuyou was sitting on the windowsill, pretending to bask in the sun. Seeing her wake, he immediately teased her with a beaming smile, “You slept very soundly last night. You have that young girl to thank for it.”
Xia Ximo sat up and noticed an incense burner by the bedside, thin wisps of smoke still rising from it.
Recalling the previous night, Tianqing had attended to her bath and wardrobe according to the customs of the capital’s noble ladies.
The process had been incredibly tedious. Beyond the basic washing of hair and skin, there were various maintenance steps that had nearly caused her to lose patience several times, though Tianqing had skillfully smoothed things over.
Finally, after the day’s fatigue had been washed away, she had lain on the bed while Tianqing used a balm called “Red Jade” to massage her calves and care for her feet.
Xia Ximo couldn’t even remember how she had fallen asleep. She hadn’t expected that when she opened her eyes again, it would already be broad daylight.
It was a strange feeling, as if she had suddenly “become human” again.
Her body also felt inexplicably light.
Just as she stepped out of bed, two knocks sounded at the door.
“If Miss Xia is awake, you may call for this servant to come in and attend to you.”
When the door opened, Tianqing entered carrying washing supplies. Unlike usual, she also brought several exquisite, small jars and bottles.
Looking at the dazzling array, Xia Ximo’s first reaction was curiosity, followed by a touch of impatience.
“Do you… women in the capital always go through so much trouble every day?”
Tianqing gave a sweet smile. “The books say, ‘A woman adorns herself for the one who appreciates her.’ Since we are women, who among us doesn’t love beauty?”
“Especially for someone as celestial as Miss Xia?”
While her words were pleasant, her hands did not idle. She applied floral dew to Xia Ximo’s face and fragrant balm to her hands, performing every task with meticulous care.
Xia Ximo remained silent for a moment, seemingly giving her tacit consent.
Tianqing asked again, “What color clothes would Miss Xia like to wear today? Or what kind of makeup would you prefer?”
“Whatever. As long as it isn’t troublesome.”
Hearing this, Tianqing didn’t press further. She quickly pulled a set of clothes from the trunk.
The upper garment was an autumn-leaf yellow brocade robe embroidered with plum blossoms in gold thread, paired with an indigo-blue silk skirt stitched with silver thread.
To keep things “not troublesome,” she only added a small vest, styled the hair in the simplest bun, and applied the most elegant, light makeup.
After the grooming was finished, the woman in the mirror was still breathtakingly beautiful.
Tianqing reflected on the many noble banquets she had attended while following the Marquise, where she had seen countless daughters of high-ranking families.
However, someone with Miss Xia’s features and figure was rare enough, let alone her unique, ethereal temperament that stood out from the crowd.
No wonder the Young Marquis was so devoted to her…
In her momentary distraction, she heard Xia Ximo ask, “Is it finished?”
Detecting the impatience in her tone, Tianqing hastily set down the comb and stood aside with her head bowed. “It is finished. Is Miss Xia satisfied with today’s appearance?”
Only then did Xia Ximo glance at her reflection in the mirror, feeling only a sense of strangeness.
She never cared for her own appearance and had not looked in a mirror for a very, very long time.
But at that moment, a distant fragment flashed through her blurred memories-
A youth in white robes held out a floral hairpin and said, “This is your birthday gift. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
She had taken the hairpin and looked at her reflection in the water, wanting to say it was beautiful, but the words never left her lips…
Beyond that, she could remember nothing more.
Xia Ximo did not answer the question. She rose indifferently and walked toward the door, but suddenly turned back and asked, “Is Ren Fengjue at the residence?”
–
Today was Lord Ren’s day off.
However, early in the morning, he received word from the Marquis Mansion. Marquis Renxuan had ordered him to return immediately.
The Old Marquis never summoned him without reason; if he did, it was bound to be a headache.
Consequently, Ren Fengjue didn’t even have time for breakfast before he rushed to the Marquis Mansion by carriage.
He had originally thought that upon returning, he could have a meal with the Marquise before listening to his father’s nagging.
To his surprise, as soon as he entered the gates, a servant stepped forward and said, “Young Master, the Marquis said that you are to go directly to the study to find him as soon as you return.”
Ren Fengjue was slightly taken aback. “In such a hurry? I wanted to have breakfast with my mother first.”
The servant replied, “The Marquise is hosting an honored guest. The Marquis instructed that you must see him before you can see her.”
“…”
What honored guest?
Ren Fengjue frowned, feeling a trace of displeasure.
But on second thought, something felt off.
Ordinary guests wouldn’t visit at this hour unless they had stayed overnight at the Marquis Mansion.
And since this “honored guest” was being entertained by the Marquise, it had to be a woman.
Could it be someone from his maternal grandfather’s side?
No, that didn’t seem right either.
If it were family, the servant wouldn’t have referred to them as an “honored guest.”
Thinking about the identity of this guest, Ren Fengjue had a faint, ominous premonition.
Nevertheless, he followed instructions and headed toward Marquis Renxuan’s study first.
Marquis Renxuan, Ren Xuan, was currently teasing a bird in front of the study. Seeing his son return, he only spared him a glance from the corner of his eye. “You’re back?”
Ren Fengjue observed his father’s expression. Seeing nothing unusual, he asked directly, “Father, why did you summon me back so suddenly? Is there some urgent matter?”
Ren Xuan gave a cold snort and said, “I have already heard about what happened at Brocade Garment Manor yesterday. You certainly are capable.”
Ren Fengjue had expected his father to ask about the incident at Brocade Garment Manor.
After all, it concerned the family’s reputation and Marquis Renxuan’s personal prestige.
“As a member of the Ministry of Justice, I was merely acting according to the law.”
Ren Xuan knew his son had always been one to keep public and private matters separate. He said pointedly, “The person is already dead. For the sake of your elder cousin-uncle, you should have shown some leniency.”
Ren Fengjue remained unfazed. “If I had shown leniency for his sake, I fear the wronged soul would find no peace in the afterlife.”
Upon hearing this, Ren Xuan clearly hesitated, his words catching in his throat.
“Fine. Since the matter is settled, I won’t say more.”
“However, this incident was a heavy blow to your cousin-uncle. I hear he has fallen ill. If you have time, go visit him.”
Ren Fengjue gave a perfunctory response before shifting the topic. “I heard from the servant just now that an honored guest is visiting and is currently with Mother. Who might that be?”
At those words, Ren Xuan’s tense expression gradually softened. A rare smile touched his lips as he said, “It is your betrothed, the daughter of General Xia-Ximo.”
“…”
Ren Fengjue looked on in disbelief. “Xia Ximo?”
“Yes.”
Ren Xuan wasn’t surprised by his son’s reaction. He simply added, “Some misfortunes occurred at her maternal uncle’s home, so she only arrived in the capital yesterday.”
“Your mother intends to have her stay at the Marquis Mansion for a while to see if we can arrange your wedding after the spring thaw next year.”
“…”
Ren Fengjue fell into another silence before finally asking, “Father, did you say she only arrived in the capital yesterday?”