chapter 10

Silence intertwined with the night.

The figure by the window remained motionless, speaking in a low voice: “Go back.”

My heart tightened. Anxiously, I clung to the window. “Husband, just let me have a look, just one look.”

A low curse sounded from inside. Duan Jing pressed his voice down: “Go to sleep.”

Even more suspicious. He must be hiding something from me-could he be ill?

Tears welled up in my eyes from worry. Ignoring Duan Jing’s wishes, I pushed open the front door and rushed inside.

The deep summer night was usually cool, especially after the rain a few days ago, but at this moment, the room was stiflingly hot, with a faint, indescribable scent lingering in the air.

I couldn’t say what it was-not pleasant, but not unpleasant either.

I looked toward the soft couch by the window. Duan Jing’s robe was half open, revealing his strong chest.

He had one leg propped on the couch, his left arm loosely draped over his knee, his right hand hidden beneath the wide robe. His head hung low, his whole demeanor exuding a lazy, decadent air.

Perhaps it was because he was ill, but a rosy flush tinged his skin, like glaze seeping subtly beneath white porcelain-reserved and hazy.

He leaned lazily near the small table. Hearing me enter, his cool gaze lifted slightly, the corners of his eyes tinged red. Once he fixed his eyes on me, he didn’t move.

Tonight, my Husband was breathtakingly beautiful, so much so that my heartbeat grew even more chaotic.

“Come here.” When he spoke, his voice was hoarse.

I hesitated for a moment. Just a fleeting glance, and in that split second, I suddenly understood. With a startled cry, I turned to flee.

I had barely taken a few steps before Duan Jing caught me and pulled me to his side, ignoring my panicked struggles. “Worried about me?”

My mind turned to mush in an instant, my face flushing red. “You… as long as you’re all right…”

If he’s fine, then I’m the one in trouble!

Duan Jing laughed, his tone sinister: “How did your aunt know I was sick? Look carefully-am I ill?”

I shut my eyes, trembling, my voice on the verge of tears: “Not sick… Husband is perfectly healthy, I’m the one who’s sick… I’m the one who’s sick…”

“Tch…” Duan Jing sneered, suddenly pulling down the bed curtains. The space became cramped, the air thick with ambiguity. Soon, the bed drapes swayed, the bangles on my wrist clinking in the boundless moonlight, spring passion in full bloom.

Duan Jing asked, “Where’s the fish I gave you the other day?”

I answered in a breathless whisper, “It’s… in the courtyard…”

He spoke unhurriedly, “Good, be obedient. Husband will teach you how to keep it.”

“I don’t want to!” I used to like them-the lively tails, poking about in the water, so bright and pretty. But now, just hearing about fish made me blush to the roots, let alone touch them.

Who could have guessed the Male Fox Immortal could be so cunning, coaxing me into confusion just to get his way.

Afterwards, Duan Jing, for once, softened. After helping me wash my hands, he opened the osmanthus balm and gently applied it, sighing, “Why are you so delicate? Look at you, all red like this, my poor little thing.”

Angry, I bit Duan Jing’s wrist, wanting him to let go. He didn’t budge, his mood excellent, indulging my every whim.

Late at night, a refreshing breeze drifted in through the open window, gradually dissipating the heat inside. Feeling chilly, I curled up in Duan Jing’s arms, nodding off with sleepiness.

He patted me. “Go back to sleep.”

Rubbing my drowsy eyes, I asked, “Aren’t you sleepy?”

Duan Jing replied, “I’ll sleep in the study from now on.”

“Why?”

Duan Jing narrowed his eyes, leaning in to whisper by my ear: “A wolf doesn’t know how delicious meat is until it’s tasted it. But once it has…”

Amid Duan Jing’s laughter, I shrank my head and fled the room in panic…

The day of the Imperial Examination drew closer and closer.

I was even more nervous than Duan Jing, dazing off at the stove every day, burning the rice several times.

Lord Duan sent people to check on us repeatedly, but they were all turned away. Madam Duan, on the other hand, was quiet, rumored to be busy finding people to help the Second Young Master build up his strength, and even inviting a renowned scholar to tutor him.

On the day of the Imperial Examination, I personally tied the belt I’d spent several nights making around Duan Jing’s waist, looking at him with longing. “When will you be back?”

Duan Jing pulled me into his arms, ruffling my hair. “Very soon.”

The exam lasted several days. Every day, I sat on my mat, listening to Madam Duan praise the Second Young Master’s intelligence and vast learning, and how he had received personal instruction from the former Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor-surely he would win great honors.

I exhausted myself with worry, unable to eat. Chunsheng said I was visibly thinner, but as I counted the days, with Duan Jing about to be released, I finally had something to look forward to.

Chunsheng often felt Duan Jing was treated unfairly. I would comfort him: “Everyone has their own fate. Since Jiming is willing to work hard, no matter what rank he achieves in the future, I’ll be content. If you compare yourself to others every day, whether they live well or not, it will become a lock on your heart. With such a narrow view, how can you live your days in peace?”
Who could have known that instead of Duan Jing coming out, people from Duan Mansion arrived.

When I heard the news, I accidentally kicked over a bucket of water. Ignoring Chunsheng calling after me to slow down, I lifted my skirt and hurried toward the Main Hall.

Three figures stood in the hall. My eyes grew moist, and with a sore nose I called out, “Parents…”

They turned around, deep wrinkles etched with joy.

My mother cried out in delight, rushing over and embracing me tightly. “My precious child… Mother missed you so much…”

As she spoke, she began to weep.

My father wiped his tears, standing where he was, not coming forward.

I had been in the Capital City for half a month, yet my Parents had aged so much. Leaning into my mother’s arms, my eyes blurred with tears. “Why have you come? Where is my younger brother?”

At my words, my mother’s sobs grew louder, patting my back. “He’s at home, it’s not convenient for him to come.”

My heart was full of excitement, and only then did I notice several distant relatives of Duan Mansion were also present. I hurriedly paid my respects and shielded my Parents behind me. “The elders have just arrived in the Capital City… Tomorrow I will find them a place to stay in town…”

Madam Duan covered her lips and laughed softly. “No need. Since we are in-laws, they should stay at Duan Mansion.”

“But I am not yet married-”

“Alright, alright, our in-laws are so kind-hearted. With Wanyi marrying in, we must have burned incense for such good fortune!” My father interrupted my refusal.

At his words, the room filled with low laughter.

I pressed my lips together, thanked Madam Duan, and led my Parents out of the hall.

Chunsheng waited outside, looking troubled. He whispered to me, “Master and Madam’s room has been arranged in the eastern wing, facing the street…”

The wing rooms are where the servants live.

When Duan Jing first chose a room for me, he saw me standing in front of the wing rooms and even ordered Chunsheng to drag me back, scolding me sternly.

Chunsheng was quite indignant. “When Young Master Duan returns, let’s see how he deals with these people who look down on others!”

My Parents didn’t notice anything, marveling at the grandeur of Duan Mansion along the way, sighing that I was destined for wealth, having soared to the top.

I shook my head at Chunsheng, signaling him not to tell Duan Jing.

“I will find a place to take them out as soon as possible…”

Since coming to the Capital City, I had secretly done some work and saved a little money. Duan Jing thought I did it for amusement and sometimes even snatched my embroidery to keep for himself. Over time, I had a small savings, enough to find a comfortable inn in the city.

Not yet married, everything must follow proper rules.

I followed behind my Parents. As long as they were happy, I was happy.

Chunsheng also smiled. “It’s rare to have Parents who care so much for their daughter, traveling thousands of miles to see her. Miss, you are truly fortunate. When our Young Master Duan starts his own family, we will welcome Master and Madam with great honor.”

I smiled, my heart melting like spring water, feeling as if life finally held hope.

When we reached the room, I helped my Parents settle in, and my mother pulled me to sit down.

She carefully touched my hands, her face full of envy. “That Young Master Duan truly cherishes you. Your hands have become so fair and delicate-it’s the life of a Young Mistress…”

My father looked around, pacing back and forth in the room.

Thinking of my younger brother, I asked how he was after marriage, feeling a bit regretful I hadn’t witnessed his wedding.

Mother didn’t answer, instead glancing several times at my bracelet. “Wanyi, this bracelet… it’s a fine thing, isn’t it?”

My face flushed. “Jiming-uh, the Eldest Young Master gave it to me-”

That day, after he wiped my hands, he solemnly took a bracelet from a small box and put it on me.

I knew the bracelet was precious and didn’t dare take it off, so I wore it every day.

“Mother has never worn a bracelet in her life. Let me try it on?”

I was stunned, hesitated for a moment, and then my wrist was grabbed and the bracelet pulled off.

“Mother, this-”

Instinctively, I tried to take it back, but my hand was slapped hard, leaving a large red mark on my pale skin.

I endured the pain and said, “The Eldest Young Master gave it to me. I can’t take it off…”

This was Madam Duan’s keepsake, and also Duan Jing’s unique betrothal gift. In my eyes, it was worth more than gold.

My mother glared at me. “You’re already going to be a Young Mistress, what’s a bit of silver? You ungrateful child, what’s wrong with giving something good to your family?”

I held onto my mother’s wrist, pleading softly, “I have money, anything else is fine, but please let me keep this bracelet…”

My father wandered over to my mother’s side. “Wanyi, the family is short on money right now. How much is your little bit of silver worth?”

I grew anxious at once. “How could we be short on money? What about the two thousand taels from Duan Mansion?”

My Parents exchanged glances, their eyes evasive. “Wh-what two thousand taels? You silly girl, how much are you worth? Even when your brother got married, it was us old folks who sold everything to scrape together the bride price.”
It felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on my heart; the joy I had just felt was slowly washed away by disappointment. I bit my lip, holding back my grievances, and asked, “Parents, why did you come to the Capital City? What is it really for?”

Mother coughed lightly, and after a long pause, suddenly said, “We won’t hide it from you anymore. Your sister-in-law wants to move to a bigger house, otherwise she threatens to split the family. Even if we squeeze out all our blood, we can’t afford it. Your brother has been blinded by lard, following his wife in her nonsense. Your father and I… we have no other way, so we came to ask you for some money.”

My heart was blocked, and I couldn’t speak for a long time. The flame of joy was doused completely by a bucket of cold water.

Mother gripped my hand, “Wanyi, you are the most promising in our family. If you don’t help your brother, no one will.”

I pondered for a long time and said, “Then I’ll go get the money.”

My Parents were overjoyed and agreed repeatedly.

“Can you give me back the bracelet first?”

Mother clutched the bracelet and shrank back, “No, the more the better!”

“Mother!” I trembled with anger, “This belongs to the Eldest Young Master!”

“Would he really argue with his mother-in-law over this?”

Father suddenly interjected, “How much do you have?”

I lowered my head, steadying my emotions, “Twenty taels.”

“Twenty taels?” Both of them raised their voices, “How can you be so shameless to offer that!”

I took a deep breath, “That’s all my savings…”

“What about the Eldest Young Master? What about your Husband? Go ask him for money!” My father paced anxiously, hands behind his back.

I shot up from my seat, furious, my eyes reddening, “He is him, I am me. Our family lacks money, what does that have to do with him?”

My father’s old eyes widened, “If you serve him well, why wouldn’t he give you money?”

That was the most humiliating thing I had ever heard in my life.

That night, Duan Jing’s burning passion, his wildness, and the gentle way he put the bracelet on my wrist afterward-clearly, it was love deepening, water flowing naturally. But with my father’s words, my defenses collapsed, as if I had truly become a filthy, lowly woman who seduced men for money.

My mind went blank in an instant, and I was speechless.

Lowering my head, I used all my strength to pull at Mother’s wrist, trying to snatch the bracelet back.

She struggled with me, screaming, “Unfilial daughter! Worthless! How dare you lay hands on your mother!”

My voice was choked with tears, “Give me the bracelet, I’ll give you all twenty taels… Don’t fight me… Don’t fight me…”

A slip, crack!

The crisp sound of shattering accompanied the bracelet falling to the ground, echoing through the room.

The scene froze. My mother stared blankly at the fragments on the floor, then, in a fit of rage, slapped me hard across the face.

I was stunned, my ear and cheek burning in one continuous patch. Uncontrollable trembling followed, and when I tried to wipe my tears, my hand missed my face.

Chunsheng was waiting outside the door and called out.

Afraid he would witness my humiliation, I ran out without looking back.

I bumped into countless servants along the way, rushed into Duan Jing’s small courtyard, locked myself in the kitchen, and wailed.

Life was clearly getting better day by day, and I wanted to treat someone wholeheartedly. But when I turned around, I saw three faces that were never satisfied.

Blood ties that can’t be severed, debts that can’t be escaped, just waiting for the day when they’ve sucked me dry and scraped my bones clean.

Chunsheng knocked on the door a few times, then fell silent.

I stayed in the room for a long time. When my tears had dried, I slowly stood up from the haystack, wiped my face, and prepared to cook.

Suddenly, Chunsheng knocked urgently, “Miss! The Eldest Young Master and the others are back!”

I froze, dazed for a moment. Had Duan Jing returned?

Then someone knocked on the door, “Zhang Wanyi, don’t hide in there without a sound. Are you cooking a private meal?”

Duan Jing’s voice was bold and carefree, easily piercing the night.

Step by step, I walked forward, gently lifted the latch, and the door was kicked open from the outside with a bang.

Gentle moonlight poured in, a soft breeze drifted by, and I instantly collided with a solid, warm chest.

Duan Jing hugged me tightly, his hands wildly mussing my hair, “Zhang Wanyi, I’m back.”