Chapter Twenty-Three: The Process of Moving into the Jia Mansion (Part One)

Zijuan had no idea what was going on and simply followed Daiyu’s instructions without overthinking, promptly turning to look for the medicine.

Daiyu’s eyes were brimming with tears as she gently massaged Shi Yi’s wrist. “Does it hurt terribly, Brother Yi?”

This was the first time Shi Yi could observe her from so close. Her hair was done up in a lily-parted style, adorned with a delicate white pearl hairpin and two pale pink flower ornaments, one on each side. Her fair earlobes dangled a pair of white jade pendants.

A warm feeling welled up inside him, and he smiled as he replied, “You mustn’t blame yourself, little sister. It’s just a small injury. A few days of medicinal wine will do the trick.”

Jinchuan, feigning a knowing smile, tactfully slipped out of the room to keep watch in the courtyard.

Zijuan brought over a handkerchief. “Miss, the bruise-relieving ointment still needs to be melted in the pharmacy before it can be applied. I’m afraid Master Yi will have to wait a while longer—why not first use the medicinal wine and wrap it with a handkerchief?”

Shi Yi hurriedly waved his hand. “No need for all that trouble. Just dab some medicinal wine and wrap it up at random. If word of this gets out, tongues will wag, and peace will be lost. Besides, it’s so cold outside, I doubt I could wait that long.”

With that, he deliberately cast a glance at Daiyu.

Daiyu took the handkerchief, folding it carefully as she tended to his wound.

She then whispered softly, “Brother Yi, why not come inside and wait?” As she spoke, a blush crept from her cheeks to her ears.

Zijuan exclaimed, “Miss, you mustn’t—Master Yi is a man!”

“But...” Daiyu’s face was flushed, and she hesitated, glancing at Shi Yi.

Clearly, she wasn’t bold enough yet.

Shi Yi frowned in thought, then said, “Miss Zijuan is right. How could a girl’s chamber allow a man to enter so easily? Don’t worry about me, little sister. It’s just a minor injury; I’ll be fine in a few days.”

As he finished, he suddenly pulled his hand back and purposely swung it toward the window ledge.

“Oh no!”

“Brother Yi!”

Their voices overlapped, and Shi Yi broke out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Daiyu anxiously grabbed his hand to check the injury, momentarily forgetting all concerns about propriety.

She examined the wound in a panic, only to find his hand now severely swollen and red.

Zijuan, alarmed, quickly fetched more medicinal wine and another handkerchief. Daiyu carefully bound his hand, tying it gently.

Then she stood there, heartbroken and in tears. Twice in less than a quarter of an hour he’d been injured, both times because of her.

Shi Yi, seeing her distress, felt a pang of guilt.

He sighed. “Little sister, this is all my fault. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come today and caused you such sorrow. I’ll leave now.”

With that, he prepared to go.

“Brother Yi, the medicine hasn’t been applied yet—where are you going?” Daiyu wiped her eyes and hurriedly grabbed his hand. Realizing her impropriety, she let go at once, her cheeks burning as she lowered her gaze. “You’d best come inside and wait. It’s so cold out, and if your injury worsens, it’ll be terrible.”

Shi Yi was secretly pleased but hesitated aloud, “Little sister, I am a man—wouldn’t it be improper to enter your room?”

“You’re only coming in to have your wound dressed... what harm is there in that?” Her voice grew fainter and fainter, until it was barely audible, and her face burned as she turned away, twisting the handkerchief in her hands.

Zijuan looked worriedly at her mistress. “Miss...”

Just then, Jinchuan hurried over. “Master Yi, something’s wrong—someone’s coming through the walkway.”

“Master Yi, you’d better come inside quickly!” Zijuan rushed out. “Hide inside, and don’t let anyone see you.”

“Hurry inside, sir! I’ll go see who it is,” Jinchuan said, reading his intentions and quickly pushing him into the house.

She had barely left the portico when she saw Wang Xifeng and her maid Ping’er approaching from the broad north-south path.

Jinchuan hastened forward and bowed. “Greetings, Second Madam Lian!”

Madam Feng paused, eyed her suspiciously, and asked, “What are you doing here?”

Jinchuan replied with her head lowered, “Mistress sent me to ask if Miss Lin needs anything.”

Seeing Jinchuan’s nervous demeanor, Madam Feng arched an eyebrow and gave a sly smile, “You’re growing bold—daring to lie even to me! Are you planning to tell stories to the mistress as well tomorrow?”

Frightened, Jinchuan dropped to her knees, trembling, “Please show mercy, Madam... It’s Master Yi...”

She abruptly stopped herself.

Madam Feng’s powdered face froze for a moment. She glanced toward the portico and instantly guessed the truth. She glared furiously at Jinchuan. “You girls will be the ruin of these young men! If anything comes of this, you’ll pay dearly for it.”

With that, she gracefully walked toward the portico.

Back inside, Shi Yi scratched his head and went straight into the inner room. Daiyu stood daintily beneath the window, shyly bowing.

Shi Yi returned the salute with proper decorum, pretending to appraise the room’s furnishings in wonder. “Little sister’s room is truly imbued with the fragrance of books—no perfume at all, only the scent of ink.”

He spotted some sheets of calligraphy on the desk and reached out to pick one up.

“You mustn’t look!” Daiyu hurried over to shield them. “Brother, you should have your wound tended first!”

Flustered, she anxiously asked Zijuan if the medicine was ready.

Zijuan smiled, “Miss, I just sent Xueyan to fetch it from the pharmacy. It’ll be a while yet.”

Shi Yi withdrew his hand, smiling. “Little sister, I promise my hand is fine. It hurt at first, but look—it’s much better now.”

He wiggled his fingers for her to see.

Seeing his unaffected demeanor, Daiyu was doubtful. “Are you sure, Brother Yi?”

He replied, “I’m really fine, little sister. Look, I can still lift things!” Saying so, he walked to the corner and, with one hand, hoisted the washstand.

“But, Brother, just now you were in such pain...” Daiyu said worriedly.

Shi Yi’s eyes twinkled as he explained, “That’s only natural. It’s like being pricked by a needle—it stings at first, but passes quickly.”

Zijuan rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, Miss. Master Yi has the constitution of an ox.”

Shi Yi rubbed his nose, and, to divert attention, reached again for the books stacked on the right side of the desk.

Daiyu noticed and quickly stepped over to guard them. “Even if there’s no medicine, you still can’t look.”

Shi Yi grinned sheepishly, “I’m only curious what books you like to read. Since you won’t let me see, I won’t.”

Daiyu blushed. “It’s nothing—just some collections of poetry and classics, and... a few things I wrote myself.”

Shi Yi looked surprised. “You’ve read so many books. Why not pick two for me? I could take them home and broaden my mind.”

Daiyu smiled gently, tidied up the scattered books, and selected one.

“Brother Yi, perhaps you could read this.” She handed it to him.

Shi Yi took it with a puzzled look. “‘Introduction to Tones and Rhymes’?”

His face fell. “Little sister, isn’t this a primer for children?”

Suppressing a laugh, Zijuan turned away.

Daiyu’s expression was earnest. “If you want to improve your poetry, you mustn’t neglect the basics.”

Shi Yi nodded and smiled, accepting the book. Since Daiyu had chosen it, he would take it, whether he liked it or not.

“Cousin Lin, I’ll bring you a book too, so we can exchange.”

Daiyu giggled. “Just don’t bring a military treatise. I wouldn’t understand a word of it, nor would I want to.”