Chapter 5
"Young Master, perhaps this servant should knock on the door one more time."
Qiao Hezhi let out a soft breath, which turned into a white mist in the cold air. "Let's wait a little longer. Mother-in-law should be waking up soon."
The wind at the entrance was strong and cold. It wasn't that he didn't want to knock again, but he had tried that before. An elderly maid had come out and scolded him, saying the Old Madam, being of advanced age, slept late at night and only slept well in the early morning. His repeated knocking had disturbed the Old Madam's sweet dreams, and the result was that he was punished by having to stand for another half a shichen.
Although his body was stiff and cold now, fortunately he had rested well last night and was still in tolerable spirits.
Just as he was about to rub his hands together to warm up a bit, he heard the sound of steady footsteps approaching, followed by a question: "Why have you come so early?"
Qiao Hezhi looked over. Seeing that it was Fang Yu who had arrived, a faint, almost imperceptible light seemed to brighten within him. He turned slightly sideways. "I came to pay my respects to Mother-in-law."
Fang Yu stepped up under the eaves and saw that even the tip of Qiao Hezhi's nose and the edges of his ears were red from the cold. He frowned.
"You are still suffering from a cold."
"The physician said the illness likely isn't contagious."
"That's not what I meant." Fang Yu looked at the honest and simple-minded Qiao Hezhi and sighed. "Your body was already weak to begin with. Now, coming here to blow in the cold wind so early in the morning will only slow your recovery. No need to pay respect for today. Go back and rest."
"This..." Qiao Hezhi was inwardly astonished. In the past, it wasn't that he hadn't encountered Fang Yu when coming to pay respects, but that man would usually just hurry inside without asking a single extra question. Today, he actually told him to go back and rest. He wasn't sure if the man was just being polite or genuinely wanted him to go back first.
He glanced towards the room, still feeling apprehensive. He had long wanted to return to his room after standing stiff and cold outside, but he was ultimately afraid of how his mother-in-law might react, worried about what faults she might fabricate against him next. "I expect Mother-in-law will be up soon. I should still go in with the master."
"Go back and rest. Look at you, you're freezing cold, I can feel the chill even through your clothes." Fang Yu raised his eyebrows, took Qiao Hezhi's wrist, and stuffed the tangpozi he was carrying into Qiao Hezhi's arms. "Don't worry. I will explain everything to Mother later. Just focus on recovering your health."
"Siyu, help your young master back. Remember to have him soak his hands and feet in hot water."
Clutching the tangpozi given by Fang Yu, Qiao Hezhi was supported by Siyu and left Changshou Hall. He was in a daze the entire way back, his mind a whirl of confusion. It was only when the heat from the tangpozi began to sting his palms that he finally released it, murmuring to himself in a low, bewildered voice, "Just what has been going on with him these past two days..."
Fang Yu's concern for him was something he had always hoped for, but now that it seemed to be coming true, the saying "extreme joy begets sorrow" came to mind. He found himself feeling more uneasy than anything else. He was afraid that the Fang Yu of the last two days was like flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected in water, afraid that some greater scheme was waiting for him.
[鏡花水月 (jing hua shui yue): lit. flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected in water; fig. an illusion, something elusive and unattainable]
He remembered that before marrying into the Fang family, he hadn't met Fang Yu in person. His mother had only shown him a portrait. The person in the painting had a refined and handsome face, bearing the elegant air of a scholar. His father said he was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations at the county level at a young age. His family background was clean, with only an old mother. If he could marry into such a family, it might be a good match.
Qiao Hezhi was only sixteen this year, just the age for youthful romantic dreams. From his father and mother's words, he felt Fang Yu was like someone straight out of an opera. He had also entered the Fang family full of anticipation, hoping to be a good fulang and parent. He didn't expect overwhelming love from Fang Yu, but he prayed for a little affection and respect, hoping for a harmonious and smooth relationship between married couple.
But who could have known that when he arrived with his generous dowry, the husband he had anticipated would be dead drunk on their wedding night, muttering another person's name? On the very first day after the wedding, when he went to serve tea to his mother-in-law, he was informed that his husband wanted to take a concubine...
With a difficult mother-in-law and a neglectful husband, Qiao Hezhi's warm heart gradually cooled under the day-after-day harsh treatment.
"Young Master, the master is treating us well. Why does it seem like you're not very happy about it?"
Qiao Hezhi shook his head. "It's not that I'm unhappy. I'm afraid of being too happy and losing my sense of caution."
"Young Master..." Siyu slowly untied Qiao Hezhi's cloak. Accompanying him every day, she largely understood what her young master was thinking and tried to comfort him. "Young Master, you are well-read and polite, no less than any official's son. What young gentleman wouldn't be moved after seeing you? Surely, after some time has passed, the master has also discovered your virtues. He must be trying to build a good relationship with you."
Qiao Hezhi rubbed his fingers and glanced at Siyu with a mix of belief and doubt. "Really?"
"Before the young master was married, so many people praised you for being beautiful and intelligent. The master isn't deaf or blind. He was just unfamiliar with you before. Now that he's more familiar, isn't he showing you more care and concern?"
Qiao Hezhi pinched the corner of his clothes. He hoped Siyu's explanation was correct. "If he treats me well, then I should treat him well in return." A slight smile broke through, lightening his mood a little. He pulled Siyu and said, "It's still early now. Quickly send a servant to the meat market to buy some lamb ribs. If we go late, the good quality meat will be picked over."
"Young Master wants to eat mutton today?"
"I haven't cooked in a long time. Today is the Winter Solstice, a good day to make some grilled mutton." He had been planning this since last night. He said softly, "Besides... I noticed yesterday that he seemed to like eating mutton."
Upon hearing this, Siyu immediately understood. "This servant will go to the meat market personally. I'll definitely buy the best lamb ribs."
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