The smile at the corner of Shen Xiabai's lips froze, and the warmth in his eyes vanished. He turned his head slowly, his gaze landing on Yu Feng, who could barely stand steady.
Yu Feng sheepishly rubbed his nose.
"If you're sleepy, go back to bed and sleep. Don't spout nonsense."
The next day, before dawn had even broken.
Shen Xiabai kept his eyes closed, arms spread wide, as a servant dressed him and fastened his belt.
Once everything was in order, he lowered his head to glance at his attire and spoke in a gentle voice, "The robe worn today is quite well done. Everyone gets a reward."
The servants were briefly stunned.
Wasn't it the same process every day, the same belt, the same way of tying it? What difference was there from any other day?
Perhaps there was a difference. Today's breakfast was especially to the master's liking. Today's wind was especially gentle. Even the weeds poking out from between the cracks in the stones earned a word of praise.
Everyone could tell — the master was in a good mood today. An exceptionally good mood. A very, very good one.
"Master." Yu Feng entered with a serious expression to report. "Lord Liu from the Ministry of Personnel has arrived. He's waiting in your study."
Shen Xiabai gave a faint acknowledgment, set down his mouth-rinsing teacup with deliberate slowness, dabbed the corner of his lips with a handkerchief, and rose to head for the study.
The sky had not fully brightened, and the study still had its lamps lit. The soft yellow lamplight stretched the silhouette of the waiting figure long across the room.
Shen Xiabai glanced over, paused mid-step, and furrowed his brows slightly.
The study door was pushed open, and Lord Liu, who had been waiting inside, immediately bowed in greeting.
Shen Xiabai gave a faint glance at the spot where he stood.
"Lord Liu, with such a portly figure, how could that spot possibly fit you?"
Lord Liu was still clutching a few sheets of paper in his hand, looking utterly baffled. "Just now a gust of wind blew your excellency's rice paper away, so I picked it up for you."
Shen Xiabai frowned but said nothing. Yu Feng quickly waved at him, gesturing for him to step out from between the cabinet and the desk.
The master already said you're too fat and it can't fit you — don't you understand?
"..." Lord Liu looked down at himself, then back at Shen Xiabai and Yu Feng.
He was a skinny, small old man. Where exactly was he portly? How could it not fit him?
He put the rice paper back in its place and quickly withdrew from the narrow gap.
His height was hardly impressive among men, and his shadow cast on the window paper might have looked like that of a woman. Shen Xiabai sat there, looking at his wrinkled old face, furrowed his brows, and turned his gaze away.
The disdain in his eyes could hardly have been more obvious.
Yu Feng felt embarrassed.
He knew full well that that particular spot must have reminded his master of something again. He was already used to it, because everywhere around the estate, there were countless places that stirred the master's longing for someone.
A gust of wind, a sneeze — all could be interpreted as Eldest Miss Cui thinking of him.
"Lord Liu, you've come at this hour to see the master. Is something the matter?"
Lord Liu immediately stepped forward a few paces, lowered his voice, and said with a frown, "It's about Young Master Shen."
"The official selection examinations begin the day after tomorrow. Originally... for a few of the important positions, the higher-ups had already reached a decision. But... yesterday I discovered that Young Master Shen quietly added Eldest Young Master Cui's name to the shortlist for the Ministry of War, and hinted to me in every possible way..."
Lord Liu cautiously observed Shen Xiabai's expression. "I was uncertain how to proceed, so I came to ask for your excellency's instructions."
That Shen Xiabai and the Cui and Tang families were at odds — which official in the court didn't know? That Shen Zilan had risen steadily in the Ministry of Personnel, climbing the ranks with ease, was entirely dependent on his reputation as Shen Xiabai's kin.
Now that such a change had occurred, Lord Liu naturally couldn't decide on his own.
Shen Xiabai sat there, one arm resting on the armrest, his fingertips tapping idly against the wood.
The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Yu Feng hadn't expected the young master to be so bold as to do such a thing behind their backs. If the emperor found out, it would be no small matter. He frowned and looked at Shen Xiabai. Lord Liu looked at him too.
After a long moment, Shen Xiabai finally spoke in a slow, unhurried tone. "Zilan is no longer young. He is the eldest legitimate grandson of the Shen family. One day, the entire Shen household will pass into his hands."
Hearing this, Lord Liu was briefly surprised, then quickly said, "This official understands."
"He has not yet delved deep into the court. Where there are improprieties, please, Lord Liu, keep a vigilant eye on him."
"Rest assured, your excellency. With your words, this official now knows exactly what to do."
Yu Feng escorted the man out, then returned to the study.
By the window, Shen Xiabai stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His silhouette carried a cold, sharp chill, and bore a trace of loneliness.
Yu Feng couldn't help but say, "Has the master truly... thought this through?"
Was he really going to let those people get what they wanted so easily?
Yu Feng felt somewhat unwilling. He remembered that day in the tavern when Prince An had pushed his master to the brink, forcing him into agony between two choices. And now, to agree so readily — wouldn't it let them gloat, thinking they had the master in their grip?
And Prime Minister Cui — would such matters not keep cropping up endlessly? Must his master forever be the one to yield?
Shen Xiabai withdrew his gaze and turned back to look at Yu Feng. His eyes were faint, his temperature near freezing. "Would you blame me?"
Yu Feng shook his head. "This subordinate only... feels it unfair for the master."
He only felt sympathy for his master. And yet, he knew all too well that for his master to find someone who truly understood him was no easy thing. If he let this slip away because of this, he would surely suffer for the rest of his days.
Shen Xiabai lowered his gaze and said nothing.
He found it hard to say aloud — that even when Prince An had pressed him that day, he had never once thought of giving her up. His first instinct had been pain, guilt, and the sense of failing his father and elder brother.
In truth, the answer had already been there in his heart. It had been clear, so clear that he had felt not a single thread of hesitation or doubt.
"I have said it before — all things wax and wane, and the official world is no different. There cannot be a father and son both holding supreme power."
Everything could be achieved through effort. He might refuse to agree, but that did not mean he could not find another way.
He only needed to ensure that Old Madam Cui and the Cui family would not fall. As for Prime Minister Cui — A-chu hadn't said a word about him.
Cui Yunchu woke with a throbbing headache. She clutched her head and shook it vigorously.
Ouch. Even worse.
After washing and changing, Xing'er brought over a hangover remedy and served it to Cui Yunchu.
Cui Yunchu smacked her lips and asked Xing'er, "Where's Yunfeng? How was she last night?"
"You still have room to worry about Second Miss?" Xing'er pulled a long face.
Cui Yunchu raised an eyebrow.
"Everything that happened last night — do you remember any of it, miss?"
Cui Yunchu frowned and began a long, difficult recollection. After a moment, she said, "The pipa that boy playing at the brothel played — it was quite lovely, indeed."
"Miss!"
Cui Yunchu giggled. "What happened in the end to the boy who was coaxing Yunfeng? Did Yunfeng buy him out of the brothel and take him back to Prince An's manor? Was Prince An furious enough to die?"
Xing'er shook her head. "You said your goodbyes to Princess An, and then Master Shen carried you off on his shoulder. As for whether Prince An was furious to death, and how Princess An fared after — this maid doesn't know either."
"..."
Cui Yunchu stared blankly at Xing'er, as if a thunderbolt had struck down onto her muddled head from above.
Xing'er widened her eyes. "Miss truly doesn't remember?"
"It's not... that I don't remember at all." Cui Yunchu let out two dry laughs.
Some hazy images seemed to slowly come into focus.
What she remembered most vividly was the old man saying he would buy her a horse.
But the horse she wanted and the horse the old man meant were not the same horse.
"Last night, miss and Lord Shen in the carriage... did this... and that... this... and that..." Xing'er wrapped her arms around herself, pouted, and spun in circles on the ground.
"Shen Xiabai, I like you." Xing'er squeezed out the words in a high-pitched voice, winking at Cui Yunchu. "Miss, do you still remember?"
"..."
"How did that old man even end up there?" Cui Yunchu jumped up, glaring at Xing'er and asking.
