Chapter 32: First Steps into the Yun Residence—Testing the Depths

The Marquis of Lixin’s residence was situated at the northern edge of Yanlan City, mirroring the Prince Mu’s mansion to the south. These two estates stood as the most imposing and distinguished places in the city.

Countless legends surrounded the Marquis of Lixin’s household. Aside from the deep friendship between the Yun family’s ancestors and the founding emperor and empress of Great Xi, the most enduring tales spoke of the Yun clan’s boundless wealth and the beauty that flourished within its walls.

Among the people of Great Xi, a saying once circulated: “To judge wealth and beauty, look not at the master, but at the maid.” This spoke to the prosperity of the Yun family and the allure of the maids who served there. In other words, the Marquis of Lixin’s residence lacked neither riches nor lovely women.

Yun Ci had spoken truly—within Fangzhou, the Yun residence’s maids were more favored by eligible men than many daughters of noble families.

Yet, could such a legendary and lofty household truly contain someone like herself? Even as she sat in the carriage bound for the Yun residence, Chu Xiu could hardly believe it, feeling as if the half-year since meeting Yun Ci had passed like a dream.

Her nerves remained taut throughout the journey. When she finally arrived, hoping for some sense of stability, she was struck breathless by the sight before she even entered the gates of the Marquis of Lixin’s residence—awestruck and amazed.

The mansion before her, though situated amidst the bustling city, was surrounded by deep, imposing walls, solemn and unmoving, stretching beyond the eye’s reach. The main gate, five sections wide and adorned with red lacquer and beast heads, was intricately carved with lifelike bats—bats flying, beasts standing—a motif symbolizing “long-lasting fortune and longevity.”

Above the gate hung a wooden plaque, boldly inscribed with two large characters: “Yun Residence.” The plaque gazed down upon two massive stone lions, exuding an ancient majesty that rivaled imperial palaces.

Chu Xiu stood frozen on the spot, unable to recover for a long time. Had it not been for Danxin’s lively call—“Chu Xiu!”—she might have lingered in awe before those gates indefinitely.

“Stunned, are you?” Danxin hurried out from a side entrance, grabbed Chu Xiu’s sleeve with a bright smile, and exclaimed, “I missed you so much! You’re finally here!”

Reunited with an old friend, and especially one as clever as Danxin, Chu Xiu’s joy was boundless. Yun Ci, watching, could only smile helplessly, scolding Danxin with amusement: “You girl, are you planning to stand here and weep? Quickly, take Chu Xiu inside.”

Danxin snapped out of her excitement, nodded energetically, and linked arms with Chu Xiu, leading her inside, leaving her mistress behind. Chu Xiu glanced back, saw Yun Ci nodding gently at the main gate, and finally relaxed, following Danxin onward.

Every five steps brought a pavilion, every ten a hall, winding corridors and soaring eaves. Everywhere Chu Xiu looked, she saw the sheen of marble and the glitter of glazed tiles—she truly understood the meaning of “luxury.”

Yet, beneath the luxury lay gravity and depth.

The vast main courtyard’s grand hall faced east, spanning three sections wide and seven beams deep. Along the central axis were the screen wall, gatehouse, front garden, main hall, rear garden… The brickwork and carvings of the pavilions were ornate and splendid; each garden bloomed with clustered flowers and endless greenery, leaving newcomers dazzled.

And this was only the outer court.

Chu Xiu did not know how long she wandered through this maze, meeting several servants and maids along the way, all polite to Danxin. Passing through a hanging flower arch and winding into a covered corridor, they finally entered the inner court.

The spectacle of the main entrance was not yet fully appreciated, but beyond the corridor lay another world.

This spacious courtyard was simply decorated, its colors subdued, filled with trees but not flowers—a retreat of simplicity amid grandeur, a quiet haven amid bustle.

Furthermore, this courtyard had no thresholds; the ground was paved with unknown tiles, forming a gentle slope.

Chu Xiu stood outside, gazing inward, her eyes landing on the three gold-painted characters above the arched gate: “Zhi Yan Pavilion.”

The calligraphy was in slender gold script, elegant and spirited. With just one glance, Chu Xiu knew whose residence this was.

“No need for me to say—you already know whose garden this is, don’t you?” Danxin, unable to contain herself any longer, laughed: “Now that you’re on your own turf, there’s no need for so many formalities. The mistress has made all arrangements—just follow me inside.”

With that, Danxin turned briskly, nearly running. Chu Xiu hurried after, crossing several courtyards before entering a small, unnamed residence still within Zhi Yan Pavilion.

Danxin stopped, opened one of the rooms, and said, “From now on, this will be your home. Everyone here serves the mistress—you, me, and Sister Qianyun are the principal maids, each with our own room. The other junior maids share rooms, two to each.”

“Don’t let it overwhelm you—the mistress’s maids are the fewest. In Second Master’s and Third Master’s gardens—especially Second Master’s—the maids are everywhere, each one a beauty, though none can compare to you.” Danxin muttered for a while before noticing Chu Xiu’s amused expression.

“Everywhere?” Chu Xiu mouthed the words, not quite understanding.

“You don’t know what ‘everywhere’ means? Are you clever or clueless!” Danxin bit her lip and explained, “It means ‘no end to them!’”

Chu Xiu suddenly understood.

Danxin huffed, mildly chiding Chu Xiu for her lack of experience. Then she remembered something and exclaimed, “Where was I? Right, the maids in Second Master’s garden… Well, besides the mistress, there are two proper gentlemen here: Second Master Yun Qi and Third Master Yun Xian. Remember that.”

Yun Qi and Yun Xian—the names were easy enough to recall. Chu Xiu nodded.

“The mistress, of course, is the eldest son, born of the Grand Lady; Second Master Yun Qi is the child of the second concubine, a year younger than the mistress; Third Master Yun Xian is from the third concubine, two years younger; there’s also a fourth concubine, young and beautiful, but with no children.” Danxin patiently explained.

Chu Xiu had heard rumors before—though the Yun clan had lasted centuries, the main bloodline was never prolific, largely because the Yun family produced so many devoted souls. This trait was evident in the legend of their ancestor and the founding empress Nie Weining.

With such a passionate ancestor, it seemed all Yun descendants bore that same devotion. No wonder the old Marquis, despite his status, left only three sons.

Chu Xiu wondered quietly which of the four widows was truly the old Marquis’s beloved—perhaps the youthful and elegant fourth concubine?

Lost in thought, Chu Xiu was startled by a flick to the forehead. Danxin glared at her with sparkling eyes, scolding, “Daydreaming again! The mistress was right—your mind always wanders! I wonder why he dotes on you so.”

Before Chu Xiu could respond, a sharp voice interrupted, “Danxin! You’re talking too much!”

Chu Xiu turned, seeing a dignified, serene woman at the entrance, stepping in gracefully. Her brows were light as mist, exuding a quiet elegance—it was Qianyun, with whom Chu Xiu had once crossed paths.

Qianyun and Danxin—the two principal maids at Yun Ci’s side.

It had been half a year since Chu Xiu last saw Qianyun. Now, Qianyun seemed more distant, colder—though perhaps it was only Chu Xiu’s impression.

The thought passed quickly; Chu Xiu bowed in greeting. Qianyun returned the gesture, then turned to Danxin, continuing her admonition, “The mistress instructed you to acquaint Chu Xiu with the household, not chatter idly.”

Danxin, seemingly afraid of Qianyun, stuck out her tongue and dared not speak further.

Qianyun passed by Chu Xiu without a word, heading straight into her own room.

Chu Xiu, surprised by Qianyun’s behavior, gestured to Danxin, wondering if she had somehow offended her.

“Don’t worry, that’s just how Sister Qianyun is,” Danxin whispered. “She served the Grand Lady, and her temperament is the same. Later, she was assigned to the mistress, since the Grand Lady saw how much he liked her quiet ways.”

With that, Danxin laughed behind her hand, “Now that you’re here, Sister Qianyun’s silence will be outmatched!”

Chu Xiu was used to Danxin’s unpredictable remarks and took no offense. Danxin then introduced the household’s rules and taboos, which Chu Xiu carefully memorized.

“All right, some things can’t be explained in a day—you’ll learn them in time.” Danxin glanced around, lowered her voice, and warned, “The mistress wants you to serve in the inner garden, so don’t wander out of Zhi Yan Pavilion. Especially never step into Second Master’s ‘Golden Dew Hall’—don’t ever go in by mistake!”

Chu Xiu, not foolish, saw Danxin’s seriousness and understood that Second Master Yun Qi was not someone to trifle with. She nodded solemnly.

After three months apart, the two friends caught up, with Danxin doing most of the talking and Chu Xiu listening. After half an hour, Zhu Ying came to summon her, “Miss Chu Xiu, the mistress is waiting for you in the study.”

“The study again!” Danxin glanced sympathetically at Chu Xiu. “Qianyun used to serve exclusively in the study, and I used to think she had the easiest job. But after you hurt your shoulder in East Garden and I served for ten days, I realized it was no easy task.”

She patted Chu Xiu’s shoulder, gloating, “The mistress seeks a kindred spirit, and now he cherishes you for your talent. Don’t waste this opportunity—learn all you can!”

Danxin laughed and pushed Chu Xiu toward the door, “Go on, don’t keep the mistress waiting!”

Chu Xiu could only smile helplessly, but dared not linger, leaving with Zhu Ying. As soon as she stepped out, she encountered Steward Yun Zhong, who greeted her, “Miss Chu Xiu, it’s been a long time.”

Indeed, it had been a while—their last meeting was at Zhuihong Garden in Jingzhou. Chu Xiu smiled and bowed, knowing Yun Zhong understood her inability to speak and would not find her rude.

He accepted her gesture, but said, “No need, no need—you are one of the Marquis’s own.”

Chu Xiu recognized the words as mere courtesy and simply smiled, waiting for his instructions.

Zhu Ying spoke first, “Uncle Zhong, what brings you here?”

Yun Zhong did not beat around the bush, stating his purpose directly, “The Grand Lady heard there was a newcomer in Zhi Yan Pavilion, brought back by the Marquis himself from Jingzhou, and wishes to meet her.”