While Yuwenzhang was attending the morning court session, Xie Zhixue stayed to look after Ping'an. Although Ping'an had fallen ill quite suddenly, he showed significant improvement after just two doses of medicine—a much faster recovery than he had ever experienced in the past.
Xie Zhixue, however, knew the reason. It was surely out of consideration for Yuwenzhang that the imperial physician who came last night had prescribed only the finest, top-tier medicinal ingredients for the boy. All things considered, apart from the occasional cough, Ping'an was full of energy.
With the boy recovering, Xie Zhixue could not simply idle away in the courtyard. Before Yuwenzhang returned from court, she went into the study to pack a box. The box was empty, but beside it lay a stack of scrolls. Xie Zhixue found them vaguely familiar; they looked like the portraits of potential consorts that Yuwenzhang had shown her before. Though she was curious, this was the Crown Prince’s private study, a place of great importance. Every object here was sensitive, and she could not afford to handle things carelessly. If any trouble arose later, she would be unable to distance herself from it.
Playing the part of the blind and deaf, Xie Zhixue focused solely on her packing, carefully and methodically stacking the scrolls into the box until they were neat and tidy. As she picked up the final one, her hand slipped, and the scroll unrolled on the floor. The woman in the painting was smiling brightly; Xie Zhixue took a closer look and realized it was Shen Wan'er. She froze, stunned by the coincidence.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and the voice of a young eunuch from the Crown Prince's Villa echoed from outside: "Miss Xie, if you have finished packing, please come out. His Highness the Crown Prince might be displeased if he returns to find someone inside."
Grateful for the eunuch’s kind reminder, Xie Zhixue quickly expressed her thanks, deftly rolled up the portrait, and tucked it away. She glanced around to ensure everything was in order before slipping out. Having finished the tasks Yuwenzhang had assigned and still worried about Ping'an, she hurried back to the small courtyard.
Meanwhile, after leaving the morning court, Yuwenzhang had his path blocked by Shen Tingbai, the heir to the Zhenyuan Marquis Estate.
"Your Highness, I have heard that the silk trees in your villa are in bloom," Shen Tingbai said. "I was hoping to pick some to use as medicine for my mother. Would Your Highness permit it?"
The Marchioness of Zhenyuan had always been in delicate health and required silk tree blossoms for her daily medicine. Yuwenzhang was well aware of this. Under normal circumstances, simply to win the favor of the Zhenyuan Marquis Estate, he would not have refused Shen Tingbai. But Xie Zhixue was currently residing in the villa. If it were discovered that she was still alive, the lies of the Xie Family would crumble, and both the Xie Family and Xie Zhixue would face death.
"Marquis Heir, there is a female guest staying at the villa, so it is not very convenient," Yuwenzhang refused flatly.
Shen Tingbai had no choice but to take a step back. "If Your Highness finds it inconvenient, perhaps you would allow my younger sister to take a maid and pick them instead?"
Yuwenzhang frowned. Why was Shen Tingbai so fixated on the silk trees in his villa? Still, having already refused once, the fact that Shen Tingbai was pressing the matter suggested the Marquis Estate must be running low on the blossoms. Faced with such persistence, Yuwenzhang found it difficult to decline again. Shen Tingbai’s own sister, Shen Wan'er, had been a close friend of Xie Zhixue. Even if she happened to run into her, she would likely keep the secret, which would actually help ensure Xie Zhixue’s safety.
Noticing Yuwenzhang’s hesitation, Shen Tingbai quickly added, "If Your Highness has concerns, I shall have my sister go alone."
Considering this, and seeing that Shen Tingbai truly seemed in urgent need of the medicine, Yuwenzhang finally relented. "Miss Shen is a lady of the Marquis Estate; I fear she is not accustomed to such labor. Bringing a maid or two is perfectly acceptable."
Shen Tingbai’s eyes lit up. He bowed and said, "Many thanks for Your Highness's grace."
Yuwenzhang waved his hand and turned to leave. He returned to the villa just in time for the midday meal. The moment he stepped inside, he caught the scent of food.
"Have we changed the cook at the villa?"
Facing Yuwenzhang’s inquiry, Zhang Youqing looked equally puzzled and shook his head. The cooks allowed to prepare food for Yuwenzhang at the villa were all vetted, highly skilled individuals with impeccable backgrounds. Such people were not easily replaced. Even though this was only a secondary residence, the provisions were strictly regulated. If no cook had left, it was impossible for a new one to be assigned. That was exactly why Yuwenzhang had asked. However, Zhang Youqing was certain that no cook had resigned, so no new one could have arrived.
Intrigued, Yuwenzhang followed the scent. When he stood outside the courtyard where Xie Zhixue lived, his expression darkened into a deep, unreadable gaze. Inside, Xie Zhixue and Ping'an were each holding a plate, chatting and laughing as they set them down on the stone table. There was no one else present, and Ping'an was just a child. Could it be that Xie Zhixue had made this herself?
Yuwenzhang frowned, his heart a storm of conflicting emotions. What exactly had Xie Zhixue endured during the three years he had been away? Not only had she failed to wait for him, but she had apparently had a child with some other man and was now reduced to the life of a commoner, cooking and cleaning for herself? Judging by her skill, she must have been doing this for a long time. The Xie Zhixue he once knew had been pampered and cherished by the Xie Family; she had never done such things before.
He wondered what the Xie family was thinking, to allow her to live in such hardship. Yuwenzhang felt a growing sense of dissatisfaction toward the Xie family, mixed with confusion. Even if she had lost her reputation, they needn't have married her off to just anyone. Besides, it had been he who had been with Xie Zhixue that night. Did they not know?
As Yuwenzhang was lost in thought, Xie Zhixue spotted him. "This servant greets Your Highness."
Hearing her voice, Yuwenzhang snapped back to reality. "No need for formalities." He cleared his throat and walked over. "I caught a unique fragrance from your side and hadn't expected it to be your cooking."
As he spoke, Yuwenzhang looked her directly in the eyes. Xie Zhixue understood his intent immediately, and her heart sank. She hadn't expected Yuwenzhang to eat her food, so she had only prepared enough for herself and Ping'an. If Yuwenzhang wanted a share, she and the boy would go hungry. But she could go hungry if it meant Ping'an was fed—and she certainly didn't dare let the Crown Prince go hungry.
In a split second, she made a decision and offered an invitation. "If Your Highness does not look down on this servant’s crude cooking, would you care to join us?"
As for asking her and Ping'an to get up and give him the seats so he could eat alone? She could forget about that! She didn't want to work for nothing, end up with nothing to eat, and leave Ping'an hungry.
Yuwenzhang had no idea what was running through her head. He nodded with aristocratic pride. "Since you have so kindly invited me, I shall give you the honor of my company."
He sat down gracefully on the stone stool, and Zhang Youqing tactfully ordered a pair of clean chopsticks to be brought over. Just as he picked them up, he saw Ping'an staring at him with a sulky, unhappy face.