Zhao Baozhu froze for a moment. Only after the maids and servants behind Madam Ye began laughing did he realize she was talking about him. His entire face instantly flushed bright red.
Steward Li, standing beside Madam Ye, smiled until his eyes curved shut and pretended to scold him: “Baozhu, why aren’t you hurrying over to pay your respects to Madam?”
Zhao Baozhu shuffled forward awkwardly. Steward Li looked him over from head to toe and clicked his tongue.
“Just look at this mess. I always thought you were such a quiet one, but now it seems you’re quite the mischievous little monkey too!”
Zhao Baozhu’s face burned red with embarrassment. Unable to speak, he raised a hand to wipe the dirt from his face, only to smear it worse. Steward Li cried sharply from the side: “Oh my heavens, my little ancestor, don’t ruin your nice clothes!”
Zhao Baozhu froze, staring at his now-dirty sleeve, suddenly unsure whether he should keep wiping or stop.
Madam Ye watched Zhao Baozhu with laughter filling her eyes. Seeing that he was so focused on wiping his face with his sleeve that he had forgotten he was still holding a tree branch he’d snapped off somewhere, she found it even funnier and pretended to scold him sternly: “You’re already so grown, and you’re still playing with tree branches? Hurry and throw it away!”
Only then did Zhao Baozhu realize he was still holding the stick. He quickly let go and tossed it aside. By now, even his neck had turned red.
Seeing how genuinely embarrassed he was, Madam Ye stopped teasing him and said to Steward Li: “Wash this little kitten clean and have him change into another outfit before bringing him to see me again.”
After saying this, she cast him a teasing glance and floated away with her group of maids in tow.
Steward Li hurried over and led Zhao Baozhu away to wash up and change clothes, muttering all the while: “My little ancestor, playing around in the courtyard was fine enough, so why did you run into the woods? Are there fruits to eat there, or treasures to play with? Just now the young master ordered me to fetch you. I searched everywhere and couldn’t find you. Who would’ve thought you were hiding in that little corner…”
The redness on Zhao Baozhu’s face had only just begun to fade. As he wiped his face clean, he turned his head and asked: “The young master was looking for me?”
Steward Li hurriedly pulled out a fresh set of clothes for him to change into.
“He was indeed. But before we found you, Madam happened upon you first. Right now the two of them are drinking tea in the pavilion. Hurry and change, then follow me over.”
So Zhao Baozhu changed clothes and followed him out of the front courtyard.
Sure enough, he saw Madam Ye and Ye Jinghua seated in a vermilion-red pavilion. Beside it stood the decorative scenery of the courtyard, artificial rock formations, lush green trees, and several koi fish swimming merrily in the lake. Inside the pavilion, the maids were brewing tea with osmanthus blossoms and Yulu Maojian tea leaves. The sweet fragrance drifted several li away.
Hearing someone approach, Madam Ye tilted her head slightly, the pearls and jade ornaments in her hair swaying along with the movement. Seeing that Zhao Baozhu had changed clothes and was standing beneath the pavilion, she immediately lifted a hand and beckoned him over.
“Little kitten, come here quickly.”
Hearing her call him that again, Zhao Baozhu’s face reddened once more. He walked over and said timidly to Madam Ye: “Earlier, Baozhu offended Madam. Please forgive me.”
Madam Ye nodded upon hearing this and smiled. “What a polite child.”
She drew Zhao Baozhu a little closer. “Lift your head and let me have a look at you.”
So Zhao Baozhu slightly raised his head. The moment he looked up, he saw Madam Ye’s bright, lively eyes. Astonishingly, there was about a fifty percent resemblance between her features and Ye Jinghua’s, leaving him momentarily dazed.
At the same time, Madam Ye’s gaze fell upon Zhao Baozhu’s cat-like eyes. The moment she saw them, she laughed. Using her crimson-painted nails, she lightly touched the corner of his eye and turned to Steward Li.
“Look at that, he really does resemble a little cat.”
Steward Li smiled and nodded. Madam Ye turned back and carefully examined Zhao Baozhu from head to toe before sighing: “It seems the rumors outside are true. Those naturally gifted and beautiful souls are not always born into wealthy families. I think he’s even better-looking than the children I gave birth to myself.”
A trace of surprise flashed through Zhao Baozhu’s eyes upon hearing this. He couldn’t tell whether Madam Ye was sincere or merely being polite.
Seeing his expression, Madam Ye smiled and asked: “Do you think he’s handsome?”
As she spoke, she pointed at Ye Jinghua, who was calmly brewing tea for himself nearby.
Ye Jinghua’s expression remained indifferent. Hearing Madam Ye’s words, he merely lifted his eyes slightly. “Mother, don’t tease him.”
Who would have thought Madam Ye would immediately glare at him. “Who’s your mother? I don’t know you!”
Seeing this, Zhao Baozhu hurriedly said: “The young master is extraordinarily handsome. Whenever I see him, I feel as though I’m gazing upon an immortal from the jade forests of the heavenly palace itself. Now that I’ve met Madam, I understand why.”
Hearing this, Madam Ye slowly turned back toward him, one brow slightly raised. “What a sweet tongue. There’s no one more considerate than you.”
Then she pulled Zhao Baozhu down to sit beside her and pointed at Ye Jinghua. “Look at him. On the surface he seems decent enough. When he was little, he was fairly obedient too, but the older he grew, the less obedient he became. Now you can’t see even half of the good temperament he used to have.”
Zhao Baozhu looked over. Ye Jinghua leaned against the pavilion railing with a moon-white silk robe loosely draped over his shoulders. He held a tea bowl in his right hand, his face completely expressionless, yet he possessed a natural elegance and charm. Zhao Baozhu thought blankly to himself that for someone of such appearance and bearing, Madam Ye still considered him “not good-looking”?
It was obvious Madam Ye was indirectly reproaching her son. Ye Jinghua, however, did not grow angry. Unhurriedly, he poured a cup of tea and set it before Madam Ye.
“Mother, please drink tea.”
Seeing his lowered gaze and subdued demeanor, Madam Ye’s expression immediately improved considerably. She accepted the tea, took a sip, then asked Zhao Baozhu: “Good child, how old are you? Who is left in your family?”
Zhao Baozhu answered: “I’ve just turned sixteen. There’s only my elderly father at home.”
Madam Ye nodded. “It must be hard for you, all alone and helpless in such a distant place. Do you miss home?”
“I do,” Zhao Baozhu thought for a moment before adding, “but the young master treats me extremely well. In my daily life, there’s nothing uncomfortable or lacking.”
Madam Ye laughed upon hearing this and shook her head as she said to Ye Jinghua: “Look at that. Such an obedient child, every third sentence revolves around you, always finding ways to speak well of you.”
Ye Jinghua raised his eyes and glanced at Zhao Baozhu before calmly lowering them again. “He’s obedient enough normally. He just refuses to study.”
Madam Ye immediately lifted her brows in surprise. “You’re teaching him to read?”
“He has a good memory and had already studied a little before, so I thought I might teach him more.”
Ye Jinghua lowered his gaze. His expression was somewhat cold as he said flatly: “It’s just that he’s too playful. After studying for only a few days, he no longer wanted to continue.”
Hearing this, Madam Ye cast Zhao Baozhu a teasing glance. Seeing his nervous expression, she smiled and said: “It’s perfectly normal for children to grow lazy now and then. Do you think everyone in the world was raised under strict discipline from childhood like you? You should be more patient with him.”
Ye Jinghua remained silent. He looked calm and reserved, his handsome profile cold and detached.
But in reality, he was secretly observing Zhao Baozhu’s expression through the reflection on his teacup.
Sure enough, Zhao Baozhu looked as though he were sitting on needles. His lips were pressed tightly together, his eyes damp with worry as he looked at Ye Jinghua, exactly like a little kitten terrified of being abandoned.
A faint smile curled secretly at Ye Jinghua’s lips. He deliberately set his teacup down a little harder than necessary and sighed theatrically.
“If he refuses to learn, then I’m spared the trouble. From now on, I simply won’t teach him anymore!”
The moment Zhao Baozhu heard this, he could no longer sit still. He hurried to Ye Jinghua’s side and pleaded: “My good young master, I wouldn’t dare refuse to study! Today I was mistaken. Tomorrow I’ll formally acknowledge young master as my teacher. Will young master continue teaching me?”
Even without raising his eyes, Ye Jinghua could feel the boy’s burning gaze fixed upon the side of his face. He did not hurry to respond. Only after quite a while did he finally lift his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his face as he asked: “So this time you won’t slack off anymore?”
The moment Zhao Baozhu saw his expression, he realized Ye Jinghua had deliberately frightened him again. But since he had already begged aloud, he could hardly take it back now. Puffing his cheeks slightly, he pleaded: “I won’t slack off anymore. Please teach me, young master.”
Watching from the side, Madam Ye felt secretly astonished. She had never once seen Ye Jinghua possess the patience to personally teach someone to read.
Even speaking of the illegitimate sons and daughters in his rear courtyard, although Ye Jinghua occasionally sent them brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, or newly published books from the market, and if they proactively brought him their schoolwork, he might glance over it, beyond that, he had never paid them much attention.
After turning the matter over in her mind, Madam Ye said aloud: “He’s still so young. Do you think everyone in the world has a grandfather who served as Grand Tutor personally teaching them from childhood like you did? Baozhu being willing to study at all is already good enough. In times like these, it’s enough if one can recognize a few characters. You mustn’t be too strict with him.”
Ye Jinghua glanced at her but did not explain Zhao Baozhu’s actual level of learning. He merely responded: “Yes. Mother has considered everything thoughtfully.”
Madam Ye had not seen him behave so obediently in a very long time, and a smile appeared on her face.
“Hurry and take him away to eat. He spent the entire morning fooling around in those woods and must already be starving. Don’t let him ruin his health.”
At these words, Ye Jinghua rose with Zhao Baozhu beside him and bowed toward Madam Ye.
“Then your son will take his leave first.”
Zhao Baozhu also bowed and said: “Baozhu takes his leave.”
Madam Ye lifted her chin and waved them away. “Go on.”
Ye Jinghua turned and left. Several maids immediately followed after him, hurrying to have the prepared meal spread out in the main hall.
Madam Ye remained seated in the water pavilion, watching the two figures from behind. The smile on her face gradually faded as she let out a long sigh.
At this moment, Steward Li, who had been attending nearby the entire time, quickly stepped forward. “Madam, what are you sighing over now?”
He glanced toward the direction of the two figures and lowered his voice. “Wasn’t this something already expected? Although Baozhu came from outside, his looks and character are both excellent. This old servant thinks he truly is a good child. It’s not without reason that the young master dotes on him.”
Madam Ye supported her forehead with one hand and sighed softly. “How could I not know he’s a good child? The moment I looked into that child’s eyes, I could tell he possessed an upright and honest character.”
She lifted her eyes and saw Ye Jinghua leaning close to say something to Zhao Baozhu in the distance. There was even the faint trace of a smile on his handsome profile.
Watching this, Madam Ye murmured quietly: “When Qing’er is beside him, he seems… a little more human somehow.”
She lowered her eyes, then closed them, rubbing her temples with a headache. “But my son probably still hasn’t come to his senses yet. That child doesn’t look like he’s set his heart on that either. Besides, even if we have the intention, he isn’t a family-born servant after all. Our child is precious, wouldn’t his parents also cherish their child?”
Thinking of this, Madam Ye let out another sigh, her eyes even growing a little moist. She took a handkerchief and lightly dabbed the corners of her eyes. “I am a mother, how could I not know? Just by looking at that child and hearing his name, I can tell he must be the apple of his parents’ eye. At home, he must have been treasured like a pearl and jade. If his father were to find out, how would he ever agree?”
“Oh my lady—” As soon as Steward Li heard this, he knew Madam Ye was overthinking again, and hurriedly advised, “How did you end up thinking so far ahead? Baozhu fled here from the south, so something must have happened in his family. Now he’s being raised in the residence, and the young master likes him, doesn’t everything fit perfectly? If anything changes later, that’s when we’ll worry about it!”
Although Steward Li said this, in his heart he thought that Zhao Baozhu had a stubborn streak but a good nature, and their young master was that kind of person, how could he not be moved? When the time came, they would simply go along with the flow; what change could there possibly be?
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