The horses were led to the rear courtyard and fed with premium fodder.
The inn attendant who caught the handful of coins tossed to him responded with a melodious and graceful acknowledgment.
“Let them order whatever they like. I just want a bowl of plain congee and two small side dishes.”
A waiter stood respectfully by the door, listening intently. He dared not look up, his slightly lowered gaze catching only a glimpse of the hem of a garment nearby.
It was an unremarkable color, not particularly vibrant—a pale green without elaborate trimmings. Though it simply draped to the ground, it held an inexplicable allure that made it hard to look away.
“Yes, ma’am,” the waiter hurriedly replied. The hem of the garment shifted subtly, revealing white socks as the wearer moved.
Soon, even the socks disappeared from view, blocked by a somewhat stout figure.
“What are you waiting for? Hurry up!” the woman said.
The waiter turned and scurried away, so flustered that he nearly collided with a pillar.
The woman burst into loud laughter but cut herself short midway, as if suddenly aware of her coarseness. She turned away with an awkward, self-conscious expression.
Inside the room, Cheng Jiao-niang had already taken a seat and picked up a scroll to read.
Another woman shot her a meaningful glance.
They had been standing there idly for quite some time—as attendants, they ought to be doing something.
“Miss, shall we wipe down the room?” one suggested, struck by a sudden idea.
It was a sensible suggestion. Those of wealth and nobility were often fastidious when traveling, preferring to use their own food, drink, and belongings, disdainful of anything they deemed unclean.
The two women eagerly began rolling up their sleeves, pleased to have found a useful task.
“No need,” said Cheng Jiao-niang, setting down her book with a faint smile. “You’ve traveled a long way and must be tired. Go eat and rest.”
But how could they?
“What would people think of us? We were tasked with serving you,” they protested.
Before they could finish, Cheng Jiao-niang rose to her feet.
“I dare not. How could I treat clansfolk as servants?” she said solemnly, curtsying in respect. “I asked you to accompany me because it is inconvenient for a woman to travel alone—not to serve me, but to keep me company.”
The two women stared in bewilderment.
“You speak too kindly. We’re not slaves—we’re just here to help with odd tasks,” one replied after a moment, reaching for the water basin.
“Please do not put me in a difficult position,” said Cheng Jiao-niang.
The woman halted at once.
Who would dare to make things difficult for her? Who could make things difficult for her?
When she said she wanted a house built, it was built. When she said she would sue First Master Cheng, she did exactly that.
“I am not jesting with you…”
The girl’s voice carried over once more.
The words sent a shiver through the two attendants.
Not jesting…
They immediately turned and hurried out—though one paused halfway, then awkwardly leaned back in through the doorway.
“Well… if you need anything, please call for us,” she said.
Cheng Jiao-niang nodded.
Only then did the two women hesitantly withdraw into the adjacent room.
“So… did she really bring us here to relax and enjoy ourselves?”
“Good food, fine drinks, nice lodgings—and no work to do?”
Seated on the floor cushions in the guest room, the two women could scarcely believe it.
The door slid open, and an inn attendant entered with a beaming smile, carrying a low dining table.
“For you—your meal is served.”
Exquisite bowls and plates, large and small, round and square, covered the table. The dishes alone were a feast for the eyes, let alone the food itself.
“Please enjoy your meal at ease,” the attendant said, retreating with a broad smile.
The door remained half-open. Warmth rose from the heated floor mats, and snowflakes danced visibly in the courtyard beyond. The air was rich with delicious aromas. The two women glanced at each other, then broke into silent, wide-mouthed grins. One even nudged the other, signaling her to keep her composure.
“Ah, my life is truly complete—to think I’d live to see a day like this…”
“Are we really going to do this?”
“Before we left, Ban Qin told us explicitly: ‘Do exactly as the lady says. Follow her orders, and don’t try to be clever or take matters into your own hands.’”
“So… if she says we’re here to keep her company, then… we keep her company?”
They exchanged another glance and grinned even wider.
“We keep her company!”
Chuckling in unison, they picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.
Madam Wang set down her bowl and chopsticks, watching as the maid entered, dusted with snow.
“Is your family’s old madam… failing?” she blurted out without thinking.
The Cheng family servant nearly choked. Where had that come from?
“No, no, our old madam is well,” she hurriedly explained. “It’s my master…”
“What happened to your master?” Madam Wang exclaimed, alarmed. This was far more serious than matters concerning the Cheng matriarch.
“Nothing serious, nothing serious. He’s just unwell. The doctor has seen him—it’s not major…” The servant’s expression shifted evasively.
Madam Wang pushed her chopsticks aside and called for her attendants, preparing to rise.
“Please, there’s no need, madam. You needn’t visit,” the servant quickly interjected. “My madam instructed that you should not come. She only asked to postpone the marriage discussion for a while longer. She will come personally to speak with you when the time is right.”
The longer the delay, the better.
Madam Wang thought to herself as she settled back into her seat.
“Are they truly all right?” she asked.
The maid nodded repeatedly.
“What is going on with your household? First the old madam, now the master—both falling ill?” Madam Wang frowned. “Have you had someone look into it? Could it be some evil influence at work?”
If only it weren’t exactly an evil influence—
Our own family’s evil influence, the servant thought inwardly, while mumbling vague assent aloud.
After a few more questions, Madam Wang allowed the Cheng servant to leave. She gazed at the spread of dishes on the table, her appetite gone once more, then looked out at the snow falling in the courtyard.
“If I’d known they’d be plagued with all these illnesses, I wouldn’t have made Shi’qi leave home,” she murmured, her face clouded with worry. “In such heavy snow—where is he now? Is he cold? Does he remember to add clothing? Is he homesick? Does he miss me? Is he eating well?”
A mother’s heart aches when her child travels far—especially when that child was coaxed into leaving by her own doing.
Madam Wang pressed a hand to her chest and heaved a deep sigh.
After a night of heavy snow, the morning light glittered brilliantly.
“Ah, is that Deer Horn Mountain over there?”
On the quiet morning streets, few pedestrians were about. Most shops had already opened, their owners busily sweeping snow. The sudden appearance of Cheng Jiao-niang and her companions drew particular attention.
Hearing the plump woman’s question, a shop attendant nodded.
“Yes, that’s the one,” he said, with a touch of local pride. “It’s an excellent spot for enjoying the snow.”
The woman turned back delightedly.
“Miss, let’s go! I’ve often heard how beautiful the snowscapes at Deer Horn Mountain are, but I’ve never had the chance to see them.”
The shop attendant followed her gaze and saw a young lady standing surrounded by several attendants. She was wrapped in a large cloak, her face hidden deep within the hood—only a small, jade-smooth chin was visible.
Some young lady from a wealthy family out on an excursion, he thought.
“It looks close, but it’s actually twenty miles from the city,” the shop attendant said.
Cheng Jiao-niang took a few steps forward, lifting the edge of her hood slightly as she gazed toward the distant mountains.
“Very well. Let’s go,” she said.
Deer Horn Mountain, draped in silver after the night’s heavy snowfall, resembled an earthly paradise. As a famous snow-viewing destination, it boasted several restaurants and teahouses. In the finest of these establishments, on the second floor with the best views, the sound of laughter—both male and female—could be heard.
“Miss, it seems quite crowded,” one of the attendants remarked, glancing around.
The waiting attendant grew anxious.
“It’s not crowded at all—only one party is on the second-floor terrace. There’s plenty of space, and we can set up screens for privacy. You won’t be disturbed,” he hurriedly explained. “This is the best place to enjoy the snow. There’s a large outdoor platform, and the indoors are warmly heated.”
“Then we’ll stay here,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
The attendant was overjoyed and eagerly led the way, calling out announcements in a singsong voice. The entourage split—five guards remained downstairs, while five followed Cheng Jiao-niang upstairs. The two women naturally trailed behind. As they entered the hall, the laughter and chatter from above grew louder, mingled with women’s coy giggles and the sensual strains of strings and flutes—a scene of decadent allure.
It seemed some wealthy family was here enjoying themselves with beauties. The lead attendant frowned. Was it appropriate to proceed?
If it’s not… we’ll just have to drive them out!
He quickened his pace, stomping up the stairs.
The sound of footsteps disturbed the revelers upstairs. The laughter paused momentarily as all eyes turned toward the newcomers.
The two attendants also looked over—and with one glance, they nearly turned around to block Cheng Jiao-niang from advancing.
In the spacious hall, facing the mountain view outside, thick felt mats were spread out. Five or six people sat lounging there—only one man, the rest women dressed in revealing, flamboyant attire, their hair ornaments askew. Two courtesans sat on either side playing the zither, heavily made up with eyes full of flirtation.
Have we stepped into a restaurant or a brothel?
The sudden arrival of newcomers startled the group.
The women shrieked and scrambled to cover themselves, crowding toward the man—but there were too many of them and too little of him. He was nearly smothered under the rush.
“Hey! Get out! Get out! Who said you could come up here? Didn’t I say I reserved this place, you fools?”
A shrill male voice emerged from the pile of women.
Hearing the voice, the two attendants who had turned around froze in their tracks. They stared in disbelief, forgetting even to signal Cheng Jiao-niang to pause.
“Young master, you never actually paid to reserve the place,” the guiding attendant said with a cheerful grin, gesturing to the newcomers. “Guests, please come this way.”
The two women reached the top of the stairs and were about to marvel at the second-floor view when they caught sight of the scandalous scene. They let out a collective gasp.
“How utterly shameless!” they cried.
Their booming voices startled the women below, who responded with another round of shrieks and coquettish complaints.
Cheng Jiao-niang stepped onto the landing. The two women hurriedly moved to block her view.
“Don’t look, don’t look! You’ll get styes in your eyes!” they cried.
The words were deeply insulting. Seeing his beauties humiliated, the man could bear it no longer. He leapt to his feet.
“Get out! Out! Out!” he shouted, pointing fiercely.
As the young master emerged from the floral cluster of women, the attendants’ expressions turned peculiar.
Cheng Jiao-niang also lifted her head to look.
“What a coincidence. So you’re here too,” she said with a faint smile.
The young master, his face still smudged with women’s rouge and full of rage, froze at the sound of her voice.
Someone I know?
He followed the voice and saw two attendants step aside, revealing a girl in a cloak lifting her hood.
As the hood fell back, a beautiful face came into view.
But at the sight of that face, the young master turned pale as if he’d seen a demon.
“Mother! What are you doing here?”
He cried out in panic, stumbling backward. His feet tangled beneath him, and he fell against a low table laden with tea, pastries, and wine. The table overturned with a crash, scattering its contents across the floor.
Women’s screams nearly lifted the roof, and chaos erupted.
The attendant stood dumbfounded, staring blankly at the young lady before him.
“So young… to be called ‘Mother’…” he murmured.
