Bao Yu had spent the entire night thinking about the servant girl he had met earlier, her image haunting him even as he had retired to his bed. Though he had laid down early, sleep eluded him. He was utterly captivated by her piercing eyes, which seemed to hold a flask of the ocean's sea foam. The rich clusters of bronze in her irises blended seamlessly with the vibrant emerald, a contrast that felt both otherworldly and grounding.
The morning found him seated on his chair, his thoughts far away, completely detached from his father's scolding. His father, Lord Bao, paced the room, his expression thunderous. "A-Yu, I have tried to be patient with you," he began, his voice laced with frustration. "I have given you ample opportunity to choose a bride, but if you continue to delay, you will leave me no choice but to select one for you." His voice grew louder, anger trembling in his tone as his furrowed brows deepened. "Do you hear me?" he demanded, his beard quivering with the force of his words.
Bao Yu turned his head sharply, glaring at his father with a defiance that mirrored the fire in his chest. "I don't wish to marry," he spat, his voice cold and firm. Beneath the hem of his embroidered robes, his fists clenched tightly, his knuckles white.
Lord Bao's face darkened with fury. "The decision is not yours to make. And that is final!" he declared, slamming his fist on the table with a resounding thud. Without another word, he spun on his heel, his robes billowing as he stormed out of the room, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
Bao Yu let out a groan, his gaze drifting toward the window. There, a pair of birds flitted from branch to branch, their delicate wings glimmering in the morning sun. They danced as if weightless, free from the burdens of the world. "I wish I could grow wings and fly far away from here," Bao Yu murmured, his voice tinged with longing.
The eunuch standing nearby, an older man with a composed demeanor, sighed quietly. "Young Lord, your father only wants what is best for you," he said, his tone calm but firm. His eyes fixed on Bao Yu, he continued, "The eldest daughter of the Chang family is virtuous and refined. As delicate as a peach blossom—"
"Enough!" Bao Yu interrupted, clutching his head as if the eunuch's words were needles piercing his skull. "Gong Gong, my head is splitting. Could you fetch me some medicine?" His voice softened, laced with a pleading tone, and he looked at the eunuch with desperation.
The eunuch hesitated, his expression conflicted, but eventually nodded. "Very well, Young Lord," he said before departing to retrieve the requested remedy.
The moment the eunuch was gone, Bao Yu wasted no time. He moved to the window, pushing it open with a quiet urgency. With a swift motion, he climbed out, the morning air cool against his skin. He broke into a run, the polished stone paths of the manor giving way to the dirt-packed walkways near the servant quarters.
The servants scattered at the sight of him, bowing low with fear and respect etched into their faces, but Bao Yu paid them no heed. His heart raced as his eyes darted around, searching for her. He quickened his pace, weaving through the narrow alleys between the modest buildings, until he reached an empty courtyard.
There, under the golden rays of the sun, he saw her. She stood alone, her petite frame illuminated by the light. Her skin, kissed by long hours under the blazing sun, glowed with a sandy warmth. She was on her tiptoes, struggling to hang a heavy sheet on the clothing line that was just out of her reach.
The sunlight streamed down, catching the contours of her face as she raised her arm. Her eyes, those mesmerizing pools of muddled green, sparkled like jade, their vibrancy overpowering the soft brown flecks that lay within. She raised her hand to shield her face from the sun, her expression one of quiet determination.
Bao Yu's breath hitched. The world seemed to slow around him, the sounds of the bustling manor fading into the distance. In that moment, she was all he could see, the sunlight framing her like a painting brought to life.
It's her, Bao Yu thought, his heart pounding as he took a few tentative steps forward. He smoothed down his robe, still wrinkled from his hurried sprint, his palms slick with nervousness. Each step brought him closer, his breaths shallow as he approached the girl. She stood with her back to him, her small frame straining as she attempted once more to hoist the heavy, damp sheets over the tall clothing line.
Before she could struggle further, Bao Yu reached out, grasping the other end of the sheet. With a swift motion, he pulled it taut and helped drape it evenly over the line. The fabric swayed gently in the breeze, momentarily obscuring him from her view.
The girl let out a soft sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Thank you," she said cheerfully, her voice light and melodic as she fluffed the sheet to help it drain.
"These lines are a bit tall…" Bao Yu said, his voice muffled behind the curtain of fabric. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Would you like some help?"
Her eyes lit up, though she still couldn't see him clearly. "Oh, if it's not too much trouble," she said nervously, her hands clasped together. "I wouldn't want to pull you away from your work."
"It's no trouble at all," he replied smoothly, a small smile tugging at his lips. He realized with amusement that she hadn't yet recognized him. "How should I address you?" he asked casually, his tone light as she brought another bundle of heavy, soaked sheets.
She approached the line, the mound of bedding in her arms so large it blocked her view. "Surname Li, given name Yunwu," she answered, her voice a little strained as she leaned over the line to set the sheets in place. Her footing wobbled precariously, and Bao Yu instinctively reached out to steady her.
"Yunwu," he repeated softly, his smile broadening. "What a beautiful name." His tone dropped to something warmer, almost teasing. "You may address me as Gege."
She blinked in confusion at his words. "Um… very well," she stammered, clearly caught off guard. She turned back to fetch another pile from the basket, and as she turned around again, Bao Yu stepped out from behind the sheets.
The sight of him made her freeze. Her eyes widened in shock, and the bundle of bedding nearly slipped from her grasp. "Young—Young Lord," she stuttered, her voice trembling as she quickly knelt, her head bowing low. The sheets tumbled to the ground, but Bao Yu caught them effortlessly, draping them over the line with practiced ease.
"I-I'm so sorry for confusing the Young Lord with…" Her words faltered as she struggled to find the right ones. "This lowly servant deserves punishment." Her entire body trembled, her forehead nearly touching the ground.
Bao Yu sighed deeply, crouching beside her. "Do I really strike that much fear into your heart?" he asked gently, his voice low and calming. "I don't like that." He reached out, his fingers tilting her chin upward so that her eyes met his. "What stories have you heard about me that inspire such dread?"
"N-No, no, Young Lord," she mumbled quickly, her words tumbling over one another.
"Good," he said, exhaling loudly as if to dispel the tension. "Then that settles it. Allow me to help you today—as a way to apologize for last night's… unfortunate events."
Her brows knitted together in confusion. "The Young Lord mustn't," she said quickly, shaking her head.
Ignoring her protests, he smiled, his fingers playfully twirling a stray lock of her hair. "I'm apologizing on behalf of Gong Gong's crude behavior," he explained. "He's a bit of a bitter old man." Bao Yu tilted his head thoughtfully. "Though I suppose I'd be bitter too if I were missing my… privates."
A faint snort escaped her lips before she could stop it. Her eyes widened in horror, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, clearly mortified.
Bao Yu chuckled, the sound warm and unrestrained. "Don't worry," he said, his voice filled with amusement. "I won't reprimand you for that." He leaned in slightly, his gaze locking with hers. "Now, let's continue, shall we?"
She nodded nervously, retreating to the basket to wring out another set of sheets. As she worked, Bao Yu's eyes fell to her hands. They were red and raw, blisters marking her delicate skin from the hours of scrubbing.
"These lines are a bit tall," he remarked again, stepping closer to her. His tall frame loomed behind her, his presence impossible to ignore. "Or maybe you're just awfully short," he teased, helping her lift the sheets into place.
Her hands fumbled slightly as she twisted the damp fabric. "Will you not speak to me?" Bao Yu asked, his voice soft but edged with curiosity. He lowered his face, leaning closer. "I don't bite."
She stiffened, her movements faltering. He saw the hesitation in her eyes and, emboldened by her silence, leaned in further, his lips brushing dangerously close to hers. Before he could close the distance, she stumbled back, her foot catching on a rock.
Her head struck the ground with a harsh thud. Bao Yu dropped to his knees, his hand reaching for her, but a sharp voice cut through the air like a whip.
"Young Lord!"
Bao Yu turned, his face darkening as he saw the eunuch approaching, his expression one of thinly veiled displeasure.
"Ugh," Bao Yu muttered, irritation flickering across his face as he caught sight of the eunuch quickening his pace toward him. Without hesitation, he bent down, scooping Li Yunwu into his arms as though she weighed nothing. "Let's go," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
She gasped, her hands clutching his robe as her head throbbed painfully. "Please… stop," she stammered weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.
He glanced down at her, his brow furrowing in mock offense. "Are you giving me orders?" he teased, his voice playful yet edged with authority. His words made her tense, her body jolting in his arms as fear flashed in her muddled green eyes.
Behind them, the eunuch called out in alarm, his voice shrill. "Young Lord! Stop this madness!" He broke into a jog, his robes flapping as he chased after them.
The commotion drew the attention of several guests milling about the Bao estate. Dressed in their finest silks, the dignitaries and noblewomen turned their heads, their expressions shifting from curiosity to thinly veiled scandal. Whispers and murmurs spread like wildfire among the crowd.
"Who is that girl?"
"Did you see the way he carried her?"
"Unbelievable! Such behavior in broad daylight!"
Bao Yu paid no heed to the growing spectacle. His focus remained solely on the girl in his arms, her face pale and strained as she clutched her throbbing head. He pushed past the onlookers, his steps quick and deliberate, until he arrived at the medicine hall.
"Call a doctor immediately," Bao Yu commanded, his voice sharp and resolute. He knelt and placed her gently on the bed, taking care not to jostle her further.
The eunuch stumbled in moments later, panting and red-faced. "Young Lord," he wheezed, his tone a mix of disbelief and outrage. "Are you out of your mind? Why have you brought that girl here? This hall is reserved for esteemed individuals—guests of the highest rank!"
Bao Yu straightened, his expression darkening. He turned to face the eunuch, his voice low and firm. "Do you think her life is any less valuable because she isn't an esteemed guest?"
The eunuch opened his mouth to protest but faltered, his words caught in his throat. Bao Yu's gaze was sharp enough to cut through the air, his demeanor leaving no room for argument.
"This is my estate," Bao Yu continued, his tone colder now. "I decide who is worthy of treatment here. Fetch the doctor, or I will personally ensure your duties are reassigned to something more… unpleasant."
The eunuch bowed deeply, trembling. "As you wish, Young Lord," he said hurriedly before scurrying out to fulfill the order.
Bao Yu exhaled, the tension easing slightly from his shoulders as he turned back to Li Yunwu. She was lying still on the bed, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Beads of sweat clung to her forehead, and her lips were slightly parted as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
He pulled up a stool beside her, his gaze softening as he leaned closer. "Rest for now," he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I won't let anything happen to you."
She blinked up at him, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came. Instead, her eyes closed, her exhaustion pulling her into a reluctant slumber.
Outside, the whispers of scandal continued to ripple through the estate, but within the medicine hall, Bao Yu sat quietly by her side.