Only now did Ning Xuan finally understand why Yi Xuan had said that as long as one remembered the routes to each courtyard and the corresponding madams and young masters, there was no need to spend effort memorizing the stewards and attendants. Looking at it now, it wasn’t just that there was no need to remember them—those people were probably scrambling to curry favor themselves.
“The Princess Consort is gentle, well-educated, and rarely comes out. She never involves herself in the jealous disputes within the residence. So if you ever get caught up in anything, it’s faster to go to Steward Mo. That said, the proper etiquette toward the main residence in the eastern wing must never be neglected. To speak a bit disrespectfully, among all the princes’ consorts, any one of them might one day become Empress. Even if you don’t flatter them deliberately, being attentive and respectful will never be wrong.”
Yi Xuan spoke from experience, sharing what he had learned from years of serving by the prince’s side. Though he appeared straightforward and carefree, that did not mean he lacked intelligence or cunning. Being able to keep his bestowed name and serve for so many years without being dismissed or punished—while even receiving many rewards—meant he was far from ordinary.
“As for the matter of Young Master Liu Yin in the western wing, you should pay extra attention lately. He was only recently taken in by the prince, and has been highly favored—serving in the bedchamber every night,” he said, glancing toward the east. “But the madams in the eastern wing are no pushovers either. A few days ago, Madam Shen caused quite a stir because she couldn’t stand Liu Yin being favored. The prince turned a blind eye to it—and as for why, I don’t need to explain, do I?”
Seeing Ning Xuan still looking confused and pained, Yi Xuan let out a sigh of frustration.
“Well, well, isn’t this Yi Xuan? Wandering around the garden so leisurely—don’t you need to attend to His Highness?”
Speak of the devil and he appears. Even from a distance, Madam Shen’s charming voice could be heard greeting them. For a mistress to greet a servant first was only because they happened to be attendants serving directly by the prince’s side. After all, those close to power enjoy its benefits—no one with any sense would easily offend the seven attendants. Of course, in this world, there were always those who grew arrogant from favor and looked down on others.
Seeing who had arrived, Yi Xuan quickly pulled Ning Xuan—who was still standing there in a daze—and whispered in a low voice, “This is Madam Shen I just mentioned.”
On the surface, however, Yi Xuan broke into a respectful yet slightly ingratiating smile. Greeting her, he explained smoothly, “Greetings, Madam Shen. His Highness found me too noisy, so he sent me away to wander a bit. I took the chance to slack off, but didn’t expect to be caught by you so quickly.”
“Oh, please—do you think I can’t see through your little tricks?” Madam Shen smiled, her tone carrying a hidden meaning as she glanced in the direction Yi Xuan had come from. “More like His Highness has someone better attending him now, so you’ve all been dismissed.”
Her face was beautiful, her smile bright—yet it sent a chill down one’s spine.
“As expected, nothing can be hidden from you, Madam,” Yi Xuan replied. Sharp and perceptive as he was, how could he not recognize the jealousy behind her words? Still smiling, he deliberately twisted her meaning. “His Highness is short on attendants, so a new servant has just been assigned. He was recently brought into the residence, so he’s very honest and well-behaved. Since it’s his first day serving, he was trembling with fear, and he happens to be under my supervision. I was worried he might annoy His Highness, so I brought him out. I thought I’d take him around to familiarize himself with the courtyards, so he can run errands for the madams and young masters in the future.”
Without hesitation, Yi Xuan pushed Ning Xuan forward as a convenient shield.
Ning Xuan was so angry he wanted to strangle Yi Xuan. Their layered, double-meaning conversation was already confusing enough, and now he was being thrown out into the open. He simply couldn’t handle all these twists and turns.
But since things had come to this, he couldn’t exactly retreat and pretend ignorance. Steeling himself, he followed Yi Xuan’s example and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Madam Shen.”
Only now noticing him, Shen Shuyuan narrowed her eyes slightly, her smile gentle as she examined him. “What is your name?”
“Replying to Madam, this servant is called Ning Xuan,” he answered carefully, choosing each word with caution.
“Was it bestowed by His Highness?” she asked slowly, her tone giving nothing away.
“Replying to Madam, no—this servant was already called by this name.” Though his tongue nearly tied itself in knots from all the formal phrasing and roundabout politeness, the proper etiquette still had to be observed—especially when speaking to a superior.
“Stop keeping your head lowered. Raise it and let me have a proper look.”
Ning Xuan obediently did as told, but it caused Shen Shuyuan to momentarily lose focus. Her beautiful, watery eyes narrowed into slits as she carefully examined him from head to toe with an unreadable expression, making Ning Xuan’s scalp tingle with unease. After a long moment, she finally spoke in an unhurried tone, “As expected of someone by His Highness’s side—even a mere servant is such a pleasing sight.”
As she spoke, she cast a seemingly casual glance toward a certain courtyard in the western wing, her smile gentle and her words soft. “Do come visit me sometime. A few days ago, my elder brother sent over several boxes of pastries. I found them quite good. You look rather pleasing to the eye, so I’ll reward you with a box.”
With that, she left behind a graceful silhouette and departed leisurely.
“You’ve got quite the luck, kid,” Yi Xuan said, patting Ning Xuan’s shoulder with barely concealed laughter, his face full of mock sympathy. “Just a couple of words and a greeting, and you’ve already received a reward from Madam Shen. You should know her elder brother is the current Vice Minister of Personnel, a second-rank official—the youngest among the Six Ministries. Kid, your future is limitless.”
Ning Xuan gritted his teeth. “Isn’t this all because of you?!”
He understood now—he had truly fallen into a den of thieves, a muddy pit with no way out.
“Alright, enough with the sighing,” Yi Xuan said carelessly, grinning. “If you keep dawdling, and His Highness can’t find you when you get back, you’ll be in for a beating.”
“You’re the one who dragged me around in the first place!” Ning Xuan snapped.
“That’s because I had nothing to do this morning. Yesterday I won against Yi Quan, so today all my duties were handed over to him. I’m free, see? I’ve got time,” Yi Xuan said with complete justification. “But just because I’m free doesn’t mean you are. You’re newly assigned—you should be taking initiative, showing willingness to learn, asking Mo Yan for tasks. Being passive and slacking off like this isn’t good. If you leave a bad impression on Steward Mo, you’ll have a hard time later.”
Then his tone shifted, and he grinned slyly. “But I’ve spent my precious rest time this whole morning running around with you and teaching you everything for free. You owe me a favor—and you’d better remember it. You’ll have to repay it someday!”
As he spoke, he casually plucked a dry blade of grass and held it between his teeth, crossing his arms behind his head in a carefree manner. Humming and skipping along, he left Ning Xuan with a back view that made him want nothing more than to eliminate him on the spot.
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