11. Chance Encounter
The next day, Zhao Baozhu went ahead as instructed.
The courtyard was layered, with several gates to pass through before reaching the front. Fortunately, Zhao Baozhu had followed Fang Li the day before and memorized the way. Before the last gate stood a towering phoenix tree, beneath which two maids dressed in Xiang-colored skirts were standing. As Zhao Baozhu approached, intending to ask about Fang Qin’s whereabouts, the two turned their faces, smiling warmly.
“You must be Baozhu,” one said.
Zhao Baozhu was taken aback for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied, “That would be me.”
The two maids glanced at each other, giggled softly behind their handkerchiefs, and with sparkling eyes, appraised him from head to toe. “You truly are handsome.”
Having been praised repeatedly these past few days, Zhao Baozhu felt his confidence grow thicker and bowed modestly. “You flatter me, ladies. You both are the beautiful ones—like fairies from an immortal realm from afar.”
Such words from an ordinary young man might sound frivolous, but Zhao Baozhu was charming and young, and his graceful demeanor did not offend. The two maids, cheered by his sweet words, smiled with bright eyes and said, “You’re quite the smooth talker. No wonder the young master likes you and wants to transfer you to the front courtyard.”
Zhao Baozhu was momentarily stunned. Like that young master liked him? The gentleman had only exchanged a few brief, indifferent words with him yesterday—no warmth or coldness discernible. He paused, then shyly smiled and said, “I wasn’t aware of that.”
Before the maids could reply, a voice interrupted sharply, “What don’t you know?”
They looked up to see Fang Qin standing nearby, his expression indifferent as he stared at them.
The two maids immediately paled and lowered their heads, silent. Zhao Baozhu, unaffected by their change in expression, brightened upon seeing Fang Qin and said, “Brother Qin.”
Fang Qin had initially been glaring at the maids but softened slightly when he heard that address, turning his face toward Zhao Baozhu. Zhao Baozhu stepped forward and explained, “I didn’t know Brother Fang Li had siblings, so I called him Brother Fang. Since you share the same surname, I called you Brother Qin. If you prefer another form of address, please tell me.”
Fang Qin lowered his eyes, coldly regarding Zhao Baozhu without approval or disapproval, then turned away and said flatly, “Follow me.”
Seeing no objection, Zhao Baozhu assumed he was not disliked. This Brother Fang seemed more difficult to get along with than the straightforward one. Not wanting to disturb his mood, Zhao Baozhu fell silent and quietly followed behind.
As they walked in the front courtyard, Fang Qin suddenly said, “Those girls were teasing you earlier. Don’t take it seriously.” He glanced at Zhao Baozhu, “You’re brought to the front courtyard because Steward Li is reorganizing the back courtyard, and you’re of no use there.”
Zhao Baozhu was momentarily stunned but nodded after realizing the meaning. “I understand. As long as there’s something I can help with, no matter where, I’m willing.”
Hearing this, Fang Qin’s expression softened slightly and he turned his head away. No matter what Zhao Baozhu thought privately, at least he was obedient on the surface.
After Fang Qin turned away, Zhao Baozhu lowered his eyes and pressed his lips together. For some reason, a fleeting wave of disappointment passed through his heart. But since he had barely exchanged two words with that young master, the disheartenment quickly faded. He blinked, looked up at Fang Qin, and asked brightly, “Brother Qin, what will I be doing here in the front courtyard?”
Fang Qin’s pace faltered, and he glanced at Zhao Baozhu again. Seeing him watching so intently, his brow twitched ever so slightly.
Well, no matter how clever or sweet he was, if he was confined here in the courtyard and couldn’t see anyone else, so be it.
With that thought, Fang Qin exhaled and turned back to say in a low voice, “You’ll be responsible for cleaning one of the courtyards.”
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He led Zhao Baozhu through corridors, under eaves, and through a gate. Zhao Baozhu looked up to see a plaque inscribed with “Ruilai Courtyard.” The yard contained two or three side rooms, a sweet osmanthus tree in the center, and several delicate scenic spots near the archways. It was indeed neglected—everywhere was covered in dust, the small pond had dried up, the osmanthus tree had sprouted new buds, but the fallen leaves on the ground remained uncleaned.
Zhao Baozhu surveyed the place and thought that with such fine scenery, it must be the guesthouse’s main quarters, which should be tidied up for visitors. Unable to bear seeing such a beautiful garden so dusty, his hands began to itch. He turned to Fang Qin and declared firmly, “I will clean this courtyard spotless.”
Fang Qin nodded and briefly explained where various utensils were kept before turning to leave.
In the days that followed, Zhao Baozhu busied himself cleaning the courtyard. The work was much lighter than in the back. On the first day, he swept all the dry leaves. On the second, he cleaned the side rooms. On the third, he gathered and carefully scrubbed the stones in the dry pond and introduced fresh water.
After all this work, the courtyard became much cleaner and tidier. His daily duties then consisted only of sweeping and wiping the various items. With no one to disturb or cause trouble, Zhao Baozhu’s days passed quietly. Fang Qin came to check the courtyard only the first couple of days and then no more. After finishing his chores each day, Zhao Baozhu sat under the osmanthus tree to study. Meals always included meat, and over time he felt his knowledge growing and noticed his waist growing tighter.
Days passed leisurely. Zhao Baozhu learned from Fang Qin that the residents of the courtyard could go out for an outing one day each month. He planned to go at the end of the month to the magistrate’s office to inquire whether anyone had found his scholar’s name token. In this day and age, scholars were respected; if someone found a name token of a successful candidate and returned it to the authorities, there would be a reward.
With a plan in mind, Zhao Baozhu no longer felt so anxious as when he first arrived, counting down the days until the monthly outing.
One day, Zhao Baozhu was reading under the large osmanthus tree. Spring had deepened, and the sun was growing fierce. Unlike Yizhou’s small mountain valleys, where most days were overcast, here in the north the winter clouds had dispersed just days ago, revealing a blazing sun. The glaring light reflected off the pages, making his eyes ache and the world around him whiten.
His eyes dry and stinging, he rubbed the corners and looked up at the osmanthus tree behind him. It looked newly planted, unlike the lush phoenix tree in the back courtyard, and could not block the sunlight.
“Useless,” Zhao Baozhu muttered, patting the tree trunk, then fondly touching it and grumbling, “I water you every day—can’t you grow faster? My eyes are nearly blinded!”
As he spoke to the tree, he suddenly heard two light giggles from somewhere.
“Look, he’s talking to the tree.”
“Handsome brother is so silly. How could the tree understand him?”
Two clear childish voices teased Zhao Baozhu, then burst into laughter. Surprised, Zhao Baozhu looked up but saw no one—only two black buns bobbing at the gate. When he looked their way, the buns twitched, and the crisp voices came again.
“Oh no, he heard us.”
“What’s there to fear? He must be Second Brother’s servant.”
Seeing the little buns move with the children’s whispered words, so adorable, Zhao Baozhu raised his eyebrows and called out, “Who’s there?”
The voices halted, the buns retreated. Moments later, two young girls in fine clothes stepped out from behind the archway. They were dressed identically and looked almost like twins, glaring at Zhao Baozhu.
“Who are you?” they demanded.
Zhao Baozhu smiled and bowed from beneath the tree. “Greetings, ladies. My name is Zhao Baozhu, and I’m responsible for cleaning this courtyard.”
Hearing this, the girl on the right turned away, pouting. “So he really is Second Brother’s servant.”
The girl on the left shot her a glance and whispered, “Don’t talk nonsense in front of others!”
Zhao Baozhu found the girls’ banter amusing, his eyes crinkling with a smile. He thought to himself how different the daughters of a wealthy household were—girls in his village this age still toddled about clumsily, while these two were already so clever and lively.
The girl on the left turned to him with almond-shaped eyes, “Do you know who we are?”
Zhao Baozhu smiled again and bent slightly. “I don’t know for sure, but from your attire, I assume you are young ladies related to the young master.”
Both girls smiled brightly at his respectful manner, feeling pleased. The one on the right stepped forward and said, “I am Ye Miao,” then pointed to the other, “and she is Ye Ning. We are both Second Brother’s sisters.”
Zhao Baozhu chuckled softly at the phrase “Second Brother’s sisters,” lips curving. Just then, two little children ran over from either side and stretched out their hands toward him.
Zhao Baozhu hesitated, looking at their small, fair palms. Were they asking him to hold hands?
Seeing his pause, Ye Ning blinked and said crisply, “Hurry up!”
“All right, all right,” Zhao Baozhu said hurriedly, taking one hand in each and walking into the courtyard. “May I show you around?”
“Good,” the two girls replied together.
He led them around the courtyard, pausing at various scenic spots. The two girls, like little adults, nodded and critiqued each view with playful interest. Zhao Baozhu found it amusing and thought these young ladies were likely exploring the large guesthouse. Luckily, there seemed to be few guests now; it would be troublesome if someone bumped into them.
After a while, the girls agreed the small pond in the corner was the most interesting. Ye Miao crouched beside the pond, reaching out to touch a turtle in the water, while Ye Ning, tired of walking, rested atop Zhao Baozhu’s back.
“Oh dear,” Zhao Baozhu exclaimed, holding her up carefully with one hand and reaching to pull back Ye Miao’s sleeve from the water with the other. “Be careful of your sleeves—”
At that moment, a cold, clear voice came from behind them. “Ye Miao, Ye Ning.”
Ye Ning froze on Zhao Baozhu’s back and whispered, “Oh no, it’s Second Brother.” She jumped down immediately. Ye Miao withdrew her hand just before touching the turtle and stood up quickly. The two girls said in unison, “Second Brother.”
At the gate, Ye Jinghua stood outside the archway, his expression indifferent. Seeing the two girls lined up, he said lightly, “It’s almost noon. Why are you still playing here?”
Ye Ning and Ye Miao giggled and ran to him, one on each side, leaning against him and looking up. “We knew Second Brother would find us.”
When they used to play hide-and-seek in the mansion, the maids, nannies, concubines, elder siblings, and even the master and mistress could not find them. Only this second brother, like a reclusive immortal, always found them quickly, often before they even noticed. This made them think he must be some sort of spirit or celestial being, unlike ordinary people.
At the same time, though aloof by nature, Ye Jinghua was kind to all the illegitimate children in the household and never lost his temper. Being the most handsome in the mansion, the children all loved to cling to him.
Ye Jinghua lowered his head and gently touched Ye Miao’s forehead. “Go back and wash your hands before eating.”
“Yes,” they replied together.
Ye Jinghua nodded and turned to leave with them. But Ye Miao and Ye Ning turned back and waved to Zhao Baozhu.
“Baozhu, we’ll come find you to play next time.”
Their clear voices reached Ye Jinghua’s ears, and he paused abruptly, turning back.
Zhao Baozhu stood beneath the pear blossom tree. Seeing the ethereal, handsome young master look toward him, his brows moved slightly.
“It’s you,” he said.
After many days, Zhao Baozhu saw this young master again. The man still wore a moon-white robe embroidered with golden threads, his starry eyes fixed squarely on him. Flushed and embarrassed, Zhao Baozhu hurriedly bowed and said, “Greetings, young master.”