Volume 1 Chapter 4 A Voice Both Soft and Aggrieved

The study window was left open, and the gusts of wind blew over the pen holder, causing it to clatter against the door. The candlelight flickered dimly and brightly.

Zhou Ning hesitated to speak, and Xiao Huai looked up at him, asking, “Is she still outside?”

“Yes, without your orders, how could she dare enter?” Zhou Ning’s voice carried a hint of urgency, worried about the delicate young lady out in the cold, “General, Miss Yaoyan has been sitting there for an entire hour already. It’s dark outside now.”

Xiao Huai hadn’t intended for her to wait so long; he had simply lost track of time. “Let her come in,” he said.

Tonight marked the cusp of winter’s arrival. Frost clung to the branches, and though Yaoyan was clad in new winter clothes, she still shivered uncontrollably. She curled up on a small stone bench, gazing at the warm light inside the study, a pang of sadness tightening her chest.

The north wind howled fiercely, mingled with sparse snowflakes. The surrounding trees rustled violently, with brittle branches snapping and dead leaves occasionally fluttering down onto Yaoyan.

This winter was far colder than any before.

Zhou Ning’s call nearly went unheard by Yaoyan. She moved her stiff fingers with great effort, struggling to rise and shifting her leaden legs.

From the corner where he opened the door, Xiao Huai saw that snow had settled on her raven-black hair, and her face was deathly pale. The rosy lips he had seen the night before had lost all color.

Rarely did he feel even the slightest twinge of guilt, but now it stirred faintly within him.

Yaoyan dared not raise her head as she entered the study, nor did she dare sit. The sudden warmth made her uneasy. In a soft, subdued voice, she greeted, “Your servant greets the young master.”

Her voice was low, soft, and tinged with sorrow, as if the wind had sapped all her strength.

Xiao Huai was at a loss for words. He wanted to set rules but found himself unable to speak them. Seeing her so pitiful, with cheeks flushed red from the cold—even her nose was reddened—she looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

By the candlelight, he discerned the faint glimmer of tear droplets clinging to her butterfly-like lashes.

There was a heavy silence among the three in the room.

Finally, Zhou Ning, receiving a signal from Xiao Huai, reluctantly spoke first, “Miss Yaoyan, since you have come to the general’s residence, you are... well, under the general’s protection now. The general’s residence is unlike other households; there are some rules you must understand.”

“First: you must not inquire into the general’s private affairs. None of it concerns you, and you must not pry.”

Yaoyan quietly lifted her head. The first rule was so harsh—how was she to accomplish the tasks entrusted by the matriarch under such restrictions?

The man sat in a grand yellow pearwood chair, one hand resting casually on the armrest, fingertips stained with ink. Catching her glance, he returned it.

This was the first time Yaoyan truly saw this young master’s face. Everything from last night had been a blur; she only knew he was handsome. Now, she saw his sharp brows and bright eyes, his features chiseled and strong, a faint scar tracing his jawline. Beneath his clothes, his muscles were firm and powerful.

At the same time, Xiao Huai was also studying her.

She wore a plain garnet-red velvet short jacket and a lotus-embroidered skirt. Her figure was slender and delicate. Her almond-shaped eyes, misted like fog, looked at him quietly. Without makeup, and her hair styled simply with side locks parted in a modest bun, she appeared fragile and pitiable.

Her attire was not luxurious; only the jacket’s color was vivid. There were no jewelry or adornments, yet her natural beauty was captivating.

Unfortunately, Xiao Huai did not believe he was someone she could steal his heart from.

Zhou Ning continued with the second rule, “When the matriarch asks, you must respond that all is well. Do not cause any complications or covet things that do not belong to you.”

Yaoyan inwardly pondered—what things did not belong to her? Was it Xiao Huai himself?

The last rule was awkward even for Zhou Ning to voice, but under Xiao Huai’s pressure, he stammered, “Lastly, you must keep at least a yard’s distance from the general at all times. Otherwise… if any accident occurs, do not blame the general for being heartless.”

Setting such strict rules for a frail young woman was harsh enough, but telling a maid to keep a yard’s distance seemed particularly strange.

If others were to find out, wouldn’t it only worsen the young master’s reputation?

After hearing the three rules, Yaoyan instinctively frowned. She felt deeply that she might never leave the Xiao residence in her lifetime.

With that thought, her gaze subtly landed on Xiao Huai, slowly drifting downward. Could it be that he really…?

Was that why he imposed so many rules to trouble her?

Xiao Huai keenly sensed her gaze and felt a surge of irritation. He knew well what she was thinking but could not prove it to her. His expression darkened as he waved his hand, “Zhou Ning, see her out.”

The room arranged for Yaoyan was already prepared—a chamber in the left courtyard, farthest from Xiao Huai’s own room, as if guarding against her.

Moreover, the servants in the courtyard were all men, making it inconvenient for her to live in the main house.

Just as Yaoyan was about to brave the wind and snow alone, she saw Madame Wu arrive with a group, carrying lanterns in a grand procession.

Seeing her retreat, Xiao Huai’s suspicion deepened. His gaze darkened as he glanced over—this maid was so bold as to hope to stay overnight with him?

Before he could issue the order to send her away, Madame Wu’s voice came first. She looked at Yaoyan with satisfaction and smiled warmly at Xiao Huai, “Young master, the old servant has come by the matriarch’s order to prepare a room for Miss Yaoyan.”

“Why such an elaborate arrangement just to prepare a room?”

Xiao Huai asked puzzledly. Madame Wu only smiled, saying it was the matriarch’s directive, leaving it at that.

Then she led the group into his room, carrying boxes and numerous items. He saw a soft couch placed in the outer chamber of his room, with bedding and pillows neatly arranged.

They worked quickly, and within a quarter of an hour, Madame Wu led her people away, not forgetting to say before leaving, “The matriarch said you live alone in such a big house and it feels too empty, so she specially sent this girl to keep you company and warm your room. You must not disappoint the matriarch’s kindness.”

She felt helpless herself—after all these years, it was the first time she had seen someone so unwilling to keep a maid in his room that he needed constant reminders.

Madame Wu was old and wise. Before leaving, she glanced at her handsome, broad-shouldered young master with a sigh, resolving to bring him a nourishing tonic soup the next day.

When only the two remained inside, Xiao Huai’s gaze swept over Yaoyan, causing her heart to flutter. The booklet hidden in her sleeve slipped to the floor.

Lowering his eyes, Xiao Huai saw the three glaring characters written boldly on the cover: “Fire Avoidance Diagram.”