Chapter 5
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When Tan Ci left Jiang Cheng and returned to Biling, he was faced with a complete mess at the mountain manor. As he was struggling to deal with the chaos, the deputy manor master, Yang Yuan, took the initiative to visit this young successor who was standing out.
Having spent a lifetime alongside the old manor master, none of the elders in the manor were willing to see Biling fall apart. They feared that this young manor master, who hadn’t grown up under their watchful eyes, might become overly suspicious in the future, making life difficult for the elders.
Thus, the deputy manor master stood in the grand hall of Biling and proposed—if Tan Ci married his eldest daughter, Yang Shi, he would lead the elders in handing over their real power and, from then on, wholeheartedly assist Tan Ci.
Standing in the grand hall, Tan Ci looked out at the clouds and mist circling Biling Mountain. For some reason, a white dress on the banks of the Jiang River appeared in his mind.
Neither spoke; it was as though they were engaged in a silent game of strategy, staring at each other.
After what felt like an eternity, a gentle breeze swept across the emerald mountains, dispersing the clouds and mist. The person sitting at the table suddenly curved his lips into a smile and lightly nodded, and his voice was slightly hoarse as he spoke.
He said, “Alright.”
That winter, the manor master of Biling, Tan Ci, married Yang Shi, his new bride. Congratulations flooded in from all directions.
When Jiang Cheng was once again flooded with swordsmen heading to the Yi Shui Sword Duel, Tan Ci, too, brought his trusted subordinates and entered the Yi Shui Manor.
Many in the jianghu secretly criticized Tan Ci, calling him a black-faced young master and questioning how he could wield the power properly. His own people in Biling probably exaggerated the fame he gained when taking over.
Yi Jiao Jiao sat on the platform, initially bored, and sent a maid to brew a pot of tea. When she turned back, however, she saw a figure dressed in flowing robes, landing on the sword duel stage.
The crowd below suddenly fell into silence, and then whispers began to spread. Tan Ci paid no attention to the gossip, giving a humble smile and cupping his hands in a respectful greeting to his opponent, making a gesture inviting the fight to begin.
The swordsmen on the stage had already fought to the final rounds, but Tan Ci, within a few moves, made his opponent show signs of defeat.
Yi Jiao Jiao didn’t shift her gaze and softly asked, “Who is this person?”
The maid beside her laughed softly, “Miss, do you think this young master is exceptionally handsome? This is Tan Ci from Biling Mountain!”
She paused for a moment, then slowly spoke his name, “Tan Ci?”
The maid, who rarely had the chance to speak more with the young mistress, quickly nodded enthusiastically, leaning closer to explain, “That’s right! During the last Yi Shui Sword Duel, this manor master was still in the sword-sealing period… Otherwise, we would have seen his elegance back then!”
Yi Jiao Jiao watched his graceful figure move, and she didn’t speak again. The maid covered her mouth, coughed lightly, and smiled flatteringly, “A man as good as this, he got married at the end of last year… It’s such a pity. Tan Ci and the young mistress have quite a deep connection.”
The light in her eyes dimmed slightly, and for a moment, she paused, surprised. “What?”
The maid looked at Tan Ci, who was still on the stage, and spoke sincerely, almost regretfully, “During the last Yi Shui Sword Debate, I heard that Tan Ci glanced at the young mistress from afar and even complimented her, saying ‘A wife should be like this.'”
Yi Jiao Jiao’s body slightly trembled, though barely noticeable. The maid continued babbling, but she no longer heard anything after that.
Her eyes remained fixed on Tan Ci, never wavering. He made the final strike, his posture elegant, and with his sword resting against his opponent’s neck, Tan Ci effortlessly performed a flourish with the sword before smiling and cupping his hands in a salute. “Thank you for the lesson.”
Yi Jiao Jiao’s gaze burned with intensity, and then, a smile appeared on her lips as she took the lead in applauding.
At that moment, the crowd erupted into applause, filling the air with thunderous claps. The bustling crowd was merely a background, and there, amidst it all, his feathered sword seemed to sway with elegance, making everything else pale in comparison, the bright sun losing its shine.
A month later, the lady of Biling Mountain Manor passed away, and the whole manor mourned her death.
That night, the crescent moon hung low in the sky, and the river flowed silently. Yi Jiao Jiao left Jiang Cheng on horseback alone, traveling through the night, and heading north.
Inside the study, the room was bathed in soft white light. The manor master, looking weary, pushed open the door, and for a moment, the candlelight flickered.
The room was quiet, and he thought he was alone. As he approached his desk, someone emerged from behind the screen—dressed as a maid, in pure white robes, her clothes untainted by dust. The woman held the candle delicately, her lotus-like steps light and graceful.
As she moved, her face gradually became clearer. Tan Ci suddenly froze, staring at her. The woman lifted her eyes to meet his gaze, a mixture of reproach and shyness in her expression. She delicately stepped up to the candlestick, slightly tiptoeing to adjust the lampshade.
His gaze lingered on her for an unintentional moment. She, fully aware of his stare, gracefully turned and performed a respectful curtsy. Softly, she called out to him, “I am here to serve, my lord.”
Tan Ci furrowed his brows in confusion, pausing for a moment, before looking at the woman’s lowered eyelashes. He hoarsely asked, “What is your name…?”
The woman remained still, her demeanor calm and submissive as she answered, “I am Yi Jiao Jiao, a new maid assigned to serve you, my lord.”
His gaze faltered slightly. Yi Jiao Jiao… It wasn’t the person he had been thinking of, though the resemblance was uncanny.
Under the candlelight, Yi Jiao Jiao’s eyes sparkled, her charm becoming even more apparent. Before he could speak, she moved toward him, her fingers delicately flying over the ties of his outer garment.
Tan Ci was accustomed to being served by maids, but something about this moment made him feel uneasy. Hesitant, he unconsciously extended his arms.
Yi Jiao Jiao’s lips curled into a gentle smile as she gracefully removed his outer garment, her scent like cold jasmine subtly invading his senses. But just as quickly, she stepped back.
She took a step back, holding the outer garment in her arms, and went to hang it on the intricately carved rack.
Tan Ci sat at the desk, and she approached, adjusting the lamp beside the desk. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing a fair arm as white as snow. Standing beside him, she slowly began grinding ink.
He looked up at her for a brief moment, but her focus remained on her task. Tan Ci paused, distracted by the sight of her wrist, and suddenly, the room felt warmer.
His hand trembled slightly as he held the brush, but before he could regain focus, he heard her soft voice.
“The name of Minister Zhong is not Dan Xi, but Huo Xuanling. My lord, you’ve written it incorrectly.”
Tan Ci looked down at the character “Xi” he had written and paused for a moment, surprised. He then raised his eyes to look at her, meeting her shimmering gaze. Yi Jiao Jiao smiled softly, her lips pressed together as she apologized, “Yi Jiao Jiao has overstepped. I beg my lord’s pardon.”
For a moment, Tan Ci was lost in thought. He lowered his head, set the brush down, and replaced the paper with a fresh sheet. “It’s nothing… I should have noticed this mistake myself. I thank you for pointing it out.”
Her voice remained gentle, laced with a barely perceptible smile. “Mm.”
The rest of the night passed in silence.
In the days that followed, for more than a month, Yi Jiao Jiao was always by Tan Ci’s side, assisting him in everything.
