Qian Jue was shocked, to say the least! She blinked a few times before finally smiling her first honest-to-goodness smile all evening. "You're the second person ever to say that about him."
This had completely astonished Tao Hua, but for reasons he was unsure about. Was it because there were so few who held a similar sentiment about Shan Si, or that someone else specific did?
The more he thought about it, his shock dissipated into something more complicated. Sympathy, toward a man who'd cringe at the first mention of pity. If Shan Si really only had one other person who cared about him enough to see past his titles, then were the two really all that different?
It was merely comparing apples to oranges anymore, but mandrians orange to a plain one.
Before Tao Hua could ask, Qian Jue promptly held up her hand and added, "I ask that you implore the subject no more. I'm bound by oath, hence all my answers will be nothing more than lacklustre."
Tao Hua accepted that response, understanding there wasn't much he could do about it. It was as Qian Jue said, "The word of Our Lord is law in Chuhen Palace; it's always been that way and will remain that way." So, Tao Hua was shit out of luck if he wanted to get a few answers from her.
Leaning his weight onto his arm, Tao Hua snuck a view of the bed, and his mind immediately ventured into territories unbecoming of their conversation. His face blanched slightly, sorely exposing the expression of someone whose mind was clearly still unsettled.
And like all things natural to this world, the tide lifted with the moon, just as Qian Jue immediately picked up on Tao Hua's discomfort.
"Is there more to your woes?" she asked, her voice gentle yet knowing. "Though I cannot divulge much useful information about Our Lord, I can answer most questions you have about the palace. Please, speak your mind."
Despite her soft and welcoming demeanour, Tao Hua still grappled with his thoughts, but Qian Jue was a patient woman and she sat in wait for however long Tao Hua needed. Eventually, he responded, shamefully looking away.
"Consort Fang…"
Only for a moment did she seem surprised; however, that simmered away as she readjusted herself, successfully maintaining her composure.
"What about her?"
Though Tao Hua tried to keep it subtle, he was anything but competent. The fact that he hadn't yet practiced what had become plainly obvious was a skill all on its own. His cheeks deepend into a red blush, just as he fumbled his hands over each other, and the biggest giveaway to his terrible act was in how often his eyes shifted from his hands to the bed, over and over.
Nothing was said between the two for a short while; however, when Tao Hua glanced up at her, he saw that she had uncharacteristically dipped her head. Though she tried to remain still, her shoulders shook, and Tao Hua couldn't quite tell if she was crying or laughing.
This made him feel worse about his own statement—mortified! Completely and utterly mortified at himself and his questions!
"M-My deepest apologies…" she trailed on, stopping each time her voice cracked. Lifting her hand toward her mouth, she held the delicate weather fingers against it and closed her eyes.
Immediately, Tao Hua looked away, planted his hands between his thighs, and cried, "Nevermind! That was too invasive!"
"No, the fault is mine," Qian Jue assured, letting out a winded breath just as she composed herself. "Consort Fang would be delighted to know you've been thinking of her. Unfortunately, she and Our Lord are not close, so I'm not sure if you'll ever be granted the opportunity to meet her. Not anytime soon, at least."
That somehow eased Tao Hua's tension, and in the midst of his embarrassment, his lashes lowered. So he was overreacting after all? Over a woman he'd never once met, but assumed many things about?
If this was growth, it was trending in the wrong direction.
"Please don't confuse that as he doesn't care. Lord Shengkai thinks fondly of those two girls, though it's not in the way you think."
"Two…?"
Tao Hua's brows furrowed, and he glanced over at Qian Jue. The smile on her face was so brightly pronounced, Tao Hua could have sworn she looked years younger under the warm light of Shan Si's bedchambers.
She nodded, pressing her hand against her knee, and slowly rising to her feet. "Consort Fan and Consort Wu. Again, I do apologize as I've promised you palace information, but I cannot go into detail—this involves Our Lord's past. However, I can say he has nothing but the highest respect for both girls, even if his approach isn't gentlemanly at all. Now, if you'll excuse this maidservant…"
Making her way toward the door, Tao Hua watched as Qian Jue gathered a neatly folded up bundle of fabric, painted black and gold. She stiffly laid it on her forearm, holding it just before her ribs, and stood poised next to the door. Every ounce of her looked professional—all for the smile she just couldn't seem to wipe clean from her face.
However, compared to earlier, it had significantly softened.
Tao Hua just looked away, his face still warm from their conversation. Even if Qian Jue mentioned they hadn't a relationship, why would someone titled "Lord" within a palace treat concubines with care?
Just from Shan Si's story and his experience with the emperor of the Imperial Capital, it seemed uncharacteristic for a Lord to be so kind to women assigned with a single purpose. But even so, Tao Hua couldn't help but softly grin at the thought.
People weren't black and white, rather dotted with brilliant colours hidden under the monochromatic canvas. Even if his worry wasn't fully relieved, he was happy to know there was humanity under such a painting as Shan Si.
Tao Hua traced along the carefully embroidered patterns of his robe, and it occurred to him that if the ribbon was prepared by Shan Si, then perhaps the robe as well? Every inch of it was resplendent. Though it was clearly once worn and old, it was kept in pristine condition and suited Tao Hua completely.
That was more than what the comfortable, plain robe, the servants at the estate measly picked out.
Amidst his thoughts, the door suddenly opened, and when Tao Hua lifted his head, he first saw Qian Jue bent in a bow. For whatever reason, Tao Hua immediately froze, and he wasn't sure how to react.
"Welcome back, Lord Shengkai," she said, straightening herself and holding out the robe. "Much later than expected."
When Tao Hua's eyes finally fell on Shan Si, all that nervousness washed away instantly, and it was as if he was stunned stupid. Shan Si was dressed in a tightly fitted robe, resembling that which Wan Mie wore, and his head, shoulders, and parts of his arms were covered in piles of snow.
Lifting his hand to brush off some of the excess, his exhausted expression contorted into something more juvenile and annoyed. As soon as Tao Hua caught his hand, every part of his stomach twisted.
Why was it bandaged? No…why were both his hands bandaged, and down to just below his wrists? And was it storming for the fourth night in a row when earlier was almost clear with blue skies?
Tao Hua's head spiralled with confusion.
"Got caught up. Send my apologies to the other servants preparing dinner," he replied, just as removed the robe two sizes too small and tossed it on the nearby end table. Qian Jue began to dress him in what looked like a clean, silken housecoat. "If it's not one thing, it's another. More on my plate to report."
Despite Shan Si's grumbling old man's attitude, Qian Jue's smile never once wavered. She reached toward the front of the housecoat and neatly pressed out the collar.
Shan Si looked at her with confusion before staring up at Tao Hua. "Is there something I'm missing here? What's so funny?"
In contrast to Qian Jue's pleasant attitude, Tao Hua looked bewildered and frightened, just as Shan Si's pale eyes met his. Was she going to give away their conversation? Tao Hua's chest began to race uncomfortably, and the sweat on his forehead nearly twinkled against the light.
However, Qian Jue was calm, and her reply held not even a trace of fear. "My Lord has picked out the cutest individual to bring back to the palace. This maidservant hasn't met anyone quite as unique. He will be a splendid addition, enough to colour the misery bright."
Shan Si's eyebrows raised, just as Tao Hua stared dumbfounded at Qian Jue's statement. However, the moment Tao Hua shrunk back into himself, Shan Si's eyelids lowered, and in the gentlest manner, he chuckled.
"You're right. He's certainly a funny little flower."
Chapter end.