C172 – Male Absence
After a full day and night of sleep, Zuo Shaoqing finally awakened. Upon opening his eyes, he felt disoriented, unsure of his surroundings.
Rising from the bed after a period of rest, Zuo Shaoqing noticed a thin blanket slipping off his shoulders, leaving a chill in the room.
Glancing toward the foot of the bed, he spotted an ice bucket where the ice had melted, offering a slight coolness to the bedroom.
Stretching lazily, his muscles and bones emitted relaxed sounds. “So comfortable...”
Stepping barefoot onto the cold floor, he felt the warmth of his skin contrasting with the chill, causing goosebumps to form. Observing his clothes, he realized they were clean, evidently washed while he slept.
Such attentiveness had never been characteristic of Lu Zheng. Even in his absence, Zuo Shaoqing had never allowed his body to be exposed in front of others, regardless of gender.
What possessiveness! Zuo Shaoqing called out toward the door, “Someone!”
Luo Xiaoliu hurried in, perspiration dotting his brow. He bent down, asking, “Master San, you’re awake. You startled everyone. Even the old lady visited this morning. If not...”
“Enough,” Zuo Shaoqing interrupted, gesturing for silence. “Where’s Master Lu?”
“I’m not sure, but Master Lu left recently. I don’t have the authority to inquire about his whereabouts,” Luo Xiaoliu replied, dejected.
In recent months, he had been disillusioned by his aspirations to become a respected butler, realizing no one truly valued him.
“Stop pouting,” Zuo Shaoqing scolded. “Yinyi isn’t here.” He playfully tapped the back of Luo Xiaoliu’s head. “Prepare some food; I’m famished.”
Luo Xiaoliu blushed furiously, his words stumbling. “This... It’s the same as before... What does it matter who?”
Zuo Shaoqing smirked, “Don’t pretend you don’t know. Yinyi is too harsh. In this hot weather, he should be more considerate...”
Luo Xiaoliu realized Zuo Shaoqing’s gaze was fixed on his neck and covered it hastily, his face burning as he fled.
Watching him go, Zuo Shaoqing chuckled, muttering, “A man should never linger...”
“Are you referring to yourself?” A tall figure blocked the doorway, exuding a sense of security.
Zuo Shaoqing blinked, feeling his heart race inexplicably. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen Lu Zheng, nor was it the first time he’d acknowledged his feelings. Why this sudden intensity?
Lu Zheng’s approach filled his field of vision with black attire. “Still dazed? Why the confusion?”
Feeling Lu Zheng’s rough palm on his forehead, Zuo Shaoqing closed his eyes and leaned in, resting his forehead on Lu Zheng’s shoulder. “I overslept...”
He reached up to massage his head gently, then draped an arm around his shoulders, saying, “Ease up a bit in the future. Take your time if you need to.”
While he began with an advantage over others, his social status posed greater challenges in earning approval. Without excelling, suspicions arose that he exploited Duke Zhen’s influence.
They shared a simple lunch. Zuo Shaoqing changed attire and accompanied Lu Zheng to visit the elderly lady. After a brief conversation, he departed once she retired for a nap.
Passing by the garden, Zuo Shaoqing noticed the lotus blooms, their beauty enduring despite the season’s peak having passed.
Lu Zheng guided him to the pavilion where a gentle breeze carried hints of warmth and earthy fragrance, marking the end of summer.
Servants served tea meticulously. Watermelon chilled in well water, pears froze, and even the tea shifted to aromatic chrysanthemum.
“You mean... Zuo Shuhui is expecting?” Zuo Shaoqing exclaimed, eyes widening in astonishment.
Considering Zuo Shuhui’s marriage occurred two or three months prior, pregnancy was expected. Nonetheless, this revelation caught him off guard.
Luo Xiaoliu lowered his voice, “Allow this humble servant to explain... Eldest Miss has experienced a previous pregnancy.”
Anxiously, Zuo Shaoqing interjected, “What do you mean by ‘previous’?”
Though tempted to roll his eyes, Luo Xiaoliu refrained, mindful of his manners in the Wu Steel Manor. He nodded, “Indeed, we’ll only comprehend the depth of Eldest Miss’s remorse once the child is lost.”
“To be precise, how could a perfectly viable child be forsaken?”
“You’re unaware of this, aren’t you?” Luo Xiaoliu was still quite pleased with himself as he recounted the events with excitement.
It appeared that Zuo Shuhui initially had a good life upon marrying into the family. For some reason, Jiang Che had lavished attention on her, at least outwardly treating her with great fondness and placing her on equal footing with his official wife.
However, Jiang Che had always been somewhat licentious. After some time, he frequented the male pet’s quarters more often. Unbeknownst to Zuo Shuhui for a month, her ostensibly doting husband was still keeping male pets captive, and not just one or two of them.
This revelation was a blow to Zuo Shuhui, who had been living a tranquil life with her dignity intact. Compounded by the machinations of the official wife, Zuo Shuhui set a trap for Wu Steel, whom Jiang Che favored the most, on a sunny day.
Within Jiang’s Mansion, male pets were confined to their quarters. However, the grounds were expansive, featuring a distinctive garden and a lotus pond. When Jiang Che was in good spirits, he would often enjoy drinks and conversation there.
Yet, these details were secondary. The crux of the matter was Zuo Shuhui intentionally entering the secluded garden, rarely visited by the ladies, and coincidentally encountering a male pet.
After a brief altercation, according to plan, Zuo Shuhui deliberately plunged into the lotus pond. Her loyal servant screamed and rushed to fetch assistance.
However, events did not unfold as Zuo Shuhui had envisioned. When she was pulled from the pond, her lower body was stained with blood. An experienced woman recognized this as a miscarriage.
Chaos reigned in Jiang’s Mansion, and Zuo Shuhui was bewildered by the sudden turn of events. She hadn’t even realized she was pregnant; had she known, she certainly wouldn’t have enacted such a reckless scheme.
Fortunately, as she lost her child, the male pet who was supposed to push her into the water was punished and expelled from the household. For Zuo Shuhui, without a child, this outcome was arguably the best.
The one who benefitted most was Jiang Che’s official wife. She consoled Zuo Shuhui in her grief and generously provided various tonics. Whether she undertook further covert actions, Luo Xiaoliu couldn’t say.
“This underscores the disparity between the cunning of a lowly servant and the astuteness of a noblewoman,” remarked Zuo Shaoqing as he sipped his tea. “Zuo Shuhui may be somewhat clever, but her experience is limited. She’s never weathered any storms, so how could she contend with Yao in her prime?”
“It’s a pity. If the First Miss could bear a daughter, it would solidify her position in the Jiang Family.”
The villain within Zuo Shaoqing chuckled heartily, hands on his hips. “Jiang Che already has a legitimate son. Even if Zuo Shuhui bore a son, it would only be a bonus.”
Responding darkly, Luo Xiaoliu retorted, “Still better than being barren like you!”
“You’re asking for trouble!” Zuo Shaoqing kicked him. “Seems like your stint at Duke Zhen’s hasn’t taught you anything. Or have you grown accustomed to Liu Tie’s discipline? Shameless!”
Luo Xiaoliu took a step back, smiling. “Apologies, I misspoke. The bond between Master San and Master Lu is stronger than steel, and their safety is assured!”
Zuo Shaoqing, infuriated, laughed bitterly. “Leave! Prepare some medicinal herbs. Tomorrow, you’ll personally convey my regards and ensure she rests comfortably at home, shielded from any mistreatment. After all, she’s connected to the Wu Steel Manor!”
“Huh? Why help the Eldest Miss?” This servant pondered... He should have known Zuo Shaoqing wished ill upon the Zuo Family.
“Humph!” Zuo Shaoqing snorted, offering no reply. All his efforts would be wasted if Zuo Shuhui were to lose so easily.
Though delivering a fatal blow to Jiang’s Mansion might prove challenging for Zuo Shuhui, she could still intermittently cause them annoyance and disgust.