Inner Residence arc ー Chapter 4 (Part 1): A Second Elder Brother who is unconventional and acts independently
Since it was going to be the New Year, the family members naturally had to have a reunion.
Right here I want to add on a little about the person who did not appear in the previously, Xie Zhaohua's Second Elder Brother, Xie Zhaoying.
This handsome guy who only appeared after a thousand entreaties was not what I expected initially as someone who has a lusterless complexion, is dispirited and listless, has a frail body and a frivolous expression. On the contrary, Second Young Master Xie had a complexion like jade, much vigor, a strong and healthy figure, penetrating eyes and not only so, was also skilful in martial arts. The reason I said this, it must be based on my first encounter with him under abnormal circumstances.
That was a dark night where you could not see your five fingers outstretched and the small wind was blowing with a whooshing sound. That night during dinner I had drunk a few more cups of the osmanthus wine Xie Zhaoke fermented —— This maiden's ability was really not little, she also doesn't need to be frustrated over not finding a good occupation in modern times —— I haven't slept for long when I woke due to my bladder.
Yunxiang was in a very deep slumber in the outer room, so I didn't alarm her and came to the toilet myself —— and sat on the toilet bowl.
Of course, it was not at this time that Xie Zhaoying appeared.
I solved my open personal problem and wanted to wash my hands out of habit when I realised that the room did not have water. People who learn medicine all have different degrees of mysophobia. If I don't wash my hands at this time I will definitely not be able to sleep peacefully, so I put on a piece of clothes and silently went out to find water.
In ancient times there were no city lights in the night. I walked towards the direction of the small kitchen while groping about in the dark when I suddenly heard a whoosing sound amidst the cold wind. After that, an unknown object landed within the flowering shrubs in the small courtyard. A man groaned with a sound of "ow".
The first notion in my mind was: A flower thief(rapist)!
At that time I did not think that the thief came to pluck* me at all. Miss Xie Zhaoke's name for beauty was spread far and wide, stood proudly alone over the other talents. People who have a sense of judgement would all select her.
*T/n: The original phrase means a thief who plucks flowers and it sort of means a rapist. So she is saying here that she did not think his target was her.
I chose to stay motionless at where I was, slow down my breathing and wait for the flower thief to rush towards the right direction. Of course, I could also choose to yell loudly now and not after a while. If the above-mentioned thief goes all out crazy, won't I have to die with regrets once again. Even if he doesn't kill me, wait until the servants on guard dashing in while raising a torch of fire, sees my appearance with my clothes in disarray, how was I then going to explain my innocence*?
*T/n: Regarding whether she was tainted. This was quite an important thing in ancient times.
When my brain was revolving rapidly, the flower thief walked over to where I was step by step.
The more I heard the more I felt that something was off. Someone who leaps onto roofs, vaults over walls and move across people's houses, even if they are not similar to Xiang Shuai(Xiāng Shuài)* who doesn't leave a trace like the wind, he should also be light in his movements like a swallow and nimble in his actions. How come this person has steady steps and has no fear.
*T/n: Xiang Shuai is one of the renowned figures in the martial arts world
As I was puzzled, the person has already walked to the side of the door behind me. The door was not locked and it opened as soon as he pushed.
I didn't know whether I was surprised or delighted. He actually came to pluck me?
Then again I thought that it was far from good, Yunxiang was still sleeping in the outer room. What to do if he didn't look properly and pluck wrongly?
When I think like that, I cautiously lifted the heaviest flower pot I could at the foot of the wall, held my breath and followed behind the person extremely softly.
That little thief entered my building as if he was entering a place where there is no one and directly walked towards the bedroom. I saw that time did not wait for people and exerted my whole body's strength, raising the flower pot in my hand up high.
Only to hear Yunxiang's sleepy voice sounded, "Miss?"
My centre of gravity was not stable, lept into thin air and rolled over to one side with a rumbling sound, falling until numerous golden stars that made me dazed, popped up in front of my eyes*.
*T/n: The original text was phrased in a really really fancy way
That man still said "Eh?" in a surprised yet composed manner, as if he completely did not understand my actions of mounting a sneak attack.
Yunxiang lit the oil lamp, saw that man and called out "ah" softly.
I climbed up and pulled Yunxiang over at once, "Don't be scared, I simply don't believe that good will not prevail over evil, do you think we can still let you off lightly? Let me tell you, I have someone above me!"
The man revealed a flabbergasted expression.
Yunxiang pulled my sleeve from behind, "Miss, Miss, he……Second……"
I cut off her, "Don't speak!"
Yunxiang became anxious, pulling me fiercely, "No……no it's not! Miss, he……"
"Even if he can run out of my courtyard today, he also can't run out of the Xie Residence. If he can run out of the Xie Residence, he also can't run out of the heavens and the laws of the land!"
"Miss, it's not, He……He is Second……Second……Second……Second~~~~~~"
I stamped my feet in exasperation, "Second what, come on say it!"
"Second Young Master!" Yunxiang finally said out that phrase.
"Ah?" I turned my head around to stare at this unknown guest, "Second Brother?"
Xie Zhaoying flashed me a friendly smile, "Fourth Younger Sister, you don't recognize me anymore?"
I returned him a smile on reflex, then felt that it wasn't right and made a serious expression.
"Second Brother, what did you come to my room for in the wee hours of the night?"
Xie Zhaoying said, "Oh. Coming back from Xi City, climbing over the walls at your place here is the closest."
"You can go by the side door."
"Father gave an order, that the door cannot be open all without exception after the curfew."
It appears that the Xie Family's family rules were so strict not to guard against thieves but to guard against him.
I asked again, "Then what did you come into my room for?"
"Oh, I forgot. In the past when you still hadn't recovered, you were always locked upstairs at night. Sometimes I would return late and find a sip of cold tea to drink downstairs."
I sat down steadily while Yunxiang immediately put on some clothes and poured tea for Xie Zhaoying.
Xie Zhaoying moved closer to look at me very curiously. It was then that I saw him clearly. The Xie people all looked good, the second Xie son's face had a distinct contour, was handsome and tall, had clear skin and dense hair. Especially that pair of peach blossom eyes, it was discharging electricity with a "buzz" sound and his brocade clothes had a scent of wine. He indeed had an appearance of a hedonistic son from a wealthy family.
The Second Xie son seemed to not mind seeing his own younger sister in night clothes and grabbed me to chat in high spirits.
"Xiaohua*, I heard that you became well after just tripping and falling, is this true?"
*T/n: Seems to be a common nickname when the family members call Xie Zhaohua
I rolled my eyes at him, "If it's not true, what am I doing by talking to you for half a day?"
He received and was still very happy, "It's so great. Then do you still remember the matters from the past?"
I shook my head honestly.
He was even happier, "Then that's even better."
This person, erratic and with his words not conveying his ideas, was even more silly than the Xie Zhaohua back then.
I did not want to be entangled with him much and yawned exaggeratedly, expressing that I was very tired and he should quickly leave.
However, Xie Zhaoying was a very untactful person who instead shifted his bottom over and said to me, "Xiaohua, then does the promise we made previously still count?"