Chapter 37: A Young Madam Who Forgot to Go Home
The night had grown deep.
Most of the lanterns throughout the Xie Residence had already been extinguished, leaving only a handful flickering beneath the corridors.
It was almost midnight.
Xie Rong stood quietly outside the courtyard. The evening breeze brushed past his robes, yet he made no movement to return inside. His gaze remained fixed upon the entrance.
It had been nearly an hour. Yet... Shen Taotao had still not returned.
Just then, steady footsteps approached from behind.
"Young Master." Mo Yan stopped several paces away before bowing respectfully.
Without turning around, Xie Rong spoke calmly. "Where is she?"
Mo Yan seemed to have expected the question. "This subordinate has been secretly following the Young Madam as instructed. She is still within the residence."
Xie Rong remained silent. A brief pause later, he asked, "What is she doing?"
Mo Yan hesitated, "She appears to be drinking with the servants."
Xie Rong’s brows knitted together ever so slightly. "Drinking?"
There was a hint of disbelief in his usually calm voice, "Where is she?"
Mo Yan lowered his head respectfully, "In the servants’ quarters."
"The servants’ quarters?" Xie Rong repeated.
"Yes." Mo Yan nodded, "When this subordinate found the Young Madam, she had somehow wandered into the servants’ dining courtyard."
"They were originally having a late-night meal after today’s incident and the Young Madam sat down with them..." Mo Yan paused briefly, "And asked for a bowl of wine."
The night fell silent and Xie Rong was momentarily speechless.
After a long while, he asked, "How much has she drunk?"
"This subordinate cannot say for certain." Mo Yan hesitated before adding honestly, "However... When this subordinate left, the Young Madam was teaching the servants a strange finger-guessing game."
Xie Rong titled his head a bit, "strange finger-guessing game?"
"Yes." Mo Yan nodded.
"The servants seemed to find it rather entertaining. They gathered around the Young Madam, laughing and taking turns playing with one another."
Xie Rong remained silent.
After a brief pause, he asked calmly, "And she?"
Mo Yan lowered his head, "The Young Madam appeared to be enjoying herself."
A faint sigh escaped Xie Rong’s lips, "Lead the way."
With that, he turned and walked toward the servants’ quarters.
The servants’ quarters were located in the western corner of the Xie Residence. Unlike the quiet courtyards of the masters, this place remained unusually lively despite the late hour.
Even before reaching the entrance, bursts of laughter drifted through the night.
"Again!"
"Hahaha! Young Madam, you cheated!"
"I didn’t! You were too slow!"
Another wave of laughter erupted.
Xie Rong’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt. For a brief moment, he simply stood outside the courtyard.
The warm glow of several lanterns illuminated the open courtyard where dozens of servants had gathered in a circle.
In the very center... Wang Gege sat cross-legged on a wooden stool.
Her sleeves had already been rolled up to her elbows without the slightest concern for etiquette. A small wine jar rested beside her, while an empty cup remained loosely held between her fingers.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Whether from the wine or excitement... Even Xie Rong could not immediately tell.
"Come, come!" Wang Gege clapped her hands enthusiastically. "One more round! Whoever loses has to drink!"
The surrounding servants looked at one another before someone nervously glanced toward the wine jar.
"Young Madam... this servant has already drunk three cups."
"Only three?" Wang Gege blinked before waving her hand generously. "That’s nothing! Continue!"
The servants burst into laughter once more.
Standing quietly outside the courtyard, Xie Rong watched the scene before him in complete silence.
The bright smile on her face, the carefree laughter and the way she sat among the others without the slightest concern for appearances or social boundaries. For reasons he could not explain...
She reminded him of someone...
The thought appeared so suddenly that even Xie Rong was caught off guard. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
After a brief moment, he dismissed the thought altogether, "Ridiculous."
"Young Master?" Mo Yan looked at him in confusion. "Should this subordinate announce your arrival?"
Xie Rong’s gaze remained fixed upon the lively courtyard.
"No." His voice was calm as always, "Let them continue."
Mo Yan was slightly surprised but did not question the order. He quietly stepped aside.
Meanwhile, inside the courtyard, another burst of laughter erupted.
"Again!"
"No, no! You cheated!"
"I didn’t!"
"Young Madam, that’s the third time you’ve changed the rules!"
"Hmph!" Wang Gege crossed her arms confidently. "The rules changed because I said so."
The servants immediately cried out in protest, causing another round of laughter to echo through the courtyard.
Standing beneath the shadows of the corridor, Xie Rong silently watched the scene unfold before him. Unconsciously, the corners of his lips almost lifted.
Not far away, Qing’er sat beside Wang Gege with a cup of wine still in her hands. Unlike the others, she had barely taken a sip.
From time to time, she would anxiously glance toward the entrance of the courtyard before looking back at her Young Madam, who was laughing heartily with the servants.
Unable to hold herself back any longer, Qing’er finally leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Young Madam... It is already quite late."
She paused, taking a deep breath, "This servant begs your pardon for speaking out of turn, but..." She hesitated for a brief moment before continuing softly, "Young Master is likely waiting for your return."
Wang Gege blinked twice. Then, as though she had just heard the funniest joke in the world, she burst into laughter.
"Him?" She pointed at herself before shaking her head repeatedly. "Qing’er, you’ve drunk too much... He would rather wait for the sun to rise than wait for me."
The surrounding servants exchanged glances before awkwardly lowering their heads, unsure whether they should laugh or pretend they had heard nothing.
Just then... The sound of someone clearing his throat broke the lively atmosphere.
"Perhaps..." A calm voice drifted across the courtyard, "The Young Madam believes the sun will rise before she returns."
The laughter abruptly ceased. Every servant stiffened. One by one, they slowly turned toward the entrance.
The moment they recognized the tall figure standing beneath the lantern light, every trace of color drained from their faces.
"Y-Young Master!"
In an instant, everyone hurriedly rose to their feet before dropping to their knees.
"This servant greets the Young Master!"