Chapter 007: Deliberate Difficulties

Upon waking at dawn, she touched the scar on her forehead. The blood had already clotted. Rising slowly, Yun Xueyan felt aches throughout her body. Looking at the bruises mottling her skin, she could only sigh.

She stood and walked to the bronze mirror, gazing at her reflection. Fortunately, the wound on her forehead was not too serious. Even if it left a scar, it was of little consequence—just another mark to add to her face.

As a child, her mother had taught her to read and write, but the character she wrote most often was "endure." In her case, it meant swallowing all grievances in silence.

After straightening her clothes, she left the room, fetched a basin of warm water, and carefully wiped the blood around her wound, revealing a smooth forehead with only a shallow cut. She treated it as best she could, then stood up.

She still had to pay her respects to Duan Nanyu and Yun Xiyin.

Yet fear lingered in her heart. The memory of Duan Nanyu's demeanor and actions the night before filled her with dread. She felt as if heaven itself was mocking her. With a bitter, self-deprecating smile, she forced herself to stand.

At Junyu Pavilion, the courtyard was utterly deserted when Yun Xueyan arrived—no one in sight, a stark contrast to the usual bustle at this hour. Yesterday, the place had been crowded. What was happening today?

A sense of foreboding crept into her heart, but her steps did not falter.

She had only just come to a stop when a low, breathless moan drifted from inside the room. "My lord, you're going to wear Xiyin out..." Yun Xueyan frowned at the sound, her pale face tinged with embarrassment. She wished the three days would pass quickly so she could be spared these humiliations each morning.

"Yin’er, from now on you must call yourself Yin’er. Xiyin is too formal," came a gentle, almost affectionate voice, before it shifted abruptly. "Come in and attend to Yin’er and me as we bathe!"

Was he speaking to her? At the silence, Duan Nanyu’s impatience flared. "Must I come out and fetch you myself?"

Startled by his shout, Yun Xueyan trembled violently, biting her lip before slowly pushing the door open. Warmth filled the room along with soft murmurs. She quickly averted her eyes from the bed, positioning herself behind the screen and speaking quietly, "My lord, what are your orders?"

Her hand instinctively touched the wound on her forehead, which still throbbed with pain.

"Fill the side chamber’s bath with water. Yin’er and I will bathe," came his cold command. Yet in the next breath, his tone softened again. "Yin’er, Yin’er..."

"Hmm? What is it, my lord?" Yun Xiyin replied sweetly, nestling against Duan Nanyu’s chest, her face flushed with bashful delight.

"From now on, don’t call me 'my lord.' Call me Nanyu," he said, his voice as gentle as flowing water. The tenderness unsettled Yun Xueyan—she knew his affection was reserved for Yun Xiyin alone.

But what did any of this have to do with her?

She moved toward the side chamber, halting abruptly. The room contained only a large bath, surrounded by screens and gauzy drapes—nothing else. To fill such a vast bath on her own was simply impossible.

She was a delicate woman, unused to such heavy labor; even after becoming accustomed to rough work, she was still no match for a man’s strength. When she’d first been forced into menial tasks, she’d struggled—spilling half a bucket of water and taking ages to carry the rest. Over time, she’d grown used to it, even managing to lift a full bucket with one hand. Still, filling this bath alone was beyond her. Clearly, this was meant to make things difficult for her.

Lost in thought, she was startled by a cold, sharp voice from behind. "Why are you still standing there? Do you mean to make me wait until noon for my bath? Don’t you enjoy being a servant? Then I’ll make sure you serve to your heart’s content!"