A Small Effort

"Both of you may leave now. If word of what happened today gets out, I won’t be able to protect you." I spoke to the two young women and handed them some silver.

A threat, accompanied by silver, was enough to seal their lips. Those who made a living here surely understood what could and could not be spoken of.

"Yes, we understand," they replied, straightening their clothes before leaving the room.

The dagger pressed against me had already been withdrawn.

"You can come out now. They've gone," I called.

The person hiding under the table crawled out, smoothed his clothes, and straightened his hairpiece, acting as though his utterly ruined appearance was of little concern. He was calm and composed, and the dagger he'd used to threaten me had vanished—no doubt put away. I did not bother to ask why he was being hunted down; experience had taught me that the less one knows, the safer one is. Some secrets are best left buried, for what reason is there to let the past disturb those who live in peace? Of course, I speak of good people; not every secret must remain hidden, and some injustices ought to be set right.

"They probably haven’t gone far. Best to wait a while before you leave. There’s still some food here—would you care for some?" I said, helping myself without waiting for a reply. I truly hadn’t eaten my fill, and after the fright just now, I needed something to steady my nerves.

I neither scolded him, nor raised my voice, nor chased him away; instead, I invited him to share a meal. I wondered if, in his eyes, I had become something of an extraordinary woman.

"Thank you, miss," he replied.

Clatter—my chopsticks dropped onto the table. Thank you, miss? Why not call me ‘young master’? I was clearly dressed as a man... How could he tell? I wanted to shout, but refrained.

"How... how did you know?" I pointed at him, only for him to brush my hand aside. My face grew hot in an instant.

"Your skills are lacking, though you make a good effort."

...

He stood, intent on leaving, but I, in a fit of pique, blocked his way.

"You really are rude. I saved you, and instead of being grateful, you mock me."

"Didn’t I just thank you?" he chuckled.

...That’s true, I suppose I’d forgotten.

"Miss, perhaps we’ll meet again someday," he said, slipping out the door. I had wanted to ask if he needed me to cover for him, but he was already gone. It seemed he didn’t need my help after all.

He struck me as a simple youth, not particularly striking in appearance, yet refreshingly clean and even somewhat delicate. If he knew I described him this way, he’d probably return to give me a beating.

It was only a passing rescue; I didn’t dwell on it. Nonetheless, to avoid trouble from those pursuing him, I decided it would be wise to leave the House of Welcoming Spring for now.

Never had I imagined that the one I saved today would, in days to come, save me from peril countless times. Nor did I realize that this small act would, again and again, save my life as well. Had he not existed in this world, or had I never had the fortune to meet him, Huarong Ziyun would have faded into obscurity.

He and I were destined for something special, though in the end, our fate lacked its final stroke.