Ft.

Zhou Yiran
As
Liu Haoran
Age: 20
Favorite food: Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings)

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

Wu Yi-Nuo spent the night tossing and turning in her bed.

Her window was open, letting the crisp white moonlight bathe the room. Her gaze remained locked on the ceiling as her mind repeated the events that had happened.

'Lady Cheng.....I hope you are somewhere better now....but I shall try to avenge you as long as I am in this world. Don't worry....you'll be able to rest in peace....I promise...'

A sigh left her lips.

She was like this for a good while, until the sun began to rise, basking her in its warmth, a stark difference from the bitter cold of the night.

She decided to get up and make use of her time.

"We usually just eat these Baozi from Mrs Cho's stand...the last time we had a good meal was before our last servant left with her husband. Neither me or Ba ever has time to cook."

The young master's words from last night returned to her mind as she quietly opened the door.

Right in front of her on the floor, was a gently folded Hanfu. The upper piece was a dark, faded shade of blue with simple embroidery on the front, while the skirt half was a crisp white cotton material.

Yi-Nuo's lips tugged at a smile. She knew that either the young master or his father had placed it there for her...and either way, it was a kind gesture that she appreciated.

She changed out of the old silk Hanfu she had been wearing, and found that this one was quite comfortable and fit her nicely. 

She quietly tiptoed across the floor and down the stairs, then across the hall, where the kitchen was located.
She slid open the door, which led to the back garden.

The birds chirped sweetly, and the scent of rain was still present in the chilly air. The grasses and bamboo trees swayed gently with the breeze, creating an atmosphere that Yi-Nuo hadn't experienced in quite some time.

She took a deep breath of the air and turned back to the kitchen, where she began preparing breakfast for the master and his son.

Steamed rice, braised lotus root and spring onion, with egg soup and hot tea. It was a simple meal that she had prepared time and time again, one that her mother had made herself when she was little.

Every morning, her mother made sure that a hot meal was on the table, even if they couldn't manage to afford lunch or dinner sometimes, there was always breakfast, and they always ate it together before her father went to work at the printing house.

As she set out the dishes on the table, footsteps echoed through the hallway that led to the kitchen.

The elder Zheng took a deep inhale of the aroma that filled the room, his smile widening as he scanned the table.

"This looks excellent, young lady! I haven't seen a good meal like this on the table in months...I appreciate your efforts!"

Yi-Nuo smiled, nodding her head as she dried her hands on her apron.

"It's my pleasure, Physician Zheng..." she voiced. "Where's the young master? We should eat before it gets cold."

The old man nodded while taking a seat at the table.

"He left early this morning to check on a patient and go to the bathhouse. I suspect he should be back very soon, so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle to wait for him."

"Ah, I see." She nodded.
So it must have been him that placed the clothes by her door early this morning.
She herself had gotten up at dawn, so that meant he must have been up even before the sun rose. Or, perhaps he didn't sleep at all.

He was hard working, for sure, Something Yi-Nuo could relate to.

"Well, I'll re-boil the water for tea, then. Do you prefer oolong or chrysanthemum?"

"Chrysanthemum, please!"

"Coming right up," she voiced, flashing him a smile.

She placed the metal teapot back on the stove and re-lit the coals. After fanning the flames for a little while, she heard the front door open and slide shut.

"I'm home, Ba!" The young master called out as he entered the kitchen.

His smile widened as he looked over the full table.

"Wow....this looks delicious, did you cook ?" He asked, his eyes landing on her.

She nodded under his gaze.

"Mhm. I did. I felt bad when you told me that you've only had Baozi to eat after your last servant left. So, we should eat before it gets too cold."

The young master's smile widened.
As he sat down by his father at the table, He noticed the Hanfu she was wearing and recognized it to be the one he set by her door earlier that morning.

He was glad that it could be of use somehow.

"That suits you," he voiced, earning her attention as their gazes met once more.  "The Hanfu...it belonged to my sister. She would be happy to see it being used."

Her expression immediately shifted, her smile faltering.

Sister? Judging from his wording, it seemed she was gone. He had lost someone, too. 

"Yes, I do agree. It fits you splendidly." The old man added.

"O-oh- thank you..." she bowed her head solemnly.

Yi-Nuo served the two hot tea and sat down herself, now feeling slightly guilty about the clothes she was in, even though they had done nothing but give her compliments.

It was quiet for a while, just the sounds of porcelain touching and clinking together filled the room. Until the young master spoke up once more.

"Ba, you'll never guess who I ran into at the bath house." he stated, clearly enjoying the Lotus root that Yi-Nuo had cooked.
"Feng Xie! He's in town for the week, he said he's going to stop by later and have a chat with you."

The old man's eyes brightened at the mention of that name.

"Feng Xie? That old coot? Hah! I'm surprised he hasn't become immortal yet*." he stated with a laugh. "We should prepare something nice for his visit, perhaps you can go to the market and buy some sweets, we can have tea out in the garden."

The young master laughed as well at his fathers words.
"Yes, I agree. He looked well, though his back has been bothering him, so I said we can prescribe him some herbs to help the pain. We haven't run out of fabric for pain-relief patches, have we?"

"I believe we have more left. It shouldn't be a hassle to get more, though."

"Right," He nodded, once again looking to Yi-Nuo as she sat quietly listening to the conversation between father and son.

A smile graced his face as he continued to eat his meal.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

They finished not too long after, and as Yi-Nuo began to wash the dishes in the sink, she heard a woman's voice coming from the front room.

She peeked through the curtain leading to the entrance, catching a glimpse of an older woman and a younger woman standing side-by-side at the door.

"Good morning, Young Master Zheng! You're looking dashing today, aren't you?" she voiced with a laugh. The Younger woman beside her said nothing, her expression remaining soft. She wore fine silks and had her dark hair flowing like a waterfall down beside her slim face. She was pretty, and reminded Yi-Nuo of Lady Cheng.

"Ah, good morning, Mrs  Zhou...is there something I can help with?"

"Actually, it's my young Daiyu that has been having trouble with sore eyes again...I was hoping you could take a look? Perhaps give us some of that medicine from before,"

The young master set his book down and stepped forward.

"Of course...is it still the same type of pain?"

The young woman nodded.

"Yes. and it gets worse whenever I look at anything closely...reading in particular is painful."

"I see, has your blurred vision gotten any worse either?" He asked, beginning to write down the symptoms on a piece of paper.

"Ah, what a hassle." The older woman sighed. "You know, young master, are you still looking for a wife? I am positive that my Daiyu would be a perfect candidate for you. If she lived with you, it would be that much easier to care for her. We wouldn't have to make trips here so often, and the two of you could live happily together!"

Yi-Nuo heard the young master sigh, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips as he stepped forward.

"Ah, I see what this is about. I'm sorry to be so blunt, Mrs Zhou....but my answer is still the same as it was two weeks ago...I'm not looking for a wife, and that's all there is to it. Here is the medicine...take it twice a day with liquids, same as before...if you still have pain after that, then I suggest going to the lens doctor, Mr Sun in Suzhou specializes in corrective eye glasses...now, have a good day, Mrs Zhou..."

The woman looked offended as the young master showed them out the door.

"Fine then! Have it your way...you'll be lonely your whole entire life without a wife or children to care for you...but that will be your own problem and no one else's. Let's go, Dear,"

A sigh left his lips as he closed the door after them.

"Aiya**, that woman..."

Yi-Nuo shrunk back slightly. She couldn't help but be curious, as it seemed every woman in Beijing knew of Zheng Mingze and wished for their daughter to be betrothed to him...he was actually quite popular. Though someone as charismatic as him, it was no surprise. 

"Eh, Wu Yi-Nuo, is that you lurking over there?"

She flinched slightly, surprised that he could see her when she was behind the curtain.

"Ah, sorry.....I heard someone talking and couldn't help myself ... .you,,,probably think I'm a snoop...." She voiced bashfully as she ducked under the curtain into the office.

The man laughed.

"There's a difference between being a snoop and being a curious person...I don't blame you, everything that comes out of that woman's mouth is amusing....to an extent....."

Yi-Nuo chewed her lip, her hands clasped behind her back as she hummed in response.

"To change the topic," He voiced after a moment. " I found another lead concerning the nitric acid origin. ....this morning, I remembered that a foreigner comes to Beijing sometimes to trade his wares...among them was different types of acids used for etching and cleaning jade during the carving process. I heard from a friend that he'll be in town sometime in the next week or two to view the new years festival..we should consult him about the acid."

"Oh, really? That's great! Maybe he'll know who purchased it, then...we should be sure to catch him when he arrives."

"Yes, I agree. I'll continue to ask around a few more places, but  It seems there is nothing else that can be done for the time being...so all there is to do is wait. Oh, and I told my father about your predicament...he wants to help, too. I figured it was no use to keep it from him, at least. He'd figure it out sooner or later, so it's better just to let him know to avoid any miscommunication."

"'Oh?...Good...I'm glad...I'll have to thank him for understanding my situation.." She voiced.  "Um...I do have one more favor to ask though...if it's not too much trouble."

The young man shook his head.

"Not at all...what is it you need done?"

Yi-Nuo gently pulled a letter out of her sleeve.

"Can you deliver this to Tao Mei when you go to the palace next? I need her to know that I'm doing ok..."

"Of course...I'll make sure it reaches her," he said with a smile as he took the paper and placed it in his own sleeve.

"Great ...thank you ...thank you so much, Young Master Zheng...."

"Don't mention it...I'm glad to be of help to someone like you."

She felt her heartbeat begin to race as he smiled down at her, a now playful expression gracing his face.

"Ah...t-thank you. If you'll excuse me, I should get back to my work." She bowed her head with a small smile.

"Of course...don't let me keep you," he voiced, watching as she ducked under the curtain to the kitchen.

—

She went back to her work at the sink, washing and drying the dishes from earlier.

"Miss Wu.....my son told me about your situation. I see you're in quite the predicament." The old man voiced as he entered the kitchen.

She stopped drying a porcelain bowl and looked to him, a small smile tugging at her lips.

She nodded.

"Yes, Master Zheng...your son is kind enough to offer his help." She bowed her head slightly. "He's doing his best to prove my innocence.....I'm very grateful."

"I see....I'd like to help, as well. If my son believes you to be wronged, then I will do the same. Now...I have a good relationship with the emperor, I've been his personal Physician since I was my son's age...if I speak with him, I might be able to convince him to let this slide....how does that sound?"

The girl's eyes widened slightly.

"R-really? I-I mean....I would be very grateful, sir....thank you so much."

She came to her knees and kowtowed once, before the old man chuckled.

"Oh, dear...please rise. Young lady, you are too kind. You've had a troublesome life, haven't you?"

Yi-Nuo blinked heavily a few times, trying to stop the tears from forming in her eyes as she stood.

"Master....it hasn't been anything too troubling....but I am forever indebted to the people who make it easier." She voiced, her hands clasped in front of her.

The man chuckled deeply and motioned for her to step aside.

"Then, let me be one of those people..hm? I'll finish this, you just go ahead and spend some time doing whatever you fancy."

Yi-Nuo smiled wide.

"Of course....Thank you, Master!" She bowed her head deeply before looking up again.

"Then...I'll go ahead and get started on some snacks for your visitor later...do you know what he likes?"

The man shook his head with a chuckle.

"Of course...I believe that he enjoys black sesame soup...and sweet Tang Yuan dumplings...both are quite easy to prepare, and my son would be happy to run to the market for ingredients, since you're so kind as to offer to make them,"

"Of course! I can whip those up, no problem!"

She flashed him a thumbs up and a toothy grin, earning the same expression from the older male.

"Ah, I see you're getting along well, you two. It's nice to see you chat with someone besides me, Ba." The young master stated as he walked under the linen curtain leading to the kitchen.

The older man chuckled.

"Well, who wouldn't get along with such a fine young woman?"

Yi-nuo felt her cheeks go red, and a small chuckle escaped her lips.

The young master looked to his father as he gave his son a knowing look, his eyebrows raised.

"Right...." The young master cleared his throat, "Well, I should head to the market now before it gets really busy."

"I'll come with you." Yi-Nuo added quickly, "There are some things that I need to purchase as well....I don't want to trouble you with it." 

"Ok...if you want to, that's fine with me." He smiled.

"Don't forget the longjing leaves!" Master Zheng shouted to them as they left the room.

"Got it," the young man voiced, waving as he went out the door.

He held it open for Yi-Nuo, earning a thank you as she leaned down to slip her shoes on.

He did the same, and the two went down the stone steps and began walking across the courtyard. Yi-Nuo hadn't gotten the chance to get a good look at the Zheng family estate, but it was fairly large. With it being near the end of winter, the courtyard was somewhat bare, though the trees had just started to bloom.
In the middle of the yard was a pond with a bridge running over it that was home to koi and other fish.

(Reference photo: https://media.architecturaldigest.com/photos/56ccf0156f58f35922d5854b/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/amazing-architectural-designs-ming-dynasty-07.jpg )

"Oh...I have to stop at a patient's house to drop off some medicine. Do you mind? ...it won't take long, and it's just across the street." The male stated, remembering the herbs he had placed in his sleeve earlier.

Yi-Nuo shook her head as they left the gate and closed it behind them.

"I don't mind!' She smiled. "You can take your time, your work is important..."

The young master smiled as well, his head tilted a little. She seemed to be in a better mood today.

"Yeah...I suppose it is," he chuckled, and they continued walking across the street.

They turned into a damp alleyway and past a vine covered stone wall that led to a door.

The male knocked a few times, then announced his presence.

"It's Physician Zheng, I've come to deliver the medicine for Master Liu.,"

It was a few moments before they heard footsteps and rustling sounds, and then the door opened.

The older woman smiled, lifting the wrinkles near the corners of her mouth.

"Ah, hello young master. Right this way, please."

She led them both across the courtyard and inside the main house.

"Master Liu? The physician is here! He's brought your son's  herbs," The woman shouted as they crossed the hall.

Yi-Nuo glanced around, amazed at the amount of beautiful porcelain vases and bowls displayed across the main living room.

"Master Liu Fei is the owner of several porcelain refinery shops around Beijing..." The male whispered as he leaned toward her, almost as if he had read her mind.  "His eldest son, Liu Haoran, became sick with the flu recently...so he called upon my father to mix some herbs."

"Ah, I see..." Yi-Nuo muttered, still in awe.

At that moment, a man wearing an exquisitely patterned Hanfu entered the room.

Upon seeing the young master and the female, his expression shifted.

"Where is Physician Zheng? I was told he would bring the herbs....how do I know these are the right ones for my son?" he demanded, his tone stern.

"Please do not worry, Master Liu, My father mixed these herbs himself. He sent me and my assistant to deliver them since he has work to do at the clinic. He told me to give you his regards," He explained with a small bow of his head.

Yi-Nuo also bowed in respect as she kept her gaze lowered.

"Hm...Alright, I suppose. Follow me." He continued, motioning to the hall leading upstairs.

They did as he said and followed him to a room at the end of the second-level hall. The man slid the door open, revealing a luxurious room akin to those at the palace.

In the middle sat an intricately carved wooden bed, and a young man the age of 20 rested with a book in his hands.

His attention turned to them as they approached the bed.

"Young Master Liu, how are you feeling today? I've brought your herbs for you,"

The male smiled upon seeing the physician.

"Mingze! Please, Haoran is fine....and I'm doing a lot better today, actually. But I will continue taking these herbs, as directed."

He laughed, "Ah, of course...Haoran is it. When you're feeling all well, we need to have tea sometime. My father is always happy to have company at the clinic."

Haoran smiled and agreed with a nod. His gaze landed on Yi-Nuo, who stood behind the young master like a lost child.

"Oh? Who's this?" He wondered, shifting to get a better look.

Yi-Nuo came out from behind him, a smile gracing her face as she bowed her head.

"I'm Wu Yi-Nuo....I am the young master's assistant and servant for the clinic."

The man smiled.

"I see...what a beautiful name, Yi-Nuo...where are you from? I have never seen you around Beijing before...so I'm guessing you just moved here?"

She thought for a moment. She had been born in Beijing 19 years ago, but at a young age was orphaned and sent to the palace. So it was no wonder he had never seen her in the city, though she had never left Beijing in her life.

"I...was born here ... .but I moved away when I was young. I just moved back recently to look for work." she explained, slightly at a loss for words. She couldn't very well tell him the full truth. That she was a maid from the palace currently wanted by the Emperor...that would get her and the young master in very much unwanted trouble.

"Interesting...I see travel is getting more common these days, isn't it?"

She nodded with a small smile.

"Yes, I  suppose it is..."

It was silent....an awkwardness filling the room as she locked her gaze on the floor.

"Well," The young master cleared his throat, a smile tugging at his lips. "Haoran, we'll be going now, if you'll excuse us. We have some errands to run."

"Right! Don't let me keep you...come back and visit again soon, hm? Both of you...when you have time."

The young master bowed his head.

"Of course! We'll be sure to come again soon,"

They left the room and exited out the courtyards, back into the bustling city. They walked side by side in silence for a moment, before the young master spoke up.

"Liu Haoran is a nice guy...you know, I think I saw hearts in his gaze when he laid eyes on you," He snickered, covering his mouth with his sleeve in a playful manner.

"Huh?" She retorted quickly, her face heating. "Y-you saw wrong."

She cleared her throat and looked off to the market vendors, quickly spotting a cart with skewered red fruits.

"Ah! Tanghulu!" She exclaimed excitedly, rushing to the cart with a wide smile.

The male chuckled. He watched as she searched her pockets and sleeves for change, but eventually found nothing.

He came up by her side with a smile and greeted the man behind the cart.

"Hello, can I get two hawthorn skewers, please?" He voiced, offering a couple coins. The man took them with a nod and smile, then went to get the fruit.

Yi-Nuo looked up to him, a sigh left her lips.

"Thanks...." She muttered.

He laughed as the man gave him the skewers, and he offered her one.

"Don't mention it. It's to pay for the breakfast you made earlier...and by the way, how did you know that braised lotus root is my favorite?" he wondered with a smile as they walked off.

Yi-Nuo smiled shyly.

"Your favorite? I don't know...I've always made that dish...it was one of the only things my mother taught me to make." she explained, smelling the sweet candied fruit that emanated warmth.

"I guess it's just meant to be then, huh?" he laughed.

Yi-Nuo chewed the fruit, her smile widening.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

Footnotes.

*This is an idiom claiming that it's surprising he hasn't died of old age yet.

** Aiya is an exclamation used in mandarin, like a sigh or 'oh dear'.

Authors note.
Hello reader! Thank you for finishing this chapter. It's a little choppy, could be better, but it's taken a while to write so I decided to publish it anyway.
Next chapter will be up fairly soon since I have nearly half written already!
Thank you again! Have a great day <3