Volume One, Chapter Seven: Transforming into a Trusted Confidante

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Yunxi parted her cracked lips and, cupped in those large hands, drank the water in one gulp. After finishing a cup of tea in a single breath, she murmured in a weak voice, “Hungry…”

After a while, a spoonful of porridge at just the right temperature was brought to her lips.

This time, now fully awake, Yunxi did not immediately open her mouth to eat. Instead, she turned her head with effort, looking up along the hand holding the spoon, and indeed saw Gu Nanxiao’s cold expression.

Yunxi silently met his gaze without a word. Only when a trace of awkwardness appeared on Gu Nanxiao’s face did she snort softly and turn her head toward the inner side of the bed.

Yunxi understood well that this was not the time to show him a friendly face. Whether his attitude stemmed from guilt toward her or eagerness to have her explain the blueprints, the right moment was needed to discuss terms.

Gu Nanxiao withdrew his hand suspended mid-air and called out toward the courtyard, “Go fetch that… um, Yunxi’s maid, to attend to the young lady’s meal.”

When Zisu took the bowl of porridge and fed Yunxi, Gu Nanxiao did not leave the chamber but sat down at a nearby desk, pouring himself a cup of tea and sipping it slowly.

Yunxi need not guess what Gu Nanxiao intended; he must have studied the blueprints carefully last night and now had questions he wanted to discuss with her.

The weapons Yunxi drew yesterday were modern composite bows, Qin Dynasty’s giant crossbows, and Song Dynasty’s compact crossbows. She had deliberately left the drawings unfinished, not wishing to give away her knowledge for free—unless her conditions were met.

After Yunxi drank two bowls of porridge, Zisu wrung out a cloth to wipe her face and then tidied her hair simply. Soon after, Yunxi needed to get up again to use the restroom.

Gu Nanxiao patiently waited the entire time at the desk, while Yunxi completely ignored him as if he were invisible.

Only when Yunxi had finished fussing and, with Zisu’s help, lay back on the bed did Gu Nanxiao sit beside her, holding the blueprints, a half-smile playing on his lips as he asked:

“Tell me, why did you have my mother’s consort help you into the study, draw these blueprints to lure me back to the mansion, and then purposely not explain them to frame me? After all this elaborate trouble, what do you truly want?”

Yunxi felt no embarrassment at being seen through and did not answer his question. Instead, she reached for the blueprints and began explaining the function of those intricate little parts.

She spoke eloquently, radiant with passion. When sharing her insights with Gu Nanxiao, it seemed as if the punishment she had endured was forgotten, and before her was only a kindred spirit.

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At first, Gu Nanxiao remained guarded, unsure of her true intentions. But gradually, he was drawn in by the content she described.

Having only glanced roughly at the blueprints before, Gu Nanxiao was amazed; though he considered himself talented in weapon crafting, Yunxi’s designs made his own seem insignificant.

Yunxi talked at length for half an hour until she was thirsty and reached for water, at which point Gu Nanxiao finally spoke.

He first asked about the functions of several delicate components, then shared his own approach to weapon design.

Yunxi answered without reservation, even generously praising his designs. This exchange instantly bridged the distance between them.

From then on, they spoke like kindred spirits, exchanging rare smiles when their conversation grew lively.

That very night, Yunxi was brought to Gu Nanxiao’s bedchamber, and for the next five days, they ate and slept together. Every time Gu Nanxiao returned from court, his first act was to find Yunxi in the courtyard.

Together, they perfected the blueprints and successfully forged nearly half of the bows and crossbows depicted. Each piece became Gu Nanxiao’s cherished treasure.

Today, after court, Gu Nanxiao went to the armory to retrieve his custom-made crossbow. After test-firing, he discovered this light crossbow had twice the range and twice the power of the original.

Excitedly, he returned to share the news with Yunxi, only to find her staring blankly at the crossbow for a long while before sitting down disinterestedly, pouring herself a cup of tea and drinking quietly.

Yunxi’s cold demeanor instantly reminded Gu Nanxiao of the aloof, rejecting attitude she had shown after he had scolded her with the wooden rod.

In recent days, Gu Nanxiao had been pondering what to reward her with; now it seemed Yunxi had already decided what she wanted.

He sat opposite her and slowly asked, “Girl, if there’s something you desire, why not tell me?”

Yunxi had been waiting for this question. She hadn’t spoken before because Gu Nanxiao had yet to fully grasp the brilliance of the blueprints.

Moreover, after days of closeness, she had transformed from a mere maid used for charm into a trusted confidante.

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No man could resist a woman who shared his interests, who understood and respected him. Naturally, such a man would favor her in his actions.

Seeing the moment had come, Yunxi immediately displayed a perfectly measured melancholic expression. She lifted her eyes toward the square courtyard enclosed by the walls and spoke in a mournful tone:

“There are two of me in this world: one guards the lonely mountain, the other gazes across the vast sea. One indulges in wine while discussing the world; the other brews tea, reminiscing on youthful years.”

Yunxi’s knowledge of poetic forms surprised Gu Nanxiao, as few women were literate, let alone well-versed in classical allusions or poetry composition.

Though the world said a woman’s virtue lies in lack of talent, Gu Nanxiao had long been weary of the consorts’ endless rivalries within the mansion.

He despised those inner ladies who spent their days scheming for favor, their hearts void of virtue, their souls empty. For this reason, he had long resisted marriage and taking concubines.

But at this moment, Gu Nanxiao felt Yunxi was unlike any woman he had ever met. She was like a dazzling gem.

From every angle, she refracted a different wondrous light, leaving one guessing what brilliant color she would display next.

No longer dismissive as when they first met, Gu Nanxiao patiently inquired, “Do you find life in the mansion dull?”

Yunxi, pleased that he had asked the right question, nodded and said, “Since childhood, I have dutifully cared for my father’s obligations, living at home with my grandmother.

The wheat fields in my hometown stretch endlessly; beneath the vast sky, birds fly freely.”

Hearing this, Gu Nanxiao understood perfectly and proposed, “Your wounds have healed somewhat. Today is warm and sunny—how about I take you out to the countryside for a stroll?”

Yunxi smiled bitterly and shook her head, then turned to Gu Nanxiao, her eyes shining with a hope never before seen. She asked cautiously, “Master, might I have a pass to enter and leave the mansion freely?”