Immortal Travel of Longevity-Chapter 84: The Maid of Tang Manor

After several turns, Chen Changsheng arrived at Tang Manor.
Tang Manor truly showed itself as the home of a wealthy merchant in Yan County. Just the residence itself was a large mansion with three main courtyards in a row. Upon entering, a steward welcomed him.
Later, a maid led him to the guest room.
Chen Changsheng felt a little unused to it.
Tang Mingjing had followed along. After arranging everything, he said, “Mr. Chen, please stay here for now. If anything feels amiss, I’ll instruct the servants to see to it.”
Chen Changsheng spoke up, “Nothing feels amiss. It’s just that I’m not fond of being waited upon. These maids may leave.”
“Sir, it’s best to keep one. Daily needs like meals and rest must be looked after. If you’re poorly served, my father will scold me,” Tang Mingjing said, sounding helpless.
Chen Changsheng glanced at the maids by the door. “This…”
Tang Mingjing looked toward them. “He Xiang, you may go. Yun Xiang will stay to attend the guest.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Seeing this, Chen Changsheng said no more.
Then Tang Mingjing added, “It’s late now. We’ll discuss matters tomorrow. Please rest well tonight, Sir.”
After Tang Mingjing left, Chen Changsheng returned to his room.
Tang Shijie wanted him to stay longer at the Tang household, so he’d hurriedly had Chen Changsheng brought over overnight. Chen Changsheng saw no harm in it—he was deeply curious about the jade pendant. He wouldn’t leave without understanding it.
Yun Xiang stood by the doorway. “Is Sir retiring for the night?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I’ll read for a while. Go about your tasks.”
Yun Xiang pressed her lips. “If Sir needs anything, please tell Yun Xiang.”
“Hmm.”
Chen Changsheng agreed, then lowered his head to read.
So he read for an hour.
All that time, Yun Xiang stood beside him, waiting quietly. She just stood, silent.
Chen Changsheng’s eyes flicked sideways. Seeing Yun Xiang still there, he said, “You may sit. Or you can go rest. I read well into the night. No need to attend.”
Yun Xiang shook her head. “Until Sir retires, Yun Xiang must remain at your side.”
Chen Changsheng sighed and motioned toward her. “Bring a chair. Sit.”
Yun Xiang quickly shook her head again. “I cannot, Sir. Yun Xiang is a maid. I cannot sit.”
Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. “I tell you to sit, so you sit. Don’t mind the rules.”
Thinking he was displeased, Yun Xiang hurriedly brought a chair and sat stiffly.
Her hands rested squarely on her knees. She sat bolt upright, utterly still.
Reading as he asked, Chen Changsheng said, “How old are you?”
“Sixteen,” Yun Xiang answered.
Chen Changsheng replied, “Young indeed. Did you ever learn to read?”
“I know words, but I’ve never studied books,” Yun Xiang said.
“How many?”
Yun Xiang thought. “A thousand or more…”
“Knowing that many isn’t easy,” Chen Changsheng remarked.
Yun Xiang explained, “Few maids here know words. Yun Xiang knows a thousand or so. Young Master’s study companion, Qiumo, knows the most. She recognizes every word in books.”
Chen Changsheng paused, then asked, “Would you like to learn more?”
Yun Xiang nodded. “Yes.”
“Why?” Chen Changsheng asked.
Yun Xiang answered simply, “Knowing more words helps one live better.”
“How so?”
“Maids who read better may get to serve the Master or Young Master in the main house. Their lodgings improve. Monthly wages rise too.”
She spoke plainly. Her gaze seemed pure, as if she’d thought no deeper.
These words left Chen Changsheng unsettled.
Such was the world’s way.
Countless others like Yun Xiang existed.
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. He held out his book. “Read to me.”
Yun Xiang froze, then took the book. She glanced over a page.
Pressing her lips, she said, “Sir… some words here Yun Xiang does not know.”
“Read,” Chen Changsheng said.
Yun Xiang grew flustered. She feared angering him by mistakes.
“What Heaven creates is called Nature; following Nature is called the Way; cultivating the Way is called teaching. The Way cannot be departed… cannot be departed… for one…”
She faltered, stuck on the next character.
Chen Changsheng supplied it. “… for one moment.”
“For one moment,” Yun Xiang echoed.
“Sir, Yun Xiang will misread. Perhaps instead—”
“Go on,” Chen Changsheng cut in.
Yun Xiang lowered her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she resumed reading.
“Do not see it as hidden, do not make it visible. Thus true gentlemen watch their solitude…”
“… are careful when alone.”
“Thus true gentlemen watch their solitude…”
The further she read, the more fear rose in Yun Xiang. After several mistakes, her voice shrank softer.
She dared not read on.
“Why stop?” Chen Changsheng asked.
Yun Xiang’s eyes reddened slightly, but she did not cry. Only nervousness showed.
“Sir, please punish me,” Yun Xiang offered.
Chen Changsheng asked, “How can one know without trying?”
Yun Xiang stared blankly.
Then came his words. “Read from the start. If you trip where you stumbled earlier, then I’ll punish you.”
Yun Xiang bowed her head. Picking up the book, she began anew.
Where she’d erred before, she skipped this time.
Instead, new mistakes appeared elsewhere. Patiently, Chen Changsheng corrected each one.
So she read for nearly another hour.
Errors neared two dozen. Yet after each passage, Chen Changsheng made her reread it. Thankfully clever—once corrected, she never repeated a slip. Not once did he scold her.
Night deepened heavily.
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“Truth is the beginning and end of all things. Without truth, nothing can exist. Thus truth is precious to gentlemen…”
Chen Changsheng halted her. “Enough for tonight.”
Yun Xiang closed the book. “Will Sir rest now?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “You go now. Read more tomorrow.”
Yun Xiang agreed. Rising, she stepped to his side.
“I will assist Sir in changing clothes.”
“Hm?”
Chen Changsheng paused, shifting slightly away. “No need. I have no such habit. Go rest. And close the door when you leave.”
Yun Xiang hesitated briefly. Faint sadness touched her eyes, then vanished.
“… Yun Xiang understands.”
Turning, she left the room.
Gently, she shut the door. Pausing a moment, she glanced back.
Yun Xiang inhaled deeply. She raised her head toward the bright moon above.
Her thoughts drifted…
This gentleman was truly different.