Chapter 74: From now on, you’ll live with me

“Heh heh! Well, I don’t really know either. Steward Chen, I need to go pack my things now—Ling Xiao, come with me.”

With that, Hai Zi called for Ling Xiao and hurriedly left. Steward Chen could do nothing but stand there, huffing with anger, jabbing his finger at their retreating backs.

“You rascal…” He couldn’t ask Li Rui, and Hai Zi wouldn’t say a word either, so he could only stew in his own frustration. In truth, Li Rui had already instructed him not to pry or speak to anyone about this matter, which only made his curiosity burn even brighter.

“Lanlan will be staying in this separate courtyard—it’s the quietest and most secluded part of the estate, not far from my own quarters,” Li Rui explained.

He had deliberately chosen this tranquil courtyard within the estate because few people ever came here. Li Rui didn’t want Zhang Xiaolan interacting with others too much, especially if visitors ever came to the residence. Still, he didn’t wish to confine her, so he hadn’t told her any of this.

“This is lovely—thank you, Brother Li!” Zhang Xiaolan turned around the room, trailing her hand along the furnishings to show her appreciation.

She had taken in the space when she first entered: a modest courtyard filled with grass and greenery, and a room whose arrangement clearly revealed the care that had gone into it—elegant calligraphy, potted plants, and light silken drapes formed a refined and feminine chamber, clearly intended for a young lady. It suited her tastes perfectly.

“There’s no need to thank me, Lanlan. As long as you like it, that’s all that matters,” Li Rui replied, pleased by her reaction. From her expression and her gestures, he could tell she was content.

“Oh, by the way—where will Ling Xiao be staying?”

Zhang Xiaolan turned to ask about Ling Xiao. Earlier, she had been too busy admiring her new room to notice that he was no longer at her side; now, realizing only Xiao Lian remained with her, she grew concerned.

“He’ll be staying with Hai Zi. That way, they can look out for each other, and you can rest a little easier,” Li Rui replied, sharing his arrangement for Ling Xiao. Although he had allowed Ling Xiao to enter the estate, he still felt wary of his connection to the ‘Restoration Sect.’

By placing the clever Hai Zi with him, Li Rui intended to have someone keep an eye on Ling Xiao’s actions and report anything suspicious at once. It was clear he hadn’t entirely let down his guard; Ling Xiao’s presence in the estate was purely at Zhang Xiaolan’s request.

“Brother Li, you’ve thought of everything. It’s a very good arrangement,” Zhang Xiaolan said, unaware of Li Rui’s true intentions. She was content with his decision. After all, Ling Xiao couldn’t stay with her in the separate courtyard—he, too, must observe the estate’s rules.

Hai Zi led Ling Xiao through the estate. Normally, the servants lived together, but Li Rui had instructed that they move into a small side room near his own quarters. After dropping off his bundle, Hai Zi said to Ling Xiao, “From now on, you’ll be staying with me.”

“Alright.” Ling Xiao’s words were always brief with anyone but Zhang Xiaolan. He looked around—the place was better than where he’d stayed before, but he didn’t care much about such things.

“Sigh, I’m dead tired. I’ll go to sleep first. If you want to wash up, there’s a well outside—draw some water and clean up, no one will see you,” Hai Zi said, stretching and yawning. He was too exhausted to bother with washing; besides, the master wouldn’t need him again so late at night, and there were others on duty. He tumbled into bed, but not before giving Ling Xiao a few simple instructions.

Ling Xiao didn’t answer, but soon heard Hai Zi’s exhausted, gentle snores. He slipped outside, leaped lightly onto the rooftop, and sat there gazing thoughtfully at the moon. When he finally looked down at his wrist, he saw the braided leather bracelet that Zhang Xiaolan had woven and given to him—it suited him perfectly.