Translated by Eve

　　Edited by Kara

　　Because Zhao Xihe had not concealed—or rather, he couldn't conceal his favour towards Sui Yuan, a rumour that a servant with charming looks had seduced the brilliant Lord very quickly spread throughout the residence. Only, although everyone knew of this rumour, they did not dare expose this fact in the slightest. They only privately discussed it briefly with a few close people as if afraid of being found out by the strict Head Steward.

　　"Haven't you been serving by His Lords.h.i.+p's side? Have you seen that servant?" Madam Li intimately placed the nouris.h.i.+ng soup she had specifically made in front of Sui Yuan, urging him to drink it. At the same time, she gossiped in a secretive tone, "It's said that this servant is extremely beautiful like a fairy that has descended. Otherwise, he would be unable to bewitch the Lord with a single glance. You should know that His Lords.h.i.+p has never cared about beauty in the least!"

　　Sui Yuan, who was "extremely beautiful like a fairy that had descended," held the bowl. For a while, he couldn't drink, but he also couldn't not drink. He felt very stifled: "…………………………"

　　"I really want to see what that servant looks like…" Another servant girl, who was on good terms with Madam Li, snuck over, cheeks flushed, carrying some bashfulness, "After all, even His Lords.h.i.+p was mesmerized. Who knows what he looks like? Even if I can only catch a glance from far away, that would be good, ah…."

　　Sui Yuan, who had already been seen several times, decided that he should just silently drink his soup.

　　"What's so good-looking about this kind of androgynous man!?" Madam Li shot a glare at the servant girl and spoke discontentedly, "There are three cardinal offences against filial piety, and having no heir is the gravest of all! How could it be good that His Lords.h.i.+p is acting like this!?" Upon saying this, Madam Li turned to look at Sui Yuan and warned him, "You best not get too close to this servant. You won't learn anything good from him!"

　　Sui Yuan finished drinking the nouris.h.i.+ng soup and wiped his mouth, smile embarra.s.sed, "I've finished, Madam Li, thank you very much! I have to go wait on His Lords.h.i.+p in a bit, so…."

　　"Go, go! I'll leave you some more next time. Since it would cause the main courtyard's steward to come over, I dare not let you goof off with me anymore!" Madam Li smiled as she waved her hand. She then rubbed Sui Yuan's hair that was no longer as dry as before and pinched his fair, tender cheeks, expression pleased, "Although you are busy serving His Lords.h.i.+p, it seems that his treatment of you is not bad? Look, haven't you gotten plumper? You don't look nearly as pitiful as you did when you first arrived!"

　　——Far more than just "not bad!" Zhao Xihe nearly treated him like a sick person on his deathbed! If it wasn't because he was worried that he was in such poor health that he wouldn't be able to take tonics, Sui Yuan would be drinking tonics like he would eat rice. He'd been nourished so well that he has recently been suffering from excessive internal heat!

　　Sui Yuan forced out a laugh and bid farewell to Madam Li and co. He quickly walked towards Zhao Xihe's courtyard. Occasionally, he would greet the pa.s.sing servants with a nod.

　　His Lords.h.i.+p's treatment of him was different than that of the other servants. Everyone knew that the Lord thought highly of him. Whenever the Lord left the residence, he would always bring him along. His manner towards Sui Yuan was always fawning and flattering, eagerly attentive in every way.

　　Fortunately, although Sui Yuan looked much more fair, his appearance was after all extremely ordinary. Even with the halo's effect, he only appeared more lovable and likeable. Therefore, no one linked him with the increasingly exaggerated rumour. As for the few higher ups who "knew the truth," their lips were tightly shut. They did not let out a single peep, which made Sui Yuan relieved.

　　Rus.h.i.+ng back to the main courtyard, Sui Yuan was met with the main courtyard's steward's hinting expression. It told him to quickly go into the study to soothe their irascible Lord.

　　Sui Yuan wore a helpless expression but still received his commands as a "servant." He quickly headed towards the study and was met with Zhao Xihe's discontented expression, "I have no idea what about the kitchen attracts you so much to the point of making you spend the whole day over there!"

　　Although he didn't have his memories, Zhao Xihe's "vinegar vat" instinct still made a brilliant appearance. Even if Madam Li absolutely couldn't be his rival-in-love with her appearance and age, if Sui Yuan interacted with the other for a little too long, Zhao Xihe would feel all sorts of unease and would wish that he could make a direct beeline to the kitchen and declare his owners.h.i.+p of Sui Yuan. Of course, the main reason why he hasn't was because Sui Yuan blocked him unwaveringly.

　　Zhao Xihe was never someone to make things difficult for himself. To be precise, he always did what he wanted. He would always listen to his feelings. Otherwise, he wouldn't have pursued after Sui Yuan so tightly, not letting him go.

　　Now, even if he didn't have his memories, his attachment to Sui Yuan was even stronger than in the past. Zhao Xihe was conflicted at first over why he unexpectedly could not control his reactions. When he realized that it was no use to restrict himself, he decisively decided to court the other.

　　After all, in his mind, the two of them had "just met." Zhao Xihe was worried that if he used too intense of a method, he'd scare the other away. Only Heaven knew just how hard he had endured to stop himself from doing anything to Sui Yuan. Even if he wanted to bind him to his side, he would do his utmost to employ methods that would not incur the other's disgust.