Red Robe's heart gave a sudden jolt. If even Lü Ci thought she was "unclean," it showed how deeply rooted such beliefs were. Her uncertainty about how Xi Linchuan would react only grew.

Lü Ci wore only her inner garments; her outer robe lay crumpled by the couch, faint bloodstains still visible. Xi Linchuan's eyes lingered on those stains for a moment before returning to her face. He turned to the maidservants and said, “Let her go.”

The women immediately released Lü Ci. She didn’t dare step forward, instead collapsing weakly to the floor, staring blankly at Xi Linchuan like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

After a moment of silence, Xi Linchuan stepped closer and crouched in front of her. “What part of you is unclean?”

Lü Ci stared at him, eyes instantly reddening.

He said softly, “It’s the ones who hurt you who are unclean.”

“But I…” Lü Ci seemed to want to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. She looked at him again, silent.

“No one’s going to send you to a brothel,” he said.

Qi Bo and Lady Yu, who had been quietly listening by the door, were both startled and about to speak, but he continued, “I’ve ordered new living quarters for you. Rest there and recover.”

His gaze fell to the medicine bowl on the short table, and he gave a slight smile. “Drink your medicine first. Then take a bath and have a good sleep.”

Red Robe was momentarily dazed.

She had never heard Xi Linchuan speak in such a tone—gentle, like a big brother comforting a wronged sister.

Lü Ci, too, was stunned. After a moment, she replied softly, “Alright…”

“…Young Master,” Qi Bo finally couldn’t hold back. He stepped forward and spoke tactfully, “In her current state, she’s not suitable to serve in the household.”

“Then she won’t need to serve,” Xi Linchuan replied calmly, turning slightly. “We’re not lacking one maid.”

“But…” Qi Bo was at a loss. Lady Yu frowned and said, “We’ve never kept idle people in the estate.”

“There was no need before.” Xi Linchuan turned fully to face them, his gaze as cold as a blade. “Now, if the Xi estate doesn’t protect her, should we let her be tossed to the brothel to die?”

The two were struck speechless. They exchanged a glance, and Lady Yu relented, saying, “It’s not just about supporting her… This scandal will tarnish the Xi family’s reputation.”

“Throwing her out after such a scandal is what would ruin my name!” Xi Linchuan shouted.

Qi Bo and Lady Yu paled, no longer daring to argue. They exchanged another glance and quietly withdrew.

The three maidservants looked frightened.

Red Robe had heard how they had treated Lü Ci before Xi Linchuan arrived. Now that everything had been settled, she didn’t want them to add to Lü Ci’s distress. She ignored them, stepped forward, and helped Lü Ci up to sit on the couch.

“You’ll be alright,” Red Robe said gently.

Xi Linchuan turned to glance at her and nodded. “Thank you.”

Her hands, busy combing Lü Ci’s hair, paused. She stood and bowed properly. “Thank you on Lü Ci’s behalf.”

He said nothing. Moments later, the wooden door creaked shut. Red Robe looked up. Xi Linchuan was gone.

Lü Ci still looked troubled, fingers twisting the ends of her hair in silence. After a while, another maidservant entered. From her attire, it was clear she had some standing in front of Xi Linchuan.

The two bowed and greeted her. She stepped forward to help Lü Ci change clothes. Her hands were quick, and her speech measured. She never once mentioned the incident, nor even offered a sigh of pity. She simply said a palanquin was waiting to take Lü Ci to Heron Cry Pavilion in the southeastern estate—a lovely place filled with sunlight and flowers.

She added that Xi Linchuan had instructed that if Lü Ci had any preferred plants, they would be sent over too.

Her gentle tone left Red Robe dazed.

It was hard to believe this was the same man who had once nearly shot her dead with an arrow.

Maybe Lü Xiu had been right—Xi Linchuan treated everyone well, just not her.

…

Lü Ci’s task of teaching noble children to sing had now been passed on to Du Ruo, which meant Red Robe saw her more often—even if they didn’t speak, their paths crossed during the changing of “dance class” and “music class.”

Red Robe had the feeling Du Ruo harbored deep dislike for her—an aversion that seemed to grow daily. Yet thinking back, she hadn’t offended Du Ruo. From the start, Du Ruo had looked down on her simply for being a menial servant.

So Red Robe paid it no mind. They kept their distance peacefully.

Days later, unrest stirred in Changyang City.

Rumors began spreading. At first, they crept along slowly. Then, after some unknown trigger, they exploded overnight and spread like wildfire.

—People said there was a songgirl in the Champion Marquis' estate who had been defiled.

—They said the reason Xi Linchuan kept her was because he, too, was of low birth and felt pity for her.

It echoed what He Qing had said at the banquet. Except this time, it wasn’t confined within the estate walls.

Now, it was the subject of gossip throughout the city.

Tension rose in the Xi estate. Most songgirls didn’t often interact with Xi Linchuan and didn’t know his current stance. Their tension was mixed with confusion—they didn’t understand why this should affect them.

The rumors didn’t spare Lü Ci.

As spring arrived and flowers began to bloom in the courtyard, Lü Ci attempted suicide.

Though she was saved in time, when Red Robe and several of her close friends arrived, the two maids assigned to care for her looked pale—clear signs of a close call.

Lü Ci lay on the bed, barely breathing. Her wrists were tightly bound with layers of silk, yet blood still seeped through.

“I don’t know where she found the porcelain shard…” a younger maid sobbed. “The Young Master had warned us again and again. We were always careful…”

Red Robe ignored the excuses, focused on Lü Ci’s face. Though her eyes were closed, her teeth bit her lip.

After a moment, tears fell from the corners of her eyes.

“Lü Ci,” Red Robe called. Everyone stilled. She walked to the bedside, her tone slightly sharp. “Why would you try to kill yourself?”

Lü Ci said nothing.

Red Robe frowned. She guessed it had something to do with the rumors. “Did the Young Master blame you?”

Still no answer.

“I told you already—he reported the case. The authorities are searching for the culprit. Even if you want to die, you shouldn’t die before that bastard!”

Her words were icy. Lü Ci finally reacted, looking at the wall with a faint, bitter smile. “I won’t outlive him…”

Red Robe was stunned. “What did you say?”

“I won’t outlive him…” Lü Ci repeated, slowly turning her head. Her eyes were void of emotion. “The Young Master already knows who they are.”

A chill ran down Red Robe’s spine.

“I never told you,” Lü Ci whispered hoarsely. “There wasn’t just one man…” Pain filled her eyes. “But the Young Master, he already found out—three days ago. It was people from General He’s estate. All of them.”

She meant…

They were protecting each other?

Both Xi and He families were powerful military clans. If they wanted to save face, the matter would be buried. The He family wouldn’t hand over the culprits, and Xi Linchuan wouldn’t press for them.

“Don’t think too much about it,” Silk said hesitantly. “You’re lucky he let you stay. Don’t ask for too much…”

“What if he compromises again?” Lü Ci asked, gritting her teeth.

Red Robe was stunned. “What do you mean?”

“One of them offered to marry me—to keep things quiet. What if the Young Master agrees?”

Red Robe was utterly shocked.

…

The entire incident had been reported to Xi Linchuan when he returned to the estate that evening, along with the latest updates from the officials.

Lü Ci’s case was relayed verbally by Qi Bo; the investigation was written in black and white.

Xi Linchuan read page after page. His face darkened the further he went.

Everyone in the room held their breath.

Suddenly, Xi Linchuan stood, fury radiating from him. He stormed out, grabbing a sword from the rack on the way.

Qi Bo froze, then quickly followed. “Young Master! Where are you going?!”

Without pausing, Xi Linchuan asked coldly, “Did you read the documents from the officials?”

“N-no…” Qi Bo stammered.

Xi Linchuan’s voice turned grim. “That bastard He Qing—I’ll kill him.”

Everyone froze.

They exchanged glances, then chased after him and tried to block his path.

Qi Bo pleaded, “Young Master, calm down… He’s General He’s son. You can’t just kill him! Think twice, think twice!”

“‘Think twice’?” Xi Linchuan raised an eyebrow and quoted, “Yes—think, and then act!”

Qi Bo nearly dropped to his knees.

“…Very well,” Xi Linchuan’s tone suddenly softened, and everyone looked relieved, thinking he had calmed down.

Then he added, “Write a challenge letter. Duel at the open ground south of the Western Market. Second watch.”

“…” Everyone inhaled sharply but didn’t respond.

He glanced at them coldly. “If he doesn’t show—he’s a coward.”