As he pondered, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Knock, knock-knock.
Three measured taps, not too light or too heavy, like a cautious probe.
Shen Hui furrowed his brow. It was already this late. Who could be coming?
He rose and went to the door, then pulled it open.
A young woman stood outside.
From the way she was dressed, she seemed to be a maid from some household. Her hair was simply pinned up, and she wore a faded blue cloth dress with a padded jacket thrown over it, clearly put on in a hurry; even the collar was still askew.
The night wind swept through the hall, and she shivered, hunching her shoulders. In her arms she carried a stack of clean bedding and clothes, and in one hand she held a food box.
The maid was young, no more than eighteen or nineteen by the looks of her. Her features were rather pretty, but a faint layer of sorrow clouded her brow, as if some troubling thought weighed on her and would not go away.
She lowered her eyes and was about to curtsy.
The words "Daoist priest" had yet to leave her lips when she looked up, caught sight of Shen Hui, and froze.
The lamplight flickered, casting its glow across Shen Hui's face.
His sword-like brows looked as though they had been carved with a knife, and his eyes shone clear as stars. Though he wore a plain Daoist robe, it could not conceal the air of otherworldly refinement about him.
The maid stared blankly for a moment. The sorrow on her face seemed to fade without her noticing, replaced by a faint blush.
"What brings you here, miss?" Shen Hui asked calmly.
The maid finally came to her senses. She hurriedly lowered her eyes and fumbled to gather the things in her arms, murmuring:
"This servant was told by the magistrate... the county magistrate to bring the Daoist priest some bedding and clothes. The nights are cold, and he was afraid you might catch a chill. There are a few pastries in the food box, for you to have a bite to eat tonight..."
Shen Hui was silent for a moment, then stepped aside to let her in.
The maid entered, set the things in her arms on the table, then lifted the food box and placed it nearby.
Once she had put everything down, she kept one hand on the edge of the table and made no move to leave.
Seeing her like this, Shen Hui had already guessed what was going on.
This maid had probably been sent specifically to "keep him company" for the night.
He had only ever read about this sort of thing in books.
Apparently, at some Post Houses and inns in certain places, it was customary to send maids and serving girls to attend passing officials and merchants. They called it "serving," but what it really meant went without saying.
The maid stood there and stole a glance at Shen Hui. Seeing his expression was mild, she felt a little more at ease.
Before coming, she had worried she might meet some filthy old man or a ferocious brute, and her heart had been in turmoil. Now that she had seen what he looked like, she could not help feeling a little lucky.
She bit her lip and gathered her courage. "Does the Daoist priest need anything else? This servant... this servant will wait outside tonight. If you need tea poured, water brought, or mosquitoes driven away, just call for me."
Shen Hui could not help feeling speechless.
You already said the nights were cold. What the hell are you talking about mosquitoes for...
He glanced at her, his tone even but distant. "There's no need. I have nothing that needs doing here. Go back and rest."
The maid froze. A flicker of disappointment crossed her face, but she persisted. "You've had a tiring journey, Daoist priest. Would you like me to bring a basin of hot water for you to soak your feet?"
"No need." Shen Hui's voice remained unhurried. "Please go back. I'm going to cultivate."
"Cultivate?"
The maid blinked and edged half a step closer, lowering her voice with a hint of coquettish reproach. "It's already dark. What kind of cultivation could you be doing now? You should get some rest early and save your strength. That's what matters..."
Shen Hui's expression did not change. "Those who cultivate do not distinguish between day and night."
The maid gritted her teeth. A faint blush spread over her face, and she twisted the corner of her clothes. After a long moment, she finally managed to say, "Then... would you like this servant to help you with your cultivation..."
Shen Hui nearly lost his composure.
He was so damn close to laughing in anger.
He had made himself perfectly clear, yet she was still pestering him. It was simply absurd.
He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "When I cultivate, I need peace and quiet. Having someone else nearby would be inconvenient. Please go back."
Those firm but polite words left the maid at a loss for what to say. Her face flushed red, then turned pale. At last, she sighed faintly, sounding rather aggrieved.
"You really are made of stone, Daoist priest..."
As she spoke, she stole another glance at Shen Hui. Seeing that he remained unmoved, she finally gave up and walked out with her head bowed.
At the doorway, she paused. Then she suddenly turned around, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "Then... then this servant will be off. If you change your mind, just call for me..."
Shen Hui had already sat down beside the bed and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing. He gave a faint reply: "Go."
The maid bit her lip, then finally stamped her foot and hurried out, lifting her skirt.
Just before leaving, she could not help looking back. Seeing that he really had his eyes closed, she shut the door in disappointment and walked away, her footsteps gradually fading.
A low mutter came from outside the door, too muffled to make out clearly. It sounded like something about him being "unschooled in romance."
Shen Hui opened his eyes and shook his head helplessly.
He got up, slid the bolt into place, then returned to the table and poured himself another cup of tea.
The night wind howled outside the window, making the paper window bulge slightly. From far away came the beat of the night watch drum. It was already the second watch.
He lifted the teacup and took a sip, thinking about his plans to visit Zhang Family Village the next day.
As for the maid, he had forgotten about her in the blink of an eye.
But who would have thought that only a short while later, someone would knock on the door again?
Knock, knock-knock.
This time, the knocking was more urgent.
As if afraid he would not open the door, the knuckles struck the wooden panel one after another, refusing to let up.
Shen Hui furrowed his brow and stood motionless by the table, pretending not to hear.
But the person outside would not give up. After knocking for a while, they paused, then started again. The rhythm had slowed, but the knocking seemed all the more stubborn.
Left with no choice, he set down his teacup, strode to the door, and pulled back the bolt.
This time, a young man stood outside.
He looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, with rather delicate features, slender brows, long eyes, and fair skin. He wore a slightly worn blue robe and stood with his hands at his sides, posture neat and proper.
When he saw the door open, he hurriedly bowed. His manner was respectful, almost as if he had been trained in it.
Shen Hui was taken aback, his brow furrowing even deeper. "What is it?"
The youth straightened and kept his eyes lowered, not daring to look directly at him. In a low voice, he said, "This humble one came at the magistrate's command to attend the Daoist priest."
Shen Hui was puzzled at first, but as he turned the words over in his mind, he understood at once. His expression darkened.
What the hell?
What the hell was the county magistrate trying to pull?
First he had sent a maid, whom Shen Hui had turned away, and now he had sent a young man instead...
Did he think Shen Hui was into men?
Shen Hui took a deep breath, suppressing the nameless anger rising in his heart, and looked the youth up and down.
The youth was handsome enough, but nowhere near as good-looking as Shen Hui.
Wasn't this the magistrate trying to take advantage of him?
He wasn't even as handsome as Shen Hui. Anyone who didn't know better would think Shen Hui was some kind of pretty boy!
The more Shen Hui thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. A chill settled over his face.
The youth had no idea. He kept his head lowered, waiting cautiously for Shen Hui's reply.
"Go back and tell your master."
Shen Hui's voice was as cold as ice. "I am a cultivator and have no dealings with worldly affairs. I don't need anyone to attend me. If he sends anyone to disturb my cultivation again—"
He paused and gave a cold snort. The youth trembled from head to toe.
"Then he shouldn't blame me for being impolite."
Before the words had even faded, Shen Hui had already stepped back and slammed the door shut with a bang.
The door slammed shut with such force that it stirred up a gust of wind, making the candle flame on the table flicker several times.
There was a moment of silence outside. Then came the youth's hurried footsteps as he ran off in a panic.
Shen Hui stood behind the door, his chest rising and falling twice as he let out a long breath.
He turned back to the table, picked up the cup of cold tea, and drained it in one go, yet the frustration in his chest still would not fade.
After a while, he shook his head and gave a self-mocking laugh. He cast all those distracting thoughts aside, sat cross-legged on the bed, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.