what rotten luck 1

Duke Shenxiu's residence, The bamboo pavilion.

The change was complete by the time, Xiang Ziwei woke, everything was fuzzy and his head hurt. Nie Shaoqing held his temple and blinked repeatedly, his gaze cleared gradually.

He hissed as he tried to seat up, his muscles felt sore. Minutes later he had successfully sat up, he silently took in his surroundings.

His clothes were damp with sweat and his hair felt itchy. Nie Shaoqing had no idea how long the original owner of the body had been sick but judging from the stuffy room, multiple layers of clothes and sore muscles.

He had been bedridden at some point. He rubbed his neck as his throat was dry as he looked around the room

"I need to get out of this stuffy room", he muttered.

The transparent bed curtains were still down, he separated the bed curtains and looked out. Although all the windows were shut, the bright daylight slipped through the gaps in the window a door.

He pulled the thick bed covers back and swung his legs to the side of the bed, he shut his eyes as the bed curtains hit his face. He stretched his hand and pulled the curtains away from his face.

His feet shook as they touched the ground, he stretched both legs for some minutes before grabbing the long bed frame and lifting himself to stand.

He held the bed frame and stood still as his muscles stretched and his legs got steady. He looked towards the entrance of the room as the door was suddenly pushed open and a petite young girl in coarse linen light brown maid's uniform stepped in.

She gasped and exclaimed, "Young master!", the bowl of water in her hand tipped over and she stepped back.

Nie Shaoqing blinked at her, he found her reaction a little over the top but kept his expression neutral as he let go of the bed frame and stepped forward, his right leg quickly gave in. He quickly grabbed the neatest thing for support which was the bed frame.

"Young master..... Ah!" The maid gasped and rushed forward, nearly slipping as she stepped on the wet ground.

Luckily, she was held up by Deming. He had been alarmed when he heard her scream and fearing that his master's sacrifice had failed, rushed in to check what was going on.

He held up until she was steady before letting go of her hand and rushing to his young master's side. He picked up the cane at the head of the bed and handed it to his young master, "Here you".

"Oh", Nie Shaoqing stared at the cane silently for some seconds before wrapping his hands around the head of the cane. He blinked as he met the attendant's worried eyes, looking from the attendant to the maid.

'Looks like the boy was never really alone, he thought holding the cane steady while using the cane as support as he rested his weight more on his good leg. "Don't be so alarmed, I just wanted to get some water", he said.

Deming glanced at Xiuyi, "um, that is right. let me get you a cup of warm water", she muttered looking down at the ground.

Xiuyi picked up the fallen bowl and rushed to the small kitchen behind the building. She instructed two lower-ranked maids standing to wipe the spill while she prepared the warm water.

Deming guided Nie Shaoqing to the high seat in the central room on the ground floor of the building, while the room was being cleaned and aired.

As they went down the stairs, he observed Nie Shaoqing for any changes. Nie Shaoqing smiles as he caught the attendant starting through the side of his eyes

He did not have much time to talk to the original owner of the body before the switch, but he remembered the original owner informing him that he could trust his attendant Deming. Based on the careful touches and obvious concern, he suspected that this was Deming.

However, to be sure, as soon as they were alone in the central room. He asked, "you have been stealing glances at me since you stepped into the bedroom. Deming, did you find anything strange?"

Deming stepped back eyes wide, suddenly feeling self-conscious, "Young_Young master_"

"We are all alone, you can be honest with me", Nie Shaoqing looked straight at the taller man as he spoke.

Deming looked down shyly at the hear of his gaze, "I was too forward.... I apologize, your majesty", he attempted to bow but Nie Shaoqing's words made him stop

"Don't stand on ceremony, it is not like I still have a throne. Treat me like you treat your young master."

Deming stared at him silently for a few minutes before nodding, although he found the whole thing Strange.

He saw no harm in playing along since he had promised his master that he would. "I am at your service, my lord".

Nie Shaoqing nodded. They both turned to the door as Xiuyi walked in with a tray containing a kettle of warm water and a cup.

She placed it on the table beside him and poured him a cup of water. A courtyard maid came in just as she handed him the cup of water.

Xiuyi's expression darkened, there was a hierarchy in all residences. It was frowned upon for a courtyard maid to come into the master's room without permission.

The maid shivered and took a step back on meeting Xiuyi's expression. Xiuyi excused herself and went over to speak with the maid.

After a few words, she dismissed the maids and went to report to Nie Shaoqing, "Young master, Steward Du is outside with a physician sent over by Master to check on you".

Nie Shaoqing raised a brow at that but nodded, from what he knew of Nie Yong. He was not one to be sentimental and judging by the fact that the original owner took such a risk just the get revenge.

Nie Yong wasn't a loving father or his son wouldn't go thus far just for revenge. Which got him curious about his old friend.

Steward Du led the physician into the room, he gasped, eye wide as his gaze fell on Nie Shaoqing.

He was surprised to see him up and about, the last time he had met their fifth young master. Nie Shaoqing was listless, pale and frail like a gust of wind could blow him away.

Although Nie Shaoqing still looked frail, there was a little colour to his cheek and unlike the last time, he was not leaning too heavily on the seen.

'This is unexpected', he thought as he continued forward. He suddenly began to wonder if the rumours of the fifth young master being close to death's door last night were true or just made up.