Chapter 27 Two feet twisted into a pretzel, resulting in a spectacular fall.

Although she didn't think she would lose, Yu Zhiyi couldn't resist Zi Yuan's enchanting voice and went to inspect the shops in the capital.

Of course, her motivation wasn't entirely for An Ziyuan's sake; her main purpose was to give Yu Pan'er a chance.

Yu Pan'er seized the opportunity well.

These past few days, You Bingyue has been bedridden. Although she can manage to get up and walk a few steps, she becomes breathless and weak after a quarter of an hour and has to go back to bed.

Yu Zhiyi, the young mistress, went out to inspect the shops again.

If we don't stir things up now, when will we?

Having learned that the young master was not going out today, Yu Pan'er asked Aunt Wen for leave and then spent a lot of time dressing up.

She looked at the girl in the mirror; the sixteen-year-old girl had rosy cheeks and her eyes were full of spring.

She turned around in front of the mirror again, and saw that the girl had a slender waist and looked as delicate as a willow in the breeze.

They're much better looking than that arrogant peasant girl and that empty-headed imposter.

If the young master saw her like this, wouldn't he be completely bewildered?

She had found out the young master's itinerary for the day, and deliberately set up a desk in the pavilion he would pass by, holding a book in her hand, but her eyes kept looking towards the end of the path.

Why aren't they here yet?

Suddenly, she was startled.

It's here!

She quickly lowered her head, holding the Three Character Classic and swaying her head.

"At birth, people are inherently good; their natures are similar, but their habits differ..."

It's getting closer!

Closer!

Yu Pan'er's voice grew louder, and her tone became increasingly alluring.

And then, that was it.

Du Ziheng walked past the pavilion without looking to the side, not even noticing that there was anyone inside.

Yu Pan'er: "..."

She stared wide-eyed in disbelief as the handsome man walked away.

Suddenly, she stood up playfully.

This was a rare opportunity, and she couldn't let it slip away!

"Young Master..."

Du Ziheng was thinking about the exam.

Although he had been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood and was confident in his knowledge, he would have to compete against candidates from all over the Great Sheng Empire in this imperial examination.

There were several of them whose names he had heard of, even though he was far away in Shengjing.

Those were all formidable enemies, and he could not afford to be careless.

The sudden appearance of a female voice startled him.

The sound was, well, like a duck being choked, quacking horribly and very unpleasant.

He frowned and turned his head, only to see a maid swaying her hips as she walked towards him.

Her waist swayed as if it were about to break at any moment. As she swayed, her left foot got tangled in her right foot, and she fell flat on her face.

Du Ziheng: "..."

I've seen people trip over bumps on the ground, or over the hem of a skirt, but I've never seen anyone trip over their own legs by tying them together.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his head tilted back slightly, his brows furrowed, and one eye seemed to say "..." while the other did the same.

As long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed.

Yu Pan'er suppressed her shame and indignation, got up, and continued to sway her hips as she walked towards Du Ziheng.

This time, however, her movements were noticeably smaller.

"Young Master..." The voice, strained and high-pitched, sounded very strange.

Du Ziheng raised his hand: "Stop!"

Yu Pan'er almost strained her back.

She looked at Du Ziheng with a wronged expression.

Du Ziheng looked puzzled, but turned to Du Lin and asked, "When did the maids in the manor become so unruly?"

Du Lin recognized Yu Pan'er after just one glance: "Young master, this is the young mistress's maid, but recently she has been sent to Aunt Wen's side to learn how to manage a household."

Du Ziheng's face darkened: "The young mistress has high hopes for you, and this is how you repay her?"

He was furious: "Du Lin, go ask Aunt Wen how she teaches people. She didn't learn anything good, but only learned a bunch of sly, insolent behavior!"

He turned and left.

Du Lin glanced at Yu Pan'er with a gloating expression and replied, "Yes!"

Yu Pan'er stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Is this the development she imagined?

"Young Master!"

She immediately stopped twisting her waist and quickly chased after Du Ziheng in the direction he had left.

But she ultimately failed to catch up with Du Ziheng; instead, she caught up with Aunt Wen, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Aunt Wen's face turned pale with anger: "You told me you had something to do today and wanted to ask for leave, and what you're talking about is coming here to seduce the young master?!"

"You vixen, is this how the Yu family taught you manners?!"

"It seems that before I teach you how to manage a household, this aunt will first have to teach you how to be a servant!"

"I'll give you one day to memorize the rules of this household. If you can't, I won't hesitate to suggest to the young mistress that we replace you with a more obedient servant!"

When Yu Zhiyi returned from inspecting the two shops in Shengjing, she heard about how Yu Pan'er's attempt to seduce someone backfired and she was instead taught a lesson by Aunt Wen.

Zi Yuan was furious: "That brat, doesn't she even look in the mirror before pissing herself? How dare she dream of becoming a phoenix on a branch?"

Yu Zhiyi chuckled: "Everyone has to have dreams, what if they come true?"

Just like her, when she was working diligently to help Zhang Tianshun build his empire in her previous life, she never thought that she could live a stable life one day and keep the money she earned in her hands, instead of spending it as soon as she got it to buy him food, weapons and other military supplies.

"Alright, alright, don't be angry. After she's made enough mistakes, I'll send her back to the Yu family, okay?"

Yu Zhiyi coaxed Ziyuan softly, "Look at this piece of cloth, it's so soft and smooth. It will definitely make beautiful and comfortable clothes. We'll send it to Jinxiu Pavilion later and have Hongluan make two outfits for you."

Not all maids are the same.

As maids in the Prime Minister's residence, those below the third rank did not have freedom of dress and could only wear the Prime Minister's residence's uniform.

Those of the second rank and above can make their own clothes according to their own preferences, but the style must be similar to the same style of the Prime Minister's residence, so that people can tell at a glance that you are a maid of the Prime Minister's residence and not a master.

Zi Yuan's eyes lit up: "Let Miss Hong Luan make it herself?"

Hongluan's craftsmanship goes without saying; even with prescribed designs, she can create new patterns beyond the rigid rules.

Seeing that the little girl's anger had subsided by half, Yu Zhiyi took out some pastries from the street: "Here, osmanthus cake, peach shortbread, and Qi Ji's roast chicken, all of which you like."

Zi Yuan's eyes shone even brighter.

Yu Zhiyi couldn't help but chuckle.

After all, she was just a teenage girl, not yet the cold-faced female manager who could stand on her own in her previous life. A few nice clothes and some good food were enough to easily coax her.

Suddenly, Li Rou walked in and announced, "Young Madam, the young master has arrived."

Yu Zhiyi's smile faded, and she only maintained a polite smile.

Du Ziheng arrived in a rage.

But upon seeing the carefree and leisurely Yu Zhiyi, half of his anger dissipated.

She possesses a serene and contented air, like a cup of tranquil tea; being around her always miraculously dissipates any restlessness.

"How did your inspection go today? Did anyone offend you?"

Yu Zhiyi watched helplessly as the anger in his eyes gradually disappeared, and his accusatory words turned into concern. She was completely bewildered.