Chapter 13: Gaining His Trust

Chapter Thirteen

Each head maid serving in the Pei family's courtyards has her own room.

These past two days, while staying at the Xie family's villa, Green Pearl couldn't find an empty room for Lin Rong to sleep in, so she had to ask her to come and stay with her.

There were no maids working in Yuchen Courtyard, only Green Pearl serving in the courtyard. Moreover, Pei Zan disliked being served by others, so Green Pearl had to do things like cleaning the stove ashes and delivering clothes when Pei Zan was not in the courtyard.

Now that a close friend of hers has come, Green Pearl will no longer live in constant fear.

After taking a bath, the two maids lay on the bed, feet touching, and fell asleep.

Green Pearl, a shrewd girl raised in a mansion, thought about what she had seen and heard today and said sarcastically, "I think the young master is very clever. He may have already figured out that you are the little maid who was favored that night."

Upon hearing this, Lin Rong sighed with a worried expression: "Please don't... I was hoping to leave the manor someday."

Green Pearl didn't expect her to be so stubborn, but everyone has their own ambitions, so Green Pearl didn't say much, but comforted Lin Rong who had been worried all day.

"But don't worry, if you really want to redeem yourself and leave the manor, just serve him well for the next two weeks and don't provoke the young master. No one should be able to stop you... I heard that the young master and the madam don't get along and he won't take anyone from the Pei family with him."

Lin Rong's almond-shaped eyes lit up instantly: "Is this true?"

"Of course, look, when the young master returned to Yuchen Courtyard this time, he didn't use any of the Pei family's servants. He only used the two of us, which is considered an extraordinary favor. Besides, if he really recognized you, why didn't he mention taking a concubine? It seems that he was in the mood that night and wanted to give you a title, but after sobering up, he felt it wasn't worth it and quietly gave up."

Green Pearl looked at Lin Rong with sympathy, afraid that such cruel words would hurt the little girl's self-esteem.

After all, everyone knows that servants are of a lower status than men from good families, and they don't even have the right to be Pei Zan's concubine.

Seeing Lin Rong looking dazed, Green Pearl gave her a few more words of advice: "Don't take what men say in bed seriously. You'd better remember this, so you don't get fooled again in the future."

Lin Rong nodded repeatedly, finally relieved at this moment.

Pei Zan was a man of deep thought and a suspicious nature. He had a past grudge against the Shen family and did not trust the people left behind by them. The servants who accompanied him to the governor's mansion were all trusted confidants whom Pei Zan had personally trained.

Lin Rong, who grew up in the Pei family, was naturally not included in this category.

-

After falling into the water that day, Lin Rong still caught a chill and developed a fever. Fortunately, after taking a few doses of medicine, her chills gradually improved.

Two days later, after Lin Rong had finished her activities, the Pei family masters returned to the Pei residence after their visit to the Xie family villa.

Back at Yuchen Courtyard, Green Pearl arranged a room for Lin Rong, located near the back room. Although it was next to the storage room, it was quiet and secluded, so Lin Rong had no complaints.

It was Lin Rong's first time staying in a room by herself, and everything seemed new and exciting.

Although she knew she would only be staying in the room for a little over half a month, Lin Rong still went to the street to buy a few feet of floral fabric, wove a blackout bed curtain, wiped all the tables and chairs inside and outside the room, and folded the old clothes into the wardrobe.

Lin Rong pushed open the door and glanced at the desolate courtyard. There was a large open space behind the house, just enough to put a few sauerkraut jars.

When she lived in the outer courtyard, Lin Rong often had pickled vegetables, pickled radishes, and even fermented vinegar.

But now, she's staying in Pei Zan's precious Jade Dust Courtyard, where the smell of pickled vegetables and bamboo shoots is strong. If it wafts into the young master's bedroom, she'll definitely be punished by her master. Thinking about it, she'd better not.

Now that Lin Rong has become a maid in the inner courtyard, her allowance for food, clothing, and lodging has increased. Perhaps it was Uncle Feng's care for Lin Rong, but in the evening, he brought her a set of red brocade jacket and trousers with grass beads, and also prepared a yellow osmanthus jacket and skirt for her. The fabrics were not expensive, but the patterns were fashionable and the stitching was tight. Even the concubines of the second branch of the family could not wear anything like this.

Lin Rong, feeling both apprehensive and apprehensive, put away the clothes and couldn't help but ask, "It's not a holiday or festival, how can I accept so many rewards?"

Uncle Feng laughed and said, "Take it, Miss Lüzhu will get one too. They are all senior maids in our courtyard. When they go out, they represent the men's reputation. It's not appropriate for them to wear old clothes anymore. Otherwise, it would be a disgrace for the young master to mistreat his servants."

Uncle Feng's words weren't harsh, but she sensed a hint of reprimand. It seemed that Pei Zan found her usual patched-up old clothes displeasing. He couldn't stand it anymore, which was why he instructed Uncle Feng to prepare new clothes for the maids.

Lin Rong readily accepted the clothes, thinking that she would serve the young master well tonight to repay his life-saving grace.

Before Lin Rong could even go to the kitchen to get her meal, the First Madam sent someone to look for her, as Madam Shen wanted to see her.

Lin Rong was just a lowly servant in the outer courtyard, yet she was to be presented to the mistress of the mansion. It would be impossible for her not to feel uneasy.

She quickly changed into a new set of clothes, tidied herself up, and hurried towards the Shuangjiang Courtyard where the Shen family lived.

-

Inside the courtyard on the day of Frost's Descent, Madam Shen sipped her red date and barley sweet soup while discreetly observing Lin Rong kneeling below.

The young maid looked young, and her skin was a bit dry. Her hands, which had been used for many years, were rough and her fingers were not delicate.

With her fair skin, bright features, and voluptuous figure, she could be considered a beauty in the making.

Madam Shen withdrew her critical gaze, put down the bowl, and picked out a gold-inlaid jade gourd hairpin from the pear wood tray offered by the wet nurse, inserting it into Lin Rong's black hair bun.

Seeing Lin Rong look up and nervously adjust the hairpin, Madam Shen stopped her and smiled kindly at her, "Don't take it off. This hairpin suits you very well. Keep it safe."

Lin Rong wasn't stupid. She knew that Madam Shen and Pei Zan were at odds. As a maid in Yu Chen Courtyard, how could she dare to be a weather vane and switch sides to Madam Shen, accepting her gifts?

Lin Rong replied tremblingly, "This servant has no merit or virtue and dares not accept such a valuable item."

Madam Shen was surprised to find that this maid, who had been transferred from the outer courtyard, was also a proud and arrogant troublemaker, and her face immediately darkened.

Fortunately, the wet nurse was nearby, giving Shen a meaningful look and whispering advice: "Ziyan is in trouble, and Lüzhu is useless. This maid is the only one that the young master chose himself, so we must keep an eye on her. If Pei Zan takes her to the governor's mansion, at least she'll have a connection to us."

Thinking of this, Madam Shen calmed down and smiled gently, "You don't need to be afraid. I called you here not to ask you to do any difficult tasks, but because it's rare to see Zan-ge'er sending people into the courtyard, I just wanted to see what you look like. Tonight, I saw that you are indeed a clever and beautiful girl, and you look really well-behaved."

An ordinary maid would have been overjoyed to hear Madam Shen's words about a mother-in-law judging her wives and concubines. However, Lin Rong had no intention of entering Pei Zan's inner quarters, and upon hearing this, she was filled with fear and dared not utter a single word.

Seeing Lin Rong's blank expression, Madam Shen's face grew even uglier. However, as the matriarch who had managed the household affairs for many years, she quickly resorted to both kindness and severity to reprimand her.

“Rong girl, I feel a connection with you and am willing to take care of you. You should know that no matter how much Zan-ge’er dotes on you, he’s only keeping you in his tent for now. In the future, Zan-ge’er will definitely marry a high-ranking wife and bring glory to the family. Zan-ge’er holds a high position and knows what’s important. Once the mistress enters the house, do you think you’ll still have a good life? Since you’re in this household, you need to find a reliable and unshakeable support. Don’t you think that makes sense?”

Lin Rong wasn't well-educated, but that didn't mean she was dull or stupid. She understood what Madam Shen was saying... Madam Shen clearly thought that she was Pei Zan's darling, which was why Pei Zan made an exception and specially transferred a maid from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard.

But Lin Rong didn't want to be trapped in a cage. She honestly said, "Young Master only took me into his courtyard because he saw that I was in trouble and felt so sorry for me. I know that I am of lowly status and have no influence. I dare not ask Young Master for help. Besides, I am thinking that I will redeem myself and leave the manor after a while... Madam, I have a childhood betrothal in the countryside. My family is hoping that I will save enough money to redeem myself next year so that I can go home and reunite with my family. I beg Madam to grant my request."

Lin Rong's words left Shen Shi stunned.

Doesn't Lin Rong understand the principle of "better to be a rich man's concubine than a poor man's wife"? If that's the case, why is she being so stubborn?

Madam Shen frowned, looking at her suspiciously: "Are you out of your mind, girl?"

Lin Rong presented the gold hairpin and, forcing herself to speak, made up a story: "This servant and Brother Zhang are in love, and I hope that Madam will grant our wish."

That stubborn girl is infuriating!

Helpless, Madam Shen rubbed her forehead, waved her hand, and scolded with exasperation, "...I never thought you were such a simpleton! Get out of here, you're giving me a headache."

Lin Rong breathed a sigh of relief, but pretended to be timid and panicked, and whispered, "Yes."

-

Lin Rong rejected the demands of the head wife of the household, a move that was too rash, but it was also a way out of a desperate situation.

Lin Rong knew that a troublemaker like her could no longer stay in the outer courtyard, and now that Pei Zan had her eye on her, she couldn't even stay in the inner courtyard.

Since she was going to leave the Pei family anyway, it was better to let Madam Shen know sooner rather than later. That way, there might be fewer obstacles when she brought up the matter again in the future.

At night, after inspecting the military camp, Pei Zan returned to Yuchen Courtyard for a meal.

Green Pearl dared not deliver food to her master, so she gave this task of serving him closely to Lin Rong.

Lin Rong did not refuse. She carried the food box inside, served the meal efficiently, dried her handkerchief, washed Pei Zan's hands, and served tea and water.

The man's voice was clear, cold, and deep, like pearls falling onto a plate.

This was the first time Pei Zan had called her by her name. Although his voice was gentle and pleasant, it also carried a chilling authority, making Lin Rong feel uneasy.

Lin Rong hurriedly turned around: "This servant is here."

Pei Zan raised his phoenix eyes slightly, scrutinizing them as he looked down at Lin Rong's increasingly lower head. "Today, the First Madam came looking for you."

A confident tone.

Lin Rong's heart skipped a beat.

She hadn't expected Pei Zan to ask about this. It made sense, though; Pei Zan was inherently suspicious, and there must be many spies hidden in the courtyard. If there were any servants who betrayed their master, they would have been beaten to death in the inner courtyard long ago.

Fortunately, Lin Rong had no intention of serving two masters and was not bribed by Shen.

Lin Rong answered honestly, "The First Madam did summon me, but she didn't say anything else. She only told me to serve my master well. If the young master really wants to know, the First Madam did give me a gold hairpin, but I didn't accept it."

Upon hearing this, Pei Zan's previously gloomy eyes gradually brightened. He closed his eyes slightly, his thumb twirling the tassel of his wrist rosary, and asked with interest, "Why don't you accept it?"

“This servant…is a member of the young master’s household, and I cannot accept gifts from other people.”

Lin Rong was an upright person. As long as she was Pei Zan's slave, she would serve Pei Zan as her master. This was the duty of a servant and also her responsibility as a person. She would never be a treacherous and ungrateful person.

After hearing this, Pei Zan remained silent for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.

The brazier inside the room was burning brightly, and the steam made Lin Rong sweat profusely.

Outside, a misty rain fell, the sound of rain pattering down as it dripped from the lotus-shaped rain chains hanging from the eaves. The translucent raindrops splashed onto the bluestone steps, creating tiny ripples.

Pei Zan remained silent. Lin Rong, smelling the elegant fragrance emanating from the man's robe, gradually became uneasy and apprehensive.

The next moment, Pei Zan's long fingers suddenly twisted Lin Rong's chin, his fingers slightly curled, and he used his tiger's mouth to force her to look up.

Pei Zan's fingertips were slightly cool, and the pressure of pinching her cheeks gradually increased. Her beautiful jade fingers pressed against the girl's soft cheeks, as if she were forcibly pinching out two dimples for her.

Lin Rong looked up helplessly, enduring the slight pain in her cheek, and gazed into Pei Zan's calm and unwavering eyes.

"Young Master?"

Lin Rong tried to read something from Pei Zan's eyes, but when she thought of the sharp blade that had pierced Liu Qingyun's neck that day, she didn't even have the courage to look Pei Zan in the eye.

Pei Zan's words carried a warning: "If you betray your master, I will kill you."

Lin Rong quickly gave in. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she nodded repeatedly, her gaze fixed on Pei Zan's strong, veiny fingers. She dared not look into Pei Zan's cold eyes any longer...

Knowing that she was timid and cowardly, Pei Zan did not make things too difficult for her and quickly let go of her hand.

"Pour me a cup of tea." Pei Zan instructed Lin Rong to serve tea, giving her a chance to ease the tension.

Lin Rong was overjoyed and hurriedly got up to make tea.

However, she was still too flustered and made more mistakes.

Lin Rong lost her footing and spilled the entire cup of lukewarm tea onto Pei Zan's sleeve.

The aroma of tea instantly filled the room.

The lush green tea flowed down Pei Zan's beautiful, muscular hands.

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

The ground was damp.

Upon seeing this, Pei Zan pursed his thin lips slightly.

This is the first time I've seen such a clumsy girl... Untrained maids from the outer courtyard are indeed useless.

Lin Rong was terrified and knelt down to beg for mercy: "Young Master, I did not mean to offend you. Please be magnanimous and do not hold it against me."

She lowered her head in a fluster, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on Pei Zan's hand, which was soaked in tea, as if she wanted to help him wipe away the tea stains, but dared not reach out and offend him.

Pei Zan lowered his eyes, quietly appreciating Lin Rong's helpless and embarrassed appearance.

The girl's eyes were slightly red at the corners, glistening with tears; if the teasing continued, she might burst into tears.

After a moment's thought, Pei Zan still offered her jade-like hand, which was wet with tea, to Lin Rong and gently pressed it against her soft lips.

Lin Rong's lips suddenly felt cold. Confused, she looked up at him with trepidation.

Immediately, she heard Pei Zan speak in a cold voice, deep and detached.

"Lin Rong".

"...lick it clean."

A note from the author:

Here's another book I'm pre-ordering, I don't know when it'll be published... but those who like it can add it to their favorites!

"After My Death, My Sword Master Brother Turned Evil" by Grass Lamp Master

(The main text is written in the third person)

Senior Brother is a man of integrity and gentle refinement, with unparalleled swordsmanship, truly the number one swordsman in the sect.

Countless female cultivators were fond of their senior brother.

But my senior brother always kept his distance from others, simply because he and I were betrothed when we were young.

My senior brother and I were childhood sweethearts; he was the child groom my parents found for me.

No matter how willful and reckless I was, my senior brother always indulged me and protected me. From then on, I felt that my senior brother and I were deeply in love and should grow old together, share the same bed in life and the same blood in death.

-

On that day, a demon was born in the heavens, and my senior brother was ordered to go down the mountain to exorcise the evil spirit.

I hung a safety amulet that I had sewn myself on my senior brother's arm and said to him, "Senior brother, be careful in everything you do."

I didn't tell him that I made a vow before the Buddha, hoping for my senior brother's triumphant return so that we could get married soon.

My senior brother must have been happy too. He, who was always so reserved and aloof, kissed my forehead for the first time.

Upon hearing that her senior brother had annihilated the demon in one fell swoop, the demoness Ji Xi was no match for the sect's sword cultivators and vanished into the world.

My senior brother has returned, but he has also brought back a seriously injured woman.

I wasn't jealous. I thought there might be some reason why I should trust him.

My senior brother is always gentle and compassionate. That woman was probably just one of the beings who received his pity.

I restrained my willful temper and watched coldly as my senior brother did many things for her that he had done for me.

Her senior brother took care of her day and night, feeding her medicine, giving her candied fruit, and picking the first flower from the tree in early spring for her...

My senior brother no longer asks me when I will get married, no longer teaches me, and no longer gives me pointers.

I was filled with anxiety and fear. I thought, my senior brother no longer likes me.

Until one day, the woman's demonic aura surged forth; it turned out she was the witch Ji Xi.

My senior brother, a cultivator, disregarded the common people and secretly harbored a demoness.

He went down the mountain and fled with Ji Xi. When the people couldn't find him, they placed their hopes on me.

I activated the Daoist Pact and found my senior brother.

I wanted to persuade him to turn back from his wrong path and beg my senior brother to consider our past relationship one more time.

But all I heard was the dull thud of a sharp blade piercing flesh.

My hands and feet trembled with pain. Looking down, I saw that the Hengtian Sword, which I had given him, was now deeply embedded in my chest.

I was in a daze, staring blankly at the old, worn-out amulet hanging on my senior brother's waist.

My chest hurts so much.

I cried out "Senior Brother" as I cried, but this time his gentleness no longer extended to me.

-

I only learned after my death that Ji Xi was the daughter of Heaven, ordered to conquer the world's strongest beings. My senior brother was merely controlled by the system, which confused his mind and caused him to mistakenly kill me.

But what does it matter? Having been reborn, I no longer crave my senior brother.

In this life, I severed my marriage contract with my senior brother early on, bid farewell to my sect, and joined another sect.

I know that my senior brother has his own karma, and he will grow old with the female lead, Ji Ximu Xue.

The day of demon slaying arrives, plunging the world into chaos. My swordsmanship is lacking, and I flee amidst this turmoil.

Once, when I was about to die at the hands of a demon, a chilling sword light pierced the heavens and the earth.

It was my senior brother who came wielding the Hengtian Sword.

He was surrounded by demonic energy and covered in blood.

My senior brother pulled me into his arms, my whole body trembling.

He kissed my forehead just as he had in my past life, his phoenix eyes moist.

He pulled up his sleeves, revealing countless deep sword marks on his wrists. He was trying to trace the Daoist Couple's Blessing Flower, but he could no longer light it.

My senior brother humbly kissed me, tears welling in his eyes, and asked, "Let's try the Daoist marriage contract one more time, okay?"

[Reading Guide]

① Senior brother x junior sister, unchanged, but there will be a "wife-chasing-after-the-cremation" scenario.

② Both are virgins, don't worry, even if your senior brother was a virgin in his past life.