"Yuchun, I'll be there. What is it?"

Xiang Wan spoke earnestly, her doubts genuine. Was Hao Yuchun trying to cover something up? Seeing her standing there like a normal person, seemingly unaffected, trying to clear her name, truly puzzled Xiang Wan. Why would a mere maid need Hao Yuchun to be so polite to her? Xiang Wan didn't believe she was truly unaware.

"Yuchun, did you have a nightmare this morning? Lan'er said you tossed and turned all night and couldn't sleep. Are you having a nightmare? Should we call a doctor to take a look? No, we should tell the master. He will definitely have a solution."

The earnest tone and anxious manner stunned Hao Yuchun for a moment, making her forget even to cry. By the time she came to her senses and tried to stop Xiang Wan, she had already disappeared.

"Xiao Qi, what's the deal with this Hao Yuchun?"

While searching for Hao Xuan, Xiang Wan asked the system questions along the way. She felt that something was off about Hao Yuchun. How could a sixteen-year-old girl be so beautiful? Moreover, the more she talked to her, the more she found herself unconsciously being nice to her. It was really strange.

"Aren't you just jealous because she's prettier than you?"

"Jealous my foot! What kind of beauties haven't I seen? My beauties are prettier than hers. Have you ever seen me show such concern for someone I've just met?"

"Ahem, this system knows, you must be a hidden lesbian. Don't worry, this system won't tell anyone, I promise!"

This is unbelievable! I've run into such an unreliable system!

Xiang Wan was exasperated, her vigilance rising another notch. Since the system didn't want to talk now, it was probably plotting something, hoping to see her make a fool of herself. Not so easy, hmph!

Passing a lotus pond, Xiang Wan could hear a commotion coming from Hao Zheng's courtyard in the distance. She silently took a detour, not wanting to get involved. But even if she didn't seek trouble, trouble would find her.

"Sister Xiang Wan, wait a minute!"

The back gate suddenly opened, and Xiang Wan had already walked over when Shi Tou called out to her. She wanted to turn around and leave, but then she thought that would only make her seem guilty, so she stood still.

Shi Tou, covered in sweat, ran over and grabbed Xiang Wan's arm, trying to pull her into the yard. Xiang Wan stood still and deftly broke free.

"Stones, pulling and tugging at each other, what kind of behavior is this?"

"Oh dear, my good sister, you must help this time. The young master woke up this morning with a sore neck and a headache, insisting that someone plotted against him. He's throwing a tantrum in the yard right now, and no one can calm him down."

When Lan'er came to deliver ginger soup, the young master was already furious and had nowhere to vent his anger. The soup was spilled all over the floor, and Lan'er was kneeling on the ground being scolded by the young master.

What happened last night, besides me, is known only to you. Dear sister, if you go and explain things clearly, maybe the young master will calm down. If this matter is settled, consider it another debt I owe you.

"Lan'er is a maid in your courtyard, after all. If you don't go in, and something goes on later, it will damage your reputation, sister."

What a sharp tongue! In just a few words, she laid out the stakes involved. If Xiang Wan didn't go in, she would be seen as disregarding the lives of the maids in her courtyard, and might be branded as heartless and unwilling to help. If she went in, regardless of how she explained things, the shameful affair of secretly meeting with the young master of the Hao family late at night would surely be attributed to her, and she would be unable to escape the accusation that she shamelessly tried to seduce Hao Zheng. It was all obvious, and Shi Tou couldn't possibly be unaware of it. Why wasn't he going to Hao Xuan, but instead seeking her help? What was he up to? Xiang Wan quickly figured it out.

“Stone, what you’re saying is interesting. What do you mean that besides you, only I know? I’ve shouted until my voice is hoarse. The people in the backyard aren’t deaf. How could no one know?”

As the young master's personal servant, I let him wander around drunk. Luckily, I was there; otherwise, who knows what kind of mess would have gotten into. I took the blame for you, so why are you trying to harm me now?

"Perfect timing. Miss has something to discuss with Master. Why don't we let Master settle this matter? This will give us a good opportunity to clarify things and save Young Master from throwing a tantrum, won't it?"

Since it's the master's business, it's better to go directly to the head of the family. Anyway, Xiang Wan has plenty of ways to get out of this. She wants to see just how deep Shi Tou's feelings are with Granny Shi, and whether he's willing to sacrifice himself to protect his grandmother.

As soon as Xiang Wan finished speaking, Shi Tou's face turned very ugly, but only for a moment.

When he looked up again, Shi Tou's face had returned to normal. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and pleaded, "Oh, my dear sister, please don't tell Master. Master forbids the young master from touching alcohol. Last night, the young master was bored and secretly had a few sips, but who would have thought he'd get drunk. Just pretend I was talking nonsense and angered you, sister. I apologize. If I get anything good tomorrow, I'll definitely give you a share, okay?"

Xiang Wan sneered inwardly. She'd already told everyone in the backyard about Hao Zheng being drunk; everyone knew. For him to tell her to pretend not to hear was absurd—unless everyone who heard it was pretending not to hear. Such self-deception was utterly ridiculous.

"Stone, is this really meaningful?"

Xiang Wan ignored him and left without saying a word.

Now that she knows these people have designs on her, whether it's Hao Zheng or Shi Tou, as long as she has any material connection with them, she won't be able to explain herself no matter what.

She wasn't afraid of these things, but she found them troublesome. If she could take them all down at once, she naturally wouldn't want to get involved in these framing, slander, and defamation. Saving herself some trouble and focusing her limited energy on the important matters was in line with her current style.

Hao Xuan was having breakfast with Aunt Cui, so Xiang Wan had to wait in the courtyard.

Hao Xuan, who was from a wealthy and powerful family, had been without a wife for a year after his first wife, Hao Yuchun's mother, died in childbirth. When Hao Yuchun turned one year old, he began to take concubines, bringing one after another into the mansion.

Strangely enough, over the years, some of the concubines have fallen ill or died, and now, the only one who is still healthy and standing is Hao Zheng's own mother, the first concubine, Cui Ruliu.

Hao Zheng is fifteen years old this year, only one year younger than Hao Yuchun. As the only male in the household, he is inevitably spoiled and somewhat arrogant, with a quick temper. It's common for him to beat and scold maids and servants. He usually doesn't do anything serious about favoring a few servants; at worst, they'll just be made into his concubines. But the original owner ended up in such a state. It could be said that the entire Hao household was targeting her, which made Xiang Wan suspicious of the reasons behind it all.

Granny Shi was only in her forties. She had nursed Hao Xuan, and now that Hao Xuan was the head of the Hao family, she should have retired by now. Yet, she remained by Hao Xuan's side as a stewardess. The first thing Xiang Wan noticed when she looked up at her was her still-attractive charm and youthful allure. Wasn't it strange to see such charm in a stewardess?