Chapter 21: Monthly Salary Received "No need to count, I trust Butler Zhao."...
Yang Qing's hand paused, then returned to normal. A flash of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He said coldly, "Miss Liu, you're joking. Who collects your hair? I'm just minding my own business."
When Liu Yeshu saw his reaction, she knew she was right.
Lately, when she returned home after dinner, it was often already dark. After she'd finished cleaning the kitchen and was about to leave, Yang Qing would linger. At first, she didn't think much of it, assuming he was just cleaning the kitchen. After all, the kitchen needed to be clean so the next day could start a new busy day smoothly.
At first, she just thought that Yang Qing was dedicated and hardworking, and she even had some respect for him in her heart.
But as time went on, things got a little weird.
Liu Yeshu noticed that even though cleaning the kitchen didn't take much time, Yang Qing often stayed in the kitchen after she left, as if there was always something unfinished. She had doubts in her heart, but she didn't show them.
Yesterday, Liu Yeshu had deliberately asked her younger brother Liu to pick her up later, while she herself waited a little longer at the mansion on some pretext. As she watched the sky darken and prepared to leave, she suddenly noticed Yang Qing still lingering in the kitchen, motionless. She feigned a casual farewell and turned to leave the kitchen, but suspicions were already building within her, and her pace gradually slowed.
When she reached the door, she suddenly turned around and quietly hid in the shadows outside the kitchen. In the dim light, she saw Yang Qing standing in the kitchen. Instead of continuing to clean, he stealthily walked to the corner of the stove and gently opened the small cabinet where she had kept her headscarf. He seemed to be familiar with the cabinet and took her headscarf out from it, examining it carefully, his movements appearing extremely cautious.
Liu Yeshu's heart sank when she saw this. The headscarf was just an everyday item; she wouldn't have checked it so repeatedly unless she was being intentional. Standing outside the door, her palms tightened slightly, realizing that things weren't as simple as she'd imagined.
Considering his previous behavior, she realized that he probably wanted to collect her hair and put it into the food when she wasn't paying attention.
At this moment, Liu Yeshu narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone still calm, but with an unquestionable implication: "Brother Yang, we work together in the General's Mansion, and I don't want to have any disputes with you. Even if I am dismissed by the General's Mansion, your master will probably find it difficult to return. This time, I am taking advantage of Butler Yang's absence to kindly remind you not to have any inappropriate thoughts."
Yang Qingqiang remained calm: "Miss Liu, you are being too serious. I am just a servant in the kitchen. I dare not do anything reckless."
Liu Yeshu smiled slightly, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes, and then he turned around and continued to work.
After that, Liu Yeshu would always pay close attention to every meal before handing it to Butler Zhao, never taking his eyes off it. And Yang Qing seemed to have behaved himself since the last time he was criticized. Liu Yeshu privately inquired and learned that he was diligent and conscientious when purchasing ingredients and never accepted bribes. This might be why Butler Zhao particularly wanted him to stay.
Time flew by, and a month had already passed since she began working at the General's Mansion. Her life was busy and fulfilling. She rose early before dawn each day, expertly preparing a variety of dishes, and gradually became familiar with General Qi's tastes and habits. She never relied on the favor of Housekeeper Zhao, and was courteous to every servant in the mansion, from the servants doing odd jobs to the servants delivering messages. She greeted everyone she saw.
She was always respectful to Butler Zhao, often asking him about the rules and affairs of the house, which made Butler Zhao admire this studious and inquisitive young cook. Sometimes when Butler Zhao came to inspect the kitchen, she would specially prepare some snacks for him to try.
Whenever she had some free time, she would research new dishes, and the servants loved to be called by her to try the food.
Although Liu Yeshu was wary of Yang Qing, she remained polite on the surface and did not hide her skills when cooking. When she saw Yang Qing secretly glancing at her, she would take the initiative to tell him some techniques. She could feel that Yang Qing's hostility was gradually weakening.
As for General Qi, although Liu Yeshu rarely had direct contact with him, she prepared every meal with great care, adjusting the menu according to seasonal changes to ensure nutritional balance, and sometimes cleverly incorporating some healthy ingredients into the dishes.
On the day of the monthly salary payment, Liu Yeshu specially changed into new clothes. Butler Zhao summoned Liu Yeshu to the accounting office and personally counted the money.
"Miss Liu, this is your monthly salary." Butler Zhao handed a small cloth bag to Liu Yeshu with a look of approval in his eyes. "As agreed, half has been deducted to pay off debts, so the total is less than one or two taels of silver. You have done a good job this month, and the general is very satisfied."
Liu Yeshu took the bag and looked down at it. Although she had known that her salary would be paid today, she was still delighted to receive it, and a sense of relief had finally settled in her heart. She bowed gratefully to Butler Zhao and said, "Thank you, Butler Zhao, for your trouble."
Butler Zhao waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's just my job. Just take it. Keep working hard, and the General's Mansion won't treat you unfairly. Do you want to count it again? My eyes are blurry, so don't give me less."
"No need to count, I trust Butler Zhao." Liu Yeshu thanked him with a smile and put away the cloth bag.
"Let's go to the market and buy some good food. There's a good bun shop in the East Market. Buying some will save you from having to go home and cook. Where's your brother? Is it time for him to pick you up?"
Liu Yeshu smiled and said, "There's not much firewood at home. I asked him to go chop wood. He doesn't have to come to pick it up every day."
Walking out of the gate of the general's mansion, the sunlight was shining on the street. She was in a good mood and went straight to the East Market, bought six buns, bargained with the vendor, bought a piece of fresh pork, carried the basket, hummed a little song, and walked on the way home.
Along the way, sunlight filtered through the treetops onto the road, and the bustle of the East Market gradually faded away. Liu Yeshu walked briskly along the path.
As she reached a sparsely populated area, she suddenly felt something strange. A gentle breeze blew, and the surroundings were silent, with only the sound of her own footsteps echoing along the path. Yet, the feeling of being watched became even more pronounced, as if a pair of eyes were secretly watching from behind.
Liu Yeshu couldn't help but quicken her pace, her heartbeat slightly accelerating, telling herself that she might be worrying too much. However, after taking a few steps, she clearly felt the subtle sound of footsteps coming from behind her, as if they were deliberately lowering their voices to follow.
She stopped abruptly, her heart alert, and quickly turned her head—but she saw nothing. The path behind her was empty, with only a few crooked old trees swaying gently in the wind, and even the sound of the wind seemed a little eerie.
Liu Yeshu frowned, feeling slightly uneasy, but she didn't show much emotion. She simply hugged the pork tighter and walked quickly towards home. She didn't want to cause any trouble, and secretly prayed that it was just her own overthinking.
Even after she arrived safely at the village entrance, the uneasiness in her heart had not completely dissipated.
As she entered the village, a strange atmosphere suddenly hit her. Several elderly women who usually gathered together to chat were now staring at her with an indescribable complex expression in their eyes.
Liu Yeshu subconsciously slowed down her pace, feeling a little uneasy. She nodded and smiled politely, "Aunt Zhang, Aunt Li, good evening."
However, the aunties who always responded enthusiastically in the past only responded coldly at this moment, their eyes still fixed on her, as if they wanted to see through her.
Liu Yeshu felt a surge of discomfort. She glanced down at her clothes, making sure there was nothing wrong. But the aunts' stares were still like thorns in her back, forcing her to quicken her pace.
"Look, this dress is much more decent than before." A shrill voice came.
"Yeah, it's only been a short time and it's already completely changed." Another voice continued.
Liu Yeshu was shocked when she heard this, not understanding what these words meant. She wanted to stop and explain a few words, but she didn't know where to start.
Just as she was hesitating, Aunt Wang suddenly spoke up, "Liu's girl, are you getting used to living in the General's Mansion?"
The words sounded like concern, but there was a strange meaning in her tone. The other aunts also pricked up their ears, as if waiting for her answer.
Liu Yeshu forced herself to remain calm and replied with a smile, "Thank you all for your concern. Everything is fine. The general's mansion has treated me well."
"Oh, I treat you well?" Aunt Wang said meaningfully, causing the other aunts to laugh.
Liu Yeshu felt puzzled, but vaguely felt that there was something behind these words.
Liu Yeshu didn't breathe a sigh of relief until she was out of the sight of the aunties. She looked back and saw that the group of aunties were still whispering and pointing in the direction she left from time to time.
Full of doubts, she quickened her pace and walked home, deciding to ask her parents what had happened.
When Liu Yeshu knocked on the door, the door opposite opened. When they saw it was Liu Yeshu, they quickly closed the door.
During the meal, Liu Yeshu asked about the unusual behavior of the aunt at the village entrance. Father Liu sighed and slowly said, "Shu'er, there have been some rumors in the village recently."
"What rumors?"
Mother Liu bit her lip and finally said, "Some people say...that you and General Qi...are not in a clear relationship. They say that you entered the palace because the general took a fancy to you."
Liu Yeshu was amused when she heard this. Her body was only fourteen years old, and her appearance had just begun to develop, yet some people were already fabricating rumors out of thin air. But then she thought again, this was ancient times after all, and fourteen was already the age for betrothal.
"I was just cooking in the General's Mansion and never did anything beyond the rules."
Father Liu patted his daughter's shoulder soothingly. "We believe you, but... you have to be careful. The General's Mansion is different from other places. As a girl there, you're bound to attract gossip."
Mother Liu held her daughter's hand, her eyes filled with worry. "Shu'er, tell me honestly, how does the general treat you? Is there anything...wrong?"
Liu Yeshu took a deep breath and calmed down: "Dad, Mom, don't worry. The general is an upright person and never has too much contact with servants. I only cook in the mansion, and I rarely see him on weekdays. Those rumors must have been spread deliberately by someone."
Father Liu and Mother Liu exchanged a glance, feeling slightly relieved. Father Liu pondered, "Even so, you still have to be more careful. You're not young anymore, so you have to be more careful with your words and actions outside, and don't give people anything to talk about."
Liu Yeshu nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Dad and Mom, I understand."
"But..." After taking a few bites of rice, she decided to ask. It was better to have someone give her advice than to keep it in her heart.
Liu Yeshu pondered for a moment, then slowly asked, "I wonder if there have been any unusual incidents in Ning'an County recently? For example... has any woman gone to the government office to report being followed?"
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