After Chapter 174, she was no longer a maidservant in the Marquis's mansion.
Later that evening, Xiao Lingxi heard that Su Xiaoyu had woken up and came to visit her.
The curtain rustled softly, and a familiar fruity scent wafted in first.
"Su Xiaoyu, you lazy girl, are you really sleeping in broad daylight?"
Xiao Lingxi's voice was still crisp and clear, with a touch of spoiled charm, but upon closer listening, the ending tone seemed a little softer than usual.
Su Xiaoyu quickly stood up to curtsy: "Second Miss..."
"Lie down and don't move!" Xiao Lingxi walked to the bedside and pressed down on her shoulders.
Today she wore a brand-new pale yellow dress with gold and white butterfly embroidery, and the hair ornaments in her hair swayed gently, making her face look like a lotus flower, bright and radiant.
However, those eyes, which were always so bright and spirited, now looked at Su Xiaoyu with less of the sharpness they usually had when deliberately picking fights, and instead held a complex emotion that Su Xiaoyu couldn't understand.
Zisu followed behind Xiao Lingxi, holding various brocade boxes in her hands.
“Look, my mother heard you were injured, so she asked me to bring you some tonics.”
She gestured for Zisu to put everything on the table, then sat down on the embroidered stool next to the bed. "These are all carefully selected good things by me. Look, wild ginseng, bird's nest, and donkey-hide gelatin. They're all good stuff. You should eat them all quickly, so as not to waste them."
"Oh, right, and these few bolts of fabric, the colors are bright, perfect for you."
Su Xiaoyu's eyes swept over the dazzling array of items, and her heart warmed.
"You've gone to so much trouble for Madam and Second Miss. I am of lowly status and could hardly possibly be worthy of such fine things..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Xiao Lingxi interrupted her, displeased.
“Your father has rendered great service, and His Majesty has specially bestowed upon him a general’s mansion. You will soon be a general’s daughter. How can you not be worthy of these things?”
Su Xiaoyu paused.
Clearly, she had not transitioned from being a servant in the Marquis's household.
Seeing her slightly flustered expression, Xiao Lingxi deliberately became fierce; "What are you looking at? Just take it! You are now a great hero who saved His Majesty, who are you trying to impress by acting like a pushover? People who don't know better will think that our Marquis's mansion has mistreated you!"
Su Xiaoyu knew that she had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and a warm current surged in her heart, mixed with a bittersweet feeling.
She knew that this was not just a reward, but also a token of the Second Miss and Madam's goodwill.
"This servant... thanks Madam and Second Miss for the reward."
"Here we go again." Xiao Lingxi's beautiful eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean by 'servant'? Su Xiaoyu, are you blind? Didn't I just say that you are no longer a servant of the Marquis's mansion? The imperial decree has been issued. Your father will be General Zhaoyi from now on, and you will be the young lady of the General's mansion, with your own residence and salary. From now on, when we meet, we... we will be equals."
She felt that her words lacked impact, so she added, "What I mean is, from now on, when you see me, you don't need to go through those formalities anymore; they're just annoying."
"Also, when you're walking around among the noble ladies in the capital, stand up straight and don't look petty."
She wanted to say, "Don't disgrace our Marquis's mansion," but swallowed the words back. After all, Su Xiaoyu would soon no longer be considered "a member of the Marquis's mansion."
Su Xiaoyu's nose felt a little sore.
She knew that Xiao Lingxi had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.
"Yes, Miss Lingxi." She readily changed her form of address, her voice gentle. "I have remembered your words. I will definitely work hard in the future and not bring shame to you... or the Marquis's mansion."
The address "Miss Lingxi" startled Xiao Lingxi, and a hint of unease flashed across her eyes...
If her older brother hadn't told her to give herself time to adjust, she wouldn't have come.
"Hmph, just remember that. Um..."
"When are you moving to the General's Mansion? How's your packing going? Do you need any help? I... I'm free anyway, I can lend you a hand."
“Mother said it will be done in the next couple of days,” Su Xiaoyu replied gently. “There’s not much stuff. With the help of my parents and the household, it will be ready soon. I wouldn’t dare trouble you, Second Miss.”
"Who would want to trouble you? I'm just afraid you're clumsy and might forget something good."
Xiao Lingxi immediately retorted, turning her head to glare at her, her eyes slightly red; "Su Xiaoyu, from now on... you will no longer be a maid in our Marquis's mansion."
She said it very softly, with a hint of melancholy and loss in her voice.
It felt as if I was about to lose something important.
Su Xiaoyu's heart tightened, and she looked at her earnestly; "Although I am no longer a maid in the Marquis's mansion, I will always remember the kindness of the Madam and Miss. The Marquis's mansion... will always be my second home!"
"Who asked you to repay a debt of gratitude!" Xiao Lingxi suddenly stood up, raising her voice as if trying to cover something up.
"I just... just letting you know that the world is your oyster from now on, so live your life well. If... if anyone dares to bully you, just... just mention my name, Xiao Lingxi, or... or find my older brother!"
When the word "elder brother" was mentioned, the air between the two seemed to freeze for a moment.
Xiao Lingxi instantly looked away, her tone hardening again: "Anyway, you'd better watch yourself. I'm leaving. Remember to eat these things!"
After saying that, she almost hastily turned around and left with Zisu.
"Second Miss!" Su Xiaoyu couldn't help but call out.
Xiao Lingxi paused, but did not turn around; her back view appeared somewhat stubborn.
"Thank you." Su Xiaoyu said sincerely, "And... if you ever get bored in the future, or want to find someone to try new snacks, the General's Mansion... you are always welcome to come."
Xiao Lingxi's shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly, and she gave a very soft "hmm" before practically lifting the curtain and leaving as if fleeing.
The room fell silent again, leaving only the table full of dazzling gifts. Su Xiaoyu sighed softly.
Xiao Lingxi's awkward concern was like a warm, sweet soup on a winter's day, making her chest swell with heat.
But it also made the empty corner in my heart seem even colder.
Just then, Zhao Yueru arrived, saying that Shen Yuejiao had come to the Marquis's residence and brought gifts to visit her.
Su Xiaoyu's eyes lit up. "Quick, let Yuejiao in."
Not long after, a commotion was heard in the courtyard; it was the sound of Shen Yuejiao directing her servants to move things.
"Oh, right, right, be careful with that gilded rosewood box! Inside are some new Yun brocade and soft gauze that we got this year, perfect for making clothes for Xiaoyu that complement her skin tone!"
"Take those boxes of South Sea pearls and gemstones into the side room first, and be careful not to bump or damage them!"
"And all those medicinal herbs and tonics, move them down to the corridor, sort them according to the list, and have Aunt Zhao take care of Xiaoyu later!"
"Those two pots of camellias by the window look so vibrant! ...Oh dear, I'm so clumsy, let me do it!"
Shen Yuejiao's voice came from afar, carrying her unique, charming yet undeniably decisive quality.
Su Xiaoyu lay on the couch, and just by listening to the noise, she could guess that she must have moved half of her belongings over.
At that moment, the curtain was lifted with a "whoosh," followed by Shen Yuejiao's worried voice.
"Little fish..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com