Chapter 17: Leaving the Marquis's Mansion with Little Fish, Never to Set Foot in the Capital Again
Xiao Jingheng is already twenty-four. Most other people's children at this age are already married, and some are even old enough to run errands.
Every year, Lady Liu would try to find him a woman of equal social standing, but he refused them all, prioritizing his official duties.
Now that she sees her eldest son finally showing some special affection to a maid, her mind starts to wander again.
Given Su Xiaoyu's status, it would be acceptable to elevate her to the position of a concubine or maidservant.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng looked at his mother and said, "Mother, you are overthinking it. If I were truly interested in a woman, there would be countless talented and beautiful young ladies from prominent families in the capital. Why would I look at a naive girl who is not yet mature and only knows how to satisfy her appetite?"
His disdain was undisguised, as if Su Xiaoyu was nothing more than a useless tool in his eyes.
Liu carefully observed his expression and saw that he was clear-headed and calm, without a trace of romantic feelings. Her doubts immediately dissipated.
Yes, her eldest son is proud and arrogant, with even higher standards. How could he possibly fall for a mere maid?
It seems I was overthinking things; Lingxi was just being silly.
Madam Liu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Mother has misunderstood. It's best that you think this way. That girl is now in your care. Whether you polish her into a gem or discard her like a stubborn rock is up to you."
“My son understands.”
"If there are no further instructions, I will take my leave now." Xiao Jingheng bowed.
——
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoyu returned to the small courtyard where she lived with her mother, her eyes unfocused and her spirits broken.
She didn't hear Zhao Yueru calling her several times.
"Little Fish? What's wrong with you?"
Zhao Yueru put down her needlework, her face full of worry, "Did you suffer any injustice at the Second Miss's place?"
Holding her mother's warm hand, Su Xiaoyu seemed to come back to her senses. All the grievances and fear she had accumulated along the way burst forth, and tears streamed down her face.
"mother……"
She threw herself into her mother's arms, her voice trembling with tears.
On the way back, she thought about running away, but that would implicate Zhao Yueru and her father, Su Zhong.
Although she transmigrated to this era from a book, the kindness and care her parents showed her were genuine. She was already inhabiting the original owner's body; if she left now and caused her parents to be implicated, what kind of person would she be?
Therefore, the thought only flashed through her mind for a moment.
She recounted the events of the day in fits and starts, including how the Second Young Master forcibly dragged her out of the mansion and took her to Qianjintai and Zuixianlou, and how she was later caught by the Young Master.
As Zhao Yueru listened to her daughter's story, her expression grew increasingly grim.
Upon hearing the words "gambling den," she gasped sharply, and her grip on Su Xiaoyu's hand tightened involuntarily.
"Foolish! How could you let the second young master go to a place like that?"
"That's a place that the Marquis has explicitly forbidden anyone from entering the Marquis's residence."
Zhao Yueru's voice suddenly became stern.
This has crossed the host's bottom line!
"But... I didn't mean to. The second young master dragged me there, and I didn't want to go..."
Looking at her daughter's pale face, Zhao Yueru couldn't help but criticize her too harshly.
"Silly child, how could you be so foolish!"
"The second young master is the master. He may be immature, but you can't be foolish like him!"
Su Xiaoyu also knew that ancient slaves were just like modern workers; the bosses didn't care how much you put in or how hard you worked.
The boss only cares about results. He only cares about profits.
Therefore, even if it is known that the servants may have been forced, the servants are still held responsible when the masters are punished.
If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext.
Zhao Yueru's heart ached when she saw her daughter's tear-streaked face.
She hugged her daughter tightly and softened her tone, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Mom is here."
After comforting Su Xiaoyu and watching her fall asleep exhausted, Zhao Yueru sat by the bed, her eyes gradually hardening.
She couldn't bear to watch her daughter's future, or even her life, be ruined by this.
Although the young master did not lash out on the spot, she, as his mother, still had to show her attitude.
Zhao Yueru stood up, straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and then went to Liu's Yilan Garden.
With a "thump".
Upon seeing Liu Shi, Zhao Yueru immediately knelt on the cold floor and kowtowed.
"lady!"
Her voice trembled: "This servant failed to properly educate her daughter, causing Xiaoyu to commit a grave mistake. She dared to leave the manor without permission and even... followed the Second Young Master to such a filthy place. This servant deserves to die a thousand deaths for this!"
Liu was taken aback by her sudden apology. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Zhao Yueru continue:
"This servant dares not presume to ask Madam to forgive Xiaoyu. I only beg Madam to consider that this servant and that master have been loyal to the Marquis's mansion and to Madam for many years and to give Xiaoyu a way out."
She kowtowed heavily, her forehead touching the cold ground.
"This servant is willing to hand over all her savings and leave the Marquis's mansion with Xiaoyu, never to set foot in the capital again, only begging that Madam and Young Master... can spare Xiaoyu this time!"
She was willing to sacrifice her entire family's future prospects in the Marquis's mansion, and perhaps even their future livelihood, in exchange for her daughter's chance to leave safely.
Zhao Yueru knew that only by taking the initiative to plead guilty and demanding the most severe punishment could she possibly win a chance for Xiaoyu's life in the face of the Crown Prince's wrath.
Upon hearing this, Lady Liu felt a mix of emotions.
She herself is a mother, so how could she not understand Zhao Yueru's good intentions?
Although she was annoyed by Su Xiaoyu's audacity, she was also moved by Zhao Yueru's loving motherly heart.
Moreover, she already knew the whole story.
Xiaoyu not only did nothing wrong, but also indirectly helped her good-for-nothing youngest son.
“Mother Zhao, please get up first.” Madam Liu sighed. “Heng’er has already made a decision on this matter.”
Zhao Yueru looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.
"The Crown Prince has ordered that Xiaoyu be transferred to the Moyunzhai Study to serve. From now on, the Crown Prince will personally train her."
“Aunt Zhao, you should cherish this opportunity; it’s Xiaoyu who deserves it.”
This news struck Zhao Yueru like a heavy blow.
Go to Moyunzhai?
Is this... a blessing or a curse?
...
The next morning, when Su Xiaoyu learned of this news, it took her the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea to digest it, as if she had swallowed a stone.
She was anxious and conflicted all night, and even dreamed that she was being stared at by the young master's cold eyes, and that she was constantly scrubbing the toilet with piles of clogs. When she woke up, her pillow was soaked with cold sweat.
But now, does this... count as a promotion?
She was transferred from the side of a spoiled young lady to the side of the most powerful and influential young master in the mansion.
To outsiders, this was an incredible honor, a job that many servants would beg for.
Su Xiaoyu felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.
I'd rather go back and serve the Second Miss!
Although Xiao Lingxi is difficult to get along with, like a spoiled cat that always needs to be stroked, she can be sarcastic and even come up with some strange ways to torment people.
But those were all minor, harmless squabbles.
Most importantly, her emotions were written all over her face.
But Prince Xiao Jingheng is from a completely different world!
Based on her limited knowledge and the rumors she had heard, Xiao Jingheng was the king of all judges! He was so self-disciplined that he was abnormal, so meticulous that it was outrageous, and he couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing. His style of doing things was just like the Dali Temple prison under his jurisdiction, which emphasized evidence, rules, and efficiency.
Serving under him is like serving in the underworld, isn't it?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com