Chapter 8 Just treat this thing like a cat or dog.
Mingying boarded the carriage alone.
The Qianweilou restaurant behind us was already just a fleeting glimpse.
What were they doing at that moment? They were a beautiful couple, so naturally they were enjoying themselves under the flowers and the moon, drinking and chatting happily.
He can take her out, but if he meets the person he truly loves, he will feel that she is a burden that shouldn't be there and will easily send her away.
She held the amulet in her hand and suddenly found it clumsy and somewhat laughable.
She used to think that perhaps she still held a tiny place in his heart, no bigger than a fingernail. She didn't ask for much; as long as he cared a little, she could live on.
But even now, my fingernails are still too big...
Back at her residence, she casually ate a few bites of leftover food from the kitchen, which finally soothed her stomach somewhat.
Ling Shuang and Yu Zhong had both left, and the courtyard couldn't be left unattended at night. She lit a candle, picked up the embroidery cloth and thread, and finished embroidering the sachet she hadn't completed last time, while waiting for him to return.
I'll embroider it prettier this time; I wonder if he'll like it.
The gong sounded; it was already midnight.
She rubbed her eyes and finally heard footsteps.
She put down the curtain, shook off her drowsiness, put on a gentle smile, and ran out: "Young master, you're back."
Pei Xiaoyun drank some light wine and left the table early, citing feeling unwell. A gust of evening wind made her forehead throb slightly.
Seeing her bright, sparkling eyes, he calmed down a bit, and his voice softened slightly: "Still not asleep?"
"I'm not sleepy, I'll wait for you to come back." Mingying smelled the familiar scent of perfume on him, and for some reason, it made her eyes sting.
Unaware of her presence, Pei Xiaoyun took her hand and led her inside, hooking the oil paper bag between her fingers: "I brought you some snacks, they're still warm."
Ultimately, what happened tonight made her feel wronged.
He specially instructed the cook to make her favorite snacks and bring them back to appease her.
The sound of running water filled the room as he took a bath. He didn't let Mingying serve him, so Mingying unwrapped the red ribbon wrapped in oil paper.
I already guessed what it was; it was indeed a translucent rice cake.
Beneath its translucent outer skin are faintly visible white bean-shaped flowers, which look delicate and taste soft, sweet, and glutinous.
This is her favorite food. Back in Yangzhou, he would buy it for her if she begged him.
Pei Xiaoyun was wearing a light white dress, and her body was covered in warm moisture. When she came out, she was eating snacks with her head down, taking small bites, with a little sticky red bean paste still on the corner of her lips.
He sat down next to her and casually put his arm around her waist. "Something happened today, but I'll take you out to eat again next time."
Mingying was taken aback. His hot chest pressed against hers, making her eyes appear even more watery. "No need, young master."
Can we do it again next time?
Pei Xiaoyun stared intently at her.
She never refused him, and upon hearing her answer, he tightened his grip on her earlobe. "Are you angry?"
Mingying put down the snacks and quickly shook her head. "No, it's just that you're getting married soon. If you take me out and someone sees us, I'm afraid people will talk about you."
Her eyes widened, filled with undisguised anticipation.
"You're quite considerate of me." Pei Xiaoyun played with her hair. "Then let's not go. It'll save us the trouble of going out. I'll hire a few cooks to come to our house another day."
Upon hearing this, Mingying gradually lowered her head.
Today's snacks are not too sweet.
When his kisses rained down on her like a storm, she couldn't resist and could only respond blankly.
—
Before the New Year, it was the old lady's birthday, and there was a birthday banquet to be held at home.
Although the Duke of Qu was in prison, the three judicial departments had not yet made a decision, and the mansion could not afford to be devastated; it still had to maintain its dignity.
Since the Lan family was in charge of managing the household affairs, they attached great importance to this birthday banquet and instructed all the courtyards to make arrangements and take care of it half a month in advance.
As a family of scholars and a century-old noble family, no matter what the situation is like inside, we must never let outsiders laugh at us.
“Miss Ming, Madam has ordered you to go to the main courtyard at noon. Madam wants to explain the arrangements for each courtyard.”
The messenger was Lan Shi's head maid.
"Okay, I understand." Mingying sat on the veranda embroidering. Knowing that this maid was from the Lan family, she took a few coins and stuffed them into her hand. "Sister, you've worked hard. Take this and have some tea."
The maid took the money and swayed away.
Mingying put down the embroidery frame, stood up, and dusted off the loose threads on her clothes.
Because when she was in the other courtyard, Lan sent two old women to harass her, she was somewhat afraid of Lan.
Originally, the head maids in charge of Lanqingzhuo Courtyard were Ling Shuang and Yu Zhong. One of them was away visiting relatives and had not returned, and the other had left, so the job had to fall to her.
She took off the clothes and jewelry that Pei Xiaoyun had made her wear that morning. Dressing so brightly, she was afraid she would be scolded.
She washed her face again and changed into a simple, dark-patterned dress. It was still before noon.
But they have always been the ones who wait for their masters.
She was afraid of being blamed if she arrived late, so she went very early.
The main courtyard where the Lan family lived was elegant and luxurious. Mingying walked for quite a while before reaching the hanging flower gate. Strangely, she could walk freely without any obstruction and there was not a single old woman guarding the gate.
Could it be that Madam is not here? Mingying wondered.
As noon approached, she dared not leave without permission, so she mustered her courage and went up the steps to wait outside the door.
The beaded curtain swayed, and faint male and female voices seemed to be heard inside, mixed with intermittent soft murmurs.
She realized what the sound was, and a chill ran through her body.
Through the shimmering crystal curtain, she caught a glimpse of a man's shadowy figure.
Isn't that... the master of the second wife?
She had once come to Lanqing Zhuoyuan to plead for the Duke on his behalf, and she had even served him tea.
She suppressed her disordered breathing. Fortunately, no one was around. She lifted her skirt and ran quickly to the outside of the hanging flower gate, hiding in the pavilion without daring to make a sound.
Half an hour later, after people from various courtyards arrived one after another, she followed the crowd inside.
She clenched her sweaty palms, repeatedly reminding herself that she was just a lowly maid and hadn't seen anything.
Lan Shi, adorned in gold and jade, emerged in a magnificent purple robe and lazily sat on the veranda.
The servants of each courtyard knelt in the courtyard.
Mingying knelt at the very end, not daring to raise her head.
"Go and decorate your own courtyards properly. On the day of the birthday banquet, those who are supposed to help should come out and help. If you dare to shirk your duties and neglect our distinguished guests, I will take your lives!"
"yes."
After the explanation is completed, everyone returns to their respective courtyards.
Mingying kept that matter buried deep in her heart.
—
On the day of the birthday banquet, the sun shone brightly and birds chirped.
A group of guests arrived early at the mansion. After congratulating the old lady, they all sat in the waterside pavilion to listen to the opera.
Mingying followed the other servants in setting out fruit platters, adding tea, and looking after seats, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
A little maid, who had a sweet tooth, stole a pastry and was pulled aside by Granny Tian, who was by Lan's side, and slapped hard twice.
When the little girl came back, there were two bright red handprints on her face. She couldn't stop wiping her tears with her sleeve, and dared not cry out loud.
Mingying's throat was hoarse. Fearing that her appearance would invite punishment again, she took the underglaze red floral plate from her hand. "I'll take care of the East Pavilion. You go and serve in the West Pavilion. There are fewer guests there."
The East Pavilion was built along the lotus pond and was used to entertain distinguished guests. Several elegant and talented young ladies from prominent families sat together to admire the flowers.
The plate of milk and water chestnut flour cake in Mingying's hand was for the female guest. She walked through the pebble path toward the East Pavilion.
Inside the pavilion.
Sitting in the very center was Princess Xiao Fuying of Jianing County. Nowadays, there wasn't even a princess in the palace, let alone a county princess, so she was the one with the highest status. The noble ladies sitting on her left and right were just there to accompany her.
"Today is the old lady's birthday banquet, why don't we see Lord Pei?" The speaker was Chen Shuangyue, the youngest daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue. She loved to flatter and fawn over Xiao Fuying, but she was also stupid and spoke without restraint.
Xiao Fuying remained silent, his expression turning cold.
Seeing this, a noble lady stepped in to smooth things over: "Young lady Chen may not know, but Lord Pei is self-disciplined and dedicated to his duties, and never indulges in wine, women, or banquets. He is probably still busy with his official duties. Such a talented and handsome young man is truly a good match for the county princess."
Xiao Fuying looked relaxed as he sipped his tea.
Chen Shuangyue cursed inwardly that the noble lady who had interrupted her earlier was a sycophant.
Eager to get Xiao Fuying's attention, she leaned closer and said, "Princess, I've heard that Lord Pei used to keep a mistress, and now he's brought her home. You can't let such a vixen get away with this!"
As soon as he spoke, all around fell silent.
Everyone knew that these words would undoubtedly embarrass the county princess in public.
Xiao Fuying angrily smashed his teacup and sneered, "Who do you think you are, daring to interfere in my affairs! Chun Tao, slap her!"
Chun Tao slapped Chen Shuangyue's face repeatedly from both sides, scaring the other women into not daring to breathe.
Mingying stepped into the pavilion, steadily put down the snacks, and was about to clear the empty plates from the table when she heard Chen Shuangyue's scream, and a chill ran down her spine.
She dared not interfere in the affairs of the nobles, nor could she even listen to them, let alone with Princess Jianing sitting in the center.
She intended to wait on the path until they left before collecting the items.
As she turned around, a voice behind her seemed to bind her like a rope, firmly imprisoning her.
"stop."
Xiao Fuying stared at her coldly, as if he wanted to bore a hole through her.
With Chen Shuangyue's words preceding her, and Mingying appearing before her at this moment, she couldn't help but think that this lowly servant was deliberately slapping her in the face!
Brother Ayun is completely devoted to her, how could he have any disloyal intentions? It must be that this vile maid used some underhanded means to seduce Brother Ayun and refuse to leave the Duke's mansion.
"What are your orders, Princess?" Mingying slightly curtsied, not daring to meet her gaze.
Xiao Fuying didn't even look at her directly, kicking a shard of broken porcelain on the ground with her toe. "You clean all of this up, kneeling down and picking it up piece by piece. If I see even one piece that makes me unhappy, you can forget about having these hands."
Those around them were also puzzled as to why the county princess was so angry with a maid, and simply watched silently.
Mingying gripped the hem of her clothes tightly with her fingers, a sour feeling filling her chest, and a sense of suffocation descended upon her.
She could tell that the county princess was very hostile towards her. Although she felt wronged, she had to swallow it down and suppress all the emotions she shouldn't have.
Given her status, there was nothing to be aggrieved about.
She slowly knelt down, her fingertips reaching for the pile of sharp, gleaming tiles, and placed the cold, sharp weapon in her palm.
A sharp pain shot through him, and blood dripped from his palm.
A lump formed in her throat; it could bleed, but she absolutely could not shed tears.
She knelt there with her head down, like an insignificant grain of sand that anyone could trample on.
As I picked up the last tile, the pain in my palm gradually went numb; perhaps there wasn't a single patch of good skin left.
The wind suddenly stilled, carrying a hint of sandalwood fragrance, and the familiar, steady footsteps sounded in my ears.
Upon hearing this voice, Mingying's breath hitched, and the pain in her palm seemed to dull.
Pei Xiaoyun arrived late and saw Mingying kneeling there from afar.
What happened?
He saw that her palm was covered in bright red blood, and his heart felt as if it had been struck by something.
Mingying looked up and met his dark eyes.
He once said that her hands were very beautiful and that she couldn't do rough work.
“Brother Yun, you’ve finally arrived.” Xiao Fuying took his hand. “She’s clumsy and didn’t serve me properly. She knocked over the teacup, and I’m having her pick it up now.”
The others in the pavilion tactfully withdrew.
Pei Xiaoyun held her hand, his gaze fixed on Mingying, his expression indifferent, revealing neither joy nor sorrow.
“Aying”.
Upon hearing those two words, her bright, sparkling eyes blinked rapidly, and the hazy outline before her eyes became exceptionally clear.
She felt that the bitterness she swallowed wasn't entirely silent; someone could always see it.
Then, she clearly saw Pei Xiaoyun look at Xiao Fuying, her voice so light: "It's so unlucky to see blood on a day like this."
A moment of shock made her dizzy and her mind buzz.
Pei Xiaoyun then gave her a word of advice: "Go down quickly, don't disturb the auspicious day."
She lost consciousness and didn't even know how she got up.
Tears streamed down her face like a burst dam, and she ran forward, wiping them away.
I only remembered to collect the empty plates on the table halfway through the run.
If she doesn't accept the money, she'll be neglecting the guest, and if the madam finds out, she'll beat her to death.
No one will speak up for her.
Yes, that's how people are these days.
She had to do whatever her master told her to do; if her master forbade her to cry, she had no right to cry.
She turned back, large tears falling onto her clothes. She reached out to wipe them away, only to find her hands covered in blood, not a single clean spot.
When she reached the pavilion again, she saw a couple sitting together.
Pei Xiaoyun's voice was both comforting and disdainful: "...I pity her for being weak and helpless. If I want to make her my concubine in the future, just treat her like a cat or dog. Don't make things difficult for her and upset yourself."
A note from the author:
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I'm so angry! [Angry][Angry][Angry] I want to denounce Pei the dog!
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