Chapter 10: The desire to live despite the desire to die
Shuang'er answered Ye Chutang's question in an evasive way.
"I was sent by the Madam to serve the young lady."
Ye Chutang raised his eyebrows, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
"So, if Madam wants to know what I do every day, you will report everything in detail?"
"Madam is the mistress of the house. If she asks about the young lady, I will not dare to hide anything."
"What if your indentures are in my hands?"
Shuang'er didn't know how to answer for a moment.
Ye Chutang waved his hand and said, "Go find the Madam and ask her to give me the indentures of the three of you."
"Yes, Miss."
Not long after Shuang'er got up and left, Dan'er had put everything in place.
She packed some snacks and candied fruits, washed some fruits, and placed them in front of Ye Chutang.
"Does Miss intend to use the kitchenette?"
Ye Chutang picked up a grape and put it into his mouth.
It is not the season for grapes to ripen yet, so these grapes must have been transported from the south at full speed.
To prevent them from going bad, grapes are picked when they are only 50% to 60% ripe, and are not tasty.
She lost interest after eating one and looked at Dan'er who had a respectful look on his face.
"I will answer your question after dinner."
"Waiting for the eldest lady's instructions. The eldest lady will go shopping with the second lady later. Do you need to change clothes?"
Ye Chutang was still wearing coarse cloth clothes, which was out of place with the exquisite and luxurious Ning Chuyuan.
She nodded and said, "Go boil some water. I want to take a bath."
Who would wear rough clothes when there are soft ones to wear?
Dan'er worked efficiently and soon boiled the water and poured it into the bathtub behind the screen.
She adjusted the water temperature and sprinkled some flower petals into it.
"My lady, I will help you take a bath."
Ye Chutang had no habit of having his body seen by others, so he waved his hand.
"I can do it myself, you go and guard the door."
Although Shan'er felt that it was inappropriate, he did not disobey Ye Chutang.
She closed the door of her boudoir and stood guard at the door.
Ye Chutang glanced at the bath soap and hair soap cake with disdain, and took out shampoo and shower gel from the space.
After taking a bath, she followed the local customs and put on a bellyband and silk inner garment.
She also called Dan'er to come in and help her twist her hair.
Shan'er smelled the pleasant fragrance on Ye Chutang's body and head, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
This is not the taste of soap and cake!
Ye Chutang looked at Shan'er in the bronze mirror and asked, "Are you loyal to the lady or to me?"
Shan'er wiped Ye Chutang's hair carefully and answered without thinking.
"Whoever holds my indenture, I will be loyal to."
"You are honest. How did you get into the mansion?"
"My brother was short of money for his wedding, so my father sold me to the Shangshu Mansion for ten taels of silver and I became the young master's maid."
Ye Chutang had read ancient Chinese novels and knew that many young masters from wealthy families in ancient times had been studs since the age of twelve.
She did not sympathize with Shan'er's situation.
Compared to being sold to a brothel, being a concubine in a wealthy family is a blessing.
"Since you are Ye Anzhi's concubine, it is impossible for you to be loyal to anyone other than the Madam."
Because when Ye Anzhi gets married, Shan'er will most likely be promoted to a concubine.
Shan'er put down the handkerchief she was using to twist her hair and rolled up her sleeves.
The slender arms were covered with whip marks.
Traces, both old and new, showed that she had been subjected to abuse.
She suddenly knelt down in front of Ye Chutang and said in a low voice: "If Miss can save me from the sea of fire, I will repay you with my own death!"
The entire Shangshu Mansion is under the control of the lady.
The eldest daughter who was suddenly brought back was the only variable.
She used sweet words to get the lady to agree to let her run for the position of maid in Ningchu Courtyard.
If she is not chosen by the eldest lady, she will not lose anything.
If she was chosen, she would observe the character of the eldest lady to see if there was a chance for her to save herself.
Unexpectedly, she was so lucky. Not only did the eldest daughter dare to confront the lady, but even the master couldn't do anything to her.
So, she confessed everything, hoping for a chance to survive.
Ye Chutang looked at Shan'er with a determined look on her face and raised her pink lips.
"Aren't you afraid that I will sell you out? Are you trying to please my wife?"
She won't believe her just because Dan'er is pitiful.
Shan Er said indifferently: "It's just a death, it's a relief for me."
She was nearly beaten to death by the young master last time and felt like she couldn't live any longer.
When she was about to jump into the well, she unexpectedly heard the mistress asking the master to bring the eldest daughter back.
Although she didn't hear the reason, she was reluctant to die.
Ye Chutang saw Shan'er's desire to survive hidden beneath his desire to die.
So he gave her a chance to live.
"If you want me to save you, you have to show your worth first."
Shan Er said, "I have been in the Ye family for more than three years, and I am also the young master's maid. I know a lot of secrets of the Ye family. The young lady should be interested."
Ye Chutang was indeed interested, and just as he was about to ask, he heard Shuang'er's footsteps.
She helped Shan'er up and said, "My hair isn't dry yet, go on."
Shan'er knew that he had won the bet, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and his tone became a little lighter.
"Yes, Miss."
When Shuang'er came in, Shan'er had already returned to his respectful demeanor.
She handed the three indentures in her hand to Ye Chutang.
"Shuang'er will be the eldest lady's from now on, and I will never betray her."
Ye Chutang took the indenture contract and looked at Shuang'er who expressed her loyalty with sharp and cold eyes.
"Then you swear that if you betray me, your intestines will be pierced and your whole family will die."
It would take no more than two incense sticks of time to go to Kong Ru to get the contract of sale.
It took Shuang'er two quarters of an hour.
It can be seen that Kong Ru told her a lot of things.
When Shuang'er heard that she had to swear an oath, her face changed slightly and she knelt down immediately.
"Please forgive me, Miss. I can swear on myself, but I cannot bring disaster to my family."
Ye Chutang smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to be so filial. Get up. I was just testing you. Don't take it seriously."
After saying this, she shook the indenture contract in her hand.
"Your life is in my hands now. I don't think you dare betray me."
She did not expose Shuang'er because she wanted to keep her, spy on Kong Ru's plan, and use her to pass false information and launch a counterattack.
Shuang Er heaved a sigh of relief, "My lady, you are wise."
"Put the grapes outside in the well water in the backyard to cool, then peel them and remove the seeds."
Although grapes are not very delicious, they can be made into iced grape juice with some honey, which should be good.
"As you command."
After Shuang'er left, Shan'er whispered, "Miss, be careful. Madam has something in mind for you."
Ye Chutang looked at the woman in the bronze mirror and slightly opened her pink lips.
"What does she want from me?"
What a coincidence, the original owner looked exactly like her.
But it feels completely different.
The original owner was cowardly and timid, but she was decisive in killing.
After the two temperaments merged, it became the combination of hardness and softness today.
Can be soft or hard, compassionate or cruel.
Shan'er changed to a dry towel and continued to help Ye Chutang twist his half-dried hair.
She shook her head.
Just as she was about to say that she didn't know, she suddenly remembered that Ye Anzhi said something incomprehensible when he whipped her with a whip two days ago.
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