Xin He’s hand had already stealthily moved towards the dagger at the edge of her pillow.
But the little maid had suddenly fallen on her knees with a "plop".
Xin He was taken aback, somewhat caught off guard.
The little maid’s eyes were clear as she said, "This servant knows who harmed Eldest Miss."
Xin He raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"
"It’s Jinxiu. This servant saw her with my own eyes before, she even stole a handkerchief often used by Eldest Miss from her room, and one night she sneaked out in the middle of the night, this servant happened to be up and saw her leave."
The two main maids had their own room, where Jinxiu and Shulan lived together.
But the third and fourth grade maids like these who do coarse work shared a big room, seven or eight people crammed into a single room.
However, since the servants’ quarters were together, her chance encounter was possible.
Xin He let go of the dagger in her hand and suddenly looked at her with interest: "What a coincidence that you happened to run into her twice? Jinxiu was assigned to my room as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, yet her means are so low that they’re easily discovered?"
The little maid’s face flashed with a trace of tension and surprise. She thought that when Eldest Miss found out that Jinxiu is the one who harmed her, she would seek justice from Jinxiu. But to her surprise, she didn’t mention a word about Jinxiu, instead she questioned her first.
The little maid was sweating in her palms, it took a long moment of silence before she gritted her teeth and said, "This servant deliberately watched her."
Xin He was slightly surprised, she didn’t expect the little maid to be so forthright, which instead made her somewhat baffled about her intentions. She knew about Jinxiu’s issue long ago, but this little maid suddenly revealing herself suggested something more.
"Why do you do this?"
The little maid suddenly lifted her head, resolutely saying, "This servant wants to lend Eldest Miss a helping hand!"
"Help me, or help yourself?"
"Help Eldest Miss, and also help this servant. From the first day Eldest Miss moved in here, this servant knew Eldest Miss to be delicate and astute. This servant wanted to take her chances with Eldest Miss. As a low-grade maid, Eldest Miss wouldn’t notice this servant easily. So, this servant wanted to provide some valuable information, so that Eldest Miss would trust and employ her."
Xin He looked at her, and saw that the maid’s eyes were clear and she spoke very confidently. She couldn’t help but curve her lips: "A person with big ambitions."
The little maid looked at her nervously, pretended to be calm, but had actually broken out in a cold sweat. This trip was a risk for her, and she had a 70-80% chance of success. But seeing Xin He’s unpredictable attitude made her heart chill. Her last gamble was to lay bare her intentions and hopes. A win would mean getting what she wanted but losing would likely result in a brutal end.
"I like people with ambition."
The little maid’s eyes widened in disbelief, she almost couldn’t believe her ears: "Ah?"
Xin He, thereafter, draped clothes over her and left the bed to approach the maid: "What is your name?"
The little maid, halfway between shock and joy, hurriedly replied: "This servant’s name is Xiaoyu, a maid who does rough jobs in the kitchen. Eldest Miss probably hasn’t noticed this servant."
Because of her good looks, she had always been suppressed. She was sold to the Hou Mansion at the age of eight, previously she was serving in a concubine’s courtyard, where she was kept as the lowest-level maid. Later, because of the concubine’s uneasiness, she was expelled from the courtyard. If it weren’t for Eldest Miss returning to mansion and wanting to hire more maids, she didn’t know if she would have been sold yet.
Having been fed up with the life of hardship since she was a child, she wanted to take a chance.
"Tomorrow, I will tell the housekeeper to let you come and serve in my room, as a second-grade maid," Xin He said.
Xiaoyu’s eyes widened in disbelief, she didn’t react for a moment; and then with great haste thanked her: "Thank you, Eldest Miss, thank you Eldest Miss!"
Xin He said, "Stand up. I keep you here for two reasons, because you are smart and honest. As you are a clever person, you can probably see what kind of person I am. Loyalty and truthfulness are the most important qualities in those who serve me. Do not keep any secrets from me. If you do, I can as easily destroy you as I can lift you. Do you understand?"
Xiaoyu reassured her confidently, "This servant understands!"
"Go now, I’m tired."
Xiaoyu asked hesitantly, "What about Jinxiu’s matter..."
Xin He laughed coldly, "Keep her for now, I have plans for her."
It took a moment for Xiaoyu to realize, that the calm attitude of Eldest Miss hinted that she probably knew all about Jinxiu’s intentions. By retaining Jinxiu, she probably had other plans. Xiaoyu felt cold all over, she realized that although she had won favor with Eldest Miss, she also saw her cunning nature. She silently warned herself never to underestimate her, as the master she chose to serve was quite remarkable.
After Xiaoyu had left, Xin He finally returned to bed, but she was wide awake. She kept Xiaoyu, because she truly needed a capable maid, Shulan was simple in nature, but her means and machinations were not qualified, she couldn’t be relied upon.
Lying on the bed with eyes wide open, Xin He stared at her light pink gauzy canopy, she suddenly missed Mu Houchu. If he were by her side, she might have felt a lot more at ease.
In the capital city, surrounded by a pack of wolves, she trusted absolutely no one, except for him.
After a sleepless night, she finally succumbed to exhaustion.
She did not wake up till daybreak.
The sun shone in through the window, and only then did Xin He wake up with a yawn. As she opened her eyes, she was met with a magnified handsome face that seemed to be ’plotting unrighteousness’.
Xin He, in her daze, didn’t quite catch on, the man quickly leaned over, pecked lightly at her lips. Seeing her plot being discovered, the minor benefit he gained seemed unfair.
Xin He’s eyes widened, and with a "whoosh" she rolled over from the bed, "How did you get here?!"
Mu Houchu touched his nose, "I climbed in through the window last night."
Xin He’s mouth twitched, ’last night...’
This beast arrived so quietly, she didn’t notice at all! She had no idea how many times he had taken advantage of her behind her back! 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Perhaps Xin He’s commotion was too loud, Shulan and Jinxiu who were waiting outside couldn’t help but call out, "Is Eldest Miss awake?"
Xin He hurriedly turned her head to glare at a certain man who was at leisure. He didn’t seem to have any inclination to leave at all! She had never seen such an unassailable thief!
Xin He quickly said, "Come in to help me groom and wash in a while, I’m going to sleep a little longer."
Although Shulan and Jinxiu were full of doubts, they had nothing to say, the decision of their master was not something they could question.
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