Xihe
Finally, unable to cry any longer, unable to waste time, Suxi lifted her sleeves, somewhat sheepishly revealing a pair of swollen, poppy eyes. But she was crying so hard that her nose twitched uncontrollably, looking rather comical.
"Have you cried enough?"
Suxi didn't want to see the mockery in the man's eyes, so he tiptoed behind the screen.
"Um."
"Have a good sleep after crying enough."
Through the hazy shadows on the screen, Su Xi saw the man prick his finger with a silver needle and tap the handkerchief, and she was startled. Before she could ask, she saw Shen Yunqiu put the handkerchief on the table and glanced in her direction.
"Keep this thing. If someone in the mansion asks about what happened tonight tomorrow, show it to them."
After understanding the meaning of Shen Yunqiu's words, Su Xi's face turned red and his breathing became rapid.
"Also, Xiaoxi, you don't have to call me Young Master from now on. I'm still used to you calling me Chen Yunqiu."
Suxi felt that this was incomprehensible, but the person on the other side of the screen had already pushed the wooden wheel out of the house. When she passed the corner of the corridor, she saw the bracelet hidden under the person's sleeve. The carving was exquisite, like two carps, with the head connected to the tail and the tail connected to the head.
Suddenly waking up, Suxi sat up with a start, his clothes soaked with sweat. He was shocked to find that it was already dawn, the sky was half dark and half bright, and he couldn't tell whether it was cloudy or sunny today.
Sitting slumped on the bed, spinning the bracelet in his hand, Su Xi felt even more confused. His brows were subconsciously twisted into a knot that he couldn't untie.
This nightmare clearly happened a few months ago, when she first arrived at the Shen Mansion. Although only a few months had passed, it felt like a lifetime ago, shrouded in mist and fog, extremely hazy, so hazy that she even doubted whether those events had really happened, or were just a dream in her confusion. After all, if it were true, it would be unreasonable for Shen Yunqiu to be so tolerant and indulgent towards her on their first meeting.
But if it was a dream, what about the bracelet on Shen Yunqiu's hand? How could a dream be so clear and detailed? Could it be that the bracelet had some other magical power that she didn't know about? And what about Shen Yunqiu? Which one was the real Shen Yunqiu: the former Duan Fang Gongzi or the current, completely unfamiliar person?
······
Su Xi was dizzy with thoughts, and always felt that he was not smart enough to understand these mysterious things. So he simply dressed up and went outside to wipe the stone table and sweep the fallen leaves. After the whole yard was clean, the gongs and cymbals for the night watch in the mansion just happened to ring. It was time for the steward to give a lecture as he had just entered the mansion the day before.
-
The West Garden was the farthest from the small garden. When Suxi put down his broom and hurried out, he just happened to pass by a servant who was delivering food to the mansion.
It was the same in her previous life. Shen Yunqiu's courtyard had few servants, only a skinny little boy named Yinzhen, who was responsible for bringing meals from the small kitchen, sweeping the yard, and caring for his master. Since her arrival, Yinzhen has been even busier. Every day, under Shen Yunqiu's nose, she would sneak out through the small gate of the West Garden to relax. After searching for several months, she finally found a poison on the black market that could kill with one shot.
But this time, the servant named Yinzhen had gone somewhere unknown, and the one who delivered the food today seemed to be the same servant who led the way yesterday.
After taking a quick glance and paying no attention, Suxi hurried to the small garden. However, because the road was far, even though he had set out early, he could only stand back when he arrived there.
"Hey, Creek!"
Before he could catch his breath, a hand slapped his shoulder hard. Su Xi was startled and turned around to see Chunzhi appear beside him.
"Hey, Xiaoxi, let me tell you, you don't know how difficult it is to serve the old lady. Someone has to watch over her every night. She needs goat's milk to wash her hands, and her tea has to be three-quarters warm and seven-quarters hot. Not a single tea leaf can sink to the bottom. Even when she's chanting sutras or worshipping Buddha, someone has to serve her. I stood under that pavilion all day yesterday. I was so tired..."
At this time, the steward had not arrived yet, and the maids were chattering in groups of three or five. Suxi listened to Chunzhi complaining with a pout, but her eyes kept glancing at her. She immediately turned around vigilantly and saw that Chunzhi's hand on her shoulder had quietly reached towards her arm and wrist.
"Xiaoxi, how are you? Are you able to adapt? I hope the young master didn't make things difficult for you!"
Suxi saw Chunzhi grabbing her wrist and shaking it coquettishly with concern, then grabbing her other hand and folding it in her palm. The forced awkward smile on her face was obvious.
Suxi smiled secretly in his heart and held Chunzhi's chubby little black hand.
"I'm fine, Chunzhi, you don't have to worry about me. You should serve the old lady well, but don't complain like that."
"Of course, of course."
Seeing the housekeeper slowly walking towards her from the other side of the stone gate, Chunzhi withdrew her hand in disappointment. Suxi also turned around and stood back in his original position, reaching out to touch the bracelet hidden in his inner clothes.
In her previous life, she had nothing valuable on her. Even though she knew Chunzhi had ill intentions, and that she was close to her simply because she was innocent and easy to manipulate, she felt it was harmless. Now, she didn't want to break up with Chunzhi, so she simply played dumb. After all, Chunzhi was serving in the old lady's courtyard and might be able to provide her with some useful information.
"Cough... cough cough... quiet, quiet..."
Soon, the old butler walked to the front of the long line of servants and maids. His sticky voice made it clear that he was an old smoker.
"Now that everyone is here, let me say a few words. My last name is Liu, and from now on you will call me Butler Liu. I, Old Liu, have been with the master since he was in school. I have been in the Shen Mansion for twenty years and am considered the most senior person in the entire mansion. You all know the rules of this mansion. You must be respectful to your master and obey his orders. You must be law-abiding and do your job well. Don't have any unnecessary thoughts."
As he spoke, Butler Liu spat out another mouthful of thick phlegm, his greasy eyes wandering among the group of maids.
"Of course, Old Liu, I'm not that unreasonable. If any of you are willing to ask for advice, I will protect you. But if you want to become my disciple, you have to be sincere..."
Butler Liu spoke a lot with an unwarranted air of authority, completely unaware of the booing from the audience. The maids looked at each other, and could sense a nausea in each other's eyes.
Soon, Butler Liu was satisfied and left surrounded by several capable servants. When the others saw them go away, they dared to put on a cold expression and gathered in groups of three or five to discuss the matter.
"Tsk, you really are an old bastard who wants to eat swan meat. That pig head is not even worthy of being a New Year's gift. Why don't you look in the mirror and see what you look like!"
"Hey, Xihe, keep your voice down, or someone might hear you!"
Just as Suxi turned around to leave, she heard Chunzhi's familiar voice. Her heart skipped a beat and she turned around. Sure enough, she saw a little maid who looked like a New Year picture doll standing beside Chunzhi, pouting and complaining indignantly.
Xihe---
It turned out to be the little maid who was killed as an example to the old lady in the previous life.
Suxi collected his thoughts, walked over and met Chunzhi, then looked at the gold and jade locket hanging around Xihe's neck, and instantly understood.
"Chunzhi, this is..."
"Oh," Chunzhi turned to Suxi, who had come closer. Her expression froze for a moment, then she put on her usual polite smile as if nothing had happened and introduced her, "This is Xihe, the maid who came to the old lady's courtyard yesterday. Xihe, this is Xiaoxi, who serves in the young master's courtyard. You should know her."
Should know?
Suxi always felt that Chunzhi's words had a hidden meaning, but she saw that the little girl opposite with double buns tied with butterfly knots did not seem to have any contempt for her. There was only a slight and imperceptible flash of regret and sympathy. When she came to her senses suddenly, her hands were already held by a round and chubby little hand.
"Xiaoxi, I'm Xihe. You're much prettier than the rumors say. Your flaws don't outweigh your merits. You're not at all like they say."
“Is… is that so…”
Suxi had never heard anyone say that before, so he pulled his hand back somewhat embarrassedly.
"But Xihe, who introduced you to work for the Shen family? Chunzhi and I have never seen you before."
"It's Xihe, tell me about it."
Chunzhi also leaned forward, looking at Xihe with curiosity. However, the plump girl immediately dropped her head, looking lost.
"Actually, my father was the shopkeeper of the Su family's business. After the business was investigated, my father was implicated and imprisoned. I don't know how many years it will take for him to be released. I was almost sold to a brothel, but my father used his remaining wealth to bribe the housekeeper Liu, and only then was I arranged to work as a maid in the Shen family."
Xihe spoke in a mournful tone, not noticing that Suxi was standing there in a daze, as if petrified.
In her previous life, Xihe was sent away by Old Madam Shen just a few days after she entered the mansion, and Suxi had no idea that she was the daughter of Manager Dou.
For a moment, his heart was filled with heat. Su Xi tried his best to suppress the urge to cry, but his nose still couldn't help but feel sore.
"I'm sorry, Xihe, for bringing up your sad story." Chunzhi stepped forward and patted Xihe's shoulder, his eyes falling on the peace lock hanging on the girl's chest.
"But since your father is from the Su family business, even if it's in decline, you should still have enough money."
"How can I be well-off? Apart from a few pieces of jewelry I often wear, all I have left is this safety lock that I grew up with. What's wrong, Chunzhi?"
"Oh, nothing."
Chunzhi suppressed the joy on her face, but when she looked up and saw Suxi's all-knowing eyes, she couldn't help but feel a little scared. She hurriedly pulled Xihe and turned to leave.
"Hey, Chunzhi, wait a minute! I have something for Xiaoxi!"
Xihe inexplicably pushed Chunzhi's hand away, took out a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve and stuffed it into Suxi's hand like a kitten waiting for praise: "Xiaoxi, this is the scar removal elixir I brought from home. There is only one bottle, and it would sell for a hundred gold in the market. However, I have already used half of it. I give it to you. You won't dislike it, will you..."
Chunzhi also came over after hearing the sound. When she saw the white porcelain vase, her face immediately darkened. When she turned to Xihe, she forced a smile.
"Xihe, look at the scar on Xiaoxi's face. It's so deep and so long. How can it be removed? It would be a waste to give it to her. Why not give it to me? I just happen to have a crack on my hand..."
"Chunzhi, how can you say that?" Xihe frowned and said angrily, "Isn't Xiaoxi your friend? How can you speak like that? If you feel unfair, how about I take my salary and treat you to a meal?"
"Let's have a meal?" Chunzhi's already shaky expression suddenly cracked. She could no longer pretend to be flattering. She looked at Xihe and Suxi with a look of resentment: "That scar cream cost a hundred gold coins, and even after using half, there's still fifty gold coins left. You only get a few copper coins a month. How can you compare? You're so stingy!"
"Why...why is she suddenly like this? Did I say something wrong?"
Looking at Chunzhi's back as she left in anger, Xihe was confused, with a look of guilt on her face.
"You're not wrong, Xihe, it's just that you've been living in seclusion for so many years that you're not used to such mercenary habits."
Suxi stepped forward to comfort her and put the scar removal cream back into Xihe's hands.
"Why, Xiaoxi, do you dislike me too? I really mean well..."
"Of course I don't dislike it, but Chunzhi is right. My scar is too deep and too long to be removed. You are too naive. There are many places to use money in the mansion. Instead of giving it to me, you should use it to exchange for some money to keep yourself. You can't just give it away like a lady in the boudoir."
"Xiaoxi...you...you are so nice..."
Suxi found it a little funny when he saw the sudden tears in Xihe's eyes, but when he thought of Xihe's miserable end in the previous life, his heart became heavy.
"Xihe," Suxi chuckled, raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears on the little girl's face. He knew that now was not a good time to reveal his identity, but...
"Remember, don't trust anyone easily here. Be sure to protect your belongings and don't let others steal them. And, most importantly, be extremely careful when serving the old lady. Be extremely cautious and don't make any mistakes, especially don't spill the milk that the old lady has cleaned her hands with."
Looking at the extremely serious look of the girl opposite, Xihe was confused, but still nodded seriously.
"I understand, Xiaoxi. I don't trust anyone but you!"
"I can't believe it either!"
"Just believe it! I believe you!"
"Xihe..."
He was about to say something else when the girl bounded off into the distance. It wasn't until he saw the figure entering the East Garden that Su Xi regained consciousness. Turning to head back to the West Garden, he happened to see a middle-aged man in a dark green official uniform with a goldfish pattern slowly approaching the small garden from the palace gate. The man looked about forty years old, with an extraordinary bearing. Though his features had aged, he still evoked his former elegance, though his demeanor was a bit vulgar, and the dense, hard stubble on his lips gave him a scoundrel-like air.
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