Chapter 75 – The Maidservant’s Thoughts (1)
After a comfortable bath, my tired arms and legs gradually regained their strength, no longer feeling as limp as before.
Dressed in a somewhat plain home outfit, Jiang Pengji knelt in front of the bronze mirror, allowing Xun Mei and Ta Xue to fuss over her hair.
Noticing Ta Xue’s hesitation on her left, she couldn’t help but open her eyes and glance over, softly asking, “What’s wrong, Xun Mei?”
At that moment, Xun Mei’s gaze was fixated on the slightly open neckline of her clothing, where layers of binding cloth were faintly visible inside.
Caught in the act, Xun Mei’s cheeks flushed slightly. She hesitated, biting her lip, her voice as small as a mosquito’s buzz.
“Second Young Master, that Xu Ke is still kneeling out in the corridor… I wonder…”
As soon as Xun Mei spoke, she received a fierce glare from Ta Xue, forcing her to close her mouth, her expression tinged with worry and timidity.
“Hasn’t half an hour already passed? Why is he still kneeling?”
Jiang Pengji frowned. She had made Xu Ke kneel to reflect for half an hour, which should only be thirty minutes.
But according to what Xun Mei had just said, that would mean Xu Ke had been kneeling out there for over two hours—at least four hours?
Ta Xue scoffed and skillfully twisted Jiang Pengji’s long hair into a simple men’s bun, slightly loose, and gave it a casual, lazy flair.
“Only Xun Mei still has a soft heart. Given the trouble Xu Ke caused for the Young Master, kneeling for a day and a night wouldn’t be excessive. Moreover, the Young Master only asked him to kneel for half an hour. If he doesn’t want to get up, who can keep him down?”
Her words were filled with evident dissatisfaction and anger, like a firecracker set off.
Jiang Pengji stood up, adjusted her clothing, and tightened her outer robe, her tone calming.
“I think, Ta Xue, maybe you should change your name. With such a fiery temperament, you’re nowhere near as cold as ice! Your heart is clearly burning bright. I know you’re standing up for me, but Xu Ke is different; he can’t be treated like an ordinary servant.”
Ta Xue blushed at Jiang Pengji’s teasing and pouted, “The Young Master seems to have suddenly become more perceptive, saying everything that comes to mind. It’s a good thing I know you well; otherwise, any other girl would have her soul snatched away by such words.”
In translation, this could simply mean—what’s the point of teasing if not to court?
“Alright, alright, I’ll be more restrained in the future and definitely won’t snatch any girl’s soul.”
After their banter, Jiang Pengji turned to Xun Mei and instructed, “Go tell Xu Ke to get some rest soon; tomorrow morning, he’ll need to follow me to the estate for inspection. With the weather being so unpredictable, the air is damp at night. He’s been kneeling in the corridor for so long; how can his knees withstand the cold? He can’t just disregard it because he’s young. Find a Young Doctor to check on him and prescribe some warming medicine.”
Initially a bit anxious, Xun Mei’s pale face regained some color upon hearing Jiang Pengji’s kind instructions.
She knew, the Second Young Master was still the same Second Young Master—always so gentle and generous.
Watching Xun Mei leave, Ta Xue snorted disdainfully, muttering softly, “Daydreaming!”
To anyone else, her words might have gone unheard, but they didn’t escape Jiang Pengji’s ears.
She turned, puzzled, and asked, “What did Xun Mei do to annoy you? I thought you two got along well.”
Ta Xue paused, her breath hitching, then uncomfortably fidgeted, seemingly unsure how to respond to the question.
Finally, she simply twisted her napkin in surrender, biting her lip as she said, “The Young Master is kind and pure-hearted, raised as a boy; how could he understand the thoughts of ordinary girls? Xun Mei clearly has other ideas, thinking of seeking better opportunities.”
“Seeking better opportunities?” Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow in amusement, lowering her voice slightly, intrigued. “Are you saying Xun Mei has her sights set on Xu Ke?”
Xu Ke, though only seventeen, was already of marrying age in ancient times, and he wasn’t bad-looking. Even with the markings from his punishment, it did nothing to diminish his charm—in fact, Jiang Pengji thought it made him appear more mature.
Upon hearing her blunt speculation, Ta Xue’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if trying to read something deeper in Jiang Pengji’s face. Yet, Jiang Pengji’s heart was not easy to decipher, and after a moment, Ta Xue gave up the chase.
“Is she really interested in Xu Ke? She clearly sees him as a rare find! Even though both me and Xun Mei are just maidservants by the Young Master’s side, maidservants come in all tiers. Not to mention, the Young Master’s situation is special; after he comes of age… his status will be even different.”
Ta Xue initially gritted her teeth in frustration, but as she spoke, her cheeks inexplicably flushed, and she hesitated to skip some details.
In the Liu Residence, apart from a few masters who knew Liu Lanting’s true gender, only Ta Xue and Xun Mei were aware.
Both maidservants were carefully chosen by Liu Zhi and the Stepmother, educated since childhood, and their daily life was even more refined than that of regular merchant daughters. They were both quite perceptive; even if they didn’t understand when they were young, could they really be oblivious now?
Unless some uncontrollable circumstances arose, it was highly likely that Liu Lanting’s gender would remain concealed—being among the few who knew the truth, their future was quite clear—once Liu Lanting came of age, she would surely become part of her household!
If Liu Lanting were a man, this future would be an excellent opportunity for any maidservant, transforming them into a person of status.
With the bond they shared in their youth, even if she couldn’t monopolize the Young Master’s affection, she would still enjoy some extra attention. Not to mention, Liu Lanting’s kind-hearted personality meant even if they had to serve under the Qiqi in the future, they would certainly not be neglected or mistreated.
Sadly, no one knew better than they did that Liu Lanting was not a man but a woman just like them.
Xun Mei developing other thoughts and seeking a way out was perfectly normal.
With her clever mind, Jiang Pengji, even if still unfamiliar with this ancient era, could still deduce certain logical scenarios. Connecting the dots to Ta Xue’s and Xun Mei’s attitudes, her little doubt was quickly resolved.
With a playful smile, she gently patted Ta Xue’s hair bun, teasing in the face of her confused and irritated eyes, “Xun Mei doing this—it plays right into your hands, doesn’t it? Once she leaves, you can monopolize the Young Master’s affections all to yourself!”
Ta Xue: “…”
First turning bright red, then a deeper shade of embarrassment, realizing that Jiang Pengji was merely joking, Ta Xue’s eyes filled with indignation as a slight reddening crept to her cheeks, “Young Master, you’re such a trickster! Am I just a petty schemer in your eyes?”
With a huff, she turned away from her, her pouting silhouette illuminated by the candlelight, making her look extraordinarily charming and cute.
