Madame Xue walked up to Guigui and looked down at her from above.
“This is certainly a novel claim,” Madame Xue said slowly, her tone laced with authority. “I’ve never heard Qi’er say such a thing. But his wife came to me, saying that the first-rank maid in Rui’er’s quarters was improper, repeatedly flirting with him. What a disgrace to our household!”
Guigui froze for a moment, then her eyes lit up as she pointed a trembling finger at Yao Zuizui.
“It’s her! She’s the one who flirted with Second Young Master Xue!” Guigui was also a first-rank maid, so surely Second Young Master Xue must have been referring to her.
Guigui recalled the vows of love she and Second Young Master Xue had exchanged, her heart filled with absolute certainty.
But Madame Xue’s next words shattered her confidence into pieces.
“It’s you. Qi’er personally named you, Guigui. You’ve truly disappointed me. How could a maid like you exist in Rui’er’s courtyard?” Madame Xue looked at Guigui with utter disdain and disgust.
Madame Xue’s decision to betroth Guigui to an outer courtyard servant tasked with cleaning the latrines was already an immense act of mercy. It was only because Guigui was born into the household, and out of respect for her parents’ lifelong diligence in serving the Xue family, that she spared them some face.
Otherwise, given Guigui’s behavior of seducing her master, she would have been sold off to an estate far away, left to grow old in loneliness.
Guigui’s heart felt as though it had been pierced a thousand times. Madame Xue’s words made her lips tremble.
She kept shaking her head, unwilling to accept the undeniable truth before her.
“Second Young Master Xue must be unconscious, and you’re all just using this to harm me…” Guigui clung to the belief that if Second Young Master Xue woke up, he would surely come to save her.
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Madame Xue’s patience had worn thin, and she was beginning to lose her temper. This maid was clearly delusional.
“Take her away! Don’t let her taint Rui’er’s courtyard any longer!” Madame Xue pointed at Guigui and turned her head away, as if even looking at her would dirty her eyes.
No matter how stubborn Guigui was, she was no match for the strong and ruthless servants.
They pried her fingers loose and dragged her out of Xue Rui’s courtyard.
Guigui struggled desperately the entire way, tears streaming down her face, making a spectacle of herself in front of every maid and servant they passed.
Since Guigui had been expelled from Xue Rui’s courtyard, Yao Zuizui followed her all the way, determined to witness her being delivered to the latrine cleaner’s quarters.
As they passed Xue Qi’s courtyard, Guigui suddenly began screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Help! Second Young Master Xue, save me! You promised to take me as your concubine!” Her shrill cries echoed throughout the courtyard.
Xue Qi, who had just woken from a light nap, frowned and cautiously glanced at his fierce wife.
The woman glared at him, then grabbed the nine-section whip she often used to intimidate him and stormed out of the room.
Xue Qi’s wife reached the courtyard gate just as Guigui was struggling with the servants. Somehow, she had broken free and clung to a stone slab at the entrance, refusing to let go. Her once delicate nails were now stained with blood and splinters, her appearance utterly wretched.
“Whoosh—” The whip lashed down cleanly on Guigui’s body. “You fox spirit! You couldn’t seduce him, so now you shamelessly scream at our door? Do you want the entire Xue family to know how low and despicable you are?”
Xue Qi’s wife came from a family of military officers, so she had never learned the refined arts of virtue and grace. Instead, she had picked up martial skills from her brothers and had a sharp tongue, cursing like a shrew as she pointed at Guigui’s nose.
Guigui had never encountered such a fierce woman before. She was so terrified that she forgot to scream, her tears stopping as she stared blankly.
“Drag her away!” Xue Qi’s wife lashed her again with the whip. “From now on, any shameless wretch who dares to enter this courtyard dreaming of becoming a concubine will end up just like this… this whore!”
Satisfied, Xue Qi’s wife watched as the stunned Guigui was carried away before returning inside.
Xue Qi, now able to speak, gave her a wary look and quickly declared his loyalty: “She was the one who seduced me! I never had any interest in her. How could I possibly take her as a concubine? She must be dreaming!”
Xue Qi’s wife snorted coldly, too tired to argue further. She tossed the whip onto the bed and began gulping down water, exhausted from her outburst.
===
Yao Zuizui watched as the servants dragged Guigui into the small, foul-smelling room near the latrines.
The stench was overwhelming—pungent and nauseating.
Since Guigui was to marry the latrine cleaner, it was only practical for her to live nearby.
The moment Guigui caught a whiff of the air, she burst into tears again.
“Save me! I don’t want to marry!” She looked at Yao Zuizui as if she were her last hope. “Huahua, we’re good sisters—please help me!”
Yao Zuizui crouched down, meeting Guigui’s disheveled face directly. “That’s not what you said when you locked me in that room.”
She smiled coldly. “Pray for your own fortune.”
Then she stood and walked away without another glance.
Given the scene Guigui had caused today, the latrine cleaner surely knew all about it.
He had been forced into this marriage by Madame Xue.
As for how Guigui’s life would turn out, Yao Zuizui didn’t need to think hard to guess.
===
Soon, the night of Madame Xue’s moon-viewing banquet arrived.
Madame Xue had sent her maid early to repeat the same trick—having Yao Zuizui persuade Xue Rui to attend.
Xue Rui endured another half-hour of Yao Zuizui’s eager chatter about the moon.
He was puzzled.
Couldn’t he see the moon just fine from his courtyard? Why go all the way to the garden?
Then he realized the only possible reason.
He wasn’t pleased.
“You want me to go?” Xue Rui studied Yao Zuizui’s expression.
“Of course, Young Master! The banquet is in the garden tonight. Imagine—a gentle breeze, the scent of flowers, and a perfect round moon reflected on the water. How beautiful!”
Xue Rui considered it. He didn’t find it beautiful at all.
“Too many people.” He especially disliked that obstructive Chen Jiao.
“Young Master, don’t you remember? Madame said tonight’s banquet is to help you find a match. If you don’t go, Madame and the Old Madame will be furious.” Yao Zuizui continued her earnest persuasion.
Xue Rui didn’t care if they were angry. He had done far lazier and more outrageous things before.
But he could tell this little maid really wanted him to go.
Didn’t she fear having a mistress in the courtyard, making her life harder?
Xue Rui kept watching her. “You think I should marry?”
Yao Zuizui lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.
Obedient and demure, she murmured, “Whatever makes Young Master happy.”
Xue Rui felt anything but happy.
But if going would make his little maid happy, he’d go.
Whether she truly wanted to see the moon, wanted him to marry, or was just following Madame Xue’s orders—
He’d go, and she’d be happy. That was enough.
===
That night, the Xue residence was quiet except for the lively chatter in the garden pavilion.
Old Madame Xue sat regally on her carved lacquer chair, surveying the row of younger generations before her with deep satisfaction.
Especially because Xue Rui had been attending recent banquets—her heart swelled with joy.
Rui’er was becoming more sensible by the day…
“Rui’er, sit beside me.” Old Madame Xue pointed to the seat next to her, showing clear favoritism over the others.
Xue Rui allowed Yao Zuizui to wheel him over.
Old Madame Xue then turned to Xue Qi. “Qi’er, how is your health?”
“Thanks to Ancestor’s blessings, I’ve recovered well.” Xue Qi was the picture of respect and humility before the Old Madame, with none of the lechery he showed the maids.
Old Madame Xue nodded approvingly. “Take good care of yourself.”
Next, her gaze fell on Chen Jiao, who sat meekly with her head bowed, blushing shyly.
“Jiaoniang, don’t be reserved in the Xue household. Treat it as your own.” Old Madame Xue’s voice dripped with grandmotherly affection.
A soft breeze drifted through the pavilion, rippling the water’s surface and distorting the moon’s reflection—a scene of unique beauty.
Old Madame Xue admired the view before scanning the young faces below.
“On such a fine night, let me test your skills. Whether in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or poetry—present something inspired by tonight’s moon. Rui’er will judge the best, and there will be a generous reward.”
Those skilled in the arts brightened, already brainstorming how to stand out.
The less talented frowned, annoyed that even a moon-viewing banquet had turned into an exam.
Xue Rui didn’t mind. Old Madame Xue knew he was too lazy to participate, so she’d assigned him as judge instead.
Besides, Old Madame Xue had long informed Chen Jiao of tonight’s activity, giving her ample time to prepare.
If Xue Rui chose her work, it would make for a perfect romantic tale…
After a brief period of contemplation, the younger generation began their preparations.
Some summoned servants to bring ink and paper, starting to write or paint.
Others faced the lake, murmuring verses under their breath.
Chen Jiao remained demure, cheeks faintly pink—she was already prepared.
As for Xue Rui, he had already dozed off, ensuring no bias in his judgment.
===
Half an hour later, Xue Rui nearly sneezed from the chilly breeze.
Yao Zuizui nudged him awake.
Xue Rui frowned to see a line of servants holding up pristine sheets of paper for his appraisal.
The signatures were all concealed to prevent favoritism.
Xue Rui skimmed them lazily, then pointed at random.
“This one.”
It was an ink-wash painting accompanied by a delicately penned poem.
The artwork was intricate, the poem exquisite—both carried a unique charm.
Xue Rui hadn’t chosen it for its brilliance. He simply thought completing such a detailed painting and a polished poem in such a short time showed remarkable effort.
He didn’t know Chen Jiao had spent half a month preparing it.
Old Madame Xue beamed when she saw his choice, her wrinkles bunching at her eyes.
“Ha! Reveal the signature.”
The name uncovered was Chen Jiao’s.
Chen Jiao immediately lowered her lashes, trembling with shyness, her cheeks blooming like peach blossoms.
“Jiaoniang! What a destined pair—a match made by heaven!” Old Madame Xue gushed relentlessly, making Yao Zuizui want to give her acting a zero.
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