Xue Rui lay on the bed, his expression still dazed, as if lingering in the wooden tub from his bath, utterly bewildered.
Unable to resist, he called out, “Huahua, come in.”
He cleared his throat with a light cough, his voice slightly hoarse.
Yao Zuizui immediately lifted the curtain and entered. “Young Master, why are you coughing?”
She took a teacup from the square table, poured a cup of hot tea for Xue Rui, and brought it to the bedside. “Young Master, have some tea.”
“Hmm.” Xue Rui leaned against the headboard, his hands still tucked under the covers, with no intention of moving them.
*You’re so lazy it’s unbelievable.*
Yao Zuizui silently cursed in her mind before bringing the teacup to Xue Rui’s lips.
Xue Rui had always been like this—too lazy to even hold his own teacup, insisting that maids or servants had to bring it directly to his mouth.
After finishing the tea, Xue Rui fixed his dark eyes on Yao Zuizui.
He was extraordinarily handsome, with a face like polished jade, lips red as cherries, and teeth white as pearls. His eyes naturally carried a hint of charm.
“Young Master, is there anything else you need?” Yao Zuizui placed the teacup back on the square table and asked respectfully, her head slightly bowed.
“Nothing.” Xue Rui was usually sparing with words, unwilling to waste even a single syllable.
“This servant will be on night duty in the outer chamber. If you need anything, just call for me.” Yao Zuizui retreated backward out of the room, then curled up under a thin quilt in the side chamber and fell asleep.
The night passed without incident.
Xue Rui was so lazy that he couldn’t even be bothered to give orders to his servants.
Early the next morning, Yao Zuizui heard from the head maid of Madam Xue’s quarters that Madam Xue would be visiting soon and that the Young Master should prepare in advance.
If not warned beforehand, the Young Master would undoubtedly sleep until noon, and Madam Xue would be furious upon seeing him like that.
Yao Zuizui immediately turned to Guigui, who had just arrived to take over her shift.
It was now Guigui’s turn to be on duty. Yao Zuizui had been up all night and needed to rest and recover.
But Guigui showed no intention of entering Xue Rui’s bedroom, merely smiling at Yao Zuizui.
“Huahua, I know you’re kind-hearted. Could you go in and wake the Young Master for me?” Guigui grabbed Yao Zuizui’s arm and shook it playfully, her tone sweet and pleading.
Guigui had been specially chosen by Madam Xue to serve as Xue Rui’s chambermaid. She was delicate and charming, with a sweet smile and dimples that made her exceptionally lovely.
Yao Zuizui had always been weak against beautiful women, and waking the Young Master wasn’t particularly difficult for her. Faced with Guigui’s smile and dimples, she agreed without hesitation, lifting the curtain and entering Xue Rui’s room.
Waking Xue Rui wasn’t hard, but Guigui was hoping for his favor in the future and didn’t dare disturb his sleep. The Young Master loved sleeping, and she feared leaving a bad impression.
Yao Zuizui, however, didn’t care about such things. Handling Xue Rui was a simple matter for her.
Inside the room, Xue Rui was still fast asleep.
His brows were furrowed in his sleep, a trace of hostility lingering between them, unresolved.
Seeing that hostility, Yao Zuizui was reminded of her own mother.
*Did the Great Demon King kill her because of the darkness in his soul?*
She watched him for a while, wondering what he was dreaming about—whether it was fragments of his past life.
“Young Master, it’s time to wake up.” Yao Zuizui stood by the canopy bed and lifted the curtain, allowing the morning light to spill onto Xue Rui’s face, making him scrunch his eyes tighter in discomfort.
Strangely, the hostility between his brows vanished, replaced only by the irritation and lethargy of being woken.
“What time is it?” Xue Rui frowned and turned over. “Let me sleep a little longer.”
“Young Master, it’s already past seven. Madam will be here soon.” Yao Zuizui patiently replied in a low voice.
“Isn’t that still early? Wake me at noon.” Xue Rui’s voice was lazy, as if he were about to drift back to sleep.
“…” Xue Rui had indeed left Madam Xue waiting many times before.
But he was her most treasured son. No matter how unruly or lazy he was, she couldn’t bring herself to scold or punish him. Instead, the maids around him bore the brunt of her anger.
Yao Zuizui absolutely couldn’t let him sleep in today.
She knelt by the bed and began to cry softly.
Her sobs were delicate, like a nightingale’s lament, her tears glistening like pear blossoms in the rain.
Xue Rui, still half-asleep, grew increasingly annoyed by her crying.
With great effort, he turned back toward her, only to meet Yao Zuizui’s reddened eyes.
The original Huahua had been exceptionally beautiful. The maids Madam Xue assigned to Xue Rui were all the finest in the household—gorgeous, attentive, and refined.
After all, he was the son she cherished most. She couldn’t bear to see him suffer the slightest inconvenience.
Xue Rui looked at the maid before him—her clear, dark eyes brimming with tears, her fair skin contrasting sharply with her reddened nose and swollen eyelids.
He knew she was afraid of being punished by his mother, which was why she was crying so desperately.
Her sobs irritated him, but he also felt a twinge of guilt.
If his laziness led to his mother expelling her from the household, he’d never find another maid who massaged his back so perfectly.
So, with lingering sleepiness and a hint of annoyance in his voice, Xue Rui said, “Help me up.”
He couldn’t even be bothered to sit up on his own.
Yao Zuizui pretended to be overjoyed, quickly wiping her tears. “Yes, Young Master! I’ll help you dress right away!”
At that moment, Guigui entered with a basin of water. “Huahua, you were on night duty last night. Let me take care of the Young Master’s washing and dressing. You should go rest.”
Yao Zuizui glanced at her subtly, then smiled faintly. “Alright, then I’ll go steal a little nap…”
Xue Rui’s gaze followed Yao Zuizui until she left the room.
Truthfully, Huahua’s service was more comfortable. Her movements were gentle yet firm, and he quite liked it.
But… Xue Rui couldn’t be bothered to ask her to stay. It was too much effort. Whatever.
===
Yao Zuizui slept for half an hour before Guigui knocked on her door. “Madam is about to arrive. Hurry and get ready.”
“Alright.” Yao Zuizui rubbed her eyes. *Being a maid is exhausting.*
When she returned to Xue Rui’s room, he was half-reclining on the huanghuali daybed, already dozing off again.
Everything tired him out—except sleeping.
Whether on the bed, the couch, or the daybed, his only hobby was closing his eyes to rest, which inevitably led to sleep.
“Young Master!” Yao Zuizui called softly, afraid he’d fall asleep again and get her scolded.
“What?” Xue Rui couldn’t be bothered to open his eyes, merely responding with a murmur.
“Young Master, if you’re bored, would you like me to read to you?” Yao Zuizui asked gently.
“No.” Xue Rui would have waved his hand dismissively, but even that was too much effort.
His mother had already hired tutors to lecture him daily, and his ears were tired of it.
Today was supposed to be a rare day of peace—why would he willingly suffer?
He had thought Huahua was a clever maid, but now she was proving disappointingly unaccommodating.
“It’s a story I heard outside the estate, completely different from what your tutors teach… But if you don’t want to listen, then never mind…” Yao Zuizui sighed, her tone full of regret.
Wait—a story from outside the estate?
Though Xue Rui came from a merchant family, his laziness had kept him confined to the household. He had no idea what the outside world was like.
Now, intrigued by Yao Zuizui’s words, his interest was piqued.
“Speak.” Xue Rui opened his eyes, the sunlight from the window casting shifting patterns in his dark irises.
And so, Yao Zuizui began to tell Xue Rui… their own story.
By the time she finished recounting one world’s tale, Xue Rui was so engrossed that he sat up straight—an unprecedented first.
“Your story is quite novel. I’ve never heard of such strange happenings among celestial beings.” Xue Rui, unusually engaged, spoke a full sentence without hesitation.
This shocked Madam Xue, who had just entered.
*What’s gotten into Rui’er today?*
Though she hadn’t caught the conversation, she was overjoyed. It seemed her son was finally maturing, and his lazy nature would surely improve.
Guigui followed Madam Xue in, standing behind Xue Rui beside Yao Zuizui, both listening respectfully.
Xue Rui, however, had exhausted himself from listening and lazily reclined again, muttering weakly, “Mother.”
Madam Xue was long accustomed to his lethargic demeanor.
She smiled warmly, studying him with gentle eyes. “It’s been a few days, and you’ve gained a little weight, Rui’er.”
*No kidding.*
*All he does is eat and laze around. It’s a miracle he hasn’t turned into a complete fatty…* Yao Zuizui couldn’t help rolling her eyes internally.
Xue Rui couldn’t be bothered to respond, merely blinking sleepily.
Seeing this, Madam Xue didn’t waste time and got straight to the point.
“Rui’er, you’ll be sixteen after the New Year. It’s time to settle down. I’ve found a good match for you. Soon, I’ll arrange for you to meet the girl. What do you think?”
Her voice was soft and cautious as she watched Xue Rui’s reaction.
Xue Rui frowned. *Settling down* sounded exhausting. Better to forget it.
Meeting a girl meant leaving the house—even more exhausting. Hard pass.
His eyelids drooped with disinterest. “No.”
“…” Madam Xue’s smile froze. Though still gentle, it had stiffened slightly.
Guigui, standing behind them, bit her lip and spoke up. “Madam, don’t be upset. The Young Master has been feeling unwell lately because of the cold weather. Perhaps we could wait until after the New Year to discuss marriage?”
Her words were far more diplomatic than Xue Rui’s, easing Madam Xue’s tension slightly.
Madam Xue considered it. She wasn’t entirely satisfied with this match anyway, so perhaps it was better to keep looking.
Besides, Xue Rui had rejected and angered her countless times before. This was hardly the worst offense.
After instructing Yao Zuizui and Guigui to take good care of the Young Master and the household, Madam Xue left with her hand warmer.
Yao Zuizui finally relaxed. *Thank goodness Xue Rui doesn’t want to marry. Otherwise, I’d have even more trouble.*
She and Guigui stood at the doorway, bathed in the warm winter sunlight. The courtyard was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.
“Huahua… Once spring comes, if the Young Master marries, a mistress will enter the household. Life won’t be easy for us then.” Guigui’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her eyes tinged with worry.
“What can we do? We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Yao Zuizui shrugged indifferently. From what she’d observed, Xue Rui was far too lazy to marry or have children. It was simply too much effort for him.
“Huahua… Can you help me?” Guigui suddenly grabbed Yao Zuizui’s arm, biting her lip as tears welled in her eyes.
“With what?” Yao Zuizui was weak to pleas, especially from beautiful women.
“Huahua, you know I’ve been assigned as the Young Master’s chambermaid since I was twelve. It’s been five years, and he’s never touched me…” A single tear glistened at the corner of Guigui’s eye, catching the sunlight.
Yao Zuizui nodded. The original Huahua had known this.
What Yao Zuizui found most baffling was that Xue Rui’s reason wasn’t because Guigui wasn’t beautiful enough—but because *he was too lazy to move!*
A man who couldn’t even lift a finger without complaint would never engage in something as strenuous as physical intimacy.
Yao Zuizui gave Guigui a sympathetic look. *Such a lovely maid, stuck with Xue Rui—what rotten luck.*
“Huahua, my family is poor. I have four younger brothers to support… If I remain just a chambermaid, I’ll never have a future…”
“I must become the Young Master’s concubine before he marries next spring… Huahua, will you help me?”
*Hmm… So she wants to climb into his bed.*
A sudden, inexplicable anger flared in Yao Zuizui’s chest. Even if she hated Suhei, she would never allow him to touch another woman.
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