Zhu Xingxu was somewhat flattered by the concern.
“I’m fine.”
Meng Chunhe still seemed uneasy and looked Zhu Xingxu over from head to toe.
She was still wearing the same brown dress from yesterday.
However, it was spotless, without the slightest sign of having been injured.
Only then did Meng Chunhe feel reassured.
“I have a few bolts of cloth over there, take them and make yourself a few outfits.”
Meng Chunhe spoke lightly, as though she were dealing with something insignificant.
This time, Zhu Xingxu was truly a little startled.
“That won’t be necessary, Madam…”
Yet Meng Chunhe’s attitude was firm.
“Make a few sets of clothes as soon as possible. You are my personal maid and ought to be properly dressed.”
There was no room for refusal as Meng Chunhe turned and fetched several bolts of brightly colored fabric.
Zhu Xingxu had no choice but to accept them and bow in thanks.
Seeing that Meng Chunhe herself was dressed only in plain colors, she could not help but say, “You should wear something brighter as well.”
She was only in her twenties, an age when, in the modern world, she would have just graduated from university and been enjoying life to the fullest.
Meng Chunhe shook her head.
“My heart is already dead. No matter how brightly I dress, what use would it be?”
After that, she returned to her room and shut the door.
Zhu Xingxu could only carry the fabric back to her own room for the time being.
After just a day here, she had already gained a rough understanding of the current situation in the Li residence.
Li Dong rarely came to Chanxiang Courtyard, so Meng Chunhe spent her days in the courtyard worshipping Buddha. The styles of her clothes were somewhat outdated and she had no interest in dressing up.
The two concubines were quite favored by Li Dong, as could be seen from how domineering they had been today.
If that was the case, then why had Pei Xie arranged for her to serve Meng Chunhe?
Wouldn’t the chances of getting close to Li Dong be greater if she were assigned to the two concubines instead?
Then again, if she were sent there, she would not want to go at all.
Aunt Qiao was rather foolish and clearly spoiled. If anything displeased her, she would become angry and start beating people.
Aunt Xiang had not appeared during the earlier incident, but the glance she cast before leaving was inexplicably unpleasant.
Meng Chunhe was still better.
Taking advantage of some free time, Zhu Xingxu went to Meng Chunhe’s small kitchen to grab something to eat.
She had not even had breakfast yet.
After rummaging around in the kitchen for quite some time, she found only steamed buns and porridge, bland and tasteless.
She did not dare linger and left as soon as she had taken them.
She could eat anything.
No matter how delicious it might be, it would never be as good as fried chicken or barbecue.
She gnawed on the bun while tucking the rest into her pocket.
Who knew when the next shift change would be. When she got hungry, she could at least take a few bites to stave it off.
Zhu Xingxu sat idly beneath the eaves.
The gossiping voices of two maids drifted closer from afar.
“Have you heard? The young master hasn’t been going out to have fun as much lately.”
“Yes, I heard he’s been staying in his room studying every day.”
At the mention of the young master, Zhu Xingxu thought of Pei Xie.
She wondered how he was getting along over there.
The maids continued speaking.
“It seems to be because of that new attendant.”
“That attendant is quite learned. Not surprising, since he used to be a study companion.”
The other maid teased her.
“What? Have you fallen for him?”
“Of course not!”
“I think you have. Haha…”
The two of them walked away, and Zhu Xingxu could no longer hear them.
If they were talking about Pei Xie, then he seemed to be doing fairly well.
She sat there the entire day, until the Li residence lit its lamps for the evening, when Meng Chunhe finally emerged from her room.
She looked at Zhu Xingxu.
“Have the meal served.”
After everything was done, Su Lan still had not returned.
Zhu Xingxu wanted to find her and ask what was going on.
But there was no one else attending to Meng Chunhe, so she could not leave.
She would have to wait.
Even by late into the night, Su Lan had not come back.
Exhausted and drowsy, Zhu Xingxu stifled her yawns and, after seeing Meng Chunhe to bed, sat down by the doorway and fell fast asleep without a care.
“Wake up.”
Someone was nudging her arm.
Still groggy, Zhu Xingxu impatiently waved the hand away.
“Who is it…”
After hesitating for a moment, the person reached out and poked her cheek.
The cold touch startled Zhu Xingxu awake at once.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Pei Xie.
She rubbed her eyes. “What is it?”
Pei Xie bent down to meet her gaze.
“Did someone come to bully you today?”
Zhu Xingxu thought for a moment.
“No!” Aunt Qiao probably did not count, since she had been the one who fell flat on her face.
Pei Xie glanced at her.
“Didn’t Li Dong’s two concubines come by?”
Zhu Xingxu nodded. “They didn’t manage to bully me.”
The corner of Pei Xie’s lips curled slightly.
He had only come to check on the situation.
After all, he was the one who had brought her into this, and if she had been bullied, he would have felt guilty.
Seeing how at ease Zhu Xingxu appeared, he did not know what had happened, but she had likely handled everything properly.
It seemed he really had chosen the right person.
Pei Xie nodded. “If anything happens, tell me.”
With that, he quickly left.
Zhu Xingxu acknowledged him, but did not take it to heart.
Everyone had their own responsibilities, and she believed she was capable enough.
As long as it did not involve life and death, Zhu Xingxu wanted to try resolving matters herself first.
Only at daybreak did Su Lan finally hurry over.
Overjoyed, Zhu Xingxu exclaimed, “You’re finally here! I’m going to get some sleep!”
Although she had been drowsy after Pei Xie left, she had been unable to fall asleep again.
Having endured until now, she was at her limit.
Su Lan said apologetically, “Thank you for your hard work.”
As Zhu Xingxu was leaving, she accidentally bumped into Su Lan’s shoulder. Su Lan let out a muffled groan and nearly fell to her knees.
Startled, Zhu Xingxu quickly helped her up.
“What’s wrong?”
Leaning against her for support, Su Lan lowered her head.
“I’m fine…”
When Zhu Xingxu’s grip on her arm tightened slightly, Su Lan groaned again.
A thought struck her, and she lifted Su Lan’s sleeve.
Her arm was covered in bruises.
Zhu Xingxu’s expression darkened.
“What exactly happened?”
Seeing that she could not hide it any longer, Su Lan began to cry softly.
“I… I was taken away by Aunt Qiao yesterday. She said that Madam had upset her, so she would punish me instead.”
A surge of anger rushed straight to Zhu Xingxu’s head.
Outrageous!
How dare Aunt Qiao do such a thing?
Since entering the residence, it had always been Su Lan who guided her.
Without her, it was hard to say whether Zhu Xingxu could have adapted at all.
Her mind raced for a solution.
She was just a maid, insignificant and lowly. The only option was to report this to Meng Chunhe.
“I’ll go tell Madam right now.”
Su Lan immediately grabbed her, tears brimming in her eyes.
“No… I don’t want Madam to worry.”
Zhu Xingxu frowned. “But in your condition, Madam will find out sooner or later.”
Su Lan had served by Meng Chunhe’s side for so long that Meng Chunhe surely knew everything about her.
Su Lan’s eyelashes trembled violently as her grip on Zhu Xingxu’s sleeve slackened.
Zhu Xingxu immediately ran into the room.
Meng Chunhe had just risen. Upon seeing her, she frowned.
“Where is Su Lan?”
Su Lan entered from the doorway. “Madam, I’m here.”
Zhu Xingxu got straight to the point and explained what had happened.
Meng Chunhe’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Finally, she slapped the bed.
“This is outrageous!”
“Help me change at once. I’m going to see the Master.”
Working together, Su Lan and Zhu Xingxu quickly helped Meng Chunhe dress and arrange her hair.
Zhu Xingxu even made a point of placing two golden hairpins into Meng Chunhe’s coiffure.
If they were going to argue, they needed the right presence.
Meng Chunhe led them straight to the main courtyard.
As they left Chanxiang Courtyard, Zhu Xingxu kept her head forward while her eyes darted around.
This was the first time she had seen other parts of the residence since arriving.
However, Meng Chunhe walked so quickly that she did not get to see much before they reached the main hall.
Inside, Li Dong was having breakfast with Aunt Qiao and Aunt Xiang.
Upon seeing Meng Chunhe, the smile on Li Dong’s face immediately darkened.
“What are you doing here?”
He clearly disliked Meng Chunhe, his gaze filled with disgust and dissatisfaction.
Zhu Xingxu lowered her head, adopting a humble posture.
She had learned that from Pei Xie.
Unconcerned with Li Dong’s look, Meng Chunhe said coldly, “You certainly have a lot of nerve, laying hands on my maid!”
Aunt Qiao smiled and placed her hands on Li Dong’s arm.
“Madam, you mustn’t make false accusations.”
Meng Chunhe glared at her with hatred.
“It was you!” Li Dong stood up.
“That’s enough! Meng Chunhe, how long do you intend to keep making trouble?”
Reprimanded, Meng Chunhe’s eyes seemed to glisten with tears.
“I’m making trouble? You brought so many concubines into this household, did I ever say a word? Now they’re walking all over me, and you still mean to shield them?”
Li Dong frowned. “You need evidence.”
Meng Chunhe pulled Su Lan forward and rolled up her sleeve.
“This is the evidence!”
Even Li Dong fell silent at the sight of the bruises.
He turned to Aunt Qiao. “Did you do this?”
Aunt Qiao froze for a moment before quickly looking at him ingratiatingly.
“Master…”
Li Dong stared at her expressionlessly.
“Just answer me. Did you do it?”
She shrank back and finally admitted reluctantly, “Master, it was because Su Lan talked back to me that I…”
Before she could finish, Li Dong suddenly raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.
Caught off guard, she was knocked straight to the ground.
When she came to her senses, she sat there clutching her cheek, tears welling in her eyes.
“Master…”
Li Dong narrowed his eyes, his tone extremely severe.
“How many times have I told you? Do not go looking for her, and do not get involved with anyone from Chanxiang Courtyard! Can you not understand? Do you want me to send you back to the brothel to relearn your place?”
Zhu Xingxu was utterly shocked by the scene.
Had he not been doting on Aunt Qiao just moments ago? Why had he struck her now?
Meng Chunhe, however, seemed to calm down and merely watched in silence.
Tears streamed down Aunt Qiao’s face, yet she dared not speak again.
In this household, she could only rely on Li Dong.
Now that he was angry, she knew better than to talk back.
Li Dong straightened his clothes and turned to Meng Chunhe.
“I will confine her to her courtyard for half a year and halve her allowance. Is that sufficient?”
Meng Chunhe did not look at him but at Su Lan instead.
Su Lan lowered her head and bowed.
“Thank you, Master. Thank you, Madam.”
Aunt Xiang simply watched from the side, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief.
Afterward, Meng Chunhe led them back to the courtyard.
On the way, she said, “In the future, if anything happens, you must tell me. Understood?”
Su Lan nodded.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Xingxu asked, “Madam, doesn’t Master favor Aunt Qiao? Why would he…”
Meng Chunhe gazed straight ahead, devoid of emotion.
“He values his reputation above all else. If this matter were to spread and invite impeachment from others, it would cost him his life.”
Men of ancient times cared even more about their reputation and official rank.
If his career were affected, even a beloved concubine could be cast aside without hesitation.
Zhu Xingxu’s resolve deepened.
She had to return home. She could not remain here.
Meng Chunhe thought she was dwelling on matters of romance and turned back with a gentle smile.
“You and Su Lan are both close to me. When the time comes and you find men you fancy, I will prepare dowries for your marriages. I will not let anyone look down on you.”
Su Lan’s eyes reddened instantly at these words.
Zhu Xingxu hurriedly shook her head.
If she really wanted to give them something, she could just give it directly, rather than as a dowry…