Xiao Jingheng was already twenty-four years old. Most young men his age were already married, some even had children old enough to run errands.
Yet every year, when Liu Shi tried to match him with suitable young ladies from noble families, he would refuse them all, claiming his official duties took priority.
Now that she finally saw her eldest son showing some special interest in a maid, her hopes were rekindled.
Given Su Xiaoyu's status, she could be promoted to a bedchamber maid or concubine.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng looked at his mother: "Mother, you worry too much. If I were truly interested in women, there are countless noble young ladies in Jingcheng with both talent and beauty. Why would I pay special attention to an immature, simple-minded girl who only cares about eating?"
The disdain in his tone was unmistakable, as if Su Xiaoyu was nothing but an inconvenient tool in his eyes.
Liu Shi carefully examined his expression and found him completely clear-headed and calm, without any trace of romantic feelings. Her doubts immediately dissipated.
Indeed, her eldest son was proud and ambitious, with standards too high to ever fancy a mere maid.
It seemed she had overthought it, and that Lingxi girl must have been making trouble.
Liu Shi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "I was overthinking it. It's best that you think this way. I'll leave the girl in your care. Whether you polish her into jade or discard her like a worthless stone is up to you."
"I understand, Mother."
"If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave." Xiao Jingheng bowed and retreated.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoyu returned to the small courtyard she shared with her mother in a daze, her eyes vacant and her spirit broken.
She didn't even hear Zhao Yueru calling her name several times.
"Xiaoyu? What's wrong with you?"
Zhao Yueru put down her needlework, her face full of concern. "Did something happen at the Second Young Lady's place?"
Only when her mother's warm hand grasped hers did Su Xiaoyu seem to return to her senses. The fear and grievances she had accumulated along the way suddenly overflowed, and tears streamed down her face.
"Mother…"
She threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing.
On her way back, she had considered escaping, but that would implicate Zhao Yueru and her father Su Zhong. Although she had transmigrated into this era, her parents' kindness and care were genuine. She had already taken over the original body—how could she be so heartless as to run away and let her parents suffer the consequences?
Therefore, the thought had only briefly crossed her mind.
She haltingly recounted the day's events: how the Second Young Master had forcibly taken her out of the manor, brought her to the Thousand Gold Stage and the Drunken Immortal Inn, and how they were later discovered by the Young Marquis.
As Zhao Yueru listened to her daughter's story, her expression grew increasingly grim.
When she heard the words "gambling den," she gasped sharply and unconsciously tightened her grip on Su Xiaoyu's hand.
"How foolish! How could you let the Second Young Master go to such a place?"
"That's somewhere the Marquis explicitly forbade anyone from the Hou Manor to set foot in!"
Zhao Yueru's voice suddenly turned stern.
This had crossed the master's bottom line!
"But… I didn't mean to. The Second Young Master dragged me there. I didn't want to go either…"
Seeing her daughter's pale face, Zhao Yueru couldn't bring herself to scold her too harshly.
"Silly child, how could you be so foolish!"
"The Second Young Master is the master. Even if he acts recklessly, you shouldn't follow his lead!"
Su Xiaoyu also knew that servants in ancient times were just like modern-day workers—bosses didn't care how much effort you put in or how hard you struggled.
Bosses only wanted results. They only cared about profit.
Therefore, even if it was clear that a servant might have been coerced, while punishing the master, the servant would also inevitably share the blame.
If you want to condemn someone, you'll never lack a pretext.
Zhao Yueru's heart ached as she watched her daughter's tear-streaked face.
She pulled her daughter into her arms and softened her tone: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Mother is here."
After comforting Su Xiaoyu and watching her fall into an exhausted sleep, Zhao Yueru sat by the bedside, her gaze gradually firming with resolve.
She couldn't just stand by and watch her daughter's future, or even her life, be destroyed by this incident.
Although the Young Marquis hadn't immediately erupted in anger, as a mother, she still needed to demonstrate her stance.
Zhao Yueru rose, straightened her collar, took a deep breath, and then headed to Liu Shi's Yilan Courtyard.
With a "thump,"
Zhao Yueru knelt directly on the cold floor as soon as she saw Liu Shi, pressing her forehead to the ground.
"Madam!"
Her voice trembled: "This servant has failed in teaching her daughter, leading Xiaoyu to commit a grave mistake by daring to leave the manor without permission and… even accompanying the Second Young Master to such unsavory places. This servant deserves death for such negligence!"
Liu Shi was taken aback by this sudden plea for punishment. Just as she was about to speak, Zhao Yueru continued:
"This servant dares not beg for Madam's forgiveness for Xiaoyu. I only ask that, considering this servant and my husband's years of loyal service to Hou Manor and to you, Madam, you grant Xiaoyu a chance to live."
She kowtowed heavily, her forehead touching the icy floor.
"This servant is willing to surrender all savings and leave Hou Manor with Xiaoyu, never setting foot in Jingcheng again. I only beg that you and the Young Marquis… spare Xiaoyu this once!"
She was offering her entire family's future in Hou Manor, possibly even their livelihood, in exchange for her daughter's chance to leave safely.
Zhao Yueru knew that only by proactively admitting fault and proposing the harshest punishment could she possibly secure a slim chance of survival for Xiaoyu under the Young Marquis's wrath.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shi felt a tumult of emotions.
As a mother herself, how could she not understand Zhao Yueru's heartfelt intentions?
Though angered by Su Xiaoyu's audacity, she was also moved by Zhao Yueru's maternal devotion.
Moreover, she had already learned the full details of the incident.
Xiaoyu was not only blameless but had indirectly helped her own wayward younger son.
"Mama Zhao, please rise first," Liu Shi sighed. "Regarding this matter, Heng'er has already made a decision."
Zhao Yueru looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with alarm and confusion.
"The Young Marquis has ordered that Xiaoyu… be transferred to serve in the study at Moyun Residence. From now on, she will be personally instructed by the Young Marquis."
"Mama Zhao, you should appreciate that Xiaoyu has been given this opportunity."
This news struck Zhao Yueru's heart like a heavy hammer.
To Moyun Residence?
Was this… a blessing or a curse?
…
The next morning, when Su Xiaoyu received the news, it took her a full half-incense time to digest it, as if she were swallowing stones.
She had spent the entire night anxious and conflicted, even dreaming that the Young Marquis's cold eyes were fixed on her as she endlessly scrubbed mountains of chamber pots. She woke up with her pillow soaked in cold sweat.
But now… was this considered a promotion?
Being transferred from a spoiled young lady's side to serve the most powerful Young Marquis in the estate?
To outsiders, this seemed like an immense honor, a coveted position that countless servants could only dream of obtaining.
Yet Su Xiaoyu felt a chill shoot from the soles of her feet straight to the crown of her head.
[I'd rather go back to serving Second Young Lady!]
Although Xiao Lingxi was difficult to deal with—like a spoiled cat that constantly needed stroking, who would mock others and even devise bizarre methods to torment people—it was all harmless mischief.
Most importantly, every emotion—joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness—was written plainly on her face.
But Young Marquis Xiao Jingheng was an entirely different story!
Based on her limited understanding and the rumors she had heard, Xiao Jingheng was the king of workaholics! He was abnormally self-disciplined, unbearably strict, and utterly intolerant of the slightest fault. His conduct and style were like the judicial prisons under his jurisdiction in the Court of Judicial Review—emphasizing evidence, rules, and efficiency.
Working under him—wasn't that equivalent to serving in the halls of the King of Hell?