Su Xiaoyu clutched her small bundle, shuffling toward Moyun Residence as if heading to the execution ground.
This was Xiao Jingheng's study. The bluestone pavement was swept spotless, the osmanthus tree branches neatly trimmed—far more refined than the small courtyard where she lived.
Upon entering, she learned that Xiao Jingheng had left early for the Court of Judicial Review office and wasn't in the manor. The heavy stone in her heart crashed to the ground with a thud, and she instantly felt lighter.
She was received by another of the Young Marquis's attendants named Yanshu. He informed Xiaoyu that her main duties involved daily cleaning inside and outside the study, and after the Young Marquis returned, awaiting orders to serve tea and water.
Yanshu appeared to be a clever and steady young man. He led Su Xiaoyu to collect her monthly supplies and maid's uniform.
When the brand-new outfit made of high-quality fabric was handed to her, Su Xiaoyu froze.
The material… soft and smooth to the touch, it was fine cotton with delicate subtle-patterned trim.
Completely different from the ordinary coarse cotton clothes she'd worn in the madam and second young miss's courtyards.
"Brother Yanshu, this clothing…" she couldn't help stroking it.
Yanshu seemed to understand her confusion and explained, "Since you'll be serving the Young Marquis, your appearance must be presentable and unlike ordinary maids. This is the standard issue for first-class maids in the Young Marquis's courtyard."
First-class maid?
Su Xiaoyu's eyes widened instantly.
She wasn't being punished but promoted?!
Before she could recover from the surprise, Yanshu handed her a small wooden waist token engraved with "Moyun Residence."
"This is your access token. With this, you may freely enter and leave Hou Manor to purchase writing materials and sundries for Young Marquis, or for personal matters with notification."
Yanshu reminded her, "Keep the token safe; don't lose it."
Free access to Hou Manor?!
Heavens!
Su Xiaoyu took the weighty token, her mind reeling.
Oh my! Does this mean she could sneak out to buy delicious treats anytime?
Young Marquis, you're no ice mountain but a merciful, discerning bodhisattva! How wrong she'd been about him!
An uncontrollable, beaming smile spread across her face, joy bubbling in her heart.
Noticing her ear-to-ear grin, Yanshu cleared his throat lightly to regain her attention.
"Miss Xiaoyu, allow me to remind you—Moyun Residence has always been attended only by male servants. the Young Marquis dislikes having maids close by. You are the first maid ever admitted."
Xiaoyu's smile stiffened momentarily.
The first? Maid?
What did that mean?
Yanshu glanced at her meaningfully. "So, countless eyes inside and outside the courtyard are watching you. You must perform well, follow every rule meticulously, and live up to the Young Marquis's exceptional favor!"
"Also, your monthly pay is now two taels of silver."
What?!
Two taels of silver!
Quadrupled salary!
Su Xiaoyu almost thought she'd misheard. This was leaping from subsistence to comfort in one go!
"Yes, yes! Brother Yanshu, don't worry. I'll follow all rules and never disgrace the Young Marquis!" She nodded vigorously.
Ice mountain! Workaholic!
All vanished before such tangible benefits.
One word: work hard!
When Xiao Jingheng returned from the Court of Judicial Review, it was nearly dusk.
As he stepped into the courtyard of Moyun Residence, he noticed the stone bench beneath the osmanthus tree had been polished to a shine, with fallen petals swept into a bamboo basket in the corner. The courtyard was silent, carrying only the faint scent of incense.
Pushing open the study door, a flicker of imperceptible surprise crossed his eyes.
The documents on the desk were neatly sorted into stacks—pending matters on the left, completed ones on the right. Even the brush he had casually left on the corner that morning had been cleaned and rehung on the brush stand.
The porcelain vases and ancient texts on the display shelf were spotless, each arranged with meticulous precision. The agarwood fragrance in the air was perfectly balanced—neither too strong nor too faint—exactly as he preferred.
He glanced at Changfeng by the door.
Understanding the unspoken command, Changfeng summoned Yanshu.
"Young Marquis," Yanshu replied with a bow, "this was all tidied by the new maid Xiaoyu today. She worked for nearly two hours this afternoon. I supervised her—she only organized the desk and shelves without reviewing any official documents."
Xiao Jingheng’s gaze deepened. Her?
"Where is she now?"
"Young Marquis, she… is currently in the laundry yard at the back, insisting on washing your official robe. We couldn’t stop her."
Xiao Jingheng owned several sets of official robes, which were typically handled by designated staff.
The corner of his eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
The chaotic scene from yesterday’s carriage flashed through his mind—the girl weeping uncontrollably, clinging to his leg, using the expensive robe as a handkerchief.
He remembered telling her "do not trouble yourself over it." Clearly, she hadn’t taken his words to heart.
Such stubbornness…
She was probably in the laundry yard right now, sleeves rolled up, wrestling with that robe—perhaps even flushed with frustration.
Xiao Jingheng chuckled softly, shaking off the thought. "Inform her that the official robe is to be handled by designated staff. She needn’t trouble herself."
"Have her come serve tea."
"Yes." Yanshu acknowledged and withdrew.
…
Meanwhile, steam filled the laundry yard.
Su Xiaoyu crouched on the bluestone floor, staring anxiously at the crimson official robe.
The fabric felt unusual, and she dared not scrub it vigorously for fear of damage. Instead, she carefully dabbed at it with a soft brush dipped in clean water. Progress was slow, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead from frustration.
Yanshu’s arrival felt like divine intervention.
"Miss Xiaoyu, the Young Marquis has instructed that the official robe be handled by designated staff. You needn’t trouble yourself. He requests your presence to serve tea in the study."
Su Xiaoyu felt as if pardoned from execution, nearly bowing to Yanshu in relief. She hastily set down the brush, wiped her hands, and hurried toward the study.
Later, as she entered the study carrying a freshly brewed cup of tea, she saw Xiao Jingheng seated behind the desk, slightly bowed over official documents, fully absorbed in his work.
The sharp lines of his profile were severe yet graceful, his long lashes casting faint shadows under his eyes. His fingers, holding the brush, were distinct and finely jointed.
Not daring to disturb him, Su Xiaoyu gently placed the teacup near his hand and retreated quietly, trying to shrink into an inconspicuous presence.
[Phew… Thank goodness the Young Marquis is busy and has no time for me.]
She sighed inwardly with relief, yet her gaze drifted uncontrollably back to the figure immersed in his work.
This time, her inner monologue couldn’t help but resume:
【Tsk tsk, from this angle, Young Marquis is truly devastatingly handsome! That nose bridge, that jawline… far superior to those heavily photoshopped idols in modern times! No wonder he's the male lead in the original work, these natural features are truly top-tier!】
Xiao Jingheng was just writing a crucial part when he heard this, his brush tip pausing almost imperceptibly.