And so, Su Xiaoyu's "torture" began.
The next day, when Xiao Jingheng arrived at Jinxiu Pavilion, he saw her standing as rigid as a wooden stake, her entire body tense, eyes fixed straight ahead, even her breathing cautious and restrained.
Xiao Jingheng instinctively frowned.
Just then, Xiao Lingxi stepped forward to claim credit, "Big brother, I'm teaching Su Xiaoyu proper etiquette. Look at her—isn't she much more composed than when she first arrived?"
[Composed my foot! Are they trying to turn me into some rigid doll? My feet, my neck, my back…]
While screaming internally, Su Xiaoyu maintained a perfectly neutral expression on her face, not even daring to blink excessively.
[Su Xiaoyu, hold on, push through. Dinner time will come soon.]
[I absolutely cannot collapse now, or I'll miss tonight's Roast Goose. Slurp!]
Xiao Jingheng's gaze swept indifferently over the stiff Su Xiaoyu before settling on Xiao Lingxi's expectant "praise me" expression. He understood immediately.
"Hmm, her posture has indeed become more rigid."
Then, he shifted his tone, "It seems you've recently gained some insight into the 'dignity' section of the Women's Precepts. Since that's the case, you shall copy it ten times today and submit it to me before dinner. I presume… you can now calm your mind enough for this task."
Xiao Lingxi: "…"
The smug smile on her face instantly froze.
Why did she feel like her big brother was actually targeting her?
But she had no proof.
Ultimately, under Xiao Jingheng's authoritative pressure, Xiao Lingxi wilted like frostbitten eggplant and replied weakly, "Yes… big brother."
She turned to Su Xiaoyu, about to order her to prepare ink for calligraphy, when her brother's voice sounded again:
"The tea is gone. You, go brew a fresh pot."
"Remember, use freshly boiled water."
This was directed at Su Xiaoyu.
Su Xiaoyu was momentarily stunned, then inwardly ecstatic: [Brew tea! Boil fresh water! Wonderful! Finally, a legitimate reason to escape this 'torture chamber.' Young Marquis, you're practically a living bodhisattva saving me from suffering today!]
"Yes, Young Marquis."
Su Xiaoyu hastily performed a curtsey and scampered off eagerly.
Perhaps due to overexcitement, or having stood too long and forgotten her numb feet, the moment she took a step, her left foot gave way, causing her to instantly lose balance and tumble straight toward the ground—
Damn! This is so embarrassing!
She shut her eyes in despair, bracing for intimate contact with the floor.
However, the expected pain never came.
Just as she was about to crash, a distinct, steady, and powerful hand precisely grasped her upper arm and pulled her back forcefully!
Su Xiaoyu felt her body lighten, steadied by a firm support.
A pleasant scent of ink, blended with the unique fragrance of a man, wafted into her nostrils.
Her heart still racing, she opened her eyes to find Xiao Jingheng's handsome face extremely close, his brows slightly furrowed.
They were exceptionally near, his hand still firmly gripping her arm. Through the thin summer clothing, she could clearly feel the scorching warmth of Xiao Jingheng's palm.
Su Xiaoyu's mind went completely blank, staring dazedly at the incredibly handsome face before her, her thoughts spiraling wildly.
Oh my! Young Marquis is so good-looking… His skin is even finer than mine?
If this were modern times, he'd definitely be a top-tier celebrity!
Truly worthy of being a novel's male lead—this face, this aura, the pinnacle of perfection, the absolute champion!
Xiao Jingheng's hand supporting Su Xiaoyu's arm stiffened slightly.
Top-tier?
Champion?
What kind of chaotic vocabulary was this?
He had instinctively reached out merely to steady her and prevent a fall, never expecting they would end up so close.
Close enough to see the fine downy hairs on her eyelashes, close enough to catch the faint soapberry fragrance from her hair.
He could even feel her slightly hurried breaths from the shock, brushing against his wrist with a faint, elusive tickle.
The texture beneath his palm was more delicate than he had imagined.
Summer clothing was but a thin layer, almost allowing him to sense the slenderness of her arm through the fabric, along with the slight tension in her muscles from nervousness.
Like a startled little creature curling up, it made him instinctively want to soften his grip, afraid of hurting her.
When he lowered his gaze, he happened to meet Su Xiaoyu's slightly dazed eyes. Those eyes, already clear and bright, now had pupils slightly dilated from the proximity, as if filled with starlight.
A mix of bewilderment and infatuation.
"Be careful."
His voice was somewhat deep, carrying a trace of imperceptible strangeness.
After Su Xiaoyu regained her senses, she took a half-step back as if scalded, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Th-thank you, Young Marquis. This servant… this servant has been disrespectful."
Xiao Jingheng withdrew his hand without any change in expression, his fingertips still lingering with the memory of that slender, soft touch.
He stood with his hands behind his back, resuming his usual aloof demeanor, and waved his hand to dismiss Su Xiaoyu.
Su Xiaoyu, as if granted a great reprieve, endured the soreness in her legs and slowly shuffled out of the courtyard.
Nearby, Xiao Lingxi, who had witnessed the entire scene, was utterly dumbfounded.
Her elder brother… actually reached out to support a maid with his own hands?!
The sky must be falling!
Xiao Jingheng turned around, his calm gaze sweeping over the astonished Xiao Lingxi. Without offering any explanation, he said indifferently:
"Why are you still standing there? Start transcribing."
Xiao Lingxi jolted back to reality and quickly lowered her head, her mind already in turmoil.
…
From that day on, Xiao Lingxi no longer dared to scheme against Su Xiaoyu.
She had seen her elder brother's reaction clearly—it was definitely not the attitude a master should have toward an ordinary maid!
She feared that if she continued to cause trouble, her elder brother might "silence" her, his own sister, to protect Su Xiaoyu.
Although her elder brother never hit or scolded her, his icy glare and the overwhelming amount of schoolwork he assigned were worse than any physical punishment!
But to just swallow her anger and watch Su Xiaoyu "get away with it" right under her nose was something she simply couldn't accept.
"Ah!"
Xiao Lingxi slumped over the table, sighing weakly.
"Is there really no way to deal with that maid? Mother doesn't believe me, Elder Brother favors her—being the young lady of Hou Manor is just too frustrating!"
"Miss, this is already the hundred and eighth time you've sighed this morning."
Zisu carefully handed over a bowl of hot tea and reminded her:
"If you truly have no other options, the Second Young Master will be back in a few days. You could ask him for help!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingxi's eyes instantly lit up!
That's right! How could she have forgotten about Second Brother?
Xiao Jingxuan, her second brother—they had been partners-in-crime since childhood, causing mischief and climbing roofs together! They were known throughout Jingcheng as the "Troublemaker Duo," jointly bearing the brunt of their elder brother's "thunderous suppression."
They were the most steadfast "partners in misery"!
Most importantly, Xiao Jingxuan was full of clever ideas and, just like her, both revered and feared their eldest brother.
Though Mother didn't believe her, Second Brother—who had also suffered under Eldest Brother's "tyranny"—would surely understand her predicament and trust her judgment!
"That's right! I'll go find Second Brother!"
Xiao Lingxi's spirits instantly lifted. She sprang to her feet as if seeing a glimmer of light in the darkness.
"Second Brother definitely has ways to deal with that Su Xiaoyu, and he'll certainly help me."
"Zisu, go find out which exact day Second Brother will arrive. I want to personally welcome him."
Xiao Lingxi eagerly issued the command, feeling that the horn for her counterattack was finally about to sound!