Xiaobing’s nose tingled, and she nearly cried with emotion.
She had not expected that her first master would be so understanding and reasonable.
She had thought that the Third Young Madam would be as difficult to serve as the others.
“Ling…
Lingling!” she called out timidly.
Zhong Lingling said with a playful smile, “That’s more like it.
When it’s just the two of us, you should call me like that!
Otherwise, I’ll get angry, you know!”
“Got it, Young Madam, oh no, Lingling!” Xiaobing secretly vowed in her heart that she would always treat the Young Madam well.
“Lingling, it’s almost eight o’clock, you should hurry and pay your morning respects to the master and his wife!”
“Where are they?” With the Xiang Mansion being so vast, she was totally unfamiliar with which villas housed which people.
“Follow me, and over time, I’ll help you get to know this place!
To foster closeness among the family, the master has a rule that all family members must be present at meal times.
Everyone gathers in the main villa to eat together to make it lively!”
As they were talking, they left the dressing room together.
By this time, Xiaojin had also finished helping Xiang Yimo with his bath.
“Third Young Madam, given the Third Young Master’s condition, I fear he won’t be able to accompany you to pay morning respects!” Xiaojin sighed and shook her head.
Zhong Lingling looked towards the large bed, where Xiang Yimo was still sleeping.
For some reason, seeing Xiang Yimo like this made her heart ache.
People are not impassive like grass or trees; they all have compassion, right?
Such an unfortunate soul, born into such a wealthy family yet bedridden at such a young age, his fortune shallow and life uncertain—how long could he live?
“Xiaojin, take good care of the Young Master.
I’ll go and pay my morning respects to the master and his wife!” Zhong Lingling couldn’t bear to look at the pale, handsome face any longer.
She turned and left the room.
Xiaobing followed her out to lead the way.
The grandeur of the Xiang Mansion was already legendary, and today, with the veil lifted, she was finally witnessing what the fabled mansion looked like.
A vast sea of flowers surrounded more than a dozen villas, magnificent and imposing.
The largest and most luxurious of these villas was the main villa of the Xiang Family, where the old master and his wife currently resided.
Typically, this was where the family would come together for meals.
With an uneasy heart, Zhong Lingling stepped into the main villa’s hall.
The hall was covered with luxurious carpets, so soft that one could hardly bear to step on them.
The dining room was to the side of the hall, with a long table covered in white cloth and adorned with fresh flowers.
At this moment, the members of the Xiang Family were already seated at the table.
The table was laden with a variety of delicious foods.
However, the knives and forks in front of everyone were arranged neatly, as though they were waiting for someone and hadn’t started eating yet.
“Well, well, if it isn’t our Third Young Madam finally arriving!
Only your second day here and you’re already playing the diva, making the whole family wait for you to eat!” Liu Lin, the eldest young madam, made a face as soon as she saw Zhong Lingling.
Her voice was purposely kept low, but there wasn’t a soul in the hall who couldn’t hear her.
“Hmm!” Xiang Aofeng gave a fake cough as a signal to his wife, Mei Xilin, not to speak rashly.
He had noticed that his father’s expression was quite displeased.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Lingling’s bold steps faltered for a moment.
She looked at her watch— it wasn’t even eight o’clock!
Hadn’t they agreed on punctuality for the meal?
She was not late.
“It was the eldest young madam who spoke,” Xiaobing whispered a reminder to Zhong Lingling.
Understanding the hint, Zhong Lingling’s gaze swept towards Liu Lin.
“You must be my older sister-in-law!
Please, do take a look at the clock.
It’s seven fifty-five!” Zhong Lingling was not one to be easily bullied.