“What are you doing?” Shuang’er reacted, angrily shoving the maid, only to be slapped by Lu Xin.
“You lowly servant! Have you forgotten where you are? This isn’t your Zhi family’s place—you have no right to act wild here! Apologize to my maid!”
Having been slapped for no reason, Shuang’er was already seething with anger. Now, being forced to apologize, she felt utterly humiliated, tears welling up in her eyes.
But thinking of her young lady’s situation, she swallowed her pride and turned to the maid. “I’m sorr—”
Slap!
Zhi Wan suddenly raised her hand and struck the maid hard across the face, cutting Shuang’er off.
The air fell silent.
Shuang’er stared at her young lady in shock.
The maid, having recovered from the blow, clutched her stinging cheek and protested angrily, “Cousin, how dare you hit me?”
Zhi Wan subtly shook her hand, hiding it behind her back, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. “You deliberately pulled our handkerchief, causing the petals to fall to the ground, and then you intentionally trampled on them. Slapping you once is letting you off lightly! It’s you who should be apologizing!”
Hearing this, the maid felt a pang of guilt. Seeing the usually timid cousin suddenly speaking with such severity, she grew a little frightened and couldn’t help but take a step back.
Lu Xin was clearly taken aback by Zhi Wan’s behavior as well.
In the past, even when bullied, Zhi Wan would never utter a word of protest, let alone retaliate.
But today, she had shed her usual timidity and was standing up for her maid.
Lu Xin was somewhat surprised.
However, having grown accustomed to bullying Zhi Wan and enjoying watching her swallow her pride, how could she tolerate this change?
Her face darkened as she took a step forward, attempting to intimidate Zhi Wan into submission. “Zhi Wan, how dare you strike my maid?”
Seeing her like this, Zhi Wan found it utterly ridiculous.
In the past, she had always held back, not only because Lu Xin merely took verbal jabs at her, but also because she didn’t want to make things difficult for her aunt.
But today, Lu Xin had resorted to physical violence—why should she continue to endure it?
Moreover, her aunt was already preparing to arrange a marriage for her. Soon, she would likely be married off and leave the Duke of Dingguo’s residence. As for Lu Xin, she wouldn’t even spare her a second thought.
Faced with Lu Xin’s arrogance, Zhi Wan curled her lips into a faint smile. “Why wouldn’t I dare? You were the one who struck my maid first!”
Lu Xin’s pupils contracted as she stared at Zhi Wan in disbelief.
How dare this wretch not fear her?
Unaccustomed to such defiance, Lu Xin was momentarily stunned.
“Also, that packet of petals was the result of half a day’s hard work by Shuang’er and me, yet your maid destroyed them. Make sure you pick them again and deliver them to Yaoguang Pavilion. Otherwise, I will definitely ask my aunt to settle this matter!” As she spoke, Zhi Wan’s smile vanished, and her tone grew firmer.
Lu Xin’s chest heaved with rage.
This little wretch, Zhi Wan, should be trampled under her feet. How dare she act so arrogantly in front of her?
She suddenly let out a cold laugh and sneered loudly, “Zhi Wan, you eat our Duke’s food and live in our Duke’s residence. What gives you the right to act so high and mighty in front of me? Where do you get the nerve? Aren’t you afraid of being thrown out of the Duke’s residence?”
Zhi Wan looked at Lu Xin with disdain. “The Duke’s residence isn’t yours to command. Want to throw me out? Who do you think you are?”
Lu Xin’s face turned pale, then flushed red. Trembling, she pointed at Zhi Wan. “You… you… how dare you look down on me?”
Zhi Wan sneered with impatience, “Remember to deliver the petals to Yaoguang Pavilion, or I’ll make good on my word and ask Aunt to decide this matter!”
Lu Xin was so furious she felt her lungs might burst, but in the end, out of fear of Wei Shi, she dared not make another scene.
Her dear aunt favored that little wretch Zhi Wan far more than her own niece. If the matter truly reached her aunt, she would undoubtedly side with Zhi Wan, leaving Lu Xin with no advantage and possibly even punishment.
The more Lu Xin thought about it, the angrier and more resentful she became.
How could an orphan girl rise above her?
She was the only legitimate young lady in the Duke’s household.
But ever since Zhi Wan arrived, she had not received as much attention.
Especially when she saw the unique affection her aunt showered upon Zhi Wan, jealousy drove her mad.
So whenever she had the chance, she would seize it to teach Zhi Wan a lesson and mock her.
In the past, when Zhi Wan suffered at her hands, she never fought back or complained to her aunt, which emboldened Lu Xin more and more.
Each time she saw Zhi Wan seething with anger but too afraid to speak up, Lu Xin felt immensely satisfied.
But who could have imagined that this little wretch Zhi Wan would act so out of character today, daring to confront her?
Lu Xin seethed with rage.
Staring at Zhi Wan’s retreating figure, her eyes flashed with venom.
She wouldn’t let this go!
“Young lady, should… should this servant pick up the petals for the cousin?” Xing’er asked timidly, seeing her unpleasant expression.
Lu Xin glared at her, “Do as you see fit!” With that, she strode away.
Xing’er resignedly crouched down and began gathering the magnolia petals.
Yaoguang Pavilion.
As soon as Zhi Wan returned to her room, she personally wrung out a damp cloth and applied a cold compress to Shuang’er’s slapped face.
“Does it still hurt?”
Shuang’er shook her head with a smile, “This servant doesn’t feel any pain at all.”
“And you’re still smiling?” Zhi Wan said helplessly.
Shuang’er praised, “Young lady was so formidable just now. Third Miss Lu couldn’t gain any advantage over you.”
Zhi Wan said apologetically, “I’ve made you suffer alongside me.”
Shuang’er’s expression changed, “Young lady mustn’t say such things. Staying by your side is a blessing for this servant, something I cherish. How could it be suffering?”
Zhi Wan was deeply moved but felt even more apologetic.
Shuang’er was a maid from the Zhi family. After the Zhi family’s misfortune, all the servants left, only Shuang’er remained and followed her to the Duke’s household.
Over the years, it was Shuang’er who had kept her company and encouraged her.
Yet whenever trouble arose, she always sought to avoid conflict, causing Shuang’er to endure many grievances.
It was rare that Shuang’er never resented her for it.
“From now on, I will protect you and not let you suffer any more grievances,” Zhi Wan said earnestly.
Shuang’er’s eyes grew moist as she clasped her young lady’s hand, “This servant will also protect you with my life.”
“Don’t speak of life and death. We must both live well,” Zhi Wan said.
Shuang’er nodded, then remembered something and said worriedly, “But young lady, today you’ve thoroughly offended Third Miss. With her narrow-minded nature, she definitely won’t let this go.”
Zhi Wan, of course, knew Lu Xin wouldn’t simply drop the matter.
But over the years, she had tolerated enough, yet it never brought her peace. Instead, it only emboldened Lu Xin to treat her worse.
So she did not regret offending Lu Xin today.
Moreover, once she married, Lu Xin would be even less of a concern.
“Don’t worry. If she dares to provoke us again, we’ll give her a taste of her own medicine.”
Seeing that the young lady showed no sign of fear, Shuang’er felt much more at ease.
In the afternoon, Xing’er brought over the selected magnolia petals.
Shuang’er presented them to Zhi Wan for inspection.
After examining them and finding the petals to be in good condition, Zhi Wan said nothing and sent Xing’er back.
Two peaceful days passed.
On this day, just after Zhi Wan finished her breakfast, Nanny Fang came over and said that Wei Shi would be taking her out.
Without asking further, Zhi Wan prepared herself and went to the front courtyard to wait.
But as soon as she arrived, she heard the servants greeting, “Young Master.”
Lu Zhan?
Instinctively, Zhi Wan wanted to hide, but it was too late—the man’s tall figure had already stepped through the door.
At the sight of this cousin, Zhi Wan felt a wave of nervousness, yet she had no choice but to brace herself and step forward to greet him. “C-cousin.”