Madam Yu rarely lost her temper, and everyone in the household knew that she was a gentle and kind person.
If it weren’t for the recent incident involving Yu Luo, she would never have raised her hand against one of the maids.
Upon reflection, Hui Xiang was actually the first maid to receive a slap from Madam Yu.
After such an incident, the other maids and housekeepers around Madam Yu no longer dared to treat Yu Luo lightly.
After all, Yu Luo was the Eldest Miss of the household. No matter her temperament, she had the backing of Madam Yu and Marquis Shunning.
Hui Xiang, now both ashamed and angry, was mocked by her usual circle of friends and did not dare to appear in public. She could only silently curse Madam Yu and Yu Luo in her heart.
Worried that Yu Luo’s health would not recover properly, Madam Yu had someone bring her to stay at the Zhijin Pavilion at noon, placing her next to Madam Yu’s room so that she could be attended to at any time.
After two days of taking medicine, Yu Luo was able to get out of bed and move around a bit.
Madam Yu, fearing that she might not regain her health fully if she returned home too soon, still had her stay at Zhijin Pavilion.
Hui Xiang did not dare to approach either Madam Yu or Yu Luo in these past few days, but she still dressed extravagantly each day, with her hair adorned with several ornate hairpins.
Yu Luo asked Ziming about them. Ziming said that these accessories originally belonged to Liu Yanran. They were likely a gift from Liu Yanran intended to please Hui Xiang.
Yu Luo recalled the story.
Hui Xiang’s rise to become a concubine must have been due to this period of events.
Truthfully, in this era, it was normal for men to have three or four wives. Even though Marquis Shunning and Madam Yu had a deep and respectful relationship, the household still had a few concubines.
It was unclear what methods Hui Xiang had used to capture the attention of Marquis Shunning.
Yu Luo sat by the window, lost in thought. Suddenly, she saw Marquis Shunning returning from outside.
He must have come to Zhijin Pavilion to visit Madam Yu.
However, Madam Yu had gone to the temple to offer incense today, so Marquis Shunning would likely find the room empty.
Sure enough, upon entering the room and seeing it empty, he asked a few questions.
Hui Xiang hurried forward: “Madam is not at home; she went to Lingyin Temple to offer incense. Eldest Miss has been ill these past few days, and Madam went to pray for her.”
Marquis Shunning nodded. “Where is Eldest Miss? I want to see her.”
“She is sleeping inside. Should I wake her up now?”
Marquis Shunning did not want to disturb Yu Luo’s rest. “In that case, I will come another day.”
Hui Xiang smiled. “Allow me to pour you a cup of tea. You must be thirsty after being here for a while.”
She prepared a cup and brought it over.
As Marquis Shunning reached for it, Hui Xiang’s hand slipped, and the entire cup spilled onto him.
“I—how clumsy of me! Let me wipe it off for you!”
Hui Xiang quickly grabbed a handkerchief and began to wipe him.
Unfortunately, the tea had spilled directly onto the center of his clothes.
As Hui Xiang leaned in to wipe him, half her body pressed against Marquis Shunning.
Being a normal man, Marquis Shunning quickly sensed something unusual.
Hui Xiang’s cheeks flushed red, and she looked at him shyly and hesitantly: “Lord Marquis, here—”
She saw this as a rare opportunity she could not miss.
Marquis Shunning glanced at her carefully and noted that she was indeed attractive.
At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind the screen: “Father, you came to see me?”
Marquis Shunning recognized the voice as Yu Luo’s.
As a father, he had to maintain authority in front of his children and could not make improper gestures that would leave an indecent impression.
He pushed Hui Xiang away. “Luo’er, you’re awake?”
Yu Luo stepped out from behind the screen, wearing a casual lotus-colored jacket and long skirt, her black hair loosely tied, radiating the innocence and charm of youth.
Remembering that his daughter had been asleep inside and that he had almost been tempted by a maid, Marquis Shunning felt ashamed of his behavior.
He stood. “Luo’er, how is your health?”
Yu Luo nodded. “Much better than the past two days. This morning, Mother went to the temple to pray, offering several pounds of incense and lights, and also prayed for your official career. Mother works so hard, always thinking of our family.”
Hearing this, Marquis Shunning regretted almost acting inappropriately.
“Your mother is virtuous and considerate. When you grow up, you must not be so mischievous. Like your mother, practice needlework, and avoid hitting people with a whip in the household. If this gets out, who would dare marry a little tyrant like you?” he sighed.
Yu Luo laughed and poured him a cup of tea. “It’s better if I can’t marry. Father, Mother, wouldn’t you rather raise me for life?”
Marquis Shunning couldn’t help but smile. “Even if there were a hundred daughters, our family could manage. But as children grow up, one must be prepared for marriage.”
Yu Luo looked at him curiously. “Father, why is your clothing wet? There’s a big wet patch—what happened?”
Hui Xiang, furious that Yu Luo had interrupted her plans, had no choice but to admit: “Just now, my hand slipped, and I accidentally spilled it on Lord Marquis.”
Yu Luo’s gaze softened. “I see.”
Marquis Shunning felt irritated whenever he saw Hui Xiang now, recognizing her as an unruly girl.
Yu Luo continued, “You are the head maid before Madam, how could you do such a thing? To behave carelessly in front of my father—what if guests had come? Father, I think you should send her out of Mother’s room and let her do chores in the courtyard instead.”
Hui Xiang froze, as if struck by lightning.
Being head maid in Madam’s presence and working as a common maid in the courtyard were entirely different.
Though both were servants, the treatment was worlds apart.
In Madam’s presence, even the young masters, young ladies, and concubines treated her with some respect. She received a small monthly stipend of one or two silver coins. During festivals, Madam would give her gifts, and anything she wanted from the kitchen was readily provided. Even a normal family’s young lady would not be as well-provided for as Hui Xiang.
Working as a common maid in the courtyard, the monthly stipend was only a hundred copper coins, and anyone could order her around. If the head maid was displeased, she could slap her without reason. Meals would not be the best, and she could only eat whatever was available, with no choice. Silk clothes were gone; she had to wear rough garments for chores.
Hui Xiang hurriedly tried to plead with Marquis Shunning.
This time, Marquis Shunning did not even look at her. “Alright, Luo’er, remember to tell your mother when you return.”