Zishu Sui couldn’t see Xiao Bian’s expression, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t feel the aura he was exuding.
However, Zishu Sui pretended not to notice and whispered during this moment of silence—
“I’ve forgotten some of the content in ‘Female Virtues’ and ‘Inner Training,’ and I want to reinforce it. I heard that the noble ladies and daughters of Yanjing care most about this.”
Zishu Sui’s eyes were filled with anticipation, and at this moment, she really looked more and more like a noble lady who followed female virtues.
In any case, the more weak and well-behaved she seemed in the eyes of others, the better.
The less dangerous she seemed, the farther danger would be from her.
Hearing this, Xiao Bian already wanted to kick her out the door.
A Yuan laughed and said, “There are no such books in the study. If the Young Lady needs them, you can go to Madam’s place to take a look.”
“Oh.”
Zishu Sui was a little “disappointed.”
“A Yuan, send her back!”
A gloomy and somewhat angry voice sounded at the right time.
A Yuan nodded and respectfully stepped forward, walking to Zishu Sui’s side, “Please, Young Lady.”
Zishu Sui “reluctantly” turned her head and glanced back, seeing that Xiao Bian had impatiently gone upstairs. She pursed her lips, her voice clear, neither loud nor soft, as if she was very worriedly advising—
“Cousin, if you want to help me change maids, please, please don’t tell Aunt that it was me who said it!”
Okay, now she could leave. This trip could be considered fruitful.
The two walked out the door.
A cold laugh came from the second floor.
Xiao Bian sat in front of the desk, frowning as he looked at the person leaving on the bridge. When had he said he would help?
This Qi family’s uncle, being incompetent as an official was one thing, but how could he raise such a daughter?
Being weak and incompetent was one thing, but she was also prone to wishful thinking.
Over there.
Zishu Sui, who was leaving with A Yuan, couldn’t help but tentatively ask, “Is Cousin always this… fierce?”
Hearing the girl’s soft question, A Yuan organized his words and said, “Young Lady, don’t misunderstand. The Young Master is like this to everyone, even to the Second Young Lady of the Second Branch. Usually, only the Marquis and the Young Master can set foot in the study.”
After speaking, A Yuan saw the girl nod lightly, looking worried as if she was afraid of being disliked, which made people’s hearts break.
Thinking about it, the Young Lady was also pitiful enough, suddenly losing her parents, and now living under someone else’s roof, she was afraid of being disliked by her uncle, aunt, and cousin, and she didn’t even dare to offend a maid.
A Yuan felt compassion and thought about adding, “Young Lady doesn’t need to worry. Actually, the Young Master is quite easy to get along with.”
Zishu Sui also heard the hesitation in his words.
She looked at A Yuan in surprise, “Easy to get along with?”
Was he serious?
With Xiao Bian’s devil-reincarnated nature, how could he be associated with being easy to get along with?
The only person who could receive Xiao Bian’s gentle treatment was probably the imperial concubine in the palace, right?
Heh, if it wasn’t because… Zishu Sui restrained her emotions. Anyway, if it were in the past, she would never have been willing to approach such a person, who was not a good person at all.
After being questioned, A Yuan laughed awkwardly and said somewhat embarrassedly, “Uh, actually, when you’re not interacting with him, he’s quite good.”
“Actually, the ladies in the residence are all kind-hearted and easy to talk to. The Young Lady doesn’t need to worry too much.”
As A Yuan said this, the two had already walked outside the Orchid Courtyard, and A Yuan politely stopped.
As soon as he finished speaking, a noisy argument came from inside the Orchid Courtyard, as if going against A Yuan. A strange and fierce female voice came from inside—
“These new autumn clothes were originally made for our Second Young Lady, and they were measured according to the Second Young Lady’s figure. Why should they be given to the Young Lady?”
This female voice was sharp, and just hearing the voice gave a sense of superiority.
Afterwards, Yinxing’s honest and unconvinced voice sounded, “Sister Qiuju, these were sent by the housekeeper. If you and the Second Young Lady have any questions, you should ask the Madam. Why are you coming to the Orchid Courtyard to snatch things?”
Qiuju heard the retort and became angry, “The Young Lady has only been here for a few days. Have you forgotten who the master is in this residence?!”
After speaking, the two seemed to be fighting over something. Then, the sound of silk tearing was heard in the courtyard, accompanied by Qiuju’s exasperated voice, “You little hussy, you tore the Second Young Lady’s new clothes. See how the Second Young Lady will deal with you later!”
Outside the Orchid Courtyard, Zishu Sui stood quietly, hearing the noisy sounds inside. It turned out that the gorgeous dresses sent by the housekeeper were originally meant for the Second Young Lady of the Second Branch.
However, Zishu Sui didn’t plan to go in, only waiting for the commotion inside to end before going in.
Remembering A Yuan’s comforting words just now, she gave A Yuan a polite smile.
A Yuan was slapped in the face so quickly and stood there somewhat awkwardly.
It was also at this time that Yunxiu’s impatient voice sounded in the Orchid Courtyard, “Yinxing, why did you stop her just now? You won’t have a good time if you offend the Second Young Lady. You’re doing this for the Young Lady, but the Young Lady can’t protect you.”
In the next moment, a maid with an unhappy face ran out of the Orchid Courtyard, presumably that was Qiuju.
Only to see Qiuju suddenly stop, as if she had the embarrassment of being caught doing something bad. Her gaze wasn’t on Zishu Sui, but on A Yuan beside Zishu Sui—
“Guard A Yuan? Why are you here?”
Zishu Sui smiled without saying a word. It seemed that this Guard A Yuan also had some prestige in the residence.
This was just right. Now that she had A Yuan as a witness, her situation, like duckweed, was even more real.
See, she was really pitiful, right!
She wondered if this could make Xiao Bian feel compassion, even just a little bit.
So, before A Yuan could speak, Zishu Sui softly opened her mouth, “Are you Qiuju from Second Cousin’s side? If Second Cousin likes those two clothes, just tell me. After all, they’re just external things. I’ll have someone send them over. Why bother Sister Qiuju to make a trip?”
Qiuju’s mouth moved, and under A Yuan’s gaze, the sharp energy she had in the courtyard was gone.
However, she still couldn’t stand Zishu Sui’s tea-like words. Qiuju retorted with a weaker momentum, “This, this was originally the Second Young Lady’s thing! It’s not up to the Young Lady to play the good person!”
Zishu Sui’s face turned pale, and her voice lowered, “It’s not right to send it, and it’s not right not to send it. Then, please apologize to Second Cousin for me.”
“You!” Qiuju frowned.
“Enough!” A Yuan interrupted, “There is a distinction between superior and inferior. Please pay attention to your attitude.”
Everyone knew that A Yuan was Xiao Bian’s subordinate, and Qiuju didn’t dare to retort. Her face turned green and white, and in the end, she reluctantly apologized, “Young Lady, please forgive me. It’s this servant who doesn’t understand etiquette.”
After Qiuju left, Zishu Sui thanked A Yuan, “Thank you, Guard A Yuan, for helping me out.”
When A Yuan looked at her, his eyes were filled with complexity, “Young Lady, this subordinate will go back now. If you have any difficulties, you can go to the Madam.”
Zishu Sui nodded, watching A Yuan’s departing back, and thought, it was rare that Xiao Bian could have such a kind and simple subordinate by his side.
In the Orchid Courtyard, Yinxing was cleaning up the torn clothes scattered on the ground. Hearing footsteps again, she immediately looked up and was stunned when she saw the snow-white hem of the skirt, “Young Lady, I’m afraid these clothes can’t be worn anymore.”
When she looked up, Zishu Sui clearly saw the red palm print on Yinxing’s face.
This was beyond Zishu Sui’s expectations.
She originally thought that the maids in this courtyard didn’t care about her, the Young Lady, but she unexpectedly found an honest and loyal little maid.
“Come in with me.” Zishu Sui took the lead and walked into the bedroom.
Yinxing didn’t know why, but followed in, still holding the pile of torn clothes.
Zishu Sui took out the Snow Spirit Balm from the medicine box under the bed, signaling Yinxing to sit down. Seeing this, Yinxing waved her hands repeatedly, “Young Lady, this servant is thick-skinned and this little injury doesn’t matter. Your medicine is precious, so please keep it…”
Her words suddenly stopped, and the words “for your own use” were swallowed back by Yinxing.
Only because she felt that it was impolite to say that, the Young Lady was a noble lady after all, so how could she be injured for no reason?
But…
“Young Lady, how did you get injured?” Yinxing asked worriedly, seeing a little blood on her nose.
“I accidentally bumped into something just now. It’s nothing.”
A gentle smile appeared on Zishu Sui’s fair face, “This is just ointment. You were injured for me, so how can I leave you alone? You don’t have to fight for external things in the future. If vulgar things are gone, they’re gone. Besides, those were originally Second Cousin’s things. If it weren’t for me, this wouldn’t have happened today. I’m sorry for you.”
This kind of Zishu Sui, besides being weak, could also be described with one word—
Understanding.
Yinxing looked at this understanding Young Lady, and something seemed to be melted and warmed in her heart.
She had been a servant since she was a child, and it was the first time someone had said such words to her.
“Young Lady, you are really a good person!”
Hearing this, Zishu Sui’s gentle smile deepened. Was she a good person?
Yes, she should be.
Zishu Sui raised her wrist and gently brushed away the messy stray hairs for Yinxing, “You are also a good girl.”
This sudden intimate gesture made Yinxing’s body stiff. She stared blankly at the girl in front of her. In the past few days of getting along, there had never been a moment when she felt that the girl was so beautiful.
In Yinxing’s heart, the Young Lady was not only weak in nature, but also weak in body, and even her complexion seemed to be showing weakness at all times. She also often lowered her head as if she was afraid of offending people.
But now, the Young Lady was looking directly at her, and those originally moist eyes that should have been flowing with amorous feelings were now as clear as spring water.
There seemed to be an unspeakable charm slowly flowing in those eyes, and when she gazed at her, she was more like a glittering star.
Shining brightly, making people yearn for it.