“G-Gently… a little gentler…”
A broken sound escaped Wan Tang’s lips. She looked at the half-open door in terror, afraid someone would burst in.
The small of her back was pressed against the edge of a table, and tears welled up in Wan Tang’s eyes from the pain. Her small frame was completely trapped by a tall and imposing figure, leaving her able to do nothing but plead softly.
This was the inner residence of the Wu’an Marquisate. Wan Tang had been ordered by the Eldest Mistress to return to Jinxiu Garden to retrieve something, but halfway there, a powerful arm had dragged her into this side room.
Before she could get a clear look at the man’s face, she felt a chill run through her, followed by an overwhelming torrent of hot kisses.
Wan Tang was scared out of her wits. She struggled with all her might but could not break free, and immediately burst into tears. “No, I beg you, please let me go.”
“You’re a maid in this estate. Rest assured, this Marquis will not treat you unfairly.”
The familiar voice entered her ears, and Wan Tang’s eyes widened as she trembled. “Marquis?”
The Old Marquis had few children, with Xiao Zhi being his only son. Eight years ago, Xiao Zhi had departed for the border to join the army and had remained unmarried. Two years ago, news of his death reached the capital, leaving the Old Marquis and his wife heartbroken. After a grand funeral, they followed the clan leader’s suggestion and adopted a fourteen-year-old boy from the Xiao clan as Xiao Zhi’s posthumous son—the current Eldest Young Master of the Wu’an Marquisate, Xiao Yujue.
The Eldest Mistress whom Wan Tang served was Xiao Yujue’s wife.
However, no one had expected that Xiao Zhi would return to the capital two months ago, decorated with military honors.
A month ago, he inherited the title and became a new dignitary in the capital, the most honored person in the Wu’an Marquisate. And Wan Tang was merely a maid without freedom, her very life in the hands of her masters.
At this thought, Wan Tang gave up her struggle. Only the tears that continuously rolled from the corners of her eyes silently conveyed her grievance…
Half an hour later, she mustered the courage to look at Xiao Zhi on the bed. He was sleeping with his eyes closed, his face an unusual shade of red.
This was the first time she had properly looked at Xiao Zhi. He was very handsome. His gaze was usually sharp and intimidating, but in his sleep, his features had softened considerably.
Wan Tang didn’t dare to look for long. Trembling, she helped him tidy his clothes, then summoned her courage to pull off his outer robe and put it on herself.
Her own clothes had been torn and were unwearable.
After another incense stick’s worth of time, she finally returned to the Eldest Mistress, Song Zhiyun, holding the headpiece set Song Zhiyun had sent her to fetch.
Song Zhiyun cast a cold gaze at her, displeased, and looked her up and down. “So you know how to come back? Where the hell did you go?”
Wan Tang caught a glimpse of Song Zhiyun’s approaching hand out of the corner of her eye and couldn’t help but tremble, instinctively wanting to dodge. “This servant was delayed by an errand for the Marquis.”
This headpiece set was a gift from the Marquisate Dowager. Song Zhiyun had originally wanted to show it off, but now that Wan Tang had delayed her, she knew a punishment was inevitable and assumed Song Zhiyun was about to slap her.
But in broad daylight, Song Zhiyun merely hooked her chin to get a better look.
Seeing the redness at the corners of her eyes, which were glistening with moisture, and her face flushed as if rouged, Song Zhiyun let out a contemptuous laugh. “Put away your little tricks. Even dressed up like a vixen, you won’t catch the Marquis’s eye! A lowly servant daring to dream of climbing the social ladder? Are you even worthy?”
Today’s Flower Appreciation Banquet was hosted by the Marquisate Dowager for the Marquis, Xiao Zhi, with the aim of choosing a wife for him. Seeing Wan Tang’s “scheming” appearance, Song Zhiyun assumed she was trying to climb up, paying no mind to the fact that the robe Wan Tang was wearing was actually plainer than her previous one.
Wan Tang hurriedly knelt. “This servant wouldn’t dare. I beg the Eldest Mistress to see the truth.”
Not wanting to be seen scolding a maid, Song Zhiyun gritted her teeth. “Go back and kneel!”
Wan Tang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The Marquis had been too rough just now, and her entire body ached. She was already forcing herself to stand normally. If she had to continue serving here, Song Zhiyun would surely notice something was amiss.
However, before she could leave the garden, Xiao Zhi arrived.
His tall figure could instantly attract everyone’s attention no matter where he stood.
Wan Tang lowered her gaze and obediently retreated to a corner, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Xiao Zhi’s handsome, elegant eyes swept over the noble young ladies whispering not far away, over the busy maids, and finally came to rest on Wan Tang.
She was trembling uncontrollably.
Xiao Zhi frowned, his gaze subtly sizing her up. His thin lips parted slightly. “Raise your head.”