Over the years, Madam had arranged for Linglong to receive careful instruction, so she recognized many fine things. At a glance, she could tell that this pair of bracelets was no ordinary item, and she did not dare accept them. “Young Master, these are far too precious. How could I possibly wear them on my hands?”
Xiao Qing ignored her protests, took her hand, and slipped the bracelets over her wrists. “Your skin is as white as snow. They suit you perfectly. There are no women in my quarters, so leaving them unused would be a waste. Fine things should be paired with beautiful women.”
“Young Master, you only know how to tease me.” A flush spread across Linglong’s face as she instructed a page to bring water. “Young Master, let me serve you while you bathe.”
Xiao Qing had never had anyone attend to her personally. Now Linglong bustled around her, helping her undress, scrubbing her back, and bathing her, which left her somewhat unaccustomed to it. “Linglong, I can do it myself.”
Linglong smiled and pressed her hand down. “Young Master, you have worked hard while handling affairs outside. Let me help you relax now.”
As she spoke, her pale hands settled lightly on Xiao Qing’s shoulders, kneading them with just the right amount of pressure.
Xiao Qing really was tired, so she did not refuse again.
All these years, in order to keep her identity as a woman from being discovered, her mother had personally handled everything for her when she was young. After she grew up, she had not kept anyone at her side to attend to her personally.
After her bath, Xiao Qing felt refreshed. Linglong walked unhurriedly to the side of the bed. “Tonight is Young Master’s big night. This servant will certainly serve Young Master with all her heart.”
Only then did Xiao Qing remember that, for the first night of a young master from a great clan, a special matron would record everything, in case the legitimate heir suffered from some hidden ailment that might interfere with producing offspring.
A trace of awkwardness appeared on Xiao Qing’s face. She cleared her throat and said, “I’m sorry to put you through this.”
Linglong caught hold of the footboard and began shaking it vigorously. “If Young Master feels sorry for this servant, then help me shake it.”
After a quarter of an hour, Xiao Qing released her somewhat swollen hands. “Linglong, is that enough?”
Linglong refused to stop. “Young Master, rest for a while. Leave the rest to me.”
She absolutely would not let Young Master lose to the Eldest Young Master in this matter.
How could Xiao Qing let her do all the work alone? Gritting her teeth, she went over to help.
Another quarter of an hour passed. Xiao Qing wiped the sweat from her forehead. She had only just bathed, yet she was drenched in sweat again. “Lie down on the bed first. I’ll call a page to bring more water.”
Guanyan pushed the door open, keeping his head lowered and not daring to look around. As he passed Xiao Qing, however, he quickly raised his eyes and gave her an exaggerated wink, his face full of admiration.
As expected of his master—she excelled at everything.
Xiao Qing unconsciously straightened her back.
The next morning, Xiao Qing woke with an ache in her waist and arms.
Linglong helped her sit up and asked with concern, “What happened?”
With Linglong’s assistance, Xiao Qing sat upright. “I suppose I used too much force last night.”
She said it so casually, but all the maids serving nearby blushed and dared not raise their heads to look at the two of them.
Linglong forced herself to remain composed and cleared her throat. “Attend Young Master while she washes and dresses.”
One of the maids carried a cup of freshly brewed pre-Rain tea and walked lightly up to Xiao Qing. She cast a glance from the corner of her eye at Linglong, then quickly lowered it again.
She bent slightly at the waist, her skirt brushing the floor, and said in a soft, girlish voice, “Second Young Master, the tea is ready. Let this servant attend you while you wash.”
After speaking, she deliberately edged closer to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing’s brows drew together slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on the maid’s face. This was Qinghe, one of the maids in her quarters. Because she had been with Xiao Qing for a long time, she held a certain standing among the maids.
Qinghe had always been honest and dutiful before. It seemed that Linglong’s arrival had stirred some thoughts in her as well.
Linglong immediately rose and stepped forward to take the teacup. “Young Master, let me handle these things from now on.”
Qinghe’s fingers tightened slightly, her nails digging into her palms.
She had been at Second Young Master’s side the longest. She had always thought that, by relying on the affection between them, she would have a place beside Young Master once he married.
Previously, there had been no one at Young Master’s side, and Madam had kept a close eye on everything, so she had not seriously considered the matter. But this time, Young Master had returned with a woman—and Madam had arranged for someone to serve him as well. If she did not act quickly, what place would remain for her beside Young Master?
Qinghe forcibly suppressed the restlessness in her heart and arranged a docile smile on her face. “Sister Linglong has only just arrived and doesn’t understand Young Master’s temperament. This servant has been attending Young Master for so long that she is used to it. It would be better to let me do it.”
“Being able to serve Young Master is a blessing. From now on, you’ll be staying by Young Master’s side, so everything concerning Young Master is the most important thing in the world. You must personally handle everything.”
Hearing such blunt words, Qinghe’s chest heaved with anger. She opened her mouth to argue, but Xiao Qing interrupted her.
“Qinghe, you have overstepped.”
It was only a mild sentence, yet Qinghe’s face turned pale. Young Master had always been gentle and courteous, and rarely spoke harshly to low-ranking maids like them.
She had never expected that, for Linglong’s sake, Young Master would humiliate her like this.
Qinghe’s eyes grew moist. Biting her lip, she said softly, “Young Master, this servant knows she was wrong.”
“Making one mistake is forgivable, but you mustn’t keep making the same one.” Linglong’s voice was not loud, but every word pierced Qinghe’s heart. “As servants, the most important thing is to know our place. Don’t assume that being somewhat clever gives you the right to forget who you are.”
On the surface, she was telling Qinghe to behave herself. Beneath that, she was warning her not to dream of climbing above her station.
How could Qinghe fail to understand? Young Master possessed a beauty like that of a dragon or phoenix; which maid in the residence had not entertained such thoughts?
She looked at Xiao Qing aggrievedly. “Young Master, this servant… this servant hasn’t.”
Xiao Qing sighed inwardly. She could not bring herself to criticize Qinghe too harshly, so she raised her voice and said, “Linglong, don’t be so overbearing.”
Qinghe’s heart relaxed. Thinking that Young Master still cared for her, she was about to step forward and attend to her when Xiao Qing added:
“From now on, let Linglong handle the washing and dressing.”
At that moment, Qinghe felt as though countless needles had pierced her heart. The pain spread densely through her chest, and jealousy nearly spilled from her eyes.
Gritting her teeth, she lowered her head and retreated to one side.
Why?
Why should some seductive little vixen who had only just arrived take the favor that ought to have belonged to her?
Qinghe clenched the hand hidden inside her sleeve, a trace of resentment flashing through her eyes.
There was still a long road ahead. She refused to believe that Linglong would be the only woman beside Young Master.
After Xiao Qing had finished washing and dressing, she prepared to attend the morning court. As she was leaving, she looked at the roomful of maids and older servants and held Linglong’s hand. “You were tired last night too. Sleep a little longer later.”
After Xiao Qing left, the maids gathered around Linglong.
“Sister Linglong, Young Master is so good to you.”
Another maid spoke with an envious expression. “With the affection you have now, once Young Master marries, Sister Linglong will certainly become his secondary wife. And if you bear him children afterward, your position will be even more secure.”
Linglong cast a glance at the young maids. Seeing the eager looks on every one of their faces, she adjusted the pearl flower at her temple. “It’s my good fortune that Young Master knows how to show affection. Isn’t that right, Qinghe?”
Qinghe’s face flushed with anger. “Enjoying blessings in the future is what matters. What happens for a moment right now doesn’t count for much.”
“Heaven has shown mercy, and Madam has favored me. Some people may want a moment of favor, but that depends on whether Madam agrees. If someone makes the wrong choice and leads Young Master astray, being sold off would be the least of her worries!”
Hearing this, most of the young maids abandoned their thoughts. They were not as beautiful as Linglong and might not catch Young Master’s eye. If they angered Madam and brought trouble upon their families, they would truly deserve to die a thousand deaths.
Seeing that they had all settled down, Linglong felt somewhat satisfied. This was one of the reasons Madam had sent her to Young Master’s side in the first place.