Before Liu Lu left, she voiced that she was worried about her master and thus asked Ma Momo to help look after her for a little while. The yard was full of servants, how can there be no one left to command when five of them leave? And for them to rely on outsiders? Ma momo was fully aware of what Liu Lu was implying.
The Little Marquis didnât pay attention to the affairs of the household. The Old Madam was old; she didnât have enough energy and therefore couldnât manage it. As the most trusted person around the old madam, she knew about Yu Xiangâs circumstances.
Since the death of Yu Xiangâs wet nurse, the two main maidservants became the masters. Whereas, Yu Xiang was forced to become a servant. Initially, Ma Momo thought that since she was not blood-related to the Marquis, and so let her fend for herself, but now even if she wants to manage she couldnât find a way to do so.
Their master hadnât opined on this matter, yet you venture to do it. Wouldnât that show that you are interfering too much! And now Yu Xiang was very opinionated, and she probably has a plot in her mind.
Ma momo was waiting for her to take action. Today, Liu Lu sought her assistance. She immediately realised that the second young lady wanted to find a way to get rid of all those nuisance! Alright, this time, those people who secretly leave work, lie down on their job and are unable to be found can get out of the Marquis manor immediately.
She walked into the courtyard with a solemn face, and saw that the Little Marquisâs personal attendant, Zhang Quan Zheng, was moving a brazier into the house. She was shocked. âOh, the Marquis is back?â
Zhang Quan Zheng made a silent gesture and pointed to the room.
Alright, she thought these servants were going to be unlucky today, but she didnât expect that they were going to be this bloody unlucky! Let alone let the Little Marquis catch them in the act when he came home early! She neatened her loose hair, that was blown by the wind, and went in looking down.
She saw the Little Marquis sitting on the soft couch holding the young lady who was silently shedding her tears. He wrapped the young lady tightly with his cloak showing a small face that was the size of a palm. He wiped the tears for her and fed her medicine attentively. His eyes showed gentleness, but the tense face indicated storm clouds approaching[1].
âNubi[2] pays respect to the Little Marquis.â Ma momo saluted cautiously.
âWhat are you here for?â Yu Pin Yanâs deep voice was frigid cold.
âThis servant was worried and came to check on the young lady.â
Hearing this, Yu Pin Yanâs expression was slightly better. He glanced at her and said, âYouâre considerate. Wait at the side then. You can deal with the bunch of wicked slaves later.â
Ma momo immediately responded âof course of courseâ, and quickly stepped into the corner and pretended to be a wooden doll.
Yu Xiangâs body gradually warmed up. Both hands were covered in her brotherâs lapel. His broad and robust chest muscles were tense. She couldnât control herself and stroke it twice. When her elder brother looked down, she blinked at him innocently. Her tears were like a broken string of pearls.
âWhat are you crying for! Look at yourself! Yu Si Yu is better than you!â Yu Pin Yanâs mouth was criticising yet his movements were very gentle. He took her little hands out and placed it near his lips to warm her hands by breathing warm air on them.
Being on the run for the whole time with exhaustion, he grew some stubble which tickled her hands. Yu Xiang couldnât help but wanted to laugh. She quickly threw herself into his arms to disguise. Yu Pin Yan thought that she felt wronged, opened his mouth and didnât say anything in the end.
The coal fire crackled and burned, warming the house as if it was a spring day, but the maidservants and pozi who were brought back with them seemed to have walked into an ice cellar. One or two of them shrank their neck and shivered. Even if they were beaten to death, they would have never expected that the marquis would return today! What should they do now!
Cui Ping and Cui Xi have been crying. They looked up at the Little Marquis from time to time.
Yu Pin Yan was playing with his younger sisterâs fleshy little hand and poked her little dimples on the back of her hand one after another with his fingers. He was a little addicted. And the other big hand was holding the handkerchief and carefully wiping away the tears for her.
The room was soundless. The atmosphere was so cold that it was stifling. After about a quarter of an hour, Yu Pin Yan questioned, âWhere did you find them? What were they doing?â
âReplying to the Marquis, these people were found in the side room of the North courtyard playing cards; these people were basking in the back garden and eating melon seeds; this person was sleeping in her room; this person was eating in the kitchen. There are still five people missing. I have sent someone to look for them.â The servant reported one after another.
âDonât bother about the five people.â Yu Pin Yan waved his hand. His gaze was as sharp as a knife.
All of them were shivering. They felt that cold air had penetrated their scalp, and their spirits were cracked apart from the cold. They want to cry loudly for mercy, kowtow and cry, turn around and run away but their bodies seem to have been filled with lead. Their throat seemed to have swallowed coals. They couldnât move a little, let alone make a sound. They still remember that the members of the third family wanted to hang themselves at the door of the Marquisâs manor. The Marquis had the same gaze, which made the third family didnât dare to seek death.
Now, they were in the hands of the Marquis, can they still live? Oh right, the young lady was soft-natured, they can beg the young lady!
Many people looked up at Yu Xiang. Their eyes were full of hope.
Yu Xiang buried her face in her brotherâs bosom.