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Chapter 41: The Young Lady is Jealous of Me
When everything finally subsided, Xiangwu felt as though she had been dissolved into a pool of water, collapsing limply on the bed. She didn't even have the strength to wiggle a toe.
The Marquis raised his arm to pull her close, and she obediently let herself be gathered into his chest.
He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to her ear. It tickled, but she was so thoroughly drained of energy that she kept her eyes half-closed, too lazy to even open them fully.
As he held her, the Marquis asked in a low voice, "Did the young lady come by here today?"
The moment she heard "the young lady," Xiangwu jolted, her eyes snapping wide open.
How could she have forgotten? She had agreed with herself to whisper sweet pillow talk in the Marquis's ear, air her grievances, and plead her case!
Thinking it over carefully, she nodded. "Miss was trying to force her way inside. I was terrified... Luckily, Sister Bai Jian arrived"
Before she could finish her sentence, a flicker of displeasure surfaced in the Marquis's eyes.
Xiangwu instantly realized her mistake, she couldn't bring up Sister Bai Jian.
Lowering her voice, she quickly corrected herself, "Anyway, Miss was trying to break in, and I was frightened out of my wits. Fortunately, she didn't get in..."
Huo Yunqing asked, "What are you afraid of her for?"
"I am still a maid by Miss's side," Xiangwu murmured. "If she broke in and discovered I was here, wouldn't she beat me to death?"
"She wouldn't dare," Huo Yunqing said.
It was just three simple words, spoken in a deep, resolute voice.
Hearing this, a secret wave of joy rippled through Xiangwu's heart. It seemed she really didn't need to fear the young lady anymore; if Miss ever tried to hit her, would the Marquis stand up for her?
A glow of affection lit up her eyes. She couldn't help reaching up her arms to gently wind them around his neck. "With Your Lordship protecting me, I naturally have nothing to fear."
With such warm, soft jade resting in his arms, speaking words as sweet as honey, how could any man fail to adore her?
Having lived for over thirty years, Huo Yunqing had never paid much mind to the affairs between men and women. But now that he had taken this little maid and tasted her sweetness, he found himself somewhat captivated. It was as if all his male ambition had been melted away by this tender, delicate woman.
She was exceptionally skilled at acting spoiled; leaning against him and declaring that she feared nothing with him around naturally stoked his protective instincts. Holding her in his arms, he wished he could press her against his chest and melt her into his very bones.
Nipping playfully at her earlobe, he whispered in a raspy voice, "Stay here at the estate for a while. When the time is right, I will make proper arrangements for you."
Hearing these words, Xiangwu grew even happier. She nestled closer against him, twisting her waist like soft candy as she clung to him, driving the Marquis so stirred that he was completely enraptured.
After serving him through the night, Xiangwu was paralyzed with exhaustion the next morning. Even when she heard the Marquis getting up, she pretended to be fast asleep.
She was terrified that if she woke up, she would have to serve him—and if serving him led to another round of intimacy, wouldn't she be worked to death?
She truly wanted to slack off for just a little while.
So, she listened quietly to the rustling sounds of the Marquis dressing and adjusting his robes.
When he finally finished washing up, she thought he was about to leave and let out a quiet breath of relief. But unexpectedly, the Marquis turned around, walked over to the bedside, and leaned down to gaze at her sleeping figure.
Xiangwu's heart pounded against her ribs. Could he have seen through my act?
She kept her eyes shut tight, holding her breath, not daring to move a single muscle.
Just then, she felt a finger lined with light calluses gently brush across her cheek. It was a bit itchy, a bit tingling; she gave a slight tremor, feeling an indescribable fondness welling up inside her.
In fact, when those fingertips finally pulled away, she actually felt a sudden pang of loss.
By the time she opened her eyes, the Marquis had already departed.
She scrambled out of bed, put on her dress, and looked out the window lattice, only to see the Marquis swinging himself onto his horse.
He mounted the horse with effortless agility, looking heroically handsome.
Xiangwu watched him with a touch of longing.
Back when she was just an ordinary little maid, seeing the Marquis from afar had filled her with absolute dread. To her, he was simply the Master. irrespective of good, bad, handsome, or ugly—the ruler who held her life and death in his hands. Whenever he was present, she had to kneel or keep her head lowered in meek obedience, never having the chance to admire his heroic posture as he mounted a horse.
Leaning against the window frame, Xiangwu watched him mount, watched him ride out of the manor surrounded by several guards, and kept her eyes fixed on them until the horses turned the corner and were hidden by the trees.
Only then did she pull back her gaze.
At that moment, several maidservants entered the room to attend to her.
Xiangwu still wasn't quite used to it, but she allowed them to serve her nonetheless.
Usually, she was the one waiting on the young lady; now, she was the one being waited on. The feeling was novel and almost unbelievable, like living in a dream where her whole body floated on clouds.
The head servant woman bowed and said, "Miss, some fresh crabs were delivered from outside today. The kitchen plans to prepare them for you. Would you prefer them steamed, baked with egg yolk, or braised in sauce?"
Xiangwu was surprised to hear this. "Where did crabs come from at this time of year?"
Fresh delicacies like crabs were served in the Marquis's manor, of course, and maids like them occasionally got a taste of the leftovers. So she knew that crabs only grew plump after the start of autumn; it was still a bit early in the season.
The servant woman gave a respectful smile. "These are early crabs, so they are scarce. The noble masters like to eat them for novelty."
Hearing the word "novelty," Xiangwu naturally felt her mouth water. She replied, "Better ask the Marquis how he likes them first. If he isn't here or doesn't mind, just have them steamed."
The woman nodded in agreement, then brought in breakfast and served Xiangwu.
The breakfast consisted of delicate items, including a bowl of bird's nest soup for Xiangwu to enjoy.
Xiangwu ate the other dishes first, deliberately filling her stomach only six or seven tenths of the way. Then, she dismissed the servant women, sat leaning against the window lattice, and enjoyed her bird's nest soup while gazing out at the courtyard scenery.
Outside, ancient trees cast cool shade over the yard. Flecks of sunlight filtered through the gaps in the green leaves, spilling across the window frame and over Xiangwu herself, while a gentle suburban breeze carried the subtle fragrance of blossoms.
Savoring the bird's nest soup, she could still taste that faint, raw-egg-like gamey scent, but surprisingly, she had grown quite fond of the flavor.
Xiangwu thought to herself: So this is what luxury and wealth taste like.
She closed her eyes comfortably, thinking of the Marquis and the wonderful life now within her reach, unable to suppress a soft smile.
Meanwhile, within the estate, most of Huo Yingyun's friends had already departed yesterday to return to their own family manors nearby. Only a few close companions had stayed behind to keep her company.
That day, as they were swinging among the flowers, they noticed a servant hurriedly passing by carrying a bamboo basket.
Huo Yingyun saw this and naturally asked, "What is that?"
Lanruo, who was attending nearby, quickly ran over to inquire with the servant woman. She returned to report, "They say early crabs were brought in from outside, specifically for the distinguished guest to enjoy."
Among those swinging with her was Chu Tanhong, the younger sister of Chu Tanyun.
Seeing this, Chu Tanhong couldn't help but wonder, "I heard that whenever local tributes are sent each year, some are specifically brought to the Marquis of Dingyuan’s estate. These early crabs must be one of those items, a rare treat indeed. The guest staying in the manor from the Capital must be someone of great importance for the household to entertain them so lavishly."
Huo Yingyun felt a bit embarrassed; after all, as the young mistress of the Marquis’s estate, she didn't even know about this.
However, hearing Chu Tanhong’s words, she gave herself an excuse, saying calmly, "That’s true. Who knows how noble their status might be? When I return to the manor tomorrow, I’ll just ask my father."
As they spoke, Lanruo quietly leaned in and whispered, "I tried to pry further just now. Though I couldn't get a clear answer, judging by what was said, it’s actually a woman! The servant woman mentioned she had just finished dressing her hair and that bird's nest soup was prepared for her."
At Lanruo’s words, Huo Yingyun and Chu Tanhong exchanged looks of surprise.
A young woman?
Chu Tanhong asked out of curiosity, "Could it be—"
She wanted to ask if the Marquis was planning to remarry, but as a young unmarried girl, it wasn't appropriate to say it out loud, so she bit her tongue.
Huo Yingyun frowned, lost in thought.
She knew that in previous years when her father visited the Capital, many young unmarried noble women there admired him and wished to marry into the estate. But her father had never taken any of them to heart. She had felt reassured, believing her father had no intention of marrying again, leaving her and her younger brother as his only children.
But now...
She couldn't help looking toward the bamboo pavilion nearby. If her father had truly hidden a secret lover from the Capital in that building, she might actually end up with a stepmother.
A stepmother?
Huo Yingyun felt deeply uneasy. Her father was only in his thirties. If he remarried, he would surely have more children. If she got a new half-brother or sister, the love and favor she and her brother received would be diluted. Who knew what her future would look like then?
She stared intently at the bamboo building. Just at that moment, she caught a glimpse of a grass-green sleeve fluttering out of the window frame, brushing gently against the bamboo window in the wind.
Her heart tightened. It really was a young woman!
Tightening her grip on the swing ropes, she bit her lip. If I hadn't noticed, that would be one thing. But since I’ve caught wind of it, I must find a way to find out who she is!
Behind that very window lattice, Xiangwu finished her bird's nest soup and set the small porcelain bowl aside for the servant woman to clear away. When asked if she wanted fresh fruit, she shook her head and dismissed the servants.
The window was slightly open, the breeze stirring the ends of her hair. She looked down at her grass-green sleeves and couldn't help feeling overwhelmed: Life is simply too comfortable now.
Reflecting on her past nightmares and her desperate struggles to find an ordinary man to marry, it all felt like a distant dream.
What was the point of marrying an ordinary man? With beauty like hers, she would easily attract trouble. How many ordinary men could actually protect her? In the end, wouldn't she just be coveted and ruined by the powerful?
It was far better to follow the Marquis.
A man like the Marquis was unmatched in physical strength behind closed doors. Though it had hurt the first few times, she was now beginning to enjoy it—and when dressed, he held supreme power to shield her and treat her well.
Especially this morning,
Recalling the lingering warmth of his calloused fingertips on her cheek before he left, her heart fluttered with affection.
As she was indulging in these sweet thoughts, an uneasy feeling suddenly crept into her heart.
Looking up through the window frame and dense leaves, she vaguely spotted someone hidden in the shade of the trees, staring intently in her direction.
Oh no, it’s the young lady!
Xiangwu gasped in shock, the young lady hadn't left yet!
In a panic, she reached out and slammed the window shut.
Chapter 41: The Young Lady is Jealous of Me
When everything finally subsided, Xiangwu felt as though she had been dissolved into a pool of water, collapsing limply on the bed. She didn't even have the strength to wiggle a toe.
The Marquis raised his arm to pull her close, and she obediently let herself be gathered into his chest.
He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to her ear. It tickled, but she was so thoroughly drained of energy that she kept her eyes half-closed, too lazy to even open them fully.
As he held her, the Marquis asked in a low voice, "Did the young lady come by here today?"
The moment she heard "the young lady," Xiangwu jolted, her eyes snapping wide open.
How could she have forgotten? She had agreed with herself to whisper sweet pillow talk in the Marquis's ear, air her grievances, and plead her case!
Thinking it over carefully, she nodded. "Miss was trying to force her way inside. I was terrified... Luckily, Sister Bai Jian arrived"
Before she could finish her sentence, a flicker of displeasure surfaced in the Marquis's eyes.
Xiangwu instantly realized her mistake, she couldn't bring up Sister Bai Jian.
Lowering her voice, she quickly corrected herself, "Anyway, Miss was trying to break in, and I was frightened out of my wits. Fortunately, she didn't get in..."
Huo Yunqing asked, "What are you afraid of her for?"
"I am still a maid by Miss's side," Xiangwu murmured. "If she broke in and discovered I was here, wouldn't she beat me to death?"
"She wouldn't dare," Huo Yunqing said.
It was just three simple words, spoken in a deep, resolute voice.
Hearing this, a secret wave of joy rippled through Xiangwu's heart. It seemed she really didn't need to fear the young lady anymore; if Miss ever tried to hit her, would the Marquis stand up for her?
A glow of affection lit up her eyes. She couldn't help reaching up her arms to gently wind them around his neck. "With Your Lordship protecting me, I naturally have nothing to fear."
With such warm, soft jade resting in his arms, speaking words as sweet as honey, how could any man fail to adore her?
Having lived for over thirty years, Huo Yunqing had never paid much mind to the affairs between men and women. But now that he had taken this little maid and tasted her sweetness, he found himself somewhat captivated. It was as if all his male ambition had been melted away by this tender, delicate woman.
She was exceptionally skilled at acting spoiled; leaning against him and declaring that she feared nothing with him around naturally stoked his protective instincts. Holding her in his arms, he wished he could press her against his chest and melt her into his very bones.
Nipping playfully at her earlobe, he whispered in a raspy voice, "Stay here at the estate for a while. When the time is right, I will make proper arrangements for you."
Hearing these words, Xiangwu grew even happier. She nestled closer against him, twisting her waist like soft candy as she clung to him, driving the Marquis so stirred that he was completely enraptured.
After serving him through the night, Xiangwu was paralyzed with exhaustion the next morning. Even when she heard the Marquis getting up, she pretended to be fast asleep.
She was terrified that if she woke up, she would have to serve him—and if serving him led to another round of intimacy, wouldn't she be worked to death?
She truly wanted to slack off for just a little while.
So, she listened quietly to the rustling sounds of the Marquis dressing and adjusting his robes.
When he finally finished washing up, she thought he was about to leave and let out a quiet breath of relief. But unexpectedly, the Marquis turned around, walked over to the bedside, and leaned down to gaze at her sleeping figure.
Xiangwu's heart pounded against her ribs. Could he have seen through my act?
She kept her eyes shut tight, holding her breath, not daring to move a single muscle.
Just then, she felt a finger lined with light calluses gently brush across her cheek. It was a bit itchy, a bit tingling; she gave a slight tremor, feeling an indescribable fondness welling up inside her.
In fact, when those fingertips finally pulled away, she actually felt a sudden pang of loss.
By the time she opened her eyes, the Marquis had already departed.
She scrambled out of bed, put on her dress, and looked out the window lattice, only to see the Marquis swinging himself onto his horse.
He mounted the horse with effortless agility, looking heroically handsome.
Xiangwu watched him with a touch of longing.
Back when she was just an ordinary little maid, seeing the Marquis from afar had filled her with absolute dread. To her, he was simply the Master. irrespective of good, bad, handsome, or ugly—the ruler who held her life and death in his hands. Whenever he was present, she had to kneel or keep her head lowered in meek obedience, never having the chance to admire his heroic posture as he mounted a horse.
Leaning against the window frame, Xiangwu watched him mount, watched him ride out of the manor surrounded by several guards, and kept her eyes fixed on them until the horses turned the corner and were hidden by the trees.
Only then did she pull back her gaze.
At that moment, several maidservants entered the room to attend to her.
Xiangwu still wasn't quite used to it, but she allowed them to serve her nonetheless.
Usually, she was the one waiting on the young lady; now, she was the one being waited on. The feeling was novel and almost unbelievable, like living in a dream where her whole body floated on clouds.
The head servant woman bowed and said, "Miss, some fresh crabs were delivered from outside today. The kitchen plans to prepare them for you. Would you prefer them steamed, baked with egg yolk, or braised in sauce?"
Xiangwu was surprised to hear this. "Where did crabs come from at this time of year?"
Fresh delicacies like crabs were served in the Marquis's manor, of course, and maids like them occasionally got a taste of the leftovers. So she knew that crabs only grew plump after the start of autumn; it was still a bit early in the season.
The servant woman gave a respectful smile. "These are early crabs, so they are scarce. The noble masters like to eat them for novelty."
Hearing the word "novelty," Xiangwu naturally felt her mouth water. She replied, "Better ask the Marquis how he likes them first. If he isn't here or doesn't mind, just have them steamed."
The woman nodded in agreement, then brought in breakfast and served Xiangwu.
The breakfast consisted of delicate items, including a bowl of bird's nest soup for Xiangwu to enjoy.
Xiangwu ate the other dishes first, deliberately filling her stomach only six or seven tenths of the way. Then, she dismissed the servant women, sat leaning against the window lattice, and enjoyed her bird's nest soup while gazing out at the courtyard scenery.
Outside, ancient trees cast cool shade over the yard. Flecks of sunlight filtered through the gaps in the green leaves, spilling across the window frame and over Xiangwu herself, while a gentle suburban breeze carried the subtle fragrance of blossoms.
Savoring the bird's nest soup, she could still taste that faint, raw-egg-like gamey scent, but surprisingly, she had grown quite fond of the flavor.
Xiangwu thought to herself: So this is what luxury and wealth taste like.
She closed her eyes comfortably, thinking of the Marquis and the wonderful life now within her reach, unable to suppress a soft smile.
Meanwhile, within the estate, most of Huo Yingyun's friends had already departed yesterday to return to their own family manors nearby. Only a few close companions had stayed behind to keep her company.
That day, as they were swinging among the flowers, they noticed a servant hurriedly passing by carrying a bamboo basket.
Huo Yingyun saw this and naturally asked, "What is that?"
Lanruo, who was attending nearby, quickly ran over to inquire with the servant woman. She returned to report, "They say early crabs were brought in from outside, specifically for the distinguished guest to enjoy."
Among those swinging with her was Chu Tanhong, the younger sister of Chu Tanyun.
Seeing this, Chu Tanhong couldn't help but wonder, "I heard that whenever local tributes are sent each year, some are specifically brought to the Marquis of Dingyuan’s estate. These early crabs must be one of those items, a rare treat indeed. The guest staying in the manor from the Capital must be someone of great importance for the household to entertain them so lavishly."
Huo Yingyun felt a bit embarrassed; after all, as the young mistress of the Marquis’s estate, she didn't even know about this.
However, hearing Chu Tanhong’s words, she gave herself an excuse, saying calmly, "That’s true. Who knows how noble their status might be? When I return to the manor tomorrow, I’ll just ask my father."
As they spoke, Lanruo quietly leaned in and whispered, "I tried to pry further just now. Though I couldn't get a clear answer, judging by what was said, it’s actually a woman! The servant woman mentioned she had just finished dressing her hair and that bird's nest soup was prepared for her."
At Lanruo’s words, Huo Yingyun and Chu Tanhong exchanged looks of surprise.
A young woman?
Chu Tanhong asked out of curiosity, "Could it be—"
She wanted to ask if the Marquis was planning to remarry, but as a young unmarried girl, it wasn't appropriate to say it out loud, so she bit her tongue.
Huo Yingyun frowned, lost in thought.
She knew that in previous years when her father visited the Capital, many young unmarried noble women there admired him and wished to marry into the estate. But her father had never taken any of them to heart. She had felt reassured, believing her father had no intention of marrying again, leaving her and her younger brother as his only children.
But now...
She couldn't help looking toward the bamboo pavilion nearby. If her father had truly hidden a secret lover from the Capital in that building, she might actually end up with a stepmother.
A stepmother?
Huo Yingyun felt deeply uneasy. Her father was only in his thirties. If he remarried, he would surely have more children. If she got a new half-brother or sister, the love and favor she and her brother received would be diluted. Who knew what her future would look like then?
She stared intently at the bamboo building. Just at that moment, she caught a glimpse of a grass-green sleeve fluttering out of the window frame, brushing gently against the bamboo window in the wind.
Her heart tightened. It really was a young woman!
Tightening her grip on the swing ropes, she bit her lip. If I hadn't noticed, that would be one thing. But since I’ve caught wind of it, I must find a way to find out who she is!
Behind that very window lattice, Xiangwu finished her bird's nest soup and set the small porcelain bowl aside for the servant woman to clear away. When asked if she wanted fresh fruit, she shook her head and dismissed the servants.
The window was slightly open, the breeze stirring the ends of her hair. She looked down at her grass-green sleeves and couldn't help feeling overwhelmed: Life is simply too comfortable now.
Reflecting on her past nightmares and her desperate struggles to find an ordinary man to marry, it all felt like a distant dream.
What was the point of marrying an ordinary man? With beauty like hers, she would easily attract trouble. How many ordinary men could actually protect her? In the end, wouldn't she just be coveted and ruined by the powerful?
It was far better to follow the Marquis.
A man like the Marquis was unmatched in physical strength behind closed doors. Though it had hurt the first few times, she was now beginning to enjoy it—and when dressed, he held supreme power to shield her and treat her well.
Especially this morning,
Recalling the lingering warmth of his calloused fingertips on her cheek before he left, her heart fluttered with affection.
As she was indulging in these sweet thoughts, an uneasy feeling suddenly crept into her heart.
Looking up through the window frame and dense leaves, she vaguely spotted someone hidden in the shade of the trees, staring intently in her direction.
Oh no, it’s the young lady!
Xiangwu gasped in shock, the young lady hadn't left yet!
In a panic, she reached out and slammed the window shut.
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