Chapter 51-1: A Joke
Sheng Sanlang was pulled out of the room by Luo Sheng in a
daze. He suddenly snapped back to reality as he glimpsed a line of concubines
standing in the corridor.
"Biaomei--" he began, but Luo Sheng reassuringly
smiled at him and turned to address one of the concubines, "Dayiniang[1]—"
The eldest woman in the group quickly stood up, asking,
"Miss, what's the matter?" Only now did Luo Sheng have a chance to
look closely at Dayiniang. The woman had taken good care of herself, appearing
in her early thirties, though her actual age was likely slightly older. Her
hair was elegantly arranged in a bun.
She gives off the feeling of someone who knows her place.
"Please arrange accommodations for my Biaoge and the
guards he brought," Luo Sheng said. Turning to Xiuyue, she introduced,
"This is Xiugu, whom I brought back from the south. From now on, she will
be working in my courtyard and receive the same monthly salary as
Hongdou."
Hongdou felt like she had been struck in the chest by an
arrow. To be placed on the same level as Xiugu was deeply humiliating! Yet,
this was Miss' arrangement, so despite her discontent, she had to endure it.
The young maid discreetly stole a glance at Xiuyue,
realizing her mistake. She had been so absorbed in enjoying Xiugu's tasty
douhua that she had let her guard down, not realizing that she had unknowingly
welcomed a rival.
"Don't worry, Miss. I'll make the arrangements
promptly," Dayiniang quickly responded. Years of experience had taught her
that whatever Miss said must be obeyed, and whatever Miss wanted must be
provided to ensure a peaceful life.
Luo Sheng nodded slightly in acknowledgment of Dayiniang's
response and continued walking, leaving the main courtyard behind her.
Suddenly, a figure soared through the air, exclaiming,
"Miss, you're back at last!" Instinctively, Luo Sheng dodged to the
side, her gaze fixed on the person who then lunged at Hongdou. With a look of
disgust, Hongdou pushed the person away, rubbing her arms and scolding,
"Kou'er, are you trying to trample me?!"
It turned out to be Miss Luo's other first-rank maid,
Kou'er. She seemed to be around the same age as Hongdou, with a fair and oval
face. At that moment, tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Luo Sheng,
giving off an image of delicate beauty.
Luo Sheng recalled that whenever Hongdou mentioned Kou'er,
she would pout and say: Miss, don't worry about that annoying girl. Isn't
having me around enough?" Now that she finally met Kou'er, she wasn't sure
what kind of person she was.
For those who couldn't be trusted, Luo Sheng had no
intention of keeping them by her side, risking further troubles — at least not
as her close attendants.
"Let's return to our courtyard first." Although
Luo Sheng was unfamiliar with the way, having Hongdou and Kou'er present meant
there was no need to worry about that.
Kou'er kept chattering all the way back to Luo Sheng's
courtyard.
"Miss, why didn't you send someone to notify me when
you were returning? This maid could have gone outside the city to welcome you.
You came back without telling me this can't do ah. What if you encounter
someone rude?"
"Yes, this maid knows those people can't defeat you,
but you always face them personally. This can't do ah. No lady from a noble
family would personally handle such matters. Isn't that what Hongdou and I are
here for..."
"Sob sob, Miss, you've lost weight. I told you that
going to Jinsha without me was a bad idea. What's the use of Hongdou..."
Hongdou finally reached the limit of her patience and burst
out, "Kou'er, enough!" The sudden appearance of Xiugu had already
jeopardized her status as a first-rank maid, and now Kou'er was making things
worse.
Kou'er blinked, obviously not afraid of Hongdou's anger:
"Hongdou, I've told you before you went to Jinsha County that you need to
control your temper when you're at Miss's maternal family's place. The Sheng
Family is known for their scholarly reputation. With your temper like this,
this can't do ah. You're embarrassing, Miss."
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