Volume 1 Chapter 48 Paying Respects (6)

  "Miss, let's go back." Yon Ma sighed silently and gently pulled Yao Cunhui's sleeve, lowering her voice. No matter who was crying, it was all a trivial matter, and it was better not to get involved if possible.

  Yao Cunhui leaned in, furrowed her brow and concentrated on listening. It seemed as if she hadn't heard Mrs. Rong's voice, and said: "It's so late yet you're still here crying, your sobs are so mournful and desolate, who knows what kind of sorrow and grievance is in your heart? Since we've met, why not take a look at how to make yourself feel better?"

  As she spoke, Yao Cunhui lifted her foot and slightly raised her voice to ask: "Who is it? Who's there?"

  The crying stopped abruptly, and no one answered, surrounded by a dead silence.

  "Can't you come out from behind that clump of flowers by the lake?" Mother Rong couldn't help but say, "Miss knows you're there, why don't you hurry up and come out? Are you trying to make us shout for people to come and see?"

  That person was startled, as a maid hiding in the garden at midnight to cry was a taboo, if she was really caught by Mrs. Rong and shouted for people to come, it would be enough for her to get into trouble!

  That person didn't dare to hide anymore, slowly stood up from behind the flowers, hung his head and walked over slowly, knelt down in front of Yao Cunhui and said softly: "Slave Mingxia has seen Second Miss, slave knows wrong, begs Second Miss for mercy, spare slave's life."

  She begged Miss Er to spare her life, but her tone was calm and flat, with a sense of desperation that was beyond despair. It seemed that whether Yao Cunhui spared her or not, she didn't care too much either way.

  "Ming Xia? How is it you!" Mother Rong was shocked and took a deep breath.

  Rong's mother knew that besides Qiao's mother and Wen's mother, a few cunning and treacherous old women around Ma's side, there were also four big girls, Mingxia, Caixia, Qiuyue, and Qiufang, who were also deeply favored by her, among whom Mingxia was particularly outstanding.

  Ming Xia slowly raised her eyes and glanced at Rong Ma, then lowered her head again, pursed her lips and didn't speak.

  "Get up first," Yao Cunhui sighed lightly: "It's so late, why are you crying alone here instead of sleeping in the house? You're a person who serves next to the lady, is there anyone who dares to give you trouble? If you have any grievances, tell the lady, and the lady will help you out. Is there any reason she wouldn't? If the lady gave you trouble and you came here to cry, that's even more foolish! How does the lady treat you, don't you know? Even if she scolds you a few times, it must be unintentional. You're her personal attendant, who else would she vent to when she's feeling annoyed? You should understand a bit! If you cry like this, it's lucky that I and Rong Ma saw you. If someone else saw you, they'd run to the lady and tattle, how would you face the lady in the future?"

  Ming Xia wiped away her tears, stood up, sniffled, and let out a soft snort. She muttered to herself, "What's the big deal? It's not like I'll die or anything! What's so hard about it?"

  "Xia Ming!" Madame Rong's face changed color.

  Yao Cun Hui stopped Ya Mu and asked slowly with a concentrated expression: "What happened?"

  Ming Xia's body trembled, stiffened, her nose turned sour, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. She suddenly covered her face with both hands, her shoulders shaking non-stop, a mournful cry escaping from her tightly pursed lips, short and piercing, like the whimpering of a kitten.

  Yao Cunhui and Rong's mother stood still beside them, quietly watching.

  Ming Xia finally slowly moved her hand away, wiping away the tears on her face with a bowed head. She choked back a sob and shook her head, saying: "I'm fine, I was just being foolish. Forgive me for losing my composure in front of you, Second Miss."

  "You're a clever person, why humiliate yourself? If you don't want to say anything, just go back quickly and apply some cold water to your eyes so people won't notice. If there's anything that needs my help, just go to Luomei Courtyard and tell me, or tell Rongma instead." Yao Cunhui said with a slight smile, then turned around and called out for Rongma to follow him.

  "Second Miss," Ming Xia suddenly called out to Yao Cun Hui, saying in a low voice: "Why is the second miss so good to me?"

  Yao Cunhui turned her head and stared at her, but didn't say a word. Under the moonlight, her slender figure stood tall and cold, like a beautiful sculpture.

  Ming Xia smiled softly and said with a hint of sarcasm: "Is it because I'm the confidant by the madam's side?"

  "Xia Ming!" Mother Rong's face changed color instantly.

  Yao Cun Hui stopped and looked at Rong Mama with a gentle smile: "I just said a few words to you, is that already considered good treatment? Or do you think I have ulterior motives and want to buy you over? What am I after? And what makes you think you're so capable that you can catch my eye and make me look at you differently? I just said you were clever, but it seems I was wrong! As a trusted aide, do you think being the trusted aide of the Marquis is something to be proud of? No matter how trusted an aide you are, you're still just a servant, a pawn that can be manipulated at her whim. If she wants you to live, you live; if she wants you to die, you die. Can you resist?"

  Ming Xia felt a surge of anger in her heart and almost started arguing, but then she thought about it again. Wasn't that the truth? Which sentence did Yao Cun Hui say wrong? None! Isn't her own trusted aide also a slave?

  "This is our fate as slaves, it's destiny, there's no way out..." Ming Xia muttered, her eyes dull and her face pale as dead ash.

  Yao Cun Hui smiled slightly, gazed deeply at her and said lightly: "If you really think so, then let's just forget I ever said anything. This is your own life, you have the right to think this way. Rong Ma, let's go!"

  "Yes, Second Miss!" Mrs. Rong glared at Mingxia and hurried Ya Cunhui along. This little girl really thought that serving by Madam Ma's side for a few days made her superior? She dared to speak to the second miss like this, not knowing what was good for her!

  "Second Miss," Ming Xia suddenly called out to Yao Cun Hui again, looking at the back of Yao Cun Hui who had stopped and not turned around, saying softly: "If I had been serving by Second Miss's side from the beginning, I would never have betrayed Second Miss."

  Yao Cunhui hooked up the corner of his mouth and didn't say a word, going straight away with Tong's mother.

  "Look at her arrogant appearance, it's really unbearable! Second Miss, don't be angry, it's not worth getting angry over someone like this!" Mother Rong was indignant, her second miss had been ridiculed by a maid, how could this be?!

  "It's just a few insignificant idle remarks, how could I take it to heart? You shouldn't either, Aunt Rong!" Yao Cunhui chuckled. She was still advising her not to get angry, but she herself was so angry that her words were trembling!

  The next day after lunch, Yao Cunhui had just woken up from her nap and heard Xiaoyao report: Eldest Miss has arrived!

  "Ask her in!" Can't help it, she thought that at least she would come tomorrow, didn't expect her to come today!

  "Second Auntie!" Ma Qunfang stepped inside, putting on a smiling face to greet Yao Cunhui, her eyes darting subtly to observe her reaction, and only relaxing when she saw that her expression was normal and unchanged.

  "Big sister is here!" Yao Cunhui smiled and offered her seat, suddenly narrowing her eyes to look at Ma Qunfang's face, concerned: "Big sister seems to be in poor health, with some swelling under your eyes, are you ill?"

  Ma Qunfang smiled awkwardly and said, "Uh, is that so? Maybe I didn't sleep well last night."

  "Now that the hottest time has passed, why is my sister still sleeping poorly? If she's ill, she must say so, don't hide it!" Yao Cunhui suddenly realized and didn't forget to show concern.

  Ma Qunfang smiled and agreed casually, but felt secretly annoyed in her heart. Can't be sick? Heart disease! No cure!

  She tossed and turned all night, worrying and regretting, thinking for a whole night, but ultimately unwilling to give up. Today, she thought about it again and again, finally gathering the courage to come to Luomei Courtyard again, and gave herself a task: no matter what, today must clearly tell Yao Cunhui everything! She was not willing to let her give up this rare opportunity in vain, she was not reconciled, even if she died, she would not be reconciled!

  Yao Cunhui seemed completely unaware of her intentions, and continued to chat with her as usual. Ma Qunfang had something on her mind, often lost in thought, and became increasingly restless.

  "Cousin," Ma Qunfang finally couldn't bear it anymore and summoned up the courage to say: "I have something I'd like to discuss with cousin, don't know..."

  As he spoke, his eyes swept over Hong Lian and Hong Zhi's bodies.

  Yao Cunhui smiled and ordered Hong Lian and the others to leave. "Sister, whatever it is, just say it. As long as I can help you, I will."

  "It's nothing, really," Ma Qunfang took a deep breath and said with a forced smile: "It's just that on Cloud Old Lady's birthday, can my cousin ask her aunt to take me along too? I just want to broaden my horizons and see the world! After all, such a grand banquet is hard to come by."

  "Of course it's alright, what's wrong with that!" Yao Cunhui was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and nodded in agreement.

  "Did you agree?" Ma Qunfang was stunned, and for a moment she felt as if she were in a dream. The things she had been thinking about with great care, worrying about, and repeatedly considering for so many days, she had agreed to so easily? Wasn't this too easy?!

  "What's wrong?" Yao Cunhui was puzzled.

  "Not me, I," Ma Qunfang's heart didn't know what kind of taste it was, and she smiled wryly: "I thought Second Sister-in-law you wouldn't agree!"

  Yao Cunhui stared at her, suddenly blinked and chuckled "heh" with a self-satisfied look in his eyebrows.

  "What are you laughing at? What's wrong?" Ma Qunfang was laughed at by Yao Cunhui, and her heart felt a bit uneasy, with her pigtails dangling in mid-air uncomfortably.

  "Laugh at you, sister!" Yao Cunhui raised her hand to tidy up the scattered hair on her temples and said with a smile: "Actually, I saw your hesitant expression a few days ago and guessed that you wanted to say this thing. Today, you finally opened your mouth to me."

  Ma wasn't a fool, Ma Qunfang kept coming to her place one after another to probe and discuss the good son, if she still couldn't see Ma Qunfang's purpose, Ma would suspect that Yao Cunhui had other intentions, it was better for her to be straightforward with Ma Qunfang.

  Besides, if Madam Ma hadn't given her tacit consent, how could Ma Qunfang have repeatedly come and gone with Yao Cunhui? Since Madam Ma also wanted to let this niece attend the birthday banquet, why not give her some face? For her, it's just a matter of one sentence! Madam Ma is too proud of the people in the Ma family. Is Ma Qunfang really considered the most beautiful among all flowers?

  "Second sister-in-law, you..." Ma Qunfang was stunned for a moment, her face suddenly turned red, and she seemed to be slightly angry.