Chapter Twenty-Two: Plotting

  Ye Qinglan lightly dealt with Ye Qingrou's blushing and anger. Rui Xue saw it in her eyes, and her heart had already stirred up a stormy wave.

  In front of her own master, she had comforted herself that the previous few abnormalities didn't amount to anything. But at this moment, she could no longer deceive herself.

  The young lady after waking up was completely different from before.

  Smooth and mature response, with a hint of cleverness and confidence between the eyebrows, where can I find even half of that timid and weak girl who didn't dare to speak loudly? What's going on here?

  Rui Xue quietly followed Ye Qinglan, her mind already a jumbled mess.

  Ye Qinglan didn't need to turn around to know Rui Xue's complicated emotions at this moment.

  Whoever finds that the people they spend their days with suddenly seem to have changed, probably can't stay calm. Rui Xue's reaction was already much better than she had imagined. At least, on the surface, she seemed calm and didn't lose her composure excessively.

  "Rui Xue, if I stay in the mansion, will you stay by my side?" Ye Qinglan slowly threw out a heavy bomb.

  Rui Xue was asked, looking bewildered: "Stay, stay in the mansion? But, Master and Mistress said they would return to Zhengzhou after a few days..." Suddenly understanding the meaning behind Ye Qinglan's words, she couldn't help but be shocked again.

  "Miss, you wouldn't be thinking of staying behind alone in the mansion, would you?"

  How can this be! Let's not mention whether the old master and mistress will agree. Even if the young lady can really stay in the mansion, who would take care of a minor like her?

  Ye Qinglan smiled seemingly casually: "Not bad, I indeed have this intention." Paused for a moment, asked with deep meaning: "Are you willing to stay and accompany me?"

  She needs someone who is completely loyal to her. Even if they sense something, they must remain silent and keep the secret, becoming her right-hand man.

  Zhou Mama is too old and too cunning, while Guiyuan is too young. After careful consideration, it seems that Rui Xue is the only suitable choice.

  She asked very implicitly, but Rui Xue understood her implicit meaning effortlessly. She hesitated for a moment before cautiously responding: "May I dare to ask one more question, what if Madam disagrees?"

  Ye Qinglan raised an eyebrow and smiled slowly: "I naturally have a way to make her agree."

  That confident smile instantly lit up her already beautiful face, making it so stunning that one dare not gaze directly at it.

  Somehow, Rui Xue's uneasy mood calmed down, and she smiled in response: "I'm willing to stay by Miss's side." After a pause, she added another sentence: "Being able to serve Miss is my honor."

  Such a beautiful and intelligent girl will definitely not be an ordinary person in the future, she will surely make a name for herself. Following such a mistress, she must also become different from before!

  Although it's a bit risky, but it's worth it!

  Ye Qinglan smiled slightly. Talking to smart people is reassuring, many things don't need to be said out loud, and it's good that they understand each other: "Don't worry, you absolutely won't regret the decision you made today."

  This simple sentence was spoken casually, like a trivial matter. But Rui Xue discerned the implicit promise and weight within it, and secretly felt a thrill of joy.

  For maids, as long as they follow the right master, there is a future to be spoken of. Especially those who are beautiful and have a good temperament, they hope to follow a good master even more. If the master marries well, the maid will also have more dignity. Those with good luck can become a concubine or even a madam after serving as a maid for many years. At worst, they can still marry a decent steward and become a steward's wife.

  Rui Xue was originally from Zhengzhou, but due to poverty at home, she was sold into the Ye household. With her outstanding appearance and cleverness, she should have been serving the eldest daughter of the Ye family, Ye Qingfu. Unfortunately, she was not a biological child, and could not compete with those maids who had a background, so she was assigned to serve the unfavored younger daughter, Ye Qinglan.

  In recent years, Rui Xue has been devoted to serving her master with all her heart and soul, naturally hoping that her master would be favored and she could stand up straight as a person. However, she repeatedly sighed in frustration due to the weak temperament of her own young mistress.

  She was so timid and yielding that she didn't even dare to speak out when her own brother bullied her. Madam Xue also never put Miss in her eyes. If things went on like this, Miss's future could almost be predicted. If Miss married poorly, what future would this personal maid have?

  Fortunately, everything is different from before...

  Rui Xue's lips slightly curled up, and her footsteps became lighter.

  Ye Qinglan's eyes glanced at Rui Xue's face, which was trying to suppress her excitement, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

  To make someone devotedly follow you with all their heart, you must give them sufficient benefits. Although she is currently weak and powerless, she is a stock with infinite potential for the future.

  Rui Xue's eyes were still quite bright.

  Rui Xue's good mood was evident, and Zhou Mama couldn't help but glance at her a few times. Just as she was about to say something, Gui Yuan quickly asked: "Rui Xue sister, why are you so happy today? Is there some good news?"

  Is it good? I guess so!

  Rui Xue smiled and casually replied, "Today at the Ring Cui Pavilion, I really opened my eyes wide." Not to mention anything else, the jewelry on Sixth Miss's body was exquisite and expensive. Any one piece was much better than what their own miss wore.

  Guī Yuán's attention was immediately diverted, and she began to ask questions about the decorations in Huáng Cuì Gé. Ruì Xuě casually picked out a few things to talk about, and Guī Yuán listened with great interest, her big black eyes shining brightly, looking very cute.

  Zhou Mama was certainly not as naive and easy to fool as Guiyuan, her eyes swept across Rui Xue's face, but what she was thinking about, no one knew.

  Ye Qinglan quietly took in the expressions of the three people without making a sound.

  Having subdued Rui Xue, next, I need to think carefully about how to arrange for Zhou Mama and Gui Yuan.

  Osmanthus is still young, not yet mature and not clever enough. However, it's precisely because of this that she hasn't contracted those bad habits of being arrogant and reckless. The simplicity and honesty on her are quite likable. It's no harm to keep her by your side and slowly teach her.

  But this week, mom, it's better to send them off early.

  These days, Ye Qinglan has been quietly paying attention to every move of Zhou Mama.

  Zhou's mother took care of her trunks and private rooms, as well as all aspects of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. In terms of doing things, there was nothing major to pick on. However, for some reason, she just couldn't bring herself to feel much affection or closeness towards this worldly and smooth middle-aged woman. She always had a vague feeling that this would be a hidden trouble.

  And she had always been very trusting of her intuition.

  However, to drive Zhou Mama away, a suitable reason and excuse are needed. After all, she is the original owner's wet nurse, who has been by her side for many years, with no merit but hard work. According to the current custom, such a housekeeper mother would follow the young lady until she gets married, and even become an accompanying mother...

  Ye Qinglan's mind was racing with thoughts, but her face remained calm and serene.

  Just then, there was a sudden knock at the door.