Chapter 43: The Overbearing Slave

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  After the birthday banquet was over for three days, Xue Shi discussed with Ye Chengli about leaving Beijing.

  Ye Chengli was somewhat surprised: "Didn't we agree to stay for a few more days before leaving?" It's rare to come back once, so shouldn't you at least stay for ten or fifteen days before leaving?

  Xue Shi smiled and said, "We've been back for several days now, and it'll take a few more days on the road to get to Zhengzhou. Master's official duties are always busy, if we stay any longer, I'm afraid it will delay important matters. Besides, Yuan Zhou and Yu Shu's studies are urgent. Staying in the capital all the time, the two of them simply have no heart to read books."

  That's also true. Ye Chengli nodded and asked after a moment of contemplation: "What about Lan Jie?"

  Xue's family sighed: "Lan Jie's birthday banquet that day caught a cold, and she has been uncomfortable for several days. I even exempted her from morning and evening shifts. Yesterday, the doctor came again, saying that her illness was not cured, and she caught another cold, so she needs to take good care of herself."

  That is to say, Xue really intended to keep Ye Qinglan behind.

  Ye Chengli furrowed his brow. Although they had discussed this topic before, at this moment, he really didn't feel good about it in his heart.

  Xue Shi had made up his mind, no matter what, he must keep Ye Qinglan behind, and hurriedly said: "Don't worry, sir, I'll leave Hongyu and Honglian to take care of Sister Lan. At most one or two months, when Sister Lan's body is better, I'll send someone to pick her up and bring her back."

  Hongyu is the most capable and reliable maid beside Xue's family, Honglian is also a clever and quick-witted one, usually pleasing Xue. Xue left all her most capable maids to Ye Qinglan, which can be considered as a good investment.

  Ye Chengli was silent for a moment before finally sighing and responding.

  Xue's family quietly let out a breath, and then said: "This matter must be told to Grandpa and Grandma first. Since we have nothing else to do now, why don't we go to Changhe Hall?"

  Ye Chengli nodded and the couple left together without mentioning it again.

  Hong Yu and Hong Juan were talking in low voices together under the corridor.

  Hongyan said with some anxiety: "Hongyu, why did Madam suddenly ask us to stay and serve Third Miss?" Since Xue Shi revealed this intention, Hongyan's heart has been like fifteen buckets of water, up and down.

  Who doesn't know that the Xue family has always disliked the third young lady from a concubine? This time, she actually kept all her capable maids by her side to take care of the "weak and frail" third young lady, it's really incomprehensible.

  Hongyu smiled mysteriously: "Madam is doing this, of course, madam has her own intentions."

  Hongyan was taken aback and couldn't help but ponder the meaning of these words.

  Hongyu saw that she hadn't made a sound for half a day, so she deliberately clarified some more: "You should also think about it, Madam kept us here, naturally to let us serve Miss Third well." She intentionally emphasized the two words "serve".

  Hongyan wasn't a fool either, and she immediately understood, but still hesitated: "Is this really okay..."

  "Eh, what's wrong?" Hongyu said nonchalantly: "Even if Third Miss is a bit clever, she definitely can't win against Madam. Now we should focus on doing things for Madam with all our heart and making her happy, that's more important than anything." After a pause, she whispered: "Don't forget, the contracts of our sale are both in Madam's hands!"

  The last sentence struck the vital point and Hong Juan was also speechless.

  Hong Yu's eyes rolled around and she suddenly smiled: "Anyway, it doesn't matter, let's go see Third Miss now."

  Hong Juan was reluctant to go, but couldn't bear Hong Yu's urging, and had no choice but to follow her unwillingly. As soon as they walked out the door, they caught a strong whiff of medicine.

  Guī Yuán was intently guarding the stove, concentrating on watching the medicinal broth simmer in the sand pot. Just as she was thinking that the timing was almost right to bring the medicine into the house, a familiar voice suddenly rang out beside her ear: "Guī Yuán, is Third Miss inside?"

  It's Hong Yu!

  Osmanthus was secretly surprised, but she didn't dare to be slow on her face, and quickly got up to respond: "Yes, Miss has caught a cold, and hasn't even left the house for several days! Hongyu sister, what brings you here? Is it an order from Madam?"

  Hongyu lazily said to the little maid who was doing chores, "The mistress and master have both gone to Changhe Hall, I'll go with Honglian to pay respects to Third Miss."

  Everything seems fine, don't worry. Guī Yuán muttered to herself in her heart. How did she feel that Hóng Yù was actually up to no good...

  Hong Yu didn't even glance at her and walked forward to knock on the door.

  It was Rui Xue who opened the door. Rui Xue also didn't expect that the person who came was Hong Yu and Hong Luan, slightly stunned: "How did you two come?"

  In terms of age, the three are about the same. In terms of status, Hongyu is a first-class maid by Madam Xue's side, while Hongjuan is a second-class maid. Ruisnow, although also a first-class maid, serves only as the third young mistress who was born out of wedlock.

  Hong Yu, with an air of superiority, had always looked down on Rui Xue and responded with a hint of a smile: "I've come with Hong Juan to pay our respects to Third Miss."

  As he spoke, he was about to go inside.

  Rui Xue's face sank, blocking Hong Yu in front of her: "Is the master also someone you can see at will?" Following the usual practice, shouldn't she have waited for an announcement before entering? Hong Yu's actions clearly showed that she didn't take Ye Qinglan seriously.

  Hong Yu let out a soft hum and said proudly: "Get out of my way."

  Rui Xue's anger was simmering, and she refused to back down. Hong Juan saw that the two were at an impasse and felt uneasy, saying in a low voice, "Hong Yu, let Rui Xue go inform them first!"

  Hong Yu coldly smiled and said: "She thinks she can stop me? That's simply a fool's dream. Today, I must go in and see what she can do to me." As she spoke, she forcefully pushed Rui Xue away.

  Rui Xue was caught off guard and stumbled backward one step, almost falling over.

  Fortunately, Guī Yuán was quick and rushed over to support Ruì Xuě. Ruì Xuě also became angry, standing still and glaring: "Hóng Yù, don't think you can bully people just because the mistress dotes on you. I'm telling you, today you won't be able to barge in and disturb Miss's rest."

  "Who said I, Miss Rested, was disturbing you?" Red Jade retorted with a sharp tongue: "I clearly came to pay my respects to the miss, but it's you who won't let me in..."

  Just as things were about to get out of hand, a calm female voice came from inside: "Rui Xue, who's making all that racket at the door?"

  Rui Xue immediately gained a few more points of confidence as soon as she heard her master's voice, and responded loudly: "It's Hong Yu and Hong Juan from the mistress' side who have arrived."

  Ye Qinglan nodded and gave a faint order: "Let them in."

  Rui Xue hesitated for a moment, reluctantly responded with a "yes", and stepped aside. Hong Yu's high heels clicked as she cast a disdainful glance at Rui Xue before walking in.

  Although Hong Juan felt a bit uneasy in her heart, she had already come this far and couldn't just turn back now. She steeled herself and followed into Third Miss's bedroom.

  The smell of medicine in the room was several times stronger than outside.

  Ye Qinglan lazily sat on the edge of the bed, gazing over with a faint look.