Chapter Forty-Four: Deceiving the Master

  After the longevity banquet, Ye Qinglan began to pretend to be ill.

  Xue's family knew the truth, but still invited a doctor to come to their house. The so-called famous doctor in the capital city collected a high medical fee, opened a few prescriptions without any politeness, and then left after patting his butt.

  Since she had to pretend to be ill, she had to make it look real. So, Ye Qinglan spent the next three days lying in bed, drinking several bowls of thick and bitter black medicine every day. Although life was a bit suffocating, as long as she thought about the free life that awaited her, the current hardship was worth it.

  Out of courtesy, Ye Qingrou and Ye Qingning each came to visit once. They all sat for a while and then left. No one found out about Ye Qinglan's little trick of pretending to be ill.

  In fact, even Zhou Mama and Guiyuan were also kept in the dark. Only Rui Xue knew the inside story.

  Just as she was getting bored, someone came along and provided her with some entertainment.

  Hong Yu was previously very arrogant, but after entering the house and seeing Ye Qinglan, she somehow felt a little guilty and unconsciously restrained herself. She made a courtesy call with Hong Luan.

  According to the rules, as long as the master doesn't make a sound, they can't get up casually.

  Ye Qinglan gazed calmly at the two maidservants who were kneeling and paying their respects, remaining silent for a long time.

  This bowing and asking for peace gesture is really tiring...

  Hongyu's forehead was slightly beaded with sweat, and she gritted her teeth secretly, thinking of what to say next. Just then, Ye Qinglan said slowly, "Get up!"

  Hong Yu suppressed her anger and stood up straight with Hong Juan.

  "You two came to see me on your own initiative, it shouldn't just be to pay your respects, right?" Ye Qinglan's lips curled up in a smile, but her eyes were bright and sharp.

  Hongyu forced a smile and said: "Miss doesn't know yet, does she? The madam and the master have gone to Changhe Hall together, probably to discuss leaving Beijing. I thought that such news should also be told to Miss, so I came here presumptuously. I hope Miss won't think me too garrulous."

  Although what he said sounds good, the glint in his eyes is clearly a look of watching a show.

  Ye Qinglan sneered inwardly, but her face remained calm: "Oh? Really?"

  "Of course it's true. Unfortunately, Miss is still not feeling well, looks like we can't head back to Zhengzhou together, will have to stay in the capital."

  Hong Yu thought that Ye Qinglan would have some disbelieving expression after hearing such news. But unexpectedly, Ye Qinglan didn't take it to heart at all, and only responded with a faint "oh" before dropping the subject.

  Hong Yu felt somewhat unwilling and said: "If the young lady wants to follow us back to Zhengzhou, she might as well hurry to Changhe Hall now, perhaps there's still a chance for a turnaround."

  "That's not necessary." Ye Qinglan said slowly: "Since Mother has already made up her mind to keep me here, she must have her own reasons. By the way, is Mother planning to let you two stay and serve me?"

  Hong Yu was shocked, her eyes wide with surprise. Hong Juan also startled, raised her head in confusion.

  This was something that Mr. Xue had only instructed in the morning, and apart from themselves, no one else knew about it. How did Third Miss know?

  Ye Qinglan looked at the two of them with a stunned expression, and knew that she had guessed correctly. She smiled faintly and said: "You two are quite thoughtful to come and pay your respects so early. Don't worry, since Mother has given you both to me, I won't mistreat you." After a brief pause, she slowly added: "As long as you wholeheartedly serve me and don't harbor any evil intentions, that's all good."

  The last sentence is very meaningful and worth pondering.

  Hong Juan looked up and met Ye Qinglan's bright eyes, her heart skipped a beat, and she involuntarily lowered her head.

  Hong Yu quickly reacted: "Miss, rest assured that I will do my best to serve the master. Absolutely no second thoughts." The last sentence was actually not very sincere.

  Ye Qing's eyes sparkled slightly, and a hint of a smile played on her lips: "That's good."

  Hongyu doesn't need to be mentioned, she has already been listed as one of the people she dislikes the most. Xue Shi intentionally left her behind, making it clear that she wanted to cause trouble for herself. When there is a chance later, the first person to be dealt with will be her.

  This one called Hong Juan looks a bit more pleasing to the eye than Hong Yu. At least she doesn't have that overbearing and annoying attitude like Hong Yu...

  "If there's nothing else, you can leave first! Wait until Mother formally gives the two of you to me, it won't be too late for you to come over then."

  Ye Qinglan smiled from head to toe, seemingly without any temper. But in her soft and gentle words, it seemed that every sentence hid a needle. If you weren't careful, you'd be pricked and feel a dull ache.

  Hong Yu fell down everywhere in the wind, and it's useless to mention how suffocated she felt inside. She had no choice but to retreat with Hong Juan together.

  Rui Xue looked at her with a gloomy expression, and couldn't help but feel delighted. She smiled intentionally and said: "In the future, please come visit often. Oh, I almost forgot. From now on, we'll have to work together. Please take good care of me, Hong Yu sister." The sarcasm in her words was clear.

  Hongyu glared at her fiercely and walked away in a huff.

  Rui Xue felt a surge of relief and joy. She smiled as she watched the figures of Hong Yu and Hong Luan disappear into the distance, then turned back to Ye Qinglan: "Miss, does Madam really want to keep both of them?"

  "Of course it's true."

  Xue deliberately left the two big maids by her side, not only saving face in front of Ye Chengli, but also supervising her every move and being able to stir up trouble for her at any time, a true case of killing three birds with one stone.

  Rui Xue thought for a moment, and also understood the meaning of Xue Shi, couldn't help but anxiously say: "Miss, it's not that I'm talking nonsense. Hong Luan is still okay, but this Hong Yu has always been arrogant and domineering, relying on Madam's favoritism towards her, and normally doesn't put others in her eyes. If she also arrives at Miss' side, I'm afraid... the future days will be unbearable."

  Yè Qīnglán raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly: "Don't worry, I haven't even taken this kind of clown seriously."

  Her tone was very casual, as if she were talking about today's meal being unappetizing and throwing it away.

  For some reason, Rui Xue suddenly gained confidence, smiled and nodded, no longer mentioning Hong Yu and Hong Juan.

  In the afternoon, Xue and Ye Chengli came together.

  They came when Ye Qinglan was taking medicine. Hearing the movement outside the door, Ye Qinglan quickly put down her bowl and made a gesture to get out of bed.

  This scene fell into Ye Chengli's eyes, and he suddenly felt a few points of pity, and hurriedly said: "You're not well yet, don't get up."

  Ye Qinglan obediently responded with a "yes" and sat down on the bed, skipping the tedious formalities of greeting and asking after each other's well-being.

  Ye Chengli thought Ye Qinglan was pretending to be ill in order to stay in the capital, but the room was filled with a strong medicinal smell and Ye Qinglan looked weak and listless, so he couldn't help but believe it a bit.

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  Today's second update