Volume One, Chapter 20: Do the Other Maidservants Also Have to Endure Such Unreasonable Demands?

After Xiao Qin left, Xiao Huai took another look at the object in Yao Yan’s arms and asked, “What is this?”

The pillow given by the matriarch had jade stones embedded on both sides and was embroidered with intricate patterns. It was said to help soften the waist and hips, also aiding in intimacy by making it easier for a man to hold his partner.

“A pillow…” Yao Yan guessed he didn’t understand and took out the waist pillow she was holding. “This is the pillow the matriarch gave me to use when I sleep.”

Seeing her trying to brush him off, Xiao Huai didn’t press further. He hummed softly, “Then you can rest your head on it tonight. Don’t disappoint grandmother’s kindness.”

“…”

Though they were sleeping in the same bed, their rest was clearly separated. Xiao Huai pressed the quilt tightly with both arms, and Yao Yan could only stare at his back, feeling frustrated. She wanted to move closer but feared he might truly harm her.

She was still timid, cherishing her life.

Resting her head on the waist pillow felt uncomfortable. No matter how she turned, she couldn’t find a suitable position.

The soft rustle of a woman’s garments as she shifted beside him kept reaching Xiao Huai’s ears. He took a deep breath twice, contemplating whether to send her away.

His hand clenched the corner of the quilt, about to speak, when a voice came from behind.

“Young Master, may I not use the pillow?”

“No.”

Yao Yan couldn’t fall asleep. She shrank her body downward, thinking that since the young master was facing away, he wouldn’t see.

But before she could move even an inch, Xiao Huai turned around.

They ended up quite close; Yao Yan could even see his distinct eyelashes and her own reflection in his eyes.

Her fingers, hidden under the quilt, clenched the embroidered cover tightly, her breath quickening. “Young Master…”

Xiao Huai sat up, his arms circling her shoulders from both sides, assuming a dominant posture as if to press down on her.

Yao Yan shrank further into the quilt, slowly closing her eyes, her fingers loosening their grip on the quilt.

A heavy, masculine pressure descended upon her. Xiao Huai’s cold aura invaded her senses, almost suffocating her.

Her body tensed; it was all too sudden. Though she had prepared herself mentally, when the moment came, nervousness was inevitable.

Her lips trembled as she softly said, “Young Master, please be gentle. I’m afraid it will hurt.”

Xiao Huai paused, then lifted her arm from beneath the quilt and repositioned her head on the waist pillow. “What were you thinking about?”

“…”

Suddenly, a flush of warmth surged through Yao Yan’s body. A whimper escaped her throat as she burrowed into the quilt, biting her lip tightly. An embarrassing emotion stormed wildly in her mind.

Xiao Huai suppressed a smile. Seeing her hide under the quilt, he suddenly realized, “So you were thinking…”

Yao Yan covered her ears, cheeks burning red as she crawled out, vehemently denying, “I only said the pillow was a bit painful to rest on, nothing else. Young Master, please don’t misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand what?” Xiao Huai asked. “What did you think I was going to do? Why would I need to be gentle?”

“Nothing…” her voice was faint as a whisper.

Xiao Huai turned away again with a hint of amusement in his tone. “Oh, I get it now. You’re afraid of pain. Don’t worry, I won’t misunderstand you. I understand completely.”

Yao Yan quietly tugged at her sleeve…

·

The Yuan family of the Prime Minister’s residence was one of the most prominent clans in the capital. Prime Minister Yuan was highly trusted by the emperor, and countless suitors sought to marry into the family.

The youngest daughter, Yuan Chan, was clever and charming. Raised personally by her mother, Lady Yang of Hongnong, she was well-mannered and known throughout the capital.

Lady Shen had met Yuan Chan once at this year’s Flower Viewing Banquet and had liked her immediately, prompting thoughts of a marriage alliance.

Lady Shen had long been close friends with Lady Yang’s sister-in-law, Lady Miao. Today, Lady Miao delivered a formal invitation and brought Yuan Chan to the Xiao residence to speak, intending for Yuan Chan to meet Xiao Huai in person.

Unfortunately, Xiao Huai was out today, so Lady Miao left empty-handed. They ended up drinking tea in the warm chamber, but Yuan Chan couldn’t stay still and wanted to find Xiao Jingling. Lady Shen allowed her to go.

Coincidentally, since the incident with the Wang family, whenever Xiao Huai left, Xiao Jingling would often call Yao Yan over to talk, usually about matters of a young girl’s heart.

Wang Qi was now very sincere, repeatedly assuring Xiao Jingling he would not be foolish again. Under this onslaught, Xiao Jingling felt both joy and sorrow. Her resentment hadn’t faded, but she still cared for Wang Qi. Troubled and conflicted with no one to confide in, she could only call Yao Yan over.

Yuan Chan and Xiao Jingling merely knew each other and were not close, but it was better than sitting stiffly in the warm chamber.

Yuan Chan’s visit surprised Xiao Jingling. She did not think Yuan Chan would like Yao Yan and warned, “Don’t mention she’s my brother’s concubine maid, understand?”

Yao Yan nodded. Soon, a woman in a green dress entered gracefully. She was delicately beautiful, not a great beauty but with lively, unforgettable features.

Yuan Chan hadn’t expected anyone else in Xiao Jingling’s room. She hadn’t seen Yao Yan before. If she were a lady of any notable family, she would have seen her at various banquets. Could she be the daughter of a minor household?

“Jingling, who is this?”

Xiao Jingling rose to link arms with her and smiled. “She’s a maid from my quarters. I was just talking with her. Sister Chan, why the sudden visit? You didn’t even inform your younger sister; I wasn’t prepared with tea or snacks.”

“Aunt brought me here as a guest. I thought it had been a while since I last saw my sister, so I came. Yes, it’s a sudden visit. Sorry to startle you.”

Yuan Chan’s eyes curved as she sat where Yao Yan had been. “But your place lacks nothing, and I’m not picky. No need to prepare anything. Just talking with me is enough.”

Yao Yan poured tea for them, her gaze briefly resting on Yuan Chan before quickly withdrawing.

This was the woman seeking marriage with the young master? Indeed, a noble lady, quite a good match.

She felt no particular emotion but was somewhat uncomfortable, quietly attending to them and lowering her presence.

“Oh, I see,” Xiao Jingling teased, “Aunt Miao wants you to see my brother, to meet you two. Am I right?”

It was merely talk at this stage. Yuan Chan smiled, “Not even a stroke on the destiny chart yet—no meetings planned. Just a visit.”

In truth, Yuan Chan was satisfied with Xiao Huai—his family and achievements—but she still had many considerations. Despite the rumors, half-true or not, nothing happens without reason, especially in matters of marriage. Caution was necessary.

The two were not very familiar, so they chatted about the latest fashions, jewelry, and whose family was celebrating weddings. Yuan Chan’s eyes flicked to Yao Yan once, then she smiled. “Jingling, you treat your maid well. I noticed her clothes are quite new styles.”

Xiao Jingling didn’t want her to discover anything and replied vaguely, “She originally belonged to my grandmother’s quarters. Grandmother likes her, so I like her too, partly out of respect for grandmother. Also, she’s pretty. When dressed fashionably, I feel comfortable looking at her. The fabrics aren’t expensive, just what she likes.”

The conversation turned to her, and Yao Yan looked at the magnolia embroidery on her sleeve, standing like a doll under their scrutiny. She was not born to be a maid and disliked the feeling deeply.

After a while, Yuan Chan casually mentioned a favored maid in Xiao Huai’s quarters.

The term “favored” was exaggerated. Since he kept maids, those with interest would know under the matriarch’s direction. To outsiders, it sounded like a cover-up to hide his impotence.

Xiao Jingling actually hoped Yuan Chan would become her sister-in-law. Compared to the usual pretentious ladies, she preferred Yuan Chan’s nature and cared little about Yao Yan’s presence.

She said, “My brother is a man after all; having a concubine maid is nothing. Yuan sister, are you unhappy?”

“I’m not unhappy,” Yuan Chan shook her head. “I’m not someone important to him. Even if I marry him someday, I wouldn’t be so narrow-minded. My brothers all have maids serving them; why not Xiao Gongzi?”

She didn’t mind simply because Yao Yan was a maid. As the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s family, she looked down on comparing herself to a maid.

After about half an hour, Xiao Jingling found an excuse to send Yao Yan away.

Yao Yan walked along footprints left by earlier passersby in the snowy ground. The cold air filled her lungs, slowing the flow of her blood.

Thick snow covered the roof tiles of each house, and a few flakes occasionally fell onto her nose and cheeks.

From afar, she saw Xiao Qin standing in front of Xiao Huai’s courtyard, talking to Ping’er. He seemed to be holding a small box. Ping’er lowered her head, took the box, and hurried away.

Her heart sank. After Xiao Qin left, she hurried into the courtyard.

Ping’er sat in front of the bed, smiling foolishly. Hearing the door open, she held out the box to Yao Yan. “Yao Yan, look, this is what Second Young Master gave me.”

Inside the box was a delicate pearl hairpin shaped like a plum blossom.

Ping’er was clearly delighted and didn’t notice Yao Yan’s hesitation.

Yao Yan stood behind her, unable to bear the joy in Ping’er’s heart.

“Yao Yan, do you know? I never thought Second Young Master would like me,” Ping’er’s cheeks flushed deeply. “When he came to find me today, it felt like a dream—no, not even in dreams.”

“You tell me, how could Second Young Master, such a man, notice me?”

Before she finished, Yao Yan grasped her hand and, trying to sound objective, said, “Ping’er, what do you want? Do you want to be with Second Young Master? Like me, become a concubine maid?”

“But you’re different from me. Your parents would come to redeem you. If you really become Second Young Master’s concubine maid, how would you leave the household? How would you marry?” Her tone became more urgent, trying to pull her back from the wrong path.

Ping’er was somewhat startled by Yao Yan’s appearance and broke free, “Yao Yan, what’s wrong with you? I never said I want to be Second Young Master’s concubine maid. You, you…”

Seeing this, Yao Yan felt her words had been too abrupt and fell silent.

After a moment, she said, “I just don’t want you to become a concubine maid. There’s no future in it. If Second Young Master truly likes you and later elevates you to a concubine, life might be better. But he already has several maids. What would you do then? You’re so innocent—how could you compete with them?”

Every word came from her heart, wishing Ping’er would understand soon and never see Xiao Qin again.

Ping’er grew quiet, tracing the contours of the hairpin, muffling her voice. “Yao Yan, I know you mean well.”

Yao Yan looked up, waiting for her next words.

“But I still have an older brother who will marry and have children. Even if my parents remember me and come to redeem me, who knows when that will be? By then, I’ll be an old maid, unable to marry.” Ping’er’s eyes held a glimmer of hope. “If I stay with Second Young Master, I have a home, and can support my family with some money. My family will live better…”

She held up the hairpin, her voice tinged with inexplicable sadness. “Yao Yan, this hairpin costs eight taels of silver. My parents sold me for eight taels. But Second Young Master said he likes me. The maids in his courtyard were sent by their mothers; he doesn’t care much. I’m different.”

“Whether these words are lies or not, to me, having lived a bitter life, I just want to… plan something for myself.”

The plum blossom pearl hairpin shimmered faintly. Yao Yan turned her face away, saying no more, but she understood—Ping’er might leave soon.

She recalled herself, seeking Xiao Huai’s favor for a way out, yet she still had freedom. If Ping’er stayed, she might be trapped in the Xiao family forever.

They were both unfortunate souls. With better options, Yao Yan could no longer persuade her with the idea of a peaceful, content life. No one did not want a better future.

Ping’er promised to leave after fulfilling the matriarch’s orders. Yao Yan was grateful but could not be truly happy.

·

Xiao Huai noticed Yao Yan seemed unusually quiet today, lying on the bed without a word, unlike her usual self, which made him somewhat uneasy.

Her breathing was irregular, as if troubled by something, unable to find peace.

The moonlight grew stronger, casting pale light through the window. The north wind pressed against the eaves, rattling the door.

Yao Yan’s mind was filled with thoughts of Ping’er, unaware that a pair of eyes silently watched her. She was too absorbed, occasionally frowning, her fingers clenched tightly beneath the quilt.

Finally, when she reached clarity—understanding that everyone’s fate followed its own course—she lost the will to sleep.

She turned over, wanting to move closer to Xiao Huai, only to find that the one who had always faced away was now looking toward her.

Their eyes met unexpectedly. Yao Yan moved slightly closer to his chest. “Young Master, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Her thin shoulders were barely covered by her light nightgown. Xiao Huai did not reject her approach and asked, “What were you thinking just now?”

“Nothing,” Yao Yan’s hand reached for his quilt corner, softly saying, “Young Master, I feel so cold. Please hold me while I sleep.”

Xiao Huai felt oddly neglected. She had been lost in thought so long she forgot he was beside her. Not only did she not explain afterward, but she also wanted him to warm her.

He pressed down the corner of the quilt. “No. Tell me what you were thinking, and then I’ll consider holding you.”

If not afraid of being laughed at, Yao Yan really wanted to ask the other concubine maids in the young master’s courtyard if they had to endure such unreasonable demands in bed every night.