Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The Young Master had been very busy lately, constantly preparing for his trip to Shuzhou. The imperial court had allocated a considerable amount of money and manpower, clearly attaching great importance to the matter.

The Young Master’s coming-of-age ceremony was personally handled by the Old Madam, and it was held on a grand scale.

High officials and noble families all had to show respect to the Marquis of Qiyang’s Mansion, so they came one after another to offer their congratulations.

But I had something weighing on my mind, so I had no interest in admiring any of it.

I sent the servants of Xuyang Pavilion away and told them to help in the front courtyard.

At dusk, two unfamiliar mamas led me to the rear courtyard.

A bath strewn with flower petals, incense filling the air, garments of cloud silk.

The Marquis of Qiyang’s Mansion truly was extravagant. Even a maidservant could enjoy treatment like this.

The mamas drew my brows, tinted my lips, and arranged my hair.

Once everything was ready, they left. They had brought me to the Young Master’s room.

They did not linger, only telling me to wait for the Young Master to return.

I waited and waited, growing more anxious by the moment. Night was about to fall.

“Sister Xiacao?” Ming Yue’s voice sounded along with a knock at the door.

“Come in.” I was even more nervous and impatient than she was.

She came in carrying a wine pot and cups. When she saw me dressed in such finery, a flash of jealousy and resentment crossed her eyes.

I deliberately put on a proud air. “Why have you come to the rear courtyard?”

“Sister Xiacao, although we had a little unpleasantness before, we have still been good sisters for so many years. Today can be considered your wedding day, so I ought to come personally and offer you a cup of wine, shouldn’t I?”

“Really?”

“Oh, Sister Xiacao, what happened before was my fault. After today, your status will be different. Won’t your little sister still have to rely on you?”

“At least you know what’s good for you.” I smiled smugly.

Ming Yue poured a cup of wine and handed it to me. “Here. May Sister enjoy the Young Master’s favor all to yourself from now on. Your little sister drinks to you.”

I took the cup, brought it to my lips, and gave it a light sniff. Sure enough, it was drugged.

I hid the disdain in my eyes and took a sip without changing my expression, though I did not drink it all.

I set the cup on the table and said to her, “Don’t worry. In the end, you and I entered the mansion together. How could I truly hold a grudge against you? In the future…”

Before I could finish speaking, a wave of dizziness hit me. In truth, it was not enough to make me lose consciousness yet, but I was afraid there would not be time.

Ming Yue changed clothes with me, then dragged me out. My back scraped painfully against the ground.

She took me to a room, dumped me on the floor, and left.

I opened my eyes a crack. This was an old, run-down room west of Xuyang Pavilion.

The drug was taking effect, and I had little strength, so I simply closed my eyes.

I had not drunk that entire cup of wine. Though I knew Ming Yue did not have the nerve to take my life, I also did not dare let myself fall completely unconscious.

The Young Master was not so easy to fool; it was not as if he could not even recognize a person. I would just have to see how Ming Yue planned to pull the wool over his eyes and make it through tonight.

Ming Yue, oh Ming Yue, you must not disappoint me.

As long as she succeeded tonight, according to the household rules of the Marquis’s Mansion, the Young Master would not be able to take another bedchamber maid for the time being.

Besides, it was only the matter of a mere bedchamber maid. If the Young Master made a fuss and the Second Young Master spread word of it, who knew what outsiders would say about him? If he wanted to fight for the Position of Heir Apparent, he could not possibly disregard his own reputation.