Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Spring had arrived, and Madam sent people over with new clothes for the change of season. I felt the fabric, and my heart sank. I picked one at random and showed it to Young Master.

Young Master did not reach for it. He only glanced at it and said, “Mother has always been like this. No need to take it to heart.”

But I was still somewhat displeased. Every other young master in the residence dressed in finery. “Should we tell Old Madam?”

He smiled at me. “No need. I’m not some delicate young lady. There’s no need to care about clothes and adornments.”

Left with no choice, I could only put the clothes away.

Just then, an arrogant voice came from outside the door.

“Elder Brother… is Elder Brother inside?”

I hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Second Young Master.”

The man was dressed in brocade and finery. He was Ye Tingze, the Second Madam’s first child. He currently held a post in the Ministry of Revenue and was the legitimate son the Marquis valued most.

Before the New Year, no one knew what this Second Young Master had done, but it was said he had rendered meritorious service and received a reward from the Emperor. The Marquis’s Mansion had even held a banquet especially for it.

“It seems Elder Brother’s illness is more or less recovered. I didn’t come to visit before because I was afraid of catching the sickness. Elder Brother, you mustn’t blame your younger brother.”

Ye Tingze fanned himself, grinning broadly as he leaned far too close to Young Master’s face.

Though the weather had warmed somewhat these past few days, it was still early spring. This man must have something terribly wrong with him.

Ye Tingze was not so petty as to bully Young Master outright, but every time they met, he would, in some vague yet deliberate way… flaunt his own superiority in front of Young Master.

Young Master smiled as if he did not much care. “No matter. Second Brother is busy with official affairs, after all.”

“Indeed. A few days ago, His Highness the Crown Prince ordered me to assist him with the matter of commercial taxes. I have been terribly busy. So I must ask Elder Brother to take good care of your health… You mustn’t fall ill again.”

Ye Tingze smiled with ill intent.

Young Master’s expression did not change. “Second Brother, did you come today… for some other matter?”

Ye Tingze had always liked provoking Young Master, but he would not make a special trip just to spout a few useless words.

I stood quietly to the side with my head lowered, but to my surprise, Ye Tingze suddenly walked up to me. He reached out, pinched my chin, and forced me to lift my head.

He looked me over casually, as if examining an object. “This girl in Elder Brother’s room is rather pretty. Especially these eyes… Truly bewitching.”

I forced myself to stay calm, and then I heard Young Master say, “She is only a maid. Xiacao, go to the small kitchen and tell them to make me a dish of squirrel-shaped mandarin fish for lunch.”

“Yes.”

I hurriedly broke free from Ye Tingze’s hand, bowed, and withdrew.

This was not the first time I had met Ye Tingze. He was not a lecherous fool, so he must have had something he wished to discuss with Young Master in private.

Could it be… the Position of Heir Apparent?

The Marquis had yet to name an Heir Apparent, and the only reason was that he found it difficult to choose between the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master. Now that the Eldest Young Master had reached adulthood, and the Lu Family was about to enter the capital, the Marquis was anxious. He could not give up either side, much less offend either side.

The Eldest Young Master was of no use to the Marquis’s Mansion, while the Second Young Master had already begun to distinguish himself at court and had even won His Highness the Crown Prince’s favor.

On the Second Young Master’s birthday, the Eastern Palace had sent over many congratulatory gifts.

The Heir Apparent the Marquis favored was surely his second son, Ye Tingze. But… this did not accord with proper rites.

Ye Tingze had come to see our Young Master today, perhaps under the Marquis’s instructions.

They all wanted the Eldest Young Master to give it up of his own accord.

I could not help but smile. They wanted both face and substance. Was that not a little too greedy? I was the Eldest Young Master’s servant, so naturally, my heart was still on his side.

At that moment, Ming Yue suddenly walked past with a smile on her face, carrying a tea tray.

“Where are you going?” I called out to stop her.

Her eyes darted away as she said, “I… I heard the Second Young Master had come. I was going in to… serve tea.”

“The two young masters have important matters to discuss. We had best not go in and disturb them,” I kindly reminded her.

She was clearly displeased at being stopped and insisted on going in. “I won’t disturb them. I’m just going in to deliver tea.”

I was already vexed, so I simply picked up the tea tray and poured it onto the ground. “I said, don’t disturb the masters while they’re discussing business. Don’t go causing trouble and dragging me down with you!”

“Xiacao! What are you doing?” she cried, stamping her foot in anger.

Every time she saw the Second Young Master, her eyes lit up. Did she truly think no one could guess what was on her mind? I let her lose her temper and could not be bothered with her. I quickly went to the kitchen to order the fish Young Master wanted.

When I returned, Ye Tingze had already left.

Young Master’s complexion seemed fine, but I could not help asking, “Young Master, are you all right?”

He chuckled. “What could happen? Could he beat me to death here?”

I said nothing. It seemed Ye Tingze had not succeeded. He must have been furious.

I immediately breathed a sigh of relief, but my heart soon rose again. We had managed to deal with it this time, but the Position of Heir Apparent could not be delayed for much longer. They would certainly come again.

The reason the Marquis sent the Second Young Master to persuade him was because he himself could not bring himself to lose face.

Though he had long since lost the image of a loving father, he still maintained the dignity of one.

But if the person who came next time truly was the Marquis…