Chapter 17
There were several similar incidents afterward.
After all, the Fourth Miss was still young. In her moments of arrogance, besides sneaking out of the mansion, she also had a quarrel with the Sixth Miss of the Second Branch, during which the Sixth Miss accidentally fell down the steps and injured her head.
The Second Madam refused to let the matter go, escalating it into a dispute between the sisters-in-law. Lady Zhu, troubled, made me kneel and admit fault, bluntly saying that I was the closest and failed to hold back the Sixth Miss.
I took the opportunity to tearfully defend Zhang Mi: “The Fourth Miss truly did not touch her. She slipped on her own and fell down.”
Well, that did it-I offended the Second Madam and received another slap.
Afterward, Lady Zhu was satisfied and rewarded me with a piece of pastry, patting my hand and praising me for being clever and quick-witted.
The year Zhang Mi came of age, she began to experience the stirrings of love and took a liking to Jiang Ting, the Heir of the Loyal and Brave Marquis of Kaiping Mansion.
Jiang Ting had met her a few times, only because he was invited by her eldest brother to visit the mansion.
The First Young Master of the Censor’s Mansion, Zhang Yanli, was quite an interesting person. His scholarly achievements were mediocre, but relying on his family background, he managed to secure a minor official post in the Capital. How minor? Not even enough to be called a Banquet Archery Ceremony Official-his father, Zhang Censor, would feel embarrassed to mention it when out and about.
Though not particularly accomplished, he did have his strengths.
For example, he excelled at making friends, associating with the sons of officials and nobles in the Capital, playing chess today, polo tomorrow. He was eloquent and resourceful, truly his nature.
By chance, Zhang Mi saw the Heir Jiang a few times. The first time she greeted him from afar, she already kept him in her thoughts.
Jiang Ting, the Heir of the Loyal and Brave Marquis, possessed strikingly handsome looks and a graceful demeanor.
He was a libertine, truly a master of romance, and immediately saw through Zhang Mi’s budding feelings.
If she were an ordinary young lady, there would be none he dared not pursue. But Zhang Mi was different-she was a noble lady of the Censor’s Mansion.
To get involved with her would make it hard to retreat unscathed.
So Jiang Ting raised his brows, behaved with propriety, and ignored her girlish infatuation.
What cannot be obtained is always the most desirable. Zhang Mi thought of him day and night. When the Lantern Festival approached, she planned to leave the mansion again, just because she heard her eldest brother mention that he had invited Heir Jiang and others to Bright Moon Tower to view the lanterns.
I knew that if I kept it from Lady Zhu, I would surely be the one to take the blame, so I suggested seeking the Madam’s permission.
Zhang Mi naturally refused. After a standoff, she actually raised her hand and slapped me.
She scolded, “Mother chose so many maids for me, but I only keep you close. Xiao Chun, have you forgotten your place, that you dare to manage me?”
I was silent for a moment, lowered my eyes, and said, “The noble families are distinguished, and so is your status, Miss. Precisely because of this, you cannot act solely on your own will.”
“I just want to go out once.”
“This matter requires the Madam’s approval.”
“You know she won’t agree.”
“Then you shouldn’t go, Miss. The Madam said you have come of age and cannot act as you did before. She specifically instructed that she must be informed of your every move.”
“Xiao Chun! You…”
Zhang Mi, furious, pointed at me, but after a while, her anger faded.
She sighed, seeming to understand, then suddenly tugged my hand: “I didn’t mean to hit you just now. You don’t blame me, do you?”
That bright and beautiful face showed a trace of guilt, her eyes innocent and pure… I couldn’t help but recall the saying, “Like father, like son; like mother, like daughter.”
She and her mother truly were alike.