chapter 19
Chapter 19
It wasn’t long before Fox Shadow was summoned.
“Eldest Miss, what are your orders?”
Ye Piaoling smiled, “I have good news: you’re getting a promotion and a raise!”
“Hm?” Fox Shadow frowned, “Is Eldest Miss giving me a raise?”
“It’s not me giving you a raise, it’s Second Miss.”
Ye Piaoling pointed at Ye Xiangxiang and said, “Starting today, you’ll be working in her courtyard. She happens to need a leader for her Shadow Guards.”
Fox Shadow listened in silence.
He turned and walked to the door, picked up a brick, and came back.
Fox Shadow stood before Ye Piaoling, raising the brick high above her.
Ye Piaoling’s eyelid twitched, and she immediately stepped back, “What are you doing?”
Fox Shadow spoke word by word, “If Eldest Miss doesn’t want me anymore, then please kill me with this brick.”
Ye Piaoling: “…I thought you were going to kill me.”
Ye Piaoling twitched her lips, “What nonsense are you saying? I’m arranging a better future for you!”
“Eldest Miss, you should know, I don’t care about high rank or wealth. I just like Falling Petals Courtyard,” Fox Shadow sobbed, his tone mournful, “If you insist on sending me away, it’s as good as killing me.”
Ye Xiangxiang grew anxious at this, her face flushing as she called out, “Fox Shadow, you saved my life. If you come to my place, I promise I won’t treat you badly!”
“I don’t need your kindness,” Fox Shadow glanced at her, speaking emotionlessly, “When I saved you, it wasn’t about you. If it were someone else, I’d have saved them too. You don’t need to take it to heart, and you shouldn’t repay kindness with ingratitude by forcing me to your side.”
“I…”
That stings!
Ye Xiangxiang’s face turned from red to white in an instant, tears welling in her eyes.
Fox Shadow finished speaking and ignored her, instead dropping to his knees with a thud before Ye Piaoling, crying out, “Eldest Miss, if I ever do anything wrong, just tell me and I’ll change… Just please don’t give me away to someone else!”
Ye Xiangxiang couldn’t bear to watch, quickly covering her face with a handkerchief and running out.
Ye Piaoling watched her retreating figure, speechless.
Since ancient times, deep affection cannot be kept…
Looking down, Fox Shadow was still crying and wiping away tears.
“Get up,” Ye Piaoling said, her face dark.
Fox Shadow stood up, reluctantly tossing aside the brick.
“Eldest Miss, everything I said just now was from the heart.” Fox Shadow broke into a smile through his tears.
Ye Piaoling rubbed her temples in frustration.
Falling flowers are intentional, but flowing water is merciless. Fox Shadow didn’t want to go to Ye Xiangxiang’s side, and she couldn’t force it.
Hopefully, Ye Xiangxiang wouldn’t take it too hard…
…
Ye Xiangxiang left Falling Petals Courtyard, sobbing uncontrollably.
Fox Shadow’s cruel rejection left her both heartbroken and humiliated…
She hadn’t told Ye Piaoling that she’d already sent her maid to secretly invite Fox Shadow several times, but he’d refused every time.
She had once fantasized that Fox Shadow wouldn’t come to her because he hadn’t received Ye Piaoling’s permission.
Today, she finally mustered the courage to ask Ye Piaoling for him, but never expected such a tragic outcome…
Ye Xiangxiang cried as she walked forward.
“Oh, Second Miss, what sad thing has happened to make you cry so pitifully?”
Aunt Liu approached, her tone mocking.
Ye Xiangxiang had always been a little afraid of Aunt Liu. Even though Aunt Liu had lost her influence, that fear remained. She didn’t want to talk much, so she made a polite gesture and tried to leave.
But Aunt Liu grabbed her and dismissed the maids nearby.
“Judging by your direction, you just came from Falling Petals Courtyard, didn’t you?” Aunt Liu lowered her voice, sneering, “You’re always running to Falling Petals Courtyard. Anyone who doesn’t know would think you and Eldest Miss are close sisters, but I know you’re only after that handsome Shadow Guard by her side!”
“You-you’re talking nonsense…” Ye Xiangxiang stammered.
“You know perfectly well whether it’s nonsense,” Aunt Liu smiled, then continued, “Judging by your look today, I bet you finally worked up the courage to ask for him, only to be rejected, right? Was it Eldest Miss who refused to let him go?”
Ye Xiangxiang shook her head, whispering, “He refused himself…”
“Silly girl! You just went and confessed your feelings to someone else, of course he refused!”
“What do you mean?” Ye Xiangxiang asked, confused.
Aunt Liu said, “Did you ever wonder why, when Eldest Miss became useless, Fox Shadow was still willing to stay by her side?”
“Why?” Ye Xiangxiang didn’t understand.
Aunt Liu sneered, “A man and a woman alone in a courtyard for so long-why do you think?”
Ye Xiangxiang was shocked, “You mean, the two of them…”
“That Shadow Guard is strikingly handsome. If you can see it, don’t you think Eldest Miss can too?” Aunt Liu said, “I’ve heard for a long time that Eldest Miss treats that Shadow Guard very well, granting his every request… The two of them have long been lovers, secretly involved!”
“Impossible!” Ye Xiangxiang shook her head in fear, “When I went today, Eldest Miss said that as long as Fox Shadow was willing, she’d let him go to me… She even called Fox Shadow over and asked him in front of me…”
“They were just putting on a show for you!” Aunt Liu said, “You’re here crying your heart out, and they’re probably laughing at your foolishness behind your back!”
Ye Xiangxiang was stunned.
Scenes of Fox Shadow clinging to Ye Piaoling flashed through her mind. Her lips quivered, and tears fell again.
She murmured, “What should I do? I really like Fox Shadow…”
Aunt Liu smiled, lowering her voice, “There is a way-it just depends on whether you’re willing.”
“What way?” Ye Xiangxiang asked immediately.