Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Qi Yu did not stay for dinner.

Claiming he had matters to attend to in his study, he left alone after staying for only a short while.

I accompanied the young miss through her meal, and after helping her wash up, I prepared to return to my room to rest.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the courtyard gate, I was dragged into a corner.

The moonlight was dim. Qi Yu stared at me intently, his pitch-black eyes pressing down on me with a heavy gloom. His voice was icy.

“Are you really that desperate? A low-class, lowly merchant-you’re actually rushing to marry into that?”

I struggled, trying to shake off his hand. “Please conduct yourself with dignity, Heir. This servant is of humble birth; why should I not be able to marry?”

Having said that, I bit my lip slightly and looked up at him. “Besides, my marriage is for the young miss to decide. Who are you to this servant, Heir? And what does it have to do with you?”

Qi Yu froze for a moment. His gaze became dark and irritable, his voice deepening. “You are a maid of the Marquis Manor. Your priority is to serve your masters well. If you spend all day thinking about nonsense, how can you take proper care of the young miss?”

I took a deep breath and lowered my head, trying to keep my voice as flat as possible. “If this servant is at fault, the young miss will punish me. There is no need for the Heir to trouble himself.”

Perhaps my submissive appearance pleased him. After a long while, he suddenly let out a cold laugh and said nonchalantly, “Fine, stop making a scene. I know you’re just acting out because you’re angry.”

“But even if you resent me, you don’t need to just find any random man to marry. You know that I detest people who play tricks the most. I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t let there be a next.”

I was slightly stunned. Just as I was about to speak, I saw him brush off some dust and stand tall, regaining his usual arrogant demeanor.

“Take good care of Rouyi, and you won’t lack for rewards. If you serve her well, I might consider taking you in as a-”

He stopped mid-sentence, as if realizing he had said something he shouldn’t have. He shot me a resentful glare, flicked his sleeves, and left.

Qi Yu did not appear for the next few days. For some reason, I felt a sense of unease.

Sure enough, three days later, while I was helping the young miss change her clothes, she suddenly looked at me with a troubled expression.

“Tong Yue, I’m afraid the marriage with the Zhang Family is off.”

My movements faltered slightly as she continued, “A couple of days ago, Young Master Zhang fell off his horse for some reason and broke a leg. The First Madam of the Zhang Family implies that there might be something wrong with this match. She’s hinting that you have a ‘husband-cursing’ fate and wants to break the engagement.”

My body went stiff, and the blood rushed to my head.

It was Qi Yu.

He did this.

I bit my lower lip hard. Grievance, anger, and hatred surged in my heart, causing my face to turn deathly pale.

Why? Why won’t he let me go?

In this life, I clearly haven’t done anything. I only want to stay far away from them. Is even that not allowed?!

I suddenly remembered his unfinished words from that day. He wanted to say he would take me… as a concubine?

Realizing this, my chest began to heave violently. A faint taste of blood rose in my throat. I couldn’t hold on any longer; my vision went dark, and I collapsed.

As a maid, one actually has no right to choose their own path.

I had known from a very early age that a girl like me would either be paired off with a manservant, become a concubine for the son-in-law, or, if the young miss was exceptionally kind, be matched with a merchant’s manager.

I would have been willing to accept any of those.

But having lived a second life, I am no longer willing. I don’t want to be involved in anyone’s emotions ever again, especially Qi Yu’s.

Whether he wants to make me a concubine out of a desire to torment me or for some other reason, I want no part of it.

I thought to myself: I must find another way out.

A path that Qi Yu cannot interfere with.

I lay on the bed, silently staring at the white bed curtains for a long time.

It wasn’t until Xiao Cui, a maid who shared my room, brought in some water and called out to me in surprise.

“Tong Yue, you’re finally awake! You have no idea how long you’ve been asleep. The young miss has come to see you several times.”

Thinking of the young miss, my heart softened a little. In this life, I must never let her be hurt again.

I went to see Young Master Zhang.

Seeing that the visitor was me, the First Madam of the Zhang Family was very displeased. Clutching her handkerchief, she acted in a sarcastic and petty manner, not wanting to let me in.

It was only when Zhang Ye called out that she finally permitted me to enter.

On the daybed, Young Master Zhang was lying down in his clothes, one leg suspended in a cast.

He shifted his body with some embarrassment. “My movements are restricted; please forgive me, Miss.”

“If you have come today to ask about the cancellation of the engagement-”

He glanced at me and gave a bitter smile. “Since you already belong to someone else, Miss, why make things difficult for people like us? I am but a commoner; how would I dare to snatch someone from the Heir?”

I lowered my eyes and clenched my fists slightly. It really was Qi Yu.

However, besides confirming this matter, I had one more urgent task today.

I took a deep breath, looked up to meet the man’s eyes, and spoke.

“I have come today to ask for a favor, Young Master Zhang. I wish to meet your master-the Nine-Thousand-Year Lord.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, his previously calm expression instantly tightened. His eyes turned sharp as they bore into me, and his voice dropped low.

“How did you know?”

How did I know who the master behind him was?

After a moment of silence, I said softly, “Once we meet, you will understand, Young Master.”