Chapter 98: Living in fortune without knowing fortune (1/2)

Chapter 98: Living in fortune without knowing fortune

Only in charge of cleanup? That’s not what the Duke of Qin said!

Zhao mama gave a start before speaking earnestly, “Esteemed wangfei, this old servant…doesn’t understand what you mean.”

Now Han Yunxi was doubtful as well. “What did His Highness Duke of Qin tell you to do?”

Zhao mama didn’t know why esteemed wangfei would suddenly ask her this question, but she repeated her self-introduction again. “Esteemed wangfei, His Highness Duke of Qin told this old servant to come and serve you. If there’s anything needed in the future, please tell this old servant.”

Hearing this, Han Yunxi was shocked. Long Feiye had lied to her! No, he’d seized the opportunity to say he thought her place was dirty! Whether or not her place was dirty had nothing to do with him, so did he have to use such a venomous tongue?

Ludicrous!

Han Yunxi curled her lip and was about to speak when Zhao mama spoke again. “Esteemed wangfei, don’t you worry. Although this old servant is getting on in years, I’m much more easy to order around than those young girls. I’ve been here ever since the Duke of Qin’s residence was built.”

“That early? Then you should be counted as one of the senior figures here, right?” Han Yunxi found this unexpected. Little Chen Xiang was brand new with no background, so she didn’t have to fret about her. This Zhao mama had so much history that she must have had complicated experiences. She wouldn’t by chance be in league with Grand Concubine Yi and the rest, would she?

“Heheh, this old servant’s indeed a senior figure,” Zhao mama said proudly. “Esteemed wangfei, this old servant used to be from the imperial palace and watched His Highness grow up! His Highness trusts this old servant, so after he was made duke, he only brought me along. All affairs, both big and small in the Hibiscus Courtyard, are taken care of by this one here.”

These words were even more unexpected! So there was a servant in the Hibiscus Courtyard after all. She thought so! How could the guards clean the place so well if there wasn’t a servant on hand?

“How come I’ve never seen you before?” Of course, she was most concerned about this question.

“A few months ago, I went to my hometown in the south. As soon as I returned today, His Highness called me over,” Zhao mama said. Afraid that Han Yunxi didn’t believe her, she added, “Esteemed wangfei, I know all the guards in this Hibiscus Courtyard. If you don’t believe me, you can ask them.”

Zhao mama didn’t even have time to unpack her luggage when she arrived before His Highness summoned her to clean up Leisurely Cloud Pavilion, especially its study. When Zhao mama came and found out the new Qin Wangfei was living here, she was filled with doubts. She never expected his highness to allow such a woman to live in the Hibiscus Courtyard.

Didn’t he reject the thought of this marriage often in the past?

When she saw the smelly mess on the study table, she was completely terrified. His Highness had a severe case of mysophobia and hated filth and mess. Yet he still allowed esteemed wangfei to reduce the study to such a state? Only after Zhao mama cleaned everything up did His Highness deign to enter and sit down in the host’s seat. His first words were, “Zhao mama, in the future you’ll be serving here.”

Zhao mama was naturally curious, and tried to probe him with a question. “I heard that Qin Wangfei is very beautiful.”

But His Highness didn’t utter a word, nor did he look at her. Zhao mama naturally dared to ask no more, but couldn’t help but wonder if he doted on this Qin Wangfei. While she cleaned the courtyard, she found a guard and asked him about it. However, the guard wasn’t any the wiser. Though Zhao mama was still puzzled and disbelieving after pondering over it for a hundred times, she could ascertain one thing: since His Highness had allowed Qin Wangfei to live in the Hibiscus Courtyard and sent her over as a servant, he’d acknowledged this esteemed wangfei in the end.

A woman acknowledged by His Highness was naturally someone she’d serve with all her heart.

Hearing Zhao mama’s explanation, Han Yunxi asked, “Zhao mama, in that case, you’ve served His Highness since he was young, right?”

Zhao mama smiled and nodded, looking kind and benevolent. “All these years, His Highness is only used to this old servant serving him. This old servant’s clearer on his moods than even Grand Concubine Yi.”

“If you come here, then His Highness…” Han Yunxi asked.

“Esteemed wangfei, isn’t this all one courtyard? Don’t you worry, this old servant won’t be lazy,” Zhao mama smiled.

Han Yunxi remained stunned before saying ‘oh’ in response. She waved her hand. “Understood. There’s nothing else, so you can busy yourself first.”

“Esteemed wangfei, what do you want to eat tonight? This old servant will tell the kitchens,” Zhao mama was quite conscientious.

“You be the judge,” Han Yunxi said simply. Her entire mind was in disorder, so how could she think about what to eat?

After Zhao mama left, she sat unmoving on one side. Long Feiye actually gave her such an important servant? Was there a plot involved? Was she here to monitor her? Quickly, Han Yunxi discarded the idea. She was already within Long Feiye’s sphere of influence in the Hibiscus Courtyard, so wasn’t it easy to spy on her?

It really was strange!

What did that fellow mean by this?

—

That night, Zhao mama told the kitchens to cook quite a few meals. She really was a competent servant, doing all sorts of tasks proactively before retreating when she wasn’t needed so as to not disturb her masters. Han Yunxi had no idea that Zhao mama was secretly watching her from the shadows, though.

She had a good impression of this esteemed wangfei, but she still couldn’t understand. Why did His Highness Duke of Qin take a fancy to this woman? She once made a bet with Chu Xifeng. The latter bet that his highness wouldn’t be interested in woman before he reached his 30th birthday. She bet that he wouldn’t be moved by any woman for the rest of his life.

But since the Hibiscus Courtyard had a mistress now, Zhao mama was still very happy. At the very least, their Duke of Qin wouldn’t be lonely in his old age. Zhao mama decided that she should get closer to this mistress until they were familiar with each other, then teach her how to take care of His Highness.

—

After she finished busying herself in the study, Han Yunxi sat in the courtyard drinking tea, waving a hand at Zhao mama to get her to come over.

“What orders does esteemed wangfei have?” Zhao mama was very respectful.