Chapter 432: A tender heart severs itself from the gentleman (1/2)

Chapter 432: A tender heart1 severs itself from the gentleman

In only a month, Baili Mingxiang had transformed into somebody reborn. Han Yunxi had the faint impression that it wasn’t just her looks that had changed, but something in her heart as well. As soon as she left the house, Baili Mingxiang bowed and said, “This servant greets esteemed wangfei.”

This…

Although she’d agreed to have Baili Mingxiang as a servant here after the latter recovered, the reality still took Han Yunxi by surprise. Even Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu, standing on the side, were unused to the change. Han Yunxi approached Baili Mingxiang and walked around her in a circle, her heart filled with emotions as she examined the girl. Finally she pulled the woman up with her own hands and murmured, “I won’t say anything else, just the same old words. If you want to leave one day, just go. I won’t force you to stay.”

“This servant will remember,” Baili Mingxiang murmured back.

Since this was the situation now, Han Yunxi simply accepted. As luck would have it, she needed an assistant anyways and had told Baili Mingxiang as much before. After coming in contact with poisons for so many years, the woman was sure to catch onto their qualities. She would be easier to teach than either of her other servants.

“Zhao mama, clear out one of the rooms downstairs for Mingxiang, then take her around to familiarize herself with the environment here,” Han Yunxi instructed.

Zhao mama liked Baili Mingxiang very much, so she had Su Xiaoyu do the cleaning while she took Baili Mingxiang for a personal tour. When Grand Concubine Yi was in charge, the Duke of Qin’s estate was full of strict and complicated regulations. Not only the estate, but each separate courtyard had its own system of rules and customs. Even the laundry rooms had their own laws. However, everything became much simpler once esteemed wangfei took the helm. To quote their mistress, “Anything’s fine as long as your words and actions don’t lose face for the Duke of Qin’s estate.”

Zhao mama took Baili Mingxiang all around until finally returning to the Hibiscus Courtyard. “Miss Mingxiang, you’ll be walking around this courtyard in the future, but we won’t disturb it today.”

Zhao mama then pointed at His Highness Duke of Qin’s quarters. “That’s His Highness’s living quarters. Without His Highness’s or esteemed wangfei’s permission, nobody is allowed to enter.”

“Mingxiang will remember. Zhao mama, you can just call me Mingxiang in the future,” Baili Mingxiang replied.

Zhao mama only nodded helplessly and added, “Aside from that rule, there aren’t any others in this courtyard. Leisurely Cloud Pavilion is the laxest of them all, so all you need to do is finish your work well. It’s getting late now, so let’s go back.”

Baili Mingxiang nodded again. She took a few steps before she paused to look back at the solemn and dignified building behind them. It seemed like she came to a decision, because her expression turned solemn and resolute.

“Miss Mingxiang, what are you looking at?” Zhao mama asked doubtfully.

“Nothing, let’s go,” Baili Mingxiang firmly turned her head away.

A hundred thoughts, a thousand feelings, but today the tender heart severs itself from the gentleman. Your Highness Duke of Qin, from this day on, Mingxiang shall be honored to be an attendant. From this day all, Mingxiang must never hold you in my heart again…

Su Xiaoyu hadn’t finished cleaning yet by the time Baili Mingxiang and Zhao mama returned to Leisurely Cloud Pavilion. Immediately, Zhao mama fetched some water to help her.

“Miss Mingxiang, please wait for a bit.” In Zhao mama’s heart, Baili Mingxiang would always be ranked above mere servants like herself. If she was here to serve, then it was only to wait upon esteemed wangfei.

Su Xiaoyu muttered, “Zhao mama, it’ll be faster if she helps with the cleaning.” It wasn’t clear whether she meant it intentionally, but her words were still loud enough for Baili Mingxiang to catch them. Baili Mingxiang examined Su Xiaoyu carefully before rolling up her sleeves and entering the room to work.

“You mustn’t, you mustn’t!” Zhao mama hastened to say, “Miss Mingxiang, esteemed wangfei already said not to leave you any hard tasks beyond serving tea and helping her with poisons.”

“Zhao mama, I’m going to be living in this room, so I’ll arrange it myself. And also, if you call me Miss Mingxiang again, I won’t answer you anymore.” Despite looking delicate and tender, Baili Mingxiang was quite strict when she wanted to be.

“Miss Mingxiang…” As soon as Zhao mama spoke, Baili Mingxiang creased her brows. Her serious expression was a little frightening, causing Zhao mama to docilely withdraw. She inwardly sighed with emotion. Those used to being mistresses are certainly different. She may be young, but she’s got quite the aura about her.

“Dratted girl, have you grown into your wings already? Bullying the new help, are you?” Zhao mama poked Su Xiaoyu on the nose.

Su Xiaoyu was feeling aggrieved. “Zhao mama, you know that esteemed wangfei doesn’t want to keep her here.”

“What does that have to do with you?!” Zhao mama exclaimed unhappily.

“Let’s make her suffer a bit so she’ll retreat!” Su Xiaoyu murmured in a low voice. Recently, she’d been stuck working out what to do. Han Yunxi had cooped herself in the study for days to organize her jewelry, so she hadn’t drank her usual morning tea in the courtyard. The plot she’d schemed out didn’t even have a chance to bare its fangs. She was already planning to change gears and find a chance in the study, only for Baili Mingxiang to arrive and get in the way!

“That idea of yours does make sense. Then how do you propose we make things difficult for her?” Zhao mama said with interest. Su Xiaoyu was thrilled, but suddenly saw Zhao mama’s expression turned unpleasant. She quickly shut her mouth and hung her head.

“You’re already thinking such things even though you’re still young. Goodness knows what you’ll do when you’re older?” Zhao mama said severely.

Su Xiaoyu’s heart clenched as cold sweat broke out all over her body. She had been too hasty back then. “Yu’er was wrong. Yu’er shouldn’t have meddled. Yu’er didn’t have any other intentions beyond trying to help esteemed wangfei. Yu’er will go find big sister Mingxiang and apologize right away!”

Su Xiaoyu was about to knock on the door when Zhao mama pulled her back. “Do you think you can interfere in matters between Mingxiang and esteemed wangfei? Don’t overestimate your strength! Go back and stand in the corner!”