Yingran angrily threw the handkerchief on the ground. Jingran walked over, picked it up, and found it was Ningyue's handkerchief. "What's this about?"
"She's truly a seductress. She's just something the master picked up!" Yingran's tone dripped with jealousy. Only then did Jingran understand what was going on. It turned out that the new maid, Ningyue, had won the master's extreme favor. She could freely enter and leave the master's room, and even received the highest monthly allowance.
The steward had spread the word that the master had said, "There's no upper limit to Miss Ningyue's monthly allowance. She can spend it as she wishes."
Everyone in the Tingran Pavilion had to follow Ningyue's orders.
Even as steady as Jingran was, she also thought the master's attitude towards Ningyue was special. "Don't be so jealous... Ningyue is indeed extremely beautiful, and her personality is also very good. She has the bearing to be the master's wife."
This remark completely enraged Yingran. "No matter how good - looking she is, she's just a maid!" How could she be their master?
Jingran didn't know what else to say. She just looked at Yingran pityingly. "Even if she's not qualified, neither you nor I are!" Not just Yingran, but every maid in the Tingran Pavilion had once fantasized about catching the master's eye.
Even though he was disabled, Xiao Xueyi was a well - known figure, with a huge fortune and in charge of the entire Xiao family. Yingran huffed and walked away.
Not far away, Lin Qingge walked over. "Greetings to the vice - master!"
Looking down at Jingran, she asked, "You said she's qualified to be the master's wife?"
"No, no. I just didn't want Yingran to be so delusional!" Jingran was very afraid of Lin Qingge. In the Tingran Pavilion, she was second only to Xiao Xueyi.
She was extremely capable. More than half of the Tingran Pavilion's business was managed by Lin Qingge. It was obvious to everyone that Lin Qingge was in love with Xiao Xueyi.
Now at the age of eighteen, she was looking forward to Xiao Xueyi marrying her into the Xiao family. Then the couple could live in harmony and manage the Tingran Pavilion together.
Lin Qingge raised her arm, about to strike. Unexpectedly, someone stopped her. "Vice - master, why bother with a maid!" The voice was soft and ethereal. The hand that grabbed hers was fair, delicate, with pink nails dotted with flower juice. It was Ningyue.
Lin Qingge's face darkened. "Who do you think you are! How dare you stop me?"
Ningyue was helpless. She had already heard the previous argument and didn't want to get involved. But unexpectedly, Jingran was being bullied by Lin Qingge for speaking up for her.
"Ningyue is no one special, but who are you exactly?"
"Sharp - tongued and shameless!" In her anger, Lin Qingge's veil fluttered in the wind.
Afraid that Ningyue would suffer, Jingran quickly tried to smooth things over. "It's all my fault. I'm no good!" If these two were to argue, it would surely be a laughingstock.
But unexpectedly, Ningyue helped her up. "Let's go and talk this over with the master. Do you dare?"
After saying that, she straightened her back. Tonight, she wasn't wearing a hat with a veil. In the moonlight, her expression was lazy and determined, with a half - smile. Lin Qingge felt her anger rising.
She really wanted to strike. Yes, she didn't dare to go in front of Xiao Xueyi to ask if Ningyue was someone special.
It was already late, and Lin Qingge couldn't enter Xiao Xueyi's courtyard.
In that courtyard, only Qingran and Lingfeng served him. Besides them, there was only this Ningyue!
She glared at them fiercely and then left. Ningyue supported Jingran. "Why did you let her bully you?"
Jingran still had a lingering fear. "You shouldn't have gotten involved... She's the most narrow - minded."
"If you offend Lin Qingge, you'll surely suffer!" Jingran was a bit worried about Ningyue. "Oh? Really!"
Afraid that she didn't understand, Jingran said, "The master values her business acumen, so he made Lin Qingge the vice - master."
Back in Xiao Xueyi's courtyard, Ningyue hesitated. She had taken in everything that had been said. Be the master's wife? What a strange title!
Could she really trust... Xiao Xueyi?
Her beautiful eyes flitted around. Suddenly, she picked up a pen and wrote vigorously on the paper. Somehow, the knowledge of medicine seemed to be ingrained in her mind. And she was also proficient in the art of poisons. One must always be on guard. Lin Qingge's actions had given her a big wake - up call.
The waters of the Tingran Pavilion were very deep!
"Master, look..." Qingran was furious when she heard that Jingran had been bullied by Lin Qingge. She added fuel to the fire in front of Xiao Xueyi.
Xiao Xueyi's face darkened. Everyone in the pavilion knew that he favored Ningyue. Was Lin Qingge getting too presumptuous because of his favor?
"Tell her, I'm no one special either!"
Then he asked Qingran to wheel him to Ningyue's place. Seeing the flickering candlelight, he knew she wasn't asleep. But unexpectedly, when he knocked on the door, the candlelight was immediately extinguished.
"Ningyue is already asleep. If there's anything, we'll discuss it tomorrow."
Xiao Xueyi thought thoughtfully. Was she angry? His heart sank. Was she unhappy?
Early the next morning, Lin Qingge was kneeling outside Xiao Xueyi's courtyard. Many servants and maids were gathered outside. Lin Qingge was wearing a plain dress and carrying thorns on her back.
After hearing the news, Ningyue rushed over. What a good move of retreating to advance! Her eyes were cold. At this time, Xiao Xueyi also came over. He waved for Ningyue to stand beside him, but Ningyue simply ignored him.
In Yingran's eyes, jealousy flared up again.
"I deserve to die for angering Miss Ningyue. I've come to apologize with thorns on my back!" For a moment, Ningyue was pushed into the spotlight.
After all, everyone in the Tingran Pavilion respected this vice - master very much. She was extremely capable and intelligent, no less than a man. In the city of Suzhou, she was a well - known figure. Now, she was kneeling and apologizing with thorns on her back for the master's favored maid. Immediately, the people outside the door looked at Ningyue with hatred.
Xiao Xueyi waved his hand. Lingfeng stepped forward. "Vice - master Lin, if you have something to say, you can report it to the master first... This show of yours is making it hard for the master!"
"Chief Steward Lingfeng, you're wrong! Is the master's maid more important than the vice - master?"
"Who cares about a beautiful maid! Vice - master Lin has made great contributions to the Tingran Pavilion over the years. Now she's kneeling for a maid!" Yingran was extremely pleased. She had been holding back for days.
"Yes, yes!" Everyone was talking.
Xiao Xueyi stared coldly at Lin Qingge. "Qingge, what do you have to say?"
"Master, it's my fault. So I came early to apologize to Ningyue. Please forgive me, Miss Ningyue!"
She showed a faint smile that was hardly noticeable. Everyone looked at Ningyue coldly. Although she was beautiful, in terms of sentiment, they still sided with Vice - master Lin more.