Gu Jiangyue recognized this maid. Her name was Xiaocui. Originally from the Second Branch, she had been serving Gu Yimiao. But Gu Yimiao had sent her to Gu Jiangyue's courtyard, saying it was because Xiaocui was meticulous and good at taking care of others. In her past life, Gu Jiangyue had thought she and Gu Yimiao were really good sisters and had believed her. But reborn in this life, how could she be as naive as before?
Xiaocui was the spy Gu Yimiao had planted beside her.
The young ladies of the Gu Mansion were among the top in the capital. But Gu Yimiao was playful and not good at the eight arts. So she came up with a plan, which was to let Gu Jiangyue be the bottom scorer. Thus, she had always secretly encouraged Gu Jiangyue not to learn those things.
And Xiaocui was a means to monitor Gu Jiangyue.
"The young lady is back."
At this moment, Xiaocui also noticed Gu Jiangyue. Her clothes were much more exquisite than those of ordinary maids. Seeing Gu Jiangyue, she was too lazy to even get up. Holding a teacup in one hand, she glanced at her sideways, her eyes full of arrogance.
Under the "care" of the Second and Third Branches, Gu Jiangyue had become someone in the Gu Mansion whom even the servants could bully at will.
Before Gu Jiangyue could question Xiaocui, Xiaocui spoke first. Her voice was tinged with anger, and her expression was unfriendly as she frowned and stared at Gu Jiangyue.
"Why didn't the young lady wear the clothes sent by the Fifth Young Lady?"
The clothes sent by Gu Yimiao.
Gu Jiangyue sneered in her heart. Gu Yimiao would often send her some clothes. In her past life, because of sisterly affection, Gu Jiangyue had not refused and had worn them.
But the clothes Gu Yimiao sent were extremely exaggerated in color and style and made one look old. As a fifteen - year - old girl, when Gu Jiangyue wore them, everyone could tell they were not good - looking. But the people in the Gu Mansion not only didn't stop her, but also made fun of her, asking her to wear all kinds of gold and silver ornaments.
Gu Jiangyue was naturally very delicate. Without much dressing up, she was already stunning. But wearing the clothes sent by Gu Yimiao and the jewelry sent by others, she really looked ugly. But in her past life, in the midst of their praises, Gu Jiangyue had thought she was suitable for such gaudy clothes.
Today, Gu Jiangyue didn't dress up much. She had a gentle Suiyun hairstyle, and only wore a delicate jade hairpin on her head. She was in a white dress, light and clean. A cyan silk ribbon was gently tied around her waist, and there was a touch of light lipstick on her fair little face.
Ordinary people might find such a plain white dress too monotonous, but on Gu Jiangyue, it was different. The white dress made her look noble and cold, as if she would break at a touch, like a fairy descending to the mortal world.
Xiaocui was stunned for a moment when she saw her dressing, then came to her senses and stared at Gu Jiangyue discontentedly.
"The Fifth Young Lady kindly sent the dress to the young lady. Why didn't the young lady wear it?"
Seeing her like this, Gu Jiangyue let out a cold laugh.
"Since when has it been the servants' turn to discipline the masters in our Gu Mansion?"
Since Gu Yimiao had made the first move, don't blame her for being rude. She was no longer the Gu Jiangyue who had been bullied before. She had to live in the Gu Mansion until her father came back, and she had to live a glorious life.
Xiaocui was speechless for a moment. Why was Gu Jiangyue so different today? In the past, she would never have dared to disobey her and Gu Yimiao's orders. Xiaocui got off the chair, her voice tinged with a bit of cowardice, but she still refused to give in.
"The Fifth Young Lady will be sad if she doesn't see the young lady wearing the clothes she sent."
Gu Yimiao would be sad? Gu Jiangyue scoffed. If she didn't be the bottom scorer for her in the end, Gu Yimiao would naturally be sad.
Xiaocui looked at Gu Jiangyue in confusion. Gu Jiangyue was too abnormal today. Before she could think more, Gu Jiangyue's cold voice rang out in the courtyard, making Xiaocui tremble all over.
"Who is your real master after all? Do you want me to send you back so that you can continue to follow the Fifth Young Lady?"
Xiaocui was startled. Her whole body couldn't stop trembling. She didn't want to go back to Gu Yimiao's side. Had Gu Jiangyue discovered her? Thinking of this, Xiaocui quickly shook her head to deny the thought. It was impossible. Gu Jiangyue had always been stupid. How could she discover her?
She must stay in Gu Jiangyue's courtyard. If she failed her mission and dared to go back, Gu Yimiao would surely scold and beat her at every turn. She had finally curried favor with Gu Yimiao and entered Gu Jiangyue's courtyard. In Gu Jiangyue's courtyard, she had enjoyed unprecedented treatment on behalf of Gu Jiangyue.
She didn't want to leave here. She must stay.
Thinking of this, Xiaocui quickly put on a panicked and aggrieved look on her face.
"Please don't abandon this servant, young lady. This servant knows her mistake. This servant will never dare again. Please don't send this servant back."
She knew that Gu Jiangyue had always been the soft - hearted type. As long as she pretended to plead for mercy, Gu Jiangyue would surely be soft - hearted.
But Gu Jiangyue's next words were beyond her expectation.
Gu Jiangyue glanced at her indifferently, with disgust in her eyes. She hated betrayal the most. She had always been the most innocent person, but her kindness had been taken as capital for others to bully her.
Whether in her past life or now, she had never harmed anyone without reason. It was always others who bullied her. She didn't want to be involved in all the disputes like in her past life, but she had to get involved. Too many people couldn't stand to see her well, and too many people wanted to step on her corpse to get ahead.
All she could do was to save herself. She had to be cautious and plan every step carefully so that she could avenge her past life, protect her family and friends, and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
"Oh? You want to stay with me so much? Then prove your loyalty."
Before Xiaocui could react, she heard Gu Jiangyue speak again. Her tone was completely devoid of warmth, as if it could freeze people in the late spring, but there was an obvious smile on her face.
"Come, drag Xiaocui down and give her thirty big boards."
Xiaocui was stunned. For the first time, she saw a kind of majesty and temperament similar to that of a high - ranking person on this once - timid and stupid young lady. Her order was not to be disobeyed.
Xiaocui came to her senses. Her whole body was shaking violently, and her eyes were full of disbelief. This was not the Gu Jiangyue she knew. Gu Jiangyue would never dare to treat her like this.
Xiaocui didn't have time to think too much. Gu Jiangyue just stood there steadily, staring at her intently, clearly indicating that if she didn't take these thirty boards today, Gu Jiangyue would never give up.
She no longer had the arrogance and calmness on her face when she had first seen Gu Jiangyue. Xiaocui's knees hit the ground hard, and she kept hitting her forehead against the ground, mumbling.
"Miss, this servant is wrong. Please spare this servant. This servant really won't dare again."
Although she was a maid, she hadn't done much work in the Gu Mansion for so many years, and her skin was quite delicate. After thirty big boards, she would either be bruised and bloodied or even lose her life.
Gu Jiangyue looked down at the person kneeling at her feet and said,
"Why aren't you coming to drag her down?"