"What are you girls doing here gossiping instead of working!"
At first, Yuzhu didn't pay much attention, but when she got closer and heard what they were saying, she was immediately trembling with anger. Pointing at the maids furiously, she said,
"If I catch you saying a single bad word about the young lady again, I'll tear your mouths right away!"
Yuzhu was, after all, the top - ranked maid beside Yun Xi. Hearing this, the maids immediately fell silent, shivering like cicadas in cold weather. But one of the maids who had spread the rumor looked disdainful and boldly retorted,
"You say we're gossiping. Then why did you return to the mansion alone that day? When others asked about the young lady, you were also evasive. Isn't that a sign of guilt?"
Yuzhu was caught off guard by the maid's back talk. Speechless with anger, she raised her hand and slapped the maid.
"The young lady's affairs are not something a lowly maid like you can question! If you really want to know, go ask the young lady yourself!"
Because the incident was sudden, Yuzhu was afraid of saying the wrong thing, so she didn't try to explain randomly. Instead, she chose to put it aside for the time being. She would discuss it with Yun Xi later and then make a decision!
After Yun Xi made a fuss about breakfast last time, the old lady immediately summoned the kitchen steward and scolded him. It wasn't that she cared much about Yun Xi. As the grandmother of the Yun family, she simply couldn't tolerate the situation in the mansion where servants dared to disrespect their masters. More importantly, she was really afraid of Yun Xi coming to her courtyard to bother her again.
Looking at the sumptuous meal on the table, Yun Xi licked her lips, rubbed her hands, and looked very happy. However, Yuzhu looked gloomy.
"Miss, did you even hear what I just said?"
While the young lady was only focused on enjoying the food, God knows what rumors were spreading outside! Thinking of the little maid who had talked back to her, Yuzhu felt a vague uneasiness in her heart.
"Miss, I don't think this matter is simple. There must be someone behind the scenes causing trouble."
Otherwise, how could the maids in the mansion know about the young lady and the Prince of Xian after just one day? If this got to the old lady's ears...
Just thinking about it gave Yuzhu a headache.
"Don't look so glum. Eating is the most important thing!"
Yun Xi didn't take it seriously. She pulled Yuzhu to sit down and started to feast on the food herself. Looking at the delicious dishes, Yuzhu had no appetite. With a bitter face, she said,
"Miss, why aren't you worried at all? This is obviously a frame - up against you!"
Yesterday, the young lady did go out with the Prince of Xian, but that was because the prince had saved her. It wasn't a pre - arranged meeting, and there was no hint of romance between them. She had wanted to report this matter to the master early in the morning, but the young lady wouldn't let her.
"If you're afraid of worrying the master and don't want to tell him about the robbery, I can tell the old lady! At least it can clear your name and prevent the servants in the mansion from spreading more and more outrageous rumors. By then, you really won't be able to defend yourself!"
"No need, no need."
Yun Xi was gnawing on a chicken leg and waved her hand casually,
"Let them spread the rumors. I'm upright and not afraid of any slander! The more they spread, the better!"
Hearing this, Yuzhu was on the verge of tears!
"You may be upright, but you can't stop some people from distorting the truth. Rumors can be very powerful. Miss, you've experienced that before!"
Hearing Yuzhu's words, Yun Xi's eyes sparkled. She stuffed a chicken leg into Yuzhu's hand with a smile,
"Bad mood affects your appetite. Have a chicken leg to calm down."
"Pfft! Miss is really an interesting person."
Hongluo, who had been silent all this time, suddenly couldn't help laughing. She used to be a water - fetching maid beside the queen. She suffered an undeserved disaster and was lucky enough to be saved by Yun Xi. So as soon as her injury was almost healed, she came to serve in the mansion. Because of her past in the palace, she was used to keeping silent and focusing on her work to avoid causing trouble for herself. However, after getting along with Yun Xi for a few days, she found that the eldest young lady of the Prime Minister's mansion was very special. She not only didn't act like a high - and - mighty young lady but was also very kind to her servants, which made Hongluo feel close to her from the bottom of her heart.
"Hongluo! Even you..."
Seeing that only she was anxious while the other two didn't seem to care at all, Yuzhu couldn't help feeling a bit dejected.
"Miss, it's better to put out the fire early. By the time it's burning your eyebrows, it'll be too late! What on earth are you thinking?"
Yun Xi took the handkerchief Hongluo handed her and wiped her hands. Instead of answering, she looked at Hongluo with a smile,
"Hongluo, what's your opinion?"
Yuzhu was usually a calm person, but when it came to matters related to the young lady, she would easily lose her cool because of her concern, just like the young lady's father. If she told her father about the robbery, her father would undoubtedly start an investigation immediately and arrest those hooligans. But if the news leaked, it would surely be used by people with ulterior motives. They might say that she had been defiled by the hooligans and lost her virginity. All kinds of rumors would spread everywhere, and she wouldn't be able to live with the shame! Moreover, even if the news didn't leak, this wasn't the right time.
When asked by Yun Xi, Hongluo thought for a while and said,
"In my humble opinion, the young lady must have her own plan, and the timing is not yet right."
Yun Xi's eyes lit up. She nodded appreciatively and encouraged her,
"Go on."
With Yun Xi's affirmation, Hongluo continued,
"If the young lady tells the old lady about the robbery, it can clear her name to some extent. But after all, the Prince of Xian is an outsider, and the young lady was seen with him. So, fundamentally, the problem won't be solved."
After hearing Hongluo's words, Yun Xi clapped her hands without hesitation. Then she reached out and tapped Yuzhu on the forehead,
"Yuzhu, you should learn from Hongluo. Don't be so flustered whenever something happens. Your young lady has a plan!"
Seeing Yun Xi showing off, Yuzhu covered her forehead and couldn't help rolling her eyes.
"Hongluo does make sense, and I was indeed too hasty. But as for the young lady's plan... I really can't see it."
All the young lady could think about was food. She shouldn't have talked about this topic with the young lady during the meal. Yuzhu sighed. Looking at Hongluo, who was smiling, she said earnestly,
"Hongluo, you've seen what our young lady is like. In the future, we should be more careful."
They should prevent their young lady from being taken advantage of and still cheering for the wrong people happily!
Seeing that Yuzhu sincerely accepted her, Hongluo immediately nodded seriously,
"Sister Yuzhu, don't worry! My life was saved by the young lady. I'm naturally willing to go through fire and water for her without hesitation!"
Yuzhu was touched and held Hongluo's hand. Yun Xi pretended to be disgusted,
"Hongluo, this is the Prime Minister's mansion, not some cult. One Yuzhu is scary enough. Don't be like her!"
"Miss!"
Yuzhu frowned, and Hongluo covered her mouth and snickered.
"I'm serious!" Yun Xi said with a straight face.
Although Yun Xi and Yuzhu were in a master - servant relationship, their friendship had long exceeded that. In Yun Xi's heart, Yuzhu was like family. Just like Yuzhu, who had been freed from slavery but still chose to stay as an old maid to take care of her. She sincerely hoped that Yuzhu could live for herself and be happy all her life!
When everything was settled, she would surely let Yuzhu live her own life!