Chapter 27: A Twisted Attempt
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Though Yu Zhi Yi wasn’t particularly worried about losing, Zi Yuan’s constant nagging wore her down. She finally decided to visit some shops in the capital, more to soothe Zi Yuan’s nerves than anything else.
Of course, her motivation wasn’t entirely selfless. Yu Zhi Yi also wanted to give Yu Pan’er a chance—a chance she seemed eager to take. The past few days had been taxing; You Bing Yue was bedridden, and though she managed to walk a little, more than fifteen minutes left her gasping and weak, forcing her back to bed. Meanwhile, Yu Zhi Yi, as the young madam, had left the estate to inspect their shops.
If Pan’er didn’t make her move now, then when would she?
After learning that the young master wasn’t leaving the estate today, Yu Pan’er sought Aunt Wen’s permission before spending a good while dressing up. She stood before the mirror, seeing her reflection—a sixteen-year-old girl with bright eyes and rosy cheeks. She turned slightly, admiring her slender waist and graceful figure.
“Much prettier than that rude farm girl or that brainless imposter,” she muttered, her eyes filled with determination.
If the young master saw her like this, wouldn’t he be smitten?
Yu Pan’er knew exactly where the young master would be passing today. She arranged a study desk in a pavilion along his route, sitting there with a book in her hands. Her eyes, however, kept darting to the end of the path.
“Why is he not here yet?” she wondered, growing impatient.
Suddenly, she straightened up. “There! He’s coming!”
Hurriedly, she lowered her head, pretending to read aloud from the book, “The Three Character Classic.”
“At the beginning of life, people are inherently good. Their natures are similar, but their habits grow apart…”
Closer! He was getting closer!
She raised her voice, her tone becoming more coquettish. But then… nothing.
Du Zi Heng walked right past the pavilion without even glancing in her direction. It was as if she didn’t exist.
“…” Yu Pan’er blinked, staring after the handsome young man as he moved farther away, disbelief clouding her eyes.
Suddenly, she jumped to her feet. “I can’t let this opportunity slip away!”
“Young master…” she called out.
Du Zi Heng, lost in thoughts about the upcoming exams, was startled by the sudden call. Since childhood, he had studied diligently and was confident in his knowledge, yet he knew he would be up against talented candidates from all over the Dasheng Empire. There were a few names he’d heard even here in Shengjing—formidable opponents he couldn’t underestimate.
The voice behind him… it sounded like a duck being strangled—high-pitched and painfully grating.
He turned, frowning, to see a maid approaching, swaying her hips as if her waist might break any moment. As if on cue, her left foot tangled with her right, and—
Thud!
She fell flat on her face.
“…” Du Zi Heng stood still, staring. He’d seen people trip over loose stones or the hem of their skirts, but never before had he witnessed someone tie their own legs into a knot and fall over.
He clasped his hands behind his back, tilting his head slightly, his brows furrowed in confusion, his eyes practically saying, “…”
“If I’m not embarrassed, then it’s someone else who’s embarrassed,” he thought.
Yu Pan’er swallowed her humiliation, forcing herself to stand up, her hips still swaying—though much less dramatically now—as she approached him again.
“Young master…” she tried once more, her voice strained as she forced it to sound soft.
“Stop!” Du Zi Heng commanded, raising his hand.
Yu Pan’er nearly twisted her waist again in shock, staring at him with teary eyes.
Du Zi Heng raised an eyebrow, then turned to Du Lin, the steward beside him. “Since when did the maids of this house become so undisciplined?”
Du Lin glanced at Yu Pan’er and recognized her instantly. “Young master, she’s the maid who used to serve the young madam. Recently, she’s been with Aunt Wen, training in household management.”
Du Zi Heng’s face darkened. “The young madam places high hopes in you, and this is how you repay her?” He flicked his sleeve in annoyance. “Du Lin, ask Aunt Wen what sort of lessons she’s been teaching lately—because this is clearly not proper behavior!”
He walked away, his expression stormy.
Du Lin couldn’t hide his amusement as he glanced at Yu Pan’er. “Understood!” he said loudly, relishing her discomfort.
Yu Pan’er stood frozen, wide-eyed with disbelief. This… this was not how it was supposed to go!
“Young master!” she called out, abandoning all pretense of seduction and running after him.
But she never caught up. Instead, she found herself intercepted by Aunt Wen, who had hurried over after hearing the commotion.
“You told me you had something important to do today,” Aunt Wen snapped, her face pale with anger. “Was this your ‘important’ task—trying to seduce the young master?!”
“Vixen! Is this the kind of behavior the Yu household teaches its maids?! Seems I need to teach you how to be a proper servant before anything else!”
Aunt Wen’s voice was sharp, her words biting. “You have one day to memorize the estate’s rules. If you can’t recite them by tomorrow, I’ll gladly recommend to the young madam that we replace you with someone who can!”
—
Yu Zhi Yi returned to the estate after inspecting two shops in Shengjing, only to hear about Pan’er’s failed attempt and Aunt Wen’s scolding.
Zi Yuan fumed. “That foolish girl! She should look in the mirror before thinking she could become a phoenix!”
Yu Zhi Yi laughed softly. “People need dreams, Zi Yuan. What if they come true?”
She smiled wistfully. “After all, when I worked tirelessly for Zhang Tian Shun in my past life, I never imagined I’d get the chance for a peaceful life, where the money I earned stayed in my own hands, instead of being spent on supplies for his armies.”
“All right, calm down,” Yu Zhi Yi coaxed gently. “Once she makes enough mistakes, I’ll send her back to the Yu estate. How about that?” She then brought out a piece of fabric, running her fingers over its soft, smooth surface. “Look at this—clothes made from it will be both comfortable and beautiful. I’ll send it to the Embroidery Workshop so Hong Luan can make you two outfits.”
Not all maids were equal, after all. Even among the Chancellor’s maids, only those ranked second class or higher could wear personalized clothing. Third class and below had to wear the estate’s uniform. Second class and higher maids could make their own clothes, but they still had to follow the estate’s strict design rules.
Zi Yuan’s eyes lit up. “You’ll have Hong Luan make them?”
Hong Luan’s skill was unmatched. Even within the strict design rules, she could create stunning variations.
Seeing Zi Yuan’s anger fade, Yu Zhi Yi brought out a box of pastries she’d bought. “Look—osmanthus cake, peach crisps, and Qi’s famous roasted chicken. All your favorites.”
Zi Yuan’s eyes shone even brighter, her annoyance completely forgotten.
Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Zi Yuan was still just a teenager, not yet the cold and capable steward she’d become in her past life. A few pretty outfits and some tasty treats were all it took to lift her spirits.
Just then, Li Rou entered, bowing slightly. “Young madam, the young master is here.”
Yu Zhi Yi’s smile softened, becoming polite and reserved.
Du Zi Heng stormed in, his face dark with anger. But as soon as he saw Yu Zhi Yi, relaxed and at ease, the fury in his chest seemed to dissipate by half. There was something about her—a calmness that reminded him of a cup of delicate tea. Just being near her made his restless emotions settle.
“How did the inspections go today? Did anyone give you trouble?” he asked, his anger fading, replaced by concern.
Yu Zhi Yi looked at him, bewildered, as the shift in his demeanor caught her off guard. Her expression seemed to say, “…?”