Chapter 027

Chapter 27: Two Feet Twisted Like a Pretzel, A Big Faceplant

Even though she didn’t think she would lose, Yu Zhi Yi still couldn’t resist Zi Yuan’s nonstop nagging and went to inspect the shops in the Capital. Of course, she wasn’t doing it only to calm Zi Yuan; her main goal was to give Yu Pan’er a chance.

Yu Pan’er caught it well.

These days, You Bing Yue was sick in bed. She could force herself to walk a few steps, but more than a quarter of an hour left her gasping and weak, and she had to lie back down. Yu Zhi Yi, the young madam, had gone out to inspect shops again. If not now to make a move, then when?

After learning that the young master would stay home today, Yu Pan’er asked Aunt Wen for leave, then spent a long time getting dressed up. She looked in the mirror: a sixteen-year-old girl with rosy cheeks and bright spring eyes. She spun once: a slim waist, like a willow in the wind. Much prettier than that rude farm girl and that empty-headed fake.

If the young master saw her like this, wouldn’t he be dazzled?

She checked his day’s route, then set up a desk in a pavilion he would pass. Holding a book, she kept looking toward the path.

Why isn’t he here yet?

Suddenly, her spirit jumped. He’s coming!

She hurried to lower her head and shook her head while reading The Three-Character Classic: “At the start, people are good by nature. Their natures are near, but their habits grow far apart…”

Closer!

Even closer!

Yu Pan’er read louder, and her tone grew more flirtatious.

Then nothing happened.

Du Zi Heng walked past the pavilion without even shifting his eyes. He didn’t even notice anyone was inside.

Yu Pan’er: “…”

Watching the handsome man walk away, she stared in disbelief. Then she sprang up. This chance was too rare to waste.

“Young master…”

Du Zi Heng had been thinking about the exam. Though he had studied since childhood and felt confident, this metropolitan exam would gather examinees from all over the Great Sheng Empire. He had heard of a few even from far off in the Capital City. They were strong rivals. He could not take it lightly.

The sudden female voice startled him. How to put it? It sounded like a duck with its neck pinched, harsh and grating.

He frowned and turned his head. A maid was swaying her waist toward him. Her waist wobbled as if it might snap at any time. While wobbling, her left foot tangled with her right, and she fell with a loud smack, flat on her face.

Du Zi Heng: “…”

He had seen people trip on a bump in the road or on their hem, but never someone who tied their own legs together and tripped.

Hands behind his back, he couldn’t help leaning his head a little away. His brows knotted. In his two eyes, one clearly said “…” and the other also said “…”

[If I’m not embarrassed, someone else will be.]

Swallowing her shame, Yu Pan’er got up and kept swaying toward him, though this time the wobble was much smaller.

“Young master…” Her pinched voice sounded very strange.

Du Zi Heng raised a hand and said: “Stop.”

Yu Pan’er almost wrenched her waist.

She looked at him with teary grievance. Du Zi Heng looked confused and turned to Du Lin: “Since when are our maids so out of line?”

Du Lin glanced at Yu Pan’er and recognized her at once: “Young master, she serves by the young madam, but lately she was sent to Aunt Wen to learn how to be a steward.”

Du Zi Heng’s face sank and he said: “The young madam has high hopes for you. This is how you repay her?”

He was angry and said: “Du Lin, ask Aunt Wen what she’s teaching. She didn’t learn anything good, only this foxy, rank-blind behavior.”

He flicked his sleeve and left.

Du Lin gave Yu Pan’er a gleeful look and answered: “Yes.”

Yu Pan’er stared in shock. This was not how it was supposed to go!

“Young master!”

She stopped swaying and hurried after him, but she didn’t catch Du Zi Heng. She ran into Aunt Wen, who came over after hearing the fuss.

Aunt Wen’s face was green with anger as she said: “You told me you needed leave for some business. Your business was to seduce the young master?”

“Foxy thing, is this how Yu Manor taught you rules?”

“Looks like before I teach you stewardship, I need to teach you how to be a servant first!”

“I’ll give you one day to memorize the manor rules. If you can’t, I won’t mind suggesting to the young madam that we replace you with someone who listens.”

When Yu Zhi Yi came back from inspecting two shops in the Capital City, she heard how Yu Pan’er not only failed to seduce the young master, she got a hard lesson from Aunt Wen instead.

Zi Yuan was furious and said: “That stupid girl should look in a mirror. How dare she dream of becoming a phoenix?”

Yu Zhi Yi laughed and said: “People should have dreams. What if they come true?”

She thought of her last life. While she worked hard to help Zhang Tian Shun build his power, she never dared dream. She only wanted to live a steady life someday, and keep the money she earned safe in her own hands, instead of spending it the moment it arrived on grain, weapons, and army supplies for him.

“Alright, don’t be mad. After she makes enough mistakes, I’ll send her back to Yu Manor, okay?”

Yu Zhi Yi coaxed Zi Yuan gently and said: “Look at this bolt of cloth. It’s soft and smooth. Clothes made from it will be pretty and comfortable. I’ll send it to Splendid Brocade Pavilion later. Have Red Luan make you two outfits.”

Not all maids were the same. In the Chancellor’s Manor, third class and below had no freedom in clothing and could only wear the uniform. Second class and above could make private clothes to their taste, but the style had to be close to the manor’s, so people could tell at a glance you were a maid of the Chancellor’s Manor, not the master.

Zi Yuan’s eyes lit up and she said: “Handmade by Red Luan?”

Red Luan’s skill needed no praise. Even with strict styles, she could add new touches on top of the rules.

Seeing the little miss was half soothed, Yu Zhi Yi brought out snacks she had bought in the street and said: “Here, osmanthus cakes, peach crisps, and roasted chicken from Qi Ji Pastry Shop. All your favorites.”

Zi Yuan’s eyes shone even brighter. Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t help but laugh. She was still a teenage girl, not yet the cool-headed steward from the last life who could stand on her own. A few pretty clothes and some tasty food could cheer her up at once.

Suddenly, Li Rou came in and announced: “Young madam, the young master is here.”

Yu Zhi Yi’s smile faded, leaving only polite warmth.

Du Zi Heng came in full of anger, but the moment he saw the easy, calm Yu Zhi Yi, half his anger vanished for no reason. She had a quiet, at-ease air, like a cup of clear tea. With her, restless feelings faded like magic.

He asked: “How was today’s inspection? Did anyone offend you?”

Watching the anger in his eyes drain away bit by bit and his accusing tone turn into concern, Yu Zhi Yi could only look at him with a face full of: “?”