Chapter 63
When Qiao Wan returned to the room, she looked around and saw that Gui Qi and Du Heng were not there.
Perhaps they were up to something and feeling guilty at the moment.
Qiao Wan wasn't in a hurry either, maybe because she didn't really care about this matter in the first place.
After all, considering her age, she was approaching forty.
But she had come to the Cen family because of Mrs. Cen, and if Gui Qi and Du Heng kept making trouble, it would cause problems if it reached the head of the Cen family one day.
Qiao Wan didn't believe that any parent would have a good attitude towards someone trying to pursue their son. Now Gui Qi insisted that Qiao Wan had unclear intentions towards Cen Qingjia. After all, among all the maids, Qiao Wan was the only one who never spoke to the master, always had a poker face, and was not sociable.
How could Cen Qingjia suddenly pay more attention to her?
This was definitely intentional!
No wonder she had volunteered to take on the tasks in the Southern Study, she must have found out early that the young master would pass by there.
Inadvertently becoming synonymous with "calculating" and "restless", Qiao Wan felt a bit melancholy.
Sitting at the table, Qiao Wan waited for a while.
Finally, Gui Qi and Du Heng came back.
The girl with a round face had just stepped through the threshold when she saw Qiao Wan sitting at the table. Her steps slightly hesitated.
"Xin Yi , you're back?"
Gui Qi carefully observed Qiao Wan 's expression, looking a bit unnatural. "Did Grandma Chen cause you any trouble?"
Qiao Wan shook her head, not intending to deceive the girl in front of her.
"Did you pour water yesterday evening?"
Qiao Wan lifted her gaze, staring straight at her without flinching. "And about the young master, did you tell Grandma Chen as well?"
Gui Qi 's face immediately stiffened.
Perhaps it was her first time doing something like this, the girl's voice sounded confused as she managed to force out a forced smile. "Xin Yi , what are you talking about?"
Qiao Wan repeated, "Did you do it?"
Gui Qi 's smile on her face stiffened once again. "Xin Yi ... what do you mean? Are you suspecting me? That I told Grandma Chen about this?"
Qiao Wan repeated again, "Did you?"
Gui Qi 's face darkened. "What do you mean by this?!"
Du Heng looked at the two people confronting each other, took a step forward, with a serious expression and furrowed brows. "Xin Yi , what are you talking nonsense for? Gui Qi was just worried about you, and you misunderstood her like this?!"
Qiao Wan 's gaze swept past the two people, her eyes looked dark and calm.
Du Heng , who had been pretending to be calm and impartial, suddenly felt a lump in her throat, unable to say anything as she looked at the girl in front of her.
The girl in front of her had an eerily calm gaze, almost like a bystander, but her eyes were cold and fierce.
Under the sweep of this gaze, the words she had thought to say suddenly vanished from her mind, and a sense of fear emerged from the depths of her heart.
How...how could there be such a terrifying look in her eyes?
This...this kind of gaze, she had only seen it on the bodyguards of the Cen family before.
But those were cultivators, they were cultivators who had survived bloody battles.
Xin Yi had an ordinary appearance, there was no reason for her to have any connection with those cultivators.
Qiao Wan said, "I know why you did this, but I have nothing to do with the young master."
As she spoke, Qiao Wan picked up a chair from the ground.
Under Du Heng 's fearful gaze, she expressionlessly snapped it inch by inch.
Not only did she snap it, but she also squeezed it in her palm, gradually crumbling it into wood shavings.
"Perhaps someone thought that way, but I have never thought of climbing up to the young master and becoming a person by his side."
Throwing the wood shavings on the ground and clapping her hands, Qiao Wan looked at Gui Qi .
The girl with a round face took a step back in fear. Under Qiao Wan 's gaze, her heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat, her face became hot, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Even if you want to deal with enemies, you shouldn't direct it towards me."
Qiao Wan walked away in silence, leaving the two people in the room behind.
Just a few steps outside, she could hear the faint sobbing coming from inside.
When Qiao Wan returned to the room that night, the atmosphere was awkward and silent.
Gui Qi had red eyes, clearly from crying.
Du Heng and Gui Qi consoled each other while frowning at Qiao Wan.
Sometimes, there is this kind of clique between young girls.
The next day, Qiao Wan could feel that the way the other maids looked at her had changed.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, the maids who were talking there immediately scattered, holding Gui Qi's hand.
They whispered to Gui Qi while glancing at Qiao Wan with a mix of hostility and curiosity. Some even intentionally shouted, "Some people, who do they think they are? Their only focus is on those things."
"Even if she managed to marry the young master, so what? Will she really become a fairy?"
"Isn't it just because she's a bit strong? Hmph, like a bull."
Qiao Wan silently rolled up her sleeves, revealing her strong arm muscles. She walked to the well, lifted her hand, filled a bucket with water, and threw it without hesitation.
Bang!
The maids in front took a step back in fear.
Their gazes then fell on Qiao Wan's arms, and they fell silent.
At that moment, a cold and stern female voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
"What are you all doing here?!"
The maids quickly turned around and when they saw who it was, they became as silent as a mouse.
"Grandma Chen..."
The woman scanned the area and glanced at Qiao Wan.
Among the maids, someone stepped forward unwillingly, "Grandma Chen... Xin Yi, she..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she was pulled back by someone.
Gui Qi shook her head with red eyes and said, "Forget it..."
Only then did Grandma Chen shift her gaze from Qiao Wan back to the room. She turned around, her face cold, and said, "Everyone, come inside. I have something to discuss."
Reluctantly, everyone entered the room. Before leaving, they couldn't help but glare at Qiao Wan.
Once the maids lined up and stood properly, Grandma Chen finally spoke, bringing news.
"The maid responsible for serving tea and water in the Madam's room had some family matters to attend to and returned home."
"Now the Madam's room has a vacancy. Who among you wants to take up the position?"
As soon as she said this, the maids in the room began to stir.
To be in the Madam's room! To serve in the Madam's room!
Although it was just serving tea and water and sweeping, being able to serve in the Madam's room was like a heavenly opportunity.
Immediately, someone with courage stepped forward, saluted, and said, "I am willing."
Grandma Chen lowered her eyelids and said, "Don't be so hasty."
"Do you think it's so easy to enter the Madam's room?"
The maid serving the lady, both her appearance and behavior are top-notch.
Just you few uncultivated maids. The woman smirked, "Even if you want to serve, let me see if you have the ability."
"Whoever wants to go," Grandma Chen pointed her finger to the left, "come and stand here."
With a rush, everyone stood up, including Qiao Wan.
"Very well," Grandma Chen nodded emotionlessly, "let's start with you, what can you do?"
The first maid eagerly said, "I... I am hardworking. I have been doing embroidery for the family since I was young. Would Grandma Chen like to see the handkerchiefs I made?"
As she spoke, she reached into her sleeve.
Everyone knew the lady of the Cen family was skilled in using the "Silk Needle of Spirit".
But Grandma Chen didn't even glance at it, she sneered, "There's no shortage of skilled embroiderers in the house. Since you want to be an embroiderer so badly, why did you come here in the first place?"
The first maid sighed in disappointment and silently stepped back.
When it was Gui Qi's turn, she respectfully curtsied, "I can make tea, style over a hundred different hairstyles, and have some knowledge of music theory."
Grandma Chen's expression was neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, she nodded lightly and asked her to step back.
Before leaving, Gui Qi made sure to glance at Qiao Wan.
Her eyes were cold.
Feeling the faint hostility and provocation in her eyes, Qiao Wan looked away and didn't look at her.
"Now it's your turn."
Grandma Chen asked, "What can you do?"
Qiao Wan stepped forward with an unchanged expression, "I can do everything."
Grandma Chen's eyebrows furrowed, "Everything?"
Qiao Wan nodded, "I am skilled in qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, and have some knowledge of martial arts."
Before she could say anything else, there was a burst of whispers from behind.
The maids were all amazed by Qiao Wan's audacity.
Seeing Qiao Wan's calm demeanor, others were starting to feel embarrassed for her.
She claims to be skilled in everything, has she gone mad from wanting to serve in the lady's room?
Grandma Chen sneered, "You're quite confident."
But what Qiao Wan said was all true.
At this moment, one must also thank Lu Pihan for working so hard all these years, diligently cultivating Qiao Wan to become a poised and elegant lady.
Although Zhou Yan never revealed Lu Pihan's background, with the surname Lu, he should come from a side branch of one of the three major families.
Under the guidance of Elder Martial Brother's teachings over the years, even if Qiao Wan is not very capable, she has learned a little bit of superficial knowledge.
At least enough to present herself in front of others.
"Whether it's true or not, we'll know once we try."
Qiao Wan lifted her gaze.
The one speaking was Gui Qi.
Gui Qi smiled, "Instead of wondering if it's true or not, why not give it a try? If what Xin Yi said is true, it will broaden our horizons."
"I don't know as much as Xin Yi , but I do understand a little about music theory in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Unfortunately, my understanding is limited and my skills are rough," Gui Qi turned to Qiao Wan , "Xin Yi , would you be willing to give me some guidance?"
When Qiao Wan met Gui Qi's gaze, she knew that Gui Qi had taken a liking to her.
The flute that Qiao Wan held was the one she casually bought in Youxian Town last time.
To her surprise, Gui Qi also had a flute.
With the flute in her hand, Gui Qi bowed to Grandma Chen and began blowing it with a mournful sound.
As the flute played, the young girl's face was like a silver plate, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, and she concentrated with lowered eyes.
The flute melody was gentle and sweet, reaching its climax with intense emotions, rising and falling in waves, layer upon layer.
Qiao Wan felt that Gui Qi would be relentless until she surpassed her.
As the song ended, the lingering sound filled the air.
After finishing playing, Gui Qi seemed to be satisfied with her performance, as a hint of satisfaction appeared on her face.
She bowed to Qiao Wan , indicating for her to take the stage.
Qiao Wan calmly picked up the flute, believing in the power of music.
Through music, one could defeat enemies and heal wounds. Music could communicate with the heavens and the earth, and the great masters of music could even cause mountains to crumble.
Compared to Gui Qi , Qiao Wan could be considered cheating a little.
The flute's sound seemed to come from above the clouds, creating a grand and magnificent atmosphere.
At the end of the song, Gui Qi had a stiff expression and a chill ran down her spine.
She realized that Qiao Wan was not an ordinary person.
Recalling the scene of Qiao Wan easily breaking a chair with her bare hands a few days ago, Gui Qi trembled uncontrollably.
Is Lu Wan ... is she really a cultivator?
Before, Gui Qi thought that Qiao Wan was just bragging about her skills in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. But from this flute performance, it seemed she wasn't lying after all.
The maidservants present couldn't help but be shocked. Thinking about what they had said not long ago, their faces turned sour.
The answer was clear.
Qiao Wan would take over that position.
When Grandma Chen gave her opinion, no one dared to argue.
After the meeting, Qiao Wan walked away.
Unexpectedly, Gui Qi suddenly caught up to her and nervously asked, "I heard that there are musical cultivators among cultivators. Lu Wan , are you a musical cultivator?"
Qiao Wan stopped, shook her head, and reached into her waist.
In Gui Qi's terrified gaze, Qiao Wan slowly pulled out a snow-white rib.
Qiao Wan stuffed the rib into Gui Qi's hand with a sinister smile, "I am a physical cultivator."
The rib in her hand had graceful lines and a hint of warmth.
Crash!
Gui Qi couldn't catch her breath and fell on the ground, kicking her legs and sending the rib flying two feet away. She was almost scared out of her wits!
The woman stared at Qiao Wan in horror, sweat pouring down her face. It was as if two big words had fallen down on her head.
It's over.
Lu Wan ... she is not human!!
How could she be a cultivator?! She's not even human!!!
*
The next day, Qiao Wan prepared herself to go on duty.
For this reason, Qiao Wan became very determined and tried her best to make a good impression on Mrs. Cen before taking any further action.
Leading her was a maid named Mu Fang, who was also in the early stages of cultivating her qi.
Mrs. Cen, originally surnamed Jiang and named Jiang Rou, currently lived in Cold Mountain Yard. There was a cluster of bamboo planted in the yard, with a stream flowing through it, creating a simple and elegant scene.
Qiao Wan stopped in her tracks and looked up.
Noticing Qiao Wan's hesitation, Mu Fang followed her gaze and said, "That brothel is where the master resides."
Looking south from Cold Mountain Yard, one could see a corner of the courtyard standing under the clear sky, facing the yard from a distance.
Qiao Wan raised her foot again and caught up with Mu Fang, feeling slightly confused.
Doesn't the head of the Cen family live with Mrs. Cen?
In the yard, there was another person added. Mu Fang led Qiao Wan over to meet Mrs. Cen.
Until now, she had never felt so nervous. Qiao Wan's heart was pounding.
Following Mu Fang into the house, she saw a woman sitting on a couch, flipping through scriptures on a small table.
That was Mrs. Cen from the Cen family.
Mrs. Cen...
She wasn't quite what she had imagined.
The woman's appearance wasn't particularly beautiful, just like the furnishings in the yard, it was plain.
With willow-leaf eyebrows, an oval face, flowing cloud-like hair, and lips with a faint white color, she wore a gold bracelet on her snow-white wrist.
But Qiao Wan had never seen a female cultivator this gentle before.
Qiao Wan was a little dazed.
There were plenty of gentle female cultivators, but even female doctors carried a bit of sharpness. it was rare to see someone as mild as her, like a gentle spring breeze, calm as a peaceful lake, with a warm and soft tone of voice.
"Is this the new maid you have found?"
Mrs. Cen set aside the scriptures in her hands and looked up, revealing a delicate smile. She spoke slowly and calmly.
Without wasting any time, Qiao Wan quickly followed Mu Fang's lead and bowed, "This servant greets Madam."
With a quick glance, she suddenly noticed a hanging sword on the wall.
It was a sword in apricot red color, with a light and agile blade, shimmering like a cup of autumn water held in one's hands.
Mrs. Cen looked at Mu Fang with a slightly helpless smile, "I don't really need so many people in my house. Why did you go through the trouble of finding someone else?"
Hearing this, Qiao Wan's heart skipped a beat.
Mrs. Cen seemed to have thought of something and turned her head to ask, "Are there enough people in Second Young Master's house?"
Mu Fang replied, "Second Young Master just returned from the Grand Sun Sect and dismissed all the maids. Now, only Ru Jing is left to attend to him."
"But Ru Jing is just a servant boy, how can that be enough?" Mrs. Cen shook her head and once again looked at Qiao Wan.
Very gently, her eyes were like a bright spring, warm and kind, as if they carried a bit of encouragement.
Mrs. Cen smiled faintly, "Let Xin Yi go and serve in Second Young Master's house."
Suddenly, Qiao Wan's head was filled with big words that came crashing down with a loud "boom".
It was over.
All her work was for nothing.
