Chapter 64
Mrs. Cen smiled slightly, "Let Xin Yi go to Second Young Master's room."
Immediately, Qiao Wan had a few big words in her head, and they came crashing down.
It's all over, she had been busy for nothing.
After finally seeing Mrs. Cen's person, how could she just stop here?
Qiao Wan immediately squatted down and bowed, looking up sincerely with a hesitant expression, "Madam, I would like to stay and serve you."
Mu Fang looked at her in surprise.
When the master speaks, it's not appropriate for a servant to interrupt. But seeing that Mrs. Cen didn't react much, Mu Fang remained silent.
Mrs. Cen smiled, her expression very friendly.
She seemed surprised that this little maid in front of her dared to speak up.
"Don't you want to go to Second Young Master's room?"
She smiled, her face becoming even paler, and she coughed twice while covering her mouth.
Qiao Wan was on the ground, "I want to stay and serve you."
"Oh?" Mrs. Cen was a little puzzled, "Why do you want to stay and serve me?"
Qiao Wan said, "Because... because Madam is beautiful and kind."
No one dislikes hearing flattering words, and Mrs. Cen was no exception. When she heard this, she smiled and started chatting with Qiao Wan leisurely.
"Is Second Young Master not good enough?"
Qiao Wan said, "Second Young Master is indeed good, but... but I like Madam more."
"As soon as I saw Madam, I liked you from the bottom of my heart."
Mrs. Cen sighed, smiled slightly, and said, "I appreciate your kind intentions, but I really don't need so many people here. You can go and serve Second Young Master."
"Don't worry, Second Young Master is handsome and kind-hearted."
After saying this, she smiled faintly, lowered her head, and picked up the sutra on the table. It was clear that she had made up her mind and would not say anything more.
Mu Fang understood Mrs. Cen's meaning immediately and gently led Qiao Wan out.
Qiao Wan struggled desperately, reluctant to leave, and glanced at the main house, "Mu Sister, can't I stay and serve Madam?"
Mu Fang led Qiao Wan out and said, "Madam is doing this for your own good. If Madam wants you to go, then you should go. Why worry too much?"
"You see, there are so many people in this mansion who want to serve the young master but can't. Come on," Mu Fang pointed her finger at Qiao Wan's forehead and laughed, "Stop pretending to be innocent after getting a good deal."
"Let's go, I'll take you to Second Young Master's room."
Cen Qingyou lives in the "Yunxiu Yard" on the west side of the Cen Mansion.
There is a towering bodhi tree in the courtyard, it is evergreen all year round, and the shade is dense.
When Qiao Wan was led by Mu Fang, she didn't see any trace of Second Young Master Cen Qingyou. The only one left in the courtyard was the servant Ru Jing.
Ever since Cen Qingyou became a disciple of Venerable One Miaofa, he completely changed. He used to be the Second Young Master of the Cen family, living a luxurious life. But after becoming a monk, he started eating vegetarian meals and chanting Buddhist scriptures every day. He not only stopped wearing fancy clothes, but also dismissed all the servants.
Ru Jing had been serving Cen Qingyou since he was a child. He was the only servant who stayed by his side. As the privileged servant in the Cen family, Ru Jing felt both happy and distressed. On one hand, others had to go through him to get close to Cen Qingyou. On the other hand, he was the only one serving him and sometimes it got overwhelming.
Once, Ru Jing suggested finding some maids to help with the workload. However, Cen Qingyou firmly rejected the idea. He seemed determined to stay away from anything related to women. This made Ru Jing sad and frustrated. It was as if Cen Qingyou feared that the maids would tarnish his innocence.
When Mu Fang, a woman who served Mrs. Cen, entered the Yunxiu Yard with Qiao Wan, Ru Jing quickly greeted her and called her "sister Mu." He noticed the plain-looking girl standing next to Mu Fang and felt a little uneasy. He asked about her identity and Mu Fang explained that she was Xin Yi, a maid assigned to serve Second Young Master from now on. Xin Yi was new and inexperienced, so Ru Jing was asked to be patient with her.
After Mu Fang left, Ru Jing observed Qiao Wan with thoughtful eyes. She didn’t stand out in terms of appearance. He wondered how she had managed to pass all the challenges and win the favor of Mrs. Cen. The recent disturbances in Qizawa Province had been causing trouble, with demons appearing everywhere. Cen Qingyou had left early in the morning to exterminate the demons. Ru Jing feared how he would react if he returned and found a "disruptive female demon" in the house.
Ru Jing suggested showing Qiao Wan around and familiarizing her with the place. He would give her further instructions when Second Young Master returned. Qiao Wan thanked him and took a cloth to clean the table. She diligently cleaned every corner of the Yunxiu Yard. Watching her busy figure and the transformation of Yunxiu Yard, Ru Jing found himself facing a difficult decision.
As long as Qiao Wan had no ill intentions towards Second Young Master, Ru Jing scratched his head and decided to help her stay. But if she had ulterior motives, Ru Jing struggled with a heavy heart and thought that he would have to give up.
Oh, Second Young Master, I am devoted to you.
It was getting dark in the evening.
Second Young Master of the Cen family, Cen Qingyou, finally stepped on the setting sun and returned to "Yunxiu Yard".
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he was clearly surprised by the new look of the yard.
The entire "Yunxiu Yard" had never been so bright before.
Cen Qingyou looked astonished, the Buddha pendant on his forehead trembled, he paused for a moment and spoke softly, "Ru Jing?"
A young servant quickly came out of the house to welcome him.
Qiao Wan put down the cloth and asked, "Has Second Young Master returned?"
Qiao Wan stood behind the door frame and took a quick look outside.
The young man stood amidst the setting sun, asking in surprise, "What happened today?"
The flowers and plants in the courtyard had been carefully trimmed, and the corridors were clean and shiny, reflecting the sunlight.
Having a deep understanding of his close servant, Cen Qingyou obviously didn't think he was responsible for this.
Ru Jing smiled awkwardly.
"Young Master, Madame just dismissed a maid."
"A maid?"
Cen Qingyou suddenly stopped talking.
His gaze turned towards the doorway of the main house.
Qiao Wan stepped across the threshold, descended the steps, and approached, bowing, "Greetings, Second Young Master."
"It's you?"
Clearly, Cen Qingyou remembered their encounter in the corridor a few days ago.
After the initial surprise, a hint of apology appeared on his face, "I don't need a maid to serve me here."
After spending a day together, Ru Jing found himself quite fond of this young girl.
Most importantly, she was diligent and didn't talk much.
Seeing this, he quickly stepped forward to speak for Qiao Wan.
"Young Master, this was sent by Madam."
Cen Qingyou sighed helplessly, "As a person of the Buddhist tradition, I cannot let a female devotee serve me."
Ru Jing covered his face in distress, "But... Young Master, you have rejected many times already. If you reject again, Madam will be sad."
"And besides, it's already late... you can't just send her away like that..."
After all, she was his mother.
After rejecting so many times before, it would seem unreasonable to reject again.
Cen Qingyou's face showed visible signs of hesitation, and he reluctantly nodded, "Then... let her stay in Yunxiu Yard for now."
After speaking, he didn't even glance up at Qiao Wan, "I'm sorry to trouble you."
Qiao Wan was a bit surprised by the favor she was receiving.
But the young man had already turned around and walked back to the main house in his soft-soled shoes.
On her first night on duty, Qiao Wan stood obediently inside the house, waiting for instructions.
She used to serve Zhou Yan like this when they were in Kunshan.
Zhou Yan sat at the table, examining the sword manual, with his apprentice by his side.
Qiao Wan wasn't inexperienced in serving people.
But the young man sitting at the table seemed a bit uncomfortable.
Great Compassion Cliff was filled with men, and having a girl like her standing here so obediently, even if she didn't make a sound, made him feel uneasy.
Cen Qingyou put down the scroll in his hand and glanced at it before setting it aside. He then turned to Qiao Wan and gave her an awkward yet polite smile. "You don't need to serve here, you can go downstairs."
Qiao Wan didn't say anything and simply bowed before obediently stepping out of the room.
She stood tall, focusing on her breath and thoughts.
After a while, Qiao Wan heard the faint voice of a young man from inside the room, presumably Ru Jing. He was engaged in a conversation with Ru Jing.
"What did my mother say?"
"Sister Mu Fang said that since there are no maidservants to attend to you, the Lady is worried."
"What's wrong with that?" Ru Jing scoffed. "It's not like she's a servant girl from the inner chambers; she won't distract you from your cultivation."
The young man reprimanded, "Don't talk nonsense."
An ordinary servant girl wouldn't do either.
Since he had joined Venerable One Miaofa's sect, he should strictly abide by the precepts.
The allure of women can be distracting.
Mrs. Cen had spoken, and regardless of the reason, Qiao Wan was allowed to stay in Yunxiu Yard.
However, Cen Qingyou didn't really pay attention to her. If there was something to be done, she would do it on her own most of the time. If she couldn't handle it alone, she would call upon Ru Jing. His attitude towards Qiao Wan was polite but he wouldn't give her tasks unless necessary.
Qiao Wan didn't want to continue like this silently. It wasn't what she wished to see.
Every morning, Cen Qingyou would go to Cold Mountain Yard to pay his respects to Mrs. Cen. Qiao Wan's goal was to persuade Cen Qingyou to take her along in the mornings.
One evening, Qiao Wan quietly entered the room, carrying a cup of tea.
The young man was reading in the dim light of a candle, his black hair falling on his shoulders. The light from the candle illuminated his brows and eyes, giving them a gentle and delicate glow, bearing a resemblance to Mrs. Cen.
The young man noticed Qiao Wan's presence and looked up in surprise. "Xin Yi, what are you doing here?"
"I came to serve you, young master."
"I don't need you to serve me here, you can go rest."
Qiao Wan let out a soft "oh" before finally stopping before leaving.
Before leaving, she paused and turned her head to look at the young man in the candlelight.
Cen Qingyou was taken aback for a moment.
Seeing Qiao Wan holding the tea and the uncertain expression on her face, Cen Qingyou suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed.
Throughout his life, he had never lacked girls with ulterior motives around him.
Thinking back to what happened in the corridor and considering tonight's situation with Qiao Wan entering his room, Cen Qingyou couldn't help but stiffen.
If "Xin Yi" had intentionally blocked his way earlier, then he couldn't let her continue staying in the yard.
Thinking this, Cen Qingyou felt awkward and suddenly didn't know how to face this "scheming" maidservant.
So, Cen Qingyou forced a gentle yet distant smile and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Unexpectedly, the maidservant in front of him suddenly turned around and didn't leave.
She didn't leave?!
Cen Qingyou stiffened again.
Qiao Wan sneaked into the room with a hidden agenda, placing the tea on the table. She hesitated and asked, "I have been in Yunxiu Yard for some time now. Can I ask the young master a question?"
Cen Qingyou replied, "You may speak."
Qiao Wan confessed, "Why is the young master unwilling to have a maid to serve him?"
Qiao Wan calmly looked at Cen Qingyou.
This young man in front of her was said to be the disciple of Venerable One Miaofa.
She had never seen the famous Miaofa before, but she had seen Venerable One in her dreams. Compared to the Venerable One in her dreams, this young man in front of her was too inexperienced and naive in both words and demeanor.
Cen Qingyou remained silent for a while and finally confessed his true thoughts.
"I am a monk, I dare not be close to women, and I should not have a female maid to serve me. Women can disturb the peace of my mind."
He thought his reminder was kind and gentle enough, but to his surprise, the maid in front of him didn't seem to understand his meaning at all. She didn't even raise an eyebrow and asked, "Have I restrained you?"
Cen Qingyou shook his head, "Xin Yi, you have never restrained me."
Qiao Wan continued, "Then, is it someone else who has restrained you?"
Cen Qingyou thought for a moment and also shook his head.
Although there were maids in the residence who had ulterior motives, he had never been affected by them in terms of his meditation.
"No one has restrained you," Qiao Wan stared at him with her dark eyes and asked, "What are you avoiding, young master?"
Cen Qingyou was startled.
He was so intelligent that even the renowned Venerable One Miaofa had accepted him as a disciple.
Cen Qingyou quickly realized the situation, his eyes brightened, and his mind became clear. He looked at Qiao Wan and said, "Xin Yi, do you understand Buddhist principles?"
Thinking of the alluring face and enlightening chants from her dream, Qiao Wan scratched her head and said, "I understand a little."
After all, she listened to the monk's teachings under the Bodhi tree every night and learned a few things through exposure.
After speaking, Qiao Wan lifted her foot and continued to stand outside, keeping watch.
Cen Qingyou was left alone in the room, deep in thought.
After thinking for a long time, he looked up and saw the reflection of a figure on the window, clear as day.
He had misunderstood Xin Yi.
Cen Qingyou thought for a moment and called for Ru Jing to come over.
"Go," Cen Qingyou said gently, "get a piece of clothing for Xin Yi."
It was early spring, and the nights were chilly.
Ru Jing looked at his young master's face and doubted his own ears.
But Cen Qingyou's expression was calm and composed, without any inappropriate intention.
Ru Jing delicately expressed, "Young master, there are no women's clothes in the room."
Cen Qingyou paused for a moment and said, "Then bring one of my clothes for her to wear."
While Qiao Wan silently stood outside and looked at the sky, Ru Jing arrived.
He had a piece of clothing in his hand.
Qiao Wan's gaze landed on the clothes in his hand, and she hesitated before asking, "Is it for me?"
Ru Jing noticed the curiosity in her eyes, and he shook the old clothes in his hand and said, "The young master said it's chilly at night. You're a girl, so he wants you to wear it."
The white clothes with the scent of sandalwood drifted down.
Qiao Wan pulled up her sleeves and stood there in a daze, not reacting for a long time.
During their time in Kunshan, there had been many nights of staying up, but it was the first time someone had specially left her a piece of clothing.
From her fingertips touching the fabric, all the way to her skull.
Qiao Wan shivered all over, thinking of the young boy's appearance inside the room.
He got scared again.
The next day, Cen Qingyou called Ru Jing to bring her over.
The young boy sat at the table, with a small square box placed on top of it.
"It was me in the picture before." Cen Qingyou smiled awkwardly, his ears turning red. "Thank you, Xin Yi , for your guidance last night."
Indeed, he had thought too much.
No one was holding him back, he was the one trapping himself.
The young boy sat upright at the table, looking at the ordinary-looking girl in front of him, his face heating up.
Embarrassed.
After all, whether it was Qiao Wan or the other maidservants, they never had that intention.
He had been daydreaming all by himself, having too much free time.
Now, Cen Qingyou suddenly realized it, recalling the struggles he had gone through in the past, he felt embarrassed.
For Qiao Wan who revealed his secret yesterday, Cen Qingyou behaved very politely, raised his hand, and pushed the small box towards her.
"While gratitude should not be measured in material possessions." Cen Qingyou smiled with shame, he opened the small box.
When the small box was opened, Qiao Wan held her breath.
Her gaze fell straight into the box and couldn't move away.
The box was filled with a box of jewelry.
A pink jade bracelet, a golden hairpin with a butterfly, each one was exquisite.
There were even several pink jade butterfly brooches!
"I noticed that all the maidservants in the mansion had some jewelry, except for you."
"These jewelry pieces were made according to my taste, I don't know if you like them or not. If you don't like them, I'll ask Ru Jing to make something else."
"All of these are gratitude, please accept them."
Qiao Wan looked up at the young boy in front of her, her throat felt like it was blocked by something, her face turned red, and the temperature on her face kept rising.
Early in the morning, when Ru Jing just stepped onto the stairs.
Suddenly, a pink figure rushed towards him, holding a small wooden box and running quickly.
Looking closely, it turned out to be Xin Yi !
"Hey!! Xin Yi !" Ru Jing stared, dumbfounded, as he watched the pink figure disappear in the courtyard.
Did he just see it right?
Xin Yi she... she blushed?
Unable... unable to refuse.
The wooden box in her arms felt hot.
The pink butterfly jade brooches inside the box felt even hotter.
Qiao Wan 's face turned red, a wave of heat washed over her back, and she ran out of Yunxiu Yard against the wind.
But before she ran far, there was suddenly a loud "bang," and she collided with an obstacle, causing the wooden box in her hand to fly out.
Qiao Wan quickly reached out to grab it.
A slender and fair hand reached out as well, brushing past Qiao Wan 's fingertips.
Qiao Wan looked up.
The person who got hit, looked down, and calmly stared at her.
The young boy wore black boots, with a deep red brocade purse hanging from his waist, vermilion paste between his eyebrows, and his facial features were bright and beautiful.
He looked down with his eyelashes and stared at Qiao Wan with a cold gaze.
In an instant, Qiao Wan stood frozen in place, her whole body stiff, and the warm temperature on her face gradually faded away.
