Chapter 87 - This Servant Has No Ill Intentions
True to his expectations, Zuo Shaoqing spotted Jiang Che in the midst of the crowd. Sensing his gaze, Jiang Che turned around and flashed him a radiant smile, even raising his glass in a distant toast.
Zuo Shaoqing's mouth twitched, and he averted his gaze, pretending not to have noticed.
Unbeknownst to him, Jiang Che's smile widened upon seeing his reaction.
As soon as she entered the parlor, Mrs. Xue promptly recognized her own sister.
Had it not been for Zuo Shaoling's incident, Mrs. Xue might have believed that she could rival her younger sister in terms of beauty. Sadly, in the short span of time since then, the trials and tribulations had turned Mrs. Xue's temples gray and etched wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
The two sisters embraced each other, shedding tears of joy. Some onlookers were curious, some surprised, and a few even recognized Mrs. Xue, offering their comfort.
After the initial round of introductions, Mrs. Xue swiftly introduced Zuo Shuhui to the other wives. In just a few words, they discussed their family's circumstances, primarily the fact that two children were preparing for the Spring Festival and were highly cherished by Master Lu.
No one questioned this. After all, Duke Zhen Manor was not a place that just anyone could enter. Since they were here, the Zuo Family must have some remarkable status.
Regardless of their thoughts, everything appeared harmonious.
The hostess sat down briefly, exchanging pleasantries with the ladies and allowing them to begin their meal, promising that there would be entertainment later.
Many assumed that the hostess was genuinely intent on selecting a wife for Master Lu. As a result, they brought their young daughters, all of suitable age and fair appearance. In an instant, the hall was adorned with countless blossoms, bustling with chatter and excitement.
Zuo Shuhui covertly observed her potential competitors. Her vision was not as sharp as Mrs. Xue's, and she had grown accustomed to being praised in her hometown. She believed herself to be an exceptional beauty, yet she was unaware that the capital was home to many outstanding individuals.
“Your attire is quite unique, dear sister. Whose craftsmanship do these clothes belong to?” A charming young lady with sparkling eyes tugged at Zuo Shuhui's sleeve and inquired.
Zuo Shuhui responded with a modest smile tinged with pride, “I apologize for my presumptuousness, sister. These garments are of my own embroidery.”
“Oh, my sister is quite skilled!” The girl raised her voice to draw the table's attention, giggling as she continued, “See, everyone? Sister Hui's hands are incredibly deft. The peonies on her attire resemble real ones!”
Even Zuo Shuhui, not known for her intelligence, sensed a shift in the atmosphere. As she observed the praises pouring in from everyone and the scornful glances directed her way, a sinking feeling settled in her heart.
Amidst the impending internal discord, the current setting appeared significantly more harmonious. A few rounds of drinks quickly lifted the mood.
Zuo Shaoqing, still quite young, went largely unnoticed in the crowd. Consequently, he quietly indulged in food and drink. Occasionally, his gaze would drift towards Lu Zheng. However, considering the number of individuals surreptitiously eyeing Lu Zheng, Zuo Shaoqing didn't stand out.
A serving girl holding a jug of wine accidentally spilled it. Zuo Shaoqing's attention remained fixed on Lu Zheng, and he only registered a faint voice exclaiming, “Oh… Young Master, please forgive me!”
Zuo Shaoqing snapped back to reality, his gaze dropping to his wine-stained attire, his expression turning into a frown.
Lost in thought, Zuo Shaoqing was caught off guard as the kneeling maid began trembling and kowtowing, “Please, Young Noble, forgive me! It was entirely unintentional!”
Zuo Shaoqing's frown deepened. He hadn't uttered a word, so how had he frightened this young girl so profoundly?
What puzzled him more was the disapproving glances from many around him. Zuo Shaoqing swiftly assured, “No need to worry, it's just that my clothes got wet. Please, stand up.”
Unexpectedly, the maidservant remained obstinate. Not only did she refuse to rise, but she also intensified her apologies, her head knocking against the ground with a resounding “Clang Clang.”
The surroundings fell into silence, and the gazes directed at Zuo Shaoqing bore into him.
Zuo Shaoqing muttered a curse under his breath. He realized he had walked into a trap. Anxious, he stood up, extending his hands to help her, but refrained from touching her due to the presence of both men and women.
His face flushed, and he stammered, “This… Sister, please don't be like this. I have no intention of blaming you, but you…”
His anxiety was palpable, making his vision swim. His eyes welled with tears, and he appeared like a wronged rabbit. He couldn't afford to be linked to bullying the young girl.
“What's happening here?” Lu Zheng's authoritative voice resonated, eliciting a hidden sigh of relief from Zuo Shaoqing.
His eyes reddened as he raised his chin slightly, nervously tugging at his sleeve, and stuttered, “This sister accidentally spilled wine all over herself, and I don't know if she got frightened, but she knelt down and wouldn't rise. I definitely hold no grudge against her.”
Lu Zheng cast a stern look at the still sobbing servant on the ground and scolded, “Get up quickly! What's taking so long? Fetch the attire for the Zuo clan's third young master.”
The maidservant nodded in obedience. Zuo Shaoqing gave a courteous bow to Lu Zheng and expressed his apology before following the girl toward the mansion's backyard.
Zuo Shaoqing remained cautious, sensing something amiss with the maid. However, the fact that Lu Zheng had taken no untoward actions eased his anxiety.
Inside a lavishly decorated room, the servant girl presented a set of elegant robes to Zuo Shaoqing with the utmost respect.
Ensuring that the room was empty, Zuo Shaoqing signaled for the maidservants to leave, then closed the door to change into the robes.
To his surprise, the robe fitted him perfectly, as if it had been tailor-made. Zuo Shaoqing caressed the smooth fabric and couldn't help but think:
Could it be that Lu Zheng had prepared this specially for him?
As he finished changing and reached for the door handle, he nearly collided with a woman carrying a basin and a handkerchief.
The woman was initially startled upon seeing Zuo Shaoqing, and the water basin in her hands nearly slipped to the ground. Fortunately, Zuo Shaoqing swiftly caught it, preventing his clothes from getting wet.
The woman flashed a sweet smile at him, revealing two captivating dimples. “Thank you, young master, for your assistance!”
Zuo Shaoqing was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected one of Wu Steel Manor's servants to be so beautiful. It seemed like Lu Zheng had been deceived.
The woman curtsied gracefully, her melodious voice reminiscent of a songbird's. “I heard that Young Master's clothes got wet, so I brought some water for you to freshen up.”
Her open demeanor easily won a favorable impression from Zuo Shaoqing. He didn't make things difficult for her and simply declined, “No need, my attire has already been changed. Please escort me to the main hall.”
The woman smiled once more, placed the water basin inside, and approached him with the handkerchief in hand. She blinked playfully and commented, “Young Master must not have glanced in the mirror recently. There's a speck of dust on your face.”
Zuo Shaoqing instinctively touched his face, and the next moment, he felt a damp cloth covering his face. “Please proceed, servant. The young master's visibility is currently obstructed.”
A subtle fragrance reached Zuo Shaoqing's nostrils, easing his tension slightly. However, his eyes snapped open when he sensed something pressing against his body.
He forcefully pushed the woman who had leaned in too close away from him, taking a few steps back before sternly questioning her across the table, “What do you think you're doing?”
The woman smiled and began to undo her belt. Zuo Shaoqing felt a surge of fear, his expression darkening. “Leave this instant!”
“Wouldn't it be better to let this servant attend to the young master?”
He bit his tongue hard, the pain bringing clarity to his mind. In frustration, he kicked the table over. “I don't care who sent you. If you wish to live, leave now!”
The woman hesitated for a moment and asked, “Young Master, am I not beautiful?”
Zuo Shaoqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was convinced that Madame Lu was behind this. She likely believed that if he were truly enchanted by this woman's beauty and acted inappropriately, Lu Zheng would no longer want him, no matter how much he loved him.
No one understood better than him that Lu Zheng was deeply loyal to his partner. Likewise, he couldn't tolerate any betrayal from his partner.
After piecing together the situation, Zuo Shaoqing retrieved a dagger from his boot. He pointed it firmly at the woman and issued a stern warning, “This is your last chance. Leave!”
The woman hadn't expected a scholar to carry a sharp weapon, and the sight of the dagger seemed oddly familiar. Before she could ponder it further, a bucket of water was hurled in her direction.
She widened her beautiful eyes and swiftly dodged to the right before quickly bowing to Zuo Shaoqing. “Young Master, please forgive me. I have no malicious intentions.”
“Then depart immediately!” Zuo Shaoqing's voice was filled with anger. How dare she claim innocence when she had clearly conspired against him? Did that mean they were meant to share a bed?
“I am prepared to accept any punishment for offending Young Master.” As she spoke, the woman actually knelt before him.
Zuo Shaoqing clenched his teeth and uttered with disdain, “There's no need. Just make sure I never see you again!” It was best for such a seductive beauty to stay far away from Lu Zheng!
After the woman departed, Zuo Shaoqing sank wearily into a chair. He took several deep breaths and found no abnormalities in his body. His strength was gradually returning.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel