Chapter 50: Seizing, the Familiar Maid

The girl walked over and bowed respectfully to Shui Ruolan, then lowered her head obediently without uttering a single word. Her demeanor was that of a proper maid serving a distinguished young lady, causing everyone who saw her to nod in approval.

“What is your name?” Shui Ruolan asked gently after sizing her up.

“Liu Xue.”

“How old are you this year?”

“Thirteen.”

“Do you miss your home?”

“I do.” The exchange was natural, tinged with the innocent grievance of a young girl; after all, how many children would not feel aggrieved after being sold by their own family?

Qin Wanru’s gaze slowly fell to Liu Xue’s hands, which she kept tucked inside her sleeves. The garment she wore was issued by the brothel matron, identical to those worn by all the maids in the courtyard. It was a touch too short for her, so when she moved just now, a bit of her wrist was exposed, revealing several scars, both old and new.

But it was only for a fleeting moment before her sleeve covered them again, making it impossible to see.

“Well then…” Shui Ruolan was very satisfied with Liu Xue, thinking she would make an excellent personal maid for Qin Wanru. She was about to settle the matter when suddenly voices sounded at the courtyard gate. Looking up, she saw Qin Yuru approaching with several maids and matrons in tow, and her expression darkened.

Qin Yuru’s face was veiled with a light gauze, concealing her wounds and protecting them from dust, leaving only her eyes visible. Her right hand was held tightly, while her left hand carefully supported it.

Upon entering, she bowed slightly to Shui Ruolan. “Aunt Shui, my health is poor, so I can’t perform a full courtesy. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“No need for formalities, Yuru. How is the injury?” Shui Ruolan’s gaze fell gently on Qin Yuru’s wounded right hand.

“Not very well,” Qin Yuru replied, lowering her head bitterly.

“It’ll be fine. Have the servants pay extra attention, and it may not leave a scar," Shui Ruolan soothed her softly.

“Thank you, Aunt Shui,” Qin Yuru replied politely, then turned to Qin Wanru. “Wanru, I see you’re selecting maids. Could you allow me to pick a few as well? I never felt short-handed before, but with my injured hand, I realize there aren’t enough people in my courtyard.”

“Just choose whoever you like, Eldest Sister,” Qin Wanru said with a gentle smile, betraying nothing.

Qin Yuru’s attitude today was surprisingly cordial—not only towards her, but with no hint of past grievances. So much had happened that neither could return to how things once were, and Qin Yuru’s demeanor seemed to conceal ulterior motives, though Qin Wanru could not yet discern what they were.

“Have you chosen anyone yet, Second Sister?” Qin Yuru glanced about, smiling.

“Not yet. Eldest Sister, please choose first,” Qin Wanru shook her head.

“What about this girl?” Qin Yuru’s gaze lingered among the crowd before settling with interest on Liu Xue.

Shui Ruolan frowned; she disliked Qin Yuru’s domineering behavior, but given her status, she had no authority to object.

“This girl hasn’t been chosen. Has Eldest Sister taken a fancy to her?” Qin Wanru looked at Liu Xue with a smile, then turned her bright eyes to Qin Yuru. “If Eldest Sister truly wants this girl, perhaps we can discuss it.”

“Didn’t you say you haven’t chosen yet? What’s there to discuss?” Qin Yuru replied with slight displeasure. Traditionally, when maids were being chosen, it was always Qin Yuru who selected first, leaving the remainder for Qin Wanru. This had become an unspoken rule in the household, well known even to the brothel matron.

At this, the matron hurried forward with a smile. “If the Eldest Miss wishes to take her, she can do so. There’s no need for discussion, as the Second Miss hasn't officially chosen anyone yet.”

The rear courtyard of the General’s Mansion was managed by Madam Di, and now everyone knew the Eldest Miss was Di’s biological daughter. The matron naturally had to curry favor with her.

“I’m interested, but since I haven’t officially chosen, it’s still possible for Eldest Sister to take her, right?” Qin Wanru smiled faintly at the matron.

The matron’s heart skipped a beat at the question, recalling recent events in Jiangzhou. She quickly waved her hand, “That’s not what I meant. What I meant was, since Second Miss hasn’t picked anyone, and Eldest Miss already likes this one, Eldest Miss should choose first.”

The reputation of the Eldest Miss had suffered recently, with rumors she couldn’t even leave the house, while the Second Miss was increasingly favored by the General. Offending the Second Miss would be unwise.

“What does Eldest Sister think?” Qin Wanru asked.

“I defer to Second Sister’s wishes. If you’ve taken a liking to someone, there’s no sense in me choosing her. I’ll pick two others. Is that acceptable?” Qin Yuru replied amiably, unexpectedly relinquishing Liu Xue and turning her gaze back to the crowd.

Shui Ruolan’s expression softened, her gaze lingering on Qin Yuru with some hesitation. Madam Di was so malicious—could Qin Yuru really be less so? She was still young; even if previously led astray, perhaps she wasn’t beyond redemption.

“Eldest Sister is too polite. Please choose whomever you like,” Qin Wanru replied graciously.

A flash of joy crossed Qin Yuru’s eyes as she happily scanned the crowd, soon selecting four maids.

These four were the most clever among the group brought by the matron, all standing at the front, neat and pretty, with bright, intelligent eyes and composed expressions.

With these choices made, the remaining girls seemed markedly inferior.

“Second Sister, are these choices acceptable?” Qin Yuru acted as though she awaited Qin Wanru’s approval, as if she would relinquish them if told otherwise.

“As long as you like them, Eldest Sister,” Qin Wanru replied indifferently. “Nanny Yu, go and help me select some maids as well.”

Nanny Yu nodded and went over, scrutinizing carefully. Previously, those in the courtyard had not taken their mistress seriously, partly due to Madam Di’s influence, but also because the initial selection hadn’t been wise. That selection had been made by Nanny Fang. This time, Nanny Yu would not bring back any traitors.

She chose only the most disciplined girls, who might not be as clever as the previous four, but all looked respectful and obedient. Nanny Yu picked ten at once; the courtyard had been short-staffed and needed more hands.

“Second Sister, may I have this maid? She seems very nice,” Qin Yuru suddenly pointed to one of Nanny Yu’s selected girls. “I’ll exchange her for one of mine. Is that all right?”

She indicated a girl beside her, who was the prettiest of the four she had just chosen. The girl stood quietly by Qin Yuru’s side, as if unaware she was about to be exchanged.

“Yuru!” Shui Ruolan finally couldn’t stand it. Today was supposed to be Qin Wanru’s selection, but Qin Yuru had not only intervened, but also picked the best ones first, and now wanted to exchange again—this was truly excessive.

“Yes, Aunt Shui, it was my mistake!” Qin Yuru immediately realized and lowered her head apologetically, then looked at Qin Wanru with genuine humility. “Second Sister, it’s my fault. When I saw this maid, she reminded me of someone, and I was momentarily distracted. Please forgive me.”

Qin Wanru’s gaze followed Qin Yuru’s to the maid in question—a girl of about thirteen or fourteen, standing properly beside Nanny Yu, head slightly bowed but showing delicate features. She looked familiar, very familiar.

Suddenly, a memory flashed in Qin Wanru’s mind, and her hand gripped the armrest. If not for her self-control, she might have jumped up—she recognized this maid.

In her previous life, this girl had served Qin Yuru and was one of the few who treated Qin Wanru kindly. She had secretly passed on messages, helping Qin Wanru avoid trouble from Qin Yuru—all things of the past.

Very good. Qin Yuru’s maid had been brought right before her, openly.

A cold light flickered in her eyes—she wanted this girl!

“Who did you remember, Eldest Sister? I don’t recognize her,” Qin Wanru smiled, relaxing her hand, her gaze appraising the maid.

“An old acquaintance. Second Sister probably doesn’t know her,” Qin Yuru replied with a faint smile, her expression darkening. She had come to disrupt matters today—her purpose wasn’t this maid, but upon seeing her face, her heart began to race; the familiarity was real. Yet she couldn’t recall where she’d seen her, so out of unease, she wanted to keep the girl close. The so-called ‘old acquaintance’ was just a pretext.

“Eldest Sister, since you’ve chosen, you should go back and rest,” Qin Wanru said, her smile polite but her tone unmistakably cold.

The words were courteous, but their meaning was not. Qin Yuru had behaved poorly, seizing the best maids before Qin Wanru could pick. Still, she knew when to stop.

She couldn’t remember who the maid was, so she couldn’t be important. She’d mention it to her mother later—after all, today’s purpose wasn’t this girl.

With a laugh, she said, “Aunt Shui, I’ll take my leave. If you have time, please come and chat.”

Shui Ruolan nodded.

Qin Yuru smiled at Qin Wanru again, then walked away with her four new maids. After a few steps, she suddenly turned back to look at Liu Xue, muttering softly, “This girl really is quite good.”

Her manner suggested she was very fond of Liu Xue, but since Qin Wanru now had her eye on the girl, she couldn’t openly snatch her and had to leave reluctantly.

After turning away, a trace of satisfaction appeared on Qin Yuru’s face.

Her mother’s intention was to send this girl to Qin Wanru, to pick out the best ones, and make it appear as though she valued Liu Xue as well. But since Qin Wanru chose her first, it wouldn’t be proper to take her.

With all these considerations, Qin Wanru would surely keep the girl in her courtyard!

The words were spoken just loudly enough for Qin Wanru to hear...