Chapter 10

Right at this moment, the other main maidservant, Cui Xi, who had gone out earlier, returned. She caught sight of the broken shards of porcelain and splatters of medicine and porridge across the floor. As she was about to find someone to clean up the mess, she was stopped by her good sister, who whispered, “We provoked Young Miss into losing her temper. Now we have to kneel to admit our wrongdoings and beg for pardon.” The maidservant then walked out of the room and knelt outside the doorway. Both Cui Xi and the other main maidservant shared a tacit understanding and knelt right away, putting on an incessantly trembling appearance. Yu Xiang ignored both of the main maidservants and continued humming the tune without restraint. Both main maidservants were bestowed upon her by the Old Madam. All this while, their demeanour had been more unruly than the master's. If Yu Xiang’s true identity were to be known, those bowls would certainly have been smashed by them instead. Yu Pin Yan was indeed capable, able to control and suppress the spreading of the rumor within the manor at such a young age. She had no idea how the female lead of the book could manage to establish her foothold in the nobility circle and attain the status of Empress after Yu Si Yu had stirred up the matter and was known by all. No doubt, but the female lead must have gone through a great deal of arduous work and strove for success. After much deliberation, Yu Xiang recklessly laughed and shook her head. As long as she could live comfortably, why should she vex herself? She was not ambitious, nor would she counterattack. She would only win over the favor of Yu Pin Yan and accumulate enough money. Once the female lead returned, she would give up her position and purchase a hamlet, living her life leisurely with no worries, watching the sun set over the chimney and the flowery shadows lengthen under the moonlight. As for getting married, she never had any expectation, even under her elder brother’s protection in her previous life. It would be practically impossible in this lifetime. The menfolk of antiquity would not be willing to marry and provide for a disabled person. Even if she were to use the connection of the prominent Marquis Yongle manor to her advantage, once ‘YXiang’s’ true identity was exposed, she would fall into more tragic circumstances. Better to just forget about it. As Yu Xiang carefully considered her options, she caught a glimpse of the two main maidservants, tearful and almost pitiable, huddling outside the doorway. The corner of her mouth tilted in disdain. Instead of cleaning up the room, they rebelled by kneeling outside the door and pretending to be pitiful. This pretence was obviously for the sole sake of exposing her wilfulness in front of Yu Pin Yan. Marquis, look at how unruly the Young Miss is, smashing things and punishing the servants as she pleases! However, they seemed to have overlooked one fact: that is, ‘Yu Xiang’ had given up both her legs for Yu Pin Yan, which practically ruined the rest of her life. She did have a right to be wilful now. If Yu Xiang remembered correctly, though Yu Pin Yan was ruthless and vicious, he was someone who could clearly distinguish kindness and hatred. As long as she did not go against the female lead, he would protect her for li, not mentioning wealth and glory, but a peaceful life was practically guaranteed. Being the maiden family of the female lead, no matter what happened, would it be possible for the Marquis Yongle manor to thrive even further and flourish for another hundred years? As for both her legs, she would not place any hope for a miracle in this ancient period with such backward medical conditions, since she was used to this condition in her previous life. Yu Xiang stoically stroked the thick bind of bandage on her knees. Outside the doorway, the two kneeling main maidservants listened to the Young Miss humming her tune, completely at ease, without so much as offering a conciliatory word. The budding enmity that they felt immediately increased tenfold. Stealthily, they suppressed a deep breath and, with reddened eyes, awaited the Marquis’ arrival. As she hummed the tune, a familiar yearning tugged her heartstrings once more. Yu Xiang pursed her lips, the carefree feelings ebbing, her eyebrows knitted tightly as she blinked her eyes. Those dark pupils were shrouded in tears, making her appear as though she had endured an egregious injury. The two main maidservants were subdued by her skill in swiftly changing expressions. They were dumbfounded for a moment but quickly snapped out of it. Turning, they saw the Young Marquis striding over swiftly. Both of the main maidservants hurriedly crawled forward and kowtowed, hoping to get a word of complaint in. However, the Young Marquis was not distracted and immediately entered the room. The two main maidservants became troubled as they knelt at the same place. As a ten-year-old girl, she was not an adult, nor a child either. However, her outlook appeared almost emaciated, with dry, withering hair that did not receive any special care expected of the venerated Di Young Miss. Her facial features were extremely insipid, except for that pair of large, round eyes and pupils as black as ink. They gradually filled with a clear pool of tears that seemed bottomless. It was not an appearance one would consider beautiful, but this did not stop one’s feeling of tender love and affection. Yu Pin Yan quickened his steps. Knitting his brows, he demanded, “Xiang’er, what happened?” As he walked closer, he noticed the ground was littered with porridge and porcelain shards. “Elder brother, my legs are aching!” Yu Xiang extended both her hands towards the youth. The pool of tears that had lined her eyes spilled out. This man was not her elder brother, so what was their feeling of familiarity and strong telepathic connection? Though she was perplexed, it did give her a sense of comfort. Yu Pin Yan did not bother with the mess in the room. Instead, he quickly walked over and enfolded the pitiable little girl into his bosom. Both Yu Xiang’s legs were maimed because of him, so what was breaking several bowls? Even if she completely demolished the whole room, he would have indulged her. After suffering such misfortune, who could still have the ability to be mirthful and unperturbed? Losing her temper and being wilful was imperative. For the time being, he would accompany her and coax her, overcoming this painful and difficult phase of her life. With this in mind, Yu Pin Yan tightened his embrace. “It will not be painful after several days. Xiang’er, please bear with it.” Yu Pin Yan had never been intimate with his sibling. His speech was somewhat awkward. He wiped her tears and stroked her back gently. Compared to last time, his embrace was much warmer and steeped with a faint, refined scent, pleasing to. Yu Xiang’s apprehensive mind gradually calmed, but her tears kept spilling relentlessly. Both her hands clasped tightly over his neck as she whimpered and mumbled vaguely. Why were our hearts connected when you are not my elder brother? Am I indeed unable to go back? Yu Pin Yan lowered his head to try and pick up his younger sister’s muffled whimpers, but the only word he could distinguish was her repeated cries of ‘elder brother’. A distinct nostalgic sentiment tinged his heart. In this big manor, he seemed to be the only one she could rely on. The two main maidservants were still kneeling outside the doorway, their indignation gradually giving way to confusion and then panic. “Still gawking over there. Go and get the doctor this instance.” Yu Pin Yan turned to look at the main maidservants while coaxing his younger sister’s sobs away. As both the maidservants stood up to leave at his command, they heard the Young Marquis' words, “Such a dirty and messy room, yet nobody has tended to it. What is the use of having this bunch of servants? Should have just sold them off.” Both were incessantly frightened and knelt right away, asserting that they would not dare to repeat the offence. Not only were they unable to tell-tale on Yu Xiang, they had provoked Yu Pin Yan’s indignation and got oppressed. It was a relief that they were let off and allowed to leave. Yu Xiang would naturally not use Yu Pin Yan as a tool. She would wait for an adequate level of a good impression. By then, some affairs need not be spoken, Yu Pin Yan would have settled for him. She should not be too eager at this moment. Moreover, if Old Madam knew it, wouldn’t it cause Old Madam to somewhat loathe her more?