Suzhen wondered what this person intended to do. Despite her doubts, he was an honored guest and she had no right to refuse. She wiped her hands on her skirt and complied, playing Zhu’er to perfection.

Her hand was enveloped in the man’s palm. Quan Feitong lifted her hand to his nose and sniffed, his breath gently touching her hand.

Suzhen was dumbfounded. Wood Three, you… really are a pervert.

Her heart jumped violently, her face and ears turning red. She sighed inwardly – though he was a pervert, he performed this action with incomparable elegance.

All the women’s cheeks flushed red. Even Qing’er stood dazed to one side, both jealous and envious. In everyone’s eyes, this was clearly an erotic scene. Moreover, to not mind such an appearance – how could they not be jealous and resentful!

Wood Three’s hands were truly beautiful – distinct knuckles with slightly prominent wrist bones. But Suzhen’s face couldn’t bear it. Just as she was about to struggle slightly as a reminder, Quan Feitong said: “There’s medicinal fragrance. You carried the medicine.”

“Exactly, Chancellor Quan. This maid carried the medicine and clumsily spilled it just now.” Qing’er immediately glared fiercely at Suzhen: “Chancellor Quan may beat or punish her as you see fit. Otherwise, if we’ve neglected the Chancellor, our master will be uneasy.”

“Mm, fine. Find some servants and guards for me.”

He spoke while releasing her hand, glancing at the assembled maids.

“Yes.”

Several people immediately responded sweetly. A few maids left and quickly returned, indeed bringing back several guards who looked strong and capable, along with several servants.

“May I ask what the Chancellor requires us to do?” The men respectfully bowed and asked with deference.

Some maids weren’t entirely bad-hearted and looked at Suzhen with sympathy.

Suzhen had originally thought that given Wood Three’s temperament, he might not necessarily punish anyone. Now she was shocked, thinking: Damn, Wood Three wants to beat me up. Those few meals – I definitely won’t treat you when I get back. Next time you invite me to eat, I’m standing you up. But at this moment, she could only endure.

Quan Feitong seemed to be considering what punishments to use, his eyes flowing with some cruel color, yet his lips curved upward, brilliant as sunset clouds. Except for Suzhen who wasn’t infatuated, the other maids stared in fascination.

At this moment, this man casually pointed at Qing’er and said leisurely: “Why is there medicine stain on the hem of your skirt?”

Qing’er had been maintaining composure while watching, but now was so shocked she nearly jumped up. She immediately looked down at her skirt hem, finding it perfectly clean and white.

“Sister Qing’er.”

Several maids called out in alarm. Her heart sank – in anyone’s eyes, this looked like guilty conscience.

She looked up fearfully. Quan Feitong’s brows held a trace of mockery: “The one who actually carried the medicine wasn’t splashed, but you were? Playing mind games with me – isn’t a mere maid a bit too inexperienced for that?”

“How you punish her, I don’t know. I’m just a guest. Leave this matter to your steward to handle.”

Qing’er fell to her knees with a thud, cold sweat pouring down, feeling she was going to die this time… If he had spoken to punish her, even beating her to death would be acceptable. Hearing these words felt like a great pardon – she could ask the old madam for mercy later, take a few beatings, have some monthly wages deducted, and probably get through it. She said tremblingly: “Thank you for Chancellor Quan’s merciful forgiveness, thank you Chancellor Quan… This servant will brew medicine immediately and personally deliver it to the Chancellor later.”

Seeing Quan Feitong didn’t punish her, though fearful, she secretly felt some anticipation toward this Chancellor.

Suzhen smiled inwardly – eyes-closed Wood Three was still Wood Three. On the surface, she hurriedly said: “Thank you, Chancellor Quan.”

Quan Feitong glanced at her and curved his lips: “Why didn’t you defend yourself earlier?”

“This servant… feared Sister Qing’er would blame me.”

“Oh, so you weren’t afraid I’d punish you? At most they’d squeeze you out, but I could take your life.”

“They say a prime minister’s belly can hold a boat. This servant thought that as long as I admitted my mistake, the Chancellor wouldn’t hold it against me. That’s better than being unable to make a living here afterward.”

This could be considered Suzhen’s honest words, requiring no pretense.

Quan Feitong’s eyes flickered, looking at her more closely, then said: “You all withdraw. You stay.”

Suzhen was shocked and frustrated – this person had actually taken interest in Zhu’er.

“Yes.”

Everyone filed out. Qing’er looked at Suzhen resentfully before leaving. Suzhen naturally wasn’t afraid, but still pretended to shrink back.

Quan Feitong’s gaze swept to the chair beside him: “Sit.”

Suzhen couldn’t read his thoughts and maintained the appropriate trembling: “This servant doesn’t dare. Standing is fine.”

Quan Feitong smiled, looking quite gentle and harmless.

“You’re blaming me for causing you trouble, aren’t you? After I leave, your situation will be somewhat difficult.”

Suzhen thought: Good that you know – you’ve really harmed Zhu’er.

She pondered whether she should give Zhu’er some money afterward and tell her not to return to the Huang Manor. Another expense.

Since she wouldn’t sit, Quan Feitong didn’t force her, still smiling: “Actually, I could just say one sentence – have that wicked maid dismissed, or tell your steward that after I leave, no one should bully you.”

“Thank you, thank you for the Chancellor’s gracious words…”

“But I don’t plan to do that. How boring.”

Suzhen was cut off mid-sentence by his unexpected remark, secretly gritting her teeth. Why must this person torment a poor little maid?

Quan Feitong naturally saw her dissatisfaction. His phoenix eyes fixed on her as he suggested softly: “Little maid, don’t say I’m bullying you. How about this – you ask me one question, and if it pleases me, I’ll reward you. Then you won’t need to fear anyone.”

Suzhen couldn’t connect this man who smiled like rippling water with the ruthless killer from previous national cases. She thought for a moment: “Then please tell this servant, how did you know I was wronged?”

Quan Feitong made a sound of surprise and laughed softly: “How would your Magistrate Huang dare have an ugly maid serve me medicine? That maid just now was different – she could barely be considered a beauty. Unless she found the work heavy and called a little maid to do the task, but even so, wouldn’t she come herself when reaching me?”

Suzhen also smiled, lowering her head with an “mm.” But Quan Feitong slowly stood up, stroking her hair: “Your question isn’t stupid – you have some intelligence. I quite like it. I’ll take you as my concubine – consider it a reward. No one will be able to bully you afterward.”

What? Suzhen was shocked on the spot, but this person reached out and drew her into his embrace…