Baizhi and Ziyan entered the room one after the other. Li Weiyang paid no attention to Ziyan, only saying to Baizhi: “Do you think my punishment was too severe?”

Baizhi thought for a moment and said: “This courtyard indeed needs to have rules. Miss did the right thing.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly and said: “You two were brought into the Li residence by me. If you do well, I also gain face. If you make mistakes, I also lose face along with you. By my side, besides doing your duties properly and honestly, you must also know to be loyal and devoted. If you cannot do these two things, I will have someone send you back to Pingcheng.”

Baizhi responded affirmatively. Ziyan, however, said softly: “Miss, this servant is naturally loyal and devoted to you.”

Li Weiyang sighed inwardly. She didn’t want Ziyan to develop any inappropriate thoughts. Just now she had used Matron Liu’s incident to remind her, but she didn’t know how effective it would be.

Three days later, one clear morning, Ziyan brought up breakfast and set out a full table.

Li Weiyang imperceptibly looked her over.

Ziyan was naturally beautiful, with a pair of almond eyes glistening with moisture, plus a face with a delicate blush like lotus flowers. She wore a light crimson embroidered silk skirt that showed off her sloping shoulders, slender waist, and eye-catching figure. If Li Weiyang were merely an innocent thirteen-year-old girl, she naturally wouldn’t notice anything. But her mental age was already past thirty—how could she not know that this young girl before her had undergone some kind of change? Yet on her face she only smiled imperceptibly and said: “This outfit is quite beautiful.”

Ziyan just smiled: “Didn’t Miss dislike that section of beautiful silk and reward it to this servant? This servant thought to wear it and show Miss.” She glanced at Li Weiyang’s expression, then continued: “Miss said it would suit this servant very well. Now seeing it, it’s truly so.”

This outfit—Ziyan had made it early on, planning to keep it for New Year’s, but now she had brought it out! Baizhi’s pupils slightly contracted, hardly daring to look at Li Weiyang’s expression. Miss was absolutely not a weak, easily bullied, foolish and ignorant person. Quite the contrary—though only thirteen years old, she was shrewd and capable, with a mind as fine as hair. Every little change in Ziyan was seen by Miss. If she didn’t speak, it was only to give Ziyan a chance, but this girl was too dull to see it!

Li Weiyang’s soup spoon lightly clinked against the bowl. Then she heard Ziyan say softly: “Miss, yesterday afternoon the Young Master specially sent someone to deliver a red coral bonsai. What do you think—”

Li Weiyang glanced at her: “Oh, really?” She deliberately didn’t continue.

Ziyan felt a bit anxious but didn’t dare show it on her face, only carefully reminding: “The Young Master sent a jade-bone fragrant silk fan to Eldest Miss, and she returned a set of the Four Treasures of the Study; what he sent to Fourth Miss was a pair of auspicious temple flowers in square vases, and Fourth Miss returned a set of ancient texts from Yanzhige; what he sent to Fifth Miss was a box of jade ointment cosmetics, and she…”

“Yes, everyone has return gifts, but it’s difficult for me. They all have money to send gold or jade, but I’m quite short of funds.” Li Weiyang showed a slight hint of embarrassment.

Li Weiyang’s current expenses were neither as wealthy as Eldest Miss’s, nor supplemented by concubine mothers like the other young ladies. Relying only on her meager monthly allowance and the silver the Old Madam rewarded her, and having to give rewards to servants on ordinary days, she indeed couldn’t spend money extravagantly. Ziyan had only wanted to find an opportunity to see the Young Master, but hadn’t expected Third Miss couldn’t produce a proper return gift. She was momentarily stunned.

Unknowingly, Baizhi held her breath, her gaze wandering between Ziyan and Miss’s faces, but soon lowered her head again as if she had heard nothing.

Mozhu, who was originally arranging dishes, laughed: “Miss, the Young Master has every kind of gold, silver, and jade. It’s just the sentiment that matters. You could send an embroidered purse or a pair of shoes—either would be appropriate.”

As a younger sister, sending an embroidered purse or shoes to her elder brother was indeed nothing inappropriate—the gift may be light but the sentiment is profound. Li Weiyang nodded approvingly: “You’re quite right.” But soon she looked troubled again. “Only time is tight—I’m afraid there’s not enough time.”

Ziyan, fearing Li Weiyang would change her mind, said: “Miss, embroidery work strains the eyes. You shouldn’t do it yourself. This servant will work day and night and should have enough time to make a purse for the Young Master.”

Li Weiyang’s cold eyes fell upon her, but her face was filled with smiles: “Ziyan, you really know how to ease my worries.”

Hearing she wasn’t opposed, Ziyan couldn’t help but show a smile. She was just worrying about having no legitimate way to convey her feelings to the Young Master—wasn’t this a perfect opportunity!

After Ziyan left, Li Weiyang set down her chopsticks.

Mozhu brought over a cup of tea and said softly: “Miss, please don’t be angry…”

Li Weiyang was ultimately quite angry. She set the tea bowl down heavily on the table, splashing out some tea, and said coldly: “This girl clearly takes me for a blind person!”

Baizhi couldn’t bear to speak. Mozhu said indifferently: “Ziyan is being far too impatient. Yesterday Miss already warned her, yet she still doesn’t know how to reflect.”

Li Weiyang took a deep breath. She had done everything she could, giving the other party two chances, but the girl only wanted to climb the high branch and didn’t think at all about her mistress’s difficulties! If Ziyan had even a shred of conscience, she should know she absolutely must not have any entanglement with the Young Master!

After a long while, Li Weiyang remained silent and lost in thought. Baizhi ultimately couldn’t bear it and said: “Perhaps Ziyan is just being deceived by someone.”

Li Weiyang glanced at her and said slowly: “Deceived by someone? She should think about it—if she weren’t useful, why would the Young Master take an interest in his own sister’s maid!” She couldn’t suppress the surging emotions in her heart, and a trace of coldness appeared on her face.

Mozhu thought for a moment and asked carefully: “Miss, what should we do next?”

Li Weiyang’s expression gradually calmed: “Find someone to watch her. Her every move must be reported to me!”

Mozhu said respectfully: “Yes.”

Baizhi secretly wiped away tears. Seeing this, Li Weiyang let out a soft sigh: “Baizhi, I know you and she grew up together and have a very good relationship.”

Baizhi wiped away her tears, but her face showed more determination: “Miss treats us servants so well, yet Ziyan is still like this—she really doesn’t know gratitude. This servant knows what’s important. Miss can rest assured.”

Li Weiyang paused for a moment before slowly saying: “It seems Elder Brother wants to help Eldest Sister vent her anger.” She looked toward the window where a plum blossom was blooming alone, and couldn’t help but sigh softly. “Don’t act any differently in your usual manner. They will soon make their move.”

Baizhi said: “This servant understands.”

Li Weiyang lowered her head and continued eating, but in her heart she went through the entire matter once more. Li Minfeng was a proud person, yet he had condescended to take interest in a maid—was he planning to use Ziyan to deal with her? But Li Minfeng was no fool. He wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the thrush incident. So then, what exactly was he planning to do?