Huang Yao hadn’t failed to notice Old Madam’s expression today. Hearing these words, her face turned pale and she could barely speak coherently, continuously kowtowing and begging Song Chuyi to save her life.

From being a second-class maid serving young ladies to becoming a rough-work maid—the difference was like heaven and earth. No matter how foolish Huang Yao was, she knew that once Old Madam made a decision, Second Madam probably had no way to get her back to Song Chuyi’s side as a second-class maid.

And if she couldn’t continue serving at Song Chuyi’s side, all those benefits Second Madam had promised would completely go to waste.

Her brother’s position at home, her own future prospects—all would be gone.

She couldn’t help but cry even harder.

Song Chuyi shook her head with a pained expression, her face showing reluctance: “Stop crying. Old Madam’s decision is something even First Madam wouldn’t dare disobey, let alone me. Even if I’m willing to plead for you, I’m afraid it would be useless.”

Huang Yao heard a glimmer of hope in these words. She crawled forward and clutched Song Chuyi’s leg: “Miss, we’ve grown up together since we were small. Whatever you do, I’ve always been with you! You absolutely mustn’t abandon me…”

Song Chuyi bent down to help her up again, bit her lip, and said: “Naturally I know how good you’ve been. But you also know I only just moved in today. How can I trouble Grandmother again and again? Moreover, my words may not even be useful.”

Huang Yao’s mind had already become a muddled mess. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but start crying again: “Then what can I do?”

“It’s not that there’s no solution.” Song Chuyi seemed truly reluctant. As if making a great decision, she took a breath before saying: “You could try begging Sister Yushu.”

Hearing this, Huang Yao’s wailing stopped. She stared wide-eyed at Song Chuyi.

Yushu was a favored person at Old Madam’s side, quite respected in the manor. Even the various madams gave her some deference. She could indeed speak effectively before Old Madam.

Song Chuyi seemed to be genuinely thinking of her. Huang Yao thought it over, then sniffled with some difficulty: “But… but I’m insignificant and have no influence. Why would Sister Yushu help me?”

As she spoke, her mouth turned down and she was about to cry again.

Song Chuyi rubbed her forehead, thought for a moment, and said: “How about this—just say I sent you and ask her to do me a favor by putting in a few good words for you with Old Madam.”

Originally, even without Song Chuyi saying this, Huang Yao had planned to beg Yushu this way. Now hearing Song Chuyi’s words, she was naturally overjoyed beyond measure, happily kowtowing to Song Chuyi several times.

Song Chuyi glanced at the sky outside and raised her chin to signal to Huang Yao: “If you’re going, you’d better hurry. Once it gets late and it’s Yushu’s turn to keep watch, she won’t have time to deal with you.”

Huang Yao was even more anxious than Song Chuyi. Since Old Madam had spoken about sending her away, she would tell First Madam tomorrow morning.

She could only seize this moment to beg Yushu.

She hurriedly rushed to the main courtyard, so anxious she forgot even to consult with Nanny Wang.

Yushu originally had no time to see Huang Yao, this little maid who had just made a mistake today. But thinking she was Song Chuyi’s maid and they’d need to deal with each other in the future, she had a junior maid lead her in.

“Speak quickly if you have something to say.” Though Yushu was most amiable, that didn’t mean she was someone who could be taken advantage of. Seeing Huang Yao’s tearful appearance, she was somewhat displeased: “I’m on duty tonight. I stole this moment to come over. If you delay me and cause me to be punished, I won’t be merciful.”

Huang Yao didn’t dare play tricks before Yushu. With a thud, she knelt on the icy floor and kowtowed continuously: “Sister Yushu, please save me!”

Yushu hadn’t expected her to suddenly kneel. She froze for a moment before frowning with displeasure: “What are you doing?!”

The Earl’s manor emphasized propriety. Even between maids separated by first, second, or third rank, they were all the same kind of people. Normally they only performed courtesy bows—there had never been junior maids kneeling to senior maids.

Now with Huang Yao kneeling without a word, not only was she not pleased, she felt wary instead.

Seeing her expression suddenly turn serious, Huang Yao’s heart became even more panicked, and the trace of doubt that had been lingering in her mind instantly vanished.

Yushu was the most useful senior maid at Old Madam’s side. She was the weathervane of Old Madam’s moods. Since Yushu had this attitude, it meant Old Madam truly intended to dismiss her.

Tears streamed down her face like rain. She clutched Yushu’s skirt and refused to let go, crying mournfully for quite some time. Just as Yushu was about to lose all patience, she sobbed: “Sister Yushu, today when I dropped Sixth Miss’s Duan inkstone in Old Madam’s room, I truly didn’t mean to. Please plead for me before Old Madam. I’ll never dare again and will definitely serve Sixth Miss well…”

Yushu understood why she’d come. She looked at Huang Yao with some amusement and was about to speak when she saw Huang Yao pull a twisted-silk triple-ring white jade bracelet from her sleeve.

“What are you doing?” She could tell at a glance that this jade bracelet was no ordinary item and definitely not something a maid could possess. Strands of suspicion began to emerge in her heart.

Huang Yao ingratiatingly pressed the jade bracelet into Yushu’s hands, all the while tightly gripping Yushu’s hand, afraid she would push it back.

“Sister Yushu, please speak on my behalf before Old Madam…” Huang Yao’s eyes brimmed with hope. Gritting her teeth, she promised further: “If I can still stay by Sixth Miss’s side, I’ll certainly show you proper respect in the future!”

This twisted-silk triple-ring white jade bracelet had transparent jade quality, delicate carving, and a warm touch—clearly a fine piece.

Yushu’s original intention to refuse suddenly extinguished. She tucked the jade bracelet into her sleeve and nodded at her: “Go back. I’ll speak to Old Madam for you.”

Receiving this promise, Huang Yao heard it as heavenly music. Her heart, which had leapt to her throat, returned to her belly. She couldn’t care about anything else and rambled on, pulling at Yushu to say many more flattering words.

Yushu simply listened quietly, no longer showing her initial impatience.

When Huang Yao had said enough, Yushu smiled at her again: “I should go serve Old Madam now. I’ve been out so long—if Old Madam asks, it would be difficult to answer. Your matter, I’ll speak to Old Madam about it.”

Huang Yao nodded continuously with joy, respectfully escorting Yushu out the door before sneaking back to the side wing.

Covering her still rapidly beating chest, she told Qing Tao excitedly about Yushu agreeing to help—as for the matter of giving Yushu the twisted-silk triple-ring white jade bracelet, she kept her guard up and didn’t mention a single word.

Even so, Qing Tao was so frightened her face turned ashen, feeling cold sweat soak through her clothes on her back.

If things were truly as she suspected, then Sixth Miss’s scheming was truly unfathomable. She wanted to warn Huang Yao a few words, but thinking of Song Chuyi’s ice-cold, somewhat chilling gaze, she didn’t dare say a single word.