“Ah!” The maid exclaimed, stepping back several paces, her expression anxious. “Fourth Miss, are you alright?”
Quickly removing her wet outer robe, Li Huaiyu glanced up at her, her smile ambiguous. “What do you think?”
“It’s all my fault! I deserve punishment!” Xiyun repeatedly bowed, her knees bending in apology. “I was hurrying to fetch breakfast for our young lady and didn’t realize it was Fourth Miss here. I thought it was another maid.”
Her posture seemed genuinely apologetic, but her half-lowered eyes betrayed a hint of mockery, shifting around restlessly, exuding a sense of disdain.
Huaiyu couldn’t help but click her tongue softly.
Like mistress, like a maid. Miss Bai Zhuji was a smiling tiger, and her maid was no different. If she had a problem, she should confront her directly instead of offering apologies while carrying out such actions. What was the point?
“Bring me some more separately,” Huaiyu instructed the cook after placing the tray.
The cook complied and quickly served her more porridge. Seeing that Huaiyu showed no intention of pursuing the matter further, Xiyun smiled and went into the kitchen, scooping up all the exquisite dishes from the stove onto her tray.
“Second Miss is waiting to eat. I’ll take my leave now.” Holding the tray, Xiyun smiled at her and glanced at the tray she had just put down, her smile deepening. “Apologies for the inconvenience, Fourth Miss.”
Huaiyu stood by, watching her swaggering figure, her expression blank. Then she turned to the cook. “Breakfast for Second Miss?”
The cook awkwardly wiped her hands on her apron. “Fourth Miss, please don’t be angry. There are rules in the mansion.”
“What kind of rule allows such a disparity in treatment among young ladies?” Huaiyu’s smile was more mocking than genuine. “Shall I ask my father about it?”
“Please, don’t make a mountain out of a molehill, Fourth Miss. Master is very busy, he doesn’t have time to deal with such matters,” the cook hurriedly replied. “Shall I serve you more dishes?”
Huaiyu remained silent, her gaze fixed on the cook.
The cook was taken aback by her stare, feeling a bit flustered. Suddenly, she realized that the Fourth Miss commanded respect without even speaking, even more so than the Master.
But on second thought, she was just a bastard daughter without a mother. Even if she wasn’t foolish anymore, there was no one in the mansion who cared for her. What could she possibly do?
With this in mind, the cook regained her composure and toughened her tone slightly. “Forgive me for being presumptuous, but you should understand who truly holds the power in this mansion. If you’re truly dissatisfied, go talk to Madam. There’s no need to trouble us servants.”
Go seek out the biased Lady Bai Meng. Huaiyu sneered inwardly. Even if she did, it wouldn’t yield any results.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up the food again and turned to head back to the west courtyard.
The cook glared at her retreating figure, filled with both fear and anger. Once Huaiyu was out of sight, she muttered resentfully, “BAh who does she think she is, flaunting her authority here as if she’s some great mistress!”
The kitchen assistant nodded in agreement. “Exactly! Everyone knows she won’t amount to much. When the Jiang family cancels the engagement one day, she won’t even have the face to drink soup, let alone eat porridge!”
“I can’t wait for Second Miss to put her in her place and make her realize her true status!”
“It won’t be long now,” the kitchen assistant chuckled. “The masters are about to attend the banquet at the Jiang residence, and her clothes aren’t even ready yet. She won’t be allowed into the Jiang residence, and that’ll serve her right.”
The chattering voices, mixed with resentment, drifted in the morning light.
Huaiyu couldn’t help but think that perhaps she had enjoyed her time as a princess too much, and that’s why the heavens couldn’t bear it and made her become the foolish Fourth Miss of the Bai residence, experiencing the feeling of not having enough to eat or wear.
A strict breakfast was tolerable, just consider it a cleanse. But the dishes served for lunch and dinner were terrible, and there was very little rice, barely enough for a few bites.
Looking at the spotlessly clean bowl in front of her, Li Huaiyu felt an urge to shed a tear of sympathy for Fourth Miss Bai. After all, she was still a noble young lady, but her situation was truly pitiful!
“Fourth Miss.” A nanny’s voice sounded from outside. “Master has sent word that he will be visiting the Jiang residence tomorrow. You are to dress appropriately and greet him in the main hall.”
Before Huaiyu could respond, Lingxiuo stood up abruptly. “My young lady will go right away!”
With shaky hands, she bit off the thread she was holding and brought the silk dress to Huaiyu. “Miss, please change quickly!”
Huaiyu blinked as she looked at the scattered lotus flowers on the silk dress. “Are you sure about this?”
“It’s better than wearing your usual clothes,” Lingxiuo said as she helped Huaiyu change. “If Master finds you pleasing, he might even reward you with some jewelry.”
Huaiyu could only resign herself to this thought. She nodded and obediently changed into the dress, then tied her hair into a neat bun. After washing her face, she followed the nanny to the main hall.
It was customary for high-ranking families to inspect their daughters before leaving the house. As Huaiyu entered the main hall, she saw that everyone was already there. Ba Dezhong ng and Lady Bai Meng were seated in the main seats, while Bai Zhuji stood before them.
Dressed in luxurious silk adorned with intricate peony embroidery on the collar and hem, Bai Zhuji wore her high cloud bun with grace, moving with slow and elegant steps, truly embodying the image of a qualified young lady of a prestigious family.
Lady Bai Meng watched with satisfaction, nodding repeatedly as she turned to Ba Dezhong ng. “Look, husband, at our daughter’s appearance. Can we still worry about finding her a good husband?”
Ba Dezhong ng’s expression remained stern, lacking much joy, but he still nodded.
His gaze shifted, and he noticed the timid figure at the door. His expression immediately darkened as he barked, “Why haven’t you come in yet?”
Once again startled by his loud voice, Huaiyu couldn’t help but think his voice was too loud. It seemed like every time he wasn’t scolding her, he was yelling at her. Couldn’t he speak calmly for once?
With a slight pout, she reluctantly stepped into the main hall.
Lady Bai Meng and Bai Zhuji both turned their gaze towards her. Their eyes scanned her plain silk dress and then glanced at her empty bun and ears, their expressions filled with disdain.
Ba Dezhong ng frowned at her. “Are you planning to go to the Jiang residence like this?”
“Is it not suitable?” Tugging at her dress, Huaiyu said, “The fabric is quite good.”
Ba Dezhong ng turned to Lady Bai Meng, who shook her head repeatedly. “I ordered a few outfits to be sent to the west courtyard for her to choose from. This one was her choice, and it has nothing to do with me.”
What? Huaiyu glanced at Lady Bai Meng in astonishment. She almost wanted to applaud her. Her ability to lie was truly impressive. She couldn’t even manage to embroider a few flowers on a piece of clothing, let alone choose from several outfits!
However, to her surprise, Ba Dezhong ng believed her. His gaze turned even more severe as he looked at her. “You lack manners and taste. If you were to go to the Jiang residence in such a manner, you would surely disgrace our family. Tomorrow, I will go with your second sister. You will stay at home.”