Jiang Si didn’t turn around, but she recognized the voice immediately—it was Steward Zhao, the head housekeeper of the inner courtyard.
All the arrangements, monthly wages, and management of servants in the inner court were under Steward Zhao’s purview. Besides the masters, she was considered the most prestigious figure in the Earl’s inner household.
Steward Zhao was an intelligent woman with a sharp mind. Jiang Si had heard stories about how she disciplined the young maids.
Jiang Si paused briefly and turned to Steward Zhao with a bright smile. “Don’t you recognize me, Mother Zhao?”
Steward Zhao’s eyes, sharp as lanterns in snow, scrutinized Jiang Si before frowning, “I don’t. Which household do you serve in?”
Though this maid looked ordinary enough to be easily overlooked, Steward Zhao prided herself on her ability to remember faces. Even the most unremarkable face would leave some impression once it passed before her eyes.
Jiang Si sighed inwardly.
One can’t walk along the river’s edge without getting their shoes wet—she hadn’t expected to be discovered so quickly. She would need to find another way to slip out in the future.
However, now wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts. Making a swift escape was the priority.
Jiang Si lifted her chin slightly and gave Steward Zhao a sweet smile. “It’s better that you don’t recognize me.”
With that, she gathered her skirts and fled like a startled rabbit.
Neither Steward Zhao nor the gate guard had expected such a turn of events. By the time they recovered from their shock, the young maid had vanished without a trace.
Steward Zhao flew into a rage, calling for people to give chase. The usually quiet Earl Dongping Manor suddenly burst into commotion, but despite turning everything upside down, they couldn’t find the girl.
The disturbance soon reached Madam Feng’s ears.
Madam Feng’s face was dark in the Hall of Compassion as she addressed Steward Zhao: “Is this how you manage the household? Allowing some unknown little maid to come and go freely in the Earl’s mansion—no wonder we’ve had so many troubles lately!”
Steward Zhao quickly knelt to beg forgiveness: “Old Madam, it’s all due to my poor management. I never expected Old Wang to be so careless…”
Madam Feng’s sharp eyes turned to the gate guard, Old Wang: “Old Wang, did you recognize that maid? Do you know which courtyard she belongs to?”
The gate guard knelt trembling, still looking confused: “This old servant doesn’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Madam Feng’s walking stick struck the ground heavily. “You don’t know, yet you repeatedly let an unknown maid leave the mansion? Are there no rules left in this household?”
The gate guard felt wronged: “The girl said she was just going out to buy some things and asked for a favor. This old servant thought it wasn’t a big matter…”
Officially, servants needed permission to leave the mansion, but like in any household, there were ways around the rules. Young maids who wanted to buy small items like needles and thread could usually get past the gate with a few copper coins as bribes.
Steward Zhao was well aware of this practice, knowing it was impossible to eliminate, but she hadn’t expected the gate guard to be so careless as to implicate her as well.
“Steward Zhao, are you certain that maid is still within the mansion?”
Steward Zhao nodded quickly: “Yes, I am certain. I saw her run toward the back courtyard with my own eyes, and I immediately ordered all gates to be guarded. That maid is still inside—she couldn’t have grown wings to fly away.”
“If you see that maid again, will you recognize her?”
The gate guard remained silent, head bowed.
All the young maids wore similar clothes and were around the same age—they did look quite alike.
Steward Zhao answered without hesitation: “I would recognize that maid even if she were reduced to ashes!”
She had never encountered such a bold maid who, even when caught, showed no fear and even dared to smile at her.
The mere memory of that brilliant smile made Steward Zhao’s liver ache with anger.
“Search thoroughly! We must find out which courtyard this maid belongs to!”
After Steward Zhao withdrew, Madam Feng’s displeased gaze fell on Madam Xiao: “Xiao, you’re managing this household wonderfully indeed!”
Madam Xiao was furious inside.
She had been managing the household for years, and everything had always run smoothly before. Why was this year bringing one problem after another?
When misfortune strikes, even drinking cold water can chip a tooth!
“It’s my fault, mother-in-law. Once we find that maid, she will be properly punished to serve as an example to others.”
Madam Feng ignored her and simply closed her eyes.
Jiang Si ran back to the Begonia Court, and quickly changed her clothes with the help of A-Man and A-Qiao, and by the time Steward Zhao arrived with her search party, they found only the Fourth Miss with her usual cold demeanor, no different from any other day.
“What brings Steward Zhao here with such a crowd? Has a thief entered the mansion?”
Facing Jiang Si, Steward Zhao remained courteous: “A maid has caused trouble, but we don’t know which courtyard she’s from. I’m following Old Madam’s orders to check each courtyard, having just come from Third Miss’s place.”
The implication was clear—this search wasn’t targeting Jiang Si specifically.
Jiang Si nodded slightly, her lips tight as she turned to enter her room.
A-Qiao smiled: “Steward Zhao, everyone from Begonia Court is here. Please look carefully. If the person you’re seeking isn’t here, please move on to check elsewhere—our Miss doesn’t like noise.”
Steward Zhao surveyed all the maids and servants gathered in the courtyard, suppressed her disappointment, exchanged a few polite words with A-Qiao, and left with her group for the Fifth Miss’s courtyard.
Jiang Si stood by the window watching them leave, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
After this incident, the mansion’s security would certainly tighten. It would take more effort to leave in the future.
A-Man came closer: “Miss, why don’t we go out at night from now on? It’s much less troublesome at night.”
Jiang Si pinched the young maid’s fair cheek lightly and said softly: “We’ll see.”
After all the commotion in the mansion ended without results, Madam Feng was furious. She docked Steward Zhao’s wages for half a year, sent the gate guard to work at a remote estate, and even ordered Third Madam Guo to help Madam Xiao manage the household.
This was the first time Third Madam had ever been involved in household management—it was like a harsh slap to Madam Xiao’s face, leaving her completely deflated.
The mansion’s security indeed became unprecedentedly strict.
It was under these circumstances that Jiang Si suddenly received news from A-Fei through Old Qin: Zhu Ziyu had met with a woman at the Tianxiang Teahouse!
Upon hearing this news, Jiang Si wished she could sprout wings and fly out of the Earl’s mansion.
After brief consideration, she went straight to the front courtyard to find Jiang Ancheng.
“Father, I’ve been feeling confined at home and would like to go out for a while.” When facing Jiang Ancheng, Jiang Si didn’t need any tricks—her sweet, soft voice expressing her wishes was enough.
What father could resist his daughter’s coquettish plea?
Jiang Ancheng reached for his money pouch without hesitation: “If you want to go out, then go. Do you need more silver?”
Jiang Si smiled sweetly: “Father, please come with me. If I go alone, I’ll need to ask Grandmother’s permission, and I’m afraid of upsetting her.”
“Come along with Father.”
And so, Jiang Si left the mansion openly and properly with Jiang Ancheng.