Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Helpless
Qu Fulan lowered her gaze to pour them wine, silent and wordless, listening to their conversation.
To be precise, it was mostly An Ruchang speaking, going on and on with a lot, but when he didn’t gain Heir Pei’s approval, he turned to ask her instead.
"Does Miss Haitang think what I said makes sense?"
He had just laid out his future expectations, saying how mighty he would be on the battlefield, and urged Heir Pei to stand by his side and help convince his family to let him unleash his prowess at the border.
Qu Fulan only wanted to offer him four words.
All talk, no action.
But in reality, she could only say, "Mr. An sees too much in me, I’ve only lived so long and seen so few things, how could I understand these matters?"
An Ruchang finally realized he was desperately seeking help without reason and sighed, expressing his frustration at being unable to realize his ambitions.
Qu Fulan acted as if she didn’t notice.
She indeed had the ability to persuade this naïve young gentleman, but it was not appropriate for a maid like her to boast in front of a high-born young master she had just met.
Putting aside Mr. An’s abilities, as the only son of Prince Anyang, cherished like a treasure at home, even if he had the abilities, they wouldn’t let him go to war. In case something happened, how would the Anyang family live?
Thus, An Ruchang was destined not to be supported by his family.
Not long after, someone came looking for Haitang, saying the Third Young Madam called her over for some matter.
Qu Fulan naturally didn’t want to go, dealing with a Third Young Madam who wanted to scheme against her, when she didn’t like others playing tricks in front of Heir Pei; she chose the latter without hesitation.
But she had no choice, stood up to leave, Heir Pei’s gaze was indifferent, without even lifting his eyelids: "Did I tell you to go?"
The person who came was in a difficult position but didn’t dare to go against Heir Pei’s words, quietly backed away.
Yao Xing, upon learning Haitang was with Heir Pei, was livid.
What a skilled maid, how long has it been, and she’s already gotten involved with Heir Pei?
Truly a shameless wench!
Yet, despite her anger, with Heir Pei not releasing her, she couldn’t just rush over and seize her.
She could only first deal with Mrs. Zhao, promising to help mediate later, and definitely not fail Mrs. Zhao’s favor.
Upon returning, Qu Fulan followed Heir Pei out of the mansion, and just as they reached the gate, they saw Huan’er standing by the roadside eagerly waiting, immediately approaching upon seeing them come out.
"Greetings to the Heir, the Third Young Madam sent me to bring Sister Haitang back."
Qu Fulan then noticed the Third Young Madam’s carriage parked nearby, clearly waiting for her.
Heir Pei’s face was stern, not even glancing at them, he headed towards his own carriage.
Since the sun wasn’t as strong when they arrived, approaching evening the sunlight was harsh, Heir Pei also opted for the carriage.
As he walked, he instructed Haitang, who was lagging a step behind, "Let’s go."
Qu Fulan nodded apologetically at Huan’er, then quickly followed Heir Pei.
Huan’er was stunned for a moment, then remembered the Third Young Madam’s instructions, and quickly trotted after them, "Heir, the Third Young Madam said she would only feel reassured if she personally saw Haitang back to the Old Madam."
Pei Ji’an ignored the sight, didn’t pause his steps, Huan’er wanted to keep up but was blocked by the guards.
Returning to the carriage to report, Yao Xing listened, and was utterly humiliated, her face contorted with fury.
Once her husband boarded the carriage, her expression instantly changed, tears in her eyes, looking pitiably, "I brought Haitang out, yet in the end, she’s sent back by the Second Uncle. What would the Old Madam think of me?"
Pei Lian had drank quite a bit today, only desiring sleep, responded dismissively, "Who sends her doesn’t matter, don’t overthink it."
With that, he immediately started snoring.
Yao Xing was choked with anger, unable to swallow the affront.
Qu Fulan, on the other hand, felt much more at ease.
This time she was seated, not kneeling in the carriage, after all, Heir Pei wasn’t as petty as Yao Xing, who troubled even a maid.
The carriage even had a large tub of ice, very refreshing.
Indeed, those of high status had a different treatment, she wondered what predicament might await if she was still with the Third Young Madam.
Heir Pei drank some wine, as soon as he boarded the carriage, he leaned back to rest his eyes.
Qu Fulan sat quietly, unobtrusively observing the scenery outside the window.
The Capital City was indeed bustling, colorful displays all down the street, dazzling to the eyes.
Yet viewing it too long, an overwhelming sense of sourness welled within her heart.
After this outing, who knows when the next chance to come out might be.
With such thoughts, she lost the mood to continue watching.
In another carriage, a mother and daughter were solemn.
"Are you sure that’s a maid from the Pei Family?"
"Sure, I asked Miss Zheng, she said she saw her in the Pei family, the maid is called Haitang."
"Haitang, Haitang..." Mrs. Xiao muttered, closing her eyes for a brief moment before reopening them, their coldness evident, "Today’s matter, must not be mentioned to your brother, remember that."
Miss Xiao clearly understood her mother’s intent.
If her brother knew, wouldn’t he rush over to seize her from their family?
After all, he’s been looking for her.
But now, how could the Li Family compare to the Xiao Family? Not to mention, Li Jirou had become a lowly maid, if she were let into the Xiao Family, it’d be a disgrace.
"Mother, of course I won’t speak of it, but today she also saw us, if..."
No need to finish the sentence, Mrs. Xiao already knew.
"She can’t fulfill her wishes."
A mere maid, could she overturn her master’s palm?
Xiao Shinuan was unsettled. She was now of marriageable age, this was her most critical time, if her reputation was tarnished, her life would be done for.
Since childhood, she disliked Li Jirou, clearly she and her brother were family, yet her brother disregarded her repeatedly for Li Jirou.
Her clearest memory was when her brother got something good from outside, the only precious thing, she saw it first, liked it greatly, wanted it, but in the end, her brother gave it to Li Jirou.
Later, such instances became countless, as if Li Jirou was her brother’s sibling, everything good was first shown to her, only what she didn’t want would come to Xiao Shinuan.
Later still, she happened to like a young man, he too liked Li Jirou, yet everyone was still young then, her brother hadn’t realized.
She had prayed countless times, for Li Jirou to stay away from her life, and ideally never appear again.
Then one day her wish came true, Li Jirou really disappeared completely from her life.
But now, she reappeared.
If her brother knew, he would stop at nothing to bring her back, then everything would return to its beginning.
Unless, Li Jirou married, became another man’s woman.
No, Li Jirou was no longer a young lady of a wealthy house, she wasn’t eligible to marry into a prestigious family as a rightful wife.
That Mrs. Zhao had taken a liking to Li Jirou, hadn’t she?
She was destined to live a life as a concubine!
Before this happened, she wouldn’t let her brother discover Li Jirou’s whereabouts.