Chapter 39: The Silver-Tongued’s Dilemma

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Accountant Li tentatively placed a hand against the small of Qiaoshe’s back.

Her petite body stiffened at once, yet she did not pull away.

Accountant Li’s confidence swelled.

How could a helpless young maid refuse to submit?

With a smug smile, Big-Eyed Li eagerly let his hand slide toward her rounded hips.

Li’s elderly wife remained in their hometown, caring for his parents, while he lived alone at Phoenix Mountain Manor, keeping the accounts.

Each year, Big-Eyed Li could return home only during his allotted leave.

But even when he did go back, how could that faded, utterly charm-less old wife compare with the vibrant young woman before him?

What brushed against his fingertips was the youth he had long since lost.

“Ah! No…”

Qiaoshe suddenly cried out.

His movement had frightened her.

Perhaps, deep down, she had indeed considered relying on Mr. Li to change her desperate circumstances.

But whether she was truly willing to surrender herself for that sake was not a decision she could make so easily.

Before Accountant Li’s fingers had even reached their destination, the snake-like sensation had already jolted Qiaoshe awake.

Caught off guard, she shoved him backward. His face immediately darkened with embarrassment.

He lowered his expression and barked, “You lowly wretch! Do you still think you are the favored maid of the inner residence? The Young Madam regards you as a thorn in her side, and the Madam will not provoke a quarrel between mother and daughter-in-law over you. You are finished. Do you understand?”

Accountant Li hooked a finger beneath Miss Qiaoshe’s chin. A threatening, cold smile appeared on his wrinkled face.

“If you submit to me, I will stake what little dignity I have left and plead your case. Then you will no longer have to suffer. Otherwise… hmph!”

Qiaoshe’s heart twisted with indecision.

She knew he was telling the truth.

The Young Madam intended to make an example of her, while the Madam had abandoned her. She would never have a chance to rise again.

Though everyone in the First Branch’s inner residence—apart from the Young Madam—was technically a servant, servants themselves were divided into ranks.

Qiaoshe had once stood high above others. How could she now endure a life of humiliation, reduced almost to dust?

She was still so young, yet she had already been cast aside and pushed away. The suffocating oppression was enough to drive anyone mad.

But, but… was she truly going to submit to this old man?

The wrinkles on Mr. Li’s face resembled the cracked earth of a land parched by years of drought, furrowed and ridged in every direction…

Two clear tears slid down Qiaoshe’s pale cheeks. She abruptly shut her eyes.

Very well. Since everyone had abandoned her, she might as well offer herself up as a sacrifice.

She would simply pretend she had been bitten by a dog.

At that moment, a clear voice rang out beyond the door.

“Mr. Li, you have not retired for the night yet, have you? It is Yang Can. I have something to discuss with you.”

Accountant Li had just frightened Qiaoshe with his threats and was about to pounce upon her when he heard Yang Can’s voice. His heart filled with fury.

Damn it. You could have come earlier or later—why come now and ruin my affair?

He glanced at Miss Qiaoshe, who had opened her eyes again, and could only suppress his anger.

“Is that Steward Yang? Please wait a moment.”

Then Big-Eyed Li lowered his voice and threatened her. “Think carefully about what I have said. At present, I am the only one willing to save you from this misery. Once you miss this opportunity, there will be no second chance. Miss Qiaoshe, do not ruin yourself.”

With that, he darkened his face and ordered, “Wipe away those tears. Now.”

Big-Eyed Li hurried over, pulled open the door, and found Yang Can standing outside.

He asked in surprise, “Steward Yang, what brings you here so late at night?”

“Mr. Li, I have naturally come on business. What is the matter? Are you not going to invite me in?”

“Ah, look at me! Ha ha ha. Steward Yang, please, come in.”

Big-Eyed Li stepped aside. Yang Can entered and immediately caught sight of Qiaoshe.

“Mr. Li has a guest?”

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Big-Eyed Li hastily replied, “Oh, she is a messenger maid from the inner residence. She has brought over some account books that the Young Madam needs reviewed and compiled.”

He waved toward Qiaoshe. “That will do. You may return for now. Our accounting office will finish checking these books as quickly as possible.”

Qiaoshe had been standing there in a daze. The instant Big-Eyed Li waved her away, she hurried out as though granted a pardon from heaven.

Accountant Li arranged a smiling expression on his face and said to Yang Can, “Steward Yang, please sit. May I ask what brings you here?”

Qiaoshe stumbled out of Accountant Li’s residence and stopped beneath a great tree covered in winged elm seeds.

The tree was full of fragrant pods, their delicate scent drifting through the air and gradually calming her emotions.

Over the past two days, the Young Madam had punished her as a warning to others, and the Madam had abandoned her. Her circumstances had fallen from heaven to earth.

The inner residence was full of people who fawned upon the powerful and trampled the weak. No one had abused her physically, but the torment of the mind was already enough to make life worse than death.

The sudden change had left her mind muddled. Apart from wallowing in self-pity, she had been unable to think of any way to save herself.

Now, however, her thoughts suddenly cleared.

How could I have forgotten? I can still seek shelter with Steward Yang.

Qiaoshe suddenly remembered that when the Young Madam had punished her with slaps, Yang Can alone had dared not fear her.

He had openly stepped forward to help her, utterly unconcerned with the Young Madam’s displeasure.

“A maid serving in the First Branch’s household, and one of the Young Madam’s own attendants at that—the household’s dignity is displayed through her face. What would it look like if she were disfigured?”

“These days, the one overseeing the punishment looks more like a clown on a stage than the person receiving it.”

Steward Yang had not merely dared to apply medicine in public; he had even dared to mock Plum Blossom, the Young Madam’s trusted maid…

If I must find a patron, then choosing Steward Yang is surely better than choosing Accountant Li.

Leaving aside their influence and status, Steward Yang was young and handsome. How could he compare with that old fossil, Big-Eyed Li?

Qiaoshe took two steps backward and leaned against the great elm, hiding herself in its shadow.

Inside the room, Big-Eyed Li was both startled and delighted.

“You want me to accompany you on inspections of the various estates? Of course, of course! Why would that be a problem? I am naturally at Steward Yang’s disposal.”

The bubble of mucus beneath Big-Eyed Li’s nose nearly burst with delight.

Heh heh. I, Li, merely sit here at the manor, and Estate Master Zhang already sends me two gold cakes.

If I go to his door and inspect his accounts, how many gold cakes will he have to send me then?

This assignment will be extremely profitable.

Besides, the unpleasant task assigned by the Young Madam could now be passed off to someone else with perfect justification.

Big-Eyed Li eagerly agreed. “I am also a member of the First Branch, after all. It is only right that I share the burden of the Clan Chief and the Young Madam. Everything else can wait. Accompanying Steward Yang on his inspections is my duty, and I cannot shirk it. What? These account books? No problem. I will hand them over to my colleagues in the accounting office tomorrow.”

Yang Can smiled. “Since that is settled, then we have an agreement. Very well, it is deep into the night, and I shall not disturb your rest any longer. You may spend the next two days making preparations.”

“Rest assured, Steward Yang. I will not delay anything important.”

As he spoke, Accountant Li cheerfully escorted Yang Can to the door.

Yang Can raised his head and gazed at the moon, lost in thought for a moment.

“That little demon is not at her own home tonight, but at mine. It seems there will be another fierce battle this evening.”

Yang Can gathered his spirits and strode away.

You say he had reached the Realm of the Sages?

Mr. Yang’s foundation was too shallow and his heart of the Dao too unstable. He had already fallen an entire great realm.

The spring night breeze was faintly cool. Elm seeds drifted down with the wind, soft beneath one’s feet.

From beneath the shadows, Qiaoshe saw a tall, broad-shouldered figure approaching. She clenched her teeth.

“Steward Yang, save me!”

If Qiaoshe had not dropped to her knees so quickly, Yang Can would already have kicked her away.

“Steward Yang, this maid begs for your mercy.”

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Yang Can slowly lowered his raised right foot. Taking a closer look, he said in surprise, “You are not… You are that woman from the rear residence, are you not?”

“This maid is called Qiaoshe.”

“Yes, yes, Miss Qiaoshe. Why have you stopped me?”

“This maid… begs for Steward Yang’s mercy.”

“Mercy? Mercy for what? The Young Madam has not been making things difficult for you all this time, has she?”

“The Young Madam does not need to trouble herself with me constantly. Once she has cast me aside, there will naturally be others ready to kick me while I am down.”

Qiaoshe lifted her small, palm-sized face. Her fair cheeks flushed bright red.

“Please, Steward Yang, take me in. This maid can wash clothes, fold bedding, serve tea, pour water, warm your bed, and wash your feet.”

Yang Can frowned.

Was it really so serious? Why did she sound as though she could no longer survive? Was her situation truly that desperate?

Yang Can had never entertained any designs upon this girl, nor did he wish to take her into his chambers merely out of pity.

He carried a great secret—one capable of blowing a person to pieces.

There was still much he needed to do for the sake of that secret.

Wangcai was merely a servant who handled odd jobs. He had no fear of the boy discovering anything.

But a woman sleeping at his side was another matter entirely.

Besides, Qiaoshe had once belonged to the household of the Clan Chief’s wife.

No one knew whether every word she spoke was true. Was he really supposed to bring her home just like that?

He was engaged in a business that could cost him his head.

“Miss, let go. You… What sort of behavior is this?”

Yang Can helplessly tried to lift his leg, but could not.

One of his thighs was being hugged tightly by Qiaoshe.

“Please, Steward Yang, save me! If you refuse to help, this maid will have nowhere left to turn… I can only hang myself.”

“It cannot possibly be that serious…”

Yang Can was startled when he heard her speak of suicide.

Suolianzhi was pregnant. If Qiaoshe died, it would be as though she had died at Suolianzhi’s hands. That would be terribly inauspicious.

Hmm?

Yang Can suddenly remembered Li Youcai. Big Steward Li was looking for a pretty young maid, was he not?

Perhaps I can send this girl to Sister-in-law Pan.

“Very well, I agree to help you. Now get up.”

Qiaoshe was overjoyed. She raised her face and asked nervously, “Do you truly mean it, Steward?”

Yang Can could not help laughing. “Would I have any reason to deceive you? Get up.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Qiaoshe happily kowtowed to Yang Can before finally rising to her feet.

Yang Can said, “Return for now. Tomorrow I will ask the Young Madam to release you to me.”

“Yes, my lord. This maid obeys. I shall await Steward Yang!”

Qiaoshe accepted happily. She did not even notice that an elm seed had stuck to her forehead when she kowtowed.

Qiaoshe departed, as cheerful as a magpie searching for food.

Yang Can could not help laughing when he saw her.

He looked up at the moon and thought of the dumplings waiting at home, their skins thin, their fillings generous, their juices rich and savory.

In the chill of early spring, what greater happiness was there than for a weary man returning late to find a steaming bowl of dumplings waiting at home?

Yang Can walked away with a light step, like a country magpie.