For half the day, Chang Yuncheng had been hovering around Qi Yue with that strange smile and strange tone of voice, making Qi Yue’s skin crawl. Taking advantage of when he went to the privy, Qi Yue quickly summoned the maids.
“From yesterday afternoon until I returned, the Lord didn’t suffer any shock, did he?” she asked in a low voice.
Qiu Xiang didn’t know what to say to this question, but Que Zhi’s eyes lit up.
“Young Madam, when the Lord returned yesterday, he had the scent of cosmetics on him,” she said in a low voice.
Qiu Xiang and A’Ru were startled by her words. What was this dead girl trying to do!
“What nonsense are you talking? There are so many women in the household, and every room burns incense. Which young master doesn’t have a fragrant scent on him?” Qiu Xiang quickly said.
“But the Lord came back from outside, and he went drinking with Young Master Fan. They were outside…” Que Zhi was about to continue when A’Ru beside her reached out and pinched her hard, stopping her in time.
How could these little maids’ thoughts and schemes escape Qi Yue’s notice? She laughed heartily.
“What are you laughing at?” Chang Yuncheng came out and asked.
Qi Yue waved her hand, and the three quickly withdrew.
As soon as they left, A’Ru and Qiu Xiang pulled Que Zhi into a room.
“Sisters, I was thinking of the Young Madam’s good too…” Que Zhi said fearfully, seeing the two maids’ expressions.
“Good? The Lord and Young Madam are just getting along better, and you say this. Do you want the Young Madam and Lord to fight again?” A’Ru scolded coldly.
“Exactly, only you have such a sharp nose. Can’t I smell? What were you rushing to say?” Qiu Xiang was also full of anger. Thinking of something, she looked Que Zhi up and down. “Also, when did you get close to the Lord?”
“I, I was serving tea to the Lord…” Que Zhi said sheepishly.
“Didn’t I say that when the Young Madam isn’t around, none of you are allowed to enter the Lord’s room?” A’Ru’s expression became even uglier as she looked Que Zhi up and down.
Que Zhi felt uneasy under her gaze.
“No, no. I really want the Young Madam and Lord to get along well. I was reminding the Young Madam so that the Lord wouldn’t be bewitched by outsiders…” she said hurriedly, her face alternating between pale and red with urgency. “How could I not want them to get along? If the Lord and Young Madam don’t get along, what good would I have!”
A’Ru looked at her and nodded.
“Good that you know. If the Young Madam isn’t well, none of us will have it easy,” she said.
Que Zhi nodded repeatedly.
“Also, I hope you won’t forget what I’ve said again,” A’Ru continued, looking at Que Zhi with a stern face. “If there’s a next time…”
“There won’t be, there won’t be. There won’t be a next time,” Que Zhi said hurriedly.
While the maids went out to talk, in the room Qi Yue looked at Chang Yuncheng and smiled.
“What are you laughing at?” Chang Yuncheng felt uncomfortable under her smile.
“How did you end up drinking with Young Master Fan?” Qi Yue laughed, propping her chin on her hand as she looked at him.
“Why can’t I drink with him?” Chang Yuncheng frowned.
“Didn’t they say birds of a feather flock together?” Qi Yue smiled.
Chang Yuncheng was about to glare when he remembered Fan Yilin’s guidance.
Don’t always glare. Your eyes are big, and glaring is very scary. Women are all timid and love to overthink. Even when nothing’s wrong, they can imagine something is wrong when you glare… So squint instead. Squinting makes you look more… approachable…
Chang Yuncheng’s half-glare slowly turned into a squint.
Qi Yue had been watching him the whole time, so she clearly saw the change. She was first dumbfounded, then burst into laughter.
Chang Yuncheng’s face immediately flushed red from her laughter.
“What are you laughing at, you damned woman! Would it kill you to speak properly!” he slammed the table and shouted, instantly forgetting Fan Yilin’s words.
Qi Yue continued laughing loudly.
“What are you up to, you guy?” she laughed. “Would it kill you to speak properly?”
Chang Yuncheng swept his sleeves and walked away.
Qi Yue quickly stepped forward to grab him.
“Alright, alright, I won’t laugh at you anymore,” she said, suppressing her mouth. Then she burst out laughing again.
Chang Yuncheng swept his sleeves.
Qi Yue held on.
“Alright, alright, I really won’t laugh anymore. I understand your intentions,” she said. “I forgive you.”
“Do I need your forgiveness? Besides, when did I offend you?” Chang Yuncheng turned to look at her.
Qi Yue smiled and patted her chest.
“Alright, back to normal. Now that’s what you should say,” she laughed, while giving Chang Yuncheng a meaningful look. “Don’t learn from that boy.”
Chang Yuncheng’s face went from blue to red to white.
This damned woman… had been watching him make a fool of himself all along.
Qi Yue patted his arm, smiled with pursed lips, and turned to walk away.
“Oh right,” she stopped and turned to look at Chang Yuncheng with a smile. “I still prefer you this way.”
Chang Yuncheng felt like thunder crashed in his head.