Xiao Bao'er recalled for a moment and confirmed that there was no impression of this little maid in her memory. But now the girl had already run away. It was impossible for her to chase after, right?
With that thought, she averted her gaze and continued on her way to the Ning'an Courtyard.
When she arrived at the Ning'an Courtyard, Nanny Qin came to inform her that the old lady was ill and had excused all the young ladies from paying their respects. She told Xiao Bao'er to go back.
Xiao Bao'er looked at Nanny Qin with a half - smile. "Nanny Qin, it seems the lesson I gave you last time wasn't enough. Not only do you not pay your respects when you see this princess, but you're even too lazy to address me as 'Miss'."
Seeing the cold glint in Xiao Bao'er's eyes, Nanny Qin felt a pang on her cheek. Reluctantly, she knelt down. "Please forgive this old servant, Miss. I'm old and spoke out of turn. I hope the Miss will be magnanimous..."
"Very well said," Xiao Bao'er suddenly interrupted Nanny Qin. "Since Nanny Qin already knows her mistake, a mistake should be punished. Am I right, Nanny Qin?"
A chill ran down Nanny Qin's back. She felt that there was nothing but malice in Xiao Bao'er's words.
But she couldn't say no. She had to bite the bullet and reply, "Y - yes, but Miss..."
"Good. Nanny Qin is indeed an old servant by the old lady's side. You know the rules."
Xiao Bao'er interrupted Nanny Qin again. Under Nanny Qin's panicked gaze, she slowly said, "Since Nanny Qin also thinks a mistake should be punished, then please kneel here for two hours and reflect on your actions. So that you won't offend others next time."
After saying that, without waiting for Nanny Qin to react, she turned around and was about to leave.
Before leaving, she thought for a moment and instructed Lingzhi beside her, "You stay here and watch Nanny Qin. Don't let her give up halfway. Otherwise, others might think Nanny Qin only pays lip service to the rules."
Under the tearful looks of Lingzhi and Nanny Qin, Xiao Bao'er left contentedly.
When passing by the garden, Xiao Bao'er felt that gaze again. This time, when she looked over, the little maid didn't hide. Instead, she stood out boldly. But she still hesitated, as if unsure whether to come over.
Xiao Bao'er could sense the little maid's nervousness. She waved at the girl. "Come over without worry. I'm alone."
Hearing this, the little maid walked over at ease. Before Xiao Bao'er could ask, the little maid knelt down first and kowtowed three solid times to Xiao Bao'er.
"Miss, you're truly a merciful bodhisattva. You saved this maid. I've always wanted to thank you in person. I finally got the chance now..."
Xiao Bao'er was completely confused. She quickly stopped the little maid from kowtowing further.
"Slow! Slow down. Are you mistaken? I don't remember ever saving you."
The little maid looked up, her eyes already red. She began to tell Xiao Bao'er her story.
The little maid's name was Pan'er. She was a servant born into the Xiao Mansion. Since her parents held relatively high positions, Pan'er was initially arranged as a third - rank maid in the old lady's courtyard. She was just waiting to be promoted to a second - rank maid by the old lady's side when she got older.
Nanny Qin thought Pan'er was good - looking and had a gentle personality. So she approached Pan'er's mother, who was in charge of the kitchen, and wanted to arrange a marriage between Pan'er and her son.
Nanny Qin was the most favored servant by the old lady's side and always had the final say in the mansion. Pan'er's mother had originally found a good match for Pan'er. But when Nanny Qin came to propose the marriage, she began to hesitate.
When the little maid said this, she was so aggrieved that she shed tears. Xiao Bao'er was even more confused. What did this have to do with her saving the girl?
"Take your time. Then what?"
The little maid continued, "Mother was initially tempted. But after inquiring, she found out that Nanny Qin's son was a fool. He was almost twenty - eight years old but still needed others to help him dress, eat, and even couldn't take care of his own daily needs."
At this, Xiao Bao'er suddenly remembered that in her past life, after she came of age, she was seriously ill and on the verge of death. She vaguely heard Lingzhi joking with other maids by her bedside.
This incident was among them. They said that Nanny Qin's foolish son had married a second - rank maid from the old lady's courtyard. Lingzhi and the others mocked that the girl was just a servant. Outside, she served as a second - rank maid, and at home, she became a maid serving her husband.
Even though Nanny Qin knew that her foolish son was impotent, she often scolded and beat Pan'er in public, saying that Pan'er was a hen that couldn't lay eggs.
Now, hearing Pan'er's story, Xiao Bao'er also vaguely remembered that such an incident had indeed happened.
Xiao Bao'er asked Pan'er, "If that's the case, how did I save you?"
When it came to this, Pan'er wanted to kowtow to Xiao Bao'er again. Under Xiao Bao'er's helpless and stern stop, Pan'er continued.
"That day, Miss, you told Sister Lingzhi to slap Nanny Qin. Nanny Qin felt so humiliated that she didn't dare to show up in front of my mother. Moreover, these days she's been busy speaking ill of you to the other servants and has no time to bother about me."
"..."
Xiao Bao'er was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say.
She didn't expect that the slap she had Lingzhi give out of a moment's whim would actually indirectly save Pan'er.
Seeing Xiao Bao'er nod and fall into deep thought, Pan'er got a bit anxious. She had come to find the Miss not only to thank her but also to ask a favor. But now, seeing the Miss silent, she didn't dare to continue speaking.
For a moment, it was completely quiet.
Xiao Bao'er came back to her senses. Seeing Pan'er still kneeling stupidly at her feet, she quickly helped the girl up.
But Pan'er nervously grasped the corner of her sleeve. Then, as if making up her mind, she closed her eyes, blushed, and pleaded with Xiao Bao'er, "Miss, please take pity on me and accept me!"
Xiao Bao'er fell silent again...
With Pan'er's appearance and these words, it seemed as if she was asking to be taken as a concubine.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Bao'er figured that if Pan'er continued to stay in the old lady's courtyard, Nanny Qin would surely set her sights on the girl again. No wonder the girl's eyes were so urgent. She must be scared.
So she nodded and smiled. "I happen to be short of a thoughtful maid by my side. If you're willing to come to my courtyard, I'd be very welcome."
A look of joy appeared on Pan'er's face, and excited tears welled up in her eyes. "Thank you, Miss! In the future, I'll learn from Sister Lingzhi and give the loudest slaps to protect the Miss!"
A stream of words of gratitude and loyalty came out of Pan'er's mouth as if they were free. But as she spoke, Pan'er began to worry again.
"But will the old lady and Nanny Qin let this maid go so easily..."
Xiao Bao'er smiled meaningfully. "Now that I'm a princess, it's not a difficult thing to ask for a little maid. Moreover..."
"Moreover what?" Pan'er opened her eyes wide and asked.
"Moreover, don't I have a capable maid by my side? Let her inform the old lady. I think it'll be fine."
Only then did Pan'er finally feel relieved. She looked at Xiao Bao'er gratefully.
Two hours later, when Lingzhi returned to the courtyard and learned that Xiao Bao'er had assigned her this task, she wished she could faint on the spot.