If he was really as the book implied and there was a hidden reason behind his so - called "brutality", then his courtyard might not be such a forbidden place.
Maybe it could even become her haven.
With this thought in mind, Tian Yao's steps became a bit lighter.
After getting the monthly allowance from the accounting room, she arrived at He Ciyuan's courtyard gate.
Where was the supposed desolate and gloomy place?
This courtyard gate was probably on par with the heir's courtyard.
Tian Yao stated her purpose and asked someone to go in and announce her arrival.
Before long, a black - clothed man walked out. His face was stern, and his eyes were as sharp as knives. He sized Tian Yao up and down.
"You're here to deliver the monthly allowance?"
Tian Yao suppressed the fear in her heart and tried to stay calm. "Yes, this servant has been ordered by the old lady to deliver the monthly allowance."
"Follow me."
The man led her into the courtyard. As soon as she stepped in, Tian Yao was stunned.
He Ciyuan's courtyard was truly a world of its own.
There were pavilions, towers, and houses with carved beams and painted rafters. There was even a pool of clear water with a few koi swimming in it.
When they reached the storeroom, Tian Yao handed over the monthly allowance to the steward. The man stood beside them, his face tense, and his eyes fixed on her all the time.
Feeling the awkward atmosphere, Tian Yao had to start a conversation on her own. "Big brother, the eldest young master's courtyard is really imposing. This servant has never seen such a delicate courtyard before."
The man didn't say a word and just stared at her coldly.
Tian Yao continued bravely, "They all say that the eldest young master has a... strict personality, but it seems that the outside world has misunderstood him. From the things in this courtyard, one can tell that the master has refined taste and a broad mind."
As she spoke, she secretly observed the man's reaction. Seeing his expression loosen slightly, she felt a bit relieved and added a few more words of flattery about He Ciyuan.
Just then, the sound of a wheelchair rolling on the ground suddenly came from around the corner.
Tian Yao's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and met He Ciyuan's deep eyes.
She didn't know how long he had been standing there or how much he had heard.
Tian Yao's face instantly turned as red as blood. She wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
Getting caught complimenting someone behind their back was so embarrassing!
He Ciyuan's gaze stayed on her face for a moment and then fell on her chest, which was rising and falling slightly due to nervousness. The sweet fragrance mixed with the scent of a young girl smelled like a freshly baked sweet cake.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Tian Yao summoned up her courage and looked up at He Ciyuan with a flattering smile on her face.
A look of surprise flashed across He Ciyuan's eyes. Then he lifted the corner of his mouth, reached out his hand, grabbed a few gold ingots from the newly - delivered monthly allowance, and threw them at her. "This is a reward for you."
Tian Yao fumbled to catch them and stole glances at the gold ingots from time to time.
These few gold ingots were worth several years' monthly pay for a maid like her!
"Thank you, eldest young master, for the reward!" Tian Yao beamed with joy. This time, she was truly happy.
He Ciyuan watched her brilliant smile, his eyes deepening, but he didn't say anything. He steered his wheelchair and turned away.
Tian Yao left the courtyard happily, holding the gold ingots in her arms.
It was not until her figure disappeared that the black - clothed man whispered to He Ciyuan, "My lord, this person's behavior is suspicious. This subordinate is worried. We might as well..."
He Ciyuan stared at the direction Tian Yao had left in, his fingertips gently tapping on the armrest of the wheelchair. "No need. Just keep an eye on her for now."
On her way back, the gold ingots weighing heavily in her arms made Tian Yao's steps even lighter.
She was just thinking about where to hide these gold ingots when, as soon as she turned a moon - shaped gate, she bumped into someone head - on.
Tian Yao looked up. Her heart skipped a beat, and the smile on her face vanished instantly.
The person in front of her was dressed in a brocade robe. He was good - looking, but there was a hint of frivolity in his eyes and eyebrows.
It was the third young master of the marquis's mansion, He Chengyu.
There were two servants following behind him. As soon as they saw Tian Yao, their eyes lit up like cats that had smelled fish, without any attempt to hide their interest.
"Isn't this little sister Tian Yao?"
He Chengyu's eyes were glued to her. He looked her up and down and finally stopped at her chest without any reservation. "Little sister, you seem to be in such a hurry. Where are you going?"
Tian Yao suppressed her disgust and curtsied. "This servant has just come from the eldest young master's courtyard and is on her way back to the old lady's courtyard to report."
He Chengyu took a few steps forward and almost pressed against Tian Yao. The smell of wine mixed with a strong, cloying fragrance seemed to envelop them.
"I heard that mother originally wanted to choose you as the second brother's concubine. Why did you decline? Do you have your eye on some other master?"
Tian Yao took a step back to create some distance. "The third young master is joking. This servant is unruly and afraid she won't be able to serve others well. She doesn't dare to aim too high."
"Oh?" He Chengyu drawled the word, lazily raising his eyebrows. When he looked down, he vaguely saw the fair skin at the collar of her dress. His eyes immediately went blank.
"Go." He Chengyu closed his folding fan and stepped aside.
Tian Yao quickly curtsied and walked away quickly.
Even after walking a long way, Tian Yao could still feel He Chengyu's uncomfortable gaze on her back, making her skin crawl.
This libertine!
"Master!"
After a while, He Chengyu came back to his senses when he heard the servant's call.
He withdrew his gaze, handed his fan to the servant beside him, and then, as if possessed, followed her.
When she got back to her quarters, Tian Yao immediately started to change clothes.
The weather was extremely stuffy, and her body was covered in sticky sweat. She just wanted to wash up and rest as soon as possible.
However, just as she was undressing, a figure slipped in behind her.
"Who?"
Tian Yao's voice trembled.
The figure staggered towards her, and the familiar smell of wine surrounded her.
It was actually He Chengyu!
"Third... third young master," Tian Yao subconsciously took a step back. "Why are you here? This is the maids' quarters. If someone sees..."
He Chengyu smiled wickedly and reached out to touch Tian Yao's face.
"Don't be afraid. Don't worry. I've sent away the old woman guarding the door. No one will disturb us."
Tian Yao dodged in a hurry, her heart pounding. "The third young master, please respect yourself! This servant serves the old lady."
He Chengyu's face darkened. "You're being ungrateful. Do you think that just because you didn't go to the second brother's courtyard, you can climb higher? Dream on!"
He suddenly pounced on her, pinning Tian Yao against the wall. It seemed like he was about to tear off her clothes.
Tian Yao was extremely angry.
"Help——Mmm!"
She tried to call for help but was covered by his hand.
Just when Tian Yao was almost in despair, the sound of footsteps and voices suddenly came from outside.
He Chengyu stopped his movement, and Tian Yao took the opportunity to bite the man's palm.
"Ah!"
Then the man ran away without a trace.
"Slut!"
He Chengyu cursed.
"You can escape today, but not tomorrow. Let's see how long you can hide!"
Tian Yao ran out. There was no one outside. It seemed that the people had already passed by.
It was not until she was sure that He Chengyu wasn't chasing her that she leaned against the wall and gasped for breath.
It was not easy to survive in this deep mansion. Being beautiful was even a sin.
Since He Chengyu had set his eyes on her, he would surely not give up easily.
She had managed to escape by luck today, but what about tomorrow and the day after?