If He Chengyu were to ask for her, the old madam, being soft - hearted, might really give her to him.
By then, she would be like a lamb in the tiger's den, unable to live or die!
Tian Yao leaned against the cold wall and slowly slid down to sit on the ground.
As night deepened, the lanterns under the corridor swayed in the wind, casting flickering lights and shadows.
She must find a backer for herself as soon as possible, a backer that even He Chengyu wouldn't dare to provoke easily.
In the entire Marquis Mansion, there was only one person who met this condition.
He Ciyuan.
Having made up her mind, Tian Yao stood up, straightened her clothes, and walked towards the small kitchen.
Early the next morning, Tian Yao got up extra early on purpose. She fetched a plate of freshly - baked osmanthus cakes from the small kitchen and then went to attend on the old madam.
The old madam was having breakfast. Tian Yao carefully placed the pastries on the table, served the old madam with dishes and poured tea, being extremely attentive.
After breakfast, when Tian Yao was massaging the old madam's legs, she casually said, as if by accident, "Old madam, this slave heard some gossips when she went out yesterday. I don't know if I should say it or not."
The old madam closed her eyes and said lazily, "What gossips?"
Tian Yao lowered her voice, "This slave heard that some people outside are gossiping that there are new people around the two young masters of our Marquis Mansion, but only the eldest young master's courtyard is cold and deserted. There isn't even a considerate servant. They said... they said that the Marquis Mansion treats the eldest young master harshly. After all, he is a concubine - born son and not valued."
The old madam suddenly opened her eyes, and her face darkened, "Nonsense! These are just those black - hearted people gossiping!"
Tian Yao quickly knelt down, "This slave doesn't dare to hide anything. But those people also said that the eldest young master is already so pitiful with his disabled legs, and the Marquis Mansion doesn't even assign a caring person to him. It's really too heartless."
The old madam's face became even more unpleasant. Although she didn't like He Ciyuan, she was very concerned about her reputation.
Back then, when the marquis returned from the war and wanted to take He Ciyuan into the ancestral hall, although she didn't like it, considering that he was the blood of the Marquis Mansion, she let him recognize his ancestors.
Over the years, she had never treated He Ciyuan harshly. Wasn't it just for a good reputation? Tian Yao's words just hit her sore spot.
She secretly observed the old madam's expression and added fuel to the fire, "This slave also heard that some people even used this matter to make an issue, saying that the Marquis Mansion is benevolent on the surface but actually cold - hearted and ungrateful. They treat their own flesh and blood like this..."
"Enough!" The old madam interrupted sharply, looking at Tian Yao with a sharp gaze, "You seem to have something else in mind when you say these things."
Tian Yao's heart tightened. She knew that her little scheme couldn't be hidden. She quickly kowtowed and said, "This slave talked too much. Please punish this slave, old madam. This slave is just angry that those people are talking nonsense and ruining the reputation of the Marquis Mansion."
The old madam looked at her coldly. After a long time, she said, "You seem to be quite concerned about the eldest young master."
Tian Yao didn't dare to answer and just knelt there obediently.
After a while, the old madam suddenly said, "Come to think of it, Ciyuan's courtyard really lacks a considerate person. Since you're so indignant for him, why don't you go to his courtyard to serve?"
Happiness came so suddenly. Naturally, Tian Yao was overjoyed in her heart, but she didn't dare to show it on her face, "Old madam, this slave still wants to serve you for a few more years."
"Alright," the old madam's eyes were piercing, "Don't act like this in front of me. Since you have this intention, I'll fulfill you. Pack your things today and go to the eldest young master's courtyard."
Having managed the entire Marquis Mansion for so many years, how could she not see through the thoughts of these maids?
They didn't want to be matched with those servants and wanted to climb into the beds of the masters relying on their beauty. Sooner or later, they couldn't be kept. It was better to send them away now.
When Tian Yao exited the room, she could still feel the cold aura around the old madam. Women who made a living in the Marquis Mansion were really not to be underestimated.
Back in the maids' quarters, Tian Yao packed up her few belongings.
As for those gold ingots, of course, she hid them close to her body.
When she went out, she deliberately chose a new dress, a lotus - pink ruffled skirt with a slightly lower neckline than usual. The girl in the mirror had bright eyes and white teeth, skin as smooth as凝结的 fat, and there was a hint of charm between her eyebrows.
Tian Yao was quite satisfied with her appearance. It was more than enough for her to be a concubine - in - waiting. She thought it would be safe to be around a man like He Ciyuan who was "impotent".
Tian Yao packed up her luggage properly and walked towards He Ciyuan's courtyard.
He Ciyuan named this courtyard "Mo Jiao Pavilion". When she entered it again, Tian Yao was no longer as restrained as before. She generously told the guards her purpose.
Soon, the black - clothed man, Mo Chen, led her through the courtyard to the study door.
"The master is inside. Serve him carefully."
Mo Chen nodded slightly.
Tian Yao pushed the door open and entered. She saw He Ciyuan lying on the couch with his eyes closed, taking a nap. He was holding a book in his hand. The whole person looked lazy and idle, lacking the usual oppressive aura.
"This slave, Tian Yao, is here by the old madam's order to serve the eldest young master."
Tian Yao knelt down and saluted, her voice soft.
"Get up," He Ciyuan put down the book and his gaze fell on her, "Mo Chen told me. Since it's a gift from the old madam, stay. I'll have a room cleaned up for you later."
Concubine - in - waiting? He thought she was probably a maid sent by the old madam to take care of his daily life, and she even had a strange name.
As He Ciyuan was thinking, he saw Tian Yao expose the dazzlingly white skin on her neck when she stood up. Her well - nourished body parts were tightly wrapped by her clothes, and her waist was so slender that it could be grasped with one hand.
Like a freshly - baked milk cake.
He Ciyuan commented.
"Thank you, eldest young master."
Tian Yao crouched down and saluted again. As she moved, beads of sweat rolled down from her temples. Her snow - white skin turned pink, adding a bit more charm.
Before her voice faded, He Ciyuan pushed his wheelchair closer to her, almost touching her. His eyes were firmly fixed on Tian Yao's moist lips, and his eyes became a bit deep.
He Ciyuan's Adam's apple rolled involuntarily, and he said:
"Come closer. Let me take a bite."
?
Tian Yao was completely stunned and suspected that she had misheard.
Take a bite? What a strange request!
But before she could react, He Ciyuan had already leaned over and pulled her into his arms without hesitation.
"E - eldest young master!"
Tian Yao stiffened all over. He Ciyuan's face loomed large in front of her.
After that, there was a warm and humid touch on her lips.
The man's movements were awkward but persistent, as if he really regarded her as food.
Tian Yao was forced to tilt her head back, enduring this unexpected "meal".
Gradually, Tian Yao found that he really treated her like a "dish", nibbling from her lips to her neck.
I don't know how long it took. He Ciyuan seemed satisfied and buried his head in her snow - white neck.
Tian Yao was out of breath, sweating profusely, and her eyes were red.
She was both ashamed and aggrieved.
What was He Ciyuan doing!
Wasn't he impotent?
She had finally come to his side, but as soon as she came, she was bullied!
Wasn't this just walking into the tiger's den!
Tian Yao pitifully wanted to leave and found that her voice was hoarse.
"Eldest young master..."