After that night, He Ciyuan really didn't show any more improper behavior. Instead, he had an extra daybed added to the room, as if to imply that she didn't need to go back.
Actually, if anyone else had this chance, they would have already tried to gain favor and status. However, she was like a block of wood. Apart from her daily duties, she never got close to him.
On the other hand, Bixi's life was completely different.
With her extraordinary intelligence and gentle means, she had been officially promoted to a concubine and become a proper mistress in He Huaibi's room.
This day was the mid - month family banquet in the mansion. The old lady had summoned the young masters and young ladies from each branch to talk.
As He Ciyuan's only personal maid at present, Tian Yao naturally had to follow and serve.
As soon as she stepped into the warm pavilion in the old lady's courtyard, she felt several complex looks.
Inside the warm pavilion, the marquis's wife, the wives of the second and third branches were chatting and laughing with the old lady. The three young masters of the He family had also gathered.
He Huaibi was dressed in a moon - white brocade robe, looking as gentle as jade. Beside him sat a woman in a water - green silk dress with a gold and pearl hairpin in her hair. With charming eyes, it was Bixi.
Now that her status had changed, there was less of the servant's humility in her eyebrows and more of the calmness of a proper concubine.
He Chengyu was still dressed flamboyantly. His eyes wandered frivolously around everyone. When he saw Tian Yao, his eyes showed greed.
Tian Yao had a delicate figure. Against the luxurious background in the room, her plain little face looked even more elegant and stunning.
He Huaibi's gaze swept over inadvertently, paused for a moment, then quietly shifted away as he picked up his teacup.
She had tried very hard to make herself invisible like a wooden stake.
He Ciyuan seemed to be in a bad mood today. A cold aura that kept people at a distance emanated from his whole body. Tian Yao served him carefully.
But this scene looked different in He Chengyu's eyes.
"Big brother is really lucky these days," he said in a sarcastic tone, breaking the silence in the room. "With such a stunning maid to serve you, even drinking tea and sleeping must be more enjoyable than others, right?"
As soon as he said this, the whole room fell silent.
Everyone could hear the frivolity and implication in his words.
The marquis's wife frowned, obviously dissatisfied with He Chengyu's outspokenness. Bixi's face turned slightly pale, and she subconsciously looked at He Huaibi.
Tian Yao lowered her head even more, cursing in her heart. But she could feel that the coldness on He Ciyuan instantly turned into murderous intent.
Beauty is a curse...
"Third brother," He Huaibi said calmly, looking at He Chengyu. "She is just a serving maid. Your nonsense will only stain the girl's innocence for no reason."
As soon as he said this, everyone had different expressions.
He Chengyu sneered.
The old lady's eyes turned between He Huaibi and Tian Yao, and her look became somewhat meaningful.
Bixi just glanced at them quickly, with a hint of surprise in her eyes. He Huaibi was never a meddlesome person.
Tian Yao: I beg for a tutorial on how to die on the spot and travel back to the modern era unharmed.
Being noticed by the male protagonist of the original book was extremely dangerous. A small cannon - fodder like her couldn't bear it.
But why did it seem that the living Hades in front of her was also unhappy?
Tian Yao lowered her head slightly. From the corner of her eye, she saw that although the man was holding the teacup gracefully, his knuckles were slightly pale from the force, and there was an imperceptible look of disgust on his face.
His own property was being coveted by others?
"Humph," suddenly, a very soft sneer escaped from He Ciyuan's throat.
He slammed the teacup heavily on the table, making a crisp sound that was especially harsh in the silent warm pavilion.
"Mochen," his voice was icy.
Mochen immediately stepped forward: "My lord."
"Take her out," He Ciyuan's eyes didn't look at Tian Yao, but every word was aimed at her. "This unruly thing is an eyesore here."
These words were merciless, like a slap on Tian Yao's face.
Her face turned deathly pale, but she didn't dare to argue at all. She quickly knelt down: "This maid knows her mistake. Please punish me, young master."
"Get out," He Ciyuan didn't even look at her.
"Yes."
Tian Yao stood up trembling. Under the looks of sympathy, contempt, and schadenfreude in the room, she quickly followed Mochen out.
It wasn't until she walked out of the old lady's courtyard that Tian Yao finally couldn't help but gently tug on Mochen's sleeve.
"Brother Mochen..." her voice trembled with a sob. "What did I do wrong just now? Why is the young master so angry? I'm so scared."
She squeezed out two tears, just wanting to find out.
She really didn't understand. She hadn't made any obvious mistakes. Why did his attitude change so quickly?
Was this the so - called "a man's heart is as unfathomable as the bottom of the sea"?
Sometimes gentle, sometimes cold, and then turning into disgust the next moment?
Mochen stopped and looked back at her.
The little girl's eyes were red, full of confusion and grievance, like a little animal that had been kicked by its master for no reason, looking so pitiful.
He was silent for a moment, then finally said coldly: "You're too eye - catching. The young master doesn't like his things to be coveted."
In this world, people were also considered as things, not valuable and could be given away at will.
Tian Yao just managed to understand this.
Mochen didn't stay any longer. He turned around and walked forward, telling her to follow.
However, Tian Yao stood still, a chill rising from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, more bone - chilling than the winter wind.
She was a person, but not really a complete one. Because of the indenture in this ancient time, she was at most an item in this mansion. Even if the master wanted to force her today or arrange a marriage for her, she didn't have the right to refuse.
Whether it was the flirting, the protection, or He Ciyuan's anger, in essence, they all showed that she had no power above and no means of violence below. She could only rely on men or the powerful to survive.
People treated others according to their status. If a young lady of a noble family was standing in front of them, they certainly wouldn't dare to say such things. This principle was the same in any era.
Poverty and beauty were like a child walking through a busy market with gold. Any passer - by might become a bandit.
Tian Yao suddenly felt nauseous. A huge sense of fear and humiliation overwhelmed her.
She thought she had found a way to survive. She thought that as long as she was obedient and submissive, she could live a stable life.
"Surviving" in this era actually meant being controlled in another way.
This realization made her feel more desperate than any previous test or threat.
"What are you still standing there for?" Seeing that she didn't follow for a long time, Mochen's cold voice came from ahead.
Tian Yao gave a start and trotted to catch up.
She didn't dare to ask anymore or show any expression. She just lowered her head and pressed all her emotions deep in her heart.
When they returned to the courtyard and had been there for about half an hour, the candle in the study was already brightly lit.
He Ciyuan had already returned at some point. He was sitting behind the desk, playing with an iron ring on his finger. The air pressure around him was extremely low.