"Rip—" The sound of fabric tearing was particularly harsh in the silent corridor.
Tianyao looked down and saw that her clothes had been forcefully torn open, revealing the thin garment underneath.
The culprit was a young maid.
"Oops, Sister Tianyao, I really didn't do it on purpose. I didn't see you..."
But the flash of triumph in her eyes was clearly caught by Tianyao.
Several passing maids and old women around also cast gloating looks and whispered to each other.
"It's almost early winter, and she's still wearing such thin clothes."
"If you offend someone you shouldn't, you'll have to endure hunger and cold."
Tianyao clenched her fists tightly, her fingertips icy cold.
This was not simply a matter of having her monthly allowance deducted. It was clearly an attempt to make it impossible for her to stay here, forcing her to submit or driving her away.
Was it Bixi?
In the original book, the conflict between Bixi and "Tianyao" stemmed from their rivalry over He Huaibi. But now, she was clinging to He Ciyuan for survival and had even gone so far as to avoid He Huaibi.
This didn't fit the plot at all!
However, if she couldn't avoid it, she had to face it head - on.
Tianyao took a deep breath. After learning that He Huaibi would go out with the Marquise and wouldn't return until evening, she felt a surge of joy.
When Tianyao came to request an audience, Bixi was still trimming a pot of flowers. Hearing the news, she just sneered and said, "Let her in."
"Sister Tianyao isn't serving the eldest young master. How come you have the time to come to my place?"
Being a mistress really made a difference. Her words were polite, but the contempt in her eyes was almost palpable.
Tianyao didn't look at her. Instead, she knelt down straight away, her forehead touching the cold floor tiles.
"Aunt Bixi."
This kneel made all the mean words Bixi had prepared get stuck in her throat.
She had thought that Tianyao must be a vain and aggressive little girl, but unexpectedly, she was different from what she had imagined.
"What are you doing?" Bixi frowned, her voice tinged with caution.
"I'm here today to admit defeat to you, Auntie." Tianyao's voice was soft but extremely clear. "I don't know where I went wrong and offended you, but I have absolutely no inappropriate thoughts about the second young master. May the heavens, the earth, the sun, and the moon bear witness!"
She looked up, her watery eyes full of earnestness and panic. "I just want to be a good - behaved girl and get married when the time comes. I hope you'll be kind enough to spare my life."
Was she really here to admit defeat?
Bixi's guard was slightly lowered, but she still refused to admit it. "What are you talking nonsense about? Your affairs are not up to me. You should go to the steward instead."
"Yes, it was my foolishness, Tianyao." Tianyao immediately followed her words, lowering her stance extremely. "Tianyao just wants to tell you, Auntie, that I'm of humble status and only seek peace. From now on, when I see the second young master, I'll definitely go around him and never get in your way."
After saying that, she kowtowed heavily, then stood up and respectfully retreated. From beginning to end, there was not a single word of accusation or complaint.
Watching the slender figure disappear at the door, Bixi was lost in thought for a long time.
"Huamei."
"Yes, Auntie."
"Go and tell Nanny Zhang to give her the monthly allowance as usual next month."
"Yes."
It didn't matter anyway. Tianyao didn't have the guts.
In the following days, everything was calm as expected, and Tianyao successfully received her monthly allowance and other subsidies.
One day, she was ordered by the old lady to fetch the birthday gift that had been sent to the embroidery workshop for processing a few days ago. Since the embroidery workshop was located in the most remote corner of the mansion, she had to pass through a small, seldom - visited bamboo forest.
It had just rained the day before. The slippery moss was a headache to look at. Tianyao could only carefully lift her skirt and walk slowly.
Suddenly, her foot slipped. She let out a startled cry, and her body uncontrollably tilted to one side.
"Ouch!"
She was doomed before she even started!
The expected pain didn't come. Instead, she fell into a warm and solid embrace.
A clear scent of pine mixed with a faint smell of ink instantly surrounded her.
Tianyao's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly looked up.
What came into view was a handsome face like jade. It was He Huaibi. He held her waist with one hand and supported her arm with the other, with a hint of concern between his eyebrows.
"Be careful." His voice was as gentle as the spring breeze.
Tianyao's face turned deathly pale in an instant. Only one thought remained in her mind: It's over!
How did she run into him here? She had clearly inquired and knew that he wasn't at home.
Moreover, this place was so remote. What was he doing here?
Tianyao panicked and tried to break free, but the other party obviously had no intention of letting go.
"The road is slippery on a rainy day. Where are you going?" he asked gently.
"No, there's no need!" Tianyao was so anxious that she was about to cry. She pushed his chest hard. "This servant can manage on her own. Please let go, Second Young Master!"
She had promised Bixi that she would avoid him. If someone saw this, she wouldn't be able to explain herself even if she had a hundred mouths!
Just as they were struggling, neither of them noticed that not far behind a rockery, a cold and icy gaze was quietly watching them.
He Ciyuan was sitting in a wheelchair, with Mochen standing behind him.
His gaze fell on He Huaibi's hand on Tianyao's waist. His eyes gradually turned dark and gloomy, like a deep pool filled with ice.
Didn't she say she would stay by his side obediently? How come she was in He Huaibi's arms in a blink of an eye?
Playing both sides?
"Humph." A very soft sneer escaped from his throat, filled with indescribable mockery and coldness.
He didn't say a word. He just turned the wheelchair and left silently.
Tianyao was extremely flustered. Regardless of etiquette, she hurriedly pushed him hard, trying to escape from this confinement.
"Second Young Master, please respect yourself!"
But He Huaibi refused to let her go. He blocked her way. "You know I'm not an unreasonable person. Why do you reject me so much?"
His voice was not loud, but every word hit Tianyao's heart. "Mother originally intended for you to be my chambermaid. Why did you choose my elder brother? A... a cripple."
He had some difficulty saying the last two words, as if he also felt it was inappropriate to describe his elder brother like this. But that sense of unwillingness and confusion was real.
Moreover, there were very few people in this mansion who truly respected He Ciyuan.
She forced herself to calm down, looked up, and showed a panicked and humble expression. "You've misunderstood, Second Young Master. You're a noble person, while this servant is just an ordinary maid. How dare I have any thoughts about you?"
"High - sounding words." He called her a glib - tongued flatterer.
"I don't believe it." He took a step forward, approaching her. The clear scent enveloped her again. "What's wrong with this young master that I can't catch your eye?"
Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her slender wrist. The force wasn't strong, but it carried an unyielding determination.