The warm breath of He Ciyuan brushed past her lips. The words "What do you want" were like poisoned honey, alluring one into indulgence and also foretelling doom.
Tian Yao's heart almost stopped beating at that moment.
This was a trap, but also the only chance.
Since she wanted to cling to a powerful backer, she had to let others see her value and the benefits she could bring. Otherwise, why would others help her?
She firmly suppressed her fear deep in her heart. Instead of backing away, Tian Yao lifted her tear - streaked eyes to meet his inquisitive gaze.
She slowly shook her head. Her voice trembled with a sense of desperation, but every word was clear.
"I don't want gold and silver, nor do I want a title. I just want to live in peace. In the future, I'd like to find a place to settle down."
She didn't even dare to think about getting married and having children. Anyway, those were all future matters. Moreover, for a person like her, if she didn't marry a high - ranking official or a nobleman, could her husband protect her?
Either retire to the mountains or marry a powerful man. That was the most crucial thing.
Her answer clearly surprised He Ciyuan. He raised his eyebrows, signaling her to continue.
"I may have had my own little thoughts when I helped the young master, but it was also because I wanted to be valued and didn't want to be humiliated by those people. As long as you need me, I'll surely serve you to the death."
[I'm gambling on your being overly suspicious and extremely eager to control everything!]
Rather than being passive, it was better to take the initiative to ask for something. Even a little bit of power could provide some breathing space.
The air was deathly still.
After a long while, He Ciyuan suddenly let out a low laugh. The vibration of his chest was transmitted to Tian Yao's palm through the wheelchair. There was no warmth in that laugh, but it carried a hint of playful approval.
"Fine. But I don't keep useless people. If one day you become useless or fail to please me, then I'll have to discard you."
This was something Tian Yao had anticipated long ago, but she didn't dare to refuse.
There was no permanent powerful backer in the world, nor were there permanent friends. There were only eternal interests.
First, she had to let others realize that she was useful, loyal, and had weaknesses that could be easily grasped. Then, in the future, they would surely spend more time and energy on her.
Didn't He Ciyuan like the milky fragrance on her body? He thought it could relieve his pain. So they needed each other.
A person like him, who was used to being high - and - mighty, surely hoped that others would bow their heads first. At this moment, for the sake of survival, what did face matter?
"Mo Chen, go to the cabinet under the study and fetch the new flower seeds."
Mo Chen quickly fetched a small box, which contained the remaining flower seeds.
"Take good care of them. If you ruin them, I'll hold you accountable."
He Ciyuan spoke again, his tone calm. "From now on, all my medicine will be fetched by you. There are many people watching you. You just need to know what you can touch and what you can't."
Tian Yao instantly understood.
He was regarding her as one of his own and wasn't afraid that she would put something in the medicine.
Of course, she didn't have the guts to do so.
On the other side, the rumor that Bixi had been wrongly accused after failing to cut flowers had changed the next day.
The new servants in the mansion were whispering to each other, saying that Tian Yao was really shameless. After catching the eye of the eldest young master, she dared to bully the concubines and could dispose of the young master's favorite flowers at will. Instead of being punished, she had even received rewards.
Some even said that He Ciyuan, a disabled man, had an increasingly gloomy mind. He was secretly cultivating his confidants with ill intentions and was using the people of He Huaibi for a trial.
All these words reached the ears of the old lady word for word.
"Secretly cultivating confidants?" The old lady twirled her Buddhist beads, a sneer on her lips. "A person who can't be put on the table. His legs are crippled. What kind of waves can he make?"
"Old lady, although that's the case, the eldest young master still holds a part of the Marquis Mansion's business. We have to be on guard." The maid beside her whispered. "Tian Yao came from our side and has become his confidant. We have to be cautious. How about testing her depth through this girl?"
The old lady slowly opened her closed eyes. "Yes, go and make the arrangements. Don't leave any traces."
That afternoon, He Ciyuan indeed ordered Tian Yao to go to the medicine storehouse in the mansion to fetch something.
Mo Chen handed her a prescription with a solemn expression. "This Manager Wang is not easy to deal with. Usually, I'm the one who goes to get the medicine. But in the future, you'll have to get familiar with it and learn to deal with them by yourself."
"I understand." Tian Yao carefully put away the prescription and curtsied.
The medicine storehouse was located in the northwest corner of the Marquis Mansion. The courtyard wall was high, and the guards were strict. As soon as Tian Yao approached, she was stopped by two burly servants.
"We've never seen you before. What are you doing here?"
"Two big brothers, I'm here on the order of the eldest young master to fetch some medicine." Tian Yao handed over the prescription with a gentle and harmless smile.
The servant glanced at the prescription and sized her up and down. His eyes were lecherous and contemptuous. "What are you, a maid, doing here to fetch medicine? There's never been such a thing before. Ask the eldest young master to send someone else. Don't make a scene here. Get out!"
Actually, they were deliberately making things difficult for Tian Yao.
The smile on Tian Yao's face remained unchanged, but her heart turned cold. It was really true that the good - natured were bullied.
She didn't argue. Instead, she gently asked, "So, this is Manager Wang's intention?"
"Our manager is very busy. He doesn't have time to see a lowly thing like you!"
"Fine." Tian Yao nodded and actually turned around and left.
The two servants exchanged a look, and both saw pride in each other's eyes.
However, Tian Yao didn't go far. She just stood at the most prominent position in front of the medicine storehouse, took out a small embroidered stool from her bosom, sat down, and quietly waited.
Her actions left the people inside confused.
A quarter of an hour passed, and then half an hour.
Tian Yao sat upright, like a beautiful porcelain doll, attracting the sideways glances of the passing servants. The whispers gradually grew louder.
Finally, the door of the medicine storehouse opened, and a fat middle - aged man walked out. It was Manager Wang.
"Where did this girl come from? Blocking the door like this. What a disgrace!" Manager Wang looked impatient.
Tian Yao stood up and calmly handed over the prescription again. "I'm here to fetch the medicine. Could you please take a look..."
It was better to be polite first. If the other person was not willing, then she could fight with him. Anyway, she was already prepared.
"On the order of the eldest young master?" Manager Wang sneered and threw the prescription on the ground. "I haven't received any notice. If you keep causing trouble here, be careful that I'll tie you up as a thief. Then you won't be able to go back."
The surrounding servants burst into laughter.
Tian Yao slowly squatted down, picked up the dusty prescription, and gently patted it.
When she looked up again, there was no trace of a smile on her face. Her watery eyes were as cold as ice.
"Manager Wang, this prescription was written by the eldest young master himself. This medicine is for his physical conditioning." She stepped forward step by step. Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear. "You know that the eldest young master has a bad temper. He said that if he doesn't see the medicine before noon, he will come here in person to ask you."
"Who are you trying to scare?" Manager Wang was outwardly fierce but inwardly timid.
"I'm not trying to scare you." Tian Yao suddenly smiled. That smile was somewhat strange in the afternoon sun. "I'm just a servant. Naturally, I don't want to upset you. But most of the servants who have offended the young master before are no longer in the mansion. Manager Wang, with your tough skin, can you endure the pain?"