Yi Qing followed Deng Xiao step by step to a desolate small courtyard.
To be precise, it was just a small house for hunters to take a temporary rest in the remote mountains. There was a rough wooden fence around it, probably to prevent wild beasts from attacking.
Due to its long - standing age, many of the wooden planks had rotted, showing a shabby and mottled appearance.
The surrounding area was overgrown with weeds, and the occasional clear chirping of birds could be heard. This place was really far from any village.
Deng Xiao carried a bag of rice and stepped forward to knock on the door. Three knocks, then another three, and this was repeated four times. Then the door opened, revealing the face of a woman.
This woman was about thirty years old. She had high cheekbones and cold, sharp eyebrows and eyes. At first glance, she seemed difficult to get along with. Presumably, this was Mrs. Hu.
She must have suffered a lot, as there were indelible marks of the passage of time on her face and hands.
While Yi Qing was sizing her up, she was also looking at Yi Qing.
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Hu said coldly. "Why did you bring someone else here? Deng Xiao, don't play any tricks!"
As she said this, she deliberately lowered her voice, obviously not wanting the people inside the house to hear.
"I've found someone to serve my mother, to help her take a bath and wash her clothes," Deng Xiao said. "She's just a maid. Her name is Xiao Qing, and she can cook. I'm fed up with the food you cook."
Yi Qing couldn't help but recall that she never mentioned she could cook.
Did the imperial bodyguards keep an eye on her?
Mrs. Hu said, "Remember, the old lady is in my hands! If you dare to play any tricks, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Hearing her say this, Yi Qing knew that she had agreed.
Sure enough, after Mrs. Hu finished speaking, she turned around and went inside, ignoring the two people behind her.
Deng Xiao glanced at Yi Qing. "Come in."
When they walked into the yard, they heard an old voice say, "Is Gou'er back?"
This nickname almost made Yi Qing burst out laughing.
Although a humble name was supposed to make a child easy to raise, this one... was just too humble! So that's why Deng Xiao later became a eunuch?
But Deng Xiao seemed to have anticipated her reaction. Before she could laugh out, a murderous look shot at her.
Yi Qing's smile died in the bud. She covered her lips with a fist and coughed twice. "This name is quite unique. I won't let my son play with you."
"What do you mean?"
"My son's name is Baozi."
Deng Xiao: "..."
His speechless expression made Yi Qing think he was confused. She kindly explained, "You know the saying 'a meat bun thrown at a dog never comes back', right?"
Deng Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "The last person who dared to talk to me like this has been minced into stuffing for baozi!"
Yi Qing: "..." "I didn't say anything."
"Is Gou'er back?" The person inside the house probably couldn't wait any longer and called out again.
This time, Yi Qing really couldn't hold it in and let out a "pfft" laugh.
Deng Xiao glared at her fiercely and said, "Mother, I'm back. I went out and bought a maid to serve you. Xiao Qing, come quickly!"
Yi Qing followed him inside.
Deng Xiao's mother's maiden surname was He, and she was known as Mrs. He.
Mrs. He was nearly seventy years old, but her body was very strong. Her eyes were still clear. She was wearing a dark - fragrant - colored robe and had a headband with continuous - pattern on her head. She had kind eyes and a beaming smile.
"What a pretty girl," Mrs. He waved to Yi Qing.
Yi Qing didn't like to get too close to people, but seeing her like this, she couldn't bear to refuse. Mainly because she was intimidated by Deng Xiao's power, she didn't dare to refuse. She stepped forward and put her hand in Mrs. He's.
"You're really pretty!" Mrs. He sized her up from head to toe and became more and more satisfied.
Yi Qing pretended to be shy and lowered her eyes, but in her heart, she thought something was wrong.
Sure enough, Mrs. He took off a gold bracelet from her wrist and insisted on putting it on Yi Qing's wrist.
Yi Qing's wrists were thin, and wearing the gold bracelet was like wearing a collar. She repeatedly declined.
If she were really a maid, this gold bracelet would be worth more than her price of sale.
Deng Xiao said helplessly, "Mother, this is the maid I found to serve you."
"A maid is good. A maid is good. She's pretty and obedient. Let her be my daughter - in - law," Mrs. He's face broke into a wide smile.
Yi Qing: "..."
Mrs. He was really an innocent person.
Also, she must be so eager to marry off her son.
Mrs. Hu sneered, but when she spoke, her face was all smiles. "Mother - in - law, you'll scare the poor girl like this. Let's take it slow."
Yi Qing was speechless.
So Mrs. He regarded a thief as her daughter?
Digging a pit for her own son, making him go against the imperial edict and putting his head at stake every day. This was really a loving mother.
"Right, right, right. Qiao'er is right. Look at me being so impatient... It's no wonder. This is the first time Gou'er has brought a girl in front of me. I don't have any experience. Come, come, sit down quickly. Gou'er, go make some tea and bring out the snacks."
Since Yi Qing entered this yard, she felt like she had walked into a large - scale comedy show. Her three views were completely subverted.
The powerful and terrifying imperial bodyguard leader, who was feared by everyone outside, had degenerated into a poor dog who couldn't find a wife and was being ordered around...
Yi Qing watched as Deng Xiao obediently went out, and Mrs. Hu chattered beside her. Her mind became even more confused, and she could only do her duty and play the role of a maid well.
Yi Qing cooked dinner. Since Deng Xiao's subordinates provided sufficient ingredients, the dinner was quite good.
Yi Qing made a dish of boiled fish slices, hoping to please Deng Xiao. Unexpectedly, after just one bite, his lips swelled up like a sausage.
Yi Qing immediately felt like she had flattered the wrong person.
But unexpectedly, Mrs. He liked it very much. If Yi Qing hadn't stopped her, she would have drunk the soup.
"What a virtuous girl," Mrs. He praised Yi Qing and took off her ring to give to her.
Yi Qing: "..."
"Take it. The old lady is rewarding you. Serve her well in the future," Deng Xiao said coldly.
Yi Qing silently took it.
It wasn't just her imagination. She felt that Mrs. Hu never relaxed her vigilance against her and always sized her up quietly.
As a maid, Yi Qing resignedly cleared the dishes.
After washing the dishes, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. How long had it been since she did such rough work? She even had a bit of a backache. Sure enough, people couldn't be idle.
"Do you know what's wrong with my mother?"
Yi Qing was startled by the deliberately low - pitched voice in her ear. She couldn't help but say, "Scaring people like this can kill. Don't you make any noise when you walk?"
Deng Xiao frowned and said, "I'm asking you a question. That bitch is accompanying my mother to talk, so I came to ask you. Have you noticed anything?"
Yi Qing said angrily, "I just got here. I haven't felt the old lady's pulse, nor have I seen her medicine. Do you think I'm a god?"
"Aren't you known as a divine doctor?" Deng Xiao looked dissatisfied.
"Aren't you known as the king of hell?"
Deng Xiao: "..."